I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad

Tomorrow I embark for a week-long stay in the Windy City to eat good food, see good shows and spend good quality time with family. As I pack for my 8-day stay, I've come to the realization that I can fit all of my carry-on stuff (excluding clothes...those will be going in my pink duffel bag) into my new Michael Kors bag:

This includes:

• My camera and charger
• Jewelry
• Sticky notes and highlighters for my summer reading assignment
• My summer reading book "The Alchemist"
• My personal book "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest"
• My ipod/headphones
• Planner
• Some trashy magazines
• Food
• Sleep mask
• Phone
• Wallet
• Sunglasses etc...

Pretty impressive if I do say so myself.  And this way, I'll have the luxury of looking like a normal human being, not an overgrown 5 year old by schlepping a big backpack around. Not that all backpacks are for people who haven't yet outgrown the kid's department. Here are some cute and classic takes on the standard school bag:

Bags include: Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture, Marc by Marc  Jacobs and Free People

I'm a million different people from one day to the next

Today that line stuck out to me when I was listening to Pandora; it's Bittersweet Symphony by I have no clue. That's not their name, I just don't remember. I pretty much am someone different every day. Not in a crazy, psychopathic way but emotionally and in the way I dress. Sometimes I'll throw on aviators, sandals and a sundress:

Ray-Ban aviators, Dorothy Perkins dress and Calypso St. Barth sandals

Other times, preppy shorts, a polo shirt and Sperry Top Siders when I'm feeling the "I live in suburbia but like dressing like I'm at a country club" look:

Polo from Abercrombie, JCrew sailor shorts and special edition Sperry deck shoes

And  the "I just roll out of bed looking like this and  I eat raw food in the basement of a really cool, Brooklyn bar after I do yoga and before I play the bass  in my rock band" outfit: 

Body-con skirt from Delias, Topshop crop vest, Gray Vans, Orange bangles from Net-a-porter

And on those increasingly more frequent of days, I'll dress in the most lavish ball gowns and highest heels, strutting around belting Sex and the City 2's rendition of "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar." 

Today I felt a mix of invincible sundress chic. I paired gold, Anthony Melani wedges with a gold, bauble ALDO necklace and a blue and green GLAM sheath dress. I also wore a turquoise flower ring designed by a local artist and toted a black and gold Michael Kors hobo. 


And on that note, 
"If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman"

Have a great weekend and happy Father's Day!

Maxi Dresses- Sweet Summertime

Maxi Dresses- Sweet Summertime by brookeashlin featuring plastic sunglasses

Maxi dress
$101 - goddiva.co.uk

Max Azria sheer gown
$364 - net-a-porter.com

Tube dress
30 GBP - republic.co.uk

Long evening gown
$4,195 - matthewwilliamson.com

Cotton dress
30 GBP - axparis.co.uk

Forever21 ruffle maxi dress
$30 - forever21.com

D G summer evening dress
3.485 EUR - stylebop.com

Forever21 metallic strappy sandals
$18 - forever21.com

Leather gladiator sandals
595 GBP - harveynichols.com

Paloma Barceló espadrilles wedge
$330 - net-a-porter.com

Dorothy Perkins coral brooch
10 GBP - dorothyperkins.com

Denis Colomb lightweight scarve
$369 - barneys.com

Armani Exchange plastic sunglasses
$60 - armaniexchange.com

Ralph Lauren Summer Romance Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz - Limited Edition
$78 - macys.com

Victoria's Secret Bombshell Summer Limited-edition Eau de Parfum
$49 - victoriassecret.com

Amazon.com: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour Spring 2010 INATTENDU…
$55 - amazon.com

ruebeauté! neon nail polish
$3.99 - rue21.com

I'm on the edge with you

I am currently listening intently to Lady Gaga's newly released CD, "Born This Way" while repainting my nails with Essie's Braziliant and also managing to study for my permit test. I'm quite good at multi-tasking as long as it doesn't require walking or running or any other sort of coordination/athletic event.

I got back from Miami this past Saturday, returning with 50% more clothing than I left with. This load included: 6 bathing suits, 2 sweaters, a romper, 2 pairs of shorts, 12 bottles of nail polish, Marc Jacobs perfume and the 4 fashion magazines I picked up at the airport "news stand." It was quite a success.

My new romper is one of my favorite fashion pieces for summer. It's versatile and can be worn with a bazillion different colors that all circle back to the colored floral pattern of the piece, plus they slip on just as easy as a dress.

Khaki Floral Tube Romper (delias.com)

I wore my romper with a mustard yellow, Halogen sweater; cognac, jeweled, Steve Madden sandals and a brown leather cross body bag:

Maxi dresses are another aspect of summer fashion I'm looking forward to, if I can find one that's long enough. The perfect dress should fall slightly below the ankles but shouldn't be too long that it poses a tripping hazard. Maxi dresses can be "casualized" with chic sandals or dressed up with wedges for a night out. 

She got the errant sister award for the day