Summer Internship Start!

Yesterday, I had my orientation for my summer internship. I posted about getting the internship earlier in my End of Term post. The tl;dr version is that I have a 6 week unpaid summer internship with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I'll be working in the Public Office; I can't wait to work out the details of the projects that I'll be helping with.

Read more for the preparation that I put into the orientation.


They sent us an email about dress, making sure to keep it professional. I wanted my first outfit to show that I took this seriously while following their rules for dress code. But I also wanted to show my coworkers that I had a sense of style. So here's what I was wearing and carrying with me:

Do you like that everything is in cool colors? I can't seem to help myself! I always end up getting blue and green things.

Earlier in May, I made a large purchase of spring semi-professional clothing. I assumed that the internship would expect attire that respected the summer heat but maintained professional standards. I got this particular dress from Marshalls. It had a large stain on it so it had been marked down; it was great for me since I hemmed the dress, cutting off all evidence of the stain.

This is the purse I recently got for the internship. I didn't think that any of my day purses were large enough or professional enough. I wanted to have a larger purse for carrying paperwork and supplies that still looked professional-cute. I'll likely do a post on the purse, reviewing it and saying how it holds up to a week or two of use.

Here's what I packed inside of it:

• Folder for requested information
• Notepad and planner
• Tea (not shown)
• Pencil case
• Phone
• Mini make up case

I'm so amazingly thankful for my summer internship. I can't wait to share with you all the things that I learn. I worked hard to make a good impression and I hope that it paid off.

Summer Internship Start!

Yesterday, I had my orientation for my summer internship. I posted about getting the internship earlier in my End of Term post. The tl;dr version is that I have a 6 week unpaid summer internship with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I'll be working in the Public Office; I can't wait to work out the details of the projects that I'll be helping with.

Read more for the preparation that I put into the orientation.

Staying positive: Lookin' Good

I've realized that a major part of me feeling good about myself is based on feeling that I look good. This spring and summer, my goal is work a routine of healthy self care and trying out a new more outgoing personal style.



Read more to hear about my rationale for this new commitment and the steps that I've broken this major goal down into.




I was raised on the belief that "cleanliness is close to godliness" and that "your body is a temple," so I associate taking care of my body with taking care of my soul. I may not be as spiritual, but the feeling of being clean is still linked with a sense of personal peace and reflection for me. I often spend my shower planning out my day or revving myself up for class.

Looking back on my low points, I see that personal care is one of the first things that I cut out. The sad thing is that removing self care makes it difficult for me to go out and leads to debilitating self criticism. While the first thing to go, self care certainly isn't the last. Cutting down on self care is a rather common thing for people suffering from depression or even just general stress. If you struggle with this, there's a lot of support out there. Even if it's not part of a serious difficulty, it's easy to rationalize exchanging showering time for cramming for a test. Maybe we can challenge ourselves to take better care together!

This year, I made a commitment to improving myself and I catalogued those resolutions in my day planner.
( Read my improvement commitments here.)

I want to commit to looking nice, taking care of my appearance, so that I can tackle the world with a more outgoing personality.

• My goal is to shower daily, taking the time to shampoo, condition, exfoliate, and just enjoy the process of getting clean.
• I will try to do my hair well, so that I feel confident with it. 
• I want to wear make up on a regular basis rather than "giving up" on my appearance. 
• My outfits will be things I confidently enjoy rather than things that let me feel slouchy-comfortable. 
• I will take advantage of my clothes and jewelry that I own. 
• I should try to feel brave and adventurous trying out new clothes, rather than cautious. 

Staying positive: Lookin' Good

I've realized that a major part of me feeling good about myself is based on feeling that I look good. This spring and summer, my goal is work a routine of healthy self care and trying out a new more outgoing personal style.



Read more to hear about my rationale for this new commitment and the steps that I've broken this major goal down into.

New purse

I finally got a new purse!

This is a big deal because I'm the sort that uses the same purse for everything on all of the days. I don't switch up my purses for different outfits. So it's a very big commitment for me to buy a new purse; it's basically a two year promise to that purse to complete loving.

