Bring In(stagram) The New Year

Well, this is it.  2014 has been one insane year that has shaped each of our lives in one way or another.  And without a doubt, 2015 will probably do the same.

There have been so many occurrences during this year, especially with the fashion industry.  John Galliano made a huge comeback, Kendall Jenner is the hottest model of the moment, and Chanel made a statement during Fashion Week with its colorful feminist protest.  However, the strongest and most notable event that I have noticed was the big social media lunge this year.  If social media wasn't already interlaced with our lives, well, this year definitely sealed the deal on that issue.

To add to the point, this year was the first year that I had hopped aboard the iPhone train.  I received the iPhone back in March, and as soon as I got it, I eagerly joined Instagram, Vine, and all of the other apps that I had heard about.  This past summer, I was especially having fun with Instagram, and I had experimented with spreading awareness about this fashion blog through Instagram, using pretty pictures and the appropriate hashtags and what not.  The response that I got was incredible, and it affirmed my beliefs that the human race will not stop ascending the social media staircase any time soon.

There were also many Instagram occurrences of the year, including Grace Coddington joining the app in May, and Rihanna returning to the app after a six month hiatus (for more Instagram events of the year, check out this article from Refinery 29: http://www.refinery29.com/best-fashion-instagram-2014#slide-12).  Many fashion forward bloggers gained more followers on the app as well, reaffirming the fact that social media and fashion are interlinked beyond belief, from now and into the future.  I mean, it certainly helps that blogger Adam Gallagher uses classic menswear and Oxford charm…

… that Luanna Perez has an intriguing Goth girl glamour…

… and that Jessica Stein masters the element of travel to her already fashionable Instagram posts.

Social media has been on a steady rise for a while now, but 2014 has been the year that has confirmed its place in our future.  I know a lot of people who are uneasy about this, and I'm not going to lie, I feel a bit of unease as well.  However, social media has already proven to have a beautiful side with a lot of creativity and originality.  I can't help but yearn to see what's next.

Here's to an awesome 2015!

Maddy Thiers

Star of the Moment: Emma Watson

Nowadays in Hollywood, it's hard to come across a genuine, caring person who is outspoken about buried issues such as feminism and sexualization.  I'm talking, of course, about the fabulous Emma Watson.

Emma has been my favorite celebrity for quite a few years now, and it's not just because of the reasons that I have listed above.  I also admire her ability to keep her social life under wraps from the media, in order to live out as much of a normal life as possible while simultaneously living her dream career.  She is always as charming and as classy as can be when she makes public appearances; why, she comes pretty damn close to being another Kate Middleton!

Oh, and I completely admire her flawless sense of style.  I mean, how can she go from looking sleek and professional like this…

… to daring and sexy like this, without any controversy? 

Seriously, anyone who can pull off any kind of look without any outcries or complaints from the public is a star in my book.

I also have to give kudos to Emma for her sense of humor.  I was one of those people who lost it at her cameo performance in This Is The End.  

She makes losing your shit at James Franco and Seth Rogen look positively adorable.  Not to mention badass.

And lastly (I'm doing my best to contain this post because I know I can go on for pages about Ms. Watson), I just have to go on again about how bold she is with her style.  I really am emphasizing this again, I love the way she dresses.  She is, without a doubt, one of my biggest style inspirations.  

I had to restrain myself from adding more pictures (it certainly doesn't help that I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to her).  

Emma, even though you aren't discussed a lot in the media, you are most certainly the star of the moment.  In fact, that makes you more of a star, because of how low key and awesome you are.  Stay classy Emma, and everyone else, take a note from Emma and be classy like her.  That is all.

#womancrusheveryday

Maddy Thiers

What I'm Wearing So Far In December

As I walk through the streets of Chicago, I already see festive window decorations, sparkling lights on the leaf barren trees, and of course, carefully coordinated red and green outfits worn by the fashion business majors in my classes.  December is my favorite month of the year to dress up, because it truly gives you the chance to pick out an outfit that'll shine (pun intended) (you know, like Christmas lights) (okay cool).

However, what happens when you want to go a route for a holiday party that does NOT involve ugly Christmas sweaters?  Well, let me give you a few tips on how to put together a cute outfit that's just right for the season, but too not over-the-top Christmasy.

1) Go through what neutrals you have, like LBDs, and see if you pair anything with sheer tights or accessories like lace.  You see, neutrals work extra better during the holiday season, not just because of the frigid temperatures, but also because of the sexiness that black lacy tights can exude in the snowy weather.  Seriously, the effect is astonishing.

2) Because layering is always effective, take a look at what sweaters or tops you got.  Something cozy is always good to grab, but then again, it depends on how casual the occasion is.

3) Finally, when you've got your neutrals and sweaters out of the way, hit a home run with an unexpected piece from your closet.  Whether it's a stunning statement necklace, or an expensive one-of-a-kind Italian pastel leather jacket, make it rock!  Don't worry, you've got this.

With these tips for a cute, yet slightly neutral holiday outfit, the result for me came out like this:

In this picture, I am wearing my black boots, sheer tights, an LBD with my mom's old gray speckled sweater over it, a robot pendant, and um yeah, that jacket I was describing above?  Yeah, that's the one I'm wearing.  It's super warm too.

So there you go!  You now have an idea for a not-so-blatant holiday outfit that'll be guaranteed to turn heads at your next Christmas party.  Who knows, you might even get a little action underneath that mistletoe.

God, I love the holidays. 

Maddy Thiers