HAPPY WEEKEND!

I know I know, I promised some ultraglam red carpet looks from Emma Stone on Friday, but the weather was so pretty I had to enjoy it. Delicious brunch on the sunny patio of my favorite restaurant with my man friend was the perfect way to do it. And I'm going to keep enjoying it through the weekend! Cold weather will be here before you know it.

Enjoy Life, I sure am.

STYLE ICON: EMMA STONE

Well, here it is. My public proclamation of my obsession with all things Emma Stone. We're talking like Helga-Potaki-Obsessed-With-Arnold obsession. She's charming, smart, and uses her fame for good (if you don't know what I'm talking about, Click Here.) On top of all that, she is so impeccably dressed both on the red carpet and off. While at press events, she frequently rocks flouncy skirts and collars, on the street she can be seen in menswear, and on the red carpet she is dressed to the nines in coquettish, girly gowns. So today, steal her effortless street style for fall all for under $50!

Stripe Shirt, LL Bean $10 - Leather jacket, chicnova.com - Skinny Jeans, Hollister $40

Flats, American Eagle $30 - Bag, Kelly & Katie $35 -Wayfarers, KW $12

Lip and Cheek Stain, Tarte $30 - Mascara, Rimmel London $8


Tomorrow we are taking a look at her red carpet style, and let me tell you, it is BEYOND crazy amazing.

MUSIC + WORKING OUT

For me, music is a key part of my workout. The one time I got to the gym and realized I forgot my headphones was a complete nightmare. The gym kind of plays music, the machines rattle, people are yelling absurd things  like "BRO LOOK HOW YOKED I LOOK". Those 30 minutes on the elliptical felt like 3 hours. Postgrad tip: alternating speeds when doing cardio burns fat faster than one consistant pace, so speed up as your music pace speeds up and slow down as it slows.

My workout playlist? I listen on random so this is in no particular order:

1. Just A Ride - Jem (okay I lied this is first because it is my warm up song)

2. The Workout Song - Kanye West

3. Crazy in Love - Beyonce feat Jay-Z

4. La La La (Hot Girls) - Bilingual Version - Da Zoo (Don't hate, give it a try!!)

5. Birthday Cake - Rihanna

6. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson

7. Collide (Radio Edit) - Leona Lewis/Avicii

8. I Like How It Feels - Enrique Inglesias

9. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

10. Feel It (Explicit Album Version) - Three 6 Mafia vs. Tiesto with Sean Kingston and Flo Rida

11. Heads Will Roll (Radio Edit) - A-Track (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) 

12. Calling (Lose My Mind) - Alesso

13. Gangnam Style - Psy 

14. Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine

15. Young Dumb and In Love - Matt Kearney

16. Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry

17. Thunderstruck - AC/DC

BEST DRESSED EMMY'S

I love red carpet gowns. If I could have any job in the entire world, it would definitely be a red carpet stylist. So obviously every time it is awards season I am in absolute heaven. Since I don't believe in bullying people, we are strictly sticking to the best dressed at tonight's Emmy Awards. There were so many beautiful dresses, it was very very hard to choose my favorites.

 Linsey Pulsipher shows us a beautiful boho look in a flowy orange gown.

 

Tina Fey is so beautiful, and I don't think her red carpet looks usually do her justice. However, tonight she looked STUNNING in this column dress that showed off her rockin bod and her classic hair and makeup were a perfect compliment.

 Zooey Deschenel looks ethereal and playful in this gorg powder blue gown.

 Yellow is absolutely one of my favorite colors and Claire Danes' gown is so casual and effortless, but elegant at the same time.

Emily Vancamp looks great in this grey gown with lace and sheer detailing. 

 

Ginnifer Goodwin has amazing style and definitely did not fall short tonight. I love the vibrant orange and the peep of her beautiful shoes showing at the bottom of the gown.

January Jones is a frequent risk taker on the red carpet. I love the flowy, but still architectural, folds of this black gown, and the contrast of the stripes in the bodice and skirt.

 

 

I love Modern Family and I love Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Best Dressed in Bow Ties definitely goes to him and his very cute fiance. 

 

 

Again with the yellow! Leslie man looks so stunning in this gown that is so different from a usual red carpet style. Her turquoise earrings make it even perfect.

Another Modern Family star, Sarah Hyland's gown is beautiful AND age appropriate, something that seems hard for other starlets her age to accomplish. The Mila Kunis look-a-like looks spectacular.

MEOW.

Word around town is that leopard is being declared as the new neutral... seeing as I have been rocking leopard as a neutral for quite some time now, I'm feeling pretty good about being ahead of the curve. Leopard is so fascinating because it tiptoes that line of chic and cheap with as much precision as a tightrope walker. The best way to handle the print is in small doses, a skinny belt here, leopard flats with a chic dress there... as long as you stay away from dressing in the print head to toe. I am dying for the Zara heels below, omg.

