Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Look at the Past, Present, and Future

2013 had its share of good times and bad times.
The good things? I met new people, went new places, started junior year of high school, and started blogging.
The bad things? I had a long sickness, found out I needed sinus surgery once again (happening in January), and started blogging! (I joke.)

But I feel like everyone is saying the same things about the year.

Let's take a different viewpoint on the final days of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.


No matter how much you hope and wish and dream; no matter how many resolutions you make and how well you keep them; there will always be both good and bad things about every year. It's part of being human. When God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden, he told them that their life would now be much harder. *
So I am not going to promise that I will make 2014 MY year, or that it will be any better than the past years have been.

And honestly, 2013 was a great year for me anyway.

So, instead of looking at what MAY happen or what we HOPE will happen, let's talk about what we know.

2014:
It's not 2013.
There will be new fashion shows, new fashion trends, and new fashion stars, like every other year.
Barack Obama will still be president.
It will be one year closer to Christ's return.
The world will be one year older.
Seniors will be graduating.
There  will be new people to meet and new places to go.
There will be more sin, yet there will still be God's mercy.
We are now closer to 2018 than 2008.
Don't worry, we've still got some time before 2015 comes.

Really, the New Year is just another new day, with new opportunities and new mercies.

"His mercies...are new every morning." *

Have a great new year everyone,and remember who it is that gave us this year on earth! For Christians, it is more time to spread the Gospel, for unbelievers, it's another chance to turn to Christ!

Happy 2014!



*Genesis 2
*Lamentations 3:22-23

Free People


So today I stepped into free people for the first time. One word: hooked. I really loved the store. The clothes, the atmosphere, even the way they bag your purchased item.
 So, my first purchase ever from Free People was a floral stretch headband. There are many different ways to wear it, but here's a couple:


Normal over-the-hair...



Or with the hair pulled over and tucked into the headband.


It will be perfect for a quick hair fix in the summer!

Summerrrr.....


Anyway, I think Free People will soon become my new favorite store, and definitely somewhere I would buy from again. 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Christmas Gifts: The Shoes

I got the best shoes ever for Christmas. I got three pairs, and they were all very different. But I love them all in their own way! So here they are:


These brown boots are classy and go with everything! They are that perfect shade of brown, and can be worn with other browns, or black!


These Dr. Martens are the bomb! They are fun, and the heel adds a bit of femininity to the bulky shoe. These can be either dressed up or dressed down.


These Fergalicious heels are perfect for a glamorous evening! My mom said that they reminded her of one of the pairs of shoes in this blog post, so she knew I would love them!


So that's the lineup! Which one do you like best?

Saturday, December 28, 2013

I'm Back!



Hey guys, I hope you all had a good break! I sure did, and I also took a few weeks off from blogging. But I'm back, just in time for the New Year!
 I have lots of purchases and gifts I received to fill you in on, as well as lots of inspiration to get you through the long winter months ahead! I might even start vlogging a bit, especially about makeup. Stay tuned for a lot more variety and exciting new material, as a begin what will be my fist full year of writing a blog! I can't wait! 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Chanel Dallas

I know this is kind of late, but I've been so busy lately. But better late than never, right?

The Trends:
loose, low ponytails
Long hemlines
High necklines
Heavy fabrics

So, I wrote a bunch of notes on the show, and it took me much longer than 15 minutes to watch it on YouTube. I had to keep pausing, rewinding, and taking screenshots
I've always been a huge fan of both native and wild west looks, and this had a good mixture of both.
I know a lot of people are saying it was very far from the typical Chanel feel. I don't think so.
It still had a very glamorous, strong, and independent feel, so the basic Chanel principles were still there. I think that its good and healthy for a label to veer of the typical path every so often. I know that when I have my own label, Lord willing, I will showcase many different themes and moods.
While I absolutely loved it, I feel like a lot of it was just a costume show. I would totally wear it if it was the norm, but I don't think people are going to make that there everyday fashion again. But I don't think Karl Lagerfield meant for it to be. If you think about it, a lot of fashion shows are like that. You have to pick and choose which individual pieces you like best.

