college candy

Fashion Porn: Red Orgy (College Candy)

by Diana Ajih on December 14, 2009

I’m starting to get into the Christmas spirit. While I’m listening to classics like Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You, or new favorites like Lady Gaga’s Christmas Tree, I find the holiday red color Christmas spirit inspiring my wardrobe. My favorite way to express my Christmas cheer: wearing red.

Red is a confidence color, making you feel hot, hot, hot when you wear it. As red is known to boost self-confidence it is the perfect color to wear to family dinner when you’re facing interrogation from your Aunts as to why you don’t have a boyfriend yet. Red is also known to attract men, so put on that sexy red dress if you’re single (or wanting to impress your beau) when you’re hitting the town.

There are many fabulous ways to wear red this year – from the sexy red dress to the bold red bag – and here are just a few of my favorite ways to rock the hottest holiday color.

red holiday

Guest post from my friends at College Candy!

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The Secret Designers of Etsy.com (College Candy)

by Diana Ajih on December 1, 2009

in trendsetters

Last week, I encountered a situation that every college student has (or will) at one time or another: I accidentally signed up for a credit card. When the (sneaky) sales girl at Nordstrom asked if I’d like to sign up for a rewards card, I cheerfully yelped, “Sure!” I thought this card MUST be similar to my (now defunct) Blockbuster rewards card, which wasn’t actually used for purchasing, but gave me points to earn free popcorn instead.

I was wrong.

Miss Nordstrom had swindled me into signing up for the real deal. Luckily, I only charged a good $110 to my new card (that’s sarcasm), however, in an effort to ensure that I never get myself into this kind of debt debacle again, I decided to stick to buying from people who understand what it means to be a struggling artist (er, writer, whatevs). So, I turned to the online shopping portal Etsy – my favorite place to spend time (& cash) on the internet.

For those of you who have been living under a rock (or without an internet connection or penchant for online purchasing), here’s some quick Etsy 411:

“Etsy is a website that provides the general public with a way to buy and sell handmade items as well as vintage items and craft supplies.” (Thanks, Wikipedia!) Basically, the site is chock full of handmade/eccentric goodies – from vintage handbags to hand sewn dresses, created by regular people like you (or the craftier version of you). A lot of the designers on Etsy keep it eco-friendly, too, which def gets a thumbs up from me.

But, if you’re a first time Etsy-peruser, it can be a little intimidating. So I’m here to break it down for you & showcase five of my favorite E-fashionistas. I found five sites that not only offer swoon-worthy threads, but are safe for your wallet (or Mom’s Visa bill).

tees

1) Every Little Counts . Okay, okay. Screen-printed tees are a dime a dozen. But I’m a sucker for romance, and I lurrve the creative sayings that adorn these breezy tees & tanks, like “Feel Like Making Love,” “A Violent, Sensual, Sensitive Girl” and “I can’t fight this feeling.” Adorbs.

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2) Sandmaiden. Sandmaiden is a little pricey, but the designs are unique and are made from all-natural fibers. Plus the clothes are SO. UNBELIEVABLY.COMFORTABLE. Not kidding. Just check out these little beauties and imagine how wonderful that organic cotton jersey blend would feel draped over your achy bod the morning after a night of heavy drinking. Even better? You’ll be the only girl on campus with one, since most pieces on the site are one -of-a-kind designs.

Read the rest at College Candy!!

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The Perfect (and Stretchy) Outfits For Your Thanksgiving Dinner

by Diana Ajih on November 23, 2009

in holiday beauty, trendsetters

The two things I love most about fall are the food and the fashion, which means Thanksgiving is a major jackpot. I tgiving-dinner get to dress up all cute and stuff my face with turkey. It’s wonderful…for the first ten minutes. Then my stomach begins to protrude over my skintight mini and I start having a hard time breathing. Undoubtedly I end up taking an intermission, putting on my stretchy sweatpants, then heading back for seconds.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s possible to look cute and eat until you’re curled up on the couch in a food coma. You just have to choose your outfit wisely. I’ve combed through this season’s hottest trends and built outfits that are holiday appropriate, both in how they look and how they stretch to fit the 5 lbs of stuffing you will inevitably inhale. And I’m sure enjoying Thanksgiving dinner without the need to unbutton your pants at the table is something we can all be thankful for this year.

