What to Wear Wednesday: Finals Edition

Even though I have been pretending to be on a four month vacation here in London, I am, in fact, studying and therefore have the same task of final exams as many of my comrades in the U.S. The thing with universities over here that differs from finals week in the U.S. is no one actually looks like they are taking finals. 

Usually college campuses are littered with sweatpants, sweatshirts, and even slippers during the dreaded finals week, but living in a city as big and as wonderful as London is, you pretty much always have to be on your game. Just stayed up for 36 hours to finish that paper? Or in my case, take four final exams in that 36 hour span? Well you best not resort to loungewear!

Because of limited (and ever-dwindling) mental capacity at the end of this week from mental and physical exhaustion as well as emotional turmoil about leaving this island, I have truly been struggling to keep up appearances at the drop of a hat. I have compiled some fool-proof options for outfits that require minimal concentration, sleep, and cares to be given.

Sweater, Shirt, Pants, Belt, Loafers

This first look is for someone who enjoys the "academically preppy" look. Aside from being exceedingly cute and comfortable, you will also be quite warm! By layering a chambray shirt under the adorable J. Crew pear sweater, you add dimension and warmth. The slight hint of gold from the belt and tips of the loafers give a slight air of girlies in this very menswear-inspired look.

Sweater, Thermal, Scarf, Jeans, Boots

One of the most popular sweaters this season has to be the open aztec printed cardigan. This has pretty much been transformed into every size, color, and print imaginable. Luckily, this means they are widely available! And once you discover the ease of a piece like this, you will want to stock up! Add some combat boots with studs to toughen up the outfit and fend off predators who are trying to steal your perfect spot in the library!

Vest, Leggings, Shirt, Boots, Hat

Last, I knew I had to include a fur vest somewhere in here, as they are pretty much the most divalicious and comfortable pieces to wear in the winter (or summer, if you're the star of a 90's rap video). Not only is this an easy way to class up a possibly boring outfit, but it also provides a seemingly impenetrable barrier against the cold, yet overheating proves nearly impossible due to the lack of sleeves! Perfect combination. The beanie was added in an attempt to help out the girls who may not be having the best hair day during finals, such as myself. Throw that on and go for hipster chic and you're hygienic habits will be under wraps!

Good luck to everyone in finals! May the odds be ever in your favor. 

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Silly Saturday: Harry Potter Costumes

So this post should really be called Nerdy Saturday, but that obviously doesn't flow quite as well.

A few weekends ago, I was able to go to the Harry Potter Studio tour right outside of London, (as I told you in my beanie post here) and let me just tell you it was (sorry Mom) AMAZEBALLS.

I am a full-fledged, not very ashamed, beyond huge fan of Harry Potter, and always have been. This tour showed us everything. Sets, props, and most importantly, costumes. Obviously I pretty much geeked out at the entire experience, but it seems I was inherently more geeky when the costumes came into play.

From quidditch capes, to dress robes, to the Weasley's knitted Christmas sweaters it was AMAZING. I'm done talking, just sit back and enjoy!

(pictures are all my own!)

Faculty shot

Hufflepuff Quidditch Uniforms! MORE IMPORTANTLY the uniform Robert Pattinson wore when he
was in HP...Didn't think I could get nerdier, huh?

Sirius Black's Azkaban uniform and Professor Lupin with his wife, Tonk. 

Shoes!

Ron's very flattering dress robes

Dress robes! Hermione's Dress, Krum's uniform

Luna Lovegood's costumes

Dolores Umbridge's very pink ensembles

All in all, pretty much the highlight of my day/week/month/year/life which may or may not be sad...you be the judge.


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Footwear Friday! Margiela at H&M

Happy turkey hangover day!

As many of you may be aware, Margiela just collaborated with H&M for an amazing line. I happened to go into H&M on the day the collection launched in order to snap some pictures of (and ultimately empty my bank account to buy) the shoes Vogue had teased me with online here.
However, upon entering the store on High Street Kensington, it was a MADHOUSE. People had signed up to buy tickets for certain times of day to shop. I obviously wandered around for about 30 minutes until I sensed a lull and then I ran into the madness.
To my chagrin, the shoes in their entirety had been picked over, and none of the shoes I had been longing over (for 3 days) were there any longer. Que sera, sera.
Specifically, the shoes I was yearning for were those that had the plexiglass wedge heel, and it just so happens that Margiela did THREE different shoes with this heel. WOO enjoy!

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..right?

