Comparison is the thief of joy.

If someone were to ask me on the street what my worst quality was, I would say my tendency to compare myself to others. I'm a pretty type-A, driven person. Yet I can't help but compare my accomplishments and progress (or lack thereof) to others'.

But isn't this an integral human flaw? It's far more rare to find someone who is completely sure of themselves than to find someone who is self-conscious. Self-consciousness is almost a pre-requisite to function in society today--we have grown to distrust or even inherently dislike those who display too much confidence. 

And why? Shouldn't we be applauding those who have come to embrace their flaws and focus on their accomplishments? Or are we too proud to give our peers a pat on the back?

Sometimes we need to take a step back and remind ourselves that we don't have to be doing what everyone else is doing. While we may be the same age as someone else, we are in entirely different circumstances. We all have overcome different hardships. We have endured both setbacks and successes. 

It's easy to say, "Stop comparing yourself to others." I am not a preacher (and if I was, I would be preaching more to myself than to anyone). Yet little reminders can never hurt. 

Comparison is our main tool of measurement as humans. We've been taught to compare and contrast since we opened our eyes. We compare prices, sizes of watermelons and great works of literature. It's only natural that we compare ourselves to others. 

A certain quote comes to my mind whenever I find myself dwelling too much on my insecurities: "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

Everyone has different goals, expectations, hopes and dreams. I realize that I may not meet my goals as quickly as someone else. Yet that doesn't make that goal, or me, any more insignificant than that person. There are so many delicate details that allow one to reach their goals, or even a bit of happiness, that we can't even begin to compare ourselves to others. 

It's simply unfair. 

College is a breeding ground for comparison-making. I have so often felt the tinge of insecurity when I hear that someone has completed a paper far earlier than me or when someone else has scored their dream internship. 

College has taught me you can't always be first in your class; you won't always be the first-choice candidate for the job; and you won't be invited to every party. College has taught me that it's okay if you're not always first. 

The struggle is what gives us strength. 

Fight the urge to compare yourself to others. With a little hard work, we'll all get there in due time.

The expiration date.

There's nothing quite like the holiday season. The commercialization of it all urges us to think about Christmas in July and transforms Black Friday into Grey Thursday. There is the stress of whether UPS and FedEx will hold up their promises to deliver your family's gifts on time (but to remember that those drivers have families too). Family dinners and holiday parties with people you haven't seen in years hold the promise of awkward encounters and forced conversations. 

Yet there is something magical about this time of year. I'm sure that will all change once I enter the working world and that thing called "winter break" ceases to exist. There will no longer be as much time to dwell on the most minute details of the holiday season. 

There will no longer be as much time to spend with family and friends. Somehow, I'm not afraid--perhaps the greatest lesson I've learned in the past few years is to cherish the time that you do have. 

I consider myself lucky. I'm so lucky my parents gave me the opportunity to go to school 3,000 miles from home--possibly the furthest I could go away without leaving the country. I'm lucky to have them welcome me back every winter and summer break with arms that have been longing for one more hug. I'm lucky that despite the fact that I spend three-quarters of each year away from home, that it has only made me appreciate it more. 

Some people say that they couldn't ever leave home, that they couldn't ever imagine living farther than a two minute drive away from their boyfriend. 

Yes, the distance is heartbreaking. It tears at every fiber of your being, consumes your every thought until you feel numb. You must summon every last bit of strength you have to turn away and take that first step towards that train or airplane that separates you from the ones you love. 

You feel empty. You feel alone. In that moment, you've never been so alone in your entire life.

Yet there's always the promise of tomorrow. There's so much to look forward to in this great life we lead; there's so much life left to live. 

The distance and the goodbyes it requires may cause some of the worst pain I have ever felt. But it has also granted me the greatest happiness. I can't begin to describe what it feels like to be jerked back into my seat once the plane touches down on the tarmac, how loudly my heart beats as I walk towards the arrivals gate. 

That first embrace, that first kiss after almost four months is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. My holiday season is no longer about comparing Christmas gifts or counting party invitations--it's about cherishing the time that I have with the ones that I love. 

For now, that time does have an expiration date. It must always come to an end. I don't know if that will change once graduation day comes, but one thing is sure--I don't have to know. 

All that I know is that in this moment, I am choosing to live. I am choosing to appreciate this moment in my life for what it is. 

There really is nothing quite like being home for the holidays. 

One month.

After this week, there is only one month that stands between me and a flight back to California. I've been feeling exceptionally homesick lately, and I think that winter break is the only cure. 

Life isn't always easy, and I certainly don't expect it to get any easier. I try to stand strong, often because it seems like there is no other option. However, sometimes we just need to admit defeat and go home. 

