Diamonds.

When I signed off from you last night, I was again anticipating another night in watching my new favorite Netflix binge: Malcolm in the Middle. Well, fate had other plans for me because as I was heating up my food in the hallway, one of my friends from last week's wine party in the kitchen asked me if I should like to join him and some friends in Union Square for the Christmas tree lighting. 

Again, timing was perfect. So I ran to my room, grabbed a coat, and joined my friends for an evening out. 

Seeing the tree in Union Square, surrounded by Macy's and their Charlie Brown Christmas decor, families ice skating on the outdoor rink, and hot chocolate, I felt that at last, Christmas was around the corner.

Anyhow, we're dissapointed, because ice skating is sold out, and so one of the guys reccomends this bar that he's somehow acquainted with and so we go there. 

Boy. It was just my kind of place! Low lighting, cozy, situated on the second floor, kind of a hole in the wall, live jazz music, chandeliers, classiness, 1920's vibes, and delicious cocktails. I was in heaven! So we all toasted with some whiskey shots and spent the remainder of the evening chatting and sipping our specials. 

Burritt Room.

 I went for the Mass Appeal Cocktail: Gin, Elderflower, Ginger, Lime, and Grapefruit Bitters.  

We then get on the subject of most beautiful women. And there's lots of listings of current celebrities: models, actresses, singers, the usual. But in all honesty, the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen was not famous, was not plastered across every magazine, and was most certainly not covered in an inch of makeup. It was a couple years ago at Evan's Plunge Hot Springs in South Daktota! It was a woman with her family in the pool and I just remember her being drop dead naturally gorgeous. And the way she interacted with her family and her movements... I had to tell her that she was the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen!

You see, beauty does come from within. And it isn't based off how popular you are, and it most certainly should not be singled out to celebrities because lemme tell you: they have a team of stylists, makeup artist, and trainers that make them look the way they do. No. Beauty is something that shines from within. 

As we were on the subject, I did mention some of my favorite beauties, the classics: Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. And because I was feeling festive, I chose to dress a la 1950's in their honor. 

Ladies... Today, I was all about diamonds. 

Closeup of all the diamond magic..

What I wore: vintage rhinestone necklace (consignment), black CAbi ballet arms, black Ted Baker dress with heart shaped neckline (consignment), vintage rhinestone belt (antique store), black tights, and black Dolce Vita shoes (antique store).

Black Friday.

Today was Black Friday, also known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The holiday attire has finally arrived, people are happily stuffed full of Thanksgiving turkey, and there's lots of Christmas spirit in the air.

And shopping, of course!

I realize that it's been awhile since I chatted to you last. It's been a busy time of year, as I'm sure it is for all of you. I believe my mind has already begun the countdown until I go home for Christmas, and so I've been a bit distracted as of late. Plus, I still haven't found someone to kindly take pictures of me and I feel very uninspired with my miniature mirror. The struggle is real.

But I miss you!

Anyhow, today was Black Friday, as well as black dress up day at work. It was a fast paced day that kept me on my toes, so a second coffee was much needed.

How were all of your Thanksgivings?

Please please please forgive my terrible mirror shots. I'm throwing it back to the original days of the selfie. 

Business in the front..

...And party in the back!

I call this  my coffee bean dress. Any ideas why?

What I wore: vintage gold bobble earrings (used), black vintage Bretton Original coffee bean dress with train (consignment), black leather Ted Baker belt with gold bow (I love my job!), black tights, and gold J Crew flats (consignment). 

The Balance in Life.

We had a fairly interesting conversation in one of our classes today. Since there were only a few of us who showed up, it turned out to be a very deep discussion kind of day.

Those are my favorite kind of days! Ones that make you think a little differently, ones that allow you to speak up and share with your peers, talking about applicable concepts and personal stories.

After a moment of silence to the Paris Attacks, we got to talking.

I began to pay special attention when our teacher said "the yin and yang of life." He talked about how we can only experience the highs when we experience the lows, how we don't appreciate money until we've lived without it. The circle of life is all about balance. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

I rather felt inspired by this, for my mantra has always been about establishing balance. It's about living healthy, but treating myself, and watching films that make me cry, and then films that make me laugh. Experiencing opposite ends of the spectrum is a good thing, for it makes you fully appreciate the good.

He also mentioned the balance between work life, and social/family life. Recently, I've been talking a lot about work, and today, I would like to balance that out by talking about friends.

Yes. Elan has friends.

Coincidentally, we were all matching today. #onfleek is what I have to say about that. There's me, Trinity, and Brooks...

On the sad side of this happy spectrum, one of my friends here at FIDM, Jessica, is leaving school. She will be missed very much!

Brooks said I was a mixture of Prada and Christina Aguilera Burlesque...

What I wore: wood circular necklace (consignment), olive green Kelly Burgin silk dress (consignment), polka dotted hand-made vintage tapestry jacket ( garage sale), sparkly white fishnet tights (sale), and brown Earthies ankle boots (consignment). 

Be Original. Be Natural. Be Good.

I was a blubbering hot mess today, but in the best way.

I always stress how beautiful it is when things come together so perfectly, when the synergy of life's events all add up to create one beautiful moment.

Today, I was inspired and moved to the point of tears. There were goosebumps, my insides were ignited, and I was inspired beyond belief, touched and moved to the core.

