Spring 2012 Product Development Intern at TOMS

I just got a call from TOMS human resources that I will be their Spring 2012 Product Development Intern! I am super excited for this journey and experience. I am very thankful and feel very blessed to have this opportunity. One of my favorite quotes says it best, My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5. I truly believe all the opportunities that I have been given are blessings, and have made me who I am today.

As I look at the list I made of the jobs that I have applied for, I remember back to when I applied for TOMS (back in November). I received a phone call in December where right then and there, I had my first phone interview with no warning (talk about being ready for anything and everything! That's the fashion industry for you!). Then I was told my application was going to be forwarded to the head managers, and I would be hearing back from them soon to see if I was going to be moving onto the next step. Then, a few days later, I got an email stating that I would be having a phone interview with two people from the Product Development department. At the end of my phone interview, they asked if I was able to come in for an in-person interview the next week, so I made my way down to HQ. (I looked like a kid in the candy store when I walked in amazed to be at the TOMS HQ and with Blake a few feet away from me on the phone, starring in my direction...(talk about awkward moments...)). Then I met with some people in the Product Development department and I finally got to meet the HR person that I had been conversing with through emails this whole time.  Afterwards, I headed back to my car with an hour still left on the meter.

I am hoping I will write and share my adventures in this blog with you, because I feel and know a new chapter in my life is about to unfold, so come along with me for the ride. :)

Thank you for reading! :)

LoveCulture Outifts

 

Hello Everyone!

I have created some casual and evening outfits using items from LoveCulture. In these outfits, I added some items that will keep you looking fashion forward and warm during these cold winter days. We have some colorful scarves, hats, and leg warmers to boot! And to boot, I literally mean you can wear them with boots!  You can wear them with a pair I have featured (the black convertible zipper boot) because you can wear them two ways- rolled down a little bit or not. If you roll them down a bit, you can have your super cozy and fashion forward leg warmers for all to see! How great is that? 

I have also incorporated some color blocking, animal print, sparkles, and polka dots into the mix, and voila! You will look confident and be a trendsetter in no time. 

Thank You for reading!

ModCloth Outfits

Hello Everyone!
Today I have decided to put an outfit together using items on the site, ModCloth! I first saw the top and thought it was great with the lace texture and the Yves Klein Blue bow that makes the top pop. I paired it with a skirt that has the same lace texture as the top to provide continuity to the ensemble, and round it out, I chose a yellow boot to finish the primary color palette. I added the same shade of blue for the belt as the top, and added plaid leggings and handbag to create even more depth to the look.  To add some bling and sparkles into the mix, I added a cute pair of earrings that has lots of different colored gems and a fun shape overall.
Thank you for reading!

Edit:
I made another outfit using items from Modcloth and thought I'd share it on this post with you guys as well!
Thank You again for reading!

Anthropologie's December Catalog

Hello Everyone!

I am a big fan of Anthropologie, and I love it when their monthly catalog comes out because it is always different. Their catalogs are always featuring a different location and the outfits fit in very well with the surroundings. But, alas, an Anthropologie catalog that has disappointed me. Many of the shots in the December issue are shot indoors with not much decorum or people in the background. Another thing I enjoyed about the past issues were the outdoor shots they had, where the models stood in the midst of the events happening in the city. I felt like that brought more energy and a story behind the shot. But, the whole issue wasn't a total flop. I did manage to find a very nice spread that featured owl figurines. Can you see a story forming behind those owls? I can. :)

And here is a picture of all the Anthropologie catalogs I have. I started my collection in December 2010.

Thank You for reading!

Combat Cold Weather with these Moisturizers

Hello Everyone!

As I said in my previous post about loving the cooler weather, it is also important to stay properly hydrated by not only drinking plenty of fluids, but also using the proper moisturizers and spf to protect your skin. I thought it would be helpful to share what I use to keep myself hydrated through the chilly months. I start off my washing my face with a mild soap and surprisingly it's tada Ivory soap! It is simple and has no odd colors or drenched in fragrances. 

Next, I put on the Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner that at first glance looks odd or disgusting (as people who have seen it in my room have commented), but the pieces floating in the toner are Calendula petals, that are mild to soothe sensitive skin. 

After the toner, I use the Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum (Oi...say that five times fast) that contains amino peptide and B3 concentrations that tones skin. Then I use the Kiehl's Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer, and Sodium PCA is a naturally occurring humectant in the skin, that is partly responsible for the skin's moisture binding capacity. 

At night, I also use the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, and for the rest of my body, I like to use the Kiehl's Creme de Corps. 

For lip protection, I like to use a regular ol' Chapstick when I am in the house as a good moisturizer (that doesn't have spf so that my lips can breathe) and then when I head out the door, I use Dior Addict Lip Glow that has spf 10 and the color will depend on how it reacts with the chemistry of your lips. For me, it is a light shade of red with a nice gloss to it. I am not a big fan of fish scales or lipstick, so for some color and shine, Dior is my choice. Thank you for reading!




Toner and Moisturizers: Kiehl's
Serum: Olay 
Lip Treatment: Dior

*image source: Kiehls.com, Sephora.com, Olay.com

Autumn Weather Knits

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons, because it is cool enough to wear layers, but not so cold that you have to wear many layers and feel like a walking marshmallow. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy marshmallows in my hot cocoa, but I don't really want to feel like one or look like one. So back to my outfit,  I will start explaining my outfit from head to toe...and go! 

Another reason Autumn is one of my favorite seasons, is because of scarves! Scarves are one of my favorite accessories, and here I have on a white knit scarf that has pearl white bead embellishments that adds just enough texture. I paired the scarf with a metallic knit sweater to continue with the knit aspect of things. Also, who doesn't love a sweater with a little sparkle in it? My pants are a rust colored pair of corduroy leggings that are oh-so-soft that I might have to buy all the other colors they come in, so that I may wear them 24/7. And now moving on to my shoes, I decided on leopard print flats with a bow accent because animal print is in this season, and because it's animal print. I believe that if you add a little animal print to any outfit, it will give it the pizzazz that it needs...it is like the cherry or sprinkles to an ice cream sundae (more so the sprinkles though) :) . Well, Thank You for reading today's story! 

Scarf: White Pearlescent (old) Forever21

Sweater: Metallic Pointelle Gap

Pants: Corduroy Leggings Gap

Shoes: Animal Velvet Knot Wet Seal

Happy First Post!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to my first post! I am very excited to launch this new blog, where I will share my findings with you. I have decided to title this blog site as DesignerStories, because just as my header states, I believe that Designers are modern storytellers who try to make sense of the world through the arrangement of text and images. I hope that you will join me in my life adventures. Also, previous to this blog, I was blogging in a site that also has my portfolio, and here is a link to it incase you are curious, Vivian's previous blog.
Thank you for reading!