So sorry!

I just wanted to stop in and let everyone know that I'm super sorry for the lack of updates. Please don't forget about my blog while it's in hibernation for the next few days! School starts for me on Tuesday, and I have quite the list of summer assignments to finish up. I have a lot of things to mention/show you when I get back, so make sure to come back in 4 days! Have a fabulous Labor Day weekend & make sure to be safe!

-K.B.

Upset with Old Navy

I just got back from my local Old Navy, and am majorly bummed. There were a lot of cute styles there that looked sooo good folded, or on a mannequin: grey skinnies, a charcoal fleece jumper (pictured), a large pocket tunic, etc. But when I tried all of these things on, they were either too big there, or too small here. Talk about frustrating!

One successful piece I tried on (but didn't buy; I'm waiting for it to go on sale!) were wide legged, corset jeans*. I LOVED how they made me feel, and they actually fit pretty well throughout. The only problem was the length, but since I'm a shortie, that's usually the case.

But doesn't it just break your heart when you try an item of clothing on that looks like it'll be fabulous, just to find out it doesn't look good on you? Tear, tear.

-K.B.

*I would show you a picture of these fabulous jeans, but they don't seem to be on the Old Navy website! Hmm. Interesting.

Photo credit: Old Navy

T-shirt lovin'

My boyfriend and I went to New Haven last night for our last date before he went away to college. We both saw this shirt and thought it was so funny. Being the lucky gal I am, he bought it for me!

Going through his old t-shirts, there was a bunch that didn't fit him anymore. So I was also lucky enough to snag a few worn in, comfty t-shirts to wear to bed (or reconstruct..hmm..).

Long live the tee!

-K.B.

Photo credit: UO

Guilty pleasures, 8/27/07

Back when I started this blog, I wanted to have a unique weekly post under the same subject. After listening to the radio yesterday, I was inspired!; why not a "guilty pleasures" post? We all have them, and I know mine change daily. After posting my most recent guilty pleasures, I would love to hear everyone elses. C'mon, you know you have them!

• Avril Lavigne's "When Your Gone" & Pink's "Who Knew" - I swear, that's all they have been playing on the radio, and even though I don't particularly care for either artist, these songs have nice lyrics.


• Not having to pay for gas when I go out - Thank you, mom and dad.


• Using my womenly-ness as an excuse to eat lots and lots of junk food


• Free samples at health food stores - like this local one here.


• Being excited for back-to-school shopping - even when I still have homework (and lots of it) to finish up.
  
  -K.B.

Manhattan, part two

Visiting the city yesterday was ten times better than my Monday trip. Why? Please refer to this brief list:

• Taking the train & seeing Grand Central Station for the first time
  
• Seeing the memorial service for the NYC firefighters who recently passed away: it was such a beautiful, moving experience, and the amount of people who came to St. Patricks to watch was heartwarming.


• Saks, and its shoe level with its own zip code (I felt awkward taking a picture here, so please excuse the horrible-ness of it!)


• FIT (more on that later)
  
• Chipotle burritos; have you seen the size of those things? Delicious!

I visited the Fashion Institute of Technology with my dad for one of its information sessions. After experiencing a casual, "how about YOU ask me questions and I'll answer them"-type session at Parsons, I wasn't expecting much. Instead, what we got was the most informative, well-rounded 2 hours of information I have heard from any college I've visited. More importantly: now I know this is where I want to go. Everything about FIT is perfect, it's almost surreal. And it's right in the middle of the Fashion District!

Today was spent spending more money than I should have, on items that really weren't necessary. I bought a cute little Moleskin notebook to tote around in my purse to replace all of my scrap pieces with numbers and times jotted down, as well as the latest issue of Preen (even though I still have to flip through the ginormous September Vogue; is it bad that I've been saving it for the right time, almost as if it's a special treat?)

I hope everyone has had a very stylish weekend so far!

-K.B.

Funky fresh

I wore this outfit last night to my friend's house for our weekly viewing of The Hills (Team Lauren!). The whole time, I kept thinking that I should be doing jazzercise or something silly like that. And, I couldn't get Ciara's "1, 2 Step" out of my head.

Camisole -- Kohls
Tunic -- F21
Leggings -- A.A.
Flats -- Target

Like I said in the previous post, these leggings are the most comfortable bottoms in the world. If you don't have a pair...go treat yourself and buy one!

