Monday Morning

I love being the only one in my family who can speak French. Foreign languages are secrets that I always want to learn and which, in my family, I never have to share. My parents used to say that French is a beautiful yet useless language, which quickly changed when my dad broke our Europcar in Normandy and only I could communicate with the mechanic.

I'd like to start this week off with Things I'd Like to Wear But Unfortunately, Cannot. I am quite pear-shaped and my hips are going to make childbirth virtually painless. Nevertheless, I can't help hankering over this:

I love the hints of kimono about it, and the folds + stripes are definitely up my alley (I'm a sucker for fabricwork combined with patterns). The silhouette, though the most beautiful thing about this skirt, is my downfall. This design would only accentuate my hips and ultimately, make me look square on the bottom. If you have a boyish body type and are looking to amp things up, this skirt will create curves and work as a go-to piece for the summer.

As a result, it's on to Things I'd Like to Wear and Can, No Matter How Wide my Hips Are. These consist of A-line skirts with spare detail as far from the hips as humanly possible, and this happens to be the perfect candidate:

This skirt still fulfills my desire for pattern (florals!) and fabric detail - plus, I can't go wrong with the abundance of lace and that dusky blue shade. It will subtly draw the eye away from my hips and balance my proportions quite nicely. I can pair it with a pale blouse and white flats for an easy transition to the office, too (to the office! How old am I? No offense).

Have a gorgeous start to your week, my friends!

[photo cred via This Is Glamorous]

Weekender

The Belgians have such a quirky and adorable design instinct. In Bruges last summer, colorful bicycles lined the streets and hot waffles dripping with melted chocolate could be found on every corner. I already feel the onset of cabin fever and cannot wait to explore somewhere new this summer. I've love to go to Greece - my dad wants to rent a yacht to sail through the Mediterranean, but I'd rather stay on dry land to jump off the rocky crags and into the cool water. What are your dream destinations?

Here are some links for your weekend!

- this blogger is living the life that I'd like to have

- I've never been back to the homeland, but my dad was born near here (and I'm now trying to figure out why my grandparents left)

- now this dress would be perfect for work, wouldn't it?

- craving of the moment? This quiche!

- now that my usual shows have had their finales, I'm more than ready to indulge in my fourth guilty pleasure

Have a bright and sparkly weekend, my dears!

P.S. Wonderful news! My new supervisors at the literary agency (my second internship) just sent me a novel and want my opinion on its potential. This is what I'm probably going to be doing for the rest of my life, and that makes me a happy happy girl.

Picture Perfect

Don't you love it when the most awful photographers (any one of our respective boyfriends) happen to take the best montages? They capture moments that never seem to appear in the deliberate smiles of a typical photo. Before formal, we found ourselves in a gorgeous hotel suite in downtown Chicago (my friend's boyfriend is from out of town and very, very generous) and insisted on taking pictures with the fireplace (which was lit!).

This is what we look like when we're not giggling about something or other:
See, almost respectable! And now, thanks to this picture, I'm going to go trim my bangs.

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)?

Monday Morning

How do I know summer is here? I hope out of the shower and immediately start sweating in my non-air-conditioned sorority house. I have three weeks, no fan, and eighty degree weather to endure until I go home. Plus three papers and two final exams. Can I do this? Can I?! Why am I even still at school? Why do I go to Northwestern? Why don't I just drop out and walk around Europe, like this guy?

Because my parents have me on a money string and they can reel it in. Womp womp.

I haven't bought a new bag in about ten months (this might be a rough estimate - a very very rough estimate), which means it's about time to buy a new bag. Isn't this so perfect for the summer?
The cream and tan are a fresh spin on a classic for the season, and the enormous bow brings it up to speed. I can't remember the last time I saw a cute white bag, much less with another overlooked neutral such as tan. Plus, oversized bows are less girlish than dainty ones, and the stripes on this just make it so cheeky. This will now make the cut from my want list to my need list (like everything else..).

Hope your week is off to a beautiful start!

