Fitting Room Selfies

Okay so, starting off with the fact that normally I hate selfies unless they're mine and the very word itself, the title was meant to be read with slight sarcasm. Or just humor. Whatever works. Little life update for the few people that still keep up with this blog, I've been working at the local Macy's for a little over two months now, I'm going back to school in a little over three months (wait what), gotten back into sewing/sketching/drafting again and I also currently have strep throat. In other words, I have things to write about and time to do so since my parents and employers have quarantined me for the time being. 

As some of you know or probably just read and found out, I work at Macy's. Dress code is mainly all black. For yours truly, that was no problem. If anything, it was another excuse to buy more black clothes. And yes, there are different colors of black so I can be heard asking "does this black match this black?" Working for a little over two months has challenged me to wear my black differently and over time I've come up with more than a few favs. 

Without further ado, feast your eyes upon my low quality work selfies! 

All black, All day, Every day. 

For my fellow petites out there, Target has some good cropped dress pants. I got two pairs and honestly wear them other than for work. Love them. Mary-Kate Olsen may or may not have influenced some of these outfits. Last month my best friend FINALLY came back from college and we went to Salvation Army. I plucked a fitted, double-breasted black blazer that can be seen in the bottom right hand corner. It's kind of my child at the moment. Four dollars. Fits perfectly. I just wanna take a moment to thank God for all the times I've fallen in love with something at the thrift shop and had it fit perfectly. 

Pointing out again that I have strep, I am in a large amount of pain and am now going to attempt the complicated process of sleeping. Check out my Tumblr, House Of Riegal. It's basically my infinite inspiration board. 

PS... I'm visiting FIT this weekend :D 

xx Caitlyn

Time To Get Intimate.

Hey guys! 

So if there's one thing I know about dressing well it's that it doesn't matter how chic you look or how long it took to put together that outfit, if you don't have the right foundation, it's not going to work. No, I'm not talking about your makeup... if you don't have the right undergarments then how do you expect the outer garments to look right? 

Today, I'm going to talk to you all about my go to foundations. I'm going to say up front that I work part time at Macy's so while I don't have the budget of most fashion bloggers, I still like to indulge myself a little. My favorite thing about intimate apparel is that even if you're single, it' nice to have some sultry numbers that you can throw every once in a while. Whether you're wearing your favorite unlined lace bra to simply run errands around town or you're just lounging around during a night in while wearing a lace chemise and a silk robe; undergarments are in my opinion, a huge confidence boost. They're the ultimate luxury. I can't tell you how many times I love wearing my favorite bra with the silk robe my best friend got me while in Thailand. Throw on a lingerie set, grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine with a classic like Breakfast At Tiffany's and bam! You have your own personal girl's night. 

Whenever you go shopping for new undies, obviously stick to your staples like a smooth, seamless bikini or hipster but jazz it up with lace accents or whatever floats your boat. Just make sure that you don't go too color crazy because then it kind of defeats the purpose and might just show through clothing. Don't forget to spoil yourself a little with an occasional lace or mesh pair of panties in a beautiful color. I was in Target a week or two ago with my best friend and we happened to stumble upon Gilligan and O'malley's new intimates collection. With gorgeous deep burgundy and pale purple, even your everyday black and nude, the lace collection was beautiful! Ranging from $10.99- $19.99, these pieces have just the right amount of luxury for the right price. 

One of my current favorites, this unlined lace balconette bra is classic and comfy and sexy and such a confidence booster. Details and colors here. 

Now this little bugger is my absolute favorite at the moment. So comfy, so sexy and soooo cute. I've done everything from going to work to sleeping in this bralette. Details and colors here. 

This number is super cute. Very soft and comfortable. No underwire, clasps or anything. Just slip it on and lounge. It's the perfect thing to wear when you're home alone and dancin' in your undies. Details and colors here. 

Now onto the second or should I say bottom half of this post. I love me a nice silky smooth pair of panties to go about my day in so when I picked up the next couple pairs you're about to see, I fell in love. (Bonus: Every pair featured is no-show, so no panty lines!) 

Seriously soft. Like, seriously. With the right amount of lace, this pair of undies is perfect for everyday life. I am telling you, these glide on and are so comfy you'll think you forgot to put on underwear. Details and colors here. 

Now listen, everybody needs a good pair of black undies and a good pair of nude undies. Plain and simple. Comfy and classic. Details and colors here. 

And last but not least, well okay technically it is the least... the thong. This seamless version is friction free (I'm just being honest here) and totally comfortable. For those super, suuuuuper skinny jeans, these are the way to go. Details and colors here. 

