[ To Dig, or Not to Dig - April 24th, 2012 ]

I’m super excited this week – despite an awful cold I’ve had since Friday plus side effects for a new medicine to treat my Fibro Myalgia, plus Pickles (poor thing) is also sick, its not winter what’s going on! – well okay anyway! We start doing field world in the Archaeology Field School this week at DePaul!

Off to Dig by relevantsurroundings featuring an opi nail

Denim top, $55
James Perse long top, $38
J Brand slim leg pants, $245
Frye kitten heel shoes, $215
Frye kitten heel shoes, $215
Burts Bees lip treatment, £3.49
Opi nail, $8.50

Its 5 weeks of digging on possibly historical properties out in Maywood, Illinois trying to help the city really find its history – its supposed to be a long running thing in the department if Dr. Gregory has his way. This is the second semester DePaul has been out in Maywood. I’m just excited because, well, I was that little girl who read Egyptology books and loved studying about old stuff and Mythos even as a kid, I mean I was never set up to be who I was trying to be at the beginning of my collegiate career – and my parents certainly weren’t shocked I made a complete 180 back to my childhood obsessions. Digging up sites and trying to figure out where old houses may have been, where someone dumped their trash, what type of nails and what not they used in their buildings (great for dating things!), who lived there… these are all interesting to me, even if they might be boring to someone else.

Yes this is one big ramble, for that I apologize, its the migraine and sniffling puppers.

Its not the most exciting project, but I’m excited regardless, having field school experience will be great for grad school applications as well as trying to find internships.

I’m afraid this’ll be another boring personal update. I’ve spent all weekend just trying to relax and… in the process watching all four seasons of Parks and Recreations, I’m sincerely glad I finally gave in and just watched the show because even though, yeah, the first season was kinda blah and sucked – sticking it out was totally worth it the third and fourth seasons are pretty universally hilarious.

Now starts the ridiculous time of the year. Catching up a chapter in French, doing my field study for Ethnography, starting field work in Archaeology, my 10 page paper for Forensics (which I still need a topic to research or book to review – eek!), and starting a realism project I’m really stoked for in Sculpture. Its certainly going to keep me busy for the rest of the quarter, thankfully!

[ tonal mastery - 09.26.11 ]

Well ladies and gents I’m finally in the UK! So bring it on all you lovelies at the University of Wesminster! I want to see all of your fantastic fashion.

I was lucky enough to stumble across this Fashionista on moving in day! In true fashion major style she couldn’t just throw on a simple pair of sweats and a shirt to move in; she had to be dressed at least nicely with a pound of accessories on (rings, my favourite and own personal demise!) I want to talk about tone mixing today; we’re told never brown and black, simply never! But I present you, yet again, with a falsehood!

Style On over at CollegeFashionista.co.uk!

[ are we in canada? - 9.19.11 ]

The Canadian tuxedo — a dreaded statement for anyone to say, let alone see! For years we’ve been told that this is pretty much the death of fashion or does no one remember that one time Britney and Justin showed up both dressed in them? And their relationship ended didn’t it? Exactly! I can’t say there are many more trends that have shocked me when they’ve made the transition from taboo to totally cool like this one has, but I’m not complaining. When don’t right this can be an effortlessly cool looking look, when done wrong, you become that person we all judge on the train!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Are We in Canada? over at CollegeFashionista UK!

[ summer of suedes and sandals - 07.25.11 ]

Summer continues to rage on in a sweltering mass of heat and stickiness. It doesn’t leave a lot of energy in the bones of even the most brave of Fashionistas to really step out there and bear the burden of being a sweaty mess but looking fabulous. I want to take a swing at a focus I haven’t really put a lot of words into yet this summer – shoes, of course! Now, now, I know style advice is supposed to be about a whole outfit right? True as that may be, shoes can and will make or break your outfit.

Continue reading this style advice over here at CollegeFashionista!

