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FBFF Blog Awards

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I wasn’t going to post, then I heard some people were skipping categories/posting late, so here they are!

1. Creative Juices – I’m nominating Academichic because this fabulous group of women use the academic theme in a really fun and creative way on their blog.  And also as far as use of color goes, they’ve inspired and helped me the most!

2. The Real Deal – I’m nominating The Clothes Horse because Rebecca does a really good job of working with sponsors and people who send her gifts while still staying true to her own style and her audience.  I also thought her responses on the IFB panel were really helpful and informative.

3. Spark Notes – I’m nominating Grit & Glamour because she posts some amazing guides that I think are helpful for an blogger, whether new or established.  My personal favorite posts of Vahni’s are the ones on copyright, fashion-based social networking sites, and how to improve your blog.

4. Newbie – Sorry guys, but I don’t think anyone I follow has been blogging less than a year anymore, I think everyone’s past that mark.  Bummer.  But let me know if I’m missing someone/screwed up and just can’t count.

5. Can You Hear Me Now – I’m nominating Stylish White Female for most connected because she always replies to comments and tweets (and in a much more timely manner than I do).  I also love her facebook page (one word: outtakes).

6. If I had a Hammer – I’m nominating Re-Mix-Her for best DIY blogger.  Caitlin doesn’t post DIY tutorials but she’s a fabulous knitter and makes a lot of winter accessories.  And seriously she hand knit a cardigan.  That’s amazing.

7. Tribe Leader – I’m nominating Modly Chic!  Katy brings us all together, without her we wouldn’t have FBFF or the FBFF blog awards!  I’ve found so many great blogs through FBFF and I really love reading reading bloggers’ responses every week, especially the for the more thought-provoking questions like last week’s on body image.

8. Practically Perfect – I’m nominating Life in Travel for most fashionable because Hanh seamlessly mixes new pieces with ones she’s had for a long time and she’s not afraid to just have fun with fashion and not care what anyone else thinks.  She has an amazing collection of shoes too!

9. Paint by Numbers – I’m nominating Keiko Lynn for best beauty blogger (thanks Caitlin) and I know she’s not solely a beauty blogger but I find her makeup tutorials really helpful.  I think they make it easier for everyone to try out a new look and I especially love the tutorials with bold eye color.

10. Renaissance Woman – I’m nominating Indiana of Adored Austin.  I do adore her!

Interested in joining FBFF by ModlyChic?

Email katy_rose1@yahoo.com or join the FBFF Google Group!

I Use My Youth Blood To Get Through The Night

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Yesterday I said I was getting together my FBFF nominations… and I tried, really, but I ran out of time/have no idea who to nominate for half of them (I don’t follow anyone in half the categories listed and I really wanted my list to include all FBFF bloggers too…maybe next time).  So I’ll share this post instead, it’s been sitting in the queue waiting for me to set it free.

What I would really like to do at my internship is play with jewelry all day, but I have far too much to do and usually find myself randomly grabbing pieces to borrow just before I run out at the end of the day.  I took all of these photographs for blog posts too, haven’t done much fun photography yet (who knew product photos were so difficult?).  I need to get my schedule together.  I feel like I’m always up half the night now and I would really like it if the Universe could decide to suddenly make days on Earth longer.  That would be fantastic!

Happy weekend, everyone!  I have a fun post coming up for next week.  I was recently given my first blog award by Shenneth (thank you!) and I’m digging up my high school past for it.  And I know you all want to see that.  And find out some previously unrevealed facts about my mysterious self.

Love,

Alex

Very Mary Kate

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12 Feb 2011

I happened to pass by one half of my freshman year (high school) homecoming dress just sitting there… and decided to throw it on.  Then I remembered a long time ago when MK wore this to an event:

(via hot minute)

Except I didn’t look up the photo beforehand and I should have tucked in the shirt and borrowed a cross necklace from the studio.  I probably will wear this again sometime with the cross, and maybe I’ll even dig up a bag!  I borrowed this bracelet for the weekend, it’s a sample so I think there’s actually only this one.  I think it’s pretty cool but it was never put into production.

Anyone working on the FBFF Awards right now?  If you’d like to promo someone for a category let me know in the comments.  There are so many wonderful FBFF bloggers that I don’t really know who to nominate!  But come back tomorrow and check– one of them could be you!

