What Would Blair Waldorf Do?

Recently I have come across some posts on the lovely Blair Waldorf from the show about Manhattan’s elites, Gossip Girl. Blair’s character, although fictional, is very dimensional. From the beginning I received the impression of a bratty wealthy school girl and all the usual stereotypes that come along with that title. At first I was a Serena Van der Woodsen, but after watching all seasons, I have switched over to Blair.

Although Blair may seem annoying, viewers can easily acknowledge and see her character development. First of all, she has no perfect life. She spends most of her time with her maid because her mother is working, has a father who turned out to be gay and left, and lives in her best friend’s shadow. Always a girl of drive and ambition, she knew what she wanted. Everything she wanted, she got with her own hard work. Her ambition for Yale, even though it ended, was her strive for success. She’s not dumb either since all those mastermind plans of hers never go wrong (at least most of the time). She aced her S.A.T.s (which I have to take this weekend) and to be honest is a very all around girl. One of the things I admired about her was her attention to detail and approaching perfection. She went through many moments that I could personally relate to myself.

She would never leave her penthouse without dressing appropriately and wearing minimal makeup (which makes her such a natural face). This is a lesson to take girls. Rather than leaving and having someone say, “you look sick” why not wake up five minutes earlier and pick out a nice outfit before. I’m not saying wear makeup or dress all grown up. Blair pulls off the simplest of outfits and just a bare face when she wants to. In life situations or in fashion dilemmas, I always ask myself, “What would Blair Waldorf do?”

Here are so of her awesome fashion moments + her essentials

• Headbands- Her headbands were a thing in the past. They were he teenage year, but as she aged, she lived without them. Something like this bow headband is classic and preppy.
• Evening Dresses- When you’re the daughter of a major designer, you are going to major events. Try going out and enjoy yourself by dressing up! Another reason I love Blair is because she dresses CLASSY instead of TRASHY.
• The School Uniform- Dress up in plaids or even chiffon tops tucked underneath some skirts with a cute blazer!
• Lip Colors- Go for a lip color like the Revlon Color Stay Lip Butter. The reasons I love these lip balm stains is because they are super moisturizing but they don’t have major color so they are good for teens and young adults who don’t want full on color! Blair often sports a colorful lip so she doesn’t have to wear too much eye makeup.
• Trendy Pieces- She often has these unique pieces (kind of like pieces of artwork). Also since she lives in New York, she is sees the trends as they come out.
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What do you think of B?

Xoxo,

Z

Ulzzang Essentials

Ulzzang is a South Korean term meaning “pretty face” and is the current trend in Asian countries. I recently admired this dolly, innocent look of Koreans. From the makeup to the fashion, everything is the definition of girly. Here are some essentials to achieve the ulzzang look.

Makeup:

1. BB Cream– creates a dewey finish with natural coverage (you don’t even need a powder with this compact bb cream)

2. Basic Eyeshadows– This trio includes a light brown shadow for the lid, dark brown shadow for the crease, and champagne color for the inner corners. Also you can use the dark brown to create straight brows!

3. Eyeliner- Create a clean cut look with liquid eyeliner or a more natural look with brown kohl liner.

4. Natural Blush– creates a natural life to the face

5. Lengthening Mascara– go for a mascara that has a thin brush to coat individual lashes

6. Lippies- Go for something like a pink (in Cherish) or orange (in Rendezvous) lip balm stain or try a bright pink in the center of the lips to create an illusion of bigger, fuller lips.

Fashion:

My go-to Ulzzang favorites would be Song Ah Ri and Park Sora (but I still love looking at other Ulzzang models/fashionistas for inspiration as well).

There’s many different types of styles:

• Denim Look
• “Bad A$$ Look”- add some edge with a snapback, a graphic tee, and some denim shorts
• Classy- trench coats, classic attire (frilly blouses, simple pencil skirts), and heels
• LBD- shall I say more?
• Girly- dresses, peter pan collars, skater skirts, floral, and pastels
• Preppy- plaid dressed with skirts or oversized sweaters

    

Which look do you like the most?

