Currently Craving

I'm thinking about finding summer jobs right now, and the sad thing is, when I think about sumer, I think about shopping.  And you all know that I love shopping.  Definitely too much.  Here are my two favorite things I found perusing around today:


Foley + Corinna Jet Set Bag, $495 at shopbop.com, Alice + Olivia Nicola Fitted Dress, $297 at shopbop.com: I've wanted this bag since 8th grade.  No joke.  It was actually between this one and the one I got (the city tote) when I bought it, after having saved up all my money FOREVER.  The city tote won out, but I still have a soft spot for this baby.  I love the structured shape, and how it contrasts with the slightly edgier details, like the buckles and zippers.  It's just the right size for all my junk, and the leather on these Foley + Corinna bags ages so, so well.  Plus it has a handy shoulder strap so you can wear it two ways.  If you can't tell, I want it again.  On another fab note, there's this Alice + Olivia leopard dress.  I love me some leopard, and I love me some body-con dresses, and when you put them together--DOUBLE LOVE.  It's almost too much, but since the cut of the dress is so simple I think it works, no?

Images via shopbop.com.

BHLDN

This is bad news for brides-to-be everywhere, kids.  Anthropologie has launched an online bridal shop, complete with wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, accessories, shoes, etc, etc.  Why is this bad news?  Because it is going to kill my wallet and I'm not even getting married.  It's genius, really.  Take the romatic-boho chic of Anthropologie and capitalize on it in wedding form and you have a guaranteed money maker.  Here are some of my favorite pieces (but let's be honest, I love all of them):

Tiered Tulip Gown, $2,400 at bhldn.com: I love this wedding dress.  It's so different from what you usually see, but not so different that you could never actually wear it as a wedding dress.  The lettuce edge to the layers adds a hint of femininity without going overboard, the slit in the front shows a bit of ankle without being too sexy, and the black sash at the waist adds just the right amount of structure and edge.  It's modern, it's romantic, and it's just a bit quirky.

Starburst Pleated Shift, $200 at bhldn.com: This is so '20s screen siren, in a modern take (also, does that model look a bit like Camilla Belle or is that just me?).  The black becomes fun instead of standard with the high sheen fabric, the subtle pleating gives the simple shape some visual interest, and the wrapped, jeweled belt adds this old school glamour twist.  I want to wear this dress in a smokey speakeasy with tons of black liner and basically just be awesome.

Savoy Dress, $220 at bhldn.com: I have a dress like this from Rodarte for Target, with the same neckline with the illusion/sheer fabric and the sweetheart cut.  It's such a fun dress because you aren't showing too much skin, but you're still flashing a little something-something.  The length is flattering but wedding appropriate, and the sweetness of the little bow balances out the vampiness of the lipstick red perfectly.

Images via BHLDN.com.

J. Crew Wants

 Aw, J. Crew.  It's like they understand me so well.  I'm going to start one-stop shopping there soon.  I mean, now they sell nail polish and lip gloss, so I'm pretty much set for life.  Here are some of their cute new items:

Oxford Ballet Flats, $138 at jcrew.com, Corsa Hobo, $298 at jcrew.com: I've always wished I could rock a pair of oxfords, but something about the lace-up structure of them throws me off, and they're a little on the masculine side for me.  That's why I think these flats are adorable.  They have the styling of a pair of oxfords, but in cute little ballet flat format.  It's the perfect balance of masculine and feminine, and so quirky chic.  J. Crew is really knocking it out of the park with their handbags recently.  I like my bags to be basic and versatile, but with a bit of a unique twist.  This bag is big enough to hold all my junk, a versatile and rich color, and has a few little quirks: the distressed leather, the oversized zipper pulls, the chain handle.  Plus at just under $300, it's a pretty good deal.

Swirling Dots Dress, $148 at jcrew.com, Crosstown Tee, $27.60 at jcrew.com: I am still on the hunt for the perfect little sundress--just a hint of vintage flair, flattering cut, lightweight.  This isn't it, but it's pretty darn cute.  It has a cute swirling dot print, a light cotton-silk blend fabric, a cut that flirts the line between fitted and flowing nicely, and a sweet little bow at the bustline.  It's simple but elegant, and an outfit in and of itself.  I love all of J. Crew's riffs on the basic tee, like this wrap/crossover front tee.  It comes in a ton of colors, the wrap cut makes your waist look tiny, and it's one sale.  Wootwoot.

