Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style: Book Review

This book showcases six different iconic styles: girly, edgy, boho, classic, glam, and indie. Each section features eight essential pieces and gives outfit ideas using them. In addition, there is advice from Seventeen models and their favourite looks, as well celebrity inspiration, styling tips, a "look book" (made up of runway, celebrity, and street style looks), and where to shop. The book also features an accessory guide, and fit guides for jeans, bathing suits, and undergarments. Written by Ann Shoket and the editors of Seventeen, this book not only gives a ton of fashion advice and ideas, it also showcases real people who have that style.

Overall, I thought this was a great book. It differs from Seventeen's other book, 500 Style Tips because it pays more attention to creating different styles, as opposed to a bunch of outfits for different places. The book was well-organized and had endless outfit ideas. The only critique I have for this book is even though it did mention that your style could be a combination of the styles presented, it did not provide any mix-and-match style ideas. Though thinking about it now, that was probably a good thing; I mean, they had to leave room for creativity, right? It's like what Miranda Cosgrove says on the back of the book: "I love to mix styles- some days I like to wear edgier things, some days I wear really girly stuff."
You probably already know what my style is: girly. As soon as I turned to the page and saw floral prints, ruffles, ballet flats, and cardigans, I was definitely in the right place. Reading through the rest of the book though, I concluded that my style is a mix of girly, classic, and bohemian.  What's yours?

Cozy Knits for Winter

I'm back!!! I originally typed this up a long time ago, but never added photos or posted it!

It's that time of year again: as the weather gets colder, we pack on layers of sweaters, a puffy coat, big boots, scarves, hats, and gloves to keep warm. During the winter it may be harder to keep up with the latest fashions because it's so cold- you just want to be warm! But I have a few ideas that will keep you warm and stylish all winter long. See the bottom of this post to see where everything is from. 

First of all, layering is actually the key to staying warm. Instead of wearing a t-shirt underneath a cardigan or hoodie, try a long-sleeved one. Thermal henleys can look a little like pajamas, so try letting a brightly coloured tank top peek through underneath. Aeropostale has a great selection of long sleeved and thermal tees. 

If layering isn't for you, try wearing a thicker sweater under your jacket. There are all sorts of styles of sweaters out there: cable knit, fair isle, chunky knits, cowl necks, turtlenecks, v-necks... in a variety of different colours. The only thing that I've noticed is that most of these sweaters contain some kind of wool or wool blend (like angora), which can be a little itchy. If it doesn't bother you though, it is a great alternative to layering. If it is itchy, you can also try wearing a long sleeved blouse underneath for a preppy look. American Eagle and Garage Clothing both have a variety of cozy sweaters in different colours and patterns.

Feel like dressing up? Sweater dresses are the key item to have. Pair it with patterned tights and knee-high boots and you'll be ready for any holiday party. Try these sweater dresses from Dynamite and Smart Set.

Don't forget about outerwear. I suggest a thick peacoat or jacket (mainly so you don't have to wear a million layers underneath). Depending on your lifestyle and how cold it gets, long or short jackets will equally keep you warm. For example, since I'm in University, I find that a shorter coat is easier to hang up on a chair or slip on at the start and end of class. Top it off with a matching hat, scarf, and glove set.

Photo credits:
Basic cami, $6, aeropostale.com
Long sleeve solid thermal henley, $9, aeropostale.com
Long sleeve aero city hearts baseball graphic t, $12, aeropostale.com
AE cabled sweater, $61.13, ae.com
AE long cabled sweater, $30.56, ae.com
Fairisle v-neck sweater, $20, garage.ca
Fairisle turtleneck sweater, $36.90, garage.ca
Bar stripe v-neck sweater, $10, aeropostale.com
AE dolman sweater, $40.25, ae.com
Cable print dress, $20, dynamite.ca
Split collar sweater dress, $55, smartset.ca
Fairisle sweater dress, $29.99, smartset.ca

Orange you glad I made a post about this?

Sorry for the worst pun ever...In case you haven't noticed, it's fall, which means changing sceneries and ever changing trends. But it's not just the trends that are new. Have you ever noticed that with a new season comes colours that are suddenly "in?"
This season, the colours that have been popping up on store shelves are orange and yellow. I know, original right?  Of course they're not called orange and yellow. They are burnt orange and mustard yellow, which I have to say is a lot more specific than orange and yellow. These shades are "warm," as opposed to highlighter yellow and neon orange. As always, I've put together some outfits so you can get inspired to bring fall into your wardrobe. 

I balanced the orange out with some brown in this outfit. If you're not a huge fan of orange (I'm not), you can try to incorporate into your wardrobe with some accessories, like an orange scarf or bracelet.

In the next outfit, I paired a mustard yellow crop-top (though it's tucked in so you can't really tell that it is a crop-top) with a floral skirt and brown oxfords.

