Smile – CollegeFashionista

5 Ways to Boost Your Mood This Semester

A new year means new trends, new friends, and a fresh start for most people. But let’s not kid ourselves, by October you can find students weeping over a burrito bowl wearing the same sweatshirt they’ve worn for the last two days and a to-do list that’s a mile long. Trying to keep up with academic, financial, and social responsibilities can leave us feeling overwhelmed and undervalued. Over the years, I’ve established some go-to tactics to shake off the stress.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

1—Sweat It Out!

We just established that you have a million things to do, so how will you have time to hit the gym? Relax. Going for a slow jog around the block, doing some yoga on your porch, or even going on a bike ride with a friend will release endorphins to boost your mood.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

2—Treat Yo’ Self

Tom Haverford had it right. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Once a week, take the time to do something just for yourself. It could be ordering in your favorite takeout, making yourself an utterly enchanting bubble bath, or buying the pair of cute booties you’ve been eyeballing since July. Even taking just a little time to focus on something other than your projects will make you feel much better.

3—Say Goodnight.

Getting enough sleep during the school year is a challenge all on its own. But going to bed at a reasonable hour is a major key. Have you ever had a day filled with brain farts where you could never focus on a task or struggle finding the right words when you’re having conversations? Just like your MacBook when you have 1,987 tabs open, your brain gets overworked. And when it does, you’re more irritable, less focused, and in turn more stressed. Have some warm tea, listen to your favorite John Mayer song, and hit the lights.

PHOTO: Anna Coke

4—Reprioritize and Organize.

I used to hate that my mother made me organize my room and my schedule religiously, but because of that I did well in school and was able to tackle a heavy schedule. Taking the time to organize your private space really does wonders for your stress. An open, easy-to-navigate environment (with maybe a nice candle or two) is proven to boost your mood. Figure out what tasks are most important and what things you can wait to accomplish so you can allocate your time more wisely.

PHOTO: Emily Truong

5—Tune it out.

Music is such a great way to lighten the mood and boost productivity. Spotify has loads of great playlists perfect for any occasion. I could listen to John Legend and no matter how moody I am, I’ll feel a million times better. Build a playlist for your study sessions or even just to listen to around campus. Listen to new artists and don’t be afraid to experience new genres.

What are your favorite mood-boosting tips? Share with us in the comments below or on social media by tagging @CFashionista.

How to Shine Like a Rainbow After a Storm

Summer is the season for festivals, concerts, cookouts, and exploring. Any activity under the sun is a great chance to spend time with loved ones while soaking up some vitamin D. Unfortunately, gray clouds sometimes interrupt the fun, literally and figuratively. With warm weather comes more revealing clothing and not everyone feels comfortable enough in their own skin to get out there and enjoy the heat. This look is the perfect confidence booster that embraces a woman’s shine and stunning personality: a rainbow after a storm.

The main focus of this look is the flowy, maxi dress. This piece is very flattering with the natural waist and long skirt. Its colorful, vertical stripes are eye-catching and bring an element of joy to the simple maxi dress shape. However, the best part of this dress is how dynamic it is. The flowing skirt bounces and twirls as you move; so run, spin, and dance! Find delight in how your body moves: your dress is celebrating with you.

I paired this stand-out piece with a pair of brown wedges and pink sunglasses. The understated, warm, brown shade of the shoes complements the bright colors in the dress. The added height helps give that extra boost of confidence and encourages you to stand tall and proud. Pink sunglasses were the cherry on top of this look. While the dress is a statement in itself, these sunglasses are funky and adventurous. As they protect your stunning eyes, their unusual shape adds a touch of daring to the look.

Finally, I topped the look off with my favorite accessory: a smile. Fashion has always been a way for me to find my confidence. If I dress like a boss, I am a boss. However, this is only half the battle. You need to believe you are as beautiful, unique, and fun as you look, so let yourself shine. A smile reminds you that you are as wonderful to behold as a rainbow after a storm.

What look boosts your confidence? Show us on social media and tag @CFashionista!

Simple Changes I Made for a Healthy Lifestyle

My freshman year of college, I immediately joined multiple organizations, met a ton of new people, and made countless great memories. That was great while I was first adapting to college life, but I quickly realized that I was not making enough time for myself. After some self-reflection, I decided I needed to change for my second semester, and spend more of my energy focusing on myself. Here are a few simple ways that I worked on becoming my best me, inside and out.

Stretching

I love to stretch for five or 10 minutes every morning, right when I wake up. Stretching is a great way to loosen my muscles, get an extra boost of energy, and ensure that I’m ready to start my day.

