The Girl in the Pearl Earrings

Malaga Bound!

2010-04-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hello!! We did not have internet yesterday for some reason in my apartment, it was terrible. But I have exciting exciting news, I didn't think I was planning anymore trips but Becca and I found a flight to Malaga, Spain for this weekend for $100.00 round trip!!! My head exploded. I am so excited, here is a little peak at where I will be....

Me and my muffin top are going to be brown as a berry when I get back, temperature today in Malaga 80 degrees. Yummy.

Has anyone been here before or even to Spain, I don't speak spanish will this be a problem??

Tell me all you know!!

Happy Weekend!

2010-04-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hello!! I know that it has been about a week since I last posted and that is unfair to you, my lovley followers!! I hope that you can understand I have been really trying to fully immerse myself in the town and get to know as many of the people here. I have met really crazy people, really nice people, and people that make me loose faith in humanity (alittle dramatic).

Also I have been really benefitting from Skype! One of my best friends from high school has been in Iraq for four years, we have kept in touch through emails and things but I have not seen him since his high school graduation! Seeing him on skype was crazy. So when I am not reading all your blogs I am on skype!

All excuses aside, I will be back in action on Monday in full force!!

Also one more little shout out, today Tom and I have been dating for one year! It sinks that he is not here but he is traveling up to Nantucket this weekend to try and get a job so that he can spend the whole summer on the island with me!! Wish him luck!!

Have a great weekend!!

London Update!

2010-03-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

It has been a crazy week already here: I have walked my legs off, gone 3 days without any hot water in my apartment (me and cold showers do not get along), my best friend loosing her credit card, and spending lots of cash on trips. All in all I am having an amazing time, I might not leave (just kidding Tom). Since the last time I posted, I have no booked 98% of my big trips, and two shows!! Yay, for me. Boo, for my wallet!!

Here is what's going on in April:

1. Off to Isle of Wight, it is a small island of the southern coast of England. Becca and I are staying at a local B&B that has a friendly bulldog and we have an ocean view from our room!! get ready for pictures!!

2. At the end of April, I am going with friends to see Ricky Gervais's comedy show!!! AHHH, I don't know if I told you but I am o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d with him!!!

3. Literally the last day of the month I am going to see the Royal Ballet preform Cinderella, this is a trip through school and I could not be more excited. My 15 years of dance has made me such a sap for ballet!!

Here is how May is looking:

4. The first weekend I am going to Germany to meet my mom's best friend from college, she is graciously letting me bring two friends! She lives outside of Frankfurt and I am so excited!!

5. The second weekend I am going to Wales, this is my adventure weekend. Becca and I are going to be squeezed (picture threading a needle with a sausage) into a wet suit, and we get a helmet and a pair of water shoes. Then we are taking part in "Coasteering" which is getting from point A to point B on a coastline. This means throwing myself off cliffs/rocks, swimming in underwater caves, and scaling rocks, Oh and most important trying not to drown/die. I am actually secretly excited for this, I told Becca I would be very Catwomen on the loose in my wet suit. The second activity that i am doing is learning to surf, I am excited but also very nervous I am terrified of sharks and am convinced that I will get attacked! Does that happen near England??

Picture this!

6. The third weekend I am going to Paris, I have been there but can you really get enough of that city? I am planning on stuffing my face with amazing food, going to Versailles with my cousin Mackenzie (Design Darling Blog, check it out now!!!) and eat alot of cheese, bread and fruit. I love Paris and I cannot wait to get back!!

The month of May is shaping up to be a crazy busy time, and after our semester is over Becca and her family are taking me to Scotland with them to celebrate their Scottish heritage!!

Please tell me where you have traveled and where I should go, if I can afford it!!! Hope your week is going well!!

Sense of Urgency

2010-03-26T03:46:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone!! I realize that it is only 6am for you but I am four hours ahead which gives me a jump start on my blogging. Today is a very important day for Becca and I we are going to the Student Travel Agency here in London to book all of our weekend trips! I am so so excited, but also nervous that we have waited to long and the prices are going to be ridiculous. But either way the trips we want to go on are:

1. We have to choose one of these four:

Athens, Greece

Barcelona, Spain

Rome, Italy

Venice, Italy

Which should we choose, right now we can only see one because of our finances but have you been to any place that you would suggest??

2. Germany:My mom's college friend is letting us come visit and I could not be more excited!! Germany here we come!

3. Paris France/Versailles/Maybe Cannes??: Becca and I really want to go back to the eiffel tower and gardens of Versaille and then if we have any money left we can go to Cannes in the south of france!

Paris, France

Cannes, France

4. Adventure trip to Wales with school: This trip Becca and I signed up for and it is crazy, we are going to Wales with most of our school and we partake in hiking, cliff jumping (me in a watersuit with a helmet), ocean kayaking, surfing, and biking!! It is going to be so much fun!!

Wales,UK

5. Scotland: This is a trip that I was generously invited on with Becca and her family after our semester is over!! I cannot wait

Scotland, UK

Tell me about your travels, any places I should be sure to go??? Happy Weekend!

London meets France

2010-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the best day that I have had here so far!! My cousin Mackenzie of Design Darling and her brother and boyfriend came to London to visit! They had just come back from switzerland and had been awake since 4:30am but they rallied and we went out to dinner. It was so nice to see family!! Come back soon!! Mackenzie and I are planning a day trip to Versailles to picnic in the gardens, stay tuned for that post!

Counting down the days, to beautiful Versailles!!

So far in London, I have walked probably the circumference of the globe. Everyone here walks so so so fast, I am usually doing an awkward run walk to keep up with tour guides/professors...not cute. I had my first day of classes and I love every class! I am taking Cross Cultural Relations which is fascinating and then Psychology of Advertising and the Mass Media both are taught by the same professor and she is amazing and sassy. She wore a Chanel suit the first day, diva.

