Tag: Internships

3 Ways Fashionistas Are Fighting Creative Blocks

I believe there is absolutely nothing worse than experiencing creative blocks. Whether you’re dealing with the imminent end of your favorite fashion season, or—dare I say—suffering from that catastrophic moment where you have fallen out of love with quite possibly every article of clothing in your wardrobe, we can all agree these lackluster moments are only natural. Here’s a list of three ways Fashionistas can curb creative blocks and stay inspired.

1—Use your resources. The online fashion community has so much to offer. Fashion blogs provide limitless amounts of original content that is bound to spark at least one light bulb up in there. I favor blogs like Who What Wear to stay up-to-date with today’s trends. I’ve noticed that the easiest way to brew up a brainstorming session is to look at pictures, editorials, and magazines. A much-loved fashion blog inspires me the most, CollegeFashionista posts a monthly mood board for all your mid-monthly brain blocks. In case you didn’t know, red is in right now.

2—Journal. A fortune cookie once told me “There is great power in a pen and paper.” Unbelievably, the cookie was right. Journaling saved my summer, and additionally, it gave me a way to preserve all the content I found through using my resources. I cut and paste my favorite articles and pictures into my personal fashion journal. Journaling not only combats current creative blocks, but it provides you with a place to return to when you feel your originative thinking failing you.

Like me, this can provide you with a daily routine and a way to debrief at the end of your day. I now make it a habit to use my journal as a space to create my own mood boards, make fashion predictions, and make a list of possible internship opportunities to pursue.

3—Internships and relationship. Searching for an internship or a job is a great way to get out of a creative funk and reinvent yourself. Kick-starting your career can be intimidating, but channel that specific fear of adulting too hard into motivation. College is the environment for Fashionistas to find their muse, so be brave and get involved. Everything from my style to my creativity is influenced by the people I meet—networking is so valuable in any field. Try making connections with new people and watch that block turn into brilliance.

Are you struggling with a creative block? Let us know how you combat it in the comments below!

How to Dress Trendy at Your Summer Internship

Summer is an exciting time for college students. Not only is it a nice break from the constant class time and studying, but it is wonderful opportunity to gain career experience through a summer internship. While yoga pants, an oversize crewneck, and a messy bun are acceptable attire for lectures and taking exams, that is not exactly the case when it comes to a real world job. It is extremely important that you are dressed to fit in with your company’s culture. You definitely do not want to be underdressed, but you also do not want to be overdressed. Make sure to ask your boss or other people in your office what the proper attire is.

Some companies will require business professional, while others may be cool with jeans and flip flops. Most establishments usually go with a happy medium, abiding by the business casual look on a daily basis. Luckily for you, there are so many fun and trendy ways to make business casual a lot more fashion-forward than what it gets a rep for.

Let’s take a sundress for instance. You could 100 percent wear this dress to your family’s cookout with sandals, but you could also wear it to the office with a trendy blazer and flats or heels. Never underestimate the power of a blazer.

When I used to think of blouses, my first thought was something along the lines of bland and boring. I learned quickly that this really isn’t the case! So many stores offer professional shirts that are stylish and trendy.

You can also take a plain blouse and dress it up by simply adding a fun statement necklace. I love bold necklaces because you can re-wear them with different tops and have a completely different and unique look every time.

An impressive bag can totally transform an entire look. Treat yourself to a classy, versatile purse to take into the office every day. Personally for myself (a girl who takes many snacks to the office), the bigger the bag, the better!

How do you dress up your office style? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

How to Reduce Stress Your Senior Year in College

I seriously can’t believe that I am a senior in college. It’s kind of surreal and intense all at the same time. My life at the moment has consisted of job hunting, altering my resume, starting a new internship, and taking classes. The real world has hit my doorstep and I’m trying to prepare as much as I can for the future. I’m not going to lie, my mind has been consumed with my future. I can’t stop thinking about my dreams, aspirations, and how I want my life to be. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to think about who you want to be in life, but you shouldn’t let those thoughts and your plans overwhelm you! Here are some things you can do to reduce stress your senior year.

