Monday, October 10, 2011

Take a breather

Today marks the end of a truly grueling week of school and the start of one that's all about jobs, jobs, jobs!  Today I was pinning on pintrest (my new obsession) and came across a quote that reminded me that it is important to keep yourself in check because it is easy to forget the things that matter, "Sometimes you need to step outside, get some fresh air, and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be."  We all have days where we lose focus, and today was definitely one of them for me.  I made a list of ten things that I needed to do today, of course I did about half of them...thankfully I didn't forgo anything that was too urgent.  A landmark in my life is also taking place on Thursday, my very first REAL interview!  I can't even wrap my mind around all of the initiatives I have had to take this semester and how it is really hitting me that I am the only one who can support myself.  SCARY thought.  One reassuring thing that has provided me comfort is knowing that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to, and that the only thing holding me back from doing what I love is me.  These are the years that will test us to see how strong and motivated we are to achieve our highest dreams, mine being to work for Chanel or Vogue. Ms. Chanel herself explains the power of clothes, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.  Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."
So the theme this week is going to be about inspiring people in the fashion industry.  These are the fabulous icons who immediately pop into my head when I need a reminder of why I am devoting my life to the world of couture:
"I have a dress-up chest at home. I love to create this fantasy kind of thing. "
Kate Moss



"I'd describe my style as simple, day to night,  Casual with style."
                                                                      Lauren Conrad
"Of course I've made mistakes but I don't really regret-I can't really regret-anything, because that's just a part of growing up."
Sienna Miller


"I think you're either born with a sense of style or you're not.  Either you care or you don't.  And we love fashion."
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen


"He's lucky to be going out with me."
Kate Middleton

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Live Your Dream and Share Your Passion

I thought this day would never come, but it finally has...I bought a suit.  A recurring theme in my posts has been based on the pressures of setting yourself up for success in the business world.  Every week in every class all I hear is my professors and guest speakers repeatedly lecturing me on the importance of getting the oh-so-sought after internship.  All I feel like doing is screaming out in the middle of class "I'm just a kid!!!"  But seriously, I just turned 20 and i feel like I am being forced to grow up so fast and it scares me so much I want to go home and cuddle with my cockapoo!  I'm always quickly shot back to my reality that I am a junior  in college and that it's time to start doing things I've never done before to achieve things I've never achieved.  That means asking people for help(which I hate doing), putting together a resume, starting to take on more leadership roles, and attending career fairs.  I'm nervous but excited at the same time for what lies ahead, which is hopefully an amazing semester in Italy and a fashion-geared internship in the summer.  After having spent two fun-filled  years here at UGA I've come to know that it is time for a change, meaning every aspect of the term.  I want a new location, new food, new people, new everything.  I want to get out of my comfort zone here in Athens and be introduced to students from different states while also mixing with the local crowd.  Hopefully the Italian men aren't as creepy as I've heard?  Nevertheless, I can't imagine what I would be feeling right now if I didn't have this big adventure to keep me positive and motivated to experience something new.  I'm ready for the challenge of entering an entirely new place and adapting to the language and customs that are probably going to be a huge adjustment at first.  I should probably go buy an Italian dictionary so I'm not completely ignorant when I try to ask for directions or order at a restaurant.  I'm going to be taking more fashion-geared classes which will be completely refreshing considering I desperately need to take a hiatus from anything math-statistics-accounting related (not my strengths/favorite subjects).  I'm hoping to take more hands-on classes that will give me a sense of what the real-fashion world encompasses.  Another part of my extended stay in Italia that excites me is the chance to see the way women in Europe dress themselves.  My goal is to eventually blend into the streets and not be automatically labeled as an American tourist.  The word TOURIST makes me cringe.  The last thing I want is for the locals to look at me as an annoyance, only there to disrupt their peaceful everyday life.  I want to come home with an understanding of their way of life and hope that it changes me in the best way possible.  I thought it would be fun to post some photos of Italian street fashion to prepare me for what to expect in my new home!  These are examples of trends found on the streets of Italy's fashion capital, Milan.
These hairstyles are loud and intimidating!  I respect their courage  and creativity, however i think I'll be sticking to the natural look.


Another wild and brightly-colored ensemble creation.  I think the way she included different colors/prints with the unexpected edginess of the top makes her standout in a positive way.  Her tight up-do gives her a sophisticated element that tones down the busyness of the rest of the pieces.


I am freaking out about this look.  It just oozes coolness.  I can recreate this outfit with my own black faux leather jacket and some silky shorts.  The white top is an easy find, but the best part, in my opinion, are the oversize shades and the turquoise necklace to give a pop of color.  Bravo!

This dress reminds me of the cliche romantic Italian novel where the girl gets swept off her feet by a charming boy she met at the market earlier that day.  I could totally wear this to dinner overlooking the Mediterranean, drinking a glass of white wine and chatting about life.  

The way she paired her jean shorts with a flowy white top, black pumps, and a black chain bag is genius.  The two opposites balance perfectly to make it day or night.   

