Broke? Need a costume?

This halloween, like most other college students, I have a bit of a financial complication when it comes to splurging for an amazing costume: I'm BROKE.

BUT (also, like most other college students) I do have a part-time job and over the years have accumulated multiple props in order to string up a few costumes. So here's a few costume choices you can try to string together at home, or spend a little depending on your budget at the time.

BUDGET (under $10)

Black Swan

You'll need:

 - A black tutu

 - A black pair of tights

 - A black leotard / tank top

 - A decorative mask

Most of these items are relatively cheap, or you most likely have black tights and a black top already somewhere in your wardrobe. Getting a tutu and a mask will probably be under $10 dollars altogether and so then you have your outfit!

MODERATE (under $25)

Sailor

You'll need:

- A blazer

- A sailor cap

- A lacy top/leotard

- A pair of high-waisted shorts

- A pair of heels or wedges 

With this outfit you can sort of mix colors around-- for instance you can mix a white blazer with a cream colored top or a navy top with a black blazer, depending on whatever look you would like. This is just how I styled it, having my shorts accent the sailor cap. You can add accessories or mess with it however you like, but this outfit is relatively simple and cheap because aside from the sailor cap, everything else is an item you could already have in your closet!

BETTER (more than $40)

Wonder Woman

You'll need:

- A red corset-like top

- High-waisted dark blue shorts/bottoms

- Red boots

- A golden tiara

- Gold bracelet accessories

- White stars (stickers)

- 12'' by 4'' of gold cloth

- 2'' by 2'' of red cloth

This is my costume this halloween, so I did spend a little extra for this outfit. The shoes were $34 at Forever 21, and they're imitation Litas (obviously for a costume I'm not going to bust out hundreds of dollars for authentic shoes). I lucked out on getting the blue satin shorts from American Apparel by ordering them online for only $5. Michael's had white stars as foam stickers for only $2 and I bought super glue also for $2. The top I found at Charlotte Russe for only $15, and I picked it because it seemed to fit with the gold design. I bought the gold bracelet at H&M for $7. As for the tiara, my sister had made one earlier for a friend with some cloth and with red felt for the star.

What make-shift costumes are your favorite?

Sparkles and Nudes

Contrary to what interests that title provokes, this post is not about Vegas strippers, it's about the Rochas 2013 SS Collection. And more specifically, about the first piece I'm going to talk about from the line.

I'm not going to post the entire collection, because honestly that would be redundant, and a little boring for you guys. So, instead I am just going to point out four fabulous pieces that stood out to me--one for each practical category in your wardrobe.

NAKED

Firstly, this piece is beautiful. I'm putting this in the NAKED category because it's pretty much fancy underwear, and I don't know exactly what type of event would be appropriate for this kind of attire (perhaps, an A-class brothel?). But I do love this two-piece ensemble--it's strikingly beautiful.

CASUAL

This outfit wins most casual look of the collection. Especially with the bipolar weather in California where one minute it's crisp and windy, and the next it's 75 degrees, I think this outfit is appropriate for both accounts in the month of October. 

EVENING

Although it may be a little fancy, I think this is the best evening look of the collection. I love the design and cut of the dress, and how it has a ball-gown effect on the bottom half. 

FAVORITE

My favorite look is this two-piece black dress and crop-top combination. It's a little over-the-top but I love how bold and daring it is. The skirt is perfectly stylish--it really has that 50's poodle skirt-esque with a modern twist on it. 

And for all these breath-taking outfits we have Marco Zanini to thank. Two big thumbs up to Versace alumnus, Mr. Zanini (photographed below).

*Photos from Vogue.com

Keep it Couture

So far one of the collections for 2012 that has really caught my eye (even though this is old now) is Yiqing Yin's Fall 2012 Couture. Some of the designs are so intricate and elegant, perfect for that ballroom red carpet look. Just have to share these beautiful dresses with the world:

I just love how different this entire collection is compared to what I normally see on the runway. The colors all melt into each other in the designs and it's something really beautiful to see. My ultimate favorite dress in the collection is:



I'm in love with the colors and how flowy this dress is. It has a very mermaid like texture, and who doesn't want to feel like a mermaid? I think if Ariel had a dress she could wear underwater, this would be it. I mean, if a dress you see makes you feel like you could live underwater as a princess, then that's a pretty great design, don't you think?

Chanel in the sun

So I'm back from my vacay of blogging! Having a busy summer, switching jobs, and catching up on making sure I have everything perfectly lined up for my last year of college, I've committed the worst blogging sin of all: no consistent updating. But no more, I'm back (for good) and already have something to talk about: (If you can read titles, you've guessed it--) Chanel.


If you haven't noticed, Karl Lagerfeld has done it again. Which is... what exactly?
Well it's a hula hoop bag, meant for the beach, meant for drying towels.
Also meant for fashion, of course.

Lagerfeld has decided to become all practical and make a purse that not only can carry your entire house in it, but can hang your entire laundry on it as well! Okay, kidding.
But really, since when is fashion practical? This bag is meant for hanging your towels on when you're at the beach and they're wet. Somehow I feel like this isn't the best of ideas, or most convenient. Then again, I'm not a big purse gal myself. I like my purses small and cute, so this just isn't my style.

But I'm really curious to see if anyone actually will start using it. It is different and definitely something new, and I'm sure soon enough we're going to see some celebs with this hulking it around at the beach. If anything, at least Karl uses it.