A Quicky List of College Essentials

As the summer nights draw to an end, we are once again instilled with anxiety over a fast-approaching fall. This year, I will be leaving the nest-so to speak-and venturing south for college. Below I have the beginning to some essentials for those, like me, headed back to school this fall. 

My first and foremost essential is lululemon attire. Its comfortable, cute and a necessity for me. 

before I depart, I will for sure be spending one last visit to LuluLemon in MOA

  My thing with school supplies, is that it is already boring by nature, i need products that will make me want to study. My go to brands for my learning needs are Russell & Hazel and Le Pen. All their products are simple yet durable and chic all in one.

To finish off the list for tonight, all people should have duffel bags. It seems obvious but you just need one huge bag that you can easily and efficiently stuff anything and everything into. I've found solace with my packing in Vera Bradley's duffle bags. They are well made and washable--very spacious as well.

The Classic Bunny

I think in a past life I lived in the 1950's based solely on my adoration for all things vintage & classic. A long time obsession has been 1950's pin-ups and the lovely Playboy Bunnies. They tend to get a bad rap these days based on their editorial clothing selections--rather lack there of, but i'm talking vintage here, the classic bunny that used to be seen tending to customers at the Playboy club. Love the outfits, love the hair, love love love the lux-mysterious lives they seemed to live. Need I say more???

Whity-Knity Winter

I love thick chunky knits in the winter time, most likely because I live in Minnesota--so our winters get pretty darn cold. Additionally with this look I would advise layering, maybe some leggings underneath to start or skinny jeans, a nice soft long-sleeve v-neck, the chunky knit and in colder conditions the addition of a cozy scarf and hat. The look is comfortable and practical, plus it's been seen throughout the pages of current fashion magazines, so its a go! This is how to survive a Minnesotan winter in a nutshell--oh and don't forget the wool socks with some uggs!

Au'Naturale

Jessica Simpson searched for true beauty throughout the world in her tv series. Despite the fact that the show really only aired for one season, I still think that the message that Simpson sent to women all over was amazing. Additionally her idea to learn how other cultures portray beauty was fresh and a good change from the normal reality tv shows like jersey shore.

A natural look emits an undeniable sense of confidence, Beyonce is just one example of this.

In addition to confidence, natural beauty is effortless, a clear representation of 'you', even minimal make-up can really brighten your face.

Within our culture we are always trying to look 'our best'. Over the years it seems almost as if this 'best' has reformed itself to mean 'someone else's best.' Take for instance Jersey Shore, in the beginning season there were so many rude remarks about Nicole (Snooki's) choice of make-up, but now teenage girls walk around wearing the same cakey make-up. I think the most important part about make-up is that it is a representation of yourself, yes it's extremely fun to experiment--i especially love putting on red lipstick every once in a while--but the most vital part to this is to be yourself, and consider your own signature. An unnatural spray tan and bronzer is clearly snooki's signature. As much as make-up is wonderful and I rarely leave the house without it, I also think its great and revitalising to go a day without any make-up. Your face will not only seem fresh but the next time you wear make-up it will feel almost as if your face has been to a detox camp--regenerating natural oils and nourishing itself while the make-up took a little vacation. For winter I think a good look to try would be more minimalistic, this doesn't necessarily mean to throw out all make-up and wipe everything off--but hey, its winter--everyone is pale maybe give the bronzer a break and just leave it to some mascara and a cute lip stain. just an idea:)

Faux Fur Fashion

Fur isn't for everyone, some love it while other's despise what it represents... My thoughts are that i'm more of a faux fur kind of person to begin with, the exception for me is that I have a few gorgeous pieces handed down from my great grandma who was a complete fashionista to say the least. Some things from her collection include a full length coyote coat (not really my style) , some kind of earmuffs, a sheared peach mink sweater (i love this one, but there is never an occasion to showcase it), and a few others. None of them are really everyday wear type of accessories, but on a blizzard-type day we'll see. To conclude, wearing fur isn't only for cruela devil, but the real stuff now a days sometimes just looks wrong, and its sometimes more fun to mix and match with a bunch a faux!

bearry cute, love big furry hats in the winter time!!

There is something about furs whether they are faux or real that adds a little sophistication and interest to an everyday outfit. I adore this look!

If fur is good enough for Chanel, it must be luxury for everyone else! These two photos are Chanel inspirations, because, well Chanel is always the best-in my opinion. I love the full on oufits-so eccentric & interesting. Additionally, this is one example where faux fur is made to look chic not cheap, which if your going to go that route is very important in the purchasing process, nobody aspires to look like a plastic rat. ick.

Christmas Early

There is a positive and negative side to this story. The positive is now that I have my own credit card, the ability for me to shop online is abundant, and as Christmas approaches this will ensure that I get all my shopping done on time. Negatively, my Wells Fargo account is beginning to plummet and my family thinks I'm not only a little early on the Christmas season but also a OSA (online shopping addict.) But hey, it could be worse, right?