But today was my second day of classes and by far the most tiring, not mentally but physically. The class is the History of London and it is literally a history of london from the streets of london. So my very agile teacher, Professor Redfern guided our 15+ students around for two and a half hours at a full sprint. People here walk alot faster, Becca (best friend and partner in crime) and I are born strollers we like to move slow and take it all in. Redfern on the other hand takes no prisoners and walks at the speed of Seabiscuit, and does not blink if you almost get hit by a double decker bus ( close call today) or loose sight of him (also happened today) or just miss the train you had to be on (almost happened). He is crazy, but very intelligent and I think I will learn alot...if I can keep up!

This is what I want:

Company Uniform...Check

Big Smile...Check

Flag so I can see you at all times...Check

Little white gloves to show that you mean business, but you are also polite...Check

Take notes Redfern, see you Thursday and I'm bringing my sports bra!

I will hopefully post back on here tomorrow, Becca and I are attempting to get into a bar to see Laura Marling in concert, she is Becca's favorite singer and she is amazing and only preforms here in Europe. We do not have tickets but we are gonna give it our best shot!

Wish us luck!!

London!

2010-03-20T18:02:00.001-07:00

I have finally had a chance to post!!! I am for the most part settled into my Camden apartment. It has been crazy busy these last few days and I have so much to fill you in on! But I just wanted to come on and let you know I am still ALIVE and I will be posting more frequently now that I know my computer will no commit suicide when plugged in, which was a legitimate fear for the past few days!

Tomorrow I head off to Hampstead Heath which is suppose to have awesome views of the city, and then we are going shopping in the Camden Markets!! I will post pictures and share more stories tomorrow!! Thanks for hanging in there!!

Springing forward!

2010-03-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

I did not need to lose an hour!!!!

It has been the craziest/best/most stressful week ever, I know I know I haven't been on in forever but I faced packing for three months abroad in ONE bag, my computer hard drive crashing which ment loosing all of my music and photos, and bringing my brother home from New Hampshire for his spring break. I know it is no excuse to leave you all hanging but its going to be a bumpy ride until I am situated in London. Hang in there!!! I need all the support I can get!!

Fantasy.

Reality.

Today I head off to Philadelphia, to say goodbye to the boy ( big tear) and leave with my best friend Becca ( You will be hearing alot about our adventures soon!) for London on wednesday!

I will try try try to post again before I depart, I hope you all had a great weekend!!!

Under the Weather!

2010-03-07T22:24:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately and amazing weekend with my sister ended up with her giving me her cold! yay! I am feeling alittle under the weather, hopefully I will be back tomorrow or wednesday to show you the new hair color!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend!!

Feeling alittle like this guy!

Tortoise and the Hair!

2010-03-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

I think apologies are in order: I have been so busy these last few days getting ready for London and I have neglected my lovely readers. I would like to thank you for your patients and your comments they mean alot to me! I love reading them, and I love seeing that I have new followers!!! So thank you, thank you, thank you!! Well on to more cheerful things!! I am dying my hair on saturday morning!! I am so nervous, I have never dyed my hair before but my hair needs it. I have become Emily and the technicolor dream hair, I am sure you are wondering how I have multi-tonal hair when I have never dyed it well I'll let you in on something, my hair gets very light in the summer with alittle, okay alot of help from sun-in hair spray! So now that I have about 2.5 inches of dark hair and then lighter and then at the end blonde. When I have my hair in a pony tail, I am a brunette from the front and a blonde from the back...awkward. So I am dying it lighter to brighten up before Europe!! I realize that I will get roots but I figure the summer sun will help out and I can dye it again if I want next winter. Good plan? Am I delusional? Well either way, I am really controlling and I plan things out like crazy so I have put some pictures together so my hair dresser has an idea of what I want.

These are the desired colors:

I like K.Ripa's hair because you can tell she colors it but it has alot of highlights so her roots aren't BLAM in yo' face. I hope for this.

I picked this because it is the closest to my summer hair color, I like that it is an all over blonde but again she has sweet highlights in there too!

I like this color of the bottom of her hair, her bangs are alittle to "count the # of hightlights and you win 200 gum balls" sort of game.

My hairdresser is going to have an awesome time with all requests but this is why.

Fears:

Orange yellow hair...no words, just tears.

Over processed and fried. God I hope this isn't the official London look.

Do you color your hair, have you had any terrible mishaps that would make me want to cancel my appointment!???

Tell me everything and anything you know about dying hair, be nice because I am already having heart palpitations over this!

Thanks again for being such great readers, I will be back Monday to show you the new locks!!!

Happy Weekend!!

Super Duper busy day

2010-03-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Hello loyal readers, today is a super duper busy day for me, I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off getting last minute things for London. So I am going to leave you with a quote of the day and a picture of my future travels. I'll be back to post about my errands tomorrow!!!

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a great, and enthusiastic day!!

12 days to Philly, 13 to London!!

Wardrobe Inspiration Monday!!!

2010-03-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

Wardrobe Inspiration Monday is back and better than ever, today I am featuring my favorite housewife Bethenny Frankel! Since the Real Housewives of New York City is starting back up on thursday I thought who is better to inspire us this week than Bethenny! Enjoy!

I love that all of her dresses have structure to them, I really like the shoulders of this dress. It makes me want to buy more things with angles.

I want this dress! I am obsessed with navy blue, and I love that this dress is made of ribbon and is finished off with a bow! I also really like that she finds garments that show their worth in the details, this dress does not smack you in the face but you will defiantly get attention when you walk in a room.

