My personal style has definitely been impacted by the places I’ve lived. Growing up in a suburb of New York City, I was exposed to each end of the style spectrum for years, but didn’t truly develop an identity until college. Unfortunately, my tiny suburban hometown was not exactly cutting edge in the field of fashion. Cortlandt Manor, NY is a stark contrast to the streets of New York City, which are less than an hour away. Being from the Hudson Valley, my style has a touch of earthiness, the result of my mom spending years on the farm in her spare time (the irony of her daughter being a beauty editor is not lost on us). That, combined with spending the past four years attending college in Ithaca, New York, has lead to an undeniable weakness for printed maxis and bright linen pants.

Ithaca has also influenced my opinion of body jewelry. I got my tragus pierced when I was 18, and have recently started wearing a thin gold ring. Since I don’t tend to overdo it on the accessories, it’s just a subtle accent that people wouldn’t necessarily expect from me. I didn’t think I would want any more, but now I am trying to figure out where I can get my rook pierced. Piercings are totally an addiction – and I love the fact that they’re becoming more socially acceptable. I think that when done right, body jewelry can be really delicate and pretty.

My close proximity to the city has also sparked my interest in vintage shopping, which I indulge with frequent trips to stores like Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn. What I love most about NYC is how there’s inspiration and self-expression everywhere you look, allowing you to dress however you feel without any judgment. I have a huge appreciation for the women who take style risks, but ultimately I am a minimalist at heart, and would prefer wearing timeless pieces to trendy ones any day of the week. I would describe my personal style as classic, with a hint of the unexpected – skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer, with a vintage red fedora or distressed leather backpack.