Miley for Harpers Bazaar

How about we don't pretend like these photos aren't beautiful and she doesn't look stunning. I think I might have become a Miley fan recently. When exactly did that happen?

College Fashionsta: The Chiffon Blouse

I decided to be a little lazy today and post an article I wrote a while back for College Fashionista. I thought it was still applicable for our summer weather this year, and I thought this girl looked super cute on the beach. Oh and did I mention, I'm rejoining the College Fashionista team this semester after my hiatus abroad. Look forward to some more witty comments and stories about how much my mom hates my clothes in Facebook posts and tweets in the near future. 

When I was younger, I always thought that the best way to dress for the hot weather was with shorts and a tight tank top. In my mind, just having a minimal amount of fabric on would automatically make me feel cooler in the heat. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Instead of feeling a breeze, I would cook in my little outfit.

What I didn’t realize at the time was the key to keeping cool was not about the amount of material but the weight of the material. After having gained this invaluable knowledge, I have changed my summer staple from a tight cotton tank to a chiffon blouse. But beyond the convenience for weather, a chiffon blouse can add an element of elegance to any outfit. And when I say any outfit, I mean any outfit.

For instance, you can take a casual approach such as this Fashionista. She used her chiffon blouse as the perfect item for a day at the beach — creating a polished look while serving as a cover-up. There are many options for the casual chiffon top. Some, such as the one worn by this Fashionista, are tank tops, while others come with interesting backs and most come in a huge array of colors. These types of choices are sure to please every type of personal style for your weekend look. But you can also use the chiffon blouse to create a more professional yet youthful look at your summer internship. Just take your favorite chiffon top and pair it with a high-waist skirt and some pumps.

One of the challenges of this season’s chiffon blouses is that they tend to be sheer. But this see-through quality should not deter you from picking up this trend. Instead, there are many ways to approach this challenge. For a more modest approach, I suggest investing in a nude cami. This level of modesty will be crucial to transform your chiffon blouses into work apparel or for your family get-togethers this summer. But when you’re ready to be a bit more risqué with your outfit, you might consider just a lace bra underneath. When starting off, you will probably prefer using a pale color lace. This chiffon and light lace combination will create a dreamy affect.  But with more courage, use bright colors for a fun pop under your blouse. 

However or wherever you choose to wear your chiffon blouse, it is sure to add a level of elegance and creativity to your outfit. Although some of its characteristics are a little daunting, I assure you that once you find your solution, the chiffon blouse will be your summer go-to.

This post was originally published on College Fashionista June 25, 2012. 

Daydreaming About: Prints on Prints on Prints

Lately I've been just obsessed with patterns. Obviously, I turned to my favorite american stores to find the cutest patterned items, Madewell and J.Crew. Honestly, I've just been dreaming about buying some of their perfectly clean and chic clothing since I went abroad five months ago. Here's some things that caught my eye as I perused their websites this morning. Maybe I'll stop by after my haircut tomorrow?

Daydreaming About Update: SUNO NY + Uniqlo

Big update on my last post on SUNO NY. Although I ended my last post about how unbearably sad I was that I couldn't afford anything from this amazing label I had fallen in love with, this is not entirely true! I was perusing around their facebook page and I noticed that they were having a collab with Uniqlo this season! So while these aren't quite as cute as their original SS collection, they are still quite lovely pieces with adorable prints and a much more affordable price range (think $20-$40). All I have to say is thank GOD for these collabs (I give major credit to Target for starting this great designer for affordable prices trend), and I'm definitely stopping by Uniqlo when I get back to San Francisco. 

PS Did you notice how well this collab goes with my header? too cute! 

Daydreaming About: SUNO NY

I have a crush. And this crush is on a clothing line, SUNO NY. I'm pretty sure I'm behind the ball on this one, but I just discovered it when I was looking through Refinery29's SF street style photos (which I've been stalking obsessively in anticipation for my upcoming return). In their latest edition of park pics, this one girl was wearing the most adorable dress and I fell in love with it. I was so intrigued by the dress that I actually looked up the label she was wearing and once I got to their website I was overwhelmed.

Everything on it was so cool! The entire line was full of this chic, light, quirky preppy look that basically describes what I envision my summer to be. And they address every element of my dream summer from my summer dresses, shorts, swimsuits and even my pj's! As I continued to peruse their website, they only got better. Their shots from their runway show included funny behind the scene shots of the models as they made funny faces walking off the catwalk. I even fell in love with all the images on their Spring 2013 inspiration board, instantly wishing that was exactly what my tumblr looked like.

