things i love this week via instagram.

a ring i found in a parking lot in hs & a kitty eared ring from UO (similar); 'no skinny dipping alone' tee by wildfox

bunny ear necklace from UO; don't worry it gets worse by alida nugent

best bitches bracelet from UO (which i share with the lovely @jenigma13); listening to the ja rule, "always on time" station on pandora

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: @aconnelly!

maryna and the diamonds.

Pop Magazine S/S 2012, "Chinatown" | Photographer: Tung Walsh | Model: Maryna Linchuk
To do: play with butcher knives, wear flower crowns, use daisies as pasties, loiter in food shops, use chopsticks as toys, and flirt with roosters.

how UNiDAYS saved my life (okay, okay, really my bank account)!

Anyone that knows me or follows this blog has come to know that my shopping weakness has to be ASOS.com! I have a link to the site in my toolbar, which I click everyday to look at what is new to the site. Every weekday, I end up adding at least a handful of new things to my 'saved list,' which has proved to be excellent for my wardrobe.. but not great for my student bank account! Luckily, I came across the UNiDAYS site (click the image above to check it out!) which allows college students to get a 10% discount on ASOS EVERY! DAY! They also always have awesome deals and contests (not to mention, an awesome customer support and social networking team) that have me using the site.. well, almost constantly. Because of this site, I can have my cake and eat it too… or in this case, shop for some kick ass clothes and not break the bank! As mentioned, my 'Saved List' on ASOS is huge and constantly growing. Luckily, I've been able to break it down bit by bit by using the 10% discount with each purchase. I even got a chance to do a nice haul with a 20% limited time discount they were offering! But I still the above items on my list, and I thought I would share them with you because I think they're all perfect for summer.

1. A perfect mini skirt with writing -- this has to be one of my favorite trends this season, I need writing on EVERYTHING! 2) The perfect clutch to go from the beach to the nearest bar. 3) Subtle but still stunning cat eye sunglasses. 4) Who doesn't need a unicorn onesie for lazy Sundays or BFF sleepovers?! 5) Delicate, gold rings: everyone's addiction in the blogging world. 6) Ripped, bleached jeans like we're still living in the 90s. 7) Ear cuffs of all shapes and sizes (I actually already have these, I adore them)! 8) A chunky, collar necklace to make any outfit interesting. 9) A snapback for days when your hair just isn't cooperating (or you just want to look like a badass). 10) Strappy, white heels. I'm dying for a classic white open-toed heel this season! 11) A denim jumper. Need I really say more? 12) A floral skater skirt. They have this in the Curve line along with the standard sizes, because ASOS loves to make sure us curvy girls get our share of a fashion fix, too! 13) Rose gold and studs. Wear one or wear them all! 14) Bright. Yellow. Sandals. And I'm really loving that tiny heel. 15) This hoodie from Wildfox is so necessary (but so is everything else from their line)! 16) This raincoat has been in my saved list for MONTHS. Guess who is using their 10% to finally get it?! (Hint: me!) 17) A white bag with daisies, what could be the better bag for the hot hot heat? 18) A new spin on the flower crown. Spikes included!

As always, click the image to find links for all of these items. And yes, all of them are in stock but going fast! Check out ASOS as well as UNiDAYS to keep up with the best styles for every season. You know I will!

a little party never killed nobody: initial 'gatsby' reactions.

There has been one thing on my mind lately, particularly this past week, and I don't mean finals. This took full priority of my mind, daydreaming about it for days and counting down the hours until I could say that I experienced it. The Great Gatsby. I got home from the first showing at my local theatre about twenty minutes ago and I'll be honest, I have not processed it 100%. In fact, I think I may be in shock. The kind of shock that had me so silent after the film that my friends assumed I hated it. No. I definitely didn't hate it.

I will be honest and say that I had high expectations, solely because of Baz Luhrmann, Leo, and Carey. How could the three of them go wrong? But I had read early reviews that had me feeling a bit on edge. And yes, there were things that I didn't love -- but there was a lot that I did. First and foremost: Leonardo as Gatsby. While no one in reality would ever mistake him for being in his 30's, somehow he managed to pull off one of the most young and fresh performances of his career. The happy, in love Gatsby that had me in tears within the first few minutes of him being on screen (and had me in the same state until the very last moment) was incredible. I even bought that he was young; that is, until he had to be dark, broody, a bit mad. But that fit. It all made sense.

And the parties. The visuals were incredible and so true to Luhrmann. The soundtrack was insane, as well, especially the multiple uses of Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful." It truly fit perfectly.

What surprised me the most: Tobey Maguire's portrayal of Nick. Like many of those I spoke to about the film prior to seeing it, I had my doubts about his portrayal of Nick. Yet, I continued saying that it did make sense in a way, if only because he is someone that could step back and allow Gatsby to be the real central character, allow his own character to be forgettable. And I was partially right. There was no question that even though he was the narrator, the person with the most screen time, it is not him that you will walk away rejoicing over. But I was impressed. I never felt like those of us who read the novel and grew to love Nick got jipped. In fact, I think I may like his character even more so now. But that will have to be determined after another re-read.