1—Live in the moment. As cliché as it sounds, this is probably the most important thing you can do your senior year. I am notoriously bad at living in the moment. I am always quick to move on or go to the next big adventure of my life. Sometimes, I struggle to appreciate the moments that I’m in now and always have a tendency of dreaming about my future. Note to self, slow down! You are never going to be a senior in college again. Make time for your friends, frequent your favorite coffee shop, and actually pay attention in your classes. It is so easy to give in to senioritis and have a career track mind only, but don’t do it. There are still so many memories to make even in your senior year in college.

2—Prepare but don’t overkill it. Let’s face it after you graduate you are thrust into the real world, whether you’re ready for it or not. For your sanity and your parents’ sanity, it’s better to have a plan beforehand. Senior year is the time to network like crazy, fit in those last internships, and start the job search. While I definitely believe in hustling, you shouldn’t do it to the point of maximum stress. Life is unpredictable and even in our most meticulous planning life can throw us some curveballs. As much as we try to prepare for life after graduation, there is no guarantee of landing that dream job right away. Trust yourself that you are putting your best self forward and eventually you’ll find your place.

3—Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know. A few lucky seniors have known what they have wanted to do since they were five years old. For most of us, that’s not the case. If you don’t know what the heck you want to do with the rest of your life at 22, you are okay! It’s totally normal not knowing and if anything it doesn’t put you in a box. Stop fretting over that. Invest in the skills that you know you have and explore your interests. Start a blog, an online business, etc. Focus on what you love and try new things.

How are you reducing stress, seniors? Let us know in the comments below!

The Perks of Having a Food Instagram

Working in a different city can be quite intimidating. Many college students are interning in cities that are not their home. However, summer internships are great opportunities for new adventures and exploration. How does one do this best? I created a food Instagram.  A food Instagram is a perfect excuse to go out and discover parts of a new city. There are so many perks to having this new kind of account.

What’s more enjoyable than a waffle cone? A sweet treat is one of the best accessories to a cute summer outfit. One of the best things about the summer is the time you get to spend on brunch dates or late night eats (when you are not working, of course). Having a food Instagram gives me the chance to find some hidden gems in the new city I am living in. That city is Providence. Not only is it the creative capital of the world, but it also has some of the best eats in the country.

My new food profile allows me to interact with so many people that range from friends to strangers. A meal brings people together. Any reason you can get to make memories, take it. My food Instagram certainly gives me that chance. It also gives me the chance to venture out and try new foods. It certainly can push you to be different and embrace change.

Creating a new food alias is super fun and super easy! If you love Instagram and a good bite to eat, you will definitely enjoy having such an account. More and more people are starting to create their own accounts and this delicious trend is something that everyone should try.

Go put on a pair of sunglasses, take a drive, and go start your food Instagram. Be sure to tag @CFashionista with both your sweet treat and your even sweeter outfit.

The Guide to Summer Intern Wear

For most college students, summer months are not just filled with beach resorts, pool parties, and barbecues. Rather, there is an added stress to obtain a top-notch internship—one that will provide us with work experience and pave the way towards our future careers. Once given this opportunity, there is always a concern about what to wear. Not knowing your future coworkers or the way they dress may pose to be a problem for some, but don’t fret! This Fashionista has come up with three easy and trendy outfit choices that will allow you to dress to impress on your first day, no matter where you end up working.

1—The DIY jumpsuit. Anyone can agree that wearing a jumpsuit to work will leave you looking chic and sophisticated. However, jumpsuits are sometimes expensive and hard to find. This Fashionista pulls off her own DIY jumpsuit by choosing to wear a simple black spaghetti-strap blouse, tucked into her black slacks. The key to this inventive look is to make sure the colors of your top and bottom are the same shade so that the outfit is uniform for the “jumpsuit-like” look. To make an impression, she has also added a long tasseled silver statement necklace and complemented the outfit with a pair of black chunky sandals.

2—The blazer. Opting for a more “smart-casual” look? This Fashionista pairs her go-to black pants and chunky sandals with a crisp white spaghetti-strap blouse, adding a gray cotton blazer on top. To add a pop of color to the outfit, she decides to wear a turquoise rectangular-shaped statement necklace. Picking out the perfect necklace is central to emulating this look; the addition of this single accessory will immediately transform your ensemble from basic to elegant.

