Rompers

Every once in a while, I meet a trend that is hard to incorporate subtly. Usually, if a trend is a bit much, I'll just incorporate it as an accessory, for example: animal prints, leather, metallic.

Rompers, however, pose a more difficult task. There's really no way to wear a piece of clothing without wearing, well, the entire piece. While I think they'd ultimately be flattering (my legs are probably my best physical asset), I can't help but fixate on the childish vibe of the piece.

It might just be a matter of finding the right romper (alliteration anyone?). A strapless number would lend a more mature edge while throwing on a cardigan and wedges would give it a more sophisticated air. A darker, more subdued color, like the pictured version from Tilly, would also do the trick. Happy shopping!

Facebook: Relationship Predictor?

Further proof that Facebook holds an exorbitant amount of personal data, a recent article details the relationship patterns uncovered by Mark Zuckerberg's software engineering experiments. Using user data commonly collected by the site as part of a published "Newsfeed", Zuckerberg predicted the emergence of relationships based on factors such as conversations, tagged pictures, and mutual friends.

David Kirkpatrick further explores the connection between these social networking experiments and reality in his new book, The Facebook Effect. He writes:

As the service’s engineers built more and more tools that could uncover such insights, Zuckerberg sometimes amused himself by conducting experiments. For instance, he concluded that by examining friend relationships and communications patterns he could determine with about 33 percent accuracy who a user was going to be in a relationship with a week from now. To deduce this he studied who was looking which profiles, who your friends were friends with, and who was newly single, among other indicators.

While the realization that a software engineer could be privy to such personal indicators that your relationship is on the rocks is somewhat frightening, the issue exposes an interesting dilemma. Should you have access to such information about yourself and/or your partner? If Facebook developed a "Relationship Health Monitor" program, would you use it? Would it notify both parties, or only the one growing disinterested?

For now, hopefully the signs of a waning relationship become visible to both parties so that they are able deal with the situation appropriately, without relying on Facebook.

Summer Shoes

When it comes to shoes, like any girl, I tend to adopt the "more the merrier" approach. Enter these adorable boat shoes from an unlikely source, Payless.

As much as I admire sky-high heels and platforms, I'm most comfortable in a cute flat. Not only would these shoes make a practical choice for summer strolls, the combination of the bright shamrock green and cheery pink whale print is simply adorable. When it comes to resisting the urge to go barefoot this summer, these shoes might just do the trick.

Business Cards

Networking. A word that seems to be a favorite of parents, career counselors, and professors. I've come to recognize its necessity as I've grown up, but I've yet to acquire the trademark of the networking world: the business card.

It's not for want of design or printing opportunity, but my main impediment to a card carrying lifestyle is the simple doubt that a college student my age needs her own business card. Sure, I have a summer employer and job title, but it's hardly something connected to my dream career or necessary to broadcast to every potential contact. However, in the midst of so many channels of communication (mail, telephone, email, websites, etc.) doesn't it make sense to have a way to easily give this information to someone?

Enter the business card. In it's simplest, dressed down version, a business card is part of a two second transaction that is more convenient, and professional, than fumbling for a piece of scrap paper and a pen when handing out contact information. While I love all things creative, there's no need for an unusually elaborate first business card. Instead, think simple, informative, and not too young or flashy. Be sure to include your name, address, cell phone number, email, and website (if applicable).

Nothing like a personal business card to make you feel grown up!

Summer Workouts

I've been home from college for less than a week, and already I'm starting to miss the little things. From my friends to a stroll across the front lawns, there are a few things impossible to replicate at home. I'm even growing nostalgic for little things, like grabbing iced coffee exactly ten minutes before class and my trademark salad in the dining hall.

The other thing I miss: the gym. One perk of my summer job is that I have free access to the on campus gym, but in the next few weeks until that starts, I've been finding other ways to get in some exercise. All of this can be done in your backyard (substitute jumping jacks or jump rope for cardio), inside near a treadmill, or by an outdoor track. I'm a fan of circuits because they keep my heart rate up, even when I'm doing strengthening exercises. Here's a sample:

• Warm up: 15 minutes running (outside if it's nice, treadmill if it's raining)
• Ab work (crunches, mountain climbers, etc.)
• 5 minutes of running
• Planks, push ups
• 5 minutes of running
• Lunges
• Cool down: 10 minutes of jogging

You can easily add more or less exercises depending on the length of your ideal workout. Sometimes I'll add a longer run at the beginning of the workout, and other times I'll add strengthening exercises with weights. Mix it up and you'll be surprised how quickly the time flies!

