Brunch – CollegeFashionista

3 Ways to Style One Versatile Piece

This summer was one of growth for myself both personally and professionally. I didn’t plan for more than just simply splashing in the waves with my friends I hadn’t seen since Christmas.

This past semester, I studied abroad in Prague, and the experiences I lived there will be ones I never forget. However, after four months, I couldn’t wait to be home in Florida soaking up the sun central Europe had just begun to see. That’s when everything changed: I got an email congratulating me on landing my dream internship… in New York City. I knew I would be back in the fall for my senior year, which is partly why this summer was so important, and now it was being stripped away. Flash forward two months: summer is almost over and I have spent it learning so much about my craft and meeting people who will shape my future. Sometimes, the unexpected things in life end up being the most important or best moments, and I do not regret any of them this summer.

However, with only a couple of days to pack up my entire summer wardrobe and 50 pounds to limit it to… let’s just say Kate from Lizzie McGuire would be judging me so hard as I have definitely been an outfit repeater. So, with limited options and a little creativity, here are five outfits that use one piece to take you stylish in and out of the office.

Culottes are completely in right now, but why not get double duty from them in jumpsuit form? Wear them with some cute slides and a crossbody for an effortless weekend look or dress them up heels and a clutch for a night on the town. I opted to go a step further and found three ways to make my culotte jumpsuit completely unrecognizable but completely fashionable.

1—For the office. Pair with a white, embellished button-down shirt (no jewelry, thank you), a sharp blazer, and kitten heels. Smart, sneaky, and stylish!

2—For the weekend. Wear your favorite lived-in embellished T-shirt with a small knot tucked in for brunch with friends.

3—For a night on the town. Tuck the top of the jumpsuit down and wear an off-the-shoulder black velvet top to add a luxe factor. Belted with a crystal-beaded sash, it’s the perfect outfit for the perfect night out.

What ways do you repurpose pieces in your closet? Share your looks with us on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

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The Places You Must See in Brooklyn, According To Your Instagram Feed

There’s no denying that New York City is the fashion capital of the U.S.; so naturally, for those of us who dream of working in the industry, it’s the end-all, be-all place to end up post-grad. What no one tells you is how absolutely impossible it is for anyone to live there on an entry-level salary. Not only is rent shockingly pricey, but so is everything else. Basically, every after-work activity that us 20-somethings enjoy doing is outside of our price range. So where do us normal people live and hang out when you work in NYC but don’t have a six figure salary – or a salary at all (shout out to all the unpaid interns out there)? Help us, we’re poor.

Living in Brooklyn is moving its way up the where-to-live totem pole for Millennials and Gen-Zers stationed in New York. Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Fort Greene have all the cute photo-op spots, coffee shops, and under-the-radar vintage boutiques that the city has, all at a fraction of the price. While I’m aware that the occasional trip to Manhattan is a must, there’s plenty to keep you busy on the other side of the East River. Below, I’m spotlighting the best and brightest of Brooklyn, NYC It-Girls approved.

THE BREAK

Not into sifting through racks and racks of junk just to find one or two good finds at Goodwill or Unique? The Break offers a highly-curated collection of vintage pieces ranging from 50s dresses to 90s band tees, all at a reasonable price. Check out their Instagram for updates on sales and special events.

Where: 82 Dobbins St. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

FREEHOLD

This massive restaurant-bar-outdoor escape is located a short walk from the Brooklyn Bridge and can satisfy every single one of your cravings whether you need a Sunday brunch spot, a quick coffee-croissant combo, or an after-work cocktail. Make sure to check out Freehold’s website to stay in the know on their daily deals.

Where: 45 S. 3rd St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

BLESSINGS CAFÉ

If you’re in need of a new brunch spot, you’ve found the right place. Sit out back in the outdoor patio or inside to enjoy the staff’s impressive music selection. Need another reason to check out Blessings Café? They host a Record Night every Wednesday from 8-10pm.

