1. REVLON ($8)

2. BOBBI BROWN ($23)

3. YVES SAINT LAURENT ($30)

4. ARMANI ($30)

5. YVES SAINT LAURENT ($32)

6. NARS ($24)

It seems these days, the motto is 'go big or go home'. The only way to get attention is to GRAB attention. Be a show-stopper and try this latest trend: bright orange lips. I have yet to try the trend myself and would definitely love the opportunity. Orange is a color rarely seen on the face. To wear it on the most sacred part of the face, the lips, would be daring. Those who can pull it off immediately stand out and exude confidence. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TREND?

Gold, mustard, straw, wheat, cadmium, lemon, saffron, sunflower, butter. There are many different names for the color yellow. My favorite of these, tends to [of course] be the most bright and vibrant of the choices: neon yellow. Neon colors in general have been trending tremendously this year, but yellow definitely stands out the most. Here are my favorite neon yellow pieces.

1. REED KRAKOFF

2. J-CREW

3. PREEN

4. MICHEAL KORS

5. MARY KATRANTZOU

6. TOPSHOP

1. KATE SPADE

2. BCBG

3. FOREVER 21

4. MICHAEL ANTONIO STUDIO

5. KATE SPADE

6. CHAN LUU

7. REBECCA MINKOFF

Go bold or go home. Try neon yellow.

This summer, inspiration is going to hit me in the face daily. Whether walking down the streets of NYC, crammed on the subway, or working at my internships, I am going to be surrounded by all things creative, fashionable and artistic. Reigan and I plan to harness this inspiration and project it on our own little Do-It-Yourself projects during the weekends. Here are some of my favorite D.I.Y projects, that I hope to complete this summer.

12 HOPEFUL SUMMER D.I.Y PROJECTS:

 

1. Wooden Applique Mac Book Cover Case

2. Yarn Pom-Pom Decoration

 

3. Ombre Sleeves

4. Glittered & Bedazzled Vans

 

5. Jeweled Heel Details

6. Self Decorated Travel Journal

 

7. Tassel Earring Studs

8. Peacock Feather IPhone Case

 

9. Color Blocked High-heel Base

10. Family Portrait Silhouettes

 

11. Woven Chain Necklace

12. Dip Dyed / Painted Color Block Pants

 

13. Dollhouse Chair Collage Jewelry Holder

14. Metal Collar Cuffs

You have no idea how excited I am to be able to try [and probably fail] all of these projects. I really want to start crafting, so a goal of one D.I.Y project a week would be wonderful.

What are some of your favorite D.I.Y projects?

This summer will definitely be one to remember. I have been working extremely hard the past year and have been non-stop, go, go, go. I have studied fashion design in NYC, was a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista.Com, a marketing intern for Akira Chicago, a public relations intern for Bella Mia's Boutique, a stylist for Impulse Magazine, on the Executive Board of IStyle and Secretary of College Fashion Week. Along with this, I am recruitment chair for my sorority, run THIS WONDERFUL GROWING-CHILD-OF-A-BLOG that has reached 10,000+ hits and have never been doing better in school. It is time to finally take a breath, pause, and reflect on my accomplishments. Sit back and let my hard work flow into something bigger.

Along this journey, I have grown as a person immensely. I have learned a million things that I didn't realize I needed to know, I gained a network of amazing friends and I finally realized that working hard is infinitely worth it. I have stuck with my gut and stuck with my dream and it has all seemed to pay off. My dreams are finally coming true.

Working hard does get you where you want to be, BUT there are also some heavy tolls along the way. While many newcomers have joined my new circle of connections at UIUC, old connections have faded. I have been so busy, I have become distant to the people I care about the most. It is bittersweet to reflect on your accomplishments, be proud and know you worked hard, but look back to see that your relationships aren't as strong as before.

This year, I focused on myself and building a relationship with an industry, rather than with my peers. Now, I am excited for the time to focus on my relationships with my friends, family and support systems. Next semester, I can't wait to finally dedicate more time to these friends and mend these relationships.

To those who have always supported me, cheered me on and dealt with me when I am too busy to even see you for weeks: THANK YOU. To those of you who understand and yet still accept me as a friend: THANK YOU. To those of you who plan to stay in my life, FOR A VERY LONG TIME, like I plan for you to be: THANK YOU. I love you all and I am sorry I have been 'there,' but not REALLY 'there'.

