starter pack

Okay, I know it's not cool but I am a creature of habit. It has to be admitted.  I will try anything once, but I like the things I like. That means I am literally the worst person to shop for ever.

(This has been pointed out to me multiple times (a day) by everyone who is trying to love me and give me a birthday present. That's right, it's that time of year again - October 2nd, I'm turning 20.
 Which is totally crazy in it's own way because that means you guys have been hanging out with me for seven. years. But that's another blog post.)

Unfortunately for my friends and family, I am a. indecisive and b. like to get second- third- fourth- opinions on everything. BUT I'M NOT ALONE. I know you have a friend like me. We're everywhere, ruining dinner plans and changing outfits three times a day. So I made a Justina Starter Pack - all the things needed to properly equip your everyday Justina.

1. Fjallraven Kanken Backpack //
I carry around too much stuff to put in a nice purse and also I'm in college so

2. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb //
Okay so I don't have this yet bc shipping is slow but it was blessed by our lord and
 savior Rihanna herself, so I'm sure it incredible.

3. 32oz Hydroflask //
I am from California and I was born dehydrated. I carry this bottle around the way normal people carry around their firstborn child.

4. Revolution Strobe Highlighter //
This highlighter costs $6 for a $6 million dollar glow and I am here for it.
(Note from Justina's boyfriend: it breaks if you drop it.)

5. ban.DO standard planner //
I bought this because it came with stickers and that intrigued me. It now holds all my secrets.

6. INSTAX SQ10 //
Square instant photos. What a revolutionary idea. *Wink*
(No but this one is digital and has filters INSIDE IT and is basically my favorite piece of retro tech.)

7. American Eagle Mom Jeans //
THESE ARE MY FAVORITE JEANS OF ALL TIME. I WEAR THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THEY WILL BE GETTING THEIR OWN BLOG POST SOON.

8. Baby G-Shock BA110BE - 4A (whew) //
It's pink, pretty, and practically indestructible. Plus it tells me how late I already am to wherever I should already be.

9. MeUndies Monthly Subscription //
All I want out of my grown-up life is to be a MeUndies model. Since that hasn't happened yet,
I'll just settle for dancing around my house sans pants in the comfiest undies known to man.

10. Mantra Bands //
Speak it into existence, and if you're too tired, let your wrists do it for you.

11. ban.DO sticker book vol.3 //
If you're gonna get the planner, you're gonna want more stickers.
Trust me.

12. TOMS sunglasses //
I know some places experience the mythical season of Winter, but here we're permanently stuck in season one of Game of Thrones - they just keep telling us it's coming with no real proof.
Sunnies stay on deck.

13. Sebago Docksides //
The frat bros are onto something. These shoes are mad comfortable, and have a slightly more polished look than the average flip flops (erlack)


There you have it.
Pile all those things on top of each other, throw some coffee at it,
and you'll have a pretty decent replica of me.

x Justina

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it isn't always better

sweater: thrifted
tote: cuyana
boots: CAT

I'm going to live in this sweater for the rest of my life. Best $3 I've ever spent in a thrift store.

This is winter in California aka early fall everywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, the colourful foliage does not change it from being December, or me having to do Christmas shopping still. I keep making lists, and then sticking them in my bag and forgetting. Mainly because I get distracted buying Christmas presents for myself. Like this bag.

IT'S GOT MY NAME STAMPED ON IT. At least, my initials. Plus it holds absolutely everything, barring a few fantastic beasts. It's from Cuyana, also known as the-cool-brand-everyone-keeps-hush-hush-about-because-none-of-us-want-to-share. (Try whispering that in someone's ear. Go ahead.) As a brand, they're all about small source and handmade, sturdy and stylish, better over bigger. Getting close to Christmas (THREE WEEKS GUYS NOBODY PANIC) they're reminding all of us deal crazed nutters to give better. As someone who is extremely picky about a. who gets presents and b. what they get, I was all over it. To me, it seems like a great philosophy. Give people you love things they'll love, not just things. Do something unforgettable.

This seems like a great time to announce that I'm going to London on Sunday with Sallie. I don't really have anything else to add to that, except that I'm hoping to track down Ellie.

