Working Girl

So sorry to be a bit MIA via cyberspace this week, I'm officially a working girl! Not that I haven't always been insanely too busy for sanity, but this time I'm a working girl in my dream career, in my dream city. I may be pulling 14 hours days to get the world ready for New York Fashion Week but truth? I'm loving every minute of it. Even the minutes I'm hating...I'm loving.

Source: caribbeansurfingsummer.tumblr.com via vintage on Pinterest

I can't divulge too much about my new gig, but I can say it's with a prominent PR agency in NYC for New York Fashion Week, and I am working on big shows...big shows. It's truly the break through I have no joke been fervently praying for, and I thank God for opening such an amazing door full of such great experience!

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Ainsley on Pinterest

So here's to the working girl! 

conquering the world in stilettos 

and loving every minute!

Pinterest of Interest: Things to ignite inspiration

Here are some things that I hope ignite your interest, as they definitely are mine, that have popped up on my Pinterest account lately. If you haven't checked out Pinterest yet, be sure to, it's a sure fire way to catalogue your inspiration and find amazing new creative ideas!

Source: gypsygranola.tumblr.com via love Maegan on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Lovely Clusters on Pinterest

Source: hotparade.tumblr.com via Nick on Pinterest

Source: doreese.tumblr.com via Lovely Clusters on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Faith on Pinterest

Anything ingnite your inspiration?

Tapping In To Your Inner Artist: Charcoal Drawing

I spent five and a half hours yesterday drawing...that's right the better part of my working day was spent on a commissioned charcoal drawing! It has been so fabulous to dig back into my art supplies and reek havoc on a piece of blank paper! I just love the feeling of having charcoal in your hands, running it haphazardly along, swiping it here and there, blending it across the paper. Charcoal is such a wonderfully messy medium, I get excited just thinking about it. Here are some things that hopefully will get you tapping in to your inner artist!

Source: None via Emergency on Pinterest

You'll see that the content is all people, because that is my thing. I am just captivated by people, in fact people watching is a favorite past time of mine. You may not know, but I was originally an Art Studio major before I changed to Marketing, so my degree actually holds a minor in Art Studio. All of the artwork in my room is my own work from college and after. Charcoal drawings, ceramic vases, black and white photography, it lends for some great home decor. The subjects vary according to the medium of course, but each piece maintain a romantic nostalgic feel, because that is what pours from my soul.

Source: None via Gemma on Pinterest

Source: jjjjound.com via Rosario on Pinterest

Source: scottliveseygalleries.com via Sarah on Pinterest

"Tapping in to your inner artist is something very important to do, no matter what your profession. It allows you to never be wrong which grants you the power to create the impossible and let that bridge you to your new destination." ~Jessica 

What do these images inspire you to do?

Also, in light of the fact that I have not been able to be fully 

at my computer this week since it crashed. 

I have extended the giveaway!

Don't miss your chance! 

The giveaway ends Friday at Midnight NYC Time!!

 Click here to enter!

Funny Fashion Friday

Here's a fun post to jumpstart your weekend. While walking around The Village this week, I looked up while crossing the street to find this entertaining gem of a fire escape.

Thank you to Greenwich for never ceasing to point out that rednecks do truly exist outside the South. PS those are mannequin legs sat upside down, framed by a dashing display of colored Christmas lights in August...yeah.

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Fashion Rule: Stay True to Who You Are

In fashion, I'm a pretty big advocate for the school of thought, "When you find a rule, break it." Style is too personal to have every fad that graces the glossies apply to everyone. Generally, style is painting a portrait of who you are inside, for the world to see outside...and that may not always be the same picture. Some days I play the girly Sex and the City New Yorker, some days I subscribe to my laid back, music loving, Chuck wearing, weekender psyche. Fashion not only changes person to person, but within the varied moods and needs of each individual as well. 

{merci LookBooks}

The one deviation from this principle is quite possibly the crux of why I'm so passionate about fashion. You must stay true to who you are. Fashion exists to be a personalized, wearable art. To find something that makes you feel good in your skin and shine as the unique individual you are. Whether that calls for wearing white after Labor Day, black with brown, or even socks with sandals (!!!) you. be. you. I once read, "Just be yourself, everyone else is already taken." I really feel it is as simple as that. 

Lately I've seen many of the fashion elite running around New York in silk scarves....but I just can't do it. I think I just have internalized that as a Mom Jean marker rather than the classic stigma I'm fully aware they carry. 

Here is the silk scarf in the current (and classic) fashion :

{merci Pinterest}

I can completely agree this is a beautiful scarf, but every top I wear is generally low cut, so I have a hard time wearing things with a lot of fabric around the chest and neck without feeling frumpy. I do not know why...it just feels constricting. 

Here is how I wear a silk scarf:

It is still a classic silk scarf, Dolce & Gabbana no less, just with some added funk and flair...like me!

Fashion Rule: Stay True to Who You Are.

Interior Inspiration: The Art of Gossip Girl

Lately I've indulged my baser instincts and pulled out the fundamental Gossip Girl seasons 1 & 2 from the DVD rack for some fashion inspiration and beautiful boys to stare at while eating dinner. I find the sets are such great interior inspiration that I must indulge in a bit of artist background. The powers that be in Gossip Girl land are always looking to bring in local factoids of New York City and especially to highlight hip NYC artists that are noteworthy for the Bass, Humphrey, Van der Woodsen clans.

