Baby, Pull Me Closer

A personal photoshoot inspired by The Chainsmokers' hit, Closer

If you haven't been able to tell from past blog posts, I don't focus on my personal style and outfitting.

Why?

Because I don't have a dream budget to hire a team or a live-in photographer boyfriend with a DSLR to take all sorts of stylish pictures necessary for running a proper style blog.

Most of my blog content relies on a set of core topics, more compelling copy and basic flat-lays or travel pictures, edited so perfectly with my iPhone 6 plus—but it is finally time to embrace the occasional photoshoot for the blog.

Inspired by the pop anthem of 2016, these photos are part-fashion diary, part-love letter and part-portfolio update (in that order).

I had the pleasure of working with Maaike Bernstrom for this shoot in Newport, Rhode Island—we've worked together on projects for Laura Jean and The Newport Blast and I couldn't trust anyone else to help bring this vision to life. After Maaike and I booked the date, I made sure to schedule my hair salon at JF3 Salon for earlier the same day.

So yes. This is it. This is me. Trying to be casual. Yet also trying not to be too casual.

But definitely trying to have nice pictures for my inevitable blog revamp.

Please be kind. I know I'm not a model. I'm barely five feet tall, sell clothing as my day job and write as my passion and side-hustle...

Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

Hey

I was doing just fine before I met you

I drink too much and that's an issue
But I'm okay

Hey
You tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them again

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no calls

Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop

No I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover

That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

You look as good as the day I met you

I forget just why I left you,
I was insane

Stay 

And play that Blink-182 song
That we beat to death in Tucson,
Okay

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no call
Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop
No, I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

No, we ain't ever getting older

Photography: Maaike Bernstrom

Hair: JF3 Salon

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Plaid Shirt Outfit: Top, Jach's Girlfriend (available at Crosswynds Traders); Jeans, FRAME Le High Rise Skinny; Shoes, Frye Sacha Moto Shootie in Cognac

Black Shirt Outfit: Top, Theory; Jeans, AG Jeans Tomboy

Silk Cami Outfit: Top, Free People Intimates; Sweater, Theory Open Cardigan

Find of the Week | 25

Unless you are a Free People model, chances are you struggle to find the perfect pair of jeans right off  of the rack.

I love AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans. They do require a trip to the tailor in the standard inseam, but as far as cropped denim goes, it's typically the perfect length.

The only problem with AG jeans is that they cost a student loan payment... At least when you buy them at full price.

Crosswynds Traders now carries a healthy selection of clothing and accessories from Free People and Anthropologie--I was ecstatic to find a pair of AG Stevie Ankle jeans. The best part? They were only a fraction of the retail price.

Weekend Links | 1

As I keep spending more time on the blog, I want to revisit old post formats and experiment with different types of posts. I've never done a "links" post, which is essentially a list of miscellaneous links that I find interesting and want to share with you.

The links I will be sharing are articles related to fashion, style or travel that I have read earlier in the week:

Learn a chic way to dress up your white T shirt | Harper's Bazaar

Open Call presents the June Catalog, features Erin Wasson | Free People

back to art school | Fashion Toast

Do thinner mannequins make people buy clothes? | The Guardian

Ivanka Trump's Style Tips for a Conservative Office | WhoWhatWear

Picking a Travel Credit Card | Nomadic Matt

Au Courant 2014: She Came from the Sea | Newport Stylephile

New York's Chicest Gardens to Brunch In | Harper's Bazaar

NPT/NGT: Keeping Up Appearances at the End of the Year

A Brief Recap:

1. This semester has been the most stressful time. Can't wait for finals to be over this week!

2. After finals are over, my first Newport summer starts! I'll be living in Newport and working two jobs--one with the university, the other at Gossip on Thames Street.

3. In addition to working two jobs, I will also keep up social media consulting in Narragansett. It's been such a blast working with small businesses to help them maximize their social media presence.

4. Because this blog is running out of storage space (yikes) , I am contemplating starting a new one. Updates coming soon!

Free People Sweater Poncho, Gossip Boutique; Chili Pepper White Cardigan, Winged Monkey; Tank Top, Old Navy; American Eagle Floral Shorts, Crosswynds Traders; American Eagle Sandals, Crosswynds Traders

I modeled some new arrivals at KC Shoes at the Pier in Narragansett. Aren't these summer dresses amazing?

