Club Fashionista Girls: Celebrating Halloween in Chicago

By Elma B.

Halloween–when the witches come out and the zombies rise, yes, it is my favorite time of the year! Most of us have some alter persona, and this is the perfect time of the year where you can live that fantasy. We decided to celebrate in Chicago and had an all girls night out! 

We celebrated at the W Hotel Lakeshore at its 33rd floor. The music was spectacular, and we even ended the night by crashing a wedding party! 

Our costumes? 1920s flapper (me), Mad Hatter, a cop and a peacock. Interestingly, all of our costumes matched our personalities. I will let you guess how….

Until next time…HAPPY HALLOWEEN fashionistas! 

Style Guide for Men: Casual Hot Look in 9 Steps

By Elma B.

After receiving queries from many of my male friends on what to wear for a casual stroll around the town, I am dedicating this post to all men whom are in need of some style advice. So, drop the boring polos and oversized and outdated khaki pants, and take a cue from the following 8 style tips:

1. Wear fitted pants: not skinny pants but pants that fit your actual size. So, get measured at the store for your exact proportions. Wearing oversized pants make you look like a bureaucrat from the 1990s!

Casually hot: James Dean

2. Drop the polos! Polos have been over-worn by everyone. There is nothing about a polo that will make you stand out; polo has become a monotone and a boring uniform.

3. Layer: Layering cotton t-shirts with a sweater is sexy.

Simple layers

4. Scarves: Add a scarf to your outfit. It will make a world of a difference.

Hot Scarf

5. Blazer: Blazer will make any outfit pop. Even on a Saturday, wear a blazer over your cotton t-shirts. Styling tip: roll-up your sleeves just a bit for an edgy look. 

V-Neck T-Shirt + a Blazer = Perfect

6. Wear colorful sneakers: To give your outfit an edge, pick out a colorful pair of sneakers that complement the rest of your outfit. A colorful pair of sneakers can make a dull outfit very interesting and trendy, e.g., see the red sneakers below. 

Casually hot–add a splash of color to your outfit

7. Add Sunglasses: A great pair of sunglasses send out two signals: I am confident and cool. Besides, squinting when it is sunny does not make any man (or woman) attractive. I suggest you try on ray-bans or aviators.

Great Sunglasses to Complete Your Look

8. Wear Denim on Denim: Look like a model, be creative and wear denim on denim. It is a hot look that does not warrant to be reserved only for the ultrachic. 

9. Accessorize: Buy a beanie hat, thick bracelets or a satchel bag. Tip do not overdo it. Take a cue from the fashion and sport icon David Beckham, see the photo below:

David Beckham Accessories with Glasses and/or Hats

How to Guide On Fall/Winter Makeup: 8 Steps

By Elma B.

What is it about the fall and winter look that exhumes more glamour than the summer and spring look? It can be summed up in one word: MAKEUP. I am here to provide you with an insider’s beauty tips on how to wear your fall and winter makeup. Here are my 7 beauty secrets… 

1. Wear brighter makeup, e.g., bright eyeshadow. Your body is covered-up in the fall and winter and the dominant colors of your clothes are black, brown, gray and navy blue.  Hence, take more risks with makeup. Wearing bright makeup contrasts with the cold and gloomy weather.

2. Wear heavier makeup, e.g., wear foundation and powder. You do not have to worry about your makeup melting off. 

3. Bring attention to your lips when the weather is dark and cloudy. 

4. Bring attention to your eyes (and/or lips) when the weather is sunny. For instance, you can do smokey-eye makeup even during the day as long as it is sunny outside.

5. Use heavier moisturizer. Unlike in the summer, where your face is sweating under the heat, your skin will dry out in the winter. Hence, do not use the same moisturizer in the summer as in the winter. The cold weather will pull out the moisture out of your skin; thus, your skin will look matte. A good moisturizer underneath your foundation, which would make your skin look oily in the summer, will serve you well in the fall and winter. 

6. Porcelain look. It is ok to have a porcelain look in the winter because looking orange in the fall/winter is outright strange. If you have pale skin, add blush so you do not look dead. However, if you are wearing bold eye-makeup and bright lips, go without blush.

7. Wear lipgloss or colored chap-stick. Wear gloss or colored chap-stick will serve your lips well rather than wearing matte lipstick because your lips become dry in the winter. If it is windy outside, to avoid having your hair stick to your lips, condition your lips with colored chap-stick and then add a bit of bright lipstick. 

8. Wear waterproof mascara and eyeliner. When raining or windy, make sure to wear waterproof mascara and eyeliner so you do not end up looking like a raccoon. 