Images via jcrew.com.

Craving: Urban Decay Feminine Palette

I don't think I've ever bought an eyeshadow palette.  I'm too picky.  I like to be able to choose all of my colors.  But sometimes I wish I had a cute little palette like this to take with me when I travel.  It's so much more travel friendly than a ton of loose eyeshadows and the packaging is LOVELY.  


Urban Decay Feminine Palette, $34 at urbandecay.com.  Loving the feathery art on the front.  I'd actually be proud to whip this out of my makeup bag.

So what's included in the palette is a mini of their Eden shadow primer (a matte beige), a mini of their 24-7 liner in Zero (black), and 6 shadows: Stray Dog, a cool deep brown taupe, SWF, a metallic cotton candy pink, Midnight Cowboy, a gilded champage bronze, Aquarius, a pale, muted teal with silver shimmer, Darkhorse, a deep chocolate bronze-brown, and Ecstacy, a cool violet purple.  I really love that there's a nice combination of wearable, chic shades, and then there's the purple and the teal thrown in for a fun, whimsical touch.  The black liner adds a nice bit of edge to it all. 

I read somewhere that you get about $80 worth of product in this palette, which is a pretty phenomenal steal considering that the actual price is about $46 less than that.  Talk about a bargain people.  Has anyone tried this?  I want it.


Images via audreydao.com.

Womanity

So when I replaced my old, dried up gel liner from Sephora a few days ago, I ended up with some fun free samples.  One of which was the Thierry Mugler Womanity EDP, which I've been dying to try for a while now.


Thierry Mugler Womanity EDP, $78 for 1.7 oz at sephora.com: It's definitely not a cheap fragrance, and I have mixed feelings about the bottle.  I like it, but I don't think it's very chic or elegant.  There's some mumbo jumbo about 'secret symbols' carved into the cap and all that, but the one bit I do like about the cap is the twist-on cap.  It feels a little more glamorous than the standard atomizer.  The other thing that bothers me is the name.  Womanity?  Really?  Ugh.

So the notes in this are fig, caviar, citrus, and woods.  When I first heard that I was like hm.  I'm a vegetarian.  Caviar is one of the last things I want to smell like.  But the caviar here doesn't say "baby fish fetuses."  It adds a salty, musky base to the fragrance that twists around the dry woods beautifully, in a way reminiscent of drift wood on the beach.  The citrus adds a bright note, but the fig...the fig is the real star.  It adds a sweet, feminine, unctuous twist that keeps this from being any generic girly fragrance and takes it to an interesting, offbeat and sophisticated place.  I really love this.  I loved it so much that I thought it must be weird (I always like weird perfumes), and so I made basically everyone I talked to today smell it, and the general consensus is that it's FAB.  It's feminine but not boring, has great sillage and lasting power (I put a TINY dab on over 12 hours ago and I can still smell it clearly) but isn't overpowering, and it's sexy.  Very, very sexy in a non-slutty, non-tacky kind of way.  I really want this.  Which is a problem, since it ain't cheap.


Awkward Chic rating: A-.  I'd give the perfume itself an A+, but the name, price, and bottle take it down a bit.


Image via sephora.com.

Today's Wants

I need to choose my classes next year based solely on which ones don't have WiFi in the classrooms.  Otherwise I need to change my major to online shopping.  Which I would be amazing at.  Here are my two favorite things I found today:


Elizabeth & James Odila Leather and Glossed-twill Bell Skirt, $465 at net-a-porter.com, Emma Cook Feather Print Silk Crepe de Chine Dress, $620 at net-a-porter.com: This skirt is HOT.  I love me an a-line skirt under any circumstances, but this one is extra fab because of the built-in leather belt with all its geometric cut outs.  The sheen of the leather and the interesting texture put all the emphasis on your waist, and the flair of the a-line skirt makes your waist look tiny.  Doesn't the flower print on this dress look real?  That's why I like it.  It looks like a $1,000 dress covered in real feather, but instead it's a $600 dress that balances a vibrant, textural print with a clean, simple silhouette perfectly.  It's such a statement in and of itself.

