love you in the fall ;

2012-02-13T21:46:00.001-08:00

yet another reason to fall in love with emmanuelle alt & french vogue.

no need to be sad, it really aint that bad

2012-02-13T20:47:00.001-08:00

this song has been on repeat for the past 3 days.

Life.

2012-02-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

1. trip to anthro 2. my cozy nj bedroom 3. magazines,fur,coffee,airport 4. my new favorite flowers

Lately there is a lot of change occurring but also a lot of feeling stagnant. Does that make sense? Probably not, but that's okay. School is school, feeling less and less motivated as the days go on. I'm on my way out, there's even a "for rent" sign living outside of my beloved apartment. My foot is halfway out the door but I'm looking forward to really having fun and soaking in Savannah for the next month and a half. I love this little city so much, the thought of leaving my apartment makes my heart literally sink. So I want to give this chapter in my life the right 'close'. It was really a beautiful time and I've gotta end it on a good note.

Last week I chopped my hair off and though I miss my long hair, it feels good to get rid of a good portion of it. "Just get it off me" was kind of my attitude toward it. It was just very THERE and not doing any good for me. I felt it had too much of the past two months' worry leftover in it and it was starting to show. So bye. Also, i've become a full fledged lipstick and nail polish collector/obsessor. And today? Scored big at the Jason Wu section of Target. This weekend I was in NJ and stopped in the Target there and EVERYTHING was gone. Savannah's Target had basically everything and I snagged my favs. Polka dots, pink, navy, bows GALORE.

1. my view when i step outside my apt front door everyday 2. bye hair 3. nail polish glitzzz 4. the south

February...take your time, okay? I got some things to savor for a bit.

wu-hoo!

2012-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

Without getting too personal, things have been changing in my life lately. 2012 so far has been not what I expected, lots of emotions, family things going on and ultimately I had to make a big decision in my personal life that was not easy. At all. But here I am, and life is going to keep going. All I keep thinking lately is that with the disappointing or somewhat negative things that are happening, I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. People change, things change but I know in my heart everything will work itself out in whatever way, shape or form it needs to be in.

Hopefully I'll have some good news within the next couple of weeks that will help me make the next steps, which i'm pretty sure includes moving back north, to New York City. My hometown is so close to the city that it's almost silly to not take advantage of how dreamy and intimidating the idea of living there is. I want to follow that dream, I'm only going to be this age once, plus all the jobs and new experiences I want are there. To be continued..

While I (we?) wait, can we talk about how exciting the new Target collab is going to be? Jason Wu! Hooray. This commercial is absolutely precious and I can't wait to (hopefully) fall in love with some of his stuff. Please oh please be this cute in real life!

2012-01-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Fab.com ? I'm really obsessed. My brother, sister-in-law & nieces gave me a gift card for christmas and ever since, i've been so into browsing all of the fantastic product offers they have on there. It's a flash sale site, so the sales are always temporary but so great and the product selection is excitingly different from other sites out there.

I'm a huge fan of Rifle Paper Co. and have had my eye on these two items (pictured above) for so long. So, as soon as I saw them on Fab.com, I had to snatch them up. So excited to get them in the mail! Aren't they the cutest?

make up videos

2012-01-13T17:19:00.001-08:00

Do you guys care about Youtube make up review videos as much as I do? It's one of those things that seems probably really vain, weird and pointless but it's actually really quite addicting. I didn't even know this was a 'thing' til a couple of months ago and now BAM, i'm hooked. In fact, I rarely buy a new piece of make up without Youtubing a bunch of reviews, especially if the person has similar skin & hair and sense of style. Why the hell not? The key is to find the right Youtuber for you though. There are so many hot messes on there givin' beauty tiPz and like..let's be real. Who wants make up tips from someone that has enough eyeshadow, lip liner and bronzer on their face to act as a sheild against flying bullets?

My current favorites are London girls Meganisobel & her roommate Essie. In fact, I rarely go to any other ones because they have such great style and know whats up. It's so creepy to watch other people put on their makeup but I've learned so much and have found such great products thanks to their suggestions. I'm such a girl lately with beauty products and I simply can't get enough, especially with drug store lipsticks. I love product reviews as it is but these beauty videos just bring them to life. Plus, it's just fun and girly to watch! Who doesn't love learning more/talking about make up?

Here are two favorite videos that helped me tremendously when looking for the right lip colors & other products.

2012-01-06T18:17:00.001-08:00

i fell in love with the first version of this song that atlas sound put out last year and i'm equally in love with this version (if not more). always playing on repeat.

candle talk.

2012-01-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

As i'm settling back into my Savannah apartment for the last ten weeks of my undergrad life, I must confess that I'm kind of alarmed at the amount of candles that are in my life. My apartment is pretty damn small and it's currently being taken over by candles in every room. Is that a bad thing? Of course not! I'm all about them. So with that said, I figured i'd share what ones I am loving since they are so clearly a big part of my life.

"Women with candles replace women with cats as the new Sad Thing" - Samantha Jones.

Hey, Sam! Stick it where the sun don't shine or whatever because candles are NOT SAD! (MAYBE A LITTLE THOUGH)

Current favorites:

Missoni for Target Candle in "Tuscan Sunrise"- Totally found this two weeks ago, a long time after the whole Missoni x Target chaos. It was in the clearance section near the vitamins/cold medicine aisle. How amazing! The scent is absolutely perfect and fresh and the Missoni signature printed candle holder is the icing on top.
Trapp Candles- All of these scents are absolutely beautiful. My mom sells them in her shop and I immediately fell in love with each refreshing smell. However, my favorite right now is the Peony which I've had lit in my apartment since the minute I unpacked my bags. The candle comes in a wonderful green case that just makes the whole thing feel luxurious and special.

Boulangerie Candle in Apple Blossom- My boyfriend gave this to me for Christmas and I have to say that it's just the most calming and refreshing scent. Not to mention the French, vintage inspired feminine appearance is to die for. Plus, every time I light it, I picture how he physically went to Anthropologie and picked it out for me and imagining him in there amongst all things GIRL being overwhelmed makes me smile.

Oh, and i'm still loving my 4th Street Candle Co. candles

beautiful.

2011-12-22T21:38:00.001-08:00

petit bateau

2011-12-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

Can Garance get any cuter? love this.

lately.

2011-12-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in a while, woops. i'm just enjoying being home, a lot a lot. the thought of heading back to Savannah in 2 and a half weeks makes me feel a mixture of many emotions. I sort of don't even want to go back, but obviously I need to. For thousands of reasons. However, it'll be the first step towards all of the 'last steps'. Ten weeks of school and then i'll be a college graduate and then millions of decisions are headed my way. So i'm going to take each day as it comes and try my best to just not overwhelm myself obsessing over every detail, not right now at least.

In the mean time, i'm going to start instagraming even more and updating pictures on this blog. I love looking back on everything and chronicling bits and pieces as they happen. Above are photos from the past two weeks. Visiting Mary, my great friend from my old college and her baby Cooper, a rural road in a small town I drove through in PA, new perfume in a beautiful bottle and a shelf in my mom's shop. So much more has been going on, and also a lot hasn't been going on. It's a perfect mixture and i'm soaking in every second.

2011-11-29T21:30:00.001-08:00

Christmas is approaching and I've gotta admit, i'm feeling more holiday-ish than ever. I just feel so excited and can't wait to decorate (i even got to kick off the season by decorating my mom's shop's window! tons of silver and glitter, so festive!) and be cozy, etc. But let's be real..asking for presents and all of that just seems kind of awkward when you're over the age of 18. But hey, let's assume Santa is reading this and Santa baby, all I want is a little piece of Clare Vivier heaven. (And a gift certificate to ASOS or Anthropologie, bye! i didnt say it! and peace on earth!)

guy gift guide

2011-11-23T18:14:00.001-08:00

ipod/iphone dock/alarm clock $40

i know thanksgiving is tomorrow, and i'm all in favor of soaking up every inch of this wonderful holiday & fall season. a post about that will come, but for now? let's get a head start on holiday gift guides because, obviously, there won't be enough of THEM floating around the internet right?

When it's time to wonder what to get the guy in your life, whether it's your brother, dad, boyfriend, best friend, uncle, crush, etc., there are a ton of options out there but a lot of it can be scattered. For consistent awesome-ness targeted directly at cool guys, go to Cool Material* and check out what's going on over there. Not only is the content fantastic, there's a shop that is packed with great items any guy would love. Here are a few of my favorite things..

Rhino shot glass $28

Beer Soap $19

WeWood Date Watch $98

Marshall Headphones - Major $115

Maxx & Unicorn Bi-Fold Wallet $90

"Shit I Gotta Fucking Get Done" Notebook - $9.95

*Cool Material is a brilliant website for guys that is run by one of my favorite guys in the world: my older brother Tim! Very proud of him and how great his site is doing. Oh and i'm clearly a girl, yet I want/love pretty much everything on the site. So girls, check it out for yourself as well.

fa la la la la

2011-11-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

the holidays are coming, so why not get started a bit early with shopping. why don't you start with the tiniest people in your life? head over to my shop the lovely universe! i'm reducing the price of various items throughout the week AND if you use coupon code "HOLIDAY12" at checkout, you will receive 10% off. so go go go!

saturday til now.

2011-11-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

-The brand new (and gorgeous) SCAD Museum of Art

-Beautiful garments by Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, Zac Posen, Vera Wang, Chanel, etc. donated to the Andre Leon Talley section.

-Homemade chilli with tons of fresh green herbs & veggies from last night

-A pretty doorfront I spotted on the way to the Soho South Cafe with my Dad this afternoon

-Crisp fall leaves finally hitting Savannah

-The secret ingredient in my chilli.

A Saturday night dessert/drink date with my pal Alan at LuLus & a chilly stroll down a very festive Broughton Street.

2011-11-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

so, i'm in that transitional phase in between being done with an intense 10 weeks of school and a month long holiday break at home.

While i'm staying down south for thanksgiving to be with my dad and his side of the family (they migrated down here from the north just like me! i'm lucky to have them nearby while i'm here.), i'll be spending the rest of break in NJ. so that leaves me with this week of cozy time in Savannah and no projects/papers/group work/studying to do and frankly, a dull social life. cozy time rules..don't get me wrong. but it's time to get this show on the road. HOWEVER, ondemand is offering me tons of gems when I don't feel like venturing out of the apartment (how grey gardens of me.) A Diane Keaton section? Specifically dedicated to her movies alone? Why, that's just genius.

This is the first Sunday all quarter that I've been without anything to work on/to do/anyone I really want to spend time with. That sounds depressing but it's not. Because it's Father of the Bride day. Part one and two. Cooking chilli and drinking peppermint mocha coffee from the Keurig, cup by cup. Please.

This movie will always warm my heart, and that house will always be my dream house. Knew it when I was 5, know it when I'm 23. Timeless and beautiful. Also, Diane Keaton's character is my movie adult woman spirit person role model. Nancy Meyers' movies always have..well, pretty weak 'realistic' qualities. There's always some sort of wacky, eye-roll worthy moments but the aesthetics always deliver. Always. Let's give her that.

