I’m Going to New York Fashion Week: Timo Weiland

Hey Everyone!!!

As you may have seen, I have been in the process of revamping my blog. I am proud to say that I am new owner of my own domain name! I have been writing for Adolescent Chic for over three years now and this blog has given me the opportunity to intern and work at fashion magazines, attend a multitude of fashion shows and interview a vast array of celebrities.

Today, I am covering Timo Weiland’s SS 2017 Women’s Presentation. Here we go:

Clothing: Timo Weiland, along with co-designers Donna Kang and Alan Eckstein, channeled the late 1980’s and 1990’s in this seasons women’s collection. The presentation was adorned by graphic prints, bold colors and flowing silhouettes. I am usually not a huge fan of a flared pant, however, I actually believe that looks 1 and 4 utilized the technique thoughtfully. I am not sure if this collection truly connected to the edgy and emotional aesthetic that was the 1990’s, but as far as wearability and tailoring goes, the collection was quite stellar.

Featured Look:

Accessories and Styling:

Accessories and Styling: The models wore an assortment of accessories including reflective sunglasses, oversized earrings, leather sandals and flat booties. The makeup consisted of purely neutral colors with an incredibly dewy finish. The hair was either made incredibly sleek with sheen spray and hair gel or placed into a messy bun to emulate that “I don’t give a care” 90’s do.

I hope you all enjoyed the post! I’m pretty much done with reviewing NYFW shows for the moment, so I will be sending out some new, original content in the next few weeks. I’ll see you all soon!

❤ Naa

I’m Going to New York Fashion Week: Thaddeus O’Neil

Hey Everyone!!!

In celebration of this upcoming S/S 2017 NYFW, I decided to cover a show that I attended but was unable to properly report due to time constraints. Thaddeus O’Neil’s SS16 presentation was deemed a “Disco Sea Party”, adorned with imported palm trees, beach supplies, sand and tropical beverages. The clothing reflected the theme with an assortment of vacation worthy attire. Here we go!

Accessories and Styling: As stated previously, the collection concentrated on keeping a lax, surfer-like ambiance. The models were styled with sun hats, beach accessories and even light weight instruments. For the female and androgynous models, the makeup included a copper and golden smokey eye, bronzed skin and peach blush. Their hair was put into beach waves – cementing their status as beach royalty.

Clothing: The clothing including a set of island-inspired prints, from palm tree shorts to pineapple blouses, patterned bikini tops and neoprene ensembles. Most of the fabric choices were lightweight and breathy – a perfect choice for a day on the beach. My favorite outfit was the printed empire waist mini dress that the last model wore. I love the drama that the conflicting patterns bring to the look!

Favorite Look!

❤ Naa

Top 10 Clothing Stores for Students on a Budget

Hey Everyone!!!

New York Fashion Week: Men’s has just ended and Women’s Fashion Week is still a few days away, so I am taking a little break from my schedule to give you guys a very important post. As a college freshman in New York City, I understand the pain of wanting to stay fashionable on a limited budget. So today, I am presenting my top 10 clothing stores to buy inexpensive, fashionable articles for your everyday wardrobe. Here we go:

10. 2020 Ave

2020 Ave is a relatively unknown store due to the fact that it is exclusively an online shopping site. However, it has a gorgeous collection of blouses, skirts, shorts, dresses and shoes that are mostly priced under $50. And just when you thought that things could not get any better, the store also comes with a 10% off coupon for University students, meaning that it is perfect for those on a budget. Enjoy!

9. Boohoo

BooHoo is a fast growing online women’s retailer that is originally based in the UK. Due to its English routes, the clothing in BooHoo seem perfect to those who are a fan of the sexy and somewhat avant garde style found in London. In relation to prices, most of the dresses are anywhere from $30-$50, however, due to consistent sales, you usually won’t need to spend over $30. I personally love the actual quality of clothing from BooHoo, however, I do wish they had a storefront near NYC due to sizing mishaps.

8. Agaci

A’Gaci is a store that is constantly compared to Forever 21. However, while Forever 21’s style is more directed towards a mass market system, A’Gaci’s style is much more graphic and high street. I personally love the collection of patterns, colors and design that the goods at A’Gaci carries. A dress will set you back anywhere from $15 – $45, however, similarly to BooHoo, consistent sales will save you a pretty penny.

7. Wet Seal

Wet Seal is definitely the most casual store to come onto this list. Unlike some of the other stores located on this list, it is relatively easy to find a Wet Seal in the continental USA. While I am not the hugest fan of the dresses found at Wet Seal, I absolutely adore their separates! Whenever I want a cute pair of pastel jeans or a fashionable blouse, I go to Wet Seal. A top or pant at Wet Seal only costs around $10 – $20, so I suggest visiting one near you!