DIY Avocado Face Mask for Dry Skin Recipe

By Senka Haveric

Hello fashionistas!

I wanted to share with you guys an amazing face mask I recently tried that has done wonders for my skin! I have dry skin, and during the colder months my skin needs extra moisture. This mask is best for dry skin but if you have oilier skin you can substitute some of the ingredients. Avocado is filled with natural oils that are good for the body but also work really well for skin. The honey is cleansing and moisturizing so it makes the mask even more beneficial. The yogurt is great for acne prone skin since it contains lactic acid, which kills bacteria and can also help restore skin’s PH balance. Try this amazing nourishing, cleansing, and moisturizing homemade mask out and let me know what you think! 

Ingredients:

1) Half of an avocado

2) A little bit of honey

3) A teaspoon of yogurt or milk

4) A couple drops of olive oil *(optional) 

Steps:

1) Using a spoon, take the avocado out and mash it up with a fork. Make sure to throw away the skin! 

2) Add a little bit of honey. Usually, I use about a teaspoon or less depending on how much avocado I have.

3) Add a teaspoon of organic yogurt and blend. If you have oilier skin you can substitute yogurt for milk.

4) Put the mask in the fridge for a couple of minutes to make it extra refreshing!*

5) Wash your face. I like to put this mask on after I have showered as that opens up pores and allows for better absorption. I then use a toner on my skin.
6) Apply the mask to your skin and leave on for at least 60 minutes.

7) Wash your face with warm water and a washcloth.

8) Gently pat dry and MOISTURIZE!

Me with the Avocado Face Mask

Christy Turlington: A Model of Inspiration

By Jeanne M. Zonneveld

Christy Turlington – A Model of Inspiration

World-renowned model Christy Turlington has been turning heads since before she started her career in the fashion industry in 1983. Now, after years of captivating fans with her stunning looks, Christy has begun to make a buzz in the global community this time by using her voice to stand up for a cause much greater than herself. An advocate for preventive health and wellness, Christy poured years of dedication into forming an inspiring campaign focused on taking preventive steps towards eliminating deaths of pregnant or delivering women worldwide. This organization, appropriately named “Every Mother Counts,” was founded in 2010, but began as the result of a life-changing moment that occurred for Christy in 2003, while she was giving birth to her first child. 

Christy Turlington Advocates for EMC

From SUPERMODEL to SUPERHERO: the Stunning Christy Turlington

1990s Supermodels: Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista for Vogue

The Gorgeous Christy Turlington Today

Christy Turllington for Every Mother Counts

Christy Turlington glows with her family

Christy Turlington with her Husband, daughter  Grace and son Fion in 2007

Suffering from complications during childbirth, Christy was able to successfully deliver her daughter Grace into the world with the medical assistance she received at the time. Though she had overcome her own obstacles while delivering, the realization that she, and her daughter, had been in serious danger did not end in just one successful birth, but the beginnings of a cause that would eventually grow into a worldwide movement. 

Christy Turlington: a Huge Fan of Yoga

Like any newborn, EMC did not learn to walk overnight, but was nursed under Christy’s care as she began addressing maternal health related issues. Becoming an advocate for CARE, a charity that has concentrated its efforts to prevail over poverty and social injustice in communities around the world, she was able to see, first-hand, the hardships experienced by women who did not have access to such basic yet necessary medical care in order to ensure a safe child-birthing experience.

Christy Turlington at work for EMC

With everything she was able to learn and truly come to sympathize with as a mother herself, Christy once again showed the world how a star shines by creating a powerfully moving documentary titled “No Mother, No Cry,” sharing the stories of at-risk pregnant women, both across seas and in the states. After the release of this documentary, Christy showed true initiative by launching “Every Mother Counts,” taking supporter engagement one step further by encouraging action instead of simply watching from the sidelines. Proving herself a member as much as she is the founder, Christy finished her first New York City Marathon in 2011 running for EMC, continuing to lead by example as to how members could garner more attention and support for their campaign. 

Christy Turlington for Every Mother Counts

It is both humbling and inspiring to see such selfless and constant dedication to a cause one finds important to pursue. For Christy, beauty exceeds the physical world into the metaphysical manifestation of compassion and change, for the better. Raising both her children and her campaign, Christy Turlington is a mother who is devoted to making every day, and every woman, count.

Fashion Fall Trend: Chunky Sweaters

By Senka H. 

Hello fashionistas!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! 

One of my favorite fall trends are chunky sweaters. They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes but more importantly they are SO comfortable. Comfort is really important to me when it comes to fashion, especially in the colder months when layering becomes necessary. Below is my fall outfit, and some other outfit suggestions when wearing a chunky sweater. Hope you enjoy!