[photo cred to SullyT64]

Weekender

What are you up to this weekend? I'm kicking things off with my sorority's spring formal, which is at the Stan Mansion in downtown Chicago (doesn't it look absolutely breathtaking?). Then, my weekend will slowly devolve into hours upon hours of the homework that I've been ignoring since my boyfriend first got here.

One of my roommate's best friends passed away yesterday. She'd been strong and always healthy, but a blood clot in her leg traveled to her heart. I don't know how to console my roommate - I've bought her Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and chips with guacamole, but food only does so much (for her, at least). Do you have any thoughtful ideas as to how I can cheer her up and make these next few weeks a little easier for her?

Here are some links for your weekend!

- I'll never be too grown-up for this youthful and happily chaotic Diesel ad campaign.

- rush hour in Amsterdam turns a bicycle from a want into a need.

- the lovechild of Pandora and a mood ring? Awesome.

- I'm aching to bake a large batch of these and dip them in some espresso.

- maybe it's because I grew up watching Golden Girls reruns, but Betty White is my hero.

Have a beautiful, relaxing weekend!

Heaven in a Hammock

Doesn't this look like the most delicious spot to read a David Sedaris essay, drink some fresh squeezed lemonade, and while away the afternoon? I love hammocks so much more than benches and lounge chairs, and this one by Anthropologie is no exception. The exotic colors and scallop fringe look so perfect to nestle in on a pretty afternoon, with nothing to listen to except the breeze. Is there anything more perfect than the lovechild of a swing and a bed?

Breton Extravaganza

(Meg Ryan as Kate in French Kiss)

First, you dear wonderful lovely people, thank you so much for all of your comments. When I read them, a lot of blushing and bright smiles slip into my day no matter how hell-bent Chicago is on keeping the weather at a chilly and grey 55 degrees. I usually make a bad habit of starting a project, working religiously on it, and then abandoning it shortly afterwards with a declaration that "I'll never be a writer/watercolorist/personal shopper for my older brother/pianist/seamstress/professional Food Network chef à la Giada DeLaurentiis!" But you keep me so inspired that I'll probably never quit this and for that, thank you!

I'm so into Breton stripes, which first captured my heart with Meg Ryan's role in French Kiss. Yet the classic styles (skinny-striped, black-and-white) rub me the wrong way. Naturally, I've taken it upon myself to hunt down a few options that add some oomph to the nautical staple without going overboard (pun so intended). Whether it be a dolman cut, a luxurious material, a shot of grey, sleek necklines, or variation in the stripes, any update brings it away from the coastline and into the city. Or, in my case, a college campus. I've compiled a list of styles that I would own in a heartbeat if I could; I know I just have a huge thing for worn denim shorts, but wouldn't these look awesome with worn denim shorts and canvas sneakers (I'm thinking bright Keds or these Bensimon)? Or maybe slim dark jeans and last week's wedges?

(from top to bottom)

Vince Breton Stripe Tee, Nordstrom, $195

DKNY Striped Stretch Silk Tunic, Saks Fifth Avenue, $145

Vince Striped Cashmere-blend Sweater, Bloomingdales, $142

J. Crew Featherweight Cashmere Stripe Boatneck Pullover, J. Crew, $188

Aqua Striped Cotton Boatneck Sweater, Bloomingdales, $68

Tory Burch Bernadette Striped Top, Saks Fifth Avenue, $195

Monday Morning

Today is one of those Mondays that makes me want to curl up in my bed with hot tea and stare longingly at my pink tulips (hoping that they revive). On the bright side, I've figured out that I only have two more weeks of classes left. I miss my mom so much (no offense, dad). Why am I going backwards? As a freshman, I called my parents about once every two months to let them know that I was still alive and kicking. Now, I'm homesick. Karma, is that you?

I've seen Garance Doré's post offering a lovely basket-woven handbag (à la Jane Birkin) on many of my favorite blogs. It adds such a light, summery touch to any outfit and let's face it: basket matches everything. If you avoid wearing it with Birkenstocks and acid-wash jeans, you're in no danger of looking campy or too costume-like. Because Garance's purse was discovered in a tiny shop in St. Tropez, I took it upon myself to scour Etsy for an affordable and comparably adorable find:
Available here, this pick of the week redefines the word "bargain" and still fulfills my vintage fetish. The proportions and the details, such as the touch of color and metal latch closure, keep it from screaming "PICNIC." If I wasn't so afraid of looking at my debit card balance, I would most definitely shell out for this baby. Have a beauuutiful start to your week!