The site I'm most guilty of excessively using is Gilt Groupe. For those of you who have yet to hear about it, I'd like to spare you from a lifelong shopping obsession--and you should probably steer clear of the rest of this post. For those of you who already are obsessed, or have extra money to spare, Gilt is an online site based in NYC that features top notch designer clothes, jewelery, home & personal accessories, even baby necessities. In a nutshell, if you need it, you can find it on Gilt Groupe. Oh, there is a plus side to this shopping too, not only are you getting high quality but at a good price, each designer featured is discounted on this site-and not just the stuff they couldn't sell elsewhere. My favorite buys thus far are some Voluspa candles and an evil-eye gold necklace. Additionally I have already done a good amount of my holiday shopping. My excuse when my mom brings me my packages from guilt is "Mom it's not my fault that all the best sales keep happening now," or "oh, another unbirthday present for me?"(I love alice in wonderland-so that one gets a little overused) Either way, if your stuck trying to find some wonderful gifts for any occasion, I would highly recommend checking out the website, as long as you don't see yourself as the 'addiction type.' Happy Holidays...early.

8 Favorite Beats for a Dreary Wednesday!

-Nora Jones; Don't Know Why

-Lupe Fiasco; Lightwork

-The Good Husbands; Things I Haven't Done

-Radical Something; Escape

-Sam Sparro; Black and Gold

-justin nozuka; Golden Train

-Colbie Caillat; Battle

-Cat Power; Sea of Love

I know tastes in music are vastly different, so these may not suit your Wednesday needs, but they definitely provided me with that extra boost to work on my homework...well the music and that extra cup of coffee I just finished!

Love That Dog; Eero Aarnio

These dogs are the reason I discovered Eero Aarnio, I'd love one-I don't exactly know where i'd display it, but I'll decide that when I get one I suppose!

~The double bubble.~

If this was my work space I'd spend time in it more often and maybe even get a few things done... or i'd just admire my space the entire time!

Eero Aarnio is known for his innovation to modernization. In 1968 he was awarded the American Industrial Design award. His use of plastic and fiberglass especially in chair and accessory design is especially notable. I first came across him through his modern dog sculptures, I think they are fantastic and affordable.

Colleen Atwood; Design Inspiration

Anyone who knows me, understands my extreme fascination with Alice in Wonderland. Whether its the classic or the new Tim Burton version, I will pick to watch these movies over anything else! The fantasy of it all is probably which initially lured me into it, but with much consideration I think my favorite part of the movies is the costume design. No one ever seems to give credit to costume designers, but could you even imagine a movie without them? no. Hands down, Colleen Atwood did the most incredible job designing the costumes in Alice and Wonderland. Her work is so eccentric, elaborate, and not to mention enticing!

The second picture in this post, is some more photography built off of the inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. The internet is full of these sort of pictures, which i love because they're all so intriguing!

Wonderfully White.

As winter seems to be approaching faster and faster each year, I decided might as well get ahead of the curve on this one. My favorite look for winter is simple-all white. Here are some interior inspirations for this look, it really accentuates a modern look for a home but also can add some interest into a more traditional home as well.

Garance Doré; Inspirational Illustration

This Ladies and Gentlemen is my absolute all-time favorite illustrationist ever. Garance Doré's works can be found within her blog, several fashion magazines, and in some other surprising places! She is constantly coming up with new cute & trendy illustrations, usually of long-legged fashionistas. Love them all but of course there are way too many to post all of them, so below i just posted a few of my favorite favorites, and to see more visit her blog!love love love love love love love love love love love these!

Award Shows; Emmys 2011

Aren't award shows just the best excuse to camp out in front of your TV all night? YES. It has become some sort of family tradition in my family whether it be the emmys, oscars, or whatever other award shows, you will find all four of us watching from the red carpet pre-show till the ending. The best part of course for me is the dresses, not to mention the episode of fashion police on E that follows the next day:) Here i've posted a few of my favorites from this years show!

So did they all call each other the night before to decide this years color?

Either way love the vibrant reds!

(2011)

Thinking Hot Pink & Gold

I adore color combos. There is of course the white & black combo, which has achieved the impression of classic through the many old hollywood movies and pictures. On my newest search for inspiration I scoured for a color combination that could initiate different feelings--represented a different look, but was all the same a combo that was delectable. The pairing of Hot Pink and Gold definatly sparked some interest. There is something about that eye-popping pair of metallics and brights which really creates a sort of regal feeling.

fit for a queen? clearly.

For the Love of Seahorses!

Sea Horses are really unique and have unfortunetly been on the endangered list since 2004. When she was younger, my Grandmother, Gabrielle used to keep these surreal animals as pets. Her fondness for them has never changed as she frequently takes me with her to visit the aquarium with her at the Mall of America. These ornate accessories are a fun way to show your love for these splendid creatures and could be put anywhere from a kids bedroom to any nautical themed room. They add a playful quality to a room with their amusing colors and fun swirly shape, and can be seen everywhere from a childrens room to a sitting room--usually best in small amounts, think of them as the sprinkles on top of a perfect sundae!

