teenfashionista.com

Rodarte Reasoning

2009-12-04T20:16:00.006-06:00

My last exam is on the Monday of finals week; the Rodarte for Target collection comes out the following Sunday.

Is it unreasonable to hang out, biding my time, for six days just to get my hands on dresses, jackets, and tights designed by the lovely Mulleavy sisters?

No?

I don't think so either. Here are a few of the pieces I've been eying:

denim jacket, $39.99: perfect layering piece for not-to-freezing winter days, especially over my favorite hooded sweaters.
lace print dress, $34.99: such a festive holiday dress when you switch the steel-toe boots for stilettos.
striped tee, $16.99: a lovely nautical top to wear under dresses, as shown here, or alone with ankle-length jeans and red flats (so Audrey).
lace tights, $12.99: my single favorite piece for fall, I can't get enough of lacy floral tights... especially at this price.
leopard bow belt, $12.99: would it be excessive to buy a leopard bow belt in multiple colors?

I'm Throwing On My Louboutins

2009-12-03T19:29:00.005-06:00

Never before have I wanted a pair of Loubs so desperately. Can't you just picture these with nice girl cardigans? And striped rugby sweaters? And tartan plaid scarves? They would bring a delightful edge to my saccharine sweet closet.

Does anyone have experience spiking things? Never thought I'd say this, but I almost wish I had gone through a rebellious punk stage in high school. Almost.

All Tied Up

2009-12-02T19:03:00.007-06:00

I've been collecting DIY ideas to keep myself occupied during my month-long winter break, and I think this bow-adorned 3.1 Phillip Lim sweater would be the perfect start. Stylish and incredibly simple, this would work with any neglected cardigan and cast-off ribbon.

It'd be a nice alternative to upgrading the buttons on an old cardigan—a task I often start, but rarely finish.

If all the snowflakes were candy bars & milkshakes

2009-12-01T21:39:00.002-06:00

There's a favorable chance of snow tomorrow. The second I spot flurries, I'll be the happiest girl in the world. Even better, I don't have any classes, which means I can pretend it's an old-school snow day and wear my pajamas while snuggling up with a good book (or, more realistically, textbook—finals are approaching way too fast).

Appropriately enough, this necklace that I've been eying is named the "snowflake," which makes me love it a million times more. I need it, almost as much as I need a good blizzard.

pearl and rhinestone necklace, Free People, $18.

Talk to the Moose

2009-11-29T21:57:00.010-06:00

This is the cutest, merriest thing I have ever seen; the fact that I saw it right in the middle of The Santa Clause, one of my favorite Christmas movies, makes me love it even more. I really want to learn this cheer, and I really, really want to steal those polka dot leggings.

P.S. Everyone, go to cheerfactory.com and watch all of Gap's clever and adorable holiday cheers. Mom, go to cheerfactory.com and watch "Vegetarian RSVP." Can't wait to come hope for Christmas.

Kid Cudi is My Man of the Year

2009-11-29T20:37:00.004-06:00

My friends are amused by my affection for Kid Cudi. I can't help but earnestly play his music on my indie rock-heavy iPod, right alongside Devendra Banhart and Death Cab for Cutie. I have had all the tracks from Man on the Moon on heavy rotation since summer, and "Pursuit of Happiness" is often on repeat.

I was thrilled to see Cudi mentioned next to other "men of the year" like Clint Eastwood, Barack Obama and Alec Baldwin in my brother's copy of GQ this weekend. The article isn't avaiable online, but the issue is definitely worth picking up the next time you raid the magazine shelves.

Even better? The photo shoot with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Be Merry

2009-11-27T11:39:00.004-06:00

With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is officially in full force. I can't get enough of Kate Spade's "20 Ways to Merry-Make."

How do you merry-make? I like to sip seasonal coffee, wear as much red as possible, deck myself in sequins, watch Christmas movie marathons, listen to festive music around the clock, and wish for snow every night before bed.

That's Fantastic, Mr. Fox

2009-11-25T19:26:00.002-06:00

My brother graciously agreed to go see Fantastic Mr. Fox with me. Granted, he's a huge Wes Anderson fan, but if you knew my brother, you probably wouldn't believe that he would join me for an animated movie.

I guess when it comes down to it, we're all kids at heart. Especially Jason Schwartzman.

The movie was charming and sweet and completely the kind of movie you should see on Thanksgiving with your family. Wes Anderson definitely managed to put his stamp on the Roald Dahl tale, making for a brilliantly off-beat children's movie that your older brother will enjoy more than your little cousin.
Fantastic Mr. Fox tie, designed by Opening Ceremony and modeled by Ash a.k.a. Jason Schwartzman.

Pssssst.

2009-11-25T09:58:00.006-06:00

Still looking for the perfect piece of fairisle? Right now, all of the Gap sweaters are half off, which takes most of the price tags in the knit department down to twenty bucks. According to retailmenot, "cheer" will award you an additional 15% off. White Wednesday, anyone?

