The Girl in Pearls

Model: Anne Curtis

when the light touches your face
for a second it melts into your skin;
like molten gold
and the world takes in a collective breath
afraid to break the delicate china of your bones.
you hide behind a curtain of lashes
caged by the pearls at your wrist, draped in twists of silk
that you think are richer than your skin,
and I wonder what you see when you close your eyes,
freedom, fear, or maybe paradise.

you look like an elegant piece of time,
like a soft vision of something long ago, a romantic memory in a weathered novel,
or the inky cursive script of a love letter.
I want to weave these moments into a chain of memories
braid them like flowers into your hair
blend them into the blush of your cheeks before they slip
through my fingers; like feathers in the wind
before you get lost in all your finery and lace,
and blink.

you see, you are a beauty not meant to be forgotten
like a timeless song or the words in a classic
and within this musical, breathless chaos around us
you have forgotten that yourself.

©AnumAziz

"Like" me on Facebook!

Hello friends!

 My friends seem to believe (to my delight and embarrassment) that I'm not that bad of a writer and have suggested that I make a Facebook page to make my work more accessible to people. I don't think that's a bad idea - social networking is such a large part of our everyday lives, so why not?

The page will revolve solely around my written work and you can "Like" it here:

https://www.facebook.com/WordsbyAnum

I'm still really self-conscious about my work, but I suppose that it is better to just push yourself into uncomfortable situations so that you can get over your fears and become who you want to be rather than wonder. And as good as my imagination is, I'd rather live my dreams than spend eternity wondering about them.

So please go to the page, like it, and share it with your friends.

Post a cheesy joke or two, a poem, a hello on the wall. Because as important as my words are to me, so are yours.

xx

A Fortunate Fortune

Everyone, and I do mean every single person ever, has a dream. Or dreams.

We all want to be somebody, do something, and go somewhere. So why don't we just do it?

Stop letting things, people, circumstances, and life hold you back.

Live.

And do that something-something that you meant to do eventually. Do it today. Do it while you still can, while you're still here.

Become who you've always wanted to be. Why waste your time dreaming your dreams and not living them?

Think about who people would remember you as or remember about you were you to die today. 

Morbid? Yes. Realistic? Absolutely.

And while some of us are optimists and pessimists, we all have to come to terms with reality at some point. You can't avoid it, try as you may. Life is all about blending your dreams with your reality. It's about finding a balance that will make you happy. It's about finding not only where you belong, but who you belong as.

Some of us live for ourselves while some of us live for others. It's okay. Either way is fine. No one is being selfish and no one is being self-sacrificial, we're just being who we are. 

People will tell you to live for yourself and to not suffer through life pleasing others. They will tell you that it's wrong and I won't tell you that it's right, but if pleasing your parents as a doctor gives you more happiness than following your dream of being a baker, don't feel bad. Don't you realize that you're still following your dreams? You're still finding happiness and you're doing it your way.

And if you find that being someone you don't want to be is making you unhappy and all you feel is this great void in your heart, you should follow your dreams. Find your happiness and find it your own way. You may think people will be disappointed and yes, they might be, but when they see your joy how could they possibly think you were wrong?

Think about it. When you see someone comfortable in their skin and happy with their lives, don't you feel that warmth radiating off of them? Think of that one teacher in school who was your favourite because they were so passionate about what they taught. That is who you want to be. Not specifically a teacher, but that person who lives their life with passion and fierce determination.

When you're unsure of where your future lies and what you should do with yourself, think selfishly. Then try thinking realistically. 

Can what you want to be and what you can be melt into one another?

 Is there a reasonable, honest way for you to get as close as possible to your dreams? Being closer than where you are now will always be better than not moving at all. So move, because your destination is your destiny.

Find your way there.

P.S. Hope you're all having a good week so far!

5 Things: H&M Conscious Collection 2012

Okay, who else is loving the new H&M Conscious Collection???

The whole feminine and summery look it gives off is gorgeous!

In short, it's EXACTLY the kind of stuff I go for so clearly I'm dying to go on a major shopping spree.

...If only I wasn't a broke student. (cue the tears)

Here are some of my favourite pieces (it took great self-restraint not to post everything, pat on the back). Enjoy!

How elegant is this dress?!
Perfect for Prom or just about any other fancy shmancy occasion.
Plus it's purple, can't get prettier than that! 
Dress, $199 

This is one of my favourite pieces in the
entire collection. There's something so whimsical and
cute about this blouse, oui?
Blouse, $17.95

This blazer is perfect for formal and casual wear,
and the ruffled details on the sides give it such a unique flair. Love. 
Blazer, $59.95

The price points of this collection are conscious indeed.
This lace skirt is elegant, but also really affordable.
Skirt, $14.95

A lot of the collection includes fruity and floral prints like 

this blouse. Hello summer.

Blouse, $34.95

Check out the rest of the Conscious Collection at www.hm.com

Quote of the Day

- and the day came -

when the risk to remain 

tight in a bud was more

painful than the risk it

took to blossom 

Poetry

Sun, after, time, owe, love, happens, even, all, you, Earth, Sky, a, lights, what, this, never, the, look, says, with, the, to, me, like, the, it, whole, that.

