Check Out my New Blog: "Wandering Opal"

Hey Everyone!
I have (finally) begun blogging again! I am now blogging under a new blog, "Wandering Opal." I'd love if you checked it out, followed, and told me what you thought about it!
Thank you all for your support!

Link to blog

Love,
Alyssa

Changing the Game

Hey everyone,

This is hard to write and took a lot of thinking, but it needs to be said.

I will not be blogging on The Nu Creations anymore.

I really enjoy blogging. I would love to have a blog again at some point.

The reason I've decided to stop blogging on The Nu Creations is because of lack of resources and time. I am a senior in high school, and am working really hard to get into college right now. Along with time issues, I also lack the equipment and resources to further my blog. I have reached a point where I have done as much as I can with what I have, and in order to go further in blogging, I would need higher-quality equipment and money to invest.

Blogging has been so fun and has been a great learning experience. I have found new ideas and my writing has progressed tremendously. Thank you all for reading my blog and taking time to discuss the topics I have written about.

I will still be posting my original artwork and other types of quick posts on my Tumblr blog, alyssajudson.tumblr.com  so if you are still interested in my thoughts and ideas, please check that one out! The format of Tumblr makes blogging on Tumblr more do-able for me at this point.

Thank you all for the experience. Please watch out for my name in the future, as I plan to go to fashion school and continue to make my way into the fashion world.

Please feel free to still contact me with any questions about fashion or my work by emailing me at alysj1215@gmail.com.


Alyssa Adelle Judson

Milan Fashion Week: Illustration of Kristina Bazan

As always, the shows at Milan Fashion Week have been great. And likewise, the street style has been on point. One of my favorite street style heroes has been Kristina Bazan, founder of Kayture. She wore a fantastic ensemble, which included a Tod's Cape and Jimmy Choo boots, to the Tod's show,  which I illustrated:

View on my Instagram

I hope you like it! If anyone has a suggestion on who else I should illustrate, please comment or email me at alysj1215@gmail.com !

Have a wonderful Sunday!

NYFW: The Best So Far

We are now three days into Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. There have been many fantastic shows to kick it off. Here are a few of my favorite shows so far, for those of you who haven't had a chance to watch the shows, or those who just can't get enough!

BCBGMAXAZRIA

The BCBG Max Azria show is one of my favorites every season. They have that ultimate effortless-chic feel, and the fabrics are so soft and rich. I love just going into a BCBG store and trying all of the dresses on.
The Spring 2015 show was gentle and romantic. the clothing was simple and neutral, with lots of blush and cream colors. The BCBGMAXAZRIA website says that the collection was full of Mediterranean vibes and effortless prints.

Meskita

This was an up-and-coming label I had never heard of before. The collection was very regal, with a Summer Princess feel. There was a lot of pleating, which gave a rich, voluminous feel. Gold was the main color, but it was used in a tasteful way with subtle gold shines on white pleats, gold bands, and a few completely gold dresses.

Marissa Webb

The new Banana Republic creative director's personal label had a very professional yet feminine feel. the clothing was simple and flowy, with the color palette mainly consisting of black and white. Webb had the perfect balance of structured and loose-fitting.

Overall, with a few exceptions like Desigual and Lacoste, the trend so far has been gentle, romantic and light. I can't wait to see the remainder of the shows!

The "IT" Color of Fall

Fall 2014 is all about depth. Rich colors engulfing us and comforting us as we brave the weather to come. And what better to do so than a deep red? Different shades of maroon are everywhere this fall! 

Gap

DKNY

Alexander Wang

Whether you want an everyday piece like the Gap sweater, or an investment piece like this Alexander Wang coat, be sure to get your fill of maroon now!

Words from the Mouth of Fashion: Vivienne Westwood

"Buy less, choose well."

~Vivienne Westwood, designer

It's always good to go shopping with a game plan, otherwise you end up spending money you didn't know you had, or buying items you didn't need or want!

Yes, with the rise of fast-fashion stores such as H&M and Zara, buying more has suddenly become easier and cheaper. But is cheaper always better?

Even with cheap being available, you should be picky with what you bring home. (Yes, when it comes to fashion and shopping, being picky can be a good thing!) It can save you money, and can allow you to consider bigger, nicer buys. It's always good to have a couple statement pieces, even if that means a few less tees!

