InStyle.com: my editorial debut!

I’ve been interning at InStyle for about 6 weeks now (time flies!) and even though I’m a production intern, I’m trying tirelessly to get back into editorial anyway I can. Enter my newest gig: part-time blogger for the InStyle.com What’s Right Now blog! Here’s my inaugural post. And to top it off, it ran today as the main story on the homepage. A girl couldn’t be happier. 🙂

Emma Watson: A decade of premiere style

The girl-crush pushes forward

Who else thinks that at first glance this looks more like a Vogue cover than a Harper’s Bazaar cover? Just had to get that off my chest before beginning with the actual post.

As a(n oft) self-proclaimed Anne Hathaway girl-crusher, I make sure that I am kept abreast of any and all things Anne Hatahway, today’s example: her Harper’s Bazaar cover story (and based on my initial comment, the cover itself). I’ll admit it, I’m not an every-month reader of HB, but when it catches my eye, sure, I’ll take a looksie. And am I ever glad I did! Because not only did I stumble upon a well-written Cathy Horyn feature, but I learned that I have more in common with Annie than I could have ever dreamed – we both have a penchant for hot pink toes (truth? I don’t discriminate, I love all nail polish colors not quite equally)! That alone could have made my day, but really it was just the beginning. Cathy Horyn pens all of my favorite NYT fashion  columns and stories, so to see her name above the story very nearly made my heart skip a beat – too many of my favorite things were culminating in this one spot! This article takes me back to my magazine and feature writing days with Dr. Owens. This is exactly the kind of article I would put on a pedestal in that class and whose style I would try and most closely emulate. Cathy Horyn is exactly the kind of writer I want one day to be and this article is a prime example of just that. For this article and the photographs that accompany it I will leave my norm and help the Harper’s Bazaar newsstand sales just a smidge. And I encourage you to do the same.

OOTD

So the first day went great and I can already tell that my style sensibility and preferences are going to fit in really well with this office! Here’s day two, still biz-cazh, with some fun elements. And guess who finally got her favorite pair of black pumps repaired? Yep, and they’re better than new. A girl couldn’t be happier.

OOTD: Volume 2!

Another first day and altogether important OOTD. Here begins my post-grad internship, wish me luck! I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a structured jacket over a less-structured dress. It works every time. And to make it better, the strong geometric print and bright coral colors are signatures of this summer season. I also love that the necklines aren’t perfectly the same, it adds an element of interest. And I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t DIY a mani last night. Hello, pretty lilac!

Met Gala: a recap

I believe the @ManRepeller said it best: Can’t believe my invite to the Met Ball got lost in the mail AGAIN! Get your shit together, post office.

Every magazine has already done slideshows and blog posts galore about who wore what at the Met Gala last night. Since I’ve been otherwise occupied with finals (senioritis is so not helping me out right now), I haven’t been able to put my opinions about last night into cyberspace. So here are my favs.

No. 1 / Elle Fanning, Valentino Couture
I really can’t say enough good things about this look! She’s so age appropriate but brimming with fashion-savvy I can’t stand it! I like her sartorial POV better than her sister’s – and that’s not an easy thing to admit.

No. 2 / Blake Lively, Chanel Haute Couture
I kind of hate this (hair) color, but the toga-esque dress is flattering and interesting in a way I wouldn’t have expected. Plus, who isn’t instantly more chic when they Karl Lagerfeld on their arm?

No. 3 / Diane Kruger, Jason Wu
When do I not love what Diane wears? Next.
No. 4 / Anna Wintour, Chanel Haute Couture
While I’m slightly shocked she didn’t wear McQueen in honor of the evening, Anna in Chanel is kind of an institution in itself. And I think she looked really outstanding in this custom piece.

No. 5 / Chanel Iman, Dolce and Gabbana
A lace shift might be a little understated for the Met Gala on anyone else, but on Chanel its really stunning.

Absolute worst dressed? Naomi Campbell. I understand she may have felt the necessity of wearing McQueen last night, but did she have a mirror?

OOTD

Today is a very important day. I have a meeting with Chandra Turner, executive editor of PARENTS magazine and founder of my go-to internship website Ed2010.com. I want to make sure I’m dressed to impress. Now if only I could find a color printer before the meeting so I can print my resume… Doesn’t seem like I’ll win that one. Today is a perfect day to wear the new See by Chloe dress I got for $39 this weekend (I know, I thought it was a joke too! – and the back of the dress is the reason I bought it, no pic of the back though).

