THOUGHTS AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL

who: me. mary grace. music enthusiast. not-a-fan of large crowds.

what: governor's ball music festival. also my 16th birthday.

when: june 5th, 2015.

where: randall's island. yum.

pre-festival -- Have I drunk enough water today? How much water is enough water? Aren't we in a drought? Wait, but my phone isn't charged. Don't let Dad know your phone isn't charged. AIRPLANE MODE, NOW. Ok, water, check; phone, check. Erm, I don't think I can wear this new Hermes bangle? Mom? IT'S RAINING?! I don't have a raincoat. Ok, ok, I'll wear my Mt. Gay hat .. but what if I lose it? DON'T LOSE IT. Is my mascara going to run? F it. Let's go. Let's party. I want you and you and you in my Snapchat Story. This selfie lasts for 24 hours, MAKE IT GOOD LADIES. Yeeeeessss.

en route to festival -- It stopped raining. Did it really stop raining? My phone's at 89%. That's really good, if I do say so myself. Let's go. We're walking, we're talking. I LOVE YOUR OVERALLS. Ah, do you think she'll be my friend? Maybe fate will bring us back together later. Yes, fate. This day relies on fate. Fate that includes me not dying, or crying, or peeing my pants. I JUST LOVE ALL THESE PEOPLE SO MUCH. Either I'm crying or it's raining again.

at festival -- Lines, I hate lines. Never mind, this line was deceptively short. I'M IN. I'M HERE. I'VE MADE IT. I HAVE ARRIVED. Soooooo where do we go? I'll just follow. I can be a follower today, that's fine. Oh, friends! Hugs!! Selfies!!! Take our picture, pleeease. Do I look ok? Does my hair look ok? Did my mascara run? Why won't my Snapchat post? Jumping, I'm jumping now. Half laughing half crying. Yes, Dad, I'm alive. Ok. Sitting, I'm sitting now. Wow, I'm tired. Music?! More friends!!! Pictures!!! Let's switch sunglasses!!! I love your jean shorts!!! This band is my fave too!!! Oh, now you're on his shoulders. Wow. PICTURES, SO MANY PICTURES. Why won't my Snapchat post? Ugggghhh. Favorite song!! Where are all my friends? Friends!! Pictures!! Jumping?! Cold. I'm cold. Why won't my Snapchat post? Food?! Tacos. Water? Water. Yes, Dad, I'm alive. Friends? Friends!!! Pictures. Hugging. Why won't my Snapchat post? Dancing. Crying. Again, I'm crying again. Pictures of me crying. It's dark. I'm cold. Can you lend me your sweatshirt? I'm gonna sit down. Why won't my Snapchat post? PHONE'S DEAD. Ok, now friends? JK, can't find friends with a dead phone! Let's try anyway! Oh, strangers. You're not my friends. Byeeeee. FRIENDS. Friends!! Time to go. Let's go. Run. We're leaving. Leaving, now. Leave. Just leave. Goodbye.

post-festival -- FINALLY, I can get my Snapchats to post!! Oh, my phone's dead. Home, I want to be home NOW! Wait, but also -- Yes, Dad, I'm alive. Ok. Water, lots of water. Um, I skinned my knee. Disinfectant please!! Should I shower? I'm sooo tireddd. I think facewipes are enough right now. I need more water. CLEAN UNDERWEAR. What a luxury. A REAL TOILET. America, man. MY PHONE'S ALIVE. MY SNAPCHATS POSTED. Pictures. 203 pictures. What should I post? Ok, which filter? Caption?!! Where's the geotag!! THIS PIC IS GETTING SO MANY LIKES. Look at this filter! Should I post tomorrow? Oh my goodness, her Snapchat Story. Wait, were you there when --? Ah!! So many giggles. I'm asleep. JK, yes, Dad, I'm alive.

Happy festival season !! Dress the part..

xx MGR

A GUIDE TO DENIM SHORTS

My favorite summer essential has quickly become denim shorts. Guys, they are comfortable, they are fun, they are trendy, somehow still classic, and the likes of Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung have proven that they are chic.

Alexa Chung via Who What Wear

My J Brand pair from last summer became my holy grail. I just felt comfortable in them. They were flattering, stretchy, soft .. Like Nike shorts, but socially acceptable. It's not easy, though, to find just the right pair. Like ballet flats or jeans, they come in all different shapes, sizes, and varieties. There is, I promise you, the perfect pair out there. Don't give up! In fact, let's get this party started. Shop every variation of these beloved "jorts" until you find the one.

Though I often gravitate towards light wash, distressed, raw edged cut offs, I tried to offer you some diversity. Do some research, try some one, figure out what the best fit for you is! High waisted, low rise, light wash, dark wash, cuffed, 3", 5"? This is all about preference.

Best of luck in your denim hunt!

xx MGR

16 FESTIVAL-WORTHY TOPS [ UNDER $60! ]

Ok, so I know -- yes, I do know -- that Coachella isn't a new thing. We, in fact, are the same age. So happy 16th birthday, Coachella! We're also similar in the fact that we're just getting better with time. Think of Coachella as a high school sophomore -- sure, maybe it hasn't peeked, but it sure as hell has grown out of its awkward stage and into its trying-really-damn-hard-to-be-cool stage, and I can assure you that it has succeeded. Coachella is the cool kid at school. You know the kind.

