On Dating

Once you get out of high school, I feel like dating becomes extremely difficult.  You aren't with the same group of people you were stuck with for years, and you most likely don't know tons of people when you first arrive at college... that is exactly where I was when I came to college in September; freshly broken up with, maybe looking for something, but the means of finding a connection, well, seemingly impossible.

I have gone on several dates and, honestly, finding someone in the city is just as hard as everyone believes it to be, especially when you are almost a 20 something (yikes, I can't even believe I said that!).  The difficult part, no one knows what they want.  Zero men I have talked to within the past few months have any clue where their life is going-- not that I expect them to, but it would be nice to at least understand what they want out of a relationship. 

So, I have decided to go on a mission to figure out the men of New York City.  But, for the time being, I will always believe in this saying...

     

So, I'm Obsessed with These Jimmy Choos

After scrolling through Instagram this Sunday, I fell in love with this pair of Jimmy Choos...

 I am kind of obsessed with pom poms currently and I can't help but drool over this perfectly pommed heel.  Like seriously, I would probably justify wearing these with every outfit haha, but until I run into a means of making mad money, I will just have to wait... unless someone wants to buy them for me (just kidding of course haha).

Is there a shoe you are obsessed with this winter?

 

On Life in the City

To be completely honest, I could not imagine myself anywhere else in the world.  I love New York and I am so blessed to be spending my days and nights in one of the best cities in the world.  Seriously, I have never felt more at home and more on track with my life.  That said, here is a little glimpse of what life is like in the city-- the good and the bad. 

The Good:

1. There are an endless amount of things to do and places to see.

2. Lots of good places to find sweets (my personal favorite, Eleni's in Chelsea Market).

3. Parks galore and amazing photo opportunities that go along with them.

4. Easy access to almost anything-- thanks Subway!

5. Friends who you can always count on (now this is mostly because of college, but it is actually very easy to find people to connect with in NYC).

 6. Opportunity out the wazoo.

7. Theater, theater, and a little more theater.

8. The BEST brunch places in the world (San Marzano, Maison Kayser, etc.)

9. Productivity.

The Bad:

1. At times the city can be a little scary.

2. There are crazy people (so far, I have been alright though).

3. Not enough time in the day.

4. The city can be overwhelming.

5. Money (it is expensive to live and go to school in NYC).

6.  Trying to balance school and fun can sometimes seem impossible.

In my opinion, the pros greatly outweigh the cons-- except money, but I figure I will just work that out later and enjoy the now while I can.  Honestly though, if you have the chance to live in NYC, whether it is for school, an internship, etc. please take it.  You will not regret it one bit.

Is anyone else living in the city?  What do you like/dislike about NYC?

A New Obsession: The Pant Suit

Living in NYC, I see a lot of fashion statements, but one I have become completely obsessed with lately is the pantsuit.  It is sexy, professional, and makes such a statement.  I especially love the bright colored suits and the sleek black suits as well.  Here are a few affordable pant suits that are absolutely perfect!

 H&M

jacket/pants

 Forever 21

jacket/pants

 ASOS

jacket/pants

 Lulu's

jacket/pants

Are you a fan of the pantsuit trend?

Good Reads for Your Winter Travels

One thing New York has given me is the chance to get back into reading again.  I don't know why, but I have found so much more time to sit down and read, and I enjoy it so much more; probably because my days are so crazy that it is great when I can take time to just relax with a book.

With all the traveling going on for the holidays, I have had even more time to read and I LOVE it!  Since I know a lot of you will be traveling over the holiday break, I figured I would compile a list for all you book lovers out there!



1. The Devil Wears Prada series: This series, by Lauren Weisberger, is one of my absolute favorites.  It is witty, stylish, and super entertaining-- a great way to spend the plane or train ride!

2. Little Princes: I read this book in high school and it is so inspiring.  This is definitely a good book to get you in the holiday spirit.

3. Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn: I have been reading this biography on and off for the past few months, and I am loving it!  If you love biographies or love Audrey Hepburn, this is a good book for you.  Audrey's life is super fascinating and she is such an inspiration. 

4. Vogue: I love Vogue and the December issue is quite fantastic.  The expose on Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful-- she is definitely an actress I look up to and hope I can be like one day!

What are your favorite reads for the holiday season? 

Styling That Suede Mini into Winter

So, I finally caved, and, despite my grudge against the 70s trend, I bought a faux suede mini.  It is one of the best skirts I have ever owned and I can't believe how much use I get out of it.  Like seriously, I wear it once or twice a week.  That said, as it is getting colder in the city, I am starting to dress on the warmer side; however, that doesn't mean I am going to be giving up that mini.  Here are a few ways to wear your mini into winter.

faux suede mini (c/o but other option here)/plaid blanket cape/a cropped sweater/black tights/black booties


faux suede mini (c/o but other option here)/pom pom beanie/graphic sweatshirt/over the knee boots

 faux suede mini (c/o but other option here)/pearl earrings/fitted work shirt/blazer/black heels

 I am personally a huge fan of the first and last look!  They are great ways to add more layers to the mini, while still keeping it fashionable!

How are you styling your mini?

I Am Back... Finally

After taking quite a bit of time off, I am coming back to blogging.  I was dealing with a lot of personal issues in my life and realized I needed some time to process everything that was going on before I could write a GOOD post on this blog again.  Luckily, I am feeling so much better and have so much peace of mind. 

For those of you who don't know, I went through a really rough breakup right at the beginning of the school year and it took quite a toll on me.  I wasn't sleeping.  I was hardly eating.  I got into quite a funk, but, thanks to my wonderful group of friends, I was able to pull myself out. 

 There is so much more to this world than being upset over something I, quite frankly, couldn't control.  I understand now that only I can control my happiness (this is much easier said than done, but it's true) and I can't rely on other people to give that to me; and, my happiness lies in my acting.  Yes, that's right, my acting.  

During all my confusion, I thought maybe I shouldn't be acting.  Instead, maybe I should be a costume designer, or I should be managing a theater company, or I should be doing something behind the scenes; however, it was just me doubting myself because, if I couldn't be good enough for a guy how could I be good enough to do what I love?  It sounds stupid, but it is really what went through my head when all of this was going on. 

Granted, I definitely love designing and think I will keep doing it on the side, but acting is my one true love and passion.  I'm not giving that up.  Not for anyone.

So, here is to a new start as I come back into the blogging world again!

The November Style Edit: Colder Weather

I cannot believe it is November already-- it seems the months just fly by here in the city. That said, it is finally getting colder here and I have loved breaking out the cold weather accessories.

This winter(ish), I have noticed a lot of vintage inspired cold weather accessories as well as pops of neon, which I am in love with.  Anthropologie, of course, is nailing it on the head and I can't help but lust over all the great hats, scarves, and mittens.  Here are some pieces to inspire you this November! 

neon puff hat/neon mittens/neon knit scarf/faux fur earband/faux fur hat/this coat in my wildest dreams/a new take on Hunter boots/another great glove option  

I am so totally in love with the coat above, however, I will not be buying it anytime soon.  It is great inspiration for the winter though!  I am also loving the new take on Hunter boots-- they are super streamlined and even more wearable than the already classic Hunter boots are.

Last, but not least, I really want to get my hand on the knitted scarf.  It looks so cozy and I would love to have it in my winter wardrobe!

What cold weather accessories are you loving?    

On Not Having a Job

 

When I first moved to the city, I started working for one of the Anthros here.  It was great, but it quickly became too much for me to handle and I had to take a break.  Now it has been about a month and a half without working and it is really sad :( 

Honestly, I never realized how much I could miss working.  It was such a big part of my life back home and I totally took it for granted when I got here.  I love having a job and I love having a place to go to get away from the rest of the stuff going on in my life.

