Listen To: Taylor Swift (1989)

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Okay just to be clear, I was never really a Taylor Swift fan until she released her most recent album. I'm not at all crazy about her previous albums with the exception of her mainstream hits like '22' or 'I Knew You Were Trouble.' BUT, 1989 is a completely different story you guys. I am actually really really impressed with TayTay's official pop-crossover album that I can't help but keep listening to it.

Album Cover: Taylor Swift's 1989

Not going to lie, this album really does give me an 80's vibe (I mean it might just be me, but whatever). The only song that I'm not really a big fan of is 'Welcome to New York,' but that's just one song, and it's not enough to ruin the entire album for me (I just tend to skip that song ALL THE TIME. lol). Every time I play her album, I feel like I'm listening to an 80's movie soundtrack (think Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, and Pretty in Pink). It's just a feel-good album with an exceptionally impressive pop sound. So kudos to Taylor Swift, because her tracks are so damn catchy.

P.S. I also just discovered that TayTay has two cats, and wow, I think I just love her more now.

Here are just a few of my favorites from Taylor Swift's 1989:

Blank Space

Not only is this song so damn angsty and catchy, the cinematography of this music video was just lovely. Great track to listen to, plus a very entertaining music video to watch!

Style

"You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
And I got that red lip, classic thing that you like.."

This is probably my favorite track from the entire album. 

I Know Places

Very dark and vibe-y (am I making sense?). It's just so catchy!

Happy Listening!

-Frances

Room Inspiration: Work Spaces

I always think of my work space as a reflection of how busy, stressful, or organized my life is currently. A messy desk probably means I am way to busy to even bother cleaning it up so I'm just going to walk away, be lazy, and do work on my bed. Clothes makeup and paper strewn all over my desk and chair like a tornado hit my room, is a very very good indication that I am probably on the verge of an emotional/mental breakdown (e.g. there is way too much going on). However, there are also great days when my desk is spotless and everything is where they're supposed to be because I got my shit together that day.

This is currently how my desk looks like, so based on my work space let's rate how busy I am on a scale of 1-10 (1 being 'straight chillin,' and 10 being 'sh*t-show'). Safe to say I'm not going too crazy at the moment.

Anyway, so speaking of work spaces, I draw a lot of inspiration from Pinterest (duh) and other decor blogs when I really really want to re-organize or re-decorate my work desk. I mean I live in an on-campus apartment so I can't really do much about the furniture in my room, but just adding a few pieces and organizing my stuff a particular way is good enough for me. BUT that doesn't stop me from lusting over these amazing, super organized, and super stylish work spaces:
(P.S. you can click on the images to enlarge them!)

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holiday wishlist

Okay, I know it's been a while ladies and gents but school/work/life has completely taken over most of whatever free time I can get. However, since it's really gross outside (e.g. gloomy, cloudy, and rainy) I've decided to just lay in bed and catch up on this whole blogging business.

First things first, is it just me or is everyone else just as excited that Thanksgiving is coming up and right after that is Christmas?!?! Because I cannot wait to stuff myself with yummy yummy holiday food and open Christmas presents (which unfortunately has reached a gradual decline in recent years... I think it's because I'm getting old and people expect ME to buy them presents -_-)

But anyway, I've been carefully crafting my (short) holiday wishlist of things I really really want for Christmas that I will have to save up for and probably buy myself (because I really don't want my best friend, boyfriend, and family to spend this much on me for a damn Christmas present... because let's be real, this economy sucks).

