Sunday Study Style

Shirt: Old Navy, Jeans: Forever 21, Bracelets & Bow: H&M, Earrings: gift

I got up this morning to get breakfast and go grocery shopping with my friends, so I'm a bit more put together today than I am on normal Sundays. I'm being so much more productive today than I was yesterday, which just goes to show that a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes, bacon and coffee) can do wonders for one's spirits. Getting a little dressed up also helps my productivity - you can't lie around in bed wearing a nice outfit. In contrast, yesterday I was in a soft shirt, leggings and a giant sweater and spent most of my day lounging around watching Greek on Netflix:

Hopefully I can channel today's findings into productivity in the spring when I'll be interning full time. Sleep + good breakfast + cute clothes = happy and productive Hanna

Behold.

First things first: I do not have a boyfriend and I am not planning on getting married anytime in the near future and by near future I mean next five to ten years. However, the lack of marital thought in my mind has not kept me from falling head over heels for the Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters wedding line BHLDN. The site is full of amazing dresses - I wish I had a fancy wedding to go to as an excuse to buy one. The styling on the site is impeccable too - all of the models look like well-heeled social butterflies with a dash of whimsy, the kind of girl who swipes some frosting from dessert before it's served and when caught just shrugs and smiles a sheepish laughing smile.

Not only are the dresses fantastic, but the shoes and accessories are too

I couldn't care less about wedding gowns, but give me a pretty dress and cute accessories and I'll be yours any day of the week.

All images via BHLDN

NY state of mind

Since I now know I'll be spending my spring in NYC, what better time than the present to talk about some of my favorite spring looks from a very New York brand?
I fell in love with the DKNY show in the fall for multiple reasons: bright colors, cute separates, eternally wearable shapes and scarves (and a scarf cozy) that are seriously to die for. The DKNY woman is stylish and self-possessed and probably extremely organized - that's how I picture her at least. Clothes for a woman who likes to have fun and look good while still being focused and driven. Basically, everything I want to be. Not to mention, these looks are wearable right off the runway, no alteration needed. They would look just as at home on the streets of the city or in an office or restaurant as they do on the runway. I've seen pictures of the first outfit below on both Emmy Rossum and Minka Kelly and both times my love for it just increased exponentially. And I really want that scarf cozy.

images via NY Mag and Style.com

Newsflash

Breaking News: I'll be spending my spring quarter interning at 4 Times Square in New York City!! I'm so excited!!!

Home Stretch

Shirt, Skirt & Tights: Target, Sweater: Old Navy, Boots: Chooka

Last week melted all of the snow, so of course when colder weather came back, it had to bring back frozen precipitation. Ick, I'm so ready for spring. At least things are looking up - it's almost March, the quarter's almost over which means spring break is approaching rapidly. I've got a lot of work to do before I'm done - projects and papers and take-home-exams await me in the coming weeks, but the thought of going home will carry me through. That, and a lot of coffee.

Return to Cold

Sweater: Old Navy, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Jeans: Forever 21, Boots: Ugg

It's been a while hasn't it? My late Thursday nights paired with early Fridays (and this week being out both Friday and Saturday night resulting in very late waking up on Saturday and Sunday) tend to take a toll on my blogging. But I had a great weekend and I'll be back to normal probably because I should have a lot to talk about very soon (as in Wednesday when I find out where I'll be this spring). I'm busy with schoolwork and internship work and I'm exceptionally tired but also excited about things that are happening - I'm running on coffee and adrenaline basically, but I'm not sure I would exchange it.
The outfit you see today is what happens when after mild weather interlaced with sunshine and warm breezes gets replaced by rain and then snow and cold weather. If there's one two things I hate, it's going to bed cold and waking up cold and I'm pretty sure I did both. Thus, at 8:30 when I was getting dressed so I could catch the el at 9, it was clear what I had to do. Jeans, sweater, boots, check. Yesterday I wore leggings, a long-sleeved t-shirt and a sweater, so at least today was a step up.

Something New...

Wonderful blog readers: I'm trying something new, so please let me know if you can see anything below the text in this post (there's supposed to be a slideshow). It would really help me to know if people can see it or not.

Getting Schooled

Jacket: Urban Outfitters, Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Modern Amusement via Gilt, Tights: Target, Shoes: Nine West, Necklace: H&M

I had one of those odd experiences while in class today. During one of our breaks, in which I generally just stay where I'm seated, the professor started walking toward me. Of course, I was somewhat terrified - what was he going to say to me? - I couldn't think of any reason he would need to talk to me. So he's standing there in front of me, and he says "I like your shoes." This was not what I was expecting. Of course, it was welcome, because he wasn't saying I was failing or something. He said I looked like I was going to a party and asked me if I was interested in fashion journalism (it's a journalism class) and where I want to go for my residency next quarter. And after our little chit-chat and right before he walked away, he said again "And I really like your shoes."
I really like my shoes too, but my favorite part of this outfit is really the jacket. I bought it on sale from Urban Outfitters for $15(!!!) which, frankly, was a steal since it originally had been sold for closer to $100. After I saw The King's Speech, I was longing for something with a fur collar and when I saw this jacket, I snapped it up. Paired with the fact that the color is a great neutral (it's hard to tell, but the color is accurately depicted in the second to last pic) and that the collar can be removed for a more casual look, it's the perfect jacket for the kind of weather we're having and will be a great transitional piece.

