Looks I Love

So I finally feel like I'm in the swing of things for school. Driving, being in class, reading, more reading, writing, editing, and then doing the whole shebang all over again. This semester I love all my classes, all the professors, and the students in class with me. To me, that's what really counts -- the people. I'm so lucky to be taking classes with people who make me laugh and to be taught by teachers who are so insightful and smart.

Plus, Linsey Abrams (my novel workshop professor) brings cookies to every class. Cookies, guys! She's the best. Also, Cynthia Zarin (my poetry prof.) recently published a new novel!

Anywho, onto the looks I'm loving...

Black & white (& hot pink lipstick)

{Brooklyn Blonde}

Soft colors & black accessories

{Coco and Vera}

White lace dress & bright purple tights

{Holly Dolly}

Polka dots, teal blazer & metallic cap toe flats

{Selective Potential}

Wide brim hat, stripes & brown oxfords
{Flashes of Style}

Shades of green, burgandy & brown (& cool spiked shoulders)
{Pinterest}

Love this dress from Paper Crown
{Lauren Conrad}

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What's In My School Bag!

I love seeing people's "What In My Bag" posts. Every person carries around such a different assortment of things, and it really showcases what their favorite products are for daily life. Some people carry a camera, five different lipsticks, a book (or two), and a notepad, while others carry nothing but a phone, credit card, and lip balm.

 

In case you're interested, here's what I bring to school!

 

 

What's Inside:  

• Bag
• Custom Leather Tag
• iPod Touch
• Samsung Phone
• Bow Charm
• City College I.D.
• Credit Card & License & Metrocard (not pictured)
• Glasses Cleaner
• iPhone / iPod Case (free from Sephora)
• Business Card Holder (DIY with washi tape)
• Keys & Key fob & Lego Hermione (from Legoland in Florida)
• Water Bottle
• Notebooks (for class)
• Smaller Notebook (if inspiration strikes) (from Staples)
• Benefit's Some Kind-A Gorgeous Mini
• Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish
• Maybelline's Baby Lips in Pink Punch
• Blistex Lip Balm
• Eveready Pen Light
• Bic Round Stic Grip Ballpoint Pen (my fave kind of pen!)
• Small Bottle of Chewable Pain Relievers
• I'm OK! Mini First Aid Kit (from The Container Store)
• Victoria's Secret Hand Sanitizer
• Also: Tissue Packet & A Novel

What do you keep in your bag?

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Inspired By: Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you're enjoying this day of love by either having a romantic night with your significant other or by having a girl's night or by spending time with your family or maybe by indulging in some alone time with a rom-com (or all the above!). Whatever you're doing, may it involve heart-shaped things, kisses, hugs, laughter, chocolate, and the person you love!

Romantic Picnic

{Click above for item info}

A romantic picnic is a lovely way to spend Valentine's Day if you live in a warmer climate. Set out a blanket on the grass, indulge in champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, and lie down next to your love to cloud watch and talk. For a casual picnic, wear a plaid shirt over a blue, silky dress, polka dot headband, and purple Keds. If it's a fancier picnic, don a blue sleeveless dress, heart-shaped earrings, a blue cuff, and bow heels.

Fancy Outing

Maybe you're going out for a night on the town? Dinner in a snazzy restaurant, seeing a play or ballet, dancing til your feet hurt, a house party, a surprise stop in a jewelry store, and/or a walk in the park. To shine, wear a gold metallic skirt with a lace black top, ruffled black coat, sequined black booties, and a gold purse. Or go super romantic in a bright red dress, trench coat, nude heels, and gold jewelry.

Candlelit Dinner

If you and your love are going for a movie-worthy night, the perfect setting is a candlelit dinner on the beach or a rooftop. Who can resist twinkle lights, wine, a hot dinner, music playing in the background, and sharing dessert between kisses?  On this romantic night, put on a purple dress, sparkly earrings, maryjane wedges, and a black floral shawl to keep warm. Or wear a burgandy sweater over a lace peplum top, pink pencil skirt, heart-print scarf, bow ring, and sexy heels.

