All Wrapped Up

This weekend, I finished up my Christmas shopping. I had a long list this year: my family, of course, my friends, and then the wonderful people who helped me get to the place I am today (which would be: employed). At first, I was a little lost. What should the price point be? Are there any things I shouldn't give?

I'm not a very good gift-giver, but I have one rule when I'm searching for the perfect present: it has to be something that the person will love but wouldn't normally buy him- or herself. Things like Lollia bubble bath, which is beauty-editor approved (not by me, but a seasoned beauty director)(I promise), is just extravagant enough without being excessive. C. Wonder (created by Tory Burch's ex-husband and co-founder of her eponymous clothing line) also has a fantastic selection of affordable yet adorable trinkets. I love these bright enamel boxes and pretty glass plates.

What are your go-to gifts?


[photo cred here and there]

For the Love of Leopard

On any given day, I walk at least 44 blocks to and from work. It's actually a fantastic commute—I just stroll down First Ave, under the 59th St Bridge, and cut over to Third. I think it's very good for my temper that I don't try to squeeze into a rush-hour 6 train, but the havoc that my walk wreaks on my feet? Not so much. Pumps are out of the question, and I'll only wear wedges when I'm desperate. (I keep a pair of each under my desk). (Obviously).

I'm crushing on a good pair of flats that, comfort and endurance aside, will make an easy transition to the office. My Bensimon sneakers won't cut it (cute as they are) and my satin Marc by Marc boat shoes are already really pissed that I let them near the gritty sidewalks of Chicago. These Madewell leopard print skimmers ($118; Click to Buy) are perfect. I love the pointed toe and the honest-to-God calf hair. Bonus: they're neutral enough to match almost everything, but still add a playful touch. And it's at moments like this that I regret memorizing my credit card number. But are they worth it? Absolutely.


[photo cred to Atlantic Pacific blog, top, and here]

Coffee and a Thought

I have been terrible about keeping up with blogging. I used to wake up with hours to spare, which I would then spend reading my favorite blogs and updating my own. Now, I wake up to a strict schedule. I'm too anxious to waver from it—between events and working at the office and finding time for the gym and walking everywhere in between, one misstep can throw off an entire day.

But I've realized that I make time for things I find important: a weekly hour of speaking French, boxing classes, going home a few times a month. So why does blogging get the short shrift? I have no idea, but I'm going to change that. If my blog were a kitten, the ASPCA would be hunting me down right now. I love blogging. I love to write about things other than holiday hair styles or the best fashion picks for the season (although I really enjoy that too).

So, in conclusion, I am back and less crazed. Stay tuned for a concerted effort and, in the meantime, here's a shopping list I put together for you.


[photo cred here]

Speak Now: On Fashion

“Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and, of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys they’d just walk around naked at all times.”

- Betsey Johnson




Sometimes, it seems that not everyone takes my work as seriously as I do. Some don't consider it serious journalism, or they assume that I spend my days playing with lipstick.

Others think that fashion doesn't demand the same rigor and attention that topics such as politics and international events do. This may be true to a certain extent, but I don't think it means that fashion and beauty are insignificant. I believe that both are related, and both have an impact on how you're perceived and how you carry yourself. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you also can't discount the benefits of making a good first impression. I got my job thanks to a great first impression on a beauty editor who made a wonderful first impression on me (clearly). Beyond that, how you perceive yourself informs self-image and confidence, both of which are vital for everything from job performance to learning ability. Beauty is one of the most accessible ways for women to boost self-confidence in even little ways, whether it be by swiping on lipstick or spritzing perfume. Is this less important than the third victim of Herman Cain's alleged sexual harassment or the verdict of Dr. Conrad Murray's trial? Should this easy way to improve a woman's self-confidence go ignored?

Fashion, too, goes further than the spectacle of runway shows and passing trends. Throughout history, it has reflected culture and identity. It can denote the values of an era (high-collared dresses of Victorian wear) and social status (constrictive corsets, representative of the repression of women). Fashion is a form of expression of all of these things, as well as a manifestation of individual beliefs and tastes. Often, fashion is painted as a trivial indulgence, but it's a freedom and a privilege to be able to wear what we choose. It has its excesses and controversies; find me an industry that doesn't. At its core, though, fashion is a way to present and represent yourself in a subtle and unique manner. Regardless of where you're from or how much you earn, you can define yourself with what you choose to wear.

I've struggled with this for a bit—people don't consider fashion and beauty writing to be hard-hitting journalism or an intellectual field. I may not be reporting on a precedent-setting court case or giving a how-to on the newest version of the iPhone, but, in my own small way, I'm providing the tools for a woman's improved self-perception and increased confidence.

Plus, I play with lipstick about 4% of the time—and that 4% is awesome.

