It Girls

Lena Dunham's brainchild has officially won me over. HBO's Girls, in which she plays struggling writer Hannah, as well as director, producer and writer for the series, was so good that I no longer consider Gossip Girl my favorite show. (WHAT?!?) I've watched every single episode of Girls, some of them more than once, and each was more hilariously raw, real, and somehow relatable than the next. 

With my former love, GG, it's easy to pick my favorite female character. Blair, obviously, because try as Serena and her ever prominent cleavage might, they can never match up to B's scathing one liners. With these four, though, I couldn't even begin to pick a favorite. I see a bit of myself in each of them. I think all girls will, and I think that was Dunham's goal. Jessa goes through life barely trying and still manages to charm the pants off everyone she meets with her endless wavy hair, killer style, and British accent.  Marnie, the uptight overplanner is classically beautiful and always seems to follow the rules, even when she doesn't want to. Hannah is the only one who gives the impression that she can pinpoint what she wants, to be a writer, but is caught somewhere between believing in her abilities and being dangerously hard on herself. In the dramatic season finale, she admits she's "more scared than any other person on earth." Shoshanna, hyper fast talking Shosh, is still a virgin and it's painfully obvious. Everything about her, from her teenager-y ensembles to her girly bedroom complete with a Sex and the City poster, is sickly sweet.

Not only are the characters more familiar and endearing than those in Gossip Girl, they are noticeably less calculated. So are, for that matter, the dialogue, situations, and New York City itself. GG seems like a fantasy world, something you could aspire to but never attain. The lives of these girls are never something you'd aim for, but if you found yourself in their most-likely-not-designer shoes, you'd have no choice but to laugh and embrace it.

I've never ditched my own abortion to hook up with a stranger in a bar bathroom or gotten married on a whim, never drank so much champagne that I made out with Bobby Moynihan, never got peed on in the shower, and never ran pantsless down the street after accidentally smoking crack. I probably (hopefully) never will, but I was thoroughly entertained living vicariously through Jessa, Marnie, Hannah and Shosh and learning from their mistakes. Ignore all those spoilers and watch the full season marathon Saturday on HBO.

Right now I'm about to search for Lena Dunham's film, Tiny Furniture. Vogue just named her It Girl in the July issue, so I'm not about to question my new obsession with her, only feed it.

Maxi Madness

Skirt hems, which have previously brushed our thighs, knees, calves, and everywhere in between have recently fallen toward the floor. Much to the delight of grunge goddesses and sister wives alike, maxi skirts and dresses have flowed and floated to the forefront of fashion. In most cases, their bohemian feel connotes a charmingly carefree look. While I'm all for being a free spirit and styling your maxi in a way that is comfortable for you, (JK fashion is pain.) there is one thing (JK there's an endless list of things.) that I absolutely refuse to condone. If you're nowhere near model height, which FYI is at least 5'8", you have no business slopping around in a maxi with FLAT SHOES. I get that we weren't all born with the genetic fortune of mile-long legs. And maybe you're a busy hippie love child with lots of important errands to run, like shopping at farmer's markets and discovering obscure bands and whatever, so you think sandals are a must. Think again, sista, cause it's not that hard to walk in wedges. Either suck it up and throw on some kicks that void your height challenged-ness, or have a blast dragging your hem through errant cigarette butts and garbage juice. I've seen this hideous scenario occur enough times that I deem it a serious problem. To combat the horror, I've put together some fab maxi/wedge combos that should provide an appropriate distance between your garment and puddles of unidentifiable street liquid. Should you choose to ignore my advice, and your precious maxi winds up looking like something dredged up from a homeless lady's shopping cart...I WARNED YOU.

Use these Polyvore sets as style inspiration. See all the details here.

Romeo, Romeo

Above is a preview of Wildfox's Fall Collection inspired by ROMEO & JULIET! Wildfox is the best at turning whimsical, romantic themes into highly lust-worthy fashion gold. Transforming something as seemingly highbrow as Marie Antoinette or Shakespeare into a line of kitschy, cheeky T-shirts is beyond genius, and the brand hits the mark time after time. I need to put some money aside to blow come July when I want a look reminiscent of the most famous star-crossed lovers.