I love this outfit not only because she is holding cupcakes but because this is a dress that does everything for you! It is tight around your ribs and then hangs gracefully on your hips, to hide all the batter you ate. Another great point is that you don't have to wear a ton of jewelry because the dress has it built in!

This is something that I would love to wear! The texture in the skirt is so fun, and lightens the mood of a plain black and white dress. Also that ring is amazing!!

There you have it, the wardrobe of a housewife full of inspiration! See you back here tomorrow!!

Korea before London!

2010-02-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I finally found a copy of Rosetta Stone Korean!!! I'm sure you are wondering why I need this. Well, I was informed by my asian beau that we are having dinner with his parents before I leave for London. There is only one problem, Tom's parents do not speak english very well, Tom is a great translator but in the heat of conversation he usually forgets that I don't speak Korean, and I am left in the dust. So in the hopes that they will see that I am trying as hard as they do, I will try and lock down the necessary phrases to get by. I have started and its a rocky road but I have 3 weeks and I am determined to speak korean to them at dinner! No matter how scared I will be!

All of this talk about Korea and their devastatingly hard language, makes me think about asian inspired rooms. Here are a few that I like:

I realize that these are not rooms, but they are asian inspired day beds! I love little nooks to snuggle up in, and with the wicker material it lets in just enough light to read or nap! I just want to grab my asian and read a book in there with him.

I think this is a great example of an asian inspired bedroom. It has a focus on natural colors and materials, which I love it is so calm and inviting. I also really like that the asian inspiration is no so literal they have a small bonsai and the parchment lights and the simple lines of the furniture!

I liked this dining room because of the asian accessories. I love the wallpaper because it is not in your face but it is simple and it flatters the room. The asian writing on the wall is alittle much but overall it has a subtle asian flavor.

This look might not work for everyone, but I really like the idea of floor pillows. Grated, I would like to have traditional seating in addition to the pillows but I like the way this looks! Do you?

This is how to rock a floor pillow, or atleast how I would. The furniture is low which makes the pillows not that out there and provides another expectable seating alternative. I also love the branches, that are a cool substitute for flowers.

Well I hope you all enjoyed this asian gallery, and wish me luck on learning Korean. Have a great weekend everyone, and I will meet you back here on Monday!

Finally!

2010-02-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Today is the day! I have my rain boots on and I am skipping down to the Red Box. It is the perfect movie day, for the September Issue!!! I have waited so long to see this and I am soooo excited!! I have a huge girl crush on Grace Coddington and I hear that she shines in this documentary!

I love you!

Well, I am off to the red box but I will be back here tomorrow to tell you how much more I love Grace Coddington!!

Have you see it? What did you think???

London Calling!

2010-02-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

I cannot wait to get to London, I have been looking at all of my friends pictures and it makes me so excited!!!! Just over 3 weeks left till I am abroad!! Yay!!

I would love some must see recommendations if you have been to Europe before!!

Let me know!

Until Tomorrow!

Interruption, for randomness.

2010-02-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up and realized that I am probably not going to change out of my pajamas, and I have some really random things I would like to share instead of Wardrobe Inspiration Mondays, don't worry it will be back next week. To start this foolishness off is the my Asian boyfriend is a wealth of the strangest knowledge in the world to prove it here, is the Blob Fish that he shared with me a few days ago:

Isn't this little bugger repulsive! This is actually a "fish" he is made up of gelatinous material and has no bones or muscles, and he floats in the water. He even drools when he is nervous, this is terrifying. Thank you Tom.

This is just a $1500.00 trunk that I like, nbd. WAYYY out of my price range, but a girl can dream...picture it getting off the plane of the tarmac with your sweet yellow trunk...sigh!

Moving on.

Don't laugh these are real, and Oprah likes them which means they are Hot, with a capital H! They are called Shuella (shoe.ella), they are "the lovechild of an umbrella and a shoe" This is offensive, if I had a pair of shoes worth protecting, I wouldn't wear them out in the rain...these are beyond awkward. What do you say when you see your friend in these, oh nice plastic bags on your feet. I don't get it, do you?

This is really random, and it might offend some of you, and I am sorry. But I was endless entertained when my friend sent this to me!!

Welp, I will see you back here tomorrow!!

Curse you Lent!

2010-02-19T09:57:00.001-08:00

So lent it here and I have decided to give up soda...I have not shared this with all of you but if I could have an iv drip of Coca-Cola I would. I can drink an endless amount of soda. But I think it is a great give up not only for Jesus but for my waist line.

Big drool.

Do any of you drink anything low in sugar that is delicious that I could substitute for my daily fix of soda??? HELP ME!!

Well I hope that all of you have great weekends here is a snapshot to get you off to a great start!

When I visit paris I will reenact this for all of you!

Happy Weekend! See you back here for Wardrobe Inspiration Mondays!!!

Good Morning!

2010-02-18T11:35:00.001-08:00

Talk about waking up on the right side of the bed, I received the most beautiful flower arrangement today from Tom. It was such a great unexpected surprise, and it makes being apart alittle easier. So since I am having such a great morning I am gonna share some smile worthy and cheerful pictures to brighten your day!!

I stumbled upon this picture and it is just too cute!

This is only on here, because I cannot wait until it comes out next week!

In exactly 1 month I will be in London!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed some of my warm and fuzzies, thank you for all your input on the jewelry I posted yesterday everyone's comments were so helpful!!!

See you back here tomorrow!

Make a Statement!

