Spring is Coming.

Hang in there, baby. We're almost there. File as spring awakening. 

She Who is Brave is Free.

yup, dats me 10 years apart

Last weekend, I got my passport photo taken for the first time in 10 years. 10 years. I was flipping through my old passport - with stamps from 10 countries including my Italian Visa - and it got me meditating on the how much I can't stand to stay in one place for too long - even if it just means a weekend getaway. I think about where my mind goes when I'm not focused on work, life or anything of any importance; and it always goes straight to where the next ticket will take me.

This might be a good time to mention that I also partially stalk the Instagram feeds of @margaret__zhang, @lusttforlife, @garypeppergirl & @blisskatherine not because I particularly like their style (scratch that, yeah I do) but because they also have some of the dreamiest, Pinterest-worthy travel photos around.

I've been to some pretty incredible places in my life thus far and I'm still not quite sure where the next 10 years will take me, but I really hope that it's to a whole lot more places that I've never seen before (and maybe back to a few that are calling my name.) File as wanderlust.

[Image via: my Instagram feed, ya'll]

Home is Where the Heart Is.

One of the projects that I feel I'm always tragically failing at has to be to bring more art into my home. While my last two places in Berkeley each had their own rotating gallery walls and a few DIY hangings, this newer (and by new I mean I've lived here for almost 14 months now...) place didn't quite get the same wall art love. I've put up a few finds from Melrose Trading Post, but it's still not the curated collection that I've dreamt it to be.

And with Valentine's day right around the corner (hashtag treating self) I'm feeling totally inspired to add a few more pieces to my walls. Whether it be one of the perfectly adorable art prints from Minted (fave new find for when you're feeling Etsy-ed out) or a 3 dimensional DIY install like the heart above (via Minted's equally lovely blog Julep) it'll be the perfect way to show my place a little love. File as home, sugar.


[Images via: Julep]

Update Nothing, Impress No One.

Yeah, yeah it's been a while since I've posted here. Chalk it up to the fact that I've moved on to a new role with the insanely-just-a-smidge-too-cool-for-me Malibu-based company Planet Blue and have spent the majority of my weekends unplugging from my digital domain. Seriously upping my game as I type... As always though, I had to come back if not just to share what I'm currently obsessing over (and have been pinning like mad.) File under see you around more often.

After a terrible haircut over Thanksgiving break that's literally scarred me for life (actual time: until it grows out) I'm tempted to do something drastic. Good luck trying to talk me out of this one.

Paris is always a good idea. The only question is how much willpower I have to save and not spend pre-getaway.

As a notorious nail biter (natch, only when my anxiety is high) nail art has never really been my thing. But maybe the promise of artfully designed nails will curb my habit.

There comes a time every year when I want to completely redecorate my surroundings. The time is nigh. 

Just couldn't resist this one. #firstworldproblems

[Images via: Pinterest, duh.]

Work Bitch Remix - Britney Spears with Azealia Banks

Feeling like this song is my personal anthem as of late. Check the remix that is currently on repeat on my state of the art sound system (aka my laptop and tiny ass speaker thing.) Sorry not sorry neighbors. File under werk it out.

[SoundCloud via ...you know who]

Bath Time.

Acting as a one woman incubus for the viral plague (JK, but not really; *sniffle*) I've spent a considerable amount of time these past few days going back and forth to my bathroom (why I don't just bring the tissue box into my room, I'm still not sure) and let's just say after too many hours of that combined with a massive Pin Binge, I had an epiphany about my home priorities. Here goes: the majority of my day is spent at work (not perusing Instagram all day) and the little time that I am at home, it's spent either in the bathroom or at my vanity getting ready in the morning, or taking a deliciously long bath or shower before I crawl into bed. Now, that's a lot of time in my minuscule excuse for a bathroom (hey, it has a window!) so what's the harm on splurging on a bathroom accessory that makes everything that much more lovely? Enter: the Missoni bath towel. You will be mine someday, and you will love whatever bathroom I put you in. File as Italian dreams.


[Image via: These people's home. Jerks.]

Let's Talk About Pins, Baby.