And how about the makeup? Perfection.

And the little kids were adorable!



Now, for the negative:
I dont have much to say. The one thing I have is just preference, and does not affect the quality of the show at all.
So, I'm not a huge fan of ruffles, but there was enough of other stuff to keep me captivated. That's it.

So overall, I thought it was great. Definitely another great year for Chanel.

Friday, December 13, 2013

My Prom Dress

I bought my prom dress today! ...Well, kind of. I bought the material! I am so excited!


Even though it wasn't quite was I was originally thinking, I think it will look very nice. I can't wait to get started on it! First though, I have to create my pattern, and then try it out with muslin. I will keep you guys updated!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Dinesha Guest Post: Reviving the Standards

Hi my name is Dinesha Johnson and not only am I a blogger, but I’m also an item evolver, allow me to explain. If you’re like me and believe in mixing up your basics to stand out then you too are an item evolver. Helping staple items evolve into different looks, is a skill that needs to be practiced consistently. Recently I decided to start making my outerwear evolve to fit my personal style even more, I started off with blazers.



     Blazers are considered a standard outerwear item. When buying a blazer it’s advised to  find a flattering fit for your specific body and buy one in a neutral color so you can wear it however you want. Although blazers are considered standard pieces that doesn't mean they have to be boring! Spice it up with the most popular blazer trends, that you can wear on various occasions.
     Right now, pastel is quietly gaining popularity believe it or not. You can find cotton candy colors on watches, shoes, in hair, why not a blazer? A pastel blazer breathes freshness into a look and is a refreshing change from the standard navy blue or black business jacket.
    A velvet jacket is made to keep you warm and to add texture to this usually sophisticated style. I own a velvet jacket myself and have managed to wear it out for fun, to class and to an interview talk about versatile! Also if color doesn't do much for you a velvet blazer is a great alternative, because this piece specifically stands out due to texture.
   Plaid blazers fit right in with the massive plaid trend we've witnessed this season. Plaid is quite literally everywhere, it’s not going to hurt you to add it to your outerwear. Speaking of massive trends, faux leather panels have grown in popularity as well in the following blazers. Plaid and faux leather blazers are for edgier, trendier occasions like going out with friends.
   And last but certainly not least, is the sparkly, sequin embellished blazer. Not only does this blazer shine bright like a diamond(Rihanna would be proud), it also serves as jewelry and works for the festive season. Don’t worry about earrings and the proper necklace with this piece, it shimmers enough on it’s own!

   I hope this post helped revive your eye for standard outfit pieces like that of the classic blazer, feel free to check out any of my social media below if you’d like to see more style and fashion tips!

Twitter: @Deejay_Speaks
Twitter: @SheHasTheEye
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/deejayispinning
Google +: Dinesha Johnson

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Not the Right Color!

Hey guys, just a quick check in today. So, I bought this material from Joann Fabrics on Thanksgiving. It was a super good deal, and I figured if I didn't like it, I could just return it.
The deal is, the material would be to make my prom dress this year. So it had to be perfect.

Buying material on the internet is so iffy. The picture often doesn't represent the actual material correctly, and it can be very frustrating. I knew this going in to it, so even when I received the package in the mail, I tried not to get my hopes up to high. Sure enough, it was much more of a yellow-gold than I thought it would be, and almost had that fake, costume-y feeling. I am looking for a light gold or champagne, so this definitely wasnt a keeper.


So I guess I'll keep looking! The only problem is that Joann Fabrics is the only fabric store around me, and I've already looked in there and haven't found anything I liked. Do you guys have any ideas as to what I should do?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Drugstore Snatch Up

Here is an "activity" that I will be doing on my blog, that ANYONE can join! Its going to be a fun way to learn more about different products, to interact with other people participating, and to voice your opinion on a product!

