My new quest: College Fashionista

Hello bloggers,
I have some exciting news!  I will now be a style guru for College Fashionista.  CF is an online blog about college students and their style.  It's a wonderful site to see what fellow college mates are wearing all over the U.S.!  I am very excited to be a part of such a wonderful team but don't worry, I will still write for my personal blog.  Fashion Awakening has meant a lot to me over the years and I want it to keep growing.

Be sure to check out my articles for Kent State University on College Fashionista as well as the other wonderful things the site has to offer!  And of course, keep reading Fashion Awakening!

Love,
Jules

Stuffy-Nose Chic: How to Work It When You're Sick

^This is exactly how I have felt today....maybe I should sport this toilet paper hat? ;)

The inspiration for this post?  I am sick.  I've been stuffy, sneezy, the sore throat, the whole nine yards for the past 4 days.  When I don't feel well, it is hard to find motivation to not look like a complete ill mess.  However, even though I find strength to get to class, I feel ugly and gross.  My nose is red from blowing it all day, I am sneezing every ten minutes it seems, and I can't hear well so people have to talk louder.  How do I work with this?  Here are a few tips I have gathered throughout the past couple of days:


1.  Wear comfy yoga pants or leggings
2.  Pair it with a soft, warm but fitted sweater
3.  Messy bun.....but you know, the kind that you actually strategically planned and tried over and over again to make it "look" messy but still cute.
4.  I've been wearing my black Bear Claw boots.  This is not a fashion offense because my stretchy pants are tight fitting.  I wouldn't wear "ugg-styled" boots with baggy sweatpants.
5.  Carry box a tissues, water, and throat drops (Ricola!), and HAND SANITIZER.


You may be sniffling all day and feel terrible, but it actually makes me feel a little better if I put some makeup on and try to look presentable.  I can control at least that much of my appearance.


1.  Foundation
2.  Play up your eyes!
3.  If you have redness around the nose.....I say just leave it alone so you don't cause more irritation.


But, hey, if you are really feeling awful then just stay home!  Read a book, relax, and drink something warm.  It is a pain to miss class and have to make up work but you won't feel well enough to pay attention anyways so you might as well get some rest so you can get better sooner.

Home Remedies For a Better and Clearer Skin

We all know how much of a struggle our skin can be.  Too dry?  Too oily?  Zits, one after another?  I don't know about you, but my skin decides to act up whenever I am going somewhere important where I must look my best.  Funny how that works out!  I have tried numerous meds and topical gel prescribed to me by the derm, but the results are only temporary.  It won't be long until my skin return back to its normal rebellious self.  So where do I go from here?


I turned to the kitchen and discovered two cures.


1.  Apple cider vinegar + water, anyone?  Yes, try it.  Create a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar and dip your cotton ball.  Use it all over your face like you would with a toner.  It smells of, well, apples and vinegar but it will wear off.  I suggest you use it at night before bed.


2.  Toothpaste. You have heard it before, and I will emphasize this point again!  Toothpaste WORKS! Don't expect your underground red zits to disappear after one night but it definitely gets the swelling and redness down.  I tap my pointer finger on the mouth of the container and just work the toothpaste into the zit.  You will have white dots all over your face depending on where the zit is, but just leave it over night.  You will notice how much better your skin looks and  feels.


As far as moisturizing, I've been using Aveeno's Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30.  I am not in need of age defying moisturizer but I borrowed it from my mom and enjoyed my skin in result of using it.  It feels very soft and helped my skin find its glow.


If you have oily skin, I would try a moisturizer with salicylic acid.  For dry skin, find moisturizer with shea butter.


Use these tips and let me know how it works for you!


Love, Jules

H&M and Walmart's Disappointing Move

As many of you have already heard, the H&M in Manhattan's Herald Square has been reportedly destroying their own unsold clothing by slashing it with razors.  This is such a massive no-no to be made, especially in this horrible economy.  Imagine all of the children who are without food and clothing, freezing in winter weather, and here is H&M and even Walmart, ruining perfectly wearable clothing so not a single being can put it to use.  What a waste.  You would think such large and reputable companies would consider donating to a good cause or even having a blowout sale.