-Zoe

Trend Alert: Transparent Clutches

I’m extremely envious of the people going to New York Fashion Week. One of the trends I ran across throughout the past year have been the transparent clutches. When roaming through my Instagram, I saw a picture of Kristina Bazan post a picture of her clear tote. I suddenly recalled when I first saw transparent clutches. To be honest I’m not a big fan only because I don’t want people seeing my business! The clutch is such an invasion of privacy.

I love the print on the bag. It’s not overly transparent but is just the right amount. I actually wouldn’t mind sporting this bag.

I admit the looks can be very high fashion, but they are great to look at. The pictures below show what I mean.

I admire the coordination of the things in the clear clutch since she is wearing a black sweater and all the items are black too.

 

LOVE her adorable bunny phone case and her light and sheer pastel dress. Super chic.

What is your opinion on this trend?

-Zoe

Disclaimer: none of these pictures belong to me

The Preppy Girl

What does preppy mean to you? Well to me, preppy is the “school girl look” without the sexy connotation to it. I have been loving this preppy style recently because the look can be dressed up or down. So what are some essentials that come with the preppy look? 

1. Colors- Usually preppy colors will be black, blue, gray, and white. These colors are standard and can look very chic when placed together.

2. “Fancy Shorts”- I’m not entirely sure on materials and fabrics but if you go ahead and try to find something that is not a jean material but almost a wool texture, you’re good. They’re great with really fancy tops.

3. Collared Shirts- Anything collared is already very preppy. A collared top that is nice and fitted looks amazing on anyone. With so many types to choose from, I’d wear them all my life if I could. There’s solid colors, patterns, and even ones with studs on the collars! 

4. Messenger Bag- Something like the picture above where a working girl/student can place her books and files in and still look fashionable. 

5. Pleated Skirt- A pleated skirt is just a regular skirt but with indents in the fabric so the skirt kind of resembles a cupcake liner. What?! That’s the only way I can describe it! I love tucking collared shirts underneath these pleated skirts.

6. Glasses- Make a statement and wear some big frame glasses. I got mine from Forever 21, and they are super adorable. I can’t wear big frames even though I have glasses because my vision is SO BAD that the lens would be to heavy (*sighs).

7. Silver Jewelry- I’ve seen a lot of girls rock silver statement jewelry over their collared shirts. SEE I’M TELLING YOU COLLARED SHIRTS ARE SO EASY TO WEAR. Silver just goes really well with these standard colors. 

8. Knee High Socks- Hey you can take really tumblr-ly pictures with them over white sheets. I love them because they keep my legs warmer if I ever want to wear skirts in colder weather. 

9. Plaid- Very simple plaid with dark purples or greens can be great for preppy looks. 

10. Boots- Go for black boots because they go with everything and look very classic! Try the military style boots to go with your outfits. 

-Zoe 

Affordable Fashion

There are all these different stores in the mall, and I go to mmm… about five. So here are my five favorite stores (in no particular order): 

1. Forever 21– I never approached the store as an awkward twelve-year-old because I wasn’t sure what was in there. I assumed the store was only for people in their twenties. The day my friend brought me in there with her was the day I started shopping like crazy. I love the affordable fashion, but let me tell you about the jewelry. I always bought my jewelry from Claire’s and could buy maybe a necklace and one bracelet with around twenty five dollars. In Forever 21, there was jewelry that was as low as 1.80. Let me repeat 1.80! I never went back to Claire’s and got the chance to build a basic jewelry collection from Forever 21.

2. H&M– H&M is probably a “cousin store” of Forever 21. Oddly enough one of my cousin LOVES H&M. I never knew what she was talking about after all, there was nothing good I saw. I was somewhat right, but when I found the Divided collection, I fell in love. That’s what I’m talking about. These were the proper clothes for teens because they were fresh, trendy, and affordable. 

3. Zara– Speaking of cousins again, my older thirty-year-old cousin is obsessed with Zara. I looked at the store, and I feel like that would be the place I would shop at a more mature age. As I took more time to look around, I found some unique and fun affordable pieces! Zara is not typically affordable because some of their stuff can be around 60+ depending on what you’re buying, but the sale section is amazing! Just shop there and you’ll be fine. I even got shirts for five dollars!  

