Guess what! It's finally here! G(irl) is out! This video is out! I've been anticipating this moment and I am in love with the product of this video I have been collecting these lil clips for 2 months and I think this video is rather heart warming and I hope you enjoy and makes you dance ;-) Before you watch I'd also like to add that you can order a pair of jeans by following these instructions.

IRL Mess

Hello, I am the worst, but I can explain. Friday the 20th of November around 8:15 am, I dropped my phone LIGHTLY and the phone became unresponsive but didn't even crack. I also realize this story is starting better than any Shakespeare book - thank you I know - 2 weeks later, a lil bit of turkey, good company and 140 dollars it's fixed. I was pretty bummed and bitchy those last 2 weeks so sorry family and friends, but I made it out alive, I survived a teenagers worst nightmare and I feel good and back to my Instagram-bloggy self and I'm here to update and make you laugh.

Winter 2015/16

Since I have my old laptop back I can finally get on to Photoshop and make much more cooler sets and mood boards that suit my aesthetic and not those highkey basic Polyvore ones. I pulled a bunch of photos from my Tumblr that are playing a huge influence on my style lately and what I'm leaning towards these next winter months.

Love in Stereo

Yes, I was referencing Night Time, My Time in the title of this post because that is how I feel the "vibe" - aka dark, spooky, electric signs, messy hair etc - of today's photos have and Sky Ferreira is the best. I was envisioning a disposable distressed look and I think I achieved it. One of my favorite collection of disposable camera looks is a super rad gal from NYC, Ellis also known as edgyellis, check them out! This outfit also needed that rough, street vibe because it made me feel super bad ass - specifically because I am rocking *flips hair* my (p)leather jacket and patent oxford platforms. In addition to this, I am soooooooo ready for winter fashion, velvet, suede, black and burgundy, what's your fave season?

Modern Day Hippy

Two blog posts this week to make up for last week. Today I am envisioning my inner Jackie Burkhart but with a 2015 street look. In The Fashion Citizen's recent vlog, Melissa is rocking an olive green bomber with bootcuts and Zara booties and I was totally digging it! I've only worn these bell bottoms once on "decade day" during homecoming week but I definetly needed to bring them back especially how often I mentioned my obsession with the denim trend this year. I'm still keepin' it 70's with the turtle neck and denims but my personal touch was of course the half bun and bomber which is my fave right now and an essential I think everyone needs. Stay groovy!

November

Out with the old and in with the new is how I'm starting this month. October started great but let me tell you, high school boys suck you don't need them.  That is the most important advice I can give you and what I learned last month but yeah no need to get into deetz. Along with that I really need a refreshment, the last couple weeks I've been so caught up with school work and also I've just been busy hanging out and having fun but this new month is what I definitely need and I'm back to share more amazing things (like G(irl) *winky face*) and what I've been up to! 

G(IRL) Denim

If you are a consistent rachelsteph reader and fan (which I lowkey hope exists), you know that I've been posting about "g(irl)" and along with that constantly saying "REAL GIRLS REAL CLOTHES." I feel like I haven't made it clear what g(irl) is but I'm so excited about today, because here I tell you all the deetz in three parts: What, Name and Motive.

1. WHAT IS g(irl)

G(irl) is a clothing line by me that will be released January 2016. The line will be a denim set including a jacket and a pair of jeans hand customized, a new design each month. Each denim piece will be thrifted but still have a similar wash to that months collection. Set will be versatile but also cool enough to wear as a Canadian tuxedo. I am still choosing between an outlet for where the line will be sold on but it will most likely be Etsy.

Hip, Relatable and Obviously Cool

I was going to do a very formal ootd today but my camera died and I didn't wanna lose daylight, but when all fails, my "outdated" iPhone saves. I do however love when these kinda things happen because it requires me to be creative and I am lacking that at the moment so this was just again - real great! 

Snapchat isn't as aesthetically pleasing as Instagram but you gotta stay hip and trendy and I am a teenage girl so of course I am TOTALLY all over it. Being the gal I am I have to make my story cool and cute to match my personality and these are definitely my fave snaps of today's look. I was also envisioning my inner Tavi Gevinson and Jenn Im by adding these little doodles and such.

