Skylines and Summertime

Somehow I always fall behind, and now have to catch up on my second semester in just one post! It was a busy, fun and exhausting one and I'm happy (relieved?) to announce its officially summer break. Here are some highlights of my second semester in the city that never sleeps:

Attended my first official NY fashion week show! So amazing, officially checked off the bucket list:

Naomi Campell: Fashion for Relief

This was one COLD and SNOWY winter, by the way:

Cooper Hewitt Museum

Museum of Art & Design 

Museum of the City of NY

 Finally went to the Guggenheim (on 'pay what you wish' Saturday, of course):

 Also, finally visited the Statue of Liberty with my Baker's Scholar group! Fun day visiting NY's islands:

 Treated myself to a play before finals week, and I was blown away! GO see this if you have the chance:

....and just like that, I waved so long to Manhattan and freshman year, not sure where the time goes? Be sure to check back soon and i'll update you on some summer fun!

xo, 

Marie

Year of the Snake

Happy New Year! After one of the best (and relaxing) Christmas breaks I've ever had, I had to make the tough part again from family to head back to school. I can't wait to update the blog with new fashion and city adventures, the first of which will be facing a full on blizzard! My first classes have been canceled as I watch the steady snow out the window, I will be sure to take lots of pictures.

For now, I'll try to catch up by sharing the special project I mentioned over a month ago (if you follow me @myblondeelife on Instagram, then you've already seen it, but I've added some behind the scenes to keep it interesting!) 

I babble on, here's the 'Taylor Swift Project' I worked on during the break, where I reconfigured photographs to look old-school in light of Taylor's inspiring 1989 polaroid-themed album:

1. Welcome to New York 

I stood on the steps of Times Square to take a two minute video, sped up and edited down to 15 seconds

2. Blank Space

I'm wearing my prom dress (with a jacket, it was chilly) in this photo!

3. Style

This mannequin was part of the Bergdorf Goodman holiday window display whose 2014 theme was: 'Inspired'

4. Out of the Woods

Part of this double-exposure photo was taken from a moving train to Beacon, NY

5. All You Had To Do Was Stay

Taken in Times Square the same day at my Welcome to NY video. 

6. Shake It Off

I was previously planning to use a confetti throwing picture before stumbling upon this.

7. I Wish You Would

This suitcase is full of old love letters and poems!

8. Bad Blood

My sister and I hung a black bed sheet across the closet to create this background.

9. Wildest Dreams

This sunset was taken from the car on a road trip to Kentucky.

10. How You Get The Girl

This lovely carousel was part of Bryant Park's winter village.

11. This Love

This photo came from a shoot last summer, I had never got around to editing it!

12. I Know Places

This photo was taken in pouring rain, checkout the wet streets in the background.

13. Clean

I left out my real first initial in this adaptation of Taylor's famous album cover.

Bonus: You Are In Love

The reflection in this photo is the side of a piano, and the old school white strip to the left is actually a door.

Of course, I didn't get to finish all I hoped to over the break (time is always getting away from me), but I'm hoping to get back into modeling personal outfits again and revisiting the fun that started this blog in the first place!

xo, Marie

Happy Holidays!

Its finally time for me to come out of my Christmas-break induced hibernation and catch you all up on the NYC life. I'm home-sweet-home now, but since my last post I've had the chance to explore the Museum of Natural History, Japan Society, Asia Society, the Frick Collection and browse some of the Chelsea Galleries, (and I also got to meet Nick Jonas, eek)!
Take a peek:

Some famous figures from the movie 'Night at the Museum'

A lovely chandelier by Zarina from the exhibit Descending Darkness

Check out this crazy interactive work, titled 'Ever Blossoming Life', by teamLab at the Japan Society:

View from the Belvedere castle in Central Park

Meeting Nick Jonas at Lord & Taylor!

As for the holidays in the city, I had fun (and froze) at the Macy's Day Parade, got to see the Rockettes at Radio City, checked out just about all the holiday markets (Bryant Park's was my fave), and stood glassy eyed in front of Bergdorf's magical holiday windows!

Front row view between West 62nd and 63rd streets!

Of course end of the year presentations and finals were a hassle, but now that they're over I have a special project (as promised) coming to you soon, so keep a look out and have a very Merry Christmas fashionistas and don't forget to believe in yourself!

xo, 

Marie

adieu, October

Oh dear blog, how I've neglected you! I've been living in the city for a little over two months now, and finally feel eased into routine. School has kept me from posting on just about anything; things have kicked into full swing (and finals are coming fast), plus I'm now working two jobs so there hasn't been much time (where I've had the energy, at least).

So during my moments of free time this month, I've visited the New Museum, the New York Historical Society, Studio Museum in Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, and the Brooklyn Museum. I also saw my first movie in Times Square (with my awesome roommates!) and tried a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. Here's some highlights:

'Here and Elsewhere': New Museum 

The High Line

Bleecker Street

Madeline in New York at the New York Historical Society

Brooklyn Museum
Killer Heels: I saw some of the most famous and mind-blowing shoes ever!

I topped off Halloween with the $3 Fraken-Frappe, and it was YUM.

I've began to realize this has turned into more of my adventures, and less on personal style, mostly because I left my lovely photographers (and tripod) back home! 

No fear, I'm excited to have some time during the holiday to hopefully put together something special! I can't just leave you all with low-quality, no fun iPhone pic's, can I?

Comment if you have anywhere you'd like me to go!

xo,

Marie

September is Fashion Month

I've been surviving successfully in the city for four weeks now: I've been to the MET, the Cloisters, MoMA, and the Whitney, I've been in the live audience of America's Got Talent and Live! With Kelly and Michael, and I've volunteered at my first fashion week show! Yes, I still have a lot of homework to get done in-between. To catch up a little on how I got here:

First day outfit

Recreate the look:

Leather skirt / Crop top / Snake Armlet / Chunky Flatforms

Woke up at 3am to wait 10 hours in line with the roommate to sign up for fashion week volunteering. Many people had camped out all night! Don't mess with determined fashion students:

#freshmanprobs

Backstage selfie at Zang Toi, Red Carpet Reception where I got to be a dresser!

Due to licensing and legality reasons I'm not allowed to put up any backstage pictures from Zang Toi (sad face!) but below you can see the entire collection for yourself: (but I have to say, seeing the clothes up-close and in person is a whole other experience)

This week I'm also volunteering for an event called Coterie, a market event where buyers come to visit hundreds of amazing exhibitors. I will be part of the Ronen Chen exhibit (a stunning Israeli designer) and I can't express how excited I am to experience this side of fashion! At least this time I'll be able to post pics ;)

xo, Marie

Rocket City to the Big City

Well reader, today marks officially 2 weeks that I've been living in 'The City'. I get my groceries at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, I walk before the light changes, heck I'm not even that scared of the Subway anymore! ;)

I haven't been ashamed to have my fair share of touristy moments, though; I love having my camera by my side. Just take a walk down 5th and check each landmark off your list:

If you haven't already, you can see the rest of the pictures (like the stunning interiors of the Schwarzman building and St. Patrick's Cathedral) on my Facebook.

I've just finished my first week of classes and I have a spot to volunteer at Fashion Week, so be on the lookout for a new post full of freshman probs, first day outfits, and fashion week fun!

Do you have any questions for me? Somewhere you'd like me to visit? Don't hesitate, comment or contact me. :)

xox, Marie