Clothes Encounters Style Profile: Avalonne Hall

Do you ever randomly decide to revisit your past, because the past version of you has become this hazy and distant memory? At one point of my time, "fashion blogger" was a term I would proudly own. I would actively go to fashion blog networking events hosted by Chictopia, was invited to participate in two fashion panels and was fortunate enough to do a Style Profile with Jenn Im of the ever so chic and popular YouTube Channel Clothes Encounters. But that was old me or rather young me.

Please be aware I'm cringing as I post the video here, because I know that I'm super awkward in front of a moving camera. I'm not terrible in front of a camera, but when I know I'm being filmed, I tense up and act super unnatural. How on earth did Jenn pick me for a style profile? Well, we have a mutual friend Jon (who's a sweetheart) and from there, we met and filmed this video. It was the first and only time I've met Jenn and she was just so lovely and down-to-earth. I remember the "encounter" very well, like it was yesterday, but this video was shot in May 2011. I was four years younger in this video, so it's like opening a time capsule.

I have the widest and most awkward smile, but I really don't feel that uncomfortable in my skin. 

I can't believe I used these words to describe my style "menswear, Parisian, romantic, bohemian, seventies style". What was I thinking? I never dressed bohemian style nor was my style ever that seventies! Just because I love seventies Woody Allen era and I thought I was seventies style. Oh I laugh at my twenty two version of me! Three current obsessions? 1. Woody Allen 2. Prosciutto and brie and good cheese 3. Kettle Chips - baked - salt and pepper. Still true, still true and yes, still true.

As for my final advice on style is inner confidence and I still truly and 100% believe in finding yourself through your personal style. It should always be a form of self expression. You don't need to wear designer clothes to feel good about yourself, just wear clothes that express who you are and then you will shine through no matter what. I could write a dissertation on personal style. I'm no fashion expert, but I believe in the power and importance of personal style. Even though, I use to wear "bright colors and studs" and really just left out the truth of how I use to dress as a teenager, I think I always cared about the clothes I chose to put on my back. I always felt this need to express myself as an individual and I found personal style to be a fun way to show the world who I am.

From this experience, I've met some kind and smart women on Instagram and Facebook. I always knew there were internet trolls and people who turn into nasty version of themselves on the internet, but I decided to read the comments on this video and 100% of the comments were positive and sweet. Granted, the video received 10 thumbs down, but compared to 600+ thumbs up, who cares? Credit should be given to Jenn for filming and editing the video and yet people commented about me.

Someone called me a "pretty cool lady". Am I a pretty cool lady? I think I'm cool (a cool dork who loves Woody Allen, tennis and jazz), but do other people think I'm cool? That's just such a foreign concept to me. By general definition, I'm not cool at all. I don't drink or smoke, I usually stay in and watch films, documentaries and Ted Talks on Netflix, sometimes I binge on ASAP Science, Crash Course, Cinemasins and Honest Trailers on YouTube. If I'm out on a Saturday night, I'm probably trying to convince my friends to play pool or ping pong with me. Or I'm listening to live jazz by myself. So... no, I'm not cool. But thank you kind people for the kind words, I appreciate them dearly.

Since this video was filmed, I've chopped off my hair, grown out my bangs and hair and chopped it off multiple times. I've moved to New York and worked on multiple films and television shows, I've written, produced and directed my first short film Shyness (which is still in post production). I've lived in six different apartments in Flushing, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Chinatown, Midtown and Williamsburg again. I feel like I'm a different person, but still the same. I'm four years older and hopefully wiser. Time is just such a funny and abstract concept. It still scares me and I just know I want to keep creating and giving back to the universe. Those are my main goals in life. My true sense of purpose is making me feel motivated and positive about life. I wish you all the inner confidence, self esteem and worth, because you are amazing and deserve to be the best version of yourself.

Be bold. Be fearless. Be you. The central theme of my short film Shyness.

