Teen Vogue Fashion U!

This past weekend I attended Teen Vogue Fashion University. I applied over the summer and they only except 500 lucky people from around the world to come and have a fun weekend full of classes and seminars with designers and notable employees in the fashion industry. I had an amazing time and I can't wait to do it again next year. I learned so much from every speaker we had.

The weekend started off on Friday with a kickoff event at H&M. We received a special discount for the night. We were also allowed to bring a guest so Ash tagged along. We took advantage of the discount and each grabbed a winter coat.

They had the band blondfire perform! They were pretty good, you should check them out!

Saturday was a long day full of seminars! Here are my highlights!

Grace Coddington

Her first Vogue cover.

Her favorite shoot she has done. Alice and Wonderland themed.

Prabal Gurung

Nicole Richie

Erin Featherston

Kate Phelan

Sunday we had one final seminar then it was time for "graduation".

Until Next Time

XOXO

Shelby 

BluePrintCleanse

This past Monday Shelby and I embarked on a challenge- a one day cleanse. Neither of us had ever done a cleanse before but we were both very interested. I had heard good things about BluePrintCleanse so after some research we decided to give it a go. Since we were newbies we decided to start with just a one day cleanse but their most popular option is a 3-day version. We both chose the Renovation cleanse. The basic premise is you are given 6 juices that you drink in order throughout the day.

 This is how the juice came. It is made locally and came via a messenger in a cooler bag with ice packs so it stayed chilled.

 How does it work?

{info pulled from here}

"BluePrintCleanse is a NUTRITIONAL Cleanse that is effective in helping the body detoxify itself and move through this 'low' or detox cycle faster and with fewer symptoms. Cleansing is recommended for many illnesses, as it gives the body the rest it needs to recover. Take away the work of digesting food, and one allows the system to rid itself of old toxins while facilitating healing. Depending on the length of the BluePrintCleanse, it accomplishes different things. A three day BluePrintCleanse helps the body rid itself of old built up matter and cleanses the blood. A five day BluePrintCleanse starts the process of rebuilding and healing the immune system. A ten day BluePrintCleanse will take care of problems before they arise and fight off degenerative diseases. A “fast” is something different – our cleanse is a nutritional one. It’s about nourishment, NOT deprivation. Our live juice cleanse both removes toxins and promotes healing simply by supplying the blood with vitamins, minerals and enzymes that one is able to easily assimilate. It took years to wear your body down, and it will take time to build it back up to its prime condition. But it can be done. When you start to feel unwell, cleanse and feel better."

Since we each had different experiences we decided to each share our cleanse stories by interviewing each other. 

Shelby's Experience:

{the cheater}

1. How did you feel before you started the cleanse?

I was tired and stressed and had a little bit of a cold. 

2. Which juice was your favorite? Least favorite?

My favorite was the #2 Pineapple/Apple/Mint juice because those are all things I like. My least favorite was the #5 Apple/Carrot/Beet juice because I did not like that flavor combination. I couldn't even drink anymore of it after the first sip.

3. Were you hungry without food or did the juice fill you up? 

Yes I was hungry. At lunchtime in particular I was very hungry so in addition to the juice I snuck a very small caprese panini in. What can I say? This girl loves her food. The #5 beet juice was absolutely awful. I couldn't even keep it down. I wasn't particularly hungry, but it was dinnertime so I thought it was necessary for me to have something so I had a small bowl of tomato soup.

4. Did you have any detox symptoms?

Yes, I had a headache throughout the day, which may or may not be related to this because I get headaches often. I was also very tired throughout the entirety of the day.

5. Did you feel different the next day?

I didn't really feel different. I felt a little lighter and a little more energized.

6. Would you do this cleanse again?

For me probably not because I didn't enjoy the juices. But I would do the one that is just the spicy lemonade.

Ashley's Experience:

1. How did you feel before you started the cleanse?

I felt pretty good before I started but maybe a little bloated.  

2. Which juice was your favorite? Least favorite?

My favorite was the #2 Pineapple/Apple/Mint juice but I also really liked the # 4 Spicy Lemonade. My least favorite was probably the #6 Cashew Milk. That one was the hardest for me to get down and unlike all the others this one did have a texture to it and was a little chalky. I'm not a milk fan so that may have something to do with it. I also didn't particularly enjoy drinking the #5 Apple/Carrot/Beet or the #1 and #3 Green juices but I did drink them. The #5 juice had a very strong carrot taste and the #1/#3 juices had strong parsley and celery tastes.

3. Were you hungry without food or did the juice fill you up? 

I was hungry at certain points. You know when you're on pain meds and you can tell when it's time for the next pill? That's similar to what I felt with this...I could always tell when it was time for another juice because I would start to feel hungry. But after drinking the juice I would usually feel full. I never ate any food besides the juices. They encourage you to drink green tea in between juices so I did do that at several points throughout the day.

4. Did you have any detox symptoms?

I didn't have any of the symptoms besides fatigue. I gained more energy after I drank the #4 Spicy Lemonade in the afternoon though.

5. Did you feel different the next day?

I woke up the next morning feeling very rejuvenated. I had one of the best nights of sleep I'd had in weeks and I felt lighter.

6. Would you do this cleanse again?

I might. I don't know that I could do one longer than a day though.

 

 We made it through and we were proud we tried something new. 

Have any of you ever done a cleanse? Would love to hear your experience.

Until next time

XOXO

Ashley and Shelby

*This is not a sponsored post. We just wanted to share our experience.

