New York Warp Speed

Photo by the lovely Leyla.

With only 9 more days left in NYC, I find myself appreciating all of the little things that this city and my life here have to offer. I take an extra deep breath when walking past my favorite corner flower stand. I smile smugly to myself when I run for the train and jump through the doors right before they close on me. I'm even enjoying some of my final projects (well, really just one and it's only because I'm really nerdy). In my last social commerce class yesterday, our prof had us think of a mentor we have had and then on a piece of paper write down the qualities this person possesses. After a few minutes, she told us to flip the paper over and write down what this person has taught us. Now, I'm not going to lie, there was a lot of eye rolling going on in the room during this exercise, especially because it wasn't to be handed in and rather just for us to keep. But being the goody goody I am, I obliged and started jotting down what my mentor (who I met at Parsons) has taught me. There are only a few people I've met in my life that I felt the need to impress, and maybe that's not quite the right word. Perhaps more accurately, they have inspired me to do my best work and then some. From the moment I met this person, I had this feeling. He imparted a fraction of his knowledge and experience onto me and because of this allowed me to grow in ways I never thought imaginable. His confidence in my skills and collaborative critiques have given me the ability to think that much further outside the box and push that much harder against what I thought I could do or become.

He led me to my current internship at a PR agency where I have had the most rewarding experience. Even though I have only been at this agency for four months, I feel like I have learned more than most people learn after years at a job. It's like I've all of a sudden realized just how far I've come and how much I've grown over the past year and a half in this city. What could have taken years and years at a mediocre job (and maybe not even!) to achieve has happened to me here, in this short time. I feel confident in the direction I want my life to go and I have a much clearer picture of what I want my career to look like. I owe that to a lot of people, including myself for taking this chance, but I also owe it to this city and the warp speed that it runs at.

j.

Camo & Excuses

 striped tee {Jacob} - camo pants {Gap} - sneaks {Sanuk} - necklaces {American Eagle & F21} - bracelet {flea market}

I kind of have a lot going on right now so please forgive the radio silence that just happened and may continue to happen. Turns out finals and moving back to Canada give you a lot to do. This week is crazy busy for me but in fun ways. One of my really good friends from Uni is here and he's taking me to a hockey game tomorrow night. I am so excited! Obviously, I'm really sporty and because of this the first thing I did upon hearing he had bought the tickets was to go buy myself a NY Rangers t-shirt. Once a fashion girl, always a fashion girl...or something like that. I'm also volunteering at a fashion show and going to a dinner party requested by me thrown in my honor (thanks Ley!). Only two more weeks of school and interning and then shortly after that I am back to the homeland.

Until next time....

j.

You Know You're a Parsons (or Other Fashion School) Student When...

1. If you didn't already have one, you have developed a serious shopping addiction but you tell yourself it's okay because it's research. Casually buying something online from your iPhone during class is not an uncommon occurrence.

2. You describe colors in terms of hue and chroma now and get offended when someone compliments you on your 'blue' shoes. They're actually aquamarine with more green than blue, but thanks. (True story: my friend Leyla texted me the other day because she described something as a shade of elephant and the person she was talking to was like...you mean grey?)

3. You spend so much time at the cafe next door that you have friends at each station (panini guy, coffee guy, cashier lady) who ask where you've been if you only see them once a day. They've all taken to calling you 'sweetheart' or 'honey' and that's okay with you. 

 
4. Phrases like 'totes amaze' and 'I used the Valencia filter' are not only often overheard but a part of your regular vocabulary. 

 
5. When in a store, you absolutely must feel each and every article of clothing. Before buying something you inspect the tag to find out the fiber content, care instructions and country of origin, because it matters people.

6. You spend so much time with your classmates that you pass colds around like mono at summer camp. When your closest friends are sick it's better to just accept the inevitable and share a drink with them to get it over with. 

