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MadisonChurch

The ultimate Golden Goose guide + my collection!

Posted in Fashion
on 12/13/2020

GOLDEN GOOSE — something I actually get asked about often – where to buy, sizing info, if they’re actually worth it/comfortable so I figured I’d sit down and pour my little heart into a blog post encompassing all things Golden Goose.

DISCLAIMER: It takes a lot of budgeting to buy a pair, I won’t lie! But I truly find too much happiness in a new pair of shoes. So be broke or have fabulous sneakers? Obvi the later.

MY GOLDEN GOOSE COLLECTION

POLKA DOT MIDS // PINK HI STARS // TAN/PURPLE SEQUIN SLIDES // BLACK GLITTER SUPER STARS // PINK/MAROON SLIDES

SIZING

I am a true 8 and I wear a 38 in all styles. Some Golden Goose wearers like to size down in styles like runners or slides but in my experience I like to take my true size in all styles. I normally wear thin socks with mine or don’t do socks at all!

WHERE TO BUY

I like to look on lots of sites when I’m searching for the perfect pair but the only websites I have actually purchased from thus far have been SSENSE, Italist, Harvey Nichols, and Jomashop. I also love to browse on the Golden Goose Gang Facebook page – it’s great to get insider tips about sizing, pricing, and also buy new and used GG!

PRO TIP: Most sites will change the prices of the shoes every so often, so I always check a few times before buying. I’m comfortable spending max $450. I’ve gotten all 5 of my pairs for that or under so just know IT IS POSSIBLE y’all! You don’t have to pay $600 for a pair of GG you just have to be SMART about it! I will say though all of the sneakers are made in limited quantities so if you love a pair and the price is right, I say go for it because they may not be there for long!

Websites with Golden Goose in the name are most likely fake. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is!

ssense // farfetch // italist // net-a-porter  // spinnaker boutique // giglio // sohosoho boutique // harvey nichols // jomashop

*** NET A PORTER TIP: CHANGE COUNTRY UP TOP FOR CHEAP OPTIONS WITHOUT DUTIES. US STORE WILL CHARGE DUTIES ON A PAIR SO THAT’S WHY THEY’LL COST MORE!!

ARE GOLDEN GOOSE ACTUALLY WORTH IT?

In my *humble* opinion yes, 100%. If you know me IRL, you can pretty much find me wearing a pair of GG 24/7. They’re my favorite shoes and oh so comfy. I wear them to work where I stand for 8 hours a day and they’re unlike any other shoe. I’m def a sneaker girl so I always find myself reaching for them no matter what! I love how each pair is a little different and they add such a cool pop to any outfit.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT GOLDEN GOOSE? I’M HAPPY TO HELP!!

Fall Finds | Dressing for an NYC Fall

Posted in Fashion
on 10/19/2020

It’s me! Back once again, on my little corner of the internet. It’s cooling down up here in NYC and I am desperately trying to snatch up any coat/jacket/sweater (that’s on sale) to keep me warm. Granted I’ve pretty much spent most of my free time lately, I figured I’d help you if you’re in the same boat. So here’s a nice long list of a bunch of fun fall finds that I want on my body this szn! Now I’m not a big fall gal, but seeing the leaves change up here is getting me a little excited to actually be able to wear a sweater in October and not be dripping in sweat!

With that being said, I’ll go ahead and break down some items on my fall wishlist this year! Maybe ya’ll can share some with me too? You know I’m always down to spend money I don’t have!

JACKETS (a new concept for me, tbh. I am loving dabbling in this ish!)

BOOTS (cowboy and combat is all the rage this year)

PRO TIP: SPEND MONEY ON BASICS YOU’LL REWEAR SZN AFTER SZN (JACKETS, DENIM, NICE BOOTS)

SWEATERS

JEANS

ACCESSORIES

 

Hope y’all are into these pieces like I am! Let me know if you need help shopping for anything else this season!!

