7 Chic Pieces for a Rainy Day from Hunter x Target

Posted in Fashion by msiwak

The latest designer collab with Target is rainy-day chic!

Target has been known for its chic designer collabs popping up in stores, from Lilly Pulitzer, Victoria Beckham, and Magnolia’s Chip and Joanna Gaines, to name a few of the sold-out-within-hours collections. Next up, a fashion and accessories collection with famed British rain boots brand, Hunter.

Arriving Saturday, April 14, Hunter x Target is “inspired by family, festival and forces of nature” for a limited-edition collection “built on a philosophy of everyday adventure and a forecast of fun,” the Target site reads. The collaboration includes boots, outerwear, clothing, shoes, accessories and outdoor gear for the whole family.

I thought I’d share a few of my favorite fun, casual and cute Hunter x Target picks that will be sure to perk up any rainy day this spring.

1. Hunter for Target Women’s Waterproof Rain Boots

How could you do a Hunter collab without featuring their famous boots? That would be totally impossible! Boots for women, men and kiddos will all be available in different colors, patterns and height (knee and ankle length options). K, adding to my shopping cart now.

2. Hunter for Target Women’s Hooded Trench Coat – Khaki

I love this chic trench coat: perfect to keep your ensemble dry on rainy days without sacrificing style. A fun red stripe adds style and color to this hooded rain jacket. Where do I swipe my credit cart already??

3. Hunter for Target Women’s Side Zip Pencil Skirt – Black

I’m absolutely OBSESSING over this pencil skirt. It looks perfect for work hours as well as for after-hours and weekend days. Must-have list, for sure. And it’s black, so it’ll go with everything. Win-win.

4. Hunter for Target Small Pouch Bag

Available in a variety of hues, this small clutch is absolutely adorable to carry all your necessities for those days when you can’t lug a big tote (see below) around. I’m personally fond of the black and red options.

5. Hunter for Target Outdoor Blanket

Even though I’m not the most outdoorsy person, I find this outdoor printed blanket (in both red and blue patterns) to be absolutely perfect for a summer picnic or curling up with a book under a tree in the park. Sign me up!

6. Hunter for Target Rubber Handle Tote Bag

Walk around town carting all your belongings in this big bright tote that can hold it all. I think this would be absolutely perfect for my family’s vacation up in Idaho this summer, especially when we go up to the lake for a day! It’ll perfectly hold all of our beach belongings, while looking super cute. Or just using while running daily errands. Either works.

7. Hunter for Target Bubble Umbrella

Stay dry with the large and bright umbrella to keep your look in tact when it’s pouring out. It’ll add some much needed cheer on those dreary, rain-filled days! Cute and practical: just what I’m looking for in an umbrella!

5Jun2016

One week in and it’s been all about theater and fashion… But is that a bad thing??

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

As this post title suggests, it’s been exactly one week for my second Manhattan summer and basically everything I’ve done involves fashion and Broadway. But, that’s not a bad thing at all, right?!?

To start, on Wednesday I decided to try my luck at the Ham4Ham lottery (though I knew it’d be fail, as it was last summer.) To clarify, the Hamilton lottery is best described as a needle in a haystack, where thousands of people head to the Richard Rodgers for the sole in-person Wednesday matinee lottery for $10 front row seats or a few standing room options, where they put their name in a huge barrel of a basket— yeah, chances are slim. Knowing it’s highly unlikely that I’d win, I mostly went to see the Ham4Ham show. So, two hours before creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted a New York Times article about the Hamilton softball team in the Broadway league, which was “required reading” for the lotto… Unsure what that meant, I went anyway with no thought of what would be performed.

I wanted show you all what it’s like to go to Ham4Ham, so enjoy the video below. (Sorry if it’s hard to see– it was really crowded and I’m vertically challenged.)

After I lost the lottery (as expected), I still felt like seeing a matinee, so I walked one block over to Waitress. I heard they had Standing Room seats, but the show wasn’t quite sold out, so I decided to get the cheapest available option in the mezzanine– and I’m so glad I did, because the show was great! (Been listening to the cast album on repeat all week!)

