Posts tagged fashion
the post grad blog
My fab life after college
Mad Men returns April 7. Sally Draper is bringing back wrist-length gloves. She’s so daring.
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The One Minute Elevator Pitch
As you go through higher education (and even after), everyone tells you to come up with a one minute “elevator pitch.” This “pitch” as most of you probably know is what you would say if you were in an elevator with a major CEO, Editor In Chief of a magazine or a fashion icon. What would you say to sell yourself to someone important?
Well, I unfortunately still have not figured this out. I’m a bit shy and have realized that I am starting to miss out. Don’t get me wrong — I have loads of friends who are bold, uninhibited, walking up to celebrities and sports figures saying things like “You’re Alex Rodriguez and I’m from Seattle!!” (Not that A-Rod cares about anyone being from Seattle these days…) Problem is, my friends are never with me (or I with them) when luck hits me!
I’ve lived in Manhattan for nearly two years have seen Kelly Cutron, Sean Penn and Jimmy Fallon and have said nothing. Yep, three chances to have someone change my life and I just stood from afar admiring.
And if that’s not enough - today really slapped me in the face.
After work, I found myself in the Meatpacking District, strolling into DVF at five to seven (store closes at 7pm). Not because I could afford any of the gorgeous pieces of garment, but because I had watched Sex and the City (the movie) on Sunday night and saw Carrie Bradshaw shopping there in the movie.
Anyway, I walked in and started looking around. I noticed a tall beautiful woman in the accessories corner saying:
“I really love everything here, and am a huge admirer. I own several of your pieces.”
WTF?! Double take - she was talking to the one and only, ICONIC DIANE VON FURSTENBERG. The woman who invented the wrap dress, and created the beautiful green dress that Kate Middleton wore (you bet I’m hunting every online and vintage store in NYC for the same dress!!!).
International Icon, Diane von Furstenberg
So chic, as always.
So what did I do when Diane walked around the store, smiled and said a polite hello to me? I stupidly smiled back and said “hi.”
I was so distracted I couldn’t even pay attention to the clothes I couldn’t afford. I’m sure all the sales associates noticed too. I debated trying on one beautiful navy lace dress, hoping Diane would gift it to me because seeing it on me would make her feel as though it was meant for me. But I safely assumed that this only happens to Carrie Bradshaw when she’s photographing for Vogue. Instead I walked out of the store as if she was just another person.
What I should have done was ask Ms. von Furstenberg to recommend a dress for me and then bought it. It would have been worth the $298 to $394 I would have forked over to say that the one and only, actual Diane von Furstenberg picked it out for me. I’d be able to schmooze at parties and say “I’m wearing DVF, she picked it out for me!” Maybe she and I would have had a casual conversation and then who knows what would happen!
I was severely disappointed in myself and have therefore made a mid-year resolution. I need to come up with my one minute pitch so that the next time I bump into someone influential, life-changing or amazing I have something more to say to them than “hi!” I mean this is why I live in NEW YORK CITY right?! What the hell am I going to do when I really do bump into Ryan Gosling and we’re eyeing the same cab? Say hi and let him take the cab? I’ve GOT to get over my shyness so I can ask him to share the cab with me!!
Therefore, if any of you have good pitches, please pass them along so I can use them for inspiration in creating my own.
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LMFAO lookalike at 4am Saturday night on the L train heading to Brooklyn. Completely normal night out in the city.
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Bloomingdales Prom 2012
It’s prom season and even though I’m well out of high school, it’s so fun to see my younger brother and his friend’s prom and tolo pictures. The closest I came to reliving another “prom,” (other than my high school prom in which I wore a gorgeous dark blue dress) was last month when I went to Arvind’s med-school formal… which I shamelessly told everyone in my office was med-school prom and begged Arvind to “ask” me in a cute way — that’s another post for later!
Anyways, Bloomingdales did a gorgeous spread in their email newsletter which I of course felt obliged to share. The best part is you don’t have to still be in high school to wear the dresses they’ve featured. They are styled perfectly for any young woman. See the whole look book here.
Which stereotype do you fit in? I chose prom queen for myself (of course) - the long baby blue dress is so cute, though I do love the yellow in ‘overachievers’ as well…
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New York Inspired Kate Spade Watches
I’m a big fan of Kate Spade jewelry (though I don’t really own any) and saw that they now are selling these beautiful bracelet watches that are inspired by New York City!
They range from about $195-$250 each, (which is about the same price as a Michael Kors watch) and wear as a bracelet with an engraving inside. Also the blog is super cute and shows you which New York park, monument, or building inspired the time piece!
It’s so perfect because I actually do use a watch, now that I’m no longer a student and can’t be using my cell phone as a time-teller! It’s classy and functional!
My favorites are the “carousel” and the “cooper,” though I have to try it on before I decide I want to spend my money on it (the curse of small wrists makes it hard to buy bracelets that don’t look bulky!). Which one is your favorite?
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Well this is an inspiration. Especially since I have a few trips coming up: Seattle in the end of August, Los Angeles in October and London in November. (Globe-trotter…I know, I’m trying)
The Glitter Guide just posted this fab picture of Rosie Huntington in Heathrow Airport. She’s a poster child for stylish traveling. (No sweatpants and uggs in Londontown!)
