The first day of Summer was about a week ago; however, my retreat began 4 weeks ago, but it hasn't felt like vacation till the last 2, and what have I be en doing? Thriving for the season. There is no other time of the year I feel so free, no matter if the spirit comes from not being obligated to wake as early or brunching lakeside. 

My mindset has been working towards genuinely having a positive attitude at all times, and at least having various adventures in the course of each week -- bike rides to Chipotle count too! With all the rush and excitement I'll be embracing, tunes always comes along and I want you to take in all of it during your vacation; it doesn't last forever but as soon as you know it you'll be sippin' on blood orange sparkling San Pellegrino (the best duh....)  and groovin' to good ol Jimi Hendrix throughout another bold as love solstice.

Future, Present, Past

I officially have 5 days of high school left and dreading everyday. Despite the 20 page paper I have to write or the 60 page story I have to edit, all I am in the mood to do is groove. For instance, today on May 26th 2016, Julian Casablancas called us baby doll in the dreamiest moan; I am dead, bald, awake, and a tad bit livid. If you haven't read any of my previous music posts, or know me in real life you must know that The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, and Drowners make me dance around my room like a maniac in the gleaming sunset poking through my window. Meanwhile I am also daydreaming to The Cure's Just Like Heaven and young Morrissey's cheekbones making us go through romantic torture. I lust over a good tune and make it my entire life; in addition to this, with the beautiful weather putting me through the best of my emotions pallet and hyping me for the freedom of summer, I have got so many new jams and rediscovered classics, that I feel obligated to share with you and explain why I adore them. I also just got my first A in my university writing class for a review on Run Away With Me and I have been struggling in that class all semester; therefore, I basically feel like I could work for Pitchfork now.

Spring and Sprung

Violet Grooves

February.........already.........2016..........wyd? Everything in my life has been going quick, it's a new semester, a new month and still a fresh new year. As I said last month I will be putting out either a new playlist or an inspiration board at the beginning of the month but today I wanted to share a multitude of things because as you know a common theme since my senior year began was reflecting my life but let's start off with my new hair and ootd:

Rouge

Over the winter break I fell in love with the color red and although this inspo board seems more of a February, romantic-esque feel but I feel like red is more of a powerful and independent hue which is how I kinda feel entering the year. I've also been feeling very inspired by Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe especially this outfit, the snakeskin boots with the fur is such a look! Along with the throwbacks, 60's mod is making a comeback and I seem to think that we are slowly going backwards with the 70's being last years highlight, but again I am totally for here for it and I already ordered a beret and turtle neck as a main staple has been my thing.

November

Out with the old and in with the new is how I'm starting this month. October started great but let me tell you, high school boys suck you don't need them.  That is the most important advice I can give you and what I learned last month but yeah no need to get into deetz. Along with that I really need a refreshment, the last couple weeks I've been so caught up with school work and also I've just been busy hanging out and having fun but this new month is what I definitely need and I'm back to share more amazing things (like G(irl) *winky face*) and what I've been up to! 

G(IRL) Denim

If you are a consistent rachelsteph reader and fan (which I lowkey hope exists), you know that I've been posting about "g(irl)" and along with that constantly saying "REAL GIRLS REAL CLOTHES." I feel like I haven't made it clear what g(irl) is but I'm so excited about today, because here I tell you all the deetz in three parts: What, Name and Motive.

1. WHAT IS g(irl)

G(irl) is a clothing line by me that will be released January 2016. The line will be a denim set including a jacket and a pair of jeans hand customized, a new design each month. Each denim piece will be thrifted but still have a similar wash to that months collection. Set will be versatile but also cool enough to wear as a Canadian tuxedo. I am still choosing between an outlet for where the line will be sold on but it will most likely be Etsy.

Let's Chat: Music, OOTD and Life in General

My beloved readers. I have writers block, so let's catch up.

5 Things

On this episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Rachel (unrelated to Cali's elite) shares her 

music faves at the moment and what ever else is fabulous in her life at the moment.

In "real talk" as in if you're over the age of 18 and have never been to my blog, you've come right on time to here about me and what I've been up to in 5 random spiels. I do this once in awhile just to spice up my blog and just let you know the real Rach. 

Kendall Jenner Street Style

Tumblr

KJ has been killing the game since day one and I've been getting a lot of easy and simple back to school looks from her and her website with Kylie just launched so I'm definitely excited to buy clothing that they think would be cute for us! Here are my recent fave street looks:

Begin Again

Wednesday was a super eventful day, Instagram worthy day..... so here are the photos I took!

MUSIC: Purity Ring

I said day but I really meant evening - I've been waiting to go to a concert for a long time and I finally got around to going to see this amazing show! Because of the terrible Minneapolis traffic we (my friend Randy and Thida) only got to see one of the opening acts which was Braids and they were enjoyable even though the lead singer was sick.

THEN THE MAIN EVENT - PURITY RING!!

All I have to say is the show was beautiful and had such a great energy. Megan was so entertaining and used these gloves to create a light show with her hands which was again really cool and I think a good way to wooo and interact with the audience. The lights and set up in general was were super cute and again made the show even more interesting. Overall it was a good time, loved the venue and danced and sang my heart out.

VENUE: First Ave

FOOD: Pizzeria Lola

Lastly we took a quick pit stop at this adorable little pizza shop decorated in Coca-Cola glass bottles, tomato can lights, and vintage plates. We had delicious kimchi pizza made by a guy singing 80s jams and took cute photo booth pictures! 

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If You're Reading This GovBall is Over

This is my second blog post in a row where the title is referring to Drake, what can I say? He's lit. I'd like to share my fave street looks and a playlist from Randall's Island because if you follow me on any social media or have read this, you know that I envy city living and love anything related to New York and music so Governors Ball was just another necessity I was inspired by and have to share .....and to be honest the street looks were much more comfortable, chill, easy to wear than Coachella looks.