4. Anthropologie– My mom always dragged me here or J. Crew. I think she made a big mistake because now I love both of those stores. From the extravagant window displays to the pretty decor inside the store, I can’t help but love the store itself. The clothes are quite pricey to be honest but that’s where (*drum role please) the SALE SECTION comes in! Tons of affordable fashion in the sale section! Don’t trust me? Take a look for yourself. I think the more expensive items come, the lower they get in the end. 

5. J. Crew– I love the staples I can buy here. Lots of fancy and simple tops for a lot less in the sale section ;). 

I’d like to thank my family for turning me into a shopaholic.

-Zoe 

 

 

Oh Backpacks

Who knew backpacks would be the new handbags?! Usually after middle school, girls ditch their backpacks for totes and later on designer handbags. Now, girls are sporting backpacks even in their twenties. What’s wrong with backpacks anyway? They make my bag seem so much lighter when I wear them on both shoulders (because I occasionally tend to be the backpack off the shoulder type of gal). What do you think of these?

Faux Leather

 

Metallic detailing always looks great on faux leather. This type of backpack is good for light travel or  the girl on the go. Personally I love Forever 21 for their affordable bags that are on trend.

Floral 

 

Backpacks like these can be used to maybe carry a few things. One could easily go on a mini road trip and have everything they need in this bag. The backpack is easy to toss around and easy to carry.

Classic

 

Where my hipsters at? I always seem like this is a “hipster bag” or a classic one. It’s fun to see whether people leave their bags plain or decorate them up with studs, buttons, etc.

 

Designer (love Marc by Marc Jacobs backpacks)

 

I’ve seen a lot of girls sport this backpack at my school. I absolutely love the stitching and the quality of this backpack. If you can afford it and don’t mind splurging on a backpack, I recommend this one!

Girly

 

 

 

 

Bows, floral print, and heart stitching is everything a girly girl could ask for! I plan on getting this bag for school no matter what it takes (*evil grin). I actually plan on getting the black version only because I get things dirty fast, but the white backpack is very pretty. I’ve never been a huge fan of Betsey Johnson, but when I saw this, my eyes immediately gravitated toward this bag. (P.S. The one which I linked on Macy’s is cheaper than the one on the Betsey Johnson website!)

Which one is your favorite?

-Zoe

Rose Gold

Today as I was walking with my mother to around the outlet, I quickly nudged her when I saw that there was a Michael Kor’s store right around the corner. She questioned me why I wanted to go. After all, she was not spending hundreds of dollars on me today .. or any given day, but I insisted that we go in just to look at the watches. The rose gold watch shined in it’s case. I was in complete and utter awe of the desire to have this watch as I silently thought of how one day this watch will be mine.

Then the moment came to me. Aha! I think I just found my favorite color. Rose gold. The color itself has a different dimension of color because it is both pink and gold. The color goes with everything, is chic, and very pretty. This day sparked the day where my obsession of rose gold started. While walking in Kate Spade, a little rose gold bow bracelet bangle shined. I immediately wanted it. My mom and I mentally noted of how if we ever came back (which will happen), I’ll get another one. Since the bracelet is dainty, the bracelet is very treasurable. Rose gold seems to bring some warmth back to metallic colors which I love.

Here are some of my favorite rose gold things I can’t wait to get my hands on:

1. Waterliner by em cosmetics in Ro’s gold (haha cute)- I love the way the color shimmers. The color is not your normal nude color but a prettier version of a nude.

2. Hermes Rose Gold Bracelet– This is probably worth a semester in college. This is one of those not now, later pieces.

3. Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch– Very mystical and beautiful.

4. Rose Gold Polish– Perfect for a day and night look.

5. Rose Gold Sunglasses– These are nice but I’m looking for something even better.

What’s your favorite color and why?

