Need....fresh air

I have finally returned from a week of thespian mayhem in Lincoln, Nebraska! It was a fun festival filled with workshops, shows, and costumed dances, but it is nice to be back in the routine of summer. We stayed at the University of Nebraska and I have gone to summer camps where I stayed in a dorm before, but this trip got me especially excited for college. It was so nice to be away and to experience new people and places! It made me realize how ready I am to get out of high school. I mean don't get me wrong, high school has been great, but I am ready to venture to new places and follow my dream. I especially loved being in a place where there was a diversity of people who all had different ways of dressing. It got me thinking about how blah high school is and how ready I am to experience something new. Even last night, I was at Target and I saw a college aged girl dressed like she was just pulled off the streets of NYC, working the edgy boyfriend look. Now, this is a rare occurrence to see at a place like Target in a stingy suburb, but it was such a breath of fresh air. I feel myself gasping for air in this stereotypical wealthy suburb where I reside...I need change!

Dress to Express

I have recently discovered the show Glee and I confess that I have spent a good number of hours watching every episode I could get my hands on this past week. I now understand why everyone was raving about it so much...it is genius television! The plot is enticing and there are plenty of plot twists to keep the viewer engaged, the characters have strong personalities that represent the widespread demographic of teens at a high school, and every episode is filled with catchy tunes sung in a new way...what is there not to love! One thing that I still fail to understand though, is why the latest Glee cast songs manage to consume nearly 85 of the top 100 spots on the itunes top 100 list. Wouldn't you rather just buy the original song?! Anyway, I am sure you are wondering why I am gushing over Glee on a fashion blog...what does any of this have to do with fashion???

Well, in episode 20, titled "theatricality", the theme of dressing to express yourself serves as the central message. This got me thinking about how fashion is such an excellent way to express yourself. Your outfits can fluctuate with your mood and no one is harmed by what you choose to wear in the morning. Most of us have a general style that we evoke through our apparel, but I think it is wrong for us to pinhole ourselves into one particular subgroup of dressing. Everyone is multifaceted and one's clothing should be given the opportunity to show that. Many people find that a simple pair of jeans and a t shirt are right for their lifestyle and that is completely fine, but for all you fashionistas out there remember that switching it up once in awhile isn't a bad thing. Dare to be different and show a new side of yourself. Your usual style may be "bohemian", but that doesn't mean you can't wear an oxford and khaki shorts for a more "preppy" look one day. You can even try mixing styles. I find that some of the most uniquely special outfits are created when you don't try to look a certain way. You simply select clothing and accessories based on what you are feeling. Life is fun, so live it to the fullest and allow your wardrobe to show the many great sides of you!

Random Rant

I feel in the mood to blog about randomness so here goes. My topic of discussion today is the little luxuries in life. I selected two in particular to comment on...those being the excitement of having freshly painted nails and the wonderful aroma of a just-mailed fashion magazine. I indulged in both of these last night, making for a spectacular Sunday evening. I painted my nails a bright pink color called "sugar-coated strawberry"...don't you just love that name?! I was debating between two colors in the target beauty aisle and made my decision based on the names of the polishes. This method is almost as fool proof as choosing a book because the cover art is beautiful ;) My home mani pedi was a success and I am now sporting some brightly colored nails that make me smile every time I look down at my hands. Don't you just love that feeling after you paint your nails and you can't stop staring at your beautiful hands?! The brand of polish that I used was Jessica custom nail color, which I highly recommend. It runs about $8 a bottle and its quality is on par with OPI. I actually find it better because it dries really quickly and the brush is great.

On to my second little luxury...fashion magazines. I have loved them from the start, but I recently gained a new appreciation for the aroma that they offer along with the scads of articles and pictures of fabulously clothed models. The smell of a fashion magazine is like none other. Most all come with a few perfume inserts that allow you to "sample" the perfume and when all the smells mix together you know you have a little treasure in your hands. The melting pot of scents becomes their mark of distinction. Newsweek doesn't do anything to stimulate my nose and National Geographic offers ink saturated pages that frankly give me a headache, therefore Vogue, Elle, W, and the many other fashion mags out there have won my vote in the "nice aroma" category...and in a slew of other categories, putting them at the top of my reading list. A quick beauty tip related to this topic: if you are ever out and about and smelling less that pleasant just pull open a perfume insert and rub the scented region across your wrist or the nape of your neck and voila...instant refresher! Perfume inserts are also a great way to test out new perfumes...you may be surprised at how the scent smells different once you apply it to your skin.

Well, I think this has been a sufficient rant and I quite enjoyed concocting this randomness. Always remember...a fashion mag a day keeps the blues away.

Free At Last!

School is out and a fun filled summer is just around the corner! There will be lots of relaxing in the sunshine with the newest issue of vogue and blogging on a more regular basis than I have previously ;) I can't wait for this summer...it is going to be so great! I am still drifting in that mental mode of pressure, finals, homework, and studying...UUUGGHHHH...I am sure my mind will soon find a better place to rest.

Speaking of summer, one of my favorite trends of this season is mixing nudes with brights. The contrast is so uplifting and fresh. I love the look of a very neutral, pale outfit with a simple bright accessory like a neon skinny belt or a wrist of brightly colored bangles. Try pairing a coral blouse with khaki shorts and nude flats for a classy look and amp it up for a fun night out with some shiny jewelry and a small metallic clutch. To properly pull off the nudes with brights look keep the basis of your outfit nude or a pale shade of pink and use small pops of bright color to make the outfit special. Neons are tempting but don't over do them and make sure you don't leave the house looking like you are dressed for an 80s party. Thinking of that has made me want to go rollerskating...well, rollerblading anyway...I will go for the more updated version :) My mind is wandering, can you tell? Summer has come, so let the good times roll! 'Til later my friends...

Soft as a tuft of cotton candy

What a bold new idea...wearing soft, draped pieces for a fiercely strong look. Designers such as Vera Wang and Thakoon have proven that this is not an impossible feat, though the concept may seem perplexing at first. After a fall 2009 season of strong shoulders and terminator inspired frocks, the spring 2010 runway shows have delivered a fresh outlook on the definition of fierce. But of course, once again the designers have created a completely new set of trends that clashes with those currently residing in my closet...great, fare warning to my wallet, this season may hurt a little. Whether simply staring at a gorgeous silky jumpsuit on your computer screen or actually forking over the money to purchase one, they are certainly a joy for one's pupils to behold. The softness of a beautifully draped gown is simply breathtaking. How the fabric folds over itself creating a cloud of ethereal beauty, like freshly spun cotton candy. And guess what, there's more...this soft and silky business doesn't end at draping. There are a multitude of beautiful flowing dresses and tops on the market that won't require you to forklift a wad of cash over to the salesman. For a fancy evening out, try a simple silky sheath belted with a thin, metallic belt and your favorite strappy pumps. For a day at the beach throw on a bandeau top, which by the way are really hot right now, and a loose fitting racer back tank to achieve that soft look. There are a variety of options that are nothing short of spectacular and always remember soft can be fierce. I will leave you with a sumptuous quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson...
"Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art."