Back 2 School Style Inspiration: Daring Hipster

A daring hipster style is for those who don't mind breaking boundaries and fashion "rules". They love to mix colors and styles while still rocking the lasted trendy pieces. They go all out with fun accessories. They bring uniqueness to everyday ensembles that others may be wearing also. If this is you, you're going to love these outfit inspiration choices. Be daring on your campus!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Back 2 School Style Inspiration: Mostly Black

The inspiration for these outfit choices are for those who love to wear black. Black can be chic, classy, and daring. Black makes you look slimmer. Black inspires. Going to a fashion school, you are expected to see a lot of people wearing black. At any college, black can add a sense of style to your wardrobe. Black is a very fashionable color and the perfect blank canvas to accessorize. Here are five options of black wardrobes that may inspire your daily outfit choices when getting ready for class.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Back 2 Campus Style Inspiration: Preppy Chic

I decided, since the back to school season is here, to create five different looks particularly for college campuses. These five options are for those who want to express there preppy style. I chose to pair each outfit with a flatted shoe, because I know how it can be walking around campus in heels or wedges. It's not the most delightful thing in the world and you can still rock your style in a flat shoe. Back to school shopping is so much fun, but it can be hard to differentiate the specific styles you have in your mind. Don't worry I'm here to help! I will also be making other style options with different themes for back to school. So stay tuned!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What I'm Listening To: Stacy Barthe

It's really hard to find artists these days who have songs with real meaning. I remember being young and listening to India Arie with my mom and she would sing about loving yourself as you are and that we are all beautiful. I don't hear a lot of artists like India in today's times. That is why when I found Stacy Barthe on Pandora 2-3 years ago, I knew I found a gem. Her voice is so powerful and beautiful along with the content she produces. She has written songs for many artists, such as Rihanna, and she's been putting out her own music for a while now. The first song I heard from her was "Drink My Pain Away". The beat was awesome and her voice just flowed so smoothly. Then, she started to put out more and more music that I just really loved. Many people may know her song, "Flawed Beautiful Creatures", from the commercials for "Being Mary Jane". Which is such an uplifting song for many people to listen to. Now she has a new album called BEcoming. I pretty much love every song. My faves right now are Walk on Water, In My Head, and Here I Am. I highly recommend checking her out, because it is time for change from all this "trap music" that is trending right now. People need to take a stand and finally say that it is not okay to say any type of garbage you're thinking in your head. Then try to have it blasting in everybody's house, car, and dare I say work places. So I hope that Stacy becomes more popular and is able to put actual great music out for the lives of mostly young people.

The Virtual World Vs. Reality

I wrote a post last year for a class assignment asking if the internet has gone too far. I gave examples on the trending hot con and Kermit the Frog. Since then it seems like the internet has gotten worse. What happens when you've crossed all boundaries? You make up more boundaries to cross. Oh boy! That's what it seems like the media has been doing now. I personally feel like we are all a little too connected over the internet. Something that seemed like a benefit in the beginning is literally a curse now. There is so much craziness going on behind the screens of our computers, phones, and televisions. I saw the other day a girl that posted a picture saying "If I get 1000 likes I will stop cutting myself'", and my mouth literally dropped. Then she added male celebrities in the comment section begging them to like the picture. I was just like...what in the world is really going on. People are doing anything on Instagram and Facebook to get noticed and to feel that they are important. So many young women and girls posting half naked, if not naked, pictures on Instagram every two seconds. Seeking acceptance and seeming as though their self-esteem is really low. But then again what do you expect them to do when they are looking up to people such as the Kardashians? Who literally will do, take off, and act any way for attention/fame. I mean her own sisters duplicated her look and lifestyle as they got older...

Let's talk about this "Insta-Fame"concept really quickly. What the heck is this? I am so tired of seeing ordinary people on Intagram bragging about having such a luxurious and wonderful life, but don't have anything really going for themselves. People are naming whatever they want to be in their description and making people believe that they actually have certification for doing it. For example, all of these "makeup artists" who claim to be professional because they have mastered doing it on themselves, but have no pictures of their clients and events they've worked. All you see is them in their makeup with no official site that shows their work on other people, nor resume. How are you professional? Also, this man called Dan Bilzerian who's supposedly "Insta-Famous", that every guy looks up to and wants to be. All he does is post naked women, jets, and whatever crap he's doing. It is really appalling to me how this is supposedly a "man". Someone who is supposed to be living the life but has to get the attention and acceptance from everyone else to confirm that he does. Like...how is that life? Having no aim, no real purpose, nor goal in your daily routine. I'm not trying to judge his lifestyle, but the point I'm making is why do people look up to this? Why is he famous? Why is this a vision of a man? Instead of someone who works hard to provide for his family and showers love and care upon them. Someone people would deem just "normal" and "non-important". Then we have young girls sucking cups to get this new invention called full lips, because their personal God Kylie Jenner decided to get her lips done. Sorry to tell you ladies, but full lips have been here for forever and was labeled ugly for a long time directed towards black women and men.

