Not to be a broken record or anything (because I know I’ve said this before), but your home really is an extension of yourself. It’s self-expression in the most intimate way possible; because you’re not necessarily expressing yourself for anyone other than yourself and your loved ones. I never used to care how my home looked. In fact, I used to despise being at home. As a natural busy body, I liked being out and about more than I liked being at home. I even enjoyed working outside (at a coffee shop, in an office, etc) more than I enjoyed being at home.
This has recently changed. Call it age, or call it a closer relationship with myself. I feel like it’s more the latter.
It should also feel natural to be inspired by your own home. It should be a reflection of yourself in a way that makes you feel safe, calm, and energized. My home has been a little bit of a mess right now, and is truly a reflection of where my life is. I’m in a state of change and flux, moving from one workplace to another, trying to buy a home in a very inflated market, etc. I know, I know, basically like every other millennial out there right?
That being said, my shoebox apartment with Dave isn’t the most inspiring (although I try and keep inspiring things around me to help remember that this is a pitstop in my life). The house you see me in here is actually my aunt’s. Her house steps straight out of a movie (literally. People have shot movies and commercials in her house).
I wanted to shoot here to show you guys what I call “Dream Building”. It’s when you surround yourself with the things that inspire you, that motivate you, and that force you to work harder to achieve your goals. Her house is my definition of “dream building”. It’s everything I dream of having (perhaps without the elevator and underground garage though 
).
These photos and the theme of them are a little different than my typical style posts. I wanted to style this editorial in a way that showcased the life I’m trying to build and the dreams I’m trying to accomplish. I wanted to visualize them in photos so I could look back and realize what I’m really grinding for. It’s an exercise I definitely recommend to anyone.
Photos have a beautiful way of reminding you of the memories you made, but it can also help to inspire you to move forward. Whether it’s your trip to Bali, or your friend’s crazy travel escapades, looking at those photos might just kickstart your dreams.
Amongst the marble floor-to-ceiling waterfall and gorgeous glass-box windows, I also wanted my outfit to showcase the dream I’m working towards: an effortless, yet unconventional, LBD type outfit, with sky-high heels and minimalistic styling.
The heels are a huge metaphor for this editorial. They’re currently my favourite platforms from Le Chateau (which, let me tell you, don’t actually feel like the 6 inches they are when you put them on. They’re super comfortable). I chose nude to demonstrate the effortless and subtle confidence that I’m working towards building within myself. They’re sky-high because I wanted to remind myself that when you stand taller, you command respect, love, and happiness (not even just from other people, but from yourself too). And their beautiful 70s silhouette makes me remember where I came from and the beautiful I have to thank for that – my parents and family.
At the end of the day, your home is not always going to impeccably beautiful and styled like this one. It might have kids’ toys strewn around, dishes piled up, and a dirty mess from the family dog… but it’s about forcing yourself to look at those things and being inspired by just how far you’ve come.