But when am I not amiright

x Justina

ps. shoot me an email at justina {at} abentpieceofwire.com with your address, and favorite color. I'm making Christmas cards and have no one to send to...EXCEPT YOU GUYS. (Perks of the internet: you can't run away.)


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merry meundies

undies / joggers

GUYS CHRISTMAS IS IN EIGHT DAYS

Do you feel sufficiently panicked? Are you considering buying people underwear for christmas just to avoid the mall? GOOD. You're in the right headspace now.

 I wrote about MeUndies a while back, but when I was settling on what I really wanted for Christmas, (other than loads of sriracha) I decided to be real with myself. Makeup trends will come and go, but I'll need underwear forever. As will literally anyone you're shopping for. So here is my official christmas gift of 2015: a MeUndies Design of The Month subscription. That's right. Give the people what they actually need/didn't yet know they wanted: a new pair of snazzy underwear every month. Especially if they're college students. Trust me. 

I would also like to talk about these joggers they've got (that I am currently wearing) because of their pockets. If you have been reading this blog for a while you know of my issues with pockets. They're rarely existent on girls clothes, and are never deep enough/in a proper spot/practical at all. Yet, in the spare time they had between releasesing crazy new designs and styles every month, MeUndies decided to make ridiculously soft pants for women with proper pockets. Revolutionary.

The moral of this all is, as my brother so eloquently puts it:
"You can't buy my love, but you can persuade my butt."

x J



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What Are These "Seasons" You Speak Of?

1:Union Jack Sweater:UDoBuy/2:Round Sunnies:House Of Harlow/3:Garden Crop Tank:Avanna 

4:Neon Satchel:Cambridge Satchel Company/5:Heart Studs:Forever 21/ 6:Doc Martens:Doc Marten

Everyone and their 81 year old supermodel grandmother  is posting season wishlists. All of these people apparently live in places that actually have seasons. Here in California, we don't have seasons, we just have different degrees of heat and sunlight. therefore, a "Fall wishlist" is irrelevant, so I just made a list of pretty things I want.

1. As you all know, I am obsessed with the British, and this extends to filling my closet with as many pieces of clothing bearing their flag as is possible without the government sniffing out the fact that I am secretly a MI5 agent who is just undercover as a teenage girl. 

(Obviously, when I start writing in italics I'm going into dream mode.)

2. Like I said, sunlight. My sunglasses collection is getting a touch on the ridiculous side, even for me.

3. Flowers are a wonderful thing that no one has nearly enough of, except the Swedish. (And the Dutch. Tulips woo!) Which is coincidental, because the company that makes this tank is Swedish. And because it is always warm here, I can wear this all the way through next June.

4. There is really no legitimate reason I don't have a Cambridge Satchel yet except for the fact that every time I ask my bank account for money to buy one with, it says "Hahahahahahaha. You must be having a laugh. Oh wait you're serious?"  But I will get one. I need something to carry my bottles of glitter- er, books and such in.

5. Recently I have been hoarding stud earrings. These are actually the only thing on this list I already own. I like how they give a little finishing touch to any outfit. I'm planning on getting a second piercing just to showcase how creative I can get pairing earrings when I can only find one out of a set.

6. THESE WILL BE MINE. I don't care what I have to do. I have wanted a pair ever since I was twelve, and have just now grown tall enough that they won't cut off my leg in the middle. They're such powerful shoes, and bring an awesome attitude  to basically everything.

And in case anyone was wondering, my birthday is next month *cought* not so subtle hint *cough*

Do you have seasons where you live?

no wait don't tell me I'm already jelly.

Do you have any of these things/are you ok with me stealing them out of your closet?

 xx,

Justina

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All I want for Christmas is...this, and THIS, and THIS....

Bonjour Mon Cheries,

 tis the season to be jolly! But what would the holiday season be without a few fabulous gifts, that idiot who is giving you fruitcake that you gave them LAST YEAR, and of course, those mile long wishlists of fashion folklore :)

Before I get on with the FIRST EVER A BENT PIECE OF WIRE GIFT LIST, let me tell you my newest rule:

 RULE OF LIFE #4 : NO UGGS. None. Period. I don't care who you are, or what else you are wearing, do NOT,  I repeat, NOT, leave the house with those things on. Please.