Cool Girls Wear Overalls

Fashion month is over... *insert gif of Kim Kardashian saying tragic.* But style lives forever and autumn is here, the streets are our runways and I've gained an excessive amount of inspiration from the Spring/Summer shows as well as the coolest chics attending. I put together these sets to illustrate the essentials needed for the chill weather as well as a color palette to help you create a fresh look!

Let's Chat: Music, OOTD and Life in General

My beloved readers. I have writers block, so let's catch up.

Room Tour

I'm back with a new video and a new look to my videos aka me being a perfectionist and match my Instagram feed/aesthetic.... duh! I did do a room tour back in January but I switched rooms with my little sister 2 months ago and at first I wasn't to excited at first because it is a smaller room but I actually love it and hope you love this.

Mentality

Today I had to dress up for my leadership class and let me tell you..... picking out a look was a struggle. I usually dont have this problem when dressing up but the main conflict was weather. I was planing yesterday night to wear a short skirt and a cute top but that didn't work out. A long with this I had to speak to two classes today with a lot of confidence. 

This look is a mash up of a top I got last summer, a chiffon skirt my aunt left when she came to visit two weeks ago (I think she left it for my mom but I love it), a classic moto jacket and pointed booties that I am living for at the moment. I wasn't feeling confident about the skirt because it felt very fancy but here is the big message I wanted to tell you, if you feel good about what you're wearing then who cares about what others think. Mentality is key. This look made me feel very minimalist Carrie Bradshaw (from the Carrie Diaries not the OG) with an edgy Lorde feel, especially because of my curls flowing and my bootie heels clicking.

Senior

Back to school means back to looking on point all day every day, especially now that I'm a senior! I title today's look "Cher Horowitz meets Alexa Chung," obviously because I've got this blouse knotted as if  I was in Britney Spear's "Baby One More time" and paired it with this mini skirt - again - something you would see in the 90's with a 70's flare and the 2015 blogger babes fave the denim skirt.

Tag You're It! - Blogger Interview Series

I'm loving this Q&A series and getting to know more about others in the blog scene. I like sharing my interest in fashion to you but it's also nice to share how weird (but cool.... duh) I am through my so called adventures or blurbs about my week and of course questionnaires like this whom I was tagged by Madison from BAD SASS.  Check out her blog for the brattiest attitude, the baddest style and cool sunset pics.

Back to the Basics

The post title isn't just the name of one of my favorite Lana Del Rey songs', but it also pertains to a mind set I need to work on. It's actually pretty literal. When dressing myself day to day I tend to over think it. I find that I just need to step back and remember that just because I have a flamboyant blouse does not mean if goes with gaudy bell bottom or a vibrant skirt. Along with the core pieces you have accessories that you don't always need. My favorite bloggers and many well known in the fashion community are all very versatile and that's what I admire the most about them.

What's in my Backpack?

First off I can't wait to walk down the halls with this chic backpack and second I know that you must feel annoyed that school is coming so soon but I'm here to share quick tips and my essentials to get you prepared for the new year.

5 Things

On this episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Rachel (unrelated to Cali's elite) shares her 

music faves at the moment and what ever else is fabulous in her life at the moment.

In "real talk" as in if you're over the age of 18 and have never been to my blog, you've come right on time to here about me and what I've been up to in 5 random spiels. I do this once in awhile just to spice up my blog and just let you know the real Rach. 

Kendall Jenner Street Style

Tumblr

KJ has been killing the game since day one and I've been getting a lot of easy and simple back to school looks from her and her website with Kylie just launched so I'm definitely excited to buy clothing that they think would be cute for us! Here are my recent fave street looks:

Denim

I've been so excited to make another video and I really need to get all my denim spiels out of the way so I give you a Summer to Fall transition lookbook with my favorite denim pieces. Hope this helps you with the upcoming school year and your back to school shopping! And also if you follow me on any social media or comment here - please share what videos you would like to see next I have a lot of fun shooting and editing them.

What's your fave fall trend and your fave look from this video?

Timeless Turtleneck

This month has been very busy and I am just realizing now that I literally shopped till I dropped almost every week (this is a lie I bought like 2 or 3 things but that's plenty for me) and a lot of the items were super cheap and good for the school year which I am slowly preparing for. I love doing hauls, watching them, reading about them so here is my collective haul of July!