Outfit Dissected: 

Sweater: Forever 21
Shirt: Soprano

Leggings: Thrift shop in Colombia

Turban: Hippie Market in Colombia 

Bag: Juicy Couture

Boots: Guess

Necklace: L.A Cano (AMAZING Colombian Jewelry Designer)

Bracelet: H&M 

Me and Some of My Favorite Sweaters

Olivia Palermo in a Chunky Sweater

L.A Cano necklace

Winter Whites

By Amra B. 

There is something so fresh about wide-legged-white pants: they stand out in the sea of “all-black-winter ensembles”, you can combine them with almost anything, and they are super comfortable (you can breathe as opposed to some of the skinny pants that cut off your circulation). They have been around since the seventies (see the Charlie add below)and they are still popular today. 

Wide-legged-white pants make any top stand out by creating amazing contrast. I paired my white pants with a recently purchased tribal sweater, a seventies style booties, and a new-bright-turquoise bag . If you still want to emphasize your shape, you can tuck in your shirt into your pants or wear a cropped top. If you decide on an “all white ensemble”, I would suggest incorporating some colorful accessories! 

Hope you are having a wonderful week fashionistas! 

XOXO

Outfit* Pants and sweater Zara, purse Gucci, sunnies Fendi, booties Forever21, ring H&M, earrings River Island.

Accessories

A model wearing a wide-legged-white pants in a 70s add for a Charlie parfume

So Fresh: White on White

Wide-legged-white pants with a nude jacket

Home Design Guide: How to Pick Wallpaper?

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata

Everyday, fashionistas around the world are looking for trendy pieces of clothing, footwear, and accessories, but today that passion for all things trendy carries over to our home! How does your living space look like? Give your home a new, fun and fresh look with wallpaper! Here is a COMPLETE “HOW TO” Guide on choosing the right wallpaper for your home!

Wallpaper as Seen on the Set of Gossip Girl

History

Around 15 to 20 years ago, this home decor was an absolute must have! It adorned the walls of nearly every home, and in the mid-90s, it completely fell off the face of the earth but in recent years, it has come back as a chic addition for any home. Now, fashionistas are raving about it! 

Wallpaper as Seen on the Set of Gossip Girl

Why Use Wallpaper?

Wallpaper is easy to apply! Use your plain monochrome wall and turn it into eye-candy. With new textures and patterns, wallpaper can be changed seasonally just like a pair of shoes! Ever since I discovered a nice little shop that sells these decorative pieces for the home, soon after, you could find them on the walls of my home. If you need to refresh your crib or overlay stains on the wall, and you have neither the time nor the desire to whiten the walls, and then clean the chaos after the painters, wallpaper is the ideal solution for you. 

How to Guide: 

I present to all of my fellow fashionistas a small guide on:

How to find the ideal wallpaper for your home?

   

What kind of wallpaper material should I use for my home? 

1. Different Types of Wallpaper:

There are many modern options available when it comes to this “it” interior design trend:

Embossed: Embossed wallpaper, which has texture, is great for covering walls with imperfections. Its perk? Embossed wallpaper is easy to clean and set-up.

Embossed Wallpaper Headboard

Fabric: Fabric wallpaper, whose base is textile, is a little harder to put on the wall. Fabric is difficult to clean. However, this wallpaper adds a great texture to your home and makes a trendy statement. 

Velvet: Velvet wallpaper has a plain paper or a vinyl base.   It is soft to the touch and does not just lay flat on the wall.  The downside? It is difficult to clean. 

Baroque Style

Foil: Foil wallpaper has a metallic look and adds light to the room. Foil wallpaper works the best on clean walls with no damage and defects. When applying foil wallpaper, you will have a hard time but it is fairly easy to clean! 

Metallic Wallpaper For the Modern Home

Grasscloth texture: Grasscloth texture is wallpaper woven using long strands of grass. Its perks: it has remarkable texture and organic quality! It is very popular in the interior of modern homes. Its downside: it is difficult to apply and remove from the wall surfaces. 

Vinyl: Vinyl wallpaper is used as a base.  Vinyl is easy to clean, set-up and remove. It is a good choice for bathrooms. 

2. Wallpaper: With or Without Patterns?

Subtle wallpaper does not exist! Use wallpaper if you are looking for a “wow” effect for your home, i.e., you want the wallpaper to brighten your living space with interesting textures and patterns. It is necessary to select wallpaper that complements your already existing interior design. Do not pick a wallpaper that will overshadow your existing home decor. 

