Inspiration c/o Google

Happy 90th birthday to a woman whose vocals and flair for the dramatic I have admired as long as my father has forced me to listen to opera...I never let him know how much I enjoy it. Her enduring artistry always inspires me.

"Nearly thirty years after her death, she's still the definition of the diva as artist." - Opera News, 2006

Black Friday + Small Business Saturday + Cyber Monday

Braving the Black Friday crowds has never been for me. I like to sleep off my food-induced coma and spend time with family and friends soaking up the blissful end of Thanksgiving vacation. However, thanks to the world wide web, I can shop the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales from the coziness of my bed. Here are three great sales from completely different companies catering to completely different markets...hopefully there will be something for everyone!

C. Wonder

Shop everything from clothing and shoes to pet gifts and home decor! C. Wonder carries many monogrammable items, such as stationary, coffee mugs, and jewelry. Browse more items to personalize at their amazing online Monogram Shop here. I love to give monogrammed gifts because it shows I chose a special gift instead of sending the same thing to my whole gift list. (If you're like me and a lot of your friends share apartments, gifting the same thing to more than one person is a MAJOR mistake.) See some of my favorites items below!

Save 30% off all items with code GIFTS30 (terms apply).

Banana Republic

What more do I have to say? Banana is my all time favorite place to shop for any level of business wear, but they also have a huge selection of casual and evening attire, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories. The items below are on the top of my wish list this year...

Save 40% online and in-stores until 12/1 with the code BRGIVING. Free shipping over $50!

BR Monogram Tulip Dress in rich magenta (online exclusive), $140

BR Monogram Pieced Sequin Tank (so perfect for New Year's Eve!), $79.50

Vintage Link Necklace, $125. (Currently obsessed with all things chain link)

Urban Outfitters

HUGE sales at Urban! Not everything at Urban is my style, but I can always find something I am absolutely obsessed with.

Big deals under $20, $30, and $50, gifts from $5, and free shipping over $50

BDG Animal Games Sweater, $59  $39

Rag Union X Urban Renewal Leather Babydoll Dress, $169. Paired with chunky booties and metallic jewelry...so great for a fun night out!

Menorah Glasses, $14. Sorry, had to! Happy 4th night of Hanukkah!

In my opinion, even more exciting than Black Friday and Cyber Monday is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! Small Business Saturday is a new American shopping tradition (est. 2010!) held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving promoted by American Express. Hopefully you were able to hit a few local boutiques during your packed shopping weekend :)

One of my favorite small businesses where I live is Pink Narcissus. Like them on Facebook here! Pink Narcissus Pink Narcissus is our one and only Lilly Pulitzer Signature store, and the fall and holiday Lilly collections are to die for. Pink Narcissus also carries exquisite sorority and home team essentials (Go Gators!). Navy has always been my go-to color, so obviously I can't get enough of this season's navy Lilly dresses, shoes, and accessories. The classic looks can be dressed up or down for holiday parties, family dinners, or a night out with the girls. The dress on the left below is my absolute FAVORITE! I have been eyeing it for ages...I think I'll take advantage of Pink Narcissus' Small Business Saturday sale to finally add it to my collection.

amanda catherine designs

I have a confession to make. I am not an Etsy girl. Or a Pinterest one either for that matter. Would you hate me if I said that I think simply browsing the interwebs is kind of...well, a waste of time? Don't get me wrong, if I wasn't taking a rigorous 15 credit academic course load, did not teach dance approximately 20 hours every week and intern another 5-10 hours, didn't have commitments to fulfill for my sorority, wasn't training for a half marathon, and wasn't involved with organizations on my college campus, I probably (definitely) would have a drastically different opinion. But I am just so incredibly busy all the time that I only use Pinterest or Etsy to find recipes or inspiration if I know exactly what I am looking for.  

HOWEVER, an amzing Etsy shop came to my attention today and I'm obsessed.  The College Prep feature amanda catherine designs (AmandaCatherineDes) on her perfect blog and I was instantly hooked. amanda catherine designs has a large collection of cute and witty prints for sale at an extremely reasonable price, in addition to other products such as pencils and bar carts. Visit (and favorite!) her adorable Etsy shop here. The holiday collection is to die for!! I am definitely going to buy some for my friends and family for holiday gifts...and a few for myself :)

Early tomorrow morning (well I guess it's technically today), I am off to Vermont and New Hampshire for a few days of skiing with my family before heading to Boston for Thanksgiving with my dad's family. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, and safe travels! xoxo

Ralph Lauren Kids 2013 Collection

I can't handle the cuteness that comes in the form of Ralph Lauren Kids Fall and Holiday 2013 collections (you can view here). These children are beyond beautiful and dressed to the tee. Catch me as I swoon, please.

These sweaters are almost as adorable as the children wearing them.

She is a miniature Blair Waldorf!

My little sister (an amazing horseback rider) would love this necklace...and she was so excited that the Fall and Holiday 2013 Girls Runway Show was held in a stable.

The most perfect winter plaid

Could this scene be any more picturesque?

SO.CUTE.

I have really small feet...maybe I can fit into these boots and smoking slippers?

Decorative socks are an essential wardrobe item at any age. A lot of my favorites are here on J.Crew.

Right now take 25% off of winter favorites for women, men, girls, and boys at jcrew.com using the code WINTER

Do they make this suit in my size?

Watch the complete Ralph Lauren Fall 2013 Girls runway show below!

One more exam to go for me...then off to Vermont and Boston for Thanksgiving break with my family!

50 Years Later

Today is the 50 year anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy at age forty-six. President Obama said that JFK “moved people in a way that still resonates with us today.” Rest in peace Mr. President.