Then at the stagedoor:

Cute sisters McKenna and Clair sign Playbills for their split role as Lulu, Jenna’s daughter in the epilogue. #tooprecious

Oh, hey- Chris Fitzgerald! I just had to congratulate him on his TONY NOMINATION!

I went home to get ready for my first day of work in the morning.

If you don’t know, I’m a Styling Intern at Brandon Maxwell (if you don’t know who he is, he runs a luxury fashion label and is a stylist.) What’s life as a fashion intern like? I’m hear to tell you… So, on Thursday (my first day), tasks included unpacking and packing garment bags and trunks of clothes, picking up a giant crystal pennant from Swarovski, dropping off and picking up garment bags, and at the end of the day, drop off gifts for models at IMG and Women Management. I also learned that heels are great aesthetically, just fashion interns are on your feet all day, both standing and running errands, so let’s just said I had some bad blisters… by lunchtime. Yea…. Then, on Friday my tasks included, drop offs, organizing the design studio, creating PDFs of the looks, running to Barneys to find 11 pairs of Manolos (such a hard life, right???), sending out trunks and packing. Very busy, but I love being deeply immersed in the fashion industry!

When I got home, I made dinner and promptly went to bed. Then, my alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. (See I had a logical reason!) I got up, got ready and headed to 45th Street (aka Broadway) and planted myself on the sidewalk outside the Gerald Shoenfeld theater where I was tenth in line for day-of rush tickets to American Psycho, closing June 5. After waiting for three hours in the longest rush line on 45th street (it went passed the Booth and looped into Shubert Alley!), I was able to get a ticket for the evening show.

It was a really great show! Ahead of time, I knew nothing about the musical, the book or movie– and I think that’s better. If you don’t have any expectations, you’ll enjoy it more and can’t get let down. Every aspect was phenomenal, it’s a shame it only got Tony nods for lighting and set (well deserved, but still…) and that it’s closing…

Side note and brief theater rant: It’s a shame how so many amazing Broadway productions are closing because of low ticket sales and no Tony love (probably because Hamilton got everything); just because a show is completely original, artistic and different from anything I’ve ever seen (yes, I’m talking about Psycho here!) doesn’t mean it should close…. Sad face that Broadway can’t keep the greats…

And after the show, of course I had to stagedoor– getting autographs and even a photo! (And at the stagedoor, I noticed Bob Lenzi aka Miles from Tuck waiting there for his girlfriend at her stagedoor– talk about an adorable Broadway couple.)

A photo with Jen Damiano!

And later, guess who I learned also went to that show? Why none other than LEA SALONGA. SHUT UP, that’s so legendary– that I was in the same room as her, watching a show!

So, I’d say fashion and theater will be the major themes of this summer!

Until next time…

10Jun2015

My Life as an Intern

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone. It’s Wednesday, June 10 and I basically just got back from work, where I’ve been all day since 8 a.m., at a photo shoot in Brooklyn (more on this later.)

I left off in my last post that I was going to see On the Town last Saturday. Before than, we decided to head to Topshop Soho (it’s my favorite store!) and then we ended up walking back from Soho to the dorms; it was not that far! Already noted, for some future Topshop endeavors… 😉

We purchased our tickets for the On the Town from the TodayTix app (I highly recommend it for discount tickets!) and then ate dinner at some large Chinese restaurant near Times Square; I had a very good Pad Thai meal. Then, it was off to the theater! Well, first when we took our pictures (check my social media from Saturday) by the back edge of the theater and that marquee.. oops, awkward. Oh well, by the time the show started: it was fabulous! The choreography and the dancers (professional ballet dancers making their Broadway debut!) were impeccable, and I most definitely enjoyed it!

On Sunday, a group of us ventured to Chelsea for the legendary Brooklyn Bagel. I had a bagel with lox cream cheese (i.e. plain cream cheese with small pieces of lox in it– but I love bagels and lox, so no complaints here!) Later that evening, a group of students in my program decided a TONY viewing party was in order, because of course.