New York, New York! | Starting anew in the Big Apple

Posted in Lifestyle
on 07/13/2020

Hi hi friends! It’s been much tooo long since I’ve written but let me tell ya I had a GREAT excuse. About a month ago, I packed up my bags and moved to New York City to pursue new opportunities. I’ll just start by saying it has not been all sunshine and rainbows people. It’s actually been a lot of sweat, some tears (ok actually more than I’d like to admit). Shoutout to all my friends and family who have checked on me these past few weeks – y’all are the glue that is holding me together! In classic LGIP fashion, I thought it was only right for me to do a little tell-all post about the big Big Apple move!

SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED:

Brooklyn Target is worth the trip — they have everything there as opposed to the City Targets in Manhattan. Also the Target app is my new favorite thing because you can earn points and get coupons! Y’all know my love for ballin on a budget.

Pizza is an elite cheap meal but we’ve always known that right?!

Reusable bags are a must for the city. Especially when you buy way too much to carry and your paper bag breaks and you drop your vodka sauce on the street. Speaking from personal experience here!

I love Dirty Martinis. Also for some reason I could not find plain olive juice in New York City so I’m spreading awareness and telling y’all to order online before you are disappointed like me.

Trader Joe’s is my new boo. BUT I will say sometimes they don’t have everything so finding your local small local grocery or bodega will be a savior.

Growing up and leaving home never gets easier. I’ve tried to keep as busy as I can but sometimes it’s hard not to miss home. Getting out of the house has been my biggest therapy for all my anxieties.

Most of all, I have learned its ok not to have it all together. This time is extremely rough for everyone, myself included and it’s been a challenge not to let it all control my thoughts 24/7. The job hunt especially is something that’s taken a toll on me. Finding a job in this economy is tricky, and I often feel down. Being told you’re not good enough or qualified enough for a role in mass quantities sucks, it really does, but the only way out is to persevere. I’m not immune to the problems in the world, but to me, at this point in my life, the job hunt is a focal point. Moving to the city without a job has made me extremely anxious but I know I’m not alone in that. I’m just hoping things will be looking up soon! I have applied to more jobs than I’d like to admit so somethings gotta bite soon right?! Something else I’ve been learning a lot about (especially these past few months) has been relationships (friends, family, boys, etc). I’ll probably do a deep dive post about that one soon because boy do I have a lot to say. I’ve found myself recently letting certain relationships in my life take up more mental capacity than they deserve. It’s a two way street, and I’m still learning how to navigate that  point where I shouldn’t have to  compromise anymore to make it work? Hope this is all making sense but like I mentioned, more to come on the deep stuff.

SOME FAVORITE NYC SPOTS SO FAR (STILL SO MUCH LEFT TO EXPLORE):

DRINKS

City Vineyard (Hudson Yards)

McSorleys Irish Pub (East Village)

Grand Banks (Hudson Yards)

The Back Room (Lower East Side)

August Lora

Dutch Freds (Midtown)

EATS

Tacombi (West Village, best tacos ever)

Pisillo italian panini (Fidi) 

Bel ami (Upper East, french pastries/food and coffee)

Juliette (Williamsburg, brunch/drinks)

Stromboli’s (East Village, loooove a good slice)

Mimi Chengs (East Village, dumplings)

HANGS

Tompkins Square Park

Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park

The West Village in general (my favorite place to talk a stroll)

Victoria’s Secret Museum

Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO

The Highline

Flat Iron and Madison Square Park

Hudson Yards

Ashley Longshore Gallery (inside DVF in Chelsea)

Chelsea Market

 

TALK SOON.

The realities of living out of a suitcase for 9 months…

Posted in Lifestyle
on 04/01/2020

So yeah, the time has FINALLY come for me to recap my year (or technically 9 months) of living out of a suitcase. I cannot even believe that the 9 months have flown by so fast. I swear it was just yesterday I was crying into my mom’s arms at the airport so scared to leave home for the unknown. Here I stand today, 14 states, 17 schools, and 45 flights later. I’ve been all across the country in the past year. From stretches of beach in California, cold little Northeastern towns, to big Southern schools — I’ve seen so much. I’ve grown so much. 

I’ll admit, I definitely grew up in my little Louisiana bubble. I hadn’t seen too much outside of what was home and the occasional vacation to the usual places. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have the ability to travel and get out of my comfort zone. I thought I was sooo ready to be done with Louisiana but as it came closer to leaving, I realized I am so so thankful for my home. Being SUCH a sentimental person, I found myself getting sad to leave home.

