off the beaten path

The most endearing thing about New York is that you can walk down a street a hundred times but if you turn left instead of turning right you can stumble into a whole new world. My friend and I came across this little brick house which is perfectly tucked away in a northern corner of Central Park and it basically required a photo shoot. It's the perfect location for a mid-summer pose session. But of course, leave it to me to wear jeans and a leather jacket at this time of year. I'm clearly already in my fall dressing mentality while simultaneously wishing summer would last forever. Determined to have my cake and eat it too? Of course I am. 

Photos by Artoun

Outfit Details: Destroyed Tee: Free People, Jeans: Free People, Leather Jacket: H&M (similar), Armband: Gypsy Warrior, Bag: Free People, Shoes: Topshop (in black)

yours,

Austen

latest uniform

Isn't it awesome when you find two items that were estranged at different ends of a store, put them together and suddenly can't picture life without their coexistence? I know, right? I have no idea what makes me love this combination so much, but the semi-fitted leather tank and slightly destroyed boyfriend shorts seems like such an obvious combination to me now, I can't believe I haven't been wearing this outfit every day for this whole summer. This is a case where being an outfit repeater is totally acceptable and in fact, encouraged. Now if you're skeptical about this look let me just say, I don't think I would have loved this look so much a few years ago either. I can almost guarantee you if I wore this outfit among some of my male friends they would maybe mostly probably actually definitely hate it. Some may think, "Well I can't really see any evidence that she has a butt or boobs and her heels may make her slightly awkwardly taller than me so this isn't fun for anyone." Oops, sorry. I don't dress for you.

Photos by Lynne

Outfit Details: Top: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Shorts: Gypsy Warrior, Necklace: Topshop (similar), Armband: Free People, Reversible Vegan Leather Bag: Free People (large size), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell x Free People

yours,

Austen 

market days

Summer weekends in New York are for adventuring and marking territory. This weekend's conquest was the lower west side area and destinations included Chelsea Market, the Highline and the cobblestone streets of the Meatpacking District. Celine and I lingered outside of All Saints, picnicked in the shadowy parts of the former elevated train tracks and ambled through Chelsea Market eyeing  the latest Anthro window displays and some seriously decked out cupcakes. And speaking of food, I've started compiling a list of some intern slang that is said a lot in the Marie Claire office for you to munch on:

Board: each editor will have lots of these; they're basically cork boards that allow an organized way to view pulls for shoots. 

EOD: stands for 'end of day'- can be applied to editorial world in general, not just fashion

Pulls: looks from runway shows that editors hope to pull for shoots

Rack: something you should be ready to assemble in under 10 seconds. also, what clothes go on

RT: stands for 'run-through' which is where editors bring in options to fit on models for shoots

Run: an noun and a verb describing an errand and what you're going to do to get there quickly

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Brandy Melville, Jacket: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Shorts: Free People, Boots: Jeffery Campbell, Long Necklace: Brandy Melville, Buddha Necklace: Gypsy Warrior (similar)

yours,

Austen 

scarlet fever

Starting with a plain silhouette gives you license to go anywhere. Jump off the deep end, or pace a few steps to your left- the choice is yours. And although the blank canvas started out as the finished product, a slew of happy accidents created a more solid look. The bracelet fell off my desk in a pathetic attempt to tidy up some chaos, I left the lipstick in my backpack from last week and recovered it after lunch, and I found myself camped out in Celine's room (typical) and stole her hat moments before we headed out to shoot. Ten years ago I would have said "take things as they come," but in 2014 the only applicable terminology is "YOLO."

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Free People, Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar), Shoes: Topshop, Bracelet: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Backpack: Free People, Necklace: Free People, Hat: Stole from Celine but Urban Outfitters (similar)

yours,

Austen

hippie sabotage

Cotton candy graffiti outlines the streets of Soho; the perfect combination of soft and hard. Opposites attract, but you already knew that. After all, you and I used to once upon a time. Call out for a revival of Bohemia- reclaim our public spaces by whatever means necessary. This is our city, from the cobblestone alleys to the open-mouthed avenues. Get it before it's gone 'cause you'll miss it like hell.

Photos by Celine

And some Hippie Sabotage for your Sunday

Outfit Details: Top: Necessary Clothing, Jeans: BDG (similar), Boots: Dolce Vita, Necklace: Express (similar), Sunglasses, Free People

yours,

Austen

morningside

Too often, we get stuck in our own bubble of the city. We find our complacent footsteps following the same sidewalks, which lead to the same intersections and we forget to wander. But after we've forgotten, we remember. We try to make it up to the city, which pardons us because it knows we are jaded in some ways, but not all. It turns out walking a few blocks out of your comfort zone reveals a pretty spectacular view, and a desire to get lost in the shadows of the six-story walk-ups as you amble back to safety. 

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Lush, Jeans: BDG (similar), Jacket: H&M (similar), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell x Free People, Sunglasses: ZeroUV, Necklace: Brooklyn Charm

yours,

Austen