Back to the Nest

Bittersweet is the only word that comes to mind as I leave Los Angeles today and move back to Florida. Living in LA and working in the fashion industry had been my dream since I was 15 years old, and it's still kind of surreal that I actually made that a reality. What started as an opportunity for an internship turned into a career and new life on the west coast. When I moved to Los Angeles, I didn't know a soul in the city and was forced to be independent. I learned so much about myself and grew more as a person in that first year than I ever thought I could. The day I got the keys to my first studio apartment, I got a tattoo of a dove on my wrist to symbolize me flying the coop and chasing my dream. Now, 3.5 years later, every time I look at it I am reminded that I can achieve any dream I put my mind to.

I truly can't put into words what this experience has meant to me, but I will be forever grateful. I would never have made it where I am today without the constant, unwavering support of my parents and boyfriend. When I look back at my time in Los Angeles, I don't think of challenging days at work or freeways full of traffic, I only recall my favorite memories. Some of those include living with Greg for the first time, meeting new people and making lifelong friends, traveling around the beautiful state of California, a fun-filled day at Disneyland, adopting my fur-baby Zoey, countless days of perfect weather at the beach, amazing concerts, and multiple celebrity sightings {Whitney Port at Terroni in DTLA, Hilary Swank at Umami Burger in Santa Monica, Matthew Perry at Starbucks in Malibu, Matt Jones (Badger from Breaking Bad) at Umami in Los Feliz, and had a conversation with Chelsea Handler in the bathroom at Bestia!}

As sad as I am to leave what has been my home for the last few years, I am ecstatic to return to Florida and be closer to family. I can't wait to be home for the holidays and spend more weekends at my parents house with my niece & nephew. The California chapter in my life has been the most fun and rewarding yet (college was pretty hard to top!), but I am so excited for the future and this new adventure. Stay tuned for what is to come!

Reflecting back on a few of my favorite memories...

{sitting on the steps of my first apartment in LA}

{BCBG Max Azria 25th Anniversary Party}

{collage of me and my BCBG gals}

{Slightly Stoopid concert}

{Golden Gate Bridge, SF}

{Greg & I hiking Castle Rock in Big Bear, CA}

{Palm Springs}

{day at Disneyland with my prince charming}

MC-gram

{yesterday may have been the first day of Fall, but LA is experiencing an endless summer}

{chowing down on fish tacos from James Beach in Venice, made famous by the movie "I Love You, Man"}

{rainbow macaroons from Bottega Louie in DTLA}

{farewell dinner with my BCBG babes at The Factory Kitchen in DTLA}

{watching the sunset at the Hermosa Beach pier}

{bittersweet last day of work at BCBG Corporate Headquarters}

Follow MC Squared on Instagram @meghanconard

Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Nothing says comfort food like a grilled cheese sandwich. I gave my childhood favorite an upgrade with avocado, onion, provolone, cheddar, mozzarella & goat cheese - so delicious! Pair with tomato soup for the full nostalgic experience.

Blues

It's no secret that I have a love affair with Zara - almost everything I'm wearing in this outfit is from my addiction to their app. What can I say...they kill it between styling & price point! I love a good pencil skirt that can go from the office to happy hour, and this patterned jacquard one is perfect for fall. I paired it with my favorite black crop top & lace-up sandals. Once the temps drop, just add a leather jacket for a chic date night look.



 

 Black Crop Top - Brandy Melville (worn recently here)
Jacquard Pencil Skirt - Zara (similar)
Leather Jacket - Zara (last seen)
Black Lace-Up Sandals - Zara (also seen here)
Black Suede Fringe Bag - Zara
Blue Mirror Aviators - Ray-Ban
Gold Watch - Michael Kors
Lipstick - NARS "cruella"
Nail Polish - Essie "A-list"

Currently Obsessed

{Zara mini fringe bucket bag}

My newest love is in the form of a mini fringe bucket bag. It is quickly becoming my fave weekend bag since it's just big enough to hold all of my essentials: iPhone, sunnies, keys, lipstick & credit card. I love the suede fringe and gold hardware details, and at $40 it's a no-brainer! I'll definitely be wearing this crossbody all season long.

Transition

I personally hate the "no white after Labor Day" rule. I believe there are no rules in fashion anymore, especially with the seasonal shift in weather lately. It's currently 80 degrees in Los Angeles, and won't feel like autumn until mid-October. I love the idea of a summery LWD (little white dress) paired with fall accessories for a transitional look. To take this lace swiss dot dress from summer to fall, I swapped out my bright yellow heels for lace-up booties and added a plum fur vest.

{Summer Look}

White Lace Dress - BCBG

Yellow Bow Heels - Zara

Cognac Clutch - Divas & Devils Boutique (last worn here)

{Fall Look}

White Lace Dress - BCBG

Plum Fur Vest - Neiman Marcus Last Call (last seen)

Cognac Lace-Up Booties - BCBGeneration



Flare

My flares have been in heavy rotation lately. They make my legs look miles long, thanks to the higher rise and the fact that the length requires me to wear my tallest heels: 6-inch platform sandals. I love to pair my flared denim with off-the-shoulder & crop tops to balance out the proportion. To finish off this look, I added a printed silk headscarf & matching red lip.



  

Black Crop Top - Brandy Melville

High-Rise Flared Jeans - Zara (last seen)

Horseshoe Printed Silk Headscarf - Nordstrom (last seen)

Cognac Braided Leather Hobo Bag - Zara

Platform Sandals - Colin Stuart

Lipstick - NARS "cruella" (also worn here)

Nail Polish - Essie "mezmerised"



MC Home: Bedroom

The day we moved into our townhouse, Greg immediately claimed the west-facing room as the bedroom. Between the ocean breeze and natural light filtered through the trees, it's the perfect sanctuary. The sunlight dances on the bed in the afternoon and it makes me want to just curl up for a cat nap. When it came to decorating, we kept it simple and clean with crisp white bedding & shades of  grey, and grounded with black furniture. We have our his & hers lifeguard station paintings hanging on either side of the window and I love the pop of color and personality that they add to the room.

{see also: living room, kitchen, dressing room}