I've Found Home: New York City

Hello Readers-- (all 2 of you)

I know I said I was moving to New York this summer. Check.
I know I said I would post more often. Not check.

So here it goes.
While I am unable to disclose too many details about my 2 internships, I can confirm that, yes, they are both in the fashion/magazine/lifestyle/business field. Even better, I can also reveal that I have been working with a ton of online content, and can truly say that I am learning something new everyday. I already feel that in my 2 weeks alone of interning, I've learned more about different topics than I've learned in previous semesters at school.


Despite my signing of crazy confidentiality agreements, I have no commitment to hide my personal life.
New York City is just as amazing as I hoped it would be. I love my job, my neighborhood, my roommates, my apartment, and the hustle and bustle of the intricate subway system. I was so happy to be stopped by 2 tourists last night as I strolled through Gramercy. They were in need of directions and wanted to hear my opinion on the safety of their possible trip walking to the Brooklyn Bridge. Just the 2 of them. A 3 hour walk. Around midnight. Uhhhh... duh. Not a good idea.

Unfortunately, a series of previously arranged commitments required me to leave Manhattan for the midwest this past weekend, and thus, I have not had much of an opportunity to shop. Being broke doesn't help much either.

However, this weekend a friend and I have made tentative plans to head over to Beacon's Closet and Buffalo Exchange. Perusing through the leftovers of the Upper East side is not for everyone, but for me, it is heaven. I love the hunt of bargain shopping, and I am praying that the consignment selection improves with location. I've not had much luck in the designer label department while digging through thrift store junk in South Carolina nor Texas.


My -oh so adorable- little neighborhood is home to the Housing Works consignment shop. Shop in the store or bid online for amazing finds like the pictured (below) green Nanette Lepore dress. Score!

Another great hidden gem is Vintage Thrift shop just a block away from my place. Rated #1 thrift store in NYC by Zagat 4 years in a row, the shop is just too cute.

Give me a little more time to shop, walk around, meet and mingle, and I promise to update all of my stories soon.

Love, m

Hello New York!

I'm taking the day to pack my life away into 2 medium sized suitcases. After a few loads of laundry, the true test of exactly how much I can cram away for 2 months will arise.
Get ready New York, cause here I come!



Until then, how true is this t-shirt?


Only $14.99 at ICantAffordtoLoveNY.com


Love m

Return of the blog

I was so close to shutting the blog down. With a crazy semester of classes, a job requiring literally hours and and hours away at the office, and time to sleep in between, there is no place, money, or time for me to go shopping. Gone are the days of freshmen year where I had hours and hours of free time to sit back and go shopping online finding the deals.

But I've decided to keep the blog open in order to chronicle my experiences this summer as I pack up my 2 heavy suitcases and move to New York City!!!
I have 2 internships lined up, I'm living in an amazing NYU dorm with friends, and know several other people who will also be in the city for the summer.

Hence, the blog is now back and better than ever.
I leave June 14th for the city, so until then I'll be posting my packing adventures. After that it will be on the job reports, budget finds in the city, and just my life in New York and my experiences working in the fashion and magazine industry.

In order to stretch my tiny college student budget for a summer in New York I have been budget shopping to the extreme. Seriously, at the level I'm doing it, it could be an Olympic sport.

Strolling the aisles of Wal-Mart for shampoo and gel inserts for the many blocks in heels, I decided to walk through the shoe aisle and was pleasantly surprised. Here are my findings via my iPhone camera.

Studded Gladiator Sandals - $17

Elastic banded Sandals w/ cork wedge - $17

Gladiator sandals in a rainbow of colors - $10

I definitely noticed a huge improvement in shoe department. I was actually going to buy the last pair of gladiators in the basic black, but like always, they were out of my giant size 11.





Many more updates to come!



Love, m

Dollar Value Menu

Look at this awesome stuff I found on Elle's website.
Since when has Elle been pushing Target, Walmart, or Wet Seal?
Who cares? I love it all.
Click on the picture to head to Elle's site for a zoomed in version.

love m

Denim Skirt Day

It is Friday night and while I should be out with friends my killer head ache has kept me inside where it is dark and quiet. Instead of wasting the night away, I went on a hunt for the perfect denim skirt for summer. If I move to New York for a few months this summer, there is no way I can physically pack enough stylish outfits to wear one day only. So I've been looking for basics that I can dress up or down in different ways for fresh looks.

Here are some of the skirts I've found:
Denim Skirt Day - by poorandstylish on Polyvore.com

Top left: ninewest
Middle right: asos
Bottom left: fred flare


I really have my heart set on the denim skirt from Anthropologie though. I guess I'll have to wait until it goes on sale from $128.



love m

Start spreading the news...

Instead of studying for my Macroeconomics exam happening in 2 hours, I have spent the entire morning and afternoon working on my NYU summer housing application. I have filled out dozens of internship applications, sent out my resumes to numerous editors and assistants, and could probably recite my cover letter set up off the top of my head. Still, it is a little too early to have a 100% confirmation on an internship. However, I was so excited at the prospect of living with my friends Kristin and Kim, who are also interning in the city this summer, that I took a leap of faith and hit submit.