Where: 663 Flatbush Ave. in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

SWORDS SMITH

For those of you who crave the knowledge that you found something first—whether it be a trend, a designer, or even a new store (!!), Swords-Smith is for you. Founders Briana Swords and R Smith moved into Williamsburg long before it was the “it” place to live and wanted to create a space that held onto the Brooklyn they know and love. The inventory is ever-changing, but expect to see a range of designer rags from Samuji to MM6 Maison Margiela. Can’t make it to the store, check out their online website.

Where: 98 S 4th St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

MIRTH VINTAGE

Greenpoint has its fair share of vintage shops, but Mirth is at the front of the herd. Whether you’re looking for a fitted vintage suit for the office or the perfect pair of vintage jeans, I guarantee that Mirth should be one of your first stops. Coming from Manhattan? Take the ferry – the view is to die for.

Where: 606 Manhattan Ave. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

DOBBIN ST. VINTAGE CO-OP

After buying way too much (in the best way) vintage from The Break, head around the corner to Dobbin St. Vintage Co-Op for even more. While the store also has vintage clothing, the real finds here are furniture. Say you’re looking to recreate Don and Megan Draper’s mod apartment or live in a Wes Anderson flick, Dobbin St. has something, somewhere that you’ll fall in love with.

Where: 37 Norman Ave. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

SYNDICATED

Not really an IMAX person? Check out Syndicated for a rather unique movie theatre experience. Whether your parents cut you off their HBO account and you need a place to watch Game of Thrones on Sunday or just want to see your favorite old-school flick somewhere other than your couch, Syndicated is the place to go. Keep up with their Instagram for what’s on the agenda.

Where: 40 Bogart St. in Bushwick, Brooklyn

CARTHAGE MUST BE DESTROYED

Be “in the know” and go to Carthage Must Be Destroyed, which despite its rather intense nomenclature, is actually very pink and very aesthetically pleasing. If you’re looking for a place to go on a Saturday for a morning yoga class and post-sweat brunch, this is the place for you. Just downstairs is an equally lovely yoga studio, Like a Prayer Yoga. Basically, this is the place to be.

Where: 222 Bogart St. in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Any other must-sees in Brooklyn? Let us know in the comments below!

Keeping It Simple When Going Out to Summer Brunch in the City

Oh, how I love summer brunch in the city. Not just for the strawberry french toast and eggs, but for the comfort of dressing up. I’m always finding some sort of excuse to dress up. Whether it be going out to brunch, dinner, or just to my favorite coffee shop. This gorgeous glowing Fashionista keeps it simple when it comes to going out to brunch in Old City, Philadephia. Keeping it simple for a summer brunch means wearing light clothing for comfort, a small shoulder bag purse, and less makeup. Just remember that when it comes to brunch, there is no need to really glam up. Save all your glam for later that evening.

This Fashionista decided to choose comfort and style when going out to her favorite brunch spot. She is wearing a striped dress from Madewell. What I love about this dress is the material of the dress which is made out of breezy crinkled cotton that’s inspired by a vintage embroidery piece. As far as what to bring with you to brunch, it should be just a few items. Items such as your phone, money, credit cards, and lip gloss. The Fashionista has the right idea with this small shoulder bag from H&M. The shoulder bag can be worn two ways depending on your mood. You can wear it either over the shoulder or like a crossbody bag such as how the Fashionista is wearing it. The Fashionista’s bracelet is exclusively handmade from an upcoming handmade jewelry line called Spoiled By Sparkles, which is launching very soon.

The straw hat is vintage. A similar hat you can find is at Forever 21. You can find straw hats just about anywhere now and days. Straw hats for a summer brunch are great to wear because it brings out your outfit giving it a more stylish look.

Can we talk about how gorgeous is this Fashionista’s wedges are? The flower ornament detailing is so pretty. The wedges are Chinese Laundry. When going out to brunch with friends or family, wedges are so much fun to wear when paired with a super comfy dress. In order to achieve this look for summer brunch, start by searching for a comfortable summertime dress with great patterns. Make sure when choosing a dress with patterns go for more lighter colors, such as white. Go light on the bag and bring something smaller such as a shoulder bag so you can only carry important items you need. Wear shoes that are super comfy but stylish. Wedges would be a good choice because not only are they comfy and stylish, but they are also the hottest summer trend right now. Put the icing on the cake by adding a sun hat to your look. This will jazz up your outfit completely. Also, go for limited jewelry, such as a bracelet or some earrings, and do less makeup.

