Goodbye My Chic Adventure

Hi all.

In case you haven't noticed, I've been a bit sporadic with my posts, and for that I apologize. I started this blog in my senior year in high school, and it was great. I thought it was me--but I've discovered that it really isn't. I tried to make this into something I love, and I realize that I wasn't wanting to put energy in it because I realized I was making things that I just wasn't passionate about. I just wanted to say a formal goodbye to this era--but don't worry, you're not done with me. :)

I'm moving--that's right, I'll still be here! And back better than ever. I know that this blog isn't me anymore, so I made one that is. It'll be launched officially on Monday, and I couldn't be happier. I have pages and pages of words that need to be said. I'm aiming for a post a day AND video supplements. I'm finally following MY dreams and putting MYSELF first. For once, I'm not going to wait and hope my happiness will find me. I'm going to find it myself.

And with that, I launch stylethesestreets.com. It's the new me--or should I say, the me I really want to be. I love you all who supported me so far, and I promise this will be even better. This is your little sneak peak before I start promoting it Monday. I look forward to continuing to develop a brand that is me, and I would love to get back to reading more from you all too. Welcome to Style These Streets.

Much love and appreciation,
Maggie D.

A little London reflection

“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” Danny Kaye

As you've noticed, it's been awhile since I've posted on here, and for that I am sorry, both to you who read this and to myself who will regret this years down the road when I try to recall all the nitty gritty details. I've been so busy (how typical), and I'm planning on rebranding myself here soon, so be ready for a brand new blog (name and everything!). Anyway, I wrote a blog for this class that was filled with assignments that I wasn't necessarily wanting to share. However, I wanted to share this post because it was one that I felt proud of. But, more than that, it really does seem to sum up as best as I can what this semester has mean to me. So, here we go.

"I had to start this off with a cheesy quote that perfectly summarizes what this 4,217-mile trip across the world did for me. I could write a book about what happened and what I learned, but here is the best summary I can give.

This semester has taught me one thing: I have absolutely no clue what I want to do with my life. I thought I had it all figured out: New York, fashion, a never-ending wardrobe in a city that never sleeps. But, I've since realized that small villages in the middle of nowhere Europe have a charm that can't be recreated anywhere else. Who needs a never-ending wardrobe when you can live out of a suitcase and bike through the Bavarian Alps with just a few layers that no one will see anyway? My classes at London College of Fashion were not completely what I expected. I went into Styling and Fashion History thinking I’d come out with some kind of knowledge of how everything worked, ready to jump right into work in the Big Apple. But if I learned anything, it’s that the people are not kind. I knew fashion was a hard industry, but I don’t want to live in a society where people don’t respect each other. I’m so happy I discovered this now; that’s what I’ve taken from away from this experience.

I know I wasn't cut out for a 9-5, which is what I loved about my internship. I was in the neighborhood of the Olympic Park, astounding at its beauty each day I went to work. I want early mornings and late nights, weird hours with ‘field trips’ along the way: almost exactly what my internship let me do. I’ve learned the values of independence and what hard work can do. I’ve learned that the only way to grow as a person and worker is to step outside my comfort zone; taking the tube on my first day, scared out of my mind? Yes, and you know what? I survived! I made it. And I’m only better because of it.

My favorite part of the trip was spring break by far; nothing could compare. I went into the trip only just meeting these girls, and I have never been happier with a decision than the one I made to go travel with them (except my decision to study in London, of course). I checked off so many firsts off of my list, visited cities and places that were so beautiful it made my heart hurt, and laughed more than I have in my entire life. Sure, we had MANY bumps along the way, but we took them on and made it into the most incredible week I’ve ever had. I can see our lives over that week being made into one of those silly movies that makes you cringe at everything goes wrong, but it would be the funniest thing you’d ever see. Guaranteed. This trip has continued to surprise me. I’ve learned that it’s okay to want to be independent. It’s okay to not know what I’m doing because there are so many possibilities to try new things. It’s okay to get rid of the old Maggie who was too scared to step out of her comfort zone for the one who was just waiting to step out and have a great time in this big old world.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I shouldn’t be afraid to be who I want to be. London has taught me that it’s not weird to want Bleach London’s Rosé pink hair and wear mom jeans. Yes, mom jeans. I’ve learned that I want to visit countries that people have never heard of, meet people that will teach me more about what it means to be an individual. This may all be tacky and naive, but why stick to society's standards of happiness and cut-throat competition to find "happiness" in a job that buys all those things that make us unhappy anyway? I'll be happy with a place & people that make me happy, and I've found that here in London or maybe somewhere in Europe along the way. When people say that they left their heart in London, I think I finally know what they mean. It may not be love like people love other people, but it's a love that's bigger than any of that. It's a joy that one finds when he or she realizes that he or she has found where they belong. And I've found that here. Is this where I'll end up? Maybe. We really do just live once, and the whole point for living is to find happiness. Though I have no idea what I’m doing, I know that I must be in the right track since I've never been happier in my entire life. It took me 19 years to step outside my comfort zone, try something new, and realize that everything I've always wanted isn't what I actually want. Thank you, London, for teaching me this. It's been the best thing I've ever learned.

