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Brandy Melville Tank // Madewell Denim // Adidas Superstar II // Vintage Belt // Vintage Snapback

I write this post as I am jumping for joy over the fact that I just ended my freshman year of college. I can't believe it's already over! When people say live moves at the speed of light after high school they aren't lying. 

I'm sad to be leaving Richmond for the summer, but I'll be visiting plenty of times before the start of the fall semester to get my new house ready (more posts on that to come).

These photos were taken by my good friend Abigail. One random night last month we decided to wander around the neighborhood by campus and do some nighttime shooting. I love my prime lens for night shots because it captures even sickly florescent overhead lighting beautifully. It also helps having a great photographer. 

This look encompasses my uniform for school. I'm all about the high neckline tanks to accentuate my shoulder muscles (yes I do lift now haha) and the Adidas Superstar II just add the perfect amount of cool to any look. The urban style has really taken over my closet this semester it's interesting to see the progression of my looks through time and having this blog really documents it well.

Stay tuned for exciting things this summer.

Lookbook | Off Duty

This lookbook is inspired by the "off duty" look that is seen all over Pinterest. It's supposed to be what models would wear during fashion week-- running all over town going from one job to the next. The principles of the 3 looks are comfort, monochrome or muted colors, and versatility. 

I kept all the looks with a pair of black skinny jeans because it is the number one staple of the "off duty" look. You can see basic pieces such as a white top, leather jacket, or heavy knit can be incorporated effortlessly.

I worked really hard on this lookbook, but it was a ton of fun to make. Let me know if you like it an if I should do more. 

Last Beach Day

Free People Crop // Splendid Pants // Ray Ban Sunnies // Vintage Necklace

Happy Labor Day everyone and happy birthday to me! To end the last weekend of summer here's a beach look taken a week before I moved to Richmond for college. 

Fall is my absolute favorite season, but it's sad to see the summer fade away. Now that I'm off at college and getting back into the swing of school, I'm really excited for the sweater weather in  a new city.

There are still summer posts to come (don't worry), so we can still pretend the hot weather will last forever. 

Have a great long weekend.

Back To Basics

Chanel Classic Mini Flap // We The Free Top // Vintage Denim // Madewell Sandals // Ray Ban Sunnies // Anthropologie Necklace //

Quick little outfit post for you all. My close friend is visiting me for a week, which means I have a minion to take photos for my outfit posts.

We just had a chill shopping day so I chose some basics (white top and denim shorts) and layered on the gold accessories as I like to do. My style is so boring lately, but I'm really enjoying the plain normcore/ laid-back style. Literally, I wear a white shirt and denim everyday... Maybe I'll try to switch it up for you guys.

I'm finally a high school graduate. I feel like I've been talking about it forever, but yes. It's finally done and over with. 

Now it's time to fully enjoy summer vacation.

Grad Party Hopping: Day Two

F21 Dress // Eva & Zoe Sandals // Ray Ban Sunnies // Louis Vuitton Speedy // Vintage Necklace

The second round of grad parties and Father's Day dinner pushed me to wear this new white tunic dress from Forever 21. It's a little more girly than I normally would go for, but I think I'm starting to warm up to my feminine side.

The weather was perfectly sunny and breezy, let's hope it stays nice tomorrow for my graduation. Wish me luck on not tripping on the stage.

Dressing Up A Basic Outfit: feat. Chanel, Steve Madden, and Flashtat

   

Recently I've been into dressing up a casual outfit (like this plain t-shirt and joggers) with accessories. 

I'm in love with these new Steven Madden booties because they add the right amount of "cool" to a basic outfit. 

To be even more cool, I slapped on these faux tattoos from Flashtat. I love the metallic/ foil finish, but I bet it'd look 100x better with a tan.

You've probably noticed that amazing bag on my shoulder...Yes, my flawless Chanel classic flap mini came this past week from eBay for my graduation present. 

I really couldn't be any happier-- school's ending this week, I have my amazing Chanel bag, and Memorial Day (my favorite holiday) marks the start of the best season: summer. 

What's your favorite holiday?