3—The floral dress. Floral prints are always a summer staple, so why not integrate the pattern into your internship attire? This Fashionista chooses to wear a red, black, and white rose printed dress, a cold shoulder style that is accented with delicate black lace along the collarbone. The secret to pulling off any dress at work is in the length; always make sure it is not too short and you will be good to go!

What are you wearing to your internship this summer? Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Question—Can Fashion Really Exist in the Corporate Workplace?

Corporate settings can often feel stifling for a free spirit like myself. Expression of one’s identity gets pushed out in favor for pressed lapels and basic white button-downs. Have no fear though—there’s still hope for those of us with rebel hearts and a passion for fashion. Here is a guide to my wild gal way of interning.

1—Figure out your style. First things first, you have to figure what is integral to your style. Is color important? Texture maybe? Identifying what makes or breaks your vibe gives you a foundation to begin building an outfit. For example, unconventional cuts and neutral colors are essential to every look I create.

2—Figure out your boundaries. It is important to be realistic about your setting—we’re still dressing for work. Different workplaces have didn’t expectations and standards. One job may allow workers to dress down on Fridays, whereas another may require full business attire every day. Observe your surroundings and look at what people are wearing as examples. Also, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the dress code during orientation.

3—Make the boundaries work for you. Now that you know what you want and what your work allows, you can find a happy medium. For my own internship’s culture—a business casual atmosphere—I created the following outfit.

Keeping in line with my style staples (unconventional cuts and neutral colors) I went for an all-black look with a cut-out crop top, paired with a faux suede skater skirt, then layered with a vintage, oversize blazer. To add a little flare, I added a pair of gold platform sneakers and a pair of silver and blue sunglasses, creating a perfect balance of spice and professionalism.

Take the blazer off and it transitions into an easy, yet still sexy, nighttime look.

How do you express your style in your internship-wear? Let me know in the comments below!

Mean Business in Summer-Friendly Layering

How many times have you had to come out of your comfy and convenient “haven’t slept in days” college comfort zone look, to go the ever intimidating and competitive universe of job/internship interviews?

I feel like it’s important to realize we’re not putting on a costume; it does not mean it´s time to wear your mother’s improperly fitted pencil skirt or her kitten heels from the ’90s. The key is to make an impression, to find the perfect balance between your personal style and your professional persona. You have to stand out for only the right reasons, and you also have to look like you’re ready to own the place.

We often lose ourselves and what we want to represent to fit into what we think is appropriate attire, but, in truth, if we manage to be stylish, appropriate, and original, chances are you will be remembered and instantly respected. Be confident! If your goal is to be the CEO, dress the part, even if you’re in a cubicle.

It’s about mixing the most unheard of combinations and actually making them look cohesive. On this look, inspired by the Alexander Wang F/W 2017 catwalk, we’ve mixed a leather burgundy short dress, and layered it with a black double buttoned dress, to make it look like a coat. It’s important that the lengths of your skirts are long enough that it does not look vulgar, but short enough so that it looks proportionate and age appropriate (please just stick to below the knee or short, anywhere in the middle looks awkward). Note that these are two dresses, not an actually lined coat, which means this type of look is actually summer-friendly, at least when it comes to temperature.

In these settings, clothes are a canvas, and accessories are really what elevate the look. We paired the outfit with these statement black oxfords, and the always faithful Carey sunglasses.

Be mindful, but be clever, don’t try to just blend; act like you own every situation, demand respect, and don’t sacrifice your self-expression for the sake of the workplace. Chances are, if you do it right you’ll be majorly boosted!

Do you think it’s important to always represent yourself creatively? Comment below!

How to Become a Girl Boss Without Leaving Your Beach Chair

Working a desk job from 9 to 5 is not an ideal way to spend the summer. However, becoming a “girl boss” is not achieved overnight. The pressure to make my summer meaningful has led me to search for alternatives to a summer job.

There are plenty of ways to boost your resume throughout the summer without leaving your beach chair

1—Become a Brand/Campus Ambassador

Many companies are on a search for young people who have a strong social media presence to represent their brands. Using brand ambassadors allows companies to make a more personal connection with their target markets through their ambassadors. In addition to experience, these positions come with perks such as discounts, free products, and future job recommendations. Check out your favorite brands to see if they have ambassador programs.