2011-11-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

it's mortifying that I want these two books right? My instincts are telling me that I should feel embarrassed but my soul is telling me to just go for it. I am owning my cheesiness and the deepest, tackiest depth of my soul has a soft spot for aging crazy loons on reality TV. A book written by them? I mean, i'll atleast spent an hour or two flipping thru these books at Barnes & Noble while sipping on some Starbucks. OWN.ING.IT.

Even Kris Jenner is not banned as far as I'm concerned, the craziest, fame-hungriest loon of them all.

Come on. Humans are hilarious!

2011-11-01T15:43:00.001-07:00

i want this!

halloween & 22

2011-10-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

My last Halloween weekend as a college student was pretty great. Lots of time spent outside, enjoying the beautiful & crisp weather, a lot of sleeping in, wandering the cobble stone streets, a successful thrifting trip, homecooked meals, boozey night out with friends dressed as Wednesday Addams and getting the chance to listen to Alec Baldwin speak in Savannah's most beautiful theater. Not to mention i've dusted off my collection of boots, tights and jackets. Fall weather, I love you.

Now, this is my last week as a 22 year old and I've got a lot of work to do but it's alright. Because life is short and i've got a plane to catch on Friday to go to Chicago til Monday. Yes, finals week is approaching but this weekend it will have to wait. Work will get done and life moves on. That's where I'm at right now. Feeling calm.

For some reason, I always remember thinking "22 sounds like the coolest age ever" when I was younger and ya know what? My younger self must have been Miss Cleo because I was right. 22 was kind of the coolest age, but hopefully not ever. I want a lot more cool ones.

True Citrus Giveaway!

2011-10-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

This week, I 'hosted' a giveaway over at Small Kitchen College for True Citrus products (think Crystal Light but without aspartame and all that other crap you don't need), which are 100% natural and 100% delicious. And no, i'm not just saying that. I've been addicted to this stuff since the moment I received the samples. Seriously. I've been carrying the to-go packets in my purse everyday in various flavors such as grapefruit, orange, raspberry lemonade and lime. If you know me, I love my drinks. I need to keep myself hydrated like woah, and i've been off soda for about 3 weeks now (with one slip up! not so bad if you ask me) so I need to give all the water i've been drinking a big kick in the ass and these packets do the trick.

I've even sprinkled some of the lime seasoning onto a cilantro chicken dish I cooked this week & used the lemon on a grilled cheese panini. These little gems are so versatile and tasty. Plus, it really tastes like the real deal...because it is the real deal.

The best part to all of this is that you can WIN free True Citrus products so head over to my article and follow the directions. Give your water & cooking/baking a refreshing kick without any guilt.

Good luck! xo

nicole cari

2011-10-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Band of Outsiders has become one of my favorite brands. The older I get and the more I experiment with what I love and what i'm drawn to style-wise, I realize that designers like Band really encompass everything that makes my heart pitter patter. Easy, comfortable, classic, a little preppy but always the perfect mix of tomboy and feminine.

After this summer, working with Band of Outsiders' clothing and learning a bit about what goes on behind the scenes, I came to realize just how much I loved their clothing. Every item that I touched was beautifully made, delicate but had a strong design. Each piece was completely timeless and dreamy. I can honestly say holding some of their blazers, dresses and tops, imagining what it would be like to actually own them myself, was one of the best parts of my internship.

Well, tonight I stumbled upon Nicole Cari's (Band's marketing & press director) feature on Closet Visit and felt immediately inspired by her effortless, comfortable and sophisticated style. So cozy & chic which is the best combination of cliche fashion words, if you ask me. Not to mention her hair rules. Is there anything better than simple oxford shirts, army jackets, dainty floral prints and flowy dresses?

PS: Have you been to Closet Visit yet? Um, check it out immediately. It's endless amounts of wonderful all compiled into one little section of the ol' world wide web.

stripes, polka dots, red lips & structured jackets.

2011-10-26T20:41:00.001-07:00

my dream fall/winter style inspiration. SO GOOD.

lately.

2011-10-25T21:05:00.001-07:00

1. rachael & i at local11ten 2. pulling holiday looks for a photoshoot 3. beautiful home at palmetto bluff ,sc when i was there with my mom 4. a holy moment

according to my iphone, this is what i've been up to lately. these photos sum up the last three weeks of my life pretty well aside from the fact that I haven't been instagram-ing the nonstop work i've been putting into all of my school projects. that's pretty boring stuff to take pictures of most of the time, ya know.

i am squeezing relaxation/some fun in when I can but it's senior year of college. this is no joke, y'all! it's crunch time since the end of the quarter is approaching and i'll be jettin' off to chicago for my birthday. work can take a back seat for three days because i got somewhere to be and someone to love. oh, and i've got to go ahead and turn 23 years old too while i'm at it.

hey, are you curious what the deal is with the fourth picture up there? that's just my pals chris & jessica, me & mike (ma boyfrand) and Chef Jerome. While I want to say that he's famous, i'm not quite sure he is in reality but in his own head...oh man. He's the KING! i wish i had enough hand muscles/strength to type out detail by detail how the experience of going to jerome's old school diner in ?, GA was like but you'll have to just go to the website & use your imagination. Keep in mind it was pouring raining with thunder/lightning, we were the only patrons in the restaurant and there was a ton of fried food and hugging involved. Only in Georgia.

5. an old building near my apartment & the year it was built 6. strawberry & mint lemonade 7. setting up the decor (aka: holidaying up my fireplace area) for a group magazine photoshoot. 8. one of my favorite buildings near SCAD's Arnold Hall

2011-10-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

The past two weekends I've been lucky enough to have two of my favorite people visit me in Savannah. First, my boyfriend Mike last weekend and then my Mom this weekend. Both served as the perfect little time spent with the two people I miss the most when I'm down here. It's been nice to have a break from the normal school/everyday life routine i've got goin' here. I hate to see them go, but now it's time to just go go go and finish up the rest of this quarter (last week was midterms. wha?!)

oh, and above? while i was at class, my mom surprised me by sneaking to one of the shops on my block & getting me the Design*Sponge At Home Book! Not only have I been wanting this book since the moment I found out it was coming out, Grace Bonney is speaking at SCAD next week and I can get it autographed after I listen to her lecture! I've been an emotional crazy person lately and let's just say tears of joy were involved when I opened this.

I'm a very lucky girl to have such special people in my life.

2011-10-07T18:44:00.001-07:00

I have a weird love/hate relationship with the Kardashians. It's so complex that I can't even figure it out in my own brain let alone create a blog post explaining it. Life is so difficult.

But one thing I know for sure is that I 100% enjoy Kourtney's (and ya know what, even Scott) style. That horse print dress? Her hair? Sunnies? Her make up? Keep It Komin Kourtney. I love your look.

For Me, For You

2011-10-06T13:27:00.001-07:00

Over the past two years, I've been an avid reader of For Me, For You which is a blog written by freelance designer Kate Miss. Her simple and warm design aesthetic whether it be the entire look of her blog, use of colors, her cozy "Bits Of My Weekend" photo series every week, her talent with graphic design (She used to work for DwellStudio!) and her minimal yet chic jewelry designs has inspired me as I try to find my own style and design voice.

Unfortunately, her boyfriend Will has been diagnosed with cancer and as you can imagine, they're in a bit of a financial situation. They are both freelancers and Will is currently unemployed due to his health condition. Kate, still being as humble as possible, has asked her audience for their support during this rocky time. For more information, click here & see what you can do! Cancer is a scary thing and i'm sure everyone out there has been touched by it in some way or another. So with just one purchase of one of Kate's beautiful prints in her Etsy shop, you can help and also receive a truly one of a kind piece of art in return. The internet can be a really beautiful thing.

2011-10-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, i'm a huge Wilco fan so naturally i'm all about their latest album. It's so fantastic and I've been listening to it every morning when I'm getting ready for the day, during the afternoon when I'm putzing around my apartment or at night when I'm reading/doing homework. It's basically an all day, erry day thing. Listen if you haven't already!

On a sadder note, i'm sure all of you have heard about the passing of Steve Jobs. We've lost a master but with a brain like that, i'm sure he still has fantastic plans for Apple even though he's gone. Technology aside, he was an extraordinary human that will inspire society forever. That's pretty incredible.

this looks so cute

2011-10-02T19:24:00.001-07:00

2011-09-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Zero 7 - Throw It All Away

How on Earth did I forget about this song? I think i listened to it everyday in 2006.

Candles, Candles, Candles.

2011-09-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most cherished things in my life is scent. I've always had a really great sense of smell (sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes a bad thing) and as I get older & create my own little home, the importance of filling your space with a great smell is extremely clear to me. Since I've been back to Savannah, all I want to do is buy different candles with warm and cozy scents and light them every time I'm home.

While it's not exactly fall weather out right now (hi, 87 degrees?) I'm in absolute denial about it because today is the first day of Autumn. So that's that. See you later summer, even if it's hot & humid out for a little bit longer. So, the next best thing besides already transitioning into sweater weather attire (thank god for overly air conditioned classrooms) is lighting crisp and comfy fall scented candles.

Buying candles off Etsy might seem a little crazy at first because everyone wants to smell a candle before purchasing it, and with Etsy, you obviously can't do that. However, I was in the mood to shop for some truly original, homemade, good quality candles and decided to take a chance. I immediately found 4th Street Candle Co. and fell in love with all of the magically described mason jar filled candles. They are all hand poured, dye free soy candles. I ordered Basil Sage Mint & Autumn Magic, but was accidentally sent Apple Butter Caramel and Pumpkin Creme Brulee. As soon as I opened the package, my whole apartment smelled like I had been baking sweet Autumn pies all night long.

Andrea, the owner, even insisted on sending me the two original candles I ordered for free which was absolutely so kind and one of the reasons why Etsy rules. Everything is so personal and helpful when you find the right shop. So I'll own not two but four fantastic candles from 4th Street Candle Co and you should head on over as well! Lighting these just make your day ten times more comfy.

Recipe Round Ups

2011-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's a lazy Friday afternoon (SCAD always has off on Fridays which usually make for busy work days or lazy cozy days...work can wait til Saturday & Sunday sometimes) and although I did wind up being pro-active by doing laundry and cleaning, I also perused the internet extensively. From next to my kitchen sink. Let's just say that the realtor that handle's my landlord's responsibilities when he's not here, SUCKS and is dishonest & unreliable. You'd think that since I pay more for this apartment than my last one, the management would be fantastic. Nope. In fact, just the opposite. So until Comcast installs my own connection on Tuesday, I will be stuck next to my tiny kitchen window & sink if I want to go online. #firstworldproblems, i know.

