Bye Bye Blogosphere: Where am I Going?

I've had this blog for quite a while now and, after much reflection, I think it's time to call it quits. Not to worry, I'm still going to write my little rap anthology, as I promised, but I do not have the strength for "The Open Book" like I used to. It's taken such a personal toll and I just cannot do it anymore- Looking back, though I don't believe in "regrets" just learning experiences, there is really so much I would've done differently but, nevertheless, what's done is done and I couldn't be happier with the following the site has acquired. When I first started, I was a little disappointed with the number of page views so I knew I needed to do something a little drastic- so I wrote a little blog post (people who've read me, or secretly read me, from the beginning should know what I'm talking about) which really got it started- though I never went viral, I was getting, at minimum, hundreds of page views per post. Though this attention was awesome, it still had its downfalls- When you put yourself out there, the people who love you make you feel on top of the world, while those who don't make you feel like you shouldn't be alive. To me, it's really not worth it. Also, another facet of any author's writing that I appreciate is honesty. I have to filter myself so much now that it's become a little superficial (I mean, who wants to read about outfits everyday?? I mean, personally, I love it, but it can get a little boring...) and I just can't write like that anymore. (...At least I have a journal that I can put whatever the hell I want in w/o any second guesses- maybe I can publish it one day and make lots of $$...who knows.) In all seriousness though, I'm not famous and I don't even wanna be famous. I can't deal with criticism and I can't deal with negativity. My happiness is just not a sacrifice I'm willing to make. But, to those who love me and to those who hate me, and I say this in all sincerity, thank you for reading :)

Days 20 & 21: What Do You Wear On Your Sick Days?

I'm almost positive that I have the flu, so, naturally, I don't have much room to wear cute outfits for a couple reasons: 1. I don't feel like going out and 2. I don't feel like getting ready... But the above picture consists of Pink Victoria's Secret sweatpants, a white Hanes t-shirt, and my red Ralph Lauren robe, which I've had for years and wear all the time! I love it! 

P.S. What do you wear on your sick days??

Day 19: Would You Like that Shaken or Stirred?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!! Anyway- I was in my comfy pajamas this morning, but I'm about to head to a family friend's house for Christmas dinner. I chose a piece that made me feel like I could conquer the world or, in some senses, like an awesome Bond girl (I can only dream...) Here's what I came up with:

This is my Coraline Romper by Elevenses. It is very sleek made of polyester and acetate lining. It is embellished with a jeweled collar, a tight fitted waist, and a flaired pant.

The belt I paired with the Elevenses piece.

The belt and romper together!

Topped off with a simple tear drop earring!
P.S. What did you wear for Christmas?!!?

Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial": What Does the Film Mean to You?

“True friendship is sitting together in silence and feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.”

A film that has the capacity to capture the hearts of a universal audience is a true rarity. A motion picture that has maintained such a sense of palpable adoration since its release is even more extraordinary, affirming a level of immeasurable magnificence only found in works of true artistry. Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” embodies these astonishing, artistic elements, arranged with a captivating examination of the human condition, the detriments of ignorance, and the beauty of friendship. Though the latter are broad factors certifying “E.T.” as a work of art, a specific facet of the piece declaring its aesthetic credibility lies in Spielberg’s presentation of spirituality. In this brief investigation, I plan to discuss the themes of spirituality in Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extraterrestrial,” specifically the unintentional inclusion of imagery similar to the most symbolic accounts in the Christian religion.

I understand that I’m not writing an essay for one of my college-level English courses, so I’ll stop being so “intellectual” at this point in the post and get to my point quickly. Basically, I was watching “E.T.” last night- which has since turned into one of my favorite childhood films- and I noticed several biblical references, the most prominent being E.T.’s brief death and his revival moments later. It really got me wondering whether or not Spielberg was metaphorically characterizing E.T. as a Jesus-like figure, comparing the “mothership” to God and E.T. to His otherworldly son. I did some research and, in fact, Spielberg was not intending to arrange a movie loosely based on the life of Jesus Christ. 