 
7. Carrying at least 2 bags loaded with essential supplies like scissors, double sided tape, an extra pair of shoes and a small selection of magazines is basically a requirement. If you don't need to see a chiropractor on the regular than you've clearly been doing something wrong.

8. You only have female and gay friends so bitchiness and cattiness are about as common as breathing. When you do come into contact with the (straight) opposite sex, it's like a scene out of one of those daily planet DVDs. Let the best woman win.

9. If you're running late for class, wearing sweatpants is NOT an option. Staying home because you couldn't find something cute to wear in time is not only acceptable but strongly encouraged because you will be judged by your outfit by a minimum of 3 classmates in every class.

10. You're willing to work 12 hour days for literally no money if it means getting to see that show/work at that agency or for that designer because at the end of the day, you live, breathe, sleep and (don't) eat for fashion. 

j.

Chambray + Polka Dots

polka-dot chambray shirt {Macy's} - belt {Old Navy} - black maxi skirt {Joe Fresh} - 

tan boots {The Bay} - photo cred {Kiki, as always!}

I finished my first week of classes and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few classes that, based solely on their titles and heresay, I was not looking forward to. After attending them myself, I am feeling a bit better about them. There are two classes, in particular, that I am most excited about: social commerce and merchandising workshop. In social commerce, we get to learn all about social media and how it applies to businesses. In merch workshop, we basically get to create a brand and take it through all of the steps from inception to right before creation. 

This is a big week for fashion folk in NYC. Of course, it's the start of NYFW and it's also the IFBCon (Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference). I was lucky enough to be given tickets from my social commerce prof, so expect a little recap later on in the week...or next week if we're being realistic.

On a quick note about the above outfit I'm wearing. Is it possible to be wearing too many trends at one time? The answer is probably yes and I am probably guilty. Chambray, polka-dots AND a maxi skirt. Although I don't think I consider maxi skirts as much of a trend as the other two, so maybe I'm safe. What's definitely not safe, however, is wearing a maxi skirt sans leggings in the middle of winter in NYC. Just sayin.

j.   

Be Back Soon

 

Image via Pinterest

 

So sorry for the radio silence, friends. I'm afraid it's going to be quiet for the next two weeks as well. Finals are here. Barely alive. Wish me luck to get me through these last few classes. I'm going to need it. And a whole lot of caffeine.

Until then,

j.

Polka Dots & Indigo Pants

polka-dot sweater {Old Navy} - white blouse {Loft} - indigo pants {Gap} - black booties {Top Shop} - 

black leather tote {Banana Republic} - bracelet {Smart Set} - arrow earrings {cheap jewelry store who's name escapes me every time}

I seem to be at a loss for words tonight. Maybe because I am officially in the middle of midterms at Parsons. So that means that my brain's capacity to form coherent thoughts, let alone sentences, is currently maxed out. I've been thinking a lot about the future lately. And by future, I really just mean May, which is when I will graduate from school. I've been thinking about what I want to do and where I want to live and it's all just sort of jumbled right now. Maybe I've been having these thoughts because of midterms, because that means that I'm mid-way through my second semester. And I only have three semesters. Time just seems to be flying. I met with my advisor this week to make sure I was on track for my May graduation and to talk about registering for my third and final semester. My final semester...but this one just started. I guess not so much. Eeeesh. Anyways, I better wrap this up here before my soul searching and lack of sleep start to get weird.

j.

My Homework Is Kinda Awesome

In case you were wondering the kinds of things I have to do for class. This is a small part of a big PR project that I'm working on right now. Now, I'm no cinematographer but...enjoy!

 

j.

