Nike Mesh T-Shirt + Bodycon Skirt.

Hello and welcome to the deep corners of the personal style Internetosphere. On today's show, we have a very special guest - a suuuuuuper airy and comfortable black mesh Nike crop top. Phew, that was a mouthful! 

Let's just discuss this baby for a second - I purchased it on a whim, one of those "I've been at work for 8 hours so it's time to treat myself" purchases that I could have lived without, but could I have really? Here's the thing about me and summer. Sometimes sleeveless tops just won't do it for a reason or another, but T-shirts seem too prone to pit stains. Well, this shirt is the sweet spot. If I'm feeling sleeves but don't want to commit to that awful pit dampness all day, this is my go-to. 

Not only is it the most breezy thing I own, but it's also perfect to experiment on with a variety of accessories. Today I went with a bit of a girly vibe, but I can see myself rocking it with some joggers for a more casual look, or even hitting some happy hours by adding a sequin skirt! The possibilities are endless. 

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

earrings: gifted by mom

sunglasses: Warby Parker

necklace: handmade by my cousin

shirt: Nike (via Crossroads Trading Co.)

skirt: New York & Co.

bag: Zara Basic (via Crossroads Trading Co.)

shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (via Crossroads Trading Co.) 

Thank you the absolute most for stopping by! 

Black Polka Dot Crop + Girly Trousers.

I understand the basics of marketing and product placements in magazines; therefore, I'm usually immune to them. However, every now and then, something slithers through and haunts my dreams until I cave in. It's all random, really - one time it was a pair of chunky Lulu*s heels that I came across in multiple magazines. I wanted them so much that when I couldn't find them online, I even Tweeted at Lulu*s and attached a photo, continuing to stalk until I got my hands on them. That's a lot of effort for someone who actively tries to not be an involved consumer. 

As it turns out, the shoes aren't particularly versatile (or comfy, for that matter), but the one other item of clothing I put nearly as much effort into purchasing is! This cropped polka dotted baby has put me out of my mundane wardrobe misery plenty'a times throughout college, where I paired it with anything and everything in my closet (see here, and in a surprisingly out-of-character setting, here). Aeropostale is part of those kinds of stores that most of us feel like we have no business scouting out after middle school, but there's some real gems in there, especially during sale season. I bought an amazing winter jacket for $5 a couple of years ago. Can't beat that. Really. 

This look was a bit more funky - maybe an Ariana Grande-type if she was more casual and not as set on wearing heels. Maybe it's the hair that makes me think of her? The pants are one of the few youthful impulse purchases that still linger around years later. They're a bit difficult to take on sometimes, but I find them really fun in this combination, don't you think? 

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

sunglasses: Warby Parker

necklace: unknown

top: Aeropostale (Map to Mars)

bag: Rebecca Minkoff (via Crossroads Trading Co.)

pants: Forever 21

sneakers: Adidas (via Crossroads Trading Co.) 

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Little Maxi Black Dress + Artisanal Choker.

No analysis or musings for tonight - just a quick look, shot on our date day this past week.

As tough as it's been to take on LA, and as discouraged as I've felt these past few weeks as I fully realized the magnitude of its talent pool and its lack of opportunities without connections, days like that make me feel like it's worth it. 

The fact that you can just get free tickets to a show taping and watch one of your role models (read: Ashely Graham) speak, even for 10 minutes, right in front of you is absolutely crazy to me. As someone who's constantly critical of celebrity culture and the way media feeds into the frenzy and portrays it, I 100% struggle with my feelings of giddiness when coming so close to someone famous. 

I know there's so many other things the world should be focusing on rather than the entertainment industry - and I'm so glad that for the most part, at least in my social circle, that is the case. Ultimately, I do think that media (especially on its social media channels) is slowly ruining celebrity culture and making it reach an all-time trashy high (or I guess low), but that's a discussion for another day. That's also something that as an aspiring journalist and PR professional, I plan on challenging. 

Right now, I just know that little 10-year old me, huddled under a stack of blankets in the middle of the night and watching every single awards show that would broadcast in Romania, would be flipping out if she only knew that one day she'd get to stalk Kevin Spacey on the red carpet or watch Chelsea Handler doing her thing live. 

Photos by Aidan Bradbury-Aranda

earrings: unknown

sunnies: Warby Parker

sweater: Crossroads Trading Co. (orig. Ellison)

dress: Charlotte Russe

necklace: Rachel Rayburn

shoes: Nine West (via Ross Dress for Less) 

Thank you so much for stopping by!