30 Days of Style: Week Two

I'm not going to lie to you, this second week was definitely trying for me. To start off I lost one of my ten items, my black skirt, and therefore had to work with only nine pieces, which was no fun! But on top of that the challenges of weather came into play. You see, when I picked my items I assumed it was going to stay hot for at least a few more weeks, then this chilling weather seeped in and caught me slightly off guard. I found myself scrambling to find some chic tights to add to my warmer items, as my morning walk to class was quite nippy. But in the end I found my skirt!! Apparently my sister decided to "borrow" it without my permission. I am still debating if having a sibling your size is more of a plus or more of a hassle...

A hint of zebra for mundane Monday. 

Pops of pink pink pink!

My goth attempt, with a splash of pink.

Brrr, mama I need a bigger jacket!

Houndstooth - my favorite print!

When I grow up, I wanna be a flamingo.

Business chic for a day of meetings.

Cortney Kaminski

Shellac Gel Manicure: Worth the extra cost?

The evolution of manicures and all that epitomizes nail care began back in ancient Egypt and has made it through centuries and centuries completely revamped, but are these modern nail services offered today really worth the buck?

Manicures used to consist of a simple nitrocellulose based polish back in the 1930s but with each decade that passed a new type of nail service would emerge. Most notably today would be the Shellac gel manicure, which has a lot of people talking.

Photo credit: All Lacquered Up

For double the price of a basic manicure, Shellac’s gel manicure begins with a base polish and then 10 seconds under an ultra-violet light, followed by more coats of the Shellac gel polish and then a few more stops under the ultra-violet light to dry. The process finishes with a swipe of acetone over the nails.



The real allure with this nail service is that it promises not only stronger and healthier nails but also a 14 day manicure. 

Over all, it sounds like a pretty simple process but according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, "Every time you're exposed to UV light, there’s damage to the skin. And enough damage over time can become problematic.”

A few cases of hand cancer have even been reported involving the questionable Shellac gel manicure.



Shellac may sound like a means to an end when it comes to chipping manicures but Connie Thompson from Komo News said, “Shellac is not for everyone. Your natural nails and nail beds must be healthy. If they're splitting, peeling or damaged from using acrylic or gel enhancements, experts say you should wait and talk to a licensed, trained nail care professional.”



Shellac’s gel manicure promises a two week untouched-looking manicure, but consider all your options before jumping into the newest craze on the nail market. After all, who knows what’s going to hit the market next.



Nathalie Anaya

Designers Cater to Fashionista Techies

Women who once defined themselves by their trés chic Chanel suit, now characterize their fashion proficiency with their iChic designer cases, skins, bags and sleeves for their preferred Apple gadgets.   

The widespread energetic anticipation of the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 releases reflects the modern lure of technology as a means of savvy expression.  Since the debut of the original handheld Apple products, designers have slowly migrated into the world of dressing coveted technologies alongside models and celebrities.

A slew of designers, including Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenburg, Burberry and a variety of others, recently unveiled their swanky protective coverings as a way for the ever growing fashionably-inclined Apple connoisseur to make a statement.  As designers redefine the fashion curve, mannequins are out, and iPhones and iPads are in.

"Think of it as the perfect blank canvas with which a flashy and overly expensive case can be designed for," Lauren Pazzaneze, owner of the fashion and design blog Junkyard Arts, said in an interview with Forbes.com.  


In the fusion of haute couture and tech-forward gadgets, some designer’s protective pieces cost almost as much as two or three iPads, like Chanel’s quilted lambskin iPad clutch with silver interlocking C’s dangling from the zipper priced at more than $1,500.

Photo Courtesy of Refinery 29

"When you see all these designers coming out with tech products at the same time," Pazzaneze said, "it's a matter of everyone realizing that techies have money."


Fortunately, for those who want to style their vital accessory without going broke, designers like Marc Jacobs released jumbled-logo silicon cases and sleeves ranging from only $38-$58.  Thanks to designers like Jacobs, looking fashionable won’t break the bank.

Photo courtesy of Marc Jacobs

Whether a fan of bold colors, elegant clutches, colored snakeskin or logo-saturation, the top designers have blazed the way for your most utilized accessory to live a life of luxury.


Jessica Abercrombie

30 Days of Style: Week One

I have completed seven full days of my style challenge and I have to say, it wasn't too bad! I was able to layer a few items to create some new looks, and added some different shoes for each occasion. I do have to admit though, these outfits this week were on the simple side, very minimal and casual. I think I was just in a moody blur all week and it was shown through my wardrobe choices, but not to worry as I have a few bold outfits tossing around in my head for this upcoming week! Throughout the week I wore eight of the ten items I have chosen for the challenge, along with accessories including: black belt, pink belt, bandeau bralette and glasses [well I guess glasses aren't exactly an accessory, but more of a necessity for hours of typing at a computer screen]. Anyways, here are the photos from my first seven days of my style challenge, I hope you enjoy!

Casual look for a day of classes.

Geeky chic day of exams.

Let there be rain celebratory look!

Pom Pom in my hair, sparkles everywhere look.

Glamourous yet casual look for a dinner with friends.

A day of shooting and interviewing means animalistic prints.

Sunday, a look for laundry and errands.

Cortney Kaminski

President

Andrej Pejic Spurs Interest in Fashion Androgyny

He has startling bone structure, a slim figure that caters to modeling, astonishing garments, long platinum blonde hair and can rock high heels – and that’s right, I said he.

At first glance anyone would take this striking svelte model as your typical womenswear high fashion model. Andrej Pejic, however is no typical model.

Last spring he modeled in the men’s and women’s Spring 2011 shows for Jean-Paul Gaultier, and on Oct. 13, he met the Queen of England wearing a pencil skirt and heels.

“I wanted to just be myself - androgynous - and play with the masculine blazer and pencil skirt,” Pejic told Vogue UK of his meeting with the Queen.

Andrej Pejik is what they call the “androgynous” model. His look is desired by designers to show off both women’s and men’s clothing.

Harriet Quick, Vogue fashion features director told The Telegraph, an England Based arts and entertainment magazine, in February, “Andrej is incredibly beautiful with a very striking face – sharp angles and planes that look good on camera.”

The 20 year old grew up in Austrailia after he and his parents fled Serbia following the 1999 NATO bombings.  He emerged on the fashion scene just before he turned 17 when he was scouted while working at a local fast food joint.

In May Pejic was featured on the cover of the Dossier Journal, a New York based magazine, where he is pictured wearing curlers while taking his shirt off. Bookstores, Barnes & Noble and Borders, said the image was too risqué, fearing that customers would mistake him for a topless woman and the image was later altered.

Pejik was also named “Stylemaker of the Year” by Out100’s annual list of influential LGBT people. He was described by Out as the “embodiment of intersections.”

His success in the fashion industry is paving the way for other androgynous models. Marcel Castenmiller is another male model who is used in both men’s and women’s fashion campaigns. He is a favorite of Burberry and Paul Smith and was also featured in Kenzo’s campaign.

Photo courtesy of Elle Hank 

Photo courtesy of Serbia In

There is a whole host of both men and women models breaking on to the fashion androgyny scene.

“For the past decade, fashion has concentrated on the alpha male and alpha female stereotype,” Quick said to The Telepraph. “Now it’s all about questioning sexuality and blurring the boundaries. Andrej is reflecting our times – he’s what’s out there; he’s reflecting culture”

Newlin Tillotson