Images via net-a-porter.com.

Hello, Pretty

The weather in Boston right now is a lovely combination of snow, ice, and rain.  Delightful.  I'm just wearing rain boots every day at this point.  What else can you do?  (aside from curl up in the fetal position on the floor and cry.  been there, done that.)  Anyways, the shoes I really want to be wearing right now look something like these babies.


Dolce Vita Jade Crisscross Wedge Sandals, $191 at shopbop.com: These are fabulous.  They're made of nubuck leather, which has this gorgeous suede-like finish, the coral-red is such a fun, summery color in the middle of all this grey cloudiness going on right now, and the zipper and tassel in the back are so sassy!  The whole vibe is the perfect combination of modern lines and retro styling, and I'm loving the 4.5 inch wedges with the platform.  I not so secretly love platforms and totally have a secret thing for wedges.  Maybe it's just my epic clumsiness, but they're so much easier for me to walk in.

Images from shopbop.com.

Tobi Redesign

I don't deal well with change.  Jezebel just changed their layout and it actually made me want to cry (it's so user unfriendly!).  However, I totally love the new Tobi redesign.


The layout is much cleaner, the pictures are bigger and clearer, there are fun new zoom functions, and basically all the extras have been stripped away to make for an easier, simpler shopping experience.  And to celebrate this new layout, they've given out a 25% off promo code!  Just use the code FRESHLOOK when you check out for the discount.


Also, keep an eye on their blog.  It's getting a revamp too, and yours truly may be posting on it sometime soon!

I'm Alive.

Contrary to popular belief, I did not die during the past week.  I disappeared under the giant rock/blackhole is that sorority recruitment week.  Totally thought I could handle it and blog occasionally.  Totally overestimated my time management skills.  BUT on the plus side now I'm back and will have plenty of time to blog (finally).  Yipee!  So here are some of the fun things I've been bookmarking this week and waiting to blog about.  (Sidenote: two of my three free Zoya polishes finally shipped.  After a month of being on backorder.  Cry.  So they're at my house in LA and getting sent out here tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to review those soon!).


I'm in an eat my feelings sort of place right now (damn you, econ problem set), and I've been staring at these adorable chocolates for almost a week now.  I think they belong in my life.  They're from a company called Sweeteeth (cutesy), but what I really love are the adorably quirky packaging and the amazing flavors.  Example one: A'Chocolypse, a dark chocolate bar with candied ginger and popping sugar, and Cinnapsis: dark chocolate with dried apples, candied pecans and cinnamon.  My stomach is actually rumbling right now.

Also, this past week for recruitment I switched it up and wore a pair of pink pearl earrings I hijacked from my mom (sorry mommy).  I know that sounds silly, but it is a BIG change for me.  I've had the same pair of earrings in for a little over a year now.  It's this pair from Viv & Ingrid, just little rose posts plated in gold.  What I love about them is that they're simple, but not boring, they don't irritate my ears, and they NEVER fall out.  I've gone months not taking them out for anything (working out, showering, sleeping), and they are not gonna fall out.  Ever.  It's very reassuring.  So I love them to death, but I kinda want to branch out a little more.  The pearls have given me courage!  I absolutely love these drop earrings from Rachel Leigh.  They're $106 at shopbop.com.  The juxtaposition of the cut crystals and the aged, gunmetal settings is so rock and roll glam, and...basically they're large and sparkley, so I love them.

That's all for today folks!  I promise I'll be more entertaining tomorrow, I'm still a little brain dead.


Images via vivandingrid.com, shopbop.com.

Mini-Vacay

Hey all,


So this week is recruitment for my sorority chapter, and until Sunday I barely to have to eat and sleep, let alone online shop and blog and all my usual hobbies (just kidding, mom!).  I'm going to take a mini blogging vacay until next week.  Which means I'll probably break down and blog once or twice this week, but definitely not every day.  I can't even watch Gossip Girl this week. :(


I'll miss you all, and I'll see you next week!
-Megan

Today's Dose of Hilarity

 This video clips are both really random, but really, really funny.