P.S. One of my roommates is endlessly amused by my sometimes-shameful propensity for the Gap, but I have two excuses for this: 1) It is one of the few stores I truly love at the tiny mall in our little college town and 2) I lived two-plus hours from the closest Gap for the first 18 years of my life.

It's mostly an obsession fueled by deprivation... and an nonsensical love of cable knit.

sash cardigan, $40. cropped cardigan, $30. turtleneck, $30. grandfather cardigan, $30.

Snow Bunny

2009-11-23T15:17:00.006-06:00

flounce sweater, $88. scoopneck sweater, $50. shortsleeve cardigan, $60. cropped cardigan, $158. sequin sweater, $920.

There is just something so undeniably cozy about fairisle sweaters. They instantly make me imagine myself curled up next to a fireplace apres ski with a hot toddy in one hand and a good book in another.

Here are a few of my imaginary favorites, pictured above, as well as my own favorite, pictured below. I snagged this embellished Free People fairisle sweater at a local TJ Maxx, and putting it on makes me wish for snow days and blizzards and a big stack of holiday movies.

Pardon my messy room; a bed is impossible to make with a big puppy fast asleep on top of the covers.

Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

2009-11-21T12:45:00.000-06:00

I'm at my parent's house all week for Thanksgiving break, and all I want to do is watch Christmas movies, listen to holiday music, and wear oversized fair isle sweaters.

My other plan? To read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which I sadly have never picked up before. I'm going to geek out (in a good way) and read—and watch—all of the Harry Potters and Twilights over the winter holiday.

Is there anything more dreamy than reading beneath a decorated Christmas tree?

pink lights, $5. cupcake tray, $15. pink owl ornament, $14. pink tree, $15. polka dot ornaments, $19.

All American

2009-11-18T12:22:00.003-06:00

Leave it to Teen Vogue to make grunge look so glam. Although I haven't been able to embrace combat boots and threadbare thermals the way downtown darlings like Alexa Chung and Erin Wasson have, I can definitely support the abundance of fair isle sweaters, tartan plaid, and striped stockings shown in this incredible photo shoot.

More than I want this girl's perfect country-chic wardrobe, blond-but-not-too-bleached hair, or cute hippie boyfriend, I want her picturesque rural setting. As much as I talk about my love for New York City, an endless view of trees and grass and greenery sure has it's charm.

Especially when you can wear outfits like this.

Half of My Heart

2009-11-17T13:02:00.005-06:00

I don't have classes on Mondays, which sounds much more relaxing than it actually is because I spend the entire day, from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, working on homework.

Last night, I was finishing up a paper that I had been working on for hours and was thisclose to giving up a page-and-a-half short. Luckily, just as the clock was striking midnight, I remembered that the new John Mayer cd would be coming out in seconds. Those eleven songs saw me through the rest of my assignment and sent me to sleep in peace.

The consensus? John still has it. Download "Heartbreak Warfare" right now; as soon as I heard it, I decided it would be this year's "Slow Dancing In a Burning Room."

P.S. "Half of My Heart" is a song John sings with Taylor Swift. Half of my heart belongs to this heart-motif Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt. Ruffles, velvet, frills, oh my!

I Tried To Do Handstands For You

2009-11-16T21:55:00.008-06:00

This just makes me smile. Great clothes, cute models, good music.

And if you haven't downloaded "Bruises" by Chairlift yet, what are you waiting for? If you still need a nudge, Saks is offering a free 10-song download with the purchase of any Marc by Marc Jacobs item. Right now I'm crazy for this, this, and this.

Floral & Fancy Free

2009-11-15T22:16:00.009-06:00

ruffled floral dress, $48. floral circle dress, $48. chiffon floral dress, $40.
rose smock dress, $48. pleated skirt dress, $88. ditzy print dress, $45.

There's nothing quite like reaching for your favorite flower print in the middle of fall. Paired with tights and a cozy cardigan or shrunken jacket, florals make for a surprisingly indispensable staple regardless of season.

Although I've been wearing all of my dresses with a sleek black sweater, I also really, really like the idea of tossing a beat up denim jacket over my brightest blossom dress with brown boots. But then again, that might be because I'm already excited about heading home next weekend for Thanksgiving break.

Do you wear floral in the winter? If so, how do you wear it?

Running In Circles

2009-11-14T16:35:00.007-06:00

Even though it's been over a year since I last went running, this morning I woke up to such a pretty autumn day and only had one thing on my mind. I dusted off my sneakers, hit the trail, and had the best run of my life.

There was a time that I ran every single day. I stopped when it began to feel more like a necessity than a simple pleasure. Today I looked like a total lunatic because I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face as I finished one mile, then two, then four. I don't know if it was my flawless playlist or the crisp fall weather or the leaf-covered trail, but I can't wait to lace up my running shoes again tomorrow.

