One Month

Today marks my being in San Francisco for one month. So much has changed for me, and I have grown more in this month than I ever though possible. I know I have not been blogging, like, at all, which is due to a couple reasons, the first being that I cannot for the life of me find the cord that connects my camera with my computer so I can upload all my pictures. The second reason is that I am really busy between three classes at my fashion school, and online course for my high school, violin, summer reading and a heck of a lot of family commitments. I just haven't had the time, and I am exhausted when I finally have a break. I still have work to do before I can sleep, but I just wanted to update you on the past month.

I have been humbled and it has been beautiful. In my humility, I have also been brought to personal responsibility and a new sense of independence, as well as learning how to ask for help. Through it all I have learned so much about who I am, and I have come to see myself as enough. I love the ways I've been shaped by this summer, and am so grateful for the lessons I have learned. This has by far been one of the most life changing summers of my life.

If you've been wondering at all about my day to day, I have classes four days a week, and these classes are far from those at high school. Rather than packing up text books and binders, I usually have my sketchbook, tracing paper, several pens, pencils, watercolors, colored pencils, scissors, pins and needles, fabric, journalism articles, my school ID, and my camera when I have room in my bag. I take the bus each way, and each of my classes is three hours long. Some days I have two classes, others I only have one. In the morning once off the bus I grab some coffee and a bagel, and dash to class. For lunch I have become a regular at a cute cafe with scrumptious paninis. After class I take the bus home, unless of course I have to go to the fabric store, which I frequent in quest of fabric for my sewing class or for samples for my design class. When I'm home I always have homework, whether that be visual research, design development for my collection, writing an article or reading one, finishing some sewing or putting together my final project. And I do more printing than ever. Seriously, I have to print a ridiculous amount of stuff. I've probably demolished half the Amazon. Then my family cooks dinner and eats and often times my cousin and I are responsible for making a delicious and chocolate dessert. Finally a couple more hours of work and facebook and off to bed I go.

I've learned I love designing. And while I love blogging and writing in my free time, I don't think I would ever want to be a journalist. There are far too many limits.

My best friend from New York, Alie, flew in and visited me this past weekend, which was great and I did all the tourist-y things I haven't had time for. I've also spent a couple weekends in San Jose and Santa Cruz. With only two weeks left I'm trying to squeeze in all the things I said I'd do, but haven't, all my final projects for my classes, finishing my summer reading, finishing my online class, seeing all my friends/family here, and preparing to leave (basically moving) and go back to school one week after I'm home. Oh yeah, and I have to take a ton of driving courses so I can get my license on time. Talk about crazy.

I promise that once I find my camera cord, and things slow down a little, I will be better about all this. It's also easier when I have my own computer. However, I will of course be focusing more on living my life rather than documenting it, because especially as of now, I just have so much to live for!

Hope all of you are doing well and keeping it classy:)

xoxo

Leah

Mocha Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Just read the title, it sounds scrumptious, I know. My cousin Talia and I are no cooks, that is to be noted, but when motivated enough in our craving for chocolate, we get work done. The recipe we used was from the Hershey's Cook Book, which has a variety of delicious treats in it.

 1. Heating up the cream

 2. Add the first few of many chocolate chips

 3. While waiting thirty seconds for the cream to cool down, do a count down, full incoorporated with dance moves and off key singing.

 4. Mix up the chocolatey goodness and try really, REALLY hard not to eat it right then and there.

 5. Mix up butter, cream and sugar. Then realize  you put in too much butter and fix every single other porportion.

 6. Make a very large mess.

 7. Beat the egg whites, and learn that eggs can be fluffy and bubbly, a fact that still surprises you.

 8. Mmmm yummy, put in two different cake batters, the rich dark chocolate one in the center.

8. Drizzle melted excess chocolate mixture and sprinkle powdered sugar. Then Enjoy!

As you can see, a relatively easy recipe, though many steps are involved and it is not a good choice for those who lack strong will when around large amounts of chocolate.

Hope everyone is having a happy fourth! Pictures to come!

xoxo

Leah

New Beginnings

Hello all! I wish I had been better organized so I could have posted earlier but it has been crazy getting ready for the "Big Day" what with packing, parties, classes, and goodbyes. I'm now here in San Francisco and let me just remind those of you who don't know, it's a huge city. I started classes Monday and the past weekend I have been unpacking, buying last minute class supplies, hanging out with my cousin Talia and getting to know the area.

A delicious breakfast...well I suppose it would be considered a late brunch since neither of us even woke up until 11:30, at a cute Parisian cafe.

I'm loving it here! Oh and...I cut off over a foot of my hair! Rapunzel's long locks are gone and in place is a sassy short new haircut!

Before......

AFTER! I cut twelve inches off and donated it:) I love my new cut, and as glamorous as my old hair was, it was time to give my hair new life!

Also, talking about my classes....I'm clearly in the right place. I walked into the library of my dreams, with three shelves of Vogue, including every US issue since 1970 and a decade of vogue from Italy. I held back tears of joy

As my classes progress I'll keep you updated on the creativity, the glamour, and the fashion. I'm truly learning now....

