i WILL keep these

Photo by rkr806 on Flickr

Here's my own set of resolutions for 2008 that I will be happy to keep.

I will...

• learn to walk in high heels- as of right now, I walk sort of wobbly in them. I plan on practicing regularly and hopefully by graduation, I'll be a pro!
• keep a daily sketchbook and/or blog- I really want to regularly sketch in my sketchbook, or post on here. or both!
  
• stop procrastinating!!!- since the hectic Christmas season, I've been getting better at this. I refuse to give up on this main resolution; my life will be much more free of stress if I learn how to plan things out instead of waiting until the last minute.
• keep a money diary- my main concern currently should be saving for college; however, buying a latte or new shirt is so much more appealing. keeping a diary of every cent I spend will help me see my cash downfalls on paper, and will hopefully influence future spending.
• clean my room daily- this goes along with not procrastinating (if I let things pile up, cleaning will just take that much longer in the end).
  
• read more & learn something new every day- to expand my knowledge :)
  
• exercise regularly- ...to stay happy. I feel as though putting weight loss & exercising together makes it so much more serious. but after I exercise, I feel so much more energized and happy! the half hour of sweat and pain is worth it for that happiness.
• do something for myself once a week- this includes little indulgences such as buying a new nail polish or watching a new movie that I usually wouldn't make time for.

What are your resolutions?

-K.B.

New Year's Eve outfits

My top picks and arrangements, put together using Polyvore.


Herve Leger dress, BCBGirls stillettos, Forever21 jewelry & clutch

Vintage dress, Stuart Weitzman clutch, D&G stillettos

Moschino vintage t-shirt, Intermix tights, BCBGirls watch, Stuart Weitzman clutch, Miss Sixty shoes, Forever21 necklace

Happy New Year, everyone!

-K.B.

The best candy bar

On Friday, I woke up early to catch an Amtrak train ride into the City with my boyfriend. We had been dreaming about roaming around Manhattan for months, and finally the opportunity arose to make it a reality!

After walking to Central Park in hopes that the ice skating rink would not be too busy (hah!), I was distracted by passerbyers carrying Dylan’s Candy Bar bags of deliciousness. Just last week, I was watching VH1’s “Fabulous Life Of…” and saw this candy store mentioned! We decided to pass on waiting in the never-ending ice skating line, and instead walked over to 3rd avenue in search of this candy store.

When we arrived, we waited in a short line before being released into the two story (soon to be three) candy-lover’s paradise. I practically trampled over young kids just so I could get my grapefruit slices and Haribo candies I had been craving all day! After picking up a bag for myself, and some old-fashioned candies for my parents, we headed to the check out, being left with a “Have a sweet day!” from the cashier.

If you are ever strutting around the Upper East Side like a Gossip Girl and are in need of a candy fix, I recommend Dylan’s Candy Bar to help settle your sweet tooth.

-K.B.

Blush you!

One beauty product I started to crave after receiving a Sephora catalog before Christmas was Smashbox’s O-Glow. The claims seemed too good to be true: just rub a clear gel onto your cheeks with your fingertips, and watch your cheeks blush their natural color. Nevertheless, I was intrigued.

I was so happy to receive O-Glow as a stocking stuffer for Christmas, and promptly tried it out after all the present-opening was complete. And it worked! I found my pale self blushing a light shade of pink that stuck with me for the rest of the day. Although it is definitely different than my favorite peachy Nars blush in Orgasm, it is so easy to use and fun to watch it work its magic.

Picture Key – Top left: O-Glow (Picture from Sephora.com), Top right: Before trying it, Bottom left: Excited!, Bottom right: Glowing

I wonder how it does it!

-K.B.

"Upscale" cheapies?

Cheap no more.

Every now and then, fashionistas like myself I'm sure head to a Goodwill or other thrift store in hopes of finding a name-brand bargain. There's a certain thrill that comes with finding a vintage hat or purse for a few bucks, rather than its original hundred or so. But yesterday when I ventured to the Westport, CT Goodwill in hopes of finding such a steal, instead I found Burberry trench coats for $90, and real fur coats for $300+. Is Goodwill really allowed to charge that much?! I was so shocked and disappointed at the price of these jackets that I left with nothing in hand. (I also found a pair of Marc Jacobs jeans ... an incredibly ugly pair, nonetheless).

Today, I went to a more local Goodwill, not ready to give up so fast on my search for a vintage-y item. There were also $100 fur coats there, and jewelry grab bags for $20. Once again, I bought nothing.

A few minutes ago while browsing Fashionista, I came across an ad for Patricia Field for Payless, a limited edition holiday collection. I adored these boots, but when I saw the price, I was shocked. $55 for Payless boots?! Are you kidding me?

Is anyone else shocked by the new 'upscale' ways of cheap stores? Have you found an item you love, only to discover its higher-than-average price tag? Or is all this frustration completely irrational?

-K.B.

P.S. I'm back! All of my college applications are done, with the exception of F.I.T. ... my portfolio review is on December 8th though, so I'm still working my tail off!

Mishmash

I apologize for the complete lack of posts. College, AP art, and life in general has taken quite a toll on my life. I have narrowed down my list to the Fashion Institute of Techonlogy, Philadelphia University, University of Vermont, Marist, and Assumption. I know I need to focus on actually getting accepted into each school, but I'm really struggling now about where I want to go and what I want to do. I mean, Vermont and NYC are complete opposites!

Any how, I would like everyone to know that I am still reading all of your blogs, and try to comment when I get the chance; reading them keeps me sane during the complete whirlwind that has been this month!

Hugs & love,
Kayla

Vermont

Photo by Kipernicus, via Flickr

Fall is my favorite season, hands down. So since the weather has continuously been 80 degrees and humid in Connecticut, I have not been a happy camper. Luckily, my family had been planning a quick Vermont visit so we could visit UVM. When we arrived in Burlington this afternoon, I was in heaven. The air was chilly and crisp and the leaves were changing colors; what more could a New England girl ask for?

Granted, I have yet to visit all of the states. But ever since vacationing there two summers ago, it has become one of my favorites. I adore the laid back lifestyle, the weather, and especially the locally produced food. It's funny how I know I want to go to college in New York City or Vermont--they are complete opposites! For those of you ever planning on visiting, here is a must-do activity list:

• Visit the Ben & Jerry's Factory; I've gone on the tour three times and each time just gets better and better! (I am a bit ice cream obsessed, though..)


• Shop downtown Burlington; with an American Apparel, a myriad of Vermont-made stores, and great food, you could spend all day here and not get bored.


• Rent a cabin on Lake Champlain; This is the definition of a relaxing vacation: being surrounded by the wilderness and the lake is just amazing!
  
• Buy your food at local co-ops; Supporting local farmers is a great way to do your part in helping to save the environment (plus the food is just better that way!).
  

While in Burlington, I picked up a few American Apparel necessities...

Images from American Apparel

Happy Columbus Day weekend!

-K.B.