Redland Sunday | Brunching Lady Strikes Again


Beautiful sunny Sunday in Redlands.
Grabbed brunch at Carolyn's Cafe and took a stroll around downtown. Pictures of the food at Carolyn's will come next time I go back. We were way too hungry to do any waiting. If you can't decide between the pancakes or coffee cake...get the coffee cake, it is delicious.


sweater | H&M
wrap top | Flynn Skye

Post-brunch and coffee, we went into A Shop Called Quest.
There, David bought me my first ever comic book (thank you).
Can't wait to read it... Poison Ivy, anyone?

As always,
xox Ingrid

follow us on Bloglovin' or like us on Facebook or Instagram

ii. sunday | daydream_collection



A bit behind on the {d a y d r e a m_c o l l e c t i o n} project...
I don't know if I will be able to push four posts out, but I'm working on it!
Caught up with my soul sister over rainy Sunday brunch today.
We got to play around with my new Instax Wide camera.





She is f e s t i v e.


@ Kit for the sake of our coffee addiction.

...And here's some digitally generated polaroids that are more outfit-focused...
I love the way the dress splits into three parts in the front, creates such a lovely, flowy, dreamy vibe.
hoodie | UO
maxi dress | UO
shoes | Office UK
barcelona bag | LOEWE


Thank you @katxinthexhat for the photography help.
Tag #
daydreamcollection
As always,
xox Ingrid


follow us on Bloglovin' or like us on Facebook or Instagram

i. garden | daydream_collection



As a lover of all things dreamy...
This February, I am introducing a small project {d a y d r e a m_c o l l e c t i o n}, focused on producing dreamy photographs through the use of non-DSLR mediums (polaroids, iphones+apps, etc.) to create vintage looking photographs to celebrate and over-amplify the amorous vibes February is associated with. This will be a four-part series. Hope you enjoy.





trench coat | Club Monaco
light pink cashmere sweater with white sleeves| Club Monaco
flounce skirt | Zara
shoes | Nine West
handbag | Mulberry


Anyone have cute Valentine's Day plans with their significant others, dates, or gal-pals?
Share with us about it below, or tag #daydreamcollection in your social media posts...
As always,
xox Ingrid

follow us on Bloglovin' or like us on Facebook or Instagram

Cardio Barre | A Review of My Pilot Run



The first time I heard about Cardio Barre was about 4 years ago, when one of my girlfriends told me how she started taking classes at the new location in our shopping centre by our high school. I entertained the idea, of trying it out, for a week or so, but soon dropped it as I didn't have enough time back home to be attending regularly. It wasn't until recently, when my sister referred me to a package deal they were offering, that I re-dug it up from my "things to try" list.

I purchased a 5-class package deal which offered classes at lower than half their normal price. This started out as an incentive to: get back into exercising (since I quit any type of routine since August), see what this LA hype was really about, and low-key hope it was some laughable wannabe ballet exercise cult (I was hoping it was "easy").


Arriving to my 930a class

I read a few reviews on Yelp, prior to class, to see if there was anything I should be aware of, and to be more prepared for what was to come. Cardio Barre gives you two options for class sign ups- through a mobile app or through their website. They recommend that you sign up through one of the two so that your space is guaranteed, and it is required that you get to class 5 minutes before class starts. Apparently, one of the biggest complaints online (via Yelp) was the rule about getting to class early so you can secure your spot, even with reservation. Knowing this I get there 15 minutes early, since I was a first timer. Having signed up through the app sped the process up and I didn't need to fill out as many documents. The process was very relaxed, apparently all I needed to do in the future was to sign my name onto a clipboard and put my stuff into a cubby space, then wait for class to start. Before entering class, you are to grab a pair of weights (ranging from 1-3 lbs). For my first class, it was "heavy weights" day so I grabbed a set of 3 lbs. I know, I laughed on the inside. But little did I know...


