Finally Fall

Madewell shirt (similar here) / Target leggings / Nine West boots (old!) / Baublebar Necklace / Zara purse / Michael Kors watch

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I don't have anyone to take photographs at school, and had been pretty busy finishing up a project last week. This past weekend, my mom came up for my sorority's mother/daughter weekend and took advantage of the photo opportunities!

Anyway, when we took these photos, it was feeling like fall here in Syracuse. Hot coffees instead of in addiction to iced, sweaters, and tall boots. Since, however, the weather is back in the 80's and already has me wishing for looks like this again. I got this necklace at the Baublebar sample sale this summer after being obsessed with it online. I loved the way the tortoiseshell works with the crystals and pairing it with my favorite denim shirt felt like the perfect preppy fall style (shirt buttoned all the way up and everything!)

Who says you can't mix black + brown?

Also, I've been wearing my hair in these braided crowns a lot more recently. What do you think?

Hope everyone has a great start to the week and most importantly, Happy National Coffee Day! How will you all be celebrating? 

Updates

Since before this week I had been a little lax on posting, I figured it would good to put a little update here on 85 Dresses. These past few weeks have been rather busy and had some exciting things in them, and some of my favorites are the ones in the pictures.

1. Business Lady - After many rounds of trial and error, I finally printed my first set of business cards at the beginning of this month. I had been wanting to for a while, and kept them very true to myself with the 85 Dresses logo and gold glittered social media icons to make sure everyone who gets them will keep in touch. Now, who to hand them out to...

2. Spotted Sunnies - TJ Maxx isn't really a store that I visit very often when I am at home in Texas (or Syracuse), but all of my flatmates are major fans, so we ventured into the TK Maxx (London's version) and I couldn't resist leaving without these Moschino (Teen!) spotted sunglasses. They're severe cat-eye shape and classic black and white were perfect.

3. Styled - This past Saturday I styled my very first photoshoot with the help of my partner, Mariann Asayan, our photographer Samantha Stone, and model Hannah Gessler.  Our concept was heavily art-focused and I can't wait to share more. I got such a rush while doing it, and really think it was successful! 

4. Day in the Park - The weather was beautiful on Sunday, so a couple of friends and I headed to Hyde Park to sit and chat and take in the warmer temps. Perfect time to break out my favorite new Zara sandals that I had been eyeing for a while.

5. Coffee Craze - One of my favorite weekend activities is finding new coffee spots. There is nothing more that I love than chatting with friends over a great cup of coffee, and finding perfect spots to do so is an absolute must. After reading about Monocle online, a few friends and I walked to a new neighborhood nearby for some amazing iced lattes and people watching in the park nearby. Again, how can you resist those black and white stripes?!

Make sure that you follow me on Instagram @leshkoln to keep up with daily happenings!

New York Snapshots

{The always amazing Soho}

Being in a city like New York, there are always beautiful, inspiring, delicious, and interesting things to see, experience, and enjoy. Here are some of the things that have been particularly of greatness to me.

{Beautiful + unique fabrics from Purl}

{Great iced coffee from Gourmet Garage}

{Banana soft serve + pretzel cone from The Soft Serve Fruit Company}

Finally

With finals projects and exams next week, everything around campus starts to tighten up. Time spent in our beds is lessened and added to time in studio, the library, and on the computer surrounded by countless cups of coffee. We work endlessly to finish projects for this week to then begin them for the next. Tired and worn out, we work to make the best work in time spans that allow for equal attention to be paid to each class. During the few final weeks of the semester...

As having completed countless exams and finals throughout all of my years of schooling, you would think that I would have the perfect recipe to success in not only studying for these exams, but in achieving a grade I am pleased with as well. Well, so far I haven't. However, here are some of the things that help me to not only get me through studying for finals, but in succeeding at them, as well. 

Find a new way to put your cutest loungewear to use, cuddle up in those loose cardigans, oversized t-shirts, and classic leggings to begin the long list of projects and notecards that you have to accomplish before the big day.

Coffee. Every college (art) students "life juice". During finals, there are two uses for coffee. One, the large amount of caffeine is a quick fix to that night before you spent staying up way too late, and two, it is a quick way to just sit down and unwind for a few minutes. While the usual Dunkin' Donuts iced coffees are most popular around the student center here, sometimes just taking a few minutes to unwind with a piping hot cup of joe is good enough to get your mind back into work-mode. 

Do something you truly love. Even though literally everyday I am doing art project after art project after art project, it is a strong passion of mine. During stressful times, like finals, it helps to take a break from assigned art projects and do just simply do the painting, drawing, designing that you love. Only for you.

Lastly, hang out with your girlfriends. In a time of stress and worry, there's nothing better than hanging out with the ladies that know you best, can make you laugh, and know how to cheer you up with nothing better than their being there.

So as we begin to start, work on, and soon finish our final projects and exams, remember to stay calm, take time for yourself, and it'll be done before you know it.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 }