Personal Style

What is my personal style? I like to describe my look as eclectic because I am in the category of minimal chic (black, white, grey, structured pieces) but I do always have this pop that I think really defines "me" - This includes my signature R earrings as well as color, patterns, purses and jewelry that usually isn't paired with some of the clothing I get seen in store advertisements. For example, I'll be wearing a camel turtle neck, black shorts and white trainers but have a bright pink purse with silver hard wear and gold bohemian rings. I've also been loving denim - DENIM.IS.BEAUTIFUL.

The point of this post was to describe my look and share where I getting/got my inspiration, share about some great people and maybe help you get inspired.

Leandra Medine
Medine's serious fashion but not so serious attitude has really helped me become creative with my clothing - I mean look at that outfit below! and I've come up with a new saying that we should totally carry on and I ask myself a lot while shopping - What Whould Leandra Wear? Just like WWJD but Leandra style because she's a fashion god. Some of her signatures include denim (as we discovered my new FAVE!!), button downs, turtle necks and asymmetrical tops like the one above.

Instagram

Get Ready With Me

I've made videos previously for my blog and I really enjoy making them so I'd like to introduce to you my Youtube channel and my first video! Youtube was one of my choices when I was deciding where I can share my style but it becomes very time consuming - but since it's summer I have time to make some videos and I feel like this will help you get to know my style and just more insight on my life, etc. I plan to make videos once a month or every other month doing vlogs, outfits and whatever you suggest to me. Hope you enjoy this ♥

Painted Purple

Rompers aren't typically my favorite for various reasons but this one made the cut - however it is also very surprising I am wearing color this summer because I've always been more of  black and white kinda gal but I've slowly been inching my way into muted hues like lilac and olive.

My Mini Shopping Savvy Guide

I tend to surprise people when I tell them how much I get various pieces from or get asked "where do you shop?" This is also a coincidence because the hashtag #ThingsIGetAskedAlot is trending on Twitter I feel like this post is necessary for today - so I bring to you a mini guide on how to shop savvy/shop sales etc;

Recent summer favorites

Besides this being a great week for America (marriage equality, confederate flag taken down etc), I have to admit this first month of summer wasn't the epitome of "carpe diem" or lively in anyway but c'mon, I need to rest from this hell of a school year. July is going to be an eventful month and I have a lot in store for my grand ol' blog, starting with this fabulous post of some items that have been super beneficial, as well as enjoyable to me recently.

1. My journal

I actually use this more as a planner for tasks needed to be done during the day and organizing everything for this site and I'm not sure why but it's just satisfying writing cute notes.

2. Iced green tea

I've always loved green tea, it's excellent for the season if you want something with a little caffeine and more refreshing than water and fun fact: green tea can improve brain function and to be bikini ready it increases fat burning!

3. Little black bag

Just like the little black dress, this bag is essential. It's 2 years old and missing the top tassel but it's very roomy, light, chic and versatile

4. Clinique Acne Solutions

GOD BLESS THESE PRODUCTS THIS IS MY HOLY GRAIL SYSTEM. But seriously my skin is so much brighter and clearer and it took me a whole year to find something as awesome as this kit.

5. Watercolors

I guess you could say I have been watercolor crazy these past 2 weeks, making personal and easy gifts and just painting to pass time. Super easy and relaxing!

6. Kate Spade initial earrings
Okay I actually just bought these this week but I already LOVE them! Ever since I watched The Carrie Diaries last year I've been on the hunt for something with my initials on it because on the show Anna Sophia Robb aka Carrie wears a necklaces with a "C" on it in block font as well as dainty and minimal. I think its great to kind of have that signature jewelry and this is mine.

7. Aviators

How Danielle Bernstein of me and that's part of the reason I purchased them. These sunnies are work with any look and make me feel sassy!

8. Portable Charger
Similar to my Clinique set, this has saved my life, I mean what if I missed a perfect Instagram moment or am in an emergency? Not to mention the sleek savior is an adorable rose gold.

Lastly online faves, specifically YouTube:

9. Rachel Nguyen
Also known as thatschic's vlogs and other gamble just seems so simple yet I am always interested in what she's doing or posting on Instagram or writing - a lot of travel and great style. The Cali babe is just fab.