I got this purse from Mod Cloth. ($55)

It's a lovely mint color of false leather. The lovely color didn't translate into these photos very well but it's a very bright color. Let's open it up!

Even the top is a compartment. I'm not too sure of what you would put in here as it could only really store paper. 

The purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap, for whichever way of carrying is prefered.

 I love the beautiful gold detailing and hardware; it really adds a little classic elegance to an unusual color purse.

But the lining keeps it playful. I adore the bright colors and silk. The pattern has cute little owls.
You can also see that it has some cute pockets on the inside. One zippered, two loose as well as the outside pocket.

Here's a look of what's usually in my purse.

This is my old purse.

I love this purse. I relied upon it very heavily my freshman year at MIT. And it served me well. It's actually very funny, because a girl in my orientation group had the same purse in a different material. Mine is a worked leather; hers was a fuzzy green fabric. Commenting on our matching purses was the start of one of my closest friendships; turned out she was in the same freshman advising program.

The problem was that it falls off of my shoulder when I'm wearing a winter jacket.

Here's a secret: You wear a winter jacket a lot when you live in Boston.

So I wanted to get an over the shoulder bag that wouldn't fall off. I've seen the pastel trend for bags all over the lolita fashion community, but I didn't think that a pastel pink heart shaped bag would quite do it for my everyday needs. Something that was a lovely pastel and would go with a lot of my blue themed basics, that was my goal.

I was going through ModCloth and saw this purse. I simply had to have it, especially since there were less than 10 left. I made the purchase and am totally happy with it.

There are some similar styles from Mod Cloth to check out.


Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint ($175)

Amethyst is it Bag ($63)

Mint Me Tonight Bag ($65)

New purse

I finally got a new purse!

This is a big deal because I'm the sort that uses the same purse for everything on all of the days. I don't switch up my purses for different outfits. So it's a very big commitment for me to buy a new purse; it's basically a two year promise to that purse to complete loving.

I got this purse from Mod Cloth. ($55)

It's a lovely mint color of false leather. The lovely color didn't translate into these photos very well but it's a very bright color. Let's open it up!

Even the top is a compartment. I'm not too sure of what you would put in here as it could only really store paper. 

The purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap, for whichever way of carrying is prefered.

 I love the beautiful gold detailing and hardware; it really adds a little classic elegance to an unusual color purse.

But the lining keeps it playful. I adore the bright colors and silk. The pattern has cute little owls.
You can also see that it has some cute pockets on the inside. One zippered, two loose as well as the outside pocket.

Here's a look of what's usually in my purse.

This is my old purse.

I love this purse. I relied upon it very heavily my freshman year at MIT. And it served me well. It's actually very funny, because a girl in my orientation group had the same purse in a different material. Mine is a worked leather; hers was a fuzzy green fabric. Commenting on our matching purses was the start of one of my closest friendships; turned out she was in the same freshman advising program.

The problem was that it falls off of my shoulder when I'm wearing a winter jacket.

Here's a secret: You wear a winter jacket a lot when you live in Boston.

So I wanted to get an over the shoulder bag that wouldn't fall off. I've seen the pastel trend for bags all over the lolita fashion community, but I didn't think that a pastel pink heart shaped bag would quite do it for my everyday needs. Something that was a lovely pastel and would go with a lot of my blue themed basics, that was my goal.

I was going through ModCloth and saw this purse. I simply had to have it, especially since there were less than 10 left. I made the purchase and am totally happy with it.

There are some similar styles from Mod Cloth to check out.


Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint ($175)

Amethyst is it Bag ($63)

Mint Me Tonight Bag ($65)

Yesterday, I went with a friend to the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker.

We got dressed up to go! We were very worried about what would be appropriate to wear, even if the Boston Ballet doesn't have a dress code. My friend didn't really want to get dressed up since it was storming earlier in the day. Boston has way to much rain, especially after getting back from Miami.

