:(

So the semester is coming to an end, and a lot of my best friends are studying abroad in the Spring. I have said goodbye to so many people that I won't see till September 2012. To help with my depression from this situation I am doing some online window shopping. Here are some of the most happy items I've come across so far:

Steve Madden Miidori Boot, Bloomingdales, $95.20

Wolford Secret Bow Tights, Bloomingdales, $43.40

Doce Vita Bonnie Platform Pumps, Bloomingdales, $112.45

Juicy Couture Snowflake Stud Earrings, Bloomingdales, $29.40

Timex Multicolor Easy Reader Watch, Bloomingdales, $42

it feels like winter

BB Dakota The Griffin Blanket Stripe Coat, Karmaloop.com, $106

BB Dakota Josie Leatherette-Trim Coat, UrbanOutfitters,  $139

Mink Pink The Highland Shearling Jacket, Karmaloop.com, $120

go big or go home

Wrist watches are making a come back. After some years of being overshadowed by cell phones and iPods to inform us of the time, watches are finding their place in society again not as a time piece, but as a sophisticated fashion accessory. The bigger the watch, the better. And it better be old school. Save the digital stuff for electronics.

Curtis & Co. Big Time World Watch, $1,820

GMTS6, 3H ITALIA, $1,160

Pelly Chronograph Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $225

DIESEL Silicone Strap Round Watch, $100

the color of Fall 2011

It's about that time. Summer is ending and Fall wardrobes are on the horizon. So what color MUST you have in your closet this year? According to Bloomingdales it's crimson. The website has a side bar link specifically for crimson handbags. If that isn't convincing, then I don't know what is.


Pair a crimson handbag with deep browns and army greens and finish up your outfit with a cream colored hair accessory.

i swear i'm not on drugs.

I don't live in a high-end department store either, though this music may cause you to think differently. Dim the lights, lay on your bed,* and chill out to these trancey beats.

*Note use of what used to be the Oxford Comma.

awesomeness

There are two reasons for this post:
1) This song is chill and perfect for a nighttime drive down ocean parkway
2) My brother is starring in the music video

http://vimeo.com/26331552

friend dates

There's something about being in a major city and/or passing the two-decades-old mark that changes one-on-one, opposite sex socializing. All of a sudden it's totally cool and platonic to get dinner, followed by dessert in the nearest park. In your teens, such activities scream "THIS IS A DATE." Or that's at least how it seemed to be in my suburban town. But friend dates are awesome. And if you happen to find yourself in downtown Manhattan on a friend date, you should check out Red Bamboo. The food is delicious, the serving sizes are perfect--you won't have three days worth of leftovers--and it's cheap. Located at 140 W. 4th St. it's right near Washington Sq. Park and only a short walk from Pinkberry and 16 Candles for dessert.

                      

*Red Bamboo is 100% vegetarian and has many vegan options as well.

grammatical adoption

Dear Oxford,

It disturbs me that you no longer care for your offspring, the Oxford Comma. It is a perfectly acceptable piece of punctuation, and has been extremely helpful and valued over the years. Your love for it may have dissipated, but mine remains strong. With that being said, I am legally adopting the Oxford Comma. I think it is best if this is a closed adoption, as Comma is deeply hurt. You do not have a say in this.

Yours truly,

paperbag trendy

identity crisis

Is it a mini or a maxi? Who knows? These pieces can't make up their minds. But who cares? They're pretty, they're flowy, and they're feminine. I want them all.

*Pictures from LF Harvard Square's Facebook

happy 4th!

Love,
Jeffrey Campbell

4th of July

Don't know what to wear on Independence Day? Here's something casual, flirty, fun, and lightweight for the hot weather.

patriotic flowy shirt

Fray Cuffed Denim Shorts, Forever 21, $10.50

Red Canvas Keds, $30-35

Bonus: All of these items are pretty cheap and you can wear them any other day.

where my ark at?

Yesterday there was a crazy storm--torrential rain, intense lightening, and thunder so strong car alarms were going off left and right. Of course you can protect yourself from getting drenched with rain boots and a raincoat, but you're flimsy, old umbrella isn't going to save you now. That bitch is going to turn inside-out more than you breathe. You're solution: a bubble umbrella.

Sure it's big and a bit of a pain to carry around once it stops raining, but it gets the job done and doesn't let you down. Make sure to always buy a clear one so you can see through it if you hold it down to enclose your face in the bubble. I got mine two summers ago at Target for $10, but prices have raised to about $17 due to increasing popularity. 

Go and get one before the next flood!!

PS: For you two males who follow paperbag trendy, guys with bubble umbrellas are cute. Guys who are drenched from the rain are lazy and look like wet dogs.

Vegan Heaven

Peacefood Cafe has proven to be my favorite vegan restaurant so far. The food isn't just vegan, but also natural and wholesome. Instead of relying on vegan meat, most dishes provide protein with foods like beans, tempeh, and nut cheeses. Their menu ranges from meals to desserts, juices to brazilian nut chai tea.

Peace Bowl with zucchini, brussel sprouts, and Japanese pumpkin, $11.95

The vegetables are roasted and the brown rice is steamed, but they are so flavorful that the dish could be eaten without the ginger oil dressing. SO GOOODDDDDDDDDDD.

If you have room for dessert, go for the raspberry jam spelt crumb bar, lemon vanilla cake, or carrot cake. Even if you are stuffed, take dessert to go. It's necessary.

hardest breakup ever

Jeffrey, what are you doing to me?

