{mmusings}

{Back to School}

2011-09-05T21:44:00.008-04:00

(Clockwise from top)

Eugenia Kim rabbit fur hat, $385, Selima Optique glass shades, £280, Pouch wallet, $15, J Crew tailored shirt, $78, Victoria s Secret double breasted pea coat, $128, Sam Edelman lace up boots, $250, DV by Dolce Vita flat shoes, $70, Longchamp Au Sultan Bag, €480, J Crew striped sweater, $78, J Brand skinny jeans, £200

For the first time in a long time (17 years, but who (aka all of my life past toddler-hood) September doesn't mark the start of a new school year. It took a long time for me to accept this fact. No school supply shopping, no first day outfit and no new planner to fill with assignments. So depressing!

No matter what age you are, September does mark the start of fall, and the changing of seasons always warrants changes in one's wardrobe. This fall I'm loving updated classics, like a button-down in sophisticated leopard print or a schoolboy loafer in blue patent leather. Paired with quirky accessories like a pair of tortoiseshell librarian glasses or a felt, feather-trimmed hat, these twists on the classics are sure to carry you through the season and bring new life to your closet standbys. Maybe I only ever got excited about the start of school because of the prospect of new clothes and outfits?

Just because I no longer have a need for toting around an assortment of pens, pencils and highlighters (hell, who am I kidding, I still carry them around!) doesn't mean I can't stash my lipgloss and bobby pins in a cute pencil case, instantly made geek-chic when tossed inside a luxe leather bag.

{So Long Sweet Summer}

2011-09-04T22:16:00.013-04:00

It is, sadly, not so hard for me to believe that this summer has already come to an end. Since I started my job a mere three days after college graduation, I didn't have much time to relax and get into summer-mode! Nonetheless, it was a wonderful summer full of friends, family and great times.

{Where it all began: my graduation from Fordham University, May 21, 2011.}

{Not too bad for an early morning commute!}

{Me and Thomas at Ship Ahoy Beach Club on Memorial Day Weekend.}

{Thomas moved into the perfect "starter" apartment on East 22nd Street! We love having a home base in Manhattan for all of our city adventures.}

{Mark Murphy, Ana Murphy, Dad, Me, John Robinson, Lindsay Robinson, Nick Ford, Blaike Ford. Graduating was celebrated with a Father-Daughter dinner at Rumson Country Club.}

{A lovely graduation party was held at my dad's house for Jack, me and the other cousins who graduated this year. Seven of us in all!}

{I can't believe Jack graduated from 8th grade and is starting high school this week! It feels like yesterday that he was baby. I am so proud of all he has overcome (and is still overcoming). What an inspiring young man I have for a little brother!}

{I made my first visit to Paris in June for a work trip. Not too shabby for a first job!}

{As a Mets fan, I was reluctant to attend a Yankees game. But hey! The tickets were free :)}

{Before Thomas started work, he would accompany me on my walk to the subway for my commute to work. We spent many a morning at the Union Square Greenmarket, often walking away with a few delicious treats!}

{Trips to Brooklyn are always full of surprises, like this great "installation art" we found in Williamsburg!}

{We had drinks and appetizers at a darling place in Brooklyn, Nita Nita. They had a great outdoor seating area with mismatched furniture that made us feel like we were in a good friends backyard!}

{4th of July weekend was spent on Shelter Island, New York with good friends from college.}

{Thomas and I trekked to the west side on 4th of July Monday to watch the Macy's Fireworks on the Hudson. They were unbelievable, as were the amount of people we were huddled with watching! I'm so glad we saw them up close and not on a TV screen, but I am also so glad we can say "we did it!" and don't have to deal with those crowds ever again!}

{View from a penthouse suite in the Thompson Hotel.}

{Liz, me, Mom. We spent an afternoon shopping at Bergdorfs and Saks, then ate dinner and saw "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" on Broadway. The perfect girls night!}

{Two of my best friends from Fordham, Cait and Anne, visited for a weekend. It was so fun to show them around my hometown!}

{My little sister, Hannah, and I baked a lot with our cousin Elizabeth, who has a new love for baking.}

{The weather this summer (for the most part) was beautiful, and we spent a lot of evenings at our beach club.}

{One of the things I miss most about the Bronx is Estrellita Poblana, a restaurant and delivery place with the best Mexican food I have ever tasted. Thomas and I spent a good part of this summer searching Manhattan for something just as tasty. We had a delicious brunch at Vamos, a restaurant near the apartment. Though good, we still haven't found something to fill in the void in our taste palettes since we haven't been eating "Estra," as we affectionately call it.}

{Tropical Storm Irene made an appearance.}

{My lovebug of a niece, Kendall, gets more and more adorable by the day! I can't believe she is almost a year old, and I can't imagine not having her in our family.}

{This is how Bullet spent his summer. Relaxing. Every. Single. Day.}

It was an amazing summer, but fall is my favorite season and I am so excited for the adventures to come!

Mix Master: Work-Appropriate Sweats

2010-10-07T01:25:00.009-04:00

This week, I am really inspired by mixing the unconventional. I don't subscribe to one standard of style, or shop at one store in particular (J. Crew, though, does hold a large part of my heart, and closet). If I like something and think I will wear it (and if I can afford it) I buy it. To me, nothing is more fun than mixing your new purchases with old favorites, all while challenging common fashion standards.

This week's mix? Classic work-wear, such as gray twill pants, luxe jewelry and a sweatshirt! Sweats to work?! Trust me, when done correctly and tastefully, this look is both appropriate for the workplace and fashion-forward.

A crew neck sweatshirt in a solid color works best (try this one, from American Apparel) for layering. Hoods aren't exactly work appropriate, anyway.

The pants should be tailored and fit well, and tapered at the bottom to show off some killer shoes (these pants from Urban Outfitters are pictured above).

Your shoes should balance sex appeal and utilitarianism. Shoes that fit this description shouldn't be hard to find as this is a major trend for the season (I have these from Steve Madden, they are awesome in person).

With the key pieces of your outfit figured out, the ever-important accessories now come into play. A statement necklace adds a formal element to an otherwise casual sweatshirt, and is a nice juxtaposition to a man's watch and a structured bag.

The final piece just happens to be my favorite piece of outerwear for the season: anything faux fur, especially in leopard print! Leopard print is always a luxe and glamourous addition to any outfit.

Add a messy up-do and red lip, and you are good to go!

The key here is the mix of masculine and feminine elements, with a few unique touches added in to make it your own.

Weekly Obsessions

2010-10-04T22:48:00.007-04:00

Just a few things that have made their way into my hands that I am loving this week...

{"Roman Equestrian" rain boots from Banana Republic, $98}

I have worn these every day so far this week due to all of the rain we have been having. I had been on the search for a pair of sophisticated rainboots that were both functional and work-appropriate, and these most certainly fit the bill. They keep my feet dry and toasty during rainy fall days while still looking like a chic pair of leather boots. Their price can't be beat, either.

{Men's Timex® vintage field army watch from J. Crew, $150}

I have been wanting this watch since I first saw it months ago, so I am ecstatic to finally have it on my wrist! Tom and I decided to check out the J. Crew Liquor Store (one of their men's-only shops) last weekend and it was so cool, and well worth it since we both walked away with watches for our birthdays! The masculine aspects of the watch mix so perfectly with the more feminine aspects of my wardrobe, and its just-barely-oversized size is perfect. While I love the deep olive strap it came with, I also bought a strap in blush stone for an added touch of femininity.

{Tom and I with our new watches! Please excuse the cell phone-quality photo!}

{"Boo" Spicy Pumpkin Candle from Yankee Candle, available at Amazon.com}

I bought this candle in late August, so I have been counting down the days until October rolled around and I could finally start using it. It smells so delicious, and adds the perfect amount of fall and Halloween spirit to any room. The design on the jar is super cute, too.

That is what I am loving this week, what are you loving this week?

{Dedicated: Martha Stewart}

2010-06-02T11:23:00.007-04:00

It is no secret that I love Martha Stewart. Ironically, however, I don't ever seem to have the time to test out the many recipes, crafts, and tips this multi-faceted woman offers through her magazines, website, blog, TV shows, etc. Luckily, with my summer becoming more (unexpectedly) open-ended by the day, I think I am going to have ample time to delve into the seemingly endless crafts and recipes of Martha's that I have stored away, hoping to one day be tested out.

