Hautelinks: Week of 7/29/10
We have another long list for you this week – hope you’re ready for some serious procrastination. If you have plans today (or your boss is lurking nearby), you can always bookmark this page for later – we’ll wait. Enjoy!
So funny: CollegeHumor breaks down the realistic progression of freshman year fashion. Um, don’t let this happen to you!
Always spend too much at Forever 21? Their trick mirrors and special lighting schemes might be to blame. It’s so crazy what these stores will do to get us to buy!
Fashionable Denim… for Under $40? Stylelist rounds up their picks.
Planning a trip to NYC? Learn how New Yorkers can spot a tourist to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb!
The Anchoring Effect is a long but interesting article on consumer psychology and how stores manipulate us – why we buy what we buy, and why we think some items are a “good deal,” even when they’re massively overpriced. Bonus points because they talk about Louis Vuitton…
So. Effing. Cute. Mila’s Daydreams is the blog of a mom who takes photos of her sleeping baby in cute poses with props, based on what she thinks baby Mila might be dreaming about. Awww!
So funny: Stereotyping People by Their Favorite Indie Bands – part 1, and part 2. My favorites:
Belle & Sebastian: People who have ended their tweets on multiple occasions with #BringBackMessengerBags.
My Morning Jacket: People whose reaction to the Grand Canyon could be summed up as “Eh.”
Lifehacker gives us a peek inside the Etsy offices. Their interior design is so inspiring and fun!
This had me laughing SO hard: Pacey-Con with Joshua Jackson, from FunnyOrDie.
Also from FunnyOrDie and also quite LOL-worthy (even though I’m still Team MIA): MIA — Paper Planes Brentwood Redux.
Vogue shows us how to avoid the pain from wearing high heels all day! There are good tips for interns, office workers, and anyone who wants a little comfort with their style.
Get your wallets ready: Fabsugar gives us a preview of Target’s Fall 2010 Accessories collection.
Not up for paying $20+ for a bottle of Chanel’s super-hot Nouvelle Vague polish? Mix it yourself!
Higher Education is Overrated, Skills Aren’t, from the Harvard Business Review, discusses the crucial difference between being “good at college” and actually having job-worthy skills, and why a college degree doesn’t necessarily equal success in the workplace. I agree with the whole article SO much.
Knowledge may be power, but “knowledge from college” is neither predictor nor guarantor of success. Growing numbers of informed observers increasingly describe a higher education “bubble” that makes a college and/or university education a subprime investment for too many attendees.
Pulse of the Nation is a fascinating look at “the moods of the nation,” based on our tweets! Apparently, Tweets are most positive on Sundays, and the most negative on Thursdays. Who knew?
If you’re a Facebook nerd, you’ll love Diane Sawyer’s interview with Mark Zuckerberg. Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, check out the trailer for the upcoming Facebook movie, The Social Network.
Plus-sized model Crystal Renn takes on her critics, courtesy of People StyleWatch. We <3 you, Crystal! (Although I still don’t see how Size 10 is “plus size.” Just sayin’.)
The first images from the upcoming ballet thriller “Black Swan” are online, and they look amazing! In case you haven’t heard, the film stars Natalie Portman, and the costumes were designed by Laura and Kate Mulleavy (AKA Rodarte). I know it’s going to be visually stunning – can’t wait to see more!
Cute! Frugal Fashionistas shows us how to get Reese Witherspoon’s casual shopping look, on a major budget.
These shoes made from furniture scraps are TOO cool. I want a pair!
Give Yourself a Break – and Become More Productive is solid advice (as always), from Dumb Little Man:
It sounds paradoxical, doesn’t it: by taking a break, you can get more useful work done. But it really works.
If you’ve ever worked on a big project, whether at work or in your personal life, you’ll know how easy it is to get bogged down in trivia – or to procrastinate. Rather than plowing on grimly, sometimes you just need to take a break.
