Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn keeps popping up in my life recently, which is so random but I'm certainly not complaining! When I was home for Thanksgiving, we made a few trips to the mall and so my mom and I took some time to get lost walk around. Furniture stores used to be forms of punishment at the mall so it's so funny to me that I could probably spend an hour in one section now. I guess that's the price of growing up...

If nothing else, I like to just look at the displays. I'm fascinated with presentation of furniture and odds and ends, just because I don't think I could really "stage" anything very well. I'll stop rambling now and just share the pictures I took that make me want to just move into the showroom.

are the notebooks and coffee table books included?

I said that PB has been popping up in my life and that's no joke! When I came back to school, I overheard a couple girls talking about Pinterest and how they love following Pottery Barn. Okay, so 1) why I have yet to follow PB (I now follow them and you should too!) and 2) I don't have the adequate time needed to look at every. single. pin. So that will be a winter break task, I suppose. I seriously feel like a 30 year old woman when I walk through these stores and think about furnishing a house, but a girl's gotta dream! 

Side note, I didn't take this picture but don't you just want every single one of these blankets? Yeah, me too! 

0 to Christmas, Real Quick

Halloween is barely over, but the holidays are quickly approaching.

The gifts shops here at Purdue already have their Christmas trees up (not kidding), Starbucks has holiday drinks and cups, and... Burberry has done it again.

The past couple of years, Burberry has been making these holiday short films. They're the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit, which is sad and exciting at the same time. Because I'm so in love with the fashion house, I have to share.

Watch the Film Here

Don't worry, no Christmas music yet...

which makes it a little more appropriate :)

the Cleanse

Around this time, everyone is talking about cleansing themselves-

mostly health cleanses, to make up for the awful eating habits that form during the holidays. But, I'm thinking a new cleanse. For myself, I'm thinking a back-to-myself cleanse. College has been great so far this semester. I've made great friends and I've had a blast through it all! But, I was always warned about the way people change at school. Sure, I think that many of my changes have been for the better- I've become more comfortable with myself and have put myself out of my comfort zone more in this one semester than the rest of my life combined. I've grown to trust the girls on my floor and peers more than ever before. I've learned that I can survive (and function) on less sleep and more coffee if that means that I don't have to miss out on a basketball game or a late-night adventure. But, this freedom hasn't been all good...

Lately I've been watching more TV and reading less. I've been eating more junk food and less substance. I've been going to sleep with my makeup on and waking up feeling disgusting. I've been using language that I regret later and thinking thoughts that I'd never want to say out loud. And, I've been spending a lot of time in my head- over thinking instead of taking action. 

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"but, isn't that what college is about- pizza and slurred words?" 

Maybe, but it isn't who I want to be. I've changed for better and for worse in these past few months. And, in a few days I'll be going home. I'll get asked about how school is going and I'll say that it's hard but fun. I'll talk about how I've already learned so much about myself and what I love (and what I hate). The reflections always make me miss being at school, but I feel as if the holidays will be a time for a self-cleanse, too. A chance to get back with family, feel the warmth of having adults in the room and the love of the Christmas Spirit. I can't wait to have the weight of classes off my shoulders and the encouragement of those who know me best to help me remember the girl I am.

It's not that I'm severely unhappy with who I am or how things are going. In fact, if life continued in this fashion I'm positive that I'd be okay. I'd get my degree and I'd have fun in the process. But, I'd certainly wish that I'd changed long ago. I'd wish that I had taken control of my life when I had the chance... and by "taken control of my life" I mean think happier, nicer thoughts and eat less junk food, read more books and watch less Kardashians. I'd wish that I spent less time online shopping and more time out experiencing Purdue. And there's no real way to see how my life may go or how I'm going to change. All that I know is that my years spent here have the ability to make me or break me. Naturally, I want to be made. But I don't want to be molded, I want to build myself through thought, discovery and learning. If I go through these years absently absorbing the college lifestyle without hindrance, I don't think I'll gain what I'm looking for. And that is exactly why I feel the need for a back-to-myself Cleanse to regain who I am, re-prioritize my choices, and to appreciate the personal gains I've made this semester.

While I doubt my eating habits will change, a chance to get back to reading and not always being surrounded by at least 30 girls will be nice. While I love being at school, a purging of the negative side-effects will be greatly appreciated. Hopefully, I'll come back from this cleansing feeling less burnt out, more like myself, and ready for more college! 

