clandestinechic
Lately
Things that I’ve been into lately:
-Fall leaves
-Listening to the new Feist album and the latest Little Dragon album on my walks to work.
-At-home facials (minus extractions).
- This Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Ipad app. The app is interactive with sound effects, cool little animations and surprises at almost every page turn. When you have a limited attention span for leisurely reading, sometimes you have to inject some fun.
- Sally Hansen Salon Effects. These should have been invented years ago.
-This gorgeous skirt that I ordered after Chandra at More Modern Modesty pinned it on Pinterest. Can’t wait for this to arrive!
-Exploring this local popular apothecary in Chicago. Merz’s has been around for nearly 135 years and if you are a beauty fanatic, you will love this store. It’s not very big, but it’s packed to the brim with all types of natural beauty, hair and health products. It’s so crowded that you mainly want to get in and out, but go on a weekday and you can peruse (relatively) uninterrupted. I usually go for different hair oils like these:
-Reading everything I can from welikewelove magazine.
-Finding new home decor tips and tricks.
What have you been up to lately?
Birchbox
This is the little box that was waiting for me last Friday when I visited my parent’s house (I always have my orders sent to them since they’re home). I decided to subscribe to Birchbox after a friend convinced me to try it out for a few months.
For those who might not know, Birchbox is a deluxe beauty sample subscription service that sends a box full of samples to your home. Once you subscribe, you fill out a beauty profile about your shopping habits, your likes, skin and hair type, etc. Once you are done, you receive a box full of deluxe samples once a month. The cost? $10 per month.
Not bad, huh? I didn’t think so, which is why I decided to join. So the samples that I received this month? Although I admit that I wish there were more makeup samples than beauty samples, I’m going to wait until next month’s Birchbox before I form a full opinion. The samples that I am most excited to try out are the Laura Geller Spackle in Bronze and the Juno Transformative Lipid Serum.
I’m so-so on the Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In since I’ve had mediocre results with those products, but I’ll definitely give them a try. The Ahava products are sweet, too.
Are you signed up with Birchbox? What do you think? Worth it?
I’m Still Around
I’m still around. After a summer of doing almost nothing on a daily basis, this fall has been a whirlwind of non-stop activity. The good news is that I’ve found a new job working full time. The bad news is that with working full time and attending graduate school full time, so there is less time for updating my blog. I do plan on updating as much as I can and and I don’t plan on another super long hiatus as I’ve done in the past. The picture of the Converse represent my casual weekend style since I’m not longer able to wear them on weekdays. One day soon, I need to write a post about casual work wear, because I have plenty of questions on that subject!
While most of my weekends are now consumed with homework, I don’t really have much time for the extracurricular. However, I did manage to go to the opening of the infamous Magnolia Bakery here in Chicago. I know that it is a New York staple and it was featured in an episode of Sex and the City. So you can imagine how packed the opening day was with long lines and deluge of people walking around with Magnolia Bakery bags. Overall, I really liked the look and feel of the bakery and while it been open for less than a week, already looks like it fits right in within the Chicago landscape.
As far as the cupcakes? Well, I’ll just say that there are some other shops in the city that are favorites, but since this is right around the corner from my job, I’m sure I’ll be sneaking in periodically for a sugar fix!
Planning for Fall
Fall is definitely my favorite season. I’m anxiously waiting for the colorful leaves to drop, the crisp weather and a chance to throw on the jacket. I haven’t done much shopping (unemployed student here), so much of my shopping has been in my own closet. However, I realized that I bought a lot items last fall that will easily carry over. My one splurge? That pair of boots above were a “hey, why not?” present to myself that arrived last week. I’ve been stalking a pair of Rachel Comey boots for the longest time, but I found these on Topshop and decided to order them. So there you have my black boots for the season.
Below are some of my other favorite picks for wearing this fall. These are some other items that are not in my regular “rotation” as of yet, but I can’t wait to add them in.
Wide leg jeans that I bought in New York City this spring. I didn’t have much of a chance to wear them this summer since Chicago was scorching hot and I still have to get them tailored.
Colored denim on weekends when I want to switch it up from my regular blue or black denim. I bought these pants a couple of years ago and I love pulling them out in the fall for a pop of color. I’m hoping to add a pair of cobalt blue jeans to the collection soon.
These two fall jackets will be in constant rotation: my lavender trench and my black moto jacket. I bought the lavender trench earlier this spring, but I think it’ll translate just as well into the fall.
Colorful print dresses like the one above are a great way for me to mix it up instead of the black dresses that I usually wear on outings.
Any particular pieces that you are looking pull out of your closet this fall?
The Perfect Boatneck
Image from Chance.com
Lately I have been obsessed with finding the perfect boatneck striped tee for fall. While some may consider the striped boatneck more of a summer staple, I’ve always felt like striped boatnecks work much better for fall weather. It may seem that finding a simple, boatneck sweater should be easily found at any department store or mid-priced chain, but I’ve found that it’s not always the case because you want it to fit just right.
So I’ve been stalking this boatneck longsleeve tee from Chance for the longest time. Chance is a clothing and lifestyle brand founded by Julia Leach, the former Creative Director for Kate Spade. Chance focuses is mainly on the classic “staples” such as the perfect striped tee, the button up shirt and the tote bag.
As you can see, I’ll be waiting for some time to buy this boatneck, if I ever do, because it’s currently sold out. In the meantime, I’ll keep looking elsewhere, but I have a feeling that this just may be the one.