Umm, this is just scary: Are receipts poisoning us with BPA? The moral of this story: stay on the safe side – the next time a cashier asks if you want a receipt, just say no…
Two great posts from BellaSugar: 10 Party-Proof Hairstyles and How to do a Lightning Fast Manicure.
This is a must-bookmark: If you’ve got time on your hands for some serious reading, Guest of a Guest lists the best magazine articles, ever! Even better, you can read most of them online. I’m totally going through these this weekend.
Find even more reading material with DivineCaroline’s list of 30 books everyone should read before they’re thirty.
For all you Mad Men fans, Fashionista did a great style recap of the season premiere, ripe with 60s inspiration.
Getting into back-to-school mode, Refinery 29 shows us 18 Cute Backpacks to Fit Your Life.
It’s pretty much official: The Jolie-Pitt kids are the best-dressed children on the planet. I love how they all look like a J. Crew catalog, and how cute is Pax’s suit?!
If you’re like me and can’t look good in a photo to save your life, read Jessica Biel’s lessons in photo flattery for some helpful tips.
Guys have feelings, too! Proof: a new study shows that men are more strained by relationship problems than women.
Levi Strauss is in the midst of a really interesting marketing campaign in Braddock, PA, the poorest town in the state. Basically, Levi’s is investing in the community but also filming webisodes to chronicle the town’s economic and social problems, with a little of their Fall 2010 denim line thrown in the mix. Go, Levi’s!
If you have an afternoon to spare, why not try making pomegranate ice cream? (Bonus: the recipe doesn’t require an ice cream maker!)
Hmm, I can’t decide if this Hussein Chalayan “hands” dress is cool, or just creepy.
Yay for Money-Saving Makeup Tips, from Carmindy of What Not To Wear fame!
Interesting: the UK government is pushing for new regulations on the fashion industry, including health warnings for airbrushed photos and “curvier women in photoshoots.” What do you guys think of this?
CollegeCandy published some great money-saving tips for shopping addicts!
Fashion industry internships: exploitation or experience? is an interesting piece from the Guardian detailing what we all already know: working in fashion is not as glamorous as it seems.
“The designer was constantly shouting at students as young as 19, saying, ‘You’re f*****g useless, you don’t know what you’re doing,’ whenever they didn’t do something properly,” says a former manager at a small but well-known fashion house which relies heavily on interns. “These girls would be working from 8am to 1am in the run-up to fashion week and some would start crying and getting hysterical because they were being expected to do a job perfectly which they’d never done before.”
But if you’re still determined to work in fashion, at least dress the part.
In Persona – What’s in your bag? is an awesome photo series by Jason Travis.
PopSugar TV shows us how to get perfect skin like Kristen Stewart’s. Say what you want about her: the girl does usually have a flawless face.
Lucky Magazine lists their Top 15 College Essentials, with budget-friendly-ish fashion and accessory picks. I have to say, though, I’m jealous of anyone whose parents would buy them a Kindle for college!
If you’re considering moving in with your bf this fall, make sure you read The Gloss’ 5 Reasons NOT to Move In Together to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.
Does Blake Lively show too much cleavage?, asks Crushable. Personally, I’m team Blake! If you’ve got it, why not flaunt it?
Already Pretty has a great list of questions you should ask before you buy new clothes! Also, I love their tips on stepping outside your style comfort zone.
Aww, LemonDrop’s list of secret celebrity BFFs made me really happy for some reason.
What do you think of Scarlett Johansson’s new hairdo? I like it, but I feel like I’m in the minority!
I loved YourTango’s list, 9 Traits Of Irresistible Women (written by a man), especially because it didn’t include any bullet points like “Loves to watch sports with the guys” or “Size 2 with a huge rack.”
My inner 8 year old is obsessed with How to Dress Like a Ballerina in Everyday Life. So fun!
