1. HAIR: Rock a hair style that you never have before. Finally learn that tricky french braid, curl your long locks or become friends with your bobby-pin box. Either way, step out of your comfort zone and try something new for the night

Check out these three amazing hair tutorial's brought to you by Love Meghan:

[HINT: click on each image to get the tutorial]

    

2. NAILS: Go crazy, turn up the glitz. Experiment with color, shades and designs! Here are some of my favorite nail idea’s brought to you by Fab Fatale:

        3. LIPS: Be adventurous and add a pop of color! Everyone is waiting for the clock to strike midnight. Wear a deep red lip if you dare or tone it down with a light pink. You will be sure to turn heads and leave your mark on your midnight kiss! 

Try these new Maybelline shades available at Target:

                  

4.  SPARKLES: Brighten up the night with a sparkling accessory! Shimmer into the new years with a sparkling ring, a bedazzled necklace or a diamond studded stiletto. Check out these adorable options:

5. ATTITUDE: The most important stand out item; your attitude. New Years is about reinventing yourself. Ring in the new year with a new you. Become a more confident you and you will become a more radiant you. Think positively, fearlessly and openly. 

HAVE FUN ON YOUR NEW YEARS EVE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE SAFE!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

You are all loved. Here are some adorable Christmas crafts, courtesy of A Creative Mint. Check them out. They have amazing D.I.Y projects and posts that make you want to be Martha Stewart.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!!

If I could afford one brand of clothing, it would be Free People. If you don't know this already, I secretly want to live the life of a vagabond, wandering the world, free of attachment. While you cringe as that 'dude' in the dreadlocks throws a frisbee on the quad, the one who smells of a mix of tomato soup, grandma's knitting needles and cinnamon incense, I view him as my hero. I am plummeted into an alternative reality where I myself have dreads down my back, metal in my face and tattoos sleeving my arms. Then reality hits and I realize I would prefer to live the 'vagabond' life vicariously through the wardrobe of a free spirited line of clothing, FREE PEOPLE. Barbed wire bicep tats never looked too good on me anyway. Here's to the brand that inspired fantastic day dreams.

free people's latest lookbook

DECEMBER LOOKBOOK / HERE

  

 

Gaby, Yvonne and I had a wonderful test photo shoot with the amazing Ken Chui! Here is one of the sample photographs! More to come later!

Ken Chiu / PORTFOLIO

1, 2, 3, 4, 

5, 6, 7, 8. 

and may the odds forever be in your favor

I have finally finished all my finals and am back in the good graces of the company of my family, friends and loved ones. I must admit, I miss home more than I'd like to say. Maybe it's the christmas caroling party my mother had planned or the pounds of food waiting for me in the pantry, but I really needed home. It is definitely great to be back.

Here are a few shots Gaby and I took next to a memorial monument by her house. An old man in a car kindly pulled over to share with us the history of the stone.

FOREVER 21 VEST / URBAN OUTFITTERS SKELETON TANK / EXPRESS JEANS

see on polyvore 

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Don't forget to FOLLOW Dirty Little Fashion 

with the new Google Friend Connect!

london bridges falling down

Forever 21 crop sweater, shorts, heels / vintage necklace, fur vest

Thanksgiving break was fantastic. My family and I stayed in the old post office-turned-hotel in Washington, DC. The building was massive, with giant pillars flanking each side. The hallways were endless, perfect to play catch with my dog, even if she does run like a drunken sailor. Thanksgiving consisted of ordering five desserts after our feast, exploring the city one vintage store at a time, waking up at 6:30 am to go black friday shopping and laughing until my abs hurt at a comedy club across from the hotel. Needless to say, relaxing all week was very much needed.

I bought these shorts and crop top from Forever 21 on my black friday shopping binge and this faux fur jacket from one of the thrift stores we stumbled into.

Thankful to be back at school, but still wishing christmas break would come sooner.

I am excited to say I created a PAGES bar at the top of my blog! Here you can access DLF's 'About' page, facebook, twitter, tumblr and pintrest links and two interactive pages, 'Ask' and 'For Fashion Advice'. This will be much easier for you to navigate the site and be more involved!

