The Fashionable Collegian

Leaping LEOPARD!

2010-08-27T16:41:00.002-04:00

Dear Fashionable Collegians, Summer is coming to a very near end. Don't fret. Instead, let this be a reminder that you need to update your wardrobe for the upcoming Fall semester! In addition to buying Oxford shirts, polos, new jeans, and of course a fresh new pair of Old Navy flip-flops, be sure to add leopard to your Fall 2010 wardrobe! That's right, LEOPARD!

In the Harper's Bazaar August 2010 issue titled, "First Look At Fall," the fashion editors of the mag shared their insight on what to expect for the season-Feline Fetish. Some of our favorite fashion labels such as Longchamp, Ralph Lauren, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabanna, and of course, feline print extraordinaire, Mr. Roberto Cavalli, are all using leopard print this season. Check out some of the leopard print items I found in the magazine!

Leopard print is so chic and fabulous! I'm craving that Yves Saint Laurent bag (Price tag=$2,995) Ouch! Guess I need to start saving up my coins to purchase that bag ;)

Take heed to this advice: Fashionable Collegians, it is important that you ONLY wear ONE article of leopard print! Two or more, automatically makes you look T-A-C-K-Y! #NoBuenoBaby!

Ciao Bella,
Bisi

*Double click on the magazine scans to see them enlarged.

Crave CHANEL?, There's an app for that...

2010-08-26T20:50:00.001-04:00

In addition to attending fashion shows, and reading both fashion related magazines and blogs, fashion enthusiasts are now able to use iPhone apps as another means to get their own fashion fix, while on the go! World renowned French fashion house, CHANEL, was one of the few fashion labels to first release an iPhone app.

The CHANEL iPhone app allows you to see exclusive videos of recent CHANEL fashion shows, various behind the scenes footage (i.e. some of the footage includes Monsieur Karl Lagerfeld aka my favorite uncle "in my head"), and there's also an easy to use CHANEL global store locator.

There's also a section of the app labeled, "CHANEL News," which gives "CHANEL Cravers," like myself, up-to-date information regarding the fashion house. Expect to read exclusive news about new CHANEL store openings around the globe, pictures of some of your favorite celebrities wearing CHANEL on the red carpet, and even some pictures of Coco Chanel's famed apartment in Paris!

Be sure to check out the free CHANEL iPhone/iTouch app on iTunes to satisfy your CHANEL craving.

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
-Coco Chanel

Bisous,

Bisi

Samples, Savings, and FREE food!!!

2010-08-26T19:26:00.000-04:00

Samples, Savings by Abisi123 featuring fleece tops

Hello Fashionable Collegians! I'll make this quick....

-Click here to receive a free sample of AVEENO's new Nourish+ Shampoo and Conditioner.

-Between August 26th and 29th, Gap Inc. is offering a 30% off coupon called Gap Give & Get. 5% of what you spend goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Make sure you spend A LOT of money for this cause.

-Lastly, the food. Domino's is offering FREE Cinna Stix. Use the coupon code, EBCS at checkout. You don't have to purchase anything else. Here's the link to the Domino's website.

-Bisi

What I've Been Up To

2010-07-21T21:13:00.001-04:00

Photo Source: some art fabric

Hey Fashionable Collegians! I hope you’re having a great summer :) I’m saddened that it has been a month since I’ve updated this blog. Je suis désolé-très désolé. Pardonnez-moi *Freetranslation.com is your friend* Truth is: Job searching has been a job in itself. Again I say, job searching is a job in itself. No bueno. All I want to do is work in Fashion *that’s Fashion with a capital F*, but it’s insanely COMPETITIVE. At this point, I don’t even care if I obtain a position at the bottom of the Fashion totem pole. Just to get my foot in the door would be AMAZING!!! I’m trying hard to remain confident, but it’s a little discouraging when the economy is sucky, companies are firing instead of hiring, and furthermore, companies basically want you to have a PhD-No bull.

Nonetheless, aside from my depressing life *I’m dramatic like that, feel sorry for me. lol*, I had an AWESOME time last week. An alumna of Mount Holyoke is in the process of launching a Fashion collection this Fall and allowed me the invaluable opportunity to experience this with her. Last week, I made the hour-long journey from Long Island to the very exuberant NYC (the Garment District), to meet with the MHC alumna.

