MAXImize Your Wardrobe

Maxi dresses have been around since the days of flower power, hippies, and Woodstock. Following the recent popularity of indie music and coast-to-coast music festivals, hippie clothing has made its unofficial comeback. Maxi dresses are floor length casual dresses typically made of thin chiffon or cotton. They are designed to look endlessly elegant and romantically bohemian, but still keep you cool and comfortable. They are my favorite Spring/Summer pieces to break out at the end of every Winter! For the ultimate dose of inspiration we look to style guru and hippie goddess Vanessa Hudgens:

A Sneak Peak at my Senior Prom!

Florals: Just in Time for Spring



The Spring equinox symbolizes the start of spring fashion. Florals are a Spring staple, and this year they are back, even bigger than before!
 

L'Oreal Spring 2013 Versailles Romance Collection

GO CHECK THIS OUT FOR PROM: L'Oreal has released a super affordable, adorable, super posh line of pastel balms, eyeshadows, and polishes. These picks would be perfect in tandem with your prom hues. Pastel works well at Prom because it is a spring dance. And, chiffon looks best in light colors...

Prom Season: Don't Stress Over the Dress

Prom season can be a memorable month of fun activities or it can be a living nightmare. My best advice? Make this month about you... yes YOU! When it comes to the date, the dance, the dinner, there is a lot to prime and perfect for an event that is only one night long. You always hear the stories and you're always shown the pictures of your parents or your older friends prom experiences, and that is how you formulate your idea of the ideal prom. I'll admit that this year my stress was over my dress! I tried on over 50 dresses, at 6 malls, in 2 states... So admittedly I'm a little bit of a paranoid, perfectionist. But, now that it's all said and done I have my dream dress! My advice as you shop goes as follows:

1. Set a strict budget: If a dress exceeds your budget DO NOT try it on. The best and worst feeling is putting on a dress you dreamed of, and then finding out that the purchase of it would throw a semester of your college education down the drain.

2. Check everywhere that is local: Fortunately here in Cinci we have the Reading Bridal District, which is Ohio's priemere shopping district for formalwear. Including boutiques such as Bridal and Formal, Wendy's Cincinnati Bridal, and Splendid Bridal there is much to choose from.

3. Set a time limit on the search: Select one weekend or two school evenings to begin and conclude your search. Do not drag your search on until it has consumed days of your time. You will just be in over your head.

4. Character over color: Search for a dress with major character. Your gown should say something about you!

5. Alterations: DO NOT skip alterations simply to save $20. A hem or a strap tuck is an easy fix that any tailor can accomplish, and it will save you from a wardrobe malfunction.

Have fun and be safe on the night of prom!

Beach Side Beauties

I saw so many cute swimsuits in Florida last week! I was completely envious of the beach side beauty. The right swimsuit to float you through the summer is a necessary investment in the spring. Check these swimmies out:




 



Fringe and fold- over tops are BIG this summer. Returning from the 50s is the retro, high- waisted bustier bathing suits. Cut- outs are replacing prints this year so trash the leopard, floral suits.

Spring Break 2013

As is tradition my family is headed back home to the South coast of Florida! After growing up in Fort Lauderdale moving to Ohio was a huge change... in weather and in wardrobe. Luckily I'm returning to the coast- the gulf coast, to be exact- for the next four years of college at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. Since I will be spending the next four years stepping out my back door onto Sanibel beach I saved my entire hot- weather- wardrobe. Spring is one of my favorite seasons to observe emerging fashion trends. Over the course of my week long vacay I will share with you every trend I try as I cruise the beaches of Lauderdale. Look forward to cute bikinis, long maxi skirts, and over sized sweaters when I'm not in the water! Happy -almost- Spring Break!

