"be the designer of your own dreams."

tomorrow is my last day of work & i fly home saturday from nyc. i can't believe how fast this summer has flown by. this truly has been the summer of my dreams, working in the city of my dreams & for my favorite designer of all time. the memories i have from working here this past summer are truly life changing & there still is nothing more exciting then seeing these beautiful clothes everyday or seeing the man who designed them all walk through the office. here are some of my all time favorite odlr looks, seen on celebrities, the runway & even my boss. like the big boss once said, "i always believed you have to go & knock at the biggest door. don't start at the bottom, start at the top." this quote perfectly fits my summer because i feel so blessed to have started here! thank you everyone for all your support this summer, see you soon michigan! 

current obsessions.

the royal baby, the prince of cambridge.

like the rest of the world, i cannot get enough of royal baby news. this afternoon's debut of the brand new prince of cambridge was probably the sweetest thing i have ever seen. love how happy kate & will are in their matching blue, & kate could not look more perfect! congrats royal family!

jesse & the rippers.

my childhood dreams came true on friday night when jesse & the rippers reunited on "late night with jimmy fallon." with surprise appearances even from bob saget & lori loughlin aka danny & becky, john stamos proved that he still has got it going on. have mercy!

stop & smell the peonies print.

with about a month until i move into my new house in east lansing, i've started to order prints & artwork for my room. this limited edition print from ss print shop is my new absolute favorite & i can't wait to hang it up in my new bedroom!

zara skort.

this zara skort is probably my favorite clothing purchase yet this summer. super comfy & it looks great dressed up or down. really contemplating if i should pick it up in white as well!

justin timberlake + marvin gaye remix.

this past weekend, i got to help at a charity auction for acira sponsored by coach in the hamptons. it was great to escape the city for the day, even if it was work. the dj played this remix of suit & tie by justin timberlake with let's get it on by marvin gaye during cocktail hour & i instantly became obsessed with it. perfect summer night song.

staying cool: nyc style.

the hardest adjustment of living in nyc this summer hasn't been the bustling city or being away from my family & friends, but it's been the heat. i have definitely been missing the luxury of being able to jump into the bay after a long day at work like i can at home! temperatures this week have been in the high 90s with about 80% humidity. whether walking a few blocks or just standing waiting for the subway, i am constantly sweating & miserably hot so trying to find anyway to stay cool has been my mission the last few weeks. here are some of my favorite ways to "attempting" at staying cool.

museums.

nothing feels better than walking around a museum with the a.c. blasting on a hot day. my all time favorite is the met, but i really enjoyed moma & also walking around the new york public library. i still would love to go check out the frick collection & go back to the guggenheim (haven't been back there since i was 16).

sock buns.

i got bangs this past winter & loved them but in this nyc heat, the hair is slicked back all the time. the quickest & chicest way i believe is a sock bun. keeps my hair off my neck & face & i still look put together for work!

fro-yo & popsicles.

my favorite cool treats here in the city is of course, fro-yo (pinkberry is my favorite but looking forward to trying 16 handles) & popbar. i love really fruity toppings & popsicles with just a touch of chocolate, whether mini chocolate chips in my pinkberry or a strawberry sorbet popsicle from popbar dipped in milk chocolate.

netflix.

but then sometimes you just got to stay in the air-conditioned apartment & watch some netflix. my new favorites this summer have been scandal (finished the whole series in two weeks - woops!) & 30 rock. 

style crush: gwyneth paltrow.

i recently watched two old movies starring gwyneth paltrow, "the royal tenenbaums" & "the talented mr. ripley." the movies were good, but what really captivated me were her character's style. i've always been a fan of gwyneth & i love how just like those characters, her street style is simple & classic. a mix of preppy with a little rocker (being married to a rock star might be that influence), here are some of my favorite looks, & in her favorite colors to wear, classic black & white.

as margot tenenbaum in "the royal tenenbaums."

as marge sherwood in "the talented mr. ripley."

street style.

90s child.

being born in 1991, i didn't get to experience full 90s style. i was wearing more disney t-shirts & barney sweatshirts, but recently i've been loving looking back at old 90s editorials. crop tops, high-waisted bottoms & big, bold accessories. here's some of my favorites that i've recently found, all styled by carlyne curf de dudzeele. 

(vogue us; february 1990).

(marie claire brazil; december 1998).

(vogue us; august 1991).

(vogue us; august 1990).

(vogue us; february 1991).

(vogue us; november 1998).

(vogue us; september 1991).

borrowed from the boys.

when it comes to jeans, i've usually stuck to my classic dark wash skinny jeans. recently, i've been totally inspired by the distressed boyfriend jean. super slouchy & ripped up, but paired with heels and a fitted top or blazer, it makes it extremely sexy & cool. i recently snatched up this pair on sale from the gap & i couldn't wait to start experimenting as soon as i got home. i'm planning on wearing one of these looks to the justin timberlake & jay-z concert when i get back to michigan in august & can't decide to pair it with the black or white blazer. here are some of my favorite looks i was inspired by on pinterest & let me know if i should choose black or white! xo

inspiration.

my spin.

(black urban outfitters blazer, black forever 21 tank, white forever 21 blazer, michael kors watch, oscar de la renta phone case & oscar de la renta gladia heels).

new york city girl.

one of my favorite shoots is karlie kloss for free people in 2012. it perfectly captures nyc & all its glory. can't believe i only have a month left here, soaking it up as much as i can!