Cobalt is Here to Stay

Cobalt was the new it color a few seasons ago, but has proved its staying power. It's a color that works in nearly every season and flatters nearly all colorings. Here are a few of my favorite cobalt pieces that will last for years.

Madewell // Tinley Road // Joules

J. Crew // 7 For All Mankind // Madison Marcus

What are your cobalt must haves?

Current Obsessions

Classes start tomorrow, but before that I though I'd bring you the things I can't get enough of right now.

Trouser Socks - These are perfect for so many things. They kept my feet toasty on the red-eye flight back to school, prevent blisters with boots and keep your ankles warm at frisbee practice. J. Crew Factory is my go to, and they are almost always on sale.

Nikon Camera - I have a super nice D700 and I have finally learned how to use it (kinda). Everyone looks like a supermodel. The only problem is it weighs a ton.

Card Case - I have a great wristlet wallet that fits my phone, but this case is perfect for going out. My phone still fits in my pocket and all my essentials are right there. As someone who had their wallet recently stolen, this is a great case.

Houseboating - For Labor Day weekend the whole family came out for three days of sun, water sports, and much needed relaxation. It was a great idea for a quick vacation, and Lake Shasta was gorgeous.

Investment Account - I recently opened my first investment account, and I now spend waaayyy too much time on it. Every college student should get one. It's a great introduction to financial and risk management, and you can make a lot more than a normal bank account.

Body Con Dress Styled for the Office

We all have those items in our closet that we absolutely love, but rarely have occasioned to wear. One of my favorite weekend things is figuring out great ways to wear them to the office. This time I styled my go to body con dress to be office appropriate.

The Dress

• Make sure the dress goes at least to your fingertips.
• A higher neckline is better, not just for the office; scoop necks are rarely flattering.
• No cut outs
• Patterns look better

Topshop Fluro Dress // Topshop Neon Scribble Dress // Mango Mosaic Dress

H&M Blazer // Topshop Panel Blazer // Mango Jersey Blazer

J. Crew Scalloped Flats // J. Crew Metallic Oxfords // J. Crew Janey Flats

My version H&M dress and blazer (old)

Sleep is Good

In college it can be so easy to forget about sleep, and instead spend time studying, partying, and watching TV. Well, here's a TED talk that really emphasizes just how important sleep is.

So get some sleep. You'll feel better, look better, think better, and avoid some nasty health complications.

Back to School Outfits

I know most people have already started classes, but I leave for school tonight. Heading back to school, no matter the age, is always exciting. We all want to show off how much we have grown up, gotten prettier, smarter, more fit. Nothing exemplifies this desire than the outfit you wear on the first day of school. Hours go into crafting an outfit that says "look at the fabulous new me".

This summer I got tan (and by tan I mean no longer whiter than a piece of paper) so that's what i'm going to show off. Here are a couple of outfits that highlight the new you.

J. Crew Tank // Ray Ban Sunglasses // Tory Burch Bracelet

Modcloth Satchel // J. Crew Chinos // Keds Champions

You spent all summer slowly working up a tan while staying sun safe, show it off with white shorts and a cobalt top. Wear a hint of gold to show that you are no longer a strictly silver girl.

Topshop Peplum Top // Kate Spade Watch // Henri Bendel Bracelet

Abercrombie & Fitch Jeans // Michael Kors Bag // Topshop Wedges

This summer you ate right and worked out, show off your fab body with an always flattering peplum top and skinny jeans. Keep colors dark for an extra slimming touch, and complete with bright accessories for a pop of color.

Madewell Silk Dress // Loren Hope Earrings

Michael Kors Tote // Lucky Oxfords

You spent the summer running, lifting, and getting ready for fall. Show it off with a sleeveless dress in a solid color. Keep accessories minimal to keep all the attention on your awesome guns.

J. Crew Tuxedo Shirt // J. Crew Glasses // Kate Spade Watch

Alice + Olivia Skirt // Topshop Satchel // Jon Josef Smoking Loafer

You spent the summer with your nose in a book: studying for the SAT, the GRE, attending lectures, and sharpening your mind. Show of your smarts with a plaid skirt, glasses, and a classic satchel.

What do you want to say with your back to school outfit?

Reading Now: Ender's Game

While on the houseboat earlier this week I caught up on my reading before heading back to school, where I never have time for it. I read 4 books during the 5-day trip, but my favorite by far was, Ender’s Game. It wasn’t my first time reading it, but the last time I read it I was 11 and definitely did not fully appreciate it.

I am a total nerd and Ender’s Game is a sci-fi classic. It combines out of this world technology, with social conflict that transcends eras to set the scene for beautifully written characters.

The book follows Ender Wiggin as he trains at the international military academy aboard a space ship, where they are searching for the next commander to fight the final battle against an alien race. It may seem corny, but the personal struggles of a little kid being manipulated by everyone around him is entirely relatable.

The book does have some controversy surrounding it. The author, Orson Scott Card, has been published making some pretty awful homophobic comments. While I completely disagree with Card, I chose to still love Ender’s Game, which does not touch on any of the author’s biases.

This November I will definitely be in line to see Ender’s Game when it gets the silver screen treatment.

August Round Up

This month I was getting ready for fall. School was on my brain, and apparent in everything I bought this month, so here it is.

Fall Fashion Staples

Last week all the fall catalogues arrived: J. Crew, Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and Madewell, and I am in fashion heaven. In honor of back to school, new arrivals, and cooling temperatures I bring you my must have staples for fall.

This year trends are fairly similar to last year: jewel tones, renaissance, leather, menswear inspired, but there are also a few new faces on the block. Snakeskin, 40's, sweaters and skirts, cobalt, florals, and metals are here for fall.

Looking Back on the Summer

This summer I had the opportunity to work at one of the most prominent tech companies in Silicon Valley. I got work with and meet some of the smartest, most talented, hardworking people in the industry. I learned so much about how businesses run, working at a desk, and getting what you need from those around you.

While I am beyond excited to head back to school in exactly one week, I will miss my fellow interns and all they taught me. Here are the biggest things I learned during the very eventful past three months.

1. You can do it. So often I had no idea what I was doing or how to even begin, but I always found that if I asked for a little help, and took a little initiative everything worked out in the end. Stumbling around is a great way to learn, and as long as you don't make the same mistake twice you are doing just fine.
    
2. You can always bring something to the conversation. I sat in a lot of meetings this summer that were about things that were completely new to me, but I found that just by paying attention I could come up with at least one helpful comment, even if it was simply ensuring consistency in other people's language. And a comment, even if it is short, ensures they won't forget you.
3. People remember people who speak. If you just sit there and listen, or quietly submit your work without comment, it will go unnoticed. Talk to others about what you are working on; ask them what they are doing. Dialogue makes you memorable.
4. The art of polite pestering is the greatest skill you will ever learn. Greater than bullshitting, greater than the perfect handshake, this will get you farther than anything else. Walking the fine line between annoying and persistent, the polite pester gets you what you need: data, forms, reports on time while maintaining good relationships.
    
5. Having nothing to do is much worse than having too much. My work was very cyclical this summer: two days of frantic chaos, a week of twiddling my thumbs. When you look for a job, don't look for an easy workload; being bored is much worse than being tired.

pattern credit: Joss & Main Rug