Though I truly enjoy working and interning, I am looking forward to at least a little bit of downtime to start crossing things off of my seemingly endless to-do list. My bedroom at my Dad's house has never been finished decor wise, and it has been over two years since I first started!

If you are ever in need of something, whether it be a cupcake or appetizer recipe to bring to a summer barbeque, or a quick-and-easy hostess gift, Martha has it all. Her website is very comprehensive, and the Recipe Finder is a great tool.

Here are some of the things I have been perusing for inspiration...

{So pretty! It is made from costume brooches.}

{I love all the fresh ingredients!}

{The wooden beads are perfect for summer!}

{The frames are decorated with beans. I am going to try this out in my bedroom.}

{Yummy! I can't wait to bring these to a Fourth of July barbeque!}

{What a clever way to display jewelry. I love the idea of using frames to "frame" unconventional items.}

What crafts, recipes or tips from Martha Stewart have caught your eye lately?

{Happy Summer!}

2010-05-31T23:38:00.005-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend; I know I sure did! Here on the beaches of New Jersey (I refuse to call it "the shore") we had beautiful weather which helped to make it an especially memorable weekend.

I have spent the fast few weeks transitioning into summer mode... aka time-to-get-all-of-those-projects-done mode. My goal this summer? To sort through EVERYTHING I have accumulated over the years. I'm talking every drawer, closet, box, nook and cranny. While definitely a tedious task, there is nothing so rewarding as sorting and de-cluttering a room, and nothing so relaxing as enjoying your revitalized space.

Summer mode also means updating my wardrobe, both in terms of what I wear on a day-to-day basis and clearing out things I no longer need or wear. I really am trying to live a more simplistic lifestyle as I have been coming to the realization that I have way too much stuff (never thought I would say that!).

So, here's to a great summer 2010, and I hope it is a successful one! In terms of friends, family, career, home decor, fashion, and hobbies! There is so much to look forward to...

{beautiful blooms}

{so true!, via bryn alexandra}

{amazing sunsets}

{effortlessly chic outfits}

{delectable meals al fresco}

{flowing dresses and beachy hair, via coco+kelley}

What are you looking forward to about this summer?

{Elle Decor}

2010-05-03T18:20:00.006-04:00

As I have mentioned before, I love a good magazine. And a good supplement to these magazines, is a good website. Some magazine websites really fall short in my opinion - they don't have much to offer, are outdated, etc.

One magazine website that does not fall into this category is Elle Decor. This website not only features the spreads from the current issue, but frequently updated shopping tips, beautiful homes, and trends. It is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration, and is a great alternative for the times when I don't have the cash readily available to purchase the magazine.

Elledecor.com has a really cool feature called "ED's LookBook," which can be found on the homepage. Here you select the type of room, and then your personal style (broken down into categories) from a drop-down menu, and are then presented with a slideshow featuring looks that match your search. I love how quick-and-easy this makes searching for inspiration, I wish that other websites offered a similar feature!

{I love a good breakfast nook, and this is a GREAT breakfast nook. It is part of a renovated 110-year-old barn/house.}

{A bedroom in the same renovated barn. How amazing is this room? That bed is bananas, and I am loving all the natural light.}

{Some plates from the "Shopping" section of the site. I love the idea of mixing colors and patterns in a table setting, much like I love doing in my wardrobe.}

{I adore these Jonathan Adler Positano pillows with crisp white linen contrasted with bright grosgrain ribbon. I love how geometric they are.}

{Actress Ellen Pompeo's living room. Her home was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine. This room is so simple-chic, and not at all fussy.}

{Ellen Pompeo's kitchen. I have been obsessed since I saw these images. I have always been a sucker for open shelving, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. It feels so lived-in and is so "undecorated." I also love the use of a very large picture resting on counter space as a focal point.}

{Decorator Joe Nye gives advice for summer table setting. A perfect place for a Sunday brunch with friends and family, no?}

This is just a sampling of the great inspirational images and ideas to be found on Elle Decor's website, so head that way if you are looking for something chic!

{Dedicated: Workout DVDs}

2010-04-27T23:51:00.004-04:00

As I have mentioned before, I love working out. I wish that I had the freedom in my wallet to belong to a gorgeous, up-to-date workout facility (Lombardi Center, you are no Equinox). I also wish that I had the space in my schedule to head to the gym seven days a week, if only for a short 20-minute interval workout and some lifting.

Unfortunately, I have neither the freedom in my wallet nor the space in my schedule to do accommodate these wishes. Being a "poor" college student, I am stuck working out in that eyesore that is the Lombardi Center. And because I am a student, I have classes, interning, and meetings to worry about before I can even begin to think of working out.

Admittedly, I am usually pretty good about waking up before class and heading to the gym, or prioritizing my day to be sure I have at least 45 minutes for a solid workout. But then, of course, there are days like today, where I have been up for interning since 7:00 a.m., and don't return home until 9:30 p.m. (I went shopping after work... I can't be "poor" all of the time haha)... which is why I am posting now. Tired from a long day, I don't always feel like changing into my full workout gear and trekking to the gym.

My solution? Workout DVDs! I was skeptical at first about using DVDs. I worried that I wouldn't do the moves properly, or that because no one was around (we all know we try hard at the gym partly because there are people there who can see us) I wouldn't put in my usual amount of effort.

Boy, was I wrong. I have slowly been amassing a collection of DVDs, most focused on abdominal workouts. The DVDs have introduced me to moves I would never have thought of trying, and I am definitely noticing a difference in my stomach. I have never had abs, and probably will never officially have them. But, my core is most definitely tighter and more sculpted. My favorite part about the DVDs is that most of them have 10-minute workouts that are quick and really blast the areas you want to target in the shortest amount of time.

Right now I am loving:

{Michele Olson, PhD: Fitness Prescription: Perfect Legs, Glutes, & Abs}

{Exhale: Core Fusion: Lean & Toned}

{Exercise TV: Ultimate Body: Quick & Incredible Abs}

{Crunchless Abs}

So, if you are in need of a workout but don't have a lot of time? A workout DVD is definitely the solution!

**All titles available on Amazon.

{Classic Style}

2010-04-23T22:43:00.004-04:00

I read A LOT of magazines. Each month I look forward to I look forward to receiving my various subscriptions in the mail and carefully examining each and every page for any type of inspiration. I tear out the pages that have something that I am drawn to; a makeup look, hairstyle, certain outfit, color combination, home decor, etc., and save them for future reference.

In the May issue of American Vogue, I was ecstatic to find an entire fashion spread that I loved. Shot by the fabulous Mario Testino and styled by Marie-Amelie Sauve, I found myself drooling over the simple, chic elegance of the looks featured in the spread " Americans in Paris." And I can't forget to mention model Daria Werbowy's sultry smoky eye and long hair with choppy bangs. I always strive to incorporate the hottest trends into my wardrobe, but there is definitely something to be said for classic looks.

So perfect, in every way.

{Dedicated: Pure Yoga}

2010-04-21T11:07:00.004-04:00

I had the pleasure of attending a press event at Pure Yoga-West yesterday morning. I am by no means a yoga person-I am actually incredibly inflexible and lacking in core strength which makes many of the moves very difficult. With that being said, however, I am a health and exercise fiend, and jump at the opportunity to try any kind of exercise.

The yoga studio at Pure West is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Upon opening the giant wooden doors you are instantly whisked away to a calming mecca consisting of soothing music, flickering candlelight, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.

The decor is reminiscent of how I would like a room in my future home decorated. At every corner is a little "socializing" nook, complete with cool couches and chairs, ambient lighting, awesome pillows, and any magazine you could imagine. All of the colors used are highly saturated, rich colors, and look great against all of the natural and wood elements found elsewhere.

I can't, of course, forget to mention the most important part, the yoga itself! All of the instructors are incredibly nice and so experienced. I was taught yesterday by one instructor who had just returned from four years in Hong Kong, and another who had recently returned from Australia. They are very helpful and work with you to modify the moves to better fit your skill level. My favorite part was the complete meditation at the end of my session, I haven't felt that relaxed in so long.