Foreva Foreva-eva Foreva-eva

I've been in such a shopping mood lately. I'm never not in a shopping mood, but in the past week my urge to buy has been heightened to the extreme. Everything I see looks like it belongs in my closet. I want floaty dresses, airy tops, comfy cute sandals, and accessories to match. It's summer all of a sudden, and I need to look like it. Generally, I try not to go on reckless shopping sprees, so I gave myself a limit of $50. I was thinking, Self...what are you gonna get for $50? That's a ridiculous limit. But I pulled up forever21.com, because anywhere else I would get one thing for $50 and I wanted LOTS of things. I was immediately confronted with a close-up of pretty, pink haired Charlotte Free. I love when actual models model for fast fashion brands rather than what's-her-face who won ANTM 3 seasons ago. Annnyway, here's what I got to add to my summer wardrobe.

Speckled Crisscross Back Dress

I needed this dress with a pretty wrap hem to layer with a denim shirt or light cardigan when I'm attending a music festival, or flitting through a field, or roasting s'mores over a bonfire. These are all scenarios I most likely will not encounter this summer, but I have to be prepared.

Set of 4 Textured Rings

Even though F21's rings almost always turn my fingers green, I needed some new ones to enhance all the summery shades of nail polish I'm going to try. For $3.80, who cares about green fingers?

Essential Tie Collar Top

This classy little blouse has "me" written all over it. I picture it with printed shorts or skinnies, or tucked into a full skirt, with a messy topknot. Voila, easy outfits. 

Filigree Bib Necklace

I couldn't get over the chicness of this statement necklace at the unbelievable price of $8.80. I need more statement necklaces in my life, and more insanely cheap prices.

Essential Knit Cami

I had to get an essential knit cami to go under my essential tie collar top, of course. They were essentials. This was $2.80 and will go under anything and everything, so why not?

Braided Rope Belt

I'm always searching for a thin belt to cinch the waists of dresses, skinny jeans, etc. This one is fun and sort of nautical and will undoubtedly have 8230842095209 uses.

Rectangle Readers

These are for when I feel like being that annoying hipster-y chick who wears glasses even though she has 20/20 vision. Sometimes I just wanna look like a cute nerd, okay?

Threaded Thong Sandals

I love black and gold together. These would be perfect paired with gold jewelry. Basic, versatile sandals are a must.

Cropped Neon Tee

Finally, the cropped neon tee. I just assumed I would need a cropped neon tee for general summer activities/laziness. If you don't think you need a cropped neon tee for summer, you're lying to yourself and the rest of the world, so just stop.

In the end, I did go over my limit, but there was a method to my madness. I got free shipping for spending over $50 and a free subscription to Nylon for spending over $65. I spent $66. So for $16 more than I originally planned to spend, I got free shipping, free Nylon, AND more stuff. God, I'm becoming such a bargain shopper. Who am I?

TOP CHICRET!!!

Charlotte Free is the new face of Maybelline New York!

I wasn't supposed to tell, but P'Trique did first, so...

I think the pink-haired punk will give a cheeky, modern edge to the classic brand. I'll always swear by my Great Lash. Nothing beats the pink and green tube! P'Trique knows what's up. Loved the cameos by Derek Blasberg and Betsey Johnson!

(Saw it first on MTV Style)

Ombre Tresses

I've decided that my hair needs to be this color.

(The pic is Erin Wasson for Zadig and Voltaire.)

That is all.

Can't Ignore Denim

I was flipping through Elle when it hit me square in the face...denim is having a MAJOR moment. On practically every page I turned, a model was pouting prettily in some denim ensemble. Usually I wrinkle my nose at overalls, denim skirts, and denim-on-denim looks, but lately something about those styles screams "Chic!" I've compiled a pretty serious list of every denim piece you need to stay on trend this Spring/Summer. From colored, to patterned, to boyfriend, to classic, there's something for every denim lover.