Things I disliked: A few things, but they were mostly small. I liked the beginnings of Jordan/Nick but hated that they did not follow that true to the novel. However, the Jordan in the film is far more agreeable and interesting than Fitzgerald's version, I think, which could explain why this was left out. Too much Jordan may have taken away from the central love story. I also disliked that the film did not begin with the first words of the novel. I might be picky, but I love when films do this. And finally, I found it incredibly cheesy that Nick pens the words 'The Great' over 'Gatsby' on his manuscript. It was too much. I would have rather had it slipped in as sneaky dialogue.

Things I feel undecided about: Pretty much all of the scenes with Nick in the asylum/therapy sessions. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I found all of that a bit.. well.. eh. The scene where Gatsby is shot and killed; this jarred me completely and I did jump from my seat but I did not burst into open-mouthed sobbed like I thought I would (and kind of hoped I would). While the visuals were lovely, as always, I did not feel any tug to my heart strings. I wasn't overly upset that he had died. Yes, it was somewhat made up for when they showed him in his casket with the voiceovers about how no one came to pay their respects.. but still, no sobs. By then, the tears had dried up. Also, and this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you, but I have to place Carey Mulligan's performance here. I very much liked her as Daisy, but she was never the one that got my feelings going. It was always Leo. I realize this might be because I actually despise Daisy due to reading the novel, but something left me unsure about her portrayal.

Overall, I think I give it an A-/A. I can't quite justify the A, but the A- doesn't give it enough credit. I also have no idea how someone could see that in 2d, when it was so, so incredible in 3d. Something tells me I will take on this experiment in the next few days, though. Once I'm done processing this first watch, of course.

swanepoel the supermodel?

Everyone in the blog-o-sphere (ugh, that term) has been melting down over these photos featuring Candice Swanepoel for Vogue Spain. While most are from an editorial entitled "Tan Sexy," there is one page (the four shots wit the curlers) that is from a separate editorial entitled "Ha pasado un Ángel." Both appear in the April 2013 issue and were shot by Mariano Vivanco. What is most striking about these photographs is the pure essence of 90s supermodel that Candice is sending to the camera. I could imagine Cindy Crawford doing this shoot, and trust me, she did many like them. So does this mean that the era of the supermodel really isn't over and Candice may be the new queen? Only time will tell, but I think everyone enjoys her editorials and work, whether on the VS catwalk or high fashion. And damn, have you seen anyone wear cutoffs as well as her?

in the twilight of these white nights.

Like most others, my wardrobe is dominated by the color black. I have pants, cardigans, dresses, tops, bags, shoes.. the list goes on. White has also been a major player in my closet, but in more subtle ways -- undershirts, mostly. But I've been trying to be more bold with it. Now I have white, leather loafers with spikes (actual), a white peplum dress I wore for my graduation (similar), and a beautiful portfolio style clutch in the clean shade (similar). In the past few seasons, we've seen white become one of those colors that one must consider when wanting to try out the monochromatic look (see: Candice Swanepoel's look while filming extra earlier this month.) Forget leaving those whites behind after labor day, I think white has become a color that you can and must wear all year round. Monochromatic looks may seem easy while wearing black, but I have to say, you need to be careful when going in this direction. Your look can easily fall from chic to Morticia Addams (unless that's the look you're intentionally going for?) with a little too much of the dark color. So pick fun pieces. Don't wear a black turtle neck with black pants if you aren't going to play with the look -- add a belt with a strong gold buckle or a shoe that lengthens your leg and lets a little ankle show. Note: I apologize in advance for not having a polyvore link here, apparently the site ate my draft and no one wants to cry about it more than I do! Maybe if I can find some motivation, I can remake a similar one and link it in the future. Last but not least, my favorite thing to do with these two colors is a strong contrast. Olivia Lopez does it best on her blog, Lust for Life, and I am dying to go for a contrast this wild. Black and white striped ankle pants with a barely there shoe and a leather jacket? Don't forget the sharp, clean white bag. I think my ideal black and white contrast would be a skater skirt with a bold, floral print (white on black) with a fuzzy, and very 90s, black angora sweater and one of those transparent, box clutches that only encases cosmetics with black cases. Oh, to be able to snap any outfit into life! But this may be a nice alternative..

keep the wind at your back and the sun on your face.

I've had this shoot that Kate Upton did for Elle France saved on my computer since the new year, trying not to obsess over it because it is making me desperate for sunny days and warm enough weather to lounge by the pool, even if I still have to wear a cosy sweater to get away with it. The whole shoot, shot by photographer Matt Jones, has Kate romping around outside in her skivvies, wearing a panda hat, washing a car and canoodling with a teddy bear. What could be better? And if I don't get a chance to put on a pair of roller-skates this spring, there will be hell to pay. There is nothing I miss more than a full day at the roller rink, skating to the tunes of the Spice Girls and doing the chicken dance. Sorry winter, the grayness and snow has got to go. Spring, please hurry up!