10. Casey Neistat
On the total opposite side (literally - not fashion and on the East Coast), Casey is just a great camera man and has probably heard it a bunch but he seems to have a great life whether it's riding a hoverboard segway thingy in his office or letting Karlie Kloss carry his baby, Leandra Medine gets surprised when she sees him, the New York daily vlogs are just entertaining for everyone.

What's your recent favorites for the season?

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DIY 3 Step Succulent Terrarium

Plants are friends, friends are plants. I've been wanting to make one of these terrariums for a while and I needed a new decor piece to freshen up my room and whats more fresher than mother Earth. Turns out making the plant holder is very easy, only three steps to make a new home for your plants!

WHAT YOU NEED

- Rocks

- A jar, I depotted an old candle

- Soil (not shown in the picture)

- Your fellow green friends

STEP  1: Fill half the jar with rocks

STEP 2: Placement

Pour an inch of soil on top of the rocks, pat soil down, place the plant in the jar and fill soil around the plant up to the top of the jar.

STEP 3: Water your plants and don't forget to name them!

My lovely Ezra Koenig (if you don't know my obsession with Vampire Weekend's lead singer your never too late on the news) and Lil P from the Garden, if you don't know Lil B from the Pack you're not living!

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Begin Again

Wednesday was a super eventful day, Instagram worthy day..... so here are the photos I took!

MUSIC: Purity Ring

I said day but I really meant evening - I've been waiting to go to a concert for a long time and I finally got around to going to see this amazing show! Because of the terrible Minneapolis traffic we (my friend Randy and Thida) only got to see one of the opening acts which was Braids and they were enjoyable even though the lead singer was sick.

THEN THE MAIN EVENT - PURITY RING!!

All I have to say is the show was beautiful and had such a great energy. Megan was so entertaining and used these gloves to create a light show with her hands which was again really cool and I think a good way to wooo and interact with the audience. The lights and set up in general was were super cute and again made the show even more interesting. Overall it was a good time, loved the venue and danced and sang my heart out.

VENUE: First Ave

FOOD: Pizzeria Lola

Lastly we took a quick pit stop at this adorable little pizza shop decorated in Coca-Cola glass bottles, tomato can lights, and vintage plates. We had delicious kimchi pizza made by a guy singing 80s jams and took cute photo booth pictures! 

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If You're Reading This GovBall is Over

This is my second blog post in a row where the title is referring to Drake, what can I say? He's lit. I'd like to share my fave street looks and a playlist from Randall's Island because if you follow me on any social media or have read this, you know that I envy city living and love anything related to New York and music so Governors Ball was just another necessity I was inspired by and have to share .....and to be honest the street looks were much more comfortable, chill, easy to wear than Coachella looks.

Refinery 29

Harper Bazaar

Teen Vogue

Refinery 29

Harper Bazaar

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Better late than never

(First photo on Rachel Steph)

June 1st marked one year of this blog and I totally forgot. So here I'm going to reminisce of the beginning. My first blog was actually Virtual Vogue, made for my news writing class I took last year. Then I was already planning to create a blog the following summer so shout out to Ms. Glidden for teaching me the basics of blogging and just that class in general because I really do enjoy writing much more than I used to.

In the process of creating a blog you have to pick a platform and name with a Google search of "what is a good platform for fashion bloggers" I found one source saying Blogger is the one for me so here I am! (Sorry to any teachers, I ONLY USED ONE SOURCE AND DID NOT MLA SOURCE IT)
Then I had to pick a name and what I came up with were ridiculous names, 2012 "Tumblr Girl" names such as "Chucks and Polaroids" or a spin off of the OG blog "Virtually Vogue." But obviously those did not work out because this blog had to be something a little more mature and I planned to use it in the long run. Although I still find my name quite basic its my name.... can't change that. 

The other important component aka my template was a mess in the beginning. Baby pink Georgia font as my header saying "♥ rachel stephanie ♥", *rolls eyes* how lame. I also used the very basic Times New Roman and kept the font all black. But again I did my research, started a Bloglovin to really get some exposure and also gain some readers, and found some codes online and now I've got everything set to what I really do feel is well, me.  

