a little re-decorating

Since I'm going to be living at home for the next year(ish) I figured it was time to freshen up my room. When we moved and built my room freshman year of high school I was obsessed with the idea of splatter painting my walls. I'm not gonna lie- it was pretty awesome. However, after 8 years anyone can grow out of that! I wish I had some before pics, but here are a few after ones! It's still majorly a work in progress!

Ikea bed, Target chevron pillow, TJMaxx pillows, Target Simply Shabby Chic curtain, my photo of Big Ben

I'm obsessed with my new Ikea bed! So perfect and so affordable. The walls around my bed need some serious help though. I had a wall of photos from Londy in my room at school, but it looked silly here. Even the single picture looks out of place. Ideas?

my illustration, vintage lamp from Kane Country Flea Market, Vintage mini Moet bottle, potting stool from Home Goods turned into a bedside table

Other little details I love: The subtle pink accents on my door, faux peonies that make me smile year-round, a feather from my senior fashion show and a shiny gold bedside table. Obviously I have a lot more to do, but it's a start!

Sofia's Bling

Sofia Coppola is hands-down my favorite director. From Marie Antoinette to Virgin Suicides I honestly think she can do no wrong. The cinematography and music of her movies are always beyond spot-on. Her latest film The Bling Ring is definitely going to be different than her typical light and airy movies but I am no less excited about it! Also, two words, EMMA WATSON! Love her. Love her in these fantastically trashy anti-Hermione outfits. 2013 can't come fast enough!

Get excited!

3 weeks and counting

So, I have been home for exactly three weeks. 3. Some days it seems shorter, some days it seems longer, but it has been three weeks and I am still job-less. See, when I came home from school I had two prospective jobs and my life seemed to be headed in the right direction, but obviously we all know that Life is not a straight shooter and I'm batting a curve ball here (I have a feeling i used neither of those sports analogies correctly). Next Sunday we're going on a week vaycay to SC and my life plans definitely had me starting my job the week I get back, but plans are always meant to be revised, which is exactly what I am doing right now.

I was inspired by Punky and the City's goals she set for herself, so here are mine:

Apply to at LEAST 3 jobs a day:

I was going to say five, but let's be honest I don't think there are that many out there for me to find. They say you hear back from 1 in 3 applications so I'm giving myself good odds, right?

Do something physical every day:

Whether it's taking to dogs for a walk, getting better at running more than a block without falling over, trying to use my medicine ball for something other than decoration or going on walks & talks with my bestie, it's time to say buh-bye to my lazy college habits and helloooo to making myself feel awesome!

Research cars more thoroughly

I'm in the process of buying my first car and I think I'm getting a bit too stuck on the ooh-it's-so-prettyyy aspect of it, and I need to focus more on safety and reliability. I have, however, been fabulous about researching mileage. If you have any suggestions or know more about cars than I do (very likley!) I'd love some advice.

Be more money-minded

I need to realize that I cannot shop, go to bars and generally spend monies like my lucky friends who have jobs. I need to prevent myself from going broke so that will mean staying away from Nordstrom Rack, my weakness. I will miss her dearly though. Hopefully we shall be reunited soon!

Now, I am off to do some w&t and apply for jobs. Look at me sticking to the goals!

hoppy easter

images via katie armour

Happy Easter! Taking a long weekend from school with absolutely no agenda has been wonderful- and there's still a day left!

watches

I think as I am nearing very close to being a real-life "grown up" (I'm guessing grown-ups don't refer to themselves as grown-ups? How many times do you think I can say grown-up? Ok, ok, adult it is...) I think I may need a big girl watch. Granted, some of these are not but the center top Kate Spade is my dream watch. How adorable is that tiny hot pink spade?

Gramarcy Grand, $225, Kate Spade

Metro, $195, Kate Spade

Amy, $200 Marc by Marc at Shopbop

River Island, $35, ASOS

Classic Michael Kors, $180, Tobi

Cooper, $200, Kate Spade

O'Clock, $47, Shopbop

Pastel Jelly, $25 (on sale!), ASOS

Maybe as a graduation gift to myself? I can dream!

Ankle Candy

I found this image on my computer (saved eons ago I bet) and used Google Image to find out where it is from... still inspiring and still obsessed with those shoes!

image via Sincerely, Jules

I am super jealous of her Pierre Hardy heels, and the fact that she's clever enough to wrap a vintage necklace around her ankle! Genius.

Target Dreaming

Everyone has that one store that you could go in to grab bread, and leave with too many unplanned, but wonderful, purchases. I'm sure I am not the only one who gets drawn in to the colorful and creative world of Target! I especially adore all of the holiday items they get in seasonally- how spot-on are all of these Easter decorations?