Great Coats

I mentioned earlier that I somehow came to college without a big warm coat...

I've lived in the midwest my whole life, so it wouldn't be off to assume that I own a big, warm coat for the winter... but I don't. I guess I've always been resistant to the idea of coats. They're big, bulky, and just as hassle. But I've come to accept that a coat is a necessity... but that doesn't mean that it has to make me look like an eskimo. I've been on the hunt for a stylish and warm look, and I've managed to find a few contenders:

J. Crew

Barbour

Ralph Lauren

So it's apparent that I'm liking the "cocoon" look right now. Really, I just hate when my neck is cold. I always wear scarves and have recently fallen in love with turtlenecks and their endless layering options. Of course, if I had to pick the coat- you know, the one that would be my dream coat? Well, feast your eyes: 

The Burberry Trench. Coming in just under $2,000... it's certainly not practical for my currently lifestyle or position. I'm not counting on this showing up in my closet anytime soon, 

But, it sure is fun to dream.

Hometown Pride

I regularly find myself daydreaming of being somewhere else or doing something else...

And I know this isn't good... or healthy. It's to the point that I feel guilty for wishing that I'd grown up somewhere different or that I wasn't "stuck" in the midwest. I'm consciously trying to change this habit- love where I'm from and embrace my surroundings while they're I'm here. Honestly, it's extremely hard since the midwest doesn't always offer that big city excitement that I see in movies or in the lives of others. And my major has me pretty strapped down to my studies without much room for fulfilling "daydreams". I'll be the first to say that this is annoying and unbearable at times, but I'm trying to manage my place and my time to benefit my life in the greatest way possible. 

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I get most of my ideas and inspiration from other forms of media, so it was only a matter of time before I came across articles of Angela Ahrendts and her time at Burberry. Or, more importantly, the fact that she is from a small town 15 minutes away from my house. From New Palastine, Indiana to London and Burberry, I was inspired more than ever before. She went to college at Ball State and lived her dreams from there. Once I made all the connections and understood her path to "power", something in my settled. 

Contrary to what I'd read and seen everywhere else, I realized that I don't need to be anywhere else or study anything different to get where I want to be. I don't need to move and live in a tiny, expensive apartment. I don't need to dislike where I'm from or where I currently am, because success comes to those who work hard. And while Angela had to work a little harder to prove that her midwestern roots didn't hold her back from big-city lifestyle and fashion, she has surpassed many others who rely on their past to propel them into success. 

After that realization settled, I became incredibly excited. I remember the night well- I hardly slept as thoughts jumbled all around my head. How can I embrace where I'm from and use it to my career advantage? Who should I be networking with right now to ensure that I can reach my own personal equivalent to Angela's success? 

And, how can I get into contact with Angela?

okay, maybe I'm dreaming a little bit...

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But dreaming is what I'm good at. I've accepted that I like to think big. I embrace lofty goals and let them energize me. I refuse to not take advantage of my opportunities here at Purdue or in the Midwest. And, most importantly, I will not feel as if I'm trapped- because I'm preparing to do great things in this life. Just like Angela, I can be a shining star from my hometown; a big fish in a little pond who goes on to do great things...

that's what I strive for

Dare to be You

If you're looking for inspiration and a warm heart, take a few minutes to watch 

this short documentary (don't be fooled by documentary- it's 11 minutes long).

I had seen this video a couple of years ago when it went viral, but I recently watched it again and was just as moved. Caine throws himself into making this arcade and stays so positive each and every day. It's cute, yes, but it's also so inspiring. This kid loves arcades. So he makes his own in his free time. He uses the resources he has to make it the best he possibly can... and when nobody comes to the arcade, he uses the time as an opportunity to clean and improve his arcade. 

He never gets discouraged. He never gets down. 

He only works to improve.

It's so easy for me to get down on myself. When others are critical of my interests or when I don't get attention for something that I think I should. It's easy to get discouraged or quit. And when nobody pays attention to something that required so much work and time, the typical person would get frustrated, no matter how passionate or interested in that subject. Since I know I'm not the only one who goes through this, and that is exactly why I wanted to share Caine's story and his determination. There's so much that we can learn from this kid with the cardboard arcade.