These basically look like you're constantly standing on your tip-toes, which is obviously a plus because people will think you have calves that would rival a Russian ballerina, and isn't that what everyone wants?

Other than the fact they are pretty much the coolest things I have ever seen, I am a big fan of designer collaborations with affordable brands, such as H&M.

If ANYONE knows where this girl can get her hands on those wedge plexiglass ankle booties, help a sista out and leave it in the comments!!

Portobello Road

Shmortoshmello Shmoad am I right?! 

WRONG. 

I know, I know, living in london for 3 months already and this weekend was my first trip to Portobello? Shame on me!

However, journeying to Portobello with my mom who was visiting was far more enjoyable than any other company I could have gone with.
Going in with the inclination that all I would see were antiques upon antiques with some gourmet food that I don't have a kitchen (or skills) to cook was not the right mindset. The tables were overflowing with vintage (and knockoff) jewelry, leather goods, records, paintings, fur, etc. and I loved every minute of it.
Many of the vendors did not appreciate photographs being taken of their booths, but I managed to find some nice people who didn't seem to mind (or notice..).

While I may have fallen in love with more than one impractical pair of vintage clip-on earrings, I came away with a Firkin (faux-Birkin) bag, which was victory enough for me!

I will cherish you as my firstborn child.

My mom faired even better than I did and came away with a matching Firkin (hers is red) and a gorgeous white and silver bangle to add to her already expansive "arm party"(credit to ManRepeller)

My mom, the hand model

Aside from the MAYJUH jewelry presence, the live entertainment is not to be forgotten. Not only do street performers usually sound better when you are in a market such as Portobello, but they are also 1. British, 2. exceedingly attractive, although those two points seem to go hand-in-hand, right?

pulling off the between-the-legs drum FLAWLESSLY

Now, I would take this time to analyze the different aspects that differentiate Camden Market and Portobello, but in all honesty, I am far too busy making an escape route in preparation for election results tonight.

MovingToLondon2012!

Blocked.

I haven't updated this in FOREVER, and I apologize. It's not like I haven't been busy! Since updating, I have been to the Czech Republic and Ireland as well as romping all around London. In the last few weeks I was also crudely awoken to the fact I am actually STUDYING abroad....studying being the operative and forgotten word. Needless to say, midterms kicked me where the sun don't shine, but I am back with a vengeance!

And by vengeance I mean writers block. Basically I am trying to relay the fact that I have been sitting in a Costa coffee on Kensington High Street attempting to write something profoundly interesting and have come up with a haiku about my love for lattes.

I won't bother you with the poetic details unless this writers block lasts another week, and then I just might have to. My fabulous mother is making her way across the pond in exactly 48 hours, so there will  hopefully be some updates from the amazing weekend that awaits me.

BYE!

Send All My Lovin' To You

I have been in London for 6 weeks and in that time have seen so much that has made me fall deeply and irrevocably in love with the city. This weekend, however, I could only describe as something magical.

I have always been a fan of the Beatles, as anyone with a brain is, and have always fantasized about going to see Abbey Road in the flesh (or concrete).

What you don't fantasize about, is that the road itself is just that, a road. And a busy one at that! So getting that picture that tourists alike dream about, (walking across the crosswalk of the famous street) is a feat you simply hope to come out alive after. Luckily, I was in good company, and my friends and I were absolutely determined to accomplish this.

The result is a little less than perfection, but I take that as an allegory for life not always being perfect. (psh, who am I kidding, we had already been there 2 hours, and we did our best, sue us!)

Anyway, aside from the typical touristy shot we managed, the wall outside the studio might have actually been my favorite part. The once-white wall and gate are absolutely COVERED in graffiti from tourists and fans alike, many whom simply write their most favorite Beatles lyrics. All of these combined make for a truly magical experience, when you read that the writings are from years ago, weeks ago, or even hours ago and written by people from all age brackets, religions, and countries. It really is cool when you see how a band and music can unify all walks of life. Not to mention, I was able to not only sign the wall, but also happened to have my red lipstick handy and planted a big, unsanitary kiss on the wall as well.

BACK TO THE IMPORTANT STUFF: How I managed to transition my beloved mint jeans into the fall!

I decided to pair my mint jeans with my dark green field jacket from J.Crew to keep the majority of the outfit at least somewhat monochromatic. I wore my over-the-knee brown leather boots to make the outfit seem more fall-appropriate, and it was also 55 degrees in London so they seemed like the most suitable option. Although you can't see because I was too distracted having a transcendental experience to take a proper outfit picture, underneath I was donning a grey t-shirt and my leopard belt.