Hearts all over

Dress: Urban Outfitters, Cardigan: Old Navy, Tights: We Love Colors, Boots: Nordstrom

I realize that maybe this dress would have been a good choice for yesterday: after all, it does have hearts all over it. But since I was presenting a group project that had to do with love, I figure it was just as appropriate. That project (which you can see here, if that's something you feel like doing) is also why I have no tripod and am awkwardly posing on my kitchen table. I've been busy lately, but in a great way - last night I read two books so I can write a review for the university fashion magazine I work for and I scheduled an interview on Thursday morning for an article I'm writing for my internship. On top of that I just received two more writing assignments for my internship. It's a lot to do, sure, but it makes me feel like a real journalist, which I love. And next Wednesday I find out where I'll be spending my spring! I'm just about dying in anticipation...

Be Mine, Valentine

Dress: Zac Posen for Target -gift, Cardigan: Target, Tights: Kohl's, Socks: H&M, Shoes: Forever 21

I have a confession: I love Valentine's Day. In fact, I love any holiday that gives you an excuse to get dressed up and eat sugar all day. This dress was my best option for today - purple and pink with a sweetly flared skirt - it almost screams Valentine. Of course, I'm joyfully single so the only places it went were to work and to class and back to the apartment where I had dinner with my friend Andrew (my roommate's boyfriend) like I do every Monday. So maybe my Valentine's Day wasn't at all romantic - but I enjoyed it anyway. Especially because I made the funfetti cake from the mix I got from my mom over the weekend. Mmm.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I can't take your call right now...

Sorry, I'm a little busy, but when I'm not posting here, you can see some of my shorter thoughts (including initial F/W 2011 impressions) on my tumblr. I'll be back soon!

I'll Take One...

In every color, please
Sparkle & Fade Pleated Skirt at Urban Outfitters

STP How-To

It makes me a bit sad that as Fashion Week is starting I'm freezing in Illinois in really unstylish outfits. But I'm making the best of it with my

Suburban Tea Party How-To: 

How to be Hot (When It's Really Cold Outside)

It's unspeakably frigid outside. I realize there are people who live in colder places, but I grew up in Virginia. I am not used to this much cold. The low tonight is -8. But of course it hasn't even felt above 0 all day. Naturally when I left my apartment at 8:45 this morning, I felt cold at first. After all, the temperature was a balmy 4 degrees (felt like -6). But after a minute or two, I noticed something. I was warm. Nay, I was hot. And it was delightful. So I thought I'd share my tricks for somehow being warm when it is teeth-chatteringly, skin-numbingly, face-hurtingly cold.

 

 1. Put on some tights. In temperatures this cold, I can pretty much always be counted on to be wearing some tights, even if I'm also wearing pants. If I'm wearing a skirt, it's very possible I'm wearing two pairs of tights, but more often that I'm wearing a pair of knee socks over my tights. Why? In my opinion, pants are warm, but tights are actually warmer - air cannot go up your tights, though sometimes it does go through them. (tights: Hue)

 

 2. Put some jeans over your tights. This is where you eliminate air going through your tights.Put on whatever shirt you want. Seriously, I never worry too much about my shirts because they just get a whole lot of other stuff on top of them.

(Jeans: Forever 21, Shirt: Old Navy)

 

 3. Put some thick socks on over your tights. Sometimes I won't do this, but I was wearing boots that needed thicker feet coverings, so I put my thick red knee socks on and folded them over. My feet were very warm, which is essential to me. If my feet are cold, my whole body is cold. Or at least I find it hard to think about anything other than my feet being cold and going numb and starting to hurt. In addition, put on a sweater, or giant poncho-thing in my case. This ensures upper body warmth. I prefer something a little bit loose fitting so that if I start sweating (ew) it doesn't also get sweaty. Plus, I can also use it as a blanket. 

(Socks: Target, Poncho: H&M)

 

 4. Scarves are necessary. Unless perhaps you're wearing a turtleneck, but I don't wear turtlenecks because they make my neck itch, which is unpleasant and probably too much information. Nevertheless, I always add a scarf to keep my clavicle warm when those gusts of wind come up and target that spot between the zipper of my coat and my chin. Furthermore, in this type of weather, I find boots to be of the utmost importance. I can't remember the last time I wore regular flats outside. It was probably in December though. When there's ice and snow on the ground and it's positively (or negatively) frigid, boots are a sure bet. Especially if you have a platform or a rubber sole - something to keep the cold away from your feet. Some of my flat boots don't have a good enough sole to keep my feet warm, which is a big no at this time.

(Scarf: Pier1-gift, Booties: ModCloth)

5.  Outerwear is key. Fashion blogs may rail against the sleeping bag-esque coat that I am donning, but let me say this: sleeping bags are warm as anything. While I like to be a stylish and fashion-forward person, I also like being warm. In fact, I think I like being warm more than being stylish, at least when going to class. The second essential outerwear piece is a hat. I switched it up today, wearing my furry hat to my first class and my beret to my second. The furry hat is definitely warmer though. My ears are one of the more vulnerable parts of my body in terms of the cold weather, and this hat protects them like none other. 

(Coat: LL Bean, Hat: Urban Outfitters)

 Now, I'm not saying that everyone wants to dress like this. In fact, I'm betting most people don't. But I am telling you, if you take into account those 5 things I just laid out, you will be warm. Even when the temperature dives into the negatives.