Simple, but feminine. My habit of purchasing items for my "future home" is getting a little out of hand, but if any of the little guys go on sale I can see them waltzing into my shopping cart and home with me.

1. Lattice Porcelain Bowl, $16.99

2. Wilco Whisk, $5.99 & Wilco Spatula, $5.99

3. Cake Stand, $12.99

4. Tumblers, available in-store

Modern Marie

My senior collection, entitled Modern Marie, is meant to take you away to a world where macarons are eaten for breakfast and champagne is a color. I wanted to creating clothes that would be worm by a woman when she wants to be feminine, flirty but still seductive. I honestly had the most amazing team working with me including my models, my mom and Jenna, my hair stylist. There is much, much more to come, but here's a few teaser photos!

All of my beautiful ladies, including my little seester second to the right!

 My inspiration table, complete with macarons by my sister Jackie

We couldn't help but throw a little Chio into the day :)

Back In The Game

I'm laying in bed, watching Gilmore Girls (season 2- the best) and eating shrimp & pasta... and I can't help but think "Is this really my life post-fashion show?" The biggest thing in my life, my entire to-do list every day, the source of all my creativity and effort is... over? What am I going TO DO WITH MY LIFE?!

I'll be the first to admit I needed a few days of sleep and hanging out with the frands, but I don't know if I can go back to a life of unproductivity. I mean, yeah, I guess I have other classes, and there's that whole job search thing I should be working on, but I need to give myself another outlet of creativity which is why I am going to start writing here again!

I have oodles of fabric left and 5 week with access to these kick-ass sewing labs, so stay tuned for my projects coming at you!

MIA

I have been neglecting my little bloggy here and have been completely MIA this past week (and will continue to be next week) because:

a) my unlimited internet ran out, therefor leaving me with zilch internet last week, and I can't let that happen again so I can check my flight on Friday! This leads to...

b) I leave Londy in 5 days and have vowed that none of those precious moments will be spent on a computer!

But the past week has been awesome and eventful and included finding little inspirations for my senior collection, chance meeting an adorable woman who used to be a couturier for Dior and YSL, having speakeasy drinks served in teacups, learning how to make kick ass kettle corn on the stove, having a delicious picnic in the park, high tea at Kensingtonm Palace and a little bit of day drinking tossed in for good collegiate measure!

We took tonight off (being girls about town for 7 nights in  row takes a toll on you!), but the festivities start up again tomorrow, and then graduation is on Thursday! Time needs to stand still for just a minute so I can enjoy these last 5 days.

londy nails

I just discovered that butterLONDON has the cutest names for their nail polish! I always loved the colors but I didn't realize that they were all named after very London-y things... likeee... 

Primrose Hill Picnic

Queen Vic

Teddy Girl

Thames

 

Snog

HRH

aaaand the best for last...

La Moss
"Vampy and full of red wine, just like its inspiration"

My super obsession with lacquer right now may stem from a few things... 1) I am always obsessed. 2) I just did a project re-launching the ultimate 90s classic, HardCandy 3) I have nail polish lost in mail limbo, and it makes me mad every day that I can't seem to find it! Oh, and my debit card is in there too gahhh!

{all from butterLONDON}

behold.. BHLDN

BHLDN.. aka the most awesome thing to happen to brides since J.Crew start selling wedding dresses. The company that owns Anthro and Urban debuted BHLDN on vday this year (I know, how sickenly perfect, right?). But it is perfect. I have been drooling over this bridesmaid since the day the site launched.

 

 love.love.love.need.

sadly... expensive.

But besides the bridesmaid dresses, the do wedding dresses (duh!), shoes, jewelry, accessories and lingerie!

 

And guess what... I read the BEST NEWS EVER today...

Take a little guess as to whats being built here, this lovely spot on the Gold Coast on East Walton?

 

Yes, Yes... the second BHLDN store is being built in good 'ole Chicago. Me thinks I'll be taking a trip there when it opens!

{via Racked Chicago and BHLDN}

i want to make these

I think I'm feeling crafty because I'm reeeeally sick of using my computer to do projects right now (I'm currently attempting to work on my PR launch. uhhhh attempting being the key word.) I saw these paperclips on  The Sweestest Occasion via This Is Glamorous, and I LOVE THEM!)

 

I love the gold. She used 20-gauge jewelry wire, which is so easy to get. Well, unless you're in London like me. 