#theeverywoman
#whyislifeworthliving

Dear Future Avalonne,

Dear Future Avalonne,

Today is January, 1st, 2015, which means it's a new year for new adventures, chances, dreams and goals to achieve, memories to make, opportunities to seize. Are you ready to take on this challenge? Because this is your chance to make a difference in your life. 

I've never felt so determined in my life and I think something has really shifted within me. A few weeks ago, I received a spiritual healing from a medium (I never got her name). Usually, I'm the first person to be skeptical about that, but on this particular Saturday, I felt compelled to get my spirit healed, because I was in desperate need of a healing. It was a strange feeling, as I was sitting there, with my eyes wide open and my palms on my knees... I kept thinking in my head, "help me heal my spirit and my soul, I feel so lost and disconnected. I want to feel free and liberated." And that was my word that I picked: FREEDOM. She helped me align my chakras and freed my creativity back into my hands. I felt rejuvenated. It was like magic. I'll take it! I'll accept this healing with an open mind. So thank you for helping me and healing me, I am so grateful to you.

I feel so motivated and organized right now. I'm in the process of straightening out my life and re-organizing and re-shifting my perspective on life. I contacted everyone I care about and spent time to catch up with them, because I care. You have to care. If you care about someone, you will spare time for them in your life. I spent time to clean, tidy and organize aspects in my life, like sending out emails, organizing simple things e.g. Spotify, my desktop and my bookmarks on Chrome. It's such a great feeling. So Avalonne, please continue to stay organized and don't allow this is to be a fluke. This is you and who you deserve to be.

In terms of creative endeavors, I feel so ready to put myself out there. Not to completely expose myself, but to be transparent and honest with you (anyone who's reading this). I want to be the type of person who is caring, nurturing and wants to make a difference. I don't know what I'll be able to achieve in life, but I'm going to work my way in that direction. I may never be known for my puny contribution, but that will not stop me from trying. I want to be a positive voice for people out there and I hope people will want to listen. I want to create, educate and learn about life, because we're here. We exist. Somehow we're in this life and all I want out of it is to help humanity and life persist throughout time. 

As my friend Bixby texted me at 5:35 a.m. this morning:

"It's all by chance and randomness. We are alive by chance and infinite variables." And my response? "We wouldn't exist if my mom hadn't met my dad. He wouldn't exist if his mom hadn't met his dad. It's quite poetic. I wouldn't have met you, if I hadn't dated Leo (his old roommate). Life is just a journey, so sit back and enjoy the ride."

Bixby is one of my best male friends and I'm so thankful that he's in my life. Same goes for all of my friends. And thank you to Caro for ringing in the new year with me via Skype. We both decided to watch Birdman on New Year's Eve by coincidence. There's a reason why she's my best friend. We just get it and we don't feel the need to stupefy ourselves with alcohol or other substances. So cheers to that!!!

"It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends." I truly and wholeheartedly believe in this saying. Life is full of chances and choices and I choose joy and positivity. I know why I'm here and I'm just so thankful that I am and I can enjoy it with you. 

Be safe, happy and healthy out there in 2015.

Yours,
Avalonne Hall

#theeverywoman
#whyislifeworthliving

Manhattan, I Love You

Chapter One. She adored New York City.

Chapter Two: New York City loved her back.

Chapter Three: She falls madly in love and he loved her back.

Chapter Four: Chapter Three didn't happen or at least hasn't happened and I'm fine with it. Today's subject isn't about romantic love, or rather it's not about romantic love with a man. It is in fact about romantic love for New York City.

New York City has given me all sorts of wonderful material on life. It has given me inspiration, strength and creative freedom, but it has also given me insurmountable feelings of distress and anguish. I've learned that life can be such a polarizing experience, but I've learned to embrace it and love it, because we've been given a chance to live, so live it now. Live it today.

I frequently hear about how people adore New York City, but New York City hasn't loved them back. So I'm assuming this is a common theme with this grand city, but I feel like this can occur in any metropolitan city. It is crowded and populated and I think that fuels the idea of feeling isolated, even though when one is constantly surrounded by people, it can be the most alienating feeling in the world. Over the course of my time here, I've learned to accept this feeling and I'm now very comfortable with my solitude.