Anyway, I'll stop myself from rambling and let's get to it.

image via amodelrecommends.com

1. Urban Decay Naked Vault

Okay so when I first heard about UD's release of the Naked Vault, I practically squealed out of excitement. I have been lusting over the Naked palettes for as long as I can remember but just can never justify spending 50 bucks on an eyeshadow palette. I had to literally had to do some cost/benefit analysis on whether or not this is even worth getting and if I should even bother putting this on my wishlist. But in the end, you do get the bang for your buck here. If you had to buy all of these items separately, it'll cost you about $360 (special thanks for the peeps over at Bustle.com for doing all the math!), but by purchasing the entire set you'll only have to shell out $280 (an $80 savings). Yea, that's still a hefty price tag, but again it's all up to how much use you're going to get out of this. (Note to self: I have to hunt this thing down because it is SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE)

image via amodelrecommends.com

2. NARS Virtual Domination Palette

 NARS is definitely getting all kinds of holiday festive this year with their Virtual Domination Palette. If you haven't seen it yet, the packaging this little gem comes in is all Christmas-ey white and red. On top of the beautifully festive packaging though, this palette is wonderful. It includes an amazing selection of blush shades (Sex Fantasy, Deep Throat, & Final Cut), the Laguna bronzer (which is my all time favorite bronzer), and the Miss Liberty highlighting blush. This little palette definitely packs a punch and would be perfect for all my upcoming holiday party shenanigans.

image via Baublebar.com

 3. Frends x BaubleBar Layla Headphones

I have been wanting to get my pair of Frends headphones for so long now, but when I heard about the Frends x Baublebar collab, I just about died. What got me excited the most was the amazingly blingy replaceable headphone caps. Not only have I heard such great reviews about the functionality and the sound quality of Frends headphones, it's also REALLY REALLY fashionable! It's basically an accessory to add to your outfit. I'm getting so excited just thinking about getting my hands on these babies. GAH!

image via NeimanMarcus.com

 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo in Cement

Is this a basic bitch purchase or what? lol But in all seriousness I have been eyeing this baby for YEARS now. But since I've been working at my first big-girl job in NYC, I think its time for me to save up some money to splurge on this investment item. I just love the shape, the quality of the leather (sooo soft), the size, and the weight of it. As far as the color goes I've always wanted it in cement or in faded aluminum because it can literally go with any outfit.

image via Pinterest

5. Frank Body Scrub

I have really problematic skin and I'm always up to try new skin care products. So I came across this super awesome organic coffee body scrub. I've literally been stalking people who have used it and the progress their skin has made for months now, and I'm convinced. This might just actually be the first thing I cross of my wishlist.

My wishlist is significantly short, but that's mainly because these are the top 5 items I really want to splurge on before the end of this year. I have to admit that I have a serious shopping problem when it comes to bags, shoes, clothes, makeup, and skincare... but what's a girl to do? I mean we need to pamper and splurge on ourselves every once in a while especially us hardworking gals, right?

Listen To: Banks

Okay, I can't say I've been Banks' oldest and biggest fan, but I seriously dig her music. I've been discovering new music recently and came across her stuff AND she just recently released her album "Goddess" and I think I'm slowly developing a music crush on her.

a shot of Banks from the Waiting Game music video

Her music is very dark, mellow, R&B-ish, with even little bits of a hip-hop influence. She also reminds me oh so much of Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, and a bit of The Weeknd and maybe a bit of Lorde (all of which I'm a huge fan of). Her music is just so smooth and there's a really good feel to her stuff. I've been non-stop listening to her album Goddess and she does not disappoint.

I always love running into such talented people who create such awesome music. Another wonderful example of a great female artist who's also really hot! *cue Beyonce's Run the World (Girls)*

Anyway, here are just a few tracks (out of so many amazing ones) that I've been playing on repeat.

BANKS - Drowning

*Her vocals in this one uncannily reminds me so much of Lana Del Rey, but really the song's beat is so catchy!

BANKS - Beggin For Thread

BANKS - Waiting Game

*Is it just me or do I sense a bit of Ellie Goulding in this one?

Also, can we please take note of how her music videos are styled? the shots, her look (make-up, outfit, and all), and the cinematography. LOOOOVE IT

Happy Listening Y'all!