For a little bit more background, SUNO is a New York based womenswear label founded in 2008 by Max Osterwis and in collaboration with designer Erin Beatty. Part of the interesting element of SUNO (that makes it even cooler than it already is) is its connection with Kenya, which Osterweis considers a second home. SUNO's first collection was launched in 2009, right after the post-election violence threatened the economy in Kenya. This first collection was produced primarily in Kenya, using vintage Kenyan textiles that Osterweis has collected over the years.
Since that first collection, SUNO has continued to use production in Keyna, India, Peru, as well as their home base of New York using a combo of traditional and local techniques with high-end tailoring. Really using the countries they produce in as more than mere factories but also as inspiration for design and technique gives SUNO something a little special in their collections.

Unfortunately, the price range for all their items are a little out of my just-came-out-of-the-most-expensive-semester-of-my-unemployed-college-student-ass. Most of the dresses range around $600, but you know I girl can always dream....

I might be able to afford the shoes though if I save! These are only $60.

Clothes in Bloom

Clothes in Bloom by rachelheisen featuring tortoise cat eye sunglasses

For my post today, I've decided to make an outfit that highlights both a trend I covered in one of my latest posts for College Fashionista and the lovely clutch from my giveaway. I've been dreaming about getting a pair of floral pants all season, but unfortunately I haven't found one that I like that is also in my price range. 

However, I am considering these new BDG jeans that Urban Outfitters just released for fall. They're not exactly the floral I desired, but I do like all the patterns they come in. I'll do a dreaming about post on them a little later...maybe tomorrow? 

I was inspired to write this floral post by this girl I spotted on the Haight a couple weeks ago. She was wearing this adorable outfit with mint green shorts and a floral top, so I ended up like running after/mildly stalking her so I could take her picture. Honestly, taking street style pictures of people is so hard! I always end up looking like/feeling like a total creep. 

Don't forget to check out my post on College Fashionista on this floral trend and my floral inspired Pinterest board! 

Seeing Spots: Polka Dots

Seeing Spots by rachelheisen featuring a cropped jacket

Bustier top / Alexander Wang cropped jacket / J.Crew long pencil skirt / Lanvin choker necklace

So today is yet another Polyvore day. Because I have to wear business casual clothing to my job at Banana Republic about five times a week and my business casual wardrobe is limited, I have not been coming up with a lot of different Outfit Post worthy outfits. And whenever I do, I'm always running late and don't have time to take pictures with the appropriate lighting and angles that would be worthy of your readership. In fact, I've had my parents take pictures of two of my outfits this week, but they sucked at getting the lighting right and I didn't even bother posting them. We're bumping up the quality in this joint and we can't have any poor lighting!!
Now, I've decided that every Monday I'm probably going to end up presenting you with a Polyvore. Why? you may ask. Well, every Monday my post for College Fashionista is published on my STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK. And I figure that presenting you with an outfit highlighting the trend I documented on the street and discussed in my post would be perfect. Yea? Ultimately this will make these posts pretty short because you'll have a 500 word article on College Fashionista to read instead! YEYYYYY!!!!

The picture from my article. It's hard to get a good picture in the middle of downtown SF!

But as you might have guessed based on my Polyvore collage, my style advice of the week is on polka dots. Despite apparently originating from England, the polka dot just seems so American to me. And I'm honestly not that completely off-base in connecting those two (despite what my editor told me). The polka dot first gained traction in the 1920s when the Minnnie Mouse illustration was presented in her signature polka dot dress. Later on, celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe donned the dots and they also became the staple in Lucille Ball's wardrobe for I Love Lucy. Today, polka dots are just as popular as ever and a great pattern to play with to add some youth and playfulness to any outfit! Check out more of my advice and musings over polka dots in my post at College Fashionista. Also, check out my Pinterest Board focusing on polka dots for more visual ideas on how to wear them.
Ok I need to go to bed right now which you probably could've guessed because my writing right now is atrocious. But I promise I'll be back soon with a more legitimate post than this.