Here are some of the sets where some interior inspiration may just jump directly on to the walls of my living room.

To begin there is debatably my favorite, the Richard Phillips "Spectrum" print that hangs over the staircase of the Van der Woodsen apartment. It is a statement piece that sets the mod chic elegance of the whole art-filled home.

My other favorite (they constantly tie for first) is the Richard Phillips "Scout" print hanging in Chuck Bass's bedroom. I had no idea these two prints were the same artist so it is funny, although I suppose not surprising, that they are both equally my favorite.

The entryway also showcases some other great pieces that I love, but that don't quite hypnotize me the same.

 The Prada sign print by Elgmreen and Dragset may be the most prominent artwork among Lily's collection as it is a bold piece directing any guests straight into the drama of their home.

{Thank you Sogni e Sorrisi for your  artists finds}

This Jessica Craig Martin print is actually quite good. I like the color choice, the appropriate modern feel of the fashion world as well as the interesting crop in the composition that has taken place. The dramatic crop makes you wonder about the lives of the portrait's subjects...I like art that makes me wonder.

What art is your interior 

inspiration of the moment?

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made of

A dream is something worth fighting for, and this is something lately that I have to constantly remind myself. I am a very passionate and driven individual, but in this economy even I hit my bumps in the road that feel like insurmountable obstacles. I just have to keep telling myself to pause, breath, and reboot. Take things one day at a time and don't focus on all that can or has gone wrong but rather what is going right.

I generally keep this blog very positive, I feel we get enough bad news from...the news...everyday and fashion should be a place to escape to something beautiful that makes you also feel beautiful and alive. But I also do not want to mislead any of you that fashion is this glamorous, easy industry where it's sunshine and runways all the time. In fact it is quite the opposite, for every glamorous event, at least a month or more's work was logged in small office meetings, working straight through lunch on 10-12 hour days. And this is the industry I want to work in?? Lord knows I could not love it more!

Lately it is definitely getting hard to stay encouraged, but I fortunately have great women surrounding me in life that keep me motivated and focused on the goal.

Remember these 3 things:
1) Surrounding yourself with other people in your industry that understand your struggles and your frustrations is key!
2) NEVER underestimate the power of a hug, and
3) Always keep that positive eye on the horizon, don't let those nay-sayers best you on any level!

How do you stay motivated

 in hard times my dears?

Photos thanks to Pinterest

Be sure to follow my boards!

Fashionspiration: Summer Gives Me Wings

Summertime by fashiondiva304 featuring a wing ring

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not kiss someone today mes cheris? Whether its a French bisous or a little sugar for your honey, make someone smile today with a little love.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for lots more photo inspiration!

What will you dare to do today?

Fashion DIY: Exercise Your Closet

That is right...I said exercise your closet, don't throw it away! If you are anything like me my dears, you have a closet and maybe dressers and storage boxes full of clothes! Do you wear them all? Yeah, me neither. That is where Fashion DIY becomes crucial!

Every season I try and weed through my addiction to pare down the fat which is a pretty daunting task...especially since I own many clothes that are too good to part with (from before I lost weight in France...and yes, I realize this is a good problem to have). Now that I find myself sans sewing machine in NYC (a fact that is killing me btdub) I can't actually fix these items, so they just sit there taking up very valuable Manhattan square footage. So what is Fashion DIY well its creating ways to upcycle your clothing, or shop in your own closet if you will!

Here's an easy fix that does not involve sewing skills or any real seamstress tools:

Color Dyeing

I recently bought a corset top from Forever 21 that I later gave me buyer's remorse (which is a sickness I almost never get). Of course when I tried to return said top...Forever 21 with their non-existent customer service policy, how very un-American, would not allow the brand new frock (that had not even left the bag) to be exchanged. So what was I to do? Dye it!!

Totally cute corset top...but in peach...which I later realize that under the my sheer summer tops, just looked like I was naked because it was the same color as my skin. Whoa! was I ever uncomfortable!

 1. Find the classic RIT dye at your pharmacy, in a color your choice (I happen to be a sucker for teal)

2. Mix (following package instructions) with water and bring to boil. 
3. Soak garment for instructed time. Note: more or less time should be altered for desired color. Looking for a pastel? Less. Deep jewel tone? More.

4. Thoroughly rinse and wash garment and allow to dry.

5. Style accordingly! 

And Voila! Fashion DIY at it's finest! Now my once bare-all corset top is a cute pop of color under my sheer summer pieces. Je l'adore! There is always a way to re-work your closet, you just have to get creative. Don't be afraid to play around with old pieces..try and wear them in unconventional ways, or dye them in the latest hot color. That Fashion DIY may just be the little CPR revival your wardrobe needed!

Go try your own Fashion DIY 

and report back!

Bonne chance mes cheris!

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day my fellow Americans! I'm so glad to be able to celebrate this 4th of July in New York City (and the States)! Still working on hammering down some exciting plans...hoping for a rooftop somewhere along the Hudson River to see the amazing Macy's fireworks display going off along 6 barges...YES SIX!

As the Macy's fireworks display has me pumped about this Independence Day, here is some eye candy to keep you full of creativity and ideas on how to stylishly patriotic this 4th!

Happy 235th Birthday America!

psst...You've never looked better :)