[ this must be, pop - 4.4.11 ]

Chicago has decided to rebel against it’s residents once again and has taken a 180 degree turn back to the frigid temperatures of last season; but hey, at least its sunny out! The irony this week is that I migrated to the Midwest from Florida because I just couldn’t take the lack of seasons any more, now that very lack of seasons is saving me from another week of writing about winter fashion! This fabulous Full Sail University Fashionista caught my eye when I was out wandering around Orlando with my friends; she’s a great example of how to rock the essential spring floral fashion and how to take it to the next level without going over the top. This ability is one that is hard for many of us stylish lads and ladies to come by, it’s not always easy to pull off the balance of pizzazz and simplicity and pull it off well to boot. This is an important skill for any Fashionista to pick up for the spring and summer months, as it is the best way to add some spice to an other wise minimalistic wardrobe.

The advice continues here…

[ drum roll please... - 3.31.11 ]

I know I had talked about it on Tumblr but I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else as I didn’t want to talk a lot about it and get my hopes up before I knew if I could afford to go or not…

I GOT IN AND I’M GOING!

On the 15th (of course DePaul waited until the last day they had to give us answers…) I got notification that I had been accepted for the Fall study abroad in London through the university. For a little we didn’t know if we’d be able to financially swing me being able to go, but after some figuring things out between difference in bills, grants they give to study abroad kids, and loans we can take out through the school I can go!

I’ll be studying through the University of Westminster (Harrow Campus, pictured above, photo obviously not by me) and focusing mainly on my Media Arts and Journalism degrees as they offer some great classes we don’t here at DePaul (Fashion Journalism and Colour Photography). It’s so crazy that if we do get the loan and I do go (they ‘pre-approved’ us but we’re just waiting on the official word) that I’ll be a class short of a senior when I come back next winter quarter (since the loan also means I can take another 2 classes over the summer). That puts me almost 2 full quarters ahead of schedule, which is awesome because that means if I do keep both majors and minors I’ll graduate in 4 years with everything I wanted to do completed. Needless to say, I’m really excited about finding out about this loan as it opens so many doors for me academically. I do wish I could intern through the university so they could find me my internship, but that’d require 3 FREAKING GRAND extra in tuition because the internship is 12 credits instead of the normal 6. So if I want to try and intern I have to find my own internship, which I’ve done successfully so far I’m just a little worried about trying to do it come August when I’ll still be in the states trying to find one in London before I get there! (PS. That’s Bella, Kat’s sister’s dog and my new BFF)

Now I have to do a little shameless promotion… Along with the fact that I used my CollegeFashionista stuff (and my newly revamped bio for this very blog) to enter ASOS’s Coachella contest, we have a super big event happening in Chicago tomorrow! Juicy Couture and the site teamed up to do a ‘campus tour’ and offer students (you don’t have to be a Chicago student, just have a student I.D. and be at the event) 20%, photo opportunities, and styling help!

I’m honestly more excited about meeting the other Gurus (I met Jose for the first time on Tuesday actually, very briefly) and Amy as I’ve conversed with them over twitter but haven’t actually had the chance to meet them.

There’s also a little bonus! For the Guru who brings the most friends out (someone will be asking you who referred you when you arrive) you can win a prize… so uh even if you don’t like Juicy Couture (which if you didn’t know,t hey’re so much more than sweatsuits and terry cloth purses, their spring collection is actually super cute with a lot of crocheted stuff) just uhm come out and pretend and say I sent you, winkwink nudgenudge.

On a completely unrelated non-big news note… I want to see the movie Hanna. 1) It looks good 2) I like all the actors in it 3) HELL YEAH PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY JUST SPELL MY NAME RIGHT NOW. Except not, but one can hope it at least stops the Hannah Montana stuff.

[ the final round - 3.10.11 ]

Just a short little update before I go into the questions portion! I thankfully was able to snag some really understanding teachers and a doctors appointment tomorrow morning. This is a huge stress relief on me, which in turn will be good to help me get over this bad bout with my dizziness.