Let's talk about the Pin Binge I've been on recently. Like really, I feel like I need to join a support group for pin sinners. But what can I say? It's the perfect place to store all my future plans (and by that I mean travel mostly) not to mention where I can seed endless amounts of inspo for work and other projects. I've fallen into the hole that is Pinterest and I don't want to get out. File as 12 steps.


[Image via: @TheMargaretFile on Pinterest]

Labor Week.

For the first time in about 4 weeks (hence the hiatus), I've got my own apartment all to myself with no guests, no itineraries and absolutely nothing to do. Absofuckinglutely nothing to do. In the meantime while I recoup from what was an awesomely amazing month and a half, I feel compelled to share a few end of summer inspo images that I had no idea what to do with. File as all over the place.


[Images all via @TheMargaretFile on Pinterest]

Insta-Files: Press Play.

Don't watch if your'e afraid of heights! File as beware!!

[Video via: ChiaraFerragni on Instagram]

Current Obsessions: California Adventure.

Confession: I used to constantly make fun of one of my closest friends (#sorrynotsorry) for wearing his stinky Birkenstocks circa high school with literally every outfit and to places where sandals are definitely not considered shoes (at least for dudes) until I shamed him so much that he was compelled to change into a less offensive shoe when he was around me. Fast forward a few years later, and I'm totally lusting for a pair of Birks of my own. (Trust me, he was the first to know of this new obsession as well as the first to support me.). And with the new ugly shoe resurgence (thanks Refinery 29 for this article) I'm feeling like I'm definitely not alone in the universe. So adding to my grunge wishlist will have to be a pair of black on black stocks. Now if only I had the modern Santa Monica compound to go with it - aren't they one and the same? File as one day.

UPDATE: Stop the presses, even more support of Birkenstocks has emerged!! ...feeling a little behind the trend at this moment. But really, I don't give two hoots. Hashtag time to go shopping.


[Images via: Pinterest]

Nothing Scares Me Anymore.

Got Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness stuck in my head... can you tell? File under word up Wednesdays.

[Image via: Pinterest]

Insta-Files: Press Play.

Round two of the new series! Yes, sir! File as watch it again.

[Video via: 13thWitness on Instagram]

The Limit Does Not Exist.

UGHHH... So many high school reference for Back to School season, and not nearly enough time to blast them all out. File under social media problems.


[Image via: God know where aka Pinterest]

Insta-Files: Press Play.

Time for a new series here at The-Margaret-Files to keep things extra fresh! Watch one of my fave videos for this week and stay tuned for lots more coming up! File as just press play.

[Video via: KateKipley on Instagram]

Pattern Play.

Oh, don't mind me today. Just messin around with photoshop. File as typical Sunday.


[Image: By me, with stuff from Pinterest]

Word Up Wednesdays.

[Image via: Pinterest]

Insta-Files: Stylist Dilemma.

I wish I could count the number of times I've bought something and then instantly wondered what the eff was I thinking. Newest purchase to make me question my judgement is this H&M beauty from their conscious collection (and by newest purchase I mean 2-months ago new). Granted I love a good blazer/jacket/coat, but this one has been hanging around practically mocking my mostly laid-back/casual closet. I'm gonna need to figure out a way to work this with some super-destroyed light skinny denim ASAP. Although it could turn into one of those pieces that I don't wear for months and randomly pull it out for it to become my new favorite (and most thankful) past-purchase. File under stay tuned.

[Image via: @TheMargaretFile on Instagram]

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.

Weeee! I'm back! Well at least for the time being, I'll be hitting up The-Margaret-Files from time-to-time so as not to neglect what I started more than 2 years ago! (#timeflies) In current affairs, I'm craving a change and probs since I haven't stepped foot in a salon in over a year (oof) of course I'm wishing that I had the balls (and by balls I really mean the money for upkeep) to die my hair a crazy-ass color that only someone in their 20s could get away with. File under watch out.


[Images via: All over- Pinterest and Instagram mostly]

Sweet Escape.

Giving off some sweet sugary pink vibes today, with a hint of black (duh) and drama to keep things interesting. Sweet escape, here I come. File as until Tuesday.

[Images via: @MaggieMurrieta on Pinterest]

Word Up Wednesdays.

They're baaaaack! For good! File as enjoy.


[Image via: @MaggieMurrieta on Pinterest]