ModCloth's Mod Hatter Blogger Tea Party

Me, Cindy, and Kathleen enjoying our ModCloth tea! (photo by: ModCloth)

This Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending ModCloth's Mod Hatter Tea Party here in San Francisco. It was a day filled with delicious tea, cucumber sandwiches, delectable desserts, and some very fashionable females. I attended the event with Kathleen and Cindy, but got to hang out and meet some other Bay Area beauties including, Anisa and Sherrie! I had a wonderful time meeting ModCloth's founder, Susan and her precious pug, Winston. It was great getting a chance to preview ModCloth's Be the Buyer collection with Jeffrey Campbell and Dear Creatures and getting a chance to participate in their "Name It and Win It" program. I couldn't get over how amazing the ModCloth office was and how fun it must be to work there on a day to day basis with such creative talents. It was such a great experience to be among some of my fellow SF bloggers, and I'm definitely looking forward to attending more events to come!  Big thanks to ModCloth for hosting such a fantastic event! For more pictures and info about the event, check out ModCloth's blog here and here!

Wisdom Wednesday

"...plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers" - Jorge Luis Borges

San Francisco Ballet Stars, Lorena Feijoo & Sarah Van Patten by Erik Almas for 7x7 Magazine, September 2011

Okay, I know that Wednesday is almost over, but there's always time for some wisdom, right? Today's inspiration comes from my favorite Spanish author, Jorge Luis Borges. In celebration of his 112th birthday, I thought I'd share a few lines from his poem, "Y uno aprende," which translates to "And You Learn." Way back when, in my college days, I was a Spanish minor. My senior year of college, I decided to take a Spanish poetry class, because poetry happened to be my favorite form of literature to dissect. During finals week, our professor instructed that we find a few poems, analyze them, and write a 15 page paper. Now, some of you will automatically think, "Man, 15 pages of analysis? That is awful!" I, being the nerd that I was (and still am?), giggled with glee at the thought. Did I mention that I  analytical papers are my forte? 

Anyways, getting back to the point, as I searched for poems to analyze, I stumbled upon Borges' poem. I was already familiar with Borges, after coming across him in some of my other Spanish literature courses, but I knew him more for his short stories, so I was surprised that to learn that he was also a poet. I was sitting in my apartment, reading Borges' poem at two in the morning, and suddenly found my eyes filled with tears by the end of his poem. To give you a bit of background, I was getting over my first love that year, and somehow, I found all the words I ever needed to hear in that poem. Simple and pure, Borges' words reminded me that happiness begins within. You can't be happy with someone else, until you are completely happy with yourself. So, don't wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and let it bloom. When the time is right and your garden is full of beautiful flowers, someone special will be there to bring you a breathtaking bouquet that will complement your garden perfectly. Remember, no need to rush. Growing a garden takes time.

And that's my wisdom for today. Happy Wednesday, everyone.  Please feel free to share your thoughts below, and be sure to check out Borges' poem in full. Don't forget, my giveaway ends this week! Take advantage before time runs out :)

My Heart is Yours. It's You That I Hold On To.

Dress: Forever 21; Linen Blazer: Nordstrom (similar style); Heels: Nine West; Necklace: Topshop

Coldplay - Sparks

There is something so classic about black and white, wouldn't you agree? It's been a little over a month since I've started my new job, and besides the job itself, one thing I enjoy the most is remixing all of my clothes to fit a more business casual environment. I found this white dress at Forever 21 for a knockout price of $15. How does it get any better than that? Paired with a classic black blazer and my go-to Nine West kitten pumps and you've got yourself quite the perfect business casual look, if I do say so myself. At first I was afraid the dress might be a little too risqué (you've gotta see the dress sans-blazer), but after mixing and matching some looks, I realized that you can make anything work as long as you feel good in it. Needless to say, I'm quite happy that I bought a dress that works for both night and day. It's also safe to say that this dress will definitely be seen in a much more casual post soon.

I know I've been MIA for what seems like forever (at least that's how long it feels to me!), but I've spent the last two weeks moving into my new apartment in the city. It's such an amazing feeling living in the city. The people, the vibe, and just the total atmosphere makes coming home to my apartment feel so surreal some nights. I absolutely cannot wait to get the place furnished. Rest assured, you'll be seeing a few snaps of the new place once I get it looking more like I'm living in a home and less like I'm living out of a box. Sorry for the quick little post, but I didn't want you guys to think I had forgotten about you. I swear not posting every week makes me really sad. I get major withdrawals. Just to say I'm sorry, I'm extending my latest GIVEAWAY for a little longer! You should all enter because everyone loves an awesome giveaway, right?? 

pancakePRIZES: mark.

