For some reason, I didn’t take many pictures in 2009. I was able to find some that were taken in the years Prior and after, but I must had been either busy, or just plain ugly that year.

Isn’t it funny how a single picture brings back memories? I don’t remember what I ate but this was at The Ivy in Beverly Hills. I was Wearing a Michael Star shirt that I had gotten for cheap at Loehmann’s (spelling?) which I recently threw away after wearing it as a pajama top for YEARS. It had holes and stains everywhere and I loved it. Those sunglasses were also purchased at Loehmann’s in Irvine- can you tell that it was my favorite place to shop? Why did they have to close down?!? Anyhow, yes, they were Oliver Peoples, and I really did enjoy them during the time we were together. I really don’t know what happened to them; i must have either left them in Korea, or sold them at some point. And my first luxury watch- which is now sadly broken and benched somewhere. I kind of hate the thing now after having spent close to $500 trying to get it fixed on both coasts- once in LA and once in NYC, and the sad thing is, I think both places ripped me off. Reason why I’m sticking to FitBit or iWatch going forward- no more “luxury watches” for me. Yeah, so this was when I had just started this blog while not even knowing what fashion blogs were. I was having fun with it but hadn’t told many people about it. I was working in corporate so every saturday I’d venture out to discover new places to eat and shoot. Traffic wasn’t too bad back then and life was nearly worry-free. I sometimes miss my naiveté ironically, considering the things I would be dealing with in the following years.

This was probably taken on the way to LA on one of the Saturdays. I believe I was going to Melrose to eat at Hatfield’s or some fancy restaurant. I had stopped by some stores on Melrose prior and ran into Dani Song who is Aimee Song’s sister. Dani was so sweet and when I told her that I was following her sister’s blog, she straight up called her on the spot and told her about me. hahaha. Who knew that I’d be sitting next to her at a fashion show in New York a few years later. Blogging was so much fun before it got so over saturated. I’m honestly so over it now. I can’t stop cringing over this picture though. How much make up am I wearing? I don’t even look like myself and I probably didn’t even need much make up back then either. I definitely need it now. If you are in your twenties right now, please understand that you are beautiful the way you are, especially your skin. Take care of it and keep it fresh and clean for as long as you can, because when you get older, you will regret wearing make up when you were younger. Trust me. I wish someone had told me when I was younger that I didn’t need foundation to look pretty. It comes from inside, ladies… inside.

During this phase, I was so into being extra at everything- from jewelry layering to prints on clothes, make up, etc… look at the lashes. ugh. One thing I miss is the hair… before all the bleaching and coloring, it looks like there was a time when it actually looked healthy- or is it that youth just naturally comes with all the good things?  *sigh*

This was taken last Christmas, just a few weeks ago. I don’t look too bad here but consider the technology. hahahah. I literally cannot take pictures with a regular camera anymore. Ladies know what I mean. but I do like that over the years, I was able to figure out what suits me best in terms of style. I rarely experiment with make up anymore unless I have to, and have kept my hair this color for a few years now which I’m finally happy with (remember my crazy pastel hair days back in seoul?!). I keep my wardrobe and belongings super minimal unlike ten years ago, and I’m constantly trying to get rid of things. I’ve learned that life isn’t about material possessions or how I look to people. I’ve learned to let go of things and the past and look to the future so I can be a better person. My face and body may have aged, but I’m thankful that I’ve been given another chance. God is good.

© 2019, Tomi. All rights reserved.