The first is vintage, 15 year old Natalie Portman playing the lead in Cabaret at summer camp(???) with a hilariously bad accent.

The second is the first promo from the Oscars this year, with Anne Hathaway and James Franco.




They are adorable.  I want them to make genetically blessed babies.  And I want him to stop acting on soaps, but that's a whole other story.

Pretty Things

 Guess what y'all???  IT'S THE WEEKEND.  Well, unless you have class tomorrow.  In which case I am very sorry.  So here are some pretty things to make you feel better about that unfortunate scheduling incident.

Laura Mercier Silk Road Eye and Cheek Palette, $48 at sephora.com, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil, $20 at sephora.com: I like this palette based solely on the name (total history nerd alert).  But it's also full of colors that are actually useful.  There's Palace Pink blush (a soft shimmering pink with gold pearl), Persian Rose blush (a pink coral with gold sheen), and then eye shadows in Regal Violet (vibrant sparkling violet), Golden Sands (soft pink peach with gold pearl), Rare Taupe (soft taupe grey with satin finish), and Lavender Silk (pale blue violet with matte finish).  I really love the two blushes--anything pale and pink and shimmery has my vote--and I really love that the shadows are wearable colors but not the usual taupes and neutrals.  You could do a simple eye with the pale pink and the taupe, or do the taupe with the dark purple in the v for a smokier look, or combine the purples, or do a combo of the pale pink and the lavender for a soft, ethereal look.  Now, I'm not a huge fan of Urban Decay's 24/7 liners (the lasting power for me is sub-par), but I've heard such good things about these shadow pencils that I'm dying to try one.  I like to blend/combine lots of pretty shadows in the morning, but sometimes I sleep in too late and just don't have time to do the whole blending/contouring she-bang.  So I find the idea of a one-step, do it all pencil very appealing.  The shades are very similar to the UD liners, and I hear the lasting power is great.  I'd love to try Sin (champagne) and Rehab (taupe).

Stila Make Me Blush Set, $20 at sephora.com: This is the cutest gift for Valentine's Day EVER.  The lip glazes are .05 oz instead of the fullsize .08 oz, and the full-size glosses are $22, so that's a great deal in and of itself.  The shades included are Hugs (creamy rose) and Kisses (sparkling red), which are cutely named for Valentine's Day and pretty colors.  But the blush is what really gets me.  HOW ADORABLE IS THAT?  The color is a flattering blend of peach, pink, and deep, and the gold dusting adds a nice little sparkle.  I want to buy this for Valentine's Day for myself.  Is that sad?

Images via sephora.com.

Me Want

I want this.


Wildfox Paris Pony Tee, $77 at shopbop.com: I know it's overpriced.  But it's really cute.  It's a big white scoopneck tee (which already sold me) and then you add the pony and the Paris and the vintagey feel and I NEED IT.  I want to wear it with dark wash jeans and boots and pretty jewelry and run around feeling French.

Image via shopbop.com.

Sick Day Outfit

I'm still in the throes of this blah general sick feelingness that I think might be bronchitis.  Crycry.  The problem with this situation is that I just want to curl up in my bed and nap, but I have to go to classes and meetings and sorority stuff.  So the current goal is to wear clothes that feel like pajamas for when I can't wear actual pajamas.  Woohoo.  Here is my current dream "cozy but still cute" outfit.

KAIN Pocket Tank, $55 at tobi.com, Patterson J. Kincaid Patricia Cardigan, $218 at shopbop.com: These KAIN tanks are ridiculously comfortable.  The fit is slightly oversized without being too bulky, the fabric feels like silk, and they manage to be basic without being boring.  I'd pair the white tank with this soft red sweater.  It's just big enough to be cozy, the mixture of fabrics (wool, angora, etc) makes it very soft but also way, the big pockets are fun and practical, and the thumbholes on the sleeves are adorable and just perfect for when you're feeling blah and schlumpy.  Plus the cranberry hue is so pretty and will liven up even the palest of sad, sick complexions (like mine!  It might also be the complete lack of sun, but I'm pretty sure I glow in the dark at this point).

