behind the scenes with alexa

after viewing this, my girl crush for alexa chung has become SO much more legit. I had never actually heard her speak before, and honestly, i was nervous to watch. i hate when stylish people disappoint me with their lack of intellect, and am so glad this was not the case with my current muse, alexa. her style is classic--it's reserved, yet daring. she embodies the 60's aesthetic to sheer perfection. i think i'll start using the word "trinkets" now, too.

I'm loving...

In a fashion rut? Feeling like Carrie Bradshaw and want to be outrageous? Here are a few trends that I'm loving and am ready to flaunt as soon as possible (if I haven't begun to already...)

Faux Fur
When obsessing over a trend, I first think about how much I'm willing to splurge. In fur's case, don't spend too much (exception: if you are a die hard fur fan and want to eat-sleep-breathe fur for the rest of your existence, then ignore me.) I forget which mag I read this tip in, but it really has stuck with me and I'll share it with you readers now--if you're unsure of a trend, or if it seems like something you may only wear once or twice, go with the H&M or Forever version. It's not worth splurging on something you may decide a month later you don't like. I bought Forever's version of the faux fur cropped vest yesterday.

Over the Knee Socks and Colored Tights
Over the knee socks are perfect for fall. If you're a fellow Blair Waldorf obsessor, you'll feel just like the queen herself rocking this preppy style. If you're not digging the prep look, you can de-prep your outfit easily by donning a tough leather jack, or a messy hairdo. Colored tights, too, are amazing. I just bought a perfect mahogany pair. They're the perfect pop of color to an all black ensemble. The Nov issue of People Style Watch had a great mini article on these babies. Check it ouuut.

Velvet
This is funny, but when I was younger, I HATED the touch of velvet. It was the equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. I'm still not a huge fan of the material, but I'm nowhere near as phobic now. While I don't love the feel of it, I love the luxe look that velvet creates. I always feel so luxurious and sexy after dressing in a velvet top, or dress. I feel like the material enhances skin tone, and dews the complexion. Weird description, but whatever.

I was gonna post more, but I need to go work on English paper! Au revoir! More later. xxx

pumpkins and chocolate and cashmere OH MY!

Chocolate brown knit, camel cashmere, pumpkin hue stockings, plum purple hobo...clearly, I'm digging fall colors right now. 

My sister wanted to make sure that I included that the above photo has no digital retouching. Yes, my friends, that was the natural light. How cool. 

And now it starts to get weird. This is the result of having your best friend/sister as photographer...shit gets crazy. 

Don't you just love raw pumpkin? MMM, my FAAAAVORITE

Happy Fall!

Sweater: Zara

Dress: Zara

Tights: Hue

Boots: Frye

Head scarf: vintage

think about it.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.

POINT COUNTER POINT, ALDOUS HUXLEY

TAKEN FROM http://fuckyeahliteraryquotes.tumblr.com/

on feeling "fat"

I feel fat. How many times a day do we say this to ourselves? How many mornings do we wake up and feel the urge to throw on sweats just to hide our bodies? I know this feeling. And it sucks. I realize this is a controversial topic to write about. But I feel like it's necessary. Being enamored in the world of fashion, body image is always an issue. And even if you're not into fashion and all that the broad term includes, body image IS and will ALWAYS be prevalent.

The media doesn't help. Before I sat down to think, I viewed "the media" as a cliche term; a term that people used in response to questions they were uncomfortable by or just didn't know the answer to. It's always, "the media" this and "the media" that. It really is true, though. Though many of us don't compare ourselves to celebrities CONSCIOUSLY, we certainly are on a deeper level. Look at me, for example. I look at high fashion models like pieces of artwork. To me, those women are divine. It's only natural that when I'm trying on clothes in front of my mirror I'm comparing myself to them. I don't realize I'm doing it. I don't stand there and think.."Oh this would look so much better on Freja. Or Abbey Lee". However, the subconscious comparisons I make become apparent when I start distorting the way I see myself. Our societies definition of "beautiful" is synonymous with thin. And thin, too, is a distorted word. We truly don't know what thin is anymore. Everyday, the word becomes smaller and smaller and smaller. How can we possibly feel good in our own skin in a society like this? It seems like I'm trashing the media. I'm not; or maybe I am in a sense. I'm not sure. I haven't decided. Again, there is nothing more that I love than watching the runways, so by no means am I wishing them away. I just feel like priorities need to be set straight, yes?

We all suffer from insecurities. Me? My thighs are too big and I'm not tall enough, to name a couple. Yes, even I who has her own fashion blog which in it's essence is quite a narcissistic thing, has insecurities. The point of this is just to remind people that they are not alone. We all struggle, and we all aren't perfect. We all consistently strive to make ourselves better in unrealistic ways. There's always something and I am SO sick of it. Aren't you? I'm ready to be done. I'm ready to love myself and my body UNCONDITIONALLY. I want to pay homage to all the girls who were raised to believe they weren't good enough. You ARE good enough. In fact, you are better than that. You are wonderful. 
If you're reading this, comment (you can anonymously, of course) and say something you love about yourself. No matter how "conceited" you may think it seems. It isn't conceited to love yourself. Remember that.