Expectation v. Reality

Bad news. The Lilly Pulitzer dress I rented for the weekend didn't fit me quite like I imagined it would so I didn't get to wear it to the Under the Tent dance. My entire Spring Weekend was one big wardrobe crises that got me thinking about updating my closet.

Anyway, I think I should have gotten a size 0, instead of a 2. I have such a petite frame and the dress was certainly made for someone with an hourglass figure, not a petite, inverted triangle body type like mine.

It just didn't look like a fun evening gown for the dance. But to not waste my rental, I used it as a day dress today to stroll around and shop. I do love it! It's so beautiful, but is definitely a daytime look.

{Dress by Lilly Pulitzer, Gold belt, Bandolino nude heels}

Let's Sail Away

Check out this amazingly neat little cruise ship clutch by Kate Spade! I just had to share it with someone. Made of navy patent leather and golden hardware, I imagine this to be such an adorable accessory to a red or navy evening outfit! I love the nautical trend (that has long survived for a few seasons) but of most of the navy-inspired pieces that I've come across, this one takes the cake.

Embellished with a gold anchor, this whimsical clutch will sail your lip gloss and phone in style. Neiman Marcus sells this beaut' for $358.00, which is definitely to steep for my budget, but I will admire it nonetheless.

In Love With Lilly

Since March, I have had the great opportunity to work with Rent the Runway, a retail site that allows women to rent designer dresses and accessories for 90% off the retail price for important events or just because! I work as a Campus Marketing Representative, spreading the word of RTR throughout my school!

For months, I have been planning to rent this dress for Fordham's annual Under the Tent dance this coming Saturday! It is by Lilly Pulitzer, a designer I love for her fun and preppy prints and classic and feminine silhouettes. I fell in love with this embroidered blossom dress at first sight with its subtle gold stripe pattern and intricate and sparkly embroidered design.

I loved it so much that I immediately hit the rent button on the site...for the WRONG date. That's right, I rented the dress for this past weekend (4/20-4/23) and NOT our Spring Weekend. Well, it arrived last Friday and I didn't even get to pick it up until 2 hours before it was due at the post office for return. Luckily, I realized this Sunday morning and gave the stylists an urgent ring about my dilemma. Although the office was closed on Sunday, I was able to get a hold of someone at 9 AM Monday morning. Unfortunately, since someone was expecting to wear this beautiful dress this weekend, I couldn't extend my rental and had to part with my pretty, unworn Lilly Pulitzer dress...

I received a merchandise credit for my rental so that I may actually get to wear a dress for this weekend. (Thanks RTR!) Since I'm so in love with the loveliness of Lilly Pulitzer, I am planning to snag this dress for the dance:

...the Ivory Adriana Dress. It's still very spring with its ivory color and metallic threading. The subtle striped pattern is still there so that makes me very happy. It looks like a very flattering shape, and I am very excited to wear it! Hopefully everything will work out!

I will update on my experience with wearing the dress ASAP! I already told my friends a photo shoot will take place that Saturday afternoon prior to the dance.

Be sure to check out Rent the Runway and shop! I have placed a link on my right side navigation that takes you to the Fordham site! If you rent through there, it would help my fellow campus rep and me out a lot!

I also have special Promo codes that take $15, $20, and even $50 off your rental of $50 of more. If you're interested and know me personally, let me know!

A Fashion Show

Yesterday, Fordham University's Fashion for Philanthropy held its annual fashion show to benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation. It is an event that our club works tirelessly for throughout both Fall and Spring Semester. It was a huge success and I could not be more proud of the work we put into this show. 

Models & our some of our e-board saying Thanks! at the end.
(I'm wearing the blue pants!)

Our VIP gift bags this year were phenomenal, featuring Bioré, Freeman Beauty, Garnier Fructis, Curél, Shower to Shower, Izze Soda, Sarah McNamara Skin Transformer, Nestle, popchips, & Stash Tea.

I'm excited to try the Sarah McNamara Skin Transformer. I love skin care products!

High-Low Season

[Forever 21 tank, vintage belt, Forever 21 skirt]

[vintage sandals]

My friend Karen Hill and I could not help but have a little photo shoot on our campus during the B-E-A-utiful weather! It was 90 degrees in New York in April! Perfect weather to dance around in a pretty polka dotted skirt. (At least I thought so!) I'm look forward to the warm weather and being out of school!

I love the look of high low skirts. They are incredibly feminine and do such a good job showing off a little leg. The tail, as it floats in the wind, is such an attention grabber!

WANTED: Black Romper

Does anyone know where I can purchase a romper like this for a reasonable price? I absolutely love this piece from NastyGal. I find it to incredibly classy and sexy--perfect for going out on a Saturday night into the city for dinner and drinks. The long necklace here gives this chic outfit some character, but I would love this black romper with a thick metallic belt. I am absolutely dying for something like this, but I have only been able to find ones $80.00 and above.

This one for Urban Outfitters caught my eye:

...with the metallic belt and all. But alas, it is $90.00. Too much for this unemployed college girl. Let me know if Forever 21 gets to producing these sexy little suits!