The Re-Vamped Jean Jacket

ASOS Cropped Denim Boyfriend Jacket

Who wants a typical jean jacket when it can be this ridiculously cool overdyed peachy red color? How cute would this be over a patterned bra top paired with a high waisted skirt and wedges? Umm, can I have it now?!?

The Patterned Jean & The Pop of Color

 Elizabeth & James Low Rise Skinny Jeans/[BlankNYC] Skinny Jeans

The print of these crop-legged lovelies is called "Spearmint Python." They're begging to be further toughened up with a black leather motorcycle jacket and classic black pumps. You could always go floral print instead, but IMO python print is heaps more stylish.

I debated over every color in the rainbow, but eventually settled on this pretty turquoise hue. I've discovered that this color looks awesome with orange, which might sound weird, but trust me, it does. Another life-changing colored denim discovery I've made is that every color looks good with leopard print, as the model is demonstrating here. Pair these skinnies with an orange dip-dyed top and copy those leopard flats and your look is sure to be a color blocking win.

The Classic Denim Shirt

American Apparel Unisex Denim Long Sleeve Button-Up Shirt

Throw it over a bikini, your favorite tank, or a striped long sleeve tee on those random chilly days. Wear it with a light Springy scarf, over a casual dress, or pop the collar and tie up the ends. This denim shirt is definitely the most versatile item in your Spring wardrobe. It's a perfect go-to piece when you don't have time to put together a fussy outfit, or when you need to add another layer. Since it's "unisex" buy it two sizes too big, belt it, and wear it on its own as a dress. The "I stole this from my boyfriend's closet" look is always a good one.

The Crocheted Cutoffs

NastyGal Crochet Bonita Cutoff Shorts

I love the way these cheeky denim cutoffs are styled on the model. Since the crochet detail is so eye-catching, going for a simple easy blouse is key. Add a thin belt and some gold jewelry, and you're ready to parade those legs.

Pretend Shopping at Zara

When I'm bored, which is often, I pop around on my favorite online shopping sites and pick out the fabulous things I'd buy if I had loads of cashito. Today I looked at Zara and cried a little on the inside because I couldn't actually type in my debit card digits.

I've been lusting after blazers lately, so I chose this bright little baby.

Single Button Blazer

I clicked on T-shirts thinking, "Meh, a T-shirt is a T-shirt."

But Zara's T-shirts are not just T-shirts, evidenced by THIS.

Guipure T-shirt

I fell in love with this skirt when I saw it styled ever so cleverly on Pinterest.

I was delighted to find that it's from Zara, too.

Printed Frill Skirt

The Inevitable Coachella Post

I didn't go to Coachella...GASP! Turns out I'm too busy with school and a job and too tragically broke to spend any amount of time frolicking about in a mullet skirt, crop top, and a crown of flowers. As fun as it would have been to crowd surf to bands I've never heard of and get snapped by fashion blog photogs, the pain of not attending the event that has taken over my Twitter feed for the past few days was not particularly crushing until I stumbled upon THIS PHOTO. This one broke my heart and made me wish with my whole soul that I was there. I just want a high five from Rih's claw nails and maybe to get nearly stabbed in the eye by her dangerous studded shorts! Is that so much to ask? Out of all the Coachella fashion slideshows I've mechanically scrolled through, this look has been my favorite. Maybe I'm biased, because Rihanna is my favorite. She just looks so cute and fun! Please can we be BFFs, Rih?

ASOS posted this on Facebook earlier today. There were other great style shots, in case you feel like doing some Coachella-related pouting yourself.

For the Love of Lisbeth

I realize that I'm late to the party, as is my custom. I'm late to everything. Stieg Larsson's novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been wildly popular for quite some time, and I just finished it last week. Its insane popularity may have made me reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. (After being traumatized by the likes of Twilight, I try to veer away from what the masses are reading.) But when the American version of the GWTDT movie premiered, my curiosity was sparked. I HAD to read the book before I saw it, and I'm glad I did so.