So since I was conveniently located in the kitchen, I decided I needed some culinary inspiration so of course I went straight to Small Kitchen College to really examine all of the great posts from the past two weeks. Here are some of the ones I really loved and know you will too:

1. The 7 Healthiest Cereals To Eat Before Your 9am Class

2. You're Invited: Oktoberfest!

3. 9 Cool Ways to Use Your Freezer

4. The Dorm Room Bar: Rosemary Sangria

5. Cooking 101: Grilled Cheese

Have a good weekend!

peppermint coffee date

2011-09-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, hey. Getting pumped for the chilly season & the different ways to enjoy a nice cup of joe? Well, I'm over at Small Kitchen College this week talkin' about love and coffee and perhaps a little anti-Nickelback talk as well.

Come on ovah!

walking to the coffee shop

2011-09-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

In March, I will be graduating SCAD and spreading my wings, giving someplace else a shot. So for the next couple of months I want to fully soak up every detail of this little city and cherish the time that I have spent here. Who knows what the future brings and how much of it will be memories that I, and only I, can call my own. This is the place that I moved to not knowing really anyone or truly anything about the area. Miles and miles from home.

My first apartment(s) are here, first with complete strangers and then alone where I created a tiny home for myself. It was the first time I couldn't just leap in a car when things were getting tough and be near my mom. I took a chance by declaring a major that I was kinda sure was for me but now as I'm on my way to graduation, can proudly say that it is very much for me. I learned a ton, from mistakes and successes. I've been criticized & praised, now understanding that the praise part rarely occurs without the criticism part first. I shed tears over projects (and people) because it was the first time I really gave a shit. I was working on things I loved, for people I admired, yet being here has made me feel calm about the future and my prospective career options. Most importantly, I figured out bits and pieces of who the hell I was, fell back in love with someone that I had been missing for years and gave somewhere besides the north-east a shot. It's a different culture here and being exposed to it has been interesting and frustrating.

Savannah is lovely and calm. It has shaped bits & pieces of my life, especially my personal taste and favored style. My time spent in Savannah will be a chapter in my book that's really just beginning. So, as hard as it will be to up & leave it after 3 years, it is totally necessary. I want to leave it while it remains this cherished time in my life and before it gets too routine and maybe tarnished. I don't want to ruin a good thing, you know? It's like The Sopranos finale and the fact that they aren't coming back with movies and spin-offs. It was great while it lasted so let's not push it. Yes, I'm comparing this to the Sopranos because I am a New Jersey girl after all, awlright?

So, tiny things like my five minute stroll to get coffee through my neighborhood that I will remember and be inspired by for the rest of my life, is something that I look forward to everyday. I want to notice small details and thankfully my IPhone helps me capture them so I can essentially remember them forever.

Oh, and Twitter can help me remember how many times I complain about how god-damn slow but extremely kind everyone is here or other tiny thoughts. Technology rules.

kate spade x current/elliott

2011-09-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am so in love with Kate Spade & Current/Elliott's recent bag collaboration entitled "Westward". In case you haven't noticed, the days of Kate Spade's boxy & utterly boring bags are over and their rebranding it practically perfect.

Kindness Above Malice

2011-09-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Some of you might remember my post awhile back about my cousin Kameron. My Aunt & Uncle were on TV today spreading the message against bullying and I'd like to share their words & strength with you all.

look ma, no oven!

2011-09-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

This week I'm over at BGSK College talking about cooking without an oven! The recipe is for a savory and melt-in-your-mouth sweet potato with parmesan and herb butter cooked to perfection in under 10 minutes using the microwave. Sounds Paula Deen-ish but in reality, this recipe is all about keeping it pretty simple and relatively nutritious.

Head on over here!

missoni for target

2011-09-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

So, obviously, like any red blooded girl who loves fashion (AND Target) I was thrilled to head over to Target at 10am (ok 1030am) to shop the Missoni for Target collection. "How picked over could it be in Savannah, GA?", I thought. Well, the answer to that is very picked over. I forgot how much these girls love to shop down here plus, i'm sure my entire major was there pounding down the doors. That happened. A beardy man working there told me, with the most frightened eyes, that "girls were banging on the doors before we even opened and went crazy!". Oy. But also understandable..

Still, the aisles were filled with 'leftovers' that were presumably just as fantastic as the sold out items. I found almost everything that I had my eye on (except the blanket and bath towels :( wah.) and I kind of skipped over the clothing because that might be too much. Home items, fine. But you KNOW everyone and their dog will be sporting the clothes and that might be excessive. However, I did pick up a pair of colorful & perfect flats. The only pair that wasn't a size 3 or 1 and they were just my size so I took that as a sign and threw them in my big ol' red cart.

I wound up with just a few items and that is a-okay with me. Although my heart still aches for the candles & picture frames. My apartment is entirely too small to overload it with the Missoni stripes so a little here and there is just right. In fact, within two minutes of being home I was able to use the packaging from my shoe box to create two home items. I am very proud of myself! Utilizing what I've got, that's ma deal and you can do it too! You're welcome. ;)

When I asked the beardy Target man when he'd be re-stocking the items, he told me "never. this is it." My face must have looked like a child that had it's hot dog stolen by a seagull at the beach (Ahem. That happened to me once.) That's it, folks. So go get what you can because you know you want to.

And to Missoni? Congratulations. Not only a design inspiration but a total big whopping marketing inspiration. Causin' all this chaos based on a couple of stripes and a respectable sought after brand name. Hats off to you.

LA in Bloom

2011-09-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

Have I discussed how much I love LA In Bloom on here? I must have. Heather Taylor, LA in Bloom's blogger, posts about the most beautiful pieces of life. An art gallery owner in LA, Heather has excellent yet simple taste whether it's with fashion, art, interior design or cooking. So, discovering that she is putting out a web series? So in love with it already. She's like a young and cool Barefoot Contessa.

Enjoy!

come on fall.

2011-09-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

so i'm back in savannah and after two days, it feels like a home again. walking into a plaster & dust covered disaster late friday night (thx leaky ceiling that wasn't properly fixed til this week.) nearly brought me to tears. after hours and hours of scrubbing, dusting, swiffering, wiping down, vacuuming, etc. my apartment is mine again. Just like I remembered it but better and cleaner than ever. In fact, I'm now obsessed with cleaning. Last year? Please. I lived in basic filth. Everything was always neat but not clean. Now I understand the joy of both.

Most people have New Years resolutions but to me, fall is what feels like the best time for any type of resolution. September always feels hopeful, sparkly and new. It's like there is a huge clean pallate in front of you to make things better. Eat better, dress better, feel better, act better, love better, etc. Fall is always my favorite (Hell-o..love you in it!) and I feel more grown up this time around.

Instead of eating whatever is quickest and cheapest, I want to cook 98% of my meals at home, cut out soda and ride my bike more. I want to never leave any dirty dishes in the sink (living alone makes that easy to do) for days on end and Lysol/409 the haaale out of everything atleast twice a week. I've got 'my shows' to watch (bonjour Bravo tv line up, TLC everything & the great food truck race!) and a great class schedule. I want to go out on the weekends, meet new people and enjoy friend time but also work work work at school.

Why am I typing all of this to you? We all have our lives and our own fall resolutions but sometimes I feel like it's good to put it on paper/on ..internet? I'm in love and dealing with maintaining a relationship from a distance while also continuing my own 22 (almost 23!) year old life and feeling completely positive about it. Last fall I might have been stressin' if a boy didn't text me back but right now i'm stressin' because an Etsy seller hasn't sent me my union jack pillow yet. What a difference a year makes. I'm a total borefest and i don't mind it.

And last but not least: i got a Keurig. UMMMM. How did I live without this little guy? I'm obsessed with it. It's the closest thing to magic that I've seen in a long time. In fact, I'm excited to wake up early tomorrow morning so I can have a cup of (DONUT SHOP FLAVORED) coffee and seize the day.

So, Fall weather get your ass to Savannah soon okay? Because 86 degrees in September is okay but let's cut the shit and get chilly soon. Until then I will be prying my hands off of any type of pumpkin candle/pumpkin coffee/beer in hopes of not 'overdoing it' before fall actually hits here.

ps: i started a facebook page for the lovely universe. I'm kind of scared to promote it on my personal page because i don't want everyone to think i'm a baby obsessed freakshow collecting tiny clothes until someone gets me pregnant. (oy vey) Paranoid, much? Probably. But i'm keeping it on the DL. Still, I need to promote it. So if you want to become a fan, please do so :)

Liven Up Your Kitchen!

2011-09-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

This week I'm over at Small Kitchen College talking about how to liven up your kitchen for under 10 dollars. From chalkboard paint to vintage bottles, there is something for everyone to try without hurting your wallet.

Take a look here!

(Past articles here and here)

2011-09-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving one home and going to my other home this week. I'm a ball of emotions because I cannot wait to get back to my little apartment, get started with school and get re-aquainted with the life I have there but sad to leave NJ. To make the transition easier, I just keep telling myself i'm lucky to have two places I love so much for very different reasons. I hope wherever I wind up even after Savannah provides me with the same comfort that NJ and Savannah provides but for separate reasons. All together it makes a balanced life but I still wish the world was smaller sometimes. I'd love for everyone and everything I love to just be a short car drive away but that's life, huh?

Another place in my heart that I consider home is my beach house on Long Beach Island. Since I've been away for college, I rarely get a chance to truly just have it feel like home since it's always filled with a bunch of people visiting. Not that I don't like that, it's just different. We've had this house since I was about ten years old and it's rented out most of the year/summer but we get it for a couple of weeks here and there and most of the fall and winter. During my teen years, I was not a huge fan since I'm really not much of a beach person. But now? I'm growing up and learning to appreciate everything else that comes along with this place. The tiny old houses that are sprinkled around, family time, taking outdoor showers, favorite little shops and restaurants and walking just two minutes and being at the beach. I enjoy the charm and attraction of being on the sand but really only for about 2 hours and then I'm bored. However, knowing it's there is still a comfort. It just has a great feeling about it and I'm so glad we have this house. This summer I was able to be there a couple of times without a big group of people, including this weekend, and I really enjoy how peaceful and quiet it can be here and I loved it. Beach person or not, it felt like home. It is my home.

shop update!

2011-09-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

precious lil things are in the shop. have you seen? i will be listing more within the next couple of days. but for real...can you even at how cute? going on little journeys for tiny clothes is my new obsession. it's everyone's dream to buy baby clothes (or is it just me? eesh) but this time I can get my fix without the actual baby and with a good nights sleep every night! yay for still being selfish and yay for tiny people clothes.

house of harlow 1960

2011-08-26T12:28:00.001-07:00

why, yes. I am jumping on the cat eye glasses trend bandwagon. I own two pairs and I need more. The big daddy of them all in my brain has to be the House of Harlow 1960 Chelsea sunnies in black! Want.

2011-08-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

okay, so over the past month I've been debating whether or not to open another etsy shop. I've been hungry to get back into etsy and start a little business since the beginning of the summer but I wasn't positive where to go exactly. But tiny things started falling into place and it became more and more apparent that I needed to pull the trigger. So after searching & handpicking little treasures that I fell in love with, The Lovely Universe baby vintage shop was born.