-Frances

playlist no. 12: femme fatale

What a great time to be a female artist. Honestly, women are ruling the music industry right now. I mean, let's take a look at last weekend's VMA's. You've got Taylor Swift, Lorde, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Rita Ora, my girl Iggy Azalea, and let's not forget about Queen Bey (I mean it really was the #BeyMAs, let's be real).

image via weheartit.com

Also, these tracks are perfect to keep me going at work. Offices are notorious for being quiet and anti-social at times so it's no surprise that sometimes my mind tends to wander and I lose focus on the task at hand when I'm just sitting on my desk. Don't get me wrong, I love my job (I mean I spend my entire day on Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator to make some pretty awesome stuff) but sometimes there are days that are just uber slow and lackluster.

So for my fellow working girls here's a playlist, full of our favorite ladies' top 40 tracks and summer anthems...

playlist no. 12: femme fatale from franceazca on 8tracks Radio.

bang bang || jessie j. ft. nicki minaj & ariana grande

break free || ariana grande ft. zedd

black widow || iggy azalea ft. rita ora

flawless (remix) || beyonce ft. nicki minaj

shake it off || taylor swift

chandelier || sia

this is how we do || katy perry

adore you || miley cyrus

west coast || lana del rey

all about that bass || meghan trainor

shower || becky g.

rather be (ft. jess glynne) || clean bandit

take me home (ft. bebe rexha) || cash cash

pills n potions || nicki minaj

problem || ariana grande ft. iggy azalea

boom clap || charli xcx

team || lorde

your body || christina aguilera

do it like a dude || jessie j

really don't care || demi lovato ft. cher lloyd

stay high (hippie sabotage remix) || tove lo

drunk n luv (diplo remix) || beyonce

hideaway || kiesza

cool kids || echosmith

anaconda || nicki minaj

girls chase boys || ingrid michaelson

what now || rihanna

change your life || iggy azalea ft. t.i.

partition || beyonce

primetime || janelle monae ft. miguel

g.u.y. || lady gaga
the worst || jhene aiko

playlist no. 11

here's a set of feel good songs to get you going in the morning... whether you're on a leisurely drive to the beach, a road trip with friends, or just on your commute to work :)

Click here for the 8tracks playlist... Enjoy!

playlist no. 11 from franceazca on 8tracks Radio.

quelqu'un m'a dit || carla bruni

sweet disposition || temper trap

big jet plane || angus & julia stone

sweater weather || the neighborhood

the big bang || katy tiz

primetime || janelle monae ft. miguel

kiss me || ed sheeran

skinny love || birdy

the worst || jhené aiko

give me love || ed sheeran

chocolate || the 1975

pompeii || bastille

stay high (hippie sabotage remix) || tove lo

clarity (acoustic) || zedd

fidelity || regina spektor

say my name/cry me a river (cover) || the neighborhood

midnight city || M83

cough syrup || young the giant

habits (stay high) || tove lo
flawless (remix) || beyoncé ft. nicki minaj

new makeup brushes!

So these babies just came in the mail a few days ago... Can you believe that I got these for only $29.99 when it's originally priced at $149.95?!
I'm not one to splurge on my makeup brushes (or anything else for that matter). I always try to look for the best quality brushes at the most affordable prices. Groupon doesn't specify the brand of these brushes but they're actually 'Crown Brush' (as labeled when I received my package) in case anyone was wondering.

the set came in a leatherine brush roll/travel case and includes the following brushes:

• Angle brush
• Powder brush
• Duo-fiber brush
• Chisel blush brush
• Foundation brush
• Deluxe fan brush
• Deluxe shadow brush
• Chisel shadow brush
• Brow/lash brush
• Angle liner brush
• Oval lip brush
• Spoolie brush
• Smudger brush
• Angled fluff brush
• Retractable lip brush
• Detail brush
• Concealer brush
• Lash fan
• Large crease brush
• Square camouflage brush
• Angled brow brush
• Oval concealer brush
• Small crease brush
• Eyeliner brush

The brush bristles are a sable/taklon mix. The brushes are really soft and don't shed (which I expected because of the price I got it for). Granted, these brushes are not phenomenal or exceptional Pro quality, but they're great for everyday use. Also, the brushes are labeled with their function so they're also wonderful for beginners! Overall the brushes are good quality, and of course these are great for savvy shoppers who don't really want to spend an arm and a leg for makeup tools.

