Alas, the time has come. Packing. 
I really, really, really hate packing. With a passion.

So, to make myself feel better about having to do this mundane and stressful task, I thought I'd make it into a blog post and share a few things that I'll be bringing to NYC with me!

First things first. What I'll be wearing on the plane tomorrow.

(Wow this photo is really terrible)

Photo quality aside, this is what I'll be wearing on the plane tomorrow sans the tights and my white flats. I've recently rediscovered this tulle dress (that I bought from Target) and I'm downright obsessed with it. It's so cute and puffy and twirly and it's the softest shade of pink, and I feel so beautiful wearing it. The bodice is also lace-y and I feel like a ballerina prancing around in it. That's also my thrifted scarf, and I'll be toping it all off with this long beige coat I got from Forever 21. I love long coats.

So here are the products I'll be bringing for my face/makeup. My favorite dark purple/red lipstick from Urban Decay, a shimmery blue/green/gray/silver eyeshadow from Sephora (it's called Mermaid's Tail), my LUSH moisturizer and toner, my eyebrow creator pencil from Benefit, Bobbi Brown Gel Liner because it literally gives me life, and my Rosebud Salve that I bought yesterday and now swear by. It's FANTASTIC and it smells SO GOOD and it makes my lips SO SOFT. 

Wow, I love everything in this photo.

Here are a few accessories that I'll be bringing. There's the red scarf (again), my beautiful, lovely, royal (and hella expensive) necklace + cuff set, my Karen Walker sunglasses that make me look like a chic insect, and my trusty Daisy Perfume. It'll make me smell like spring so I can at least pretend the weather's going to get better.

Ok but can we talk about the jewelry for a sec.

This necklace and cuff set cost $189. This is probably the most expensive thing I own, but holy shit do I not regret purchasing this. I love, love, love, this set so much. It is beautifully handcrafted, and the wire is so sturdy. It complements literally all of my outfits. I know that out of everything I bring to Teen Vogue, this will get everyone's attention. (Which I want because I need a summer internship.)

Finally, since I'll be dishing out $369 to stay two nights in a four star hotel, I might as well dress myself the fanciest outfit I own, aka this silk slip dress. It is so beautiful and comes with a matching silk robe, and I will sink into the fancy bed in my fancy slip and fall into a fancy sleep. I intend to make the most of my night in that hotel. Maybe I'll even spritz myself a few times with my Daisy perfume before bed. Who knows. It'll be two wild nights.

Anyways, this is all I've managed to take photos of. I'm really not sure what else I'm going to bring (which is a problem since I'm leaving tomorrow at noon--oops) but look forward to my first BLOGGING POST tomorrow night!!! Hopefully I won't get lost in New York.

Until then.💕💕💕

Intermission I. - the DuSable Museum

So,

I attended my very first rich, fancy, fundraising event a few days ago. I was, naturally, unsure of what I was going to be doing there since a. I have no money to give b. I'm only a student c. I'm not involved with the community who was running the fundraiser.

But, I went anyways because a friend of mine was doing spoken word there, and another friend of mine invited me as her +1 (I've always wanted to be a +1) and I take every chance I get to play dress up. The dress code was "business" and I'm never really sure what "business" really means, so I just put on a pink tulle dress and black shirt and everything was fine. (photos below)

It was a fun, and interesting event. Being surrounded by lawyers, bankers, investors, rich people in general, and having fancy mashed potatoes in cocktail glasses with mini cheesecake bites. I ate so, so, so, much--my friend and I joked that we might as will fill ourselves on this food since it's free. 

Look at how cute the desserts were!

We visited the refurbished (?) Roundhouse next to the DuSable museum, and it was breathtaking! So beautiful and eerie and big, and the first think I thought was: "I want to take photos here."

Lovely, right? But it's even lovelier in person. It's a beautiful, historic building that used to house horses that would be in horse races. Now, the DuSable museum wants to take this building and transform it into an exhibition house. This big room will be the "lobby", I guess, as well as an exhibition space, AND it'll be available for weddings, graduations, etc. I thought about maybe planning a future wedding here, but then I remembered that I want to basically recreate Kate Moss' wedding so I let that idea go.