On a more positive note I popped by the DePaul Music & Entertainment Career Fair today! I left my resume with Empty Bottle, Lincoln Hall/Schubas, Ford Models, Ravina Festivals, as well as this event/photography company Cage & Aquarium I’d never heard of but seemed really interesting. Both Empty Bottle and Lincoln Hall seemed really interested in me! Lincoln Hall told me I’d be one of the top candidates for summer, even though they were looking for people more immediately when they do round two in May I’d still be in the pile. The people from Empty Bottle told me to contact then in a week or so and just mention we’d met and such. I’m hoping just one of these things pans out into a good summer internship. I’d honestly prefer the one with Ford Models but they had interns doing the fair so I didn’t really know how to make a good impression since it’s not like they’re doing anything but turning the resumes over to the bosses. I really feel like regardless, I will at least get offered one internship for the summer which is all I need

My Nana sent me some money for Valentine’s Day which was completely unexpected so I used it to do a little splurging on some stuff for spring! My first two purchases were a Le Mer watch (on sale for $35!) that I’ve wanted forever and finally went on sale and this gorgeous ring from Akira. I’m going to save the rest of what is left to shop in Florida since the tax is 4% less there, not much of a savings but enough to matter! It’s really ridiculous how much 4% can add up over time. I mean 4% of my monthly budget is more than I budget for a day!

I have a few staples on my list. I need to get at least another two skirts and 3 blouses for internships appropriate wear, but I want them to be very spring so I’m hoping to find a pleasant medium between the two; which with all of the soft billowy clothes that are in for spring I’m confident I’ll be able to pull off! I need to get a new pair of flat sandals as well as my sneakers and summer sandals both died last August and are in need of replacing now. Hopefully I can do this with the little bit of a budget I have left. I’ll have a bit more extra money too from being in Florida and mooching off of my parents for 6 days but that’s mostly going towards paying school stuff I put on my credit card off.  I can’t believe school is already over for the quarter! I only have one final left and a paper left despite the fact that next week is technically finals week. And really it’s only half a final as the oral portion of my French final was done today (and I passed!!!).

That went on much longer than intended! Now on to the questions… There were a few more but they were repetitive so I left them out.

ASKED BY: talkingstove

• What is your daily beauty routine? It sort of varies! I always use Dream Matte Mousse as  my foundation and always use two layers of mascara for optimal lashes (Lash Blast by Cover Girl and Professional Super Thick Lash, also by Cover Girl). On some days I also wear Prestige eyeliner but since they no longer make mine I suppose that will end soon On days of particularly bad skin or when my foundation needs matteing out I also add a bit of Maybelline mineral powder over my foundation. My skin care routine normally revolves around zero make-up worn at home and nightly removal using Neutrogena pads. I try and do a face mask 2-3 times a week (normally either BB Seaweed or Love Lettuce). I’ve recently gotten into using toner (made from a steaming face fizzy thing from Lush) and am going to start using moisturizer as well because I’ve noticed my skin has been quite dry lately.
• What is the best advice you have been told? I don’t really know that I’ve ever been given ‘best advice’. The most recently really good advice I received was from a visitor to SPACE who was speaking to the interns. He works at A-Squared Management and told us that it’s better to spend 2 years looking for a job that you’re passionate about than to take some crap job you don’t believe in and might very well get stuck in.
• What song represents where you are in life right now? Such a hard question! I’d say it’s got to be between Louder Than Ever by Cold War Kids and even though I’m single the lyrics to Cold Desert by Kings of Leon will always stick with me.

ASKED BY: zarahlee

• talk about your insane luv for me…: BUT I REALLY DO LOVE.

• or maybe your study abroad prospects would be more appropriate: I’m suppose to find out by the 15th! But in the interview they said they might push back the date a little because they pushed back the application deadlines because of some technical issues. I did a lot of research on Harrow and stuff and I’m getting more and more excited about going! I may or may not have also looked into Westminter’s Photojournalism MA program…

ASKED BY: foodvacuum

• Why the streets are hope-killin’? Because they hungray.