My first few months on the road were a pretty rough adjustment. Just picture getting so used to a routine of seeing friends and family so easily each and every day and then one day you don’t have the ability anymore. It honestly broke my heart to be away. I felt like I was missing SO MUCH back at home and each time I went to visit, it made it harder to leave. Hey, I guess that saying you don’t know what you got until it’s gone rang SO TRUE for me.

Once I got adjusted to consistent Facetime calls, texts (I’ve never been much of a texter), and lots and lots of sad song jam sessions/journal pages — things got better. I still struggled being places so different from home. I’d consider myself a people person, but sometimes it’s just hard to click with people who are so different from you, build a relationship and a rapport, and then to leave a few days later. But that was also the beauty of it. Every few days, I got a fresh start. That was something I always looked forward to. New faces, new places, and a new set of challenges.

The more you travel, the more you see. You need people and their stories. You need grace that reminds you that you are free to keep exploring and you are not out of place. – Morgan Harper Nichols

Without fail (and I was not shocked to learn this about myself) I thrived when I was in a consistent environment. That consistency that I so wanted to get away from in exchange for spontaneity was what I craved in the end. I am a creature of habit what can I say? University of Georgia was where I got that and more. Thank god I had those girls in my life this year. In total, I spent about 3 months out of my 9 month contract (with one month off for Christmas, so really 8 months) in Athens. It brought me back to the reason I wanted to do this job. To make an impact. I grew to know (and REALLY know) these girls and leaving them was like leaving 290 little sisters behind!

Now that I’m getting into the nitty-gritty of this post, I realized I never addressed the question I get most. What is it that you do? Essentially I travelled to different chapters across the US and helped them with operations like recruitment, finances, and programming and education. I got to work with volunteers from all walks of life and the best (and sometimes worst) part is I got to form relationships with collegians! I worked a lot with big picture strategy and implementing it on a smaller scale within each chapter. Many  people were asking questions about having a home base (technically UGA was mine), asking me if I really lived out of a suitcase for 9 months (yes m’am), and whether or not this was going to be my forever career (no, the fashion industry is callin my name).

So while this 9 months was extremely challenging, it reaped so many benefits. I learned so much about myself. Being alone with myself and my thoughts for too many hours a day lead to lots of journaling and self-assessment. I have always been so independent but I learned how I can’t do it alone. Support is necessary, even when you don’t want to take the help (helloooo type A control freaks). I learned my way around an airport, how to pack a suitcase for months on end, and how to do an expense report (adult things).

At the end of all of this, I am grateful for the opportunities I have gotten this year. I would’ve never been able to see the US if it weren’t for this job. Because of this job, I am forever changed! I appreciate all of the trials and tribulations that got me to this point in my life. What a 9 months it has been! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

In case you’re curious, here’s all the places I visited during my contract:

san diego, ca // los angeles, ca // san bernardino, ca
ann arbor, mi // athens, ga // austin, tx
witicha falls, tx // waco, tx // atlanta, ga
cortland, ny // south orange, nj // troy, ny
shippensburg, pa // new haven, ct // oxford, ms
oklahoma city, ok // witchita, ks // chicago, il
newport news, va

If there’s anything y’all are wondering that I didn’t touch on, let me know! It’s hard to summarize 9 months of your life into a few short paragraphs. For now, I’ll be awaiting this quarantine to end so I can get myself to NYC for the next stage of my life!

23 things I learned by 23

Posted in Lifestyle
on 01/23/2020

23. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE! This time of year is always my time for self-reflection and of course this lil annual post. So many great things happened at 22. Lots of challenges, sentimental moments (college graduation), and lots and lots of laughing so hard I couldn’t move/crying so hard I couldn’t get out of bed. Overall, a year of serious GROWTH. In order to conquer 23, I gotta leave a piece of my heart in year 22. So without ado, here’s my life lessons learned at 22. Hope y’all get a kick of reading because I sure love to write this post each year! 23, I’m comin for ya!