Leggings:
Leggings are not only comfortable (hello, elastic waistband!), but they are easy to dress up for a holiday meal. Skip the jeans this year and pair some basic leggings with a super cute, super trendy long cardigan. The stretchy pants will give you room to pack in all the pumpkin pie your heart desires, and – bonus! – the sweater will give you just a little more coverage over that protruding belly.

outfit1

H81 Ankle Knit Leggings, Forever21,$4.90
Andrea Sweater in cream, Abercrombie, $70
Pasio Flats, Steve Madde, $41.97

More perfect outfits to wear for Thanksgiving over at College Candy.

Guest post from my friends at College Candy!

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Budget Stylista: Reduce, Reuse, Rewear!

by Diana Ajih on November 16, 2009

in trendsetters

We all have that friend who can wear the same dress over and over and over again, but each time it somehow looks new. Or different. Or cooler. “I wish I could do that,” you think as you stare at your dress and think that by wearing different shoes you will somehow achieve a whole new look.

FAIL FAIL FAIL, my friends.

Fact is, in order to make a dress look new and different you must change all components surrounding it. If you wore tights and heels last time, wear leggings and flats this time around. If you rocked red lipstick before, do a smokey eye and a muted lip. Add accessories, switch out the belt that came with it for a new chunky detailed belt, throw on a blazer…

Think about that piece in your wardrobe like your favorite fro yo place with an add-your-own-toppings bar: Oreo makes everything better the options are endless!

I know it can be a bit overwhelming (lord knows you can’t pile everything on top of a cotton tee like I pile on every. single. topping at Yogurtland), so let me help. As an example I took one simple gray conservative-ish looking dress and broke it down into 3 totally different, totally awesome Budget Stylista ensembles.

Check out the 3 different looks here.

Guest post from my friends at College Candy!

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Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Must-Haves

by Diana Ajih on October 31, 2009

in trendsetters

fall winter fashion must haves

via College Candy

One of the best things about fall (besides Halloween, candy corn, pumpkin everything, Honeycrisp apples, etc.) is switching up your wardrobe. If you live in a colder climate (read: hell. frozen. over) like me, each October you yank your tanks and dresses from your closet (shed a few tears) and swap ‘em out for the sweaters and boots stuffed under your bed. And then you hit the mall to add a few new fun pieces to your already warm and snuggly fall/winter wardrobe.

But what should you add? With so many trends happening right now, you don’t have the space (or, more realistically, the money) to load up on everything this season. You need the best of the best – the items that are cute and functional and will get you through until the snow melts…in June.

Perhaps we can help. This week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their fall/winter fashion must-haves. See what they’re lovin’ this season and stock up on a bit of it for yourself. Sure, they may not have the best taste in men, but when it comes to fashion, they know their ish.

Zahra – Northwestern University: I’m crazy about skirts right now. I’m trying to not constantly rely on jeans and there are so many adorable skirts that you can dress up or down, but more importantly, throw over leggings or tights when it starts to get cold. Cute, but still practical!

Norah – Drake University: I’m absolutely obsessed with this dress from Urban Outfitters. I love the silhouette and the green color on top is perfect for fall and winter. If only I something to wear it to…

Read more of fall/winter must-haves at CollegeCandy.com

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Valentine’s Day Makeup Ideas

by Diana Ajih on February 9, 2009

in beauty

Looking for some great makeup ideas for Valentine’s Day? My friends over at College Candy discusses some great red and pink makeup products to wear for this special day. It’s just around the corner so make sure to check out “Makeup 101: Color Me Red and Pink” article and snatch some terrific makeup ideas for Valentine’s Day.