Love,

Alex

J.Crew shirt, LOFT belt, Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax (what a throwback) skirt, b-side by ken + dana sample bracelet, HUE tights and Target boots under there somewhere.

If you’ve gotten this far (sorry, long) can you see my favicon?  It keeps going on and off and it’s driving me nuts.  I don’t know what to do.  I even uploaded it directly into my main directory.  What is going onnnn maybe I’m just going crazy?

My Favorite Look of NYFW F/W 11

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Just realized that I really said nothing about NYFW this season, and while I usually don’t post tons of looks from the runway I almost always say something.  I do like to look at what’s on the runway although I am definitely still catching up on a lot of shows (I seriously don’t know how some people do it, there are so many).

I liked Marc Jacobs (who ever doesn’t) and adored Alexander Wang (also who doesn’t, but I actually have some amazingness from that line)… but by far my favorite look from the runway is the fuchsia Jenni Kayne.  I haven’t paid much attention to her in the past — by much attention I mean I noticed she was on Shopbop — but she’s definitely on my radar now.  I know this was one of the most visible images early on but it just stuck with me throughout the week.  And that rarely happens.

I totally want a head-to-toe fuchsia look for fall.

photo: style.com

Dressing for Dinner

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12 Feb 2011

Okay, so this is really dressing for a late cocktail party.

For the most part this blog is a chronicle of my daywear– I rarely post photos if I change for dinner (or later) because there’s not a lot of usable light around 8/9 pm.  But this day I got back and changed right away to capture photos.  I wore this for evening when one of my sorority sisters had a Valentine’s cocktail party.  I didn’t want to be too too dressed but luckily there were tons of people in red satin and stilettos.  I had to forego the heels, still far too much ice and too many tall snow banks that must be navigated.  I’ve been doing good with wearing responsible footwear lately.  Walking three miles through New York almost every day I’m there is really doing bad things for my knee, so no heels possible at this time.

Also, sorry I’ve been a bad commenter and a bad comment replier.  I’m going to have to set aside nights for blogging or something.  Time.  Management.  Been out of school for too long.

Love,

Alex

Francesca’s Collections open cardigan, Betsey Johnson dress (vintage), Forever 21 belt, We Love Colors tights, Cole Haan shoes.

FBFF: There’ll Be Days Like This

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This week’s Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions are about body image, and I considered skipping for another week, but it’s important for me to do them even if I (sort of) don’t want to answer them (see part 2 of #2).

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed? No, I don’t think so, but since I’m me, I’m don’t think I’m an objective party.  I’ve always been really critical of myself.  Blame ballet, my favorite extra-curricular.  I danced for many years and was pretty serious, however I’m really not/wasn’t ever thin enough to make continuing worthwhile.  I loved it, but ballet gave me problem feet and a lifetime of poor body image.  I continued (not seriously) dancing until I was twenty and I still do the New York City ballet workout sometimes, but I miss real ballet.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway? Yesssss, stomach!  I don’t avoid talking about it at all, and I just addressed it in my post for Go Red for Women.  Also, I have a really uneven skin tone and never go without foundation.

I totally understand if people don’t want to talk about things they are self-conscious about though, it’s completely your own choice.  But for me it’s important to be honest, with my readers and with myself as well.  I won’t just bury my thoughts if I’m feeling icky or bloaty or uneven one day.  I’ll think about why I’m feeling blah and try to cheer myself up.  Too bad there’s no pepperup, seriously.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image? Hmmm… I’m trying to come to terms with myself, but it’s difficult (because of ballet, and I guess gymnastics and figure skating too, come to think of it).  I would probably like it if I lost weight (and so would my doctor).  Struggle struggle.  I’m not one of those women who has really positive body image, and I might never be, so all I can say is that I’m working on it, and I have been working on it for years.  Small steps.

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken? I take the vast majority of my photos myself.  I tend to feel odd having my photo taken by anyone else, I think the loss of control just weirds me out because I’ve always taken my own photos.  Does this happen to anyone else who primarily takes their own photos or is it just me?

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart? Be the best possible version of yourself!  I always try to keep this in mind.  It’s sort of my approach to everything, really, and is taken from the oft-quoted “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else” by Judy Garland.  Maybe you’re not the tallest or the straight-hairedest or the hourglassiest but you should try your best to be happy being you.

(via birdie&chick)

Interested in joining FBFF by ModlyChic?