Twenty-three things I learned by 23:

  1. It’s ok to feel lonely sometimes. Honestly, this is something I’m still working on going into year 23. Being on the road, and most times, at places where I don’t know anyone at all can seriously be draining. I miss my friends and family. Sometimes I resent feeling alone because I want to be strong and independent. But I’ve got to learn it’s okay to FEEL. Loneliness is only temporary and sometimes you have to feel lonely in order to appreciate the feeling of contentedness.
  2. Stop caring what other people think. 
  3. Don’t let another’s validation dictate your happiness. Happiness comes from within. You are truly the only person who can make yourself happy. Putting your happiness in another’s hands never ends up well. You’ll never be whole if you rely on others to provide happiness. Make yourself proud and that’s all you can ask for!
  4. Joggers are literally gods gift to earth. Especially when they come in a matching set. A pro tip: Walmart has the best men’s sweatsuits for under $20 for the two pieces. NOT KIDDING. 
  5. Traveling is fun, but there’s no place like home. Growing up, I always wanted to get out and leave home. Once I actually did, I realized the immense appreciation I have for home. The feeling of going home after being away for a while is one of the best IN THE WORLD! 
  6. Forever 21 has been there for me through thick and thin, y’all. Last year I shopped there more than I ever had before. Maybe that’s because I a. love a good sale b. appreciate trends, but do not want to spend bank on them or c. that shopping online there is way too easy (although it does take 11,000 years to come in).
  7. Don’t watch a murder documentary before bed. Thought I already knew this, but clearly I didn’t and learned my lesson after many sleepless nights that resulted in me having to watch hours of That 70’s Show to not be creeped out.
  8. SILK PILLOWCASES are game changers for my fellow bed head queens. Don’t know about y’all but I always wake up lookin like I just got hit by a car. My silk pillowcase at least *HELPS* my hair look a bit better in the AM. Apparently they’re great for skin too? Idk about all that but 10/10 would recommend. 
  9. Dip nails are the best way to get bang for your buck. Get em done once a month and you’re good to go. They range from $35-65 just depending on where you go but they are so worth it! 
  10. Twitter humor is my favorite thing in the world.
  11. Be proud of your roots. I don’t think I’ve ever embraced my Louisiana roots more than I have this year being out on the road. Seeing a variety of places so vastly different from my home made me so so proud to be where I’m from. Not everyone can say they’re from the state with a national championship winning college football team, the best food around, and the most fun atmosphere/people!
  12. You can never have too many pairs of gold hoops. Swear to y’all, every time I place an order on F21 or ASOS I order another pair. They’re truly essential. 
  13. One direction still hits DIFFERENT! 
  14. Start saving money before it’s too late! Learned the hard way about this one. Now I’m on a strict savings plan because I need structure or I’ll spend all my money online shopping. It’s totally fine. That’s just who I am as a person (overspender, horrible saver) BUT I am getting much better.
  15. There is truly not much better than a good inky pilot g-2 pen. NOT ALL PENS ARE EQUAL.
  16. Look good, feel good! Those days where I actually put effort into how I look, I feel like I always have a bit of a better day. My attitude is more positive and I feel sooo much more superior. So I guess I’ll make it a resolution to try to do myself up a little each day and start things on a more positive note!
  17. There’s no such thing as too much sleep. I don’t think I will ever love anything more than my bed and a nice 9 hour night’s sleep. 
  18. Packing lighter is a valuable af life skill I still have not mastered. I legit live out of a suitcase for 9 months of the year, so I will say I have learned from when I first started working but I still could improve. I just am an overthinker and an overpacker (and man do they really go hand in hand). But hey, I’ve gotten my 53 lb suitcase down to under 40 lbs so that says something.
  19. I peaked in college. There I said it. LSU was the most incomparable time of my life thus far. I would do ANYTHING to be back in college again. Anyone have tips on how to get over college because I don’t think I really can? Help! But also GEAUX TIGERS.
  20. I think I’m starting to like football? WHERE IS MADISON CHURCH AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER? I’ll be real, I just never really got too into sports but once LSU was playing like they were this year, I freaking dove in (ESPN app and all). I still don’t understand too much of what’s going on but it’s called progress people!
  21. Don’t take yourself too seriously. What’s the fun in that? I’ve learned that life is not meant to be some serious thing that warrants zero mistakes. It’s ok to screw up and it’s ok to laugh about it!
  22. I think I’m meant to be a city gal. I’ve been able to visit NYC, Chicago, and LA this year and let me tell y’all – I THRIVED. Being able to walk everywhere? LOVES IT! Numerous things to do? YAS. I’m setting my sights for NYC after my current job is finished so hopefully y’all can catch me being a real life city girl soon.
  23. YOUR TWENTIES ARE WHERE IT’S AT. We are young and we are fun, baby! These past 3 years of my twenties have been so transformative, I can only imagine what’s to come. Catch my other “things I’ve learned posts” here, here, and here.

