Author: Jordan Trombetta

5 Steps to Achieving a Healthy Balance in College

We all know getting back into our college routines can be a challenge. While going through your first few weeks, stressors arise and it is easy to become overwhelmed. From mental health to physical health, here are five tips to assist you in keeping a healthy balance this semester.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

1—Get organized

Get yourself an agenda and a cup of coffee and have a long date with each of your syllabi. Write down every single assignment, quiz, and exam in your new planner. Mapping out all of the dates will help you with time management and keep your stress levels low. Once you get organized, set achievable goals. Your goals can be in regard to schoolwork, your health, or even trying to read a new book each month.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

2—Create a workout routine

Studies have proven time and time again that a simple workout routine can boost our mood, reduce stress, and provide physical benefits. Find something you like to do, whether it be yoga, running, or even taking a group fitness class! Don’t overdo it or beat yourself up for missing a sweat session. Again, it is all about finding that healthy balance in our crazy college schedules and keeping our bodies healthy and strong.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Treat yourself

In the great words of Tom Haverford, “treat yo self” to the little luxuries in life. This doesn’t mean impulsively spend half of your savings on a new pair of shoes (unless you really want to). It just means you shouldn’t stress about eating that pizza on Friday night. Buy that expensive latte you really could live without. Do not be ashamed to spend some cash on these luxuries, and do not kick yourself if you’ve had cheat meals three days in a row. Again, find that healthy balance and learn to love living your life.

 

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

4—Hang out with friends

As busy as your schedule may be, find some time in between classes and schoolwork to unwind with your friends. Not only is going out for lunch a perfect excuse for a study break, but it is also a great morale boost. Taking time to go out and have fun with the people you love is important. Sometimes all you need is a little therapy session with the girls to get you right back on track!

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

5—Have some alone time

This may be one of the most important tricks to achieving the all-around healthy balance in your world. We all need to decompress and let our minds rest every once in a while. Be a little selfish. It is okay to take a nap or to let your mind become numb while binging on your favorite reruns. Take an hour or two whenever you need it, and don’t apologize for it.

 

How do you keep a healthy balance during the semester? Let us know in the comments below!

Say Goodbye to Brassy Tones With This Magic Product

Ah, yes. The balayage trend is still in full swing. We strive to achieve the icy blonde tresses taunting us on Pinterest and Instagram as we scroll. Combatting brassy tones in blonde hair is a major problem many of us face once we leave the salon. Proper upkeep can make our beloved stylists’ jobs easier and maybe even save you a little cash in the future. What college student doesn’t love that? But a better question is what’s the best way to beat the brass?

I tried countless methods to keep my “fresh out of the salon” blonde bright without damaging my hair and my bank account. Purple and blue shampoos were suggested to me to try, but they ended up drying out my hair. I found the money and energy I put into upkeep to be a complete waste. Major frizz and breakage, as well as hair that was getting brassier each day, were my results. The worst part was this solution so many hair stylists swore by turned out to be no solution at all!

I thought back to when I used colored conditioners by oVertone for my bold, teal hair. These color depositing conditioners are the holy grail of hair care. They kept my hair bright and beautiful between salon visits and were easy to use. After a visit to my stylist, I decided to give both the pastel purple and pastel blue conditioners a try. I hoped to cancel out all brassy tones that would pop up in my hair.

It’s been almost three months since my last hair appointment, and my hair is healthier and brighter than ever. OVertone conditioners are vegan, cruelty-free, and contain no dyes, leaving hair refreshed and luscious. To tone your hair with these conditioners, first see which color would best suit your hair. Look at the color wheel— if you have a yellow blonde then purchase the pastel purple. If you have a more orange shade opt for the pastel blue. I like my hair on the icy, almost silver side, so I mix the two together. Just shampoo as you normally would and then completely saturate your hair with a diluted amount of the colored conditioner. Let it sit for a minute, and then rinse! It’s that simple to say goodbye to those stubborn brassy tones!

Do you have any special tips on up keeping your salon hair? Let me know in the comments below!

Menswear Is for the Girls

Summer—the season of weddings, graduation celebrations, and internships. Men have it easy when it comes to dressing for these events. No matter the occasion, a button-down shirt, sleek pair of pants and a matching belt can always keep the men in our lives looking sharp. So this had me thinking, should we be taking more fashion tips from our fathers? The answer is yes!

One of my favorite pieces of menswear for the summer season is a crisp white button-down shirt. This is a staple summer item for any man’s wardrobe as it can be casually styled or dressed up with a tie for a formal occasion. Wearing a clean, white shirt leaves room to explore fun and interesting colors for pants and accessories, such as this striped ribbon belt.

To put my own spin on this classic summer look for men, I used an oversize dress shirt from my father’s closet and turned it into a dress. To make the look more interesting I kept the top buttons unbuttoned and created an off-the-shoulder silhouette, which is popular in women’s fashion this season. I added a pop of color with some high-waisted purple shorts underneath and cinched my waist with a ribbon belt from F.H. Wadsworth. The kitten heels and floral necklace added the perfect dose of femininity to the outfit.