Pure Yoga is pricy, but definitely worth it if you love yoga, or cool decor!

{Spring Layering}

2010-04-19T23:41:00.006-04:00

Spring weather, especially here on the East coast, is never easy to predict. One day it is 80 degrees, the next day it is rainy and 50 degrees. It is during troubling weather times such as these that mastering the skill of layering really comes into play. The key is to mix lighter colors and warm weather fabrics with transitional pieces, such as blazers and fun accessories like ankle socks, scarves, short boots, and tights.

{Elle.com}

{Jak&Jil}

{The Sartorialist}

{J. Crew}

Layering is also a great way to extend the seasonal lives of pieces in your wardrobe, all while keeping you dressed appropriately in the ever-changing weather. Win-win!

{Phew!}

2010-04-19T16:09:00.002-04:00

The fashion show was on Friday and I think it was an overall success! I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people so I am very excited about that.

While I loved putting the show together, I am definitely excited to have a little bit of free time before finals start.

I thought that I would spend this weekend relaxing, reading magazines and blogs and drinking tea. But, all I did was sleep! Which is something I hardly ever do; I do not like napping or sleeping late and hate the idea of losing valuable time to get things done. I guess I did need rest this weekend though!

With that being said, I will spending this week catching up on all of my magazines and blogs, and posting more here.

Have a good week!

{Hectic Week}

2010-04-12T23:07:00.004-04:00

The fashion show is on Friday, so it is going to be a crazy, hectic week! Aside from preparing for the show, tomorrow I register for classes for the fall semester and start a new internship. Then, of course, I still have classes and homework to take care of.

I love being busy, don't get me wrong, especially because all of the money we raise will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but right about now I would love to be able to relax and read a book in a beautiful little nook like this one!

{via a life's design}

Enjoy your week!

{What's happening in FFP!}

2010-04-08T23:07:00.006-04:00

It is hard to believe that the fashion show is eight days away. Overall, I feel that we are generally very well prepared for the show. Most, if not all, of the major details are figured out. It is just the finishing touches (which there seem to be a lot of) that need to be finished.

We have had "work days" every day this week, and club members have been diligently working on tissue paper flowers, painting cardboard, cutting out stars, and various other decorations for the gym.

{Bags of tissue paper flowers and donations next to my bed.}

At the same time, we are continuing to have model practices and are still working on fittings and styling looks. Members are still collecting donations and making final contact efforts with potential donors.

{Club members working on fittings and styling looks.}

I really feel as though this year's show will be the best yet, and I am really hoping to make at least $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, though I think we might even make more than that, which would be amazing!

I am so excited for the show, but I am also excited to have my room back. Currently I can not get to any of my shoes because they are covered in stacks of cardboard, and I can barely get into my closet because it is blocked by 300 Ted Gibson Salon shampoos and conditioners. I can't open my bathroom or bedroom doors all of the way because of the 300 O.P.I. nail polishes and raffle donations from companies like Clarins and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics that are in boxes everywhere.

{Gift bags, O.P.I. nail polishes, and various other donations stacked in VERY heavy boxes.}

{Some of the 300 Ted Gibson shampoos and conditioners Tina and I had to get from Manhattan to the Bronx.}

Did I mention that one other club member, Tina, and I had to get those 300 bottles of shampoo from 1120 Avenue of the Americas (between 43rd and 44th) to Fordham University Lincoln Center at West 60th and 9th? We had four giant cardboard boxes full of regular sized shampoos and conditioners! Luckily, we got an amazing taxi driver and only had one box break at Lincoln Center. What a sight we must have been...

We have even more work to do this week and into next week, then it is show time!

{Sunny Room}

2010-04-06T09:45:00.003-04:00

I'm going to keep today's post short-and-sweet because the weather is nice and I have so much to do in the next 10 days. The show fashion is a week from this Friday and there is a lot to get done!

{Elle Decor}

I love the openness of this room. Look at all of that sunlight streaming in! The mix of textures is so great and really adds a sense of casualness and warmth to the room. My favorite part, though, are all of the houseplants. The giant, wild fern is a great juxtaposition against the white walls and streamlined architecture of the room. I would love to enjoy a good book and cup of tea in this room, especially now that it is spring!

{Wardrobe Update}

2010-04-05T10:21:00.004-04:00

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter or Passover weekend! I spent the holiday relaxing and spending time with family. We hosted Easter at my dad's house this year, and the weather could not have been more perfect. I ended up outside, as did most of my *many* cousins, aunts, and uncles, sunning for most of the day.

I also spent this weekend continuing to work on my disaster of a closet and dresser. (I actually have two closets and two dressers as I use the ones in our guest room as well.) With each season comes the seemingly never-ending process of cycling my fall and winter clothes from one room into the other, replacing them with my spring and summer clothes, and vice-versa as the seasons change again.

I haven't finished any real organizing yet, but I did get rid of bags (and bags) of clothes. I'm sure I will continue to weed through my wardrobe as spring turns into summer, but it already feels insanely good to have so much less stuff. Granted, I still have a lot, but way less than when I started. I love rediscovering pieces I had forgotten about, or realizing how great an older piece works with something new.

And speaking of new, I just couldn't resist making a few spring purchases. Blame it on the weather. Spring fever, maybe? (On a side note, most of my purchases were very much on sale, which is always nice, and guilt-free!) I made sure to buy pieces that I felt were transitional and can work their way in-and-out of my wardrobe and mix with pieces that I already have.

{J. Crew}

{Anthropologie}

Have a nice day and enjoy this beautiful weather!

{Home Office Inspiration}

2010-04-02T00:19:00.008-04:00

While home for Easter break, I have been trying to get a lot of organizing done. I do consider myself an organized person, but I rack up clutter like no other. Every nook and cranny of my desk is *neatly* stuffed to the brim with stuff, some of it random, some of it important. The same goes for my closets and dressers. Over the years I have accumulated so much clothing, a lot of which I no longer wear and doesn't fit. I am always reluctant to get rid of things because there is always that thought in the back of my head "what if you get invited to a party and this is perfect..." This of course hardly ever happens, so now I just have a lot of stuff.

This weekend, aside from spending time with my family and celebrating Easter, will also be spent purging all of the unnecessary items from my desk and closet. I am very excited to get some spring cleaning done, though it is most definitely a daunting task.

I took some "before" photos of my closets and desk, but they are VERY scary, and since I don't have any real "after," or even "in progress" photos to display yet, I think I am going to hold off on my embarrassment...

I have some much bigger plans for my desk situation, but none of that can happy until I get rid of some stuff! So, until then, here are some lovely inspiration photos that I have been working on collecting for my desk and closet re-dos. Enjoy! (P.S. Please keep in mind that these are *inspiration* photos. Aka IN MY DREAMS!)

Coastal Living

Cottage Living

Southern Living

Elle Decor

Haven and Home

Helen Green

Live Creating Yourself.

Real Simple

Southern Accents

Southern Living

Sunset

{Easter Inspiration}

2010-03-31T12:04:00.009-04:00

I love holidays. Seriously, give me any holiday and I will gladly take the challenge of decorating for it. Holidays really give you the chance, and excuse, to add a bit of whimsy to your decor. Obviously Christmas requires an overhaul of practically every room in the house. Smaller holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Easter, on the other hand, call for more subtle decorative additions that better fit in with the overall decor of the house. Holidays are also always a great time for crafting, another reason why I love them so much.

With that in mind, lately I have really been drawn to Easter-inspired decor and fashion. I am seriously loving pastels, florals, light spaces, and touches of greenery.

Elaine Griffin Interiors

House Beautiful

Pottery Barn

Shelter

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Better Homes and Gardens

House and Home

via Life in the Fun Lane

Lonny

Shelter

William Waldron

Burberry Prorsum, SS10

J. Crew

Harper's Bazaar

Country Living

J. Crew

{What's happening in FFP!/Giveaway Alert!}

2010-03-24T16:41:00.005-04:00

All of a sudden, the fashion show is about three weeks away! We have made a lot of progress in many areas, but still have a lot of work left to do in others. We have secured donations for both gift bags and raffle items, from companies such as Essie, OPI, Tracy Reese, Clarins, and Henri Bendel, and many more, but there have to be some secrets!