Monday was our class day. To start, about half of us met at the Met around 10 a.m. where we were able to explore the famed museum, as long as we did an assignment for a later project as well. Can I just mention how incredibly gorgeous the gowns were in the China Through the Looking Glass display? Anna Winter and all those designers truly outdid themselves. Then, my friend and I walked to Bryant Park and ate lunch prior to our next activity. The park was adorable yet crowded. We then met as a smaller group for our 3 p.m. appointment at the New York Public Library, where we completed research for a project later on in the summer. I was back at the dorm by 5, and quickly got dressed in professional attire for our school’s alumni meet-and-greet at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley. Very swanky and nice, but very far away. Soooo, a group of us just took Uber back to the dorm. Hey, beats walking!

Tuesday was kind of a hectic day, as we had a pretty big shoot for the October issue on Wednesday. At 10:30 a.m. I left the office for the Flower District where I was there until 1, picking out flowers that are appropriate for fall. With bunches of bouquets wrapped in hand, I took a taxi back to work: beats having to fight the crowds with the subway. The rest of the day was spent packing boxes for the shoot. I got home at 6:20, by far the latest of my suite, and discovered that the laundry machines were still broken from last Friday: so great.

And on to today: it was our shoot day at this apartment in Brooklyn. The piece, for the October issue, discusses small space living. The apartment, belonging to a young married couple and their bulldog named Finley in Cobble Hill, was part of a cluster of absolutely adorable brownstones. (I mean, I’d love to live in one when I grow up…) Most of the day, I unpacked boxes, organized props up in the apartment and ran errands for more props and then picked up the editors’ lunches (haha intern life). Everything was very cool and I enjoyed seeing how the entire process works, despite some minor issues regarding storage and transportation. Once, I was sitting on the front stoop unpacking boxes and there was a preschool class on a leash walking past me. And then, I was walking back from the truck and this little boy across the street kept saying hi and waving, so I waved back and then he said goodbye and tried to follow my down the street, while his parents called him. Too precious, regardless. However, I did get a little lost coming home, so Uber it was! I got home at 7:30 p.m., completely tired and here I am writing this…

It’s been a crazy, whirlwind experience so far, but I guess that’s the life of an intern, especially in the magazine industry!

Until next time, Miranda xx

4Jun2015

My First Week as a New Yorker

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone! So, this has been my first full week as a New Yorker! How about a little recap?

In my last post I mentioned how we went on a Circle Line boat tour on Sunday. Well, during that boat ride (and after), it poured. And even with my umbrella, I still got soaked. Upon arriving back, a group of us stopped to go get dinner (we didn’t have lunch that day) and to wait out the storm and flash flood warning. Then, we decided to see the Age of Adeline around the corner, as it was still raining…. And we laughed: there’s was really no solid plot point that made sense, however, I will note that Blake Lively’s hair was consistently on point in the flick.

On Mondays, we have our “Streets of New York” class, and June 1 was our scavenger hunt to find our way around the city. We started off near the dorm– again it was very windy and rainy!– and took the train to the posh Upper East Side sites and Upper West Side sites, as well as my intern site and another girl’s nearby. Then we decided to head to another member of our group’s internship– in Brooklyn. Well, we walked for 20 minutes before we found it– sort of. And to avoid trekking back to a subway station, we uber-ed it back to Washington Square Park with our new buddy Yip the Uber driver. We went around that neighborhood and the Financial District, but still didn’t complete the list. At 5:30pm, we got off subway near the dorm and got an email from our professor not to meet him, but to “go home.” BUT, we completed four out of the five tasks and went to all four internship sites, which I think is a pretty good accomplishment.

Tuesday, June 2 began my first day as an intern for Good Housekeeping, which is located in the famous Hearst Tower.
Ah so exciting, I can hardly believe it!! So, I end up waiting in line with the other Hearst Publications interns for the day’s badge, then I take the escalator up to the glass section of the skyscraper and then ride the elevator up to the 28th floor. GH occupies the 28th floor and the GH Institute that tests all the products is on the 29th.

