Back to School Shopping—Dorm Decor Edition

It’s that time of the year everyone and I can practically hear the groans of kids all across the nation. Why? School is starting! I’m not going to lie, this is one of my favorite times of the year. It means that it’s time to do some back to school shopping. In my younger years, my excitement was towards the colorful school supplies and mechanical pencils. Now that I’m in college, all of my excitement is shopping for my dorm room decor! Here are a few basic guidelines to help you achieve the best dorm room for you.

I am a firm believer that your living space should be a representation of yourself. By this I mean you should decorate your space with things you like and things that make you feel happy. Your room is supposed to be your home away from home, the place you come to unwind and recharge. If your room doesn’t exemplify things that you are about, then it won’t be a place of relaxation and comfort.

Colors are so important when determining your decor, especially when you are figuring out the type of atmosphere you want your room to have. Warm tones like reds and yellows create a fun, upbeat, and lively vibe. Cool tones like blues and purples will create a more calm, chill, and relaxing vibe. It all comes down to you and what kind of environment suits you. As for me, I love happy and cheery vibes, so I chose warm tones for my room.

After you decide on colors, you can choose a theme! This is a very fun and essential part of your living space. This is where you can have lots of fun expressing yourself. Themes can range from preppy, boho, hipster, chic, etc. Within each theme, the possibilities are endless because it is all up to your interpretation. Add to your theme with posters of sayings that represent you, wall decals, photos, throws, and fun pillows. I am very free-spirited so I chose boho chic as my room theme. I decided to decorate with a beautiful tapestry to achieve this vibe.

Overall, the idea is to have fun with your room! Decorate as you wish and express yourself. Follow these basic guidelines and your room will surely be straight fire.

I would love to see how you decided to style your dorms for this year! Be sure to take lots of photos and tag us on social media at @Cfashionista!

4 Makeup Products You Need for That Sweet Summer Glow

As someone who rarely even bothers with makeup and knows next to nothing about the intricacies of the art, I thought it would be refreshing to do some vital research and maybe learn a thing or two. I enlisted the help of two Fashionista sisters and amateur makeup connoisseurs to show me some of their favorite products and how they incorporate them into their summer makeup routines.

1—Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection Palette. The Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette has a great mixture of light and dark colors and features a few nice shades of pink. These eye shadows are very pigmented and easy to blend, making them great for novice or professional makeup artists.

2—Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara. Benefit’s Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara is always the sisters’ go-to for their lashes. Although it’s on the pricier side, the quality is far superior to any other mascaras these Fashionistas have tried. They’re Real applies evenly with minimal clumping and stays on all day, even without primer!

3—Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette. The Naked Smoky Palette is a great collection of grays and browns that make for the perfect smoky eye. All the shades are very pigmented and application is effortless. The eye shadow also stays on very well for long periods of time without smudging or fading.

4—Milk Makeup Highlighter. The Milk Makeup Highlighter is a creamy highlighter that is the perfect tool to accentuate your natural look. Whether applied directly to your skin with the stick or just applied with your fingers, the results are stunning! The perfect way to embrace the summer sun!

Do you have a makeup product you swear by? Let us know in the comments or show us on social media! Tag @CFashionista!

How to Be Comfortable at Work

We’ve all been there, when you want to look decent for work but also want to be comfortable. If you’re lucky enough to have a work setting where you don’t have to wear business professional or right on that border, it’s a little easier to get away with more comfortable apparel. If you have a work setting where you can wear business casual, you’re likely to get away with outfits as long as they aren’t jeans. But some work settings jeans are totally acceptable as long it’s not leggings. Each level has a limit. This mermaid vibe look is perfect for all levels up to business professional. Business professional is pretty straightforward; you’re wearing a suit.

This outfit is both comfy and trendy. You can wear it to work, to a bridal shower, or on the town. The lace-up front for a top is seen everywhere. On a black top it’s perfect for a night out, on this floral top it’s fine to wear to work. Mix it with a comfortable green maxi skirt, and you’ve got yourself a perfect boho outfit. The Fashionista wore black sandals with this outfits. Some employers will allow that, but others will not. Therefore, you can pair it with flats as well. The Fashionista also has an amazing Little Mermaid and a few other inspirational Alex and Ani bracelets which deserve recognition. Alex and Ani bracelets can be added to any outfit and look fabulous.