6. Love Culture

I am in love with Love Culture! The only reason that Love Culture did not hit my top three is due to the fact that it is not in a very central location to Manhattan, however, it is the perfect store for a teenage or college fashionista. The clothing is consistently on trend and sale dresses start around $10. I wish that their was either a store in Brooklyn or Manhattan – this way I could come here every day.

5. Charlotte Russe

For the top 5 stores, I chose chains that had a large amount of stores throughout the country in order to make sure that you can actually see the product before you purchase. Charlotte Russe is another “fast fashion” powerhouse that are known for its low prices yet high taste. The dresses cost around $15 – $40, however, Charlotte Russe is consistently having “Buy 1 Get 1 for $X” sales. I suggest going to Charlotte Russe for your next shopping spree.

Favorite Location: Queens Center, 9015 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst NY 11373

4. H&M

H&M is a global superpower. As one of the largest and most spread out clothing stores in the entire world, H&M has locations throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and etc. H&M is known for its low prices, interesting styles and relationships with big time designers (such as Balmain). H&M has a huge variety of prices, however, most dresses shouldn’t cost over $70.

Favorite Location: 111 5th Avenue, New York NY 10003

3. Rue 21

Rue 21 is by far the most affordable brand on this list. On a good day, a pair of jeans will cost around $2 or $3. Like Wet Seal, I am usually not a huge fan of the dresses at Rue 21, however, every now and then I find something truly spectacular. The blouses and jeans cost around $1 – $15, so it is relatively easy to change your entire wardrobe with just one trip. However, one of the issues with Rue 21 is the quality of some of their clothing leaves much to be desired. With that said, I do recommend it to those looking for a cheap alternative!

Favorite Location: 68 Heather Lane #2, Perryville MD 21903

2. Forever 21

I’m not going to spend too much time with Forever 21 due to the fact that it is so immensely popular, but I am obsessed with this story. While some people complain that the quality of their clothing is not always impressive, the Forever 21 located in Union Square has yet to let me down. With an assortment of dresses, tops and bottoms that rarely cost more than $35, Forever 21 is the motherland for broke teens. However, I had to give the #1 spot to a little unknown beauty:

Favorite Location: 40 East 14th Street, New York NY 10003

1. Mandees

Mandee Shops is a collection of womenswear retailers. Now, I chose Mandees as number one for three reasons: its exceedingly low cost, its high quality and its sizing. Mandees price range is similar to that of Forever 21, while its quality is similar to a mid-price store such as Zara or Express. However, the kicker when it comes to Mandees are that the sizes seem to add more leeway than most other stores on this list. As a young woman with a very unique set of measurements, it can be a struggle to find clothes that fit. However, the sizes at Mandee allow me to properly fit into clothes I could not find anywhere else. If you haven’t tried Mandees yet, I suggest you close your technological device, hop in a car and start shopping!

Favorite Location: 2540 Broadway New York 10025

❤ Naa

I’m Going to New York Fashion Week: Kenneth Ning

Hey everyone!!!

Today I will be showcasing an up and coming designer who showed his sophomore collection at NYFW: Men’s Fall 2016 – Kenneth Ning. His collection was inspired by the concept of revenge, and utilized clean lines, dark colors, leather, metalwork and artistic designs. Here we go:

Accessories and Styling: In relation to the accessories, Ning kept the add-ons relative simple with a collection of black and white sneakers and dress shoes. However, each model wore a pair of silver and golden dangling earrings that the crown raved over. I personally loved the simple touch of elegance yet uniqueness that each pair added to the silhouettes. Along with this, the male models had a very simple look while the female models each had an intricate smokey eye that added a flair of drama to the presentation.

Clothing: The Kenneth Ning show was one of the last men’s fashion shows that I had the pleasure to attend this season. It is also one of my favorite collections – period. The craftsmanship of the pieces were spectacular, the styling was perfection and the clothing matched the theme of revenge and sadness amazingly. I believe that Kenneth Ning has a very bright future in men’s fashion.

Grade: A+

Favorite Look:

❤ Naa

I’m Going to New York Fashion Week!: Ohne Titel

Hey Everyone!!!

I am so sorry for being MIA for over four months, but this time I actually had a good excuse: I started my first semester of college! University has been an absolutely amazing experience – and going to school in a city like New York City has just added to the magic. Due to my hectic schedule, I wasn’t able to post my #NYFW posts as quickly as I would have liked, however, there is no time like the present. During the next few weeks I will be posting reviews from shows such as Thaddeus O’neil, Concept Korea and GIVENCHY. But today, let’s get started with the wonderful Ohne Titel!