How would you dress up your look for a summer brunch? Show us on Instagram and tag @Cfashionista!

Girls’ Brunch Out

Whether you went to bed early and made it to 9 a.m. yoga or stayed out late the night before, brunch on Saturday morning with eggs, pancakes, and mimosas are necessary.

In New York City, it is the one meal that rules them all—which means your look should rule, too. It can be challenging to put together the perfect outfit that looks fabulous yet effortless. Here are three different summer outfits that will make your brunch egg-stra special!

1—Boho prints. Brunch was practically invented so you could have fun so why not experiment with some prints? Sara wears a flowy, printed dress that gives off a casual vibe paired with neutral color-block wedges. She gave the look a bit of edge with a silver jewelry, including a long layered necklace, teardrop earrings and a combination of large and small rings. This unexpected brunch look will make the people at the table next to you do a double take!

2—Bold yet functional. If you want something on trend but also comfy enough to hide the food baby you are about to get from all the pancakes, a jumpsuit is the way to go! This bold red one is a showstopper for the girl that wants to stand out. Paired with nude wedges and a tan floppy hat, this look gives you instant glam to sip those mimosas. Pick one you love and prepare yourself for compliments!

3—Soft florals. Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Florals for summer? On point. This floral sundress is girly and almost as sweet as the french toast on the table. The cap sleeve and the button-down front add subtle details that go a long way. With natural face makeup and a pair of shades, it will take you no more than 10 minutes to get ready for brunch with the squad.

Share your own brunch look on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Brunch with the Girls

There’s no better way to spend a Sunday morning than heading into Georgetown for brunch at a perfect little café. Mix in a couple of friends, a Dean & Deluca chai latte, a few hours of shopping, and a spirit ready for exploring, and you have yourself the ideal combination to set you up for a fabulous day.

That’s exactly how I spent my Sunday—brunch, friends, shopping, and exploring. To ensure I was dressed from head to toe in an outfit fit for whatever we found ourselves doing, I wanted to be stylish yet comfortable.

On the bottom, I wore rose colored high-rise pants. These pants are perfect for a weekend adventure or a stylish day at the office. They’re extremely soft and stretchy (dare I say they’re as comfortable as your favorite pair of sweatpants), and yet they don’t look too casual. The look is sealed with a fun, trendy bow.

On top, I wore an off-white crop top to really emphasize the high-rise cut of the pants. It allowed just a little bit of skin to show, keeping the look classy yet slightly edgy. I love this top because it is as soft as a sweater and has a nice tailored look to it. If I were wearing a look like this to work, I’d go with a classic blouse and white blazer.

Since my other accessories, like my go-to Michael Kors watch, were minimal, I wanted to ensure my shoes were fun and bold. I wore my favorite (and new!) gray heels. Believe it or not, they’re Toms. Like I said before—I wanted a look that was stylish and comfortable. These shoes were easy to walk in but also a guaranteed style win.

If you’re looking for your next brunch outfit or something to wear to your internship, feel free to get some inspiration from my look. Don’t forget to share your look on social media and tag @Cfashionista!

How a True Foodie Travels

When exploring a new city, I don’t want to waste any time. Show me the cutest coffee shops and the best dinner spots. I want to know which parks are great for picnics and a long list of the must-see attractions. If we’re being honest, Yelp just doesn’t cut it for me. I want something more focused toward my age group. I’m looking for an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, a meal that shocks my taste buds, and at a reasonable price that allows me to consider ordering another round of drinks.

I recently went to Chicago for the first time and would dare to claim I hit the jackpot. By using my usual “travel tricks” I arrived at the airport with my iPhone notes filled with several spots I was dying to check out. All of them found with a little (or a lot) of help from Instagram. By using the app wisely, you can find amazing spots to check out no matter where your destination is.