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."

-President John F. Kennedy

24 Hours of Happy

Currently obsessing over: Pharrell Williams' 24 hour music video. Only Pharrell would come out with the world's first 24 hour music video. Watch at 24hoursofhappy.com and prepare to have your day made!

  

Vogue Inspiration

I have been in a little bit of a funk lately. I am considering it a late-teenage crisis...I am trying to figure out what I want from life, what I value, how to maintain meaningful relationships and cultivate new ones, but mostly how to get more than five hours of sleep per night. Typical teenage angst. I find myself often looking around me for inspiration, and frat tanks and college parties are just not really sufficing. So lately I have been looking upwards instead of around for inspiration.  Upwards to the divine...Vogue, of course. (*Note:  I am most definitely generalizing, as there are thousands of talented and passionate people surrounding me. Sometimes one must take dramatic license when musing.)

I found an amazing article in Vogue's online culture section that you can read here about Condé Nast's famed editorial director, Alexander Liberman. Liberman was a legendary photographer, sculptor, painter, and editor. Take a minute and browse through some of his covers and spreads highlighted in the article, and you (like me) might walk away from your computer feeling refreshed and inspired.

"My friend, it's Modern." - Liberman

2013 BG Window Reveal

Tonight is the night! I have a slight obsession with holiday window displays in NYC, and no one does it quite like Bergdorf Goodman. I went to Bergdorfs for the first time when I was in the city touring Columbia University with my sweet dad. I begged (and begged and begged and begged), and he finally relented, allowing me to drag him from the Plaza to Bergdorfs...and then up and down all of 5th Ave. (Love you, Daddy!)

{ I fell in love with these amazing platform heels that day...aaand pretty much every other shoe in the department }

This year's 'Holidays on Ice' windows were revealed to 5th Avenue at 6pm tonight with Bravo's Andy Cohen emceeing. Here are a few fun facts about #BGWindows that I found on Bergdorf Goodman's addictive blog, 5th/58th.

 2,521 — Times #BGWindows has been used on Instagram (I'm sure that has changed since 6pm tonight...)

365  — Days spent preparing, brainstorming and creating our Holiday Windows, at least

34 — Windows total, including Fifth Avenue (10), 58th Street (4), 57th Street (9), Men’s Fifth Avenue (4) and Men’s 58th Street (7)

15 — Days spent installing the mannequins, props and pieces into the actual Fifth Avenue windows

9 — Feet is the tallest mannequin featured in window

5 — Holidays are re-imagined covered in ice: 4th of July, Arbor Day, April Fools, Valentine’s Day and Halloween

3 — Boroughs in which artisans hand-create our holiday windows props (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens)

1 — 3D Printer featured

1 — Custom Naeem Khan gown created for the 2013 Holidays on Ice Fifth Avenue Windows 

Here are some photos I found on Instagram and online of the window reveal...enjoy!

{ Stunning. Truly stunning. I wouldn't mind getting trapped in that spiderweb. }

{ This reminds me of a set during Taylor Swift's Fearless tour...does anyone else see it? }

 {That gown is almost as divine as the Venus de Milo... }

{ My idea of a winter wonderland }

{ The dogs in this display are such a perfect touch! }

{ Impeccable detailing, especially the pearls }

{ There is such an ethereal quality to this window display. }

{ so.much.pink. }

{ Are there calories in #BGWindows? }

Now the holiday season can officially begin!

My First Overnight Business Trip

I am a nineteen year old finance student, and I know my future definitely will not lack business trips. I experienced my first last week when I flew to Atlanta for two days of speeches, panels, tours, and interviews (5 consecutive interviews....ahh!) at an investment bank.

Atlanta is absolutely GORGEOUS in the fall. I live in Florida, and we don't see much of a change in season. The leaves were so vibrant, and the air was crisp but not too cold for a Florida girl. My flight arrived in Atlanta about five hours before the event started, so I had the opportunity to walk around Buckhead, grab a cup of coffee a cute corner café, and window shop my favorite stores at the Lenox Mall...J. Crew, Banana Republic, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Club Monaco, Herve Leger, Kate Spade New York, Lacoste...ooh the list goes on. I may have even picked up one or two treats!

Banana Republic Gumdrop Necklace in Clear Crystal, $59.50

I've been lusting after this one for a while!

J. Crew Colorblock Passport Case in Red Sand, $45

because I cannot wait for an upcoming overseas trip...

These are my must-haves for an exciting (& stressful) interview weekend. Keep the color scheme simple and neutral...stay within the black, grey, and navy palette and save the neon nail polish for spring break. Even though it sounds boring, boring, and more boring, you can choose pieces with a flattering, yet conservative fit and add tasteful accessories. I usually opt for pearls because I LOVE their classic and timeless look.

Banana Republic Ponte Zip-Back Dress, $98.00

Black Lightweight Wool Two-Button Suit Blazer, $198

Houndstooth Tulip Skirt, $79.50

Coach 'Monroe' Pointy Toe Kitten Heel Pump from Nordstrom, $198

...literally in love with the delicate bow detail

Office Depot FORAY Padfolio With Black Pockets, Black, $34.99

Bandalino Calliope Riding Boot, $149 $99.95

easy zippers for a quick on and off in airport security

J. Crew Merino Tippi Sweater With Tile Embroidery, $89.50 (25% off with code WINTER)

the perfect cozy and cute sweater for the plane

Essie Au Natural, $8.50

I think my interviews went really well! One senior banker grilled me about the market, and when I say grilled, I mean GRILLED. Thankfully I read the Wall Street Journal and studied up a little extra the night before. I think I might start adding a mini-series about career development and professionalism to the blog...to be continued!