May the Prada be with you

Sincerely,

Young Gucci Purse

xoxo

Leah

Flashback to Those Breezy Days

sweater/tank/skirt: Nordstrom, shoes: Aldo, sunglasses: Anthro, necklace: Forever XXI, rings: Juicy Couture, Banana Republic

I've been waiting what feels like forever for my perfect 70's bohemian outfit to come together, and was so excited to show it off at a Michigan reunion party! The long skirt paired with seven inch espadrille wedges (my new babies) made me seem much, much taller than I actually am, contrary to my worry of a maxi skirt making me look shorter. The cutoff sweater was comfy and just the right feel for a summer evening. The madness of packing for San Francisco is coming to a high point as I try to make everything work, and fit in a gajillion other things I have to accomplish! AHHH! But I'll definitely be updating you on that whole episode soon. For now....

May the Prada be with you

xoxo

Leah

Please Don't Ever Grow Up

You know those days when you're tinkering with an outfit, and suddenly, are hit with inspiration? Then you tinker a little more, and what results is an outfit that is innovative, unique, classy, and simply to die for. That would sum up how I found this look. I love how fun it is and I admit a weakness for fluffy poofy skirts I can spin in.



blouse: Urban Outfitters; vest: NY&Co; sunglasses: Anthropologie; floral skirt: Nordstroms; underneath tulle of skirt: dress up from my basement

Indeed friends, this was one of those outfits. My inspiration struck from the sixties era and other tulle focused pieces I'd seen. Then the epiphany of taking an old tulle skirt from dress up days came and wellah! I put the floral skirt over for a fun and popping pattern, then stuck to neutrals s that the outfit wasn't too overwhelming. The vest is great to accentuate your waist and as seen in the last picture, the blouse can be removed for hotter days.

Fun tidbit-while wearing this in a boutique the store clerk said they had a similar skirt in there for over $250! Mine was under $20! Creativity is fun for your wardrobe and helpful towards your wallet!

May the Prada be with you

xoxo

Leah

The Key to my Heart

Hello lovies, I'm sorry I've been away longer than I anticipated, but after getting back from Michigan on Tuesday I came down with a nasty cold that I am still battling. So as I sit here surrounded by tissues, cough drops and a nice hot mug of green tea, I will update you on some basics and hopefully be up on my feet and sharing my style again soon.
First of all, I am leaving a week from tomorrow for San Franciso where I will be for the next six weeks. Hurrah! As excited as I am, I'm a little stressed...okay maybe a lot. My To Do list is page after page, and with so many people to see, places to be, and goodbyes to say before the "Big Day", the task of packing for a month and a half is increasingly daunting.
However, even with the craziness and head cold I did squeeze in time to shop and came across the book Style by Lauren Conrad.

If you haven't looked at this book, you should. I've read the first bit and it already has helped me with two realizations. 1) I should start buying more versatile pieces to maximize possible ensemble combinations. 2) Packing will be made easier with said versatile pieces.
The first chapter focuses in key pieces and after some thinking I narrowed down to a few key things that I absolutely need for San Francisco.
The first:
My anchor cardigan from Urban Outfitters.

I literally pair this with everything. It's comfy and light enough for warmer days, but also has long sleeves for cool evening. And it goes with everything without being bland or boring.

Second comes my Franco Sarto pump sandals

They're surprisingly comfy and have a great pattern to them. I wear them with nearly everything and of my collection, they rank first when it comes to likelihood of being able to wear them walking the streets of SF without feeling like my feet may fall off.

My Urban Outfitters long white skirt

SO comfy. I wear it all the time and it looks great with simple tshirts as well as structured blazers, in addition to being a neutral color, making it so I can wear it anytime....admittedly it's hard not to wear it twice a week. It will also be nice to wear a feminine skirt during some of the colder days of SF weather since the skirt is long and has thick fabric.

My oversized white button up

Stolen from my moms closet and far to big for me, this shirt is perfect for belting and pairing with anything from skirts to denim for a classic look. It's easy and simple and timeless.

Also while shopping today I snagged some totally adorable espadrille wedges from Aldo that I've been dying for since they're so summery (and will complete a boho look I'm working on for y'all)

Much love, hoping to be back to normal soon!

As always, keep it classy and may the prada be with you!

xoxo

Leah



Good bye, farewell-be back soon!

Hello lovies-sadly what with violin recitals, SAT Subject Tests and the packing frenzy betwixt vacations, I wasn't able to get some new ensemble shots-though you should be very excited for when I do! In a couple hours I will leave for Michigan, and will not only be computer deprived, but also cell phone deprived! Scary, I know. Anyways, that means for one week I will not be able to post...again. I'm sorry and I swear on my dog's life that as soon as I get back I will be SO much better about it! But don't worry! You will indeed have something to read! My dear friend who went to Boca with me, Alie, and I started another joint blog called Cross Country Couture to keep everyone updated on the ups, the downs, and the fashionable of our adventurous summers, with these two initial trips and then we split across the country: Me to San Francisco and she to New York, both for pre college programs. To read more about it and get more details on our fabulous time in Florida click the following link:
Cross Country Couture
Come on, click it, you know you want to:)

Leah and Alie

Anyways I will be back soon and updating both blogs so I hope all you lovies have a great week and I can't wait to hear from you soon!

xoxo

Leah