Fashion Friday: May 10th, 2013

This week was kicked off by the Met Gala.  This year's theme of the costume ball was Punk: Chaos to Couture. Here are some of my favorite looks: (These looks are far from everyday practical.)

Sienna Miller in Burberry via

The hair piece and the studded jacket say modern day punk to me, as a very much non-punk fashionista.

Lily Collins in Moschino via

Talk about embracing a theme. Lily Collins nailed it from head to toe. Although she looks absurd for any other event, I love anyone who can take risks and have the confidence to go with it. 

Taylor Swift in J. Mendal

Taylor's Red Carpet looks enviable, as always.

Miley Cyrus in Marc Jacobs

Step aside. Miley is EVERYTHING. 

Beyonce in Givenchy

If anyone dressed for the staircase leading to the party, it was Queen B. Oh and did you know there is a person assigned to make sure her dress is absolutely perfect in each photo?? I volunteer.

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier via

Nina Dobrev, ladies and gentleman. I loooove this look. Love it. This lace black pant suit, with skirt, and heels?! C'mon now. She slayed it.

But, by far, my biggest fashion inspiration from this week comes from my all-time favorite movie: Belle.

Fashion tips from Belle

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Yours xx

Abercrombie Uproar

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/abercrombie-fitch-ceo-explains-why-he-hates-fat-chicks/

Talk about an article that caused uproar?

It wasn’t the comments, however ridiculous, that made me stop and think while reading this article. It was the idea that a man, a wealthy man, has based his income and brand on being “cool”  around the idea that someone, a high school kid, wearing his brand is cool, and boom, his brand is cool. This marketing strategy of “all-american kid” with an increased tone of sexuality is working (they’ve been around for 22 years). So um, way to go, sir?

In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids,” he told the site. “Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody, either,” he told Salon

So in turn, does wearing Abercrombie make you cool? What if those “vanilla” kids begin to wearing Abercrombie? How does the cycle of all-american kid work for you then? Oh right, it will work because you are out to sell clothes. Anything contributing to the idea of “Wear Abercrombie-Become Cool” is a winning situation for you. Just another example of how, to quote my mother, the great philosopher: High school never ends.  It wasn’t Abercrombie for me, although it was worn; plus, I did wear a uniform to school every day soooo, again, tough to fully say whether it effected coolness factor or not. The “cool” kids wore white sneakers and light blue puffy jackets. And let me tell ya, the pictures from middle school, regardless of clothing brand, will all be laughed at and mocked come senior year.

“He doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’

I’m very aware this is not the point of the article, nor is it the uproar that is being discussed. The point is to publicly shame a wealthy man speaking about fat chicks wearing his clothes. Um, designer clothes, if I’m not mistaken, are not made for ‘fat’ chicks either. Why harp on a man who has just conformed to the societal standards that the fashion industry has created? And that begs the question: Why limit the idea of self-expression to only those humans who have a waste size of 0-2? If I wanted to express myself as an Abercombie Fitch “cool” kid, I would, but I don’t and didn’t wish to prior to his remarks. Do his remarks change how I feel about Abercombie? No. Not in the least. Am I slightly disgusted by a man taking the time to explain that he hates non-good looking “fat chicks" wearing his clothes? Absolutely, because anytime a man degrades a woman (or to use his term: chick) is disgusting regardless of the woman’s size, shape, or structure. Am I going to use the same ammunition, however unattractive the man is, back at him? No, because we, ladies, are better than that.

Fashion is a way of self expression. Express yourself in a way in which the world will take notice. Not because of the brand you wear or the size the tag says but because it says something about you. No one can take that away.

*steps off soapbox*

Yours xx

Every day in May... + What I Wore: Last week of School

There is a blog challenge for May started by the lovely Jenni, from Story of My Life, challenging bloggers to blog everyday in May. I would love to partake but, um, May's going to be a bit ridiculous for me (MAYbe I will complete all the prompts in July but with a Hemline twist, who knows) so I've decided that instead of doing the prompts everyday, each week I will complete the prompts in one post.

There are no rules for the prompts. They can be interpreted however the blogger feels. So, away we go...

Day 1: The Story of your life in 250 words or less.