22, YOU WERE PRETTY SOLID. 23, YOU’LL BE EVEN BETTER. I JUST KNOW IT.

Ta ta for now! Loves y’all!

Skincare routine for a traveler

Posted in Beauty
on 12/04/2019

WOWIE. HI. SO many of y’all requested a travel skincare routine so here I am, delivering. I was trying to think of the best way to organize this so I guess I’ll just go through my AM/PM routine and share a few extras I use when I need a boost. Since I’ve been travelling for work and coming in contact with a variety of different climates my skin has been all over the place. For a little history lesson: I have done Accutane twice (and LOVED the results!) which has made my skin a bit drier than it’s usual super oily state. I don’t struggle with breakouts too much anymore but my main concern is normally dulless and dry skin since we are now in the THICCCCK of winter.

am

Wash face with this cleanser. Sometimes I use my Clarisonic if things are looking a little dull. After cleansing, I use this solution. It’s pretty much a toner and I really like how it makes my skin feel. I follow that with a hydrating serum and some moisturizer. Most days, I add a few tanning drops to give me some color and help my ever present line between my body/face color. Hehe.

pm

Take makeup off with this balm, this lotion, or this micelluar water. Not really a big makeup wipe girl because of how expensive they are and my access to the drug store while I’m travelling is limited, so I try to stick with a makeup remover that lasts a while. I cleanse after that with this cleanser. Sometimes with my Clarisonic, sometimes without. The cleanser is my favorite and I’ve been using it for 8 years so it’s PRETTY DAMN GOOD. After that I use that same hydrating serum and follow with this mask. It’s def my favorite skincare find of 2019. SO WORTH THE MONEY. I’m on my second tube it’s that bomb.

etc

If you know me IRL, you know my obsession with facial sprays. I am a fanatic. This one is my favorite and it’s super cheap. I use this after my makeup, after moisturizer or just for a pick me up when my skin is feelin dull. Not really a big eye cream gal, but I use this mask as an eye cream sometimes! It’s really an all purpose kinda thing for me. For lips, I love this lip mask before bed and this chapstick is my ALL TIME FAVE. I go through tubs of these like nobodies business.

LINKING ERRYTHANG BELOW FOR Y’ALL

 

It’s 2019, I’m still single, + it’s gonna be ok!

Posted in Lifestyle
on 11/10/2019

IT’S 2019, AND I’M STILL SINGLE (AND IT’S OK)!

These days there’s such a stigma around being single. Do I just think this because I am? Lol. But I am here to shut those negatives doooown. No we don’t all sit on the couch and eat ice cream for dinner every night, watch rom-coms, and cry all the time. Just occasionally. Being single means power. A woman who has complete and utter control over her life. While she may not have it exactly together (yeah that’s def me), she has the power in her life.

I don’t know about y’all but I for one am the token single friend/family member. Have been for years! Would’ve thought by now, I would have a boy but ya know things don’t always work in your favor sister! Not a holiday or family gathering goes by without someone asking me if I am in a relationship. My answer is always: “HAHAHAHAHA no, not this year!” My relationship status is always the butt of the joke and I laugh along, but I’ll admit sometimes I get nervous. God, are you there it’s me, Madison?! DON’T LET ME END UP ALONE WATCHING ROM COMS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. That feeling of complete doom is normal. It’s hard not to get psyched out sometimes. We’re human! Let yourself feel the feels, but don’t wallow in them. There is more out there than being able to change that relationship status on FB (do people even do that anymore?).