Refinery 29

Harper Bazaar

Teen Vogue

Refinery 29

Harper Bazaar

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Coachella Lookbook 2015

In exactly a week we reach the first hints of Summer...... Coachella! If you have no idea what it is, Coachella is an arts and music festival held in Indio, California for three days for two weekends. But it isn't just music and art, it's also known for celebrity and commoners unique, laid-back, free and effortless looks (fashionably) during the Spring and Summer. Unfortunately I am no-chella but I have created 4 Coachella-inspired looks and playlist -  perfect for dancing, singing or maybe riding a ferris wheel at any of the seasons' events.

Vintage Vibes

Mixed

Bohemian Beauty

Velvet Jewel

Vintage Vibes : Calvin Klein shortalls from Ragstock || Time Mag t-shirt from Old Navy || Chelsea boots from Pacsun || Coin statement necklace from Forever 21 || Bracelet and anklet from Pier 1 Imports || Dooney & Burke crossbody from local thrift shop || Cat-eye sunglasses from Wish App

Mixed : Floral crop top from Burlington || White jellies from Cotton On || Rings from Forever 21 and Pacsun || Cat-eye sunglasses from Wish App

Bohemian Beauty: Taupe top from Nordstrom || Floral gaucho pants from Rue 21 || Ankle strap sandals from Kate Spade || Necklace from Old Navy || Pink bag from Rebecca Minkoff || Sunglasses from Ebay

Velvet Jewel: (Under the vest) Cami tank and shorts from Forever 21 || Band of  Gypsies floral and velvet vest from Marshalls || Platforms from H&M 

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Spring Thaw Sunday: OOTD + Mini Haul + Playlist

Hope everyone's having a fabulous sunny weekend and happy International Women's Day. If you're here on the Midwest your probably enjoying this refreshing weather aka 50 degrees aka we don't have to layer! I spent the day doing the typical retail therapy, chowin' down and a lil' dancing that I'd love to share to start of the season.

New Tunes

I've been into Flume and other electronic-ish music, dream pop and some other stuff (old and new songs) lately so here it is:

Sleepless - Flume
Australia - The Shins

Canoe - Small Black

Collapse (feat. Memorecks) - Zed's Dead

Keep Her Close - Odeasza

It's Not You I'ts Me - Coconut Records

All Over - Cruisr

S'cooled - Blood Orange

Falling Short - Lapsley

Today's fit 

Tan light-weight sweater from H&M || Boyfriend jeans from Urban Outfitters || Chelsea boots from Pacsun || Cateye sunnies from Wish App || Marc Jacobs purse from Nordstrom

After making my sis take the pics of me in our garage (background inspired by Alina from Threaded Flower, We as in my family and I headed to the mall which was quite a pleasant drive, the freeway and lakes always match up very well and make a good scene so thank you Minnesota. 

Haul

I definitely hit the deal jackpot today shopping because only spent about twenty dollars on and outfit, two pairs of shoes and a lip stain. Three of the items were on a planned Polyvore wish list I was going to post this week but I found them for great prices!

Old Navy always has the coolest classic essentials and I was fortunate to find the softest turtleneck sweater for 5 bucks! I also got these medium slightly distressed jeans for $8.99 and suede flats for $5.99. But my best purchase today were these white jellies from Cotton On for a teeny tiny price of $3!

I bought this lip stain yesterday but this was also a steal, it was originally $18 but on sale for 5. I am so in love with the cute mint packaging. 

Good eats

Last we had a nice early dinner at a pho resturaunt which has one of the greatest crispy egg noodles which my mom was craving and totally got everyone hungry.

This coffee is my absolutely and positively my favorite coffee ever. It's a Vietnamese coffee that has condensed milk in it and oh my goodness you must try yourself. 

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// 1 9 7 5 //

AND THIS IS HOW IT STARTSSSSSSS (hope you understand this), Saturday I went to see the band The 1975 and live and woooooowwwwww all I have to say is PCD (post concert depression).This was my first concert in 7 years and first general admission concert which was quiet an experience. I got to the venue at 7, right when doors open and the lines were of course long but luckily I went with my dad to this concert so we got to go through the 21 and up line and it was super short. Inside I was expecting more people on the floor but I did get a great spot with a great amount of ...... pushing. At 8 the opening act Young Rising Sons came out and I have never heard of them but they were alright they were upbeat but not a band I would listen to, although the lead singer was CUTE. After their performance a plethora of people kept pushing forward expecting The 1975 would be coming up, we were all fooled, next was another opening act Cruisr, they were much better than the first act but I felt bad for them because not many people were cheering or dancing. I enjoyed them because they had this chill, beach tone. When that ended, nobody urged themselves to the front but there were many that have already passed out before The 1975 came out and about 30 minutes later the lights started to dim and fog started, we all knew what time it was.

When The 1975 came out and I pretty much lost it, MATTY, ROSS, GEORGE, ADAM AND JOHN, just amazing. They came out playing "The City" which is the first song I've ever heard by them so much nostalgia there. I don't have much to say because after 3 songs I was speechless... literally lost my voice. I've heard many times that they're concerts are unbelievable and surreal, and I stand by these thoughts. The concert makes you feel free and you have a connection with these people that you don't even talk to, you feel it during the screaming and singing together. It is also very intimate, Matty's dancing probably as strange as mine and his drinking and smoking comfortably as if you were good friends with him. It's just unbelievable how powerful the music can make you feel, Matty even got us teenage girls put our phones away and just listen to a song about himself.

Photos taken with iPhone