To come close, I’ll have to make my way down to Canal Street, Chinatown and pick up a faux LV suitcase. My $5 NY streets pashmina scarf and Aldo oversized bag will have to do for the rest of my accessories.
At least I can sport some new swanky shades. Job Perk: Just got a pair of new Ray Bans at a work event… all in all, I’ll probably spend $2000+ less than Rosie and look just as chic. Gotta fake it till ya make it!
…Who knows, maybe I’ll even ask my friend Esha to take a paparazzo shot of me as I make my way through LHR airport. We can do a People “Who Wore It Better” Comparison.
(via Mostly style / The Vogue Diaries: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at Heathrow Airport - June 8, 2011)
Kate Moss can sell me anything. For a generation in which cigarettes are considered gross and unhealthy, she still makes it look totally and completely sexy (don’t worry, I’m not going to start smoking because of her). She’s beautiful and bad ass at the same time.
(via gisellemarie)
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Why TOMS Is An Inspiring Company
I first discovered TOMS shoes while volunteering at the Clinton Foundation in 2009 (they were there for the Global Initiative Conference). I didn’t think the shoes were particularly stylish (I was unaware of the comfort of these shoes at this time) so I gave my gift card for a free pair away to Arvind who immediately bought a pair online.
Then I slowly saw more and more people wearing them and saw that they were available for purchase in stores like Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. Because I didn’t have to buy them online anymore I went in to try a pair on. I discovered how comfortable they were (better than flats, more appropriate than flip flops and great for city walking) and how rapidly the company was helping children in need of proper footwear.
I bought a pair of red ones before last summer and wear them all the time. I’m a huge fan. They go with everything and are adorable. And, today on Twitter, I saw @Nordstrom tweeting away about the “unveiling” of a new TOMS product. I visited the site to see what was going on.
Once you watch, you’ll see how incredible and heartwarming it is to see this company grow so quickly and have consumers that stand behind and believe in their mission.
This video shows that you don’t need to be a physician, a genius or a person of wealth to change the world. CEO Blake Mycoskie started TOMS with no intentions of becoming a shoe company, but started it with the sole intention to help those in need.
Today he unveiled their next product - TOMS eye wear. Now when you purchase eye wear from TOMS, TOMS will help give sight to one more person. Blake Mycoskie said “TOMS is not a shoe company, it is not an eye wear company, it is a one for one company.” I love it!
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Local Pages Shopping Giveaway!
Polyvore featuring a long sleeve sheer blouse
What’s one of the more fun perks of interning, working aka entering-the-real-world?
Getting a new wardrobe for it!
That’s why I’m thrilled that Local Pages is allowing me to giveaway $50 for any professional apparel company on their site!!
Since Local Pages is kind of like a yellow pages with cool deals and coupons, this means that pretty much all the stores you already shop at at are on the site!
Some of my favorites on their site: J. Crew, Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters. They even have those city-specific boutiques like Manhattan’s Pookie & Sebastian and Seattle’s Aprie.
1 Easy Step to Winning $50:
- Tell me about your ultimate dream job by leaving a comment, and be sure to include a link to Local Pages (http://www.localpages.com/).
I’ll pick the winner, announce the winner and Local Pages will mail you a $50 giftcard to any store on their site!
Read below for eligibility requirements
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GASP! A tear in my beloved blazer!
That was the subject of my email to the CEO of J. Crew when I noticed that my favorite blazer had a tear in the elbow.
Yes, the CEO - Millard (Mickey) Drexler. Let me tell you the back story though…
I bought this blazer right before I started working. I had been eying it for so long but resisted because it was expensive. However, because I landed a new job I splurged and never looked back.
You can imagine my disappointment when the buttons started to loosen (one fell off that I had repaired) and then the elbows started to wear away resulting in a tear. I logically took it back to the J. Crew on Madison Avenue asking for a replacement. Very graciously they said they couldn’t replace it, but since it was bought from the Fall 2010 collection they would send it to their tailor. The tailor refastened the buttons but was unable to repair the tear, so they offered elbow patches. I agreed because I thought there was no other choice.
So sad to about the tear in my blazer =(
I then spoke to my friend Molly who is prep-fabulous and an avid J. Crew shopper asking for her opinion of what color elbow patches I should get. She told me that because the blazer was so expensive it was unfortunate that, that was the only way to repair it. She suggested I email the CEO (who is also a BU grad!!) since we had both met him and seen him speak at our school as freshmen.
Nervously I wrote him, sent him pictures and asked him if there was anything the company could do. 17 minutes later he actually responded even though he was traveling!! His email:
Hi Divya – copying my partner Brittany – believe the team is “on it” – thanks for letting me know –
Best,
Mickey
Soon enough, I received an email from Brittany apologizing and asking me what my size in the blazer was! Thrilled I thanked her and gave her my size. Literally two days later I received this package in the mail:
In it was a brand new blazer! You know how I adore wonderful customer service and because of this I am even more loyal to J. Crew. I am stunned at how responsive their team was — after all, I’m sure the CEO and his partner have much more important to things to do than tend to one young customer’s ripped blazer. However, the fact that they did made me value them more than any other clothing store I shop at (though Nordstrom is my other favorite).
