Shot through the Heart

I have been meaning to post about this for a while now. A little while back I entered myself into a small competition with one of my favorite magazines, BULLETT. The prize for the competition was an absolutely fantastic denim Diesel brand jacket that had been taken and then embellished with beads, fringe, and a multitude of pins by BULLETT's very own editor. When I saw the photograph of the jacket on the site I knew that it had to be mine. I quickly entered myself into the competition and then the waiting game began.

... and soon I forgot that I had even entered myself into that competition...

... until I received a very exciting and surprising email ... from BULLETT themselves.

I soon realized that I had won! They loved my short essay for the competition! When the box came in the mail I about passed out. The jacket was even more thrilling in person that it was on the web. I could not believe everything was real. The jacket is mine.

BULLETT sent me an issue of the magazine with a note attached asking for some well needed pictures of me and the jacket. I took that as an opportunity to put on my very own backyard photo shoot.

Here are the photos of the jacket and I. I could not be any more proud to own this jacket. Thank you BULLETT staff. The jacket is absolutely fabulous.

--And sorry for the wait for the pictures!!--

*Worn with a vintage Kate Moss for Top Shop strapless dress and black Nine West boots.


















Rachel

A Letter

Dear Betsey Johnson,

You have been one of my largest inspirations to begin designing my own clothes. Ever since I walked into one of your boutiques in middle school I have been emotionally attached to your designs and apparel. They are more than fun to wear and can make any woman feel like a princess. My very first designer purchase was one of your dresses for my Homecoming dance. I had seen it on your website and fell deeply in love. When I wore it it made me feel beautiful--radiant even. I will have you know that I will be keeping that dress until I have a daughter of my own to gift it to.

I am extremely sad to hear that your previous runway show will have been your last. I am glad that I had the chance to watch the show stream live from my computer here in Wichita. Your shows have always been one of the best and greatest moments of fashion week. Your love for fashion and fun brings the catwalk to life. The creative liberty you gave the models as they danced and blew kisses down the runway makes the shows more than entertaining. My favorite show was during the Spring 2011 season. The "Ride me" necklaces as well as the American flag boots have been on my wishlist since watching the show live. I will not rest until I have obtained those two items in my collection!!

I am not sure what our world is going to be without your shows and designs--definitely less colorful and exciting. Your creative mind and masterful eye for color and prints is absolutely fantastic. I will always remember the impact you have made on my career. I do hope that one day we can sit down for a coffee and discuss life.

Best wishes and love,

Rachel Manning

Doorways

The fact that graduation is right around the corner is kinda freaking me out. Everything is about to end. My 13 years at this school is finally over... It is really surreal. Now that I am moving away from my hometown to a new, huge city. I'm not exactly sure how I will react or who I will meet. I seem to have been able to find a girl that is almost exactly like me to be my roommate. The question is.. will this be a bad thing? Having another me running around our dorm? Nevertheless, I know I will have a wonderful time in my new city.

My last AP final wast today. I signed a form today that said I wouldn't talk about it today. So I won't. I will just say that it was very boring and tiring. I am just extremely glad that is over. As of now, that was the end of my high school career.. officially. From now until graduation on the twentieth I will be coasting my way to the finish and enjoying the ride. To celebrate my last day of senior-ship I went on a 5 or maybe 6 hour Gossip Girl binge. Judge as you may.. but this was actually the best part of my week. I came upon the episode where Chuck Bass, played by Ed Westwick, FINALLY said "I love you" to Blair. I swear, there were TEARS. Actual TEARS.

They were like:



And I was like:


again.. no judging

but wait can we just take a moment to...


drool...... anyway.....

I am excited to live out my last few months in Wichita. It is going to be a great last summer with all of my friends in the same place. I plan on living it out to the its fullest potential and cannot wait for the adventures that the summer will bring.

(My friends)

Meanwhile in my fashion brain I have been trying to find the perfect dress, shoe, accessory combo for graduation and the parties surrounding. I have scoured websites and the occasional boutique in town but to no avail. Apparently it is traditional to wear white to graduation? Is that true? I was planning on wearing whatever the heck I found that was awesome but that put a little damper on my exciting plans. I have to find some kind of white combo that is exciting enough to be different from all of the other white pieces. I am hoping to find one soon... but who knows! 

I hope that everything that is unplanned goes as planned.

let the graduations begin.

Blinking

My name is Rachel. I am a senior at my high school in Wichita, Kansas. Let me type that again. Wichita. Kansas. My humble abode is among the prairies and plains of the Midwest. Wichita is a wonderful city, however I know it is not where I really belong. This fall I will be moving to New York City to study accessories design at The Fashion Institute of Technology. I am ready for a change of scenery. Instead of the great plains I will be living among thousands of high rises. I am beyond excited.

My senior class is comprised of around 40-some people. Within this past year we have become extremely close. The fact that we are going to be torn apart due to our different choices in college is heart-wrenching. There is nothing I love more than spending time with them at parties, games, and school in general. They are all so genuinely kind and fun to be around. Graduation is going to be so sad! I am sure water-proof mascara will be my best friend.

Tomorrow is Friday the fourth; the last Friday of my high school career. It feels so surreal... is this really happening?? We as seniors have decided that tomorrow will be "Senior dress up day." This will be the most important "Fancy Friday" our school will have because... well... it is our last. I am planning on going all out with the clothes. Since I collect different garments and accessories as a hobby, tomorrow will be the best showcase for all of my greatest pieces. I am so excited to see everyone looking dapper in their Sunday's best.

So this has been my first post ever. I cannot wait to move to the city and start living my dream. Living in New York City is going to bring me so many fantastic opportunities.

Here's to my last two days of high school.

Rachel