The shop officially launched on Saturday and I've had a sale every day since then which I'm taking as a good sign. I'm very very excited for this new little project and can't wait to share it.

So go check it out here!

And for you blog readers, enter "BLOGCUTE11" as the coupon code at checkout to receive free shipping!

this past week

2011-08-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

this past week was nice & busy. i spent last weekend in nyc & went to the ny gift fair (which was SO cool), i officially decided to launch a new etsy shop & have an already growing inventory, my second article for small kitchen college was published, my boyfriend left for chicago (which means goodbye til october. bleh.), my best friend came back into town for the weekend (and i got to get a lil tipsy~*) and i helped my mom today with a wedding she was creating flowers for!

so yeah, life is just life. there's a lot to look forward to for fall. tons of things. all of that helps me feel positive about being back in a LDR. there's so much to be excited about in so many ways and i'm just trying to focus on that. my new little shop is something that is really keeping me happy and i cannot wait to share it!

bye y'all

all of us together

2011-08-13T14:57:00.001-07:00

i was watching secrets of a stylist the other day and became obsessed with this crazy wallpaper. it would be perfect for a small bathroom that needs some interest.

head over to Pottok Prints to find this & more.

Terrain

2011-08-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

On Monday, my Mom and I took a trip to Terrain in Glenn Mills, PA. For those of you who don't know, Terrain is a branch of Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters/BHLDN/Free People and it's dedicated to gardening, landscaping and home & kitchen items. Just outside of Philadelphia, Terrain was an absolutely beautiful experience.

It was a dreamy wonderland that was totally worth the 2 hour drive and not to mention their greenhouse cafe was outstanding. I ordered the most delicious mac & cheese served in a tiny heated cast iron pan and a Moroccan mint iced tea (served in a mason jar, duh.) and obsessed over the fresh bread baked in a terra-cotta pot with house made lavender butter (omg). My Mom got a beautifully prepared chicken tartine with mixed greens & we split fingerling potatoes. Grabbing an iced coconut coffee for the ride home was a good choice but was gone almost before I sat down in the car.

Everywhere I looked served as tremendous home & garden eye candy. Hello, stylists there? Can I have your brain? I just love the way every little section of the entire place was extremely detailed and interesting. Let's all agree that it's very hard for such a large brand to be so personal and URBN absolutely accomplishes this.

I was excited to see that there was candy on display from small businesses like Mast Brothers and Whimsy & Spice. I should have bought some of their items but I was too stuffed from lunch to even think about buying candy. The entire kitchen area was gorgeous and rustic (as expected).

Every item is perfectly placed and styled in the most lovely way. From every flower all the way down to the locally purchased body lotions, candles and delicate handmade jewelry.

Please just go. It's wonderful.

crushin'

2011-08-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so addicted to checking out The Glitter Guide for daily doses of girly-ness. If you haven't been over to the site to check it out, please do. With new content every day, you'll be lost in how adorable, feminine and bright it is.

Their home tours/interviews are my favorite. They are totally swoon-worthy and make me want to re-decorate everything in my entire life. Today's post was about Alaina of Live Creating Yourself and her Chicago abode. PLEASE LOOK. I dare you to not to be inspired by the copious amounts of pretty.

Thanks Glitter Guide for posting this because now I have some motivation to switch things up in my apartment (and dream of the day when I have an entirely new space to decorate. Soon.) AND I have a new blog to love.

Things I Love 8/6/11:

2011-08-06T13:24:00.000-07:00

-anthropologie's cute eyeglasses display
-pretty flowers in milk bottles
- a mini floral arrangement
-new wall decor at the shop.

Summer is almost over and I don't like it. Sure, I love the fall and I am pretty anxious to get back into the routine of school and I miss my apartment/Savannah. But really, I love being home and what it represents. The fall will be nice but I'm going to be homesick for so much. It's okay though. I'm thankful for all of it.

You know what else is something (superficial) to be thankful for? Anthropologie. Would I even be a breathing, human girl if I didn't love Anthro? Come on. Breeze on through the front, soaking in all the pretty on the way to the sale rack. That's my deal. I could shop there 100% of the time if I had the chance. My entire closet is slowly but surely becoming all Anthro (98% of it sale items, thankyew.) Saying "Goodbye" to all my thrift store clothes/Target/Forever 21 (KIND OF. I still love you. Just not as much!) Quality over quantity because I'm growing up! Hey I even bought fancy shampoo & two tubes of lipstick yesterday!

My new way of picking out things is to ask myself "Would Kate Middleton want this?" and "Would a cute Mormon design blogger want this?" I hate that Mormon has to be attached to that but there's no way around it, guys.

I'm an Agnostic liberal girl who is a 22 year old Mormon housewife blogger deep down inside. I've come to that conclusion. They're so cute with their colorful wardrobes and beautiful dinner parties and homes. I dare you to not become addicted to reading their blogs. I dare you.

But the day that my boyfriend even considers wearing a colorful suit/goofy tie and poses with me in a cupcake/vintage prop filled photoshoot is the day I know shit has gotten weird.

-outdoor home-cooked dinner (by me!)

-new sunglasses

-beautiful back to school notebooks

-my homemade chicken tortilla soup.

also i'm in love with these new products that I've picked up this week

physician's formula happy booster blush

john frieda luxurious volume refresher (aka: the affordable best dry shampoo i've ever found)

2011-08-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

I could spend hours drooling over La Garconne. If only the world just handed me thousands upon thousands of dollars and told me "Here, Sarah. Just take this. Spend it on pretty things". As we all know, the world doesn't do that, huh?! Oh well, more initiative to work hard to land a good job one day.

In other news, i've been doing a ton of cooking & posting over at Love You In The Kitchen AND my boyfriend is coming home from his week long vacation in two days. I may reek of garlic right now but I feel content.

2011-08-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Mark Ronson, I will have a crush on you & all of your musical magic until the day that I die.

weekend.

2011-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend was filled with lots of cooking, family time, beach time and relaxation time. While things aren't always perfect and decisions always have to be made and different roads are taken, it's interesting to see all of life's changes that occur even just over a short period of time. My family has dealt with a lot this year but seeing the little lights in my nieces/little cousin's eyes and the joyous addition of my cousin's baby Elena is very exciting.

For whatever reason, I feel stress in a lot of ways right now but I'm also looking forward to so much. At this age, just as you think you figure something out, something else sneaks up on you that scares you. It's all about fear, happiness, worry, anxiety, stress, and hope.

I need to keep reminding myself that throughout everything that can ever happen in life (and a lot of my issue is fearing the unknown), good will always find it's way in. And when I start thinking too much or worrying about 'the big picture', I need to focus on the tiny moments that are now. If there's a problem right now, fix it right now. If there's something great going on right now, appreciate it right now.

That's what I'm learning to do because that's all I can do. It's all any of us can do

my little pal

2011-07-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

out to lunch on friday with my niece maya. :)

new project

2011-07-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

So, in addition to being a contributor to Small Kitchen College, i've decided to also chronicle my cooking adventures on my own little blog called Love You In The Kitchen. So follow me for something a little different than what I post on here :)

lil vacation

2011-07-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

this weekend ruled. my boyfriend (mike) and i drove up & spent time in burlington, vermont visiting my best friend abby. it was really really so good. it's such a great little city & the six hour car ride went by so fast because the scenery was just so beautiful and i had a great person to ride in the car with. i don't know, after this past week it just felt completely 100% good to get away.

i just love relaxing with two of my favorite people on earth. i'm sad it's over but thankful it happened.

ate lunch at the skinny pancake (my third time there!) which is a delicious creperie right on lake champlain.
strolled around the farmer's market
a lil sean connery shrine in abby's apartment. ya know.
abby!
mike!

iced coffee & record shopping time

beer tasting/tour at the magic hat brewery! so good. realized that my favorite is their "#9" with 'humble patience' following close behind. it has hints of chocolate in it & is their first beer ever.

driving to shelburne farms & inn
pigz
shelburne education center

so beautiful & peaceful there.

the view from the shelburne inn

gorgeous interiors at the inn

bffs

my favorite guy.

and on the way back home this afternoon we pulled off to stop at a flea market/antique mall. this place was filled with gems.

bye vermont, i love ya.

posies flower shop

2011-07-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Now that i'm (finally) armed with an iphone, get ready for lots of instagram pictures on here! I've always wanted a good quality camera on my phone because I like the idea of just snapping quick photos with my phone rather than lugging around a camera at all times. Instagram & hipstamatic have not disappointed. I'm in love. So yes, i'm riding that iphone picture train all the way to town and yes i've realized i've arrived a little late.

I want to do a post every now and then of different pictures throughout my week. Since I don't share that many personal photos on here, i'd like to start. I feel like iphone pictures are a good way of getting me into the routine of it, but don't expect any "THIS IS WHAT IM WEARING TODAY" posts. Oh hell no.

Since my NYC internship is almost over, I will be spending more time in my Mom's new floral shop helping her out. So to kick off this new 'photos of my week' idea, I figured I would feature my day today at the shop.

My Mom started Posies in the spring, after years of doing flowers for weddings out of our garage/home. It was finally time to open up a store and go public with all of the beautiful work she's been doing. In addition to being a florist, Posies also offers a bunch of unique and beautiful home items & gifts.

Walking into Posies is like a little breathe of fresh air. It's a tiny piece France in the middle of NJ. Every item and every flower is pretty, feminine and perfect for making any day a little brighter. I'm not just saying that because I 'have to', I'm saying it in the most honest way ever. It's just an all around precious place to be whether you want to pick up a bouqet of fresh flowers, grab a couple of picture frames & French inspired pillows, or a greeting card for a loved one.

i.love.this

2011-07-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sarah Jessica Parker by Mario Testino for Vogue US August 2011

(love SJP and her little family)

brown bag challenge!

2011-07-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

Packing your own lunch is not just something for little kids with lunch boxes in the cafeteria. Bringing your own lunch not only forces you to get creative with cooking and/or thinking ahead but most importantly it saves you money! I know that bringing my lunch to my NYC internship has been kind on my bank account and has eliminated the whole 'wandering around figuring out what I wanted to eat' thing (especially on a 45 min break). Pack it the night before, put it in the fridge & grab it in the morning whether you're going to school, work or even picnic-ing with some friends. Easy as that. What makes it even easier is if you have an adorable and functional little accessory to help you store that lunch of yours.

Kick your bagged lunch game up a notch this week & get involved with this Small Kitchen College giveaway! You can win some great BuiltNY products!

