Fall Nails! (the beauty department/LC)!!

So, I'm a pretty solid fan of Lauren Conrad and she talked about her fall nail pics at thebeautydepartment.com. I, thereby, thought it would be prudent to share. I recently purchased a set of mini-polishes from Opi (Roadies) and I think they're going to be the basis for my fall nails. I'll blog about that later because I'm IN LOVE with these four colors. Until then, definitely check out the link below. Because if LC says that's what's up...THAT'S WHAT'S UP! Also, if you too love LC (did you know only her fans call her that? Lol. I'm lame.) you'll find it worthwhile to check her personal website. It's legit, much like the creator.

Pick a color… - thebeautydepartment.com
http://www.laurenconrad.com/

Fall Fashion

So, I'm here to declaim that I am very into everyday fashion. I'm not a runway lover or a thrift store peruser.  I like clothes that flatter my frame and personality. Why would I wear something that I'm not going to get complimented in? Nonsense! I will say, that this philosophy changes in Winter when I like to pretend I'm from the Ozarks and dress accordingly. That being said, I thought I'd share some of my fall fashion desires!!! (Thus far)

1. (This isn't actually on my list, but!)

I think this faux ostrich skin hobo has a lot of potential because it's a neutral taupe color. I think neutrals and browns are a HUGE part of fall collections, always, but finding interesting tones and usages of the colors, like the texture here, is not always the simplest of undertakings. On the downside I wouldn't buy this bag because there is no picture detailing what it looks like inside (don't you hate that!?). Also because some/many faux fabrics feel cheap. I know I'm balling on a budget, but anyone who sees/touches my purse doesn't need to know that!
Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the bag, I pulled it from Avon.  http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?ode=&level1_id=300&level2_id=584&pdept_id=662&pf_id=42839&level=3

2. This sweater is what I really went to Avon for. I'm, sadly, on the email list for when it is finally available for purchase. :(

This picture is what sold me on the item. In my head this lady is a SPOT ON paradigm of what my style is! It's cool, it's casual, it's simple, it's tied together, it's ME! In addition, I am also particularly fond of this cocoon sweater because of its shape. There are a lot of cocoon sweaters out there that seem to not complete the cocoon shape. Instead they end like any other sweater instead of curving around the bum. I want that curve...I just want this sweater. I'll take a picture when I finally receive it in the mail.
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?src_page=product_list.aspx&level1_id=300&level2_id=584&pdept_id=372&dept_id=649&pf_id=42596

3. Speaking of sweaters, I discovered this new sweater company located in England. I decided I wanted a fisherman's sweater and I found that and a WHOLE lot more! The website address is Woolovers.us; that should tell you something right there... OZARKS!!!

This is the Classic Aran sweater, crew neck. I really want it in this oatmeal color, but there are two problems. I hate sweaters that rub against my neck (read: anything crew neck) and I look HORRIBLE in anything oatmeal. It's that one color I ALWAYS want to wear, but never can. Thus I think I would need to be reasonable and purchase:

THE ARAN ZIP SWEATER! Lol. I'm not as fond of it, but I think it is going to be crazy warm and un-fashionable and I thereby DIG IT!
They also have really cute cashmere sweaters for women in v-necks that I like a lot, but not more than these manly, heavy duty sweaters. I think these sweaters are unisex, to be honest, but I pulled them from the men's pages.
http://www.woolovers.us/british-wool/unisex/oatmeal-nep/wool-aran-jumper.aspx
http://www.woolovers.us/british-wool/mens-womens/kiltimagh/aran-cable-zip-neck.aspx
Fyi, I just reviewed their women's sweater section and on the one hand, the women's sweaters are SUPER cute. I generally steer away from men's sweaters/clothing because men are built differently than women and so the overall fit becomes a bit boxy. I'm not actually into boxy, but I much prefer the length of the unisex and men's sweaters to that of their female counterparts. I don't like sweaters that end at the top of my pants. I find they 1. let cold air into my mid section and 2 make me look fat.

4. Snake skin, my friends, is ALWAYS in style!

So, the print is super subtle, which makes the fact that it is covering this legging jean super acceptable. I've yet to buy a pair of legging jeans from the Gap because I have issues with the sizing, mainly that the tall generally comes in styles I don't want. But these, my friends, these are the bees knees. I think I'll definitely own them by November. Ps~ the model is topless, Idk if you knew, because there's this serious movement raising the waist of jeans/pants. It started with the comeback of the high-waist and has trickled down to popularizing the mid-waist, which this pair of legging jeans happens to be. Good-bye pants slipping down!
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=56799&vid=2&pid=869209

So, my dears, those are my fall idols. Very basic items, but I'm EXCITED!!!

I Did It!