It doesn't end there, though. I was moved by the kindness of the filmmaker. Instead of walking past, ignoring Caine and his makeshift arcade, he went and talked to him. He asked him about it, played the games, and fell in love with Caine's passion and excitement towards arcade games. And he decided to change Caine's life through his own personal abilities: filmmaking. 

and so it all comes full-circle...

the moment we dare to embrace our quirks and our interests that make us unique is the moment that we can change lives. We can change our own life, but we can also change the lives of others. And like Caine, the key to it all is staying determined, regardless of the way others make us feel. 

Be the best you. 

Wish List Wednesday

the temperatures have dropped and the warm layers have started adding up...

It feels like I'm wearing sweaters, boots, and scarves every day! Because of this, I've been drawn to outfit inspiration that makes for cute and warm combinations. One thing that I'm missing here at school is a coat.. I know, I'm crazy. I don't know how I somehow ended up without any sort of jacket- besides my Excursion Vest- but it happened. 

Therefore, I'm serious when I say that I've really been layering and accessorizing for warmth. 

here is what I'm coveting on these chilly days:

Barbour Jacket

I really don't need anything bulky right now, but something to put over my sweaters to block the wind and add that extra layer would be great! I love the quilted look of this Barbour Jacket.

Stylish but Casual Shoes

Because, sometimes I need to give my feet a break from the boots and heels. 

J Brand / J. Crew / J Brand

I've realized how few pairs of "nice" jeans I have. I had one pair of fabulous Lucky Brand jeans, but they were getting worn and I conveniently ripped a hole in them. Even though I hate trying on jeans with a passion, I'd be willing to endure it if I left with a pair or two of jeans that flatter me in all the right places.

Vineyard Vines / Madewell

Fair Isle sweaters have been making their fair share of appearances on my Instagram and Tumblr timelines. This, of course, has me dying for one! I love the Madewell sweater, since I already have so much navy (and it's cheaper), but I had to throw in the classic Vineyard Vines, too. 

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I'm hoping to conquer the hunt for jeans over my winter break: after-Christmas sales and going back to work for a couple of weeks will put me in a perfect position to hunt and save! And, as hard as it is to say, I don't think I'm really needing another sweater at this point... but can you ever really have too many? I'd say, at the moment, those New Balance for J. Crew shoes are top on my list- I adore they way they're styled in the lookbook and have been making up outfits they'd work with in my head (...I wear a size 9 if anyone is feeling generous)...

what's on your wish list?

RedHead Lovin'

as a redhead, I always get excited when I see a ginger model in a catalogue or ad

I guess it's because my strawberry-blonde hair sometimes makes me feel different. Not in a good or bad way, it's just that I stand out. In a world of brunettes and blondes, my freckles and red hair can really bring me attention. People tend to comment on my hair before anything else... some people even ask to touch it, as if it's going to feel different than their golden locks. And I'll never forget the outright stares that I got while traveling in the Middle East. In their defense, my rosy complexion, hair & freckles, and blue eyes are extremely foreign to their olive-skinned population. 

But, I don't really let the fact that I look different bring me down. I find it funny now, and I enjoy the fact that my small outbursts of energy can be attributed to being a fiery redhead. And the fun part is that being part of this dying population connects me to other redhead girls out there. Recently I've loved seeing redhead girls in ads. J. Crew has a fabulous redhead model, and I love the Vineyard Vines model whose hair color is almost identical to mine! Seeing that rose-tinted skin and those freckles makes me proud to be different.

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J. Crew

Vineyard Vines

I can't forget the fabulous
Molly Ringwald

Everyone has a quirk or characteristic that helps them stand out. Mine is certainly my hair. I used to hate that it was so different, and sometimes I still think it's weird that people can be so intrigued by the fact that I have strawberry in my blonde. But I have grown to enjoy the fact that it is truly a part of who I am. It explains where I've come from and gives me a chance to automatically stand out- without saying a word.

and I can really appreciate that.

what sets you apart?

[Non] Greek Women

going into college, I was looking forward to philanthropic and sisterhood aspects of greek life

Then life took me for a turn (little did I know it was the first of many). I went through the intense recruitment process of no sleep, lots of talking, and uncomfortable shoes. I talked about myself, my interests, and what I wanted out of this "sisterhood". But, when it came down to it, I just didn't feel a connection to any particular house or group of girls. Looking back, I think that I knew I wanted to drop early into the second round, but I just couldn't. So I stuck it out until the end.