Here's how it works:
I post the details on a certain drugstore makeup product.
You grab the product on your next stop to the drugstore (pay for it, of course!)
You try it out, and come up with a brief summary of your thoughts about it.
Tell me your summary, including your name and blog link (if you have one) by either commenting on the post, or emailing me at alysj1215@gmail.com.
I will then collect all of the summaries I receive, and at the end of the allotted time I will create a blog post sharing all of the summaries I receive, along with your name and blog link.
Dont feel like once you do one, you have to do every one after that! Do the ones you're interested in!

Now everyone has multiple review of the same production one place, and you get try something new!

This week's product:



Covergirl new "Flamed Out" shadow pots:
Claims to be blendable, highly pigmented color!
Tell me what you think of it!


This time I will give you two weeks to buy and use the product, then formulate your opinion.
Now go snatch it up!

What do you think of this? Do you have any questions or ideas to make it better? Tell me in the comments below!
Have a wonderful day!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Long, Smooth Lashes

Mascara review: Almay Get Up and Grow

I tried Almay's Get Up and Grow mascara for the first time this summer.
Before this, I had always used Maybelline and I loved it. While sometimes it tended to get a little clumpy, it gave me lots of volume. But after I got the Almay as a gift, I was totally excited to try it; I'm always open to trying new things.
And, I loved it! It became my new daily mascara.
I was kind of surprised by how much volume it gave me,  because the brush is one of the straight, thin ones meant for lengthening and separating. However, not only does it give the great length it claims to, it also gives a good amount of volume. And best of all, it doesn't clump!
Have you ever used Almay? Did you like it?

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Weekend Buys

Every year my mom's side of the family gets together for a huge Christmas shopping extravaganza. Yesterday was the first time I went with them, and it was SO MUCH FUN!
First, they meet up in the mall and talk for while. Then they get coffee and breakfast and talk some more.
Then comes the shopping.
While getting our Christmas shopping done is the first priority, theres always some time to find something for yourself. My "me" stop was in H&M. (Where else?) Here are the couple things I snatched up:

Knit Turtleneck Sweater
Jersey Skirt

The skirt length can also be higher or lower depending on how you wear it, I personally like it midi length.

And the best thing is, the sweater and skirt go together very nicely!!
 Did you get anything this weekend? What was it? Please let me know in the comments below!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Like Mother Like Daughter?

A lot of people say they get their style from their mother. I was never too sure of that. Growing up, we almost never agreed on anything to do with fashion! (No Mom, I'm not going to wear that stupid dress!) As I got older though, I realized that my mom has a really nice, classic style. Now every so often she'll find me digging through her closet, and yes, I do get compliments on her clothes when I wear them.
While we still don't agree on everything fashion-wise, and I actually agree with my aunt much more often than with my mom, I have narrowed down a few things fashion-wise that me and my mom both love:
1) Neutrals (tan, beige, cream, camel, all of those beautiful hues)
2) Keepin' it classy
3) Sweaters (comfy and stylish!)
4) Velvet! She has this awesome velvet jacket I steal a lot, but I am NOT overly fond of the red velvet "onesie" she had in the 90s:)

So that's that! What style similarities do you share with your mum?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Purfume, or Water?

 


Yesterday in Social Studies we looked at a chart that showed how much different countries spent on "luxuries" compared to "necessities". The chart was, not surprisingly, very lopsided. The chart showed that if the US and UK gave up perfume, we would have more than enough money to supply water and sanitation FOR ALL. Or, we would have twice the amount needed to supply basic education FOR ALL.
Why then, the question was, dont we stop using perfume altogether?

Its a difficult one to answer. There are many different sides to this question, and the bigger question, why don't we give up all luxuries for the betterment of society?
While getting everyone to give up all luxuries would be impossible and unreasonable, why can't the industry do more to aid others who aren't as fortunate as us?
I know there are a lot of companies that donate to different charities and causes, I dont mean to bash everyone. But my question is:

There are still people out there who are suffering.
Why don't we do more?

Please tell me what you think!

