Town & Country in the city

My French midterm examination is tomorrow, and I am well-aware that my last update on Miss Couturable was more than four weeks ago. While I am still learning how to balance blogging with everything else going on in life, I already have a list of things I want to share with my fellow lovelies -- as soon I finish taking my last midterm examination next Thursday, of course.
To briefly update you on my life here at Columbia University, I am currently a fashion intern for Town & Country magazine. Indeed, I'm back at Hearst! I'm also working on starting Columbia University's first and only fashion publication, so stay tuned for updates on that -- 'tis amazing how talented and dedicated the students are here.

I am also trying to avoid swine flu. Don't worry -- Miss Couturable will be back and running as long as I can evade sickness for another week. Hope you're all doing marvelously well; toodaloo!

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Miss Couturable

Suit up in Hermès scarves

If I were a guy, I'd want to dress in Hermès. My parents used to save the Hermès men's catalogs that arrived in the mail for me, and I fell head over heels for the polished well-dressed men within the matte pages -- one of the few moments in my life when I wanted to be a boy instead of a girl.
Today, after purchasing a copy of Star Von Bunny: A Model Tale from the Paper Magazine Mr. Mickey's Celebrity Sidewalk Sale at Screaming Mimi's (100% of the proceeds went to fund the building of the Vivekananda Public School in India), I trekked over to the Hermès sample sale, where I purchased two signature silk scarves -- one in a sweet baby blue to wear to Columbia University sporting events (ah yes, I do have school pride) and one in a delightfully rich Indian rose and gold.
All Hermès silk scarves measure 90 x 90 centimeters and are hand-printed using silk screens. Additionally, they are hand-stitched and can easily be tied around your wrist, neck, handbag, or head for timeless chicness (and this is one of those few times where "timeless chic" truly applies).

I would like to point that I was probably one of the youngest people at the sale today, as I found myself standing in line with grandmothers in cashmere sweaters and corporettes on a lunch break.

Some things, like Chanel 2.55 bags and Hermès silk scarves, are stylish beyond the whims of seasonal trends and age.

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Miss Couturable

Under my umbrella

At Bryant Park two days ago, I received numerous compliments on my Guy de Jean Cancan Bis umbrella. In addition to its Moulin Rouge-esque froufrou look, it has a sturdy metal frame that has withstood countless strong winds while my friends' umbrellas collapsed under the pressure. It also doubles as a parasol with a sun protection factor of 50+, which is another excuse for me to carry it around all year, rain or shine.

What is your favorite practical -- or frivolous -- accessory?

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Miss Couturable

Announcements and exhaustion

I've disappeared from the internet for a few weeks, and in these past few weeks I've moved to New York City, backpacked up the Catskills Mountains, evacuated a hurricane, torn a pair of shoes, spent a night at the emergency room in the hospital (thank you, my dear suitemates!), wandered around the city (with company) late at night searching for questionable videos, and got nerdy (classes began today and I'm so ready to work). I'm actually in the library right now, realizing that I can't finish my French homework because I left my earphones in my room.

As I recover from my phlegm-plagued sickness, I would like to share two articles I wrote for Mochi Magazine:

First, I interviewed the fabulously awe-inspiring and yet-ever-so-humble Susanna Lau of The Fashion Blog to Know: Fashion Blogger Susie Bubble on the Digital World of Fashion. If you're curious about her day job, about online journalism, or about how she got her nickname of "Susie Bubble," check it out!

Secondly, I interviewed the amazing Sheena Matheiken of The Uniform Project: Nothing to Wear? How to Invigorate Your Closet. If you don't know about Sheena and her wonderful efforts to raise money for the Akanksha Foundation, read this article and read her blog. Additionally, there are some great tips about how to spice up a "basic" outfit -- trust me, Sheena knows best.

I'm so blessed to have been able to interview two fashion bloggers who are making great strides in both the online and "real" world. I would also like to announce that I am going to be blogging for College Fashion, along with nine other fashion-savvy college students. If you didn't read College Fashion before, now is the time to start! As my introduction reads:

Noel – Columbia University – You probably already know her as Miss Couturable, but the fabulous Noel is going to be writing for CF this semester too! As a former Seventeen Magazine intern starting her freshman year of college in NYC, Noel will be writing about everything from wallet-friendly versions of runway looks to her adventures budgeting and shopping in the city.

Don't worry -- Miss Couturable will be staying alive, as always! There are two different approaches to these two different blog, and I look forward to getting in contact with everyone in both ways!

Now, I'm off to my next class. Hopefully, your school year is starting off relatively smoothly!