[photo cred to Belles Images by Sandra A.]

Weekender

What are you doing this weekend, lovelies? After a series of gorgeous (but LOUD - they woke me up two nights in a row) thunderstorms, Chicago is finally brightening up; it's perfect timing for my boyfriend to visit from NY and stroll with me through the Lincoln Park zoo. Let's be honest: I just want to watch penguins and drink lemonade. The boyfriend is just a plus! Here are some links for your weekend:

- We're not allowed to use our sorority house's kitchen, but if we were, I would definitely make a mushroom crepe cake and eat it all myself. (via A Cup of Jo)
- I've taken French for the past three years of college as an elective, so it's no surprise that I'd completely buy into this Frenchify-your-life guide. Except for the smoking part, of course.
- An art-deco chandelier reimagined as an affordable, cheeky necklace!
- Ah, the Chanel cruise show in San Tropez for the broke.
- Summer beauty buys from the people who know it best.
- What happens when two of your guilty pleasures (specifically, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber) have a figurative love child? THIS GUY.

I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend! With lemonade!
[Photo cred to jpwchi]

Wedge Extravaganza

Weak spot: wedges. Wedged boots, wedged sandals, wedged anything. I can wear them to class without feeling too dressed up or out for the night without worrying that I'll end up barefoot on the walk home. I don't have the longest legs in the world, so these provide length without sacrificing comfort. A nude-hued style is by far the most flattering, as it visually extends the leg line. I happen to be a sucker for cute ankle straps as well: my two favorite picks from the list below are the Charles David "Dizzy" and Pour La Victoire "Tarissa"; if I could afford the See by Chloe wedges, they would be cradled in my arms right now. I prefer spare details and the occasional bold pop of color (couldn't you just see the red with worn, rolled up jeans and a slouchy striped tee?). It's just sheer convenience that these are considered "trendy" right now. I'd like to rename them "never leave my feet ever I love you I promise I'll get pedicures we'll be together forever."






(from top to bottom)

Charles David Dizzy Espadrilles, Zappos, $135

J. Crew Sardinia Wedge Espadrilles, J. Crew, $118

Dolce Vita Pela Wedge, Piperlime, $165

Kate Spade New York Metro T-Strap Wedges, Bloomingdales, $225

Pour La Victoire Tarissa Strappy Platform Wedges, Bloomingdales, $290
See by Chloe Ankle-Wrap Wedge Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue, $335

Scissor Happy

I had hair that reached halfway down my back until one traumatizing Valentine's Day dance, way back in middle school. The boy I had a crush on danced with another girl the entire time, so naturally, I cried buckets in the bathroom until my mom came to pick me up. The next day, instead of getting a trim, I asked the hairdresser for this:
Yeah, my parents had a coronary. I pulled it off pretty well for an eighth grader, although I had to field piles upon piles of hilarious (but still mean, let's face it) comments. My eyes looked bigger. I looked older, maybe pegged for around fifteen years old. The best part: everyone looked at me when I walked into a room. My twenty minute routine turned into a two minute blow-dry, and my head felt so light that I carried it higher.
After a while, though, I was tired of being saluted (Marine reference) and wearing only teeny sparkly clips in my hair (which inevitably fall out), in an effort to "spice things up." How do you spice things up when you have nothing to spice up in the first place? So I moved on to this:
Flapper stage? Lasted a reaaally long time. I fell into a groove of cutting my hair short, letting it grow out, and then cutting it again. So on and so forth. The bob, though, saw the most action and, though it required the largest amount of maintenance for my naturally wavy hair, was probably the most flattering. My eyes still looked big and I looked like a girl: ding ding winner! Until I got sick of all that hair and cut it like this (on the left):
Maybe it was my torrid love affair with Freja Beha Erichsen. I mean, it WAS my torrid love affair with Freja Beha Erichsen. If you're an uncool college student, it only makes sense to idolize a cool fashion model. I wouldn't say I rocked this look.. I more swayed it. I really loved it, though. When I had this haircut, no one ever bought me drinks or asked me to dance. If I had to walk through a particularly unsafe area of Chicago, I would don Nike dunks and a hoodie in an effort to look like a boy. Short hair made me feel invincible and untouchable in a way that throwing my hair into a ponytail never would.