Stripes, Specs & School

striped shirt {gift from Kiki} - beige maxi skirt {Joe Fresh} - Harry Potter glasses {Toronto boutique} - 

chain necklace {DIY} - gold watch {Target} - bracelets {Etsy} - color block tote {Gap}

I wore this outfit on the first day of classes. Because I don't think anything says first day of fashion school quite like stripes and Harry Potter glasses. Plus the glasses make me look real. smart. That's smarter than I already am, naturally. Can we just talk about my schooling for a quick sec? Today I bought a fashion magazine, which was actually a legit school supply purchase. I've had two assignments already. One was a shopping report which meant I had to pick a designer, visit their store, then answer some questions. The second was my Branding homework where I had to declare my favorite brand and explain why. So basically my schoolwork is to go shopping and write love letters to my favorite store, Jacob. Sheesh, a girl could get used to this (someone please tell me I wrote this in about a month...). 

j.

Pointing Fingers

You know how sometimes you will make a clothing purchase a little too hastily and that item ends up sitting in your closet for months on end? I've been making a real effort lately to minimize the amount that this happens to my purchases. On the other hand, there are times when you make a real solid purchase decision and that item finds it way into your regular rotation of clothing. This blue skirt is one of those real good purchase decisions. Every time I wear it, I am so happy I bought it. And I may be a bit of a weirdo but to me there is hardly anything better than having your shopping habits validated in this way.

black tank {Victoria's Secret} - blue skirt {Zara} - belt {Loft} - sunnies {H&M} - bronze gladiator sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

I have officially been to each of my classes now and met all of my profs. I can tell you that I am happy with five out of seven of my profs, and to be fair the other two aren't horrible just....what's the word, perhaps eccentric...each in their own way. I am most excited for photoshop and retailing because the former will allow me to use my creativity and the latter will be most beneficial to what I'm interested in pursuing as a career.

I hope you're all having a great long weekend!

j.

Birthday Suit

I celebrated my birthday yesterday. I wasn't expecting much of anything since I knew I had two classes in the later afternoon and evening. My really good friend, Sesame, invited me to meet her for tea in the morning at this tea shop (that hails from my home and native land) that she had been wanting to show me for a while. This sounded like the perfect way to start out my 27th and that was just the beginning. Thanks to Sesame for making my day really special!!!

Some serious tea business going on up there. When I walked in, we had the whole place to ourselves and the lady working there also wished me a happy birthday. She had already pulled their selection of earl greys and had a sample of a delicious hibiscus iced tea waiting for me. Sesame had clearly laid the ground work. Most people do shots of alcohol on their birthday, I do shots of tea. I'm hardcore like that.

The fun didn't stop there. Next, we found our way to a great little restaurant called The Hummus Place. We ordered a bunch of dishes and shared.

Last but certainly not least, we ended with a red velvet cupcake from Molly's Cupcakes (who won Cupcake Wars btw...).

black tee {Zara} - necklace {Banana Republic} - grey skirt {Mexx} - black leather bracelet {NYC Chinatown} -

 beaded bracelet {gift via Victoria Chinatown} - NYC clutch {gift} - silver gladiators {Aldo}

It was a really great way to spend my day before having to go to two classes. Although, after going to Photoshop I was so excited to start the projects that it felt like another birthday gift of it's own. I'm a nerd like that. Ending the night with Fashion History, which I am least excited about this semester. I just find it a bit heavy and dry, although I should mention that my prof is the wackiest, most eccentric lady I have ever seen. So that should make for some interesting stories at the very least.

A quick thank you to my Mom for that amazing NYC clutch you see above. She very stealthily went back and bought it for me after I drooled over it in a store while she was here visiting. And one last thank you to my bestie, Sasha Rae, for my bracelet that came in my amazing birthday package. You know me too well...I love it.

j.

Black, White & Potter Specs

If you've been reading this blog for a while now...congratulations on making it this far. No, I kid, I kid. What I meant to say was that you may have noticed my love for graffiti or as I prefer to call it, street art. During my stay in Toronto, Ky lived in an alley that was filled with the stuff. We're talking one masterpiece after another for blocks on end. It was magical. Also, speaking of magic, I should mention another love of mine: Harry Potter. So, when I found a pair of over-sized HP frames in a little Toronto boutique, there was zero question that they would be coming home with me.