To sum up these intimate details, the lace is the most comfortable lace I've ever worn, the panties slide right on and do not lose their shape and overall, it's fairly cheap for the quality you're getting. Although the website says not sold in stores, I bought everything wait for it.... In store. If there's one last intimate detail I must share, it's that if you can, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! I just gave the fitting room attendant an understanding look as I politely asked if I could just slip some underwear on over my own because I didn't know my size. Luckily she said yes, but not everyone will. Try your hardest to try on a pair if you've never worn the brand before or you're honestly just not sure. Bras you can always try on but trust me, it's worth the extra ten minutes to save yourself from the frustration of a too-small-bra or a big-panty-catastrophe. 

That's all for now, folks. I believe this long post somewhat makes up for my absence, now onto lounging in lace and silk...

xx Caitlyn

Hello Again!

SUP?!? Long time, no see! 

I know I've been MIA lately because I figured my life wasn't really too eventful to blog about. I've moved back home and last week I FINALLY moved back into my old bedroom instead of my brother's old room. I cleaned out my room, re-arranged, took down then put back up, organized and threw out things! (And bought a few things, too!) Either way, I feel my life has greatly improved and fallen into place since leaving Pittsburgh. In the past two months, I have moved home, taken a vacation, cleared my mind, gotten a closer connection to my spirituality, started eating better, got a job at Macy's (eek!), met someone new (again... eek!) and well, frankly, I got my sh*t together. I keep telling my parents how I feel as though I've grown up and matured a lot this Summer. I haven't been sewing at all but I've been busy! I still sketch from time to time. I've been trying to find a way to organize my sketches and sketch books but it's just a little difficult. Lately I've been really focused on just getting my surroundings situated because then everything else is less stressful. With that being said, I think I'll try to do a little cleaning up in my room and show you guys how I organize alllllllll of my things, garments and garment rack included! 

Guys, I am genuinely happy. That's like, a big deal for me. I don't look in the mirror and nit-pick or mope about things. I look in the mirror and I'm like, 'Jesus, I just wanna thank you for makin' me look fab today, like thanks bae. Luh you, amen.'  I'm listening to Lady Gaga as I'm writing this so I'm kinda on this level where I'm literally typing what goes through my mind. Oops. Oh well. So there's my little life update and I'll try (pinky promise!) to post more often. Maybe I'll post my super chic all black work outfits?! Maybe. Who knows. Well I'm off to Pinterest then to thrift later with my momma. I'll catch you babes on the flip side. 

P.S. I know I've matured because I now only have one poster of Harry Styles on my wall. 

P.P.S.S. Ignore the weird lines on my face. I promise they're just shadows from my hair. 

xx Caitlyn

Big News!

Hello my friends! 

I have some very very very fantastic news!

The past several months I have been waiting very eagerly to hear back from the Fashion Institute of Technology on the application I submitted months ago. I can now let the news out that I have indeed been accepted into the Spring 2015 semester for Fashion Design at FIT! I am leaving Pittsburgh in several weeks and moving back to Upstate New York for the remainder of the year. Very excited and eager to start my life in the city. 

With that being said, I most likely won't be putting out that many new garments this year. Or maybe I will because I'll be free. Who knows! Either way, I'm going to focus on really cleaning everything out this year. Closet, fabric, sketchbook(s), desk and most importantly, my mind! I plan on moving on to the next chapter calm, cool, (chic) and collected. So in other words, I'll be organizing things and honestly just growing up. 

During my first year of college, I realized there were/are some things I needed to learn or work on. Things I kind of wish I had done or handled before I left for college. One thing is definitely all the basic life skills you're expected to have or know when you're an adult. I always thought that since I was somewhat young for my generation, (I was only 17 for the majority of my first year of college), I assumed some of my slip ups would be dismissed and overlooked. Enter: Lesson One that I learned. You're a college student. You are entirely responsible for (almost) everything that happens to you. Lesson Two: Yes, dress for the job you want, not the one you have or lack. However, do not act like you have that job already. Biggest thing I've had to stop and remind myself is to stay humble. Also keep in mind that it doesn't mean you should act like a shadow, speak up and participate. Just don't let yourself take over. At least not every time. Lesson Three: Just because someone else is taking on a couple more classes doesn't mean you should too. No matter how badly you want to show that you can handle it, as far as academics go, stay in your comfort zone. By the way, I cannot sleep and it's one of those super reflective nights. That's why half of this post is very odd. 

Back to being home for the rest of the year... Since I'll be cleaning and organizing, I might do some posts on how to tend to your closet or garments. Maybe even some vacation related posts, who knows! Just stay with me and you'll find out!

xx Caitlyn

Andy and Edie

Hello there, people of the internet. 