Ugg Australia Montclair Boots, $199.95 at nordstrom.com, 7 For All Mankind Gwenevere Jeans, $113 at tobi.com: Confession: I don't like UGG boots.  I do own two pairs, but I only wear them inside, I promise.  But this pair is mildly acceptable for public consumption when it's cold out and you're sick and you just want to be cozy.  The lace-up detail, slim cut, and exposed cuff make this pair a little more fashion forward and flattering than the standard UGG boot, no?  The one thing I hate to wear the most when I'm sick is a constricting pair of pants.  There's nothing that makes you feel less cozy.  This pair, however, actually feels like pajama pants.  They have a nice high waist, and are super stretchy, plus the slim leg would tuck into the boots perfectly.

Kenneth Jay Lane Tassel Necklace, $39.90 at shopbop.com: Now, even if you're sick, you've gotta have a little bit of bling.  Just a little to make you feel less sad and blah.  I'd go for a simple pendant necklace, since it's easy but high impact.  This one is on sale (woot), and the organic feeling stone and festive tassel make it unique and glam in a sort of low maintenance way.

Images via shopbop.com, tobi.com, nordstrom.com.

Shiny Pretty Happy Things

Dudes.  I am sick.  It's bronchitis city over here.  Blah.  So if I seem a little...blah over the next few days, it's not that I don't love you guys anymore.  It's that I feel like death.  So here are some pretty things to cheer us all up.


J. Crew Silk Serenade Dress, $138 at jcrew.com, J. Crew Corsa Tote, $238 at jcrew.com: How adorable are these new J. Crew pieces?  Drool.  I love the blue shade of this slip dress, I love the subtle sheen of the silk, and I love the cut with its lingerie inclinations.  You could dress it up in a very feminine, sexy way, or you could dress it down and make it daytime appropriate.  I wish I had the money to buy this J. Crew tote for my textbooks.  It's just big enough for books and laptops, it has a good number of pockets for stashing things in, and the washed and worn leather look reminds me of an old motorcycle jacket in the best possible way.

LUSH It's Raining Men Shower Gel, $24.95 at lushusa.com: I would buy this for the name alone.  It's Raining Men?  In the shower?  Yes.  Just yes.  And the fact that it has notes of lotus flower, honey, bergamot oil, and orange blossom seals the deal.  It would make me smile in the gross dorm showers, and that's a feat in and of itself.

Images via jcrew.com, lushusa.com.

No More Waity, Katie

Butter London is coming out with a polish in March called "No More Waity, Katie."  As in, no more waiting for Kate Middleton to get married.  I can't decide if I find that tasteless or hilarious, but either way I think the color is fantastic.  It's a purpley taupe with lavender sparkle.  It's the right balance between classic chic and offbeat fashionista.

Again, it comes out in March and it'll be $22, which is a lot for polish but I think the hilarious name and color are worth it.


Image via refinery29.com.

Review: MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation

I've been searching for a good foundation setting powder that blends coverage and mattifying properties in an easy to use formula for years.  Literally.  And so far, my search has been inconclusive.  But, I think I've found a pretty good option (not a holy grail status option, but a good option).  It's MAC's Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $26 at maccosmetics.com.


I know the idea of setting foundation with foundation seems silly.  But I'm always looking for more coverage and I figured that a foundation would have more lasting power than a regular powder, and probably more mattifying power.  This foundation comes in a round, palm-sized compact with a mirror in the lid and a sponge concealed in a compartment under the powder.  The powder comes in the usual MAC shades and has no SPF.

As far as the packaging goes, I am very pleased with it.  It clicks closed with a really satisfying sound (I know that's weird, but it makes me so happy), you get a great amount of product, and the mirror is very helpful.  I don't understand the sponge, to be honest, but if you like sponges it's a convenient way to apply your powder on the go.


