The Good Girl Gone Blog: Listed

G3B's pro guide to (stylish and comfy) travel

Sep 2, 2010

I don't think you have to sacrifice comfort for style...or style for comfort, when traveling. After four years of traveling for holidays, family events, work trips and gallavanting around Europe, I think I've got this travel thing figured out. Here are my tips for stylish and comfortable travel...plus some photos of my outfit for today's flight to Boston. Enjoy:

Tip 1: When possible, leave the luggage at home. For short trips, travel sans-heavy luggage and fill up a nice sized carry on. I love my Betseyville Wheelie Suitcase, it's a great conversation starter and people are always more than happy to help lift it into the overhead bin. Plus, you don't have to worry about luggage getting lost, waiting in line at baggage claim, or extra fees. Oh, and I look ridiculous trying to lug a big suitcase on public transportation- it's no easy feat, trust me.

Tip 2: Choose the right shoes. Although not all airports require you to take off your shoes at security, many do. As a result, you need to wear shoes that are easy to pull off and put on quickly. No one likes that person in line that's spending 20 minutes lacing their shoes...or the person who can't get their baby stuff figured out, but that's another story. I don't recommend wearing flip flops, only because your toes might get cold on the flight. Personally, I like wearing pull-on boots like Uggs (sorry!) in the winter, but today, I'm wearing heels. Why? I find flats uncomfortable, and I like looking nice when I travel. This pair has a pretty thick heel and a platform for extra support- I'd call them "comfy heels."

Tip 3: Dress for a cold plane. No matter what the weather is outside, airplanes always seem to be about -50 degrees. As a result, I've learned not to travel with bare legs (think dresses) and ALWAYS bring some sort of sweater or jacket in case I get cold. Bonus: if you're not cold, you can use that sweater/jacket as a pillow.

Tip 4: Leave most of your toiletries at home. Because I typically carry on my luggage, I always run into the issue of liquid toiletries going over the 1 oz limit (although to be honest, I don't always separate my liquids or stay under the limit and have never gotten in trouble). Think about it this way- if you're going to a hotel, they'll have shampoo, conditioner and soap...and if you're visiting friends or family, they'll have all of that plus toothpaste. I really hate having to go into my stuff to pull out a clear plastic bag of toiletries- it takes too much time in line, and I sort of resent the slow people who waste time doing it.

Tip 5: Choose a seat in the front. I'm sure many of you have been doing this for a while, but it's a new concept for me. Not having to wait in your seat for everyone else to board? Great! Deplaning before you have time to get antsy? Fabulous!

Tip 6: Don't travel in jeans. I don't care what anyone says, jeans are not comfortable unless they're stretchy. Yes, I'm going there. I don't particularly enjoy wearing jeans, especially when I have to be sitting for a long period of time. Go for leggings or a pair of stretchy (but not frumpy) pants...or better yet, wear a dress and tights!

A strategic breakdown of my travel outfit:

Jacket: tailored and fun, but made out of comfy sweatshirt material. PERFECT for keeping warm and acting as a substitute pillow.

Headband: great for keeping hair out of your eyes when putting your hair up isn't an option (because it's uncomfortable in airplane chairs).

Soft, stretchy pants: see my rant on jeans.

Sleeveless top: because it's hot outside

Comfy heels: easy to remove in the security line or on the plane.

I need a little luck this weekend, so cross your fingers for me. Hopefully Hurricane Earl won't affect my travel plans. Boston, here I come! Expect some FABULOUS photos and a big giveaway announcement!

Outfit details: Jacket,shoes and pants- Loehmann's, tank- Target, belt- H&M, necklace- gift from Megan, headband- c/o Embelle Boutique

Milestones

May 14, 2010

It's been all sorts of crazy over at the G3B residence. Lot of exciting stuff going on over here, folks. Because it's 12:00 and I have to leave my house in approximately six hours to catch a flight to Boston, I'm going to be especially brief.