P.S. The shoe is the Women's New Balance 902. I love the bright color, though the price is a bit steep. A girl can dream...

Dressing for Date Night

I finally got around to seeing Date Night, the romantic comedy meets action adventure, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Through out the fast paced, constantly changing plot, I found myself drawn to Fey's dress. In a word, she looked absolutely stunning, despite running all over Manhattan in heels (how do women do that?).

I've been on a bit of a v-neck trip lately; they're so flattering! Once I got home, I went to work trying to track down the dress from the film. Turns out, it was custom made for the film. A quick online search turned up a fairly similar version from Target, which is likely more budget friendly than anything in Hollywood.

As I continue the search for my own version of the LND (little navy dress), I have a new appreciation for costume designer Marlene Stewart. She did a great job with the film proving fashion really does make everything better!

Mad Hatter

Walking to dinner tonight, I saw a man rocking a fedora in a non-quirky way. It made me realize how infrequently college students wear hats. Baseball caps and beanies aside, who wears hats anyway?
My friend's answer, "At sporting games and horse races."

My great aunt prides herself on well put together outfits. Every trip outside necessitates a hat, heels, and gloves (and sometimes pearls, earrings, a brooch... you get the point). While I don't see such complicated get ups ever reemerging among the collegiate crowd, sometimes I find myself longing for the fashions of former years.

In the meantime, I'll settle for basic summer toppers like this cute braided ribbon sun hat. I think yellow's a perfect color for summer; cheery and light-hearted!

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Not to begin two posts in a row reminiscing about my childhood, but I'll always hold a soft spot in my heart for A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh. I always felt sympathy for poor Eeyore, whose gloomy demeanor was matched by the gray cloud that hung continuously over him.

Yesterday was one of those gloomy days for me. I haven't completely shed the cloud hanging over me, but I'm making progress.

In the meantime, I found this cute cloud necklace on Etsy. Its simple loopy design in sterling silver serves as a good reminder that every cloud "has a silver lining", as the saying goes.

The after effects of storms bring immeasurable beauty. From rainbows to spring flowers, I'm looking forward to a sunny tomorrow!

The Uniform Project

Most weekends, I struggle to get out of bed before 9. When I was younger, however, it wasn't uncommon for my parents to wake to find me sitting in the living room in my pajamas, waiting for my favorite cartoon, Dexter's Lab, to come on. When not longing for my own vast laboratory easily accessible from my bedroom, my early fashion obsessed side was frankly disappointed in Dexter's mono-look closet. Sure, a precocious child scientist doesn't really need to dress to impress. But does he really need to wear the same outfit every single day.

You can imagine my fascination, and admittedly initial horror, when I heard about Sheena Matheiken's challenge:

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies.

Not only is she making a sartorial statement through the constant reinvention of a single look, but there's a charitable cause associated with her project:

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

So far the project has raised $79,591, enough to provide schooling for 221 kids. Friday April 30, 2010 marked day number 365. Sheena's continuing the endeavor, and year 2 was promptly kicked off on May 1st. You can read more about the project and see a complete look book of the first year at http://www.theuniformproject.com/.

Sheena's efforts bring a whole new perspective to that age old female complaint: "I have nothing to wear"!

Favorite Jewelry

I've been making an effort to wear more jewelry lately, if only because of the realization that half of the pieces in my jewelry box have been worn only once. Still, I've found that I'm drawn to the same combinations all the time. Case in point, on Friday, I wore a sleeveless blue and white sundress. The first time I wore this dress, I paired it with a long chain necklace that was a gift from a friend. On Friday, as I was getting dressed, I immediately reached for the same necklace, without even thinking about it.

Speaking of jewelry, I always follow the "two not three" rule. Basically I'll wear any combination of two of the following: earrings, bracelet, watch, necklace, ring. My most common day to day look is earrings and a watch, but I'll mix it up from time to time. The watch is kind of a necessity (I'm way too obsessed with time), but I'll take it off from time to time in favor of a necklace. I hardly ever wear rings. They make writing and typing too difficult, and I have difficulty finding rings that are comfortable and fit well.

Resolution of the week: Wear no piece of jewelry twice. This includes my trusty watch (well, actually not so trusty, its batteries died recently and I've yet to replace them... yay back up watch!) and my go-to pair of earring studs. Wish me luck!

P.S. The picture above is of a charm bracelet part of a limited edition Alice in Wonderland line designed by Tom Binns for Disney Couture. I think it's absolutely adorable!