[photo cred here]

Mark the Mini

The thing about pencil skirts is that they're difficult to (speed)walk in. When I'm hustling to work, the last thing I need is a restrictive silhouette to slow me down. Minis can be just appropriate for the office if you play them right (but still allow for a fast, I'm-not-afraid-to-trample-your-Dachshund pace). In a classic grey tweed and (at this length) paired with black tights, they're perfect with a silky blouse or collared shirt. I'm obsessed with this little DSquared2 number on the right. When I say obsessed, I mean that I hope Santa or the Easter Bunny or my fairy godmother is reading this right now. Wink. Wink wink wink.

What do you think? Does it depend on the office environment? Admittedly, mine is the kind of place where you can wear snakeskin pants or a silk jumpsuit. (Both worn by my bosses). (Who are awesome). (Whose ensembles clearly put my jeans-and-tee uniform to shame). (Would you prefer that they write this blog?). (Please don't answer that).


[photo cred here]

Fashion Math

Statement necklace + chic jacket = the perfect fall ensemble for the office.

[photo cred here and here]

Note to Self

Don't forgo a little polish in the morning...

...because you never know when you're going to find yourself in Goldie Hawn's apartment, having a conversation with Melanie Griffith and sipping lemon water. When I interned at Allure, whipping out my favorite Nars lipstick in Flamenco became second nature. Now, I'm lucky if I can get clothes on before I tear out of my apartment, Tasmanian Devil-style, and run to the office/a meeting/an event. I realized today, while sitting on Goldie Hawn's couch and thanking God that I didn't wear an old Theory dress that totally has a stain on it, that I just feel more confident and put-together when I swipe on a bit of makeup (and don't wear clothes that are in dire need of a dry-cleaning). Hi, red lipstick. Hi, mascara. Hi, primer. Hi, laundry detergent/dry cleaner around the corner from my apartment. Let's play.


[photo cred here]

Lunch Dates

I like having lunch dates with myself from time to time. I pack lunch as often as I can and, since it's too depressing to eat alone at my desk, I wander over to Bryant Park to sit in the shade. Sometimes, when it's crowded and I don't get a table in the shade, I melt. The sun radiates heat and the ground radiates heat and I think I'm in hell. Other times, I people-watch and eavesdrop (one lawyer had to take the bar exam four times before he passed it). Most of the time, I read a book.

Whenever I get bored of Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck (which is surprisingly amusing, complete with imaginary conversations), I take advantage of the Bryant Park Reading Room. There are books + it's free = no reason not to go. The best part? If you show up at about 5:30 PM, you'll get a good view of corporate men in suits playing ping pong. It is delightful, mostly because they seem so out of place. And because I like men in suits.


[photo cred to Vanessa Jackmen for Grazia IT and Jenna]

Brand New Start

I've realized that I've reached the point where black tees and denim short-shorts are no longer appropriate for everyday wear. I have to dress like a professional now (says my mother). However, dressing like a professional does not mean a life filled with starchy fabrics and uncomfortably-high collars. My staples for office-wear (which I perfected last year at Allure) are light chiffon dresses and colorful pencil skirts. They're breezy yet grown-up and, most importantly, they won't make you sweat like a pig that knows it's dinner.

This week is going to be incredibly hectic for me, as I start my new job and move into the city to get a taste of urban living. On the bright side, I'm legitimately excited for work and so pleased to be moving in with my best friend from Northwestern. I've already begun fielding texts from her that say things like "I have a toilet brush and a Pope John Paul II mug" and "Thoughts about me bringing kimono fabric that I once used to make a toga?" (The answer to which was a resounding "YES").

[photo cred to 1, 2, and 3]

Working Girl

Tomorrow is my first-ever job fair, and as it happens, I forgot my perfect grey J. Crew blazer at home. I don't own anything that would necessarily count as business attire — I would instead take the liberty of describing what workplace-appropriate dress I do wear as "business attire's little sister who wants extra Tabasco in her Bloody Mary and reads the style section before the front page of the NY Times." 

So I'm taking a page out of the Chanel Fall/Winter '11 show, a look that's buttoned-up but still chic. I'm wearing a knee-length (see! Totally appropriate!) tiered black pencil skirt, a cowl-neck-inspired blouse, and my grey suede J. Crew pumps. And tights (sigh, in April) because I must (read: the career counselor woman told me I had to). This ensemble isn't necessarily buttoned-up, but I'm wearing all neutrals and those godforsaken tights in an effort to compensate for my shameful lack of power-woman blazer. Really, I need my mother, who always waited for me at the bottom of the stairs so she could order me to go back up and roll my school uniform skirt back down.

Wish me luck!

[photo cred to 1]

Styled: Part I

It was an accident.