It seemed like I'd heard so much about how so many of Fortune 500's top CEOs were greek. Or how most of the powerful women in America were greek. I was scared that I wouldn't be successful if I dropped. I worried that I'd lose jobs over not being greek. And, on a more short-term scale, I was terrified that I'd never find my niche here at Purdue if I didn't join a sorority. 

But none of that matters if I don't have time to get my work done because of functions or if I really feel like I don't belong with these girls who are supposed to be my "sisters"

so I dropped...

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I made jokes with one of my friends about how I was a "social reject" and I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to endure any more 12+ hour days of talking about myself. But inside I honestly felt a little bit lost. As anyone does when their path is stripped from their feet, I needed a chance to figure out where college was going to take me from there. So I did what any bibliophile does, and I picked up a book about the one and only Kate Middleton- she didn't go greek and now she's a princess. Surely it can't be that bad! 

After this realization, I began to make a mental list of successful people- or people who I look up to- that didn't go greek:

Anna Wintour

Hermione Granger

Angela Ahrendts

and there are many more

Of course, I respect all of the girls who found their place and whole-heartedly threw themselves into the sorority world. Having so many good girlfriends to live with and experience life with is something that I sometimes envy. Looking back, I'm glad that I went through recruitment but I'm also happy with my decision to drop. I know that I would have been overwhelmed with school and functions. Plus, here in the Big 10 greek life isn't as...respectable as I'd like to think. I want to be defined by my successes and personality, not some letters. Being a part of a sorority might have given me leadership experience or chances to work with other people and philanthropies, but it's certainly not the only way. 

Plus, throwing yourself into what you're passionate about is going to provide more success than a predetermined path that everyone else has followed. This semester has been such a learning and reflecting time for me, and the lack of direction is driving me crazy. But someday, hopefully I'll get back on track- 

even if I'm paving my own path.

Warmth of NYC

lately I've been longing for the city

The lights. The late nights. Even the cold. I blame this all on the beautiful pictures that show up on my Instagram feeds daily. Add in my Today Show obsession, the fact that I'm watching SatC from season 1, and all of the awesome videos I've come across, and it's practically like New York is calling my name. 

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Earlier this week, my English TA informed us that our next project would be a documentary. I was worried because of my lack of expertise with film or anything like it. But, leave it to the internet and blogosphere to lead me to some of the coolest, shortest documentaries I've ever seen. Not only that, but of course they take place in New York City. Small Empires is a fantastic series that I've run across, but most of the videos take some planning, as they're around 20 minutes long. But then I came across the perfect, 3 minute video of a man making connections in NYC... and not how you'd expect.

These work this man is doing doesn't seem like a big, outrageous idea. He's simply taking pictures... but he's bringing people together, too. He's bringing warmth to the Concrete Jungle and making people think in a way that they normally wouldn't. It's a quick watch- only 3 minutes. But it's 3 minutes that makes you re-think your busy schedules and the people that you walk past every day. Or at least it did for me, since I seem to see a new face each time I step outside. 

Not only did it get me thinking, 

but it got me wanting to go explore NYC

oh, and Humans of New York is definitely on my Christmas Wish List.

[Excruciating] Vulnerability

vulnerability is something that I really struggle with

I've known this for a while, but I never really knew. Only recently have I realized how much I close myself off; I have an image of who my "perfect self" would be, and I find it difficult to accept anything less than that. I had always blamed this on my personality or other factors, but it was time that I understand that this is something that could be fixed. My lack of vulnerability constantly weighed me down and I can't understand why it's taken me so long to buckle down and figure out how to fix this... tragic flaw.

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Conveniently, three days after I had a little breakdown- in which I realized how little I allow myself to be truly vulnerable with, well, anyone- I found a TED Talk by Brene Brown and felt this connection with her. She spent almost 10 years of her life studying the difference between those who are vulnerable and those who are not. Of course, she found that those who take the plunge, who are open to being imperfect or wrong, and who embrace who they really are were happier. They were loved and they loved whole-heartedly. And from that vulnerable state, these people embraced every aspect of themselves to create in life rather than just live.

But the thought of being vulnerable is painful... Excruciating actually.

So I decided to look at what positives would come from being vulnerable, rather than the uncomfortable negatives. And I realized that when I let people see me (instead of pretending-to-be-perfect me) I was more genuine. People seem more interested in what I have to say and what's on my mind. And while I hate admitting my flaws... or bringing up my hobbies that I may be embarrassed about- like the fact that I'm a college kid but would rather spend a Friday night in with my friends and a chick flick than go out- I'm connecting with people who understand me and who appreciate me even with these quirks. 