Now on to Facebook and it's craziness. Everybody is on there arguing, cheating and acting a plain fool for absolutely no reason. They have on the side of the main page certain "issues" that are going on even though it's predominantly foolish news and the quote on quote real news is on everybody's mind for about a week and then that's it. Everybody is copying each other career wise, fashion style wise, and personality wise. Everyone's identity right now is based on what they saw someone doing or wearing on Facebook/Instagram and then they duplicate it in their real life. Like...what happened to being unique? What happened to having your own identity?

Now lets move on to these social media "careers". What is this? Why would you praise and celebrate someone who decided to sit in front of a camera and brag about the stuff they bought, the outfits they wore, and the makeup they like? I'm sorry, but I am putting it out there that it is absolutely ridiculous to think someone on Youtube is a celebrity or star. It is absolutely ridiculous for someone to make and edit videos all day at home and make more money than someone who is working in a steel mill risking their life every time they go. This stuff isn't okay and I'm sorry but I am not about to pretend it is. Don't get me wrong I like watching YouTube videos of people trying new hairstyles, giving makeup tips, and especially DIYs. But when you act arrogant and you have people screaming over you when they could be doing the same thing you're doing, it is absolutely ludicrous!  What's even crazier is this Bethany Mota randomness and brands promoting her for absolutely no reason. Her videos are average and have been the same thing in a cycle since she's been on Youtube. But yet she's getting deals and awards...like for what?

Finally, this blogging craze...like why. Everybody loves fashion now and just must have a fashion blog now. Literally everyone! When I first started blogging, there were a lot of bloggers out, but now everybody is a blogger. Everybody wants to be a fashion guru, but yet you're copying styles you found someone else wear instead of being innovative and showing your creativity, which to me is what fashion is about.

I just want to say to everyone just find who you are and stop seeking it online. Take a break away from it all, because when you do all the craziness will evaporate instantly. Don't try to duplicate what someone else is doing because their life is obviously not perfect. When you have a phone and a laptop you can be anyone you want to be now. But I guarantee almost everyone online is unhappy and unfulfilled. Otherwise you wouldn't need to be online all the time. Just be content with who you are at the moment and know that everyday is a new day to discover who you are. Everyday is an opportunity to go after what you really want. So live instead of living through fantasy lifestyles on Instagram. YES SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU'VE GONE WAY TOO FAR!!!!

4 Things to Know Before Attending a Fashion School in NYC

1. Always have confidence!

The fashion industry in general can have demeaning and arrogant environments. Fashion schools typically are no different. So make sure you stay true to who you are and not change yourself to be what the people in the industry want you to be.

2. Collect as much black clothing as possible!

You're going to most likely see a lot of black around your school. Black is a very popular color for people who work or want to work in the industry. You're going to have to wear black when you volunteer, possibly when you intern, and also at your job if it's related to the industry. So collect as much black clothing pieces as you can so you can be prepared to wear a lot of black for most likely your whole fashion career.

3. Adjust to your new life before carrying too much responsibility!

Most people trying to seriously obtain a great career in fashion are most likely to be extremely competitive. So they'll be doing anything and everything they can to take new opportunities as quick as possible. My advice is to stay calm and know that everything will work out the way it is meant to. Remember you are at school to succeed, so stay focused with school and let the extra opportunities be as few as possible. That way you don't over work yourself and it won't conflict with your school work.

4. Volunteer directly with CFDA!

Trust me volunteer opportunities for fashion week will go fast. So if you want a for sure opportunity to volunteer you should try to do so directly with CFDA, who helps put on the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. 

Advice for Saving Cash & Room in your Closet

My closets have always been full starting at a very young age, thanks to mommy ;), and had followed me into my adulthood until now. I have learned not to be wasteful in just buying things and filling up space in my closet unnecessarily. I've come up with 5 basic tips in helping anyone who is interested in doing the same.


1. Rotate

Start a cycle when before or after you go shopping for new clothes you take the time to empty out from your closet the older clothes you've grown tired of. You can bag them up and give it away to some one you know personally or donate them to strangers. That way you're not hoarding but instead giving while you'll receive new things. It's also great, because you will have less clothes to clean in your room and that is a true blessing.