Actually, I blame this. Because of it, I found myself half-dressed in a J Crew dressing room, trying to simultaneously be French and figure out where my waist had gone in the skirt I was wearing. One of J Crew's personal stylists, Shellie, halted on her way to a client, looked me up and down, and said, "Hon, can I try a few things on you?", which inevitably led to:

Don't let the harem pants fool you. Their success depends greatly on body type; Shellie spent twenty minutes trying to convince me that I don't have birthing hips (I do) before convincing me to wriggle into them. The thing about harem pants is that they create curves, so if you already have them (I thought I did), they won't be the most flattering pair of pants. Also, styling is of utmost importance here: harem pants look best when they're pushed up on the calf and when paired with an untucked blouse, which hides the top five inches of the pants. I swear they look better in real life. My fellow interns deemed them "sexy," "womanly," and "YOU LOOK LIKE A STICK." Naturally, I don't really care what I'm wearing so long as I can be described as a stick. Shellie then slapped the flannel shirt on me (there was a lot of crying involved with this — I'm allergic to flannel), added the blazer, cuffed the flannel over the sleeves of the blazer, and cinched it with a soft brown belt. After I slipped into the shoes (made in Italy, which is a big thing for me), I looked into the mirror and saw the J Crew model version of myself. I liked it. I liked it enough to buy the harem pants, the shoes, the blazer, and the belt (but not the flannel). Instead, I'll layer a soft, crumpled blue blouse underneath the blazer to get the same effect of the rolled cuffs. It's perfect for work and offers a hint of androgyny, which is probably my favorite thing in the world. Even better, these pieces won't work with only this outfit — Shellie introduced me to a few more options to give me more bang for my buck, which will follow shortly.

Hope your week is going splendidly!

Monday Morning (round two!)

Sue of The Zhush suggested that I mention the Condé Nast Café. It reminds me of a college dining hall, but in a graduated form - not unlike going from my grade school lunches (eaten at the desks in our classrooms because the school couldn't afford an actual cafeteria) to the real-deal cafeteria of my high school (benches? An outside patio?). You would think that the models, editors, and writers that inhabit the building would immediately float towards the salad station (I thought so, at least), but most people tend to eat sandwiches. It took an unfortunate trip to the salad station to realize why: the salad station sucks. Granted, I hate salad unless it includes something fat-laden to weigh it down, but this was truly terrible. On the bright side, the sushi bar that pops up every other day is fantastic. They offer brown rice, which is a huge plus. On another note, the tomato soup has also been a happy find (all credit due to one of my intern friends). Now let's talk about the sandwiches.

I consider myself something of a sandwich maven. I make them. I eat them. I love them. The cook was mildly alarmed by my request for mustard on my tuna sandwich (is that weird? They do it at Panera), but otherwise, he's been cheerful and always gives me an extra pickle. The seating area is very futuristic and was designed by Frank Gehry, which makes sense when you spot the wavy glass partitions and clean lines. For a moment, I thought I was in Epcot. The space is a little cold (figuratively and literally), and it's awkward to have to wear my leather jacket while eating a tuna sandwich (which stains, apparently). I feel like a couple of throw pillows could really add to the ambiance. I understand that fabric is the least practical thing to add to a dining area, but the cafe feels quite sterile and chilly. I feel uncomfortable there, which is why the other interns and I have made a habit of quickly purchasing our food and eating it out in Times Square, where there are tables and chairs set up in the middle of Broadway.

In honor of all of the Frank Gehry in the Condé Nast Café, I dug these earrings up from the heart of the my second dresser drawer. My parents gave them to me as a Christmas-Easter-next-three-birthdays gift, and I've hardly worn them since then because a) I don't really wear jewelry and b) I have no where to wear them because I'm twenty - where the hell am I going at this point in time? Now, as it turns out, I work at a beauty magazine. I was thrown $100 worth of beauty products and told to wear all of them (first reaction: "Will I be fired if I don't?!"). The natural next step was to wear jewelry. I own this pair of earrings, a pair of diamond studs, and a pair of zippers earrings (a look that quickly devolves when someone tries to "unzip" my ears). Naturally, these have saved my life:

Available here, they're understated and unique at the same time. I'm not a fan of hoops, but the curves of these allow me to get some shine without having to detangle my hair from them. I love to wear them when my hair is curly, because they blend in with the waves and are that much more subtle. Rediscovering these was so worth the very scary dive into my dresser; they add a good dose of class to a simple dress and flats, and the silver looks so fantastic with a swipe of red lipstick (compliments of the beauty closet). Do you have any older pieces that you've rediscovered recently? (Personally, I love how it feels like getting something new without having to pay anything).