The outfit on the left shows a way to mix in other fall colours: I paired an orange shirt with a brown sweater, brown boots, and gold jewellery.

The next look is built around the red pants. I toned them down with some grey and a leopard print belt. I've noticed that red goes really well with leopard print accessories.
 


How many ways can you accessorize a little black dress? Way too many. I tried to keep all these looks casual, but as soon as I saw this dress I had to use it in an outfit. To keep with the fall theme, I accessorized the dress with red shoes, red and gold necklaces, and a gold clutch.

As a final tip, when you're wearing not only these fall colours of burnt orange and mustard yellow, but olive green, brown, or rusty red, try to pair them together and with other neutrals for a look that really says fall.

Fall Makeup Look

I'm back after a long hiatus that was filled with reading, studying, more studying, and midterms. I hate to say so, but I even broke one of my own fashion rules by showing up to class in sweatpants (gasp)!
This week I did have some time to experiment with some new makeup looks, and this combination was my favourite. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of what the look looked like on me, but I have some similar pictures and I'll list the details on the products I used.

Again, these are just random pictures I found on the Internet. The look consists of a golden bronze in the inner corner to about the middle of the eyelid, and then purple from the middle to the outer corner. I originally got the inspiration for this look from an old issue of Seventeen magazine (I don't remember exactly which issue).
Here's a list of products that I used:
Rimmel London eyeshadow quad in Romantic Cool
Prestige eyeshadow in Golden Retriever
Loreal One Sweep Eyeshadow in playful for brown eyes
Rimmel London soft kohl kajal eyeliner pencil in Purple Passion
Covergirl Lashblast Luxe Mascara (number 845)
Now for the look:
1. Mix the lightest shade (an off-white) in the Rimmel quad with the Prestige eyeshadow on a medium-sized eyeshadow brush and sweep it from the inner corner to about the middle of the lid. Do the same underneath the eye.
2. Line the lash line (middle to outer corner) with the purple eyeliner. You can also line the rest of the bottom lash line, but don't be too harsh. Don't line the water line, like the picture on the right. The look we're going for here is a subtle, everyday look.
3. Take a small smudging brush and cover it with the darkest purple shade in the Loreal trio and sweep it over the liner and up to the crease. 
4. Take the small eyeshadow brush and blend any harsh lines (the gold should blend into the purple).
5. Curl your lashes and apply one to two coats of mascara.
6. Finish off the look with clear (or light pink) lip gloss.

I love this look for fall because it blends together two of my favourite colours to use on my lids. To switch it up you can put the gold all over your lid and the purple in the crease and line with black liner.
Stay stylish (even with your makeup!)

Fall Looks

As promised, here are some outfits with the fall trends I mentioned last week.

Fall Trends live from Campus

I've been wanting to write this up since my first day of class two weeks ago. But, like any fashion expert, I had to make sure all my first-day assumptions about University fashion were true (they were). So here are some general observations about fashion on campus and some fall trends that just happen to coincide with what I've seen.
The first thing I've noticed is that most students dress up for class. There are people from all over the world that come to study in Ottawa, and they bring with them fashion trends from their city, province, or country. It is a whole lot different from high school, where the basic jeans and t-shirt was the unofficial uniform. There are, of course, the people who wear sweats and flip-flops to class, but I'm guessing that's because they live on-campus and only have the one class that day (or because it's Friday, in which case dressing down is fine).
Now let's get down to the specifics. Sure, I've seen everything from jeans to skirts to dresses, but there are a few items that have been popping up more than others. First, the leather (or fake leather) jackets. These come in a variety of different colours, but most people stick with black or brown to get the most use out of it. They are usually short and light, with interesting details like studded or zipped pockets.
Next, I've seen an outbreak of scarves as the main accessory (especially since last week was a little chilly). These come in many different styles, weights, lengths, colours, and patterns. They can be worn many different ways and instantly dress up the jeans and t-shirt look from high school. Plus, they're a major trend for fall!
Even though it's not quite fall yet (or winter), I've already seen (and worn myself) all different kinds of boots. I know what you're thinking: boots are for winter!!! Why are people already wearing them??? They are an accessory. I mentioned this in my last post: the shoes you put on when you leave your house are the same shoes that you wear all day. They have to work with your outfit. I've seen ankle boots, heels, knee-highs, and even Uggs (which I think it's still too early for). Again, they come in different styles and colours. To touch in with the trends, riding boots are in fashion this fall.
To note some other fall trends (that I've seen here and there), plaid is still in style. Again, there are numerous styles and colours available, from cozy laid-back flannels to crisp, preppy collars. Also, blazers are still a major trend. They are good for the days when it's not cold enough for a jacket.
What did I wear for my first day of class? I paired dark denim flare jeans with a plain white t-shirt, and accessorized with a grey blazer, green water-coloured scarf, and black shoes. My friends called it "University chic." :)
That's all for now, but stay tuned for my next post for outfit ideas featuring all these trends!