2. Plan

It's fun going to stores all day taking your time in deciding what to get browsing for hours and picking up all types of different merchandise that you think is gorgeous at the moment. But shopping this way usually leads to spending more than you were trying to and leaving with extra "stuff" you're probably not going to wear. It's literally someone's job to carefully plan out how shoppers will pick up different merchandise they never planned on buying and arrange the store in a way that will attract you to picking up all types of "stuff". Go with a plan and stick with it. You'll save yourself from regret you'll be feeling later on, your closet will have more space, and your pockets won't collect more dust! :D

3. Budget

A budget isn't as bad as most people think. It not only saves you money, but it teaches you to be more organized in a lot of areas of your daily routine. The younger you start using a budget the better it'll help you as you get older. Having a budget in a clothing store is so important when your money is low, though I recommend it for all earning wages. My tip is to start with a very low number of money to spend and when you actually start shopping and you go to the register and it rings up over what you set, you won't feel as bad that you went over your unrealistic low number and you most likely still won't spend way more than you should have.

*Story Time*

For example, you have gotten your check and you were paid $150. Before you go into Forever 21, you decide to make a budget of $20 to spend. You go in and you plan to only buy some shoes, a dress, and two new pairs of jeans. When you go to the register, with the merchandise you planned to buy only, she tells you the total is $50. Now you only went over by $30 and you still have $100 of your paycheck left. Now imagine not going with a budget which makes you not focused on not going over your budget, therefore you end up getting distracted by the extra "stuff" in the store. In the end you walk out of the store with a hat, socks, a headband, sunglasses, one pair of jeans, a skirt, a dress, and some shoes. Spending $120 instead of $50. Now you only have $30 left and that's going to have to cover your phone bill.

4. Basics

Trends rotate in and out so quickly and so many people want to be on top of them. My advice is to collect a lot of basics and very few trendy items as possible. Trends in today's times are very unoriginal and are being brought back almost every 3 years. But one thing for sure is basics NEVER go out of style. EVER. This is when you need to shell out a few extra dollars so you can have high quality basics that will last a century...literally. This is how you build your wardrobe and put to the test how strong your fashion skills are to pair your basics and maybe one trendy item into a gorge ensemble.

5.  Sales

It gets your adrenaline pumping when you know you're about to leave a store with a bunch of good deals. But you shouldn't be too trusting with the "stuff" in these sales. Sometimes we just buy things because it was only $5, but it's actually ugly. Now you have something hideous in your closet you're not going to wear and you can't return it. What sense does that make? Let me answer that...zero. These stores are trying to get rid off all this "stuff" for a reason and will lower it to any price to do it. So, it's better to go into a store and get what you want that may not actually be on sale instead of getting something you didn't want. But if you're lucky, you might find exactly what you wanted on the sale rack.

What I'd Like To Try: Giambattista Valli for MAC

What better than your two favorite brands doing a collab? I have admired Giambattista Valli for a few years now. I believe that the brand has produced some of the best haute couture on the runways these past seasons. I hope that one day I'll be able to buy a beautiful and extremely expensive gown of theirs, but for now I'll stick with the lipstick they have at MAC for only $17.

These lipsticks have been selling like hot cakes since being released. Majority of them are already sold out online. Hopefully I'll find them in the store, because these lipsticks look so fab. MAC has done it again with another fantastic collab. I wonder who's next and if they can top these?

Quick Top 5 Tips to Living in NYC

I spent about 8 months in New York City and I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my insight on making the transition to the big city. These are my top five tips that may help those moving to NYC soon, wanting to move there eventually, or those who are just curious. Hopefully this can help! 

1. $1 Pizza

You will never find a better deal than a pizza slice for a buck! If you are low on cash you don't have to starve. This saved me so many times being on a budget and needing lunch between classes. It's absolutely delicious! You can add another slice and a drink and only pay $2.50.

2. Fashion Week Opportunities

New York fashion is in the big leagues. With it being a fashion capital, there are so many opportunities to get your foot in the door. NY Fashion Week is one of the most important weeks in the fashion industry and it allows pretty much anyone to be apart of it. You can volunteer and you may be lucky enough to attend a show. Whether fashion is or isn't for you, check it out because it's an experience of a lifetime that you may really enjoy.

3. Metrocard

Daily living in NYC will consist of taking the subway to maneuver around the city. My biggest tip for this is to buy monthly metrocards. You have the option of adding money to your card or buying a card for a week. But in the end you'll save more money and time by buying a monthly. Don't be scared by the price of the monthly, which is $112. 

4. Clubs

My months in NYC consisted of a lot of nights out. My college didn't have any parties, so the only way to go out and have fun was to go to a club. The cheapest way to have a good time is to go with a promoter. They will help get you in, supply you with drinks, and also make you feel more comfortable in the environment. Try to find a woman promoter, that'll be the best option.

5. It's Free!!!

Go visit famous landmarks and parks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. They are free and absolutely beautiful. Central Park is huge so you can go multiple times to visit different areas of the park. The Brooklyn Bridge allows you to get a great view of the city and can transport you to Brooklyn. Did I mention it's free!!! You can also take pictures and brag on Instagram about where you've been. You'll impress a lot of people.