Hair and Makeup: Ohne Titel is a womenswear line designed by the power duo of Alexa Adams and Flora Gill. The stylists most likely used hair gel, sheen spray and salt water in order to give each girl a certain “wet look” in relation to their hair. The designers decided to keep the makeup simple in order to keep the attention on the clothes. I personally loved the styling of the hair, however, I wish that the makeup artists would have used a more metallic look rather than go ultra natural.

Accessories: The stylists used solid colored strapped heels and matching jewelry in order to enhance each look. My favorite utilization of styling has to be with the fourth look, as the beaded necklace and matching heel adds to the green gown without overpowering it. Overall, I felt that the accessories were a very successful aspect of the show.

Clothing: Clothing is by far the most important part of any fashion show. The Ohne Titel SS 2016 collection utilized colors inspired by spring, such as sea foam green, rose red and dandelion gold. The silhouettes were primarily loose and flowy for the warmer months, while the collection also bragged clean lines and perfect seams. All in all, I felt as if the Ohne Titel collection is one for the memory books.

❤ Naa

New Videos Up – BookTube-A-Thon Video Challenge #1 and BookTube-A-Thon TBR!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

It is August 3rd – which means that BookTube-A-Thon has officially begun! The first video challenge is the Domino challenge – and my video is below:

Also, I am halfway done Assasin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas. Hopefully I will be done by tonight and be able to stay on schedule. Here is a link to my TBR pile:

I am so ready for this week and I will see you all later!

❤ Naa

New Videos Up – BookTube-A-Thon TBR and $50 Giveaway!!!

Hello Everyone,

I just posted a new video on my BookTube Channel Literature Liaisons – my TBR for BookTube-A-Thon 2015. I am so excited because this is the first readathon that I will be participating in! Please subscribe to my channel if you like what you see:

I am also hosting a giveaway for a $50 VISA Gift Card on both my blog and my channel. You can read more about the rules here and watch a video description below:

Thank you so much for watching and I hope you like what you see!

❤ Naa

College Confidential Part 1: Standardized Testing (SAT, ACT, AP….)!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

I cannot apologize enough for being AWOL for a whopping three months! From school work to extracurricular activities and college applications, I have been more than swamped with large amounts of work. However, I only have one more final exam to complete before I graduate high school and prepare to set off to University next fall! Some of my younger readers have been asking for advice regarding applying to college and I decided to create a new series called College Confidential that is dedicated to giving out tips and advice regarding college applications. Today, I will start off the series with one of the first tangible facets of the college application process: standardized test! Here we go:

Tip #1: Purchase study materials – workbooks, flashcards, CD-ROM programs and etc.

This step should be done during either your sophomore year or the summer between your sophomore and junior year of high school. I found that through reviewing the material found in the books for a period of about three to six hours a week was imperative in increasing my scores. I suggest Gruber’s, Barron’s and the Princeton Review!

Tip #2: Join a prep class or hire a private tutor. 

In order to gain admission to some of the more selective colleges in the country, a student’s test scores should be at a certain standard. Sometimes, workbooks and studying aren’t enough and outside assistance is needed. Huntington Learning Center and local universities are always a great resource for these types of lessons. Be forewarned that some of these classes can be very expensive, so have a true conversation with either your parents and/or guidance counselor before taking this tip.

Tip #3: Decide which tests you are going to take – every tester is unique!

Depending on where you live, there is usually a misconception as to which of the two preeminent standardized test carry more weight in college decisions. On both the east coast and the west coast, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, better known as the SAT, is seen as the “stronger” exam. In the midwestern region, the American College Testing, better known as the ACT, is seen as the “stronger” exam. In reality, each test is viewed equally. I suggest that you take both tests at least once, and then use that experience to decide which test is better for you. Here is a great article about each test!

Tip #4: Take as many practice exams as humanly possible! 

I cannot emphasize this tip enough – practice exams are some of the best ways to study for standardized test out there. Through answering questions similar to those found on the tests, your mind will begin to think like an exam grader. I also suggest grading yourself HONESTLY after each test – these scores will help you assess how to shape your test taking abilities in order to get a higher score.

Tip #5: Take at least one practice exam in a testing environment. 

This can be done at either a school or tutoring center. Even though completing practice exams at home can be very helpful, you will never take the SATs on your private desk in your bedroom. These tests will emulate the true exam in both content and environment – and will lead to a more accurate depiction of your score.

