How to Be Cool

The mother of all girlcrushes.

I think my "extensive research"  is now legally considered stalking. Probably turned that corner around page 23 of Google search.

If I ever believed in the word "cool," it'd be spelled "Zanna Roberts Rassi."

(photos and other stalking material thanks to sart, StyleCaster, Erika Thomas, Style Du Monde, The Provocative Couture, Miss Walker, RDuJour)

I love you, Chicago

I slept for thirteen hours. Thir. Teen. Hours. In my body's defense, I had a pretty rough day of travel yesterday that started at 4 a.m. (eastern time). But still, that's pretty obscene.

New York was everything. (Besides the whole getting-my-wallet-stolen thing, of course--sigh--but c'est la vie, my friends.) I just kept thinking to myself how incredible it would've been to go to school in New York. It would've been beyond (and yes, I realize I would've been broke -- that isn't the point). But I did come to the conclusion that the only way to truly enjoy New York for everything it has to offer is as a non-New Yorker (meaning living there for less than 10 years). People there need to lighten up. The entire planet and everything it has to offer is in Manhattan, but New Yorkers don't know how to enjoy it. Live a little!

And I'm back in Chicago. It's funny -- I never realized how much Chicago felt like home until I left it. I've only been here for four years, but it's become a pretty special place to me. Now, we just need to work on this weather...

(photo via pinterest)

Photo Diary: New York

"This is what happens when there's a recession!" -- my cousin in reference to the cupcake size

Crumbs on Broadway (right in my cousin's office building!), Alice's Tea Cup (my cousin's favorite cupcake), Chelsea, West Village, Soho with...

my cousin, Sue Jean! She's one of the most fabulous people I know, and she always takes such good care of me when I visit. I love you, Sue Jean unni!

I __ New York

I got robbed today. Oh, "robbed" makes it sound so much worse than it is. I got pick-pocketed. I had to kill some time while waiting for my cousin to get off work, went to a Starbucks and got robbed. Praise the Lord I didn't bring my camera or any other valuables with me. They only took my wallet, and I hope they had fun with that because I had a dollar to my name and I cancelled all my cards the moment I found out it was gone (which I confirmed weren't used).

Well, I can definitely say it was an experience. I've never been inside a police station before. I always thought those Brooklyn police scenes/gags were complete cliches, but it turns out they're for real.

Thanks New York. Hello to you, too.

(photo via pinterest)

Cool Girl

I must've missed the memo. It's summer in New York. It. Is. Stinking. Hot. And I love it.

Another memo I must've missed: tough + girly chic. The thing I've always loved about New York (not that I've been here more than a few times) is everyone's utter fearlessness when it comes to style. People are so open and free about expressing themselves through their personal style. Cropped harem sweats, combat boots, and over-sized sunnies? Okay, that's cool. Black head-to-toe (in this weather) and five-inch platform heels? No problem. A man with rolled jeans and pennies? How neat is that?!

There's nowhere else really like New York in that sense. Except maybe Europe, but that's a completely different continent. (Example: when I find a really fantastic fur coat, I can't justify buying it. When would I ever wear it? I always say, "If I were in New York, I would totally get this." But I'm not.)

I digress. My point is: even amongst all the individualism (oxymoron not intended), you can definitely pick out the fashion junkies, and I've been seeing a whole lot of tough girl leather jackets (yes, in this weather--you New York gals are fierce!) over pastel girly girl chiffon.

I would pair this:

with this for day:

and for night:

Voila! Instant cool girl vibe.

New York, where have you been all my life?

(photos via pinterest, this is glamorous)

Marant Haunt

I swear this Isabel Marant sweater is haunting me.

It's following me. I see it in magazines, in ads, on celebrities, on blogs, in stores. I went to the Water Tower Place to run a few errands today, and I saw this sweater there. In Water Tower Place. Tell me where in this tower I would find an Isabel Marant anything, and yet, there it was in Cusp, taunting, Look, but don't touch. I've been looking for a decent replacement sweater but no luck yet. Maybe I'll find a good one in New York (!!!). That's right, you gorgeous people -- I'm going to New York on Friday!

Jet-setting and job-hunting. Catch me (this spring break) if you can!