-K.B.

Manhattan, part one

Manhattan was even better than I remembered it being. There is so much to see everywhere you look; the city is like a never ending supply of eye candy. First, I had a quick lunch with my parents at an Au Bon Pain, and then it was time to do some shopping!

We made quick stops at Anthropologie (if I could choose one store that is the embodiment of my natural style, this would be it), Juicy Couture (um. Let's just say I couldn't afford anything there), Levi's for my mom, and American Apparel! I finally decided to purchase a pair of purple leggings, and now I want them in every color. They're super comfy, and I just want to live in them 24/7!

Then it was off to a quick, informative information session at Parsons on 5th avenue. Frankly, I loved everything about the college. It's right in the heart of the city, borders other colleges (part of NYU's right next door), and the diversity of the student body is astounding. Please accept my application, Parsons!

On the way out, we passed by S'MAC, a simple East Village restaurant specializing in mac n' cheese. I'm praying we'll make a stop there Friday, when we go back to visit FIT.

-K.B.

Speaking of boots...

On Monday, I'm going to visit Parsons in Manhattan with my parents. The downside: it's supposed to be pouring out. And of course, if I'm going to visit one of the schools I'm most interested in applying to for fashion design, I might as well look as good as possible on a dreary day. I found this super cute pair of rain boots at Laila Rowe in New Haven last night for $35.

And I already know what dress I'm wearing to match...=)

-K.B.

The Great Debate

Some swear by them. Others claim they are the UGGliest boots ever created. This debate seems to be never ending between my friends and family; but really...why hasn't the trend of Uggs gone away?

For as long as they've been popular in my town, I have considered them quite unattractive--especially the "short" ones. I could never wrap my head around why people wear the short Uggs. But then, I found an ad in a magazine for this gloriously hippie, flower-embroidered pair. I drooled over their uniqueness that set them apart from other Uggs for months. But when I finally had enough money to buy them, the wait list was over 4 months long, and winter would be long over by then.

This season, I considered the idea of purchasing a pair of Uggs ahead of time. The only pair I would ever wear are the "tall" ones in either Chocolate or Black. Before I knew it, I was ordering a pair of chocolate Uggs last night on Shopbop. I'm still not positive I should've bought them. My rationale is that a) winter is FREEZING here, and my Birkenstocks probably aren't the best winter shoes, b) they will last many, many years to come, and c) brown (or shall I say, "chocolate") goes with my whole wardrobe, so it won't be too hard to find clothes that look good with them.

I guess it's a little to late now, but what does everyone else think about Uggs? Have you given in and bought a pair of this never ending "trend"?

Photo Credit: Ugg Australia

-K.B.

The cupcake gal

Yesterday I had a sudden urge to bake delicious, icing & sprinkle topped cupcakes. I didn't want them to be the same ol' vanilla batch, though, so I went recipe hunting for a simple vegan cupcake recipe. I found a super-easy one here, on wikiHow; the only difference between this recipe and regular cupcakes was the use of soy milk in place of regular milk, and the use of oil instead of butter and eggs. (*I am neither vegan nor vegetarian, but always love trying out such recipes to see what I can do differently) I then decorated the tops with raspberry and orange frosting and pretty star sprinkles. Unfortunately the frosting itself was not vegan.. I didn't have time to make my own and instead purchased it pre-made.

Today, I ventured into work today, cupcakes in tow, and waited for my coworkers to try them. They liked the denser texture, and subtle sweetness (I used a little less than 1.5 cups of sugar for 24 cupcakes...so I don't really understand why they didn't taste sweeter).

I also figured I'd dress up in a cutsey dress for such an occasion.

Black top & dress: H&M
Pink leather purse: my mom's
White flats: Target

I apologize for the picture overload of moi! I didn't think to take pictures of just the cupcakes. My friend and I decorated them together, and decided to go photo crazy.

-K.B.

Rain, rain

Today I woke up to the sound of rain. It sucks really, waking up to that, because it just makes me want to stay in bed all day. So after having to force myself up and start my day, I had to meet with my art teacher for the school year and show her my summer homework progress. Basically, I have a lot of work to do. Sometimes I think I'm too sensitive for criticism, even when it is constructive. I need to learn how to change that, asap!