Tip #6: Take care of your physical and mental health before and after the exam

Make sure to take regular breaks between studying, eat right and have a good night sleep before any exam. I have seen fellow students put their minds and bodies through the ringer in preparation for the exams, and I would not suggest it to anyone. Know that your health, both physically and emotionally, is more important than any exam!

Tip #7: Take the exam and see how you do!

Now that you have studied up and had a good night’s rest, it is time to take the exam. Remember to stay calm yet alert in order to correctly answer all the questions, and don’t get too down on yourself if your first score isn’t as high as you wished for. You are allowed to take the exams as many times as you want!

❤ Naa

I’m Going to Mercedes-Benz/MADE Fashion Week!: Bobby Abley Overview + Giveaway!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

Today, I will be posting the first fashion presentation at MADE Fashion Week that I had the pleasure to attend. Due to the poor weather and unfit hotel accommodations, I was only able to participate in NYFW for 2 days. On the first day, I spent the entire duration at Lincoln Center, where I watched three separate shows. On the final day, I spent the evening at Milk Studios and saw a concurrent four collection presentation on the 8th floor. Here we go:

Accessories and Styling: For most of the shows, I review the hair styles and makeup application on the models from the runway. Since all of the shows that I attended at Milk Studios were stationed with male models, I decided to concentrate on the styling of their hair and the accessories with their clothing.Each of the models had a very laid back yet put together hair style to reflect the child-like innocence of the collection. Each model wore a pair of burgundy sneakers, neon backpacks and faceless teddy bears. All in all, the nostalgic appeal of the collection was found in the styling as well.

Clothing: Now, time for the most important aspect of every fashion show: the clothing. I had the fabulous opportunity to speak with Mr. Abley, and found that he has a history of being inspired by Disney cartoons and traditional fairytales. Following his The Little Mermaid inspired collection for London’s Fashion Week: Men’s Collection last July, Abley created a The Jungle Book inspired collection for MADE Fashion Week. With bold cartoon-inspired prints, knit shorts, the installation of geometric patterns and a refreshingly juvenile method of styling, the Bobby Abley FW 2015 collection was the perfect mix of child-like nostalgia and contemporary chicness.

Loved this look!!!

I was very happy to have the opportunity to attend and review such a large amount of men’s fashion shows this season at NYFW. If you want to check out more of Bobby Abley’s work, check out his website here. I will have my Charlotte Ronson overview up soon (I lost my flash drive so I had to restart from scratch). Also, remember that my giveaway for a $50 Forever 21 Gift Card is still open here!!!!

❤ Naa

I’m Going to Mercedes-Benz/MADE Fashion Week!: Rebecca Minkoff Overview + GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

Welcome to my first post about my experience at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015! I wasn’t able to post as heavily during last season due to some scheduling conflicts, but I have some truly incredible collections to show you this time around! As I said in my overview of the David Tlale FW 2014 Collection (which I wrote almost an entire year ago!), the beauty of fashion week is there are times that you can get into shows that you weren’t originally invited to. I was able to get into the Rebecca Minkoff show through standing room and a very kind member of the band. Here we go:

Music: Rebecca Minkoff is one of the few presentations that always utilizes live music in all of her fashion presentations. This year’s band was possibly the most talented and well suited for the collection that I have ever experienced. The collection, which was inspired by the 1970’s hippie movement and the punk rock era, was heavily complimented by the 70’s inspired music that also had a modern twist. The sultry vocals and jazzy atmosphere was perfect for the entire presentation.

Beauty: After doing some researching regarding Mrs. Minkoff’s inspiration for her fall collection, I learned that she was inspired by the Chelsea Hotel girls, including iconic names such as Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. The girls hair was left in messy, long and grungy waves, while their makeup consisted of bold eyeliner, rose gold eyeshadow and neutral lips. All in all, the beauty aspects of the show perfectly fit the era that Minkoff attempted, and succeeded, in conveying.

Clothing: While the presentation and the styling are very important components of any fashion show, the clothing is by far paramount in importance. The collection was absolutely breathtaking. With an emphasis on luxurious outerwear consisting of tweed and suede, flowing chiffon tops and maxi skirts, modern-day capes with fringe and impeccable use of leather, the Rebecca Minkoff FW 2015 Fashion Show was incredible. I hope to see the articles presented at this show worn by fashionistas of all backgrounds in months to come.

This is just a few photos that I took while at the show. My Charlotte Ronson overview should be up sometime tonight. Also, remember that my giveaway for a $50 Forever 21 Gift Card is still open here!!!!

❤ Naa