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Miss Couturable

Ciao, California!

I found out that one of my favorite teachers from high school, Mr. Near, is dying. He has a few weeks left to live. I visited him on Saturday, and realized how terrible goodbyes are -- for all the goodbyes I have said in the past few weeks, this was the only true goodbye.

Mr. Near once said:

When I first started teaching, I substituted one day at my old junior high. One of my former teachers, upon seeing me and realizing I had become a teacher, actually said to me, "Oh, I always thought you could have done so much more." I guess in her mind I hadn't "done my best." And, maybe by her standard I hadn't. I would suggest that you find a different standard because I wouldn't trade my life or career for anyone's.

So, Mr. Near, thank you. People underestimate the importance of a well-taught class -- how the subject matter can grip you and run in circles through your head. People underestimate the importance of a teacher with a booming voice and a stern stare -- how one glance tells you that something wonderful is being taught. You taught me that a life well-lived is not determined by the number of times your name pops up on Google or the size of your bank account.

As for that booming voice of yours, I was at a loss for words (which I admit, is rarely the case) when I saw that it had become a raspy whisper on Saturday. I miss your voice.

I bid California farewell tonight. After I get off the plane tomorrow morning, I still won't know where I'm going in the next few years.

But as Mr. Near taught me, we might not have the future -- so live now, live hard, love now, and love hard. Mommy, Daddy, and Kathy -- thank you so much for a ridiculous past 18 years.

ex.oh.ex.oh

Miss Couturable

Batucada "Baroco" Bracelet mini-giveaway winner

(Photo Credit -- Brooklyn5and10)

Before I head off to bed in my own room for the last time (at least, for a few months), I would like to announce the winner (randomly selected) of the Batucada "Baroco" Bracelet mini-giveaway:

Grace, age 18: My favorite piece of jewelery is a multi-strand faux pearl necklace from Forever 21. It's cream-coloured and has gold accents. I love it to pieces.

Congratulations, Grace -- you'll love this eco-plastic bracelet as much as I love my eco-plastic necklace. Please email me with your name and mailing address from the same email you provided in your entry.

I'm off to slumberland!

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Miss Couturable

Dorm room decorating

A lot of my high school classmates have already moved into their dorm rooms -- I know this because Facebook albums with billions of dorm photos have popped up onto my Newsfeed. I've seen messy dorms, immaculate dorms, colorful dorms, and barely furnished dorms. Even though all of the dorms are different, everyone seems to have propped up their living space in the course of a day.

However, I don't think I could decorate and furnish my dorm room in the span of one move-in day -- I need more time to carefully pick out my decorations and furnishings. I have a few decorations ready to go, but I want to wander around the city and find pieces that spell out home to me, instead of racking up the Christmas lights and flokati rugs on a quick run through Target.
So far, I have a Breakfast at Tiffany's movie poster. I grew up watching Audrey Hepburn and I want to frame the poster for aesthetic appeasement.

(Photo Credit -- Frye's)

My daddy picked up this table lamp for me -- I like it much better than a plastic clip-on desk lamp. I'm a big fan of organic shapes with modernist touches.

(Photo Credit -- Amazon.com)

Okay, I know there's a mirror in the bathroom, but I need my own vanity mirror. This one lights up, magnifies to different intensities, and has a plug-in at the base for my hair straightener. There are many things I am willing to share, but I also don't enjoy fighting for the mirror in my suite's bathroom.

(Photo Credit -- Target)

For my down comforter, I purchased this duvet cover with a cream jacquard texture. I actually had a secret desire to make my own duvet.

(Photo Credit -- JCPenney)

I found a $100 gift card to JCPenney in my room. I have never shopped there before, but they had some great deals on twin XL sheets, which I was frantically searching for. I got two sets of sheets and pillowcases in bright mango and aqua blue.

(Photo Credit -- flair4all)

In keeping with my attempts to maintain a bright sunny room, I am pasting these crimson poppy wall decals on my wall. It's so easy and typical of me to opt for silvers, black, and whites for my room, but I do believe that a warm atmosphere can foster warm spirits.

I want to tear out pages of W magazine, which is always oversized, and tack them onto my wall. I also want to buy a French memo board and fill it with photos from high school. I'm not sure yet, and I don't think I'll have a "finished" dorm room for at least a month.

So, help me, please -- what are your favorite places for furnishings and decorations and art in New York City (or online)? Where can I buy poster frames at reasonable prices? How are you decorating your dorm? What are your decorating tips?

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Miss Couturable

P.S. Okay fine, I admit it. I'm also tacking up a Spice Girls poster.