Another thing I miss: having a steady income.  I saved up a lot of money over the summer for college and now I am getting pretty low because I'm not making the money back I'm spending.  Thank goodness for my parents who are helping me out, but, that said, I definitely want a job again.  The free time is great, but work is better.

I can't wait until next semester when I start back up again!

Did you have a job your first year?  How did you handle it?

 

My Favorite Coffee Shop in NYC

Being in NYC, I have a new appreciation for coffee.  I hardly ever go a day without it and I love exploring the city for new coffee places.  I am also rather lucky because there are so many coffee shops in the Greenwich Village area, but one is my favorite above all others: Le Café Coffee. 

Le Café Coffee makes the best coffee.  Ever.  Every cup is brewed to perfection and there is a taste of love in every sip.  My particular favorite is their Lavender Latte, as it reminds me of Sleepy Bee (the best brunch place in Cinci).  It is so nice to have a little comfort of home in the big city.

Another reason I am a huge supporter of Le Café Coffee: they are all organic and devoted to keeping it that way.  It makes the experience that much more enjoyable and keeps me coming back for my favorite cup of coffee.

Anyone else tried Le Café Coffee?  What is your favorite coffee shop?


 

The Movies That Help Me Cope

I watch a lot of films, but there are only a few that I ever return to.  For some reason, those few films really help me figure out what is going on in my life and help me to carry on even when the going gets tough.  Sometimes I will even watch them over and over again until I finally come to the realization I need.  Here are the films I always come back to...

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's

2. Uptown Girls 

3. Bread and Tulips

4. Mamma Mia

These four movies have gotten me through EVERYTHING, literally.  The breakups, the career doubts, the family issues, the new relationships.  Whatever I happen to be going through, these movies just get me and I am so thankful to have them.

What movies help get you through your rough times?

The Things You Learn

Just being in college for a half a semester (wow I can't believe it is going by that fast) has made me realize a lot of things about myself.  I never thought I would say this, but I am having a lot of doubts about acting.  Don't get me wrong, I still love it, but is it really what I want to major in?

After my world came crashing down a few weeks in, I became really depressed and upset all the time.  At the same time, however, I had gotten into a specialized costume course-- they only take 10ish people and it is pretty hard to get into-- through my intro to theatre production class.  After being in the class for around 6 weeks, I have realized that I love costuming.  More importantly, I love the people in costuming. 

I have never felt more at home and more happy with my life.  Costuming and fashion has become an escape for me and every time I draw or work on costuming homework, I find myself happy and fulfilled-- a feeling I realize I haven't had in a long time. 

So, now that I love costuming, where does drama fall?  To be honest, I don't know quite yet.  I am hoping to shadow one of the costume students for a little to see if I really like the program and I have been talking to my teacher as well, who has been so helpful with my decision. 

Here is to finding out who you are!!

How is college going for you so far?  Anyone else thinking of a major change?

Some Halloween Options

I was going to write a really deep post today, but that is for another time haha; instead, I thought I would do a quick write up on a few Halloween costume ideas I have for this year!

First of all, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (Christmas, however, is my absolute favorite holiday).  I love being able to dress up and go out with my friends!  This year will be especially fun because it is my first college Halloween and we are dressing up for studio!! So, here are a few of my costume ideas for this year's Halloween. 

1940's Pin Up Girl

 via

Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas

via

The Classic Black Cat

 via

Currently, I am trying to pull the 1940s Pin Up Girl costume together, but if it doesn't fall through, I always have Sally or the Black Cat to fall back on-- also great costume choices!

What are you thinking of going as for Halloween? 

NYU Campus Style

Coming into college, I was really interested to see what everyone would be wearing.  What sort of style does my school consist of?  What pieces are savvy for your average college student living in the city?  After a lot of observing, I have finally come up with a list of the most popular pieces here at NYU.