Casio Watch // Aid Through Trade Bracelet // Vintage Ring, Bracelets, and Necklace 

Flashtattoos Temporary Tattoos // We The Free Tank // 

Topshop Joggers // Steve Madden Booties // 

Chanel Classic Flap Mini // 

Queen of Versailles

Too bad the fountains weren't on.. I thought Versailles is the palace of luxury! Haha.

 Posing with a not-so-picturesque boat collision in the background.

We the Free Top // La Fée Maraboutée Blazer // J Brand Denim // Soludos Espadrilles // Ray Ban Sunnies

These photos were taken on my last full day in France at the Palace Versailles.  I can't believe it's been a month since the trip. It's so weird remembering that something is over when you have looked forward to it for months. 

My experience was like nothing I've ever had and I would do it over in a heart beat. I was put out of my comfort zone by living with a host family for a week and a half, eating strange (but amazing) foods, and speaking a language 24/7 (well almost) I hardly know. 

I learned to not be afraid of the unknown and to have trust in the kindness of strangers.

I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to and that is the biggest thing I took away from this trip. 

Now I feel ready to take on any challenge life throws me. Because I know if I set my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. 

Enough with the sappiness Andrea... I hope you have a great week.

Columbia University

Vintage Dress // Sam Edelman Boots // Isabel Marant pour H&M Jacket // Madewell Scarf // Louis Vuitton Speedy // Ray Ban Sunnies

This past week I spent a few days with my paper at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference in New York. 

I haven't talked about it much on here, but being a writer and features editor for my paper has really turned me on to Journalism. That's why I'm going to major in Communication or Journalism at college.

 Now sadly, I'm not attending Columbia (haha), but being there was so magical and it made me realize how passionate I am about Journalism. 

Columbia is such a beautiful school, if you are around Washington Heights, I highly suggest checking out the breathtaking dome library. 

Canadian Tuxedo

Equipment Top  // Vintage Denim Jacket // Hudson Jeans  // Target Sunnies // Casio Watch // Etsy and South Moon Under Bracelets //

Cue the very long apology with many explanations and excuses... Well, I am sorry for not updating these past weeks. It's been stressful with exams and getting into shape for summer. I haven't been really inspired in a while so I chose not to post outfits I wasn't in love with.

This all changed when I started pinning all denim ensembles. I just love the Canadian Tuxedo look that Justin Timberlake made so famous at the 2001 AMAs with Brittany Spears. 

Now I know plenty of magazine articles that say never to match the same color denim together; but, you know me.. I always love to break the rules. 

Since this is a spring/summer trend, I only got to try it out today when the weather was mild... but snow still remains on the ground. Ugh. 

Hope you all had a wonderful valentines day, I know I did. I will try to keep the posts more constant, just be on the look out.

All White On The Beach

 

The first week of the new year I'm currently spending down in South Beach. My grandparents live close by so it's an easy destination for my family. Sadly, the weather hasn't been ideal for Miami, but it is way better than the 23 degree weather at home.

The grey weather does compliment my all-white ensemble perfectly, if I do say so myself. In the first picture my pose is very Chiara Ferragni  isn't it?

I hope your first week of the year is going well. Stay tuned, yet again, for my new year's resolution post. I have come up with my resolution, but I need to think about how I'm going to frame it in a post.

Outfit Detials:

Top- Zara

Jeans- Pac Sun

Bag- Phillip Lim for Target

Sandals- Tommy Hilfager

Bra- Urban Outfitters

Bracelets- Anthropologie, Etsy

Watch- Casio

Necklace- Vintage

Snow Day

Again, I feel horrible about neglecting you all recently. It's only been a week, but I know that's a long time in the blog world. I was sick the majority of my absence. When I say sick, I mean it. I don't need to go into detail, but I'm currently on two sets of antibiotics..

Good thing is I'm at the end of my sickness and I'm only plagued with an occasional, ugly sounding cough and the sniffles. With the bad luck I've been having, I should probably get my flu shot ASAP.

I got the day off from school due to the fast falling snow that coated the ground quickly this morning. It was the perfect back-drop for showing you all my new menswear inspired coat from J.Crew.