Check it out plzzz. It's a fun and easy way to get some new cute stuff and get you started on packing lunch (and savin' some bucks)

2011-07-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

photo source

So, i've got some cool news! I'm finally going to be able to combine my love for cooking and writing/blogging as a contributing writer at one of my favorite spots on the web Small Kitchen College. I applied on a whim a couple of weeks back after a particularly depressing day at my other internship (seeing that they were hiring new writers was like a little sunshine burst) and what-do-ya-know, I found out (on another particularly depressing intern day) this week that they wanted to have me on board! I'm so very very excited. Being able to put myself out there with my writing (and even my cooking!) is something that I've really wanted to do.

If you haven't checked out Small Kitchen College or Big Girls Small Kitchen (or their fantastic new cookbook with a forward by Ina Garten!), please do so. It's really the perfect site for 20 somethings who are on a budget, love to cook & want a little something extra than what other foodie sites out there offer. Not to mention, how f-ing adorable is the site layout? I can't even. Needless to say, I am very thrilled about this. I will be posting on here (and on my twitter & facebook ) about any updates for the site since I really want to take part in spreading the word to as many people as possible.

There is already something exciting going on all next week on the site that I will be posting on here as soon as I get more information! So stay tuned :)

On another note...i'm on the quest for new music. I'm slowly succeeding but I've got to admit, i'm late to the Broken Bells party but i'm lovin' them.

2011-07-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

2011-07-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

as usual, i love her. and want her cookbook. and to be her friend.

being home reminds me how much i love to cook. infact, i'm cooking for someone very special right now. summer is going too fast.

clare vivier

2011-06-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

recently, i stumbled upon clare vivier's blog seevivier and i'm addicted to reading it. clare'saccessories are absolutely beautiful, simple and functional in the most amazing colors and textures. I want one of the fold-over clutches SO BAD. Can you imagine any type of accessory that is more perfect?

upon finding her blog & also another blog called LA In Bloom, i've decided that my fear of Los Angeles is dumb. These blogs make me want to get on the next plane over there and throw my cares to the wind. Their styles are chic, simple, comfortable but with just a little bit of something extra thrown in. My heart just feels cozy when I look at the posts from both sites.

kirsten dunst

2011-06-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

i'll always love her & her frumpy-chic style. i'm glad she's back.

ps: that Rodarte dress in the second to last picture? are you joking? so beautiful.

opening ceremony resort 2012

2011-06-18T07:47:00.001-07:00

Maybe i'm biased now that I'm interning with them (well, for their PR company) but I really love Opening Ceremony's clothing line. Part of my job is to manage the showroom for this particular PR firm, which carries a bunch of wonderful labels including OC. So I get to really analyze and understand all of the pieces and where they belong, how they feel, etc. Opening Ceremony's Pendleton collaboration is really one of those dream worthy creations that makes your heart and soul feel so cozy as soon as you lay eyes on them. Even though it's often really hot in the showroom, feeling how well made and beautiful the Fall 2011 pieces are from OC (and the other labels as well) is pretty nice.

I did several projects on Opening Ceremony this past school year and I really enjoy reading about and exploring their brand. They started off as just a clothing store but have expanded into other territories and have really taken the idea of 'non traditional retailing' to another level. They are in a league of their own. To look at their own clothing line up close and personal, or even in pictures, it is very apparent how detailed, precise and for a lack of a better word, interesting, the designs are. Now these are people who started off as shop owners but now produce beautiful clothing unlike anyone else's. I think that's impressive and inspiring. Name one brand like theirs. You can't. I'm happy they're getting more and more recognition and taking their name into other arenas. I'm looking forward to watching them grow and maybe even being able to afford a piece from their store. ha!

Obviously everyone knows this but good quality fabric really makes all the difference in the world. So next time anyone complains about Opening Ceremony's expensive price tags or about their selection of items offered, stop and think that you're really getting a unique and well made product. It's true. Just ask my hands and eyeballs. I look at and feel that shit 20 hours a week now.

Moral of this post: How good is their resort 2012 collection? I love the background prints and the styling in the photos so much.

little boy style

2011-06-16T12:15:00.001-07:00

Why is little boy style the actual best thing? seriously. Of course little girls' clothing is cute but there's something about little boys that kill me. Maybe it's because I have so many women in my family and when I get to hang out with my nephews or any other little guys, their brains just make me melt. When they're dressed cute like this? Ovary explosion.

I mean, kids clothing in general can be the most adorable stuff on earth. I did a couple of projects this past quarter based on childrenswear and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty fun. I imagine working with kids clothing is much more fun and innocent than working with adult clothing. Anyway, look at how CUTE and stylish these little guys are. I found it on a blog randomly and thought I needed to share.

found here

2011-06-15T20:06:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite blogs out there is Oh Happy Day! run by the lovely and talented Jordan Ferney. Her little family (She & her husband and two adorable sons picked up and moved to Paris for a couple of months. Cool life?) and beautiful yet simple style is so inspiring in every way. Here are photos from her apartment that she posted today. I cannot get over how perfect it is. I love how she mixes just the right amount of a modern look with a traditional/vintage inspired look to create this cozy yet unique and intriguing little environment. Interior design crush times 100.

2011-06-13T21:09:00.001-07:00

i've been a dead beat blog mom. i'm back in new jersey, interning twice a week in the city and enjoying home-time. i'll update here & there. i promise.

~*PEACE*~

TRUE RENEWAL

2011-05-25T20:21:00.001-07:00

just because this song is good.

sorry for the lack of posts lately. i'm down to the wire with this quarter and then it's officially summer. Give me New Jersey, give me my boyfriend, give me living at home (YEAH I SAID IT), give me home cooked meals, give me my mom, give me all sorts of things! Are you listening, Summer? I know you are. With that said, I love living in Savannah so much but i'll be back in the fall to soak her all in again.

Lately i've been busy being 80 years old (or 8 months old?) by having a very specific weekly routine that i've grown to love. not to mention i'm spending some quality time with my apartment. Working on projects from the comfort of my own bed, staring out my window, listening to music (OR watching 'my shows' like anything on Bravo and 2pm reruns of the Sopranos) with a huge iced coffee at my side? Yes please.

I won't speak too soon since I have seven days left of the quarter, but I think I accomplished a couple of personal goals that I set for myself back in March. I worked extremely hard in school, I spent time with friends & even made new ones, went to as many fashion related lectures as possible (just this weekend i listened to andre leon talley & manolo blahnik speak at the lucas theater in savannah. that manolo was a real loon but i liked it.) spent quality time with my Dad, I got to visit Chicago and I got rid of a lot of things/clothing that had been sitting around. So what I'm saying is that this is like my Ramona Singer " Tru Renewal" phase! Where's Mario!? Where's the pinot grigio? Where are my crazy eyes? Oh screw it, I love ya Ramona! Just kidding about the eyes thing!

For the fall, I'm sure I'll have a whole other list of new Savannah goals. Until then, i'm satisfied with what I did for the past ten weeks. Hear that obnoxious noise? That might be me tooting my own horn. Just once. That's a lie, there might be more of that. Wha? It's a blog.*

*= if you haven't noticed, "it's a blog" is my new favorite excuse for when I say something really annoying and eye-roll-worthy.

2011-05-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

2011-05-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

dear everyone who wears these,

you look like a fucking idiot.

regards,

sarah

smell

2011-05-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Having a good sense of smell is probably one of my favorite things about life. Similar to music, scents are just another easy way of being transported to another place. A certain smell can take you into a time machine back to a certain memory that you didn't even realize you were keeping inside your brain.

Once you're all dressed for the day or night, the last thing you add onto yourself before stepping out the door is a spritz of your favorite perfume. Girls see their moms doing it when they're little while they're watching them get ready to go out for the night, and as the little girls get older they begin to do the same thing. Perfume is a beautiful tradition and an invisible way of expressing who you are while leaving a lasting impression.

A person can "have" their "own" scent without even owning their own fragrance line. I doubt anyone has their 'own' t-shirt or pair of jeans that they're instantly associated with, but smell can do that. Unless you're a person who wears the same t-shirt, jeans and smells weird all at once, then it can be a negative thing. But we're talkin' about positivity here!

So here is a list of my favorites even though favorites lists are narcissistic, but hey, this is a blog. So what who cayuhz.

Cannabis Rose by Fresh

This is one of the best scents ever and I'm constantly being complimented on it. I've been wearing it for about a year now and my friends can often smell it before they even get a chance to say Hi to me. It's always awkward when an old woman asks me what I'm wearing and I have to tell them "Oh, it's called..cannabis rose?". 9 times out of 10 I just say "I'm not sure! I borrowed someone's!". What's the big deal in saying cannabis? I don't know. NBD. I guess I'm a big ol' prude deep down. Anyway, it rules and lasts FOREVER. The scent is so strong and no it doesn't smell like weed. The title is misleading which can be seen as either a good thing or bad thing, depending on what kinda gal you are.

Lolita Lempicka

Quite possibly my favorite perfume that I'm constantly going back to. It was my first 'real perfume' that I decided I wanted after smelling a tiny sample of it at the mall. I had never heard of the brand and never really cared that much about fragrances until I smelled this. It's extremely hard to describe but I've been told that people say it reminds me of them. In fact, I remember spraying a letter I wrote to a boy I was dating with this. He asked me "This smells exactly like you. Did you spray it?" and I said "No. I did not" when I clearly did. I don't know who I thought I was or what I was getting away with. But yes, this is a crowd pleaser and my favorite. Not to mention the bottle? It's absolutely gorgeous.

Cleopatra by Tocca

This is currently what I've been wearing. Switching off between Cannabis Rose and this. I just received it this year as a Christmas present and it's a beautiful smell in an extremely pretty little bottle. It's strange because I can never smell it on myself, but I'll spray it on at 10am and I'll get comments all throughout the day even til 5pm about it. It lasts for a while on you but doesn't overpower you which is good because you're the one who has to have the damn smell trailing you around all day.

Another thing is that this one seems to attract middle aged men. So i mean, if that's your thing..take note? But when the 40 something year old man with a questionable teeth situation making my burrito asks me what perfume I'm wearing? Shit gets weird. I certainly don't want to tell him "I'm wearing Cleopatra by Tocca. You know, the one you can get at Anthropologie?" so I just say "Nothing." Which might have made things weirder.

Angel by Thierry Mugler

This is one of the best scents that can ever hit anyone nostrils. Seriously. I'm not even going to TRY to explain it. Most of you have probably come into contact with Angel, and it's just a beautiful stop-dead-in-your-tracks smell. It always reminds me of my Mom and I'll spritz it on occasionally when i'm home. I've never officially owned my own bottle of Angel but I'm always borrowing it and putting it on when I see it in a store. The bottle is really interesting and usually that color blue can be a little cheesy but it truly works with the rough way the glass bottle is formed.

For Her by Narcisco Rodriquez

This is my second all time favorite perfume. I've gone through three bottles of this over the past 3 or 4 years. It's amazing. Completely subtle, light and musky but it's one of those scents that people notice the second you walk into a room. Man, woman, cat, dog, tarantula, baby, ghost. Everyone loves this fragrance. I still keep the bottle on my mantle in my room, even though it's been pretty much empty for quite some time, because I'm still convinced if I spray even just the AIR in the bottle onto my skin that I'll be able to smell like a hint of it. It's one of those scents that really make your day brighter, when you're running around feeling like a mess or even when you're laying around doing nothing. One little sniff of your skin with For Her sprayed onto it really makes everything nicer.