Nautical Stripe Hi Lo Dress in Black or Navy

NPT/NGT/WKD: $2 Sale at Crosswynds Traders

There have been some great sales going on lately--Gap recently had their "Family and Friends" 30% off discount, Elle G has some cute fall inventory on sale, and Gossip is hosting a March Madness sale, featuring $10, $20, $30, $40 and $50 racks.

The sale of all sales, however, is happening at Crosswynds Traders. For the past few days, I have been completely obsessed with their $2.00 sale...

Yes, you read right--there are tables of $2.00 brand name clothing. Think American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, Lucky Brand, and Free People. I got a few things for myself, as well as some things for my family, at the lovely price of $18.00. Here's what I ended up getting:

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Pollution Sucks T-shirt (made of organic cotton) by Lucky Brand

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Bandeaus by BDG

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Denim A-line skirt with pockets-This might be my favorite for the day. I love the pockets, I love the high waist, and I love the bow belt. It's absolutely darling.

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Tank Tops by Free People 

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Long Sleeve Ts by Free People

Source: Mia on Pinterest

Crop Top by Urban Outfitters

I still can't get over how great this sale is, because one full price Free People top usually costs $68.00. To put everything in perspective, I got four Free People tops for just $8.00.

The $2.00 sale is going on until Sunday March 24th--check it out for yourself!

26YSAC4M3YNW

Find of the Week | 7

It's been a while since I've gone shopping--the last time I had any sort of "spree" was about a month ago when I went to Kristina Richards and Gap.

Lately I've noticed that I am in dire need of new everything--basic tops (both long and short sleeve), cute tops (chambray shirt and regular button-downs), jeans, bags, and a good raincoat.

I finally bought something I could afford at Gossip on a broke girl budget--this Free People poncho can be worn year round:

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Today, I stopped by Crosswynds Traders on the way home from work--I was not expecting to score Juicy Couture jeans for only $2.00 and a mini neon handbag for only $10.00. It made my day:

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

NPT/NGT/WKD: Macaron Hoarder and Gossip

For one of my communications classes, I have to start a blog. I asked if I could just keep working on Penser, but my professor is having everyone work on a blog from scratch.

So, now I have a second blog, Macaron Hoarder, on Wordpress. It will be different from Penser in that Macaron Hoarder will focus specifically on my Francophile obsessions in style and art. My latest post is about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on the cover of L'Officiel Hommes.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Macaron Hoarder

I have a lot of catching up to do for the past week from my internship at Gossip.

 We're working hard to move some clearance and sale inventory to make room for new summer arrivals. It's been hard to resist buying heavily discounted Free People...

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Night Out--the leopard skirt is on sale for only $20, originally $68...

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Free People sweater dresses marked down to $38.00, originally $98.00

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Free People velour tunics marked down to $38.00, originally $68.00

The two outfits below aren't on sale:

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Double Vision--I love these Free People shorts. They're available in Turquoise, Electric Purple, Watermelon, Camel, and Gravel.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Hippie Chick--The sweater dress pattern might be outlandish, but it's cut like a figure skater dress with a form fitting torso and an A line shape. The headband I'm modeling is a good way to add some extra spirit to it. 

Also, Gossip is currently hosting a $100 Gift Card Giveaway once the Facebook page reaches 1,000 likes, so you should like their page :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

**NOTE: From now on, I've decided to shorten my blog titles--no more long form of "Newport/Narragansett/Wickford."

Newport/Narragansett/Wickford: Waking Up Blonde

This week can't be over soon enough--it's been busy and slightly exhausting.

I went to internship on Tuesday and it was the first time Leslie, my manager, and Holly, another intern, had seen my blonde hair. They liked it.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

We're promoting our sale items (50% off!) at Gossip, hopefully there will be more markdowns soon!

I'm still getting used to having such a dramatically different look. I absolutely love it, but it's just hard for it to sink in. I curled my hair yesterday, the first time since going blonde, and it looks cute. It's hard to believe two weeks ago I had long, dark hair that went down to my waist...

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

Before

Source: Uploaded by user via Mia on Pinterest

After

JF3, the salon where I got my hair done, is offering a 40% discount on facials until March 31st. My bank account is still in recovery from going blonde (#brokecollegegirlproblems) but the Hydro Boost Seaweed Facial, a 30 minute express facial, looks really tempting at only $27 (originally $48). The Repechage Four Layer Facial with Deep Pore Cleansing is on the pricier side for my budget, but it's still a really good deal at $72 (originally $120).

Source: Uploaded by user via Stacie on Pinterest

To check out the rest of JF3's facials, click here!