Here's the deal:

At 4 pm this Sunday, my family and I will be attending my college graduation. Just two and a half hours later, I will be the proud owner of a diploma boasting my BS in Communication.
My apartment is on its way to becoming an amazing home. Though it's still missing most of my furniture, it is housing a majority of my shoes and clothing, as well as a two cute couches and a bunch of Cuisinart steals from Rue La La.
I got a job, at least for the summer. I start work on Wednesday and I'm going to get to do some really awesome stuff. Stay tuned.
My little sister comes home from Israel on June 3rd for the rest of the summer.
Thibault is coming to visit me for two weeks in June!

...and that's all for now. Hopefully all this excitement won't get in the way of me falling asleep tonight!

Stylish Snippet: summer hats

May 11, 2010

Under $20: Eugenia Kim for Target

Straw Fedora with Black/White Trim- Green- $16.99
20's Style Straw Cap with Green Trim- Natural- $16.99 (just got this one!)
Fedora with Flower Applique- Tan- $16.99

Under $30: Gap, AMI Clubwear, Modcloth

Nautical Floppy Hat- $24.50
Khaki Stitching Faux Leather Strap O-Ring Sun Hat - $28.99
Grahm Cracker Cloche- $29.99

Under $40: ASOS, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters

Under $50: Free People, Anthropologie (x2)

Safari Hat- $48.00
Chlorophyll Cloche- $48.00
Consomme Cap- $48.00

Stylish Snippet: petite shopping tips

May 5, 2010

As you all know, I like to think of myself as somewhat of a fashionista-in-training. I get a lot of my inspiration from watching TV reading fashion blogs and seeing stylish people on the street. It also helps to get tips from people who know what they're talking about when it comes to clothes, especially when they understand what it means to be tiny.

Enter Henrietta Pertuz, a designer whose clothing is tailored for petite and stylish ladies like myself. Here are a few tips on shopping petite from Henrietta herself, as well as some photos of her pieces. Enjoy!

Henrietta Pertuz's five tips for petite fashionistas:

1) If you buy something off the rack in a regular size and you are petite (5'4" or shorter), it probably does not fit you correctly. I learned this the hard way, and it's the reason why I started my clothing line. I spent most of my twenties in clothes with sleeves that partly covered my hands, armholes that were too low, dresses that hit mid-calf and pants that were too long -- or hemmed with masking tape, or hemmed too short. Either find time for the tailor or buy clothes made for petite women.

2) Stay away from pants that are too long. I still can't erase the image of myself falling on my face in front of my college crush because my jeans were too long! A 29"-30" inseam works for most petite women. If you are a shorter petite (under 5'0") and must hem, still start with a petite size. This way, at least you know the rise and hip measurements will fit you and you won't have to recreate the whole garment.

3) Baggy clothes don't do us any favors. I wore lots of baggy sweaters and muu muu-esque clothes after gaining the freshman 15, and still shudder in horror when I see the photos! I looked like I had gained the freshman 30. The reverse is true, too. If you are tiny (say, under 100 lbs), wearing really baggy clothes can make you look much younger. Petite women have lots of different body shapes. If you are more voluptuous, as many petite women are, you should embrace your curves.

4) Dressing in one color and wearing vertical lines (pleats, ruffles, or stripes) can definitely lengthen your frame. But finding the right fit is just as important. Those stripes won't work for you unless the garment fits well.

5) Finding good fit and quality is much more important than following a trend. If you like the way something fits you, and it is well-made, then you should buy it in 2-3 colors and keep it forever. Buy wardrobe "building blocks" that fit and flatter your body shape. Shift dresses, skinny pants that go from day to night, the perfect button down blouse to show off your lovely collarbone...these are examples of investment pieces that will never go out of style. You can pass down to your kids, nieces, etc. and they'll love you for it!

In limbo

Apr 13, 2010

Yesterday, I sat through my last college class, well technically there was no stitting because it was my architecture class and we went on a trip, but you know what I mean.

I have 3 more days left of my internship.