Jeffrey Campbell, Lita Cheetah & Fuchsia Lace up Platform Booties,  $169

These are so ugly that they almost become fashionable. That whole "so gross it's cool" thing. Which I may or may not be a fan of. Something attracts me to these shoes, but not for $169.

the man bag

For the commuter:
Made of coated canvas and faux leather, this bag is pretty durable. Interior pockets allow you to compartmentalize the small stuff in this roomy, yet compact bag (15.5" x 3.5" x 11.5"). The stylish buckle closure keeps your bag closed and your belongings safe.

Kenneth Cole Reaction "Instant Mess-Age" Single Gusset Flapover, $69.95

For the student:

Interior pockets, including one for your laptop, help keep a packed student backpack organized. A magnetic snap closure gives you quick, hassle-free access to everything inside (added bonus: no zipper noises to cause a distraction if you're late to class). Measuring 16" x 3.5" x 12", your books will have plenty of room. This bag also comes in black, but the brown is more casual and has more style.

Ben Sherman Wet Look, $40

Just because:

Honestly, I don't know who would spend $428 on a messenger bag, but I'm not judging. If I could afford this bag I'd get it...and I'm a girl. Made of leather, this bag will last for what seems like forever. The worn-vintage coloring really brings the whole messenger-satchel feel full-circle. With an adjustable strap and a top handle, you can wear this baby as a bag (if you want a more casual feel) or suitcase (if you want to look more professional). Front exterior pockets allow you to easily access small yet important things, like gum and a metrocard. As if this bag wasn't perfect enough, it can basically fit everything you need (16.5" x 2.25" x 11.5"). Perfection is severely decreased if purchased in army green.

Marc by Marc Jacobs D1 Vintage Leather Satchel, $428

fabric earrings

LOVE THEMMMMM! Super cute. Unique patterns. Lightweight. Young, yet stylish. Perfect for the summer.

I purchased these last summer at a boutique in Philadelphia

Matching your earrings to your top is a subtle, yet effective way of tying an outfit together. Since fabric earrings are usually patterned you can get just a pop of the appropriate color to connect them to the rest of your outfit. Generally, fabric earrings cost around $12-$14. You can find a ton on etsy. 

On a totally unrelated note, my eyes are super blue today.

summer songs: hittin' up the dance floor

...or dancing alone in your room in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, such as this one.

summer songs: daytime edition

Credit to my friend David for these songs.

summer jackets

Summer is right around the corner. Finally!! But, with airconditioning you just can't escape the cold. Unless you have an awesome jacket.

BDG Colorblock Windbreaker, Urban Outfitters, $69

OBEY Standard Issue Windbreaker, Urban Outfitters, $89

Charles & 1/2 Third Engine Jacket, Urban Outfitters, $98

how to de-flatter your wardrobe

Being in a sorority has expanded my wardrobe. I now own endless amounts of t-shirts that make me look like a box. Sorry girls, ordering v-necks do not make unisex shirts any more flattering. To all the sorority girls out there, I have two suggestions...and by suggestions I mean demands:

1) do not get shirts that are so long they could be worn as dresses. we are WOMEN. wear clothes for womanly bodies. shirts that go past the hip just make us look big; they bunch up, placing all of the extra fabric on our stomachs and hips. NOT ATTRACTIVE.

2) opt for the girl t-shirt instead of the unisex t-shirt. when we wear letters we represent our sorority so we should look good. how the hell are we supposed to look good in a tee made for a guy?! these unisex shirts hide all of our curves and just make us look large.

3) man tanks. really? stop. the name alone screams, "DON'T WEAR ME I WILL MAKE YOU LOOK 20 LBS LARGER THAN YOU REALLY ARE!" i don't care if man tanks are in style. they look like shit on girls (well except for those with straight bodies), but for the majority they are the opposite of attractive.

soulmate

I've wanted a pair of Jeffrey Campbell heels since August 2010. The problem: which pair to get. They're all so perfect.

fear me not? nope, definitely fear me.

First, there were combat boots. What's next on the badass agenda for female fashion? Bones, gold, and rhinestones.

snake skeleton bracelet

claw ring

claw necklace

bird skull necklace

double snake skull bracelet

Don't worry, the birds and reptiles won't harm you. They'll just make you look really freakin' awesome.

spring, where are you?

Although the weather may suck, it's not too soon to start preparing for sunny skies and colorful flowers. If nature around you looks pretty and happy, you should look that way too with these uber cute white dresses. Warning: do not roll around in lush fields while wearing any of the following garments.

Antebellum Prayer Lace White Dress, LuLus.com, $52

Pour Les Filles Lace White Dress, Lulus.com, $38

Add a long pendant necklace and a pair of warm-colored, chunky heels and the sun will be jealous of how hot you are.

flood pants: male edition

Why do guys all of a sudden like to cuff their pants? Who cares--it's cute.

jeans with chukkas

slacks and chukkas

       the messy cuff                                              jeans and loafers                                           slacks and oxfords              

In all honesty, the colored chinos are my favorite when it comes to cuffing. The cuff already makes a statement, so just go all out with, say, some robin's egg blue bottoms. Face it: fashion is flamboyant.

best breakfast

Non-fat greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, sliced banana: the carbs from the yogurt and banana provide energy, but the protein from the yogurt and walnuts helps to keep insulin levels steady.

i love sales.

If you have not already (if you already have, do it again) go to LF for their 60% off sale. They have the BEST price points. And amazing clothes.

Example:

Renee London. Originally: $208 Purchased: $48

Image from lfstores.com

Image from lfstores.com