Now it is almost Saturday, the rain is still trickling down, and I am freezing. Wearing winter pajamas to bed in August is just crazy! At least the rain will make for a good night's sleep.

I hope everyone else's day was sunny, or at least a good one!

-K.B.

Fruity, perfume-y musings

Photo credit: Betseyjohnson.com

I don't recall the first time I smelled Betsey Johnson's perfume, but that is the day I fell in love. This "fruity floriental" scent (as described on the Betsey Johnson website) is an instant mood lifter. I hate being unable to smell the scent a few minutes after I spray it on. If it weren't for potentially disgusted looks I would get from passerbyers, I would spray this perfume on me every few minutes.

Fruity, sweet-smelling fragerances are definitely my thing. I never thought I would like Paris Hilton's perfume until smelling it in a magazine; it instantly reminded me of sugary grapefruit candy (I have a pretty intense sweet tooth).

What's your favorite perfume/perfume genre? I'd love to hear!

-K.B.

P.S. On a completely unrelated note, I still do not believe this is really Gwyneth Paltrow.

Remembering to breathe

Has anyone ever met someone...whether it be an acquaintance or new found friend...who is a breath of fresh air? To me a breath of fresh air is this: someone who stands out from the rest in all the right ways. Usually I find breaths of fresh air in the little things people do, i.e., holding the door open, smiling, saying hello, and I try to do the same.

In high school, 99% of boys are as follows: stubborn, arrogant, and sex-minded. I was lucky enough to meet one recently who does not fit that description, and is a down-to-earth, friendly person. I am now very glad we've become friends and consider him my most recent breath of fresh air, the 1%.

On a Hollywood level, Anne Hathaway has to be my favorite breath. She is a confident woman with a great personality and style to match. Always stunning, always different (no rehab for her!), she is the perfect role model for girls of all ages.

Credits:

"Breathe"

Anne Hathaway photos

-K.B.

My newest lust: C.S.

Whilst browsing Style.com tonight, I came across Castle Starr, a line of playful party frocks in a mix of vintage and modern designs. Their website is instantly inviting with its jazz music and lusty feel. At around $600 for an intricately designed dress, Castle Starr isn't the most expensive clothing label in the world. If you have an event you could possibly splurge this much on, their clothing looks like it would be well worth the money. Their clothing has been featured in Teen Vogue (on Ashley Olsen!), InStyle, Nylon, and Allure, as well as other publications. Take a look at their site and you may just fall in lust as well.

-K.B.

Wishlist Part 1

Is anyone else already thinking about fall fashion?

There's so much I'm drooling over, including booties, wide-legged jeans, and funky blouses.

Betsey Johnson booties, Moschino Cheap & Chic booties, Ditto's jeans, Genetic jeans, GAP blouse, Marc by Marc Jacobs blouse.

-K.B.

A mad hat & jeans

The closest Goodwill to my home is...mediocre. I once found a brand spankin' new, $98 Banana Republic tweed skirt there. That, however, is my only success story. After reading about/seeing very awesome thrift store finds over at other blogs, I decided to try my luck out again, nearly a year later.

My first find? (Or shall I say, my mom's first find for me? Gotta love the mother.) A Merrimac Hat Corporation wool hat (where they still used mercury to make them), with a "Macy's, New York" tag. I had no idea what this hat company was until I Googled it just now; unfortunately the factory is now a condominium development.

The ribbon around the back edge of it is totally off, as you might be able to tell from the safety pin holding it in place in the picture.
Then, I found a trouser-ish pair of Gap jeans that fit me like a glove (and somehow remind me of Carol Brady). There is no such thing as too many jeans!

In conclusion, I have a new hope for this particular Goodwill.

-K.B.

Fall fashion standouts

For some reason, I rarely go on a designer's website to view runway collections...probably because it is just so overwhelming and probably because I fancy too many designers to view regularly. But as I was flipping through the August issue of Vogue, I found some stand-out architectural pieces of clothing, my favorites being from Bottega Veneta and Marc Jacobs' fall collections.




(Photos from Style.com)

The BV skirt suit balances just the right amount of fitted and flouncy; the color reminds me of a crisp autumn day. On the other hand, the MJ look is fitted and completely polished, and the pop of red on the collar is somewhat flirtatious and sexy.

These are only two of many looks I found intriguing in Vogue, and for once I was inspired to learn more by visiting the designers' websites.

-K.B.