Five Things Friday

1. Pensive Puppies

2. Bright Nails for spring - Essie: Cute as a Button

3. Many Mangos

4. Cute boys! (My boyfriend, Mat)

5. Healthy Brown Rice Sushi in eco-friendly containers!

Royal Blue

I've had this outfit idea in my head for a while. I'm happy I got a chance to execute the vision!

[Forever 21 shirt, Indigo Rein jeans]

[purse from a boutique in Boston, Bandolino heels]

[Essie nail polish - Cute as a Button]

Happy Friday!

Egg-celent Easter Eggs!

Yesterday my boyfriend's mother, our friend Joanne, and I got together to dye some Easter eggs! They came out so beautifully. My favorite one is the purple with the surprising pink accents! My boyfriend's mom made one that looked like a tropical sunrise! I wish I photographed it.

I have also been given the responsibility of cooking Easter dinner for my family. Tonight we are having roasted turkey breast, a rosemary lamb rack, mashed potatoes, and a Filipino dish named Kare-Kare. But Easter wouldn't be complete without an egg dish of course! So I whipped together some easy deviled eggs for the wonderful occasion.

What you'll need:
Hard boiled eggs, I used 6, cut lengthwise
1/3 cup of mayo
2 tsp of dijon mustard
1 tsp of sugar
1 tbs of sweet relish
Salt to taste
Paprika and chopped chives for garnish

1. Boil your eggs until thoroughly cooked. Let them cool once done then carefully peel off the shells. Cut your eggs length wise and slowly scoop out the hard yolks into a bowl. Place your whites on a separate plate.

2. Mash the yolks with a fork then add mayo, mustard, sugar, relish, and salt. Mix together thoroughly!

3. Pipe or spoon into your white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives!

Bruce has been SO excited about everyone getting together tonight, he's already ready to take a nap:

HAPPY EASTER!

Looks I Love

1. Pretty Playsuits, photo via Jennifer Grace/Native Fox

2. Flowing skirts and slouchy sweaters

3. Chartreuse ANYTHING. 

4. Minty Goodness via Cupcakes & Cashmere

5. Statement pieces, metallics, and patterns via Alana on LookBook

Seeing Stripes

[forever 21 striped shirt, forever 21 blazer (borrowed from a friend),]

[true religion jeans, h&m sneakers, vintage bag]

Tonight I'm hanging out with my family some more for the Easter Recess. Later tonight my brother and I are trying to catch Jeff Who Lives at Home at the Union Square Regal. It's directed by Mark Duplass from The League, one of our FAVORITE shows. We're so excited!

Also; my face is normally not that scrunched up (as in the following photo). It was really sunny!

Yummy Baked Salmon in Butter Cream Sauce

There's something I just love about cooking. If I'm feeling inspired, bored, or even stressed out, I begin cooking. One of the reasons why my family LOVES when I'm home from school (aside from my enjoying company, of course) is because they benefit from this favorite activity of mine!

For dinner I decided to make baked salmon with a butter cream sauce. This is a very easy recipe and very delicious!

What you'll need:
1½ Salmon filets
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
1 cup of heavy cream
½ cup of white wine
2 tbs. butter
1tbs. flour

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Prepare a baking sheet for your salmon filets (my pictures are not filets, my mom picked up the wrong kind so this is all I have to work with, but I have used filets before and they are MUCH better) and place the fish skin side down on the sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Pop into the oven for about 15 minutes or until fish is nice & flakey.

2. While your fish is baking, begin melting your butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to brown, but watch it carefully so that it doesn't burn!
3. Once the butter is browned, quickly add the flour, heavy cream, and wine.

4. Stir the sauce until thick and add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Remove salmon from the oven and drizzle the butter cream sauce on top. Add chopped chives for garnish!

Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche

I now understand why people get antsy after long vacations. Especially if they are usually quite busy. For the past few weeks I haven't really gotten a break. This semester has really been killer. With papers and exams all springing up on the same day or week, and just a few days leading up to the big fashion show, I've been either sitting in a library or taking care of sponsorship responsibilities for Fashion for Philanthropy! I've gotten used to running around without a spare moment.

However, now I'm on Easter Break. It's been one day and I've already gone crazy from boredom. At 8:45 PM, I got extremely restless and so I decided to bake a spinach & goat cheese quiche!

Here is the recipe as follows:

10 oz. (1 bag) of fresh spinach

2 oz. of crumbled goat cheese

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup of heavy cream

1/2 cup of milk

3 large eggs

Salt

Pepper

1 tsp. of nutmeg

3 gloves of garlic

1 pie crust (found at frozen section of the supermarket)

1. Preheat your oven to 345°F. In a large sauce pan, cook your fresh spinach with 2 tablespoons of water for about 5 minutes or until they are completely wilted. Drain.

2. Beat 3 eggs in a large bowl with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Then add milk and cream. Mix thoroughly.

3. Chop the garlic into fine pieces and add to the egg mixture. Once your spinach has completely drained, add spinach to the egg mixture.

4. Pour the egg and spinach mix into the pie crust.

5. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese lightly on top of the pie. Add just enough to create thin layer of cheese.

6. Sprinkle goat cheese crumbs all over the pie, creating another even layer of cheese on top.

7. Bake for about 35 minutes. Enjoy!