Birthday Girl

Forever 21 dress.  Candie's for Kohl's heels.  

So, this kid turned 21 on Saturday!  My fabulous accessories in these shots include a tiara and giant birthday button from my roommates, a glow necklace that says "birthday star" from my mother, and my new and wonderful boyfriend.  When we walked into the bar, which is clearly an attempt at an Irish Pub as you can see from some indications in the final photo, I was definitely getting stared at.  I'm obnoxious enough not to care though, and when I left, clutching boyfriend's hand and still wearing my heels like a champ, I thanked the many people who wished me a happy birthday.

Birthday presents that night included the Tanqueray (yummmm), an LIT, Magners, tequila...and this was all after a beer sampler at dinner with my man.  Yes, I am still suffering, but it was worth it!  And yet, I still have an essay on the history of Surrealism due at 4pm that is killing me...

Ta for now, loves!

La Fantasia

Missoni for Target skirt.  Old Navy shirt. Havianas. Fossil Watch.  Charlotte Russe bracelet.  Topshop earrings. Betsey Johnson sunglasses.

I don't know if you can see it as well as I wish you could, but the reason I'm smiling so big in the first picture is because the man on the tractor behind me is posing for the camera too.  We literally waited to take the picture until he was behind me, but Erin snapped perhaps a bit too soon.  Still a fantastic moment!

I imagined myself as sexy and gorgeous as Margherita Missoni today when i flounced about in this skirt. It's super comfy and obviously fabulous.  Erin is going to go check out what Hanover has today since I gushed about the pieces I bought yesterday, and I told her that she must text me about her finds!  Never have I been so smitten with a target collection.  I finally got online today, now that the website crash is fixed, and I seriously considered ordering a pair of the knit shorts of one of the chemises before I reminded myself that I still need money for clothes and books and alcohol (21st birthday on Saturday, huzzah!).  

Thankfully, after a week of endless rain, it's pretty here in the burg again, and I do not feel perpetually depressed.  That is, not over the weather anyway, just from mounds of thesis reading.  Which I need to go return to, so happy Wednesday loves!

Seniority

American Eagle shorts.  Payless sandals.  Forever 21 hoops.  Betsey Johnson sunglasses.  Top found at Marshall's.  Fossil Watch.  Charlotte Russe bracelets.

I originally wore jeans and a tshirt to my philosophy seminar this morning, because I was cold in my apartment, but changed into this outfit after I realized it was freaking hot outside.  This top is perhaps a little risque for the daylight, but I'm a senior, and I no longer care what the people on this campus think.  And all important bits are covered.  And a little bra never hurt anybody.  

But what I'm really excited about today is the release of the Missoni for Target line, which I ran off to check out not long after philosophy let out.  Missoni is one of my all-time favorite designers and I've been anticipating this for months because let's be honest, it's probably the only Missoni I will own in my entire life.  I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.  In my opinion, the collections for Target aren't always of great quality (I mean, they're target clothes) and not worth the more expensive price tags.  Plus the more "designer" styles don't really agree with my shape (re: normal).  But I actually liked just about every piece I tried on today.  The mini dresses actually account for the fact that a lot of women have these things called hips and boobs, the sweaters are slim and gorgeous, and iconic Missoni prints are all over all of it.  I picked up a few pieces that I know I will enjoy wearing the shit out of.  

So, I recommend you actually check out this collection.  Just don't get in a fight like some of the ladies over in LA...and try not to cry over the crash/exceeded bandwidth on the Target website.  Thank the powers that be that nobody in Hanover, Pennsylvania wanted to check out the collection this morning.

Have You Heard?

In lieu of another weekend wishes post, since you got one only two posts ago because I'm a bum, I decided I'd let you read a little email I just send.  You've probably heard of this new Bloggers Wardrobe project way before me, and already know that it sounds amazingly awesome.  Naturally, all of the bloggers already on board are household names for the blogger set, who get more than their fair share of samples already, and who might as well be models and leave the rest of us alone.  

There's a competition going on for the rest of the spots, I have no idea how many there are, and my first thought was "they'd never even consider me."  So with that in mind, I decided to send them an email, tell them I know I don't fit their "standards," and tell them why I'm worth it anyway.  Forget the polite cover letters that I send to possible employers; for this I laid it on the line.  Observe:

Let me first say that I know you've probably never heard of my blog.  The number of comments on my posts range from 0-5, which is amateur, I only have 10 followers on bloglovin, and 19 on blogger, and still I post.  So why should you consider me at all, when I don't have exposure and influence?  Because I am an average 20 year old college girl, with hips and an ass that forever prevent me from being a sample size, and a bare bones budget to shop on, and I am still making fashion my own.  