So remember Vivienne Westwood's words next time you feel the urge to go shopping, and be purposeful in your browsing!

Midi Skirts: What (Not) to Do

I'm sure you have all heard of the Midi Skirt by now. It became popular this past year, and its popularity has not decreased since!

While it may seem like you can't go wrong with this style, there ARE right and wrong ways to wear it.

First of all, the skirt has to be one of two things:

1)made with a light material that adds next to nothing to your frame:

Google Images

*OR*

2) Made with a heavier material, like this one:

Google Images

Semi-bulky midis are unflattering and misleading as to whether the extra bulk is a part of YOU or the skirt. Often they just add unwanted pounds to your lower body physique.

Tips for wearing midis:

• If you are looking to add some shape to your frame, then go for a high waisted midi made with a thick material, like the one above, which accentuates a small waist and flares out, giving the appearance of more curves.
• The same goes for women trying to take attention away from a larger lower body. The skirt flares on its own, and continues to flare almost to the end, elongating the curve and making the shape under become one with the skirt.
• No matter what shape you are, always experiment with different varieties! Everyone is different, and different types may look good on you, and not on others. 
• Pick a time to go to your favorite store, grab every midi off the racks, and have your own little dressing room party!

If the idea of midi skirts have always made you sick, remember these modern midis aren't just the typical 50's skirts. There are many different styles, shapes, and materials being used now, making the midi more flashy and unique than ever.

Pinterest, my own collage

If you don't love the way the length looks on you, or you just want to try a different take, try a midi wrap skirt!

Pinterest

Pinterest

A midi skirt can be many different things! If you don't like one of the styles, then try a different one!

What are your thoughts on the Midi?

Words from the Mouth of Fashion: Franca Sozzani

Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief

“I don’t like fashionistas. They only wear the brand. You want to become a fashionista? Easy! Spend money.”

-Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief

Every week from now on, I am going to post a quote about fashion that I want to share with you, and explain a bit of what it means to me. So above is the quote for week one, from Franca Sozzani.

I agree with the fact that almost anyone can be a fashionista if they have the money. 
Its true that anyone can be considered fashionable and trendy if they go and buy the newest Chanel ensemble. 

It's not bad to appreciate good design and want to wear attractive clothes, but it is also good to hear that people in the fashion business, like Franca Sozzani, can see through the clothing and won't evaluate only based on how expensive or flashy an outfit is. 

What do you think? Is this a harsh statement, or generally true?

Wearable Technology- Ringly

Lately we've been bombarded with all sorts of products claiming that they are "wearable technology". But many of them are unappealing and unattractive, which almost takes the "wearable" out of them, for the fashion forward. Guaranteed, there are some good ideas out there, and they are a start. But there is a new product coming out in the fall that is not only high-tech, but also fashionable! Made by the designers at ringly.com, these hot new rings, made with 18K matte gold, will tell you when you receive that important email you've been waiting for, great for situations where it would be rude to check your phone every few seconds. Also, these rings look fantastic! I would wear them just for the look! 

Daydream

 "With technology so discreet, you’ll forget it does anything other than accessorize your favorite looks." (Ringly)

For more information, visit their website, ringly.com.

Design Prom Dress: Check!

Hey guys, I've written a few posts before on how I was designing my prom dress. My prom was last week, and I am so happy to say that i finished making my dress in time! Yay! here are a couple pictures of it:

I was so excited to wear it and I was very happy for the way it turned out! This was my first real sewing project, so it was a lot of trial and error, and I still have many things to learn! I can't wait to start designing my dress for next year!

PLEASE tell me what you think about it, and if you have any specific complements or critiques I would love to hear them in the comment section! 

Thank you! 

New York, New York

Friday is always the best day of the week, right? Well for me, this past Friday was extra special. Because...it was the first time I have ever been in NYC! And it won't be my last.
You all know how I aim to be a fashion designer, so the reason for the trip was actually to go to an information session at the renowned Fashion Institute of Technology. The school was amazing, both physically and in theory, and the opportunities they make available for their students both during school and afterwards is extensive and impresive. I look forward to applying in the fall!

And New York itself is absolutely stunning. Google Street View just doesn't do it justice. And the stores in Times Square have their own DJs? You've gotta be kidding me!
For the last portion of our time, we went down to Soho to have dinner with our cousin. We ate at Mezzogiorno, an Italian restaurant with some of the best food I've ever had. The business was just starting to pick up when we left around 9:30, and the candles and wine glasses scattered around made for an excellent atmosphere.

So here's a small summary of my Friday. I could have included a lot more, and I'm sure my dad would be upset that I didn't include anything about going in Madison Square Garden, but hey, he'll get over it! But seriously, every inch of the City was stunning and I'm just itching to go back!

(Photos found on google images, they are not my own)

Back in the Game

Hey guys,

Just a quick note to say thank for your support even in my absence. Even while I haven't been posting during the last couple of weeks, I still got mentions on twitter, page views, and more followers. You guys really encourage me to keep writing even when I want to give up or when I feel like I've run out of ideas. So, I have a post scheduled for tomorrow, and I plan to get back into the swing of things!
Thanks so much!
-Alyssa Adelle
(The picture has nothing to do with this, I just thought it was pretty!)

Top 10 New Season Arrivals

Hi!

 

Natalie, here from Couttiepie. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with the lovely Alyssa and having full reign to do a guest post on this here blog for you guys!

 

I’ve been having my usual nosey round the high street to see what new styles the S/S 2014 season will bring, and there are some beautiful items out there at the minute! Androgynous style is still a very big thing this season with gingham and check prints, straight cut blazers and patterned slacks bouncing around the stores, though this trend is now teamed with more pleats than in A/W, while pastels are also making a big comeback in order to add a fun atmosphere to the ‘off duty’ look!

 

 

 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

 

 

What do you guys think of the new season arrivals? Have you spotted any favourites yet?

 

Healthy Skin

So, recently I wrote that I would be wearing less makeup and giving my skin a chance to breathe! And I've been sticking to my resolution! But its not just going without makeup that will heal my skin, I have also been moisturizing, toning, and cleansing vigorously. So, here are a few helpful products that I have been using, and if you're not already using I suggest you invest in:

Cleanser.
I like face wash with scrubbing beads in it, and that doesn't leave a soapy feel, as my skin gets dried out very easily.

Toner.
I currently use Target brand, but really any brand works. Watch out though, they have different types of toner, so pick one that more accurately contains what you're looking for.

Acne Control.
I have a small sample bottle of Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control, and it's been working great!

Moisturizer.
I use moisturizer twice a day, right after using toner. I alternate between Neutrogena and Jergens to give my face a little glow, even without makeup.

Face Masks:
I like trying different homemade facemasks occasionally (never doing egg whites again, disgusting) but right now I have a store bought black sugar and charcoal scrub that I'm really enjoying. It leaves the skin super soft.

This one!

So that's my daily routine! You guys had great suggestions for different products in my first post, and I would still love to hear any recommendations you have!

Saturday Select: Dreaming of Sun

Now that I'm back to regular blogging...it means that I'm back to Saturday inspiration posts! To freshen your memory, I do a quick post on Saturdays with pictures to inspire you for the weekend, or pick you up from a bad week. There is typically a new theme to the set of pictures with each new week.
So this week I have been really wishing for summer, as I'm sure all of you are too, and the warmth today didnt help much. So here are a few bright ideas to remind you that summer will come soon enough!

We're already halfway through February, summer will come soon enough! I hope this gave you some happy, warm thoughts and maybe some new ideas! Have a great weekend!

The Trick to Full Eyebrows

So... I've figured it out!
What, exactly?
How to get fuller eyebrows without pencil or shadow!
The trick is...
Hair volumizing powder!

(I use the one on the left)

 Just shake a bit of the powder onto your hands, and apply it to your eyebrows, instead of your hair!

If you have super thin brows, it won't give you Cara Delevingne brows, but its perfect for a little extra texture and even distribution of hairs.
I even use it under my pencil, if I want a slightly more dramatic look.

So, try it out and tell me how it works for you!

Makeup Free

So, for the next while, I am going to be doing a very hard thing. I will be going almost makeup free, only wearing eye makeup and occasionally some bronzer. Why? Because I haven't been taking good care of my skin. Its so dry, irritated, and unhealthy. Sure, I put lotion on and wash it everyday, but makeup really clogs it up and dries it out. I miss having healthy, glowing skin, and I've been applying more and more makeup to try to cover up the lack of care my face has received. So, I'm hopong that I'll have healthy skin by summer at the latest!

(I dont think I'll be this crazy, though:)

Does anyone have suggestions as to what I could do to make my skin happy? 

Fashion February: NUMARI Sheath Dress

Happy February! For my first Fashion February post, the goal was to come up with the perfect compliments to this gorgeous NUMARI sheath dress. While the dress is so very versatile and can be worn for many different occasions, I knew immediately that I wanted to dress it for an everyday type of look. Here are my picks:

As you can see, the dress is black with camel accents in the corners. The neutral colors allowed for a bit of color play, as with the coat. Because of the elegant nature of the color scheme, I wanted to leave all the other pieces somewhat simple and make sure they brought out the rich colors found in the dress.

The Coat: This is a lamb suede jacket in distressed brown, and it can be found at Free People. The worn in feel of the coat dresses down the dress a bit (that sounds weird) and allows the dress to be used for everyday wear. It also adds a bit of color to the outfit, while the deep hue still leaves that rich, elegant feel of the dress.

The Necklace: This sweet pearl necklace is sold by Anthropologie and somewhat mimicks Chanel's new gigantic pearl necklaces, but with slightly smaller pearls! The pearls keep the outfit simple, while the chic, nontraditional design adds a modern twist.

The Hair Tie: This domed gold plate from Shopbop adds a bit of hair going without overdoing it. The gold well compliments the camel accents in the dress.

The Purse: This Coach Classic bag comes in smooth leather that can be worn with the strap or as a clutch. The simple but sleek design well compliments the outfit and ties into the black dress, but its simple enough to not draw away from the core of the outfit.

The Shoes: These Michael Antonio Jace sandals are the perfect finish for the outfit. They have a unique design thats adds another interesting element, but at the same time they have a neutral color so they dont take away from the rest of the outfit.

So, I'm thinking that the outfit would look something like this:

So, tell me what you think! Do you like my take on the dress?

Moriah: Trendy Athlete

Hi Everyone! Moriah from Triorbust.com here today. I’m doing a guest post for Alyssa, who is just the coolest. I’m going to brag here for a second - I know this chick in real life. Like we hang out occasionally. Isn’t that so cool? Trust me, it’s cool.

Anyway, I don’t write about fashion. I am clueless there. I write about food and workouts. Yup. You heard me right. I am a certified fitness instructor, so the last time I wore pants that weren’t made of quick-dry, compressive, spandex-ish stuff was.... probably right around the last time I hung out with Alyssa. Too long ago. I actually forgot what jeans are. Not even kidding.

But guess what? All of that is ok, because it is actually becoming trendy to wear cute athletic clothes even when you’re not working out. This was perfect timing. I actually think I started the trend. Just kidding.

I am realizing that I end a lot of paragraphs with either ‘kidding’ or ‘not kidding.’ Not kidding.

So basically, I am here to talk about some of the trendy stores that have been all of the range in the workout world/non workout world lately.
Ready? Lets start with the most obvious:

#1: Lululemon.
Duhhh. You can’t step out of the house these days without seeing at least one Omega sign (the Lululemon logo - I have no idea why) sign stitched onto headbands, leggings, or the back of adorable sweatshirts. Granted, the place gets a lot of smack for being highway robbery when it comes to prices, but I don’t think people realize that Lululemon isn’t actually any more expensive than most other stores of it’s kind. Nike, Reebok, Lucy, and Athleta (to name a few) all hang out in the same price range.
All that being said, Lulu has some amazing pieces. I love how versatile their clothing is. It is functional - quick dry, anti-chafing, even anti-stink - but also classy and cute. I have a pair of grey Herringbone Wunder Unders (leggings) that stretch and breath during a hard workout, or I can wear them with my White Stripe Nice Asana Jacket for running errands or heading to class. Despite the cost, I think a few lululemon items are essential for anyone who spends a lot of time at the gym.

#2 Nike

Good old Nike. I love this company’s style a lot. I recently bought a purple shirt from there (on sale!) and I love it. Its perfect over a thin striped tank top. I can throw it on after teaching as I head to my college classes and suddenly I look somewhat like I have my act together. I also want a pair of their Leg-A-See New York Leggings as soon as they go on sale. They’re just the coolest!!

#3 Fabletics:

This is an innovative company, recently co-founded by Kate Hudson. Each month you see the style guide and then choose whether or not you’re going to by an outfit (or an individual piece.) The prices are decent - a whole 2-3 piece outfit is about $50. Plus, your first outfit is only $25!! You can beat that. I used my first outfit deal to get this jacket and shorts - I love them both! The jacket is so cute. Its more like wearing a long sleeve shirt, so it’s not too heavy to wear for workouts. The shorts are great for deep squatting (They’re tight, but this is actually the most modest way to go for deep squats and floor ab work. Think about it.) and they don’t chafe, which is HUGE for me. I also love these pants with the stripe - so cute!

#4: Reebok

Reebok is quickly becoming on of the favorites - specifically because I get a fitness professional discount there that beats all other stores. My one complaint is that they cater to women who are really muscular, so my shoulders are sometimes drowned in fabric (and keeping my shirt on while I’m teaching in front of 20 people would be nice.)
That being said, I love the simplicity of the designs, but the details in the print. They incorporate fitness vocabulary into their print in abstract ways, which seems to be a big hit with customers, as most of those pieces are sold out.

So thanks for reading, everyone! I love reviewing fitness gear, so if you dig that stuff feel free to visit my blog or follow me on twitter @triorbust.
Thanks Alyssa! Feel better soon so we can hang out and you can help me buy real clothes!

-Moriah

Ellie: #WishlistWednesday

Its #WishListWednesday time again! I am guest posting for Alyssa who is an amazing fellow blogger but if you would like to follow me too then you can elliesbeautyedit.blogspot.co.uk and leave me a comment or tweet the top products on your wish list to @elliebeautyedit or use the hashtag above!

Illamasqua have a pretty cracking sale going on at the moment so be sure to check that out and grab the bargains while they last! I've never tried anything from Illmasqua so after having a little snoop on their website and at one of their counters, here are my top five products to try in 2014:

5. Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in 'Hermetic' (£14.50)-  Fear not, I wouldn't ever wear this as a daytime shade but it would be perfect for adding something different to a night out look. I just think its a very pretty and unusual shade so I can't wait to try this!

4. Illamasqua Masqura (£16.50)- Blimey, that's a mouthful! If you already follow my blog then you will already know that I am a bit of a mascara freak (14 mascaras for one person is a bit excessive!)and if I could only use one item of makeup forever I would choose mascara, hands down! I would love to try Illamasqua's offerings to see wether it's my new favourite as I have heard good things about this

3. Illamasqua Velvet Blusher in 'Peaked' from 'The Sacred Hour' Collection (£18.00)- For a blusher, this is at the pricier end of the normal spectrum but the colour is just SO pretty. I really hope it is as pigmented as it looks and I really like the fact it is a cream blush as they usually have better colour pay offs too. I find them easier to apply and blend out so this looks perfect for me and I think it would really compliment a range of skin tones

2. Illamasqua Pigment in 'Furore' (£7.50)- Everybody raves about the Illamasqua eye pigments but this gorgeous shade caught my eye with it's unusual peachy pink tones. This versatile product can be used to highlight your brows, cheeks or as an eyeshadow. I really hope that it doesn't cause fallout when used and I hope it shines just the right amount- Think I might have to order this!

1.Illamasqua Sealing Gel (£7.00)- From the reviews, this looks like a hidden gem. You can blend it with powdered products to turn them into a 'colour-intense, water-resistant paste that dries quickly and lasts for hours'- Sounds good to me! The thing I like the most about this product is that it is unlike anything I have discovered so far so it definitely will be on the top of my list of products to try next and at only £7.00, its reasonably priced too!

Let me know if you have tried any of the products on my wishlist or if you want to recommend a brand for me to make a wishlist from next week! Check out my latest blogpost on elliesbeautyedit.blogspot.co.uk or follow me on twitter!

Thank you so much to Alyssa for letting me guest post and I hope she gets better soon!

Ellie x