When I arrived, I met a kind, soft-spoken man named, Walter Foster. Mr. Foster is very well known amongst the Fashion elite and has been in the Fashion industry for years working with an array of top-tier apparel companies. He will be producing the clothing samples for the MHC alumna’s Fall collection.

 As I entered Mr. Foster’s workspace, I was met with an immense amount of clutter. Different types of fabric, dress forms, sewing machines, and flat sketches were everywhere in the tight workspace. Mind you, I’m semi-claustrophobic, but for some reason I felt invigorated walking into the room.

 While Mr. Foster and the MHC alumna were talking, I sat in a chair and observed EVERYTHING in the room. I was essentially a sponge, soaking up everything to append my knowledge regarding pattern-making, sketching, fabrics., etc. It simply felt good being in an environment that I’ve been longing to be in. Mr. Foster was generous enough to allow me to take pics for my blog and furthermore, shared his insight about being confident in what you aspire to do in life. I took Mr. Foster’s advice and open opportunity to meet with him again, with much gratitude.

On the way home (courtesy of the good ‘ol LIRR) I felt different. Re-energized. Admittedly, I am not completely clear on how I will reach my goal of being a Fashion designer, Women’s clothing Buyer, and/or Fashion Editor *I love all things fashion* but I do know that it is safe to say that I’m at least on the right path. And I seek solace in that.

Bisous Chicas, 

Bisi

'88 Was Indeed A Good Year :)

2010-06-19T09:35:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday to MOI!!! Today is my birthday (June 19th). I'm now 22 years old (Realization: In 8 years I'll be 30! Yikes! No bueno. LOL!) I know it has been a while since I've blogged. Sorry about that, I've had some personal thangs to take care of. Since my last blog post, a lot has happened. I attended an incredible amount of events, had to pack up my things in my dorm, say my goodbyes, and more importantly, I GRADUATED!!! I'm officially an alumna of Mount Holyoke College!!! It has been a tough road, but I made it through. Congrats to all the Fashionable Collegians who recently graduated. Class of 2010!!! Woop!!! We Did It!!!

In May, I attended The Senior Ball, which was held at the Willits Hallowell. The theme of the event (I think), was "Alice in Wonderland" inspired. Everyone both looked amazing that night and had a great time. Take a look at the pics, 'cause the Fashionable Collegians did NOT disappoint!

Crystal looked amazing. Her "Billie Holiday" inspired outfit was complete with a luscious red rose in her hair.

Like always Miss Grape always gives us the fierceness!

Love the RED dress Steph!!!

Kati Stadum looked very beautiful. She wore a juicy green dress (notice the turtles that look like stars) and RED pumps.

Indeed, they all are...

Kristen sashayed in her elegant dress.

Tania and her hubby were the cutest couple of the night!

Obligatory "Shoe Shots." Hehe...

Smiles :)

Marsha was Best Dressed of the night, hands down!!! She looked like she was going to the Oscars. So beautiful.

*Click on the photo collages to see them ENLARGED!

You like? Leave a comment below!!!

Fashionable Collegians Like To Have Fun Too!!!

2010-05-19T13:13:00.002-04:00

Hello Fashionable Collegians!!! I know it's been a while, but I'm officially back! Woop! Aside from final exams, the end of the semester entails A LOT of events. Thus far, I've attended many parties among other events held for seniors, and had a great time dressing up for each event. So, stay tuned for the pictures I took of various Fashionable Collegians who were at these events.

The first major event I attended happened to be for one of my BFF's, Crystal. It was Crystal's 22nd Birthday!!! Instead of going out to dinner, Crystal had her party in a sun-room, in one of the beautiful dorms on campus. Crystal looked amazing in her birthday-cocktail dress and so did everyone else. It was a LOVELY affair and everyone had a great time. Take a look at the Fashionable Collegians I spotted at the birthday party!

Crystal is an EXPERT at poppin' bottles. LOL!

Lovely Mount Holyoke Women!

All Black Everything. Hehe...

The Women look HAUTE!