Baby Blue Jeans by Versace

This was my very first fragrance ever. My Dad was on a business trip to Los Angeles the same year that Gianni Versace was killed (which was when I first found out about him. I was about 5 or 6 I believe?). Since his name was all over the news, my Dad stopped into his boutique in Beverly Hills and picked up this fragrance for me to bring home. I believe it's a cologne for boys? But I still remember him bringing it home to me, and how I saved the bag for years. I never really wore it because I was too young for perfume so the bottle always sat on my dresser. In high school I started wearing it and fell in love with it's powdery scent. It's clean and refreshing with a bit of a 'pow' involved. I still have the bottle even though it has been empty for years.

It's a special scent for me because it was my first ever, and my first (and only) Versace possession. Not to mention my family loves a good scandal. I'm sure 99% of the reason why this was purchased was because Versace was just murdered. Have I told you guys that my parents and a 5 year old me also drove by the scene of the OJ Simpson murders when we were in LA? And on a previous California trip, with little ol' me in a car seat, my family apparently 'accidentally' almost stumbled upon Spahn Ranch. So let's just say that if there was an infamous murder fragrance, I might have wound up with that too. Is this why the true crime section of Barnes & Noble is my absolute favorite? Morbid 4 ever.

2011-05-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

i'm obsessed with this gold chain linked watch. is there a sugar daddy/mommy/parent/person out there that's feeling particularly generous?

mother's day

2011-05-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

my mom & baby me

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I'm stuck in good ol' Georgia while my Mom is up north in New Jersey. I wasn't able to be with her last year either and that sucks. This year is different for my Mom because a couple of weeks ago, she finally made a dream come true for herself. After years of making floral arrangements for weddings here & there out of our garage, my mom finally opened up shop and started her own business full time. It's a big responsibility and it takes a lot of courage to 'pull the trigger' on a dream and I'm so proud that she did.

My Mom is a woman that I feel was truly meant to be a Mother. I can't think of one thing that she wouldn't do for not only my brother & myself, but for my nieces as well. She puts herself last on the totem pole and makes sure everyone else is taken care of first. We've always been close and sometimes I yell at her or give her a hard time, or she does the same to me but I truly consider her a best friend. She listens to me complain, cry, laugh, smile, everything. She's there for everything, even when it's not convenient. Hell, I'll even forgive her for not thinking I was her baby the first time she laid eyes on me. She thought the doctors mixed up and gave her another family's baby instead. I would have thought the same thing if I were her since I looked like I belonged to a family of sumo wrestlers.

I can't think of one idea that has popped into my head in my life that she didn't support. She's good at everything from giving me advice, to telling me to relax when I'm being crazy, making me laugh and smile, to being the best lunch date partner. She's passed on a lot to me, especially her love for interior design and nice things.

my grandma gen, my mom (in yellow) with my uncle kevin & aunt carole

I look back on how I've been alive for 22 years and how that feels like a long time. But then I think about how my Mom has been being my Mom for that long, putting me first for 22 years, being there for me in every way, shape and form for 22 years, and for even longer with my brother's life. And when I think about that, I can only hope and dream that I can be just as great of a Mom one day in the future.

my mom & my brother tim

One day when I'm a real person and when I have a job, instead of just sending cards and tiny gifts, I want to be able to really spoil my Mom all of the time. Because she deserves it. Not to mention she birthed two gigantic 10 lb babies. She deserves a lot just for that alone! Even if it was 20+ years ago.

I'm also keeping my two grandmothers in my thoughts tomorrow too. They aren't here anymore but both of them really play a huge part of who I am today. I think I have a little bit of them in me all of the time. Maybe it's because I'm secretly like an old lady in so many ways, and I really think they'd get a kick out of it if they were alive today to see it. I think they always knew though since I was little that I was kind of an old soul. When little happy things occur throughout the day or something really goes 'my way', I like to think they're my little angels watching out for me and guiding me down the right path.

So, Happy Mothers day to all of the mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers, almost-mothers, etc. out there. You all have the toughest and most special job around.

hair vidz

2011-05-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

sometimes when I can't sleep, I love watching youtube makeup/hair tutorials. i never do anything daring with my make up OR hair so I don't know why it's my favorite insomnia activity, but something about it calms me! especially the beauty department videos. lauren conrad & her make up aritst & hair stylist started it to show normal people how to get a certain look. basically, all five videos are common sense and kind of boring, but something about the clean white background, pretty music and text that made me keep watching.

With that said, is it just me or does this video above seem like magic? i am so disabled when it comes to curling irons. I have naturally thick/wavy hair but it never dries the way I want it to, so I just straighten it. When I'm in New Jersey, I often let it just air dry and go. My waves are so much better when I'm there! Maybe it's the water? Did you hear Osama Bin Laden died? There's still a war going on? Many Southern states are suffering devastating consequences after recent storms? Well, let's just keep talking about the things that matter: why my hair is wavier in New Jersey and not as wavy in Georgia.

But rly. Can someone teach my hands how to work a curling iron? And by people, I mean 55 internet followers that I basically don't know in real life? Just kidding, I know about 10 of you. Yeaaahhh, nevermind. I just want tamed wavy hair and not "frazzled Cathy cartoon woman tries to go natural/flowy" because that's what happens when I leave the straightener in it's drawer.

Bye guys, sorry again if you came here lookin' to read about nuclear war! next time!

2011-04-29T16:00:00.001-07:00

lov-ing her

hermes

2011-04-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hermes is one of those magical, mysterious and timeless high end brands that clearly depicts the whole idea of 'fashion fantasy'. Fantasy in the way that just the name alone is so coveted and represents so much status, that people are willing to spend sometimes over $15,000 on a single purse (hello, birkin. i see you over there girl. and by there, i mean far, far away from my closet.) As a fashion marketing student, I find brands like this to be the most interesting. Of course Hermes products are beautiful, of high quality and classic. But are they entirely worth how much consumers are paying for them? Well, that's up for discussion.

Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, fashion can be about two things: presenting clothing to humans for a way of covering up their bodies and simply getting through the day, or to represent status and present a specific way of life to society. Of course there are gray areas and plenty of reasons why fashion exists in between but on the whole, those are the two main arenas. Maybe they're the most interesting areas of fashion: People who care too little and people who care too much. People who spend too little and people who spend too much.

That's when luxury brands come into the picture. Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Fendi, etc. These are labels that represent a specific type of dream. People buy items from these brands of course for aesthetic reasons but on the whole..they want to say "It's Gucci.", "It's Chanel". Or they simply want to tote their quilted 2.55 on their arms as they silently go about their day, but knowing in the back of their mind that people are most likely looking at the bag. Same goes for fast and flashy cars, big boats, over the top expensive wine (um? haven't you guys ever heard of Leaping Horse $6.95 wine from Kroger? No? Well, you don't know what you're missin', I swear to christ!)

Some may say that all of this is stupid, a waste of money, a waste of time and shows the downfall of society and how vain everyone can be. To that, I say "what's your damage?" and "relax". Everyone has their vices. And also, who is to say that it's a vice? If you can afford it, then why not? How people spend their money is none of your bizniz. But me? Some girl on a tight budget, sittin' in her Target v-neck and Urban Outfitters leggings? It kind of is my business. It's what I'm studying. So what do I have to say about all of this? I think it's tremendously interesting. I swear to the Angel of Michael Jackson that anyone who is interested in psychology and sociology should absolutely read into the fashion industry and consumer behavior. I never find it boring, and there is always something to discover.

Hermes is probably the most mysterious and intimidating fashion brands in my opinion. People even get nervous when they try to pronounce Hermes. It's like they freak out that the fashion gestapo is going to start knocking down their door, with sirens going off like in an old black and white war movie if they say "Herm-ies" instead of "Air-mess". HOW DO YOU SAY IT? I DONT KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY IT! ISN'T THERE A TEN YEAR WAITING LIST FOR THE BIRKIN BAG? AH! I CANT DEAL WITH IT. Hermes seems to produce sheer panic and total intrigue. Maybe I'm wrong but I feel like that's a perfect marketing scheme.

This week, during the Derek Lam lecture, his partner (both in life & in business) Jan Schlottmann joined the stage. He's a marketing and branding man who was chock full of good advice. He explained that he chose to be involved in luxury brands as opposed to just regular ol' brands because there is more of a sense of fantasy and creativity. You create this whole lifestyle and dream that people will spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on and buy into it in order to somehow fulfill their own personal goals. In a lot of cases, purchasing can make people happy. It can better their way of life. Of course it's an issue if shopping is the only way to make you happy. that's a whole other issue. a psychological issue and I'm sure as hale not equipped to bark my opinions on that. That's like blaming McDonalds for obesity. Just don't eat it. Simply. So you can't blame fashion and marketing for personal bankruptcy. Ultimately, it's up to the individual person to make their own decisions.

So, lady who lives in a pile of Louis Vuitton bags, wears only Jimmy Choos but can't afford to eat anything other than tuna from a can? Let's reel it in with the conspicuous consumption. You're not fooling anyone, girl.

Some may say it's trickery or a big scam. Just some bullshit. Maybe it is? But countless jobs rely on this whole realm of bullshit. It's a billion dollar industry for a reason. Maybe a woman saved up for years to finally get that Birkin, and she leaves the store feeling accomplished. What's so wrong with that? What's so wrong with goals, even if they're fashion related goals? All of it is up for discussion, but in the end, it's pretty amazing to step back and see (from both a marketing and psychological perspective) how it all works.

Looking at these ads, I find it really cool that they really portray this young & bohemian vibe. It's a bit of a strange way to portray what they're selling. When I think of Hermes, I think of middle aged/older wealthy customers but they're clearly trying to broaden their horizons and show that they are versatile. They are versatile. The dream of owning an Hermes item knows no age.

Maybe it's just me but I love how luxury brands are very theatrical, dreamy and dramatic. Take a boring pencil that's worth 50 cents, slap this logo on it, and mark it up outrageously. Someone is going to buy it at full price and feel cool about it. They will probably even say "Do you like my Hermes pencil? It's so fabulous."

There are some silly people out there and I love it.

glen senk

2011-04-28T16:25:00.001-07:00

Today was the final lecture for SCADStyle week. Though I only went to three events (Derek Lam kicked it off on Monday which was really interesting and inspiring), I found that each lecture/event I went to, it instantly brightened up my day. Lately, it's just been hard to constantly be in the classroom, working on projects and talking about industry related situations & textbook type definitions regarding marketing/merchandising. Maybe 'hard' isn't the right word, since to me already it doesn't feel like actual work because 9 times out of 10, the assignments I work on are fun and interesting. Most of the things I'm studying comes natural to me and doesn't feel like schoolwork. With that said, I think everyone (especially in a creative type major) needs to get stimulation from outside of the classroom. You grow hungry for it, and SCAD Style week has given me a bit of motivation and excitement that I really felt I needed.

