Week survival

By: Gabriela Yareliz

This week was absolutely insane. When I mean insane, I mean: finishing an oral argument at 10 p.m. at school (but thank God, owning it), that night having to read two briefs and an oral argument, 95 pages each (and it had to be that night thanks to the professor sending us the briefs only giving us that time), getting cold called, and reading, reading, reading.

I went on a hunt for a blazer, and they are all terrible and boxy. I hate them, AND they are expensive (and the material sucks).

On the bright side: Vanessa Paradis is the face of the H&M Spring Concious Collection. She looks fab.

Looking for blazers reminded me of why I hate shopping. I love patterns and scarves and sunglasses, but when I need something, and I am out to find it, I can’t find it.

Today, the sun was shining. Spring! They also planted flowers in the tiny squares on the sidewalk where the small dogs use the bathroom.

Walking through the city is exhausting. You have to be so serious, on a mission, and avoid creeps and their eye contact. This isn’t me. I am a very smiley person, but I have discovered that can get you into some trouble.

Today, while sitting in Comebuy, chilling and enjoying some warmth and Lychee, a man, he looked sickly, was walking by. He made eye contact with me, and I smiled. The smile I gave him was genuine and just came out of me. It was a nice moment. He had an endearing smile when he smiled back. It was nice to smile like that. I felt warm and fuzzy.

Sometimes, one of the best gifts you can give someone, is your smile.

Quote: You cannot love God and fail to love your bretheren [those who surround you]. (From Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, pp.1048).

Loving: Lip stain and Makeup artist: Michelle Phan

Wish: Sunshine for Spring Break

Discovery: Style sister Gala Gonzalez.

A talk on: Confidence

Lately, I have noticed people have been acting mousey and letting others take ’em down.

It is so important that we all learn how much God values us. God has loved us with an everlasting love. He empowers us. He does not give us the spirit of fear. It is time people go for what they want and stand tall. It isn’t about being cocky, but we need to be sure, and show how sure and trusting we are of how much God loves and guides us.

Be confident. Walk into a room sure of who you are, knowing that it doesn’t matter what anyone says about you or thinks about you–nothing anyone does can take anything away from who you are.

Be who you are. Wear what you want without letting the world dictate. Don’t end up a copy.
Be confident.

Keep it FEARLESS.

Favorite French Women

By: Gabriela Yareliz
Growing up a Francophile made me pay attention to the culture, food, music but also the women who were iconic.
My favorite French women:

1] Marion Cotillard-because she is pure brilliance, passion and achievement (and her hair is always amazing).

2] Juliette Binoche-because she is a powerful and real performer. She can make you feel.

3] Mireille Guiliano-because she shares her secrets and believes in empowerment.

4] Christine Lagarde-because she is boss (IMF).

5] Cecile Duflot-because she is smart and likes to prove she is right (she swam in the Seine to prove it was polluted; she is not afraid to get dirty).

6] Segolene Royal- The only person I wouldn’t have minded beating Sarko.

7] Vanessa Paradis-because she doesn’t believe in physical perfection the way society dictates. She smiles with the gap in her teeth and knows she looks beautiful. She defines her own perfection.

8] Ines de La Fressange- because she loves her daughters so much, believes in enjoying life, is hilarious and she looks amazing at any age.

9] Gabrielle Chanel- because it didn’t matter who told her she couldn’t; she knew she could; and she did. Gender aside. She was not a copy. She was an original.

10] Charlotte Gainsbourg- because she is an icon, gifted musically, and she has a natural beauty and way about her. Charlotte is Charlotte.

11] Leila Bekhti- because she is perfection. Her voice, her expressions and the fact that she is Algerian. One of my favorites.
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This Week’s Picks: March 17, 2013

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By: Gabriela Yareliz

Hello dear friends!

Tomorrow, the adventure begins. I have every minute of my time mapped out because Mondays are terrible. I am going to have a 4 a.m.-9p.m. day doing law school stuff because of oral arguments and the contracts make-up class (which makes me want to cry). Yesterday and today were great though. I spent time in Flushing for the Health Summit, ate Chinese with Kaidi and hung out with the OYiM group at the Sheraton.Sunday is my reality day. 😦 Hellish days of quarantine in my room reading and stuff. Anyway, enough explaining my predicament with the oral arguments. I just got off two sketchy trains from Flushing. People’s gazes bounce off each others in the train. This peruvian guy tried to give me a questionable book at the subway station… he said he was just handing them out to “pretty girls.” Nice try buddy.

Shout out to my Cricket buds who are hittin the beach this weekend in Panama City. I am so jealous.

All right… top picks time.

1] Abuela’s creations.
My grandmother is so talented. She made me this messenger bag and scarf. The bag is lined inside with green satin. It is gorgeous. I love the colors. So earthy, yet classy.

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2] Ines’ Little Diaries

So, I am a big fan of Ines de la Fressange. She has the cutest videos; they are hilarious. She takes you to different boutiques around New York. She is so funny.

If you speak French and love Ines de la Fressange or Paris, you will be amused.

They are on the Roger Vivier Channel. Here are some sample videos.


3] La Chanson
I got a fabulous gift from my grandparents: Vive la Chanson 4-disc collection. I am a huge fan of chanson. It has Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM), Charles Trenent, Georges Brassens, etc. I am in love with it.

4]Flushing: Image from queensnyc.com

Ode to that feeling you get when you get off the subway in Flushing, and you don’t understand a thing on any billboard or sign. You just think, Where the heck am I?

5] Feelings about school at the moment.

6] I can’t believe MSNBC did this. It always makes me laugh. Poor Sarko (I love that man).

7] Song of the week

Douce France- I have always identified with this song. France has always been such a big part of me.

8] Verse of the week:
Psalm 23:3

He [God] restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

9] Les Guignols-Harlem Shake with the cardinals picking the next pope.

Stephen Colbert’s ineffableness….

By: Gabriela Yareliz

“I like that ineffable thing, cause I then get to say: I can’t explain it– I am right, though…I am ineffable about everything.” Stephen Colbert, aka: The Catholic, in conversation with John Sexton.

As oral arguments approach:

Daniel’s secret

“Daniel’s clearness of mind and firmness of purpose, his power in acquiring knowledge and in resisting temptation, were due in a great degree to the plainness of his diet, in connection with his life of prayer…” Youth’s Instructor, July 9, 1903, Ellen G. White

Bollywood reaction: To Ram Singh’s suicide


After the main accused of the gang-rape in India killed himself, some in Bollywood voiced their opinions.

I couldn’t agree with Sonam Kapoor.

Sonam Kapoor: Once a coward always a coward. Don’t celebrate Ram Singh’s suicide. The brute has earned himself an arduous, traumatic trial. Instead he gave himself the easy way out.