SLIDER


JennifHsieh is a space for my rambling thoughts and snaps of my everyday style. I'm based in Astoria, Queens and I share a home with my two derpy cats and my equally derpy fiancé.

January 29, 2014

On Armchairs and Phone Cases


Vintage Boy's Cardigan (similar) | Gray Dress c/o Popbasic (similar) | Urban Outfitters Black Ankle Boots | Mustard Phone Case c/o Born Pretty

Yes, I know.
It looks like I'm doing a jig in the photo above. Now that we have that out of the way...

I crossed something off my list of 2014 resolutions and it's not even February yet! Last night, I bought an armchair. That's right. It's been 24 hours and it's already taken the place in my heart reserved for "The Love of my Life". I came across it at the Salvation army for only $30 and it was exactly what I was looking for. It was already worn in, it was big enough to nap in, and had the perfect nooks toward the top for my head to rest in. And can we talk about the fact that I had budgeted $400 for the perfect one (I know, I know...I was really going all out for this armchair)? SO YOU GUYS...if I don't want to hang out with you because I have a date with my armchair, I apologize. But I don't...because I have no shame in being in love with a piece of furniture.

On a less strange note, I got a new phone case that I'm actually head over heels in love with. For a few months I decided I liked the look of my phone without a case, which lead to me cracking both the back and the front screen. Then the Born Pretty team reached out about a review and I gave in and opted for a case in one of my favorite colors, mustard (if you couldn't tell how much I loved it from my blog design). But I'm actually starting to love having a case more. For one thing, it's such a bold color that it makes it easy to spot when my room is covered in clothes and food. And second of all, just look at that design on the back! It's covered in little houses and buildings that actually stick out to create a fun texture. A winner? INDEED. I wish the edges came out a little bit more to give my front screen a little bit more protection, but so far no further damage has come to my phone. Victory!


11 comments

January 27, 2014

On Being Disgustingly Sappy


H&M Men's Cardigan stolen from Jeremy (similar), Cropped Blue Top (similar) | Vintage Fish Beach Dress (similar) | Monogram Necklace c/o Onecklace

No, I'm not talking about me. Let's be real. I'm talking about this necklace.

I recently had the chance to review a beautiful, engraved necklace, courtesy of the lovely Onecklace team and this necklace stole my heart within a matter of seconds. But the problem here was that the circle version only came with two circles...not one. I kept thinking to myself, this would be a great time to have two kids. I could engrave their names on each one and I would always carry them with me. But then I remembered that I most definitely don't have children. Like, I'm 99.999% sure I don't have children...so that wasn't really an option.

The only option I could think of was putting Jeremy's name as well as my own and you guys, that's just really, really corny. But adorable. But also just really, disgustingly corny. Nobody wants to be that couple that's publicly in love with their sappy Facebook posts, photo collages, and engraved necklaces. Especially me. But you know what? Whatever.

There's nothing wrong with indulging all the sap that's leaking out of your heart from time to time. Nothing wrong with having a little reminder of someone who means the world to you around your neck. I mean, it's not like I have his name in neon lights on my forehead (watch out, Jeremy, that's next). So please excuse me while I embrace the part of me that wants to be a love bird because I believe it's healthy to just love openly and relentlessly.

Not like you guys really minded anyway. Guess it's just a little reminder to myself not to be embarrassed by little things like this. Or think too much of them. But enough of that...this necklace? I love it. There's usually only two things I look for in jewelry - it needs to be gold and it needs to be simple. And surprise, surprise...this bad boy delivers. ;)


15 comments

January 26, 2014

Grow Beneath the Winter Snow


Skirt Overalls c/o Chicnova (similar) | Urban Outfitters Cropped Beige Sweater (similar) | Fleece-Lined Tights c/o Silkies | Urban Outfitters Ankle Boots | Forever 21 Earmuffs (similar) 

I ran away from the city this weekend and spent most of it with Jeremy in good ol' New Jersey. Being in the city, it's always beautiful watching the snowfall, but everyone's so worried about keeping their commutes running smoothly so the snow ends up plowed, shoveled, and salted until you forget any of it even fell from the sky. In Jersey? It's everywhere and you can actually embrace a winter wonderland. I mean, just look at it.