2010-02-17T12:56:00.000-08:00

In preparation for my study abroad I have been buying staple pieces, like sweaters, alot of solids and only a few printed unique pieces. I just feel that I am going to be wearing the clothes I bring over and over again and I want pieces that I can mix and match easily. I recently talked to a friend that is currently studying in London and told me that the fashion is crazy, and she cannot wait for me to see. I dress fairly conservatively and I would consider my wardrobe a bit on the preppy side of things. So hearing that my classic wardrobe might stick out like a sore thumb, I am planning on getting some cool accessories to brighten up the repetitive wardrobe! Here is what I am thinking:

This is a sassy piece from J.Crew it is out of my price range but I think I could find something along these lines. I think it would look really cute with a sweater or with a dress for an evening out! Versatility is the KEY!

This is also J.Crew it is still kind of expensive because it is gold, and brass with glass pave stones. I love the chain link design!

I have had my eye on this for awhile! My family has been going to Nantucket every summer since I was born, and I really want a gold basket on a skinny gold chain. I realize that this is not the statement piece that I am hoping to rock overseas. But maybe a going away gift from my mom? Wishful thinking, I know!

Ruffle my feathers Tory Burch! I love the bright blue of the fathers, and I like the relaxed style of the neck strap.

Tory Burch clear resin bangles with feathers in them are amazing, on the website you can see them on an arm, and it looks like you have feathers dancing on your arm! Flawless.

Since I have been dating my architecturally savvy asian, I am really appreciating angles and shapes and this statement cuff is great!!!!

Please let me know if you know of any places that have great statement jewelry!!

See you back here tomorrow!!

Weekend Recap and Wardrobe Inspiration Mondays!!

2010-02-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

This weekend my boyfriend came to visit and I wanted everything to be perfect!! He got here on thursday night and stayed to sunday night!! I had jammed packed days, and I tried to make the most of ever second together because I haven't seen him in a month and now I have to wait till March to see him again!! Boo. But here are some snap shots of our weekend!

First things First we Skyped with my bestfriend to say Hi, and that Tom arrived safely.

He was over tired, I was over excited.

Saturday we went into Boston!! I was a tour guide, to the best of my abilities and Tom was a typical tourist with his camera out and backpack on!! Too cute.

My favorite stop was in Anthropologie on Boyltson Street. They had the most beautiful things, see it through me eyes and Tom's lens!!

My life revolves (literally and physically) around these knobs, I love creative door knobs and Anthro has 6 turnstiles of them!!

I am obsessed with this wooden flower, I would use this as my front door knob! Do you love it?

Then I came across these:

"Handmade in Haiti with recycled materials"

These are made of news paper and cardboard, and are hand painted!!

That night we ate at Samurai Boston and I had Sushi and a Korean dish for the first time. I struggled alittle because they did not have utensils just chopsticks, unlike Tom I have not had 21 years of practice but I worked it out!

This is Bulgogi, it is Korean style BBQ beef strips...AMAZING!

Then Sunday we were noodles and just hung around the house until I had to take him to the airport (big tear) but it was a great weekend!!!

Now...

Wardrobe Inspiration Monday's is proud to present the wardrobe of:

Reese Witherspoon!

I love the all black look, and she has sweet shades!

I like the casual feeling of this outfit, and the pop of color from the necklace is great!

This skirt is awesome, J.crew has a very similar one on sale right now! And I think I see red soles, drool!!!!

I like the way these shoes make her feet and legs look, the skinny tie at the top elongates her leg and makes her look much taller!

This is a really young, fun outfit. I really like the print of the skirt, this outfit is really versatile.

This is a drool worthy dress and belt combo, I love! You could wear this now with tights and boots, or when it gets warmer with these gladiator style sandals.

I hope you can all find some inspiration from this wardrobe, see you back here tomorrow!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T17:49:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Everyone!!

See you back here tomorrow for a recap of my weekend with the boyfriend, and for wardrobe inspiration Monday's!!

Best Day Ever!!

2010-02-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay yesterday, it took all day to find the perfect glasses and for my persciption to be put in but here they are:

They are tortoise Ray Bans, and I am in love! What do you think?

So this post is the shortest of the short because Tom (asian boyfriend) has been trying to come visit me for over a month now and his flight for tomorrow was cancelled but thank god he was able to fly out tonight!! So I am running around cleaning and getting ready!!

We have plans to go to Boston this weekend and explore the city with his new camera so there will be pictures of our adventures on monday!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

Four Eyes!

2010-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

Today, I finally got an appointment at the eye doctor and found out that I am near sighted ( I cannot see far away). This problem became very apparent on my 8 hour drive home from school before Christmas. Now that we have the prescription, we just need the glasses. I have never had glasses and I would love all of your opinions on what to choose, I googled a few celebs in glasses to get me in the spirit of things!!!

Tina Fey: These look nice on her face but I think the frames me be alittle thin?

Chloe Sevigny is one of my favorite stars/designer but these glasses may be alittle too funky. I only have to wear my glasses to drive, watch tv and movies so maybe I could go for something alittle goofier because I won't have them on 24/7.

Benjamin Franklin? Julia Roberts is fabulous but I don't know how I feel about a round frame. What do you think?

With these glasses I could glare at Stephanie Pratt too! LC rocks the square frames which I am a big fan of.

Jennifer Garner, mom on the run. These glasses with no bottom frames are something too think about but they may be an older style. Thoughts?

Well I am off to shop for the perfect frames! Come back here tomorrow and see what I chose, if I am luck enough to find one today!! Fingers crossed!

Wardrobe Inspiration Monday!!!

2010-02-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

Happy monday everyone! To kick off my first ever “Wardrobe Inspiration Mondays” where every Monday I will showcase a celebrity, designer, or well anyone with style to find inspiration from them for the up coming week! Our first wardrobe belongs to (drum roll please) Zooey Deschanel!!! I think she is exquisite in a really classic way, and her wardrobe is the bomb. I will not waste any more time here is her wardrobe:

This is from her Cotton Inc. campaign, I love navy and with her blue eyes, a.m.a.z.i.n.g!