Tuesday, I (along with the other home department intern) organized the packed home closet (but it was all very cute!), worked on a timeline of home decor for the special issue coming up, had lunch in the Hearst Cafe with the other GH interns, and some more research. Then, as I left the train station on the way home, there was one of the Sprouse twins (they were on the Disney Channel show ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’) just chilling outside Walgreens, a couple blocks up from my dorm. He kind of spotted me back, so I was unable to snap a photo, but hey, celeb spotting has begun this summer!

Wednesday, June 3 was a research day, but we also did a little painting (priming a piece of wood white for the editor to paint later, which will be used for the August cover.) Then, we had another research project: finding home trends for the October issue, hellooo it’s basically online shopping!

Today, Thursday, June 4, I helped transport props for the August cover shoot up to the GH test kitchen and even got a sneak peek of the images! (They are so adorable! Make sure to get a copy when it comes out!) Then, we did some research on Pinterest, to which I’d sometimes get “distracted” by all the cute home decor images, oops. The end of the day, we ran some errands across the street to CVS and Whole Foods to get some props for photo shoots next week. It’s been a great first week at GH and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the summer!

Also, a couple friends and I are planning to see “On the Town” this Saturday on Broadway and I’m super pumped, especially to see Ricky, the SYTYCD 11 winner, dance in the show! Then, Sunday night there’s a free live screening of the Tony Awards in Times Square, so obviously we must attend that as well.

Keep y’all posted! (I plan on updating this blog once a week!)

-Miranda xx

31May2015

Welcome to New York!

Posted in Welcome to New York by msiwak

Hi everyone!

Today marks the first full day of summer as a Manhattan-ite. So pumped! 🙂 Here’s what went down yesterday:

-Woke up & walked to dorm and found my subway route to work

-Moved in & got all necessities for a summer apartment

-Went to Rockefeller Plaza and then took the train back all by myself (That I was anxious about…)

-Walked for about an hour and a half while my friend and I searched for a non-pizza place for dinner (Hey, that’s what we had for lunch!), then ate dinner followed by some quick grocery shopping

-Came back and hung out with people in the dorm, then sleep

On today’s agenda:

-My roommate and I already walked over a mile and half, from our dorm on 3rd Ave to Ave C, exploring the neighborhood (To which I already found a perfect NYC brownstone)

-Mandatory “brunch” with all residents in an hour

-Circle Line boat tour

And that’s all the planned events for today! I’m looking forward to spontaneously exploring the city and taking adventures, as well as seeing as many Broadway shows as my time and budget allows! 🙂

Make sure to follow along with me all summer (I’ll try to post weekly) as I explore Manhattan and feel free to send me suggestions of things to do, as well!

16Aug2014

My [Must Listen To] Summer Music Playlist, Part 2

Posted in Pop Culture by msiwak

As you recall, earlier this summer I had compiled a list of the songs I was obsessing over this summer.

I’m here to amend that list:

1. “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj

To be honest, I started to enjoy this song after seeing the amazing choreography to it on So You Think You Can Dance! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVPQhXm_1cI) And now, I’m obsessed with it.

2. “Chasing the Sun” by Hilary Duff (aka Lizzie McGuire!!)

Lizzie McGuire is back! And this time with a super-sweet Top 40 song that is perfect for summer! Love.

3. “Break Free” by Ariana Grande feat. Zedd

Yes, another Ariana track is on the list, but I can’t help it–she’s just that talented.

4. “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora

Okay, I guess I’ll put this on here. Simply because it’s catchy.

5. “Maps” by Maroon 5

Another ‘maybe’ song, but hey, it’s catchy and I’m enjoying it.

6. “Amnesia” by 5 Seconds of Summer

Love this ballad! And I’m waiting for a routine on SYTYCD!

7. “Good Girls,” “18,” “Mrs. All American,” “Social Casualty,” “Voodoo Doll,” “Greenlight” by 5SOS

And lastly, here’s a feminist-inspired country number:

Happy listening! xx

10Aug2014

My Summer TV Obsessions

Posted in Pop Culture by msiwak

Here’s what I’m watching this summer, and obsessing over.

Big Brother

I recently have become so obsessed with CBS’ Big Brother. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s fascinating to watch. Here’s my rundown of the contestants that I’ve seen:

-Amber: Curly hair. Caleb and Cody love triangle.