ASKED BY: anonymous

• How is your sex life? I admire your spunk anon. But there is no Topless Tuesday on this blog, or will there be discussion of things I do with any of my other lady bits.

ASKED BY: anathema

• What do you think of Depaul? I’m a prospective student and I could always use personal opinions. I love it! It’s especially good if you’re looking to double major or major and double minor or anything like that. I’ve only had one teacher I would consider bad and the other ones that I wouldn’t recommend were all tenure track typical stuck up pricks… which you’ll run into at ANY school. My only complaint is the small amount of space and money they give the art department. It’s really pathetic compared especially to how much the give CDM and Communications.
• What are your favorite places to shop in the city? Any secret spots? I don’t really have any secret spots… I love Akira and Buffalo Exchange and Crossroad Tradings are great for second hand stuff. There’s a few ace little stores in Wicker Park and Lincoln Park but it’s more about finding things that interest you! I suggest really just exploring and finding places for yourself

[ forget mom, borrow from dad! - 3.7.11 ]

As the sun has started to return to our winter long string of dreary skies, it’s getting more and more pleasant to wander around the streets of Lincoln Park to try and find myself stylish ladies and gents to talk coax into letting me photograph them. This week I had the pleasure of finding another Fashionista who looks like she’s taking her influences from overseas. In contrast to last weeks student who looked straight off of a London runway, I feel as if I should have spotted this stylish girl sipping a café au lait at some off the beaten path café in Paris. Her look inspired me to write this week advice on something very Parisian, stemming from the chic and always inspiring Coco Chanel herself; ladies rocking menswear! I’m sure it’s easy to spot how I got inspired this week; the perfectly distressed boots and bag, the hat, the unisex tailor coat, it’s all pieced together so nicely.

Find all the details here!

[ snakeskin - 3.04.11 ]

I’m not happy at all with the way my prints came out for my last two photography projects. Only the Anna Wintour photo turned out as well as I’d hoped. The lighting for the Satine photos just didn’t present as well on film as on digital and my famous portrait film was ruined by some rather rude classmates so there was really very little I could do to fix it beyond just making it print able. I’m not very happy with a lot of the far back shots for my final on film either. If there was one thing I really needed to work on with my photography it is definitely being better at making the transition between film and digital. I’ve almost got it, I just feel like often I get to about 98% and never quite reach 100%. I’m really excited to be going back to digital next quarter for Advanced Photo, we have the option of doing film or digital (there is also ‘advanced digital photo’ but they elected to make the hybrid class the required advanced level class because some people, like me, elect to focus on film in school). I’m also stoked because I’m taking Professor Denlinger again and he is by far my favourite teacher I’ve had at DePaul.

I feel really great about the modeling I did for Stacy’s project though! Even though her large format film was also ruined by said rude other student it gave the photo of me as Edie Sedgewick a really interesting quality that kinda works and reminded us both of Andy Warhol’s films, of how rough they were.

I’m so ready for this quarter to be over so I can go back to having a life. Next quarter is going to be so relaxing comparatively to this one. It’s going to be ridiculous! And I mean that in the absolutely best way possible.

Speaking of which, I’ve been out of tea for almost two weeks and it’s killing me. We have a specialty tea store downtown called Tea Gschwendner and I can’t even lie about it… it is legitimately the best thing since sliced bread. They have the most amazing an interesting selection and the flavours are so dead on! Last time I got Baked Apple Pie, Marzipan, and just a plain Chai. I’m definitely getting the Marzipan and Indian Chai again but I want to pick a different fun flavour; I’m thinking something more floral since it’s spring and that was my special winter selection.