To close the week, Glen Senk (CEO of Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, BHLDN, etc.) came to speak to us. Honestly, it was just another one of those experiences that I've had at SCAD that reminds me how special this time is here. To have someone like him stand in front of me and my peers, giving us advice, answering any question and telling us about his experiences is pretty amazing. It reminds me once again how great of a decision it was to transfer here. Things like this simply would have never happened at my old college. Glen said numerous things throughout his Q&A/lecture that I know I will carry with me forever.

Keith Johnson (who has a reality show on Sundance called Man Shops Globe, is Anthropologie's head buyer & Senk's life partner) was there as well, just sitting in the audience along with a pink-haired Chris Benz. To hear the way that Glen spoke about Keith was really heartwarming. They have known each other since they were nine years old, and when asked where his favorite place in the world was, Glenn replied "Anywhere Keith is". How beautiful is that?

I thought it was really amazing to see such a powerful man who still balances out having an amazing career with a healthy and wonderful relationship and personal life. In fact, that's one of the pieces of advice he gave us. To have a balance between being in love with so many other things aside from your career, which will ultimately better your work ethic and attitude. It's something I've been thinking about a lot because I'm a girl who wants a career, but I know how important it is to have love and family in your life as well. Work isn't going to take care of you when you're sick, tell you you're beautiful, fall asleep with you at night and hold your hand when you need it the most. I want to feel stimulated from my potential career & from my personal life as well. Who doesn't, though? It's one of those tough struggles, especially for women, that I'm more than willing to work towards.

There were many other words of wisdom that he gave us that I know I will keep inside my brain, but something that he said that I believe wholeheartedly is that if you find something you love to do, it won't feel like work. I think that everything is so unknown, especially when you're about to graduate and enter the work field, but it seems that you need to have an idea of who you are, what you want and be willing to learn as much as possible forever in order to be on the right track.

It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Thursday afternoon.

photos below are from glen senk & keith johnson's home tour on elledecor.

2011-04-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Like I predicted earlier today (in the post below), forcing myself out of the house and out of my dumb mood to go see a screening of Bill Cunningham New York over at one of SCAD's buildings would make me feel better. And it did. It made my whole day brighten up. It's an amazing film on an amazing guy and I have to admit, I even got choked up during some parts. Please go see it if you can. You will love it.

2011-04-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

best coast really needs to come out with a new album because i'm (still) playing the last one to death. especially in nice weather or in weird girly moods. it's just the perfect go-to music to put on when nothing else sounds right.

I love these photos of bethany from frankie magazine. it's just lighty, airy, feminine and happy. her hair and skin look glowy. today my skin and hair is definitely not anywhere near glowy. it's one of 'those days' when you just want to whine outloud and cry for basically no reason. Everything feels wrong & looks bad. Hair is just weird, skin is even weirder. Clothes? I have none. Just a closet filled with things I don't even want to look at right now. Nothing I want to eat or cook. Nothing I want to think about.

In an hour, I'm forcing myself to go to a screening of the Bill Cunningham documentary which I know will make me feel better. But the thought of putting my clothes back on (i'm in my comfy zone right now) is making me cringe. You know those days.

Okay, so we all get like this from time to time right? No biggie. Okay so now add in The Sartorialist showing up in your classroom staring at everyone, taking pictures and choosing who to focus in on while you have sweaty hair, no make up on, wearing jeans and a boring blue top. Good. I feel like that's the fashion girl's equivalent to a nightmare where you go to school in your underwear. In this case, you show up looking ugly and the Sartorialist is snapping photos in just your classroom. Needless to say, he chose a very put together model-y girl in my class wearing high waisted jeans and a top knot and took pictures of just her for 10 minutes. Good lawd I need to get myself together.

I'm being a brat. someone give me chocolate (or better yet, don't. just set up a facial appointment for me and take a lawn-mower to my eyebrows)

girl.

2011-04-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

girl. by band of outsiders

karen walker

2011-04-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

since it's almost summer, it's time to truly throw our bodies into a huge pile of sunglasses. yes you heard me. that's what you have to do when it's summer. haven't you heard? currently in my purse at any given time, there are three pairs of sunglasses. all black and all chunky. sure to entirely cover my scorcesse brows because there's nothing worse than the top of your eyebrows peaking out from above your frames too much, am i right? nothing worse. wait, there are wars & genocide going on in the world? what do you mean?

i love karen walker, but her collections lately have been a little too 'crazy shut-in woman' (which is a role that I may or may not identify with lately. oops) but her sunglasses are consistently on point every time. they're boxy, chunky, and a bit overpowering in the best way possible.

michael kors

2011-04-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Anytime I would think about Michael Kors, I would kind of yawn. MK is one of those brands that simply exist and please, instead of coming out with anything truly groundbreaking or unique. Infact, one time in one of my fashion classes last spring, someone mentioned how Michael Kors was one of their favorite designers. Everyone in the class, including the professor, groaned. However, with that said, brands like that are successful for a reason. Michael Kors puts out products that are classic, chic and simple, which is what any woman would want to add to their wardrobe. A girl I know in one of my classes has a beautiful chunky gold link watch that I admire all the time. So when I asked her where she got it, and her reply was "Michael Kors", I decided to look at what else he had going. These are all some my favorites.

(someone buy me those sunnies pleeease!)

2011-04-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today is great so far. Started it off with lunch down the street with my Dad at one of my favorite Savannah brunch/lunch places J. Christopher's. Two very large cups of iced coffee later, i'm sitting on my couch listening to the new Fleet Foxes with the daylight shining thru (even if it's cloudy) catching up with one of my favorite fashion sites Who What Wear. This was the first fashion blog/site that I ever started following after stumbling upon it randomly two years ago. And though it's pretty straight forward and celebrity-style oriented, I still like to read it/take it all in from time to time. Katherine Power & Hilary Kerr have two of my dream jobs. And after seeing Katherine Power's apartment tour this week on Refinery 29, i've developed even more of a girl crush on her.

Her style is just so laid back, put together and cute without being overly sexy or overly trendy. Not to mention her apartment is adorable with all of her little knick-nacks all over the place. I love the scattered pictures above her bed. Hm, wonder why.

2011-04-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

obviously, i'm in love with bhldn. there's just so much GOOD on that site, all compiled together to fit every girl's dream. Married, engaged, single, etc. Doesn't matter. Bhldn will most likely appeal to you in some way or another if you're a female with a pulse.

i have a thing for boleros done the right way. it's just the easiest way to dress up something basic. the boleros/'cover ups' on the bhldn site are absolutely perfect. I want all of them.

2011-04-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

The SCAD Style line up had been announced, and though it isn't as large as last year, i'm still excited. I love this school because of how many great people they bring in to speak to us. Just last week, Town & Country's Pamela Fiori sat in my classroom speaking to about 15 of us about her days as editor (she completely re-vamped the magazine when it was considered a sinking ship, and turned it into a slightly more modern version of itself) and meeting/working with Jackie Kennedy weeks before she died. It's extremely difficult to feel uninspired at SCAD. Whether it's from the people in my class, some of my professors and the guests that walk in and out, i'm constantly wanting to push myself.

I am really looking forward to seeing these three:

Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie/BHLDN/Free People CEO Glenn Senk

House Of Waris' jewelry master & Wes Anderson film star Waris Ahluwalia

and fashion designer Derek Lam

Oh, and on another note: I spent the weekend in Chicago visiting my boyfriend. I have never been there before and there was something about it that I really really liked. It's not an in-your-face city like New York or a pretty little place like Savannah but it was really interesting there. I just liked everything it had to offer. Without getting into detail, my heart was happy every second being there and once again, it sucks to leave. But what can ya do? Atleast I got to visit. There are a few things that make me stop & realize that sometimes life makes total sense, and being with him is one of those things. So that's pretty cool.

My goal for the next 6 weeks is to work work work, play a little but mostly work. Summer will be soon and i just can't wait. Internship, regular relationship time (no plane rides. no goodbyes a couple of days later), new jersey, family, home, everything. Come on June. You can do it. Get your ass in my life~

vintage meryl streep

2011-04-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

what an actual babe.

2011-04-13T17:09:00.001-07:00

I really have a thing for Valentino's new collection of feminine and classic bags adorned with delicate yet statement making studs. The beautiful nude color really makes it versatile and the details just add a little something extra. It's only $1,450 so don't worry about it breaking the bank either! Such a steal! *eye roll*

But it's Valentino. Come on. It's the price you pay. Or don't pay. To Valentino or to not Valentino.

2011-04-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

i love everything about this place. Usually the idea of pet food lying around my house makes me gag. (Clearly, I'm not a pet owner and clearly, that makes me sound like a bitch. watevur.) But in dainty tea cups? I mean. Come on. So pretty.

bossypants

2011-04-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

currently reading:

i just bought this yesterday, and started reading it at 11pm last night and I'm already obsessed with it. I laughed at every page. The way Tina Fey describes pretty much anything is perfect. Nothing is better than a strong person who can be witty, smart and laugh at themselves. No one in their right mind really cares about someone blabbering on and on about how great they are with absolutely no humor involved. In fact, when someone does that, I'm automatically turned off. I'm basically only two years old so what do I know, but I think one of the true signs of success and/or having a 'good thing' is when someone can clearly have it (by it, i mean success and/or a 'good thing') but they're willing to crack a joke about how they don't.

That even goes for blogs. I love reading blogs like Kelly Oxford's or Heather Armstrong's where these women clearly have a good thing going on but it's not one of those sugarcoated, weirdo personal blogs out there all about positivity. Maybe that's why they're so successful? No one can have it together all of the time, and when you admit you don't and can make a joke about it, is when it's interesting. Ironically, I think it reflects confidence. If you're going to write a book about yourself, or put yourself out there on the internet, be real. For Christ's sake, please just be real. But maybe that's the beauty of writing? That you can hide behind it when you're uncomfortable with your real life. You can present this whole world that's not yours, but you wish it could be. If that's the case, it's sad, but everyone deserves to have a retreat somewhere.

If Tina Fey was talking about how she has it all together, all the time, and having people pity her for some 'issue' and not about her witty personal stories about having facial hair, being a virgin til she was 25 and overall awkwardness, it would just be another run of the mill autobiography. And it certainly wouldn't be very Tina Fey* of her.

*= successful, smart and fucking awesome.

west elm dreams

2011-04-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty certain that if someone wanted to pay me to write about how much I love bedding, I'd be extremely content. Well, maybe for a little while. It would have to blossom into a full on bedding appreciation career. Wait, that sounds awful. Maybe I'll just leave it where it belongs: in my obsession file. Bedding (and home decor in general) is one of the top five topics in my obsession file. It just rules. Pillows, comforters, shelves, plates, throw blankets, candles (shut up), beautiful rugs, interesting lamps, mirrors, oh man. Stop it right now before I try to kiss you.