What I loved most about this outfit was not only the power and confidence it gave me but also how the feminine aspects perfectly coincided with the masculinity of the look. It is fun to find creative ways to wear/transform simple garments into something else. This was a great outfit for that challenge. You could wear this look out to lunch with friends, to your internship, or even out on a date! The possibilities are endless with such a classic outfit.

How do you mix menswear into your summer wardrobe? Show us on social media by tagging @CFashionista!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Playin’ in Paisley

Paisley is a classic print that was extremely popular throughout the ’60s for its psychedelic flair. It was worn by tons of fashion icons and celebrities such as The Beatles and Mick Jagger. This Fashionista put her own feminine twist on this funky print, taking it from a vintage staple to a modern muse.

What I found to be the most striking element in this look was the rich, deep shades of the paisley print contrasting against the stark white tint of her overalls. She purchased this blouse at the local thrift shop in town, which she said she visits frequently. This groovy shirt has brassy, gold buttons that complement her pearly earrings; this Fashionista claims they are the one accessory she cannot leave the house without.

Her overalls overflowed with tiny details that brought this outfit up a notch, like the crisscross of the straps in the back. This was a neat detail she added to her look when she styled the outfit, and I found it to be rather innovative. These overalls also had slight distressing around the knee and a very subtle floral design that she coordinated with the paisley motif. This Fashionista also paired her suede booties seamlessly with her shirt, creating harmony within her outfit.

The next time you Fashionistas head to the thrift shop to scour the racks for treasures, keep your eyes peeled for some paisley. There are endless ways to transcend this antiquated pattern and give it a chic, modern look, just like this Fashionista did.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Style Guru in Distress

Spring has come a few weeks early for many of us this year. February came in like a lion and out like a lamb! Although this is the result of the climate shifting and our environment crying out for help (yes, global warming is actually real!), the students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania soaked up the sun and took full advantage of these 70-degree days.

As much as I adore clothing and going shopping for new items, I have really cut back on what I buy and what brands I purchase clothing from. The fast fashion industry takes a huge toll on our planet, coming only in second place to the oil industry. To do our part as Fashionistas, we must do more upcycling with clothes we already own or even with garments we can buy at the local thrift shop! Not only is it fun to get creative and change up your look, but you are also making Earth smile with every item you are not tossing in the trash.

The look I chose on this sunny day is completely made up of clothing from thrift stores! I purchased my T-shirt at the local Goodwill and made it my own by distressing it and adding playful cut outs. I have plans to later acid wash it, but for now I am pleased with its turnout. My shorts were once a pair of super high-waisted mom jeans that I made in high school and are still a staple part of my wardrobe. As for my boots, I purchased those at a Buffalo Exchange and have had them for years!

I hope my look inspires more people to go and create new looks while also helping out our beautiful planet. The Earth is our home, and we must take care of it before it gets too late. Do your part, Fashionistas, and happy thrifting!

WHAT TO WEAR: Lunch Date

Being home for the holidays—what can be better? Seeing your family, catching up with hometown friends, and running into your old high school crush. Sure, it’s been a few years, but you can still feel the spark! You end up making plans to go to lunch at a casual café in town. Immediately, you start planning your perfect look: one that is understatedly chic and seems completely effortless.

My favorite color of 2016 was the dusty rose shade of pink, and it is surely here to stay. This color is still popping up all over the fashion scene at the start of 2017, and it goes perfectly with the dreamy winter sky. Another huge trend from the past year was denim skirts, and they are definitely a garment that will not be leaving our campuses just yet. This Fashionista wore a beautiful light pink denim skirt and styled it with a unique patriotic, fringed shawl. My favorite part of this look is the way this Fashionista tied up the shawl, which I found so clever and interesting. The knotted shawl added such a wonderful statement and point of interest in the outfit, and I am still obsessing.

Suede booties are always a perfect way to dress up any look while still keeping it pretty comfortable and casual. In my opinion, they can pull any look together and take it to another level. Cross-body bags are also essential when going out, as they are the perfect size to carry all of the necessities you will need on your date. This Fashionista added her own personal flair with her ankle bracelet, which I think fit her personality perfectly!

From top to bottom, this outfit is perfect for a lunch date in your tiny hometown. This Fashionista’s look is pulled together without trying too hard, which is perfect for the occasion. If her outfit was any indication of how her date went, I am sure it was a success!

WHAT TO WEAR: Study Date

It’s that time of the semester. As much as we hate to admit it, finals have crept up on us yet again. Seriously, where has the time gone? Well, the weeks have flown by and now we Gurus are scrambling to finish those last finishing touches on projects and cramming for exams. But another battle we face during this tough week is the one with our wardrobe. It is so easy to be consumed by the sweatpants in our closet, but we must stay strong and keep our outfits looking sharp. I mean, we can at least pretend we are not crumbling under the pressure of finals if we look pulled together, am I right?