My boyfriend has gone back to Switzerland, but will be with me in London to spend a day and half with me before I leave. I'm feeling strangely numb. Today was supposed to be his last day here before I leave, but he changed his flight for me. There were no tears today.

If I buy just a few pairs of underwear, I won't have to do laundry until I get home on April 24th.

I've been offered an internship, but it's not definite and I still need to apply. I don't want to get my hopes up, but it's definitely where I want and need to be right now.

I'm hoping to live in an apartment in Baltimore next year with a friend, but she's still looking for a job.

I'm graduating in just about a month.

I'm finally getting my own dog. He/she won't be a puppy because I don't think I can handle that right now. Sadie, I love you, but you were quite the handful when I puppy sat!

I can't wait to get home.

I've been thinking a lot about love lately- about new love, about family, about friendship and the power of saying "I love you." I've been thinking about the people who are important to me and what I want for the future.

I've been spending way too much time thinking and evaluating.

I'm ready to start the next part of my life. Please.

Confessions of a fashion intern: grit and glamor

Mar 24, 2010

You'd be crazy to say that any job was absolutely perfect. Clearly, all jobs, especially internships, have their perks as well as their not so fun aspects.

Here's a bit of the grit and glamor of my internship:

Glamor: I make daily trips to Vogue House. (Also, whenever I think of the phrase "Vogue House," I immediately hear Ludacris singing "Roll out.")

Grit: I typically go to the loading area in the back of the building. It's not all that glitzy.

Glamor: I once Randomly stumbled upon a Harvey Nichols event in the park where I eat lunch. Oh yeah, Samantha Ronson was DJing

Grit: Today I Carried a full-size, naked manikin across a major street and got loads of stares. Thank goodness for the help of fellow intern, Vicky, who admitted she felt slightly uncomfortable holding the manikin between its legs.

Glamor: I once spotted a dog with a pink dipped tail on my lunch break. (He was hanging with his owner at the Harvey Nichols event.)

Grit: The elevator broke and we had to carry an entire showroom's worth of clothing down 4 flights of stairs. Thankfully, almost the entire press team, not just the interns, took part in this gruesome task and the lift was eventually fixed.

Glamor: I get to help out at a major charity event tomorrow night- I'm in charge of handing out goody bags.

It's always good to end on a positive note :)

Confessions of a fashion intern: week 1 lessons

Feb 28, 2010

Shoes at Brick Lane

Guys, I survived week one of my internship and let me tell you, I've learned quite a bit. My internship is definitely different than anything I've ever done before, but overall, I think it's a good experience. I mean, seriously, I get to look at clothes all day!

Here's what I learned this week:

Waistcoat = vest...vest = sweater vest or tank top
It's normal to call your coworkers "love" and "sweetheart" (I somehow don't think that would have worked very well at my old internship.)
When answering the phone, always put the person on hold before transferring them.
When calling a magazine, you're usually calling an operator who will direct you to your desired party. As a result, you can't just ask for "the fashion cupboard" but should ask for "the Vogue India fashion cupboard," for example.
Clothing starts to get really heavy, especially when you're carrying intricately beaded evening gowns.
Interns can be your best friends- they help you out, show you wear to get lunch and are very understanding when you make rookie mistakes.
Though it feels amazing when a friend compliments your outfit, it feels 10x better when someone working at a fashion label tells you she likes your top.
A full day of work at a major fashion label is exhausting.
The well dressed men that work in the store below the press office, though initially intimidating, are actually really nice. Don't let the suits fool you.
Wear comfortable shoes. Trust me.

We've got rules

Feb 3, 2010

A few days ago, I was browsing the Harrods Website looking for Tube directions (we ended up walking) when I came across something very strange: Visitor Guidelines.

Yes, they actually tell you what you can and cannot wear. It's slightly ridiculous, I know, but at a place like Harrods can do whatever it wants!

I know. I couldn't stop laughing. Can you imagine if Macy's had a set of guidelines? I do NOT think this would go over very well at the Owings Mills mall in Maryland, although the clientele are a little different here.