Forget the Tavi's (who are few and far between) who became icons despite their youth and lack of resources.  A lot of the bloggers out there can afford the designer labels I can only drool over and do my best to imitate.  I can't even be as up on trends as I'd like to because I have to buy books, and food, and my minimum wage jobs and non paying internships are only helping me get by.  And what company is going to sponsor a girl who may or may not be able to wear the hottest trends, who just doesn't like the on trend bright lipsticks, who may never get invited to a fashion show in her entire life?

Despite the my lack of the credentials you're looking for that I don't have, I have an unwavering integrity.  I say what I mean, wear only what I like (and what some people don't), and refuse to be silenced.  I've been made fun of by my peers for keeping this blog, I've been laughed at, I've been discouraged to the point of almost giving up the blog forever.  But I've realized that if my love for fashion and sharing it with others makes me happy, then everyone else can go fuck themselves.  Not all of my fashion experiments are hits, and not all of my opinions are shared by other fashion enthusiasts.  But if you take a read, you'll see that my sincerity, optimism, and out and out love for the aesthetic is always there. 

If you do nothing else, at least take a peek at my blog "In Class, En Vogue" (www.inclassenvogue.blogspot.com), and don't knock a girl for trying.

Have a good weekend guys, and keep on keeping on.

Stupid, Stupid

BDG tshirt via Urban.  Forever 21 shorts and sunglasses.  Charlotte Russe bracelets.  Fossil watch.  Shii sandals.

For the second time this summer, I drove all the way to my bus stop (which is 40 minutes from home), only to realize that I had forgotten my bus tickets for the day.  I am also, quite literally, flat broke until I get paid on Friday, and I don't want to run up any more charges on my credit card.  So I had to turn around and go home, call the office and explain my idiocy, and stay here after a useless 80 minute drive. 

I felt really guilty, so I finished reading a manuscript I was asked to read yesterday and emailed the person at the agency about it, and I'm about to start another she sent me.  I got dressed to go on a little excursion with the leetle brother to get new football cleats, just to get out of the house, but I like this outfit.

Only, I should've have him take pictures BEFORE we left, not after we got home.  Sheesh, look at those wrinkles!

Weekend Wishes

This weekend I'm off to visit my dear friend Brianna at her college, where she's been doing research for the past month.  I'm super pumped to hang out with her and to meet some of her friends, and to pretend I have a social life!  Visiting her has got me thinking about heading back for my (gulp!) last year of school, and the things I would take along with me if I could.

I've been into night shirts and chemises for sleepy time lately, and this one by Eberjey may be the best one inspired by a man's shirt that I've ever seen. 

Everyone who knows me knows that I love my tea.  I could spend hundreds of dollars in Teavana without thinking, at school I have a whole shelf dedicated to all the teas I drink, and at home I have taken over a significant portion of one of my mother's cabinets.  Now thanks to Ruelala, I have found a new brand to covet, Bodum. 

There's, the tea press of my dreams, an aesthetic wonder with double wall glass keeps the tea hotter for longer, and a great green tea jug that will filter out the leaves of all my loose teas when I ice them.  Not to mention there's a host of really neat drink ware, with or without strainers:

My fellow tea enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike should really check out this site.

Lastly, I've wanted something Pendleton in my life for a long time now, and I'm kinda crazy about this blanket:

Too bad about the $200 price tag.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Sun Shower

JCrew wrap dress.  Thrifted Michael Kohrs heels. Random necklace.

I had Saturday off this weekend, a miracle in and of itself, and I traipsed to the mall to sift through the end of the season deals.  I had two things I definitely wanted to find: a pair of soft shorts and a long skirt.  I found 'em, but I also snagged this great wrap dress at JCrew for $17.  There was an extra 50% off clearance and I convinced the cashier to give me the student discount even though I forgot my ID.  I'm crazy about the soft fabric and the drapey neckline.

I've had a phobia of olive green hues since a particularly washed out school picture (freshman year of high school, to be exact), but I got over it as soon as I slipped this baby on.  I consider this an open door to a new color opportunity. 

I Can Get Back Up

H&M Dress, Fossil watch, Charlotte Russe bracelets

Today was exceedingly gross, with the rainfall ranging from annoying to torrential.  But, it was a day in which I needed to drive an hour to get to a doctor's appointment (I hate living in the middle of nowhere) and run some errands, so I pulled on a maxi dress, my errand-running uniform.  I picked this one up at H&M at the beginning of the season and I love how flattering, comfortable, and simple it is.  Though, if you stare at the pattern for too long, you might start to feel a bit dizzy.