It's done! I took the GREs! Phase 1: complete! I can't tell if I actually made a good showing or not. I did go in there with my head up read to take the test balls-to-the-wall. I feel like I did okay. I did my best, I feel...though Heaven knows that's not always good enough. We'll see what November reveals to us. Until then, Phase 2: recommendation letters and Phase 3: actually applying will commence!

I'm really glad the stress about taking this test is gone.

Hotel Adventures

I made it (hours ago in case you were truly concerned)! I'm sitting here sipping "Bed Time" tea, for the nerves you know, and I think the final verdict is that tomorrow, when I take this test, I'm going to make a solid showing. Of course I am going to aim for that 100%, best scoring of my life, but regardless I want graduate schools to look at my scores and say, "This girl. She has potential. She could make it here." Or even better, "This girl. She would be an excellent addition to our institution." That would be the ace's spades (is that a real saying?). That being said, I must hit the hay; this tea is kicking in. This post had nothing to do with hotel adventures. I will say, however, that this coffee pot is was as all get out. It has been percolating for a good hour, yet there's less than a cup of water prepared. -_- Idk what is going on, I'm just going to turn it off.

Day Trips Are Worse Than Moving

Lol. NOICE! So, I am on my way to a hotel for the night because I finally take the GREs tomorrow! 1. STRESS BUCKETS!!! 2. I have packed food for this trip like I'm going to wind up starving in the next twenty-four hours. Fruit, lunchables, high-fiber cereal, trail-mix, water, home-made frappuccino and almonds. I've decided I want a salad from McDonald's for dinner, unless I find a Q'doba, then all bets are off, and the hotel comes with a complimentary breakfast. How much food does one person need!? A lot, b/c I've decided I'm a stress eater...and I can't trust anyone but myself to provide fiber. You do know that fiber is where it's at, don't you. So, yes, let us embark. I think I have everything...and then some. Clearly.

Hopefully I'll come back later tonight to post about stress or something thereabouts. We'll see.

Mulberry

This post would be more aptly named "shit I can afford", but no need to disparage myself in public... I discovered Mulberry last night, kinda fell in love and thereby wanted to share with the world. Their purses, SO LEGIT! I adore their strap and buckle details which, I'm getting the impression, is a signature of theirs. Let's have a look, shall we?

It's their Oversized Buckle Bag that, I like to believe, dreams are made of. I'm unconvinced how "over-sized" it truly is, but I would 100% be down to add this to my collection. The color, the texture, THE BUCKLES and the "post-man clasp", to DIE for! Love it x100!!!

Also, this scarf:

I'm going to have to make it happen this winter! I live in California, but I have a penchant for dressing like I grew up in the Yukon. Yet, tel me why this scarf is the ONE thing I can't find on their website!!! Well, that doesn't actually matter seeing as I'd have to buy an ersatz version anyways. But really, TELL ME it's not to die for!!!

Oh Mulberry, you really have captured my heart! Go check them out! http://www.mulberry.com/#
Further, they blog, so, you know, get on that too! http://blog.mulberry.com/
Finally, I do want to leave you with one last image from Mulberry. Because I find it amazing and I think it'll be far easier for me to admire it on my own site. Enjoy!

Style

Look what the cat dragged in! A four month hiatus!? Really?? I suck, I know. I feel like that might be the general vibe of this blog--this eclectic exploration of self-expression. (Tehe. I like to be prolix from time to time) Anyway, I happened to stop in today to double post, this being the first of two, about clothing. Not that this is going to be a fashion blog by any means--mainly because I'm not actually a fan or subscriber to fashion. I like clothes, particularly clothes that fit and flatter my frame and current mood. Generally I spend all my time, at least during the summer, wearing a uniform of denim panties, read: denim short shorts, and a white t-shirt. When it gets a little chilly outside I spice up this ensemble by wearing cuffed ripped jeans...and a white t-shirt. I am a SOLID fan of the white t-shirt if you haven't picked that up. That being said, I am a avid shopper with a closet full of completely functional clothing. So, somehow, these past two days I've caught the style bug and I'm a wee bit proud of myself for branching out and putting thought and effort into an outfit. Here's what I wore:

Yesterday.

• Long sleaved, blue and white stripped oxford with ruffles down the front (Gap)- sleeves cuffed & then pushed above elbows
• Navy blue shorts, twill (maybe khaki), high-mid thigh length (Target)
• Nude peep toe wedges (BCBGeneration- Macy's)
• Grey woven belt (Mother's closet!!!)- worn around waist

Today.

• White button-down tunic with ruffles down the front (Forever 21), buttoned and knotted in the front so it sits on the waist band of my shorts
• DENIM PANTIES!!! (Forever 21)
• Idk about shoes yet. Maybe open toe flats...maybe sneakers, but I really dislike wearing sneakers with shorts. we'll see.

So, not a big move from my daily wear, but a move nonetheless that I enjoyed and wanted to share. I'll try to add pictures so you can see what it looked like in real life.

Hugs & Kisses