2014 Blogger Challenge!

AnotherGirlyBlg


So, I have decided to put my life on the line by joining the #2014bloggerchallenge ! I guess its not really that dangerous, but it sounds like it will be exciting and will cause me to venture into places I wouldn't normally think of doing! The best part is that hundreds of bloggers are doing it with me!
Here's the scoop:
Every blogger who joins will get an email from Gaby at Another Girly Blog, giving the the post topics for the 1st and 3rd weeks of each moth. The bloggers then have to take that topic and write about it. Sounds like fun, right?
If you are a blogger that wants to jump on this great opportunity, you can email Gaby at AnotherGirlyBlg@gmail.com. Just make sure to give her your name, email address, and blog link.
For more info, or to hear straight from the main source, visit Gaby's informational post here.
I hope you'll be joining me! Have a great day!:)

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Stand Out!

Sometimes its not jewelry, or a brand new shirt, or flashy heels that's the focus point of a good outfit. Its something else. 
Accessories!




Google Images


Whether its a pair of bright red Beats headphones, a sleek pair of sunglasses, a tilted wide brim hat, or even a fun umbrella, incorporating a new accessory into your look can make you stand out in the crowd of new shirts and flashy heels!

How do you accessorize? I'd love to hear!

Style Crush: Cher Lloyd


So this week the style crush is Cher Lloyd. She is always very fashionable, and not afraid to try new looks. It seems like in most of her outfits she always has that one piece that makes her outfit very unique...only something Cher Lloyd would wear. And she pulls it off!

 



How to get the look:




For the earrings

This is a more relaxed version of what Cher Lloyd is wearing.

Tell me what you think! Happy Wednesday!

Monday, December 2, 2013

The Future of Fashion?



There's been a lot of talk recently about "wearable technology." With Samsung's Galaxy Gear, Google Glass, and other fashionable (or not-so fashionable, as some people would argue) technology coming out, do you think sometime in the future much more fashion will incorporate new technological advances? Or do you think this is strictly science fiction? And also, do you like the idea of wearing technology?

I personally am all for this, and think it opens up a while new world for designers to explore and experiment with.

Also, while I do love the idea of Google Glass, I think it could be made to be much more attractive. (I have some design ideas floating around in my head, only I'm not sure if they would be doable for mass production.)
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?

Cozy Pants

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long, this Thanksgiving weekend has been so busy! But to catch you guys up, I made a pair of comfy pants on Wednesday!!!


I followed a pattern, so it wasn't entirely my own idea and everything, but its a good start!
The onlymthing that I'm upset about is that I didn't wash the material beforehand, but after instead, since they were quite big on me when I first made them. But now they are too short. So I'm dissapointed, but they're still wearable and very cozy.
Stay tuned for more sewing experiments!:)

Happy Cyber Monday!
Did you guys get any super good deals??? Cyber Monday really stinks when you dont have any money too spend (my situation)

Monday, November 25, 2013

On Inspiration and Notepads


Many of my journal notes are going to be quick ideas I might just get randomly that I have to write down and share with you guys!

 So in this note, I am just going to explain the importance of keeping a place to put notes, for fashion, art or anything you're interested in!

Inspiration is a tricky little thing, and you gotta catch the ideas it gives you as they fly by. One second you may have this amazing idea, and the next minute its gone, never to be remembered again.

You never know when inspiration is going to come to you.

For awhile now I've carried around a sketch book with me so whenever I get an ideas for a design, I can get it down on paper. If I'm sitting in Spanish class and we're watching a video on the ancient Mayans, and something about the scenery or mood inspires me, I just whip out my pad and pound out a few dresses or outfits while I'm still under the influence of whatever idea had come on me!
I heard of one guy, I forget his name, that kept a journal right next to his bed, so that he could right down his dreams as soon as he woke up so he wouldn't forget them. Apparently he had some crazy cool ideas.
Just recently I've tried to start carrying a notepad with me as well, so if an idea comes to my head I can write it out. I often end up not using a real notepad and just using my tablet instead.
Honestly, if you don't already, I suggest that everyone, especially people going into design, carries a sketch book with them EVERYWHERE. even if your not an "artist," everyone can have good ideas:) I don't know how many times I've had a really good idea and haven't written it down, and got so upset when I couldn't remember it later.
So anyway, just a little rant on the importance of a sketchbook/notepad/SOMETHING to keep your ideas in...
It might just come in handy!