In conclusion, you can be both comfortable and work appropriate. For the Fashionista it’s a comfortable, yet trendy top matched with a maxi skirt. My work place allows for jeans, so I wear them all the time. If you need comfortable slacks, Ann Taylor Loft has my personal favorite in the Marisa fit. Gap has super comfortable girlfriend chinos in multiple colors that could be worn in a business casual setting as well. Just remember, just because the dress code maybe more than your average “walk around campus with a baggy sweatshirt and leggings” look, it doesn’t have to be the most uncomfortable outfit in the world.

How do you stay comfortable in work clothes? Share your work outfit and tag us @CFashionista

Throwback Fashion for Fall

It’s no surprise that history tends to repeat itself. This statement can be seen through the repetition of trends throughout many decades. Styles never fully go away and are recycled for a new generation. Recently, we have seen the re-emergence of trends from the 1990s such as chokers, overalls, slip dresses, and athletic wear as fashion. The decade that’s now having a resurgence of popularity in the 1970s. There are so many iconic trends that came about during this decade. Many people draw inspiration from these trends that arose during the ‘70s to create a retro mood for a modern look. I am a big fan of many trends from this decade and I am excited to see how they are returning for this upcoming fall. Below, you can see my take on a look from the 1970s.

To begin my 1970s look, I wanted to mix hippie and rocker aspects that were popular in this decade. I chose a coral tube top with a textured, floral pattern. Although billowy tunics were popular in the 1970s, tube tops were also a favorite for many women. The bright coral is reminiscent of the early ‘70s as muted, earthy tones became popular later in the decade. I wanted to give my look a modern update with a more subdued floral pattern instead of using the big prints that were typical of the ’70s. Next, I wanted to draw inspiration from the punk-rock subculture that was so influential to ‘70s fashion. I chose a studded leather jacket to give my look an edgier feel. This jacket contrasts with the carefree and hippie aspects of my outfit.

Additionally, I added wide-leg, chambray pants to my look. I believe these pants are the most representative piece to the 1970s. The high waistline and flare of the pants create an image that will make anyone instantly think of the decade. Also, the billowy pants contrast perfectly with the slim-fitting tube top. I opted for chambray pants instead of denim to have a lighter feel for fall. Finally, I slipped on a pair of blush mules to complete my look. In the 1970s, backless shoes with a chunky heel were frequently sported. Incorporating the blush color makes the shoe a favorite for 2017.

The styles of the 1970s are coming back in a big way. I am so excited to rock more of these ’70s trends for the fall!

 What are your favorite trends from the ‘70s? Let me know in the comments below!

My Guide to Festival Style on a Budget

If you’re like me, then your dreams are bigger than your wallet. This is especially true when it comes to fantasizing about the closet I wish I had. When the festival season comes around, I find myself drooling over the Instagram posts of blogger’s outfits at Coachella. I excitedly click the link to their clothes only to be hit with sadness when I see that my dream romper is way out of my price range. Luckily, I’ve found ways to dress to impress on a college budget. Here’s how I do it:

Unique Pieces

I found this denim dress on Missguided recently and instantly fell in love. It gives off major ’70s vibes while still being on trend. Denim is usually casual; however, since it is all one piece, it stands out. But the best part is that it was on sale for less than $50! You can get a piece similar to it here.

Accessories

I’ve found that the best way to make an outfit look more expensive is to add accessories. My favorite accessory as of late is a printed scarf. It’s such a versatile piece that you can wear on your head, around your neck, or even tied to your belt loop. This scarf was less than $10 at Forever 21, but you can find one like it here.

Trending Pieces

The best thing about clothing stores like Forever 21 and Topshop is that they make trendy pieces for a fraction of the designer price. The top on the right is a perfect example of looking good on a budget. The simple pattern doesn’t overwhelm the style of the shirt, and this makes it look more expensive than it is. You can find a top like this one here.

How do you dress for a festival on a college budget? Tag @Cfashionista on social media or leave a comment below!