And now on with the party, oui?? I have personally picked all these things, and trawled the abyss that is internet reviews to certify their fabulousness. And lets face it. If they weren't fabulous, why would they be on my blog??? I've added the price, where to find it, and their twitter handle :)

     1. EOS Lip Balm

                                                      Walgreens, evolutionofsmooth.com $3.29, @eosproducts

                      I wrote a post on this stuff, so you know it's gold. It's also a contender for 

                           "A Bent Piece Of Wire's Product Of The Year"! I have a ton of them, 

                             and they are magical. A great stocking stuffer, these little spheres 

                              pack quite a moisturizing punch, and plus, they're fun to play with!

                                             2. A Subscription to Teen Vogue

                                                      Teen Vogue, teenvogue.com, $10, @teenvogue

                                         This one is a basic staple of any fashionistas aresenal. This is 

                                 our BIBLE. and it's a great gift for basically anyone! Everyone 

                                          likes to look at beautiful clothes ;)

          3. VS PINK Nation Large Wheelie

                                                                  

 

Victoria's Secret, Victoriassecret.com, $128, @victoriassecret

 As I should hope y'all know by now, good luggage is important.

and good luggage must LOOK good. Voila, I bring you the VS PINK wheelie. :D

                                   4. Classy by Derek Blasberg

 

Amazon, http://www.amazon.com, Price Varies, @derekblasberg

Put this one in the shelf right next to Teen Vogue. This little book is an essential for any lady. Derek covers what not to wear when at the airport (He's with me on the Uggs thing) to what not to have in your purse. I definetly recommend this one for your girlfriends and  your sister, but maybe not your boss. She might take it the wrong way.

5.  Coach Poppy fragrance by Coach

  

Coach, www.coach.com, $65, @coach 

        This is actually a fragrance I wear all the time, and I love it. 

For a very long time I stayed away from purfume, because it reminded

me of dead old women. Morbid, yes, but it's the truth. But this actually smells

       really good, and it's nice and light, not so oppressive. Good gift for your best friend, 

     maybe not your grandmother, she might prefer to stick with her Chanel No. 5.

6. Apple iPod Touch

 

Apple Stores, http://store.apple.com/us, $199 

Now I should HOPE you know what this is :) I swear by my iPod, and it has my life on it. I organize, blog, take pictures, tweet, EVERYTHING. All while randomly dancing to Ke$ha. It is probably the most useful thing I've ever bought. 

7. Glitter TOMS

 
TOMS, toms.com, $54, @TOMS
  
Who else remembers my #JustinaNeedsSparklyTOMS campaign?? I still don't have them. So in that spirit, I'm putting this on my list, hoping that som very lucky person out there will get a pair, and it will be because of me. Fine points of these shoes: 1. GLITTER!!! 2. Some child who really needs them, will get a pair of shoes as a result of your purchase. That sounds like Christmas spirit to me. :)

8. Urban Decay Sparkling Lickable Body Shimmer in Marshmallow

 

                                                     Sephora, sephora.com, $20, @sephora

                               So, not only does this stuff look amazing, but it tastes FABULOUS.  

                       Marshmallows have never tasted this good when licked off your arm

      9. a Sofistafunk Skirt

 

                                       Sofistafunk, sofistafunk.com, Prices Vary, @sophistafunk

           This is actually on my personal christmas list. I want one of their beautiful skirts so bad.

          I run out of adjectives when describing them. Glamours, fun, winzy, moxie, whimsical,

         you get the picture. I didn't post a specific one because it doesn't really matter which one

                    you pick. They are all one of a kind, and they are all FABULOUS.

 10. American Express Giftcard

                                          American Express, americanexpress.com, Prices Vary

                          And for that person on your list who you just CANNOT find a gift for,

                              let them buy their own.

I hope this has helped you get some prezzies under the tree for those people you LUUUUUURVE :) Let me know how your Christmas goes! E-mail me at abentpieceofwire@gmail.com :)

   Off Singing Carols,
         Justina