The boardwalk was quiet and deserted this past weekend. yes, it was freezing but the sun was beautiful and a great reminder that summer is around the corner!

....love this photo. it's a blurry look at the fast-paced enormous city of fashion & opportunities that makes up my favorite city on earth. it was also a reality check to purchase a new digi cam last year.

I can remember the exact day I opened up my first Vogue. I was seven years old (almost eight?) and I was sitting at a salon with my mom and my sister, getting my hair permed. Yes, permed. I remember the horrible scent of rotten eggs embedding my hair for two weeks and of course growing up in Florida, it was hard not being able to swim for two weeks. However, within two weeks, the perm made my hair permenantly crimpy and wavy and looked great. I remember sitting in the chair, bored to death because I had my hair done first and I was waiting for them to finish up, and I picked up a magazine that heavier that normal, and there was a group of girls in cutoff tops and short shorts, all looking very much like Kelly Kapowski (SBTB). I thought about the shorts and how they looked like my favorite Guess white shorts my mom bought me from TJ Maxx. I picked up the Vogue and began flipping through it. I saw clothing that looked like they belonged on the backs of movie stars and supermodels like Christie Brinkley and Claudie Schiffer, who was huge at that time. I felt as if the glossy pages spoke to me, telling me that fashion was a whole other world of knowledge, fabrics, designers, models, perfumes, and more. I remember going to the pharmacy the next day and begging my mom for a copy of Vogue, saying that I needed it for a school project. Actually, I tore that magazine up, bit by bit, cutting out every single dress, suit and pair of jeans to make better paper doll clothes for my Disney princess paper doll sets. My Belle and Ariel were wearing couture and I remember thinking that this is what real famous people wear and should always wear. Ever since then, I've been obsessed with fashion. Yes I went through the whole high-school wardrobe of a Catholic school uniform and Aeropostale-wear weekends. College started off wearing jeans and sweatshirts, and it wasn't until I started my fashion courses in marketing and business that I truly learned, craved, and breathed what it's all about. Fashion has no limits. Fashion has no rights or wrongs (though there are definitley some tickity tacky crazyness out there) and that true quality is what matters. Trends come and go. Money is made and profitted. I cannot afford high labels, nor are they cut to my body-type. However, I do long for certain items, when I feel there is something I truly want. I have a couple Elizabeth & James rings, Marc Jacobs bags, and Michael Kors sweaters (because his cuts appeal to me and are so comfortable). I don't buy for the labels. I buy because I think they reflect parts of my personality. The designer who has been the most influential in my life is Alexander McQueen. Everything about him I loved. I idolized him, his collections, his Addams Family meets Victorian couture designs, and I truly feel the world lost someone who can never be replaced.

Below are some images of a Vogue photoshoot I remember vividly in another Vogue I read in seventh grade. The pictures stuck with me and the beautiful black and white detailing mixed with haunting Victorian masquerades were so amazing. I finally found the photos online. Steven Meisel was the photographer and it was edited for Vogue in December 1997. Enjoy!

I am completely in love with this amazing website, allsaints.com. It has the cutest clothing for the entire family. Reminds me of the Gap + Urban Outfitters. The childrenswear is absolutely adorable, stylish, and not typically found in your regular chain stores. It's unique, funky streetwear that just looks amazing layered up. This website has so many great offers for women and men at every age for amazing prices!!! My favorite pieces for men are the blazers and jackets (your man will look sooo good in these clothes!). It's based out of London, so make sure to click on the US website converter at the top of the page!

I don't know about your house, but if you have a baby, than you know sometimes there are smells in the bedroom (especially around the diaper pail) that are hard to get rid of, no matter how many windows you open. Well I was poking around my local Hallmark (which is my favorite store!) and I found this new spring scenet, Soft Blanket. It is a warm citrus scent with accents of a light vanilla and a warm amber. It smells amazing in my house and it's light enough for sensitive noses! It's available online at Yankee Candle, but support your local Hallmark store and purchase it there. My Hallmark's owner, Miss Patti, is amazing and she always recommends the greatest gifts. Also, Bahama Breeze and Country Lemonade smell sooo good in a bedroom. It's like drinking daquiris every night!