In these finals weeks before the show, it is all of the smaller aspects of the show that now need to be worked on. We will be working non-stop on making flowers and other decorations for the gym, putting looks together, having practices with the models, printing tickets and brochures, securing final donations, and doint lots and LOTS of advertising.

It is certainly a lot of work, but so fulfilling. I get so excited just thinking about the money we are going to be raising to help grant the wishes of sick children; We really want to raise at least $10,000 this year. It also makes me SO thankful for the wonderful members of Fashion for Philanthropy!

Now on an aside, Alaina of Live Creating Yourself, the blog I have mentioned my love for/jealousy of many times, is hosting yet another great giveaway, this time from the design geniuses at West Elm, and their partnership with PATCH NYC. So head on over (if you haven't already!) and check out this great blog and giveaway!

{Giveaway Alert!}

2010-03-23T10:03:00.005-04:00

Growing up in a seaside town in New Jersey (where I am lucky enough to hear the ocean from my bedroom window), I have always had a soft spot for coastal-inspired decorating. I find the balance of whimsy beach elements, like shells and large pieces of coral, with more structured, modern pieces to be very aesthetically pleasing. I came across Completely Coastal one day while browsing blogs, and have been hooked ever since.

This blog provides a great array of inspirational homes, decorating tips, and craft ideas to bring elements of the beach and sea into your home. It also provides a great selection of online shops that sell coastal inspired items.

Completely Coastal is offering a great giveaway this week, to win an adorable rug from Outer Banks Trading Group, a site that has so many awesome things to choose from.

How fun are these rugs? I highly suggest checking out Completely Coastal for some wonderful ideas, and entering the giveaway to win a cute rug like the ones above while you are there!

{Bright Lips}

2010-03-22T16:47:00.008-04:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a good week, I definitely took advantage of my relaxing time off. I was more than ecstatic to come home to weather in the 60s! I instantly started working on updating my wardrobe and switching out winter pieces for warmer-weather pieces. Change in weather also means change in my beauty routine, which, despite what my large Sephora makeup case might suggest, isn't very involved to begin with.

Since the fall I have slowly been working on wearing bright colors on my lips, but it certainly takes a lot of getting used to, as it is definitely a statement look. I have found that the cheesy trick of "vacuuming with your bright lips" actually does work. Well I don't exactly vacuum with my bright lips, but I do do things around my room, and before you know it I am heading out the door, completely forgetting my lips are a lovely shade of fire engine red.

My vacation to the Bahamas was the perfect place to try out some of spring's fun, bright lip colors. After spending all day laying in the sun, the last thing I wanted to do was to come back to my room and have an intense beauty routine (life is so hard, I know, I know). My solution? A quick swipe of some bright colored lipstick and a gloss and I was good to go!

Bright lips were seen on many spring/summer 2010 runways:

Bright red at Christian Dior

A nice matte orange-red lip at Giambattista Valli

Matte fuschia at Marc by Marc Jacobs

A fierce orange-red at Prada

Actress Alexis Bledel wore a bright lip that I absolutely loved:

Instyle.com recommends Estee Lauder's Lush Rose to achieve this look.

My personal favorites right now are Max Factor lipstick in #16, Sephora Rouge in It Girl, and Maybelline lipstick in True Pink. The Balm's "Stainiac" in Prom Queen is a great stain to use on lips (and cheeks!) for a slight dose of color. The best part about this trend is that you can easily mix-and-match and layer colors to achieve a desired look, and that it doesn't cost much money as there are many great colors available from drugstore brands. The favorite way to wear this look is with a clean face and major lashes.

Happy Spring!

{Vacation!}

2010-03-13T23:14:00.006-05:00

I will be away on a MUCH needed vacation in the Bahamas for the next week. I can't wait to not be checking emails, receiving texts, or be busy doing work. I plan on doing lots of nothing. Because when I return it will be super crunch time for the fashion show. Enjoy your week!

{New York is my campus}

2010-03-09T23:44:00.005-05:00

Fordham University's "catch phrase" is "New York is my campus, Fordham is my school," a statement which, although cheesy, I find to ring more and more true as I continue to take advantage of being minutes away from Manhattan. Being able to take advantage of one of the greatest cities in the world has been remarkable. I saw President Barack Obama speak in Washington Square Park in the September of my freshmen year (over two years ago now), have visited numerous museums, interned at wonderful places, saw a little band by the name of U2 perform on the same field of grass that I snuck beers on during warm spring days, and have been introduced to all kinds of people, just to name some of the things I have experienced.

While that little walk down memory lane was fun, I am only continually adding to the list of things I have experienced while here at Fordham University. Most recently, this past Tuesday and the Friday before that, I attended two fashion job events sponsored by the Career Services Center. On Friday I was part of a group that visited the Saks Fifth Avenue corporate center, and met with their head of HR to learn about what kind of internship programs Saks offers. Not only did this experience educate me on Saks's fascinating history, it also supplied me with suggestions applicable when applying to any internship or job. The same goes for the event I attended on Tuesday, called "Careers in Fashion." We were introduced to representatives from Ross Stores, Abercrombie & Fitch, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Target. Again, the panelists provided us with such important information on topics such as resumes, how to present yourself, and how to act while interning.

These two events really showed me how imperative it is that you reach out to your respective school's career services center to see what kind of learning opportunities and services they can provide you with.

I found these tips so important and useful that I have decided to post them here! I hope you enjoy, and find them as useful as I did! {While these were offered by people in the fashion world and some may only apply to that industry, many other tips are applicable in any situation!}

1. Be someone that a company will want to hire! Have a high level of integrity, be goal-oriented, self-motivated, entreprenureal, and have good teamwork skills. Always try to authentically exceed your employers expectations. Enthusiasm and unique answers are always appreciated. Make your prospective employer see that hiring you is worth their investing!

2. Have good communication and social skills. The gregarious applicants stand out more strongly than the wallflowers.

3. Be passionate about your internship. Even if it isn't exactly what you want to do as a career, try to focus on one aspect of it that you can connect to and learn a lot from.

4. HAVE AN OPINION! What are you interested in? What books are you reading or what music are you listening to? Be able to answer what changes you would make to a company. It is good to show that you are interested in progression for the future.

5. Be knowledgable of the business you want to be in. Constantly be observing those around you, what are you seeing?

6. Have both sides of your brain working; be analytical and interested in popular culture. Be on top of what is going on and what is up-and-coming.

7. Think of anything you may have done that could apply to the job you are interested in. Working in retail for three years during high school is really helpful when applying to a job in the corporate side of fashion!

8. Above all else, be honest. Don't lie on your resume, don't exaggerate your skills and experiences to be greater than they were. Prospective employers will see right through it.

{Oscars 2010}

2010-03-08T22:33:00.012-05:00

While I do look forward to enjoying all of the "lovely" that goes on during awards season, I always feel a little let down by the fashion; I feel like everything is either "ugly" or "pretty." Save for a few risk-takers, the red carpet is usually strewn with actresses wearing the standard strapless, or as-of-late one-shouldered, dress. I would like to see stars start taking bigger risks on the red carpet again, a la Uma Thurman's 2003 Christian Lacroix gown or Nicole Kidman's 1997 Absinthe gown, part of John Galliano's first couture collection for Christian Dior. But we can't have everything we want, can we? Here's what we were given last night...

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. I loved this. It is different, ornate, daring, interesting, yet also sophisticated.

Vera Farmiga in Marchesa. She looks like a bunch of raspberry colored cupcake holders stapled together.

Tom Ford in, naturally, Tom Ford. I hope the rumors are true and that he is designing women's wear again, we need some old school influences.

Tina Fey in Michael Kors. Not so sure how I feel about the hair, but I love that Fey, though not always a fashion "hit" doesn't try to be anything that she isn't and sticks to designs she is comfortable in.

Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock in Marchesa. Pretty, but boring. Though I do like the red lip.