Confused? 

Look at the words above. They're just simple, short, everyday words and scattered like that they make no sense. But can you create something beautiful out of a handful of stray words?

Of course you can.

A lot of people shy away from reading or writing poetry because they just don't understand its elegance and versatile ways. You can take simple, discarded thoughts and shape them into something full of inspiration and beauty and call it a poem.

So why don't you give it a shot? And if you're not feeling creative, Google some poems and see if you find something you like. You may find that someone has managed to grab the feelings right out of your heart and has strung them together with a few words.

And if you find something really good, share it with me in the comments below :)

Happy Reading! xx

Quote of the Day

Disney Girls

Full disclosure: I was never a "girly-girl". Sure, I was always very calm and put-together. But as a kid, I was never into makeup, jewelry, and all that lovely stuff. It wasn't until my late teens that I started having an interest in all things feminine (side effect to having brothers? maybe).

There is one girly thing though that I have always had a weakness for. 

Disney princesses.

I've watched all the movies and read all the books a million times and so when I saw these pictures while perusing through tumblr, I had to share them with you.

All the Disney princesses as they would be in real life - cute, right? Also...a great fashion guide for all you ladies who have always wanted to dress like your favourite girl :)

5 Things: Spring

The seasons are changing and you know what that means. 

It's a perfect time to refresh your wardrobe and re-energize your look!

Here are 5 trends that I'm loving this Spring:

1. Pastel and bright nail colours

I'm absolutely in love with Essie's new collection (especially "To Buy or Not  To Buy" - the lavender one below). These colours would look good with almost every outfit and whether you're into the feminine look (pastels) or the cheerful one (brights), this collection will definitely be worth it.

Essie's Spring 2012 Collection

2. The Maxi

Maxis are often overlooked by women because they seem sort of old-fashioned and boring. But long skirts are making a comeback this year and there are so many ways you can style them without looking bland or farmgirl-ish. Check out Alexis at beautyfashionlove for styling tips.

I recently bought this maxi from Forever 21 in a Rose color:

Satin Maxi - Forever 21, $22.50

3. Braids

Braids are always in fashion. You can do them in so many different ways that they serve you in both casual and formal events. If you're a frequent visitor on my blog, you know I'm obsessed with all things braids.

So here are some of my favourites:

Braided Headband Updo by Keiko Lynn. For a tutorial, click here

A schoolgirl look. Loosened french braid at the front, tucked into an updo at the back.

Rope braid by Maegan. Click for tutorial here

4. Prints

I love prints and I'm so glad they've become even more popular recently. You can incorporate them into your everyday life so easily through clothing, shoes, decor - you name it. Here are some of my favourites:

Cascioli in the Utopian Tropic Collection at Spring, $45.00

Tropical One-Shoulder Dress, Dynamite, $39.90

Cockatoo Bedding, Anthropologie

5. Statement Necklaces

There's something so "Gossip Girl" about statement necklaces. Of course, you can wear them formally, but you could also pair them with casual outfits to stand out. Statement necklaces spruce up looks that would otherwise blend in and this spring you can definitely use all the colours to your advantage. I'm in love these pieces:

Palamino Necklace, Stella & Dot, $138.00

Cutout Leaf Collar Necklace, Forever 21, $6.80 

H&M, $14.95 (also available in soft pink)

Why I Can't Sleep Tonight

     There are too many things to think about and I'm afraid that with the noise and nonsense that morning brings, they will get lost in the cracks of nothingness and everything. Who is to say where thoughts go once they leave our minds. Do they fizzle into non-existence? Are they just forgotten happenings? Synapses in our neural network that leave no trace behind? If so, why are some thoughts forgotten yet buried deep within our subconscious, only to be rooted out by a trigger or stimulus. Are they reborn - with those neural pathways finding their way home again? Or are they always there - each thought we have ever conceived - sitting idly, abiding its time, waiting to be remembered? Once you give life to them, they live and die with you.
     Think about all the memories you have had. Not just the major ones; the birthdays, funerals and milestones, but every single memory from the moment of your first breath up until your most recent blink. Every touch, smell, and laugh is wrapped up inside the folds of your mind, in the intense darkness of your subconscious. Always there, never forgotten. And you wonder why some people have excellent memories. The candles they carry into that darkness must burn slightly brighter than yours, but no two cracks, smiles, or oranges on a tree are ever the same. Your candle will be the brightest in the darkness that your thoughts call home and its light will be the only glow they will see. Just because your flame is fading doesn't mean those memories are not there anymore.
     So as I sit and chuck some thoughts, stray words, unfinished sentences, and broken things into the expanse of nothingness that is tethered to my soul, I hope that things will find each other like opposite ends of magnets do, and every once in a while a forgotten thought will be remembered. That it will fall into place, fill up a void, and mature with age like fine wine, to make more sense than it had before and lighten my mental load.

Goodnight