I suck at describing myself or my life. So, I'm letting a poem I wrote in Creative Writing do it for me. We had 15 or so questions to answer about ourselves (parents, character traits, favorite word/celebrity/place/phrase), as well as brands we would endorse without being paid, a striking image, a question, annoyance, and something you wish you could have but can't due to unforeseen changes. Damn I miss Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper! I think I had it like everyday during junior high. Without further ado...Table for 1

A pregnant woman sits alone at the bar,

I wonder if she notices me, a bystander in her world.

Silly, fuse toed, daughter of Joe and Tami, once McVay,

lover of London, fan of Jennifer Lawrence, me.

Literally, living the dream & loving it.

I want to skip towards her in my TOMs, like her child will,

plop down on the stool next to her, and ask:

What came first: the bagel or the donut?

Instead, I slyly snap a picture with my phone, share it, tweeting:

“Pregnant woman at a bar—I wonder what she ordered? #water”

Gum-smacking, knuckle cracking Waitress startles me:

I lust for a Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, but settle for a “Diet Coke, please.”

Day 2: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

Something-Nothing Days

I would like to take this time to educate you all on how to do nothing for an entire day while still doing something. I have spent many a day, wrapped up in a blanket, reading or watching copious amounts of Netflix. I'd say I'm quite the expert. You will need a space that is private (ie bedroom, TV room, living room, etc) where you can spread about 3-5 pillows, creating a sort-of headboard to lean against. Keeping, at least one pillow to the right or left of you to place your computer (portable DVD player, what-have-you) to watch your television selections. I prefer computer do take the occasionally Facebook-Twitter-Pinterest break. Feel free, if not located in your bed, to take the comforter/duvet with you to your location. Comfort is very much important.

Now most would say snacks would be the next important item but I will argue that hydration is key. I like to begin my something-nothing days with a bit of tea, or coffee. Then proceed quickly to lemonade (summer/spring) or hot tea (fall/winter). But, pro-tip number one, always keep water near, especially in a container with a lid and straw. Nobody likes to attempt to drink water out of a bottle and, SPLAT, all over your shirt. Awful. (First world problem? Yeah, I think so). 

Show selection... this is the perfect time to go through that Netflix Instant Queue and starting watching one of the 19 shows you've placed in there. My recommendations vary from Classics (to me) Gilmore Girls (many a Christmas break spent with my favorite Girls); One Tree Hill (remember: there is only one); Gossip Girl (if you have a flair for the dramatic and fashionable); or if you are feeling particularly nerdy: Dr. Who. My current obsession: Mad Men (Don Draper...*swoon*). And books, c'mon now, you can't go wrong with any choice but Harry Potter (shocking...) always keep me comforted on these something-nothing days.

(I'm skipping Day 3: something that makes you uncomfortable)....

Day 4: Favorite quote

I've got two. Both are very self-explanatory as to why they are my favorite. My first is Dumbledore's speech to Harry in King's Cross during the final book. 

Help will always be given at Hogwarts, Harry, to those who ask for it. I've always prized myself on my ability to turn a phrase. Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it. But I would, in this case, amend my original statement to this: Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it. Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, all those who live without love.

And my second favorite is widely misquoted as being said by Nelson Mandela. It is a (paraphrased) poem by Marianne Williamson.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. It is not just in some of us, its in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your friends/family member.

I really hope that you, yes, you the one reading this, knows that you are loved. I want you to know that I love you. I think you are beautiful, and smart. You bring light into my world. You are cherished. You were born with the ability and purpose to change someone's world. So, I, Haley, publicly profess my love to you, my reader. 

Day 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question: "What do you do?"

My goal in life is to inspire and to be inspired. So, that's what I do. 

Day 7: The thing you are most afraid of.

Failure. But aren't we all?

Annnnnd the Hemline twist? "What I Wore: Last week of School"

Oh the last week of actual class during my undergraduate career! What is one to wear! I wore my black skinny jeans from Sears, black tuxedo flats from Target, "leather" jacket also from Target, and a Mint knit sweater from JcPenney. My black bag in from Urban Outfitters and tree necklace from, you guessed it, Target.

I loved this outfit. It was perfectly spring sweater and by adding the jacket, I could wear it during the not-so-spring welcome. I can't wait to wear it more during the summer!!