Groupon still has the deal up so don't miss out!

skincare investment: clarisonic mia 2

So I finally caved in and bought myself a Clarisonic Mia 2.
I was walking around Nordstorm a few weeks ago and saw that they were having a promotional offer on the Mia 2. I got a fuchsia Mia 2 set (for $150) that came with a skincare starter kit from Kate Somerville. I've been using the Mia 2 for about two months` now, and so far so good.

Not to be all anti-climactic, but the first two weeks of using the Mia 2 wasn't really all that special. Granted, I did become more diligent in taking my make-up off before going to sleep. BUT, I did notice my pores shrunk a bit in size...

I'll keep you all posted in the next few weeks!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22...

So I turned 22 on May 22nd... hooray for my golden birthday :)
I'm a pretty low key birthday celebrant, so I'm not one to plan extravagant birthday festivities... luckily, however, my semi-formal fell on the day of my birthday so I got to celebrate there.

me wearing a floral dress in the spring... how groundbreaking

Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out to Taylor Swift for making my anthem for the rest of the year

apartment living: things I've learned from living with guys

So this past school year I decided to live with three of my male friends in an on-campus apartment. I mean that was clearly an unorthodox choice, but to be quite honest I wouldn't have it any other way.
I obviously get the same questions/reactions when I tell people that I live with three guys but I've pretty much desensitized myself from all of them [e.g. "How do you deal with living with three guys?" "Your boyfriend let you live in an apartment with guys?" "Your apartment must always be a mess then, right?"]

And since the semester's coming to a close, I just wanted to dedicate a blog post to my guy roommates who have both kept me sane and driven me crazy throughout this past year.

Living with three of my guy friends have been roller-coaster of a ride but it was definitely a great experience. If we haven't already learned from FOX's "New Girl," sometimes living with guys end up actually being fun in surprising ways. Sure, they may never live up to my standards of 'being clean' but they definitely always give me BS free advice that I sometimes don't get from my girl friends... and to be quite honest, I've learned so much from them that I might actually prefer living with guys rather than girls. Sometimes I just feel like the older sister that has to deal with three younger brothers... which can be good or bad all at the same time.

OH, and I never have to worry about my cycle matching up with my roommates' (HOORAY!)

Here are a few things that I learned from my experience with my guy roommates:

• Not all guys are trying to get in your pants or are trying to make a move on you.

• Stop being so damn emotional all the damn time.

• You don't need to take three hours to take a shower and get ready (take a cue from the guys and you'll learn to get your shit together in half the time)

• They really don't care about what you look like (e.g. the 'just rolled out of bed in my PJs' look is 100% acceptable in my apartment).

• Guys give the best unbiased advice when it comes to working out/losing weight/eating healthy, etc.

• Do not underestimate guys and their cooking skills

• Cut the bullshit (no. but seriously, guys hate when girls do this)

• Stop whining and complaining... just do something about it.

• They're always willing to help (well at least my guy roommates' were) -- need someone to open a jar, pick up late night take-out, carry boxes, check your tire pressure, or reach for stuff on the top shelves? They'll do it.

• They will ALWAYS, always, argue about the movies or TV shows you watch (I don't know why, but they just do)

• Do not mess with guys and their video games. They are serious with their video games.

• Guys are funny... even when they're not trying to be

• And as much as they try to deny it... sometimes guys act like girls too

I personally feel  lucky to have been given the opportunity to live with a fun group of guys. They can be assholes sometimes, but I wouldn't have them any other way

workout playlist no.1

It's been a while since I last posted anything on here ):
I've just been really busy, but the semester's almost over so I'll make up for all the missed posts!

