September Outfits

I have a few different outfits to show you all from the past few weeks that I've been back at school. The weather has been all over the place- one day it was 25 and the next it was 15! I accommodated appropriately (except for the one day the temperature went down during the day...like really?) Anyways, here they are! :)

Shirt & Shorts both American Eagle

I wore this outfit on the first day of classes. I had an intimidating fourth year seminar, so I wanted to look classy, but at the same time, it was so warm out! I didn't accessorize; I only added some pretty brown-ish gold sandals to complete the look. 

Blouse: Eclipse

Camisole: Target

Cardigan: American Eagle

Jeans: American Eagle

Bracelets (if you can see them): handmade

And I'm back to wearing my favourite floral prints, of course :) I love this blouse because it is nice and flowing without drowning me in shapeless fabric (like chiffon tends to do)- the tie at the bottom helps with that. I finished off the look with some pink flats. 

Tunic: Dynamite

Camisole: Urban Behaviour

Leggings: Garage

Bangles: gift

In my attempt to try more prints and colours other than pink and blue, I bought this tunic as part of my back to school shopping. It didn't come with the belt, so I just took a ribbon from one of my blouses and added it on to define my waist. I didn't wear the bangles to school because that would be a bit uncomfortable while taking notes, but they would be nice for a day-to-night transition. I wore pink flats again, and a burgundy coloured jacket because it was freezing by the end of the day!

Shirt: Target

Cardigan: American Eagle

Jeans: American Eagle

Bracelet: gift

I've been meaning to try leopard print for a while, so you can imagine how excited I was when I found this top on the sale rack at Target ($6)! I paired it with some wide leg jeans this time to further vary things (since I'm always in skinny jeans), and some formal black shoes. 

T-shirt: Garage

Cardigan: special order from my school, but it's from American Apparel

Jeans: American Eagle

Scarf: Aeropostale

What do I love about fall fashion? Scarves. I have a drawer full of scarves just waiting to dress up a plain t-shirt and complete my outfit while keeping me warm. I remember seeing this scarf online at Aeropostale last fall, but I could not find it in store; then one day...it was there!!! :) That wasn't a very exciting story but you get the idea. I love scarves. 

Blouse: Bluenotes

Blazer: Eclipse

Pants: Eclipse

Scarf: gift

Necklace: gift

If you can believe it, last week I already had a presentation for one of my classes! I had to give a news report in French, and it was pretty nerve-wracking! This outfit was my attempt at colour-blocking- I love royal blue and mint together! And these pants are so comfortable- they're like knit jeggings; different from leggings in that they do have some structure, pockets, and buttons, but they're so soft that it does feel like wearing leggings. 

So that's it for now! What do you like about fall fashion?

Back to School Outfits and Glitter Nails

Okay, so forget what I said in my last post. I may have taken a little break from the fashion world during the month of August (seriously, I lived in shorts and t-shirts...nothing too exciting about that). Now that it's time to hit the books once more, I thought I would share three easy outfits for class, plus some fun nails.

T-shirt: Smart Set

Blazer: Eddie Bauer

Pants: Smart Set

I wore this outfit to go run errands one day last week. It was cool out, but I still wanted to look summery, so I opted for these bright blue pants. I topped this fun graphic tee with a casual blazer for a simple, but still put together look. I didn't wear any accessories here, but a stack of fun bracelets or bangles paired with your favourite summer sneakers (mine are black and white floral Keds) would finish off the look. 

T-shirt: Bang-On

Jean jacket: Aeropostale

Pants: Eclipse

I wore this outfit on a date last Friday (*giggles*), and it was really comfy, but still cute for bowling & ice cream. I got this shirt at a specialty store in the Byward Market, where there are hundreds of different photos and patterns to choose from to be printed on a t-shirt (or a tank top) while you wait. You can also bring in your own design or photo. I finally purchased a jean jacket earlier this summer (it was on my must-have list) that I am quite pleased with, as well as a pair of stretchy black pants that feel like leggings. 

T-shirt: Giant Tiger

Sweater: Justice

Jean capris: Garage (super old)

Necklace: Forever 21 (gift)

I wore this outfit to work the other night, and yes, that's where the sweater is from! I love this sweater because it kind of feels like a kimono in that the quarter length sleeves are loose and long and the front is open. Also, the crochet detailing? Super cute. This year I've had to replace some of my basic t-shirts, and I've found some really nice ones at both Target and Giant Tiger (my local Giant Tiger has a large fashion section).

Glitter Polish: "Teenage Dream" by OPI

Pink polish: Kiko Cosmetics

And here are my fun glitter nails! All I did was paint one coat of the light pink colour and then two coats of the glitter polish on top. I received the pink polish as a gift- Kiko is a popular makeup brand in Italy. 

What are you wearing for the first week back to school? Let me know!

Until my next post, stay stylish!

How to Wear Leggings

How to Wear Leggings by mariathefashionista featuring gray tops

Topshop dress
topshop.com

BLK DNM brown top
$67 - zalando.co.uk

Oasis gray top
$66 - oasis-stores.com

Mango side zip black pants
$33 - houseoffraser.co.uk

UGG Australia gray shoes
shoescribe.com

Accessorize black ballerina flat
accessorize.com

H&M black engineer boots
$49 - hm.com

J by Jasper Conran white pearl jewelry
$13 - debenhams.com

Forever 21 chevron necklace
forever21.com

I've been wanting to do a post on ways to wear leggings for quite some time now. I've seen too many people wear them as regular pants, such as with hoodies and short jackets- pretty much with anything, including see-through or worn out leggings with coloured underwear underneath.

*silent scream*
This is not okay. Leggings are not a substitute for pants. 

