Greetings from Pittsburgh!

Hi all!

I made it through my voice evaluations and am officially in my last semester of college! After my finals this week, Rob and I immediately jetted off to Pittsburgh, PA to see his family for Christmas and New Years!

With the freezing weather and my desire to stay under a blanket all day, I have been dreaming of cute clothes, hoping they will one day appear under my imaginary "Christmas" tree (i.e. the Hanukkah bush I tried to invent to no avail)

Here are some of my favorite affordable Holiday looks! As you all know, I am a sucker for the 1960s mod look. I love the sleek lines, pops of color, and geometric patterns.

Anthropologie:

J. Crew:

With the cold weather, I am loving that turtlenecks are finally in style! I bought the Tri-blend black turtleneck and the Cranberry turtleneck dress from American Apparel. I will post pics once I debut them!

Until then, cheers!

P.S. I am taking requests for orders of Smiley Cookies and Giant Eagle products!

Giving Thanks for Sales!

With my time off for the Thanksgiving holiday, I somehow managed to go shopping all weekend, all while avoiding the Black Friday madness!

I finally bought myself a romper! One fact about me is that I have been searching for an adorable romper for years... but I couldn't seem to find "the one." Until this weekend when I got this cute teal, 1950s USO inspired play-suit from the Bettie Page store on Haight street! I edged out this summery piece with black opaque tights and my black Dr. Marten, calf high boots.

I am now in search for a coat with a big fur faux lapel. I will be sure to post my favorite looks of the week later!

Audition Dresses

As we are entering summer program audition season, I wanted to post some affordable, appropriate audition dresses-- All under $200.

Here are some dresses at Nordstroms:

Here are some of my top picks from ASOS-- you have to order online and convert from Euros to dollars, but these dresses are totally worth it and the prices are cheap!

Rain in SF

After weeks of beautiful Indian Summer in SF, we are back to the usual cold, foggy, wet weather. So here are some of my top affordable picks for dressing warm:

The way most women love shoes, I love coats. I am especially in love with faux fur this season-- it gives off the perfect amount of femininity, wealth, and warmth! I am an old fashioned girl and am obsessing over this season's leopard print. It's equal parts sex and irony-- as it often reminds me of the old Russian ladies I'd see at my parents' Synagogue.

Urban Outfitters:

This season I am in love with shift dresses! It's such an adorably mod and effortless look that will make you look super chic, and with the holidays coming soon, look very appropriate for any conservative relatives!

Here are some of my favorites from ASOS:

 

I am also SO happy that Urban Outfitters is selling a cheap knockoff ($14) of Marc Jacob's polka dot tights that are all over his line! I love Marc, but can't always splurge on him, like I want!

It has been too long! I have been going crazy with auditions, performances, and work in order to graduate this year! The life of a Conservatory senior is hard!

But as I have finally settled in my new, wonderfully Victorian San Francisco apartment, I must be very frugal with my money! So since I found these affordable looks from Zara, I am planning my Downtown trip tomorrow to load up on some new winter looks!

Although I don't endorse the use of animal fur, I am obsessed with faux fur collars and accents!

This polka dot blouse totally reminds me of Marc Jacobs current line!

And these dresses from the Bettie Page Store are absolutely timeless and sexy! Any and all women can look beautiful in these cuts. There is a reason that vintage cuts are coming back in style! (Plus green is my favorite color and with my sometimes green, sometimes blue eyes, they will just pop!)

Warm Weather Means Dresses!

So I have just returned from Arizona and am almost done unpacking boxes (that might be an overstatement). With the warm weather and evening cocktails, I was able to wear some of my favorite outfits and experiment with my new dark hair!

I was able to finally wear my new Marc Jacobs dress! It was the perfect ensemble for drinks and dinner at the Enchantment Resort in Sedona. The navy and off white print were beautiful against the red rocks.

The next night I wore my $10 eyelet dress that I got second hand in SF's Castro neighborhood. I bought the red, vintage, art deco necklace that day for $7 in Old Town Cottonwood.

Finally, to celebrate my new runway (aka my Fell st. walking commute to school), I wore a navy blazer, a tight, dark red t-shirt, and $5 H&M striped mini skirt. Every item above my feet cost under $10 each. My go to heels are my Dr. Marten Saddle Shoe Heels were a very worthy splurge!

Chris, You are the Guru of Audition Wear!

Today Christopher Verdosci, San Francisco Opera's Assistant Costume Director, came to SFCM for his, what I hope will continue to be yearly, masterclass on audition wear for opera. I learned so much from him last year and was so excited to be able to talk fashion during VPL. It was a nice escape from the usual listening to people sing and me sitting there analyzing the appropriateness of their outfits. I wanted to get up there and answer questions with him, but I had to refrain! I knew every designer and era reference he made and wished I could have talked to him for hours! Luckily, my great friend Siobhan interns with him, so he invited me to come visit and help out at the costume shop! YES YES YES!

I just wanted to highlight some of his most important points:

a) Wear Stockings! Do not audition without those gams covered, lovely ladies.
b) Everyone must wear appropriate undergarments. Even as a thin girl, it's important wear foundation garments to create a sleek, panty line-less silhouette.
c) Toned down Jewel Tones are perfect for all! They are great hues on women and add color without distracting from your voice. No purple in Italy and no yellow EVER!
d) Always wear closed toe shoes to an audition! Peep toes are okay, as long as you are not a toe tapper!
e) Hemlines must be at or below the knee. You don't want those patrons in the front row to see your cute Victoria's Secret lace panties, or (hopefully) the foundation piece you are wearing.
f) No strapless dresses or spaghetti straps! You don't want to look half naked on stage.
g) Get second opinions on your outfit, from the front AND the back. You don't want to leave the stage with your dress tag flapping.

Most important: If you look good, you'll feel good! Wear what makes you feel beautiful, appropriate, and professional! There is a perfect dress for ALL body types!