Guilty Little Pleasures: Pretty Little Liars

I'll admit it: I am a cheesy television addict. Right alongside a serious passion for cupcakes and celebrity "rag mags," terrible TV is one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

Lately, I've been obsessed with the new ABC Family series, "Pretty Little Liars."  It's such fun! ...and don't get me started on the clothing. I don't know anyone who wore Givenchy earrings to their high school homecoming dance, and if you did (or do), don't tell me about it. It will hurt too much to know.

Back to the matter at hand... THIS DRESS IS TO DIE FOR. I absolutely love it. Of course, it is custom, but I just had to share it with you. How unbelievable is this?!

This is the description provided courtesy of ABCFamily.com:

Credits:
Dress: BeBe
Shoes: Michael Kors
Earrings: Givenchy
Belt: Vintage

Costume Designer Notes: from Mandi Line:
We used a matte black sequin dress from Bebe as a base. Then added beaded epaulets that were removed from a t-shirt from H&M and put on the shoulders. Added a feather closure on back of dress. We used a vintage belt with added beading from ISW and crinoline skirt to give it a carnival feel and used vintage stretch lace fabric that was made into a cropped glove for one hand.

Check out the style slideshow from the Homecoming episode here... and definitely watch PLL!

Eternal Beauty

Growing up as a young woman in today's culture, it can sometimes be difficult to inculcate a sense of elegance or sophistication into your daily style. After all, we are taught that "sex sells," and a swimsuit isn't a swimsuit unless one swift breeze would violate some indecency laws. Don't get me wrong-- I'm no prude. I love a killer pair of platforms, a mini that shows off the gams I work every day to maintain, or a top that is subtly suggestive with some shoulder action... just not all at the same time!

At any rate, I've always found Audrey Hepburn to be the epitome of grace and stylishness. In fact, each and every dorm room I ever inhabited displayed a different poster from one of her films. While I love, love, love the most iconic imagery of Miss Hepburn-- you know the Breakfast at Tiffany's shot to which I refer-- I love finding new images of her. It's as if I will never run out of inspiration in this one incredible woman because there is no end to the photos and books and films that focus on her. Without further ado, I present to you the woman who convinced me that class is always in style.

 (As a self-proclaimed "city girl," this image particularly resonates with me.)

Images via CafePress.com

Discernment Exercises

As a kid growing up in Catholic school, we heard a lot about discernment and vocations. At the time, they were potentially terrifying words-- who wants to think about making huge, life-changing decisions in the second grade? Interestingly enough (and only fifteen years later), I'm revisiting these words with a new, fresh perspective on what they mean-- both in general and in my life, specifically. The trouble is no one ever told me what to do when you felt as if your life could have half a dozen "vocations." It had seemed to me like one day, square from the blue, a big lightening bolt would bounce off my head and all of a sudden, I would know. Decision made. Problem solved. Career found!

Alas, this was not to be. I've graduated from college, and was humbled to find a job with a company I've always admired amidst a team of people I adore. I know what you're thinking... LUCKY! I get it... I know that I am. At the same time, I feel strongly that this is just the first stop on a much larger path-- and this is where the trouble sets in. Would I like to be a writer? (Yes.) A Broadway Star? (Yep.) An advocate for at-risk children? (Obviously.) A Soccer Mom? (Naturally.) How about a stylist? (Yeah, I'd like that, too.) I mean, I think the only thing I can definitively cross off the list is butcher. But not baker. Perhaps candlestick maker. I've heard all the advice-- "you'll get there, don't worry, you have so much life ahead of you... boblablah." (Any Arrested Development fans?) I believe those things, too, but MAN this is troubling.

Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy the journey. I just wish there was a MapQuest for this one.

With that being said, I think it's time for me to behave a little more proactively-- grab life by the lapels, and go for it... so that's the plan. Now, sit back and be entertained as I try to figure out how!

"You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it!" -Wayne Dyer

New Shoe Debut: Aldo Starace

Totally felt like the epitome of trendy (in a good way) rocking these about town last night... and now they're on sale! Run! Go get yourself a pair!

I'd like my workspace to look like this, please...

Happy Friday! Have a lovely weekend!

Too Perfect for Words.

My wallet will officially be anorexic, but aren't these beautiful?? What's a girl (who is trying not to use her credit cards) to do?!

Making Sense of Style.

From the time I was a little girl, I've always had a very distinct sense of style. I see pieces that make my heart melt and I'm drawn to them like bees to honey. I've developed a pretty impressive wardrobe for a girl my age-- I am very blessed in that my shape hasn't changed too, too much and neither has my taste. Sometimes though, I'm disappointed in my ability to "put things together." By this I mean, there are a number of headbands with bows, chunky necklaces, chandelier earrings-- all really beautiful pieces-- that I can never figure out how to properly incorporate into an outfit. Part of the problem is that I am, by nature, a pretty casual gal. Don't get me wrong, I love getting dressed up for special events and the like, but on a day to day basis, you're probably going to find me in a cardigan, jeans, and a cute pair of flats or sneakers.

The same can be said for my taste in interior design. I know what I like, I buy what I like-- but how can I take these unique, individual pieces and make them gel in a setting that is cohesive and tasteful? I'm hoping that with a little more distance from my college experience (i.e. gradually detoxing on ramen and paper towels functioning as plates), that I'll gain a better sense of what does and doesn't work in a more mature, sophisticated living space. In the mean time, however, I'll just sit and drool over the apartments and homes of people who have gotten it down to a science.



I really love pink peonies and any flower that even resembles a pink peony-- just call me Blair Waldorf, please!






I have no idea where I found these photos-- they are just a couple of the hundreds that have accumulated in a file on my desktop named "pretty." If you can help me identify and give credit where credit is due, I'd greatly appreciate it!