Because my two-year-old tennies probably won't last much longer, I'm already eying a new pair. Thoughts on new sneakers? Do you run? And most importantly, what do you listen to when you exercise?

nike internationalist, $64. nike eclipse, $69.

Twinkle Toes

2009-11-12T16:10:00.004-06:00

This are seriously the shoes of my dreams.

Snow Day Sweater Skirts

2009-11-12T11:36:00.003-06:00

With the exception of sheepskin Ugg boots--which are, by all accounts, ugly--I can't think of anything that sounds cozier than a sweater skirt. Although I don't own one (yet!), I'm already imagining myself myself reaching for a sweater skirt as a daily uniform over winter break, when I have nothing to do besides reading books and drinking hot cocoa and watching holiday movies.

Would you wear a sweater skirt? These are all from the little girl's department, but an XXL should fit up to a women's size 6 or so.

metallic ruffled skirt, $20. gray pointelle skirt, $20. gray fair isle skirt, $20. pink fair isle skirt, $25.

Sweet and Saucy

2009-11-11T12:52:00.001-06:00

I would imagine that this polka dot cup and saucer set would make waking up on a cold winter morning so much more exciting.

A piping hot pot of seasonal coffee, which is right up there with Home Alone and Christmas carols on the holiday happiness scale, would make it even better.

Porcelain cup and saucer set, $39, Target.

A Collegiate Playlist

2009-11-10T01:54:00.003-06:00

I've been working on a pretty significant project these past few months (click here to read more about it and click here to see the post that started it all), and I don't think I'll ever be able to put in to words how grateful I am to the creators of Pandora. The lovely little music genome project has single-handedly (single-machinedly?) pulled me through some of the latest nights and most stressful hours of my senior year.

What really makes me sing the praises of Pandora is that I have been introduced to so many new favorite songs by bands I would have never even heard of if it wasn't for my beloved Matt Pond PA station that's been on constant rotation since August.

Here are a few of my most recently "thumbed up" tunes:

The Devlins, Don't Let It Break Your Heart
Brett Bixby, Fireside
Timmy Curran, Moving On
Andy Stochansky, Stutter
Pilot Speed, The Travel Song
Speechwriter LLC, CHBB
Detour Allure, Charlemagne
Pernice Brothers, Leave Me Alone

What's your favorite Pandora station? (And isn't my news a little crazy?)

What a Stud

2009-11-09T09:22:00.002-06:00

I have more cable knit sweaters than I would care to admit, and that's just in my closet at college. I have no idea how many more might be uncovered when I head home for Thanksgiving in a few weeks.

The worst part? I'm still looking for more. (I want this cute cable-front sweater from Old Navy, and I want it in every color.)

The second I can catch my breath from school work, I'm going to take this incredible idea from American Eagle Outfitters, and give a slightly tough edge to my old preppiest favorites. I never thought I was the type of girl who could pull off a good grommeted stud, but combined with a touch of cable knit, I think I can do it— as long as I pair it with a hair bow and ballet flats.

Fight For Ol' Mizzou

2009-11-06T17:00:00.007-06:00

All the makings of a perfect last home football game:
vintage mascot t-shirt, check.
perfect black cardigan, check.
wayfarers to accompany 70+ degree weather, check.
black and gold hair bow, check.

Go Tigers! How do you dress for your team's football games? I always loved how schools from the south pull out all the stops—sundresses and heels, sport coats and neckties—but nothing beats the comfort of jeans and a T (especially if they're cute!).

Kidding Around

2009-11-05T21:24:00.000-06:00

I have always gotten great satisfaction from finding clothes in the children's department. Little boy Polo button-downs, Old Navy girls dresses, and Crewcuts accessories are among my favorite things.

This video is brilliant, and only makes my obsession with all things Gap Kids (and Stella McCartney) that much more intense.

Of Mice and Babies

2009-11-03T11:14:00.006-06:00

I take back everything I have ever said about not wanting to have kids, under the condition that he or she can wear these for the first few months of life.

An alternative option would be buying two pairs and a puppy.

Little Marc, mouse-embellished crib shoes, priceless (but also $84).

Winter Song

2009-11-01T21:23:00.006-06:00

October 31 is one of my favorite days of the year, and not just because it's Halloween (although that certainly contributes to the greatness). Mostly, the reason I adore the last day of October is because it precedes the first day of November, also known as the greatest month of all time.

November brings holiday music and Christmas decorations, snowy weather reports and cozy sweaters, Thanksgiving vacation and pumpkin-flavored treats.

As of this morning, I don't want to be listening to anything other than Ingrid Michaelson's Winter Song and Matt Pond PA's Holiday Road on repeat. Simarly, I don't want to wear anything other than cashmere cable knit, fair isle cardigans, and these incredible flannel nightgowns.

Although they're technically sleepwear, I'm envisioning them with leggings, boots, and an extra-thick scarf. Especially perfect for an early morning class, because I could quite literally roll right out of bed and into the classroom. Might as well take advantage of pajamas-in-public while it's socially acceptable.