By the time I turned the last page, I was not only pleased with the compelling mystery, but also kind of obsessed with the female heroine. In most books that focus on females, the lady in the spotlight is funny with a touch of awkward, charmingly self-deprecating, modestly ambitious, blah blah blah. These are all qualities that any girl could identify with. What made me so attracted to Lisbeth Salander is that she's far from any of those things. In fact, she's rather hard to pin down. Despite (or probably because of) her troubled background, she's unapologetically bad-ass. She skulks around in all black, fucks who she wants to, and keeps her astonishing intelligence to herself.

The tiny part of me that wants to BE Lisbeth grew after watching the movie and falling head-over-heels into girl crush city with Rooney Mara. Mara's performance personified to a T what I expected Lisbeth to be. Never before have I wanted to be tattooed and pierced with inky black hair sticking up in all directions and a bitchy slogan on my tee. The bitchy tee is probably the farthest I'd venture outside my style comfort zone, but Lisbeth/Rooney continues to serve as inspiration. I strongly recommend reading the book and immediately watching the movie. I'm halfway through the second in the series, The Girl who Played with Fire, and haven't yet experienced a Lisbeth Salander overdose. She's too cool to get sick of.

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.

From the second I opened Sam Wasson’s highly addictive work of literature, I felt as if I had stumbled onto a film set, or into some exclusive club in which deeply interesting bits of pop culture knowledge are revealed with the aloofness of casual conversation. Not only does Wasson describe in great, entertaining detail the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but he gets to the bottom of why its star, Audrey Hepburn, was such an enchanting girl, and why she still is today. The cast of characters within the volume is vast. Everyone from Truman Capote, to Edith Head, to Marilyn Monroe pops up. If they had some influence on Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or Audrey Hepburn’s life, a snippet of their story is told. The text reads like a novel destined to be a classic. I found myself turning pages late into the night and even as my eyes drooped, didn’t want to stop. Wasson’s prose would have the same affect on film buffs, celebrity enthusiasts, and especially fashionistas. My favorite story within the story was the tale of how Audrey became muse to Hubert de Givenchy and how she and his Little Black Dress reinvented fashion. This book seems like such a necessity, I’m surprised there are not more like it. I would recommend this to almost anyone. If you are interested in films, Broadway plays, actresses, Hollywood, costume, history, feminism, fashion, etc. (It is a never-ending list.) you would enjoy this book. Even if you’re not a reader and would rather look at pictures, check the middle for exclusive shots taken before and during the production of the iconic film. It is undeniable that Sam Wasson’s book should be on the shelf of every fashionable lady with a little Audrey in her.

Pretend Shopping at NastyGal

I'm broke currently, so I can't actually buy anything, but if I had loads of disposable cash, I would spend it all at NastyGal. The name sounds like a hoodrat's Twitter handle, but it was actually inspired by the Betty Davis album. The site stocks contemporary designers and vintage pieces from all over the world. The "What's New" section is updated very frequently, so I find myself constantly drooling over new outfit possibilities. These are outfits the boring girl would never dream of wearing, but the NastyGal is all over that. Here's what I would pick if I was not only beautiful and dirty, but also rich.

These:

Sequin anything is always a hard YES YES YES for me. 

Gold Dust Sequin Shorts

This:

Because it's New York, and I heart it.

New York Bracelet

And This:

Look at it...that ruffled peplum, the leopard belt!

Belted Peplum Dress

Classy Mr. Blasberg

If you haven't heard of Derek Blasberg, get to know him. He is the delightfully witty author of the New York Times bestselling Classy and Very Classy. You can rely on your mother for womanly advice on etiquette, fashion, etc., or you can crack one of Derek's books and read up. "What does a man know about being a lady?" you may ask, you skeptic you. This particular man has experienced every fashionable lady's dream of working at magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Plus he parties with It Girls (only the classiest, of course) and sits front row at fashion week. Mr. Blasberg knows quite a bit. I've read both of his books, both of which were easy reads because they're laugh riots and packed with quizzes and fun visuals. I feel more ladylike already!