And, even though I still don't have the courage to go talk to the cute guy in my chemistry.. and bio.. and pharmacy lecture (same major, how about that?), I can definitely tell a change in my relationships already. Not only that, but there is a change in my mood. Instead of giving off this "I don't care because I don't have feelings" facade, I'm trying to notice and care about others in the way that I've been cared for. I've been able to go out of my way to check on friends. Simple words of encouragement and "thinking of you" texts are so simple, but were so not something I really thought about before. 

Being vulnerable with others has helped me be vulnerable with myself, too. I've found that it's important to accept my flaws and understand why other people care for me. What is it that makes them want to spend time with me? What do they love about me, and how can I love that about myself, too? There is so much self-hate, and striving for some unreachable "perfect" person no-doubt adds to that.  

"[We] are wired for struggle but worthy of love and acceptance"

The thought of being courageous (from the latin root, whole-hearted) instills in me fear. I've always been the reserved, bottle-it-up type of person. I'm never cold or harsh, it just isn't in my nature to be vulnerable and open up. Because, really, everyone has their own problems so who needs mine? Okay I'm joking. But this whole thing is weird, foreign, uncomfortable. But that doesn't mean that it isn't good or that it won't help me to embrace me. 

maybe it isn't all that excruciating, anyways 

[Fall Trends] Boots & How to Wear Them

Riding Boots. Bean Boots. Rain Boots. Booties.

via Instagram

I love my boots just as much as the next girl, but it can certainly get overwhelming when it comes to styling the boots. Riding Boots aren't too hard- just tuck in some skinnies or leggings and you're ready to go. Rain Boots are, well, for the rain. I find that booties and Bean Boots are the hardest to style. Because of their height, they've got to look just right or they can make your legs look short and stubby. 

But, when done right, they can make any outfit look fashion-forward.

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Right now, the style for booties is a low, chunky heel. Designers have gone crazy when it comes to making their boots stand out... but I think that the greatest boots are the ones that are versatile stylish. For once in my life, I was a little ahead of the curve when I bought my first pair last fall. They were $30 at Kohls and I've gotten so many complements on them! Of course, with increased demand, prices have increased. My favorite pair that I've seen are from Anthropologie and mix black and brown Can you say "Goes with anything?" Additionally, so many more styles and looks have been introduced.

The lower heels, buckles, and more masculine looks form a bootie-meets-combat boot look. Since I'm not edgy enough for combats (and I never really wanted a pair anyways...) I like this little twist on cute booties to make them wearable in both formal and causal settings. But then that brings up the question: 

How do I wear these?

Well, they're obviously very stylish and flattering with skinnies or leggings and socks. One line from hip to feet creates and elongated look that is flattering on everyone. But, the trends now are to wear booties with skirts, or cropped boyfriend jeans. Chunky socks or tights finish off the look and keep you warm. But the visible skin can be absolutely detrimental to your appearance when it comes to height. Add into this dilemma the return of longer skirts (which I'm still not sure how I feel about) and it's quite possible to end up looking like a gnome instead of a stylish, confident young woman. 

The fix? Trying on lots and lots of boots. High Heels. Low Heels. Color- Blocking versus Solids. There's no one style that works because boots are going to look different on everyone. Wear skinnies and take a skirt or dress to try them with. Be especially conscious of where the boot is hitting your leg- you've got to find that magic height that lines up with your leg. 

 also, make sure they're comfortable!

While I was a little ahead of the curve on my booties, I am definitely way behind when it comes to my lack of LL Bean Boots, affectionately called just Bean Boots or Duck Boots. I discovered these when Carly from College Prepster and Sarah Vickers featured them on their blogs and other social media outlets. I didn't initially think they were cute, but they've grown on me. And their practicality certainly has! For trekking through the snow on campus or just having good, durable boots for fall activities, these are the way to go! They're available in different colors and styles... including tan/navy. Eeep! I think they're calling my name! 

Fall is the time for boots, socks, and tights. I love the versatility of fall pieces- a skirt with booties can be dressed up or down depending on the top. Riding Boots can make a summery dress more fall appropriate. Without boots, fall just wouldn't be fall. And the best part is that they transition wonderfully into winter, which needs anything (including cute boots) to make more bearable. 

How are you styling your boots this fall?