Under 'ASK', you can contact me for any questions, comments or concerns

Under 'For Fashion Advice' you can find out how you can get specific fashion advice directly from me.

[UTILIZE THIS TAB IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND NEED ADVICE]

fashionista spotlight: gaby mangialardi - collegefashionista.com

FOLLOWING ARTICLE FROM COLLEGEFASHIONISTA.COM:

From Black Swan’s Rodarte designed ballerina getups to Meadham Kirchhoff’s pop art fantasy world showcasing thick, knee-length skirts, tutus have been invading the fashion empire. While the thought of a tutu usually revolves around a tight-bunned dance teacher strictly nitpicking students posture through pursed lips, the fluffy skirt has began to take a new role in society. Recently, tutus can be seen in a more relaxed fit, worn casually on the streets. This fashionista was a perfect choice for this weeks Fashionista Spotlight. Gaby perfectly recreates this look with a loose tutu layered with a slouchy sweater. The added height and fedora are a perfect touch to complete this outfit. I talked with Gaby about her outfit, her personal style and fall trends.

Name: Gaby Mangialardi - Major: Fashion Studies - Year: Sophomore

CollegeFashionista: What are some of your stylistic influences?
Gaby Mangialardi: My stylist influences are celebrities like Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, the Kardashians, Blake Lively, Emma Watson, a lot of fashion bloggers, street style, things that are on the runway and models like Chanel Iman.

CF: How would you describe your outfit today?
GM: My outfit is classy, a lot of neutral colors. I love all neutrals together in one outfit. Its kind of ballerina chic. I’m wearing gold accessories. I am wearing a fedora to bring the whole outfit together.
CF: How would you describe your personal style?
GM: A mixture of everything really, I like to keep it simple and casual, but I also love statement pieces. I’m not afraid to wear what I like. I love vintage, retro and modern style. I love wear everything!

CF: What fall trends are you excited to wear this year?
GM: I’m excited to wear scarves and combat boots with bright colored socks. I really want to wear a big headband or turban if I can find a good one.

CF: Who are your favorite designers?
GM: Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Balenciaga. I think all designers bring something knew to the table and have amazing ideas.

CF: What advice do you have for fellow students about clothing choices?
GM: Don’t be afraid to wear what you want. I think a persons clothing expresses who you are on the inside and a lot of people are afraid to show that off.

How To: To incorporate this tulle trend into your wardrobe, try this stunning Urban Outfitters dress with lace inserts. For that dressy holiday party, zip up this white lace and tulle tutu dress. Add a pop of color in a bright pair of pumps to bring the outfit to a new high. For a sweater with jeans look, invest in this Alice + Olivia knit with an underlying tutu detail. Wether you are in dance class or walking the streets, a tutu is a perfect transitional piece that adds a flair of femininity to every outfit.

1. check HERE every wednesday to catch my latest report!

2. check HERE every day for all posts on my campus! (university of illinois)

3. check HERE or click on the PHOTO to read this weeks post / see more photos via the site! 

Forever21 leather jacket, lace-up heels, maxi skirt / Urban Outfitters fringe tank / Von Maur necklace

I always love coming home. From the familiar way my bedroom of nineteen years smells to the nostalgic feeling of too many days spent at The Coffee House while driving through Uptown Normal. The leaves falling from the giant oak tree in my front yard remind me of simpler times, stringing decorative ‘skeleton bones’ from it’s limbs in October and receiving endless ‘underdogs’ from my father on the tire swing. 

Today was the fourth official day of my thanksgiving break. But the reminiscing must be short lived. Only home for four days, then off to Washington, DC to visit my newly out-of-college-into-real-life sister for the holidays. 

Gaby and I took pictures in Downtown Bloomington, rushing before the blackening clouds above us started to rain. These were taken with her new camera, which I will soon be adding to my holiday wishlist. I hope to be able to add a better element of self taken photography to my blog. I would like to have a voice behind the lens, but as of now, my camera is subpar.

To all, enjoy your holidays, relish in food and love one another.