A Night In

Maybe a cozy night in is your thing! If that's the case, you can cuddle close to the person you love, watch a rom-com, drink hot chocolate (maybe spiked with your favorite liquor), and get extra snuggly (if you know what I mean *wink wink*).  To be super comfy, wear a sequined heart sweater, pj's, and boot slippers. Or if you want to be a little dressed up, slip on a heart-print sweater dress. Underneath the dress or the pj's, put on some sexy lace underwear.

How will you be spending your Valentine's Day?

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(Images via Flickr, Flickr, Flickr & Britta Nickel)

My Writing: Everyday Magic {Sestina Poem}

I wrote this poem for class. Since it's about romance, I figured I would post it during Valentine's Day week. You can read my other two sestina poems here and here. I hope you like it!

Everyday Magic

The napkin beneath her glass was damp.

The rim was gold like warm honey

And there was a lipstick smudge in bright red.

Her reverie was broken by a waiter’s accident;

Glass shattering, gasps, his body falling like a stone.

That was when she knew there would be no night of magic

No smiles, no laughs, no walk outside, no magic.

She looked toward the door, her palms damp,

Her stomach feeling as heavy as a stone.

Least he could do was text: “Gonna be late, honey.”

But maybe it wasn’t his fault, maybe there was an accident,

And now his blood painted the concrete red.

She shouldn’t kid herself. She wiped away her red

Lipstick on an ivory napkin, wishing she could magic

Herself away from the waiter’s sympathetic stares. Accident

Or not, she shouldn’t stay. The waiter’s shirt was damp.

He leaned over and asked, “You alright, honey?”

His eyes were dark gray, the color of stone.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Her voice was hard, like stone.

Embarrassed, she turned away, her cheeks red.

Across the room, a man with hair the color of honey

Sat alone, checking his watch. Clearly no magic

Had come to either of them tonight. She blinked away damp

Eyes; no “oh, it’s just an eyelash” accident.

No more waiting, no more lost time, no accident.

Uncertain and nervous, she forced herself to be strong, a stone,

As she got up and walked across the room, her palms damp.

Her black dress rustled, his skinny tie was dark red.

He looked up and she knew there was hope for magic.

“I saw you sitting alone.” “Please sit.” His voice was like honey.

She was relieved he didn’t call her honey.

Maybe waiting tonight hadn’t been an accident.

Maybe it had been luck or fate or magic.

Though it was a chance encounter and nothing was set in stone,

They smiled til it hurt and laughed til their cheeks turned red

And stayed til the rain stopped and the ground was just damp.

They walked on stone. The streetlamps glowed a honey

Color on this damp night. “Not everything is an accident,”

He said, smiling, cheeks red from the cold. “It’s magic.”

What do you think?

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(Image via)

Outfit: Top It Off

I've never been a hat girl...like at all. I just never knew what to do with them. I mean, besides the obvious of putting them on your head. What do you wear them with? What places is it appropriate to wear a hat? What I do with it when I want to take it off? So many weird issues that I never wanted to deal with, but now I find myself gravitating towards them!

I love this cloche hat that I put on in the DSW store and didn't want to take off. (Thanks, Avra, for telling me I should get it!) I love the bright fuschia color with a black stripe and black flowers. And now I have no problem figuring out what to wear it with -- more fuschia and black. I'll also pair it with shades of blue and green as well.

P.S. -- I'm being featured on Sarah's amazing blog, Coming Unstitched! Check it out here!

I love this spinning "I Love You" necklace. Half the letters are on one side, half on the other, so when you spin it you see the full word. Pretty cool, right?

Couldn't resist wearing colorful heart-print socks!

Hat // DSW
Coat // Old Navy
Blazer // Marshall's
Shirt // Target {similar & similar}
Tank (worn underneath) // old
Jeans // Forever 21
Boots // DSW
Socks // Forever 21 {similar}
Watch // Target
Necklace // Urban Outfitters
Lip Stain // Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish
Nail Polish // Forever 21

Are you a hat wearer?

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