Joe Zee to get his own show?!

When I woke up and immediately checked twitter (I know, what has social media done to us?) I saw many, many tweets with videos and articles about Joe Zee’s new show. I was, in a word, elated. My professional crush on Joe Zee began when he was on that CW show Stylista. He then showed up on The  City, which I admit to only having watched once. His new show All on the Line will be aired by the Sundance Channel (who knows if I even get that??) later this spring.

The premise is kind of like Project Runway, but based on the 35 second video clip I saw, the designers have less fashion/history knowledge and are less self-capable, plus it’s not really like Project Runway. I really have no idea what the show will be like, I just know I’m tuning in.

Elle to Hearst?

It seems as though the magazine powers that be have all but chosen Hearst as the new home for American Elle. Numerous blogs (like Fashionista and NYMag’s Cut Blog) have been following the story for some time now, keeping me on the edge of my seat. But now, news breaks that Lagardère SCA has entered into exclusive negotiations with Hearst to buy American titles (formerly of Hachette Filipacci). Fashionista goes as far as to speculate that…

As Hearst’s suits attempt to sell Elle under its women’s/fashion portfolio, they will begin to demand certain things from the editors. And if those things chip away from Elle‘s core brand in any capacity, we could see a mass editorial exodus.

Could this mean that in a few months there is the possibility of jobs opening up (if the supposed “mass editorial exodus” really does occur)? As a May 2011 graduate, I don’t really mind the idea of job openings right in the middle of my ideal market at one of my favorite magazines, but I also don’t want to see Hearst change Elle and drive it from the magazine I’ve grown to love and admire. I would also hate to see the pillars of Elle (at least in my mind) like Robbie Myers, Anne Slowey, Joe Zee and others leave.

Suffice it to say, I hate to see one American magazine house evaporate; it doesn’t really endear my parents to my chosen career path. But on the other hand, knowing that the magazines themselves aren’t dying is a relief. I just don’t want to see the integrity of Elle as a magazine be compromised as a result of this merger. But this may aid in my New Year’s Resolution to get a job. We’ll have a better idea of how this will all go down on Jan. 30. In the meantime, I move to New York on Saturday and start my fantastic internship on Monday. Happy 2011!

Just to make you laugh

My mom e-mailed this to me and I just about died laughing, I hope you appreciate it as much as I did!

Expect some upcoming posts about NYT articles from the past few weeks. I’ve been reading them and filing them away for when I have time to blog, and let’s just say there’s a lot in my “to be blogged about” file. Brace yourselves.

The real world

Since I start my senior year at Baylor on Monday, the real world is starting to seem a lot scarier than just a tired reality show. And with so many of my close friends already there, mostly unemployed, I’m shaking in my boots. But, I’m trying to stay positive…

It’s no secret that I did some freelancing this summer (links to published stories are at the bottom of this post!). After getting more bylines than I originally anticipated – thanks Stephanie and Jenny! – I decided to invest some of the money in my future. Since I’ll be going on interviews for my spring internship and then interning at a great magazine and then, hopefully, interviewing for a real job, I need a business/professional handbag. As a college student my all of my handbags are either tiny bags perfect for going out (they can carry my phone, chapstick, keys, cards and little else) or giant totes that can carry my laptop and spirals for class. Neither really says “I’m ready for a salaried position on your magazine.”

This large leather satchel from Ann Taylor, however, means business. The leather is soft and supple. The turn latch clicks when you switch it. And it’s spacious enough for just what I need – no more and no less. When I’m in an interview I think this handbag will speak volumes without stealing the show. I think one of my favorite things about it is the lack of designer label. There is not a single identifying name or set of initials that would tip someone off as to how much I dropped on it. And it’s about to be mine; I bought it online yesterday and can’t wait for it to arrive at my apartment. Because I might have an interview with one of my favorite magazines to look forward to in the near future, and I want to make sure I don’t have the wrong bag in tow to give off the wrong opinion.

My freelance articles:
Grapevine teen designs and sells her own jewelry line
Back to school looks that make the grade