Casual Wear

Necklace: Francesca's // Jeans: American Eagle // Shirt: Banana Republic // Watch: Michael Kors // Shoes: Target

It's summer!

Today marks the first official day of Summer! While I've been thinking it's been summer since it's been warm, it's nice to know that it is official. Summer is my favorite season. I wish I could spend all my time outside instead of the office, but I love to go out after work or on weekends. Photo's are of a work outfit and then after work outfit. Enjoy!

Bag: Coach Madison Sophia Satchel (similar) | Watch: Michael Kors (similar) | Shoes: Tory Burch Reva Flats | Jeans: American Eagle | Cardigan: J. Crew Factory | Necklace: J. Crew Factory | Sunnies: Liz Claiborne

Dress: J. Crew Factory | Shoulder Bag: H&M

Weekend Away

I have been away in Annapolis, Maryland for my boyfriend's brother's wedding all weekend. It was a beautiful wedding, on the water and I could not be more happy for the newlyweds. I have been with my boyfriend for 6 years, so his family, is like my family. The wedding was on friday, then Saturday we had a brunch and crab dinner at the house. Then Sunday, it was back to reality and time to head home. Here's just a few shots from the wonderful weekend.

Promise I'll be blogging everyday again! It was a crazy (but exciting) few days!

Health & Weightloss

So, this post is a little different, but I thought I would share with you my journey of health, fitness and weight loss. Long story short, I gained 20 pounds in college. When I graduated I was so unhappy with my weight, and finally in January of 2012 I pledged to myself that I would get back to my original size. I went from a 2 to an 8. Keep in mind, I have a small framed body type, and I just wanted to get back to the size I was when I started college. 

So. I did a ton of research, and started eating way healthier and working out a few times a week. Nothing intense or dramatic, just exercise pretty much. I mainly changed my eating habits though. I tried to cut out or limit sugars, starches, juice and completely gave up soda. I ate at the same times everyday, packed my lunches everyday and drank 2 liters of water or more everyday. I also tried to eat as healthy as possible.

It took me two months, (March) until I finally started noticing results. The funny thing is, is that my clothes were fitting looser, friends were noticing, but the scale barely moved. Finally about 3.5 months in the number on the scale was going down. I was so proud of myself, and low and behold, I am now back to my original size 2! It took me 5 months to lose the weight, and I still weigh the same a year later. 

My biggest tip? Drink tons of water! Drinking lots of water gets rid of your water weight (if you're hydrated, your body doesn't need to hold on to the water) and it hydrates your muscles, making them look more toned! Eating healthy helps too! But remember, moderation, not deprivation. 

I'll be happy to answer any questions at all! Hope you enjoyed!

Summer Accessories

Michael Kors Watch | Gap Beach Tote | Tory Burch Sunnies | Jcrew Flats | Clare Vivier Clutch | Lulu Frost Ring

Summer accessories wish list. I'm loving nautical stripes with a pop of gold or sequins, so fun. And that clutch? It would be perfect match for the dress I'm wearing to a wedding next week. I've been eyeing the lulu frost number rings, so cute and meaningful. But way out of budget, maybe I can find a similar style on Etsy? What have you been eyeing this summer?

Tonight I worked at my first gallery event! The event was an artist reception mixed with music, food, live music and open studios to tour. I'm a visual arts intern at a gallery/arts center. The facility used to be a prison in the early 1900's and was recently restored to be an art center with galleries, artist studios and spaces for theater and dance. 

Tonight's event was all about hip hop art and that whole underground culture. In my picture you can see what I wore, live tattooing in the gallery (!), graffiti art that was created during the event and one of buildings that houses the artist studios. It was a fun Saturday night!

What are you up to this weekend?

Friday Night In

This has been one of those long weeks for me. Since I don't have my internship on Friday's I got home at 3:30, and headed to Target to get shoes for a wedding next weekend! (Can't wait to post about it!) It has been raining all day and is supposed to rain into the night as well. So after a short shopping trip, I decided to stay in for the rest of the night, paint my nails, have a glass of (blueberry) wine and watch a movie with my boyfriend, Ryan. Sometimes I need nights like this to unwind, relax, and start the weekend refreshed. 

Just one important question..What color should I paint my nails? I'm obviously an Essie fan. What are your favorite nail polishes?

(Colors shown: In the Cab-ana, Art Deco, Ballet Slippers, Muchi Muchi, Something Blue, Mesmerized, In Stitches, Turquoise and Caicos, Lapiz of Luxury)

Make it Work.