 

La Bonne Soupe

This past weekend we stopped into one of our favorite restaurants for lunch- La Bonne Soupe! It's this great little French restaurant in Midtown that has our favorite soup in the world. 

 They have this great soup deal on their menu where you get a salad, bowl of soup, dessert, and beverage (including wine) for $19.95.

Our favorite is the Creme Andalouse which is a tomato based cream of vegetable soup.

 

For dessert we ordered the chocolate mousse. When anything chocolate is on the dessert menu that's what I'm always going to go for. 

 

If you're ever in New York City I highly recommend that you add this resturant as a must stop at destination. 

Until next time

XOXO

Ashley

Uniqlo

While out shopping on Saturday Shelby and I discovered a new to us store, Uniqlo. We had each seen this store before we had just never been in. So, we decided to give it a try. I had no idea what we were in for. According to the company description on their website Uniqlo is a Japanese company that ensures it provides casual clothes for all kinds of people. In a nutshell the store is a color coded array of basics in every style you could ever want. There are only 5 stores in the US so unless you live in NY, NJ, or San Fransisco you may not have ever heard of this color coded mecca. They are a lot more prevalent throughout Europe and Asia so if you live outside the states you're probably wondering why I'm making such a big deal about this store :)

First of all the store was HUGE (or at least the one on 5th Ave in NYC). It was really overwhelming to walk into not having a grasp on the brand beforehand. Shelby and I noticed there were two extremes- product was either really cute or really really NOT cute (like leggings made out of the material typically reserved for fuzzy fleece socks).

 

They are known for their down ultra light jackets. Usually down jackets are puffy and awkward but these are compact, thin, and stylish as well as portable. Each jacket can easily fold into a pocket size bundle and even comes with it's own pouch. This would be a perfect jacket for travel. 

 

Shelby and I both love wearing leggings in the fall and winter. Not only are they comfortable but they are so easy to tuck into boots. Uniqlo has combined the best aspects of skinny jeans and leggings into what they are calling "easy leggings pants". These pants are just as stretchy and have the fit of leggings but the fabric is the thickness of denim. They are our new obsession!

 

For those of you in the United States- good news! Uniqlo is launching e-commerce on their website sometime this fall. 

Until next time

XOXO

Ashley

What We're Loving Lately

Today we are sharing a few things that we are loving lately. We are each sharing our top picks below. 

ASHLEY'S PICKS:

I haven't worn a bow in my hair like this since middle school but I'm loving how girly it looks in the three options below. Maybe it's time to try it again. 

 

{via}

I love jackets as a layering piece in the fall and this blazer is super cute. I love the leather accent and the color is right on trend for this season.

 {via}

I like this option for keeping warm in cooler months instead of a knit hat. It's less likely to leave you with crushed hat hair. Plus it's much cuter than those awkwardly shaped beanies. 

 {via}

Peplum is popping up everywhere this season. I love this sweater version below. It's so chic. 

 {via}

I love tissue pom pom balls for entertaining at parties. But what do you do with them after the party is over? I think the idea below of using them as a decorative pillow on a guest bed is brilliant! Another option for something a little less fragile than tissue paper is to make the pom poms out of tulle. 

{via}

SHELBY'S PICKS:

Since I have been commuting to school I have been looking for some comfortable stylish shoes. I found these on the website of one of my favorite British stores Boden. Absolutely love them and want them right now.

{Via}

Love the way these pumpkins are decorated!

{Via}

Flannels are my go to outfit during the fall. I love all of these colors. I want them all in my closet!

{Via}

These ornaments would be an awesome way to make your house smell good this winter.

{Via}

Love this blouse from another great british retailer Jack Wills. It is the perfect color for this fall.

{Via}

What are you loving lately? 

We are linked up with Kristen today sharing our picks. 

Until next time

XOXO

Ashley and Shelby

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday morning Ash requested that I make my infamous pancakes. Our whole family and all of our friends love when I make my pancakes. They are very simple but I have a few special ingredients that I can't give away! ;)

Pixie anxiously awaiting!

She just had to come help.

 

It's a little difficult to pour batter with pixie on my shoulder.

 

The finished product.

All ready for a yummy breakfast!

What's your favorite breakfast item!?

Until Next Time!

XOXO

Shelby

Once Upon A Time...

Saturday morning was a chilly one in NYC. Shelby and I decided to do a little shopping to stock up on some more winter clothes. We ended up finding one of our new favorite things of all time (but more on that later). We passed by these windows at Bloomingdale's on Lexington and 59th and they were so cool we had to pause for a moment and take some pictures. Please ignore the picture quality. The only camera we had on us were our iPhones and the sun wasn't cooperating. 

We love the show "Once Upon A Time" on ABC. If you are unfamiliar with the show here is a quick synopsis:  "This is Fairy Tale Land. It's filled with magic, monsters and all of the characters we all know from stories growing up. It's real, and so are the people in it. But unlike the "happily ever after" you may have heard about, their stories continued, and The Evil Queen cast a Dark Curse over the land...."

Here we are watching the show on TV last Sunday

Snow White and Prince Charming - store windows at Bloomingdale's in NYC

 

 The Evil Queen

 

Belle and Rumpelstiltskin 

Little Red Riding Hood

 

Mirror mirror on the wall who's the fairest of them all :)

Emma and Henry (Belle is in the background)

If you're in the area stop by and check out the windows. They are very cool in person. And if you don't already you should watch the show! It's really good :)

Until next time

XOXO

Ashley