All in all, I can already tell this will be one of my fondest memories from London. Not only was I in one of the coolest places ever, but the people I was with cannot be beat.

That's All Folks!

Hey Sole Sista

I have been horrible about updating this recently, but being in a fun city makes it hard to stop and write consistently!

The other day, I had a little field trip to The Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park for my art class. Although the exhibition wasn't my cup of tea (british humor), the day was glorious and my ideal day.

The Serpentine, in all it's glory, plus a fluffy dog

This day was only made better by my obsession with my pair of prep school-esque oxfords!

Try and not be entranced by my beauty in the outfit shot......I am not one where candids look cute, this girl needs preparation.

pretty face, right?  Shirt: Jcrew, Jeans, Urban
Oufitters, Belt: Francesca's, Shoes: Target

To say that I am obsessed with these shoes is a gross understatement. The pop of pink on the sole is probably my most favorite addition to a pair of classic shoes since the metallic heel.

I am so obsessed with these shoes that later in the day, as I was strolling around Hyde Park, I had finally decided on a bench to place my bum, and immediately pulled out my phone to take a picture, yet my shoes somehow decided to sneak in there too!

And by "sneak in there" I mean I was employing some pilates-driven core strength to keep my feet raised long enough to take the picture...

oh yeah...this was the exhibition I was seeing for a class in The Serpentine...

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YEP. Prepare for the nightmares....

v&a

Yesterday, I had no classes. When this would occur at school in Boston, my day off would consist of lounging around, maybe a little gym action (probably not), and laundry (even less likely).

But here in London, it physically sickens me to spend a whole day at least not exploring the city a little! Its the most amazing place I have ever been, and I'm already trying to finagle a way so I can move back as soon as humanly possible.

But I digress.

Yesterday I took a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum, we left after about two hours, but I swear to you I could have spent my whole day there! While moseying around the different exhibits, we came across an East Asian history wing. There, I saw necklaces and bangles that could be sold in any store today and sell out instantly.

From that point on, I decided to play a game; how many current fashion trends can I spot in this museum?

The rules are simple; simply go into exhibits with an open mind, rather than a mind that is simply on the time period or location of that exhibit. And that's just what I did!

This is one of the necklaces in the East Asian room, its from the 15th century, but I believe that the collar necklace trend is of the 21st century.

We then moved into the fashion exhibits. It was essentially a worldly view on fashion through the ages, beginning with the late 19th, early 20th century. It was in this exhibit that it was plain to see how fashion is recycled, reused, and is on a continuous loop.

The collar trend continued to appear, this time in lace.

And this would be approximately THE worst picture, but it happens to be the only image I captured to illustrate the blazer that I would most definitely buy today, but happens to be from the 1860's.

London’s Calling!

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I will be spending the next few months in London, and obviously, the first thing on my mind (other than staging an impromptu rendezvous with Prince Harry) is the fashion, and how I will adapt my wardrobe to fit in with the Londoners.

Having arrived a little short of two weeks ago, I have already noticed some main points of interest among the Londoners and their sense of style, which, by the way, is continuously impeccable.

First off, there are an amazing amount of women who don their tights on a daily basis. Although tights are popular in their own right in the U.S. I have never witnessed so many women wearing tights in so many different ways. It seems that the outfit of choice becomes complete when the addition of tights is made. Shorts, skirts, dresses, and even oversize sweaters are all tights-appropriate outfits.

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Next, I have become obsessed with tweed jackets and their underrated versatility. Before my arrival to the U.K., I always imagined tweed jackets as a piece made timeless by Coco Chanel, and something I planned to adopt into my wardrobe when I was older, wiser, and with a paying job to help me afford a Chanel jacket.

Chanel, via dailymail

But boy has my mind been changed!

Women in London rock their tweed not only to the office, but I have observed many using it to lighten up a rather tough ensemble. The most jarring of which was a women I saw whose outfit was almost entirely some form of leather, but with a light pink tweed jacket on top. I was stunned to see not only a juxtaposition of lighthearted girly-ness of the jacket with the toughness of the leather, but also the vast difference in the weights of both fabrics. It seemed effortless and made me crave a jacket of my own (which I am now on the hunt for, stay tuned!)

 Of course I have observed much more than this due to my love of people-watching, but I will not bore you with those details because this post is already longer than I intended, but I will be posting a bunch more about London because I just can’t get enough!

Cheers!