My Summer Goal List

1) Update this blog more frequently. I cannot be more ashamed of how many times I have promised more material to all you lovely followers, and not succeeded in following through. Now it is summer, the summer before college, and I plan on updating this blog a few times a week, maybe I can even write on here every other day. I cannot promise that it will all be fashion related, but I will do my best, I promise. 

2) Read, a lot. I feel like doing this will not be a challenge in the slightest bit. I have for some time been compiling a list of books I want to read, and my vanity area is full of books I've found at book stores on sale that sparked an interest. I have a thing for bookstores, I love them, but I never ever buy books at full price anymore. I always scavenge for clearance reads and buy cheap books off of Amazon and in used book stores, and I love it. I also make use of my library, but I prefer owning books, preferably used. (Would brief book reviews be of interest to any of you? Let me know.)

3) Find groovy and cheap deals. As weird as this sounds, I was incredibly tempted to use a bunch of vintage slang in this post, but I resisted haha. With college coming up next semester, my "goal" for this summer is to save money, which means my coffee runs need to stop. The plan you ask? Figure out how to make great coffee drinks at home whilst visiting mostly thrift shops and occasionally normal stores in search of sales. I actually went to Salvation Army recently to discover a gorgeous earthy toned man sweater for $2 and a set of three floral make up bags for $1.50. Yay! (And yes, I do indeed wear men's clothes, I love them, but they need to be worn a certain way to look ok...would that be of interest to anyone?)

4) Get ready for college. There is so much I need to accomplish before moving for school. My main focus? Buying stuff for my dorm! I've already figured out how I want to decorate it: a mesh of Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie styles, made into a bedroom. If I actually buy anything from either store, it'll be clearance items, but the general idea is to have my room be kind of "hippie" feeling and earthy, with plenty of posters of bands and a collage I'm working on right now. (And no worries, I will continue writing here, even in college.)

Here is a link to the Urban Outfitters web page for all their duvets and quilts; I love almost every single one.

I'm sure I have plenty other things I want to accomplish this summer, but for now, this is my list. I'll probably think of something else I want to get done tomorrow and fret over the fact that I forgot to include it, but that's ok, maybe I can add more in new posts? We'll see (:

This end is the beginning.

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am not a fan of conformity, not in the slightest bit. I actually like that I have grown to be content with exactly who I am, and that I have come to terms with the fact that regardless of what people think, there is absolutely no reason to change what I look like, what I think, or what I act like. I feel like this is often overlooked in high school, the idea of being yourself. So many times kids are pressured into the image of what they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to want, and the cliche of "peer pressure" comes into play, as their surroundings mold them into someone they are expected to be. But sometimes, kids break from the mold and experience something else, something I feel I went through in high school. I started out conforming like everyone else, wearing unoriginal branding and fading into the crowd, but then I started to question why I wanted to do this. Why was it that I was acting and dressing like everyone else? Really, I had no good reason. So I stopped caring about what everyone else thought. It wasn't an all of a sudden change, it took time, but eventually it happened for me, I grew to be fully content with myself. Ultimately that made my life so much better because once you've found yourself, you find out what and who really matters to you, what is worth your time and love. The process amazed me, and I can say that I am truly happier now than I have been in a long long time. 


I graduate from high school tomorrow, on May 29th, 2010. This end is the beginning of so much more. 

Amongst the endless branches.

“All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.”           Albert Einstein 

I love trees. I am not sure what it is, but they inspire thought. I think it is nature in general. There are so many aspects to this planet that we as humans overlook, and it is truly tragic. This summer I'm going to spend as much time as possible outside with my camera and my notebook, sitting endlessly by the river or up in a tree. It will be a time of exploration - figuratively and literally. I cannot wait. 

Across the Universe

I found myself watching Across the Universe, and each time I watch this film, I fall in love with it all over again. I not only dream of the "hippie era" - the fashion, the music, and the need to change all that is wrong, but this movie revolves around The Beatles most famous songs which just happens to be my favorite band of all time. This last performance was the perfect end to such a phenomenal film, and although the video quality is too wonderful (it's the best I could find with just his performance) it will do. I recommend to all of you who are fans of the time period and The Beatles to go and check out this movie, asap. I hope you love it as much as I do...

Days as a photographer.

My little farmland area has grown on me so much in these last few months; I love just getting in the car, and driving and just exploring. Today I actually drove to the forest preserve, and then explored beyond that, about 15 miles south, and although I felt lost at one point, I was at ease with the uncertainty the road held, a vast expanse, an never-ending road full of endless possibilities. 

Lovely, yes?

J.Crew came out with a new catalog, can you say l-o-v-e? I was absolutely smitten with the new range of pieces; some held a very dainty touch whereas others surfaced on the edgier side, and I adore a mix of the two. This picture not only was entirely provoking; the bib necklace is without a doubt one of the most beautiful ones I have seen in quite some time, and combined with the ruffled blouse, flushed pink lip, and messy hair - a cohesive yet contradictory look is created. 

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Any questions? Contact me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com

Black, White, and Red all over.

My very first outfit post. As I sit here typing this, I am thrilled about posting more outfits on here in the future...I feel like so much of the time, it is easy to shift from a fashion blogger to just typing away about whatever floats across my mind, so posts like these help me get back on track.

Contents:

Faux Leather Jacket (TJMaxx)

The Beatles tee (Salvation Army)

Scarf (gifted)

Silver flower ring (gifted)

Black Skinny Jeans (Macy's?)

Shoes (Chinese Laundry via TJMaxx)

The shoes I am wearing here, oh gosh, I love them. I am already tall (5'10) but with these killer extra four inches, I feel so sexy; I've been afraid and embarrassed about my height for as long as I can remember, but within the last year, I finally have learned to embrace it, or else I am wasting time fretting over something I cannot change about myself. So I challenge you all to come to terms with something about yourself that you have always disliked; it's a healthier way to look at yourself and will honestly make life that much better. 

And remember, like always, la vie est chic.

Any questions? E-mail me at la.vie.est.chic@gmail.com