Daydreaming About: Karen Walker Sunglasses

So when I graduated high school, my brother told me he'd buy me a fancy pair of designer sunglasses. Now my brother has a bit of an obsession with designer goods in general, but designer sunglasses in particular.  He'll be driving around wearing his Gucci sunglasses or whatever other slightly gaudy brand you can imagine. Apparently, he has some smooshy story about getting a pair for every important event in his life. He also has this rule for fancy champagne.
Now at the time, I thought this was a horrible idea. Therefore, despite him being willing to spend like $500 on a pair of sunnies for me, I still rejected his offer. I figured that I break and lose cheap $10 Forever21 sunglasses all the time, why should I be trusted with a designer pair? In fact, $25 is probably the most money I've ever spent on any pair of sunglasses. That's probably a good thing since none of them have survived. Actually fun story. During my schools spring party weekend, I bought one pair just for the weekend. Got a free pair before the Avicii concert. Found a pair on the ground of a frat. By the end of the 3 days, I didn't have a single pair left. The rest of the sunny year was a bit of a challenge.
So for years, I've limited myself to cheap $15 sunglasses. The thing is that I'm actually really into the tortoise look with a slightly different shape than the classic fake RayBan. Unfortunately for me, anything original isn't really offered by that street vendor on Haight street or wherever else. Actually that seems like a pretty common theme for most things I like; they just don't seem to come cheap. But going back to sunglasses. I've actually seen a bunch of really cool sunglasses that perfectly meet my description and potentially even my fat facial structure. And weirdly enough, all of these sunnies have been from Karen Walker.
Now most people don't really talk about this glasses brand. I mean, it's definitely not as commonly known as RayBans. But I recognized this brand because back when I lived in France, before I made my I will never buy expensive glasses rule, I was considering buying this pair for the same reasons as I am contemplating them now! I figure since it's been almost 4 years, and I'm still lusting over a pair of Karen Walker tortoise sunglasses, maybe I should rethink this rule. So here are a couple pairs that I'm lusting over currently:

 

Tell me how y'all feel about them! They're all pretty expensive. And considering my track record, might not be the best idea. BUUT I'm thinking that they're fancy price tag might deter me from being a retard around them and they fancy hard case I'll put them in will protect them from my ass when I sit on my bag for no apparent reason (that was the tragic ending for my favorite pair of sunnies from high school). Tell me your opinions, which one do you like the best, if you think it's a horrid idea etc etc. And remember to FOLLOW if you like my blog and COME BACK!

Daydreaming About: Sandro

 

I am pretty sure that I have previously shown Sandro on this site, but since it's been awhile I figure none of you would remember anyways (I wonder how many more jokes about how much I have failed at being a blogger for the past year or so am I permitted to make?). But beyond your memory lapse, I am showing Sandro for many different reasons right now. First of all, Sandro was one of my favorite stores I found when I was in France. After school, I would often hop of the bus and look through all the clothing.

Sandro has a very clean look to it, chic and simple but still stylish (hmm that just sounds like the French especially Parisians doesn't it?) I presented the darker color palettes from the Fall here, because I am personally obsessed with anti-color (who says that? who is obsessed with NOT color? I'm a freak) but they do have some popping colors for their spring line. What Sandro does amazingly is the detail and fit, rather than anything very flashy. 

I regret not buying more from Sandro, but I am determined that the next time I go to one of their stores that I buy a couple of beautiful items. Previously, I thought that this would mean that I would have to wait until my next trip to France (a place I haven't gone back to since I moved back to the US about 3 years ago), but things have changed this year. In case you didn't hear, Bleeker street in NYC has experienced a French Invasion! Sandro opened it's New York doors this past fall! I am determined to make a trip to New York sometime and take a look. 

I also forgot to mention that the French Invasion on Bleeker street also includes Maje, which is the sister brand to Sandro (not in the way to Madewell is to Jcrew but like literally the owners are sisters!) Back in Rennes, the two stores were next to eachother and apparently they are on Bleeker too. I will definitely stop by there on this fictional trip to NYC, and probably do a review sometime soon.

I'm blue da ba dee da ba die

So I'm a pretty big BLUE fan. There was actually a period of my life where almost every shirt I wore was blue. No joke. Now a days, I'm all about the black, greys, whites etc, but the only color that really makes a normal appearance?? You guessed it: BLUE. But I'm not the only one who loves BLUE....

Valeria "ValBlu" McCulloch was featured in a New York Magazine article on 5 new yorkers who wear nothing but a single color. She says she wears nothing but Yves Klein Blue which isn't entirely true...but you can't get that shade perfectly every time...

I know it's pretty intense. She actually has to PAINT her shoes BLUE. That's called dedication to the color BLUE.

Oh wait you don't know what Yves Klein Blue is? You don't know who Yves Klein is? Actually? He's the "Blue Guy"...

he legitimately created his own shade of blue (International Klein Blue or IKB) which he copyrighted and everything. He died, but now his wife owns it.

LOVE IT!! BLUE never looked so good...

I was looking through my Vogue Spring/Summer '10 collections book, and came across Giorgio Armani's collection. There was ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL BLUE. And not just any blue, but a beautiful shade and usually...in a silk (right?) material. I have a blue silk shirt and wear it ALL THE TIME. It's one of my favorite shirts...Soooo here's some lovely looks from Armani's show in Milan...of course featuring BLUE

And since it's the title reference...here's the I'm Blue Video...CHECK IT