But, wow. Sometimes I forget that I live right next to a city with such a rich history. With so many historically significant buildings that have beautiful, breathtaking architecture. Amazing, and such a fun night for me and my friends.

My lovely, lovely kittens,

I have exciting news!!! I'm on my way (finally) to NYC!!!! Cue the drums and fireworks and happy crying, because this has been on its way for a long, long, long time now.

Not really, but I'm so nervous and really anxious and really excited to finally go to NYC, the city of my dreaaaammmss. Although, I'm pretty positive that it's not as great as the elaborate fantasy I've created in my head (because nothing ever is) from fictional novels and Glee fan fiction (lmao).

I'm excited to finally walk down the streets and MAYBE get photographed by a street photographer because I'm obviously going to be the most unique dressed (kidding).

So, why, you may ask am I going to the city of dreams, the big apple, the land of lovely lady liberty?

I've been accepted to the 2015 Teen Vogue University! 

Yes, maybe it's a big deal and maybe it's not. I'm not sure yet, but I'm excited nonetheless. It's taking place March 13-15 and I'll be staying at a location that is TBD and I'll be spending lots of time at the Teen Vogue headquarters, One World Trade Center.
But the acceptance has also brought along huge amounts of anxiety and stress because, lord jesus, what am I going to wear? What am I going to bring? Where am I going to stay?

This trip may bankrupt me. I've already spent $189 on a necklace and bracelet set and I think I might end up buying more things.

I'm anxious because I know I'm going to be completely overwhelmed by the conference. Not because there will be a lot of girls (there will be) but because I'm going to be completely out of my depth. No doubt, there will be a lot of privileged, upper class white girls who will be wearing designer clothing. Meanwhile, I'll be there trying to find my way through the crowd in not designer clothing. The fashion industry is seriously cut-throat, and I know this, but I've been able to avoid it thus far. What will I do when I finally have to confront the industry as what it is? Is it a space for me?

Who knows. I'm still excited.

Anyways, in preparation for this trip, I will be uploading a post covering everything I'll be bringing including makeup, skincare, wardrobe and that jewelry set I mentioned because it is seriously gorgeous.

Then, I'll be posting every night about my experience at the Teen Vogue conference with photos, writing, etc. I'm not sure what else I'll include but it'll be detailed and, hopefully, informative if any of you plan on applying next year!

So stay tuned! I've got a lot planned...

I love all of you,

Goodnight loves! I'll talk to y'all soon!

(photos by the lovely Linda Phung)

To the lovely turtlenecks in the world,

Alas, I finally understand why you were created and put in this world: to keep my fragile neck warm on chilly days from h-town to chi-town and to help me channel Funny Face Audrey every day. Yes, I understand why you were the uniform of the Beat generation/movement and now you mean everything sleek and chic. 

I adore how your fabric hugs the lines of my neck, elongating and slimming, you help me channel a stylish giraffe. 

Why, your minimalism and comfortableness makes me squeal and dance with joy (see below). I pair you with a pair of lovely red pumps and I am ready to charge, calmly and steadfastly down the road.

Your presence makes me feel confident enough to barge into Anna Wintour's office and demand a job. She'd take one look at my stylish, black turtleneck and hire me on the spot. For I am always in style, when you're around.

Oh how you make me so shy when you are around, making me feel like the princess that I am. I can't seem to bring myself to look at the camera.

Deer caught in the headlights  a turtleneck look.

Details: TURTLENECK: American Apparel, Pants: Mom's Closet, Bag: Vintage, Flower crown: DIY,  pumps: Nine West?

Short, Shorter, Shortest + LUSH

(gratuitous photo of me because I'm feeling myself.)

Lovelies,

It's is wonderful to be speaking with you all again; I've literally fallen off the Earth and pulled myself back onto this fertile ground because I had something so important I felt like I needed to share with you: I'm cutting my hair. Again. Shorter.

Indeed, I've already cut my hair only a few months ago, and I've recently got this untamable urge to cut it shorter! It must be shorter!!!

I'm not too sure why I'm suddenly wanting to cut my hair so much but I'm just going with the flow right now, just following my instincts. Following me heart. I'm doing me. Let me live.