THE REALITY

Even though I complain like 12 hours out of every day about boys — I constantly have to humble myself and bring my dramatic a$* back down to Earth. No one wants to be the crazy, desperate single girl (even though I could possibly be nearing that it’s fine)! There’s nothing wrong with being single. Hey, being single is cool! You get to work on yourself. And even when you think you’ve done enough work on yourself, you get to do more! It’s really so fun.

In all seriousness though, being able to grow as a person before bringing someone else into the equation is the biggest prize! Take yourself on a lil date! Travel alone! Build an empire! You don’t need a man for any of that now do you!? Speaking from experience (I’m really good at being single if I do say so myself), alone time is the absolute GOAT. I have learned so much about myself in this past year travelling and I accredit it to being alone. I get to do things for me because of me, and that’s what’s it allllll about.

“Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them” – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I often say that anyone would be crazy to date me. But maybe that’s just an excuse? Jokes aside, I have a very strong personality and I can be alot at times. Settling has never been appealing to me. Until someone who can keep up with this hot mess comes along, I’ll keep ridin solo. It’s 2019 ladies, don’t take anything less than what you deserve!!

BUT FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN I GET DOWN IN THE DUMPS ABOUT RIDIN SOLO I REMEMBER ALL THE UPSIDES

I do what I want when I want

I don’t have to spend money on another person (more for me and my new shoes hehe)

I can sleep diagonal in MY BED (y’all know it’s actually a proven fact that no boy has all three: more than two pillows, more than one blanket, a headboard)

My phone stays charged the entire day because I don’t have anyone blowing it up (except for probably the 15 all girl group messages I’m in but we are looking past that for the purpose of this post)

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KEEP YA SANE SOMETIMES.

 

It’s obviously easier said than done, but just know your time will come. My biggest fear in the world is ending up alone, but I have been assured MANY times that I will not. So before you decide to go full on cat lady on me just be optimistic. Utilize your single status to your advantage!  You don’t have to answer to anyone or anything, you’re free to live your life without anything tying you down. That’s a good thing, is it not?

 

The realities of post-grad life

Posted in Lifestyle
on 08/28/2019

HI MY FRIENDS. I missed y’all so much it hurts. It’s been TWO months since I’ve posted. I have been one busy girl. Post-grad life is happenin. IT’S HAPPENIN PEOPLE! In the midst of all the crazy, I’ve been collecting my thoughts for another #girltalk post. We’re adding another one in the series of transition, new beginnings and life updates.

Post-grad life. Let me just say it’s weird? Kinda scary too. I’m all the sudden supposed to be an adult and have it together? How rude! Growing up is hard, that’s for sure. Having a full-time job, saving money, being responsible, time management, etc… it’s just A LOT.

Now to clear the air, I am in no way trying to complain about post-grad life because I truly am so grateful to have the opportunities that I do. This year is something so special and I don’t want to take it for granted. I’m just here to say I feel ya. If post-grad life has you feeling a bit unfulfilled, I feel ya. If post-grad life has you missing home, I feel ya. If post-grad life has you questioning everything, I feel ya. I really do. What I will say is that it’s a season of unparalleled growth. It’s a season to test the waters, really figure out who you are, and what you want to do. It’s a scary time, but I just know the growth I’ll experience in this season will be so worth it.

I’m also here to say it’s all about the mindset. YES- this season is hard and it’s challenging but it’s what we’ve been working towards our entire lives. Remember when we would say “when I grow up I want to do/be…” like it was nothing! Like the world was still in our hands! Knowing we’ve reached that stage of life where we are “grown up” brings me an odd sense of calm.

THIS IS IT. Seize this season! There will never be another time to explore, create and take risks in like this one! Failure is eminent, but it’s what is so appealing about this time in our lives. Try and if it doesn’t work, try again. The time is now to do all the things you said you would “when you grew up.”

The adjustment has been challenging! I won’t lie. I’ve been feeling super homesick, nervous, and unclear of what’s to come. I miss all my friends and family and GOD DO I MISS COLLEGE. Between all the struggles and ups/downs, I’m going to promise myself to be grateful for this season. Things will never be like this again! Take advantage of it.


PS: I started LGIP before I got to college, so to be able to sit down today and write a post encompassing all the feels towards post-grad life is ABSOLUTELY INSANE. It’s a been quite the experience growing up on the internet!