Monday Morning

I apologize for the sparse updates - my commute to NYC is hellish and I sleep during most of it. I absolutely love my internship at Allure, though; I learn something new every day and particularly enjoy having a security pass for the Condé Nast headquarters in Times Square.

I bought a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti peep toes. They're lilac and have enormous platforms, so there's a good chance I'm going to topple over while wearing them. Unfortunately, they were only available through a Ruelala sample sale, so I can't seem to find a photo of them. During my hunt, though, I stumbled across this sweet duo:

Typically, I'm not partial to anything that matches perfectly. I like when there's a working relationship between two pieces - they complement one another, but manage to avoid looking like a set. These broke my rule. Wouldn't they look awesome with a short black dress for a night out? I love that black patent perfectly grounds the python print and puts a spin on two great classics. On the other hand, I would wear these with a flowing white dress:
The bright, spunky hues are perfect for the summer, and the embellishment is beautiful. They somehow manage to back away ever so carefully from gaudy (as I usually tend to find gemstones to be) and towards elegant. The best part is that I'd want to wear the pieces together instead of separating them and trying to find some way to incorporate each one on its own.

Actually, the real best part is that they're available here, where many of the Summer 2010 styles are marked down. And with that, my dears, we start off our week!

MadeSOwell

Lovely things about my internship:

a) I shared an elevator with Anna Wintour this morning.

b) She scares me.

c) I'm so happy I ditched dentistry in favor of magazine editing.

Madewell has recently debuted an online store that offers a fresh twist on J. Crew style at prettier prices. In particular, ruffles boosted simple vests and dresses, giving them a more stylish and upscale edge. They also update J. Crew staples and put a youthful spin on classics. My two favorite picks?

Both available at Madewell online, these pieces keep ruffles from looking too girlish by letting them act as details instead of the main event. Both beg to be belted - the first with a skinny belt and the second with a thick, masculine belt to up the androgyny factor. Even better, they're affordable for the subtle touches that they lend to any outfit ($62 and $88, respectively). Thus begins my torrid love affair with Madewell.

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]

Summer Dreaming

Finals are upon me, so I figured I'd take a short break before my last one and pretend that instead of being trapped inside with eighteen shmillion flashcards (the only way I actively study) on this rainy day, I'm actually sitting in a swinging chair on a sunny dock in Westhampton. Doesn't that egg-shaped chair look delectable? Lemonade, fresh air, warm breezes, splashing in the blue bay... come to mama.

[photo cred to anthopologie]

Weekender

I won't be posting links for the weekend because I have two exams and two papers due early next week. However, I feel as though this photo would appropriately express my feelings about finals, because my to do list has dissolved into this:

And on that note, I really hope you have a lovelier weekend than me!

[photo cred to realistic optimist and Hyperbole and a Half, respectively]

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...

Braids, Refreshed

Ever since Alexander Wang featured thick, rope-like side braids on his runway, they've been everywhere. Not only is my hair not nearly long enough to rock them, but they remind me of fishtails, which remind me of a time in Barcelona that I was served an entire fish for dinner, scales and all. Lucky for me, I was handed some inspiration from the Cherry Blossom Girl, who opted for a neat, thin braid and the sweet embellishment of a feather:

I love how subtle the braid is; it blends in with the rest of her hair and doesn't make a huge statement so much as add a touch of delicacy. Plus, I've been on A Midsummer's Night Dream kick (so much that my first two children will end up being named Peaseblossom and Mustardseed - probability that they will hate me, about one hundred percent) and a sweet feather or bright ribbon would indulge this obsession quite nicely. I'd even like to braid several small strands before pulling my hair back into a messy bun; it seems like it would be such a simple way to handle grown-out bangs. I'm definitely going to take advantage of this, although I may leave out the feather once I start my internships.

[photo cred to The Cherry Blossom Girl]