"Harry Potter" glasses {Toronto boutique} - black tee {Aritzia} - gold watch {Target} - 

 white distressed pants & color block tote {The Gap} -  gladiator sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

In other news, I started classes again yesterday. I decided that I didn't have enough meltdowns while taking five classes last semester so I threw in an extra two for the fall. Oh yeah, and I thought it would be a real kick to stay on at Bloomingdale's to intern on the two days a week I don't have class. So, here's to a meltdown-ridden four months!

All meltdown talk aside, I am super excited about the courses I've had so far. But I am even more excited about staying on as an intern in Bloomie's Fashion Office. I should have the chance to take on meatier projects while I'm there, which gives me more experience and allows me to build a legit portfolio. Sounds like a win to me!

Last but certainly not least...a quick shout-out to my girl Ky for catching on real. quick. with the whole outfit photography business. You, my friend, are a natural. If this whole teaching thing doesn't work out, you should really consider going into iPhoneography.

j.

Up, Up & Away

{photo via Pinterest}

On Wednesday, I'm heading up to the ol' homeland. Specifically, I'm going to Toronto to visit one of my dearest. I haven't seen this girl in two years, since our 25th birthday trip to Vegas. I can not even begin to describe just how excited I am to see her face. There will be lots of screeching and squeezing going on in the Toronto airport on Wednesday morning. I won't be posting again until next week, once classes start up again. I was getting real excited for class until I received an email today from one of my profs with a reading assignment for the first class. What's even worse than having to do homework before school even starts? Having said homework due in your evening class on your day of birth. Happy birthday to me.

Have a good week and weekend all!

j.

P.S. Feel free to follow me on Pinterest! All the cool kids are doing it. Just kidding, they're not. If they were, I wouldn't be shamelessly asking you to follow me...but I pin pretty things so that's something.

Life Musings

Hi friends! My apologies for my absence this past week. I came down with a stomach bug that had no mercy on me whatsoever. The only thing worse than being sick in the summer? Being sick in the middle of a heat wave. There was a lot of sweat. Not a lot of clothing. And while I condone pantlessness at the best of times, I figured it would be in poor taste to blog about it. Or else it would turn this blog here into a whole 'nother type of blog, and I don't think we're ready for that yet ever.

Anyways, all this idle time lying in bed allowed me to over think anything and everything. I have been having mini panic attacks lately over the prospect of being done school and what comes next. I know that I still have two whole semesters before this happens. And the summer is not even halfway over but lately I just can't seem to stop myself from living in the future. In the what ifs. While sometimes planning is necessary and allows for growth, in this instance, it is just causing undue anxiety. I have been talking with friends about these thoughts and anxieties and turns out I am not alone in my over analytical ways. My friend, let's call her little Dee, has been stressing about the right internship to persue in the Fall. Should she intern two or three days a week? If she chooses three, she would have to drop from seven classes down to six. Six classes AND an internship?! But I am exactly the same way. We feel like our program is so short that we have to make the most of every possible opportunity. And a semester not interning is as good as wasted. But are we killing ourselves and setting ourselves up for a major meltdown so that we are not effective in any thing we do? Maybe. Probably. But it comes with the territory that is fashion school.

And then there is the ever daunting task of having to find a job once this school business is out of the way. And while I am not saying that my American friends have it a bit easier - okay that is exactly what I'm saying. Being a canuck, while advantageous in it's own right, just adds another layer of complicated to this whole job hunt. Especially if I want to stay in NYC or elsewhere in the States. So now this has me thinking of where I want to reside on a more permanent level. Is it here in NYC? Or back in Canada? Are there fashion jobs in Canada? That would make coming to NYC to study at one of the most renowned fashion schools in the world worth it? I don't know. It's also strange not knowing exactly what I want to do as a career. I know my genre obviously but the details are fuzzy. Hence the constant pressure of interning and experiencing as much as possible.