Running Stairs

Treadmills are by far my least favorite way to get cardio in. I get bored running in one place and looking at the same view throughout my whole workout, so doing cardio on the stairs adds that extra flair that I need to stay motivated and get through the workout.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to get healthy fast, inside and out. Water has no sugar, fat, or calories, unlike many other beverages. Ever since I started drinking a lot of water, my skin has cleared up, I have more energy in my day-to-day life, and I’ve been getting sick way less often. Water is honestly a miracle worker!

Yoga

This has recently become my latest obsession. Yoga has helped me to improve my strength, flexibility, and balance. Not only is it a great way to get in shape, but it also has positive benefits for mental health. Yoga is my favorite way to boost my concentration before a big test and is my go-to stress reliever.

Using a Fitbit

I love my Fitbit because it is a constant reminder to be healthy. It reminds me to get up and move around every hour so that I am never sitting still for too long. On top of that, it tracks so many other important things, like my sleep schedule and heart rate.

Smiling

Positivity is extremely important, not only for mental health but also in every situation in life. Even if I’m having a particularly bad day, I try to find a reason to stay positive anyway. It’s been proven that smiling, real or fake, improves your mood, and I really do find that to be true. Plus, smiles are free, and who doesn’t love free stuff?

Do you have any other simple tips to lead a healthy lifestyle? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Ways to Live a Simple and Happy Life

Life is always throwing curveballs at us. Here are a few easy ways to live a happy life to the fullest.

1—Smile as much as you can. If you want to improve your mood, try smiling. Smiling releases endorphins, which are chemicals released by the body that help relieve stress and anxiety. Of course, there are times when we need to be sad and “cry it out” but when it’s not worth it, leave the problem behind and put a smile on your face. Remind yourself you won’t have teeth forever. Marilyn Monroe said, “A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear.”

2—Start your day off with green tea instead of coffee. The best part about drinking green tea is all the antioxidants your body will absorb from it. Green tea is also known to speed up your metabolism and strengthen the immune system. It also works as a natural antidepressant and helps to reduce the risk of developing certain cancers and other major illnesses.

3—Exercise at least six days a week. Just like smiling, exercising also releases endorphins. It improves brain performance, gets your blood pumping, and makes you feel good about yourself. It is always a good thing to strengthen and challenge your cardiovascular system.

4—Eat your fruits and vegetables. Although exercise is important to keep yourself healthy, that’s only half of it. The other half is what you put into your body. Fruits and vegetables fill your body with nutrients needed for good health.

5—Do something for yourself every once in a while. If you have a hobby, try to partake in it at least once a week. If you don’t have any hobbies it is time to start exploring some. Find something you are passionate about and roll with it.

6—Listen to music you love every chance you get. Listening to music you love will put you in a good mood. It relieves stress and is good for your heart, mind, and soul.

7—Always surround yourself with supportive and positive people. There will always be negative influences in your life. You don’t need that. Ditch the haters and jump on the happy wagon.

8—Try things you normally wouldn’t. Be more adventurous and start saying yes to more things. You will be happier in the long run if you are more open to what life throws at you.

9—Be thankful and gracious. When times get tough, try to focus on what you are grateful for. Be kind to others and volunteer every once in a while.

10—Love who you are. This is the most important step in living a happy life. Stop caring about what other people think. If you don’t love who you are, you will never be happy so change what you don’t like about yourself or learn to love your flaws.

Different ways you chose to live a simple and happier life? Let us know in the comments below!

4 Coping Skills That Saved My Summer

Mental health and wellness are both very tricky subjects. Not everyone is able to claim balance in their lives; no one I know feels grounded 100 percent of the time. Regardless of my personal struggles with mental well-being, coping skills have always been a major tool in my overall healing. Whether you grapple with mental illness, or just get too stressed out before finals, coping skills are absolutely an asset for you to use! In this article, I’ve highlighted four skills that have drastically benefited my summer health.

1— Creative expression. One major outlet I use for stress relief is making visual art. Now I certainly don’t claim to be an artist. However, more often than not, just putting a pencil to paper and letting go of my current stressors is a cathartic experience. I love to draw, but I have friends who find solace in painting, singing, and even coloring. It doesn’t matter what medium you choose, as long as you’re finding peace in creativity.

2— Reading. For some, reading can be a chore. But the magic of reading transcends books. The ability to get lost in someone’s frightening, beautiful, or harrowing world, is a form of escape that can help people to relax and unwind. I enjoy reading poetry on a summer day because I feel that I can connect more quickly and easily to an author’s narrative than if I was reading a novel. If a form of escape is what you need, but reading is absolutely unbearable, consider an audio book, or a favorite Netflix flick.

3— Planning. Planning for the future or even the next few days can be very scary. However, being organized with a schedule will relieve stress and inspire long-term goals. For the fun factor in something that might seem tedious, I decorate my planner with stickers, and I use colorful pens and highlighters.