Leigh Lezark posing at a Very Classy book party.
Image from Derek Blasberg's blog.
Also follow him on Twitter @derekblasberg.

La Vie Boheme

Every spring, as flowers bloom, sweet girly floral patterns pop up on dresses, tees, and skinny jeans. Why not toss the season's norm in favor of a cool bohemian look fit for the festivals? You can still be a flower child without the flowers. Free People has caught on to the trend and is the ultimate destination for hippie-inspired garb. Here are some of my favorites from the site. I couldn't fit all the good stuff. Check it out for yourself!

Suede Charade Short

Marisa Haskell San Pedro Turquoise Wrap

Jeffrey Campbell Romana Fest Sandal

Obsession-Worthy Eyeliner

Perfecting the liquid eyeliner cat eye is a permanent part of my morning routine. Some days, my foray into vintage makeup looks better than others. I either end up with cool 60's eyes, or an inky black mess. Luckily, I found a product that allows me to create a smooth line despite my unsteady hand. The eyeliner stylo by NARS works like a felt-tipped marker. It's precision perfect and dries so much quicker than typical liquid eyeliner. $27 seemed like a lot to drop on one product at Sephora, but the time it saves me getting ready was worth it. I definitely recommend this product. I chose classic black, but it also comes in teal blue and brown. Get it here.

Pin Happy

If you've yet to explore the wildly popular and addictive social media site Pinterest, get on that. While it sometimes distracts me from paying attention in class, and keeps me entertained for hours when I should be doing something more productive, Pinterest definitely has a positive effect as well. The fashion pins inspire me to put together outfits that I never would've on my own. The beauty and hair pins encourage me to try trendy makeup and intricate updos instead of just sticking to my normal routine, and with recipe pins I can pretend like I know how to cook. I've found that Pinterest can spark an interest in almost any subject. I very recently created my account. If you request an invite from the site, it seems to take a while to process. Asking a friend to invite you may be a quicker way to get pinning. While you're working on that, take a look at some of my favorite fashion pinners and get inspired!

eat.sleep.wear. -Located in Philadelphia, this style savvy pinner has a well-known personal style blog of the same name. Kimberly, the fashionista behind eat.sleep.wear., is also a graphic designer and self-proclaimed cupcake enthusiast. Her pinboards range from fashion and beauty, to graphic design, food, daydreams and inspiration. She's pretty popular on the site, boasting a whopping 474,387 followers.

refinery29 -I was ecstatic to see that one of my favorite sites for fashion news has latched on to the pinning craze. Refinery29 promises to discover the newest and best in style, shopping, and emerging trends from the runways to the streets. Their boards do just that, providing exclusive backstage pics from fashion week, new product reviews, and photos that were the result of serious shoe stalking. If you're looking for the latest in fashion, refinery29 is the place to find it.

Lauren Conrad -Everyone's favorite fashion success story has ditched her humble hometown of Laguna Beach and is pinning straight from Los Angeles. She keeps it simple, titling her pinboards with one word descriptions such as wear, primp, and dine. If you're planning to nab LC's signature beach babe style, joining her 34,982 Pinterest followers would be a perfect place to start.

Caitlin Bright  -Don't forget to follow me! I just started pinning, so my boards are not as extensive as most, but I'm getting there. Currently, I only have 3 followers, so I need all the help I can get.

Happy Pinning!

Wild at Heart

You might be a Wildfox girl if...

You've stayed up all night at a sleepover, then watched the sun rise.

You've overdosed on candy.

You've played dress-up and thrown fashion rules to the wind.

Wildfox Couture is everything fashion should be-- fun, feminine, and endlessly creative. The feather soft tees emblazoned with cheeky sayings and "hangover sweats" that comprise the vintage-inspired clothing brand have the power to recall giddy, girlish feelings previously reserved for only your closest girlfriends. Wildfox recently unveiled its Spring 2012 campaign video "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," which evokes those feelings, as well as the sudden urge to buy the entire collection.