Again this semester my university held the Jazz Swing Dance. I wore a dress from Karisma. It was on super-sale, like $10 I believe, which it just too good to pass up!! My shoes are from Herberger's about two years ago. They have gotten their wear. I love the colors of this look! And yes, I did dance the night away! Curious what I wore last semester?? Holiday Party + Jazz Swing Dance

Check out my graduation gift to myself?? Oh yea, a reusable Starbucks cup. Best. Purchase. Ever. This was my actual last day of college outfit. Scarf  was a gift but it is from The Buckle and my sunglasses are from Old Navy. 

Yours xx

Graduation Friday: May 3rd, 2013

Dear 18-year-old self,

Welcome to college. It’s quite a big place, ay? Deep breath,here we go.

Can I tell you something? It is not that scary. Cherish it.It’ll go faster than you can even imagine. These four years will teach you moreabout yourself and the world around you. Don’t think that all the learningtakes place in the classroom.

Go out and experience things. Leave your books in your room,go meet some people. When Mariah invites you to that awkward dance because she’sin the organization putting it on...GO! Go to the meeting the following week; go to the meetingalone. When they ask you to be in charge, kick ass at it. The people that comein and out of this meeting room will forever change who you are. This groupmakes college worth it.

Always carry a pencil and notepad. Don’t be afraid to bethat girl who knows the answer or has something to say. It is totally the “cool”thing to be the smart girl. Oh and stop saying the “cool” thing...It’s notcool. Being the smart girl is the greatest thing you will do for yourself.Library Girl is the best nickname you will ever get in your life. Don’t fightit. Embrace it. (Oh and learn your student ID number...You’ll need it all the time.)

Don’t pretend to love things that others do. Don’t be afraidto share who you are with the world. They will love you just as much as you do.This is the place where acceptance happens. Those ridiculous people you met onthe first day of Orientation? Love them. The amazing people you meet in thesefour years are your people.

 For years you’ve dreamed of things: traveling the worldbeing number 1. Start freaking doing it. When Kaitlin walks into Spanish freshman year andtells you in two summer she’s going to England on some Literary Tour with some professor you've never even met. Go with her! It will be the best experienceof your life. No joke. Make sure you pack band-aids and an extra camera battery.(You forget them...it is less than awesome.)

Junior year will suck. It sucks for everyone. You are, by nomeans, alone. Keep studying. I know, I know, it is awful and zero fun but,Haley, you’re In Honoribus graduating self will thank you. When you get anopportunity to take a nap... take one. Okay, and don’t tell anyone this, but,um, you might actually want to read the chapters your professor assigns. Butsometimes, like when you’ve got three tests and a paper that week, SparkNotes istotally appropriate.

When you make it senior year, you've made it; stop  keep going.This year is one of celebration. Stop worrying about not knowing what you aredoing with your life. You’re 21...You have plenty of time to figure it out.Just don’t forget to do what you love. That is all that matters. Oh and keepdrinking tea and keep reading Harry. You’re Harry-Potter-obsession comes inhandy.

Graduation day is tomorrow. The big day. Finally. Your gown is steamed. Yourdress is pressed. Shoes have been selected. (Go with the Mint, girl, please!)The only thing left is to walk across a stage and get that damn diploma and take on the world. 

 This place will change your life; allow it to.

Much love,

Yours xx

 PS If my words of wisdom seem less than to you...listen to these women. I think they know what they are talking about...

(Sheryl Sandberg to an "enthusiastic" group of women on their college graduation)

You are the promise for a more equal world. So my hope for everyone here is that after you walk across this stage, after you get your diploma, after you go out tonight and celebrate hard--you then will lean way in to your career. You will find something you love doing and you will do it with gusto. Find the right career for you and go all the way to the top.

As you walk off this stage today, you start your adult life. Start out by aiming high. Try--and try hard.

Like everyone here, I have great hopes for the members of the graduating class. I hope you find true meaning, contentment, and passion in your life. I hope you navigate the difficult times and come out with greater strength and resolve. I hope you find whatever balance you seek with your eyes wide open. And I hope that you--yes, you--have the ambition to lean in to your career and run the world. Because the world needs you to change it. Women all around the world are counting on you.

So please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren't afraid? And then go do it.

(J.K Rowling's commencement speech at Harvard circa 2008)