ALL THAT GLITTERS

Happy New Year's everyone!

Be safe and have fun xx

POST GRAD TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

I have begun my 36 hour countdown to my whirlwind New Years Eve in San Francisco with my best friends. I literally am so excited to see everyone I can barely contain it. Packing up mini bottles of Sofia champagne to pop! They even come with straws...

HOLLA!

Postgrad Must-haves for flying... no matter how long or short the flight is:

1. Kindle Fire

Ipads are cool and whatever, but Kindles are the shit. Music, Movies, Tv Shows, Books. Everything you need for a flight.

2. Comfy Socks

 I hate wearing shoes on planes, so I like to keep my toes toasty with fuzzy socks. The more ridiculous the better.

3. Dranks

 More than I hate wearing shoes on planes, I hate flying even more. Thank goodness for being 23, a glass of wine always helps me on flights!

4. Magazines

When I don't feel like being intellectual on my Kindle, I load up on these bad boys while wasting time before my flight.

5. Neck Pillow

I really thought that these were the dumbest thing ever, and that you looked dumb with one around your neck. Then I bought one and ohmygod, my life is changed forever. I don't care if I look stupid, I won't travel without one. Also, this company should hire me to model, as I can make excellent awkward faces that would blow this woman's out of the water.

POST GRAD CRUSH: GEORGINA CHAPMAN

Hi Georgina, can I be you?

If you are unfamiliar with Ms. Chapman, get ready. Former rocker and model turned head designer of Marchesa, this woman is a one of my icons. While I have always loved Marchesa gowns, after watching this season of Project Runway All-Stars, my respect for Georgina has grown immensely. On the show, she always has insightful comments about the contestants designs and never puts them down. She points out what doesn't work, what they could have done better, and all in a marvelous English accent. Tonight Bravo aired a special on Marchesa and Georgina, discussing the business and their designs. Keren Craig, the other brilliant half of the label, is a textile designer while Georgina handles the design work. Hand in hand, they create ethereal, detailed, jaw-dropping gowns. Oh, and Georgina is married to Harvey Weinsten, hello power couple!

The detail in the gowns are incredible.

This. I want to get married in this.

Lucky for me, my dad promised he would pay Marchesa to make me a custom wedding gown... HA, what a funny joke. 

India-Inspired Marchesa S/S '13

TICKLE ME PINK

Obviously I couldn't do any holiday shopping without buying a few things for myself... and lucky for me, while at J. Crew they were having 30% off the whole store! I found this pretty pink shirt on sale for $29.99 (Which I was already shocked about, fo real), so at an extra thirty it came to $20. Cue victory dance here. I am obsessed. I am waiting for the perfect occasion to pair it with a black and white strip skirt that I have from The Gap for a cutesy little outfit with Kate Spade inspiration.

Top, J Crew $20 - Jacket, Forever 21 $28 - Skirt, Motel $45

Sequin Flats, Asos $32 - Clutch, mimiboutique.com $46 - Earrings, Nordstrom $48

Chain Link Bracelet, Nelly.com $19 - Spike Bracelet, Asos $14 - Cuff, Moddeals.com $5.80

DIY HOLIDAY WRAP

So these are DIY..ish. But get creative with your wrapping! The tree doesn't look as pretty when every box underneath is emblazoned with a large store logo or name, trust me I know because my tree only has these underneath. And it takes away from the HUNDREDS, literally hundreds, of Christopher Radko ornaments my mother has collected over the years. Use fun papers to wrap gifts, and personalize them! Music lover? use a music sheet. Food lover? Buy a cookbook at a used book store and use the recipe pages. Or just simple colored string, pretty paper shapes, and fun fonts. Merry wrapping everybody!

NEIMAN MARCUS FOR TARGET!

Neiman Marcus for Target is coming! Instead of one designer collaboration, this line combines tons of famous and fabulous designers. The products include everything from pet bowls, to bicycles, to clothing, to tech accessories. It comes out December 1st, so make sure you snag it while you can! Tons of great gift ideas, and things for you.

 

Pretty lace overlay perfect for day and night.

Lela Rose Lace Tank, $69.99

 

I wish I didn't live on a big hill! Otherwise I would cruise around town on this bicycle.

Alice + Olivia Bike, $499.99

 

Madmen, Holla!

Altuzarra Tumblers + Shaker, $49.99 Each

 

Such a pretty cream/white combo makes it seasonless!

Oscar de la Renta Tote, $59.99

 

Stylish sweater for the leading man in your life.

Rag & Bone Men's Sweater, $69.99 (Matching boys version for $49.99, So cute!)