We spent most of our time indoors watching movies and working on a children's book that we're slowly writing together. In between staying warm, we also drove out to meet some of his high school friends, who called me out for wearing overalls. Overalls that don't actually serve the purpose of being overalls because there's nothing to hold up since it's a skirt? Yes. Yes, that's right. And I'm not ashamed.


4 comments

January 25, 2014

The PNW Diaries: Organic Pies + Lakeside Views


Gap Striped Shirt (similar) | Urban Outfitters Beige Cropped Sweater (similar), Mustard Skirt (similar) | Fleece-Lined Tights c/o Silkies | Tan Combat Boots c/o LuLu*s

Our final day in Vancouver was a super relaxing one which consisted of generally a lot of eating. We had an early start to the day and met up with one of Jeremy's friends who he met while backpacking around eastern Europe last summer. His friend drove us toward the Spanish Banks, in the southwest of the city, and we had the most incredible pies at Aphrodite's Organic Cafe & Pie Shop. I didn't know I could have pies this fine.

After a quick stroll along the Spanish Bank beaches, we ended up heading back to the Chinatown area to take it easy after the previous day's walking adventures. We couldn't decide between two different places for dinner later that night, so Jeremy and I decided to have two mini-dinners as a solution. The first place was thanks to Jess's suggestion, Phnom Penh, which is known for their famously delicious chicken wings. Jeremy and I decided we could pretty much sit there for hours eating unlimited wings but we had to depart before we molded our butts into our seats.

Our second dinner was just at a quaint, little sushi place on Commercial Drive called Ginger Sushi. We wanted to take advantage of the amazing seafood and it was a nice and relaxing way to end our time in Vancouver. Since the place was so small, and it was getting late, we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves and even chatted a bit with the owners. Vancouver, you treated us well and our bellies even nicer. I'll be back for more of your noms soon. ;)

8 comments

January 24, 2014

The Inner Workings of my Mind


My body is currently rejecting this Polar Vortex round two that's all up in my grill this week. I take one step outside and it starts screaming, "GO BACK IN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" It doesn't really help that I'm so casually taking my coat off in pictures as if the temps are in the mid-sixties. The images are full of lies you guys.

I've pretty much been wearing jeans all week because I know even my fleece-lined tights might not do the trick when the morning temperatures are in the single digits. Actually, now that I think about it, jeans aren't really that much thicker or warmer. Perhaps I'll start wearing both of them together. And throw some leg warmers on top of those two layers. Gonna be waddling around the city by that point instead of walking. At least it's Friday so the weekend is only a few hours away. Can I get a WHAT WHAT?


15 comments

January 22, 2014

The PNW Diaries: Granville + Sunset Beach


After exploring Gastown, Jeremy and I walked right through downtown Vancouver (which was pretty much like every other business area in any city) toward Granville Island (thanks for the suggestion, Jenna!). I was super exited to take the itty bitty ferry across the river and a part of me wants to be a ferry conductor now. Since Vancouver gets a good number of American tourists from across the border, the conductor kept cracking jokes about Canadian stereotypes and I uncomfortably and quietly laughed to myself since I wasn't sure what was going on.

Once we pulled into the Granvile Island docks, I immediately fell in love with pretty much everything. The Public Market was my favorite because of all the food. I never thought I could walk around for hours just looking at food, smelling the food, and eating the food...but that's exactly what Jeremy and I did that morning. We ended up splitting the most incredible Clam Chowder Pot Pie from A La Mode (I'm still having dreams about it) as well as a sausage hot dog from the Kaisereck Deli. We actually ended up sharing most of our meals like this during our trip so each of us would be able to try more without paying for our own dishes. Unfortunately, we didn't stay long enough to experience Granville Island at night, like Angela suggested, but that just means we'll have to visit again. ;)


Afterward, we took the ferry back across the river and, despite the rainfall getting heavier and heavier, we spent the rest of the afternoon walking along Sunset Beach. Vancouver has such lovely beaches along the lake. They're all pretty small but there's just something so calming and relaxing about them. There's also a lot of art scattered around the area; for example, we came across a giant metal sculpture of [whale] ribs by Bernar Venet. By the time we were completely drenched, we were ready to make the long walk back to our temporary abode. I'm just glad neither of us got sick from being rain n00bs.