4— Relaxation. As important as it is to plan ahead and get organized, it’s also imperative to take a breather once in a while for mental stability. I enjoy yoga, drinking tea, and I’ve even dabbled in meditation. The trick for all these coping skills is to explore and find what works for you. What you love might not be what keeps me well. And when times get tough, remember to take a deep breath. You got this gorgeous!

Do you have any coping skills that you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments below!

The One Style You Can’t Live Without This Season

Who said there isn’t a yellow for everyone? Thought you couldn’t wear the cheery shade? How about an off-the-shoulder yellow outfit? Is this combo getting a little more plausible? Well, welcome to S/S 2017. Report has it that one of the to-go trends for S/S 2017 is off-the-shoulder, and to make it better the color yellow is in full swing!

Growing up, it was impossible to wear anything strapless. My mom thought she couldn’t hide her embarrassment if it chose to fall down one day. A few years later, I still have the longing to own several strapless outfits. But I reasoned, leaving under my mother’s roof isn’t giving me too many options in it. So I decided to make use of this season’s trends.

If you cannot wear a strapless dress for fear of it dipping down a nudge, why not opt for the off-the-shoulder trend? Just to give you a heads up, the off-the-shoulder trend isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I. The color yellow comes in various shades, and believe me when I tell you, you will one hundred percent find your correct shade. The color yellow is a cheerful color, what a better way to come out of the gruesome weather we had as winter and take on a merrier approach to the year 2017?

If you were wondering how many off-the-shoulder outfits I scored, let me tell you I got quite a few, but this yellow-off-the-shoulder-dress has got me feeling chic. You can dress up and dress down with this simple dress. In this post, I opted for an elevated look, with Catherine heeled sandals and mini-city bag to complement the yellow. Did I forget to tell you? My mom loved the look and wanted to try it herself.

Unstrapping can have its consequences if you don’t get it quite right, but with a nudge of hope hanging loosely on your both hands, you can perfect it.

What are your thoughts on my yellow-off-the-shoulder dress? Sound off in the comments below!

A Balanced Life is a Happy Life

The biggest stranger in life as we grow older is not the friends that we drift apart from or our old style, but the concept of relaxing. Relaxing is suppose to be an easy task to do. How hard can it be to become less tense? Well, depending on the person, this is either one of the biggest hurdles to jump over or it’s second nature. Despite how this comes to people, it’s something we need to remember how to do as the years pass by.

Although I have just officially entered the world of adulthood, I have found that learning how to balance life is the key to being happy. I have found that writing everything down in a planner, making checklists, and keeping sticky notes around is the first step to staying relaxed when life gets crazy. My planner is not only adorable, but gives me enough room to continuously write new events that are coming up. Plus, writing notes down helps the brain to retain information faster!

Finding a balance between your social life and personal time can be challenging. It’s never fun to have FOMO, but at the same time, it’s never fun feeling run down and tired. Although I am still working on this, I feel as though I have come to terms with learning how to listen to myself. If you feel as though you are being pulled from one thing to another, it’s time to treat yourself! Who said you aren’t allowed to say no and get cozy in your softest sweater in bed eating chocolate-covered marshmallows while watching How I Met Your Mother? With age, the need to be in on the action will fade.

Another important thing is taking care of both your mental and physical wellbeing. I am not saying hit the gym every day for six hours, but at the same time, it’s not good to sit on your bum every day either. Exercising every other day, in general, will help you both mentally and physically. Mentally, you’ll be more awake, and the endorphins that are released will make you happy. Putting on a cute workout outfit isn’t too bad either. Becoming physically stronger is also a benefit in itself as well!

One last tip is to continue you to challenge yourself. By carrying around books in a cute bag that are both out of your comfort zone and new are just small benefits that you can provide for yourself. You can never be overdressed or overeducated.

What are your favorite activities that help you stay balanced in your life? Comment down below!

Top 5 Tips For Clearer, Healthier Skin

Did you know that our skin is the largest organ of our bodies? Knowing this, set aside some time to pamper your skin. Here are some of my best tips for clearer, healthier skin. Let your self-confidence and self-love shine this summer along with that healthy glow.

1—You Are What You Eat

The phrase “you are what you eat” means more than you may know. Fresh, whole foods will cure your skin from the inside out! Fuel your body with fruits and vegetables to improve the health of your body and skin. Sometimes when people give up fast-food, dairy, gluten, or other foods, their skin clears right up. Everyone’s skin and body reacts differently so try to get to know what things typically break you out and what things don’t.

