Rompin' Around

I live for weekends around here. Last weekend, I ventured to Brooklyn with Kali & Madi to get wristbands for The Orwell's in-store show at Rough Trade. After we bought our records, we shared sliders & had some drinks. We walked through McCarren Park. I genuinely felt like we were in an episode of GIRLS. I mean, look at my outfit for god's sake. I definitely think it's something Lena Dunham would put Hannah in. Although I might be throwing off some serious giant toddler vibes in it, that jumpsuit is the coziest thing in the world.

I'm going to stop insulting my own fashion choices for a second &  can we talk about the view from Bushwick's Inlet Park? Uhh, am I living in a Woody Allen movie? I felt like some kind of New York themed playlist should have been blaring in the background as I was standing on that rock. It for sure would have started with "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z, only because I detest it so much.

Love,

A

Details: jumpsuit: Urban Outfitters // hat: Forever 21 //  

sunnies: BCBG // sandals: Urban Outfitters // jewelry: Madewell 

// photos: Kali Concepcion

Little China Girl

Now that I've made it through my first week in the city, I'm convinced that I can do anything. It was a crazy first week. I got off the plane, into a cab & moved into my NYU dorm on Monday. It's quaint but has high ceilings & wooden floors. I live next to Chinatown off of Lafayette Street, which I love because of the dumplings that are right around the corner. I can really go crazy on some dumplings, let me tell you. It's a two second walk to Soho, which is my favorite place in the city. It's right next to the subway and an actual Subway, in case you're curious. It's perfect.

My internships have been insane. Figuring out the subway has been insane (thank god for Hopstop & Embark). Walking everywhere has been insane. I started at Marie Claire the day after I arrived & CollegeFashionista yesterday. On the first day at Marie Claire, I got there at 8 am & didn't leave until midnight. The rest of the week was just as crazy. Packing & unpacking for shoots, checking things in & out of the closet and going on runs is pretty intense at first. It makes such a difference to do something that you love, though. It's honestly a dream. I get to handle designer clothes, bags & shoes all day, like what more could a girl ask for? 

Here's a few snaps from my new neck of the woods & a few of me, too. 

NYC, I love you,

A

Details: top: Cotton On // bag: Anthropologie

// jeans & sandals: Zara //  hat: Urban Outfitters
// sunnies: BCBG // jewelry: Madewell 

lips: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg //

// photos: Anne Kothari

Lazy Daisy

I had a little adventure day yesterday with my babe Gabbie. She's an ace photographer so, naturally, I asked her to take photos for my CollegeFashionista Style Guru Bio that will be coming out in a couple weeks. On her way to my place, she spotted a lush wall of greenery in my neighborhood. We thought it would be cool to take some photos there so we drove a little bit, parked her car & walked across the street.

 As soon as we started shooting, Gabbie & I almost immediately started to get honked at, whistled at & one person even screamed "YOU'RE PRETTY" out of his window. It definitely made for an awkwardly hilarious experience, emphasis on awkward, but I love the way the photos came out. The Carrollhood is just poppin', ya know?

Anyways, I pulled out some of my favorite things for the photos. I love wearing this floral top with a lacy black bralette and my chunky Anthro necklace. My friends are always making fun of me for being attracted to clogs & wooden shoes but when I saw these at Urban, I had to have 'em. They are throwing off some serious '90s vibes & I just adore them.

After we took the photos, we headed to Veterans to catch the 7:30 showing of "Neighbors". We both laughed the entire time. While Rose Byrne is definitely too hot for Seth Rogen, their chemistry was crazy. Before we left the house my mom told us that the baby steals the show which we had no idea what that meant. She was right though. The baby stole the show.

Keep your eyes peeled for my very last Style Guru Bio for CollegeFashionista featuring these photos, along with a ton of NYC fashion this summer.

Love,

A

PS: In case you're keeping track, 6 days until NYC.

Details: Top: Forever 21 // Bag & Necklace: Anthropologie 

Lips: Ruby Woo by MAC // Pants & Shoes: Urban Outfitters

// Photos: Gabbie Amontree

Poor Man's Guide to Messy Milkmaid Braids

Keira Knightley

Naomi Davis of Love Taza

Sienna Miller

 

Jennifer Lawrence

 I am the queen of phases. Right now I'm obsessed with messy milkmaid braids. They're quick & easy but they make everyone think that you are some kind of hair magician. People tend to have a love hate relationship with milkmaid braids though. When done right, you have the ability to look cool in an effortless, Alexa Chung kind of way but it can slowly become the weird Russian lady from Dodgeball.

Here are some milkmaid braid tips from someone who definitely isn't a hair magician:

1. First, I like to put some loose waves in my hair with my straightner to create some texture.

2. Then I spray my hair with sea salt spray from Lush. It's completely magical. 

3. I separate my hair into pigtails and braid them level with my ears, flip the braids up & pin them to my head with upwards of one million bobby pins.

4. Spray my whole head with Redken 23 hairspray for a strong, not sticky, hold.

Hopefully this helps your final product resemble J. Law vs that scary Swedish nanny you had that one time...

Love, 

A

The Final Countdown

I feel like I've been running around like a crazy person for the past couple of weeks, working on projects, trying to have a life and getting ready for New York. It really hit me today that I am graduating from college in two weeks & moving to NYC only a few weeks later. The thought of that is honestly mind-blowing. How has it already been four years since I graduated from high school? How am I not still 17? I feel ready but not ready, excited, nervous, terrified, happy & sad all at once. Growing up is scary, people.

This might be a little bit ambitious, but my goal is to not have to come back to Tampa. I mean, I love it here, so much actually. It's been my home for most of my life, but I'm ready for something bigger. I want to be immersed in a new city that I love. I want to learn it & hate it & adore it. I want to struggle a little bit. I want to push myself & figure out what my limits are. I'm so thankful for my family & all of the other people who are giving me the chance to get on my feet. Their faith in me is everything. 

I can't wait to document all of my NYC adventures on Stellar Piece. I just want to meet everyone, eat everything & go everywhere. Here's hoping that I make it through the next two weeks to graduation. Here's to the future. Here's to the adventure of it all. Here's to life.

Love,

A

Details: Top: Cotton On // Skirt: H&M // Jacket: Levi's // 

Boots: Aldo // Necklace: Leviticus