Style History: WWD 100

I was lucky enough to grab the last copy of WWD's 100th Anniversary special edition at B&N the other day. It's already selling for double the cover price on Amazon, so I felt extra proud of my bargain-finding skills.

You can still buy it for the regular price on WWD.com, but hurry. Packed from cover to cover with historical articles, vintage photos, and fashion trivia, this is something you will want for posterity. At least, that's how I justified spending the extra few dollars.
Who says fashion is not educational?
-B.

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In Now: Never Gonna Survive Unless...

...we get a little crazy. These flats are currently on-sale in the boutique where I work. Nothing leopard-printed has made it's way into my wardrobe yet, but I think this is the right time, yes? As if the sale price and adorable style (buckles + leather) were not enough, they have a padded sole that equals serious comfort.

SOLD to the broke college girl behind the desk.

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The Importance of Being Real

Nonfiction is generally not accepted by my flighty, 20-something brain. Give me Jane Austen, Lauren Weisberger, Dan Brown, or a stack of more New York Times bestsellers and I will be happy for hours. Christmas vacation coincided, unfortunately, with a rare lack of work so the County Library System has been brought back into my social circle (I de-friended it in 2007 when college became more popular).

The “New Books” section is conveniently placed near the door so I don’t have to venture too far into the sea of 60-and-ups (no joke, I am routinely the youngest person present). I decided to break out of my comfort zone and see if anything on the nonfic side caught my attention. This book instantly sprang out at me. Let’s be honest.. The bright pink binding probably was the main attractor.

Big HUGE fabulous luck.

The Duchess of Devonshire (Dowager, now) is 90 years old and has the writing style of a sarcastic, fresh-out-of-college journalist. “Wait for Me!” is her most recent book and tells the first-person story of her life, with lots of commentary on English happenings and on her family. Sounds boring, right?

Good thing I kept reading!

Deborah Mitford Cavendish (aka Debo) led, and is still leading, a fascinating life of social obligations that regularly include ridiculously famous people, remodeling massive castles and estates, and heading up dozens of committees, not to mention mothering 3 children and grand-mothering countless others (including supermodel Stella Tennant). She paints her family with beautiful humor that only the English can correctly pull-off, refers to dinners with Adolf Hitler and JFK as though it were perfectly normal, and gives herself absolutely no credit except when necessary.

Reading this book makes you realize the importance of the important things and the unimportance of the silly things. Personality quirks in others (that we are so quick to hate on) are accepted by her as what makes people interesting. Designer dresses, jewels, fabulous parties, regular trips around Europe, and unreal friendships with the Kennedy family and Givenchy himself fade into the background. Her parents, sisters, and husband are clearly much more dear to her than anything her status can provide.

Read this book for pleasure, since the extremely dry humor will make you laugh out loud, but also for personal benefit. I mean, really, how important is the latest Chanel nail polish in light of refurbishing one of England’s most picturesque estates to be enjoyed by the entire world?

Good question.

Now read,
-B.

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Say Yes to the (Short) Dress (with Leggings)

After weeks of wet, nasty cold weather, I woke up this morning to 60 degrees and sunshine. Can you say ‘unpredictable’? Scrambling through my closet to find something appropriately winter-ish but still breathable was almost impossible. I finally settled on jeans and a tank top/sweater combo, but my insecure side argued that I was not suitably fashion-forward. Sigh.

Meeting my friend, J, for lunch (to hear her engagement story and gab about weddings!) provided a little happy inspiration.. J’s choice for the unseasonably warm morning was a geometric-printed dress that fell just above the knee, leggings, flat suede boots, and a black blazer. Perfect. The dress could easily transition between all four seasons and the blazer + leggings made the entire outfit wintery but not suffocating.

Unfortunately I quickly discovered my lack of such a dress. Leggings? Check. Flat boots? Check. Blazer? Check. No dress. So of course…
I turned to the Shops (Bop and Style, that is).

Go shopping for yourself after you finish everyone else,
-B

Love the subdued color offset by that sassy bow!

Beautiful spring/summer dress, easily winterized with a jacket.

Feeling wild? ASOS knows how to do it right!

Elegant with all-black accessories, or spice it up with bright tights.





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Print-Struck

Metromix Link print newsletter recently had a photo-shoot for Greenville fall fashion and guess who had a photo spot?? So excited to see myself in print (see: print-struck) although my critical personality disliked the shot that was chosen. Oh well.. Being a supermodel, my life goal is not.
Scan of the photo + article coming soon!!




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Let's Go Disco

Every few months a certain trend crosses my path and turns me into a completely obsessed moron. I will not be satisfied until I have turned every store in the area up-side-down to find the perfect top, or skirt, or coat, or necklace, or shoe. My current obsession is a bit more dangerous than usual because instead of being a specific style or cut, it is a general desire for anything with sparkles. ANYTHING.

The sparkle craving began to take hold when OPI revealed the new Burlesque line, and became a full-fledged obsession when I saw shimmering skirts, tops, tights, and jackets on many of my fellow students at a recent theater event. Although the glitter-as-daywear trend has been on the blogs since August, it took me this long to appreciate the many uses a girl can have for something sparkly. Lucky for me, Black Friday is only 2 days away!

OPI Burlesque line. Bring On the Bling is going in my Ulta bag!

J. Crew sequin drizzle tank. Love paring this with jeans and a black jacket!

Charlotte Russe sequin mini skirt. Try it with a structured jacket or top in blush tones.

Loft glitter capri wallet. Perfect wristlet and super affordable too!

Kate Spade charm pump. Because it's just too pretty not to look at!

MF News Flash

I know, I know, ages have again passed since the last time I posted. Hey, fashion majors are busy people! Especially fashion majors who are spending the summer as interns.. Oh yes, I am officially one of THE fashion interns!! Super exciting and totally overwhelming, and I am loving every second! Hopefully I will remember to post here with regular updates on the internship, but if I disappear for a while, you can find me guest-blogging here. Twitter has finally won my grudging respect and you can find me under Major_Fashion.

Until next time!