 On top of this day off I have a job interview. I think this outfit is perfect for interviewing because it is smart looking with the menswear coat, yet still playful with the stacked bracelets and layered necklaces.

What's the weather like where you live?

Outfit Details:

Coat- J. Crew

Top- Free People

Jeans- Pac Sun

Boots- Urban Outfitters

Scarf- Nordstrom

Necklaces- Vintage and Target

Bracelets- Nordstrom, Anthropologie

Watch- Casio

Double Breasted = Sea Captain. Right?

"Ahoy Mateys!" Is the phrase my jacket would say right? No? Well, I didn't see a sea captain look when I bought this jacket, but today a classmate kindly pointed that out. And the clicking of my heeled boots- well obviously that says I'm a teacher to another classmate. "Get back to class!"

I don't try to dress up as a sea captain or a teacher, it just happens. I put together an outfit on the basis that I like how it looks. I don't do it to impress people or shock them. So If I'm doing it for myself, why do I always get comments?

"Excuse me, who asked for your opinion?" Always runs through my mind when a comment is said about my outfit. It's not that the person meant to be hurtful or embarrass me, but it always seems to put me on edge. I guess all the bullies in middle school taught me to always be on my guard.

Comments about my outfits are said a lot to me, not in a nice way either: "In that outfit, you look like a (insert rude noun)." Hey, I wasn't going for that look, but thanks anyways. Maybe I'm too sensitive, but when it's said daily I'm going to get a bit sassy.

Next time try to look at me without comparing me. I appreciate compliments, so take a tip from these olive Theory trousers (which compliment my hair color nicely).  I'm just a chick in a double breasted jacket with "clickety- clack" booties, that's all.

Outfit Details:

Sweater- Thrifted

Jacket- Anne Taylor

Pants- Theory

Boots- Topshop

Necklaces- H&M and Tiffany and Co.

Dressing up or just styled well?

"You always dress up and look so nice so for school," was said to me the day I wore this ensemble by an underclassman. "But, but, but- this isn't even dressing up," I though in my head while thanking her with flushed cheeks. A semi-panic set in as I walked away. "Am I over-dressed? Do I look too grown up? I hope other people don't  notice my outfit," I thought.
It is not like me to question an outfit, but the compliment coming from an underclassman blindsided me. I knew she was genuine, but it sounded less like a compliment and more like a comment-- not a good one at that. I rushed to the bathroom to examen the evidence at question. To my surprise, when I looked in the mirror, the self doubt quickly disappeared once I saw how chic I looked.

But really-- to me this is not dressing up. This is just another outfit I wear to school, not to a fancy dinner or even church. Why is it that putting in effort and trying out new looks is considered "dressing up" at school?

I view this outfit as one that is put together well and possibly chic. Looking put together is my goal for every outfit. With them, I want to show that I am presentable and on my A-game. If you asked me to give a presentation that day, I would be ready, because my outfit says "I'm ready." I let my outfits speak for me, showing the world (well, my school) that I'm on top of things-- at least on the outside.

Outfit Details:

Top- Urban Outfitters
Under shirt- Banana Republic
Vest- H&M
Trousers- American Apparel
Boots- Urban Outfitters
Watch- Casio
Bracelets- Anthropologie, Etsy, Juicy Couture, Vintage

An evening with MSMR and Wildcat!Wildcat!

This past Sunday my best friend and I went to see the band MSMR. The two of us love them so much that we have seen them perform three separate occasions.

Overall the night was great. We went to Matchbox on U street before and then walked over to the Black Cat for the show at 8. 

The opener was actually my favorite: an all guy band from Austin called Wildcat!Wildcat! I highly suggest checking out their self titled EP... but sadly they only have a few songs out now.

Now for MSMR, I was a bit disappointed in their performance. It was a sold out show so I expected it to be great- as they always are... but this time I don't know if it was the sound quality of the club or what, but they just sounded a bit off. 

Don't get me wrong, I still had an amazing time. That may be the last concert I go to on a Sunday because we got home at 1am and I had school the next day.. EEEK.

Outfit Details:

Top- Thrifted

Jeans- Bullhead

Boots- Topshop

Bag- Phillip Lim for Target

Watch- Casio