Another Year, Another Birthday
Another year, another birthday has passed. Although I tell all of my friends and family that I ‘m no longer big on birthdays (true), I can truly say that I am happy to have made it to see another year and I am looking forward to everything that being 28 will bring.
I feel wiser, stronger and optimistic about my goals. I’ve decided not to do a “bucket list” as I have in the past, because I’m just comfortable with saying that I will get there when I get there.
While there were no big birthday festivities, I did indulge in a cupcake from my favorite bakery, Molly’s. Later on that evening, a couple of friends and I visited The Bedford, where I allowed myself to have a glass of wine to top the night off. Overall, not a bad way to spend a 28th birthday. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of this year will bring.
Summer 2011: Looking Back
Can you believe that we’re already nearing the end of August already? I know we have a little less than two weeks left, but I feel like fall is pushing its way in very quickly.
I’ve enjoyed this summer much more than previous summers, especially when I compare it to last summer. Last summer, I was pretty stressed out and really didn’t get the chance to do much at all. I mostly attribute that to my decision to return to graduate school, worrying about money, figuring out which graduate school I was going to attend, worrying about money and then turning down a great opportunity for…a not so great one.
This summer? I’m still on my summer break, I’m pretty broke (no shopping splurges here) and I’m more unsure than ever about my future. What I can say is that I am happy, a bit more stress-free and taking in as much as possible before Chicago goes into hibernation mode. To share what I’ve been up to this summer, I decided to share some of the pictures I’ve taken through Instagram:
From Top Left: 1. Taking the train into the city. 2. Road trip to Wisconsin in July. 3. An exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art 4. Cool motorcycles in front of a restaurant.
All of these photos are from Chicago’s Dose Market in July. It was my first time there and I just loved visiting some of my favorite Chicago businesses as well as being introduced to new businesses. Definitely a must-go each month.
From Top Left: 1. The crowd from above at Dose Market. 2. A signature cocktail from the guys at Aviary, Grant Achatz’s bar. 3. A yummy gelato cone from Black Dog gelato. 4. I tried to sneak a picture of Grant Achatz and the guys from The Aviary. They were very focused!
From Top Left: 1. I’ve been stalking this Mason Pearson brush for about a month now. 2. Went to see Blonde Redhead in July in the sweltering heat. I didn’t care because the concert was FREE. 3. Summerfest in Milwaukee. As a first timer, we saw Kanye West put on a wonderful show. 4. On my lunch hour, I’d walk over to Nordstrom and look at the pretty clothes. I’ d only look, though.
How has your summer been? Also, if you’re on Instagram, let me know! You can find me here.
What’s In My Bag
I’m participating in this week’s IFB Project “What’s In Your Bag” since I’m that girl who has always been more curious about what’s in someone’s bag rather than the type of bag they have. I’ve always felt that the content of a bag can give so many clues into your background: what you do, your interests (and sometimes passions) and your priorities.
Above is a photo of my Hayden Harnett bag that I’ve had for over a year and I wear almost everyday. The bag has held up pretty well through my roughness. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty simple and might even be considered a “boring” bag, but it works so well for so many occasions, so I rarely switch it out.
On to the contents of my bag:
Not pictured: iPhone, gum, makeup bag and business cards.
Honestly, I think I have bit too much. I rummage through my bag each morning and try to find one thing that I can leave out, but I really can’t let anything go. I suppose you can argue that I can either carry the Wet Wipes or hand sanitizer, but if you haven’t guessed, I’m a bit of a germaphobe. If I’d add anything, I’d say some lotion (it’s usually readily available in my car) and a book or two. On the other hand, if you’re running to catch trains and buses all day, I think you want to have the least amount of things bogging you down.
And since you know that I’m nosy, I really want to know: what’s in your bag?
Lookbook Love: A.Friend by A.F. Vandevorst
There are very few collections that I really fall in love with as a whole. Most of the time, I like a few pieces here and there, but I rarely feel like the entire collection is wearable for me.
Well, that’s changed with the A.Friend by A.F. Vandevorst Spring/Summer 2012 collection. I’ve been a fan of the Belgian design duo for quite some time and this collection just completely won me over. Asymmetrical stripes? Right down my alley. What I love most about this collection is that I feel like you can wear any of these pieces for just about any occasion and pull it off.
Enough of my blabbering on. Let’s look at the clothes.
All images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website.
Readable: I Love Your Style
I bought Amanda Brooks’ 2009 book, I Love Your Style, a few weeks ago after casually flipping through it at Borders. I was sold due to a sweet discount and after being to the inspirational pictures and tidbits scattered throughout the book. Admittedly, I had no idea who Brooks was in the fashion world, but found out via her autobiographical account that she was the Creative Director and Muse of Tuleh and recently appointed to Barney’s VP, Women’s Fashion Director.
I really like how Brooks broke down each chapter by style genre/type and further went on to highlights key closet staples, style icons that represent the genre and sources for further inspiration. There are also many of great tips and quotes scattered throughout the book. As for the photos, Brooks showcases just about every stylish celeb/icon from Sophia Coppola to Brigit Bardot and Diana Ross.
I wouldn’t call I Love Your Style a “how-to” guide per se, because I think that style is much more organic than a paint-by-numbers guide, but I do think that it’s a nice source of inspiration. Or to put it this way, it’s one of those books that you put on your coffee table and you leaf through on a lazy Sunday.
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