NOW, I GET TO THE REASON FOR THIS ENTIRE POST: Through the good and the bad, the hard work, in the end, has been rewarding.

This summer, I will be jetting off to New York City once again. This time for THREE WHOLE MONTHS. I will be working two internships and live in the city with my dear friend Reigan Massey. For the first half of the week, I will be working at a Fashion Public Relations company and the second half at a popular Women's Fashion Publication. Both companies are outstanding. I am so blessed and ecstatic to be a part of both of their businesses and can't wait to begin working. I am going to learn so much this summer and hopefully will be able to share this information with you. I leave in three weeks and am terrified, but it will all, once again, be worth it in the end.

DIRTY LITTLE LUSTS: CHLOE + ISABEL JEWELRY

Today, I had the honor to pair up with Emily Cleary over at Studded Chameleon to sample the new Chloe + Isabel jewelry line. Chloe + Isabel is a jewelry house that hosts merchandise for any occasion and any style. I tend to gravitate towards the more spunky shapes, but C+I also has many classic looks as well. Each piece is incredibly unique and only available through the online boutique and trunk shows. Unfortunately I was unable to keep any of the pieces I wore, but I will definitely be making a purchase fairly soon. Check out Emily's boutique HERE.

MY LUST LIST:

SHOP CHLOE + ISABEL / HERE

So much arm candy. I'm not hating it.

Coachella Valley Music Festival, commonly known as "Coachella," hosts it's annual, three day art and music festival in Coachella Valley, California. It is known to bring the weirdos, the artsy and recently is most known for bringing its fashion enthusiasts. Here are my favorite looks from this year's Coachella, as well as five of my own styling looks pulled from the inspiring concert-goers. 

THEIR WAY:

MY WAY:

This outfit is very colorful, youthful and free. This person is vibrant, outgoing and loves to dance. The fringe dress is a perfect feminine touch to the rougher ankle boots, while the tribal coverup is a great accent piece to tie together the entire outfit. At a music festival, tribal print is a must. 

This outfit has a bit of a rocker in it. This girl is funky and a little bit of a spitfire. The color blocking of the shorts and purse really accentuate the trend and showcase the edgy color story. I am obsessed with the combination of shorts and tank. I don't think you would normally see the pair, but that is what really caught my eye. The detailed jacket is a great way to keep the movement of the outfit when the top is covered up and the cutout booties leave an unexpected surprise. 

This is one of the more crazy outfits. To begin, I am always a sucker for combat boots. They needed to be in this post at some point. This person is a bit of an eccentric with a twist of grandma-who-may-or-may-not-kick-your-ass. Patterns. I cannot stress how important patterns are. I have recently tested the waters of pattern overlay myself, so I might have gotten a little over zealous on this occasion. Ass kicking grandma disagrees. The combination of pattern, color and layers really adds to the outfit and joins some unexpected options. The wooden glasses are killer and really top off the outfit. The tribal bag (TRIBAL!) is always a great accessory to hold all of your concert belongings. 

I envision this girl as the cool Cali chick. She is lighthearted, spirited and carefree. Feathers have been trending as hairpieces, necklaces and earrings, but let's take it a step further and utilize the trend as a top. The long, breezy kimono flung over this feathered top and patterned bottoms, creates the perfect mixture of color and adornment. Add a floppy hat to shade from the sun, a fierce, studded purse to hold your stuff and color popping booties to complete the look. 

This girl is the minimalist, with nothing actually minimal about her. She might wear all black (with a splash of yellow), but she is definitely not one to get lost in the crowd. The marriage of the jacket and shorts are already so busy, that a simple, black top is necessary. While depressed your top is now 'simple,' feel free to stack on a funky necklace for added drama and patterned sunnies to capture the look. 

While many of you may not live in California, nor even in the United States, feel free to join me as I continue to vicariously live through the lives of all of the people who ACTUALLY get to attend the festival. If I were there, I would be buried so deep in patterns, colors, studs and feathers that they would have to call EMS to help me. 

I'll just go cry myself to sleep now... At least I will be able to dream I am there...