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{Glam} Baby, It’s Cold Outside

December 4, 2012 in Glam: Style & Trends

As a young girl, due to the size and color of my younger sister’s winter coat, I nicknamed her “the marshmallow.” Once she slid that puffy, shapeless, white coat onto her small body, she immediately disappeared, overcome by the goose down feather lining and overall monstrous piece of outerwear. 

As we search for warmth and shelter as the weather begins to mimic that of the North Pole, (the one without the candy canes and elves)  we find ourselves searching for something, anything that will keep us warm. Have you ever spent time creating an outfit in the morning only to then throw on your heaviest winter coat covering your beautiful work or your new shirt? Wearing that same shapeless, black coat everyday isn’t going to help your winter blues. 

Around the same moment I referred to my young sister as a marshmallow, I realized that jackets can be warm and trendy and to promise to always find a flattering fit. Sometimes that perfect coat can take time to find. It’s frustrating! But, it is worth the wait. 

Above are a variety of winter coats that not only have sense of style, but are perfect for every body shape. Double breasted buttons can give you a slimmer fit. A high-impact collar can attract attention to your pretty face and a belt can accentuate your curvy or tiny waist. Find one that is the best for you! 

My favorite find of the season was an earlier Christmas gift from American Eagle. I am always wearing black in the winter and the bright two-tone color is so festive! I had sworn off puffy jackets for a long time believing that they were more fit for rolling in the snow and ski-resorts. I was wrong. This jacket stands as a great example of how there are coats out there with a flattering fit. 

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{Graffiti} 10 Signs You Know Fall Is Here

October 11, 2012 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture

Just in case you haven’t yet taken notice of the turning leaves, have incredible body heat and have not yet shivered from the brisk, cool wind, or have somehow abstained from sipping a pumpkin flavored beverage…

I want to inform you…it is now fall.

Here in Pittsburgh, and I presume in every northeast town, the signs of the changing season cries louder than your cellphone ringing in your 2 pm social psychology lecture. 

How can I tell? With true scientific analysis of course. So grab a pumpkin flavored muffin, pull on another layer, and let’s investigate…

You know it’s fall when… 

1.  As mentioned before, suddenly everything seems more delicious if the word “pumpkin” is placed in front of it. Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin scents, pumpkin cocktails…

and you can bet we are trying every. last. one. 

2. You get utterly confused of what to wear in the morning. “So it’s going to be 33 degrees in the morning, rain for two hours, and then go up to 60 degrees in the afternoon?…” This ambiguous weather phenomenon leaves us constantly checking our weather app, staring at our closets, eyes wide and clueless.

3. You have a sudden urge to carve a pumpkin. You may not currently know how to get one, have a dorm room size capable of creating one, or have any knowledge of carving a pumpkin…but, it is imperative that you carve a pumpkin. Immediately. 

4. When the new Paranormal Activity 4 thriller + a shudder or two + your non-Julliard acting skills = your crush putting his arm around you at the theater on your second date. 

5. You can enjoy sarcastic posts like this from our friends at The Onion.

6. Ugg boots + North Face jackets have made a return to campuses nation-wide. You love or you hate it. See my calculated analysis featured here. 

7. You can layer ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Want a scarf with that cardigan? Want another cardigan with that cardigan? Sure, but only if you top it with a belt. 

 8. Your Friday plans seem to change… Out: Anything that means wearing real clothes and venturing into the frigid, cold air after 9 pm. In: Cuddling, PJs, popcorn, a glass of red, and your favorite film. 

9. Midterms have pounced as fast as you can sneak another slice of pumpkin pie after dinner. 

10. You forget about your Midterms and focus your research and attention on much more important topics …

such as your Halloween costume… 

OH! And, we can’t forget…

11. You know it’s fall when…regardless of the premature gift commercials, you can’t help but start to get excited for the snowflakes, hot chocolate, skiing, and celebrations for Winter. ;)  

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{Back-to-School Comes Full Circle}

January 7, 2012 in Glam: Style & Trends

.Round 2.

Let’s go through the checklist first…

1. Your “fresh from under-the-Christmas- tree”,  over-sized, sweater. Check.

2. That pair of taupe suede booties you have been drooling over since Thanksgiving from the Dolce Vita website. Check.

3. The New Year resolution that has already seen 6 successful days of military-like commitment. Che…, put that cookie down…Check.

4. And, that hole that appeared in your wallet due to textbooks, pens, pencils and sky-high heating bills…(Sigh) Check.

You are ready for 2012.

After all of these years, whether finishing up your college degree, entering the high school hallways for the first time, or going back for graduate classes, somehow the first day of school is always a bit exciting seeing old friends, making new, trying, and changing.

While worrying about the “perfect back-to-school outfit” is now the new “perfect Friday night” outfit, we realize that with the new year comes an unlimited opprotunity to add/ change/ or transform your style. Whatever your change may be…

{A vow never to wear sweatpants to class.} or {A vow to half your ready-time and buckle-down on your studies.}

It’s up to you!

Educate your style.

I came across these fun and innovative pieces and had to share. I never imagined how much I thought that I would need to add a pencil sharperner ring to my must-have accessories list! Here are a few of my favorite funky and retro pieces from Me & Zena.