I just checked out two books for my March reading, a book on Queen Victoria and Prince Consort Albert that I’ve wanted to read for ages but was never not checked out called “We Two”. I also got a book on the Bielski brothers (the Belarussian Jews ‘Defiance’ is about) that tells their story and ISN’T the one the movie was based off of, I made sure to not just get ‘Defiance’ because I didn’t want the bias of having seen the movie before reading the book or anything like that. I’m really excited for my 5 days in Florida, I’m going to get to see so many people and it’s just going to be the perfect amount of relaxation, which is greatly needed in my life right now.

This is another terribly unexciting entry, but I promise come the end of this quarter things will get more regular and exciting around here!

[ junior mints - 2.24.11 ]

Next quarter is going to be another ridiculous one. I’m taking another extra class (3-4 is considered ‘full time’ at DePaul). It’s a little better than winter quarter though, if only because I don’t have any 14 hour days of just class. I did break two personal rules though; no classes that start before 10am and not classes on Saturday or Sunday. I justified both decisions easily though. My Mon/Wednesday Advanced Photography class is only offered Spring quarter and I’d rather continue with my photographic education (after this I still have to do all of my digital classes, but I’m done with film!) and I don’t want to risk screwing myself over by waiting until next year when I’ll be a senior Spring quarter.  I broke another personal rule for my PR elective: Event Planning. I’ve never seen it offered another time while I was at DePaul so I figured it was better to just buckle and take the Saturday class than to risk not being able to take an elective I’m actually interested in! I’m also taking French (MY LAST QUARTER EVER THANK GOD, I’m so awful at retaining language) and 3D Foundations on Tuesdays and finishing out my “Freshman” classes which also doubles as the last time I’ll ever have to take a math class on Wednesday nights. I’m pretty stoked since next quarter I’ll also be a Junior! A full quarter ahead of time because I’ve taken enough extra classes.

I can’t believe I only have 2 quarters left of winter quarter! That ‘spring break with a lot less sun and much more snow’ as my Film Philosophy professor liked to call it really threw a lot of things off. I’ll be shooting my final project for Intermediate photo this Saturday, which will be awesome since I’ll be done printing my other photo projects by then (ie – I’ll be done way before the due date so I can get my prints as perfect as possible!). I’m also not really stressing out because I only have one final exam that’s actually an exam (in French), two of them are actually only power points! I’m pretty much done with my PR class at this point besides helping my group mates put the power point together. I really only have work left in French and Photography! For a quarter that has been hellish so far, at least finals won’t be too dreadful (being almost guaranteed at least 1 A and 2 A-’s doesn’t hurt either…)

I had my Study Abroad interview yesterday and I’m really stoked on the possibility of going! I found out there aren’t a limited number of slots and that the interview itself is to just assure the student knows what’s going on, seems ready to handle all of the stuff it takes to actually get over to London (paper work, financial stuff, etc.), and to make sure they’re willing to make the commitment. I know I’m more than qualified in those areas (I mean I’ve been moved out for over 3 years now and went over seas alone!) so now it’s more about figuring out where I’m going to get the money for it. It’s $7,600 just in program fees, not including flight or the fact that 4 classes in actually 6 hours over what my financial aid will cover so I’d have to pay out of pocket. I’m going to be doing a LOT of applying for grants and scholarships to try and make this possible because I feel like it’s an opportunity I just can’t pass up if it’s possible in any way for me to do it, no matter how hard it’ll be to come up with that large of an amount of money OUTSIDE of my normal tuition.

This week has been all about photography for me. I’m going to be spending all day Friday printing the photos from my last two projects that I spoke about shooting earlier this week. Today I modeled for Stacy as Faye D.’s version of Bonnie of Bonnie & Clyde fame. We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and shot outside by the street, it was a lot harder than we imagined to try and not get an cars in the shot (after all cars are pretty different now than a hundred years ago!) Stacy was really excited about how the shots were looking as we shot them and I can’t wait to see them once she develops the film! I really feel as if I’m an awful model because of the way I tend to hold my jaw in photos but that’s probably just me being over critical. I’m still having a rough time finding another female model for my Marie Antoinette shoot, so if anyone is interested and in the Chicagoland area definitely get at me! You get free photos out of it!