Ten Nine Eight

Wow.

2009 is REALLY over! lol

I'm so grateful that I've been blessed with yet another amazing year.

I can't say that everyday was full of kicks 'n giggles lol,

but all in all,

I'm still standing even in spite of all of the rocky roads I've endured.

I would probably have to say the highlight of my year

{as well as the most drama-filled moment}

was when my brothers & I found out that we have an older sister

{Chrisandra} who is 23 years old!

After my dad had me & the rest of the world thinking that I was his only daughter,

come to find out, he was well aware of the fact that Chrisandra existed!

That story would have to be another completely different post if you all would like me to share all of the details lol

However, I love "Chrissy" to death, && she's the best thing that's ever happened 2 me! :')

I've been fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of so many great opportunities!

Interning for Chic Little Devil Style House

{shoutouts to Michelle, Rebecca, Molly, Shaina, Grace, Kristen && everyone else! lol}

has opened my eyes to so many new things about fashion that I hadn't been exposed to before.

Working with my friends Starsky & Brian Timothy of Major Hype,

my photographer amiga on-the-rise Eulogia "Penny,"

Dorothy of Dot Magazine,

the uber-talented group The Stunners,

&& a host of others have been the icing on my 2009 cake!

As this year ends,

I walk away with plenty of lessons learned,

many connections made,

&& a slew of friends I've gained along with a handful that fell off.

&& to end the year on a FAB-U-LOUS note!::

I recently got promoted to being the new Visual Merchandising Assistant at my job, Forever 21! {I'm SURE you're not surprised that I work there! hahahahha}

AND....{drumroll please}...

I've been offered the AMAZING opportunity of interning with Teen Vogue in NYC this summer by Editor-in-Chief Amy Astley herself!!!!!!!!! :)

TADAAAAH!! lol

I'm praying that everything works out as planned,

so hopefully I'll be working in "The City" by late June! lol

&& of COURSE, I can't help but thank all of my Vanity Girl readers!!!

I deeply appreciate all of your support && hope that you all have a fun && safe new year!!!

2010 will be MY year to shine!

All of my designing goals will be made into a reality,

so LOOKOUT WORLD!

I'm comin' at ya!

Underneath the Mistletoe

I wanted to take this time out to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Whether you celebrate it or not, we all know that the holidays are THE best time of the year! lol

I hope you all spend lots of time with your family && friends to create

long-lasting memories that'll stay with you even after the season ends.

Although I'm a lover of getting gifts,

Christmas isn't completely about what's beneath the tree! lol

I plan on spending some q.t. with my mom & sisters, then heading off to Pasadena to chill with my brothers {Darion, Aaron, && Riian} for the rest of the day :)

And OF COURSE,

I plan on stuffing my face with tons of food!!!!! hahahaha

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cream & gold earrings; Gold chained necklace:: Forever 21

Black puffy shoulder top w/ red roses:: Forever 21

Black harem pants:: Forever 21

Gray ruffled vest:: Forever 21

Red sued pumps:: Forever 21

Black studded bangle:: H&M

Hello Lover

I'm SUPER excited for the summer to come already!

Beachside bbq's with friends are one thing,

but the release of the Sex & the City sequel is something that I'm looking forward to.

I've heard so many great things about the behind-the-scenes scoop for the film,

and I'm curious to see how Carrie, Miranda, Samantha & Charlotte

will outdo themselves this time.

With the first movie ending on a pretty good note,

it's odd to think that there won't be SOME kind of drama in part deux.