Regardless of whether or not “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” is a religious parable, the film is a powerfully spiritual tale, primarily for its depiction of a beautiful friendship. I am not a religious person by any means, and have no issues against people who are, but I do consider myself an enormously spiritual person. I really appreciate the idea that no matter what people or, in this case, creatures look like, no matter their background, or their story, these circumstances are irrelevant in a true friendship between good people. E.T. and Elliott shared a connection to a point that they could literally feel what the other was feeling, know what the other was thinking, and comprehend each other to an incredible degree. In some senses, with my true best friends, and even with my own family, no matter how pissed off I am or how irritated I may get with them, I share such a connection. I know what they think, I know their little tricks, and I understand the people they are.

The film’s success is because of its powerful spiritual foundation. Spielberg was able to reveal, celebrate, and examine one of the most human, transcending, and extraordinary components of mankind, displaying it as a universal experience and, to put it simply, it is what we know and understand as friendship.

Day 18: What Are You Wearing For Santa?!?

First of all, I hope everyone is having a very merry Christmas eve!! I actually had to work today so I'm a bit tired but at least I have tomorrow completely off (which I am very, extremely excited about!!). Anyway, the following is what I wore on this wonderful, wintery day...

These are turquoise earrings with silver lining and faux-diamonds...

This uniquely layered top is from Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati. The incredible patterns of the piece in addition to its incredible cut provide a comfortable, easy-to-wear, chic look.

This is the outfit in its entirety. I paired the top with my red AG Stevie pants and black boots!!

I just wanted to display the layering of the top so you have a clearer idea of its build.  One layer is tight and form fitting, whereas the other layer is very blousy, embellished with crisp, angular cuts.
P.S. How would you rock a top like this?! Or, better yet, what would you pair it with??!

Day 16 AND Day 17: Who Are Your Fashion Idols?

I woke up yesterday morning (Saturday) yearning to make a statement with my outfit, so I drew inspiration from Brigitte Bardot, who was known for her daring looks, undeniable sex appeal, and fierce persona. She is so iconic in the world of fashion and I wanted to rock a classic, legendary Bardot outfit- complete with big hair, smokey eyes, and nude lips. Today, however, I wanted to tone it down a little and sport an ensemble that was both simple and chic. No one executes the latter looks better than Lauren Conrad- so here's what I came up with...

Lauren Conrad in Yoana Baraschi.

Love you Brigitte!

This is the Rosegold Stripes Dress by Sachin & Babi that I wore yesterday.  Very cute and very Brigitte!

This is the statement necklace that I paired with the dress. The gold, brown, and creme tones in the piece  complement the central "Rosegold," or light pink, hue of the dress.

Clear black glass earrings - I'm starting to wear these so much lately!! Definitely on their way to becoming one of my "go-to" pieces. :)

My Brigitte hair, my Brigitte eye-makeup, and my Brigitte lips...

Day 17 starts here!!

So I caved in and bought Lauren's Yoana Baraschi dress. Anyway, the detailing of the piece is absolutely exquisite, the stitching is perfect, and the construction is phenomenal. I would've documented this outfit in a full length mirror, but I thought the orange and yellow paint provided a unique background for this little dress... I love the colors in this picture<3

And, again, my clear glass earrings- I love 'em!!!

P.S. Who are your favorite fashion icons?!?!

Day 15: How Do You Wear A Little Black Dress?

 I have work in literally 20 minutes (at 11) and I'm working a whole shift today, so I wanted to sport a piece that fit comfortably, while maintaining a sense of elegance. What better way to do this than with a little black dress?

Morphing Hour Dress by Bordeaux.

Just a closer look at the detailing of the piece. It has a little extra fabric but works really well with belts and other accessories...

This is the whole outfit but I'll go through each piece one by one...

I purchased a Small in the dress, but there is clearly more fabric than needed and it doesn't fit as nicely as I would've liked. Had I purchased an extra-small, the lesser amount of fabric may have looked more flattering...Nevertheless, I still love it and it gives me so much room to play around with belts!

My belt!!

My stockings! This photo is taken with the flash...

And this one without!

My earrings! 

And my gold necklace! So there you have it! I would love to provide more info regarding my outfit but I will seriously be so late for work...But I love a little black dress because it has so much potential for so many different looks!
P.S. How do you like your black dresses?!?