Cute little office area, there is only 1 studio space

The class starts out with literally barre exercises. Yes, like the kind you do in traditional/classic ballet class. Tendu, plié, dégagé, battements, attitudes...the usual repertoire. Then cardio exercise gets mixed into in, so like extending and flexing, and holding positions for an extensive amount of time. The catch is...all of this happens double time, (read: super fast) repeating each set about 4 or 6 times. And you're doing all of this to sped up pop remix songs. After barre exercises, there are middle of the floor exercises with weights and arm workouts. The class then transitions to on the floor exercises where core muscles are worked, abs, crunches, and moving onto legs and butt.

WOW. I was defeated after the 60 minutes. Pooped. I sweat like no other that day. ¾ through the class I looked down and my chest was glistening with sweat (something that never ever happens to me) to the point I looked like one of those oiled up Giorgio Armani Underwear Ad Models. Day-um! Post workout, I went next door to Néktər to grab my green juice (can you say LA basic) and I couldn't even order my drink because I was still out of breath!


post-class selfie, feeling WORKED out

Some tips (subjective):
1. Arrive early, to prep, stretch, claim cubby space
2. No need for wraps or socks, barefoot is the best IMO
3. Dress lightly, you will sweat a lot
4. There are ~3-6 classes/day, depending on which day of the week, so check the schedule in advance
5. Go at your own pace, but don't give up entirely
6. You should snack on something SMALL, so you don't pass out, prior to class... but make sure its 1.5 hrs in advance so you don't throw it all up.
7. BRING WATER + FULL SIZED TOWEL
8. [technical tips and if you want a challenge, ballet wise] keep your feet pointed, don't drop your back/butt, "extend", don't drop your elbows, with grace ladies!
9. Routines are basically the same, but every instructor adds their own little kick to the combo

Cardio Barre
Outfit inspo, what I wore to the two classes

I've only gone for two classes, and throughly enjoyed both of them. I definitely underestimated how intense cardio barre can be and promise to never mutter "probably easy" again. Having danced ballet for a good 13 years (on and off), I know that this class (especially with the cardio and use of light weights) will sculpt you if you attend/practice regularly ~3 times average a week. The one review on Yelp that I agree most with, is someone describing cardio barre as "ballerina bootcamp", haha! Maybe I'm just out of shape, but what are your opinions? Have you ever tried cardio barre? Comment below (I'll answer questions based on my experience too!) Any ladies who would want to join me? ;) I can't wait to sign up for my other 3 classes...

As always,
xox Ingrid

follow us on Bloglovin' or like us on Facebook or Instagram

Oscar the Grouch


Now that I'm on this weird semi-student status, commuting back and forth to school, I have time for some other things in life besides research. Not to say that I am totally free from my thesis progression or anything...but it gives me time to retackle some creative projects and get my personal life back.

It does hit me a little hard with the realization that I am going to be leaving this city, my IEEE fam, and my dear friends from research soon. These six years have flown by in a blink of an eye. Just two more months to make the best out of my time here...



I put together this little 90's inspired sheer-top look today, my OOTD.  While I was shopping around in Madrid this past summer, I found this coat that did not swallow me whole, so I lugged this bad boy (which took up ¼ of my suitcase) home and have been cuddled up comfily in this for the past two months. But I didn't think about how the green colour would result in me looking like astro turf, Oscar the Grouch, or Macklemore...haha!



I've also been eyeing the Common Projects Achilles Low for a while now, thank god for persistence of saving up for over a year now. I love how clean it looks and the small serial number detailing on the sides of the shoe.


It's a good day for sheer tops and women empowerment. But I was honestly inspired by kDawg's streaks with sheer tops (link1, link2)... not to mention Bella's latest outing with her see-thru top- adding fuel to the Selena/Abel drama. I definitely got a few uncomfortable glares today with the top, I feel that it's not as socially okay to be so "revealing" with my choice of apparel around my hometown, but I don't think its that appalling anyways.

I would also style this sheer top with the bra on top, a cropped tank over the sheer shirt, or a velvet dress over.


coat | MANGO
dark grey cardigan | American Apparel
sheer top | street vendor
jeans | Topshop
bra | F21
shoes | Common Projects

As always,
xox Ingrid

follow us on Bloglovin' or like us on Facebook or Instagram