Back to Campus

I hate to admit it, but in less than two weeks we will all be hitting the books again. For me, it is the start of University, which is scary but a little thrilling at the same time. I'm sure you've heard it before that when you look good, you feel good, which is why it's important to look your best even if you've been studying all night or just failed a test (I hope not).
Campus fashion needs to be practical. Who wants to sit through a three hour lecture in too tight pants or dash across campus in three-inch heels? I've put together a list of practical and classic pieces of clothing that will get you an A in Fashion 101.

1. Comfortable footwear. In high school, it was easy to just keep a few pairs of shoes in your locker if it was raining or if you didn't want to stay in your boots all day. However, on campus, you are pretty much stuck with the shoes you put on in the morning. I suggest Pumas, Converse, or Keds for sneakers, as they are lightweight and go with pretty much everything from skinny jeans to skirts. In the winter, a thick pair of boots work well for cold days, and one or two others for fashion and warmth. Personally, I think the look of skinny jeans tucked into knee-high boots is very chic. And who doesn't like shopping for shoes?
2. Outerwear.  In the past, a coat or jacket would be shoved into your locker at the start of the day, and taken back out at the end. Unless your campus has underground tunnels or atria linking every single building, outerwear will become your newest fashion accessory. Even in the winter, it gets hot walking around campus, so something not too bulky, but still warm is the ideal jacket. I suggest either a faux leather jacket or a sweater-material coat for those days that aren't too warm or cold (October/November), and a pea coat for the winter months. Make sure that your coat has a hood to protect your perfect blow-out from wind, rain, or snow.
3. Sturdy backpack or purse. If you're in science, I suggest you get a carry-on luggage for your books. Just kidding. A good bag is essential for University. If you choose a backpack, make sure it has lots of room and compartments for your wallet/cell phone/Ipod, etc. Your bag also depends on whether or not you want to bring your laptop to class. If so, make sure your bag has a separate compartment, or buy a smaller bag that will only fit your laptop. You don't want your books smashing your laptop! Purses are a bit more complicated, as there are more styles and sizes available. Look for one that has a cross-body strap as well as handles so the weight of your books isn't all on one shoulder.

Cool Hair: Book Review

This book, entitled "Cool Hair: A Teenager's Guide to the Best Beauty Secrets on Hair, Makeup, and Style," presents a wide variety of information on hair types and styles, as well as a chapter on skin and makeup. However, I did not come across anything on personal style or fashion, just advice here and there.
At first glance, this book seemed a little outdated. When I read that it was published in 2003, I thought, okay, it's not too old. That changed after I read the first few chapters. The book gives off a strong vibe that teenagers should experiment with their hair as much as possible- dye it, perm it, curl it, straighten it- because it will grow back. It overemphasized the fact that teens should be a little rebellious and try new things, which gave the writing style a dated feel.
Overall, this book did provide a great deal of information. It went through the different hair types and recommended new styles to go for and products to use and avoid. It stressed the importance of finding a good stylist who knows what will work (and what won't) with your hair.
The other sections of the book provided tips for healthy skin and the basics for makeup. It stressed the importance of a good diet to maintain a healthy complexion (this also goes for great hair). There was a breakdown of skin types and what products to use for each, as well as a section on dealing with acne. The chapter on makeup listed the essentials for a makeup bag. This includes foundation, concealer, powder, blush, lipstick (or gloss), eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, as well as brushes, a pair of tweezers, an eyelash curler, and Q-Tips.  There was also a quick run through of how to apply your makeup in the morning.
Overall, "Cool Hair" was a little outdated, but it did have some essential tips and tricks that even I forget! The main theme of this book was that if you look good, you feel good, which I believe is true.
Stay tuned for more book reviews!

Smokey Eye Look and Outfit

I recently found a simple picture of a smokey eye, but with a subtle twist: jade green eyeliner on the bottom lash line. I find that it tones down the boldness of a smokey eye and adds a pop of colour, since the other colours used are in the grey colour palette. There is also a hint of purple on the outer corner of the eye, which looks great with the grey and green.
Since the eyes are so dramatic in this look, it is always best to keep the rest of the face neutral- here I showed a light pink, almost nude lipstick.
As for the outfit, I decided to go with a prom-inspired A-line dress with a neat flower/vine pattern. The burgundy accessories complement the waistband and trim of the dress.

My Style...Part 2(?)

