Lights: Little Machines

While I love sharing my fashion and outfit ideas, sharing my other personal favorites I hope will be just as inspiring! Today, September 23, 2014, is the release of LIGHTS' new album; Little Machines. LIGHTS is like an electro-pop, singer songwriter from Canada. And she's one of the realest human beings I think I've ever seen.  I'm admittedly obsessed with her, but I like to call it "dedicated."
She's been my favorites artist since I was fifteen. She's ultimately inspiring and a great model.  She reminds me everyday to enjoy life, learn from life and to be yourself. LIGHTS is proof that you can build a brand just based on who you are. Her music captures who she is and what she's feeling. I could go on about LIGHTS, but I'll let you listen for yourself.

Click here to listen to her single "Up We Go"

On Monday,  I chose to wear her most recent shirt she made for the announcement countdown of Little Machines. With one day until the album release I felt it was super appropriate! I personally own five LIGHTS tee shirts that I've acquired of the five years of my obsession.  I also incorporated other pieces that LIGHTS has in her style, my cargo jacket and brown combat boots.

Boots from Target
Jacket from Urban Outfitters

You can see more of her merch at iamlights.com
And check out her instagram: @lightsy

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Time for Sweaters, Still Time for Shorts

The weather is getting to that point where in the sun it's still hot! But in the shade it's getting chilly. There's time to wear shorts, but in a fall fashion sort of way. You can pair them with tights, socks like I did or thigh high boots. For a top you can choose a sweater, cute hoodie or long flowing blouse.
We know we aren't ready to give our shorts up, but we are totally ready for sweaters. That's why I put the two together!
I wore an H&M collared sweater with leather shorts from Plato's Closet. Adding some thigh high socks and an Urban Outfitters cargo jacket for extra warmth!
It was also a good day for a smoothie. The City Gourmet at the corner of my school makes so tasty sandwiches and healthy smoothies. I made my smoothie my little prop! My photographer, Megan, and I met some adorable puppies on this shoot too. One was a tiny, white Pomeranian named Thor! It was a beautiful day for lunch with friends and small shoot in the park!
Wear those shorts as long as possible!

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Making Mondays Simple

Monday is no one's favorite day of the week. It's the first weekday, you're tired, overwhelmed and overloaded. This Monday, in particular, was my longest (so far). I even changed my outfit four times! I had my outfit all planned, until I spilled all over my pants. I put on a new outfit, went to class and decided I hated this outfit and wanted to cancel shooting with Megan because of it. Since I got out of class early I changed again, but I approached it differently. I said to myself " Mikayla, Monday is already complicated, dress simply today." The fourth time was only because I have to wear certain clothes to work, not as exciting as my accident, hatred and simplicity.
For my simple outfit I went with a Brandy Melville striped crop top, natural waisted Hollister jeans, black flats and a vintage jean jacket purchased at a Brooklyn flee market. Thrift finds are some of the best finds.
No this isn't chic, perfect of particularly eye catching. But it worked for me that day and described how I felt. I think that's a great way to start developing a personal style. Some days I feel more fashionable then others, some times I feel like I have six projects due this week and I'm living in leggings. Whatever it is I feel I try to make it work for me and my style. Sometimes simple is superb.

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

My Favorite Place

I'm lucky enough to have an amazing roommate who deserves to have this post. I want to start sharing more then just my ootd's and to start here's a little gem. Laura Rounds (aka roomie) is a Photo Major at FIT, where we met. For her documentary class she chose to photograph six of her friends in their favorite places in NYC. All her friends, including me, apparently are the most generic people because we all picks parks or the MET. I was one of those MET choosers. She photographed me enjoying the works of Monet, Van Gogh and more in the European Painting section (Modern Era). It's my favorite place to relax, think and breathe. Seeing these pieces right before my eyes takes my breath away. It's hard to believe some of them are even real.
FIT has each student in their AAS degree take two art history classes. One is Western Civilization and the second is our choice. I became one of the few students who fell in love with art history. It's basically mind blowing. I learned just the other day that before 1456 when the Gutenberg printing press was invented, only 50,000 books existed. Between 1456-1500 the print press helped raise that number to nine million. How fascinating! Fun facts aside, museums in NYC fill my urge for some beautiful, live art. The more I learn the more I realize that anyone can be an artist, you just have to go with your gut.
Here's her diptych of me with a quote about why I chose the MET. Enjoy and check out Laura's work! And if you're interested in seeing more things NYC follow me on instagram @mikmadigan