1. The Longchamp: You may know my Longchamp story, however, I am going to tell you again.  A while ago I had a Longchamp and I ended up returning it because I just couldn't find any use for.  Well, here I am two years later and I ended up ordering one again.  They are the "It Bag" here in the city, especially around the NYU campus.  The Longchamp is stylish, a little pricey, but still affordable for a good bag-- on a side note, I only paid like 50 dollars for mine because of the Nordstrom Credit Card program.

2. Converse: Literally every person I know here owns a pair of converse including myself.  They are really comfortable (with socks, without blisters) and go with almost every outfit.  I personally have the slip on pair, but if anything I would recommend getting the lace up version.  They are much easier to wear with socks!

3. Booties: Yes, booties are a trend everywhere, but I think any female college student I know owns a good pair of flat booties.  They are also really comfortable and work well with a lot of outfits, especially in the fall.  This is one piece I would love to invest in, but really don't have the money for right now.  Maybe for my birthday though ;) 

4. A Fun Hat: This is a little less common, but I still see a lot of it-- a good hat.  A good hat is always a way to add some personality to your wardrobe.  My favorite is the felt floppy hat, seriously it is instant style!

5. A Coat: With it getting colder here, everyone is breaking out their favorite coat and I love seeing what everyone chooses.  Most everyone has a coat that defines their personal style and I love it!  I have been wearing a little red cape since the weather got colder and it is so perfect!

 What are some of the most popular pieces on your campus?

I Missed You

I have really missed blogging and I honestly didn't realize how hard it would be to blog in college.  That said, there is a lot more going on then college though and it has been really difficult to focus on anything, however, I realize now that I can't let someone take away all the joy in my life.

I love blogging and it makes me happy.  Yes I definitely won't be able to blog all the time because of how busy I am, but I plan on coming back to the blogging world after my little hiatus and it feels so good.  Honestly, I don't understand why I stopped writing because it really helps me to organize all of my thoughts and help me understand what is going on in my own life. 

Also, a good friend reminded me of something we learned in acting school on the first day.

"The definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again to achieve a goal. Try changing it up and see what happens."

This made me realize I can't keep doing the same things I've been doing because sooner or later they will create a habit and a pretty bad one at that.  So in attempts to bring myself back to reality, here I am.  I won't be posting all the time, but definitely much more often than I have been!

How has college been for you so far? 

 

October Anthro Edits

To be completely honest, I have not been readily jumping on board with the new trends this fall.  I am not a big 70s fan, so I don't love all the leather, denim minis, or the Woodstock style pieces.  However, I am really happy with Anthro because they have stayed true to their aesthetic while also adding some trendier pieces for fall!

dark green turtle neck/scalloped-back dress/wool mini skirt/red vegan leather mini skirt/plum turtleneck/floral coat/mary janes (honestly, I would never be able to afford these, but if someway by God I could, they would be mine)/fox tights/maroon hat/faux fur snood

One piece I must highlight is the floral trench-- it is perfectly fall with a little bit of a 70s twist and I love it.  I probably won't buy it because, after all, I am taking a break from buying, but I can dream right?

I may, however, have to purchase a few warm weather pieces from Anthro because wow does it get cold here!  The tights are a must and I am highly considering the fur snood-- so cute, fashionable, and warm.  
Also, I am loving all the turtlenecks!  Warmth and fashion-- count me in!

What are you loving this fall?  Thoughts on the 70s trend? 

 

Cornell's Miniatures

In my writing class the other day, we discussed an essay by Michael Chabon, "Wes Anderson's Worlds".  In his essay, he discusses the idea of emotional scale and whimsicality found within in Wes Anderson's films and also found in Joseph Cornell's miniatures.  Before reading this essay, I had never heard of Cornell, so I looked up his boxes and they are amazing.

 via

 via

 via

After seeing these boxes, I thought, how could these boxes not be related to Wes Anderson and his films?  They are beautiful even though they are made out of broken pieces-- whimsical and wonderful.  Cornell's boxes make me wonder why he chose these clippings to include and why he didn't do something else for a certain box.