-Caleb: Country boy aka “Beast Mode Cowboy” who loves Amber, almost to the point it distracts his game.

-Christine: Quiet. Only girl in the large alliance, ‘Detonators.’

-Cody: He’s so pretty. That’s about it.

-Derrick: Clearly, the leader of the group. My pick as to who will win the whole thing.

-Donny: The one with the beard. Team America member. Quiet, I guess.

-Frankie: Ariana Grande’s older brother. Loves show tunes and pink hair. AND as of today, won a Battle of the Block two-person challenge by himself!

-Hayden: He’s what? A pedicab driver?? Does he surf? Wait, he was on the Deans List? Possibly in love with Nicole.

-Jocasta: Bowties. Always on the Block.

-Nicole: What’s with her voice? Does she always have to win HOH? And what’s going on with Hayden?

-Victoria: Why is she still here? She has no athletic prowess and always loses competitions. Seems prissy.

-Zach: WHY IS HE ALWAYS SHIRTLESS OR IN THE SAME FLORIDA GATORS SHIRT AND PINK HAT? Also, Zankie bromance.

So You Think You Can Dance

As a dancer myself, I’ve become obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance recently. I mean, I watch Dance Moms for their choreography, why not SYTYCD? All their choreographers need Emmys!! Ohmygosh, Travis Wall’s (and Mandy Moore’s) routines though. Incredible. I have no idea who will win: maybe Rudy, Tanisha, or Ricky??

Chasing Life

After I watch Pretty Little Liars, I’ve come to enjoy Chasing Life. (And yes, that’s Cappie from Greek, who will play Kristoff on Once Upon A Time.) It takes a TFIOS twist when April (Italia Ricci) gets diagnosed with leukemia. But, she plays a journalist (well, an intern) and as a Journalism major myself, I like it when TV characters resemble things about myself or ordinary people in general–someone I can relate to.

Switched at Birth and The Fosters

I’ve been watching these ABC Family Monday night shows, and it’s getting so addicting. First, there’s Switched at Birth where I get to hone my ASL skills (mostly the only reason I watch) and then The Fosters, which is J.Lo produced is so dramatic and not what I expected from former Disney stars.

Pretty Little Liars

Of course, PLL makes another appearance. It’s getting so predictable. But, as soon as that happens, the writers throw us another curveball and I’m reminded why I watch the show. That, and the fashion. Plus, they’ve done a good job at employing love interests (I mean, let’s discuss Ian Harding, Keegan Allen, and Tyler Blackburn. No complaints from any girl.)

Dance Moms

I watch it purely for the dancing, because these little girls are insanely talented. As a dancer myself, I’m envious at what they can do at ages 8-12. I actually tune out the mama drama that occurs— I don’t care. I watch simply as a dancer to applaud these supremely talented little girls and their studio’s choreography.

The Bachelorette

I know it’s over, but one of my June/July guilty pleasures had to have been The Bachelorette. And I squealed when it was revealed Andi and Josh were engaged. Not to mention, I like following all the happy couples that result from the show on Instagram. And side note: I’m still hopeful that [farmer] Chris, Andi’s castoff, will be the next Bachelor.

Hope you all enjoyed reading this, and hopefully some of y’all will consider watching these shows in the future.

10Aug2014

Teen Choice Awards were quite fashionable

Posted in Fashion, Pop Culture by msiwak

Tonight on FOX was the annual Teen Choice Awards. I thought I’d break down some of the best red carpet style of the night.

Ariana Grande is fast becoming one of the top artists of the summer. (Have you heard Bang Bang? You should.) Her style is very uniquely her, and she looks just like her brand. The only thing: I never realized how much hair she has??? (It’s so thick… Twins!)

The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev looks fun and edgy in her crop top and shorts. So perfect for summer! And love that side braid she’s working! However, I’m not loving her facial expression—hello? You won a surfboard at the TCA’s… Act like the star you are (As Tyra Banks of ANTM would say, ‘Smize.’)!