Today is a special day. Why you ask? Because I'm going to introduce you to a very special person. My friend, Erika, is just indescribable. She's a cultured, introverted, sarcastic, cat loving, graphic design, Andy Warhol enthusiast. And I love it. We're the Olsen twins of the Art Institute, you see. The Kendall and Kylie. The Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick. The Caitlyn and Erika. Our styles are similar and yes we are both petite but I assure you, we are talented. We are powerful and passionate about what we do and no one will stop us. Now, back to the Warhol subject. Erika first introduced me to Factory Girl, the movie, last quarter, about two months ago. It's about Andy meeting Edie and how he becomes intoxicated by her presence. He's inspired by her energy and lifestyle. The same goes for Erika and I, she is actually the main inspiration behind my next collection. She's come into my life and almost helped me breath easier. She's introduced me to new movies, foods and music. But the thing is, I actually watch those movies and eat those foods and listen to that band now. We almost sort of take care of each other. I make sure she's awake in the mornings in case she slept in and she makes sure I eat everyday. 

Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick.

We compliment each other very well. Whether it's our style or personalities, we click and work together. I almost feel like she's the sister/twin I never had because half the time we're thinking the same things. We even have the same taste in guys, a little too similar sometimes...... I figured I'd introduce her to you all so you know who I'm talking about for future posts and so I can highlight her style. 

Erika and I after we went to an Art Gallery a few weeks ago.

Erika and I after going to the Andy Warhol museum here in Pittsburgh.

We're a pretty sick team, right? These aren't even our best outfits, obviously. Well I've got to go plan a fashion show now so à bientôt!

P.S. She loves cats, cute boys and The Maine. 

xx Caitlyn

A Look Back

Hello everyone!

I haven't posted an outfit in a while so I figured I'd do you proud and post two today. I've been working to re-launch The Girl From New York and give it a fresher look because I've grown a lot in the past year. I'm also adjusting to a new schedule as it is the Spring Quarter here at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Anyway, last week was the first true and I mean true week of spring. It. Was. Marvelous. Beautiful! So naturally, Erika and I decided to go for a walk around downtown and show off some fab outfits. 

The first outfit wasn't really inspired by anything, I just wore it! I'm in love with my thrifted/DIY boyfriend jeans. I've had the black sheer blouse for at least two seasons now and I'm really trying to reinvent my closet this Spring. My mom always throws a fit whenever I wear these jeans because she thinks they look just awful. However, the key is to mix feminine with masculine and wear the jeans with strappy heels or a chic pair of wedges. Carry a lady-like handbag and bam, you've a chic ensemble that'll catch everyone's eye. 

This second outfit was during a day out with my photo-major friends. (I have an unusual amount of friends who are photography majors..) They planned on going around Pittsburgh, exploring abandoned buildings, which is right up my alley. I had nothing to do because Erika was busy so I asked if I could tag along. I was feeling a 90's vibe that day, if you couldn't tell.. Anyway, this is a shot by my friend, Emily. I was sitting on the steps of an old church. One of those hey-take-a-picture-of-me-this-might-be-a-cool-shot shots. We both actually ended up loving it. Side note: If you guys spent time with me, you'd find out that I think in hashtags. Sarcastically, of course. All I can think when I see this photo is #modelstatus. Back to the outfit, I'm in love with my new Chelsea boots, I've been dying for a pair since they started trending a year or so ago. The trend finally trickled down to my level and I was able to score a pair that wasn't over $100! Hell, they weren't over $20... The rest of the outfit was just kinda thrown together to be honest. I wasn't sure how the weather would be, as we walked everywhere that day. It turned out to be warm....very...warm... But it worked. I had a bottle of Diet Coke and an outfit on another level. In other words, I was good. 

Keep checking in, it's going to be an exciting quarter. 

xx Caitlyn

Chic In Life.....And In Death?

Hello children of mine that aren't actually mine,

today I wish to discuss an article my soul mate, Erika, sent me. It was a simple message, just a picture of an article in an unknown magazine that read, "Corpse Couture, Clothes for Going Out In Style". And I just sat there like........

oh. 

Then it dawned on me how I plan to be laid to rest in an ermine fur coat, vintage Chanel pearls, maybe a blouse that I made by hand and last but not least Louboutins. No pants, though. They're a struggle for me in life, which means zero pants for this girl in the after life. 

I wish I could have read the actual article but neither of us know what magazine the article is in. If you know or see it, let me know, I'd love to read it! So I'm assuming that this is somewhat like a stylist/funeral director-like job? Styling the dead...hmmm why do feel like I can hear Rachel Zoe's voice in my head? 

If there were such a service, would you, if you could, have someone style you before you were buried? 


xx Caitlyn