Miss Moseley came to the party looking CUTE!

Aww...

Aww, our little sisters have grown up to be such beautiful WOMEN!!!

Miss Grape giving us fierce!

CHEERS!

Crystal ended the night with opening gifts! As you can see, she was very happy with the gift I gave her. Happy 22nd Birthday Crystal!

*FYI you can click the pictures to see them in a larger view!

I'm sick :(

2010-05-06T19:25:00.005-04:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Hello Fashionable Collegians! I hope everyone is well. Sorry for the lack of posting. My allergies are typically severe this time of the year and they're prohibiting me from doing a lot of things. I'll make the substantive effort to post during the weekend. Good luck on your final exams.

Air Kisses (since I'm sick),

Bisi

What I Wore To Class...

2010-05-03T11:08:00.004-04:00

Good morning Fashionable Collegians! The Fashionable Collegian is 1 month old today!!! (Please stay tuned for the giveaway I will be doing soon). I would like to seize the opportunity to say, "Jambo" (i.e. "hello" in Swahili) to The Fashionable Collegian readers in Tanzania! The Fashionable Collegian is so INTERNATIONAL right now! Yay! How dope is that?! I hope everyone had a great weekend. My weekend was filled with events, having a great time with friends, and of course, final exams (let's not talk about that. lol). I just simply can't believe my time in college is waning away :( It's happening too fast! It just hit me that in less than a month I will be an alumna of Mount Holyoke College. Wowzers! Nonetheless, given the amazing alumnae that I've encountered thus far, I do feel confident regarding my future as a Mount Holyoke Woman.

I got a lot of compliments regarding my last post about What I Wore To Class, so I decided to do an "All White Everything" look.

I'm wearing a white trench coat that I got from Steve and Barry's before they closed down. The jacket was $9.00!!! You can't get that anywhere! ('Till this day, I'm still upset that S&B's is no more.). As for the shoes, my lil' sister "gave" them to me (at least that's what I choose to believe what happened. hehe...). For accessories, I used my Forever 21 shades and a black, small Longchamp Le Pliage bag, to contrast the overwhelming white trench coat Now, I am very aware that a jacket is NOT a dress, but I'm scandalous like that! POW! (I love action words).

Click "Read more" to see more pics of MOI!

Très chic!

It was so beautiful outside!

Felt like being artsy with the photoshop. hehe...

This needs to be in a mag! Classic!

*You can click the pics to see them in a larger view.

What are your thoughts about "What I Wore To Class..."? Let me know in the comments section.

Beijos,

Bisi

Fashionable Collegian TALENT SPOTLIGHT: Shaina Tantuico of Mount Holyoke College

2010-04-30T10:25:00.062-04:00

¡Hola! Fashionable Collegians. I'm going to assume that all of you know what that means. lol Shout out to everyone who is in Spanish speaking country. The Fashionable Collegian has readers from Argentina, Spain, and Mexico! Woop! Thanks so much for your support :)

Sometime ago, I had the pleasure of attending a jewelry-making party, hosted by Shaina Tantuico of Mount Holyoke College. When I entered her dorm room, I was amazed by the jewelry I saw hanging on her wall. Each piece was more beautiful than the next! Little did I know, Shaina actually made every single piece of jewelry-by herself! Shaina has an undeniable skill of creating custom-made jewelry. Take a look at some of her designs!

Name: Shaina Tantuico

Age: 22

College: Mount Holyoke College

Major: Policy, Schooling and the Arts

Talent: Doodling and Listening at the same time

Click read more to check out the interview I did with Shaina and see MORE of her designs!

What is the name of your jewelry line?

Ear to Ear

What is the reason behind the name?

No special story. I just needed something catchy that reflects my personality and the earrings I make.

What type of jewelry do you make?
Earrings (mostly), broaches, and necklaces.

When did you learn how to make jewelry?
There was this lady that came to my high school to teach us how to assemble jewelry. It was a trend in the Philippines at the time and small, women-run-and-owned business were popping up everywhere. She just taught us the basics of putting a bead on to a hook, but it really opened up the possibilities for me. Once I realized that I could make an idea real, it was all trial and error from then on.