&& of course, I know that the fashion will be out of this world :)

I remember sitting in the theater on the opening night of SATC #1,

nearly drooling from having dropped my jaw when my

eyes witnessed the amazing work of stylist Patricia Field. lol

&& after taking a peek at the SATC2 trailer,

I know the glam will be much bigger && better! :)

Original Gangster

Pearl & gold earrings:: Forever 21

Multi-chained necklace:: Forever 21

Obey "Original Gangster" shirt:: Metro Park

Acid washed vest:: Forever 21

Mint ring:: Francesca's Collections

Cheetah skinnies:: H&M

Black studded bangle:: H&M

Black flat boots:: Forever 21

Romance Me

Silver && black earrings:: Forever 21

Black floral necklace:: Forever 21

Forest green draped top:: Francesca's Collections

{Underneath} Brown v-neck tee:: Forever 21

Gray ruffled vest:: Forever 21

Black harem pants:: Forever 21

Silver bracelet:: don't remember lol

{Barely Seen} Black peep-toe booties:: Forever 21

Hittin Hard

Tanks. Helicopters. && lots 'n lots of Guns.

All of these and more were on the scene of the shoot of

yet another highly anticipated music vid from Rihanna.

The concept of "military couture" was the blueprint for

the toughie track "Hard," the third single to release from

her most recent Rated R album.

As controversial as she is, Rihanna is making her way back to my "dope" list.

My eyebrows were raised when she came out with "Russian Roulette,"

with an even more odd music video to match.

Buuuuuut after taking a look at some exclusive photos,

getting a preview of the final product

&& knowing that music vid director Melina Matsoukas

{who is guilty for being the eye behind the madness of my favorite vids from

Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Solange && Elektric Red},

I can HARDLY wait for the big debut this Thursday {November 17th}!!!

So until then,

☟☟☟☟I guess I'll have to bite the bullet & be satisfied with these...☟☟☟☟

P.S. I'm in L❤VE with the Micky ears && bullet bra!

hmmm....DIY???? I think so! :)

Rihanna - MTV Shows

Revamp Your Life

In my most recent search of funky fresh things,

I was happy to discover VAMPD Magazine.

S i g h

Oh VAMPD, how I love thee! lol

I feel like the spunk && youth that I have yet to find in a LOT of fashion mags

can be found {without a doubt} when flipping through the pages of VAMPD.

I feel like they're my long lost twin! lol

Because rest assured, if I was reincarnated into a magazine,

I'd be...well, VAMPD! lol

Giving its readers the deets on the happenings of

music, entertainment, nitelife, beauty, fashion, and everything else in between

from an Angeleno perspective, the newbie publication offers

a different kind of editorial experience.

I especially love how VAMPD manages to keep you on your toes

in knowing up-and-coming musicians and designers

that are breaking into the biz.

Here's a peek at some of my faves from their issues.

Tis' the season to get ReVAMPD with the mag's newest issue,

geared toward all things holly and a focus on new beginnings, with 2010 being well on its way.

PEEP IT NOW AT VAMPDNOW.COM!!!

Vampd Welcome from Tawny Valencia on Vimeo.

**Be sure to follow VAMPD Magazine on Twitter @VAMPDNOW!!!**

Sweet As Sugar Tough As Nails

Brass-colored hoops && Olive beaded necklace:: my grandma :)

Acid wash denim vest:: Forever 21

"Sweet as Sugar, Tough as Nails" off-the-shoulder long sleeve sweater:: Forever 21

Braided feather necklace:: Forever 21

Rust orange scarf {worn as skirt}:: Forever 21

Brown woven belt:: Hollister

Brown beaded wrap bracelet:: don't remember, but more than likey Forever 21 lol

Salmon ring:: Francesca's Collections

Orange && cream bangles:: Forever 21

Gray tights:: Forever 21

Bronze cowboy boots:: Tilly's

Lace And Leather

"...French fingertips

red lips,

bitch is dangerous...

Cotton candy kiss,

can't wait for my sugar rush..."

Black & silver earrings:: Forever 21

Multi-chained necklace:: Forever 21

Black lace corset bra:: Forever 21

Black strapless rebel dress:: Forever 21

Black garters:: Target

Black studded bangle:: H&M

Black floral knee-high socks:: Forever 21

Black buckled ankle booties:: Forever 21