The greatest thing about New York is that it's constantly in momentum, it's moving, pushing forward every second of every day. There's no time to stop, breathe, look, appreciate and that gets exhausting and overwhelming. Now, I take my time to stop and breathe and look at my environment, because I don't want it to all be over just like... that. I want to take in as much as I can, before it's too late. The end is always near and sometimes it feels palpable. Sometimes I feel too acutely aware of my mortality and it paralyzes me. This isn't the city's fault though, I've always felt aware of death.

Nowadays, I'm not so much afraid of death but rather afraid of time. Michael Caine expresses this idea in Interstellar: "I'm not afraid of death – I'm an physicist, I'm afraid of time." and I understand what he means - at least I hope I do. Time is terrifying, because we can't make more of it. Time runs parallel to everything, but once our time is over, it's just over. Time will continue to persist, but eventually it will end. My time, your time, the universe's time. All I can do it make my time count. Every waking moment needs to count. Maybe not every waking moment, but the time that I'm conscious is the time I need to make something for myself. Make time for myself, my aspirations, my career, my family, my friends and others.

So why do I think life is worth living? That is a very good question. For me, well, I know a few things that make my life worth living... I would say... Woody Allen and his humor (forget his controversies, just his contribution to film history is enough to make me believe life is worth living), Roger Federer and his elegant tennis skills, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Louis Armstrong's voice, Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller, Franz Schubert's Trout Quintet, Cherry Blossom season, Autumn in New York, Kiri Te Kanawa's recording of O mio babbino caro, Arthur Rubinstein playing Chopin, Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas, the melting clocks by Dali, old black and white photos of a simpler time, Before Sunrise by Richard Linklater, Sure Thing by David Ives, Constellations by Nick Payne, seared scallop nigiri sushi from Senryo... Just to name a few...

And I don't see any particular person's face at the end of it. Unlike how Isaac sees Tracy's face in his mind and he realizes why life is worth living. I'm not there. I don't know if I'll ever get there. I love my family and friends, without a doubt, but you know that one person that you envision seeing at the end of it all? I don't see anyone. I don't know where they are, but that's up to the universe and the cosmos. The answers are up there. I'll be patiently waiting. It's all in the timing.

#theeverywoman
#whyislifeworthliving

This is Why Life is Worth Living

"You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." ― Angela Davis

As I'm sitting on my couch and listening to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker on this Christmas Eve, I ponder to myself, how have I spent my time this year? Has it been a productive year? What have I achieved? What have I seen, watched, smelled, tasted, touched, heard? I am suddenly filled with all kinds of emotions and memories and I feel excited and overwhelmed. Although, I'm scared to feel disappointment in my lack of achievements, so I'll focus on the nice things (no naughty things today).

I must say overall I had an incredibly fulfilling year and I'm so grateful to even acknowledge that. I hate to take things for granted, so I must give credit where credit is due and I give most of the credit to this incredible city we call New York City. Sometimes I still need to pinch myself to remind myself that I live here, okay, I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. I still feel excited to be here. I still feel compelled to look up and discover new sights. As much as I enjoy seeing something spectacular and grand, I absolutely relish the times I see something ordinary, because there's always beauty in ordinary and common sights. And I enjoy everything in between.

I loved that I've slowed down to actually pay attention to looking at my surroundings. I catch myself looking up and appreciating the architecture of the city. There is something so romantic and poetic about the architecture here, but I'm only an amateur. I can throw out names like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster, Richard Meier, I.M. Pei, Ray Kappe, Jean Nouvel, but the only reason why I know these name is because of television shows (Million Dollar Listing New York, shhh!) or pop culture. Well, everyone knows Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier and if they don't, they should! Wait, why didn't I take Introduction to Architecture in college? Damn I missed my chance. Suffice it to say, I am an architecture enthusiast. I enjoy documentaries about architects notably How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster? The documentary starts off with Norman Foster participating in a cross country ski competition. Excuse me? What? I want to be doing that at that age. I can barely run a mile now. I hope to learn more about architectural styles and the history of architecture.