2—Write for a Blog

Although a blog can be difficult to start, there are always ways to contribute without having to create your own. You can always find bloggers wanting to collaborate or are looking for someone to interview. The most efficient way to get yourself noticed by bloggers and influencers is by putting your creative foot forward on your social media. Follow, comment, and connect.

3—Volunteer at Fashion Events

Working fashion events will help you with networking and also add experience to your resume. Schools, local boutiques, non-profits, and organizations are often looking for help from aspiring style pros that are willing to put all they got into making their events successful. Get noticed by your community by adding your flair.

Overall there are many ways to improve your resume even if you do not have a job or internship. The key is to put yourself out there and be creative with where you search for opportunities.

What are your career tips? Take us on your girl boss journey by tagging @Cfashionista on social media!

3 Outfits Every Intern Should Own

Getting an internship is an exciting and rewarding feeling, so why do some people feel so stressed about them? They may be nervous for a new job, worried about the commitment, or they could just not know what to wear! Being nervous comes with every new experience in life, but the wardrobe part is nothing to stress over. Below are three outfits that every intern should own and why.

The first outfit that every intern should own is a business outfit. No matter what kind of internship you have, there is always the need for a business or professional outfit. This may be an outfit that you already own and quite possibly wore to your interview to get the internship. This is a key outfit to have in your closet during an internship for many reasons: if you are needed to perform an interview for the company, go to a dinner, attend company events, or even just to wear in the office. For your business outfit, a good rule of thumb is to keep it classy and simple. You want to be able to wear it to any occasion, so if it’s a wild print or bold color combination, you won’t get as many uses out of it as you can. Keep the colors on the neutral side and use your accessories to show your personality. For example, this Fashionista is being fashion-forward with her Henri Bendel bag, Michael Kors watch, and her pointed toe two-toned shoes.

The next outfit needed in any intern’s closet is a business casual outfit. This outfit can be a mid length or maxi skirt. It could also be a maxi dress, dress pants and a cute top, or a sundress. This outfit can be worn to every day to company events, casual Fridays in the office, or when you go out to lunch. This does not have to be a very business type of outfit, just one that is appropriate to be in while representing the company you intern for.

The third outfit every intern should have is a simple black dress. You never know when a little black dress is going to be needed. Having your black dress is going to come in handy for company cocktail parties, holiday parties, or even smaller events.This is another piece that no matter the internship or company you are working for, it’s always important to have, even though being a woman in her early twenties is enough reason! You can dress this up with your accessories to show your personality while keeping your look professional.

What essentials do you have for your internship? Let me know in the comments below, and show us your style on social media and tag @Cfashionista!

Top 5 Interview Tips

You’ve scoured the Internet for potential jobs, perfected your résumé and applied to more positions than you can remember. Finally, you hear back from the first company and they want you to come in for an interview! While this is great news, most likely you will be somewhat nervous and anxious. To combat your interview jitters, I have written down my favorite interview tips. You’ll be sure to nail that interview!

1—Dress to impress. When picking out your outfit, remember to keep it professional and simple. You want the focus to be on you, not your clothing. My go-to outfit consists of a blazer, a skirt or dress pants, high heels, and classic jewelry, such as pearl earrings and a watch. I also like to bring a simple purse and a portfolio to hold my papers.

2—Do your homework. Before the interview, you should review the description of the position you are applying to, in order to make sure you are certain of what the job entails. You can also write down questions you may have regarding your tasks and responsibilities. Additionally, you should become somewhat familiar with the company. Take a few minutes to explore the company website and learn what is important to them.

3—Come prepared. Even though you may have already submitted your résumé online, always bring a few copies just in case. You should also bring a sheet listing your references, and a paper and pen to write down any notes you may want to remember after the interview.

4—Early is always better. Arriving late sets the mood for the entire interview. To be on the safe side, plan to show up about 15-20 minutes early. Be sure to plan the transportation logistics so you are not scrambling the day of the interview.

5—Relax! Drink some water, take a few deep breaths, and relax. You look the part, you’ve done your research, and remember that wanted to talk to you. This is just one interview out of the dozens that you will have in your lifetime. So, before you completely have a panic attack, breathe, and think how lucky they would be to have someone like you working for them. Now go land that job!

What are your tips for nailing an interview? Let me know in the comments below!