Wildfox Spring 2012 "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues" from WILDFOX PR on Vimeo.

Oscars Fashion Recap

The Good:

Normally, red is my least favorite color. When I see a red dress on the red carpet, I think the wearer made an all-too-easy decision to veer toward the safety of old Hollywood glamour. While Natalie Portman (right) is exuding that familiar vibe in vintage Christian Dior, I applaud her for taking the look in an unexpected direction with a 50s era silhouette and fun polka dots. I may have chosen a different necklace, perhaps something less modern and maybe even black, to further emphasize the spots. The boxy black clutch was definitely a good choice, and completes the look well. 

Michelle Williams (left), whose Louis Vuitton gown is not exactly red, but rather burnt orange, thankfully shook up the red carpet norms when she chose a dress with texture and a trendy peplum. Some were opposed to the high fashion details, especially the contrasting nude-colored corset back, but I love the quirky aspects of the gown. I also commend Williams for not choosing a matchy matchy clutch, but opting for a pop of pink instead.

The Bad: 

I don't know who let Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (left) onto the red carpet, nor do I know why she's not off crafting another open heart necklace for chicks whose boyfriends/fiances/husbands don't know squat about jewelry or women. More importantly, I don't know why her stylist thought it was acceptable for a 60-something to go parading around in a "LOOK AT ME!" vibrant red, sequined, low-cut Pamella Roland creation. Jane Seymour (That's Dr. Quinn's real name.) should look into some style tips from the classy older ladies of Hollywood, ahem...Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren. The next time she pops up on the red carpet for reasons unknown, I hope she chooses something more age-appropriate.

The same can be said for Shailene Woodley (right). The girl has risen from ABC Family fame to starring in one of the season's most hailed films with GEORGE CLOONEY. One would think she'd want to show off her hot 20-year-old bod and potentially steal him from the female wrestler he's currently dating. Many approved of this dowdy, Little House on the Prarie-esque look because it's so opposite of what other young starlets choose to flaunt on the carpet. While I'd like to high-five Shailene for running far away from the overly-provocative and inappropriate, I'd also like to shake some sense into her. First, for starring in Secret Life of the American Teenager, and second, for choosing a Valentino Couture dress that is much too old for her. I imagine that she probably had the privilege to pick just about ANYTHING from a wide array of designer delights, so I can't wrap my mind around the fact that she went with this. Maybe she and Jane Seymour should switch gowns. There we go! Problems solved!

What Could Have Been:

Everyone is giving Rooney Mara (left) a hard time for choosing her Oscars gown the day of the event. Not only is she The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, she's The Girl Who Doesn't Seem to Care About Fashion but Always Manages to Look Effortlessly Beautiful. That's who she is. She's a badass with short bangs and a rail thin frame usually seen slouching around in head-to-toe black. For those reasons, this look could've been spectacular. It could've been a chance to see Mara in something other than her usual goth-inspired attire. It could've been her unforgettable fashion moment. It could've been a lot of things, but it doesn't fit. The intricate Givenchy creation hangs on her chest weird, and it isn't skintight to her slight body as it should be. I could sit here and over-analyze the gown all day. But guess what, fashion obsessors? Rooney Mara doesn't care! I can't decide if that's unapologetically cool, or a terrible crying shame. Regardless of what she wears, Mara has an undeniably pretty face. Although she didn't win an Oscar or many "Best Dressed" titles, being called this era's Audrey Hepburn means you win at life.

Kristen Wiig (right) is my hero. She's everything a girl wants to be. She's the 3 S's: Skinny, Stylish, and Successful. On top of that, she's HILARIOUS. Not only did she have me rolling on the floor during Bridesmaids, but she has the same effect on Saturday Night Live every week. It pains me to see someone so awesome wearing something so average. The beige, textured J. Mendel gown is pretty, but it's only that. It's not nearly as fabulous as her talent. Maybe had she chosen something in an unexpected color, her look could've been great instead of just "Eh." Sorry, Kristen. I still love you!