Do you see the dilemma? At some point, we all have to accept that we don't have it all figured out right now. And for right now, maybe that is okay. The end of school is still a ways off and lots can happen between now and then. For now, I need to remind myself to live in the moment, stop worrying so much and that I live in New freaking York, one of the most exciting cities in the world. Make the most of every opportunity that presents itself, know my limits in order to maintain some level of sanity over the next year and trust that, in the end, everything is going to be okay.

Put simply, I need to chill out.

j.

New York Happenings

This is what I was wearing when I had my second celebrity sighting since moving to NYC. I actually put this outfit together for that really big project I was talking about the other night, but truth betold, I would definitely wear this look in real life. I just felt the need to mention that in order to prepare you all for the really impressive sweater modeling you see below...

navy & white striped sweater {Banana Republic} - denim button-up {Forever 21} - aviator sunnies {Windsor} - hoop earrings {etsy} -

navy skirt {Loft} - white watch {Palm Desert street market} - gold & tan tote {Indigo} - white loafers {Isaac Mizrahi via Target}

So, after my extensive sweater modeling skills had been exhausted, I took myself to one of my favorite cafes in the neighbourhood for some lunch and to work on that huge project. Turns out the street the cafe is on was being used to film an upcoming movie, called Americana. Starring Ashley Greene. None other than the vampire, Alice Cullen, in the Twilight series.  I saw real live actors, all the film equipment and cameras and heard the director yelling "action" and "we're rolling". They kept filming the same scene right outside the cafe, one that involved high pitched screaming. After a few hours, the director yelled "and that's a wrap" (they really do say that stuff!) and all the excitement was over. Not going to lie, I'm not sure I would've recognized Ashley Greene on my own (what with, long brown hair, a healthy complexion and blood running through her veins...). But after the girls in the cafe filled me in, I still went all paparazzi on her and creepily took a few photos from the doorway.

Now, for those of you who were paying attention up there, I said this was my second celebrity sighting. The first was definitely even more exciting. Despite lasting all of ten seconds. But I was big time star struck. I was walking to class on Seventh Avenue and who do I see riding his bike in a charming baby blue sweater, slacks and some sneakers? I'll give you a hint. He has a camera around his neck and is approaching ninety. Give up? OK, I'll tell you. It was THE Bill Cunningham. Street fashion photographer extraordinaire for the NY Times. For those of you who don't know who this is, go watch the documentary "Bill Cunningham New York" and fall in love. You'll thank me later.

Oh, New York. You're pretty cool.

j.

Springtime Nautica

I'm going to keep this short tonight, friends. I've been on my computer for the past twelve hours straight working on a HUGE project for my Fashion Industry Profile class. It's a fun project (to me anyways, I get to play with InDesign) but my eyeballs are starting to cross. Yesterday, Kiki helped me out for a small part of the project and we styled ten! different looks, dressed me up and then she took lots and lots of photos of me. It turned out really well and I can't wait to see the finished product once I have it all together. Don't worry, many of the photos we took yesterday will likely end up here in the near future. I can't let ten outfit shoots go to waste, now can I!

white crocheted sweater {h&m} - nautical rope tee & blue beads {Banana Republic} - yellow belt {Old Navy} - bright blue skinnies {Gap} -

striped canvas flats {Report via Century 21} - bracelets {gifts from my Mama, doesn't she have good taste?!?} -

white watch {Palm Desert street market} - photo credit {Kiki}

I really can't thank that girl enough, not only, for taking pretty much all of my outfit photos the last little while but also for putting up with a whopping ten outfits in one day! Kiki, you're a star.

I hope you all had a glorious weekend!

j.