I spent some good money on cultural endeavors this year and I'm proud to admit that. I traveled to Poughkeepsie to see Josh Radnor in an incredible Richard Greenberg play called The Babylon Line. I saw him again on Broadway in Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced, which was jaw-dropping, shocking and moving. I met Mindy Kaling and took a photo booth photo with her thanks to a Bliss Spa event! I saw James Franco and Chris O'Dowd in Of Mice and Men, Greta Gerwig in The Village Bike, Neil Patrick Harris in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (thanks Sasha for taking me) and Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson in Constellations (best play I've seen in ages). I watched three tennis matches at the US Open and I finally saw my hero Roger Federer play tennis in the flesh. I saw Aladdin on Broadway with my high school BFFs Vicky and Mary (no Diana sadly) and met both Aladdin and Jasmine in person (okay fine, the actors) for a Broadway charity event and I blushed so hard. To end the year, I saw the American Ballet Theater Production of The Nutcracker, after having seen it 10 years ago in London - I was truly in awe and in tears.

On top of that I saw so many films in theaters. I saw almost all the Best Picture nominations for 2013 films in theaters, except for The Wolf of Wall Street, because I refused to pay to see a three hour film about "that" world and lifestyle. I know the Oscars is all about movie industry politics, so I shouldn't take anything too seriously, but that's for another discussion entirely. I watched a lot of independent films, which I love, because I support independent filmmakers and movie theaters. I've already started watching the Best Picture nominations for 2014 films and I'm halfway there. I've already spent a large sum of my income on my so-called cultural endeavors and that doesn't even cover half of the plays, musicals, operas, ballets and films that I really want to see. So I've written a list of my cultural agenda for 2015 and I realized I need a sponsor or some grant that will allow me to pursue these endeavors, because I cannot afford to feed my mind. Why does it cost so much to care about art and culture in New York City? Again, that's a topic for another day!

I smelled some truly intoxicating scents this year. This year has been a glorious year of scents, because I finally got myself L'Ombre dans L'Eau by Diptyque. When I first discovered this scent, I instantly fell in love. It felt so special and unique, unlike anything I'd smelled before, but I knew I had to wait before I really deserved it. Now that it's my signature scent, I still love it and in fact, I love it more everyday. I don't think I'll find any scent that can beat it, but I've found other scents that are different that intoxicate my senses and I'm glad. Notable mentions: Wood Sage and Sea Salt by Jo Malone, Mandarin and Ginger Lily by Trish McEvoy (thanks to BG salesgirl for politely shoving it under my nose, it definitely caught my attention) and Crystalline Eau du Parfum by Bvlgari. All in all, my nose enjoys smelling heavenly scents and is becoming a bit of a perfume connoisseur.

My taste buds were delighted by different flavors. This fall, I embarked upon a hunt to find the best ramen in New York City, so I started a #RamenFriday #RamenProject. It was a matter of getting personal recommendations and doing some online research and going out on the field and trying the best ramen. It was definitely a search and an adventure and I slurped on some divine bowls of ramen. I had an unfortunate incident with one bowl of ramen, which was disgusting and I shall not mention the place here, but it was not good. Watching Mind of the Chef and hearing David Chang wax poetic about ramen made me appreciate the art of ramen and Japanese cuisine all over again. I'm still obsessed with Masterchef and Gordon Ramsay and I still kind of dream about the idea of competing on the show... Hmm... I also ate paella, tapas, seafood, Sichuan, Xi'an cuisines, Italian food at Eataly and I hope to continue to feast on glorious food next year. I hope my wallet will have enough cash to spare for arts and culture AND food in 2015. Help me.