Sea of Sunglasses

Ladies,

I am proud  to report we have made it through another brutal Winter. Now that the season of chapped lips, pale skin, and gray skies is almost at an official end, I've begun my Spring cleaning. Today marks the beginning of the time change that brings us longer days and later sunsets. In order to properly admire sunny Spring days- and the stellar sunsets that proceed them- you must be prepared with a glam pair of sunglasses. Through years of living in Fort Lauderdale I relied on Ray Ban glasses to keep those rays out of my eyes (and to look cute). However, I am known to knock my sunnies around quite a lot during my beach escapades so I have decided to scout out a cheaper option that I don't mind manhandling. Tobi.com is an online fashion boutique run out of Southern Cali. Where better to get your glasses from than the West Coast? After all it is the land of eternal sun. These glasses are only $11.00 a pair and the shipping is $4.00 standard UPS. They ship quickly and always arrive in great condition. I recommend grabbing a pair so you are amply prepared for a season of sun and fun!

Tobi.com:

Revlon Classics

Found this gem on Pinterest! I've relied on Revlon's lip collection since the seventh grade. These timeless shades are a must- have for every lady of sophistication. Revlon lip stick can be purchased at any local drugstore for under $10.00.

Closet Organization Tour

Here is a video taking you into the magical land that is MY CLOSET!

Enjoy!

Thank You Class of 2013

Thank you to the SHS class of 2013 for voting me "Best Dressed" in senior superlatives. You have helped make all my fashion dreams come true!

My celebratory Cinnamon Dulce Latte :)

Oscars Hall of Shame

When it comes to evening wear, some stars hit the gold standard and some need a citation from the fashion police. Here's the stars that did not earn my nomination for best dressed...

Helena Bonham Carter has never bored us on the red carpet, but this Vivenne Westwood gown would have been better used on Halloween night than on the red carpet.

For the Vanity Fair after party Zoe Deschanel turned her own lampshade into a dress... Crafty or just plain crazy?



Kelly Rowland would have been better off in an actual tux than this Donna Karan tuxedo- dress...



 Brandi Glanville wore her own design from her Brand B fashion label, and it was a clear indicator that she should stick to modeling.

Helen Hunt was the only lady of the evening to don a non- designer label- H&M. However, this dress was in desperate need of an iron or a full- on steam perhaps!

 

Oscars 2013

These are the dresses that dazzled at the Oscars last night. What star would you nominate as best dressed?

















Jennifer Lawrence in Dior



Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton



Kerry Washington in Miu Miu



Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen



Jennifer Aniston in Valentino



Charlize Theron in Dior



Halle Berry in Marchesa

Be on the look out for my next post this upcoming Wednesday: I'll dish on who gets my vote of disapproval for their Oscar ensemble...

Big Bouncy Curls Tutorial

Ever wondered how red carpet curls are achieved? Do you envy the voluminous curly hair of the infamous Victoria Secret models? They're easy to get!

I've always had straight, medium- thick hair, and as the saying goes "you always want what you can't have", so I have been curling my hair since the seventh grade. Curls are just so endlessly romantic and feminine. I have never actually owned a curling iron or hot curlers, rather I have always used my straightener to curl my hair. It is easy as 1-2-3, and requires a minimum amount of heat. Also, you can curl bigger sections of hair with a double barrel flat iron. I have attatched tutorial pictures of my curls.

I use the CHI Straightener, and a teaspoon of Kerastase Heat Protectant prior to curling.

Be my Valentine?

Valentines Day is quickly approaching! Whether you think it's a romantic, sentimental, date- worthy day or you're convinced Hallmark invented it to reap endless profit, it's a day that fixates itself upon beauty inside and out. I've always taken extra care to dress my best on Valentine's Day. You never know if maybe you're resentment towards the cheesy holiday will turn itself around once you snag the perfect last- minute date. I don't typically go for the overly cliche holiday look. You know- the fuzzy heart sweaters or the red dresses. I prefer to focus on ethereal beauty and just let it radiate without the attention grabbing amplification. However this year the holiday themed pieces are attempting a comeback, and I may be willing to go along. After I saw this video by my favorite vlogger (stilababe09) I was sold on the holiday- look. I absolutely adore the hair bow and think that mixed with loose curls it's romantic yet still fun and free. The outfit is perfect for the school day, and can transition to night by tucking that sweater into a high- waisted skirt with a pair of tights and cute boots.