Blazers & Loafers Beautiful

Hi friends. It feels like I haven't done a bona fide outfit post in a while. You recall my phobia of tripod swiping thiefs, don't you? Well, there's that. And the fact that I am in school. What?! I didn't just move to NYC to shop everyday and roam the streets taking photos. Oh well. The past few days have been beautiful here. I'm talking blazers and loafers beautiful. No coat needed. Spring, is that you? {Quick sidebar to brag tell you all that my blazer was thrifted a while back in Victoria and is real deal vintage. 100% wool. Made in Canada. Fits me like a glove. Cost less than my starbucks.}

I was assigned a group project for Marketing and as it turns out my friend, Sesame, is in that class and we were able to pick our own groups. We, along with one other girl, have to write a marketing plan for Abercrombie & Fitch either advising them or not to break into the plus-sized juniors market. Sort of a delicate subject. Sort of controversial. Sort of love it. For our first group meeting we decided to go visit the A&F flagship store on 5th Avenue. Have you ever been into one of their stores!? It was like entering another universe. Or "trendy" downtown club. Complete with half-naked men boys standing at the door waiting to be photographed with barely definitely not legal girls as they enter the store. And we mustn't forget the dancing sales girls on every level. All five of them. Yes, there were five levels. I have never actually shopped at an A&F store before, probably because it would be too big a blow to my self-esteem when their largest size stops halfway up my...what are those things called again...oh right, thighs! All jokes aside, yes they have very small sizing standards but, do they ever know how to merchandise (fancy word for display...yes I'm showing off my school smarts here) their clothing. Never have skinny jeans, cut-off shorts and primary colored polo tees looked so appealing. Each wall was like a rainbow of collared cotton. Unfortunately, the pretty colors were not enough to distract me from the pounding music they had playing. While I am the first to admit that I am an old lady at heart, I really think everyone would agree with me that they need to turn that bass down a few notches. This is a clothing store people, not a nightclub. I really think someone ought to tell those poor dancing sales girls...

cranberry & grey houndstooth blazer {thrifted via VV Boutique} - floral tank {Old Navy} - fringe necklace {Aerie} -

rock ring {Urban Outfitters} - dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - tan leather loafers {thrifted Zara via Housing Works}

After we were done checking out all five levels and had definitely filled our quota of dancing sales girls, we booked it out of there. We took advantage of the warm weather, stopping to take photos as we found our way to a cute little swedish cafe. It was an entertaining afternoon, to say the least. Thanks to Sesame for being my photographer so that my paranoia could remain safely in check, for at least a little bit longer.

One more thing! In case you can't get enough of me (haha...) my roomie interviewed me about my style for one of her classes and you can read it here. She thought she was imposing when she asked me to answer a few questions one night...little did she know I live for questionnaires, surveys, forms etc. Ya, I'm a weirdo, I know.

j.

New York City Bound

It's official. I GOT INTO PARSONS! The school of my dreams. Wild. Insert high pitched squeels, flapping arms and jumping up and down. That actually happened. This morning. And then I fell. True story. Doing a happy dance in my barren living room and I bail. Bam! On my butt. My supreme non-existent coordination and lack of abundant awkwardness amaze me at times.

Anyways. Moving on. Nothin's getting me down today. And here I was having a boring ol' week of packing and sorting and selling. It's craft room chaos. Seriously. And there's costumes as well. Because packing is WAY more fun in costume. (Don't knock it till you've tried it, folks). See that GIANT pile of craft supplies in the bottom right corner, below? That's all for donation! And it's not even half of it. Don't worry. I'm keeping too many several boxes of crafty goodness for myself too.

And just in case you wanted to see my Letter of Acceptance again. Bigger.

I am so excited. I don't have to keep saying "IF I get in, I'll be moving to NYC". Now I can say I'm moving to NYC! In January. Bah! There is SO much to do between now and then. 

Warning: I'm going to be busy like a bee this coming week. With packing. And sorting. And selling. And packingsortingselling some more. Ahhh. The life of a procrastinator. I wouldn't have it any other way. Moral of the story? You might not have to put up with my nonsense quite as frequently. But don't worry. Because I know you were. I'll be back in full swing after the 27th. Broadcasting from Palm Springs. Worth the wait. Promise.

j.