Ok so one of the weird things about this city is there are no Targets/Walmarts where you can get everything you need at once. I think they exist outside of the city, but property here cost so much that it would not be cost-efficient for a company to have a huge store. Tesco is England's Walmart-equivalent, but the stores around me are solely food. Also, I have not found any craft stores anywhere. The department store John Lewis has a floor of "bit and bobs" which is like an abbreviated Michaels. I miss Hobby Lobby and Joannes. And Target a lot. And trips to Wally World at Purdue. At least there's the little things like that to look forward to when I get home.

kids

This video just made me giggle... The idea was to experiment with little kids willpower. They were given a marshmallow and if they didn't eat it while the woman was gone, they'd get another one when she comes back.

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

SO DARN ADORABLE! I love the little girl who keeps eating bits of it until it looks like an apple core. And the boy who almosttttt puts it in his mouth, but then doesn't. hahaha oh little kids, they make me smile.

{Via A Cup of Jo}

One more down, only two to go!

Another last project done....

This is the layout I had to create for Glamour based on an image our teacher gave us (mine was, obviously, a blue and green printed dress). I am SO not a fan of how cluttered this looks, but it's in the style of Glamour. And, well, it always has this headache-inducing clutter thing going on.

Ok time to finally eat lunch, get ready and take a night off. Camden for drinks sounds reeaaallll nice right now.

mood boards

I feel like I am going mood board crazy over here! Currently working on another for Journalisim, but here's what had been eating up my time this week...

Forecasting: my prediction of a childrens trend, called Tiny Dancer. Taken from the heavy influence Black Swan has on womens wear this year, tricked down into little girls. There's empty spaces for my drawings and fabric sample.

Forecasting: My prediction of a womens wear trend, tentatively titled Electric Pastel. This takes the pastels and neutrals that have been very in, and knocks the contrast button up a few notches.

PR: I had to write a paper and create a mood board about a style icon of my choice (obviously, Brigit Bardot)

VM: Re-do a window for a company in need of some help (Kurt Geiger) and write a paper that was way too long about it.

And last but not least, I'm creating board right now that will create a trend as if I was working for Glamour, based on a picture my teacher randomly gave us. Phew. After this, I'm really quite mood-boarded-out.

My Man Tom

In my eyes, Tom Ford can do no wrong, and he only made me love him a teensey bit more this morning when I read his Five Gentlemanly Commandments:

1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.

2. A gentleman today has to work. People who do not work are so boring and are usually bored. You have to be passionate, you have to be engaged and you have to be contributing to the world.

3. Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate. I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they're walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.

4. Don't be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background.

5. A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.

I think we need more Toms in the world.

ombre

So as much as I love my new(ish) dark hair, I'm itching for a change already. I love the dark color, but i think its too flat and monotone. I definitely miss having all of my highlights. Most likley I won't change it again until I go home and get it professionally done (I miss you Jenna. My hair needs a cut rull bad). I'm going between two options: auburn-ish highlights or ombre.

please ignore that i used a Kardashian as an example- although, I know we can all agree that they have really good hair. I think Mila Kunis' is perfect. Literally. Perfect.

Now, onto the slightly more drastic ombre:

 

More fun, but I'm starting to think this is way blonder than I want to go. 

cant stop the colour

I literally cannot shake this obsession with bright colours that I have right now, ahhh! And of course Elle UK created another absolutely perfect mini-editorial that expresses what I am lusting after for spring.

 

Please will my fairy godmother place all three of these outfits in my tiny little closet overnight? (I would even settle for just the  pink skirt, if that's alright)

Easily Distracted

Yeah so I'm supposed to be doing my homework... I know I know. I just get so easily distracted! This time it is because of cases for my electronics. I'm totally ok with the fact that I don't have an iPhone or an iPod touch... my go-phone is wayy more indestructible that an iPhone/Blackberry could every be, and my iPod classic can hold more music that a touch ever could. I only get upset that there are NEVER any cute cases for my electronics! It all started when I saw these Kate Spade cases:

Whyyy oh whyyy don't I have an iPod touch?! I love these so very much it's not fair. So of course, then my obsession started. I didn't even think about finding a case for my go-phone (not gonna happen, and I know it). But sadly and kind of surprisingly my hunt for a cute iPod Classic case also proved to be totally fruitless! Yes people, no one makes cases for them anymore. I find this really odd because Apple still produced the Classic, and yet no one cares if it is pretty OR protected!

So on my search I found all of these really funky, gaudy, girly electronics covers by compnies like LuxAddictions. Like literally check them out:

Obvs the complete opposite of the KS ones, but I mean who doesnt want Ariel on their phone? Oh, you don't? No worries, theres still cheetah. Or food.

So now I have found a clear iPod case on Ebay for a pound. A pound! So, guess who's going to get crafty pretty soon?! I'm going to keep an eye out for little charms and things to put on my little case, and hopefully sometime in the near future I will have a blinged-out cover of my own.