Now, for the product itself.  I hate powder foundations and matte finishes, so I haven't applied it as such (this definitely has a matte finish).  I see how it could be a good powder foundation, and it certainly has good coverage.  It is highly pigmented, which is great for me because I've been applying it only on my t-zone, and it helps with my nose redness.  What I do with this is use a big, fluffy brush and pat it down my t-zone where I'm oiliest.  The coverage is easy to build, and it keeps my foundation and concealer lasting and staying fresh for much longer than they did before.  I've heard that this breaks a lot of people out, but I haven't experienced any issues with that in the 2 weeks that I've used it.  With my last pressed powder, I had to reapply at least 4 times a day.  Here, I can reapply maybe once or twice and still not look like an oil-slick.


Long story short: this a pigmented, high-coverage pressed foundation that will keep you matte for at least a few hours and set your makeup nicely.  I don't know if I would use it as an actualy foundation, but as a setting powder I think it's fabulous.


Awkward Chic rating: A-.  If it kept me matte all day it would get an A, but as is it's a pretty fantastic product.


Images from thisnext.com, firstimpressionsbeauty.blogspot.com.

Currently Loving: KAIN Pocket Tank

About a week ago I ordered a KAIN Pocket Tank on super, super sale from Tobi.com.  It was originally $80 and I got it for $15 in the color Magic Spell, which is a lovely medium lavender.  I took it out of the box, immediately loved it, and bought another one in Amalfi Red online yesterday.  I've wanted a KAIN tank forever, but couldn't justify the price tag.  However, at about $20 a pop, they're an amazing deal.  They're one size fits all, which could be problematic for some, but it fits me surprisingly well.  There's a pocket on the right side, and the fabric is a mixture of modal and silk, so it's very soft and drapes perfectly (this also means that they're very fragile, so hand-wash only).  Here I'm wearing it with a C&C California sweater, a Tiffany's necklace, 7 For All Mankind jeans, and Frye boots.

And here's a slightly blurry (sorry!) photo of just the tank.  As you can see, it's slightly transparent, which doesn't bother me but makes it not work appropriate.  But it's just so, so comfy.  There are still a ton of colors on sale, including a really pretty mauve.

All in all, I love these tanks.  They're a great basic wardrobe staple, they come in a lot of colors, they're very comfortable, and they go with basically anything.  Aside from how fragile these are, there are no downsides here.

Hunter White Tiger Welly Socks

I hate snow.  Whenever it snows back here it seems like the postal service has a complete meltdown and then the online purchases I've been consistently stalking don't get here and it makes me very sad.  But my Hunter White Tiger Welly Socks that I ordered from Zappos just came in and they are AWESOME.


Welly socks are really fleece liners made for Hunter boots to make them warm and snuggly.  They come in medium and large (I haven't seen small yet) and I'm a size 10 so I got the large.  They're a little loose around my calves, but they fit nicely in my boots.  I wouldn't wear socks under these because it would just get too complicated and bulky, and you need to put these on like socks--i.e. put the welly socks on and then put on the boots.  Don't put the socks in the boots and then try to put them on.  Does not work out.  Anyways, I got the ones with the giant white tiger cuffs made out of faux fur.  They're so plush and cozy.  I love them.  Oh, and see the little Hunter logo on the front of the socks?  I'm such a label whore, but it makes me happy.

I have gotten so many comments on these, especially for only having worn them twice.  When I pulled them out of the box I had a moment of "omg these are ridiculous why did I order them???" but I love them.  They keep my feet so, so warm in the snow, so they work on a functional level, and they look like I belong in the Russian tundra 100 years ago, which is kind of amazing.  I feel like a Romanov wearing these.  In a good way.


The long story short: I highly recommend these.  They're comfortable, they fit a variety of calf sizes (my dancer roomie tried them and they fit over her wider calves too), they keep your feet warm, and they look fabulous.  You can get them for $40 at Zappos.com.

How To Not Die of Boredom on Long Flights

I've been traveling a lot lately.  Back and forth from school, during break to Oregon and San Francisco, and what I realized is that if you aren't properly prepared for a long flight, it can be MISERABLE.  Example: my flight home from Boston to LA on American Airlines.  It was a long, long flight and I'd just come from taking a final, so I wasn't really prepared or on top of my traveling situation.  I didn't bring any food (for six hours!) and I have a stomach condition where not eating for that long is just unacceptable.  And I forgot to bring anything to watch/read, AND I dressed terribly for a plane.  It was a disaster.  So, I thought I'd put together some tips (for myself mostly) on how not to be so miserable on a flight.


