Collar Holler

So this post was originally going to be about collars because I'm in love when them right now, but since I just got my new camera on Saturday, I couldn't resist myself and took quite a bit more photos of myself doing random faces (almost spelled faces like "phases"..wow) than expected! But I'm definitely feelin' my color choices in today's little get up. I like to mix different neutrals likes white, black and tan with a pop of color. Unfortunately I did not wear that lipstick all day long, only to spice up the pictures for my fake collar photo shoot ;) Back to collars on the other hand, I've seen way too many collared dresses on the runway lately and I've been wanting to do a step by step DIY collar tutorial. I saw some collars on ASOS.com that were detachable like a necklace almost and I want one so bad. But I thought, why spend 40 dollars on one, when I can make it myself! he he he. I always feel so smart when I make something that looks cute and costed almost nothing.

Button Up and Necklace: Thrift Shop
Sweater: H&M
Earrings: Forever21

Mustard Skirt

Skirt: my own creation :)
Leotard: Thrifted 
Heels: Steve Madden

Necklace Italia

What a gloomy Saturday it is! I have spent this whole day with my mom, searching the mall for good Christmas deals. I found this really cute winter coat from Macy's. The brand is called Green Envy. I've never heard of it before but the coat is simply adorable with a giant cloak like hood that flops over the top of your forehead, I love it! Apart from browsing the mall, we also went on a nice lunch date to Fiesta Ranchera :) It's been nice not worrying about school and just relaxing at home with my family. Why do all good things have to come to and end, why?! 

Blazer & Jumpsuit: Forever21
Necklace: Jewelry shop in Italy
Heels: TJ Maxx Paris Hilton line (lol)

Akira Fashion Show 2011

Having gone to an Akira fashion show in 2010, and seeing how the whole event comes together, the idea of possibly working for them in the future once I finally move to Chicago, has been bouncing crazily around in my head. Possibly even a little obsessively.. but my first step in achieving this is to get an internship with Akira. Internships are a great way to let them get a feel for your strengths and talents that could prove useful to them in the futre.  I've never done an internship yet, but to start and get a feel for a runway production, working with Akira could show me a thing or two about how everything works. My dream would be to style the models on the runway or help pick out the overall theme for the show. A fashion forecasting class that I took last year, taught me about the process of predicting future trends by drawing ideas and concepts from the street, runway, what consumers want, past trends, popular colors etc. Some fashion forecasters travel all of the world to gather information in order to make predictions on what trends are going to be popular or what aren't. Sounds like a difficult job, but the challenge must be exciting and interesting. Hopefully one day I will be working in the industry as a stylist or forecaster. Wooo!

Found this video and it made me a tad bit excited for my soon-to-be new life in the big city :)

Sequins, Sparkles and Spikes

How sad, it's not even Christmas and I'm already thinking of my 2012 New Years outfit..all I know is I want to be lookin' good! Knowing me it will have on it, some sparkles, beads, sequins, studs or spikes.  There is something with sparkly, shiny things that just draw my attention and no matter how hard I try to look away, I can't! So, if you want an "attention getter" outfit, include something with sequins, sparkles or spikes..or all of them! As shown in the pictures, from a fierce spiked ring, all the way to a clutch completely covered with sequins, these shiny adornments make a cute and classy look thats nearly impossible to ignore.  Plus, the thing I love about celebrating the the start of a new year, is that I feel like I can end the year off with a bang by wearing something fun and crazy. Don't be afraid to be a flashy at times, "go big or go home!".. Now I got myself all excited! New Years.. you need to get here soon :)

Mock Report for Collegefashionista.com! : Downtown Darling

As we hit the mid November mark, fall fashion is at its prime and filling the air at Illinois State University. Students are busting out their warm sweaters, winter jackets and scarves to stay trendy, yet weather appropriate for the fall season.  This fashionista caught my eye with her vintage purse, bright red nail polish, and a draped scarf that complimented falls’ freshly raked leaves. As we talked about fashion over a cup of coffee, I got to know more in depth about Taylors style inspiration, what her personal style was, and also what was on her “Wish List” for the upcoming season. Her outfit today was made casual by wearing brown flat boots, but could definitely be dressed up with heels for an evening occasion. To give her outfit a grunge look, a leather jacket was essential to keep warm and stay edgy on this chilly afternoon. Last but not least, the touch of red nail polish pulled the whole look together and gave it a little spice next to her generally black and brown color pallet.  Looks like this fashionista is ready to keep cozy and cute this fall season!

My brief interview with Taylor:

Q: What’s your name, age and hobbies?

A: My name is Taylor B. I’m19.  I like to make my own jewelry. I love clothes, shopping and also thrifting.

Q: Describe your personal style:
A: It’s a mix between grunge with “classy” pieces. I love black clothing and anything vintage.

Q: Who are your fashion icons?

A: Rachel Zoe, Zoey Deschanel, Lykke LI. I’m always looking at street style and going on websites like lookbook.nu.

Q: What’s on your wish list at the moment?

A: Vintage clothes from my grandmas closet. I really want some black wedges a better leather jacket, high wasted black pants and a turban for the winter.

Q: What are your favorite stores to shop at?

A: Forever 21, H&M, Target, GoodWill, TJ Maxx and Von Maur.

Q: Where is your today’s look from?

A:  My jewelry is from F21, a shop in Italy and Target. My boots are from target, shirt-TJ Maxx, slip- GoodWill. The scarf, my sister got for me in Italy and the purse was also thrifted from GoodWill. Oh! And my leather Jacket is from Freedom To Be. 

Steve Madden Nude Wedge Hee

Hat Revolation

When your'e inside your house with your best friends, you can do, say, or wear anything you want to. For some reason, I've had this black floppy hat from H&M for months now, and I can't seem to build up enough courage to wear it outside of my comfort zone! :( It so cute and perfect for fall and looks good with almost everything. I think it is time to sit that bad boy on top of my head and say "hello" to a new day! 

AMDA St. Louis Trip!

The Apparel Merchandising and Design Association at Illinois State University took a little trip to St. Louis, Missouri to check out a few things, such as The Brown Shoe Company, Skif International, ALIVE Magazine and a "Rogue to Vogue" fashion/art exhibit. 

The Brown Shoe Company: There we learned about how the designers design the shoes, the production process and then how they make changes each season so that each shoe is more suitable for the consumer.

Skif International: Known for their sweaters featured in the Matrix movies, Skif International is an independent sweater company, that makes and distributes their own unique style of sweaters straight from their building. Here are a few pictures from inside the creative mind of Skif.

ALIVE Magazine: We spoke with the editor and publisher of the magazine, who shared how they put the whole magazine together, which artists and actors they've worked with and what they love about their jobs at ALIVE. We each got to take a magazine as a souvenir, so of course I chose the Fall Fashion Issue with Karlie Kloss on the cover page. For not being a magazine focused solely on fashion, their runway report was surprisingly interesting!

"Rogue to Vogue" Exhibit: In this exhibit, we got to see local artists use unlikely objects and materials to make innovative and stylish outfits.

Girl Crushes

1. Camilla Belle

Dress: Ralph Lauren

2. Mila Kunis

Dress: Elie Saab

3. Emma Watson

Dress: Rafael Lopez

4. Kim Kardashian

Dress: Wesley Nault

5. Blake Lively

Dress: Zuhair Murad