[photo cred to AmateurGourmet]

Monday Morning

Today is my first day at Allure. I hope I don't do anything stupid, which includes a number of things that will probably happen anyway. Plus, I'm already intimidated. When I'm intimidated, I become even more awkward than I already am, and when I get awkward, all of the blood rushes to my head and I reconsider the necessity of the situation. And then I run -- I'm all about flight as an emergency response. Unfortunately, if I run from the Conde Nast offices, I'm also running away from increased probability of finding a job upon graduation next year. Decisions, decisions.

On the bright side, my internship gives me a reason to purchase pieces such as this BCBG bandage skirt:

I could see it a) without those awful shoes, which would stumpify my legs in a heartbeat, and b) with a light chiffon tank tucked into it. I have a weak spot for ombre, and it looks stretchy enough that I could yank it down to an appropriate length. I hate pencil skirts because though they're super flattering, I find them impossible to walk in; this seems like it would be a perfect substitute.

Have a beautiful start to the week, everyone!

[photo cred to Wired New York]

FOUND

Ah, the most perfect dress for work from Anthropologie. It looks truly awful on a hanger but so so good on a human being. I love how it's simple, chic, and yet a little bit weird. The hemline is a cheeky twist on ombré with the black to grey to white, and the hemline itself is at a perfect length. All that's left to do is try to make some magic happen with my bank account...

Summer Business

I keep listening to Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea" and imagine sitting on the dock of my Westhampton beach house, my feet all tangled in the seaweed and the sunlight glittering on the bay.

But I have my two internships to speed through until I get there every weekend, and so I've been trying to find ways to punch it up. How? By looking cute. Naturally, I've been haunting Cynthia Rowley and Frock! by Tracy Reese websites to find bright, airy dresses that still qualify as work appropriate. These two picks by Frock! might make the cut:

$275, Frock! $215, Frock!

Yes, they're a little short for work. I manage to rationalize this surprisingly well by assuming that the model is a foot taller than me. But the sweet necklines, intricate fabric detail, and boldly colored patterns just thrill me so much that I'd wear them to work and then to bed. I suppose this shows that "business professional" does not at all translate into my personal fashion language. Plus, there's that whole part where I drooled over Cynthia Rowley's line for Roxy, which the high school part of me would give my right arm for (there is a 100% chance I'm going to blog about it in the near future).

What do you wear to work in the summer (assuming blazers and pantsuits are too warm for the weather)?

Polite Pinstripes

I haven't been around much. I'd like to blame it on the seventy degree weather that all but shoves me outdoors, but the slew of paper assignments that have rained down on me are actually to blame. Fortunately, I've had the time (of course I have) to come across this little babe, which just so happens to be the uber-belated Pick of the Week:
I'm still on my work-appropriate kick, so I've been keeping an eye out for skirts that fall longer than my fingertips reach. This skirt stands out thanks to the exquisite draping and the subtle pinstripes that are nearly invisible at first glance. The silhouette, along with the buckled strap, is modern and edgy, but the subdued stripes take it down a notch and usher it into "professional" territory (right? RIGHT?). I would tuck a slim, embellished camisole into this and top it with a black men's blazer - natch, with the sleeves rolled up. Nude heels would finish it off nicely, and it would translate seamlessly from day to night with a quick adjustment of accessories.

Working Girl

I've been on a desperate hunt for clothes that can be categorized under the "professional" heading. I figure I can wear pencil skirts with embellished tanks and light jackets (for the love of God, no boxy blazers or bland cardigans). On the other hand, I know that it will be summer in New York City (sticky, concrete, and unpleasant), so I must keep an eye out for any light, flowing dresses. I have to admit, though, I'm more than excited to pick up blueberries from the streetside fruit vendors on my way to work, as I did every day last summer.
I considered buying armfuls of cheap dresses to fill the deficit of "appropriate" in my wardrobe; I then realized that a) I'll probably need "appropriate" clothing after graduation anyway and b) I don't like cheap clothes because there's a reason they're cheap (poor quality, usually). As a result, I've made it my duty to haunt all sample sales, which is how I found this gem:
I know. I KNOW. I wish the picture was clear enough for the detailing on the bodice to be more visible, because it really is exquisite. Unfortunately, Rue La La allows other shoppers to purchase pieces that are already in your shopping cart (Seriously? At least Gilt gives a ten minute period) and I missed it. Naturally, I entered a stage of severe self-loathing for slight procrastination before finding a very similar dress, though without the pleating on the bodice. Still, this particular dress is available here at full price. It is so unbelievably perfect for summer and marries fashionable with professional quite beautifully. For now, I will be roaming the sample sales to find some more pieces (while studying for my midterms, of course). If you have any suggestions as to how I can reassess my college wardrobe with an eye to professionalism, let me know! Hope your weeks are going splendidly!