2—Show Off Your Freckles

Let your true beauty shine and try wearing less makeup! The summer is perfect for simple, natural makeup looks and you can always throw on a cute pair of sunglasses to amp up your look. Many foundations can irritate the skin, clog pores, and cause breakouts. For clearer, healthier skin try using a lighter product like a BB cream or tinted moisturizer!

3—Block Out The Rays

It’s so crucial to protect your skin from harsh UV rays and sunburn. Applying sunscreen before going outdoors is a great habit to have. Regularly using sunscreen will help you look younger and avoid sunspots and wrinkles. Keep in mind to always purchase reef-safe sunscreen.

4—Oils Are Okay

Don’t be afraid to use natural oils on your face! Natural oils such as castor oil, rose hip seed oil, jojoba oil, and many others are great for moisturizing the skin and unclogging pores. These products work well even with combination or oily skin. I swear by coconut oil—it works for almost everything. To avoid irritation, test new products on a patch of skin and buy organic, cold-pressed, unrefined oils.

5—Stay Hydrated

When I drink more water, my face looks clearer and brighter. Swapping out sodas and caffeinated drinks for water does wonders for your skin. I try to start every morning with a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Try out these tips and smile on this summer with clearer, healthier skin!

What are some your top skincare tips? Let me know in the comments below!

Through the Looking Glasses

Glasses were known for being nerdy and unpleasant, but times have changed, seems like glasses are now the new fashion trend. Therefore, to all my friends with astigmatism or 20/50 vision, we’re the cool kids. There are many unique styles of glasses that are currently in trend, let’s take a look through the looking glasses:

Retro

These clear frames are the latest frame in 2017! They easily go with any complexion and outfit due to the absence of color. As a result, it is important to wear light make up to not draw away from the frames when wearing this style of glasses. The glasses featured above are called Morning from EyeBuyDirect. They come in a size small with a fitted nose bridge and rounded lens.

Vintage

Our next trend is well-known as the Harry Potter glasses. These spectacles are called “Small Chillax”. Black, rounded frames give a vintage and hipster look to outfits. These rounded lenses suit smaller faces and are a great accessory to professional clothes or that cute coffee date outfit. It has an adjustable metal nose bridge, which adds more comfort and uniqueness. Rounded lenses are an all-time favorite.

The final style are brow-line glasses. This style is the most famous style of glasses known for the square lenses and brow-line frame. Most noteworthy, these square frames are perfect for round faces to provide contrast to the face. This is a bold and retro look due to its frames and nostalgic look from the 50’s and 60’s. These glasses serve for an everyday look which is why many can say these are the iconic hipster glasses of 2017.

What style of glasses are you rocking? Share your favorites in the comments below!

Beauty Through Mental Health

What is mental health? Mental health defines our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Talking about mental health can be difficult because sometimes we face struggles far more difficult to overcome than we imagined. The way we choose to handle these situations, however, can impact our mindset. A positive mind equals a positive life. That does not mean that it will be easy to overcome obstacles or even mental struggles. I wanted to share a few tips to keep a positive mindset including spreading kindness, creating smart goals, and allowing yourself to relax.

Spreading kindness

Kindness is always well received. When we spread kindness, we not only bring out the joy in ourselves but in others also. A small act of kindness goes a long way. These small acts include:

Smiling
Doing something that benefits someone else
Listening

All of these acts are small and simple things that may just make someone’s day. Spreading positivity allows you to live a positive life and this allows positive mental health.

Creating smart goals

Creating new and smart goals is a positive way to keep yourself moving forward when it feels like you have just about had it. These goals may include starting a healthy lifestyle, exercising, developing a new skill or hobby, or anything you can think of that benefits you in a positive way. Exercising, for example, releases endorphins and can make you feel happier, stronger, and more confident. Why not even try a new detox for a jump on that healthy lifestyle? Beauty gurus suggest Edible Beauty Australia Loose Tea because it can regenerate your body, skin and mind. Finally, now that you have created your smart goals, write them down in a journal or a planner. Once those are written down, don’t be afraid to get started on them!

Time to relax

What we do not talk about enough is the importance of relaxing. It is extremely important to set aside time for yourself to do something that makes you happy. Friends can join you, but feel free to say no to friends sometimes. Go out and take part in your favorite hobby or grab some coffee from your favorite coffee shop, I recommend Alfred’s on Melrose, take a hike to free your thoughts, enjoy nature, or simply sit and write out your thoughts in a crafty notebook. This could be the perfect time to let out those feelings that you have been keeping for a while. You should also never be afraid to poor those emotions into something creative either. Overall, you should be giving yourself a break and enjoying some time to yourself.

I hope this can help you maintain positive mental health and feel confident to share your beauty with us!

Let me know how you maintain your positive light below or show us by tagging @cfashionista on social media!