3. What’s the Right Kind of Wallpaper for My Home?

Patterns: When selecting samples, keep in mind that horizontal patterns make your room look wider while vertical patterns give the appearance that your home has higher ceilings. In one room, you can use a maximum of two different samples of wallpaper provided they are not on the same side of the wall.

Colors: Wallpaper looks beautiful when it complements the rest of the colors in the room.  My choice when decorating our bedrooms were two differently colored wallpapers. Also, the wallpaper has vertical patterns: purple and white vertical stripes, and black and white zebra patterns. We like it! 🙂

Wallpaper Design in Our bedroom

Measurement: One more pice of advice: Before you start the process of applying the desired wallpaper on your wall, be sure to measure the space where you want to apply the wallpaper to make sure that you have enough material for the wall.

Do you need advice in decorating your home or picking out  wallpaper? Write me at nhodzic@clubfashionista.com 

XOXO!

Home Interior: Living Room Wallpaper

Bosanski /Hrvatski /Srpski: 

Fashionisti širom svijeta svakodnevno prate šta je to u trendu od odjeće, obuće, modnih dodataka; ali sa novim vremenima, mijenjaju se i trendovi u uređenju doma i životnog prostora. 

Unazad 15-20 godina bile su apsolutni hit i krasile su zidove skoro svakog doma, no sredinom 90-tih godina potpuno su pale u zaborav. Posljednih godina ponovno dolaze kao chic dodatak svakom domu i fashionisti su potpuno poludjeli za njima. Ukoliko do sada niste shvatili o čemu je riječ – u pitanju su zidne tapete! 

Retro tapete

Jednostavno se apliciraju, svojim novim teksturama i dezenima obični jednobojni zid pretvaraju u pravu zidnu poslasticu, možete ih mjenjati sezonski, baš poput para cipelica.

Otkako sam otkrila jedan super shop koji prodaje ove dekorativne komade za dom, ubrzo su se iste našle na zidovima mog životnog prostora. Trebate li i vi osvježenje svog kutka, ili pak prekrivanje flekica po zidu, a nemate ni vremena ni želje za krečiti, pa potom čistiti onaj haos nakon molera, tapete su idealno rješenje za vas.

U nastavku donosimo mali vodič za sve fashioniste: kako do idealne tapete za vaš zid !

Što vrsta materijla tapete čini za moj prostor ?

Postoje mnoge moderne opcije na raspolaganju kada su u pitanju ove «it» kreacije za zid:

Reljefni : Izvrstan za pokrivanje zidova sa nesavršenostima , reljefni papir je sa teksturom , a može se i bojiti. Lako se čisti i postavlja.

Tkanina : Tapete sa bazom od tekstila se malo teže postavljaju na zid, te se teško čiste. No, ovakve tapete dodaju veliku teksturu, te ostavljaju trendovski dojam.

Pliš : Ovakve tapete se sastoje od papira ili vinil baze, te sadrže uzorak od baršunastih podignutih površina. Njihova estetika dolazi u centar pažnje unutar prostora, međutom nisu jednostavne za rukovanje i teško su perive.

Folije : Metalik izgled zidnih podloga će dodati svjetlost u sobu i najbolje funkcioniše na čistim zidovima bez oštećenja i nedostataka. Oko njihovog apliciranje trebat ćete se malo namučiti, ali su prilično lake za čišćenje.

Grasscloth tekstura : tapete tkane na dugim vlasima trave , imaju izuzetnu teksturu i organske kvalitete. Vrlo je popularna u uređenju savremenih domova, iako je teška i za apliciranje i za skidanje sa zidnih površina.

Vinil : To je osnova većine tapeta. Lako se čisti , postavlja i uklanja. Predstavlja dobar izbor za kupaonice.

Trebam li koristiti zidne tapete s uzorkom ?

Suptilne tapete ne postoje, ali ako ste u potrazi za ” wow ” efektom, željet ćete svoj dom uljepšati tapetama sa zanimljivim teksturama i uzorcima. Potrebno je odabrati one koje nadopunjuju vaš dekor u prostoriji, nikako one koje će dominirati sobom, te sve ostalo staviti u drugi plan.

Pri odabiru uzoraka, imajte na umu da će horizontalni uzorci učiniti da vaša soba izgleda šire, dok će vertikalni uzorci vašem prostoru dati izgled sa višim stropom. U jednoj prostoriji možete koristiti maximalno 2 različita uzorka tapeta, pod uslovom da se ne nalaze na istoj strani zida. 

