Look at that Friggin Hipster

On me:

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Jumper: Nordstrom (not sure what brand)

Tank: American Apparell

Sunglasses: H&M

Vest: Mango

My roommates and I have an affinity for theme parties. It might be our sorority past. This is the four of us dressed up for our hipster party! (We look ridiculous when we try not to smile, because of course, hipsters don't smile.)

Everyone had a really good time. Here is a picture of all the girls (plus S) in our living room. We bought PBR and Natty Bo and hit up the Red Derby and Wonderland. I have some pretty fun friends!

I am headed to Kentucky this weekend for the National Women's MBA conference, so I will be posting some professional attire. Stark contrast from the fedora and jumper.

J wins for best T-shirt!

Feeling Fancy

As I mentioned in my last post, I went to a black tie event tonight. It was at the Four Seasons Georgetown, it was a fundraising event for Second Chance Employment. This non-profit does some absolutely phenomenal work, check it out: http://www.scesnet.org/ It's great to work for a company that is commitment to non-profts such as this one.

Dress: BCBG

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Kate Spade

I realize that this outfit isn't particularly exciting. When I am dressing for something where my boss is there, the first thing in my mind is appropriateness. Doesn't make for particularly stylish outfits, but I think it's very important to be conservative at the right times.

This is the jewelry I wore. In my house, it's a tradition for a girl to get her first strand of real pearls on her 18th birthday. The ring was my mother's. She never wore it and I love it, so she surprised my on my 21st birthday by having it re-sized and gave it to me. My mom loaned the earrings to me for my debutant ball, and I just never gave them back. Basically, my mom gives the best gifts ever.

Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.

Today was not my day. Fortunately I have great friends, a boyfriend who listens to me forever, and a very kind and forgiving manager.

This picture is a result of me being a rush, I'm sorry I will find a better place to take pictures. The weather was 90 degrees in DC today, but our classrooms hover slightly above freezing. Makes dressing difficult, and a little schizophrenic.

Scarf: JCrew

Dress: JCrew

Belt: Target

Jacket: Anthropologie

I made an attempt to get a more up close picture. The necklace has my name on it, it's the same style as the one that SJP wore on Sex and the City that said 'Carrie'. I feel like the S&tC hysteria is over enough that I can wear it again. (In my defense, my mom bought this for me when I was a kid, way before SJP was anyone besides the gawky girl on Footloose.)

I bought these shoes last week and I have been wearing them non-stop. The are super comfortable, and not the ballet flats that everyone has been wearing (including me) for the past five years that I am sick of. Plus, I can't wear flip flops to class (I'm not an undergrad...) so these are a great alternative. They are just Steve Madden, nothing fancy, but I love them.

My manager invited me to a black tie fundraiser event tomorrow night! It's at the Four Season's in Georgetown, I can't wait! I'll post the outfit tomorrow.

New York, this is what dreams are made of...

I have an embarrassing statement to make. Up until last week, I had never really been to New York. I went for work, but pretty much only saw the inside of offices, ate bland catered food, and almost got run over by a million cabs. I also went as a child, but remember little besides the statue of liberty.

My mother and I went to New York last weekend for a girls weekend. It was fantastic. I love really inspired food. I used to work at a restaurant with a top chef winner (he is also from New Mexico, major points if you know who I mean) and that spurred a life long appreciation for quality and love in food. We went to Esca for dinner the first night. I will admit, I was skeptical. I assumed that any celebrity chef would be overrated, but it was wonderful. The food was delightfully simplistic, so that the quality of the ingredients was apparent.

Dress: Cynthia Steffe

Jacket: French Connection

Necklace: Max and Chloe

Shoes: Donald Pliner

A friend, who is also a native New Yorker and food lover, recommended Balthazar's. Their roast lamb sandwich was amazing. The tables are tiny, getting in and out is extremely awkward, but it was worth it. We were seated immediately without a reservation which apparently is a rarity. The cafe around the corner is great for pastries, soups, salads and coffee without all the to-do.

The next day I took a long run in Central Park (got a little lost) and we went to the Frick. I have one recommendation if you are going to New York, VISIT THE FRICK. Henry Clay Frick was an industrialist from Pittsburgh (where my mother hails from, she is in this picture). He built his mansion, which sits one block north of Central Park, with the intention of it serving as an art gallery. It was the epitome of calm and beauty in a dirty over-populated city. It was exactly what I needed to escape being overwhelmed by the city.

The Frick boasts Velasquez, Turner and many other great artists. (Velasquez is a personal favorite, I visited Las Meninas in the Prado at least weekly when I lived in Madrid.)

Tickets are 5$ for students with ID, another perk.

Wandering around the upper east side and 5th ave.

Top: Velvet for Uniqlo

Jeans: James

Bag: Cole Haan

Shoes: Steve Madden

Studying in Bryant Park

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Blazer: Zara

Tshirt: Madewell

Belt: Hand me down from Mom

Skirt: Jcrew
Bag: Cole Haan

Shoes: Steve Madden

I grew up around horses, seeing them daily. Although for some reason, when I saw one in NYC, I got excited and needed a picture!

We also went to BD Bistro for dinner then Jersey Boys. I got to meet my childhood friend's fiance, he is in the show! It was great, very lively.

I will definitely be returning to New York this year, especially now that my friend R has moved back to the city!

She has an amazing blog: http://loveatfirstshop.blogspot.com/

Lazy Tuesday

I haven't had a day that isn't stuffed full of classes and going to the office in quite a while. Today I have been trying to unpack and get some homework done. Took a nice long Trader Joe's trip too. My roommate and I are trying a new-to-us Pho place in our neighborhood for dinner.

Shirt-Jcrew

Scarf-Pashmina from trip to Italy

Skirt-Forever 21

Shoes-Steve Madden

Glasses-Oliver Peoples

Today is one of those days when you really love DC. Fall here is amazing, it lasts for weeks and the colors are breathtaking. It makes me love academia, tweed, scarves and red wine.

As you can see, I moved! This is my new kitchen. I finally moved into the district, I am living with four friends. It's been an adjustment, but now I am starting to understand why people love this city. (It's a city for nerds, more thoughts on that later.)