Hey fashionistas! So I was just playing around on http://www.polyvore.com/ and I found that there were many different templates to use if you're looking for inspiration. Here are some of the templates I used to create different looks:

Putting the "Access" in Accessories

An outfit is sometimes not complete without accessories. Accessories can add a punch to an outfit, and really show off a person's unique style. For example, if you were wearing a white blouse and black skirt, your look would most likely say "classic." However, just by adding a studded belt, knee-high boots, and a chunky necklace, the look would suddenly shift from "classic" to "edgy."
I love accessories. Particularly ones that feature pearls, bows, flowers, hearts, butterflies...anything that would make you say, "aw, that's so cute!" (I do this all the time when browsing websites.) Oh, and if they didn't cost so much, that would be great too.
On my recent (well, not so recent anymore) trip to England, I came across possibly the best accessory store in the entire world. Literally. The name of the store is Accessorize. If you like pearls, flowers, and bows like me, I recommend you check out the link below:
http://www.accessorize-usa.com/
For some reason, I can only get the USA site now, but I'm sure there's a way to change it to Great Britain pounds or Euros.
I love everything on this website. Absolutely everything. There is only one small fault: it is a tad bit expensive. The style laid out by Accessorize is similar to that of Forever 21. When I compared some products from both sites, they were almost identical, except in price. While accessories from Accessorize can range from $5 to $35, accessories from Forever 21 are rarely over $15. Let's compare, shall we?

The one on the right is a cupcake necklace from Accessorize, costing $9, while the ice cream necklace on the left is from Forever 21 and is only $4.80.

The owl necklace on the right is $10 from Accessorize, whereas the one from Forever 21 is $6.80.

The set of gold bangles on the left is $32 from Accessorize; the pack on the right is $6.80 at Forever 21.

The set of cute rings on the left is $14 from Accessorize while the ones on the right are $4.80 from Forever 21.

                               

The flower earrings on the left are $9 from Accessorize, however, at Forever 21 a set of three only comes to $3.80.

                            

The floral headband on the left is $14 from Accessorize; a similar one from Forever 21 is $4.80.

The handbag on the left is $70 from Accessorize, a similar one from Forever 21 is $30.80.

Now, I'm not advertising in any way that you should never shop at Accessorize just because Forever 21 is cheaper, I'm just comparing prices of similar items. Having bought accessories from both these stores, I can say that the quality is pretty much the same.

I credit the websites of Accessorize and Forever 21 for all the photos.

http://www.accessorize-usa.com/page/home/

http://canada.forever21.com/Product/Main.aspx?br=f21

Summer Inspiration



Downtown chic featuring high-waisted shorts and a bold top

Lace paired with a jean jacket for a laid-back, but still girly look

Nautical- mix and match reds, whites, and blues

SHOES! :)

This video is just plain hilarious :P enjoy!

Stay Classy

With summer quickly approaching, it's hard to stay focused on finishing school. Endless days of sunshine and warm temperatures while we have to stay inside finishing projects and studying for exams. The worst is when the air conditioning decides to break on what seems to be the hottest day of the year. What happens then? Two words for you: trashy fashion.
Tube tops, short shorts, low necklines, see-through tops, I've seen it all. Next someone will show up in a bikini. It's not stylish fashionistas. I know it's hot, but there are other ways to keep cool besides showing all. To beat the heat, here are some outfit ideas to get you through the hot weather.

This first outfit shows a nice length for shorts; not too short, and not long enough to be called bermudas. The top is nice and loose, which is what you need on a super hot day. Tight, spandex tops just stick as the day becomes hotter, so cotton is definitely the way to go. And if you have to wear a v-neck or revealing top, wear a cami underneath that's also lightweight. 


The outfit below shows a nice way to wear a tank top or cami. Just pair it with a lightweight cardigan, either long-sleeved or short- sleeved. We don't want to see your bra straps! Again, the skirt comes to mid-thigh, which is not too long or short.


Footwear I have no problem with. Flip flops, sandals, cute flats, wedges...I love shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Let's get some shoes. That video is hilarious. I will post it.

I think that's all, really. No revealing bra straps, low-cut tops, too short skirts, dresses, or skirts...yep, that's it. Don't worry. Summer vacation will come before you know it and then you can wear whatever you want. Until then, stay classy, not trashy. :)

British Fashion Part 3

Combining the essence of British style with a new summer trend comes bold sophisticate. The British not only dress sophisticated and put together, they also walk like they know it. A new trend this summer is colour-blocking, which includes clothing with different colours that are not arranged in stripes. You could take this trend one step further and pair together colours that would normally clash, such as purple and orange, in tailored pieces that fit the British style.

Above: welcoming spring and summer with bright colour combinations and bold accessories.

Can these all these three trends be mixed together? Of course they can (in moderation)! The picture on the right shows brightly-coloured shorts paired with a loose-fitting top and floral flats.

As a concluding note, British fashion is always a step ahead, sporting floral prints, bright colours, and loose-fitting tops all in a sophisticated way this summer. Planning your next vacation to England? Now you can fit right in with these top trends of the season.

All photos made on

www.polyvore.com

www.looklet.com.