Finally, if you haven’t entered yet, you need to enter our contest to win a $250 gift card from JCPenney! You have until Saturday at midnight EST to enter, so get on it! All entrants will also have a chance to win a $1500 JCP gift card, so take 2 seconds and get your entry in now!
That’s it – we’re tapped out for this week! Hope you’re all having an amazing Thursday!
Filed Under: Hot Websites / Tags: Hautelinks, Internet, Links
Fashion Challenge: Wear Multiple Bright Colors Together
Okay, I know what some of you might be thinking: “What? This is hardly a challenge!!”
I’m probably preaching to the choir here (after all, you guys are pretty stylish), but you’d be surprised how many college-aged girls are afraid to experiment with color. For example, a few months ago, a friend and I were getting ready for a night out and I suggested she wear turquoise stilettos with her deep plum colored dress — let’s just say you wouldn’t believe the look of horror she gave me!
So for this week’s challenge, go through your closet and find the most colorful pieces you own, and think about which color pairings complement each other. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with loud outfits, so go crazy and have fun! Are you ready to take on this challenge?
Tips and Tricks for Mixing Bright Colors
- Vibrant jewel-tone colors look great together–some of my favorite color combos include yellow and turquoise, hot pink and purple, and royal blue with electric blue.
- Consider adding color with your accessories. Bright clutches, turquoise or coral jewelry, kaleidoscopic scarves, and candy-colored shoes are versatile pieces that will add pop to your look.
- Makeup is another great way to experiment with color: Purple eyeliner and hot pink lip gloss are two of my favorite ways to experiment with bold hues!
- Be careful with the number of colors you mix at once. Wearing three or even four colors at once can create an incredible look, but I recommend stopping there. Mix five or more colors and you’ll risk looking like a rainbow explosion (and not in a good way)!
Example Outfits for Inspiration
Shirt, Skirt, Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet, Shoes
This outfit is perfect for a sweet date, warm night spent out on the patio, or a daytime family outing. Tuck a soft turquoise top into a flowy yellow skirt, then add a pop of pink on your toes with these adorable buckled flats. A simple silver pair of earrings and bracelet add balance to the outfit, while a pretty purple pendant necklace will draw attention toward your beautiful face.
Shirt, Skirt, Flats, Necklace, Ring
If you’re a little wary of trying out this Fashion Challenge, start with a dark purple or deep blue as your base: These colors are more subdued (perfect for a less out-there look), but you’ll still get the summery, bold aesthetic you desire. For the look above, I paired a simple purple skirt with a bright blue cami, yellow flats, and coral jewelry for a look that’s sophisticated yet fun.
Dress, Shoes, Earrings, Clutch, Bracelet
A hot pink dress will look even more summery and fresh when paired with yellow shoes and a purple clutch. Turquoise jewelry is a fun way to add more color and pizazz to any ensemble, and works well in this look to offset the neon pink and yellow with a cooler tone. This ensemble would be perfect for a summer night out.
CF Reader Looks
Here are some looks sent in by CF readers who took the Bright Colors Challenge! If you want to see your own look here, read our instructions for sending in your outfit photos below!
Brittany – Northwestern University
“I’m wearing a dress my mom gave me that she bought in the ’90s, a Forever 21 ring, vintage yellow earrings from my granny, and a belt given to me by my stepmom (also from the ’90s!). I almost never, ever wear bright colors so this is kind of a big deal for me!”
Up for the challenge? Send in your look and we’ll make you famous!
Now that you have some ideas for how to pull off this Fashion Challenge, we want to see what you can come up with! Send us your outfits and we’ll feature your photos and info here. :)
Just send in photos of you wearing a brightly-colored outfit to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net, and we’ll feature you here on CF! (See past examples here and here.) Include your name, what school you go to, and a description of what you’re wearing in the email. Can’t wait to hear from you!
What do you think?
What are your favorite colors to pair together? Do you think bright colors are better worn with neutrals? How much color do you think is too much? What other fashion challenges would you like to see in the future? Discuss by leaving a comment!
Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Brights, Colors, Fashion Challenge, Neon
Fashion Inspiration: Walt Disney’s Princess Tiana
The newest Walt Disney Princess, Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, may not be a character we grew up idolizing, but just because she’s new doesn’t mean we can’t be inspired by her. Not only is this princess hard working, committed, and intelligent, but she also has a really great fashion sense.
Like the previous articles in this series, the purpose of this article is to use a childhood idol as inspiration for outfits that you can actually pull off as a college student. All it takes is a little creativity! For more Disney-inspired looks, check out the articles on Walt Disney’s Snow White, Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Cinderella, and Walt Disney’s Princess Jasmine.
Princess Tiana’s Story
Tiana is a waitress during the Jazz Age in New Orleans who dreams of someday owning a restaurant. She believes that anything is possible as long as you work hard, so she works constantly and saves up enough money to put a down payment on the perfect building to house “Tiana’s Place.”
Meanwhile, the city of New Orleans is buzzing with the news that the handsome Prince Naveen of Maldonia has arrived. Recently cut off from his parents’ money, the prince is looking for a rich Southern Belle to marry. Tiana’s friend, Charlotte, is the daughter of one of the richest men in the city. She is intrigued with the idea of marrying a prince, so she invites him to her Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball.
Before Prince Naveen arrives at the ball, the evil voodoo witch doctor, Dr. Facilier, tricks the prince and his butler into believing he can make their dreams of money and power come true. Instead, he changes the butler’s body into Prince Naveen’s body, and transforms Prince Naveen into a frog.
The butler attends the ball, pretending to be Prince Naveen, hoping to marry Charlotte and split the money with Dr. Facilier, while Tiana gets the unfortunate news that someone has outbid her on her restaurant. The true Prince Naveen, in frog form, stumbles upon Tiana, who is wearing a blue dress and a tiara. He thinks that being kissed by a princess will turn him human again. Assuming she is a Princess, he convinces Tiana to kiss him by promising to give her enough money to cover the cost of her restaurant. When she finally agrees to kiss him, instead of turning him human, she turns into a frog!
They escape to the bayou, where they meet an alligator with dreams of playing jazz music and a firefly who is in love with a star. Their new friends help them find the Voodoo Queen of the Bayou, who tells them that Naveen must be kissed by Charlotte, who is the Princess of Mardi Gras, before midnight. The two frogs, Tiana and Naveen, learn a lot from each other through this journey, and they end up falling in love.
They rush back to the city, and after defeating the menacing Dr. Facilier, Charlotte agrees to kiss Naveen so the frogs can be human again. Unfortunately, it’s past midnight and the kiss has no effect. They decide not to let being frogs bother them, so they make the best of it and get married. When they kiss at the wedding, they turn into humans again because Tiana is now a true princess. The two open Tiana’s dream restaurant and live happily ever after.
1. Tiana the Waitress
Just because Tiana works two jobs, it doesn’t mean she looks like a mess. She makes her yellow work dress look very put-together by adding an adorable cloche hat and green jacket.
To help you emulate her look, I chose a yellow sundress and paired it with a short-sleeved cardigan and straw hat with 1920s flare. Finally, the addition of pretty oxfords and a layered necklace will have you looking chic well into fall.
Hat- Tilly’s, Necklace- Wet Seal, Dress- Urban Outfitters, Sweater- Old Navy, Shoes- Steve Madden
2. Daydreams of “Tiana’s Place”
Tiana is very passionate about her goal of owning a restaurant, and she often daydreams of walking around her restaurant in a swanky dress, socializing with her customers.
To recreate this look, I used a beaded drop-waist dress, Mary Jane pumps, and, of course, a strand of pearls. Overall, the look really gives off a fabulous 1920s vibe.