Here are the guidelines, found on the Harrods Website:

At Harrods we are committed to providing our visitors with a wonderful experience that exceeds expectations.

Whilst we celebrate and embrace individuality, it is of utmost importance that every single visitor that passes through our doors has a positive and pleasurable experience they remember.

It is for these reasons that Harrods kindly asks all visitors to:

Ensure all clothing is clean and presentable and that the appropriate footwear is worn whilst in the store.
Refrain from wearing clothing which may reveal intimate parts of the body, or which portrays offensive pictures or writing.
Not wear crash helmets anywhere in the store.
To carry rucksacks in your hand rather than on your back or shoulder. This is both to prevent damage to displays and for health and safety reasons. Harrods provides a left luggage service at small cost, should the bag be too heavy to carry.
Refrain from eating and drinking, except in our cafés and restaurants. There are over 30 eateries in-store. View restaurants »
Not take photos in the Fine Jewellery, Banking Hall or Antique Furniture Department, the Fine Jewellery, Banking Hall or Antique Furniture Department, or in any area within the store where photography or filming may not be appropriate. This is for security reasons.
There are periods, when the store is at its busiest, that Harrods has to take the difficult decision to deny access to tour parties and larger groups of visitors. This is done in the interest of health and safety.

My favorite rule is the one about "crash helmets." I wonder if they've had issues with this before!

London lessons: part II

Jan 19, 2010

Sigh, I really wanted to share a fashion post for you today- I wore the yellow shoes and everything, but the photo shoot didn't actually happen. There's always tomorrow! Instead, I thought I'd share with you some more interesting London observations. (Check out the first list here.)

The term "rubber" refers to an eraser
Brits don't say "knock on wood," they say "touch wood"
British peanut butter is very different than American peanut butter (or at least that's what my non-allergic friends say)
In order to get the 5 basic TV channels, Brits must pay a licensing fee of £139.50 per year...which goes to the BBC.
For words that are both nouns and verbs, the letter c is used for nouns and s for verbs- example licence vs. license
A small coffee here is about 2/3 the size of a small coffee at home
Apparently, it's normal for people to sell the five random things they have left in their basements on Brick Lane. (See photo above. Trolls? Seriously? I have an entire box of them at home!)
The UK = England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Britain = Scotland, Wales and England.
In England, married men go out to bars with their friends and hit on unsuspecting, small, Jewish American girls. Not cool.
Jammie Dodgers = the best cookies ever (even if Maria eats around the Jam and then smashes the remainder of the the cookie into a huge mess).

A few lessons in London

Jan 10, 2010

I'm cheating- this photo is actually in Israel. My London dorm room is NOT this fancy!

I've been in London for less than 12 hours, but I've already learned a TON:

Queen's Gate (my street) is not the same as Queen's Gate Gardens or Queen's Gate Mews.
It's very hard to remember which way to look before crossing the street, even if it's literally written on the crosswalk (look left, look right).
Jacket potatoes = baked potatoes.
Grocery stores and chemists (aka pharmacies) close ridiculously early on Sundays...like, 5pm early.
The metal rack in the bathroom is for heating towels. Touching it is a bad idea (oops).
A la cart samosas make for a very cheap and very delicious dinner.
The Heathrow Express = a fast and easy way to get from the airport to central London. It's clean, comfortable, and they play BBC TV.
Columbia Road Market is a really cool place that sells flowers and plants. It operates on Sundays because of an old act of Parliament that changed the day of the market in order to accommodate Jewish traders. (Thanks Heathrow Express/BBC TV!)
The clothes I wore in Israel are NOT warm enough for London, as the temperature has decreased by close to 40 degrees.
Apparently Flickr is an evil Website, as it is in violation of the Internet usage policy of BU in London. Not cool.

I still have another suitcase to unpack and need to figure out how to shower and dry myself off sans towel (I was going to buy one here, but everything is closed). I'll let you know how that goes!

(Also, I just wanted to thank you all for your kind words about all of my recent photos. You make me feel like a superstar!)