new shoes

Best feeling in the world (maybe next to getting into college or not burning toast): you're coveting a pair of shoes you found online and are slowly but surely getting swept away by the lure of online shopping. Mostly the lure of not having to leave bed/Netflix. So anyway there I was mid-covet, and I fell asleep. The next day I went to follow up on some fawning and the shoes were GONE. I looked under every category: shoes, boots, booties- I could feel the panic settle in when I made the most incredible discovery. They had gone on SALE!!!! (cue angels singing) So with no hesitation I plugged in some magical digits and in 5-7 business days I fell in love with these amazing shoes by Nasty Gal. And an added bonus? A #GIRLBOSS sticker came with the shoes! If you haven't read #GIRLBOSS yet and you're a human person, you must check it out. And that (that being this post) will probably be the opening paragraph of my What I Did On My Summer Vacation essay.

Photos by Emma with help from Brian

Outfit Details: Dress: Brandy Melville, Plaid shirt: thrifted (similar), Necklace: Brandy Melville, Armband: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Shoes: Nasty Gal Shoe Cult

yours,

Austen

elapsed

In the words of Mark from Rent, "I can't believe a year went by so fast." A year ago today, I was a lost little theater major at Muhlenberg. When I left, I didn't know if I was coming back or not because some hopeful part of myself convinced me to take one last shot at my dream school, knowing I had nothing to lose by trying. And as it turns out, I had everything to gain. I scored an awesome job at Free People, interned for CollegeFashionista, directed my own fashion show, and did some awesome shoots for Keep Calm! Shoutout to Celine and Ava especially for helping out with shoots. I'm really so grateful for this past year and grateful to all of the amazing people I met. And now I've moved out of my palace (seriously going to miss the best room/suite ever), packed up all my boxes (okay or I used Free People bags), and am finally home! ...Only to move back in a week. Can't keep me away from the city for too long.

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Brandy Melville, Shorts: Midnight Marauders, Shoes: Jeffery Campbell x Free People, Necklace: Brandy Melville, Arm Cuff: Gypsy Warrior

yours,

Austen 

outlaws

I've never quite mastered the art of being a badass. I believe my last act of rebellion was writing the names of boys I had crushes on in the bathroom stalls at school with a crayon circa 2001. If you didn't laugh at that, you should know I was caught before the end of the day. Total time elapsed: less than 24 hours. My personality is pretty consistent- I'm dependable, punctual, and consistent; qualities that I pride myself on for sure. But talking the talk doesn't always cut it. You also have to walk the [tracks?] Some rules were made to be broken. Don't worry, I'm not going to shatter them all, but I'll ease my way in, starting with more daring additions to the wardrobe. You have your ways, and I have mine...  

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Jumpsuit: Free People, Shoes: Necessary Clothing (similar), Gold Armband: Free People, Silver Armband: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Bra: Free People, Long Necklace: Brandy Melville (similar)

yours,

Austen 

cooler than me

A moment of spontaneous but fleeting sunshine allowed for a shorts post this week. Also, why are you suddenly exponentially cooler when you tie a plaid shirt around your waist? That question permeates my mind for a few moments before I shake it away. I realize that by thinking about it I am questioning its effortless nature, and that is simply not cool. 

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Brandy Melville, Shorts: Gypsy Warrior, Plaid Shirt: thrifted, Necklace: Free People (similar), Socks: Free People, Boots: Dolce Vita

yours,

Austen

NYFW S14 001

That time of year again. All of the essentials were in place. Megabloggers in designer labels, photographers bundled up trying to get the perfect shot, and me in all black just soaking it all in. Same old, same old.  

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: LF, Chiffon Vest: Urban Outfitters (similar), Coat: Brandy Melville, Boots: Forever 21 (similar), Sunglasses: Free People (similar)

yours,

Austen 

frozen

I think I may have finally figured out why I don't share the semi-popular love of winter that a few of my friends have expressed. There's too much uncertainty. Even if you hear that it's going to snow, you never know how much you're going to get, if everyone is freaking out over nothing, whether it's going to disrupt your plans, etc. And yes, it's pretty for a day or two, but it melts away and you're left with that slush that even the most coordinated people (excluding me, obviously) find to be challenging. I will admit that those winter sunsets get me every time, but I'd be satisfied adding them to a Pinterest board if  it meant a few more weeks of sunshine. 

Photos by Lynne

Outfit Details: Top: Forever 21 (similar), Coat: Brandy Melville, Jeans: Rag & Bone (similar), Bag: Brandy Melville (similar), Boots: Hunter x Rag & Bone, Beanie: Nordstrom BP

yours,

Austen