Now, my hair is past my shoulders for the first time since eighth grade, and I won't allow myself to touch my scissors because I know it will result in a monogamous relationship with a hat. My sister loves haircut #1. My mom prefers haircut #2 ("Don't you want to look feminine?"). I love all three of them, and hence have a problem. What do you think?

Monday Morning

I had such a wonderful weekend dragging my brother and sister around Evanston with me. It was nice to have them for the whole weekend while our parents are gallivanting around Italy, gleefully enjoying their freedom from our bickering, bantering, and inappropriate jokes. This week, bright fuchsia tulips, warm breezes, and the glow of the sunlight on Lake Michigan are on my mind. I really want to drink green tea and munch on fresh fruit all week, but this might be more because my boyfriend is visiting next weekend and less due to real motivation for healthy choices.

I don't know how I stumbled across Abercrombie & Fitch's website. Will all of my style cred be deleted immediately? I wouldn't blame you for it, because I haven't worn the brand since I was fifteen and trying very hard to be cool. (I failed). (Miserably). But for some reason, the Pick of the Week is indeed a piece from Abercrombie:

Reasons why I would like to have this hanging in my closet:

1. The bow! The slight cowl neckline! The detailing on this that sets it apart from a tee but retains a tee's natural ease and comfort!

2. The mental image of this, worn with grey jeans (rolled up) and beat-up leather sandals.

3. THE PRICE.

4. $34.

5. The super inconspicuous moose and the lack of any garish A & F ABERCROMBIE YEAH text.

6. The fact that if I covered up the moose with a Sharpie, I'd probably forget that I even bought it from Abercrombie & Fitch.

Deal.

I hope you're having a wonderful start to your week!

Happy Mother's Day!

My mother would consider halting my college tuition payments for posting this online, but it's the only picture I could find of her as a child. She's on the bottom left, with the super-fly haircut and the shy smile. Right now, she and my father are in Italy, and it's awful to not hear her voice every day, with its slight Brooklyn accent and reassuring tone.

When I was young, I would climb into bed and cry while I listened to my mother downstairs, closing cabinets and folding clothes and making sandwiches for the next day's lunch. My dad would come in, bewildered and trying to figure out why I was sobbing, but it wasn't until my mother came upstairs and tucked me in that I stopped sniffling and fell asleep. I'd always been like that, colicky and screaming unless she (and no one else) held me. My mom would carry me for hours as a baby, dancing around the living room to Gloria Estefan's "Here We Are," and somehow managed to keep her dental office running smoothly.

I love you, Mom.

Weekender

My older brother just planned an impromptu visit for the weekend, so I'm thinking brunch at Walker Bros Pancake House and enormous beer towers at Bat 17. I'm actually looking forward to doing homework this weekend: reading A Midsummer's Night Dream, translating Ionesco's Rhinoceros, and writing about Lady Macbeth's badass cred. Barbecues in the quads, long afternoons on the beach, perhaps a stroll through the Lincoln Park zoo (of course, with some lemonade in hand): spring is always Chicago's finest hour. Here are some links for your weekend:

- I have a weak spot for my favorite comic strip's puns.
- I would give my left arm for this haircut but I know my own locks wouldn't cooperate. I wish, I wish, I wish.
- last minute mother's day ideas? A picnic brunch and this adorable vase. (via A Cup of Jo)
- Martha Stewart plus Chanel? Only in my dreams... and the early 1960s.
- an up-close, personal, and yummy look at Saint Cupcakes, the bakery my boyfriend found to send me a delicious anniversary present.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

[photo cred to Jose Picayo for Martha Stewart Living February 2005, via This Is Glamorous]

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.