This is also from that Cotton Inc. ad, I love this outfit because it looks comfortable and it looks like something you could find at many different price points, making it attainable for any budget. Yay!!

Look at her eyes! Blue makes her eyes pop and she knows it work that blue!!

Before we talk about the outfit can we just look at that wall!!! The blue framed in the white and the almost seersucker paper under the chair rail, I want it!!!! The outfit is a cute and casual look that looks like she stepped off the pages of a J.Crew catalogue.

She looks great, there isn't anything special about the dress I really just liked the bike! I'm in the market for a bike and I like this color!

I love this picture, it is so romantic (not just because of the heart) the lighting, her almost weightless dress, it is just breathtaking.

This is alittle look at her red carpet look. She doesn't take it so seriously and I love that, this shifty little outfit is adorable something I need for London night life I think!

Finally, a clip from 500 Days of Summer (great movie, netflix it!). I love high waisted shorts, but my 5'2'' frame always looks alittle silly but these nautical theme shorts are awesome.

I hope you all can find come inspiration for your wardrobe this week!!

See you all back here tomorrow!!

Friday!

2010-02-05T08:52:00.001-08:00

This is going to be short and sweet! It is finally nice out, which makes for the perfect errand day! So before I leave you all for the weekend here is a relaxing shot to start the weekend right!

Exhale. Bring on the weekend!

I will meet you all back here on monday for (drum roll please) Wardrobe Inspiration Mondays! This is a new weekly post that will include an array of photos showcasing a celebrity, designer, or well anyone with style, and we will collectively drool over their wardrobe and hopefully get inspiration of our own for the week ahead!

Travel Essentials!

2010-02-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

I will be leaving for London in 6 weeks and I am trying to pull everything together! I have been taking advice from everyone, I've talked to friends and family that are abroad now about what are the best things to bring with me in terms of clothes! The best advice has come from my cousin Mackenzie (of Design Daring, Check it out: http://mackenziehoran.blogspot.com) she is in France now and has shared with me "NO sweatshirts, its a bull's eye on your american back" I don't wear sweatshirts so it should not be that big of a deal, either way I am loading up on the sweaters!!! I have rain boots and a rain coat, but today as I grabbed the mail I saw the Lands End catalogue. I have never had anything from them except tote bags but they have really stepped it up, it is very J.Crew inspired but they had some cool waterproof coats. If anyone has any tips from your travels I would love your advice!!!!!! Below is some outfits of my favorite stars and designers that I am inspired by to hopefully replicate before I leave, so I can look stylish abroad!

I love Blake Lively, I think the skinny jeans and the big coat and scarf looks awesome. It is simple but it shows you tried!

I realize that these looks are expensive but I love the coats and the way the put all of the outfits on Gossip Girl together. I get alot of inspiration from the layering and the color pallets they use on the show. xoxo gossip girl

Leighton Meester is also a Gossip Girl, I love her style on the show but these two pictures of her off camera style I think are right up my ally. I love the layering of the sweater over the dress and then belting it! Also blazer crush alert, I love this navy blazer especially paired with a simple white v-neck t-shirt makes it casual enough for day time and with the right accessories can be a great night look.

These are three looks inspired by the show. These pictures make me want to buy some bright tights. American Apparel trip anyone?

Rachel Bilson's wardrobe is awesome, she has so many timeless pieces that she accessorizes so well she never looks the same.

Jackets, Jackets, Jackets! Olivia Palermo always looks awesome to me. I love her jackets in these shots. I have alot of jackets, but I usually pass them over in my closet because I don't know how to wear them. I'll take some tips from Olivia, and the blazers and coats are in my suitcase and a sure thing in London.

Do you like the big bell bottoms? I have wide leg jeans but I don't have any bell bottom, do I need them? I usually like a darker wash but she is flawless in my eyes.

This is something that I wear now. I think that when I bring it to London, maybe I'll swap the sandals for boots or flats with one of my blazers would make it abroad appropriate!

I hope these looks inspire you too! Let me know if you have any travel secrets, or wardrobe essentials that would be great abroad!! I need all the help I can get!!

Mrs. O

2010-02-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Michelle Obama is amazing, she is a strong (physically and mentally), confident, and an amazing dresser. She gets alot of criticisms about possibly putting style over substance, but in my opinion she is a great role model she supports women's rights, organic food, and the economy. But politics aside, it is clear she has become a style icon, gracing the covers and pages of all the best magazines. Yes, I have a girl crush on her but her wardrobe is heart stopping! From her day to day looks to her gowns, I love it all!

Well hello sunshine!

I love this look, I am a big fan of layering and I love that she wears a big belt over it all. She just looks awesome.

I think this neckline is striking! I love this shape dress.

Her arms...make me want to lift weights 24/7

I really like this dress, on me it would completely wash me out, but on her even dark skin it pops. I think she chooses her color wardrobe so carefully, and ultimately she always ends up looking pulled together.

AHH I want this outfit, it fits her so well, it looks comfortable and the plum color is so delicious I can taste it.

This is another outfit that I envy, Michelle was a guest judge on iron chef on the foot network. I love her flower pin, and this color combo is great on her, and it matches Chef Mario Batali's crocs and socks. And of course I left Alton Brown in there because he is flawless.

This glittery, gray, strapless Peter Soronen gown looks amazing on her and it showcases those guns!

Michelle Obama knows exactly how to mesh high fashion and main stream fashion. She has an eye for classic, timeless pieces that she is willing to invest in. You will see her wearing accessories and outfits more than once, which I think is great! No matter what your political views are you can appreciate this wardrobe.