1—Find local bloggers. Local bloggers are always hungry for the next It spot, and will always be sure to sniff it out first. They can typically be found frequenting at any and every Instagram-worthy restaurant, so don’t forget to pack your Polaroid camera and your Ray-Bans. Start your google search with “Chicago fashion bloggers,” and pick a few that appeal to your style. Don’t hesitate to scroll down for miles, they’ve probably ventured quite a bit.

2—Stalk foodie Instagrams. For this trip, I typed “Chicago foodie” into Instagram’s search bar and was definitely not disappointed. This led me to the majority of restaurants I tried, and boy, were they good. Popular foodie Instagrams have a great variation of restaurants which is much needed when you are dining with a large group or your family that’s all ages. Once your group has decided on a cuisine, simply stalk a place that looks delish and grab a cab!

3—Scope out the location on Instagram. Let’s say you find a brunch spot on Yelp that has 4/5 stars. Not entirely convinced? Find the restaurant’s geotag on Instagram to see what everyone is posting. Perhaps their signature dish is to die for, and those posting can vouch for it. Scrolling through these pictures always gives you a good taste of what to expect, as well as great suggestions for what to order.

4—Ask and you shall receive. Always, always, always call your location! That gorgeous rooftop bar might not open until 5 p.m, or is booked that evening for an event. Your brunch spot might typically have an hour wait on Sundays, but perhaps they let you call ahead and put your name down. You never know. The hunt for great spots doesn’t stop when you’ve arrived—it has only begun. Grill your server about her or his favorite spots, and maybe you’ll find a great hole in the wall. As we all know, Chicago is known for their deep dish pizza. And after our chatty breakfast waiter told us we were wasting our time if we didn’t have dinner at Lou Malnati’s, that’s precisely what we did. Definitely worth the massive food baby I developed after scarfing down slice after slice.

Last but not least, don’t forget your essentials. My personal favorite is this leather wallet from Rebecca Minkoff. It’s a wallet, phone case, and a portable charger all in one. Talk about a travel must-have.

So now that I’ve shared my secrets, you share yours! Comment below!

How to Style the Perfect Sunday Brunch Outfit

Sunday brunch is the best part of the week. It’s the time for you and your girlfriends to meet up, get some delicious food, and catch up! But it is also a time to show off your brand new outfit, and there is no better time to look on trend than when you are out with your friends. Staying on trend and looking fashionable can become expensive as trends die quickly and new ones are brought to life. But, don’t worry! These easy tips can help you look fashionable with pieces you already have in your wardrobe!

Accessorize Your Plain Outfit

Accessorizing a basic or plain outfit can repurpose it. It can go from casual to a night out style by using accessories. If you have worn an article of clothing before around this particular group of friends, then don’t fret! Adding accessories like dainty bracelets and necklaces can turn your casual dress into a cute ready-for-brunch dress. Watches and a white or black clutch or small purse to carry your phone and cards will tie the whole look together.

Adopt One Trend to Make Your Outfit Stand Out

This spring and summer, one huge trend in women’s fashion has been the off-the-shoulder look! These tops hang lower than the collarbones and show off a bit of cleavage if you’d like or you can have it hang a bit higher. You can wear off-the-shoulder tops for almost every occasion: a date, to the mall, to brunch, Sunday dinner with the family, and more.

Wear Strappy Sandals or Wedges to Have the Perfect Daytime Look

Summer is the perfect season to rock your opened-toe shoes, and sandals and wedges are a must for any summer time outfit. Brown and black sandals can go with almost any look and can be styled for daytime and even nighttime casual outings.

Tell us how you like to style your favorite summertime trends to go to brunch with your girlfriends and tag us on social media @CFashionista.

How I Created My Go-To Brunch Outfit

It seems as if everyone has been throwing the B-word around lately. At home, at work, and even at school! What is this trending B-word you might be wondering? Well, it’s brunch, of course (aka the perfectly delicious, satisfying meal between breakfast and lunch). I try to go to Sunday brunch almost every week, and I love trying new places every time I go. It’s a great way to catch up with old friends and spend time with family while enjoying some amazing food and cocktails!