 

Rodarte Wrapping Paper, $7.99

As a science nerd, this is perfect. And cool and artsy to make me look less geeky.

 

I love mix and match dishes.

Tracey Reese Plates, $39.99

TERRIFIC TOPPERS

Hats are a fantastic way to accessorize your outfit. Unfortunately for us Californians, It's been a constant 80 degrees since the summer ended so cold weather hats aren't a very practical purchase. However, for you ladies that live in a colder climate, boost your hat collections with my picks below!

Girly Girl: Sequin Bow Hat, $26 Asos - Pearl Beanie, $21 River Island - Maroon Knit Bow, $21 Asos
Hippie Girl: Multicolor Hat, $30 Swell - Ombre Beanie, $10 Monki - Fur Trapper Hat, $48 French Connection

City Girl: Fuscia Turban Hat, $48 Piper Lime - Beret, $35 Chicnova.com - Cream Beanie, $24 Top Shop  

Sporty Girl: Grey Knit Cap, $18 Asos - Black Skull Cap, $20 Nike - Fleece Headband, Scala $6

FITSPO & CALORIE COUNTING

 As of late, I have fallen off the fitness wagon. And then rolled down a hill, fell in a stream, and floated quite far. As of yesterday, I found my wagon and jumped back on. One major problem that I have when talking and reading about weight loss is calorie counting. I Don't Count Calories. I have so many friends that are so concerned with how many calories the are consuming, to the point that it becomes an obsessive tendency. And I admit, I was the same way for awhile. I do find it beneficial at the beginning of a weight loss journey to start counting calories so that you can realize how much you are overeating. That way, when you are later reading nutrition labels, you can decide if a granola bar is actually low-calorie, or "health" food.  However, after learning the proper amount of food you should be intaking, STOP COUNTING! Eating healthier is a much simpler solution. No person has ever become obese or overweight from eating too many vegetables and lean protein. Two important things to remember: Not all calories are created equal, 100 calories of Doritos is not the equivalent of 100 calories of broccoli.  And eat when you are hungry!!! Just make sure you are actually hungry and not bored.

 

 

 

 

BEST DRESSED AMA'S

The red carpet at the AMA's is always fun since all the celebs can dress more casual than a black tie affair. There were so many good looks tonight, but here are my favorites:

 

Psy, I love you and your sequin pants.

 

Fact: I was Ke$ha for Halloween 2010.

Another Fact: I think she looks wonderful in a demure look that is far from her style norm.

 Gwen Stefani wins for best hair and makeup, and this Balmain Jacket!

I die. No one else could pull it off.

 Damn, Jenny McCarthy, you look GOOD.

 I love the yellow of Kerri Washington's dress, the pretty lace, and the perfect coral heels. Usually more a spring/summer color combo but then again there are no seasons in Los Angeles.

Stacy Keibler, I will have your legs. And boyfriend. And this dress.

I didn't even realize this was the Backstreet Boys when I saw the photo. Suit Swag.

 

GINNIFER GOODWIN IS FLAWLESS. 

Seriously. She is always dressed perfectionately on the red carpet. 

And the Twiggy make-up... going to experiment right now...

DEJA VU

Tonight at the AMA's, Nikki Minaj rocked the exact same Monique Lhuillier gown as Julie Bowen wore to the Emmy's. I have to say that I am 100% shocked that this dress was repeated on highly viewed red carpets. However, I think they both look awesome and it works for both of their style. Although this is pretty tame for Nikki!

Speaking of Julie Bowen...

 MY MIND IS BLOWN.

FACTORY GIRL.

My life has been 100% nuts lately, so to any of my readers out there (I'm looking at you man friend), I apologize for the lack of posts. That being said, I am about to bestow upon you the greatest gift of alll.

J Crew Factory.

I love J Crew, that is no secret. I love that they manage to create timeless and fashionable clothing that you know will be in your closet forever. But, unfortunately for myself it is a wee bit out of my price range. I speed over there as soon as the big sales hit, and frequent the sale section for good finds. Now, I don't live near any outlet malls, but I assume J Crew Factory is their outlet brand. So, you get the style, the cheeky fun colors and patterns, for a lower price! and right now everything is an additional 30% off and free shipping!

 Funnel Neck Coat, $228

Here.

 Infinity Scarf, $29.50

Here.

 Wool Pencil Skirt, $69.50 (Lots of colors!)

Here.

 Printed Ruffle Collar Top. $49.50

Here.

Colorblock Sequin Tank, $49.50

Here. 

  

Stripe Sequin Tank, $59.50

Here.

 

Strip Top, $49.50

Here. 

So, go now, factory.jcrew.com