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab. Another one of my favorites. I'll forgive her for the standard strapless since the pattern on the dress is so dream-like and awesome.

Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan. I love Cruz, I think that she chooses dresses that are always risky-enough, yet still classically beautiful. But maybe I am just bias because I have a total girl-crush on her and love her in every movie...

Nicole Richie in Reem Acra. Though this dress almost entirely swallows her tiny frame, I do love how different it is. This is what I'm talking about, dresses that stray away from what is expected.

Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham. It is nice to finally see Cyrus in something age-appropriate, even if the top is three sizes too small. Also, why is she at the Oscars?

Meryl Streep in Chris March. I love that Streep chose a "Project Runway" alum! I also love that this dress is flattering and subtly sexy.

Mariah Carey in Valentino Haute Couture. I think she always looks trashy and that her clothes don't fit.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten. MY FAVORITE! I love the pattern and the sleek column shape of the dress. After the incredible Lanvin patterned number that she wore to the Golden Globes last year, Gyllenhaal has become one of my favorites to watch on the red carpet. And that pink lipstick? I will be heading to Sephora tomorrow.

Kristen Stewart in Monique Lhuillier. Yawn. At least she doesn't look like she just rolled out of bed this time.

Okay, Kathryn Bigelow's look was the one I had the most problems with. If I was nominated against my ex-husband, who happened to be James Cameron, who is stuck-up and has won pretty much every award possible and invented some new kind of technology to make a little movie called Avatar, I would NOT wear this. Especially if I was 58 and looked like she does. At least she won.

Kate Winslet in Atelier Yves Saint Laurent. Yawn, and very un-Winslet. It's also unflattering.

Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive. That is the prettiest bubble wrap I have ever seen.

Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa. Love the color, love the sleeves, though the whole look is a little mother-of-the-bride, no?

Elizabeth Banks in Versace. I feel like in any other color this would have been a knock-out.

Diane Kruger in Chanel. I have loved this dress ever since I saw it on the spring/summer 2010 runway, and I'm so glad that yet again Kruger chose something different and unique for the red carpet.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior. I love the juxtaposition of the soft purple against her bright red lips. I think that the "controversial" rosettes on the top of the dress are very pretty.

Carey Mulligan in Prada. Something about this is off. I think that it is the train, I would have liked the dress if it was short in the front than just skimmed the ground in the back. The train looks like an after-thought.

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta. Another one of my favorite looks, I love that Diaz did something softer than usual for her on the red carpet. I love her sideswept hair and red lip, what a great look.

Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab Couture. The color totally washes her out, and I don't like the chunky shoes with such a delicate dress. I do love her hair and makeup, but the dress should definitely have been a different color.

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive; another piece from their bubble wrap collection I guess. I think the dress is very pretty, but the color of the dress and her makeup totally wash her out. Did you know that she was supposed to come to Fordham University but chose to continuing pursuing acting instead?

Well, there you have it. My candid feelings about last night's Oscar fashions. I agree with Cathy Horyn, fashion journalist for the New York Times, when she said that she thinks it is funny that all of these very fit women who are revered for their bodies covered up in layers of ruffles. Check out the rest of her post here.

** All images courtesy of here.

{Happy Weekend!}

2010-03-06T00:02:00.008-05:00

Jessica Helgerson

It is supposed to be nice this weekend!

Well by nice I mean in the 50s, but I'll take it! Hell, I might even wear flats instead of boots! I am looking forward to relaxing with a good book and getting some work done, preferably in a room like the one above! I love the clean lines and colors and how inviting and relaxing the whole room is; The perfect place to appreciate the quickly approaching spring beauty outside while relaxing in a room that evokes the fresh feeling of spring. Have a good weekend everyone!

{Giveaway Alert!}

2010-03-04T10:19:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite bogs, everything LEB, is offering yet another truly fabulous giveaway! Bar carts have been all over the blog world recently, maybe it is the approaching warm weather getting people excited for fun drinks? Whatever the reason, many blogs have been posting on bar cart inspiration lately.

I remember my parents bar cart from when I was younger. It was dark wood, with lots of faceted decanters and dark-colored liquors. I believe it had a shaker and maybe a few glasses on it; I really can't remember. It was definitely very different from the bar carts vignettes being created these days.

Domino via everything LEB

Apartment Therapy

Domino via everything LEB

Design*Sponge dedicated an entire post to bar carts last June, showcasing how far the idea of a bar cart really has come, and how many options are out there.

Bar carts a great way to display unique items you may have picked up on your travels, and to showcase your talent for layering and creating a tabletop landscape. everything LEB's great giveaway is offering great pieces that can help to make any bar cart complete. Good luck!

{International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York}

2010-03-03T14:49:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I attended the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York with my dad, stepmom, and the managers and chefs of all of our restaurants. It was held at the Jacob Javits Center, which is a weird venue because it is so ugly and utilitarian looking, but at the same time so unique and appealing.

The show is comprised of aisle upon aisle of every different type of vendor you could ever imagine being involved in a restaurant. Seriously, everything. Food, desserts, paper towel and toilet paper dispensers, vacuums, menus, lighting, outdoor heating, pizza ovens, drink flavorings, silver-and-plate-wear, chairs, even those beepers to tell you when your table is ready. It is a lot for your eyes, and stomach, to take in.

While at the show I consumed quite a variety of snacks, including crab cakes, LOTS of gelato, a ham and cheese wrap, lemon ice, chocolate chip cookies, and a cotton candy flavored martini. Yikes.

But, we did find a lot of really good things, especially for our new restaurant in National Harbor in Washington, D.C., so it was a pretty successful trip.

Made entirely out of sugar!

This machine is so cool. You put one ingredient into each side...

... then it combines them...

...so you can make things like this!

Pizza-tossing competition.

Would you like your restaurant to have pizza-shaped...

... or lobster-shaped beepers?

{What's happening in FFP!}

2010-03-03T14:27:00.007-05:00

The club looking super awkward (and pale, ha!) for our yearbook photo. I didn't even know Fordham had a yearbook?

In the midst of midterm, interning, fashion, and general life craziness, I have completely forgotten my updates of Fashion for Philanthropy!

It is hard to believe, but all of a sudden the show is less than 50 days away! There is still so much to done, but details are finally starting to come together.

We have been continuing to have bake sales to ensure that we have enough spare money to cover miscellaneous costs of the show. Everyone has been working on making flowers and other decorations for the show. We are also in the midst of contacting companies to donate samples for the VIP gift bags, as well as raffle items and clothing for the show.

**Update: Just secured Ted Gibson Salon shampoos and 20% off coupons. Score!

There is still a lot of work to be done, A LOT. But everyone in the club this year is so dedicated and it is really great to see everyone coming together to work on the show. We really want this year to be the best one yet.

{Starting on Monday, March 8, we are hosting "Fitness Week" for the Fordham community. Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the gym is cardio-kickboxing with club member Ashlee Armsby, with all donations from the class going to Make-A-Wish. Tuesday we will be selling smoothies, Wednesday we will be having a bake sale, and Thursday will be a combination of those two, all outside of the cafeteria in the McGinley Center. Thursday night at 8 p.m. in the gym Ashlee is hosting another class, this time a boot-camp to really get your body into shape for spring break!}

Stay tuned for our website, which should be up and running within the next week!

{DIY: Tissue Paper Pom-Pom Flowers}

2010-03-03T14:08:00.007-05:00

One thing that I really love, but have so far neglected to include on Mmusings, is crafting. And because of my love of crafting, I obviously love Martha Stewart. I visit her website daily for inspiration, whether it is a new recipe to try, organizational tip, or craft to make.

I have seen many posts in the design blog world that feature hanging pom-pom, flower-type decorations in rooms and at parties. I thought they were so beautiful and delicate, yet substantial, and so looked for some online. There are some offered on Etsy, and while they are beautiful, I don't really feel like paying that much money for {pretty} bundles of tissue paper.

But don't fear, it is Martha to the rescue! She has an entire tutorial dedicated to making the pom-poms, along with other pretty things, such as luminarias.