Articles Worth Reading

Kids Halloween Costumes for the Fashion Conscious / Brain Detox 

Dancer Style / Apple's New Retail Chief (she's from Indiana!)

Rise and Shine / Oscar Wilde's Witt 

From Halloween to reasons not to sleep in, 

here's what I found interesting this week

Travel [with Kate Spade]

Travel with Kate Spade? Coach? 

I'm in.

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I knew that these online City Guides existed, but I never took the time to sit down and look at what they have to offer... until now! Coach has only just introduced their New York Stories series, that focuses more on style for travel. The Kate Spade blog has an incredible section of City Guides from downtown Chicago to Shanghai. 

...as if planning a trip wasn't enough fun

the Kate Spade guides are impossibly cute and easy to use. Unlike the overwhelming travel sites that plague the internet, these guides make it simple to plan based on location. Places to eat, itinerary of the must see places, and a list of 10 facts to get you started. The blog prides itself on making guides for 48 hours, and that's the extent to which they make each of their guides.

No matter the length of time in a city, this fun guide is a perfect way to start your travel search. It provides ideas and attractions that will no-doubt lead to many more options with the use of Google. They help distinguish the "must sees" from the must sees. Especially if you've only got 48 hours in a city, making sure you see the best that there is to offer is key! 

But, what do I wear?

Coach has you covered... for New York, at least. Their New York Stories give a nice 1 minute look at what's relevant. More than that, the videos can be used as inspiration for outfits. Of course, your entire suitcase doesn't need to be packed with Coach products. But the worst thing (in my opinion) is to look like a tourist. To avoid that, videos like this give simple, travel friendly outfits that can usually be pulled together from staples already found in the closet. 

my tip on packing? just remember that there's shopping to be done once you've arrived. you don't have to have everything before... although I may need to begin taking my own advice. oops.

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Whether you're planning a getaway, or just need a quick mental getaway, the internet is your friend! I've gotten into the habit of checking out a new city on the Kate Spade blog in between studying. LEM and I are currently planning a little 48 hour trip for our winter break, so 

I bet you can guess where I'll be looking first

Birthday Weekend Re-Cap

This weekend has been the most fun so far!

Friday was my birthday, so my friends and I went out to a local "fall festival" type place and to dinner. We watched movies and stayed up way too late- the best! Yesterday was a home football game. We lost, but my family came up and my dog. We tailgated and hung out. 

Here's my re-cap: 

And I definitely didn't study as much as I should have.

I guess that's what Sundays are for...

I hope your weekend was as great as mine!

London Fashion Week

If I'm being honest, London Fashion Week is my favorite. 

I partially credit to my love of Harry Potter, thus my eternal desire to move to London and go to Hogwarts. But It's also because London has this crazy sense of style that I could never ever pull off. The crazy hair; the "I don't care what you think of me" mindset... it's all so intriguing. Naturally, my favorite shows were that of Burberry and Mulberry (I seem to have a thing for "-berry"s). Their classic exhibitions and gentle, feminine styles are what I live for. Tom Ford took "independent style" to the extremes, while Giles Deacon and Christopher Kane beautifully contradicted each other.

Burberry
My absolute favorite couture house. On the planet. I practically ran home from lecture to watch the show when it went live online and was not the least bit disappointed. First of all, Christopher Bailey is an artist in the greatest sense of the word. His looks were feminine and calm... like a garden of English Roses. The color scheme and lace details were the epitome of spring. The whole show was, in fact! From the music to the ivory coloring. I watched the show three more times, that's how much I loved it. But those addition watches pointed out a few flaws in the collection. Number one, those skirts. Who in their right mind would wear a see-through lace skirt? Okay if you're 95 pounds and 6 feet tall, they look fabulous. But for even the fittest clients, those skirts are just... risky. Number two, no trench coats! I loved the outerwear, but not one classic Burberry trench? Not so sure about that. Luckily for Bailey, his final look was his saving grace. The see through jacket with complete with shiny embellishments? I'd sell my soul for that jacket (and I'm pretty sure that'd be the asking price).