Day 14: Need a Little Sparkle?

I love sparkly pieces SO much and I would wear them everyday if I could, but I wouldn't wanna blind anyone so I've been holding back a little lately- however, couldn't help myself today...

Metallic Dolman Sweater Dress by Velvet.

A sparkly little stud earring...

My blue statement necklace that I absolutely LOVE- the earrings complemented the necklace really nicely.

Some lace stockings!

Just wanted to show how the piece fell on my frame- the dress is very blousy and I've worn it with belts and other types of accessories. It's a great piece and I look forward to wearing it much, much more- even though I've already worn it approximately 1 million times by now...
P.S. Do you like sparkly clothes? (I do...)

Day 13: Need Something Business Casual?

Sorry my post for yesterday - the 13th Day of Outfits - is a little late. I went out after a long day at work and you know how that goes... But here's what I came up with:

So here's the look as a whole (I know it's a little irrelevant, but I took this picture yesterday - didn't have time to document the other pieces of my outfit, so the remainder of the pictures are a little more recent...) But I'm wearing black opaque tights, which is a necessity in any girls closet, paired with a 9-H15 St. Cl checkered, peplum top and a black mini skirt by Silence & Noise. I belted the top with a skinny black belt, giving the ensemble a little more definition. In terms of jewelry, which is unclear in this particular photo, I sported several silver bracelets on both arms, a black ombre necklace, and silver earrings...

Sorry my eye looks so puffy - my eyes are so big they barely fit in their sockets when I wake up!! Regardless, these are the silver tear drop earrings by Guess that I rocked with the outfit... 

And here's my ombre necklace!!

I feel like such a nerd (..currently in sweats, but I had to change back into the top and jewelry combo for the post..) These pieces complement each other really well, especially with the detailing of the belt. 

My Silence & Noise mini-skirt! Black mini skirts, which are everywhere, are definite necessities in a girl's closet. I wear this all the time; there are so many ways a piece like this is worn!!!

This is another piece I wear pretty frequently. It's just a basic black skinny belt and works fantastically with so many outfits!
P.S. What are your favorite business looks?

Day 12: How Do You Dress Something Up? Or Down?

I had to head into work for a few hours today and then I'm about to head to a Killers concert in a few seconds- literally. So I wanted a basic central piece I could wear for both occasions....

Earrings!

This is my Sachin & Babi for Akansa dress-, and it's very reminiscent of 1960's Twiggy. The piece runs rather large- trust me, this is a size zero!!!

Changed the look up for the concert with a Jasper and Jeera beaded belt and fantastic statement earrings!

Okay now I seriously have to go my mother is going to kill me...

Day 11: Just a Velvet Crush???

I had a few errands to run this morning so I was in a mood to wear something super super comfy. I dressed my sweats up a little with some statement earrings- rocking the "just-rolled-out-of-bed" look with a flair of chic (If that's even possible..) Anyway, I had work at 5 so I had to change into an ensemble with a little more pizzazz. Here's how it went down...

So, here I am sporting some basic gray leggings, a baggy t-shirt, and a University of Athens sweater I purchased over a year ago when I studied abroad in Greece. Though this ensemble is seemingly simple- I still paid attention to the way each piece fell over my frame- layering the baggy t-shirt under the sweater to provide a more flattering, defined shape. It's the little things that count!!!

I wore these earrings with the latter outfit- couldn't help myself!!! I wear them all the time!

Unfortunately, I had to say bye-bye to the leggings by 5 today and change into a work-appropriate look. I'm sporting a purple crushed velvet blouse by Tiny, a brown belt, and some basic skinny jeans from J.Crew. I topped the look off with the following pieces of jewelry...

This is a cream, tear drop earring outlined with faux diamonds and gold wiring...

This is a simple gold necklace I wore, complete with evenly spaced circular embellishments- each decorated with a brown-beaded center...

A basic brown belt...

Just a clearer picture of my Tiny blouse. As you can see, the crushed velvet does not cover the entire piece, just the front- which, in a sense, "casualizes" the top- providing it with a little more wear-ability. Specifically, this top has the capacity for work and play... I love it! :)
P.S. How would you rock crushed velvet?