Here's what I wore:

This coat is from Fan plus Friend. I really do love it; it's very warm. It has lovely corset detailing on the back. The coat has removable fur which makes it a good changing piece from OTT lolita to dressy wear. It was super sweet when a lady complimented me on it at the ballet. 

My only warning would be that it's not water proof. This was a shame since as we walked out of the show it started snowing!

I'm wearing a long scarf underneath to keep my neck nice and cozy.

This was my outfit. I'm super happy with it.

The dress is from Miss Selfridge. I love their dresses and petite section. Also wore one of their dresses for Christmas and people really liked it. 

A close up of my accessories and the program. 

My favorite part of the outfit has to be the earrings: Aren't they totally fitting for the Nutcracker? If I remember correctly they're by Betsey Johnson. I've had them for a while and look forward to bringing them out for Christmas.

Here I am at the Boston Opera house right before the show starts. 

The building was absolutely gorgeous. I hope to go there again to see another ballet, possibly one with less children. But there is a certain joy to seeing families going out to enjoy the arts. So many adorable girls in dresses!

The ballet itself was lovely. We had balcony seats and could see quite well. I'd seen the Nutcracker once before when I was quite little. The only thing that I remembered of it was the fight between the nutcracker and the mice as well as the dancing teddy bear. This show was so spectacular that it put those memories to shame. The dresses throughout the show were gorgeous and suited the beautiful craft of the stage so well. The dancing was amazing. I think my favorite part was the French Pastorale in act two as well as the amazing dances done by the Snow Queen. She was gorgeous at the end of Act One as snow fell down as she brought to life the winter season. I was absolutely enraptured by the Sugar Plum Fairy's dance with her King before the court- from costuming to the finale, she was a beauty to behold. 

Also, I loved the fresco for the court, designed by Robert Perdziola. His imaginings are graceful and brought a warmth to the stage.

The Sugar Plum Fairy

Hopefully, I'll go to see another ballet!

Yesterday, I went with a friend to the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker.

We got dressed up to go! We were very worried about what would be appropriate to wear, even if the Boston Ballet doesn't have a dress code. My friend didn't really want to get dressed up since it was storming earlier in the day. Boston has way to much rain, especially after getting back from Miami.

Here's what I wore:

This coat is from Fan plus Friend. I really do love it; it's very warm. It has lovely corset detailing on the back. The coat has removable fur which makes it a good changing piece from OTT lolita to dressy wear. It was super sweet when a lady complimented me on it at the ballet. 

My only warning would be that it's not water proof. This was a shame since as we walked out of the show it started snowing!

I'm wearing a long scarf underneath to keep my neck nice and cozy.

This was my outfit. I'm super happy with it.

The dress is from Miss Selfridge. I love their dresses and petite section. Also wore one of their dresses for Christmas and people really liked it. 

A close up of my accessories and the program. 

My favorite part of the outfit has to be the earrings: Aren't they totally fitting for the Nutcracker? If I remember correctly they're by Betsey Johnson. I've had them for a while and look forward to bringing them out for Christmas.

Here I am at the Boston Opera house right before the show starts. 

The building was absolutely gorgeous. I hope to go there again to see another ballet, possibly one with less children. But there is a certain joy to seeing families going out to enjoy the arts. So many adorable girls in dresses!

The ballet itself was lovely. We had balcony seats and could see quite well. I'd seen the Nutcracker once before when I was quite little. The only thing that I remembered of it was the fight between the nutcracker and the mice as well as the dancing teddy bear. This show was so spectacular that it put those memories to shame. The dresses throughout the show were gorgeous and suited the beautiful craft of the stage so well. The dancing was amazing. I think my favorite part was the French Pastorale in act two as well as the amazing dances done by the Snow Queen. She was gorgeous at the end of Act One as snow fell down as she brought to life the winter season. I was absolutely enraptured by the Sugar Plum Fairy's dance with her King before the court- from costuming to the finale, she was a beauty to behold. 

Also, I loved the fresco for the court, designed by Robert Perdziola. His imaginings are graceful and brought a warmth to the stage.

The Sugar Plum Fairy

Hopefully, I'll go to see another ballet!