In a sense, they totally capture the imagination we strive to get back from our childhood and I love that.

Have you heard of Cornell's boxes?  What do you think about Wes Anderson?

#ManiMatch by Sally Hansen

Last weekend my roommate and I got invited to go to Sally Hansen's Pop-Up shop in SoHo and we were super excited.  I mean who doesn't want a free manicure right?  But, seriously, this was life changing.

In all fairness, I have never been huge fan of Sally Hansen-- I have always been more of an Essie girl myself-- but, as I said before, this event changed me.  Their new miracle gel polish is literally that, a miracle.  

My nail polish always chips even when I get it done professionally, but Sally Hansen's gel polish doesn't chip at all.  It lasted me for a week and a half and would have lasted longer had I not picked at it myself.  Plus, the color selection is great.  They even have an app that you can use to find the perfect shade for your skin called ManiMatch, which we used at the event to find our shade.

So, if you have had your doubts about Sally Hansen, give them a second chance because they are working miracles people!

 

The College Experience So Far

 Me and my friends went out to Times Square at midnight-- seriously you should try it sometime if you are ever in NYC with friends!

College in word, WOW.  There are so many feelings going on inside me right now-- stress, love, anxiety, joy, sadness.  Seriously, I sound like Inside Out haha.  But, I do love college, a lot more than I thought I would actually.

It has been an interesting experience to say the least.  I think the thing I was most worried about was finding friends because back home I had such a limited pool of people to choose from.  I was also terrified I run against the same issue back home-- I didn't really get along well with everyone because I was just so different.  However, I am happy to report, I have so many friends and I love them dearly.

 

Lots of people say they meet their greatest friends in college and it is so true.  There are quite a few people I have met here whom I know will be great friends throughout my life.  They have already gotten me through so much and I am so grateful for them.

As far as the school aspect of college, I love acting.  The homework is fun and interesting and gets me thinking about things.  I'm not a fan of my one academic writing class though.  It's kind of a pain in the a** just because the material is seemingly pointless.  Luckily I only have one year of it, so I can push through!

Lastly, missing home.  I do miss home, a lot more than I would hope to actually.  I miss my parents, my friends, and, of course, Seth's family.  But, I am happy here and I know that I can make it through because they will always be there for me when I come back!

How is college for you so far?

Stressed, Depressed, but Well Dressed

Stressed, depressed, but well dressed: what a wonderful statement to live by.  This past weekend and the beginning of this week has been so stressful.  I have had a lot going on in my life that I didn't expect and not in a good way.

It is so hard to try to keep composed when the world you've known comes crashing down around you.  For two days I didn't feel like eating.  I cried until 3 in the morning on Sunday night.  It was shit, total shit.  Then I came to a realization-- Whatever happens happens.

I can't change what people think or what people do, but I can change the way I think and my outlook on life.  So, although the going may get tough, I am ready for whatever comes my way and I will handle it with grace.

But for now, here is a great song from 2011 that seriously helps me vent... sorry if it is a little racy.

Seeing Fall with Warby Parker

I love Warby Parker and I am more than excited to be sharing their new fall line with you all today!  They have some gorgeous new frames including a few red pairs that I am kind of obsessed with.  To give you some eyeglass inspiration for the fall, I am pairing several of the new frames with some great fall outfits!

look 1: red eyeglasses/red gingham skirt/grey blouse/red heels

look 2: brown and blue tortoiseshell eyeglasses/dress/necklace/earrings/heels

look 3: round tortoiseshell eyeglasses/dress/jacket/boots/earrings

 You can shop their entire line of eyeglasses and they have an at home try on service that is completely free-- you just pick a few pairs you like and they ship them straight to your house!

Also, for every pair you buy, Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to someone in need.  So, if you are looking for some new glasses for the fall, you should definitely check out Warby Parker!