Summer Internship Start!

Yesterday, I had my orientation for my summer internship. I posted about getting the internship earlier in my End of Term post. The tl;dr version is that I have a 6 week unpaid summer internship with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I'll be working in the Public Office; I can't wait to work out the details of the projects that I'll be helping with.

Read more for the preparation that I put into the orientation.


They sent us an email about dress, making sure to keep it professional. I wanted my first outfit to show that I took this seriously while following their rules for dress code. But I also wanted to show my coworkers that I had a sense of style. So here's what I was wearing and carrying with me:

Do you like that everything is in cool colors? I can't seem to help myself! I always end up getting blue and green things.

Earlier in May, I made a large purchase of spring semi-professional clothing. I assumed that the internship would expect attire that respected the summer heat but maintained professional standards. I got this particular dress from Marshalls. It had a large stain on it so it had been marked down; it was great for me since I hemmed the dress, cutting off all evidence of the stain.

This is the purse I recently got for the internship. I didn't think that any of my day purses were large enough or professional enough. I wanted to have a larger purse for carrying paperwork and supplies that still looked professional-cute. I'll likely do a post on the purse, reviewing it and saying how it holds up to a week or two of use.

Here's what I packed inside of it:

• Folder for requested information
• Notepad and planner
• Tea (not shown)
• Pencil case
• Phone
• Mini make up case

I'm so amazingly thankful for my summer internship. I can't wait to share with you all the things that I learn. I worked hard to make a good impression and I hope that it paid off.

New purse

I finally got a new purse!

This is a big deal because I'm the sort that uses the same purse for everything on all of the days. I don't switch up my purses for different outfits. So it's a very big commitment for me to buy a new purse; it's basically a two year promise to that purse to complete loving.

I got this purse from Mod Cloth. ($55)

It's a lovely mint color of false leather. The lovely color didn't translate into these photos very well but it's a very bright color. Let's open it up!

Even the top is a compartment. I'm not too sure of what you would put in here as it could only really store paper. 

The purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap, for whichever way of carrying is prefered.

 I love the beautiful gold detailing and hardware; it really adds a little classic elegance to an unusual color purse.

But the lining keeps it playful. I adore the bright colors and silk. The pattern has cute little owls.
You can also see that it has some cute pockets on the inside. One zippered, two loose as well as the outside pocket.

Here's a look of what's usually in my purse.

This is my old purse.

I love this purse. I relied upon it very heavily my freshman year at MIT. And it served me well. It's actually very funny, because a girl in my orientation group had the same purse in a different material. Mine is a worked leather; hers was a fuzzy green fabric. Commenting on our matching purses was the start of one of my closest friendships; turned out she was in the same freshman advising program.

The problem was that it falls off of my shoulder when I'm wearing a winter jacket.

Here's a secret: You wear a winter jacket a lot when you live in Boston.

So I wanted to get an over the shoulder bag that wouldn't fall off. I've seen the pastel trend for bags all over the lolita fashion community, but I didn't think that a pastel pink heart shaped bag would quite do it for my everyday needs. Something that was a lovely pastel and would go with a lot of my blue themed basics, that was my goal.

I was going through ModCloth and saw this purse. I simply had to have it, especially since there were less than 10 left. I made the purchase and am totally happy with it.

There are some similar styles from Mod Cloth to check out.


Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint ($175)

Amethyst is it Bag ($63)

Mint Me Tonight Bag ($65)