Bringing Back The Denim Skirt

Denim skirts used to be all the hype when I was a fifth grader. I remember wearing my denim skirt with a shirt from the Mary-Kate and Ashley’s line that they used to sell and a pair of flats that probably didn’t even match. Fast forward to sixth grade through the end of high school, you wouldn’t catch me in a denim skirt to save my life! Of course though, like everything else, denim has made its way back and it’s bigger than ever. I now want all the denim skirts, light shades, dark shades, and all the in between shades.

Bringing It Back: The Denim Skirt

I snagged this denim skirt on sale and I fell absolutely in love. It has the perfect snug fit on my hips but also is extremely flattering toward the bottom of the skirt. For being a denim skirt, it is also very comfortable. Also, talking about bringing things back, I paired my the skirt with one of my favorite white off-the-shoulder tops. Off-the-shoulder tops are also my favorite and it instantly elevates any outfit. If you are wearing just plain jeans and add an off-the-shoulder top, your outfit will look instantly more put together.

Now onto my slides. Like everything else in this outfit, I’m obsessed with them. Slides are the easiest thing to put on and they look extremely chic with any outfit. I have probably bought about five pairs of slides this summer in so many different colors. If you are looking for a practical, comfortable, and chic shoe, grab a pair of slides!

What are some of your favorite items to wear this summer? Are you loving denim skirts, too? Let us know in the comments below!

Back to Boho Chic

As we work our way through August, we realize the school year is fast approaching, and it is time to start thinking about our back-to-school wardrobe! The leaves are falling, the temperatures are slowly beginning to drop, and for us fashion enthusiasts, the style trends can begin to be worn in full force for the fast approaching season. So what style has caught my eye? Bohemian chic. Cool enough for the school year? Definitely. This Fashionista rocked this style by making it her own and modernizing it.

This Fashionista nails the boho chic, cool girl look by personalizing it to fit her own creative style. Her simple accessories, consisting of reflective sunnies and a choker, add just the right amount of chic to the look. The dark medium wash of her jeans is one of the most popular shades of denim, making them the ideal choice for this Fashionista.

Her laser cut suede vest is the perfect layering piece for those cool mornings and evenings. It’s also great for adding some texture to the outfit. Her moccasins are the perfect transition shoe during these next few months since they won’t weigh down the look. The caramel brown color of the shoe is the right choice too since black may look too heavy. She completed these trend essentials with a cream colored peasant top, the perfect blank canvas to truly make this the definition of a boho-chic look without overdoing it.

Autumn is coming fast and so is back-to-school. Thanks to the boho chic look of this Fashionista you’ll be ready to jump back into the classroom with style!

What’s your favorite back-to-school look? Share your thoughts and inspiration on social media now by tagging @CFashionista!

3 Easy Hairstyles for Any Occasion

I recently got a haircut because I felt it was time for something fresh; a little change would do me good. Whenever I get a new haircut I like to play with it and see what fun hairstyles look good with my new cut. So, I did some research and these are three of my favorite hairstyles that I use on a short haircut, but would definitely work with long hair as well. These hairstyles work best on day old hair, as it has more grip and hold. If you cannot do day old hair, try a sea salt texture spray. I love these hairstyles because they are great whether you’re hanging out at the beach or out on a date.

This first hairstyle is very simple yet, elegant with a bohemian vibe to it. You start by parting your hair down the front in the middle of your head. Then, you grab the front section on one side of your head and braid it. The trick to getting a full looking braid is to loosen it once the rubber band has been tied. You do this by pulling the braid apart going up and down until the braid looks bigger. Now, braid the other section of your hair. After both section of your hair have been braided, then pulled, pull the braids back and use bobby pins to tuck your braid tails under the back section of your hair. And you are done! This hairstyle is super beautiful and easy.



This next hairstyle is a variation of the hairstyle above. This one is a little bit edgier and a great way to show off a cute pair of earrings. To do this hairstyle, you start the same as the one above. For this one, I like to grab a little bit more hair to make the braid even bigger. Don’t forget to pull the braid apart! After you’ve made the braid, all you need to do is pin it behind the hair in the back. This hairstyle also looks super cute with a detailed clip holding it back.

