Monday, August 26, 2013

September Issues


September brings many new things. In fashion, it means the biggest magazine issues of the year. For students like me, it means the end of summer and the start of a new school year. On my journey from LA back to the University of Michigan I was able to catch up on three September issues: Vogue, Marie Claire, and InStyle. Interestingly enough, this was the first time I really read each magazine cover to cover and one after the other. I was shocked by how I suddenly became aware of the aspects I loved about each magazine and how each has its own essence or feel.

Anna Wintour's "letter from the editor" at the beginning of Vogue caught my attention. I really admired how she wrote about women and our independence and strength. Following this letter, the article that I enjoyed the most was the cover story on Jennifer Lawrence. As an avid Hunger Games fan, it was interesting to learn more about Lawrence and the different aspects of her personality. A common misconception about Vogue is that the entire magazine is focused on fashion. Although it is a fashion magazine, there are numerous sections that highlight the many different aspects of popular culture.

Next I read Marie Claire. I have always enjoyed reading Marie Claire because it is a good balance of articles and fashion. The cover story on Zooey Deschanel was fantastic, but I was particularly drawn to an article called "The Get-Ahead Grin." It focused on a woman's story of how her appearance allowed her to advance in her career. The message that looks really do matter was disturbing to me; however, it was a well-written and very interesting article.

Finally, I finished with InStyle. This magazine is great because it focuses on current trends in the fashion world. The editors do a wonderful job demonstrating how a normal person, rather than a model, can incorporate these trends into their everyday lives. The only down side of this magazine is that there are not many in-depth articles to read. In this issue there was an article about Rachel Zoe that I enjoyed, but most of the pages were filled with vibrant photos of the latest styles for the fall.

These three magazines offer a similar, yet unique look into the new fall season. These issues are the largest of the year, with two to three times the number of pages as a regular issue. September is a time to start fresh and embrace new beginnings. Whether it be in fashion or the start of a new school year...



Saturday, August 17, 2013

Personal Shopping at Topshop

This past year a Topshop opened in The Grove in Los Angeles. As an avid Topshop lover, I had mixed feelings about this opening. I was excited that I now had access to this fabulous store in my hometown, but I was also a little sad that it wouldn't be as special as it had been in the past. Whenever I went to NYC, I would set aside at least half a day to shop at Topshop. On my first visit, I discovered a magical thing called "personal shopping." With a bit of luck, I had a personal shopper whisk me away into a special area where I was able to try on all my clothes in a huge dressing room with refreshments and all the one-on-one assistance I could want! After that amazing first experience, I have always made sure to make an appointment with a personal shopper before each New York visit. The service is free, and it is great having someone help to navigate the store and find some hidden treasures. This week I went to the Los Angeles Topshop for a little back-to-school shopping. I didn't really have anything particular in mind, but I left with two great camisole tops and a pair of black leather high waisted shorts. I have been really careful recently to only buy things that I know I will wear. I have a tendency of buying things on a whim and then never actually wearing them, so this time I made sure these purchases were going to be worn! Next time you take a trip to Topshop be sure to schedule a personal shopping appointment! I promise you will be happy you did!



Some pictures of the amazing dressing rooms!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Dainty Jewels

Over the past few years, I have become a lot more aware of jewelry and how it can compliment or enhance an outfit. My taste in jewelry is usually delicate, yet I also have a few bold statement pieces. Typically, I opt for jewelry that I can wear with my everyday outfits. So when I was on Abbot Kinney last weekend my heart skipped a beat when I saw an alley of independent jewelry artists selling their wares. Although I only walked away with one ring, my friend got this beautiful hand piece and there were a ton of things that I loved!
Some of the jewelry.
The ring I got is on my pointer finger. I love it because it is simple, yet the stone is a little more exciting than a solid stone. Also, it matches perfectly with my favorite "love" ring. Excuse my chipped nail polish!


This is a picture of my friend Jesse's hand. I love how she mixes all these different pieces. She is wearing the hand piece she bought at Abbot Kinney.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Adventures on Abbot Kinney



Although I have lived in LA my whole life, there are many parts of the city that I have not explored. On Sunday, my friends and I decided to drive to Venice and spend the day on Abbot Kinney. Abbot Kinney is a street in Venice with a myriad of cool and trendy stores and restaurants. We visited nearly every store, from vintage clothing shops to an establishment specializing in plants. Each was different and had its own vibe and personality. For lunch we ate at Gjelina, a super hip and trendy restaurant with an amazing menu and ambiance. Between the six of us we ordered nearly the entire menu, and everything was delicious. One of my favorite shopping stops of the afternoon was a little outside area where different jewelry vendors were selling their collections. After much deliberation, I decided to get a ring (a separate post to come). Overall, my day on Abbot Kinney was fantastic and I can't wait to go back and explore even more!
Some of our yummy food! The cauliflower was amazing. (and I don't even like cauliflower!)
My outfit. Loving these new shorts, perfect for dressing up or dressing down.
Fun chandeliers in one of the stores!

A little afternoon pick-me-up, watermelon-mint lemonade.
Loved these doors.

All the girls at lunch.