Tom Ford

The eclectic, shocking Tom Ford. As to be expected, I could never ever pull off any of Tom Ford's looks. But, that's what makes him so.. London. The impractical heels and suits channel the chic rocker chick... if that demographic even exists. Completely different from the white, bright feel of many other LFW shows, Ford's show was harsh. The runway was full of mirrors and spotlights on a black backdrop. It sure made his metallic and black & white looks pop, but makes me feel uncomfortable. Probably because it's so not my style. The saving grace for Tom Ford is his personality. I read an article by Rita Wilson that profiled the man behind the clothing, and I fell in love! He seems like such a charming, down-to-earth, yet frightening man- an intriguing combination of traits to say the least. But then I looked back at the collection after the article, and I saw Ford in his show. If we take the stance that high fashion is a work of art (which I 100% do), the artist is reflected in the art. In that sense, Tom's classic, gentle self is reflected in his classic pieces: the coats and jackets. His modern, fashion-forward self is reflected in the patterns and geometric angles. All becomes right again, as the art reflects the artist. I still could never wear any of his collection, but I've gained a new appreciation.

Mulberry
Mulberry is new to me. I'd heard the name but never really thought twice... until now. I was looking through all of the Vogue coverage on LFW and found the looks to be charming. A little more research told me why I hadn't paid much attention before- Mulberry is rather new to the Ready-to-Wear scene. With me being new to the "smaller" high fashion brands, it all adds up. What I loved was the simplicity in the looks. They all had very feminine colors and silhouettes without looking too ordinary. Thanks to the lace and prints, the show was a fresh and sunny contrast to the rainy London weather... almost like a garden walking down the catwalk. And the best part? The looks are actually practical [read: can be recreated, for those of us who don't have a couture budget]. I'll definitely keep an eye out for Mulberry in the future. 

Cara in the Burberry clear coat!

The shows all expressed the individual artists behind the brand, making for an artistically diverse week. All the differing looks and colors made the one constant stand out: Cara Delevingne. LFW's golden girl. Those eyebrows. That bod. And the best part? Her awesome personality. Just search her name in Youtube and you'll see what I mean. She's crazy. That's a fact, but that craziness is balanced by her elegance and poise on the runway. If only I could be that graceful and that bubbly. Can I just be Cara? 

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My favorite of all the Fashion Weeks, I kept up with London the closest. I love seeing the Tom Ford-like designers push the boundaries, but I love the British classics even more. This spring collection was infused with feminine colors, pretty beading and patterns, and practical looks (for the most part). Burberry was my favorite, but I'm a bit biased. I tried to branch out my interests and really soak in the art and ideas provided by the many, many intriguing shows, which I think gave me an even better appreciation for the week. Watching all of the street coverage and interviews gave me serious wanderlust...

Add London Fashion Week to my never-ending Bucket List.

What's In My [Longchamp] Bag?

This is the mess that was my Longchamp

It's been a while since I've done a post like this,

and I've seen multiple questions get asked about Longchamp Bags on Twitter and other social media sites.

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 I am known as the Queen of Longchamp among my friends at Purdue- I love mine and use them almost every day. That being said, I thought it appropriate to write a little bit about what I carry in my bag on a daily basis. From the "giant" to "mom bag", my poor 'Champ bags go through quite a lot, but they never let me down! Through spills and pen stains, traveling and study dates, I love having these big totes to hold everything and look cute! Since I'm currently on October Break (thank Goodness!) my bag is sans- textbooks. Not to worry! I still carry a ridiculous amount of stuff with me on a daily basis... in fact, this post helped me to actually clean out my bag too. 

The best part about Longchamps is their functionality and versatility. They're cute, yet simple and the colors available can make them the statement piece of an outfit or blend in. My first purchase was a neutral, grey-blue color. I love it for when I'm wearing colors or am not in a bight and cheery mood- that's what my red bag is for! I take full advantage of the tote and it's ability to become a full-fledged Mary Poppins bag! 

As I'm sure you have, I have my daily must-haves. I carry my wallet, sunglasses, hand sanitizer and mints, and an assortment of lip colors year round. Headphones, when I remember to throw them in, are perfect and help me calm down in unexpected, stressful situations as well as make me feel really cool as a I walk around to this personal soundtrack to my life. Thanks to iOS 7, I now have to carry around my phone charger, as well. sigh. The things we do to have the latest & greatest. More recently, I've begun to carry a notebook and pens for on-the-go jotting down of ideas, and a book or magazine. Having material with me at all times to read and gather ideas is one way that I've been able to make the blog more of a daily focus. It's become something that I'm always thinking about, rather than just an afterthought, and that's reflected in the amount of prep that I carry with me everywhere. 

