Free your mind & the rest will Follow

This is the Vanity Fair adaptation of the infamous Proust Questionnaire. These questions originated as a 19th-century parlor game popularized by contemporaries of French essayist and novelist, Marcel Proust, who believed that an individual's answers reveal his or her true nature.

I hope that I can look back on this many, many years later and answer some of these differently after living more, but until then, as a nineteen-year-old, here are my answers today:



What is your idea of perfect happiness? To love and be loved.

What is your greatest fear? Death before fulfilling all that I want to do in this life.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Oprah, does that count?

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Over-thinking.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Ignorance.

What is your greatest extravagance? Shoes and clothes.

What is your favorite journey? My journey for the pursuit of happiness.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Fame.

On what occasion do you lie? About boys...to myself and to others.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I've been saying "dope" a lot lately.

What do you dislike most about your appearance? As a young girl, I would've said my skin color; today, I would probably say my nose...but who am I to judge God's work of art?

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family and basketball--both have taught me so many things that make me who I am today.

When and where were you happiest? When all of my family comes together, there's no feeling like it.

Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to play the piano.

What is your current state of mind? Confusion and wonder.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Nothing at all.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a student-athlete at a great university.

Where would you like to live? Somewhere that I can prosper and progress...in a downtown loft.

What is the quality you most like in a man? Loyalty.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Strength.

What do you most value in your friends? Honesty.

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction? Jean Louise Finch and Batman.

Who are your heroes in real life? My father, my grandmother Gigi, and Oprah.

How would you like to die? Painless.

What is your motto? "Everything happens for a reason."

Epiphany

 

Photos By: Liz Maniulit (@ebmaniulit)

Make-up by: Leticia Campaz (@lusciosletty_)

Styled by: Me! (@justjayyl)

Model: Erica Foster (@crazyfoya)

This photo shoot was so much fun to do! The photos turned out beautiful! Simply wonderful people to work with.

After this shoot, it really opened my eyes on how much I have a passion for styling and everything fashion. My adrenalin was high the whole time! I truly love this and now I think it's certain that this is what I want to do for my career.

Have a great rest of your Sunday!

XOXO,

Jayy

After a while...

Photo by: Riley Fields

"After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises, 

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child, 

And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. 

After a while you learn…
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. 

And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth…
And you learn and learn…
With every good-bye you learn."

          -Veronica A. Shoffstall

XOXO,
Jay

Dove's Real Beauty Campaign.

I know I am a little late on this, but I still love this campaign so much.

See a difference? LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE IN!

Did anyone tell you you were beautiful today? No? You're beautiful just the way God made you! Always remember that :)

Xoxo,
Jayy

Night Owls

Photos By: LIZ; follow her on Instagram!

What's summer without spontaneous midnight photo shoots with some of your best friends and ending the night with pancakes from Denny's!? My good friends since high school, Liz and David, have made my summer so eventful thus far with these adventures that consists of laughter, smiles, and deep talks. Love them with all my heart...

*Forever21 leggings* *Thrifted crewneck sweatshirt* *Converse shoes*

What adventures have you been on this summer? Are you creating memories that will last a lifetime? WELL, START! 

xoxo,

Jayy

A Couple of Forevers

Look, I don't know why exactly I've been avoiding writing. It is apart of me that I cannot shake, no matter how hard I try. I think the fear lies in what I'd actually write about; trying to avoid writing is my mind trying to avoid feelings. My emotions have strapped in the front-row seat of a roller-coaster; who knows how I'm feeling... (I'll give you a hint, I have no clue.)

Look, I'm just this one girl who is boppin' around not knowing which way is up, trying to live life to its fullest. I've come to realize that I am so young, yet too old for f[l]ake friends and wishing on 11:11. However, never ever too old for Spongebob and various other cartoons that I watch on a daily basis...moving on... feelings get my mind wondering off into "ain't nevah gunna happen" land and it takes forever & a day to get back from there. That's why I tend to block them out, which blocks out writing, which makes me miss writing, which makes my feelings overload and makes me write a rant (like this).

Look, all I'm saying is...well, what I'm trying to say here is...Ok OK the point of this blog post is...hmmmm, I'm not entirely sure. Shoot, I'm entirely sure about anything. So like, will I ever know anything? The question that will forever remain unanswered...

XOXO,
Jayy

Never Forget that Midnight in Paris.

"But Paris was a very old city and we were young and nothing was simple there, not even poverty, nor sudden money, nor the moonlight, nor right and wrong nor the breathing of someone who lay beside you in the moonlight.” - Ernest Hemingway

I swear it, the best/life-changing movies I watch by myself late at night. Anyone else? Just me? Ok...

My first week of summer vacation included a late night movie sesh--a double feature! Paris has been on my mind, as I hope to be there this time next summer. Then, as I am flipping through the channels, I see Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. It was mesmerizing. Allen captured everything about Paris that makes it beautiful, unique, artsy, and the city to find love. The tactic to have the characters go back in time was just fascinating--I didn't want it to end!! But, it had to. Nevertheless, I fell even more in love with the idea of myself in Paris. "The countdown has begun!" I whispered to myself, with eyes glued to the TV. As the romantic music played as the credits rolled, I just knew I will be there next summer.

THEN, something even more remarkable happened: Forget Paris was coming on next. Billy Crystal's 1995 Rom-Com began to play and there she was again; The beautiful city that I had fell in love with just an hour earlier, I was falling in love with again! Paris, love, basketball, and Billy Crystal's impeccable comedic timing all wrap into on of my new favorite films. Ahhh, I love the love in that movie.