Monday, December 27, 2010

Ask and you shall receive

Hey everyone!

I hope you all had a great holiday! I sure did. One of my favorite things about the holidays is when you ask for (and receive) gifts that you have been wanting (and needing) for months.

Well this year, my favorite gift was just that. I asked for the Sephora Collection: Endless Color Blockbuster. And let me tell you...this gift is amazing!
Don't let the size fool you. This fold away make up kit comes with 187 products, and is perfect for someone who likes to experiment with new make up (like me). And when you're finished with it, the compartments fold back into a portable case. Plus it's all only $48!

What I wasn't expecting, however, was a mini set of brushes (which obviously goes perfect with the make up kit).

A girl can never have too many brushes! The Sephora Collection Mineral Brush Set contains four brushes that were made especially for mineral make up. Plus, the case is very cute! This item retails for $19.

What was your fav gift this year? Something fabulous? I hope so!

xx

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas...and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas fashion lovers!
xx
Amanda

Thursday, December 23, 2010

I am going to get a job in fashion...even if it kills me

So I just did one of the ballsiest things I've ever done.

It's no secret that I am (pretty much) unemployed even though I graduated from college in May (something about a recession?). I originally looked for entry level fashion jobs in New York, went on numerous interviews, and wound up empty handed.

It was always an agreement between me and my boyfriend, that whoever got a job first, the other would follow (location wise). So as it turned out, this past October, my boyfriend got a job in southern New Jersey. Clearly not the fashion capital of the world.

My initial plan was to simply transfer to the Charlotte Russe closest to him, but after much consideration (primarily about my finances) it became clear that I wouldn't be able to keep up my half of the rent/bills, etc. on my minimum wage/part time retail job.

So here I am, 7 months after graduation, still living at home in Connecticut with my parents. Now, I've looked for jobs in Jersey that weren't in fashion and still had no luck. I even extended my search to Philadelphia, and yet so far I've heard nothing.

I finally decided, that it's time to take matters into my own hands. I mean, here I was searching website after website for any job that I felt I could manage. Then I thought about it. What do I want to do with my life? I want to work in fashion. And although Philly isn't a fashion capital either, it is a city and, to me, every city has a fashion district. I did some research and finally found that Urban Outfitters Inc. is located out of Philly. In addition, (for those of you who don't know this) Urban also owns Anthropologie and Free People.

I had seen job postings on websites for assistant buyer positions (which would be amazing!) along with other positions, but every time you applied you were brought to their main "career" website where you'd submit your information. After applying to roughly 10 different positions, it hit me: there is no way to stand out amongst all the other hundreds (or thousands) of applicants who are also applying through this career site.

So what did I do to stand out?

I put together three mini portfolios.

In each portfolio was my resume (duh), cover letter, and a summary about the items in the portfolio: four writing samples, examples of design work I did for my college newspaper, and a copy of the final image chosen from the photo shoot I assisted for Entertainment Weekly with Emma Stone. After assembling these packages, I sent them out (yes... via "snail mail") to the presidents of Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie .

Why?

This way, I feel like whoever does open these packages (whether they be the presidents of the companies or not) they can have a true glimpse of what I've done, who I am, and what I'm capable of. Who knows what will come of this? If nothing does, so be it. At least I know I'm really trying everything I can to fulfill my dreams.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Tis' The Season To Wear Some Bling

With the holidays comes the holiday parties. And what is more festive than an ensemble that shines (literally)? Sequins are essential this time of the year. Honestly, the more the merrier.

MORNINGSTAR KNITS DRESS
$298 - usa.frenchconnection.com
Low v neck dress »

Luxe Sequin Clutch
$198 - juicycouture.com
Sequin handbag »