It all started when we were getting ready to present our "product" in my promotions class. My product is my dream of a magazine dedicated to teaching women the importance of self-love and healthy body image, for all shapes and sizes. Anyhow, before we got anywhere in the presentations, we were interrupted to attend a beauty presentation.

We were escorted into a room and encouraged to sit in the front, to help with traffic. The class I was with skipped to the second row, so I charged on ahead and took a seat in the front row, something I learned from my past acting experience! I was also empty on the two seats on both sides of me, even though the audience was entirely full. It's like middle school all over again when no one wants to sit by you!

Anyway, the presentation was led by CEO Simon Cowell, of Bare Escentuals, and it proved to be a life changer.

I was brimming with tears the entire time. I was touched, and my head shook in agreement at every statement. Never in my life have I been so inspired by a speaker on the subject of beauty and the importance of making a positive difference in a woman's life.

He talked a lot about storytelling, of purpose, of the belief that anything is possible. He stressed how the beauty industry is selling insecurity, how it's creating unattainable perfection that causes stress to women. He said that it's about the potential of a woman, not the perfection.

He then went on to say how pretty is what you are, but beauty is what you do with it. Pretty is, beauty does. Beauty should be defined by a woman, not the industry. Beauty is having strength, bravery, authenticity, and having the courage to do anything.

And I never knew this about the company! For example, one of their ad campaigns was done by a blind audition in which they picked their models just by listening to who they were, not based off looks.

It was an incredible afternoon. I stood up at the end and thanked them, and it was during this time that I kind of broke down in tears because I was so moved. I was vulnerable, and I wasn't afraid to show how much that presentation meant to me!

We are about to create our stories that we will someday share with our kids. And leading your life with a purpose that moves you to the extent of tears (yes, tears!), one that's born from your own core beliefs will only lead you to success and happiness.

In the end, it's about finding a career that's an extension of yourself.

Gap Model Takes on the Rain.

Do you know what I woke up to?

The sound of thunder.

My, it was glourious to hear. After hearing sirens, music, cars honking, people laughing, and all the other street noise that comes with living in the city, I was more than enlivened when I first heard those thunderclaps. 

It was a peaceful reminder that there's something natural out there, something that isn't man made and constantly making noise. I miss nature- weather, the sound of wildlife, the silence of the world, and I really felt at peace when I stepped out there in my full rainy attire.

And you can bet your buns that I was grinning all the way to school, even though I still managed to get soaked. Why wouldn't you smile when heaven showers you with cleansing rain?

Today, I was a living breathing Gap model! (even though I wasn't wearing Gap..)

What I wore: navy and white Merona polka-dotted rain slicker (consignment), navy Burberry cashmere scarf (consignment), navy rhinestone necklace (consignment), cream Marc by Marc Jacobs blouse with silk peter pan collar (consignment), burgundy Escada leather skirt (consignment), and black Hunter rain boots with matching British socks (consignment). 

It was also a guaranteed second coffee kind of day. That wind chill and remaining wet residue were enough to get me out for a toasty gingerbread latte, extra shots, of course. 

Love, Ted.

So... in case you weren't aware, Ted Baker is having a sale right now.

This is good. And this is bad. It's already tempting enough to constantly peruse through each item on a daily basis, but now that I've got 25% and 40% off tags attached to garments? I'm a blubbering mess!

Like they say, "I can resist everything except temptation."

Anyhow, Saturdays are dress up days and I was having an absolute ball. It truly is a dream come true for me- the expectation has been far exceeded and I am so pleased to be able to work for such a fine company.

So if you need advice on how certain garments fit, I'm your gal. (I got to try on mostly the whole women's floor yesterday for "fit knowledge." It was fantastic.) And if you need someone to talk your ear off about how fabulous Ted is, I'm also your gal.

Cheers!

I'm sorry again for the goony mirror shots. It's tough living on your own without a personal photographer.. sigh. 

Also, this bodycon dress is heaven. It's made out of neoprene (same fabric used in wetsuits), and whilst it's form-fitting, it's incredibly forgiving. It's stretchy while also being form-flattering. It's an A+ in my wardrobe!

What I wore:clear iridescent grape cluster earrings (vintage), Ted Baker shadow flora bodycon wiggle dress (I love my job!), orange Marco Santi pumps (Nordstrom Rack), and shadow flora Ted Baker roller bag.

And you simply can't go wrong with this shadow floral roller bag to match. I've been coveting one all summer and I finally saved enough mow money to spring for one. Boy was that purchase worth it!

Taking on Ted.

Today was my first official day at Ted Baker.

Let me just say that I may be even more punny than I usually am because Ted is full of puns, full of humor, full of laughs. 

It's fantastic to work for a company that makes you laugh, one that makes you feel good, and one where you're constantly drooling on the inside at all the immaculate pieces on the floor. 

It feels good to be working again. There's something nice about the familiar rhythm, and dressing up for work, and learning new information on the company you love so much. That's what it should be like wherever you work! It shouldn't feel like work, and luckily, I've been fortunate enough to hold some pretty fun jobs, ones that make you feel good at the end of the day. 

And isn't that what life's really about- being happy? I know that's my ultimate goal when I fall asleep at night..

What I wore: Ted Baker clear flower starburst necklace (I love my job!), short purple Kate Spade dress (consignment), blue some days lovin' coat (consignment), and blue and purple Nike tennis shoes (consignment).