When Fashion for Philanthropy decided that the theme for the fashion show will be fairy tales, I instantly thought of these easy to make flowers as a way to decorate the gym, and so the club members and I got to work (and are still working...) on making these pom-poms, along with any other flower idea we can think of!

Folding the sheets of tissue paper accordion style.

After being secured in the middle, shape the ends.

Gently pull the layers apart, then fluff them up.

Pretty!

They are seriously so easy to make. I would definitely check out Martha's tutorial though, for complete step-by-step directions and pictures. Happy crafting!

{This week...}

2010-03-01T17:54:00.007-05:00

Things to look forward to this week...

Monday: Fashion for Philanthropy flower making! Learn how to make decorative flowers out of household materials, like cardboard and tissue paper.

Tuesday: What's Going On in FFP! (We are less than 50 days away from the show! April 16, 2010)

Wednesday: Photos from the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of NY at the Jacob Javits Center that I will be attending on Tuesday.

Thursday: Spring fashion trends

Friday: Rooms for Inspiration

There will be other posts here and there, but I just wanted to give you some things to look forward to for this week!

{Happy Weekend!}

2010-02-26T16:41:00.003-05:00

Let's hope that this snow melts away soon, because I am starting to have major warm weather and beach withdrawal. Have a good weekend everyone!

{So close, yet so far...}

2010-02-25T18:25:00.010-05:00

Earlier this week I was SO happy because the sun was (kind of) out and birds were singing and I could walk outside without being wrapped up in a scarf, hat, gloves, and my enormous Michelin Man North Face puffer! I couldn't stop fantasizing about my vintage denim shorts, flowy shirts, open toed shoes, and the need for a pedicure. Then, I woke up to this...

Umm gross! So much for warmer weather coming soon. Luckily, my vacation to the Bahamas is a mere two weeks away, so I have that to look forward to! And lovely images of bright, inspirational rooms and clothing.

Sunset

Southern Living

Living Etc.

I actually did this to my bed freshmen year, except I used the hula skirt as a bedskirt.

Olivia Palermo, I love her style.

Diane von Furstenberg, SS'09

I'm really loving Moroccan influences right now.

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Australian Vogue. I love her hair (especially the pink!) and the orange lips. I am definitely going to work on incorporating those two things into my spring/summer makeup routine.What I wouldn't give to have these Alexander Wang wedges. I die, I die, I die. I'm saving up, because I have to have them.

{Pottery Barn Giveaway! from Live Creating Yourself}

2010-02-24T12:08:00.006-05:00

As I have mentioned {many} times before, I am a reader and follower of many fabulous blogs, most of them home decor and fashion related. One of these blogs is the wonderful Live Creating Yourself by Alaina from Chicago. I feel that we share very similar tastes in home decor, and her photos of projects that she completes herself always a) inspire me to start that project I have been neglecting for weeks and b) make me wish I lived in an actual apartment.

I am INSANELY jealous of one of her most recent projects, the decoration of her home office.

How amazing is this office? I don't think I would ever complain about work in a space as great as this!

Anyway, now that I have spewed my blogger-envy, Alaina is offering an awesome Pottery Barn quilt giveaway! The quilt (seen at beginning of entry) makes me so excited for spring, and excited for the possibility that it could be mine! Check out her blog, and enter for a chance to win!

{What I did this weekend instead of what I planned on doing}

2010-02-22T16:03:00.006-05:00

As often happens, I make a lot of detailed plans, then one thing comes along and throws them all off, and I force myself to come up with an entirely new plan. So, while there was certainly a lot of rest and relaxation this weekend, there was no puppy, no room decorating. Sigh.

Now the puppy is "visiting" on Wednesday and I will spend my time in between classes, studying, and interning this week searching the internet for pieces to buy and ship home for my room, because when they are there waiting for me, I will have to start decorating it.

So what did I do instead? I had dinner Friday and Saturday night at one of my family's restaurants, the Pier House (tequila marinated ahi tuna, yum), watched my brother and sister in their respective basketball games, spent time with family, got homework done (!), researched summer study abroad programs, and shopped. A lot. I guess I got tired of being a "recessionista" this weekend...

Pier House now, in the winter.

The view from upstairs during the summer. Ooh I can't wait for warm weather!

The goods.

{Happy Weekend!}

2010-02-19T11:30:00.002-05:00

I am headed home this weekend for some much needed r&r. This week flew by, and I am definitely looking forward to some down time. Not to mention, my dad's family is (most likely) getting a dog!

I'll take any of these, please!

We will most likely be adopting our dog from the SPCA, which is something I really love to do. It makes me so sad to think that people could ever be so cruel to animals. I would love to get a dog at my mom's house as well, but that question gets me a consistent no, so for right now it is still just me and Bullet, my crazy cat, who at times is more like a dog anyway.

He is very spoiled, he sleeps with his head on a pillow in my mom's bed.

He also gets presents for Christmas. But he is very cute, and for the most part well behaved. All of my friends compare me to a crazy cat lady though... oh well.

I am also excited to go home because I am finally going to start working on decorating my bedroom at my dad's house. They moved in over a year ago, and I just haven't had the time to really buckle down and decorate. Here are some images I am taking inspiration from:

Coastal Living

Southern Living

House Beautiful

Coastal Living

Apartment Therapy

I have a black wrought iron bed, so I am planning to soften it up with some white, gauzy accent curtains. My room is green, so I am definitely going to go for a cozy garden feel, with many botanical and butterfly prints. I really want the room to feel very personal, but with many of the walls being eves or angled, and therefore not able to have pictures hung on them, what wall space is available will be hung with gallery-style pictures; a mix of personal photos, prints, and memorabilia. I am very excited as this is my first real "interior design" undertaking.

I'm looking forward to a weekend of shopping and searching for the perfect items for my room, both in stores and online, and hopefully playing with a new dog! Have a good weekend everyone, I'll post pictures as soon as I have some good ones!

{VPL by Victoria Bartlett}

2010-02-18T21:21:00.009-05:00

This past weekend, I had the grueling, but amazing, experience of being part of putting on a show during New York Fashion Week. I have been interning with VPL by Victoria Bartlett since the beginning of January. Up until two weeks ago, my internship consisted of basic "intern" duties; running errands, checking samples in-and-out, and making myself available wherever needed. A lot of my time was spent in contact with stylists and magazine editors requesting VPL pieces for photo shoots.

Then, as soon as fashion week hit, things totally shifted gears. I spent all day Saturday, literally, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday at the VPL offices two blocks away from Bryant Park, and at Pier 59, the location of the show. After catching a 2:30 a.m. Ram Van home, I was up again at 5:30 a.m. to catch a 6:40 a.m. Metro North train back into Manhattan.

So much work went into the making of this show. I spent hours, literally, hours, steaming the giant white curtains that were the backdrop for the show. Hours were also spent packing and laying out all 300 of the Sephora-sponsored gift bags. Needless to say, I was very tired after all of this, and not feeling the least bit glamorous or ready to face the next day.

But, all of my hard work and long hours and lack of sleep was totally worth it. It was such an amazing experience. As mentioned in my earlier post, I got to meet (aka interact) with incredible people from the fashion world. It really made me excited for my {future} career in the industry.

I was also able to experience how truly crazy the world of fashion is, especially during fashion week. Before the lights of the room were even all the way up, models were dressed in their civilian clothes and running out the door to their next show. When the show was over, there was no mingling or chatting, everyone ran out to head to their next show. I wonder if they even have time to enjoy it all. It was just incredible to me how fast everything goes. After the hours of work that everyone put in, the show was fifteen minutes, and when it was over, everyone was gone. Clean-up took about 15 minutes, that is it.

I guess there really is such a thing as a "New York minute."

The infamous curtains that I had to steam.

The beginning of filling the gift bags.

Backstage preparations.

Hair & makeup, and A LOT of chaos.

The runway.

Models backstage. They are just so effortlessly cool!

Hair and makeup.

Waiting for the show to begin.

Model Jacquelyn Jablonski, a family friend from home!