This girl is just straight up chic.  She is simple, yet pulled-together in a sexy kind of way.  I'll be on the lookout for a similar dress, which would serve as a great shopping outfit!
pictures courtesy of elle.com

Monday, September 5, 2011

I'm as free as my hair

Wheww this weekend was a whirlwind of constant fun activities starting with Thursday and ending at approximately 2am on Saturday night.  The Boise state game was a complete success!  Other than the embarrassing start to the season....but after an exhausting day saturday I decided to head home to roswell to catch up with the Inwood family and possibly get some of my mom's delicious home cooking (she made a pot roast, mashed potatoes, and brownies with marshmallows nom nom).  Lately I've really appreciated her amazing skills in the kitchen more than ever, especially since moving into a house because I have to make everything myself! Sometimes I think I should start a career in food tasting which would be so yummy and soo delicious....but I should probably stick to what I know-clothes.  Today I ventured to the most convenient mall , North point, which turned out to be a huge disappointment.  For the time being stores are just trying to rid themselves of their summer rejects, which was a huge bummer because i was on a serious hunt for a few certain staples that I just have to have this fall.  Firstly, I scoured the mall' few tasteful stores for a funky maxi skirt.  They're so easy to wear to class, dinner, or even downtown if you wear wedges to prevent any bar tar mess.  The girls in my fashion classes inspire me every day to try new things and are always so innovative with the things they have lying around their closets.  The other day one girl sported a beautiful red maxi skirt with a white tank and ankle boots, and it was at that moment that I decided I just had to have one.  Failed. The next item on my internal list were some pretty scarves to dress up a perfectly boring t-shirt and jeans ensemble.  Unfortunately I can't find pictures of them online to show you guys but I picked two really unique ones: a leopard print scarf and deep blue floral scarf.  There is also a new invention this season-the "SNOOD" which is like a scarf but it has no ends and is extremely easy to wear and comfortable.  Both will be worn frequently among the streets of Florence once I get there.   I can't seem to help it that every time I want to buy something, I always consider whether it's Italy material!!  I'm sure you can sense my extreme amount of excitement about making my four months there perfect.
Moving on from my rambling....I was also on the lookout for fall coats, in particular the one I posted in my most recent post.  The only thing I came across were some cheap looking vests with terrible lining/fit.  Looks like I will be ordering the online version!  Boots were another must-have for this season/my trip to Italy.  Boots are simply the best way to look fashionable and edgy, which is exactly why I take buying a pair so seriously.  Still searching for my perfect boot...something leather, preferably black (it goes with most of my wardrobe) but with more of a hard edge with a buckles trap or metal hardware or grommets...who knows where my dream boots are sold, but one day we will be united!  Here are some pics of my choice fall pieces:
I would definitely wear something like this around campus or shopping downtown.  This is the epitome of effortless cool.  Image from chicopia.com

Just bought a scarf similar to this one from H & M!  Animal prints are really hot right now and I can't wait for it to get colder so I can wear it!
Some boots similar to what I would want in my own pair.  These are from intermix.com

I'm loving this motorcycle sequin jacket!  The perfect balance of rocker and party girl

There was a skirt similar to this one on shopnastygal.com but it sold out unfortunately for me.  I love the way she paired it with a white knitted crop top to tone down the busy leopard print and those intense (yet totally sexy) beige pumps.  This is also from chictopia.com

Last but not least....another version of the shearling jacket I want so badly!! I found this one on intermix (wayyy out of my price range!!)

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Could be purple, it could be pink

Apologies for not posting since this summer but since life has been crAzay since school started.  Now that fall is quickly approaching (I've noticed that this week has been like one degree cooler than normal=progress!!) It's time for to start scoping out sweaters, and jeans, and boots oh my!!!  I've actually been online shopping or...browsing more or less....WAYY too much.  Even during my fashion classes ironically, when maybe I could actually learn something about the trend forecast if I could listen for five minutes.  I blame it on my laptop.  Its just so shiny and holds so many possibilities for entertainment that is most likely more interesting than yarn mills.  I keep telling myself not to bring it and pay attention but it somehow keeps weaseling its way into my backpack. Strange?
So today I had a burst of inspiration when we had this amazing guest speaker named Dill come and tell us about his life accomplishments...an impressive list of ridiculousness basically.  It made me realize that yes, I have made great college memories to cherish forever, but I need to start setting myself up for a real career.  I've always told myself "I'll figure it out and everything will fall into place"....yeah...not the way the real world works.  I looked at my peers sitting beside me in this massive lecture hall and thought, "This is my competition.  Right here."  So when my roommates and I had our typical weeknight veg sesh in our living room I decided to DO SOMETHING.  I instantly searched "fashion internships" and dozens of websites with listings flashed onto my screen.  All it takes is some research on each company and application and BOOM.  Possibilities.  I flipped through a mediocre websites and then decided, what the hell, go straight to the top.  My idea of the top is Vogue, so I clicked the tiny careers link at the bottom and came to the internship section and of course it's not updated for next summer yet.  C'mon Vogue really?  Next up? Cosmo.  Their internship section was much more straightforward with a simple address and resumer/cover letter request.  The one detail they mentioned was that they enjoy looking at their applicants blogs, hence me reviving my own!

This is going to serve as my personal place to jot down any thoughts, ideas, or inspirations that come to me.  I have pledged to myself that I will be more fashionable every day.  Except for Fridays.  You yourself have to embrace fashion in order to understand it.  I am determined to let go of my fears and to be more experimental with my closet.   Venturing out of my nike shorts and over-sized t-shirts will be an obstacle but I know it can be done.  Look out for my weekly posts describing what new trends are approaching and how the average UGA girl can make it work when going to the SLC or Pauley's.

To start off, What do you guys think of this coat?  I'm studying abroad in Florence, Italy as some of you may know, and I know shearling is the hot new trend for winter coats.  It's from shopnastygal.com and I just
instantly fell in love.  Not too practical for Georgia, but for an Italian jetsetter? I'm thinking perfection.  Post any thoughts/opinions!!
Peace. Love. Fashion.