The number one rule I have for wearing leggings is that the top worn must cover your bottom. You've probably heard this a million times before but it's true. Acceptable pieces would then include tunics, shorter dresses, sweater dresses (for the winter), long or over-sized cardigans...etc. The second and third outfits above show these decent ways of wearing leggings. The third outfit is more casual; it would work for class or hanging out with friends. The second look is more dressy; it would be appropriate for a holiday party- leggings under dresses make a great (and often warmer) alternative to just plain tights. 
Now, you're probably wondering about the first outfit. This sweater is a little longer, but I doubt that it covers enough to wear out. So my second rule is that if you are at home studying, writing essays, or just lounging around the house, then you can rock your leggings as you wish. 
Well, except the see-through ones. I have to draw the line somewhere. 

Until my next post, stay stylish! :)

Update December 31st, 2013- Another way to wear leggings to keep warm in the winter is to put them underneath your jeans / pants. It gets extremely cold in Canada, so leggings as an extra layer keeps your legs nice and warm. Even warmer? Fleece-lined leggings. I just picked up two pairs of these and not only are they super soft, but they are also really warm! I definitely recommend them!

Fall Outfit Inspiration

Just some fall outfit ideas if you're stuck in a rut :)
Fall Outfit Inspiration by mariathefashionista 

Forever New green silk shirt         Topshop v neck sweater    H M v neck t shirt

Anorak jacket     Miss Selfridge blue jeans     Pull&Bear skinny jeans

H M mini skirt       H M black tight       Leather boots  

Aéropostale black boots        Flat shoes        Chain necklace 

Forever 21 circle scarf 

The Power of a Makeover

I originally had the idea to do this post about a month ago, when there was a Glee episode about makeovers, and how they can change your life. Well, maybe that's stretching it a little, but haven't you ever felt like a different person the first time you, for instance, wore a newly purchased outfit?  I know I have. I know people say that it's really what's on the inside that counts, but it does help if your outside appearance matches how you feel on the inside.
In the episode, Rachel Berry needed to update her preppy high school style to a chic New York one, because  her attitude had already changed (did you notice that? Maybe it's just me, but she definitely isn't as self-centered as she was in previous seasons). Sam Evans had to step his style up a notch to be vice-president candidate material (though he ended up taking his shirt off anyways...), and Brittany S. Pierce just wanted everyone to take her seriously for a change (though I think she went a little overboard with the whole no weekends thing).
This is about as far as I got with the blog post when I first started it. But then I got another idea during a recent trip to the mall that mainly builds on Rachel Berry's makeover- a style shift from high school to University. I've noticed it all around campus- people are, in general, really well dressed! I know I've taken my style up a notch, moving from jeans and logo t-shirts to skirts, dresses, blouses, and cute shoes. Sure there are always those yoga pant days, and of course showing up to exams in sweats, but in between there's plenty of time to experiment with different fashion trends and make a ton of stylish new outfits!
If you want to update your style but are unsure of how to proceed, here are some easy ways to spruce up your outfits:
1. Add a scarf! Scarves instantly dress up a plain t-shirt and jeans, and dress down a preppy white blouse. There are so many different ways to wear scarves, and they come in every colour of the rainbow, not to mention a variety of different fabrics, sizes, and patterns.
2. Accessorize! Add a belt to a blousy tee, a necklace to a plain shirt, a headband, bracelets, you name it!  The right accessories can take an outfit from boring to stylish in seconds! (that sounded so cliche...)
3. Invest in a few pairs of good shoes- flats for warm days or if you're wearing a skirt or dress with tights; ankle boots to tuck into skinny jeans, and knee high boots to add an edge to your outfits in the winter.
My last few outfits on Polyvore have been in the area of typical University student outfits, and I have many more to come. Until then, stay stylish!

An Explanation...

...as to why I haven't made any posts (real posts, I'm sure whoever has been viewing my blog has enjoyed the outfits from Polyvore). First of all, I have been busy (kind of), so as much as I would have wanted to write something, making an outfit and posting it has been a lot simpler (call me lazy). The last time I made a real post was back in April (wait, May?), when I promised to report fashion trends all summer...oops, sorry about that.
A confession: unless I was going to work or out with my friends, I pretty much lived in shorts and tank tops all summer, so I definitely wasn't very stylish. But now that school has started up again, I have been making more of an effort; getting back into the swing of things by back-to-school shopping, making outfits, reading magazines to catch up on the trends- all that fun stuff. My first day of school outfit? A magenta pleated dress, belted at the waist, a grey shrug over top (though it was really hot out, so I ended up taking that off), a long pink beaded necklace, and pink flats. See, I still have style down.
I've also noticed that all my posts have been reporting various trends of the season; so I was thinking of doing one for fall this year. You know what I noticed? A repeat of trends! Or maybe the trends have kept on...trending through the whole year? Maybe. All I know is that lace, plaid, floral, and coloured denim are still in; joined by sheer blouses, polka dots (those were in in the spring, actually), stripes, cable knit, and faux-fur. Also from last fall are the colours of burnt orange, mustard, and burgundy. So you're in luck if you kept your fall wardrobe from last year!
I will keep the outfit ideas coming, but now and then I may surprise you with a post on my views on the trends of the season (or something of the sort).
Until my next post, stay stylish! :)

Fall Fashion Notebook

Fall Fashion Notebook by mariathefashionista featuring crossbody handbags

McQ by Alexander McQueen biker jacket
stylebop.com

Oasis mid rise jeans
$76 - johnlewis.com

Sam Edelman high heel
lorisshoes.com

Roxy crossbody handbag
swell.com

Circle scarve
$19 - bestseller.com