Necklace- Dorothy Perkins, Clutch- French Connection, Dress- Miss Selfridge, Headband- Forever 21, Shoes- Amazon.com
3. The Big Kiss
At the Mardi Gras Ball, Tiana spills a tray of beignets, ruining her outfit, so she changes into one of Charlote’s ball gowns, a gorgeous blue dress with an open back. Finally, she accessorizes with a tiara.
For a modern outfit inspired by Tiana’s blue dress, I chose a light blue mini dress with an open back. Instead of including a tiara, which would be impractical and a little costume-y, I chose a bib necklace that mimics the shape of her tiara in a more subtle way.
Necklace- Jules B, Shoes- Endless, Dress- ASOS
4. The Happy Ending
When Tiana kisses Prince Naveen at their wedding, she transforms back into a human wearing a gorgeous green dress.
For this look, I chose a less formal green dress with pleats, and accessorized with tiny frog earrings (since she was a frog for the majority of the movie) and a gold headband and purple ring to allude to the colors of Mardi Gras.
Headband- Amazon.com, Ring- Avalaya, Dress- Nicole Miller, Earrings- Betsey Johnson, Shoes- Miss Selfridge
Thoughts?
Are you inspired by Princess Tiana’s looks? Which Disney characters would you be interested in seeing posts about in the future? I want to know what you think, so be sure to leave your thoughts in a comment!
Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Disney, Inspiration, Inspired by, Princess, The Princess And The Frog, Tiana
Pretty in the City: 3 Makeup Looks Inspired by NYC
Think of your favorite fashionable movies, books and TV shows – Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada – all wonderful stories about fashionable girls in New York City. With so much glamour jam packed into a single city, there are arguably few better places to look for beauty inspiration than NYC.
Below, I’ve taken three of my favorite things to do in the city – seeing a show on Broadway, spending the day in Central Park, and visiting the Met – and translated them into 3 unique beauty looks!
1. Picnic in Central Park
Although one of the best things about NYC is the fabulously fast pace, sometimes it’s nice to slow down a bit and take a deep breath. For this type of escape, there is no place better than Central Park. Eating a Crumbs cupcake or sipping a Frappuccino among the trees and flowers can be the perfect cure to big city stress.
A day in the park should be all about letting your natural beauty shine through – this is no time for heavy makeup or dramatic hair! If this is the kind of day you have in mind, here are some products to get you ready for your escape from it all:
Sunscreen Towelettes, Clear Mascara, Eyeshadow Set, SPF Lip Treatment, Lip and Cheek Stain, Vanilla Grapefruit Perfume
2. A Night at a Broadway Show
Whether your night involves a trip to Oz through a viewing of Wicked or a journey into the heart of Africa with the cast of The Lion King, seeing a Broadway show is a must when visiting NYC.
Broadway is all about bright lights and shimmering colors – this is not the time to fade into the scenery! Here are some ways to add some drama to your look, even if you’re not on the stage!
Gold Eyeshadow, Shimmer Eyeliner, Glam Princess Perfume, Lip Gloss, Soft Light Palette, Nail Polish
3. An Afternoon at the Met
There’s no shortage of glam places to go on the weekend in NYC. But you simply haven’t done New York properly if you haven’t visited a couple of museums! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is my personal favorite. The museum itself is an architectural delight and the ever-changing but always excellent featured exhibits keep things new and exciting. Right now, the American Woman exhibit (co-sponsored by Vogue and the Gap) is the can’t-miss exhibit.
So when it comes to your beauty look, what better time to try out fun and flirty colors in bold combinations than when spending time next to fabulous artwork? Here are some fun ways to style it up for the occasion.
Aqua Eyeshadow, Lola Perfume, Nail Polish, Metallic Liquid Eyeliner, Cream Blush, Lipstick
What do you think?
Did these beauty looks put you in an Empire state of mind? What places (in NYC or elsewhere) inspire your beauty looks? Leave a comment and tell me!
Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Beauty, Broadway, Central Park, Cocktails, Hair, NYC
Musical Muses: Fashion Inspired by The Smiths
The Smiths have been hailed as one of the most important alternative rock bands to come out of England in the past few decades. With their everyman persona and heartfelt lyrics, The Smiths developed a cult following in the ’80s that continues to this day.
Comprised of Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke, and Mike Joyce, the band only lasted until 1987, but created such enduring music during this short time that still inspires many musicians, artists, and writers decades later.
Outfit 1: “This Charming Man”
This first look is inspired by The Smiths’ geek-chic side. Morrissey was certainly a big fan of the look: he often wore wire-rimmed glasses with chunky sweaters and button-down shirts. The band members liked to wear somewhat basic clothing that corresponded with their stripped-down musical style. Channel their image with a shirtdress and boyfriend cardigan, beaded necklace, and clogs perfect for upcoming fall weather.
Product Information: Cardigan- Asos, Dress- Urban Outfitters, Necklace- Forever 21, Glasses- Urban Outfitters, Tights- Hue, Clogs- Payless.
Outfit 2: “What Difference Does It Make?”
This next outfit is inspired by the band’s grunge/punk image- ripped denim, leather jackets, slicked hair, and sunglasses all contributed to their look. They managed to be edgy and rebellious while singing emotional and sincere songs. To channel this aesthetic, layer studded, distressed accessories over a basic tee-and-jeans combo and top it all off with a leather jacket for a classically cool feel.
Product Information: Jacket- Banana Republic, Jeans- Akira Chicago, Shirt- Forever 21, Scarf- Miss Selfridge, Earrings- Forever 21, Sunglasses- Ray-Ban, Shoes- Forever 21.
Outfit 3: ”How Soon is Now?”
The fashion blogosphere could care less whether The Smiths have been broken up for over 20 years- the band’s T-shirts are more popular now than ever. There are scores of unique shirts featuring the band’s album art available on eBay. Snag one of those tops and pair it with high-waisted floral shorts, Keds, and kitsch jewelry, like a watch necklace.
Product Information: Ring- Modcloth, Sneakers- Piperlime, T-Shirt- Ebay, Shorts- ShopRuche, Belt- Modcloth, “How Soon is Owl” Necklace- Modcloth.
Do you love The Smiths?
Watch this video!
- “How Soon Is Now?”- The Smiths originally hated this unauthorized music video made by their record label. However, the moody, duotone images featuring the band playing and a girl dancing increased the band’s popularity in the U.S. and made the song a hit single with the college-aged crowd.
Listen to these songs!
- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out- One of The Smiths’ most famous songs, it featured their usual depressed characters, and some even say it was inspired by one of Morrissey’s idols, James Dean. The best thing about the song, though, is its message about enduring love.
- Girlfriend in a Coma- This song is short and sweet, mixing a beautiful melody with ironic, ambiguous lyrics.
- Ask- One of their more poppy and upbeat songs, “Ask” has a catchy tune and vocals.
Since The Smiths broke up in 1987, many band members have launched solo careers, and Morrissey and Marr both insist the band will never reunite. But if you want a taste of The Smiths today, Morrissey’s website states that he and his band will soon announce a 2010 tour, or you can buy some of these other Smiths-inspired items for your closet:
Product Information: Bracelet- Modcloth, Shorts- ShopRuche, Sneakers- Urban Outfitters, Belt- Modcloth, Boots- Forever 21, Earrings- Topshop, Purse- Forever 21, Jacket- Modcloth, Necklace- Forever 21, Shirt- Modcloth, Earrings- Zappos, Striped Shirt- Forever 21, Skirt- ShopRuche.
What do you think?
Are you a fan of The Smiths? How do you use music as fashion inspiration? What music artists would you like to see in a future post? Let me know with a comment!
Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: alternative music, band, England, music, music artists, musical muses, the smiths
