chapter two

Being a sophomore typically means three things. 1. You're no longer at the bottom of the food chain 2. You get to come back from a summer away and see all of your friends and 3. You feel confident returning knowing how things work. So it might come as a surprise that I traded in all of that to be the new kid again and that I actually CHOSE to fill out the dreaded Common App a second time and give up all of that familiarity to move to a city with 8 million strangers. But I did it. 

So it's time to start chapter two at Barnard College. But I know I wouldn't be here without chapter one. So thank you to everyone from Muhlenberg who made my first year what it was. Thank you third floor Prosser for being my home and introducing me to some of my best friends in the world. Thank you for the trips to YoFresh, the art history lessons, the ramen noodles, the romcom situations, the late night study sessions and all of those in-between moments. I remember them all and I'll never forget.

A crazy view from one of the dorms

Outfit Details: Top: BP Nordstrom (similar), Skirt: Necessary Clothing (similar), Hat: Aldo Accessories

yours in Manhattan,

Keep Calm and Chiffon 

starry eyed

June 21st, 2013. After sitting in hours of traffic on my way to Firefly Music Festival, I finally made it and saw one of my all-time favorites perform. I think Ellie Goulding at Firefly was possibly the greatest concert I've ever seen. Everyone was illuminated by the sun, threatening to disappear behind the trees at any moment, but it held on as Ellie played the drums, whipped her hair and sang her heart out. Her new album, "Halcyon Days," comes out on Tuesday and I'm trying to find ways to distract myself so I don't go crazy counting down the seconds until its release. So here's what I would wear if I were in her new music video "Burn." I could live in that video, I swear.

Also guys, seriously what color is my hair?

Outfit Details: Tank: Free People (similar), Shorts: Forever 21, Boots: Dolce Vita, Necklaces: Free People (similar)

yours hanging on,

Keep Calm and Chiffon 

greater than art

"Don’t you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people." Stanley Tucci as Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada.

I figured I'd bring Nigel in for some backup on this post. One of the most controversial questions people have about fashion bloggers is are they actually wearing what they're wearing in their posts that day, or are they just dressing up for the sake of dressing up and putting photos online? With the occasional exception of switching in a heel for a flat or putting on lipstick, everything that I show on here is really and truly what I am wearing that day. My friend passed along an article about fashion week attendees titled Who Am I Wearing? Funny You Should Ask (thank you, Ian) who are dressed to impress photographers outside the tents and to advertise for the brands that they're sporting. As the tents go up and NYFW kicks off in a few days, I wanted to address this.While I see the temptation to show up all decked out, I think it's important to clarify, as the Times has done, that this is "Fashion Week Style" and not necessarily pure, everyday "Street Style." Food for thought. I take mine in the form of a Nutella crêpe. 

Outfit Details: Blazer: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Top: HIP (similar), Skirt: H&M (similar), Boots: Dolce Vita 

yours in verisimilitude, 

Keep Calm and Chiffon

back in black

Have you ever had a serious miscommunication with someone? How about your hairstylist? She took my desire to go "darker" so far that she hit the end of the spectrum and I ended up with VERY dark brown (almost black). Oh well, it's just hair. While I plan to reassume the role of a brunette soon, I figured I should live it up while I've got it! This involved dressing full on rock n' roll and blasting some AC/DC in my room. I also hope that this inspires some of you to realize that it's really easy to change up your color, and thankfully really easy to fix it if you make a mistake.

Outfit Details: Studded Vest: Forever 21 (similar), Tank: H&M(similar), Shorts: Bardot, (similar) Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) Gold hand cover: vintage

yours in darkness,

Keep Calm and Chiffon 

keep calm and chiffon x midnight marauders

For any of you who have been thrifting you know that it's not a simple process. I usually go in with a few hours to dig around through boxes, and search for my size while checking for stains or rips along the way. I always have a bottle of water and hand sanitizer waiting for me in the car and I absolutely consider it my workout for that day. (Treasure hunting can be more strenuous than you think.) And by the time I get my findings home, sometimes I'll cut them or bleach them or rip them to refresh them and make them my own. It could be a day-long process. Maybe longer.

 Now imagine if someone did all of that for you.
I know.
 Prepare to worship me.
Lights up on Midnight Marauders, an online thrift store that rounds up and revives the best vintage finds so that you don't have to. They're online so you can shop from anywhere
and have a variety of sizes and styles in both men's and women's clothing! You're welcome.

Outfit Details: Lace Top: My mom's from the 70's lol (similar here) Shorts: Midnight Marauders, Moccasins: Minnetonka, Rings: Brandy Melville and Gypsy Warrior

Thank you to Amira for reaching out to me for this collaboration (and for the discount)!!

yours after midnight,
Keep Calm and Chiffon

blush

Sunlight is peeking through the leaves; weaving in and out, creating shadows on an abandoned bridge. The breeze picks up and my dress billows around me à la Marilyn. I give up on my hair as it drifts in a thousand different directions. Everything should be this simple.

Outfit Details: Dress (similar) and Bandeau: Brandy Melville, Necklace (similar): TopShop, Shoes: Dolce Vita

blushed and yours,

Keep Calm and Chiffon

sprinkles

If there's one thing that I'll always remember as a constant in my childhood, it's Dairy Queen. For as long as I can remember I would walk in to the store* and the guys who worked there would never even ask what I wanted. They'd sort of murmur "the usual?" and I'd just smile in return knowing that within a few minutes my soft-serve vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and M&Ms would be in my hands. And then a few weeks ago, something crazy happened. I ordered something else. And I swear the guy already had a cup in hand and was at the machine when I walked in and I actually had to stop him from making my usual. I'm not entirely sure what evoked this change of heart, but I was glad I was trying something new. It felt good to feel brave even if it was just ice cream. But hey! Baby steps, right?

Outfit Details: Top: Necessary Clothing, Pants: Forever 21, Wedges: Dolce Vita, Sunglasses, Free People

*Speaking of changing it up, this isn't my most-frequented Dairy Queen. It's over 60 years old and is cash-only. The lines in the summer are unreal. Good thing I was there early!

childishly yours,

Keep Calm and Chiffon

slate

Instructions for the epitome of weekend ease: Wake up later, roll out of bed to grab a vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt. Slice some strawberries to mix in. Turn right back around, scrambling up the stairs and engulfing yourself in a patch-work quilt to watch reruns of your favorite 90's TV show. Hop in the car and start the engine to pick up your favorite bagel order and iced coffee. Drop off your family's coffee at home and dash across the street in your sweatshirt and well-worn cutoffs to help the neighbor bake. One bowl of Oreo/vanilla pudding and a dozen slightly burnt cookies later, open the double French doors to get the burning smell to see itself out. Come home, snap a few shots and retire in the backyard to write the post. Serve while hot, and enjoy, indulge and savor.

Outfit Details: Sweater: Painted Threads, Shorts: Free People, Necklace: Express, Shoes: BP Nordstrom 

yours 100% satisfied,

Keep Calm and Chiffon