I was always a when I was younger, quit ballet, regret times 1564161321, and I quit Girl Guides, but I'm still here and I love doing this and I feel like I've improved my vocab, photography and decision making (because if you didn't know all my posts including my first was deleted on purpose because I wanted to fix my content so the first post on here is July 1st). The gist of all of this was to say thank you for reading this past year and your simple compliments just make me super overjoyed and I hope you can stick around for this adventure because I've got a lot of ideas for this season and I cant wait to share.

xoxo, Rachel Stephanie

ps. almost at 100 followers eeeeekkkkkkkk!!!

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6 Piece Summer Lust List - Zara

Today was my last day of school and if you read my last post, I am very excited for what summer has to bring me and just relax because well school sucks a lot of times. I'm also ecstatic for dressing up this season so here is what is on my shopping list featuring items from one of my fave places, Zara! Hopefully these will give you some ideas of what your look is for the heat.

A bit different than my typical sets but it's always good to switch things up.

Knitted halter top $12.90 is essential and I'm actually surprised I don't own any def need in every color but not only is it comfortable it's super versatile and can really escalate a look.

Chambray dress with frills $49.90 i'm in full support of the new love for denim, ever since Alexa Chung's AG Jeans line but I mean who wasn't? Denim is a retro classic that will never die, am I right ladies!

Printed camisole top $49.90 I find the off the shoulder look very flattering as well is a little risque *wink wink* but this top is a gorgeous burnt orange and also breathable. 

Backpack with foldover flap $35.90 first off I've been on the hunt for an affordable, school size and affordable black pleather or leather backpack (doesn't matter to me) and this one has checked off all the requirements. I plan on using this cute accessory for summer adventures and the upcoming school year. 

Faux eyelet suede skirt $39.90 Julie Sarinana and Danielle Bernstein (two great bloggers ahhhh!!) both gals have been rocking the rustic 70's western look and I'm loving it. This skirt has the look with a touch of girlyness which is totally more me and will be super adorable paired with a comfy and simple white tee. 

Patchwork print jumpsuit 49.90 this cute get up is really interesting to me. Patches are a must for me this year I NEED IT! They're just pleasing to look at as well as fun and on the other hand a cool granny quilt look.

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No Ragrets

Oh wow Rachel is actually going to talk about her life and not about trends and what she's wearing or what she likes or what she wants.

 First off this is a really late post and this is what I to say: I need to post more about my life casually - I know I say this every time which is very unprofessional but I am just a teenage girl.. I don't know if you actually give a shit about my life but I typically find these blog posts interesting and hilarious of how similar people are to me. This is also a way to just unwind in the middle of my last full week and a week before finals *stressing af*. Along with that it's also the last week with seniors aka my closest friends at school and the fact that I'm a junior I feel like I'm being left out not graduating this year. But on the other hand I am going to be a senior and I only need like 6 credits next year to graduate plus I'm taking all the classes I like... for fun. I think I've told you this before but I am a super nerd, I don't mind school, I get frustrated when I get a B, I make bad jokes, I wear overalls (overalls are actually the coolest I'm currently wearing them).

♥ classic calvins ♥

But people like this pale curly headed nerd cause I've got great friends and people who read posts like this.Although I'm also very awkward and this is what happened the other day which I find quiet hilarious but also embarrassed and a super TMI moment. Last week I went up this boy I find rather cute and my friend was like "you should just talk to him!" So of course I did and here it is, I TAPPED HIS SHOULDER. I'm still sitting here a week later going why why why what the heck. Then he turned around and I said "I like your hair," and he smiled and said thank you. First off thank you based god for nice boys but no thank you for making me the goofiest child couldn't turn a compliment into a conversation, no ragrets though! I was really cheesy and laughed my ass off with my best friend after that but how do people even talk to boys? I'm just going to marry Ryan Gosling, he's going to get me through my finals obviously and feed me cereal because I refuse to believe that the Vine of him eating his cereal is real. 

Anyways lets get away from adolescent awkwardness. I am so excited for summer and definitely need it. I think this was the toughest year on me aka PRECALC aka THE WORST,  But i'm ready to relax and maybe learn something new, learn how to cook?, maybe take a "literalization diet", and go to a lot of concerts? I do know that I am going to fully invest myself in this blog and take sometime to educate myself on careers and life in fashion and fashion in general.

Thank you for letting me share how annoying I can be and what goes through my head daily and will probably do this more often because it's nice and now I'm going to shower and lay in bed and watch How I Met Your Mother, good night great people of the internet and remember - it's almost Friday!

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