Sort of like Gossip Girl...

So, in honor of Monday which is officially GOSSIP GIRL DAY in my book, this is a uniform related post -- because who doesn't love GG's prep school style?

I am happily more than half way through my senior year! In a few months I will be rid of this uniform, but in the mean time I have tried to manipulate the color restrictions and polo requirements to produce semi fashionable, individual outfits. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way one of those people who needs clothing to define themselves, I'm still as much me in a plaid skirt and oxford as I am in any other outfit, but I do get sort of depressed, occasionally, by the monotony of grey, black, navy, white, khaki, and red required by my school.

This is an outfit I wear often to school, sometimes the polo is red or the socks are pink or the sweater is burgundy, but this is pretty much its original form. I wouldn't wear heels to school but the black mary-janes feel very school girl like to me. Maybe I would wear them in a TV show version of my life...

sweater: BCBG Outlet; polo: an old summer job; skirt: urban outfitters; socks: ??; shoes: Neiman Marcus Outlet

Feeling Feline

I've loved Hello Kitty since sixth grade. I was a regular at the Sanrio store at the mall. Now that I'm grown I've transfered my obsession to makeup and can't take a trip to the mall without stopping into the MAC store to check out the latest collection.

When I first heard about the MAC and Hello Kitty collaboration last fall my head practically exploded. I've since spent hours looking up different blogs, in hopes of finding new pictures or new release date info.

The day has finally come. I just pre ordered all my kitty cosmetics from Nordstroms. I ordered a modest amount, only 6 pieces from the collection, which isn't much for true MAC collectors. 

I highly recommend that anyone else interested in this collection pre-order! Mac has been known to sell out.

I will do an update when my new purchases arrive.

picture courtesy of Temptilia.

Rosie the Riveter

  

jumpsuit & belt: vintage (moms closet); shoes: payless

I love jumpsuits, onesies, rompers, whatever you want to call them, I like it. I was lucky enough to find an army green jumpsuit in my moms closet one afternoon, and have worshipped it ever since. My friend likes to tell me I look like a paratrooper while wearing it, and to be honest, I feel ready for anything while wearing it. It really reminds me of the women who began working in factories during WWII when men were overseas fighting.

 The only downside is my friends don't seem to understand my love for this particular jumpsuit. It seemed appropriate for an open art studio session at school, but less appropriate when me and a bunch of friends went to the movies afterwards. Sadly, 17 year old boys really don't understand my fashion choice. Sad.

urban outfitters; shopbop.com

Also, please check out my friends nail polish blog. My nails are featured modeling "Shanghai Shimmer."

Prints and Pants: Flea Market Update

Sunday a few friends and I hit up the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philly. It was an Emo-fest filled with original artwork, home made jewelry,  vintage clothing, and drug paraphernalia. While it was hard to navigate the small space (which is usually a concert venue) there were some great finds once you shoveled through the crap and junk.

I also bought a velvet blazer at a boutique in Old City but I'll show that later.

I love the skirts wallpaper print, and the metallic fabric makes it so fun. I can't wait to dress it up and down.

I'm excited about these jeans. They're perfect 

distressed levi's that I can't wait to turn into cut off shorts. They'll be great for summer music festiv

als and weekends down the shore.

I'm not sure how I feel about this dress. It was only $6 so I'm not feeling a major commitment. I don't know how if the fit is the best, and the fabric feels so synthetic, but besides that it has a really interesting back. I think accesories could really help this and make it great for graduation parties or dinner in the city.

I'm really thrilled with this orignal woodblock print. I can't wait to get it framed and hang it in my bedroom. I can hear the trains at night in my bedroom, and I take the train a lot, whether visiting friends in another town, another state, or just gong into Philadelphia for dinner.

Disappointment

I failed my drivers test, again. 15 minutes after leaving the testing sight it clicked in my mind. I had gotten the whole thing mixed up and had tried to line my car up with the back cones instead of the front ones. I think the big lesson learned from this is that I'm not good under pressure.

I guess I won't become a surgeon, no big loss. Third times a charm.

Jews&Tattoos

I beleive I am a Bokonist, which upsets me, not because I've spent the last 17 years of my life as a Jew, but because it means I subscribe to a religion made up by Kurt Vonnegut in order to make fun of religions, and this makes me feel as if my spirituality is a joke.

If you have no read Cat's Cradle, and to be honest, neither have I besides the first 50 pages so far, then I will explain Bokonism for you how I understand it: it is a religion based on the acceptance of the untrue.

The quote found in the begining of the book reads as follows:

Live by the foma* that make you brave and kind and he

althy and happy.

*harmless untruths

And honestly, this is how I view religion and Judaism. It makes me happy, I can't rationalize it, I don't beleive it half the time, and yet, part of me knows or wants to know, there is something greater out there, so I give into this "harmless untruth." I don't know if there is God or not, I like to think there is, but if not (which is probobly more likely) then it's just, harmless.

This realization makes me further realize I really want a tattoo.

I have always loved the Hamsa, a symbol of the hand of God which is meant to ward off evil. I think they're beautiful and I would love to have one permanently on my body, as a reminder that these harmless untruths or truths or whatever are ok.

Conformity and Uniformity

I find myself in a fashion rut. As I grow older I find myself more and more open to more "out there" clothes. I've always loved fashion, ever since I sat in the audience of the Philadelphia Ballet and admired the sparkling costumes, but I've rarely had the courage to try out my own fantastical costume.

Recently the Academy has transitioned from a dress code to a loose uniform in hopes of elevating their obnoxious prep school status. This change may seem oppressive to some, but it has allowed me too escape many of the pressures in high school. I have slowly been riding myself of all Hollister and Abercrombie since the switch two years ago, and more and more daring fashion choices have been making their way into my closet. This might be a sign of maturing, but it also might be a respo

nse to the freedom of two wardrobes.

My school's uniform is fairly relaxed, it allows students to pick out their own skirts and pants as well as sweaters and sweatshirts, as long as they are within school approved colors - grey, black, navy, khaki, and red - and a polo from lands end, with the school logo embroidered above the heart. I have matched high waisted skirts and long cardigans with over the knee socks and penny loafers in order to mix up my school look.

(shoes: www.piperlime.com sweater & skirt: www.urbanoutfitters.com, socks: www.sockdreams.com)

Inexplicably, my school uniform has been influencing my weekend wardrobe. Whenever I'm out shopping I find myself drawn to colors like grey, black, and navy blue: school colors. Just as I began branching out I find myself sinking into another slump.