Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fashion Inspiration: Marta Cygan

This is Marta:


This is her blog: 


When I found said blog, it was love at first sight. 

Why? 

a) She's gorgeous
b) Her style is killer
c) She's short, like me! 

Here are some of her outfits that I love (bear with me, there's a lot of them): 


























As you can clearly see, she is pretty much the sole reason why I am obsessed with that IM open-knit shirt...and IM dicker boots...and basically IM, in general! 

xoxo































Sunday, September 25, 2011

15 Everyday Ideas to Borrow from the French (and Belgians)

An interesting article fom annkroeker.com.

In regards to "Matching Fancy 'Under Things'", I feel very vindicated by this! I've always liked to a) match my undergarments to the color top/bottoms I am wearing and b) match the bra to the underwear. And my roommates make fun of me for it! But if the French/Belgians do it, it's obviously okay. ;]

I was meant to be French, I swear.

Dreaming of Paris

I went shopping with one of my roommates (Julia--this is her blog, nothing on it, as of yet, but it's going to be make-up oriented) today and, over lunch, we discussed the possibility of taking a trip to Paris this winter.




When I tell you I love Paris, France, the French, the language...I really, really do. Many times, I just wish I had been born French. Malheureusement, I was not. Instead, I admire and lust for that je ne sais quoi from afar.

I've actually been to Paris, before--I was there for a week, doing tours and such with my mother, grandmother, and cousin--but that was in 4th grade and my memories of that beautiful place have worn thin. (Some things I remember: my mom buying Hypnotic Poison from a Parisian parfumerie; eating a chicken breast and french fries every night, because I was young and my palette was grossly under-developed; taking a nighttime boat ride on the Seine and watching a ghostly-looking Notre Dame cathedral float out of the fog, as well as a glittering, majestic Tour Eiffel.) Plus, I wasn't into fashion, back then, so I can do some serious browsing/shopping/lusting.

A cause de ca, today may have been my last opportunity to shop, before I start saving up for this trip! I feel very strongly about taking this trip--I have been dying to return to Paris for years, now--and I need to show my mom that I am serious (a.k.a. that I am willing to pay for all, if not most, of it).

Today's purchases:


  • CVS: Maybelline FIT me! concealer in sand; nail polish remover
  • Sephora: stila stay all day waterproof liquid eye liner; Sephora brand daily makeup brush cleaner
  • Urban Outfitters: Sparkle & Fade/Kimchi Blue lace underwear (awkward moment: I was being rung up by a guy)
  • H&M: belt (for my ZARA pants!); L.O.G.G. wool sweater (fisherman-esque!)
Before I left for Newbury St./Prudential Center, I decided to gather up the ZARA boots that I wanted to return, as well as the receipt, so that I could return them.

WELL

Guess who threw out her receipt with the bag?

I am a dumbass, I know. The poor shoes are just sitting in the corner of my room, behind the door (out of sight, out of mind), because I don't know what to do with them! I might take them to one of the secondhand stores on Newbury, but I might also try and take them back sans receipt/price tag (I read online that they still accept this, but I am highly skeptical).

Oh, well.

I have to send my mother my list for birthday/Christmas presents (I may stop shopping, from now on, but that doesn't mean others can't shop for me!) very soon, as my birthday is looming on the horizon--I can't believe I'm going to be 19, soon!!!

I don't want to grow up! haha :]

Bonne nuit!    

Friday, September 23, 2011

What To Wear?

I am in such a predicament.

I don't know what to wear for my cousin's upcoming nuptials (Thanksgiving weekend) and the longer I endlessly vacillate about what to wear, the more likely it will be that I just buy some cheap frock to wear, instead of something I really love.

Tonight, I thought I had found le LBD parfait!
James Perse - stretch crepe-jersey dress

I love the off-the-shoulder style, the 3/4 sleeves...I am in love with this, but it's $135 and it's simply a cotton dress with a little bit of elastane. Is it worth it? Part of me says it definitely is, but the poor college student in me is screaming loud enough to give me pause (and my roommates vetoed this, at once, but I don't think they understand that I'm trying to look for quality and not just a dress from Target--not that there is anything wrong with Target). I was so excited when I first saw this dress--my heart was literally racing, as stupid as it sounds--but the price is slightly off-putting. I mean, I have a job, now (FINALLY), but it's $8.50/hr for four hours a week...not exactly the big bucks. :/ 
Je ne sais pas. 

My other option might be to splurge on a silk shirt from Equipment (which would put me back about $200) and wear it with my Zara pants and nude leather pumps. It would look something like this: 

Wedding Outfit #2

$188 - shopbop.com
$60 - zara.com
£545 - harveynichols.com
£1,045 - matchesfashion.com
$150 - creaturesofcomfort.us
$24 - nordstrom.com
$21 - modcloth.com
£9.90 - johnlewis.com



Obviously, in a perfect world, I could have the YSL nude clutch, but, as it is... I just don't know if this look would be too casual for the wedding? Plus, not only would I need to buy the shirt (which doesn't even come in the proper color/style--'Brett'/black--that I want, so why should I spend the money on an imperfect shirt?), but I would also like a gold belt (the pants need the belt!) to match my gold jewelry. And a nude clutch would be nice... I think I'll scour the secondhand shops around Boston and look for a suitable (and cheaper) silk shirt. And I was planning on buying a black leather belt for the pants, anyway (and returning my flat ankle boots from Zara)...

Why does this have to be so hard???


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

L'essentiels: TOPS

Basic Shirts



Rag Bone stripe shirt
$255 - lagarconne.com

T by Alexander Wang racerback top
$88 - boutique1.com

T by Alexander Wang loose shirt
€79 - jades24.com

T by Alexander Wang shiny top
$74 - revolveclothing.com

Forrest Bob sheer shirt
£10 - my-wardrobe.com

J Crew slouchy tee
$30 - jcrew.com



The most basic of basics, in my opinion.
I feel these don't have to be expensive, either.
For example, I had a white v-neck from H&M that I wore to death--literally, as I'm currently lacking one.
Although, I can't help but love Alexander Wang's T line...so nonchalant-looking.




Silk Shirts

£245 - oxygenboutique.com
$220 - net-a-porter.com
$207 - revolveclothing.com
$207 - revolveclothing.com
$200 - net-a-porter.com
$178 - revolveclothing.com



Simple, yet luxurious.
I'm obsessed with Equipment's 'Brett' top

Breton Shirt

Breton Shirt by cmelb13 featuring a stripe shirt
$95 - lagarconne.com
$70 - lagarconne.com



The epitome of French style is also one of my go-to clothing items (my three survived the great purge!). 
I have ones from the Gap and H&M, right now, but I plan on buying these Saint James versions ASAP. 

Sweaters

Sweaters by cmelb13 featuring a boatneck sweater
$450 - net-a-porter.com
$385 - stylebop.com
$170 - bloomingdales.com
$98 - net-a-porter.com
£80 - uniqlo.com



These are pretty much my idea of the perfect sweaters. (A cashmere breton sweater?! Perfection!)
All of them are cashmere, save for the J. Crew fisherman sweater. (I live in Boston during the winter...cashmere is essential!)
As you might have guessed, when choosing a top, I usually go for a v-neck or boat neck. I despise crew necks--I really look quite terrible in them. I can handle boat necks, but v-necks are my absolute favorite!





The other two essential tops, for me, would be a white tailored shirt and a light blue tailored shirt: 


(J.Crew)