Operation Inspiration

I can't image in a picture any more cute or luxurious. People tend to have this idea of elephants as dirty, but let's face it this one is toting a frock much more high end then most of the people who probably take care of him. Guess luxury is just the price for being so adorable. I showed this picture to one of my good friends Kendall who loves both LV and elephants and let's just say she was speechless, just the effect I was hoping for:) Hope this wonderful photograph inspires all of you as it lightheartedly advocates the riches which it carries!

Decorating Essentials; Paisley

Paisley for many years has caught my eye, the fabric has an appealing look to it in my opinion which allows it to draw attention to itself whether it be used in a large or small scaled fashion. The catch behind my fascination with paisley is in fact its ability to be so versatile, its seen not only in the most chic decor but also used as accents in clothing, whether it be for children or adults. Its designs are ever-changing to ensure its popularity for years to come. Paisley prints originated in Persia and India. It is said to resemble both a stylized flower and a cypress tree, which is a representative symbol throughout many religions for life and eternity. Now, the feminine touch to paisley causes it to be used in a lot of decorating and thrive in clothing fashion as well.

Sweet, Sizzling, ect., ect.

So, it's definitely been way to long since i've had time to post as much as I did in my first few weeks of blogging. Not that life for me is usually all that busy and such, but for some reason, august has a knack for bringing out the beautiful writers block. The stress of one month to go until school really starts getting at me, but when you think of it isn't summer only like two and a half months? So technically speaking I've still got plenty of time for a little R & R. Then again, now that I'm older school is never really out, I mean I still have to read multiple books, write essays, take an online course, and be ready to feel inspired enough to make it through the next 9 months of syco. Now tell me, does that sound like a joke to you or what? The whole point of summer is to be able to spend time doing what we teenagers do best, (sleeping, partying, working...maybe?) but now over our small two and a half month vacation we also have to worry about when the hell we are going to stop procrastinating and read these stupid books. Of course It's not the teachers fault the classes have higher expectations... but seriously they do have what nine and a half months in order to squeeze as much of this crazy book reading in as they want. All I want in return is the R & R that I earned over the last nine and a half months. Thanks for the listening, enjoy your last couple weeks in peace!

Idolistic; Gwen Stefani

well ladies you know what they say...blondes do have more fun! Clearly expressed through Gwen's fun monochromatic models.

whoever said less is more is clearly off kilter here because she looks fabulous.

Prints & Patterns-she definetly knows how to dress to inspire me.

One of my favorite icons of all time is Gwen Stefani. When was the last time you saw her infamously receiving a DWI, or leaving her son defenseless in a ninety degree car? That's right, never. She is an amazing rolemodel due to her wacky sense of reality and glam lifestyle along with her ability to flawlessly reinvent herself nearly every decade--remaining forever more an idol. Not only do I adore her persona, but also her style is simply impeccable. Every time she is caught by the paparazzi, whether she is strolling down the streets or at a huge event, her look is always immaculate. Even her son, is always dressed to tackle anything in his way. All of her music videos are wonderfully done, my favorites as of now are in her album Sweet Escape, which like all her albums sold like mad. I specifically like ‘4 in the morning’ and ‘early winter.’ She has also since popularized her haute couture line LAMB, which has really hit some major runways and is continually bringing new styles to fashion season after season. love,love,love,love her.

Back To School, Inspiration-Indie

I'm of course on of those suckers for the Indian inspired trends. Something about the simplicity and unique way the things are created make them extremely genuine to me, despite the fact that I have not a drop of indian blood. Another thing that interests me about the Indian culture in general is their ornate symbols with strong traditional meanings. After reading the book, A Thousand White Women, which my grandma suggested, I feel a sort of connection with the Indian heritage and have obtained a great appreciation for their culture. One aspect that really stayed with me throughout the book was their ability to look past selfishness and instead respect the whole natural aspect of life by only taking what is necessary-something which in these times is drastically overlooked. The spiritual connection they have takes in consideration for everything around them which is also something that most people often don't think about. Minnetonka moccasins created quite the stir in my area, since I live in Minnetonka, as people actually began to buy them again. Buyers love their practical durability and the fact that they are very comfortable. I have a pair which I bought for the school season last year and I was actually surprised how often I ended up wearing them. Another Indian inspired item I adore are the dream catchers. Meant to ward off a bad nights sleep and horrible dreams, they're actually quite pretty looking. My good friend Sam even started wearing them around like a necklace. He got lots of compliments and I wouldn't be surprised if more people began doing the same thing. So if your looking for a new look that expresses the love of mother nature, of all the struggling Indian tribes, and also of comfort and practicality, this could be your look.
And for those of you that don't see wearing fashion-photography type outfits appearing in your wardrobe any time soon but still love the idea of some indian based essentials, I would recommend a stop at your nearest H&M store. I found a few really cool indie-type dresses and tunics for amazing prices that would do the trick. Also look out for anything turquoise, its a really complementary color that adds some pop to any outfit--recently I bought Essies color Turquoise & Ciacos...let's just say I love it. Also as said before, mocks are great, affordable. Look out as well for things with cool tribal prints such as scarves because that could really spice up your back to school wardrobe as well! But until then, soak up the rest of summer!