IT’S LIZZIE MCGUIRE. SHE’S BACK. Not only is her newest song “Chasing the Sun” the perfect catchy summertime hit, she looks modern. Once again, Hilary Duff is the perfect fashion role model. I love her top and skirt, and even her stilettos, however, I’m not loving her pose– it just looks awkward.

Pretty Little Liars teen queen Lucy Hale looked pretty in red this evening! Gorgeous, but a little overdressed perhaps?

16-year-old starlet Bella Thorne is trying too hard to dress older. While I LOVE this super couture dress, it’s too mature for her. (Maybe someone like Lucy Hale or Ariana Grande would wear this better??) And, from one girl to another, PULL. IT. UP. And another thing: throughout the TCAs, we saw her commercials for Candies brand– she had no enthusiasm for the set or anything. As a communications major, she didn’t sell the brand, the clothes, anything to me. What’s the hurry to grow up, Bella? Stay young as long as you can. You’ll have time to dress like a twenty-something when you get older; don’t rush it.

I don’t know much about The Band Perry, but I love the main girl’s dress. Gorgeous, high fashion, and kind of works at the TCAs. LOVE. No complaints from this blogger.

Taylor Swift, who may or may not have a new studio album coming out soon, wore this outfit, and to be honest: I’m not feeling it. While I think it’s an adorable ensemble for an ordinary summer day– it doesn’t flow for a red carpet, unless someone like Bella Thorne or Chloe Grace Moretz were to wear it. Love it for a summer day or on a younger star, but Taylor didn’t wow me. AND, when she was presenting, she didn’t show her personality… What’s wrong, Taylor?

Demi Lovato. While I wasn’t a fan of her on-stage apparel, this dress is classy and simple. However, it’s the TCAs–the place to be edgy and fun, not like you’re going to the Emmys or something. This doesn’t scream, “Demi Lovato,” and for her brand, it should have. Gorgeous dress, but not for her. Maybe Taylor Swift or her pal Selena Gomez should have chosen this dress instead?

Who are your Best Dressed picks?

29Jul2014

My new favorite Lilly looks!

Posted in Fashion by msiwak

With the recent reveal of the 2014 Fall line of Lilly Pulitzer, I thought I’d reveal my top Lilly looks:

“Windsor Strapless Pull-On” is perfect as a summer staple. Love the print and dress shape!

The “Madeline” sunglasses are perfect! LOVE. A summer must.

The “Augusta shift dress” is gorge. I love it. It’s the perfect summer Lilly dress.

The “Emmett strapless maxi dress” is a summer must! Love the color.

What summer staples are on your must list?

25Jul2014

Celebs spotted: One Direction

Posted in Pop Culture by msiwak

On July 21, I read an article on Buzzfeed, http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/this-is-how-the-boys-of-one-direction-dress-for-a-wedding#, and being a 1D fan, I knew I had to blog about it (excuse the late post), I mean, I’ve even seen them live in concert last year– such a great moment.

So, back to the article. Louis’ mum (he’s British, I had to.) recently got married, and most of his bandmates were in attendance. Also there, his girlfriend Eleanor Calder who posed as a bridesmaid by the looks of it. (Such a fashion icon herself.)

Here’s Louis rocking a blue suit.

And Niall sporting a perfectly tailored navy suit and rockin’ some Ray-Bans.

And Liam was there too.

And then, there’s Harry. (Always a “trendsetter” that one…)

We’ve all seen the boys rock their signature boy band style from tours, interviews, and music videos, but wedding attire is completely different for the X Factor band.

I have a wedding coming up soon, and what I wouldn’t give to have one of these boys as a plus one (not to mention they’ll literally be in my hometown TWO days prior.)

quite simply miranda

Tag Archives: summer

7 Chic Pieces for a Rainy Day from Hunter x Target

The latest designer collab with Target is rainy-day chic!

One week in and it’s been all about theater and fashion… But is that a bad thing??

My Life as an Intern

My First Week as a New Yorker

Welcome to New York!

My [Must Listen To] Summer Music Playlist, Part 2

My Summer TV Obsessions

Teen Choice Awards were quite fashionable

My new favorite Lilly looks!

Celebs spotted: One Direction