Long Sleeve Top, Romwe.com $56 - Peplum Top, River Island $40 -

Slingbacks, Zara $80 - Booties, Bqueen $79 - Smoking Loafers, Liz Claireborne $60

Clutch, Topshop $45 - Tote, Dorothy Perkins $73

Earrings, Juicy Couture $30 - Ring, Nelly Accesories $10

Watch, River Island $29 - Scarf, Chicnova.com $15 - Belt, Banana Republic $50

IF I WERE A BOY

When it comes to getting dressed, guys have it so easy. And they don't even realize. Seriously, all you need is a well-fitted pair of jeans and a solid V-neck and you look good. I do appreciate guys who can put in a little more effort and take some chances on trendy clothes (but no hipsters, I am not talking to you. Your jeans and cardigans should not be tighter than mine.)

V-Neck, American Vintage $45 - Shawl Collar Sweater, Aliexpress.com $40 - Jeans, Cheap Monday $68
Key Ring/Bottle Opener, Paul Smith $81 - Watch, Merona (TARGET!!!) $14.99 - Iphone Case, Goodwood $30
Wallet, Diesel $85 - Boots, Vave $495 - Dodger Hat, New Era $82

While most of the things in this outfit are a little more expensive than I usually like to feature on Postgrad, trendy and affordable men's clothes are extremely easy to find when shopping. Check out H&M (I even shop their men's section for oversize sweaters and v-necks) and Forever21 Mens!

DRESSING FOR FALL - 70's INSPIRATION

Despite the ridiculous heat wave going on, I can't contain my excitement to dress for fall. Fur vests might not be new for this season, but I love the 70's vibe that they give off. Rachel Zoe's look below is very hippie-meets-chic, and I find it pretty groovy.



Blouse, Monki $45 - Vest, H&M $40 - Jeans, 7 for all mankind $131
Pumps, Vince Camuto $58 - Clutch, Asos $29
Ring, House of Harlow 1960 $65 - Sunglasses, Tory Burch $149

POSTGRAD FITNESS 2.0: SWIMMING

Hopefully anyone else that has been trying to get fit has been keeping on tracks! I've been working pretty hard. Well, except fro-yo. and bin candy. and in-n-out..oops. Good thing I have taken up swimming laps this summer and (somewhat) surprisingly found my new favorite cardio. I have always loved being in the water, being from California and all, but the though of swimming back and forth in a pool sounded sooooo boring. After hurting my knee earlier this summer and getting tired of the bike, it was my own option to work out. At first I was confused on what to do without my ipod, but then I found that swimming is peaceful, clears your mind, and is a great whole body work out! Toned arms, legs, backs, and abs, hello! If you want to start swimming, here are a few tips to get started:

1. Get to know the right strokes. To keep from getting bored, I switch between freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and kickboarding. Look up the right form or bring a friend and ask them to let you know how you can improve. Sometimes the smallest changes make the stroke that much easier to do.

2. Get the Right Swimsuit. While its acceptable to swim in a bikini, most pools are filled with elderly people in one pieces so a speedo is a little more comfortable. Plus, bikinis don't really stay in place all that well when swimming laps so a speedo is best to swim in so you don't have to keep stopping to make sure your not flashing the old men and ladies. I got a two piece one from Nike that makes me look like a badass swimmer. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing, you WILL have love handles. Unless you are Alessandra Ambrosio. You need your bottoms tight that don't fall off, so they squeeze your sides pretty tight.

1. Speedo, $100 - 2. Speedo, $100 - 3. Nike, $52 
4. Nike, $70 - 5. Nike, $62 6. Nike, $74

3. Now get the right accessories! Besides the swimsuit, goggles and a cap are very important too. If your gym doesn't supply kickboards (it probably does) then I would suggest purchasing one yourself.

Goggles, $15.99 & Cap $11.99

Here.

Here.

4. Speak up in the lanes. Most pools have a limited number of lanes but swimmers are happy to share their lanes if you ask. Just stay to one side. Don't be afraid to ask the nice old ladies :)

5. Take care of yourself after your swim! The crazy amounts of chlorine in public pools really does a number on your hair and skin. Make sure you hydrate like crazy! I love Aveeno's leave-in conditioner to keep my hair soft after swimming. As for skin, Jergens lotion is amazing to keep your skin healthy too.