-Zoe

Battle of the Cities: LA versus NYC

Two different environments create two different types of style. Those who do not care about fashion whatsoever may just believe the two cities’ styles look the same, but indeed they are different. NYC is also pretty different because as the seasons change, the clothes do too. New York is where you can practically find anything and the city is constantly moving. I mean after all, NYC is the city that never sleeps. By the time NYFW rolls around, girls are wearing the latest trends everywhere in the city. Everything is so instant. I love it. I do have thoughts of living in LA for a more relaxed feel but we’ll see in the future what happens. They’re both life changing cities full of opportunities everywhere you turn.

The LA Girl

 

 

The NYC Girl 

I feel like in NYC (I’m kind of biased because I live in New York), there’s a lot more variety of people … some people and their style though …. Style says a lot about a person, and New York is one of those places where you can freely show off your sense of style (I mean women can be topless in New York).

Both are fairly similar sometimes although the style is somewhat different, but I feel like I could tell whether a girl would be from LA or NYC. What about you? How would you describe NYC/LA in one word?

-Zoe

So Boho

Personally I have never been a huge fan of the bohemian look. Celebs like Vanessa Hudgens can rock it, but can I? The answer is no. Even if I wouldn’t wear it, I still admire good fashion taste. I tend to ignore the boho section in Forever 21 and the ever so expensive Free People. So my question here is what do you think of bohemian style? Here is some of the things that fit in boho style…

I picked out some of the staples in Free People but also cheaper alternatives in Forever 21.

A lot of bohemian style is rocked at festivals like Cochella. So let’s talk clothing first. There is a lot of light, airy fabric clothing like this one or this one. Often times lace is usually placed on the end of the fabric. Try these dresses (Free People/Forever 21). I love the Free People one and it is similar to the one in the picture below. The one from Forever 21 is a blush color and is a crocheted maxi dress.

 

Maxi dresses or skirts (like this one) are very common for the boho feel. Long skirts can be paired with a flowy top or a bandeu/bralette/crop top. Try this crop top that has some detailing at the ends of the top. Halter tops are common as well.

Typically the skirts have a lot of this pattern.

Accessories include flat sandals or matte boots, flower crowns (closest I could find), and round sunglasses. Like I said before, this is not my style. What about you?

-Zoe

Shop the Bohemian collection at Forever 21 or Free People.  

 

The Parisian Girl

With every city comes a different style. I’m the type of girl who admires the fashion of individuals in a city. How would I describe the style in Paris? Well I see the makeup is fairly neutral, and the fashion is girly but casual. I admire the subtle prints and the light fabrics.

Here are some looks that I enjoyed:

A silk scarf adds an extra element of sophistication. I love how she paired the lace dress, printed silk scarf, quilted clutch, and tinted sunglasses together. The different items separately would be plain, but they work together.

This is an outfit I would wear myself. The chiffon, rosy top looks younger with a textured skirt. A light brown bag or even a pastel bag works with this look.

Find a similar bag here or a white bag here.

These cool clock bags are very unique. They are vintage yet stylish. The black on black creates a statement on the woman on the left. On the woman on the right, the floral print is not overbearing. With the simple top, the floral stands out, but the print seems to be more of a printed art than a floral actually.

Find something similar of an effect here for a shorter version.

Another thing I see a lot is sweaters with a tight skirt to keep the figure. The cutouts on the side provided a nice touch to the sweater.

This outfit inspired this one I created. I would wear this fine sweater with a cute saying with a body con mini skirt.

The yellow mustard pants and chiffon loose shirt paired with the red clutch purse. The silver touches make the look classier. The sunglasses can be worn to avoid putting on eye makeup, and a person can easily just throw on a lip color.

The patterned, sheer crop top is paired with a skirt full of pink and orange print. The sunglasses are the accessories, and the white bag works with the whole outfit. The simple nude sandals fully complete the look.

These nude baby heels would look great with this outfit too.

I love how the high wedges with the graphic sweater and boyfriend jeans can be made casual. The brown clutch is simple enough to go along with the outfit.

Which outfit was your favorite? Let me know down below.

Xoxo,

Zoe

Disclaimer: None of the photos I post are mine unless I say so 🙂