Sonhos Tropicais

Good afternoon/evening … what does 5:15 fall under? In Winter I suppose it’s already evening since the sun is on her way down. This week has been a bit interesting. I was in such a nice routine with school and the gym, and then all of a sudden there was no school and less incentive to wake up at 5 AM for the gym (though my body has been waking up at 6:30 consistently without an alarm clock). I let myself have a few days to do nada, just soak in my empty schedule, teach myself how to edit videos, capture the world around me in a different way, hang out with some friends … and then all of a sudden I felt very unproductive. I am still waiting on the school to finalize my hours so I can’t schedule any of my tests yet. I am a little frustrated about that. I realize that I like to be busy. I like for there to be a balance of course. Maybe this is just an exercise in being my own boss and holding myself accountable. Last night I had a long talk with Jenelle, we talked about how the beauty of turning 30 is understanding that the life you want will be created by you. There is a sense of responsibility that comes as you look at your twenties in the rear-view mirror. At least for me, I took a long look at all the lessons I learned in my twenties as soon as I turned that corner. Some are hilarious, some sad. I look back on some and say, ‘wow, how did I survive that and still stay so optimistic?’ Some inspire awe at my own resilience, adaptability, and adventurous spirit, and some I cringe to look at through cracked fingers. The point is, I am happy to be where I am and I want all of the lessons to be the foundation of something bigger, deeper, and full of love that I get to build in this era of my life. I feel so grateful, all the time these days, to be right where I am. I am grateful to be in limbo, to have time on my hands to fill with creative energy, to feel stuck, to feel free, to be right fucking here. <3 That really came full circle haha. I hope you’re all well!

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Boa tarde / noite ... em que se enquadram as 5:15? No inverno, suponho que já seja noite, pois o sol está se pondo. Esta semana foi um pouco interessante. Eu estava em uma rotina tão boa com a escola e a academia, e então, de repente, não havia mais escola e menos incentivo para acordar às 5 da manhã para a academia (embora meu corpo tenha acordado às 6:30 consistentemente sem um despertador). Eu me deixo ter alguns dias para fazer nada, apenas mergulhar na minha agenda vazia, aprender a editar vídeos, capturar o mundo ao meu redor de uma maneira diferente, sair com alguns amigos ... e então de repente me senti muito improdutivo. Ainda estou esperando a escola finalizar meu horário, então não posso agendar nenhum dos meus testes ainda. Estou um pouco frustrado com isso. Percebo que gosto de estar ocupado. Gosto que haja equilíbrio, é claro. Talvez seja apenas um exercício de ser meu próprio patrão e de me responsabilizar. Ontem à noite tive uma longa conversa com Jenelle, conversamos sobre como a beleza de fazer 30 anos é entender que a vida que você deseja será criada por você. Há um senso de responsabilidade que surge quando você olha seus vinte anos pelo espelho retrovisor. Pelo menos para mim, dei uma boa olhada em todas as lições que aprendi na casa dos vinte anos assim que virei aquela esquina. Alguns são hilários, outros tristes. Eu olho para trás e digo: 'uau, como eu sobrevivi a isso e ainda permaneci tão otimista?' O que quero dizer é que estou feliz por estar onde estou e quero que todas as lições sejam a base de algo maior, mais profundo e cheio de amor que vou construir nesta era da minha vida. Sinto-me muito grato, o tempo todo, por estar exatamente onde estou. Sou grato por estar no limbo, por ter tempo disponível para me encher de energia criativa, por me sentir preso, por me sentir livre, por estar bem aqui. <3 Isso realmente deu uma volta completa haha. Espero que você esteja bem!

beijos

Mariamma

Mars

Jumpsuit - Vintage | Sunglasses - Ray Ban | Boots - Lucky Brand

Mission to the desert! I really love how these photos came out. My cousin Cheyanna took all of them. She has such a good eye! In actuality Joshua Tree was so windy. My jumpsuit matched the rocks and all but really we were just trying to find a large hill that would block some of the wind! I start to feel like I'm going crazy when I'm having to squint and my hair is being blown everywhere and car doors won't stay open and ... all worth the photos later haha. I went to they gym today after work at 6:30, forgetting that it closes at 7, so I didn't really get my yayas out. I have to wake up early for a long shift tomorrow so I'm off to bed! More photos from my trip to come!

smooches on smooches

Mariamma

Cheetah

Hello and happy Saturday night! Yesterday I picked up this lovely cheetah print number at the Salvation Army along with an oversized, double-breasted black blazer (with gold buttons!). I was excited to take photos in this dress today. It's a little big but perfect with a belt. I tried on so many waist belts in my closet and they all looked great with it. I decided on the brown one in the photos because I got it at the same thrift store a couple months ago. Entirely thrifted outfits ftw!! The fabric has this wrinkle-proof texture which will be perfect for the belted look because it won't bunch like normal fabric. I was feeling quite saucy in my matching nail/lipstick combo as well. It looks as though the weather in Long Beach is finally going to warm up in the middle of this week and I am so looking forward to a little less layering. 

<3 

Mariamma

Home Body

Black Silk Maxi Slip - A gift from my Mamma

Happy Saturday! I got off of work not too long ago and am currently brainstorming on what to do with the rest of the afternoon. It's a bit chilly today so cozy things are sounding best. This evening I am going to my friend Dani's modern dance performance in Pasadena and then going out dancing with some friends in Hollywood. Should be a festive little night on the town! My friends Sabrina and Meg who I'm going out with tonight are moving to the Caribbean in about ten days, so I'm soaking up as much of them as possible before their impending departure. They have lived a few blocks away from me since I moved to Long Beach and I am so sad to lose such awesome neighbors! I'm obviously very excited for them though and have been playing with the idea of going to visit. I hope you're all having a lovely weekend! 

xoxo 

Mariamma