After the controversy had been made public, H&M decided to reconsider their poor judgment.  As of January 7th, H&M has promised to stop destroying their unsold clothing.  Hopefully they will decide to reuse and recycle the way this planet has been trying to promote for the past decade.  We have not yet heard from Walmart but I am crossing my fingers they make the right decision, otherwise many once-loyal customers will be sure to boycott.  

For all you Broadway lovers!

I just recently became a member of  BroadwaySpace!  I am a huge broadway fan and this is a wonderful social networking site, much like MySpace, where fellow theatre fans are able to unite and share their passion for this craft.  I am able to connect with other actors and singers, like myself, and share my favorite musicals as well as insider information for auditions!
Be my friend--- Jules' BroadwaySpace

"there'd be no distance that could hold us back...so this is the new year"

1. Priority: RELAXATION
2. be more relaxed and more  connected to God
3. connect to the nature and spirits around me like the Na'vi (meditation)
4. explore different beliefs as well as my own
5. toned six(ish) pack....as I put on my resolution list every year
6. eat more like a rabbit...more fruits and veggies
7. let the "winds" guide me ---STOP trying to control and plan everything... Just let it happen on it's own--Think Pocahontas or Na'vi
8. be more social and take risks
9. date.............
10. stay on top of all my assignments and do not procrastinate
11. keep on blogging and keep on writing my thoughts in my diary
12. NEVER give up on my love for performing
13. don't settle
14. but don't be so picky
15. be more helpful to others
16. nail my upcoming auditions and land the roles I want
17. Ignore horoscopes.
18. Be the best friend, daughter, and sister I can be.

Most importantly: Remember everything happens for a reason.

*In reality, this is not a list of resolutions because I try to fulfill these wishes every day of every year.  My list for 2010 does not look much different from my lists in 2009, 2008, 2007 and so on.  My resolutions in 2011 will most likely follow the pattern.  My point? We should constantly reach for our goals and how we want to live our lives.  Making a list is a great way to remind ourselves of how we are evolving and how we are growing to get closer to reaching our goals.

Cheers to everyone for a very successful and bright new year!

With love,
Jules, Fashion Awakening Blog
      

Project Rockwell

So here it is - My design for the "Project Rockwell" fashion show.  The objective was to purchase a garment from Goodwill or from another second-hand store for under $10 and create a beautiful wardrobe out of it.  We needed to completely transform it from it's original look.

Original only cost $5.50

What do you think? 

I am happy to say that I was recognized as one of the top 10 designers out of approximately 120 others!  Not bad for my first fashion show.

i feel a change a comin'

My dear old blog has undergone a much needed makeover.  Now that I've mastered the art of html, I can change it up more frequently.  I was growing rather bored of the same old classic blogger so it was time to spice up the pages.


It is Christmas Eve and I am home for the next three weeks.  What shall I do with this alloted amount of time?  I plan to see old friends, go to the movies, see musicals, ice skate, and practice for my auditions coming up.  I hope everyone is enjoying the winter weather and going to fabulous parties in fabulous wardrobes.


Merry Christmas! 


P.S.
SONG OF THE DAY: "Santa Bring My Soldier Home" by The Stunners

Lady Gaga Medley

This is Sam. Let me tell you about him.....he is extremely talented. I have watched several of his videos and I am so impressed. One of his most popular videos is where he sings all parts of the Glee cover "Don't Stop Believing". There are five of him on one stage and it looks like a band but it is Sam and only Sam.

Happy Holidays Blog Readers!

I am bitten.....I mean SMITTEN.