- Mik

Moderately Profesh

Normally I'm all about my casual and cool style. It just so happened on this day people from the new Topshop location on 5th ave came to meet students interested in working there. INTERESTED? Interested doesn't even describe how I felt hearing about this opportunity. I think it's time for me to get a new job. To prepare myself I took my edgy style and made it a little more classic.
I chose black H&M leggings, a fashion tee from a store in Italy and an H&M, hip-length blazer. The blazer added a pop of color to my usual all black look. Of course I didn't want to over do it because I still had a whole day of classes to get through comfortably. My fashion tee is actually a tee shirt dress that I tucked in in the front. It was way too long to wear with leggings. You can always make small modifications to make individual pieces work for you! It's it great trick to have to get more use out of one piece. My fashion tee also says "Dream Until Your Dreams Come True." It's a very important phrase to me because my dreams are HUGE. I think it's important to always work towards your dreams and what will make you happy. Luckily, I'm hoping my interview for Topshop is part of my path to my dreams! I don't say it in every post, but it's definitely implied; always follow your dreams.

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Black and Bold

It's been quite hot in NYC, melting faces hot. If you're me, you only brought one pair of shorts to school, the heat can be quite a dilemma. Until I purchased some shorts on sale I went with my second BFF, leggings. This is the first mostly black look I've done in a while and I have to say it feels good to be black (pun intended). To cope with the heat I paired my leggings from H&M with a Forever 21 crop top that was literally $2.80 so it was worth the purchase. The the white button up just added some style to an otherwise active wear look, also from H&M. Let's face it I'm not going for a run. Lastly, some Doc Martens I purchased for $40! That's a steal for Doc's!
This was the "creepy look" outfit for sure. I got so many weird looks from people. I've definitely seen weirder outfits then mine so I'm not sure what the deal was (the city has been a bit extra creepy though). I still walk tall and proud because it's who I am. I made the decision to wear what I wanted so I OWN IT! Always own who you are. There's only one person like you: you, so be yourself no matter what. That's why this outfit is not just black, but bold!

- mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Last days of August, Hello September!

It's now Labor Day and into September. Let me tell you I love fall because layers layers layers! But for my last day of August I had to hit up a trend that's translating from summer to fall, overalls. These 90s-00s classics started to come to the scene with shorts overalls this summer and now stores are selling full overalls for fall. As Barney Stinson would say "They are Over-ALLS." They can be worn over anything!
It's been hot, muggy and darn right humid in NYC so I chose to pair my Target overalls with an H&M Epic Weekend crop top. It's a long weekend of course it's EPIC! Some motorcycle boots from Plato's Closet, a Pacsun Plaid Shirt and an H&M Bedazzled Beanie complete this look.
I kept singing Fancy while shooting with my awesome photographer Megan Madden because I felt ultimately badass in this outfit. I'm convinced she thinks in totally weird. Also while checking out the Urban Outfitters sale with my roomie the greeter said he loved my look!
We shot near a sweet graffiti wall we pass going to school. The artwork changes on it all time. I think of it like style, it changes depending on how you feel and what's out there.
I think it's fun to play with different looks and see how it makes you feel. Like I said I felt bad-ass and awesome wearing this look.
I also felt totally myself! Playing dress up is part of the game it's so much fun. Keep playing around with your style.
Now we are headed into fall and I can't wait to see what looks and trends are going to be out!

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden