Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Sunday

 photo 8b7d1de1-e03b-4eb2-bf49-0b84b5111a15_zps407ce5c3.jpg photo b8_zpsd07c7c94.jpg

Hello! Happy Easter to all of my followers who celebrate the holiday! These photos were taken while on a stroll along the beach hence the sand dunes in the background.

Each Easter, I try to incorporate a floral print in my outfit. Florals just shout "spring" and cause images of colorful gardens to dance in my head. Last year, I donned floral in a sweet, Forever 21 dress (outfit found here) while this year, a floral pattern was present in my shorts. This floral print caught my eye last year at my favorite thrift shop for two reasons: 1. The bold, graphic floral pattern on the shorts stands out amid a sea of dainty florals found on the shelves of Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe. 2. The high waistline of the shorts is absolutely perfect.

Due to chilly weather outside, I styled the shorts with a simple black long-sleeve top followed by my faux leather jacket. Black combat boots along with black socks scrunched at the ankle added a little bit of edge to my look.

My ears were dressed up with two pairs of rhinestone earrings. This earring combo is by far one of my favorites. It is just so glamorous! Not to mention, the combo makes me feel like Karla of Karla's ClosetClassic sunglasses wrapped the look up

Black long-sleeve top: Victoria's Secret
Floral shorts: Vintage
Faux leather jacket: Marshall's (similar)
Combat boots: Target
Black socks: Betsey Johnson
Earrings: Forever 21 and Sears (similar and similar)
Classic sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage Sunglasses

Saturday, March 30, 2013

22 Spring Break Essentials

Spring Break Essentials

Hello! Yesterday began my spring break. Thank gosh! This week will be a greatly needed break from school and scholarship applications spent peacefully by the beach. Today, I thought that I would share a few of my spring break essentials with you guys. Each of these choices was carefully thought out and also packed in my suitcase yesterday. Enjoy!

1. Floppy sun hat. Protect your scalp from the sun (yes, your scalp can get sunburned!) while looking stylish.
2. Camera. I prefer my Polaroid! However, I also packed my digital camera.
3. Classic one-piece. Great when worn as a bathing suit of course but also great when worn as a top with shorts during the day.
4. Fun bikini. Now this is what spring break is all about!
5. Stylish romper. This is one of the best pieces that you can bring with you. It can either be thrown over your bathing suit for a trip down to the beach or dressed up with a statement necklace and be worn out for dinner.
6. A sun dress or two. So easy!
7. Magazines. You can bet that I will always have a few fashion/lifestyle magazines with me on any given excursion to the beach. Teen Vogue and Marie Claire are two of my favorites. However, I also love Vogue and Seventeen.
8. A few must-read books. The Virgin Suicides, Lolita, and The Grapes of Wrath are a few that were packed in my suitcase for this trip. I would also recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower and To Kill A Mockingbird.
9. A faux leather or real leather jacket. Keep warm at night with this edgy-chic jacket.
10. Tote bag. Just throw in fashion magazines, keys and sunscreen and head off to the beach.
11. Denim jacket. Also great for staying warm on chilly, windy days.
12. Striped top. Basically striped tops= nautical, beach-y perfection. Layer it over your bathing suit or style it with a pair of denim shorts.
13. Colored jeans. Great for when shorts just won't cut it.
14. Money. Need I elaborate? Spring break can be expensive with all the souvenirs and meals eaten out so be sure to bring enough money so that you won't run out.
15. Chap stick. Nothing is worse than chapped lips! Don't leave your house without this essential.
16. Sunglasses. How else would you keep the sun out of your eyes?
17. Beach towel. Let your beach towel represent your personality; mine is spotted with leopard print.
18. Denim shorts. My etsy shop Boho Fairytale has a few great pairs perfect for the beach.
19. White tank top. This is the ideal layering piece.
20. Sunscreen. Prevent sun burn and skin cancer by properly applying sunscreen consistently.
21. Bandeau top. Bandeau tops practically scream "spring break"
22. Quirky sweatshirt. When it gets chilly, you will definitely be glad that you packed this! I am currently wearing my kitty-cat sweatshirt. My Minnie Mouse sweater/sweatshirt was also packed.

Anyone else on spring break?

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

10 Reasons Why I'm Excited for April

April 2013


1. Spring break! This year, I will be spending my spring break laying by the beach if the weather permits. Fingers crossed for pleasant weather.
2. Pastel nail polish. Oh how I have missed my pastel nail polish this winter! April is the perfect month to break out my bottles of pastel purples and mint.
3. The weather (hopefully) will be warm enough for me to use my Polaroid camera. To use it the outside temperatures must be relatively warm. However, the spring weather should allow me to start snapping Polaroids.
4. Open toe sandals, here I come! My feet have been covered up all winter and are ready to come out again.
5. Prom. Do I really need an explanation for this one?
6. Straw hats and bathing suits. Ideal for wearing when lounging by the beach or lake.
7. Outdoor farmer's markets, flea markets and yard sales begin to pop up like crazy during April and you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be attending many of them! Farmer's markets carry the freshest fruit and vegetables while flea markets and yard sales are the best place to find cheap, dorm décor (even if the pieces purchased need a little bit of DIY love).
8. Riding with my car windows down. I absolutely love riding with my windows down but it has recently been too cold for that. April should bring warmer weather to appease my need to drive with the windows down.
9. Scholarship notifications. Starting in April, I will begin to know if I won any of the scholarships that I have been continually applying for this year. I'm really hoping for some good news regarding scholarships!
10. Catching up on my reading as well as updating the playlists on my iPod over spring break. Any book or song suggestions?

What are you guys looking forward to in April?

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Dressed to Kill

 photo c7022854-7da2-4fc8-aedf-b3e10a1739ed_zps5ab094ae.jpg
 photo cateye4_zpsade14593.jpg
 photo cateye5_zps4656b0f7.jpg
 
Hello! This outfit was actually from sometime last week but I am just getting around to blogging about it. My schedule's been quite busy this week.
 
For once, I decided to opt for jeans rather than a feminine skirt or dress. A leopard print sleeveless button down was styled with the jeans. Due to the cold weather (we even got a sprinkling of snow!), I decided that layering was a must so I began by slipping a cream colored sweater over the leopard print blouse. I love the way that the collar of the blouse peeks out over the sweater. It is just such a fun detail! Other fun details in this look? My quirky ensemble of pins. A multitude of pins including an American flag, "Dressed to Kill" pin and an airline pin were paraded about on my sweater. It seems as if lately I cannot resist pins- especially vintage pins.
 
I needed yet another layer so I chose to add a pop of color to my look with this deep green coat. So simple yet so stylish! I had been planning on wearing a pair of open-toe heels but the second that I looked outside, I knew that I needed to go for either a pair of flats or boots. My black oxfords were chosen for their comfort and sleek beauty.
 
Tortoise-shell cat eye sunglasses and red lip gloss completed my look. This lip gloss is for sure the cat's meow! Repeatedly, I have found myself reaching for it this month. What can I say? Red lips are my thing!
 
Green coat: Delia's
High rise denim: BDG via Urban Outfitters (similar- on sale!)
Black oxfords: Vintage (similar- on sale!)
Cream sweater: Forever 21
Leopard print blouse: Vintage
Assorted pins: Vintage
Cat-eye sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Traditional Textbooks Vs. Digital Textbooks

 photo adce02a9-2353-4917-86c6-c57e1673ae23_zpsa9621f53.jpg
 
Leopard print headband: DIY, Gray blouse: Vintage, Faux leather jacket: Marshall's, Lip gloss: Mary Kay, Heart sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage Sunglasses

Hello! This is my entry to U.S. Bundles $1,000 Scholarship contest. Fingers crossed that I win! I need every extra penny in order to be able to attend Philadelphia University. Read on for the essay:

It’s time to kiss traditional textbooks goodbye and say hello to online/digital textbooks. Although traditional textbooks have been used for centuries, it’s no longer reasonable to use them. Recent technological advancements have allowed for the development of digital textbooks. There is a multitude of reasons why these digital textbooks should be utilized.

Firstly, digital textbooks allow one to breathe a sigh of relief. When I cannot find a textbook on a day that I need it for class, panic ensues. A million thoughts race through my head. "Did I leave it at the library? Is it hidden under that pile of clothes? Where is that book?!" Digital textbooks would eliminate that panic. It’s difficult to lose a digital textbook and better yet, impossible to lose an online textbook.

Digital textbooks also lift an enormous weight off my shoulders, literally. Traditional textbooks weigh about three or four pounds. At first that may not seem like much but when you’re carrying around several textbooks, you may rethink that. Not only is carrying heavy textbooks around a pain in the neck but is a pain in the back and can cause significant back problems later on in life.

Digital textbooks also are economically sensible. College students barely have enough money to afford to eat (hello, 50 cent ramen noodles!) yet alone afford the cost of traditional textbooks. Traditional textbooks can cost a student hundreds of dollars a semester. Digital textbooks are typically not free but cost a good deal less than traditional textbooks. And as the cliché saying goes, "A penny saved is a penny earned."

In addition, digital textbooks are more environmentally friendly than traditional textbooks. By using digital textbooks, less paper will be wasted and more trees will be saved. And who could say no to saving a tree or two?

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Saint Patrick's Day

 photo st10_zps63bb719f.jpg
 photo st8_zpscaaa16f9.jpg
 photo st7_zpsc7ca9fda.jpg
 
Hello! Happy Saint Patrick's Day! In spirit of the holiday, I decided to don the color green in the form of this sheer maxi skirt. To keep the skirt from being scandalous, I wore a black, body-con skirt underneath.

I couldn't resist pairing this Baroque gold and black top with my sheer green skirt. This top is just so irresistibly elegant not to mention one-of-a-kind! It instantly dresses up any look. To keep it from being too dressy, I paired a plain black blazer on top of it.

Heart sunglasses played up the heart shapes in the top while black combat boots added a little bit of edge to the look.

Sheer green skirt: DIY
Black body-con skirt: H&M (similar)
Beaded top: Vintage
Black blazer: Sears Outlet (similar)
Combat boots: Target
Heart sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Hold Your Horses

 photo horse8_zps0c6b9e06.jpg
 photo horse10_zps63d79619.jpg
 photo horse6_zpsde97d381.jpg
 photo horse9_zpse37a36ba.jpg
 photo horse4_zps29aae75d.jpg

Hello! The weather sure is warming up here in Richmond. Today was another bare legs day; hooray for spring weather!

I started my look off with this quirky, horse print dress. As I have mentioned before, quirky prints are my thing and this print is no exception! The horse pattern is just such a fun, unique pattern ideal for spring. It could even be considered another alternative to a floral print.

Next, I layered a denim button down over top of the dress. This denim button down is definitely one of the key pieces in my wardrobe. I thrifted it last spring for 50 cents and have not regretted that purchase one bit! Many stores sell denim button downs for upwards of $20 so I'm glad that I snatched this baby up when I did.

Since I practically cannot live without leopard print, I slipped into these urban-chic, leopard print boots. I accessorized with a knit beret (perfect for hiding a bad hair day!), classic sunglasses and cutesy lace socks.

Anyone else experiencing warm spring weather?

Horse dress: Marshall's
Denim button down: Thrifted
Lace-y socks: Unknown
Leopard print boots: Target
Knit beret: JCP
Sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage Sunglasses

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Modavanti

Modavanti

 
Hello! Today I have a unique, stylish clothing shop to introduce to you- Modavanti. Modavanti carries everything that a fashion-lover could ever ask for. They stock an incredible supply of bags, belts, dresses, denim, hats, jackets/coats, jewelry, pants, scarves, shoes, shorts, skirts, sunglasses, sweater, tees and tops. They also sell designer items by brands such as BAGGU, Indigo Handloom, RASP, Heidi Merrick, Upstate and Ecoology. Swoon! Prices range from $40 for a black tank top to $695 for a stunning, strapless feather dress. The styles selected by the Modavanti team are very fresh and innovative. They have many tribal, boho pieces but also have trendy, cutting edge pieces.

Not only does Modavanti have an insane inventory, they also have a great mission. Their stated mission is “To promote and lead the sustainable fashion movement by building an active community around a social shopping experience that allows you to shop your favorite styles, share the newest trends with your friends and learn about the latest advance in sustainable fashion." Fashionable clothing and accessories that are also sustainable? I don’t think that it gets much better than that!

I have selected my top three favorite Modavanti pieces to share with you guys:

1. Naxos Earrings. $106. I simply love the texture of these earrings.

2. BAGGU Cobalt Medium Leather Bag. $160. The simplicity and versatility of this bag is enchanting. It could be worn with pretty much every outfit! It also comes in orchid, tangerine and jade.

3. No. 0103 flats. $200. These are the definition of summer chic. What makes these shoes even cooler is that they were cut from unique and antique hand-woven Moroccan rugs and supple leathers. Let your feet tell a story with these babies!

***Disclaimer: Modavanti provided monetary compensation for this post but I wrote the actual post and all opinions written in this post are mine.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Spring is in the Air

 photo berry6_zpsfad9977e.jpg
 photo berry5_zps842d173f.jpg


Hello! The weather today was perfect for bare legs so you can definitely believe that I took advantage of that! I began my look with this stunning, butterfly skirt. This butterfly print is a great alternative to florals. Florals are great and all but they are definitely overdone in the spring. It seems as though everywhere you look, florals are looking back at you. This butterfly print is a fresh take on spring prints.

Next, I decided to go a little bit crazy with prints and textures as I added a striped tank and a lace top. I then accessorized with a blackberry crown and purple heart sunglasses. My feet were decked out in lace-y socks followed by retro saddle shoes.

I sure hope that this spring weather is here to stay!

Butterfly print skirt: DIY from an old H&M dress
Striped top: Talbots via a thrift shop
Lace top: Forever 21
Lace-y socks: JCP
Saddle shoes: Dolce Vita via Urban Outfitters
Heart sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage Sunglasses
Black berry headband: DIY

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Details

 photo 7e937baa-38db-413b-9edd-142a1c1681c3_zps932a696d.jpg

Bonjour! Details often contribute greatly to my outfits. This can best be seen in this snapshot from my look today. To begin with, I slipped into my "Bonjour, Je M' Appelle ________________"  tee. I love the soft blue writing and the French vibe that the tee gives off. To keep that French mood going, I grabbed my black beret and classic red lip gloss. I decided to switch things up jewelry-wise and layered an eclectic necklace over a bling-y collar. This combo is definitely a showstopper! Of course, I couldn't leave my  house without a pair of Giant Vintage Sunglasses so I styled a timeless, tortoiseshell pair with my look.
 
Hope that you guys are enjoying your weekend!
 
Sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage Sunglasses
Lip gloss: Mary Kay
Black beret: Vintage
"Bonjour" tee shirt: Forever 21
Eclectic necklace (made from parts of vintage watches): Kay Adams via Anthill Antiques
Collar: (Christmas) gift

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March Wishlist

Wishlist


Hello! Today I thought that I would share some of the pieces that I am currently lusting over. I probably won't be able to afford to buy any of these pieces anytime soon but a girl can dream.

1. Richmond tote bag. I am seriously swooning over this bag. Unfortunately it costs about $70. Maybe I will buy it as a graduation present to myself?

2. Cat eye glasses. These are soon to be in my possession!

3. Doc Martens. It would be so nice to own a pair of the real thing. I have worn my faux Doc Martens to shreds. Not only do they have a few scuff marks, they are actually ripping. Oh well!

4. Classic watch. Watches have the capability to add so much to an outfit. This one would match an infinite number of ensembles.

5. Acid wash denim button-down. You guys know that I adore denim. Especially denim jackets and shirts. This acid wash denim shirt is a cool twist on the normal denim button down. And who could say no to that?

6. Beige romper. Rompers are really calling my name this season. They are just so much fun! I could pair this beige/light gray romper with practically everything.

7. Chanel red lipstick. I like my Wet 'N Wild lipstick but I would truly love a tube of Chanel lipstick. Chanel is just so classy and the quality of the lipstick is bound to be superior to my Wet 'N Wild lipsticks.

8. Chunky sandals. As spring approaches, I begin the search to find the perfect pair of sandals. Each spring/summer, I have a very difficult time finding sandals that I actually like. However, this year I know exactly what I want. These chunky sandals are just so perfect for me. They also look incredibly comfortable.

9. Black floppy hat. It can add so much style to any look.
 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

eShakti Spring Collection

 photo eshakti9_zps826d10e7.jpg
 photo eshakti7_zps791be265.jpg
 photo eshakti3_zpsa499bd8c.jpg
 
Hello! I just found out last night that I was accepted into VCU! VCU was the last school that I was waiting to hear back from regarding an admissions decision. It's nice to sit back and relax for just a moment while breathing a sigh of relief knowing that I was accepted into all of the schools that I applied to. However, the whole admissions process is not entirely over; I still need to make a decision as to where I will be attending school for the Fall 2013 semester. At this point, the need-based aid that the schools offer me is going to be a big factor in my decision. Hopefully, Philadelphia University is able to offer me enough need-based aid (combined with my merit aid) to make attending their school financially feasible because as of now, PhilaU is my top choice.
 
Now onto a more fashion-related topic! You guys may not remember but last spring, I received a dress from eShakti to review. I love the dress and have worn it numerous times. So you can imagine my delight when I received another email from them asking if I would like to review another dress from their Spring 2013 line. Yes, yes and yes!
 
Their spring line is full of dresses that are perfect for (you guessed it) spring. Dresses in bold spring colors abound in a ton of different styles. You may be thinking "Yeah, yeah but most clothing shops and boutiques get in a lot of new merchandise that reflects the upcoming seasons. So what's the big deal about eShakti?" Three words: custom-made dresses. Not only do you choose the color and style of the dress but you also get to choose the length, details on the dress and whether your dress has pockets or no pockets. There is also an option for customization when it comes to the size of the dress.
 
When choosing my dress, I was overwhelmed with options. However, eShakti's site has a feature that allows you to filter the dresses by color so I chose to filter them by the color blue. And that's when I stumbled upon this beauty. Blue, color-blocking and a retro neckline? All perfect for my spring/ summer 2013 wardrobe. I opted for the shortest length that eShakti offers but they also offer two longer lengths. I just cannot resist short dresses for warm weather. I also opted for custom sizing. Sometimes I find it hard to find dresses that fit me perfectly but this feature allows for an almost perfect fit.
 
This dress would look simply fantastic with a straw hat, red lips and sandals but unfortunately, it's not quite warm enough for that here in RVA. For that reason, I chose to layer a knit sweater and black coat overtop of the dress. And the second that I stepped outside I was certainly glad that I did! The temperatures are relatively low here and we are even expecting snow next Wednesday.
 
To keep my legs warm, I slipped into a pair of simple, opaque tights. Leopard print boots and a vintage hat added an extra dose of my personality to this look. I also donned a pair of fashionable, cat-eye sunglasses and berry lips.
 
Now until 3/10/13, you can save 20% off your eShakti purchase with the code FSHNTRENDS.

Blue & Cream dress: c/o eShakti
Cream sweater: Forever 21
Black opaque tights: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Black coat: Sears (similar)
Leopard print boots: Target
Black hat: Vintage (similar)
Cat-eye sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage

Friday, March 1, 2013

Green Specs

 photo friday8_zpsfebadb86.jpg
 photo friday_zpsc1d39605.jpg
 photo friday7_zps2c714b36.jpg
 photo friday3_zpsc0d85a37.jpg
 
Hello! Thank gosh it's Friday! I was loaded down this week with projects and work galore. Now that it is the weekend, I can finally take a break and who knows? Maybe grab a slice of pizza or a blizzard from DQ.
 
Today I chose to style my absolute favorite dress. I've blogged about it before but I just cannot get over this dress. The best thing about this dress would have to be the versatile, ivy leaf print. Honestly, there are just so many different colors and styles of clothing that can be paired with it. Want to see ways that I've styled this dress in the past? Check out my "3 Different Ways to Wear a Patterned Dress" post here.
 
Layering enables me to wear this dress an infinite number of times without repeating an outfit. For this look, I layered on a denim button down over the dress. Originally I was planning on wearing the denim top loose over my dress but decided to belt it for a more polished look.  On top of the denim blouse, I threw on my faux leather jacket. What can I say? I simply cannot resist this jacket.
 
To keep the look from being boring, I added a pair of fishnet tights, combat boots and great round sunglasses that I received to style/wear on my blog from Giant Vintage Sunglasses. These green sunglasses are so much fun! You can find a similar style HERE.
 
Ivy dress: Urban Outfitters
Fishnet stockings: Unknown
Denim blouse: Vintage (similar)
Faux leather jacket: Marshall's (similar)
Round sunglasses: c/o Giant Vintage
Combat boots: Target