After I finished my first year of grad school in May, I was so excited to finally have time to do things again. Unfortunately, I have less time than I thought I would. I am required to do two internships within my masters program, and accepted my first one this summer. I work full time in the wedding industry 7am-3pm. Yep. That early. I work early so I can leave early for classes/schoolwork. But now I am working 3:30-6 at my internship at an art gallery. Don't get me wrong, I am loving it. But I have new time schedule to manage and I do not like having less time. Hopefully it will all pay off in the end, but for now, I just have to make it work.

Do you have a crazy schedule? Grad school woes?

My style icons

So, if I had to describe my style, these three lovely ladies would probably be the best representation. Charlotte from Sex and the City, Princess Kate Middleton, and Lauren Conrad. 

While I am a huge fan of the Sex and the City series/movies, out of all the girls, Charlotte was always my favorite and I loved her style. The fact that she worked for a New York art gallery made me love her even more. Today, as I am currently working in an art gallery as well, I try to channel Charlotte's style when choosing my outfits.

If I had a woman crush on anyone, Kate Middleton would be it. She just commands your attention and is just a seemingly perfect human being. Her style? Also perfect. I love that she often wears affordable department store pieces...which also sell out that day after she has worn them. If I could be like anyone, it would be her.

Lauren. Conrad. My love for her and her style began when she was just in high school and I was in middle school watching her on Laguna Beach. I feel like I've grown up with her and secretly, while Laguna Beach and The Hills drama was great to watch, I watched the episodes more to see what she was wearing, and how she wore her hair and makeup. Lauren will always be a fave, her style is so effortless, yet chic and beautiful. Kind of what I aim for. 

Who are your favorite style icons? I had a handful more but tried to narrow it down to the best of the best!

Getting Pretty

These essentials are my go-to products, they are always in my make up bag and for good reason! 

1. NARS Bronzer in Casino | I am naturally tan to begin with but when I want to add a little contour to my face, this is my go to. It's a natural looking bronze with a hint of gold shimmer. For lighter skin tones Laguna is the way to go.

2. Benefit High Beam | I don't have very prominent cheekbones, so to highlight them to give that high cheekbone illusion, with a pearly highlight, I use Benefit's high beam. So fast, easy and just a dot does the trick!

3. tarte Amazonian Blush in Blissful | If you haven't tried these blushes, take a look next time at Sephora or Ulta. There's tons of shades to choose from and the powder is so pigmented and lasts all day.

4. tarte BB Cream Primer | I bought this product because I thought it was genius tarte combined a BB cream and a primer because I disliked putting on so many different products on my face. This primes your face (and makes your makeup last super long) and has the benefits of a BB cream. 

5. Benefit Hello Flawless Liquid Foundation | This foundation matches my skin perfectly, lasts long, and makes it look airbrushed flawless. What more can you ask for in a foundation?

6. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer | To cover up any pesky imperfections, this concealer is my go to. It's creamy, easy to blend, natural and lasts through the day. Doesn't crease or settle into my pores which is hard to find in a concealer, for me at least!

7. Clinique High Impact Mascara | This mascara, lengthens, creates volume and does not feel clumpy or 'crispy' if you know what I mean. It basically feels like you're not wearing any mascara, which is what I love the most about it.

8. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette | Obviously, a cult favorite. The range of colors are varied neutrals, with a good mix of glitters, shimmers, and mattes. The amount of looks you can create with this one palette is endless. Day look or night out look, this palette can do it all.

So those are my go to makeup essentials, you can tell a lot about a girl by what it is in her make up bag. Hope you enjoyed! What are you're products you can not live without?

Hello!

Welcome to my blog! I'm Elaine Claire and this is my first blog post. I am a 23 year old graduate student studying Arts Management, a local of Northern Virginia/Washington DC, and a professional graphic designer/illustrator. 

I have loved fashion and art as long as I can remember and wanted to create a blog to share my interests and follow other inspiring women. Here's a little fun info for my first post..

All-time favorite movie(s): The Devil Wears Prada, Mrs. Doubtfire

Blog(s) rocking your world lately: College Prepster, The Sketchbook, Paper Fashion

Favorite nail color: Currently, Butter London's Trout Pout

Now playing while you work: Blurred Lines/Robin Thicke

The last thing you bought: doormats for my house from target

What you have planned for summer: Spending time with friends and my boyfriend, and completing my internship at an art gallery.

So that's a little about me. Tell me about yourself! Follow my blog and look for new posts coming soon!