DON'T FORGET:

Millionaire Matchmaker is on tonight and that crazy lady from last season is back! YAY!

See you back here tomorrow, ps. my routine is working out really well!

Best Foot Forward.

2010-02-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

Usually the beginning of the week is kicked off by mumbles and grumbles of those going to work. Lucky or rather unlucky for me, I still don't have a job so Mondays are just another day! In the search to make the hours go by alittle faster I now have a "routine" my mom says its good for me, you are never to old for your mom's advice, right?! So I joined our local gym, to get my muffin top under control, I run alot of errands mostly to the post office (remember my run in with the marble) to mail the things I sell online! I also have taken up cleaning and decorating the house. So in the absence of an income, I have sweat, bruises, and dust! I could not be happier, honestly. So with my new routine I am trying to put my best foot forward and make the most of the day. Which makes me think of feet which incidentally makes me think of shoes :) Here are some pretty and scary shoes that I hope brighten your Monday!

These are from J.Crew's Spring 2010 line, I love them!

OK, I know what your thinking that rain boots are not a go to shoe or even close to glamorous. I beg to differ, I just got a pair of these and now I hope for the rain! They are so easy to walk in and they look really cute!

I really like the shape of these, and they are from Old Navy so you can't been the price!

I really want Tory Burch flats in yellow, but I cannot find them online or in the store. Does anyone know anything about this!!

Before I die I will own a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. Nothing is sexier than those red soles, at least in my opinion.

Props to the Alexander McQueen model that wore these, and didn't die.

Also Alexander McQueen, I always wonder who would wear these...

Oh right, Lady Gaga.

Well I hope these pictures inspired you or made you laugh alittle! I'll be back here tomorrow to let you know how day 2 of the routine is going!!

Flower Flowers Flowers

2010-01-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

As you all know I have been unemployed for almost a month, which means I have had alot of tv time. I keep coming face to screen with the overstock commercial for valentine's day, and they have those awesome hot pink gerber daisys which puts me in the mood for spring, I want flowers no more snow!!

I love flowers, I would accept them for any occasion!

One of my favorite quotes is "The Earth Laughs in Flowers" Ralph Waldo Emerson, which makes me want to garden! Here are some flower arrangements and gardens that such a seasonal tease.

This is just a little slice of the gardens at the Versailles Palace, which are absolutely breath taking. I wandered around those gardens last summer constantly catching my jaw, from the flowers to the fountains, and the sculpted hedges...It is amazing!

Martha Stewart is one of my heros, not in the financial world but because of her green thumb. Now this is not the typical garden she mixes veggies and her flowers. This is so green and so welcoming, I would have garden parties all the time if this was mine!

Some flowers don't have to be on the ground or in a pot. This little cottage in Sconset is so beautiful on its own but with the roses creeping up the lattice and the hydrangeas framing the door it is something out a dream.

Have a great rest of the weekend, and there looks like there is a job on the horizon!

Wish me luck, I'll be back here monday!!

New vs. Old

2010-01-28T10:40:00.001-08:00

Last night I was watching Greater Boston with my dad and we were listening to these people talk about this new robot that the Harvard Book Store has, it's called Paige M. Gutenborg, affectionally just Paige. This robot can print a book in 4 minutes, all the book store worker has to do is search the book online, find it, plug it into Paige's computer and she will print it while you look around the store!!!! The book comes out looking just like another book off the shelf, completely bound and with a shiny cover! The debate was is this better than a Nook or a Kindle? Do people like the tangible book in their hands, or is the technology too cool to pass up? Personally I like the library, I just like the way the books smell and secretly I like dealing with the crabby women that work there! I currently have two poetry books checked out (they are my favorite to read) and I just like the idea of reusing, you can enjoy the book and not kill another tree! Below there is some pictures of home library's that are drool worthy, a glimpse of Paige, and of course an item of lust of mine! Enjoy!

Do you like library books, or are you a Nook person? Is new always better?

Karl Lagerfield's library.

Item of Lust:

This book was inspired by the Sex and the City scene when Carrie is reading love letter to Big, it actually didn't exist at the time of the movie but since alot of people (including me) wanted it, Ursula Doyle collected love letter and added alittle history for each! I want this book so bad, but the library only has one copy and there are 2 holds on it already...

Until tomorrow! Have a great Thursday!

The job hunt continues!

2010-01-26T16:21:00.000-08:00

It is time to let you all in on my current crisis...I don't have a job. For the last month I have applied at every job you can think of: almost every job in the mall, substitute teacher, gas station attendant, Chipotle burrito roller, nursing home dinning room staff, david's bridal, LA fitness, every grocery store in a 15 mile radius. The problem is that I leave the second week of March to go to London, which is only 6 weeks so no one will hire me for such a short time. Have any of you had a short term job? If so where!!?? Today I applied at some more places, including a call center. I would really appreciate any pearls of wisdom on this subject!!!

I am trying to be optimistic and I will resume the job hunt tomorrow! Until then here is some random eye candy!

Shoe Crush: J.Crew Patent Tortoise Flats

Hope you enjoyed this small buffet of amazing-ness!!

See you tomorrow!

Case of the Mondays!

2010-01-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

I don't really understand why people say they have "a case of the mondays" but I am using it today. It rained sideways today, all day. Of course I had errands to run: 1. fix my ipod: I was at the apple store for an hour and a half and they told me it was broken and they could not help me...perfect. 2. GameStop: I told my brother I would sell all of his video games at GameStop, the girl behind the counter clearly hated her job, and when I asked her if I could sell these games she gave me a look like I had just asked her for her first born child. Finally I reached the post office to mail flip flops I sold on Ebay. Everyone at the post office was helpful the problem occurs on the steps out front. Let me paint you this picture...I am finished at the post office feeling great that I got everything done so I am some what scuffing my feet down the wet marble steps behind a literally 500 year old man, and all of a sudden I loose my footing and eat it. I manage to grab the railing which made me land on my right hip, ouch. I mumble a few choice words as I pull myself together and stand up. At this point my entire town has seen me (in my neon yellow north face rain coat) fall, now 15 people rush to my side, I let the crowd know that I am fine and limp off to my car, mortified.