There's quite a long laundry list of tasks and assignments that I must complete before I am dropped off at JFK once more. While they seem daunting, I know that the promise of home will motivate me to take on every single one. 

I feel very confused and lost about a lot of things right now. Life doesn't always give us the answers or the reasoning to why things happen to us in the moment. We might discover these answers later in life, or we might never discover them at all. And that's ok. 

This quote by Paulo Coelho has inspired me with its pure honesty. We are the ones that decide what changes our lives. We make the decision as to what affects us and overtakes our emotions. I don't want to let frivolous things affect me any longer. I'm better than that; I'm stronger than that. 

I will make it through this month. I will make it home--and everything will be ok.

J. Crew November Style Guide

It's no secret that I love J. Crew. With Jenna Lyons at the helm, the retailer has become known for the impeccable styling of its pieces, especially in its monthly style guides. The perfect balance between preppy and elegance is always finely maintained, and the feeling of effortlessness is always present. 

What I love about the November style guide is how it seems to ease us into the winter, featuring my ever-favorite color navy and burgundy (a close runner up). While I love New York's reputation for transitioning to all-black, chic outfits in the winter, I wouldn't mind mixing it up with these more welcoming tones. 

J. Crew just may have me looking forward to more chilly days.

Edith Head turns 116.

Yesterday, Google honored the 20th century costume designer Edith Head on what would have been her 116th birthday. While I am a day late, I felt as though a proper tribute was in order. 

Costume designers and stylists alike typically go unnoticed--but they often have the hardest jobs in the fashion and entertainment industries. They create the images that become iconic in our culture. They create history. Head won eight Academy Awards for her costume designs that appeared in films like Roman Holiday, All About Eve and A Place in the Sun. 

Head was responsible for many of the unforgettable dresses and outfits that we associate with the Golden Girls of Hollywood. She worked for both Paramount and Universal Pictures. She regularly dressed and designed for Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor--yet so many today have never even heard of her name. 

People like Edith Head deserve so much more recognition than they receive. I couldn't be more delighted that Google decided to give Head a new life on their homepage yesterday. 

A Place in the Sun (1951)

All About Eve (1950)

Roman Holiday (1953)

The woman herself.

Fun fact: Edith Head is actually the inspiration behind the character "Edna Mode" from the Incredibles. Can't you just imagine her yelling, "Pull. Yourself. Together!"

On birthdays and milestones.

Yesterday was one of my best friend's birthdays, and it also happens to be yet another month anniversary for Kyle and I. My friend has always been the type of birthdays to think of birthdays as both happy and sad--she loves to dwell on the fact that yet another year has passed, and that we're only getting older. 

It made me think how interesting it is that we put so much emphasis on birthdays and other milestones in our culture. Today, girls are known to turn their birthday celebrations into week-long extravaganzas (yes, my friends and I are guilty of this) and couples seem to celebrate every week of being together. 

Perhaps we celebrate to avoid thinking about the time that is passed, or perhaps give these dates meaning merely as an excuse to throw a party. I love celebrating milestones--but I am also the type of person that thinks every day should be celebrated. 

I believe that even the simplest of moments in life can be made special if we take the time to cherish them. Every moment is fleeting--so why not celebrate? Throw on your party dress, add a little lipstick to your pout. 

Life is a beautiful thing. You will never be this young again, so have some fun. Every day is different, and should be embraced because of that. 

Sometimes I struggle with spending too much time wishing it away. And that makes me sad, because I will never get that time back. I want to spend my time being happy, and creating happiness for others. 

As my guest ballet professor said last week, "If you send out good vibes to the universe, they're sure to come back to you." It's time we stopped wishing away time, brushing off birthdays and anniversaries. These days are what remind us of the happiest moments of our lives--and why should we push those moments away? 

//image via Kate Spade New York's Pinterest

Things I adore...

Tory Burch's new home collection. Tory Burch is certainly taking over with the recent launches of her new beauty and home collections. I love her home collection particularly because you get to see more of her quirky side--these needlepoint pillows are so cheeky. Shop the full collection here. 

The new HarpersBazaar.com. The magazine just relaunched their website this week--and it is gorgeous. I could spend hours playing with all the elegant and innovative features. 

C. Wonder Friends + Family Sale. I have been a C. Wonder devotee ever since I scored the perfect navy quilted jacket with a hot pink lining for 75% off last Black Friday. I jump at the sign of any sale. I've been eyeing their sweaters, especially the adorable Scottie Intarsia. 

Something I don't adore: Conde Nast discontinuing its internship program. Conde Nast announced this week that it will be discontinuing its internship program next year. I can't even begin to say how disappointed I am--this is what I've been working towards since my freshman year of high school, when I decided I wanted to go to college in New York to pursue internships at the most well-known fashion magazines. Read more about it at Refinery29.