Najljepše izgleda kada su tapete u istoj prostoriji iste boje – različite teksture, ili pak isti uzorak u različitim bojama. Moj izbor za dekorisanje spavaće sobe bile su 2 tapete različitih boja, ali i različitih dezena (ljubičaste i bijele vertikalne pruge & crno bijeli zebra uzorak). Nama se dopada 🙂

 

Savjet plus: Prije nego počnete sa procesom apliciranja željene tapete na vaš zid, obavezno izmjerite prostor kojem želite dati novo ruho, kako bi se uvjerili da imate dovoljno materijala za zid.

Trebate savjet za ukrašavanje vašeg doma ili pak prijedlog kombinacije uzoraka i boja zidnih tapeta, pišite nam! nhodzic@clubfashionista.com

XOXO

Top Three: Fashion Trends Straight Off The Sydney Streets

By Sammy Jade 

Top Three: Fashion Trends Straight Off The Sydney Streets

Here in Australia, we’re not all about our cork hats, crocs and kangaroo riding… I promise. 

With the weather being so unpredictable lately, there is a lot going on in the streets of Sydney; wherever you look, everyone is awkwardly trying to decipher how they feel in this climate; everything from scarfs to denim cut-offs, trench coats to maxi dresses, everything is happening at the moment. 

As uncomfortable as it may be, this also means that there is a huge space for many trends to take the limelight, and that is just what is happening at the moment, and for me, here are my three favourites.

1. That Zara Skort

This Spring, we have seen an explosion of a-symmetrical hemlines, with this trend gaining popularity not only for the edginess and added interest it provides, but also because it is so easy to layer with for those days where the cold mornings turn into sweltering afternoons.

Right now I am particularly loving the Zara style skort (yes, it’s the return of the 90s!), and with so many people embracing this must-have item, I am loving the many ways it is inevitably worn. 

Pretty much any top can be worn with this, throw on an unstructured blazer (remember the key here is to keep the focus of structure on the skort) and your outfit is complete! And with our busy lives, this piece can be transformed from day to night wear in no time at all. 

2. The Crop Top

The crop top was huge during Australian Fashion Week earlier this year, with many designers including Ginger & Smart, Bless’ed Are The Meek and Aje embracing this cheeky trend, which has quickly been taken off the runway and scattered all though out the streets of Sydney. 

The one thing about this item is that it is easy to go from chic to cheap, so to ensure this doesn’t happen, it is important to keep as much of your stomach covered as possible. This can be achieved with high waisted pencil, midi or maxi skirt, shorts or jeans. 

Once again, this trend is great because it is easy to layer upon, which makes it a very versatile item to have in your wardrobe. 

Vintage Crop Tops: Tiffany Amber Thissen from  Saved by the Bell

3. Kimono Kaftan Jacket 

It is pretty evident that no matter our attire, we are so very excited for the upcoming Summer months. This is reflected in the popular Kimono Kaftan jacket being worn by everyone from beach go-ers to people out clubbing- this trend is highly versatile, especially on the beaches of Sydney where the clothing style is a lot more boho. 

I love that it can be easily paired with a simple LBD for those nights out, and will completely transform the look of your outfit. 

Inspired by our very own Camilla, this piece will prove to be just as hot of a fashion item in our closets as the Australian Summer is expected to be! 

The Australian weather is just warming up, and I couldn’t be more excited for this upcoming season!

Happy shopping!

Sammy Jade 

www.howtoruninstilettos.com

BEST Boots for This Season (Part 2- High Heel and Party Boots)

By Amra B. 

In my previous post (BEST Boots for This Season, Part 1- Flat and Medium Heel), I talk about the best flat and medium heel office boots. However, my real “boot passion” lies in the high heel and party boots. OK, so you may not get a lot of wear out of these, but they are just so “OMG…”

3. High Heel Weekend Boots: I reserve these boots for glam coffee meetings in Harrods, Selfridges, SaksFifthAve, or afternoon/evening cocktails. These shoes are not the most comfortable, but I love how amazing they look during the day! However, I wear them on days I know I will not be doing much walking…

My high heel black slouchy boots (Rachel Zoe)

All about fringe: Me wearing Biran Atwood Fringe high heel boots

My Viktor and Rolf boots are great for cocktails

These seventies style boots from Forever21 were a steal and look amazing with wide legged or skinny pants

My dream high heel boots pick for this season

Affordable high heel boots pick for this season

4. Going Out Party Boots: These are the shoes I have reserved exclusively for great parties. I wear them if I am going out in the evening and I want to look amazing. Word of caution : Make sure you always have a seat nearby…☺

My Christian Louboutin Cousinetta Booties

My dream party boots

Mary Kate in Balenciaga boots

Kim Kardashian in Christian Louboutin boots