I know I'm a little late since this show has been out for quite some time .....BUT, I finally got the chance to watch it last night and I am HOOKED.  I watched the complete season 1 and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning just in awe of how addicting vampires truly are.  I love how this show sticks true to the old vampire legends.  How the blood-suckers will burn if they are out in the sun--not sparkle, how they cannot enter a house unless they are invited in, and how they must be staked through the heart in order to become a corpse.  Not only do I love the action and deathly battles, but I am also in love the cast.  First of all, every one is super attractive.  I mean, what can you expect?  Vamps are supposedly beautiful and seductive creatures.  Check and check.  Damon (Ian Somerhalder), who is the cocky and evil older brother of Stefan (Paul Wesley) may just happen to be one of the most attractive men I have ever seen.  I am not exaggerating. 


You can catch reruns of Vampire Diaries this entire week starting at 8 p.m. on the CW or head over to www.cwtv.com to watch the rest of the season.  Be sure to check out season 2 beginning in January!

Recession Shopping

Don't let the economy get you down.  Who says you have to give up being stylish just because we are crunched on cash?  There are so many ways to save and still get the look you want and deserve.

BCBGeneration Knit Legging - $88  VS.  Max and Miley Knit Legging - $20

Let me tell you first hand, both of these pants are wonderful.  I had my eye on the BCBGeneration ones for quite some time but when I stumbled up on the Max and Miley pants, I gasped.  THEY ARE SO SIMILAR.  In fact, I've forgotten the differences and now wear my just-as-stylish $20 Max and Miley leggings.  Psssst---for you people who dislike passing off leggings as pants, well, these particular styles look just like black pants. They come equipped with bum pockets, zipper, and belt loops just like any pair of pants......only these are better because they give you the comfort of leggings but the appearance of pants!

BCBG Over-The-Knee Boots - $495 (On Sale for $346.50) VS. Chinese Laundry Over-the Knee Boots - $119

 VS. 

I have to admit, I am a sucker for the BCBG boots and they are definitely worth the price.  HOWEVER, Chinese Laundry is a very good substitute if you are on a budget.  Both boots are over-the-knee but allow you the option of rolling it down to be at the knee.  Boots are a very important accessory to my wardrobe and I tend to splurge because I know I will wear them until their death.  On the other hand, the less you pay for boots, the more new pairs you can buy in the future with the money you didn't spend!  

Free People Lace Mini Dress - $108  VS.  Forever 21 Sweetheart Lace Dress - $22.80

 VS.

Lace is extremely popular right now so no matter which style you choose, it will be a hit!  You really can't go wrong in this situation.  No matter where you choose to purchase a lace dress, you will find stunning ones under $100 so keep an eye out!

Alice and Olivia Shrunken Military Jacket - $550  VS.  Forever 21 Sgt. Runway Jacket - $39.80

 VS.  

The good thing about the F21 jacket, is it comes in black as well.  There are a million options when it comes to finding a military-style blazer.  Forever 21 has a lot of affordable options.

Be & D Studded Garbo Convertible Clutch - $695  VS.  Express Studded Flap Cluth On Sale for $27.65

  VS.  

Bottom line:  You CAN shop during a recession.  It just takes finding the right piece for the right price.  Happy Shopping. :D

Rodarte for Target

I am so excited for Rodarte x Target!  Rodarte creates some of the most beautiful and interesting garments I have ever seen.  Many celebs use Rodarte as a go-to designer to look absolutely fabulous on the Red Carpet.  Actresses such as Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon have been most famously seen wearing Rodarte, which is a smart move on account it always lands them on the "best dressed" list!

Natalie Portman looked absolutely stunning at the Academy Awards 2009.

She was quite the hot commodity on all of the gossip sites gushing about her elegant princess look.

Many of you have seen this dress worn by Reese Witherspoon from Rodarte's fall 2009 RTW show.  Gorgeous!

Here is a sneak preview at the Rodarte x Target line in stores December 20th!  Check your local Target to see if you will be getting it!

KarlBob ChanelPants

Spongebob must be pretty thrilled to have been given a new makeover.  Covered in gold pleather and completed with his very own pair of Chanel shades, the new Spongebob sure raked in the dough.  Designed to be auctioned off to support the World Wildlife Fund, he has been sold for 1,500 dollars.  Good job, Spongebob.  Karl, you rock.


P.S. Speaking of makeovers---like the new blog layout?  It needed a spice of color.