When I saw this Fashionisto on campus, he was headed to the library to study for his upcoming exams. The bright shade of green and the mustard yellow in his outfit contrasted against the dreary winter sky and he immediately caught my attention. He managed to create the perfect outfit to study in—complete comfort along with fashionable details. The leather jacket gave this look dimension, and was perfectly layered over the hoodie and overalls for this snowy day. My favorite part of this look was the camouflage sneaker boots, which added some pattern and flair to break up the color blocking.

Dressing well can give us a major boost in confidence, and confidence can lead to success. Don’t worry Gurus, the end of this stressful week will be here before you know it! So let’s all study hard, crush our exams and focus on the long, winter break ahead—we deserve it!

STYLE GURU BIO: Jordan Trombetta

Hello Fashionistas and Fashionistos! I am Jordan Trombetta, a returning Style Guru for the lovely CollegeFashionista. It is hard to believe, but I have been writing for this site for a year now! I am incredibly excited to continue on this RAD journey with my fellow members of the Guru Gang.

I am currently a junior fashion merchandising student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Aside from fashion, I also study marketing and studio art, which has driven me to dive deeper into all of the aspects of the fashion industry. Some of my non-fashion hobbies include teaching my yoga classes, playing with my beautiful pup, and spending time with family and friends. In my spare time, I love to browse through Pinterest, scroll through some of my favorite fashion blogs, and do photoshoots.

My favorite fabric of all time is velvet; pretty much half of my wardrobe is made of this luxurious material. Alexander McQueen (may he rest in peace) is one of my favorite designers of all time. Lately, I have been very inspired by all of the antique florals in their S/S 17 line. Super bright colors and floral prints are not usually my go-to, but I decided to style myself in something fun and bright to get me through the dreary winter weather. I chose this velvet, floral bodysuit from Urban Outfitters with high-waisted jeans and pointed-toe heels to personify my style. This outfit could be perfect for a girls’ night out or for a fancy dinner date.

I can’t wait to keep you all updated on the newest styles of this spring. I am truly inspired by my fellow Gurus and hope to inspire you all as well! To stay notified on my latest posts, be sure to follow my social media accounts! Here’s to a RAD start of the semester!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Slip ‘n Slide

Fall is one of my favorite times of year: crisp weather, the change of the leaves and all of the new collections premiering during Fashion Week. What Fashionista doesn’t love to curl up with some coffee and watch the runway shows? Well, the designers’ hard work sure paid off and gave many Style Gurus major outfit inspiration.

Slip dresses have been popping up all over the fashion scene lately, especially in the spring 2017 ready-to-wear line by Marques ’ Almeida. I based this look off of their runway show from London Fashion Week earlier this September. Their collection included dainty, floral slip dresses with an edgy, street-style tone. Many of the outfits also included a load of denim, which also attracted me to this collection. As soon as I saw this line, I envisioned an outfit that would easily translate from the runway to the street.

Much to my surprise, the weather in Pennsylvania has not yet turned completely bitter, so this look can still be comfortably worn during our last few sunny days. To achieve the look I imagined, I layered two slip dresses together, borrowed a fellow Fashionista’s oversized denim jacket and grabbed my favorite pointed-toe pumps. Many of the models Paulo and Marta chose to walk in their show had unnatural hair colors, which went right along with my current hairstyle.

What I love most about this look is how easy it is to take it from day to night, just by a simple change of the jacket. Switching out that denim for a leather one or even a bomber can completely transform this look!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Ripped in Peace

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is to go to the nearest thrift store and scour the racks to find new clothes to upcycle. I have been upcycling jeans for years, and they are my favorite garment to personalize. You can do so many different and interesting things to them and completely make them your own. When I asked this Fashionista where she purchased her jeans, I was excited to hear she had distressed them herself after purchasing them from the local Goodwill.

This Fashionista originally caught my eye with her RAD pair of distressed jeans, but kept my attention with all of the intricate details in her outfit. “Mom” jeans are making a huge statement on my college campus this season as we shift from summer to autumn. This Fashionista amped up her thrifted jeans and made them her own by adding a peek-a-boo slit underneath the back pocket. Denim is a staple piece in any Fashionista’s wardrobe, and this pair is for the bold hearted.

Aside from her jeans, my favorite part of this Fashionista’s look was her accessories, which were so colorful and exciting. Her western inspired belt tied her entire look together and added a point of interest. One of my favorite accessories worn in this look was the ankle bracelet, which was hidden from my original sight; it was a pleasant surprise when it was revealed. She was not afraid to mix and match all of her jewelry, which added personality and depth to her outfit.

This fall, don’t get stuck in the rut of wearing boring jeans. All you need to achieve this look is your favorite pair, scissors and some patience. So go out, get your own and get creative!