More specific to fall, I carry a [giant] lotion, a scarf, and tea. I've been cursed with dry lips and skin- hence the lotion and excessive lip products. I love carrying my Burberry scarf around with me because it goes with pretty much everything and it perfect in a bind. It's large enough to drape over me as a blanket, but can be folded into a traditional scarf. It's also just fun to know that I'm carrying around such a nice product- definitely worth the splurge! Okay so I know you're thinking it, and yes- that is a box of tea. I used to just carry around a few bags but I'd always forget to replace them when I ran out so I started carrying around a box. It may be a security blanket at this point, but I always like to have access to a hot drink. Since hot water isn't all that hard to access, and I almost always have a travel mug with me, I found that carrying my own tea was a huge money saver. I still like to buy drinks sometimes, but it's nice to have this option. 

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I love my Longchamp[s] and their ability to hold everything I could ever need and then some, but the product isn't flawless. The bags only have one, rather small pocket on the inside. Luckily for me, I don't find it that much of a pain to dig around for whatever it is I'm looking for. Some people, though, like my mom, can't stand not having the compartmentalization opportunity. If that's you, you will not enjoy this bag. For an everyday, relatively inexpensive bag that's cute and functional, these bags work wonders. The nylon material is easy to clean and the bags can seemingly hold pounds of stuff without breaking. The fact that they bags can be easily folded and stored [read: no more giant bags of bags in boxes at the top of your closet] is wonderful for changing out colors on the fly or for saving room in you tiny dorm closet (my life). I still credit Carly for introducing me to the great bag, and I am a convert!

Sure, pretty, expensive bags are fun. 

But Longchamp is practical and cute. Perfect for a college girl on a budget 

Personal Style

With all of the high fashion hype going on, it's important to remember

the stark difference between fashion and style. 

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article that really got me thinking about the fashion weeks. The glitz and glam is great; the shows are artistic and inspiring. But the "ready to wear" label is misleading... to say the least. While those who are invited to the shows may be able to afford those looks straight from the runway, the typical woman cannot. The typical woman also does not have a reason to wear many of the looks on a daily basis that would justify the spending on those pieces. 

So, then, what's the point?

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I am a strong believer of the idea that fashion is art.

The designers and stylists use fashion to artistically display their thoughts and inspiration for the upcoming seasons. But, I'm also a believer that personal style is art just the same. Women use style as personal expression. Colors, textures, and overall look can all come back and tell you about a woman- her values, her ambition, her taste. The way you style yourself has a lot to say about the woman that you are and the woman you aspire to be.

I know, it's heavy stuff.

But, it isn't to say that wearing sweats or norts means you're headed for failure. A bad hair day mended with a hat doesn't mean that you're lazy. And being put-together at all times doesn't mean that one's life is perfect. This post isn't about breaking self-confidence, but it's about building it up. It's about realizing that taking an outfit right off the runway doesn't mean that you're stylish, just like cheating on a test doesn't mean that you're smart. Being innovative, mixing looks is the key to personal style. Taking inspiration (and pieces) from the runway and making them work in your closet and with your schedule is what style is about. Cut-Copy-Pasting looks from a designer is only using their artistic senses to be fashionable. But fashion is fleeting. 

On my college-kid budget, I don't have much any money to spend on runway looks, anyways. So I particularly enjoyed the article and it's stance that high fashion is "silly and superficial". I love the shows; there are looks that I'd buy right off the runway if I could. But the emphasis put on looking just like the models and wearing those exact looks is extreme and unoriginal. Even the French, who are known for their impeccable style, tend to live by a "choose well, buy less" idea- be choosy in expensive pieces. Buy pieces that will last seasons and years. Buy items that will enhance your personal style, not your level of fashion. If you do that, you might not even have to go vintage shopping when the fashions come back around. Like my mom, who's been getting into her old Coach bags because they look classic and cool, be the woman who has a closet full of timeless items. 

To add to the support for this stance, take a look at the street style of the fashion weeks. Off the runway, the models are anything but runway-ready. While their runway style is polished and posh, their street style is comfortable. It's an extension of who they are, where they've been, and where they're going. The fashion week spectators are seen in all different styles that mix labels and functionality. In a way, I think the street style looks are more inspiring and beneficial than the actual couture shows because they show how real women wear these seemingly impossible pieces. 

They've created style out of fashion, and that's something that 

every women should be inspired to do.