ABC Family’s Jane By Design Style Challenge #3

For Round Three of my Jane By Design Style Challenge, I was told to go into my closet and find a purse that best represents me in a way that conveys the very essence of who I am. Having had a passion for purses from an early age, I fully embraced this challenge.   According to Gray Chandler Murray, “You can judge a person based on the purse they carry.  A sloppy bag shows the world that you are a disheveled mess, very likely in need of group therapy.  A matronly purse says you are uptight, humorless and quite possibly spending your nights alone, with only your cat for company.  But the right bag represents you better than any other accessory can. The right bag reveals the best aspects of your personality, winning you affection and admiration wherever you go.”  I for one completely agree.  That’s why the purse I chose out of my extensive collection is more than just a purse to me, it’s a companion.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but purses are a girl’s soulmate. I bought this lovely Coach handbag at a Florida outlet right before my last semester of college when I was trying to put together a more sophisticated wardrobe.  Nearly three years later, it still looks like new.  When I graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Advertising in May 2009, that bag was with me on every interview, apartment hunt, and subway ride.  During that turbulent time, it became the only constant thing in my life.  I’ll always be grateful for the purse that kept me stylish and sane when I first moved to New York.  Since I wear a lot of purple, it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe.

Share the bag that best represents you on the Jane By Design Facebook Page.  In order to up my chances of getting my blog mentioned on the show, be sure to say Aspiring Socialite sent you.   Tune into the premiere of Jane By Design on ABC Family Tuesday Jan. 3rd at 9/8c!

ABC Family’s Jane By Design Style Challenge #2

*I had a feeling Gray wasn’t completely pleased with this challenge so I got inspired to make my Round #2 Style Icon tribute to Kate Middleton a little bigger and more opulent like her wedding on April 29, 2011. One time when I was wearing this skirt and cardigan,I was told that I looked like Kate Middleton so I figured they would be appropriate to add to the white t-shirt I was given in which I drew a British flag/crown design on using the fabric markers in my trunk.

For round two of ABC Family’s Jane By Design Style Challenge, I was given the assignment of creating a design on a t-shirt that represents my style icon or the person from which I gain most of my fashion inspiration from. Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis, knows just how much Kate Middleton’s style and story inspire me. So it’s easy to say that the Duchess of Cambridge is truly my style icon. They say London isn’t as fashionable as Paris or Milan, but I always find myself drawn to British designers.  My favorites include Mulberry, Ted Baker, and of course Alexander McQueen.  Kate Middleton is the perfect person to represent her quite fashionable nation.

When people find themselves amongst wealth and power, they tend to lose their personal style by wearing what they think they should be wearing instead of what makes them who they are.  The opposite is true with Kate.  I have a deep admiration for her classic simple style and the fact that it has stayed classic as she became royalty.  No matter if you’re Team Kate or look up to another style icon such as Audrey Hepburn, Madonna, or even your mom or favorite aunt, share your own style icon and why they inspire you on the Jane By Design Facebook Page.  Don’t forget to say Aspiring Socialite sent you. 

Tune into the premiere of Jane By Design on ABC Family Tuesday Jan. 3rd at 9/8c!

ABC Family’s Jane By Design Style Challenge #1


Just call me “Vicky by Design!” As my first task for the ABC Family Jane By Design Style Challenge, I was instructed by the lovely Gray Chandler Murray of Donovan Decker to show off my style and personality by making my very own shopping video haul. For the video, I was given a $50 gift card to go shopping for fun styles. I bought a vintage vest and a pair a black boots to add to styles already in my wardrobe. After days of blood, sweat, fashion, and creativity I went all out and put together two versions of the same outfit based on what I was wearing when I met Erica Dasher, the star of Jane By Design, at a Lucky Magazine party in New York.  She’s really stylish in real life too.  In order to help me win, share your own haul videos and mention my blog on on the Jane By Design Facebook Page. Don’t forget to tune into Jane By Design Tuesday Jan. 3rd at 9/8c.

The H&M Dragon Tattoo Collection is Available Worldwide Dec. 14th


Directly after partnering with Versace, H&M is introducing an equally shocking line.  Anyone who isn’t fascinated by the gothic ways of Lisbeth Salander hasn’t read or seen Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  I recently got an email directly from Stockholm, Sweden with exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and footage of H&M’s new Dragon Tattoo Collection designed by Trish Summerville who was also the costume designer for the film.

Lisbeth has such a unique style that you can really appreciate even if you aren’t into the whole European goth scene.  Even the preppiest person can appreciate these pieces individually.  Since the collection will be available worldwide on December 14th, every fashionista can treat herself to a little Nightmare Before Christmas shopping spree.  Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy is a compelling story that is bound to make a compelling outfit.

Socialista New York Style Session with OpenSky

This evening I met up with my MeetUp group Socialista New York founded by Amy Chandra of Midtown Girl.  The event was sponsored by the social shopping website OpenSky where you can shop the collections of your favorite style curators.  When a bunch of fashion people get together, we usually like to play with accessories and take pictures.  Who says adults can’t play dress-up?  Fashion bloggers do it all the time.  All of us got to play with OpenSky accessories and take pictures in front of a green screen like in the movies.  We then chose from a bunch of New York backgrounds.  I decided on the fall in Central Park background because so many pivotal scenes in movies were filmed there and I liked the leaves.  It was so great to connect with so many amazing and talented bloggers.  Can’t wait for the next Socialista event!