Designer Victoria Bartlett and Anna Selezneva

** All photos mine. I will spare you my horrible runway images and direct you here to see Victoria's amazing work.

{Fashion Week!}

2010-02-14T23:51:00.010-05:00

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is in full swing here in New York City. Luckily for me, VPL's office is only two blocks away from the Bryant Park, so I am greeted every morning by the world of fashion, and it says goodbye to me every night on my way home from interning. You can just feel the energy walking past the tents, not to mention there are people to see everywhere; so far I have seen Whitney Port, Molly Sims, Simon Doonan, Carine Roitfeld (!!!), Bobbi Queen, countless models, and many others.

I will be doing more in-depth posts on the trends from the runways later, but for now here are a few photos I shot while in the city. It is times like these that truly make me love Manhattan.

{Snowpocalypse? 2010}

2010-02-14T22:43:00.010-05:00

Although we were in the middle of a blizzard, I made it to one of my favorite spots, A.C. Moore, to gather supplies for making chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate lollipops for the FFP candy grams.

Jack helped me make some of the pretzels.

Hannah helped decorate, too.

So much snow!

Delicious cake that Nanny made for Mom's birthday!

Snowy Rumson Road.

Too bad it is not Christmastime, what a winter wonderland!

{Apologies}

2010-02-14T22:22:00.005-05:00

My apologies, readers, for the lack of posts this past week. Between getting snowed in at home Tuesday-Thursday morning, rushing to get work done for my Thursday classes, and selling, making, and delivering candy grams for FFP all day Thursday, I didn't have much time for anything.

And, we mustn't forget, Fall Fashion Week 2010 is well underway, and VPL (the clothing line I intern for) had its fashion show this morning! I worked all day Friday, until about 7 p.m., from 11 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday morning, and then I was back at Pier 59 a few hours later (7:15 a.m., to be exact) for the show. I am beyond tired, but what a thrilling first fashion week experience!

Needless to say, I have a lot of pictures to put up and posting to do, so the next flurry of posts will be dedicated to my photos, and then an account of my experience working at a fashion show, and then a fashion week round-up so far. Enjoy!

{RIP}

2010-02-12T08:53:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, while the first "official" day of New York Fashion Week was taking off, the fashion world lost a bright, bright star. Alexander McQueen was found dead at the age of 40 in his London home. It is so sad that such an amazing, innovative, and truly talented designer has been lost. His dramatic runway presentations and designs will surely be missed. RIP.

{Ah! Snow!}

2010-02-10T22:36:00.007-05:00

As I mentioned in my post on Monday, more snow was supposedly heading towards the Tri-State area. And snow it did. And stuck at home I am.

Unfortunately, I don't have my camera connector cords so I can't upload all of the pictures I have taken, but boy did it REALLY snow. I can't wait to get out tomorrow and take pictures during the daylight. Most tree branches are touching the ground, they are so heavy with snow, and everything is white, white, white. I want to capture it all before it turns to brown, slushy grossness!

Anyway, as lovely as all of this snowfall is, it has also become a major speed-bump in my busy week. I have been stuck at home in New Jersey for an extra night with none of my homework materials, or really anything at all to get things done. I did, however, find time to make the chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate lollipops for the candy gram delivery sale Fashion for Philanthropy did. They turned out great, and I am super excited to deliver them!

I promise I will post pictures of everything, including those from my walk from Franklin Street way down at the bottom of Manhattan, all the way up to 51st and Lexington. Yay for being an intern...

{Blog Envy!}

2010-02-10T22:33:00.005-05:00

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a huge follower of many blogs, most of them fashion, home decorating, cooking, and lifestyle related. I owe many thanks to the writers of the various blogs I read, as they have definitely been the biggest inspirations for me to create my own blog, and they continue to inspire me on a daily basis. I am always trying to find new blogs to follow, I like to call it "blog hunting." Cheesy, I know, but there is so much out there!

One of the blogs that I found while "hunting" awhile back and that I love checking in on every day is everything LEB. We have very similar tastes in home decor, so I always look forward to her postings. Not to mention, we have a shared love of leopard print, Anthropologie, and organizing! I would definitely recommend checking out this blog for some great inspiration.

everything LEB is hosting a great contest, lasting until tomorrow night, to win a beautiful blue notebook from Graphic Image. As if the beautiful posts on her blog weren't incentive enough, now there is even a prize involved!

Good luck, and happy blog hunting!

{Fail.}

2010-02-08T16:27:00.008-05:00

Sooo that wonderful, relaxing snow I mentioned in my last post? Yeah, it ruined my relaxing weekend plans. Though we got no snow here in New York, my hometown in New Jersey got so much that I couldn't go home. I am hoping to go home tomorrow night for some rest & relaxation, but as would be my luck, another snowstorm has been forecast!

Snow or no snow, I have a super busy week ahead. Fashion for Philanthropy is selling candy grams for $2 all this week in the McGinley Center (come buy some to send to your friends!), so I will be tabling and baking all week for that. I have interning tomorrow and Friday, AND Saturday, AND a 6:30 AM call time on Sunday for the VPL fashion show at Pier 59! I am super excited to be involved in fashion week, but 6:30 a.m. is a little scary. I am also now a writer for The Ram, and have an article due Sunday. Then there is always homework and readings to deal with, other odds and ends for the club, and trying to find time to work out and relax!

During my last moments of solitude for the week this morning, I spent a lot of time looking at bedrooms online, mostly on myhomeideas.com. There were so many great bedrooms that I loved, it really got me itching for my own place! Or at least a renovation project on my own room at home!

How amazing and relaxing is this room? And that view! I am admittedly lucky enough to live on the water (at both my mom and my dad's houses!), so I love water views. However, my views tomorrow will be bleak and apparently snow covered, and my bedrooms look nothing like this. I love the plush white linens and clean lines of the room, and I would love to drink my tea on that balcony every morning. What good sleep the owner must get in this bedroom, it is so serene!

{Last chance}

2010-02-05T21:07:00.002-05:00

After a hectic week, and expecting an even more hectic week and weekend ahead, I was happy to come home and enjoy the simple pleasures of a nice, warm tea, and catching up with my blog and book reading.

I am heading back home to New Jersey tomorrow to celebrate my mom's birthday and see my family. I am looking forward to this last chance of relaxation and downtime before the crazy week ahead. AND it is supposed to snow, a lot! I don't think anything goes more nicely together than snow, hot chocolate, a good book or movie, and relaxing. Except maybe sunshine, a beach, and a good book...

{The shape of things to come}

2010-02-04T23:57:00.002-05:00

As mentioned in an earlier post, I am ready for warmer weather, mostly because I am tired of my current wardrobe. (Though I am sure that when fashion week starts next Thursday and all of the AW 2010 clothes come out I will go right back to wishing it was October, but I digress.)

Now that I am *thankfully* beyond the age of Abercrombie & Fitch cutoff jean shorts, I prefer my vintage Levi's these days, and tight tank tops, billowing tops or sailor striped shirts are more my thing anyway, as my spring and summer staples, dressing for warmer weather has a whole new meaning.

The SS 2010 runways saw a slight departure from the short dresses, ruggedness, and exaggerated shoulders that had seemed to rule the runway for the past few seasons. Though those looks were still present, the ones that really caught my eye were looks with a definitely 70's vibe, mixed with a little boho-and-boudoir chic, as well as an understated elegance.

I can't wait to get my hands on lovely, looser fitting pieces. Both to layer together for an all-out flowing look, or to mix with my staples, like the striped shirts mentioned above, to make the look my own.

The enviable LSD photographed by Tommy Ton of Jak&Jil. Working with her in the Vogue offices was definitely one of the highlights of my internship.

Stella McCartney, SS'10

Elie Tahari, SS'10

Maria Grachvogal, SS'10

Jenni Kayne, SS'09

Model Anja Rubik photographed by Tommy Ton. How awesome is that dress? I can see an outfit like this working for all seasons, with the right fabrics and colors, of course. I had the pleasure of working with Anja and her boyfriend for Vogue's February issue in their Manhattan apartment - what sweethearts they were!

Chanel, SS'10

If I were a celeb and had to attend an awards show, this would be my pick.

Alexander Wang, SS'10

I am in LOVE with this hairstyle. Ironically, the idea of "controlled mess" is how my hair is most of the time anyway. I will definitely be rocking this look well into summer.