The one good thing about driving the long stretch to civilization is that you find great things like the used bookstore I went to today.  I was a bit frightened when I first got there, it was in a nondescript brick building below a bail bonds office with neon signs informing me it was open 24 hours, but as soon as I walked in I felt at home.  The place wasn't decorated, it simply had very tall, pine bookcases covering every concrete wall and in stacks in the middle of the space.  It was musty, non air conditioned, and perfect.  I was impressed at how well the books were organized and all the different things they offered; I managed to check a few things off of my always lengthening book list!  I picked up two hardbound books: a copy of Joyce's Ulysses and Tirant lo Blanc.  I also had to buy the only Stoppard play I could find in the place (a bit sad): The Invention of Love.  The three set me back 9 bucks and change, and I wanted a few more, but they only take cash and checks, being completely old school, and I never have more than a minimal amount of cash on me, nor do I ever carry a check book.  Just finding that place made my day better, especially since it was literally called "Old Book Store."  Can't get much better than that.

By the way, photo number 1 isn't posed.  Rocky just had to get in on the photoshoot action.  He hates to be ignored. 

Fool For the City

So, my commute is hell, my internship doesn't pay me, and I spend most of my time out on the city streets running to catch a subway or a bus, but I actually adore working in New York City.  Since it's highly unlikely I'll be able to move to London or out to California right out of college, I think I'm going to set my sights on getting hired in the city, and eventually moving there.  I honestly feel more inspired in the bustle there than I ever do in my quiet little hometown.

Besides general wardrobe ennui, it would be great if I could upgrade to a more practical satchel for my days in the city.  I lug in my lunch, a blazer or sweater to keep me warm on the freezing bus rides and in the cold office, books on surrealism for my research, my planner, my wallet, my ipod, my phone, my journal...And all of that fits in this highly unstructured black bag I use for classes at school.  It's annoying though, because it's a black hole and it just gets lumpy and and weird depending on what I stuff in it.  

Here are a few choices I have in mind, or I would, if my entire paycheck didn't funnel right back into transportation costs.

$72 Miss Selfridge

$103.43 Asos

$86.40 BCBGeneration via Zappos

This one's a little more non traditional, might be my favorite. 

It's Aimee, Bitch.

I realize that is is a supermassive buttheaded thing to just take a four month vacation from blogging and then ask you to remember why you might've liked me in the first place.  But as I sit here at my desk, currently an intern in NYC, I realize that I have a lot going for me.  Time to stop whining and find my voice again.  Writing to y'all helped me do that before, so I bet you can help me again.  You're just that cool.

I need to talk to you about something.  You know how everyone talks about how innately stylish New Yorkers are, and it seems kind of like hogwash because it's such a huge city and there are like a bajillion people there and the people who say such things are probably focusing on the elite?

Yeah well, they're actually right.  I've let my style take a major back seat the past few months, and though I'd like to think that I look respectable when I leave the house, these girls (and guys!) are making me feel totally boring with their casualwear alone, don't get me started on what they wear to work.  I want to keep up!  I want to compete!  But I'm more broke than ever before, and my paychecks are spent before I even get them.  So now you're going to get to watch me attempt to be as fabulous as the locals with the closet I already have and a budget of $0.  It's looking bleak, but I'm a tough girl. 

But besides the clothes, which you know I love, and will continue to love, I think it's time to explore what I originally planned to be the other side of this blog, the fact that I am curious to a fault (hello, philosophy major!) and like to explore topics that may not make you think "fashion" at the outset.  I'm a big fan of pop culture, which you might've gotten from my asides, and I have a lot of fun discussing the quirks of society that we're all so involved in.  No more reigning in my shiny toy mentality (at least, not so much as I was before). 

Also, one final note.  I allow this to blog to post on my facebook feed because it is a way to get my blog out to my peers and to my family.  If you really feel that it takes up too much space on your feed, or I annoy you anyway, HIDE MY FEED.  It's easy.  Clicky click the little grey x and you can "hide this post from Aimee" or "hide all posts from Aimee."  My goal is not to annoy you or be in your face all the time.  That being said, getting me out of your face is something you can quite easily do for yourself.  It's true that anyone can blog today and attempt inundate you with their opinions, but they're only as successful as you allow them to be. 

And until my next existential crisis, since they are always looming, this girl is back in the saddle.

"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." -Frost