For my go-to brunch outfit, I like to keep it super comfortable but also super stylish. I practically live in my boyfriend jeans, so for me, that was definitely a given! I paired my jeans with a feminine white top, which can also be worn as an off-the-shoulder blouse. If you’re not a huge fan of neutral colors, don’t be afraid to add some color to this look as well!

For the accessories, I added these beautiful black drop earrings to spice up my look a little bit. Long earrings like these really frame your face and draw attention to your features. When it comes to deciding what shoes to wear, I decided to go with a pair of really cute fur loafers, because not only are they really trendy, but they’re also really comfy too! Want to make this look a little more formal? Strap on a pair of heels or wedges instead of the loafers, and you’re good to go. Lastly, always make sure you’ve got a cute crossbody bag with you to hold all your essentials. Voilà! You’re ready for brunch!

What’s your go-to brunch outfit? Have you tried some insanely good brunch spots that you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!

A CollegeFashionista Inspired Proposal

I never ever thought my internship with CollegeFashionista would help me trick one of my best friends into looking adorable for what she had no idea would be her wedding proposal. It’s a little difficult to get someone to dress the way they would want to for their engagement when they have no idea that it is about to happen. My friend knew I was always asking people to take pictures of them for my internship, so I realized that it would be the perfect opportunity.

Her fiancé approached me with a week’s notice that he was flying in to surprise her with a marriage proposal, and that he needed my help to make it all happen. I had to think of a way to pull it all together and get her to the restaurant without her having the slightest clue. My Fashionista-self needed to make sure my friend looked absolutely adorable for this. That’s when the idea hit me of telling her that I wanted to take pictures of her for my CollegeFashionista internship would be a fabulous way to get her to look her best without giving away the surprise. She really had no idea and was sending pictures of what she was thinking of wearing, which was exactly what I wanted. She decided on pairing a white lace-up skirt with a blush blouse and a pair of lace-up brown block heels. A very simple outfit, but great for an outdoor summertime brunch proposal.

Everything ran so smoothly, while she thought I was just taking pictures of her against a blank wall, he snuck up behind and I was able to capture the moment. She was in absolute shock when he came up and dropped a knee. It was so amazing to be a part of their special day, and I would not have been able to pull it off without the help of CollegeFashionista.

Did you like how I used CollegeFashionista to help my friend? Share in the comments below!

The Perfect Brunch Outfit

When it comes to going out to eat and looking good while doing so, there’s a lot to take into consideration. First, you have to plan out where and what you want to eat, and whether it is going to be messy or not. I personally love eating BBQ wings, Mango Habanero wings, or wings dripping in Mumbo Sauce. Which means going out to eat and dressing a specific way comes with risk for me. However, I don’t let my cravings and messy food habits stop me from dressing my best every day.

One Sunday evening, I chose to go out to a restaurant called Soco. Soco is located in Brooklyn, New York and is well known for its love for Black Culture, and flavorful chicken and waffles. In recent years, chicken and waffles have become a common brunch courtesy that many restaurants have their own spin on. What I love about Soco’s chicken and waffles is the island flavor in the chicken. The wings are drenched in lightly spiced jerk sauce, which went hand-in-hand with the sweet funnel cake-like waffles. The perfect meal for brunch, if I may say so myself. The music and atmosphere made the experience even better. Eating wings to the tune of Kanye, SZA, and Kendrick Lamar is basically everything I want in a brunch experience.

I topped off this perfect brunch experience with a white dress and green velvet heels. Yes, I said white dress! I fearlessly wore white and ate wings covered in jerk sauce. My dress was a white, one-shoulder midi dress and I accessorized it with my with chic green velvet heels. This particular outfit is very on-trend and great for going out to brunch, church, an interview or even as a date night outfit. The one shoulder and tie up in the middle gave the dress versatility to be worn for many occasions. The green velvet lace-up heels were a signature touch, that called attention to my look and complimented both my skin and style.

Any look is possible for any occasion. You can wear the most drastic yet the most simplistic outfit anywhere and have no worries, as long as you do it with confidence!

What are some of your ideal brunch looks? Show us on social media by tagging @CFashionista!