You know what I love to touch? (Okay that doesn't sound awkward). I love to touch fabrics. Yes, fabrics. I love to touch beautiful clothes at department stores and really touch and look at a garment. I like to see how it's constructed, how does the fabric feel, what's the weave, the texture, examine the seam and hems. It's quite obsessive. No actually, I'm not that obsessive, but I'm making it sound that way. I appreciate clothes and I enjoy quality fabric. Also, I'm obsessed with furniture. I love furniture. I could devour furniture. I cannot afford furniture, but I love to look and touch furniture. To imagine someone designed and built a beautiful chair. Take an Eames chair for an example - modern, simple, yet complex in its design and ergonomics - a truly designed object. I become ecstatic every time I'm in a Design Within Reach store. I just find design to be such a fascinating part of life. Being exposed to designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Massimo Vignelli, Eileen Grey, Le Corbusier (again), Philippe Starck makes me so excited about design and not in just an artistic sense, but the engineering and ergonomics behind design.

My ears have been extremely happy about listening to a lot of classical music and jazz. Currently listening to: Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Brahms, Oscar Peterson, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Sidney Bechet and more. I should probably start re-listening to opera and going to the opera (before the season ends). I haven't been paying attention to pop music genre or even indie bands and I'm really fine about it - I don't feel like I'm missing out. I'm listening to the Vienna Boys' Choir right now and I'm feeling like I'm walking on air. After four summers in New York City, I finally went to the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island with Caro and it was an experience. There was live music led by Michael Arenella, a super dapper gentlemen and his Dreamland Orchestra, which is the most beautiful name I've ever heard! We were transported back to the twenties, just like in Midnight in Paris, except we experienced it. The Roaring Twenties is one of my personal favorite decades, because I'm a huge fan of The Great Gatsby. I couldn't believe I was in a place where everyone was dressed up and dancing like it was 1920! I can't wait to go back next year.

I know my senses were very fulfilled in 2014. But one thing was missing throughout the year and it's something I would prefer to not write about. Because it pertains to this void that exists within me. A void that is hard to describe when I'm in it and something I would prefer not to focus on when I'm out of it. All I'll say is that as humans we have our ups and downs. During the ups, it feels amazing to be alive and we're happy and grateful. But during the downs, it feels empty, isolating, alienating and numbing. Even when life is isolating sometimes, you can always count on some amazing people out there. There aren't many, because friends don't come by easy. Friends do, but best friends don't. I'm so grateful to my best friends and you know who you are. I love you wholeheartedly and cherish our friendships. Thank you for everything. You amaze me.

So there are seven days till 2015 and I wish everyone a glorious and Merry Christmas and wishing the next seven days will be a time to spend with your loved ones, to celebrate life and love on this beautiful planet we call home.

Salud!
#theeverywoman
#whyislifeworthliving

#whyislifeworthliving

This is a place for open minds. This is a safe place to broaden your horizons and find your voice, well, my horizons and my voice, but I'm open to hearing from you. In fact, I'd love to hear from you. This is a place to start a dialogue, a conversation, a rapport, because isn't life just a long dialogue betweens strangers, friends, family, lovers, humans? Sometimes dialogues are fast paced and uninhibited and sometimes there are moments of silence and contemplation. I'm here to discover all the complexities of life, yet savor and cherish the moments of simplicity.

#whyislifeworthliving is a lofty question. Of all the geniuses that have walked the earth and people who are literally changing the world at present, who am I to tackle such a question or concept? I'm not an expert at anything, but my brain is curious and I hope to be curiouser and curiouser every day. I want to dedicate myself to discovering the pleasures of life and documenting the moments and things that make life worth living. There (hopefully) will be monumental moments that are life altering and there will also be the unassuming and common sights that have the potential to move you to tears. I hope to document them and everything in between.

There is so much to know about our existence and my thirst for answers needs to be quenched. Through this journey, I want to learn and absorb as much as my brain will allow. I will be the first to admit, I'm not and was never an academic and it has taken me some time to develop my thirst for knowledge, but having said that, I'm proud of who I am and who I've become and I'm just looking forward to continuing to discover who I am and unfold my potential as a human.