Email katy_rose1@yahoo.com or join the FBFF Google Group!

Biiiig Scarf

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10 Feb 2011

Fellow personal style blogger and stylish person Lydia was nice enough to send me an amazing email when I was searching for some inspiration, and it included this photo:

I’m not sure where this is from, maybe The Sartorialist or Stockholm Street Style?

Sort of?  No?  I feel like my scarf isn’t long enough to be that cool!

Like most of my clothing, this scarf has a memory.  New Year’s Eve, New York, frozen feet (ballet flats), not an available cab in sight.  I had to duck into Juicy Couture (I was twenty one at the time) and this scarf was on sale.  I loved the cream version I saw earlier in the fall but in person the grey just spoke to me, and the rest is history.

Wishing you good clothing memories and nice weather!

Love,

Alex

Juicy Couture scarf, J.Crew coat, Chinese Laundry/Marshalls gloves, Anthropologie sweater and skirt, Commando tights, Cole Haan shoes.

Grown Up Gossip Girl

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7 Feb 2010

Still working on postmarks with the actual date.  Sometime soon I hope!  I might have to buy some, I’m not talented enough with graphics to create my own/don’t have the patience to learn.

This was my original Gossip Girl look.  This dress reminds me a lot of early Gossip Girl actually, like season one early.  I love the design but the fabric tends to frustrate me because it wrinkles so easily– that’s a €15 dress, I suppose.  I have good memories attached to it though.  Shopping in Ireland!  I do wish I had gone to some of the vintage stores but I hadn’t yet realized how good and popular they are at the time that I visited.  Next time for sure!

Happy Monday, everyone!  I’m in Chelsea today if anyone’s around (i.e. let’s go drink coffee at 5 and call it happy hour).

Love,

Alex

J.Crew cardigan and belt, Atmosphere (I think, got in Ireland) dress, Commando tights, Frye shoes, LV bag, Coach scarf and sunglasses.

Guess Where New York

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8 Feb 2011

So yeah, not Great Britain (I wish, some tea from Harrods would be lovely).  I’m just playing around with some brushes in GIMP and still looking for postmark brushes that also have brushes for months/days.  That way I can date stamp my photos sort of keeping with the theme of the site!

If you follow my twitter you may have guessed that I’ve been in New York lately.  I’ve started interning at ken and dana design (you might have seen me wear their jewelry before, I own a few pieces) for part of the week, so yes, I’ll be in for the remainder of fashion week.  I won’t be going though, got work to do!  Basically I’m trying to decide if I want to pursue a career in the fashion industry– I really want to know what I’m getting myself into if I do.  I do know that I do not want to work in politics any more.  I’m hoping that I’ll learn a lot (I have no idea what I’m doing) and that this internship will help me decide if this is the right industry for me, or if I should enroll in grad school for Earth and Environmental Sciences.

And much respect for the bloggers who wander around cities with a camera and no tripod.  I don’t know how you do it.  I only got one “what is that freak doing” double take, but up top is the only halfway decent photo I got with my camera on a bench.  Next time I’m taking the tripod, even if I get more weirdo stares!

Love,

Alex

A closer up of the necklace.  I get to borrow jewelry, so I’m hoping to incorporate some cool pieces into my wardrobe!  Promise to tell me if you get tired of seeing it, and I’ll always tell you if something’s borrowed for the day, too.

And a closer up of the ring in the top photo.  So pretty!

J Jill open cardigan, Free People dress, LOFT belt, Assets tights, Target boots, necklace and ring borrowed from internship.

The Purples

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sunday 6 feb 2011

Hello my dears!  I didn’t feel strongly about either team playing the Super Bowl this year so I decided I needed to wear nearly head-to-toe purple.  I hardly every do monochrome unless it’s head to toe black so this outfit was… interesting for me.  Maybe I should have gone with the cream camisole after all?  I know I look rather out of season but I seriously couldn’t resist, it was 38 degrees.  That’s a huge heatwave considering it’s been falling to the teens after the sun goes down!

Seriously though, how tired of snow boots are you?  I needed to wear this floral sweater to brighten up my winter.  Bye, have a good weekend, and happy fashion week!!

Love,

Alex

J.Crew cardigan and bracelets, Old Navy camisole, LOFT skirt and belt, HUE tights, Mossimo/Target boots.