{Love these too? See more @ Me & Zena}

Good luck!

XOXO,

Glam and Graffiti

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{Graffiti} It’s All Greek To Me

December 30, 2011 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture

With so many Christmas parties and now New Year bashes around the corner, it is always in fashion to come bearing gifts and food!

I love to cook and my mom has taught me everything I need to know in the kitchen…

which could fill a post-it-note. 

(This could be my last post ever for forwarding that information.)

Regardless of the saga and quite humorous situations of my mom’s lack of cooking knowledge, she is fantastic at creating Greek dishes!

And, makes one helluva mean baklava.

If you ever eat Greek food, which you should, (so, this obviously applies to you), treat yourself to baklava, melt at the taste of tiropitas (my all-time favorite and cooking specialty) and be sure to indulge yourself on some moussaka.

While our family recipe is kept a bit more secret…I may be able to slip you the secret ingredient to make the most savory, to-die-for baklava and tiropitas…

An incredible amount of … butter. Opa!

XOXO,

Glam and Graffiti

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{#HOLIDAYPROBLEMS}

December 25, 2011 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture

It’s the Holidays! I know that things can get rough…here are just a few of those things that are trending right now in every home, in every Christmas party, and all over the world!

* * * * * * *

1. #Takeover: Family is storming from every state possible and distant relatives are now occupying your TV, your bedrooms, and your… refrigerator. Bumping into someone in a hallway is not unusual and the size of your home just shrunk 5 times the size.

2. #LineUp: When you have to take a number to queue for the bathroom in the morning…you know it is the holidays.

3. #Selfcontrol: It is taking all you have to not throw a snowball of mashed potatoes at the next neighbor or family member when asked the casual conversation starter,   “SO what are you going to do for the rest of your life?”

4. #Confusion: It’s strange…your stomach feels like it is going to explode from pumpkin pie, and all you want to do is try that cake that you are eyeing at the other end of  the table.

5. #Mistletoe: That one sprig of leaves that can cause extreme awkwardness in the hallway in route to the kitchen. Party-goers will start finding strategic ways to get into that kitchen just to avoid any confrontations. You were warned here first.  Forget the devious plotting to steal a snog from your crush of 8 years. Relax && be single and mingle! Stay clear. of. the. mistletoe.

6. #Snow: You want it to snow. But, not a lot. Just enough to cover the grass and not close down the interstate. (Depending on what state you are in and how ill-prepared the road patrol are…this calculation can be tricky.) COME ON SNOW.

7. #Leftovers: Some call it a blessing, some call it mashed potatoes for the next straight week. This easy dinner fix…and lunch fix, and unfortunately…sometimes breakfast fix, denotes itself as the only way to truly finish-off that feast your mom cooked for dinner as if she was expecting the entire cast of Modern Family.

You can do this. I believe in you just as much as I believe in Santa.

Merry Christmas!

XOXO

Glam and Graffiti

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{Street Light} City eScape

December 24, 2011 in Glam: Style & Trends, Mens

Fingers woven, eyes sparkling, arm && arm, this stunning and stylish international couple embrace the New York City cool winter winds and grey skies, with monochromatic ensembles.

Make It or Break it Detail: Black Fur

Around the corner, this suave fashionisto took me as a Ryan Gosling look-alike in looks and choice of ensemble.

The Huffington Post says, “Gosling excels at putting an irreverent, unexpected twist on menswear classics...” — describing this look perfectly. Straight edge dark shades, a double breasted pea coat, turned cuffed jeans, suede shoes with bright red laces.

Every detail counts.

Fur fashions for fashionistas and fashionistos. As a vest layer or a soft edging, a fur detail is the best winter detail.

What’s on my list for Christmas? A floppy, oversize felt fedora and ear muffs.  Just preparing myself for the whipping, winter winds in January walking to and from class. What a JOY… 

What is your must-have winter detail??

XOXO,

Glam and Graffiti

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{Graffiti} It’s Okay If… Holiday Style.

December 21, 2011 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture

Life is tough. We all need a little break…it’s time to celebrate!

So you know what? It’s okay IF…

… If you swore that pitter-patter on your roof faintly sounded more like Reindeer hooves than a rogue tree branch.

…If you pause any type of calorie counting, carb watching, and sweet swatting diet to indulge on the never-ending savory feasts.

…If you spend away your vacation hours at the mall. Hey, if you can handle the crowds and lines of children crying and clamoring for Santa, all the power to you.

…If every time “All I Want For Christmas” starts gearing-up on the radio, you are right there, ready, singing at the top of your lungs and pointing to your invisible lovers. Oh, they know who they are.

…If your dress for New Year’s Eve is more expensive than your Prom Dress.  You only get to count down to 2012 once, why not look smashing.

…If you watched Elf, The Holiday, or Love Actually, or all of the above more than once. Or, in the same week. Or, in the same day.

…If you casually throw in quotes from Elf in everyday conversations. “So, uhm … do you wanna eat food?”

…If regardless of how thick the first snow is and if you are dressed for it, you test to see if it is “packing” snow because face it … that is all that really matters.

…If despite the reviews and the cliché name, you still kind-of-maybe want to see the star-packed film New Year’s Eve.

Hey – it’s okay.

XOXO,

Glam and Graffiti

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