But what does this mean? It means that it's more accessible. Man Repeller published a piece last summer following the life-cycle of a trend, and Coachella is right there in the middle of it. And because of its popularity, we all get to experience it. Whether it be by actually buying a ticket to the festival, buying a ticket another festival, or just living your life as a festival. And for that reason, my friends, let's start shopping some festival-worthy fashion.

Today: tanks, blouses, crops, tees, bralettes. Anything and everything to cover your upper half.

I have tried to cover a plethora of sizes, colors, patterns, and trends. Except, if you haven't noticed, bright lace is kind of my weakness...

Stay tuned for more festival posts! I'm thinking: DIY distressed denim shorts, along with a denim shorts guide, a shoe guide, an accessory guide, and an essentials guide. LMK, friends!

xx MGR

THOUGHTS ON OVERALLS? + MY FAVORITE OPTIONS

I don't even know, man. Well, I mean, I guess I kind of know.

I know that back in the day, seeing my mother in a pair of overalls signaled a new baby on the way. I know that directly following her overalls, were my overalls. From the ages of nothing to four, they were all I knew. I know that after growing out of my toddler phase, I, for the next 10 years, only regarded them as children's clothes. I also know that last summer I walked into Ann Taylor LOFT, scoffed at my sister's lame jeans and my mom's even lamer trousers, and walked out of the dressing room in the flyest pair of overalls you ever did see. I know my sister reminded me it was 2014, and therefore, I could not buy said-overalls. Lastly, I know, that they have been on my mind lately, and I can't get 'em out.

I didn't know, until like, idk, two weeks ago, that they are now referred to as dungarees. They are now sported by the trendiest of trendsetters. They are now light wash, dark wash, and everything in between. They now come in skin tight styles, baggier than an actual bag styles, and cut-off styles. They are now [ again ] socially accepted.

Now that we do actually know all the facts, I still do not know how I feel about them.

How does one utilize a public restroom in a pair of skin tight, dark wash dungarees? How does one avoid looking like she came right out of a 1990's *NSYNC poster? Does she do it by wearing a pair of skin tight, dark wash dungarees? But then, may I ask, HOW DOES SHE UTILIZE A PUBLIC RESTROOM?!

Maybe this, like the romper, is an instance in which we forego all public-restroom-dignity for the sake of fashion. For the sake of fashion, we will strip down to our knickers, and with shaking legs [ for fear of someone breaking the barrier between us and the outside world ], squat over a public toilet, while our skin tight, dark wash dungarees pool around our ankles, and grace the floor of this seemingly-skeevy restroom? Are you willing to do that? Am I?!

But they look hella cute, that's for sure.

I still can't decide if I would lose it [ it : my peeing-in-public dignity ] for an all-encompassing piece of denim. But honestly, I'm swooning over these photos. Here's an idea: I could just be Alexa Chung, and then I could wear whatever and do whatever I want, with no concerns of bathroom -- public or private -- dignity whatsoever.

Yep. That's it. Here's a bunch of options for when I make my transition [ help me pick which pair to wear on my tell-all interview with Diane Sawyer .. (; ].

Shop to it [ and throw up a big fat middle finger to my sister who proclaimed overalls are a no in the modern day ]! And don't be afraid to share your thoughts on this peculiar article of clothing .. I'd love to hear!

xx MGR

photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

FESTIVAL STYLE INSPIRATION

Pop the champagne and throw the confetti .. Yesterday I [ finally ] bought my ticket for Governor's Ball. The purchase and prior-deliberation was not lacking in the drama department, and you have my teenage girl hormones to thank for that. I, on the other hand, have Stubhub to thank for selling me a ticket after they [ much to my dismay ] sold out on Friday afternoon.

But, look, we all made it out alive, and now it's time to start prep. Coachella is now behind us and has left ample fashion inspiration in it's wake.

Let's marvel together.

all images via 1, 2, 3

I can tell you now that I will not be in a dress on the fateful day of June 5th.

However, I can tell you now that denim and a fresh pair of kicks sunglasses will be apart of my get up. And, just because I hate lying, so will a fresh pair of kicks.

Stay tuned for more festival style posts -- I can't wait to actually start shopping!

xx MGR

LET'S TALK ABOUT SUNGLASSES

The snow is gone, the sun is out, and the trees are threatening to recover their luscious green battle armor. But what about you?! As hard as it is to believe, spring has sprung. We armed your feet, and now let's arm your beautiful little eyeballs.

I'm really struggling to put a finger on what my #1 favorite eyewear trend currently is. I like them big, I like them mirrored, and I like them round. But what about matte lenses, lucite frames, or metallic finishes? *dramatic and exasperated teenage girl voice* I JUST DON'T KNOW, MOM.

On the count of three, shop all of those trends and -- wait for it -- more in this conveniently provided widget. ONE, TWO THREE, GO.

11 pairs of sunglasses, some more expensive than others, some more trendy than others .. All the perfect spring accessory, all protective of your eyes, and your eyes alone. Unless you listened in kindergarten and learned that sharing is caring. Whatever.

BATTLE AMOR UP, LADIES. PROTECT YOUR EYEBALLS FROM THE SUN IN STYLE.
hugs, kisses, and spring blessings,
MGR