Who is ready to win some free stuff?? I hope you're all shouting "Meeeeee!" from your rooftops, because I would be, if I were you! Last week, you were all introduced to Avon's mark. brand make up. This week, I am teaming up with the lovely, Nicole of mark. to bring some of that make up to you! Nicole has been a mark. representative since September 2008. She is currently an intern for mark. in their New York office and spends her day doing what she loves! Nicole graciously provided me with all my mark. goodies to review and will be providing one of you lucky ducks with some free make up of your own! Hooray!  

pancakeLEFTOVERS: One Year!

After sifting through all my old blog posts, from the very first post to my latest one, I couldn't believe just how much has changed. I think by now you all know the majors points - I graduated college, quit my job in LA and traveled around the US,  moved back home, worked while wondering what was next, until "what was next" happened and I landed a new job. And now, as the summer months come to an end, I'll be moving to a new place of my own. I feel like everything has come somewhat full circle and I am beginning again. August of last year was when I started this blog to chronicle my life post-graduation. While it started (and remains) as a creative outlet where I can share my love of fashion, food, photography, and writing, it has become so much more than that. It has become a place of constant self-reflection, a place of growth, and most importantly, it has become a place where I have been able to connect with all of you and establish some amazing relationships with my fellow bloggers and friends. I am so thankful for everyone who visits my blog and finds a little bit of inspiration in it. For all the comments, for all the love, and for everyone out there who looks forward to a new stack during the week, here's to you. I hope that you'll always be hungry for some pancakeSTACKER, because I'll never get tired of serving up some hot stacks. It was terribly difficult to pick just a few favorites (so I basically just picked everything...), but really, here's a look back at just a few memorable moments in pancakeSTACKER history.

Where it alllll started: A Stacker with Style

Take Me Away

Stepping Foot on my Alma Mater

Fall, Fall Out of Trees Into the Street All On My Own I Finally Found Out How Long I Can Hang On

Happiness Hit Her Like a Train on a Track

It's Many Hundred Miles And It Won't Be Long

In Your Eyes I See The Eyes of Somebody I Knew Before, Long Ago

Bright Lights, City Nights

Go, Baby, Go, Go. We're Right Behind You. Go, Baby, Go, Go. Yeah, We're Looking At You.

Laugh Until We Think We'll Die, Barefoot on a Summer Night Never Could Be Sweeter Than With You

Well there you have it. Just a few little snaps from one year of blogging. Of course, if I could, I would have posted a picture from every post. But, I figured that you would have thought I lost my mind. Speaking of, I'm actually about to because it's like 2 hours past my 9 PM bedtime, and I have a 6 AM wake up call. Oh, adult life. So, with that, I'm off. Please feel free to let me know which post has been the most memorable for you. And, if you haven't already, do check out some of my older posts. They're quite entertaining, if I do say so myself.

P.S.  Stay tuned - a special little giveaway is headed your way!

Sometimes I Can't Believe It I'm Movin' Past The Feeling

Top and bracelets: Forever 21; Skirt: Joppa; Sandals: Urban Outfitters; Necklace: Fair Vendor

My Little Jeans - The Suburbs (Cover)

I've got to tell you that I'm not one who normally likes to wear bold print. This is partially due to the fact that I feel like wearing bottoms with loud print brings all the wrong type of attention to areas in which I'd rather not draw attention to (ie: hips that don't lie and excess junk in the trunk). But, when I saw this maxi skirt hanging on the racks, I knew I just had to try it on, and it's no secret that it made its way home with me. One of my favorite parts about it, besides the fact that it is actually figure-flattering, is its soft and comfortable fabric. It's the perfect pick for a warm summer day. I see so much potential for this maxi. I think I might even try it out as a dress one day soon... It's safe to say that this item is one of my new closet favorites. Who knew that such a bold pattern would work for me? Sometimes all it takes it just one good one to prove you wrong. In other news, I'll be moving into my new apartment this week. I am incredibly excited to start another new chapter in my life. New job, new apartment... what's next? Who knows, but I'm ready! I spent most of this weekend gawking over design blogs and looking through Apartment Therapy's archives. If any of you have some favorite interior design websites you love to frequent, please share them below! I can use all the inspiration I can get!

Wednesday's post is going to be a double decker, and a very special one, so please do come back soon! Happy Monday!