So here you are... Enjoy!

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day <3  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAn1P2H7Tk

XOXO Gossip Girl

A hiatus from Gossip Girl can feel like years if you're as addicted to the Upper East Side drama as I am. Thanks to Eric Daman's brilliant styling — every episode unfolds with a cast of enviable designer goodies. Unfortunately, since the show has left the air for good, I am in need of a new style muse. Blair Waldorf modeled some of the most beautiful, and yet practical, looks on the show. In tribute to to her I feel it necessary to break out my pea coat every so often and tromps through my daily errands in my best pair of kitten heels.
GG majorly influences the way I dress for school dances as well. Whether it's the "Serena" neckline or Taylor Momsen's irresistible edginess I ogle over the formal looks from the show. Since it's that time of year to be endlessly inspired by all of the "dance- worthy" looks everywhere around you, I am sharing my favorite from Gossip Girl's final season. Hit the CW website for more detail regarding all of these looks.

Enjoy!

Oh yeah- and of course- XOXO, Gossip Girl.

Fashion for the Cure 2013

Prokids is a foster care service that has been providing safe, nurturing homes for orphaned children since 1981. They strive to ensure that no child involved in their operation encounters any abuse or neglect meanwhile staying at separate foster homes. This great cause is not to go unrecognized!

That is why Sycamore's Fashion for the Cure 2013 is raising their proceeds to go directly to Prokids! This entertaining, fun fashion show is a one- night- only experience. Your fellow classmates participate by modeling the designs of the Sycamore fashion students. The SHS council this season is pictured, looking fabulous, below:

More to come on Sycamore's FFTC!

New Year, New You

As cliche as they are, I am a fan of new year's resolutions. Actually I'm a fan of every- day resolutions. I don't think anybody needs an excuse to reinvent something about themselves. However, I understand the practicality behind allowing yourself ample time to prepare for the beginning of your "resolution period".
Every year I fluctuate on my resolution (and staying faithful to it). A common one among women is to diet or to workout more, but staying true to that shouldn't come just within the time frame of immediately before or after the holidays, when you've eaten the most and spent more time at the mall than the gym. That's a resolution that should ultimately be a goal to attain, not necessarily an instantaneous turn around of your dietary habits. Another one that is really common among high school students is to organize themselves better. Time management and multitasking are difficult in high school... trust me I know. Often teenagers use the new year to rearrange lockers or backpacks, and hope that a more stable organization system will segway them into success in the classroom.
My resolution for this year? Since I'm off to college in the sunshine state I will practically be living on the beach! Which means a perfect tan but dried out post-ocean hair. Sun and surf are actually very damaging for your hair. Humidity causes frizzing and split ends and chlorine or salt cause color to fade and thin your hair out. So to prep my long hair- that I have been growing out tirelessly since sophomore year- I've decided to use minimal heat on my hair for the school year. This means no straightening or curling- GASP!
I've purchased some Bumble & Bumble serum to help repair my ends. I've also purchased some foam rod curlers which are the curlers that are sans heat and made for sleeping in. With these secret weapons I am going to learn to love my natural hair. Once I'm caught up in the craziness of college I will not have time to roll out of bed and do my hair for hours on end so why not start loving my bedhead now! No, it won't be bedhead, but it won't be pin straight or glamorously curly every day.
My resolution is pretty low- key but I am sure that every girl out there cherishes her hair the way I do and would love to give it some well- deserved R&R.
Lemme know your new years resolutions in the comment queue below! Good luck resolvers!

Happy New Year!