Have I mentioned, that I've been obsessing over LUSH products? Because I have. They make my skin so lusciously soft like velvet, like silk, like cashmere, like all the most luxurious fabrics. Here's my daily face routine:

1. Aqua Marina cleanser
2. Imperialis Moisturizer
3. Tea Tree Toner

and occasionally
0. Brazened Honey Mask

Apologies that I've been slacking off; I'm working on school and trying to get my life together. I've been applying to fashion mag. summer internships and also working on my study abroad application. I'm going to Florence, Italy, did I mention? So excited and scared and nervous for what will happen next. Life is so unpredictable.

I'll let you all know how my life and hair goes.
I'll try to post something new and original and actually professional, soon...
Or maybe I'll invite a guest blogger, who knows? It'll be a surprise.

Goodnight, kittens. 

ph. Emma McVicar

If you've got it, flaunt it.

This cape fell into my hands and the day became beautiful. How should I pair it? Whimsical or bossy-chic? Definitely the latter, so slide on the cigarette pants, loose white shirt. Side pin the hair, and a bold black liner. Embellished black booties. Pout. for. days. 

Sure, it's not the most conventional of outwear, but it's effective at making a statement. Plus the satisfying swish of the cape is extremely empowering. 

Walk down the streets, and you feel like a revived Victorian. Quick, grab a pen, do a dance, be artsy. In fact, during my cape-daze I became a playwright. 

act 1 by Steffanee Wang

in those silly fantasies i have in my head, you’re sleeping next to me and my eyes flutter open. flutter because our eyelids are synonymous with the quiet beating of butterfly wings. but my eyes flutter open and you’re humming, vibrating, close to me. a warm cocoon. i smile. lean down, and pick up my laptop. or maybe a notebook. which one makes me look artsy-er. you’d think i was living a life of visual art. paying attention to what others will pay attention to. but my fingers are nimble—dancing over the keyboard, notebook, whatever, quick to catch this silent moment of togetherness. 

dance because the tips are my nails are ballerinas. i am dainty. so all of my limbs dance. stomp? never stomp. never trudge, or slam, or crush. pound.

pounding heart, in my chest, i’m too overwhelmed to continue.

three things happen:

1. close laptop

2. lay back down.

3. fall in love.

-end act 1-

Then put the books away, take a few photos, and fly off into the wind like the beautiful, winged butterfly you are. 

Details: Cape: American Apparel, Top: Zara Bottoms: GAP Boots: F21

It's been a long two weeks.

Not really but it feels like I'm starting to lose my grasp on the order of my life. Maybe it's the weather, but maybe I'm just telling myself that it's the weather. Maybe it's just me. Whatever it is, it always seems to start when I need to have the most control of my life. 

College is hard. College is long. I'm ready to go home. 

Motivation is makeup. 

I've been trying out new lines on my eyes, and other  lip-colors than "deep purple" for fall because fuck deep purple and plums and wines, and all its variations. And call me stupid, because I've just found out how to puff out my bangs with a flat iron. I've been using my friend's flat iron every morning, and every time I re-straighten, re-straighten, re-straighten, I remember that I need to buy some hair protectant, and I need to buy my own flat iron. 

Where art thou, perfect coat?

I wanted to buy that leopard coat but some bitch got there before me.

Remind me to never leave an item that I desperately want in the store because I'll "don't want to purchase it yet" because someone will buy it and I will hate them forever. 

In other news, I'm still searching for a furry coat. I found another one I liked today. It looked like it came from a suburban grandmother's closet. I want it. I left the store without it. I'll go in next weekend to buy it. 

I haven't learned my lesson.

Stressed but well dressed. (photos by Carson Brown)

I bought a long pencil skirt tonight because it was 15% off, and it was a get-better present for me. I'm going to ask my mother for this one as a christmas present. It's become a new passion.

It was the first actual actual snow day in Heavenston today, and I wore a short yellow dress. Call me the Chinese Madeline.

Here's my newest attempt at becoming Audrey Hepburn. This orange, orange coat I bought reminds me of the one she wore when she was being a cat. And for some reason, I kept calling the coat yellow. Perhaps I'm going color-blind.

And in case I forgot how to say say "yes" or "no" in English, I have it helpfully printed in French for me.

Stay de-stressed, loves, take a Lush bath bomb bath or something.

(Shout out to the lovely wildcats that live with me, congrats on beating Notre Dame. You are all amazing.)