Do any of you already carry a notepad around? What kind of stuff do you put in it?

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Journal Note: The Perfect Outfit

I'm going to start doing Journal Notes every once in awhile as I collect random thoughts and discoveries that I hope will not only help me, but also be helpful for you! So here's my first one:



A lot more goes into a good outfit than I thought. You have to think of the trends you want in the outfit, and how to mix different ones. Its tricky, because when you look at them separately, it looks like gold glitter and soft florals would never go together. But when you look at the outfit as a whole, they look perfect together!
Its not really until you pick the outfit apart that you REALLY begin to appreciate it and all the effort that goes into putting together a good one.
You have to decide what you want the main focus of the outfit to be, like you would with a painting or any other piece of art. Then you have to figure out how to make the focus of the outfit stand out from everything else. The outfit that Lily Collins was wearing in this post is a perfect example: she brought the attention to the light kimono and shimmering heels by dressing the rest of herself in black, to create a sort of background.

There will be more journal entries to come, as I collect more random thoughts and discoveries! Theres also a lot more that could be said about the creation of an outfit, and as more does to me, I'll be sure to share it with you!
Have a great week all!:)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Saturday Picks: Stay Cozy!

I thought it was fitting to go with a cozy coat/sweater theme today, seeing that its snowing here right now! So curl up with some hot cocoa and look through for some winter inspiration!

Gina Tricot
A soft winter spin on the black&white trend...soft knits and an off-white make the outfit more cozy and warm!


L'Wren Scott

A more glamorous version of the long sweater! You could still be comfortable for the holidays, and look trendy and dressy!

Donna Karan Resort 2014

All white! White in the winter is no longer a no-no! This combination allows your beautiful smile to take the center stage!

Let me know what you think!
Have a great day... I hope this gets you dreaming of a White Christmas!



Monday, November 18, 2013

Newest Find!



I just got this new Rossetti bag today... I've been wanting a cross-body handbag for awhile now, and I was so happy when I saw this one! It was between this one and a Calvin Klein bag, but 1)I liked this color better and 2) this one had adjustable straps!:) And, it was $40 cheaper, which matters especially for a girl still in high school:) And i like the worn out look of this one. what do ya guys think?

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Woman Crush Wednesday: Style Crush

Every Wednesday from now on, in honor of Woman Crush Wednesday, I am going to write a post on someone with amazing style, what makes their style unique, and how you can make the style your own! Because honestly, when you think of a celebrity you adore, its often because of their fabulous clothes, right?


This week's style crush: Lily Collins

I am going to start with an obvious one. Lily Collins is one of my favorite celebrities, and it is so fun to look up pictures of her different clothing selections. She's got that perfect mix of classic and trendy. She often times opts for the classic look, but she's certainly not afraid to mix it up a bit.







Today's look:



Here, Lily Collins went with the whole "mixing trends" trend. The floral colored, loose butterfly top pairs well with her shimmering champagne booties. Notice that she brings the attention to these two eye catching pieces by dressing the rest of her body in black, to create a sort of background for the "stars" of her production.

How to get the look:
http://www.hm.com/us/product/15209?article=15209-A
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.jsp?_requestid=348133http://www.hm.com/us/product/15209?article=15209-A
http://www.loft.com/grosgrain-neck-tee/314339?colorExplode=false&skuId=14200823&catid=cat1100004&productPageType=search&defaultColor=6600
http://www.loft.com/grosgrain-neck-tee/314339?colorExplode=false&skuId=14200823&catid=cat1100004&productPageType=search&defaultColor=6600http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=364639012&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&vid=0&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.com%2Fproducts%2Fwomens-black-skinny-jeans.jsp
I'm having trouble linking the picture to the websites, (I'm still new to blogging) so here are the links:

For the necklace, you could really wear any long necklace you have, but here's a choice for a fancier one.

I would love to hear what you think! Should I do this again with someone else? 
Happy hump day/wcw!:)