(This video basically sums it all up; Will understands what I’m feeling about the future after this time in the UK. Thank you, Mark and Jen, for your help this semester; life changing isn’t even fit to describe what this semester was for me)."

London Fashion Week Day 2 & Refinery29 ‘Style Stalking’ Launch

Might I say that I do not want London Fashion Week to end? I’ve followed the shows for years, and being here has been an absolute dream. I cannot thank Andreea and Eileen (links on names) enough for letting me attend some shows; it’s been amazing.

Of course, I had another celeb spotting; this time it was the lovely Laura Whitmore, a presenter for MTV Europe. She looked stunning in white, but I'm not sure about the boots with this. What do you all think?

London Fashion Week Day One

Here’s a warm welcome back to my blog since I’ve been away for a little while. But today was an incredible day: it was the start of London Fashion Week. And, being in London, I knew I had to be a part of it. So, that’s just what I did.

Culture, Scavenger Hunts and "Once"

London is a city with life. It has an energy that a person can feel walking down the street. It picks up the cigarette butts, gets showers from the rain and helps people, like me, when I feel like I’ve been stuck in a rut.

Back in the states, I felt as though I was losing inspiration. To blog, to write, to wear, to be. What am I doing with my life? Where am I going? Oh, the trippy thinking.

But, I come to this city, and can’t help but not want to stay in my room. I am constantly looking out the window, thinking, “I wonder why that man has such a big book bag? Maybe he had class? Maybe he is going to meet someone? A girlfriend? A wife? A child from the sitter? Maybe he has plans tonight. Maybe he doesn’t.”

There’s always something to be. Something alive. Something fresh. And that’s why I love it.

The city is a giant mix of culture, each borough having its unique qualities. But, each person is a Londoner, through and through.

As a class, we went to the musical “Once”. It was absolutely beautiful. I’ll post the trailer below, just to give you a hint of what I was able to see. I got all dressed up (sorry, no OOTD here), and paid £4.50 for a teeny tiny Belgian Chocolate ice cream, but it was well worth it. It’s part of the culture. It’s part of the city.

Food: Crème de la Crêpe

So, I typically don’t do too many foodie posts. But, this crepe shop needed to get a shout out. And here it is. If you’re ever in Covent Garden and you don’t check out Crème de la Crêpe, did you even visit Covent Garden?

Covent Garden

So, it’s been about three days since I last posted. In those three days, I walked to Oxford Street and attempted to vlog… a bit embarrassing, I must admit… I then had my first LCF class, which was AMAZING. Yes, it was so great that it needed caps. My tutor was late for class on Monday because he had just landed from his flight from the Golden Globes. Yes. That is the real deal. He has probably styled people I have only dreamed of meeting, which is cool, crazy and terrifying. My styling skills are definitely not up to par, but by the end of the semester I'm (hoping) to be ready to help you all out. Yeah, maybe I'll make that my job. Okay, I'll stop going on now. Another plus? He’s pretty cool (and not too intimidating). After my class, I attempted to take the bus, went the wrong way, couldn’t get on another bus because it turns out my oyster card wasn’t activated, then took the tube in the wrong direction, figured out how to switch over, and somehow made it to my location. It was a mess. I survived, but I was very done with London transportation. So, that was my Sunday and Monday.