**All runway images courtesy of style.com

{New York Restaurant Week}

2010-02-04T00:41:00.001-05:00

This week I was lucky enough to take advantage of the great deals offered during New York City Restaurant Week. On Sunday night, I ate at Tao, and on Wednesday night I ate at Rosa Mexicano. It is not every week that I get to take a break from cafeteria food to eat both delicious Asian and Mexican food!

I had never been to Tao before, and was really excited to check it out. I loved the exposed brick walls and the use of candles practically everywhere, including cutouts in the walls. The food was delicious, though I would definitely recommend ordering a few different appetizers to share instead of larger entrees.

I had eaten at Rosa Mexicano a few times before, mostly because of its close proximity to Fordham's Lincoln Center campus. One of Rosa's best attributes is that service is fast. Within a minute of ordering our guacamole (my favorite!), the guacamole cart was next to our table and it was being prepared right before our eyes. Definitely one of the coolest parts about Rosa's. For dinner I had the steak tacos, which is served more fajita style, which is great because I was able to make them just to my liking.

Taking advantage of opportunities like this, being able to eat at excellent restaurants, is just another reason why I love living in New York City.

{What's happening in FFP!}

2010-02-02T23:55:00.001-05:00

Things are really starting to pick up with Fashion for Philanthropy. Alyssa, our super-talented student designer, has begun working on her line, we are accumulating tons of wonderful samples for the VIP gift bags, and decoration ideas for the theme of the show, fairy tales, are really starting to come together. Everyone has been working so hard, I really think this year's show, "Once Upon a Runway," will be the best yet!

At tonight's meeting, our main subjects were the upcoming bake sales and Valentine's Day "candygram" sale. The bake sales will be held in the McGinley Center, outside of the cafeteria, on Thursday, February 4, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, February 9, from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. We have really been encouraging everyone to bring different kinds of items, not just your standard bake sale cupcakes and cookies, as our last bake sale was SO successful because of the wide variety of items we offered.

Candygram sales will be taking place all next week, from Monday, February 8 to Thursday, February 11 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the McGinley Center. For $2, students and faculty members will be able to choose a gift, consisting of things such as chocolate lollipops, chocolate covered pretzels, candy, and other yummy Valentine's Day themed treats. They then fill out a heart-shaped note, and members of FFP will deliver the gift to your sweet heart!

Both of these events benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so they are for a great cause!

{Color Therapy}

2010-02-01T12:55:00.003-05:00

It is COLD out. I am definitely a seasons kind of girl, I love the challenge of dressing for the different types of weather and transitioning favorite pieces from season to season. But, alas, my layering efforts have become tired, and I keep reverting to the same look of skinny jeans/men's button down/scarf/boots. Not to mention cold weather, especially windy, NYC cold weather, makes most errands miserable.

I have spent a good part of this morning look through the archives on my computer, various blogs and websites, and my style.com lookbooks for some colorful inspiration to get me out of my winter-blues and looking forward to warmer weather.

{Apartment Therapy}

{Valentino, SS'07}

{Salvatore Ferragamo, SS'07}

{Marchesa, SS'07}

{Burberry Prorsum, SS'10}

{Urban Outfitters}

{Valentino, SS'07}

{Apartment Therapy}

{Diane von Furstenberg, SS'09}

{Personal photo, family vacation to Hawaii, June 2009}

{J. Crew}

{Apartment Therapy}

{Emilio Pucci, SS'07}

{Marimekko kimara hammock}

{Style.com}

** All runway images courtesy of style.com

{Feeling blue}

2010-01-28T23:24:00.004-05:00

So, I have a total case of blogger-envy at the moment: Tavi, the 13-year-old style blogger. Thirteen! And she has an amazing, quirky sense of style, has been shot by Tommy Ton of Jak&Jil Blog for Vogue, gets invited to Chanel couture, and is sent look books by tons of designers. Her list of envious experiences goes on and on, and again, she is thirteen. I can only hope that my blog will get to be so well known. Oh, what I would do to get invited to Chanel couture!

Anyway, Tavi recently died her hair blue. Which reminded me of a photo of Ashley Olsen with blue streaks in her hair that I saw back in November that I absolutely loved. After seeing colored hair on a lot of the spring runways, such as Proenza and Giles, and on fashionistas such as Dree Hemingway, I am convinced that it is something I want to try. Not now, but maybe in a month or two as the weather gets warmer.

{Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen}

{Proenza Schouler, SS'10}

{Giles, SS'10}

{Dree Hemingway}

What do you think?

{What's happening in FFP!}

2010-01-27T22:08:00.004-05:00

I have decided to begin a new posting series, "What's happening in FFP," to keep readers up-to-date with what is going on in Fashion for Philanthropy ("FFP"), the club I am currently vice-president of.

Fashion for Philanthropy is a great club because it combines fashion and style, a love of many students at Fordham, with charitable work, a must at a Jesuit university. FFP gives students the chance to be involved with something they love, while doing good for others. What could be better than that?

FFP's main goal is to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last year we raised close to $6,000! The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly a great cause, and one really close to my heart.

In November of my senior year of high school (almost four years ago, wow) my younger brother Jack, then nine-years-old, was diagnosed with leukemia. Needless to say, the road has been a little, at times very, bumpy since then. Our family life was completely turned upside-down. It was a non-stop roller coaster ride of treatments, sickness, scares, and unhappiness.

In March of 2009, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, my family and I were treated to a vacation at the beautiful Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, our first real family vacation since Jack's diagnosis. It was so nice to for once not have to worry about anything except sunburn and where to eat dinner. It was like a weight had been lifted off of all of our shoulders, if only for a little while. We laughed and spent time together like we hadn't since Jack's diagnosis. It was amazing.

{Hannah, me, Jack, and Connor on our first day.}

{Hannah, Jack, and Connor in the pool.}

{Jack, 11-years-old, in the Atlantis Marina Village.}

After seeing how much a granted wish truly changes a sick child and their family's life, I felt the urge to become even more involved with FFP and its fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish, hence, my candidacy and winning of vice president for the 2009-2010 school year.

So, now that you know what Fashion for Philanthropy is and what we do, I will be posting weekly about what is currently going on in the club. Spring is most definitely the busy season for FFP. On Friday, April 16, 2010 we will be holding our annual fashion show, and all our efforts until that day will be put into making the show as fabulous as can be, and to raise as much money ($10,000 would be lovelyyyy) as possible for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

{in⋅tern⋅ship[in-turn-ship]–noun: any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession}

2010-01-27T02:26:00.004-05:00

If stuffing, sealing, stamping, and mailing over 500 envelopes is considered "practical" experience for my future, then I guess I am in good shape and learning a lot from my current internship.

After such a long day, I would have loved to come home and take care of some work in a beautiful, interesting, and functional office such as this:

{Cottage Living}

Unfortunately I can not. Making the white walls of my dorm room an inviting and creativity evoking space is a challenge I try to tackle almost every day, usually without success. I tend to turn to blogs as a sort of "dream world" for the homes and rooms I would love to live in.

I have a feeling though that my next project for the week might help make my room a little better...

{New year, new beginnings}

2010-01-25T19:22:00.002-05:00

I have been trying to start a blog for a little over a year now. I am an avid reader of blogs (I follow about 30 on a day-to-day basis) and I am constantly being inspired by the creative people and ideas that I discover online.

How perfect, then, that one of my classes for the Spring 2010 semester, Writing for Online Media with Professor Strate, requires that we create, maintain, and post onto our own blogs at least three times a week.

While some students might find an assignment like this, worth 50% of our final grade, mind you, overwhelming, daunting, and annoying, I find it to be an enjoyable challenge. I am beyond excited to *hopefully* join the ranks and the friendly community of bloggers that I already love and enjoy following.

I'm a little hesitant to put into words what I hope for this blog to be about, because I know it will end up being a mix of fashion, home decor, NYC, crafting, my daily life, and happenings in Fashion for Philanthropy as we lead up to our big spring fashion show. I guess, for the sake of narrowing my interests down, this blog, in short, will be about things that inspire me. And trust me when I say that all of this is subject to change.

So here goes, and I hope you enjoy!