I could stare at bedding online/in person all day long. Sometimes I'll just look at different kinds when I'm at places like Anthropologie, World Market, Home Goods and even Target. I just like to look and dream. I wish I had four beds! Sometimes in class I just daydream about when I'll have a house, or a place with more than two rooms to decorate. OK, enough.

Moral of this post is that West Elm is a place that I discovered in Brooklyn this past December and I fell in love. I want everything from there. The items itself aren't too crazy, out of this world great or anything. The styling, however, is truly inspirational. So wherever I wind up in the next couple of years, there needs to be a West Elm nearby.

stella

2011-04-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

I have the biggest girl crush on Stella McCartney. She's an inspiration as a woman, a designer and an entrepreneur. I'm a big fan of Linda McCartney (her mother) and Paul (her father. obvs.) and I love that although she was born with such a famous and powerful father, she didn't take the princess-y route in life. She juggles being a mother, a wife and the creator of her fashion brand that is constantly growing in countless ways each year. Yeah, she was born with millions and is currently making millions, but it's still admirable to see a woman being powerful both at home and in the workplace. It's about hard work and drive. Being born with money certainly helps, but having ambition, talent and intelligence is something that doesn't cost anything.

I love these photos so much. They're from a 1997 issue of W Magazine taken by Peter Beard, featuring McCartney herself with Kate Moss and Mariane Faithful.

2011-04-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

kate middleton has great hair, great eyebrows, and let's face it, the girl looks good in blue.

i'm liking her, even when I tried to not care. How fun is not caring about cheesy royal events? The answer is, it's not fun at all. I'm riding this royal wedding train (in the very back, with maybe big sunglasses on so no one really sees me) all the way down the aisle.

Rumor has it that Sarah Burton (who has taken over for McQueen) is designing her dress. Oh good lord, I'm excited. Think all of it is lame? Don't let the Love You In The Fall door hit you on your way out.

hi

2011-03-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

So, spring quarter classes have begun & it's all fashion, fashion, fashion. My first quarter of all three classes being 100% in my major. I'm officially a senior, and i'm officially knee deep in what i'm getting my degree in. It feels good, and i'm ready for all of it. Out of all my classes, there is only ONE boy. Holy mother of estrogen. Total girl fest. But that's okay.

Anyway, it's been a rainy puddle of tears here in Savannah with torrential rain that has been happening on and off since I woke up this morning. The day started off with soaked socks, boots & jeans and zero motivation and ended feeling quite successful.

I got a leg up on my quarter long project for my Contemporary Issues in Fashion Merchandising class (which i'm loving so far) which is to create a blog and maintain it for 10 weeks. I decided to blog about how fashion impacts film, and in return how film impacts fashion. Since today was rainy and schoolwork is not quite existent just yet, I decided to start up the blog & begin the posts. So check it out here! I will be updating numerous times a week.

alluh the laights in here bb

2011-03-26T20:28:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the 21st century, Mr. Banks (Father of the Bride reference, y'all). I love this song. I listened to Kanye's entire album when it first came out but i didn't appreciate this song then as much as I do now. ITS JUST SO GOOOOOD. Rhianna...i can't even. She's 100 times more sexier and cooler than I will ever be and I RESPECT THAT. And Kanye's Acne Jacket in the video. WHATS UP BLACK FRAME PR!

2011-03-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

i'd be lying if i said this wasn't adorable.

cell piece pitchas

2011-03-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite places to be. cozy in my savannah apartment with the tv on and the computer on my lap. technological overstimulation. oh well. i'm fine.

so, i'm not cool. i don't have hipstamatic mobile pictures because i don't have an iphone. but i was going through my blackberry picture album, attempting to clean it out and i figured i'd post a bunch of them. i never post personal pictures but being in a long distance relationship, i take lots of mobile pics throughout the day of funny things or of me (so myspace, i know.) to send and a lot of the time i just do it for me to look back on too. i'll do this every now and then on here since IM THE BOSS AROUND HERE ANYWAY!

never ever will i get sick of the beauty of low country landscape. this was taken one saturday afternoon at palmetto bluff, south carolina. those little things on the water resembling leaves are actually oysters. and yes my new jersey ass asked 'are those leaves?'. they are not.

my nieces came to stay with me! check out both the hello kitty & leopard print blankets that i use on the daily.

maya and acey frolicking on the beach at tybee island, ga.

the classic car accessory that every girl on the go needs to give her car just a little something extra. available in a variety of different colors, designs with simple and to the point messages that are sure to make everyone on the road do a double take asking "where did they GET that? i need one".

because i do. i love michael. but this made me die laughing for a while, ive got to admit. you know some bitch is walking around with one of these seriously on her keys.

my dad and his girlfriend judy spent a month at their house in bluffton, sc in february which meant plenty of hanging out with them. i cooked them dinner one night and that's what it looked like. roasted yukon gold & sweet potatoes and garlicky spinach. not pictured: meatloaf. trust me, i make a good meatloaf. glamourloaf.

my k9brother Jake the Dog was not impressed by my cooking skills. stealin' his thunder much?

dressed like a stripey-guy.

my best sista-frands abby & jessica drunk in red bank one night over winter break.

delicious macarons from the macaron cafe in nyc.

drove behind this car for way too long on victory rd. in savannah. yes, car, i do look nervous because i am nervous. what's up freakshow.

while taking way too many mobile pictures of a toddlers n tiaras episode to send to my boyfriend for the lols, this gem appeared on screen for what seemed like a second but has made me the proudest photographer for capturing this moment. it's actual gold. worth millions in 'lol dollars'.

never will i expose/exploit my boyfriend on here because that's sort of terrifying for him i'm sure. but this picture kills me every single time. he's hugging a dog. come on, world.

that guy up there hugging the dog sure knows how to send me the best pictures. kathy geiss all the way.

this was once anna wintour's gown. she donated to the SCAD museum and we looked at it during a field trip for my history of fashion class. This is a light green Galliano dress, hand beaded and clearly elegant. Will you look at the size of that thing? Wintour is a fucking fat ass.

The Fashion Gods will strike me down with a lightning bolt for forgetting who designed this. I think it's vintage Max Mara? Anyway, it's made of fur. Not just any fur, but the fur from baby lambs. Not just any baby lambs though. Lamb fetuses. Discuss amongst ya selves.

Dressed like a boy this past weekend in the Goodwill dressing room. What? It was raining and that coat is my comfort zone.

Dressed like a girl. Sweet manicure. No nose ring. No expression.

new shoes. purchased to help me practice walkin' tall in big girl shoes without falling on my ass. once i've mastered it, i'll spend more than $40 on a pair.

things

2011-03-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

One of my 'flaws' is that I have the urge to spend money alll of the tiiime. Do I spend what I don't have? No. Do I budget and allow myself what I know I can have? Yes. The top places I spend my money (not counting coffee/food/alcohol)? Target, Forever 21 and thrift stores. So is this urge a bad thing? Nah. Am I really doing something bad if it's on a $25 budget? I don't think so. With that said, I need to keep it under control. Maybe reel it in a bit, especially when I'm bored. I tend to want to spend, when i'm not keeping busy. Who doesn't though?

Since I've been home, i've been doing a whole lot of relaxing, sipping on large iced coffee from dunkin donuts, eating a lot (great.), spending time with my mom and helping her with little things as she gets ready to open her new florist/store (!!!). With all of that said, I'm forgetting something else: i've been shopping. I browsed Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and various thrift stores, buying nothing. My one mission was to buy new real people shoes for spring/summer and buy basic skirts that I can wear throughout the spring/summer. Mission accomplished. See! Browsing and shopping is good! It gets shit done!

H&M really served me right in the skirt category. I got three perfect basic ones that I can wear high waisted with tops, sweaters, blazers, tanks, etc. Anything I want. I've been on the search for good fitting and comfortable high waisted skirts that wouldn't make me look like this. On top of stocking up on skirts, i got two pairs of platform/wedge type warm weather shoes that I'm obsessed with. HA! I'm ready for you warm weather. I got a total of 6 items all for under $150.

The next step is to actually wear all of it. I don't wear sweatpants, sweatshirts, tee shirts, sneakers, etc. But I tend to stick to two or three looks all of the time so now it's time to get good use out of my spring break purchases and I know I will. Isn't this the most exciting blog entry of all time? Moral of the story: go to H&M if you need basic & versatile comfy skirts that will go with everything for warm weather. And also don't wear high waisted things unless they fit you really well or else you will look like this or this.

Another moral of the story: Reece Hudson bags are wonderful. Yes, I know this has nothing to do with the rest of the post but i'm the boss here. I stare at these bags and dream about what they feel like. Do it. Imagine how smooth and perfect feeling the leather and details feel. Next step, saving $400+ to spend on a clutch/bag that will fit simply your cell phone, chapstick, keys and MAYBE a wallet. Yikes. Regardless, Reece Hudson bags simply rule and one day I will own one....when I have $400+ to spend on a clutch/bag that will fit four things. Or maybe Target and Forever 21 will produce a knock off. What?

i love this

2011-03-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

the sartorialist

2011-03-23T19:34:00.001-07:00

remember this song and how much it rules!? how could i forget. major 6th grade thr0wbacK when daft punk & basement jaxx were my favs.

2011-03-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'm super late recognizing Valentino's collaboration with Gap this past fall, but here I am. Recognizing it. I was reading this article today, completely enamored with the woman in it, and completely enamored with her ruffly army green jacket. What is better than something as masculine as a military inspired green jacket with feminine details? The actual best of both worlds, right? Correct. However, the more I looked at the entire collection, the more I cringed for most of the women out there. Ruffles in those places? Right. If you can't sense it, i'm giving the collection a dirty look.

Any woman in her right mind, unless you're a 7 foot tall supermodel (and in that case, you can wear the skins of four dead llamas and it would be completely fine for the most part) would wear pants with ruffles at the crotch, upper thigh, hip area. Let's all agree about that. The skirt is really pretty, though.

The jacket pictured above on Jane Herman? I want you so bad, jacket! I want you so bad! One issue, that I and so many girls face..having boobs & not wanting to have overpowering shoulders. Placing a clusterfuck of ruffles right in that area is kind of stepping into "Crazy Big Aunt/Family Friend At the Wedding" territory. Oh, there's Linda (my name is not Linda but it's the ultimate middle aged woman name) again with the ruffles on her tits again! (I don't have an aunt like that so I don't know where I'm grabbing this scenario but i KNOW it's out there.)

You can't win em all. And hey, since i'm months behind on this and it's not even available in the US, I can sit soundly. All is well. It's going to be fine. But good God i'd risk looking like a busty frazzled middle-aged woman any day to get my hands on that gem.

Side note: I know there are tragedies and disasters going on all over the world, so don't come here to hear about that stuff. I'm all about dissecting fucking ruffles. what is the real world? i know nothing about it. lol jus playin