Hair Ties, Emi-Jay $6.50 - Moisturizing Oil, Moroccan Oil $50 - Sunscreen, Neutrogena $11
  Facial Moisturizer, Clinique $37 - Pomegranate Makeup Removing Wipes, Korres $12- Detangling Comb, The Body Shop $7
Minted Rose Lip Balm, Smith's $8 - Leave-in Conditioner, Aveeno $7- Healing Lotion, Jergens $7 - Detangling Spray, Pantene Pro-V $4

LIFE IS TOO SHORT.

Busy, busy day today... so just a quick post.

Important things to remember.

POSTGRAD LIKES: GANGNAM STYLE!

I have been on a serious exercise bender lately. The best motivation? picturing getting serenaded by this when your workout is over:

WANDERLUST.

Even though I just got home, I just want to travel more. The world is too big!

Fedora, Charlotte Russe $5 - Ear Cuff, missselfridge.com $18 -  CA T-shirt, Tilly's $19 - Paris Sweater, ustrendy.com $49
Star of David Bracelet, Max & Cleo $50 - Aztec Dress, allyfashion.com $35
Airplane Charm, Tiffany's $150
Passport Holder, Aspinal of London $42 - LOVE Poster, Etsy $20 - Purse, Roxy $30
Hamsa Necklace, Blee Inara $55 - Woven Bangles, Madewell $14
Stripe Pillow, Multiyork $57 - Rectangular Pillow, Oliver Bonas $24 - Medallion Pillow, OKA $195

POST GRAD LOOOVES: THE GREAT GATSBY

I love the 20's. I love Art Deco architecture, the fringe, the sequins, the dancing, the people from that era... basically I am Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris, except unlucky for me I don't have a time machine that takes me to that era every night. Since I have such a love for the 20's, it's a given that The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books. And then when I saw the trailer for the movie...I. Died. If you haven't seen it yet. Watch it right now, you'll thank me after.

 I need all the clothes. in my closet. now.

1. Eyelashes, Debenhams $40 - 2.Half-moon Earrings, Sabine $28 - 3.Triangle Earrings, Carole $10
4.Chain Earrings, BCBG $48 - 5.Heels, Jimmy Choo $1,050 - 6. Gold Necklace, Forever21 $13
7. Silver Necklace, MetroPark $31 - 8. Sequin Dress, Haute Hippie $795 - 9. White Tank, Buckle $27
10. Sandals, Asos $29 - 11. Dress, Xhilaration $25 - 12. Cream Tank, Miss Selfridge $57 - 13. Shorts, Nonoo $92
14. Fringe Tank, Banks $48 - 15, Cream Shoes, Aldo $45  - 16. Purse, Urban Outfitters $49
17. Black Shoes, Jeffrey Campbell $200 - 18. Feather Skirt, Calypso St. Barth $149 - 19. Fringe Top, Pull and Bear $32

LUST/MUST: KATE SPADE POLKA DOTS

If you follow Kate Spade on Instagram or Facebook (or both like me!) you'll know all about their dot collection going on now. Every time I log into social media its a sensory polka dot overload. Lucky for me, I love polka dots and I am very happy to see them making a comeback in a big, and chic, way. Since I consider Kate Spade to be the queen of the darling dot print, I'll show you how to get the look for less below!

Klutz that I am, I need an ultra protective case. But if I didn't I would gladly own either of these. 

Left, Kate Spade $40 Here.

Right, Etsy $16.95 Here. 

 

Quite chic. Makes you want to go to Paris, no?

Left, Kate Spade $32 Here.

Right, Anthropologie $18 Here.

 

Pretty sparkles.

Left, Kate Spade $48 Here. 

 Right, Tinley Road $22 Here.

 

OVERSIZE DOTS I LOVE YOU!

Left, Kate Spade $298 Here.

Right, Lulu*s $78 Here.

 

Ahhh Forever, our favorite store to get designer-inspired clothing.

Left, Kate Spade $448 Here.

Right, Forever 21 $22.80 Here.

 

I am thoroughly fond of the nude/black/oversized dot combo in the Kate Spade version.

Left, Kate Spade $298 Here.

Right, Madewell $134.99 Here.

 Want a quick Dotty Fix? Check out The Beauty Department's DIY Dot Mani tutorial here.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS STYLE - ARIA

On PLL, Aria always seems to be way too overdressed for school, but well put together in her gothy-eclectic way. I think only she could rock galaxy print, feather earrings, and a mustache ring all in the same look. Steal her style with the outfit below!

Dress, Te Amo $40 - Blazer, SheInside.com $47 - Boots, Neway $36
Bag, Urban Expressions $49 - Iphone Case - MJ by Marc Jacobs $34 - Sunglasses, River Island $21
Earrings, Romwe.com $13 - Mustache Ring, Windsor $11 
Circle Ring, Gorjana $80 - Knot Ring, KG Kurt Geiger, $32