Beware of wet marble steps.

So now I am going to watch Big Love that came on my netflix today and go to bed because my entire body hurts. But I will be back here tomorrow with some more uplifting topics!!

Weekend Finds: Urban Outfitters

2010-01-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

On a lazy saturday, I find myself perusing the Urban Outfitters website and have become obsessed with their home good section. My best friend and roommate from school works at Urban and has introduced me to the brand and I have not been disappointed yet. Here are some things I loved:

I love the peacock coloring/theme in this rug.

If you like this wallpaper la maison boheme blog has some

other amazing ones that you may like as well.

This is all wood and just snaps together!

If you like alot of color!

Just for fun-sies!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday!!!

Alittle Corky!

2010-01-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

I have diagnosed my mother as a hoarder. Yesterday...all day, we worked on cleaning off her bulletin boards. This was a daunting task but had to be done because you could not walk past without knocking something off. Underneath all the rubble we found

some cool quotes/inspiring stories:

So we did find some great things and cleaned up ALOT of clutter, but in all the mess I found myself day dreaming of a new bulletin board, here are some that I liked:

painted in my favorite color!

and how much do you love this chair!

These are squares of carpet, a great solution that you can switch around easily.

This is made of magazines that are super packed together, you can use push pins on it just like a normal bulletin board! Also there is room in between the pages to slide things in! Very green solution, you can go to blisstree.com this board is only 20$

They have a covered cork, as the entire back of the home office!

Does anyone have any other bulletin board ideas that could help to reduce clutter and be able to see all of this little treasures? Let me know!!!

See you back here tomorrow!

2010-01-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

It has finally stopped snowing! Yay!!! Ok I don't hate snow but I am not a fan of the freezing winds that we had yesterday. But now with the "warmer weather" I am dreaming of summer on Nantucket with my family and having an amazing party with the perfect table setting!

Maybe something with organic colors and little bits of nature (granted we are not going to find cherry blossoms just lying on the ground, but we could make it work)!

I love these candles!

I love how colorful this is!

I think this would be perfect for the summer, I want those pom poms!!!

Today's item of Lust: So I was flipping through the February Elle with Jenny from the block on the cover and I stumbled upon this amazing ring!

How beautiful is this! I bow down Cartier.

I am really getting into gold jewelry, are you??

Where do you get your jewelry? Any good spots we should all know about?

I am going to go a drool over this image all day but I'll be back here tomorrow!!

See you then.

A bright partnership!

2010-01-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

As I sit in my room watching 16 candles stuffing my face with my sister's homemade banana bread, and I watch the rain/snow/hail/misery fall from the sky and I look around and wish I had some new cozy bedding to make the weather alittle less depressing. I work at a Lilly Pulitzer store and I am proud to announce that Lilly has joined forces with Garnet Hill and has started making bedding again!! Take a look!

You likie the pink?

But I likie the blue!

I don't know if I am bold enough to put all these prints together but I love the blue coral print sheets and the aqua citrus comforter, don't you just wanna curl up in there!

That's right, they don't just have bedding they have bath stuff too. I would use these in my room too, I love the colors and the prints.

I have worked for this company for the past 5 summers I know that shit can get alittle crazy. I love Lilly in moderation but some people do not know when to say no! Here are some examples:

This is not that crazy but I can see that they have the fabric on the closet doors and on the curtains, and Lilly does not sell that fabric so this person has really hunted for this!

No words.

So remember everyone, Lilly in moderation...Please!

Come back here tomorrow for my favorite table settings!!!

Holler Back.

A night in Review

2010-01-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

The rain was no damper for the stars and especially was not a problem for the winners! But the star of the red carpet was our sprightly little Billy Bush, who was leaping,dodging, ducking and showing us his active side dodging puddles and umbrellas. This weather although very exciting to see Billy move this way, it really hurt his interview skills, he cut in, interrupted, and ducked away from people too soon...very awkward. Better luck next year Bush!

Even the amazing Tina Fey didn't know what to do, here she is looking to the camera for help.

So lets talk about fashion!!!!

I LOVED....

Jennifer Aniston is flawless in her Valentino couture dress, and her Versace shoes. Flirty, and adorable with Gerard Butler when presenting...does anyone know if they are officially dating or is that just my wishful thinking?

Amazing, just enough leg to get attention...but not get raped!

Kate Hudson looked amazing, flying solo (no one needs A-Rod) and had the best silhouette by far in her Marchesa strapless silk gown, and her amazing Casade's signature 3504 triple platform pumps, that I am sure are great for puddle jumping!

Chloe Sevigny rocked the ruffles, in her rose colored Valentino dress. I was so happy that she won for Big Love which is a new obsession of mine (watch it!). I cannot believe that the stage person ripped her dress, it wasn't the fall I was hoping for but still pretty good!

January Jones was a mad women in her black Lanvin gown and looked awesome, I loved that she has a head band! She also carried herself really well when dealing with the crazy hobbit Bill Bush on the red carpet!

Julia Roberts....I saved the best for last! She went casual this year which is exactly what I would have done, just keeping it simple! With all the puddles to jump she picked a phenomenal, short, black, vintage Yves Saint Laurent dress and her a.m.a.z.i.n.g Van Cleef & Arpels necklace!!!!!! This has to be my favorite outfit!!!