I can't wait to fill my chinese food cravings on canal street, hunt of bargains at sample sales, and learn to navigate the subway system like a pro. No longer will I be a tourist, but instead, a real resident and employee.

More postings to come soon.

Love m

McQueeny

Who is the next designer to participate in Target's popular Go International line?

Alexander McQueen!
Look for the line to hit stores in March.

Where's Andre?

Hey hey hey!

This past summer I spied Jim Cantiello, a pop culture reporter for MTV, wearing my new favorite t-shirt.

Its the Red Lobster logo... but the words "Red Lobster" are replaced with the words "Where's Andre."
Get it?


Sorry for the lame shot of the shirt, it is the best thing I could find.

After scouring the web for hours and hours and hours, I could not find a place to buy the shirt.
So to take the matter into my own hands. Being the graphic design super star that I am, I whipped up the graphic below. I plan on printing it on iron transfer paper and making my own shirt!



Take that Project Runway!

Love m

PS: I got Project Runway season 3 on dvd for Christmas! I forgot what a great season it was!

Personal Update

So, as I said in my previous post, just last week I boxed all my belongings and moved across campus to an apartment style dorm. I'm excited to be in a new space and starting something fresh. Here are photos of my "blogging headquarters."



The only con is the closet space. I literally have 3 feet to cram all of my clothes in, so I found this helpful $10 clothing rack at Walmart to give me more space.


In more exciting and relevant news, here are some recent additions to my wardrobe.


Patent deep red zipper flats with a pointed toe.
I love how the zipper curls around the shoe and gives the shoes a rock and roll feel.
$20 @ Target


I just bought this blue button up blouse at Target from Thakoon's Go International line. I loved all of his prints. The textiles were amazing. I know the shirt above doesn't look like anything fancy, but I can't wait for warmer weather when I can belt it and wear it with shorts or a skirt. Heck, I could even throw it under a cardigan and wear it now!
$25 @ Target


Even the tags are pretty! I would suggest every one check out Thakoon's line. All major fashionistas should know his name, and if you're anything like me, this will be the closest thing to the real Thakoon clothing for a while.


I bought this navy embroidered dress at Anthropologie a few weeks ago. It is a little baggy on it's own, but I have a few belts that will go with it. I'm even thinking I can wear my tall brown leather boots too. Again, I guess I'll have to wait until it warms up soon. Thank God I live in the south, I love summer clothing so much more!
$20 @ Anthropologie

This men's leather belt is pretty basic, but I love the detailing on the fastening area. The real leather is from Turkey.
$1 @ Goodwill


This lumberjack scarf is just so bright and fun. Plaid is a big trend for the season too.
$5 @ Chinatown, NYC

I love these Prada-esque flats that I got from Santa. The pop of yellow is a nice surprise but toned down enough to be a neutral.
$20 @ Old Navy


Love m

P.S. I'll be cleaning out my links section so let me know if I should add you!

Marshall's Shopping Trip

Where to begin. . .

First off, excuses:

• Final exams were crazy this semester
• Sick with the flu
• Home in Texas with the family for break
• Moved
• Got promoted to design director at the daily campus paper

So, with these reasons in mind, please forgive me as I pick up my blogger hat again and full speed ahead (many posts to come soon!).

The weekend before finals my friend and I were sick of studying and decided to make a mini-road trip to north to Charlotte, NC.

We stopped at a Marshall's Shoe Mega Shop, which was bigger than any other Marshall's shoe department we have near us. I was pleasantly surprised with their gigantic shoe collection. I've always been able to find great shoe deals at Marshall's, so I was happy to see that they have expanded their selection. There were tons of really cute boots, which as we have all seen, is a big trend for the season. Unfortunately for me, my monster sized feet couldn't squeeze into any of the shoes there, other wise I know I would have bought the whole store.

Message to all shoe stores: Carry size 11 shoes! Please!

I also wanted to share with you this cool new shoe game from Marshall's. Basically, it is a match maker that helps pair you up with the hottest new shoe trend.


They also have a new junior's boutique style section in several larger Marshall's stores. The Cube felt separate from the rest of the store and there was in an obvious distinction between normal junior's, women's, the rest of the store, and The Cube. I found a ton of designer name clothes, from DKNY, Betsey Johnson, Seven Jeans, Roxy, and BCBG.

Here is a mustard colored short sleeved cable knit tying cardigan made by BCBG. It was only $20!
I also scored with a patent red (real) leather belt by Michael Kors for $10. The best part is the rock and roll zipper detail.



The Cube website offered a ton of great outfit inspiration with their quirky and cute photos. I felt like everything inside The Cube section had been hand picked and specifically put there. Every tag I saw was a well-known designer. They also had well styled mannequins at the front of the section featuring of the moment trends.


I can't wait until I get the opportunity to visit Charlotte again soon! I'll definitely be making another stop at The Cube and the Shoe Mega Shop!

Love m