1.  Dress appropriately.  This can be difficult if you're going from somewhere warm to somewhere cold or vice versa.  What I'd recommend doing is wearing jeans or a longer skirt/dress.  Please step it up from sweats.  If you're wearing shorts or a short skirt you will just freeze.  Planes are always too cold.  As far as shoes go, you could do Uggs if you have cold feet, or I'd recommend a simple leather boot, boat shoes, Conserve, really anything but heels or sandals.  Heels are just silly, and sandals will give you cold feet.  But the real key here is doing light layers.  That way you can prepare for any climate while not carrying too many bulky parkas or jackets.  I had only a parka and a tee, and in the parka I was boiling but in the tee I was freezing.  Such a fail.  Be smarter than me and do something like this:


Love Quotes Eyelash Fringe Scarf, $60.20 at shopbop.com, C&C California Striped Draped Cardigan, $171.50 at shopbop.com: I am a huge fan of big sweaters like this for flights.  You can leave it open or wrap it around yourself for extra warmth, and this one is big and cozy with a hood and a cotton-cashmere blend (just warmth enough).  It's so long that it can basically double as a blanket, but it isn't bulky or unflattering, AND it's on sale.  I always take a scarf on plane flights because they are fabulous multi-taskers.  If your neck is cold, wrap it around your neck.  Or you can wrap it around your shoulders, use it as a blanket, use it as a pillow, etc, etc.  Getting a scarf in a neutral color means that you can get more wear out of it (and this is also on sale).

2.  Snacks.  You always need to have snacks.  Airplane snacks are terrible and ridiculously overpriced.  Bring your own snacks, and be a much happier person.  I like to cover multiple snack categories so that you can satisfy most cravings.  I'd do something sweet/carby, something healthy, and something savory.  For example, a scone or two, some apples or carrots, and some pretzels or some sort of chip.  As far as drinks go, it's difficult because you can't bring liquids past security.  What you could do is bring powdered drinks, and then add water once you get past the TSA.  I love Crystal Lite's Green Tea Mango packets.  Delicious.  Or you could bring tea bags and get hot water from the stewardess.


3.  Entertainment.  The most important category.  I usually fly Virgin, which has fun personal TV screens where you can watch satellite TV or a selection of movies or TV shows.  And they have great variety, and always things that I like.  American has...nothing.  Blah.  In general though, you can either fall asleep, watch or listen to something, or read something.  As far as watching and listening goes, obviously bring your iPod, and either bring some DVDs or rent a movie on iTunes (do it before you get on the plane when you still have internet access) if your laptop has a good battery life.  If you like sleeping on flights (I so envy you if you can do that) then bring a traveling pillow and an eye mask.  It is hard to sleep with video screens playing and tons of windows open.  A cute eye mask like this one from Etsy will make your life so much easier.  Now, for the books.  This is tricky.  I made the mistake of only bringing the book I was reading at the time (The Decameron, yes, I am a nerd) which is very intense 14th century Italian literature.  But the problem is, that once you go through the whole drama of the airport and getting on the plane and taking forever to taxi to the runway, you won't be in the mood for something hard-hitting and dry.  You'll probably want something lighter and more fun.  The best solution is to bring two or three books that cover all of your reading interests, so something light, something intellectual, something action-packed, etc.  That way you won't be stuck with a book you can't bear to read and nothing else to do.  My current favorite airplane reads are White Queen by Philippa Gregory, an awesome historical novel about the War of the Roses--more fun than it sounds, I swear--and 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which is a fantastic semi-surrealist novel about colonialism in Colombia.  I realize that sounds really pretentious to have as a favorite book, but it's seriously one of the most entertaining, action-packed books I've ever read.

I hope that helps somebody!  Now if only I could take my own advice...


Images via shopbop.com, barnesandnoble.com,