HONORABLE MENTION...

Drew Barrymore she looked really nice, the reason she is only in honorable mention category is because I didn't like her hip chinchilla I liked it on her shoulder but not the hip! But she is adorable, does anyone know if she and Justin Long are dating? Ok, I am really creepy and I made sure to really pay attention when she won and she mouthed "I love you" to him!! Granted I have done that to my mother but still I like them together so I will read into any situation I want to!

Emily Blunt the luckiest women in the world because she is engaged to John Krasinski! I liked her dress but I didn't love it she looks really nice in the jewel tones which I wish she would have worn but this pale number is not my favorite but her arm candy makes up for it!

OH HELL NO!!!!!!!

(the worst of the worst)

Cher #1 Who invited her #2 Who dressed her #3 WHYYY! She looks absolutely crazy and her botox has since paralyzed her entire face, and she could barely talk when presenting with X-tina who by the way looked awesome, but nothing could save this Morticia Adams inspired look.

Mariah Carey you cradle robber, put those fun bags away! She seems to think that she is a dainty "Kate hudson A-cup" and can simple tack herself down...WRONG! She looks like a packed sausage that is exploding out the top. My brother pointed out that she physically overwhelms her barely full grown husband. This whole situation is terrifying.

Christina Hendricks is a Mad Women that needs to be arrested, NOW! I do not like this ensemble at all, she is a very pasty women, and this dress is rivaling the color of her skin and that makes me very uncomfortable. Someone also should have told her that she needs to have a little more fabric to wrestle those girls back into her dress. I love ruffles but not in this color and not on this mad women. Better luck next year Hendricks!

After all the stars made their way into the auditorium, it was time to start the show. I loved Ricky Gervais he did a great job and keep that night rolling. All of the speeches were so cute, they all thanked their families which I think is the most important and sometimes takes a back seat to agents, directors, and cast.

Some notable moments...

#1. Monique's Speech: OMG she spoke so eloquently and moved me to tears. She talked about her husband that she has been with since she was 14! Ohhh it was amazing and she really set the bar high for all the other winners.

#2. Michael C. Hall winning best actor in a drama series (Dexter, amazing show start watching it and you'll fall in love with a serial killer too). He was adorable, wearing a hat to disguise his fight with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He is awesome and he said Hi to his mom!

#3. Chloe's dress getting ripped, was awesome. It was awful to see this beautiful dress get ripped but her reaction was awesome. She yelped, that's right she yelped and she could barely compose herself to make her speech. But I love her anyway!

#4. Robert Downey Jr's speech: I loved that he called his wife out, He said," I'd like to thank Susan Downey for telling me Matt Damon was going to win, do no to bother writing a speech" It was awesome.

Overall that night was great, from the fashion, to Ricky Gervais all around awesome!!

Now that I have had my fill of fashion I will show you some awesome bedding tomorrow that I NEED!!!! See you back here tomorrow!!

Drum Roll Please

2010-01-17T09:19:00.001-08:00

Tonight is the Night! The Golden Globes are on tonight and are hosted by one of my favorite people Ricky Gervais. He is very sexual, British, and brought me The Office, so I bow down. I am very excited to see the red carpet because super gorgeous love to hate couple "Brangelina" will not be there so another couple better step up (cough Emily Blunt and John Krasinski cough cough)! Selfishly I hope that there are some Office humor, Meryl Streep should win everything (big girl crush), and finally I hope that for a trip, I know I know it sounds terrible but I love a good fall! Fingers crossed!

You are too cute! Do not disappoint me!

You know she is only thinking about adopting.

adoptmeplease

Well tune back in here tomorrow and check out my red carpet review!

Back to School....

2010-01-16T15:57:00.001-08:00

What happened today.... So the time has come that my big sister Sarah and my younger brother Christopher head back to school after the Christmas break. To an outsider this would seems like a simple task, wrong, it requires a trip to Costco (a wholesale food distributer that my mom swears by to restock our fridges after school breaks)...one of the most entertaining and terrifying places I have ever been, and here is why. The craziness begins in the parking lot where we are faced with a Nigerian man screaming and pointing at me, mom and Sarah un-doubtable cursing us...perfect. We walk in and are forced to select a cart, but not just any cart these carts look like they are on steroids because they are five times the size of a normal cart. The big beast that we select has one broken wheel that has since been replaced with an empty roll of tape, some sick joke I'm sure. So we shop around and find 283,348 things that "we need" and then head to check out where Sarah and I wrestle our cart into line only to be greeted by the expulsion of toxic gas and potentially feces from the kind guest in front of us...nice. Finally we reach the check out, our register ringer was a big black man that has a special eye on Sarah (big smile, bigger wink) who consequently finds herself sandwiched between carts behind the counter and within inches of her new chocolate best friend...this was endlessly amusing to me, and the perfect ending to a perfect shopping trip. Until next time Costco!!

Days till London:74
Miles from Asian Beau and Heterosexual Life Partner Becca: 310.91 miles
Job Status: On hold until tomorrow

Here we go...

2010-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Seeing how this is my second post it shouldn't be so hard right? My name is Emily I am 20 years old and a full time fashion merchandising student in Philadelphia, but I am currently home awaiting my study abroad semester in London that starts in March! I could not be more excited. I was inspired and ultimately convinced to start blogging by my cousin! I plan to talk about fashion, home decor (which is essentially the fashion of your house), and daily hilarity's that I encounter! Since this is my first blog I really appreciate constructive criticism and of course comments!

Now timidly with asian beau by my side I will officially start blogging tomorrow!

First Post

2010-01-15T16:35:00.003-08:00

This is to test my colors, because I do not know how to use this yet!