The third hairstyle is a great one for hot days when you want something cuter than a boring ponytail. This is a twist on the classic top knot. I love a messy top knot but adding braids makes it even better. To do this hairstyle, all you do is grab the top section of your hair and pull it back into a high bun. You then grab a small section of hair in the front under the topknot and braid it. Pull those little braids apart and pin them into your bun. Voila! Cute, easy and better than a ponytail.

What are your favorite quick and easy hairstyles? let us know in the comments below! and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The One Trend I’m Absolutely Obsessed With

As someone who is obsessed with fashion and all things related, it might seem odd when I say that I’m not too keen when it comes to trends, especially ones that seem to come and go before you can even blink an eye. As much as I love to take risks with fashion, I am always continuously drawn towards classic shapes and silhouettes that feel timeless and effortless.

Fashion and how you dress day-to-day can often become somewhat of a routine; we get comfortable with dressing in a certain way and it just sticks. I’m starting to realize this more and more as I take a deeper look into my own closet. This fact is pretty evident in the evergrowing sea of black shoes I have. I always use the justification, “Well, this pair will go with everything. They’re black, after all!” Point taken and noted. I truly do have a black shoe for every occasion. But lately I’ve been craving something different and new and I’ve found myself unreasonably addicted to a trend I’ve seen all over the runways and the streets: vivid, rainbow colors incorporated into an everyday dress.

There’s something so refreshing about wearing bright colors. There is nothing quiet or humble or timid about this trend—it’s right there, in your face. It makes a statement. It has a voice and not a hushed one for that matter. It simply feels so refreshing to wear colors that emit happiness and positivity.

In this look, I styled my outfit rather simply to let all the colors do the talking. I’m wearing a straw boater hat that is the perfect addition to any outfit in the summertime. I layered my funky tunic with a black bralette that is neutral and gives some balance to the look. The perfect shoes for this look were a pair of Birkenstocks, but if I was feeling extra funky I would’ve thrown on my chunky clogs.

The summer is coming to an end but I’m going to try to incorporate more color into my looks as fall comes upon us. I simply cannot get enough of this trend. There’s something so nostalgic about the bright colors that have me yearning for a time quite before mine. The feelings and thoughts of those times are still very alive today and can be felt by wearing this bright and vivid trend that is nostalgic but in a very refreshing and relevant way.

How are you wearing bright colors? Tag @Cfashionista in your posts to let us know!

Thrifty and Thriving—Finding High Fashion at Low Prices

To be a college student in this day and age has many meanings: you’re young, you’re getting an education, possibly working a job, and you have the whole world at your feet. This is the time to learn about subjects you love, subjects you hate, yourself, and the people around you. And chances are, you’re also beginning to explore your independence and the slim budget that comes with it! But, have no fear! There are still many ways to keep up your Fashionista lifestyle without cringing every time you check your bank account balance.

During my first year as a college student, I fell in love with thrift shopping and clothing swaps. One of my good friends also introduced me to a Facebook page where girls in my area were reselling their fabulous clothes for dirt cheap. Finding cheap gems to add to my wardrobe is always the highlight of my day, however, I will admit that it does require some patience. There are definitely some duds that hang on the racks at some thrift shops. However, if you try hard enough, you can leave with the perfect item without burning a hole in your pocket!

In her first look, this Fashionista rocked the boho vibe in an Anthropologie top, Calvin Klein shorts, and a brown fringed backpack, all of which came from her favorite thrift store. She also sported a scrunchy on one wrist, a gold necklace, and her mom’s vintage bandana around her hair. Both her top and shorts could easily cost over $50 each at retail value, but she was able to walk away with that outfit having spent less than $25! This cute combo is a perfect everyday look, whether you’ve got a class or a coffee date!

In the second look, she used a Free People top with Calvin Klein jeans. This soft, burnt-orange top had a netted overlay and crops just above the belly-button. This was re-sold to her from a page on Facebook for only $10. Her high-waisted Calvin Klein jeans go perfectly with any top and only cost her $8. She ended up throwing on some lipstick and re-purposing her mom’s vintage bandana as a neck scarf. Her tan booties were not thrifted, but they were too cute not to mention! This look is perfect for a night out or an outdoor concert.

Buying pre-loved clothes is an amazing way to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. There’s such a wide array of clothing out there that it’s easy to find what you need for any type of look!

Do you like to thrift for your clothes? Let us know in the comments!