6 comments

January 21, 2014

Welcoming Winter Storm Janus


Forever 21 Brown Coat | H&M Oatmeal Sweater (similar) | H&M Burgundy Pants (similar) | Studded Boots c/o Yeswalker (similar) | Infinity Scarf c/o LuLu*s (similar) | Forever 21 Earmuffs (similar)

So, Winter Storm Janus is in full swing right now and the snow is supposed to continue for ten more hours until the early hours of tomorrow morning. Looking out of my East Harlem apartment window, the entire city looks like a winter wonderland. Is it Christmas again? Most of my office left early today to catch their trains before the snow shut everything down. Since I didn't have to leave Manhattan, I stayed until normal hours and ended up trekking through a few solid layers of snow and slush.

As much as I can't wait for warmer weather, I can never not fall in love with snow. No matter where life takes me, I want to end up living somewhere with plenty of snow fall. If you're being hit by Janus, I hope you're staying warm indoors!


11 comments

January 19, 2014

The PNW Diaries: Walking Vancouver


Red Blazer Coat c/o LuLu*s (similar) | Forever 21 Denim Jacket (similar) | American Apparel Black Crop Top (similar) | Love Culture Striped Skirt (similar) | Fleece-Lined Tights c/o Silkies | Urban Outfitters Black Ankle Boots (similar)

If you thought you were seeing a lot of my brown coat this season, you're now probably thinking you've seen enough of this scarlet number as well. Or you're not thinking about either of those things because my blog really isn't something you think about on a daily basis. But either way, here it is. Again. For your viewing pleasure. Or mine. Or no one's really.

Our first day in Vancouver was full of a whole lot of walking and a consistent drizzle from sunrise to sunset. Jeremy and I were stubborn and refused to buy an umbrella for a single day and, even though it was just light rain, after a good six hours it penetrated through our coats and soaked even our inner most layers. Oh, and the best part was finding a complimentary umbrella in the closet back at the apartment we were staying at...after it stopped raining. Whomp.

We started off by walking around Gastown which was my favorite neighborhood of the many we wandered through. Brick buildings and cobblestone roads? Be still my beating heart. We actually ended up coming back to the Gastown area later in the evening to grab dinner with Jess and her boyfriend at The Flying Pig. If you can go...GO. Such delicious food but it was, of course, made even better by amazing company. Thanks for a hilariously great time, Jess. <3 nbsp="" p="">

9 comments

January 18, 2014

The PNW Diaries: Goodbye, City of Goodwill


Red Blazer Coat c/o LuLu*s (similar) | Gap Striped Shirt (similar) | Black Tanya Jeans c/o Level 99 | Urban Outfitters Black Ankle Boots (similar) 

Before we set off to catch our bus to Vancouver, Jeremy and I took one last trip to the waterfront and took the longer walk along the pier to the station. My favorite part about Seattle, hands down, is being so close to the water. Sure, Manhattan is surrounded by water, but it doesn't have the same calming feeling when you're looking at high-rises across either river.

To get from city to city during our entire trip, Jeremy and I hopped on Bolt Buses which were super comfortable, had great service, and provided free wifi. For the most part, Jeremy slept while I either drew in my sketchbook, listened to music, or took snapchats of Jeremy sleeping and drawing penises on his face. Got him good.

But as you're reading this, I'll most likely be skiing at Killington in Vermont. Wait, let me correct myself. I'll most likely be standing on the top of the bunny slope and asking myself why, again, did I decide this was a good idea. I haven't been skiing in approximately ten years and I was never ever good at it to begin with. Let's hope I make it home without any bruises or injuries. If I get any bruises though, you'll most likely see those bad boys on my Instagram because, really now, who doesn't want to see bruises in their feed? That's what I thought.

What do you guys have going on this weekend?


12 comments
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