Anyway, I've been trying to get into the habit of working out regularly and honestly it's really hard to work out without any motivating tunes. So here are some songs that I work out to
enjoy!

click HERE for the 8tracks playlist :)

image via WeHeartIt.com

miss jackson || panic! at the disco

timber || pitbull ft. ke$ha

yonce/partition || beyonce

dark horse || katy perry ft. juicy j

the phoenix || fall out boy
work || iggy azalea

animals || martin garrix
lifted || naughty boy ft. emeli sandé

do my thang (frank hudson x swrvn remix) || miley cyrus
come & get it || selena gomez

talk dirty || jason derulo ft. 2 chainz

pompeii (monsieur adi remix) || bastille

million dollar bills (arvfz remix) || lorde
drunk n luv || beyonce (diplo remix)
change your life || iggy azalea ft. t.i.
do it like a dude || jessie j
the worst || jhené aiko
your body (martin garrix remix) || christina aguilera
neon lights || demi lovato
take me home || cash cash ft. bebe rexha
la la la || naughty boy ft. sam smith
ain't it fun || paramore
get your sexy on || lovestarrs
she looks so perfect || 5 seconds of summer

playlist no. 10

image via Tumblr

I've recently just been listening to a mix of feel good songs (oh and some pretty amazing covers) since spring semester started. This playlist is definitely going to sound a little bipolar, but hey my mood swings have been crazy, just like the weather. I guess this just applies to my weird taste in music/anything. Anyway, here you go!

click HERE for the 8tracks playlist :)

unconditionally || katy perry

brave || sara bareilles

who you love || john mayer ft. katy perry
stay the night (cover) || kina grannis & sam tsui

closer || tegan and sara
what now || rihanna

400 lux || lorde

g.u.y. || lady gaga

counting stars || onerepublic

neon lights || demi lovato

say something (cover) || victoria justice & max schneider
dark horse || katy perry ft. juicy j
replay || zendaya
xo || beyonce
the naked and famous || young blood

sweater weather

okay, so this weather may be driving you crazy just as much as it's been driving me crazy (shout out to my east coast gals, who's been dealing with some bipolar weather). One day it's freezing, the next day it's like Spring.

No worries! There's one wardrobe staple that is sure to do the job in whatever climate you're at, and that's the wonderfully versatile oversized/loose sweater.

Loose fitted and oversized sweaters can go from really chic to really casual. You can layer them to stay cozy and warm, or wear them on their own with some comfortable leggings and your favorite pair of boots for an effortless look. You can even go as far as pairing your sweater with your favorite statement pieces for a girls night out in the city.

When I say versatile... I mean VERSATILE

You can literally wear your sweater for any occasion as long as you pair it with the right layering pieces, accessories, and shoes. AND let's not forget how you can carry them over to your Spring wardrobe

Here are some sweaters that I think are equally stylish as they are comfortable.

Brandy Melville, $40

Forever 21, $15.80

Pins and Needles, $59

Daisy Street, $33.32

Free People, $181.49

H&M, $12.95

Kicking off 2014...

image via Tumblr

"New year, new me."

Probably the most common phrase I've seen all over social networking sites on January 1st, but safe to say I'm not the biggest fan. I don't really think a "new me" is necessary to start 2014. Something I think that is more appropriate is "new year, improved me." Of course I want to acknowledge the work and effort that I've put in bettering myself in 2013. There's no way I'll throw all of that away and announce a new me simply because it's the new year. My experiences this past year has taught me so much, and definitely has changed me as a person and has helped me mature.

Well, for me... I think I kicked off the year on a pretty good note.

Some wonderful things that have happened so far in the first few days of 2014:

- spent New Year's Eve with great company

- landed a new internship (@ Complex Media)

- accomplished something significant at the non-profit I work at (helped launch our brand new website!)

- received news that I made it onto the Dean's List with stellar grades this past semester

:)

But of course, I can't end it at that. There are still so many things that this year has in store for me.

Other things I need to get done this year:

- set up my personal website as a personal portfolio

- eat healthier

- take more risks

- finally figure out my career path

here's to hoping everyone has a wonderful start to their year!

-frances