Describe the craftsmanship of your jewelry. Is it difficult or easy to do?

It takes practice and a lot of time. I'm convinced that anyone can do it. My favorite thing to do is to teach people how to make them. It's good for business, contrary to what some people think. People recognize the effort that goes in to making a pair and they don't mind buying instead of making their own.

What are some of your favorite jewelry designs?

If you look at my site, it's called Sisa. It's named after my favorite crazy woman character in all of literature (from Noli Me Tangere by J. Rizal) because of all the design twists. I really like studs as well. They're inspired by my nerdy Star Trek phase when I was a kid. They had those ear pieces on the show that they tapped to talk to each other. I thought of making big studs because of that.

Where do you find inspiration for your jewelry?

I find and steal ideas everywhere. I started painting on shells because of a lady in the subway with three inch long intricately painted nails. I said to myself, "that would look so beautiful... on your ears". I have a story attached to most of my designs and so I think it's important to choose to see beautiful things wherever you are. That gets poured into what I make and have people wear. Since experiences can only be your own, the designs end up being original.

What types of stones do you typically use, and why?

I like the contrast of polished and matte finishes, and natural and manufactured material, so it's more combination than favorite individual stones. I'm clearly a big fan of pearl and wire. They're just a classic choice for me and when you work odd shapes with wire your material, it becomes visually interesting, like the accessory is art and that makes you want to wear it.

Is your jewelry versatile (i.e. can anyone wear your jewelry with any type of style)?

As much as I try to design for everybody and even repair, redesign or custom make, I know that I have a type of customer. She's someone who wants to be noticed, who doesn't mind being different and who might actually choose to be different. Ear to Ear is about a classy adventure. I could tell you that everyone can wear at least on piece I've made to an event of choice, but, they might not be ready for it.

Are there any future endeavors involving your jewelry line?

I just opened my on line store and so that will be expanding drastically within the next 4 weeks. I'm also trying to factor in my love for sharing my craft and designs with others. I've met so many women who doled out free advice and ideas. I consider it my duty to keep in that tradition.(Editor's note: Shaina also sells jewelry at campus events.)

Where can people buy your jewelry?

Ear to Ear I can be easily contacted at (415)439-9757 or shaina.tantuico@gmail.com for inquiries into an earring workshop or party.

Shaina also makes custom pieces. So, if you want one-of-a-kind accessories, make sure you contact her and/or check out her jewelry line!

If you have a talent, relative to fashion (i.e. a fashion designer, fashion illustrator, shoemaker, etc.), and would like to be featured on The Fashionable Collegian, contact me (abisi123@gmail.com).

XOXO,

Bisi

Fashionable Collegian STYLE PROFILE: Crystal Boateng of Mount Holyoke College

2010-04-28T13:02:00.013-04:00

Haigh (i.e. that's "Hi" in Irish) Fashionable Collegians! The Fashionable Collegian STYLE PROFILE of the week is Crystal Boateng. Crystal is a senior at Mount Holyoke College and is one of my BFF's.

About Crystal:

Name: Crystal Boateng

Age: 21

College: Mount Holyoke College

Major: French and Politics double major

Her style is very classic-and I LOVE that!

Very cute!

Click below to see more of Crystal's style and her insight on fashion!

What clothing stores do you frequent: Macy's, H&M, Foever21, Zara

Must have fashion accessory: Cardigan

Favorite fashion designers and why: I don't have one favorite designer but, I like Oscar de la Renta especially his spring and summer dress collections and also Christian Lacroix for his vibrant colors and styles.

Celeb Fashion Inspiration and why: No specific celeb fashion inspiration, I like to mix and match, most of my inspiration comes from fashion magazines such as Vogue and Glamour.

What was your style before entering college: I used to wear whatever i thought was in at that time, no unique fashion sense.

How has your style changed since then: I create my own outfits now by mixing and matching articles of clothing in my wardrobe, I also wear a lot of scarfs and boots after my study abroad experience in France.

Fashion advice for the Fashionable Collegians out there: Be YOU, don't try to fit in by wearing what you think is "in". We all have different body shapes and skin tones so wear what compliments you the most!

What are your thoughts on Crystal's style and her insight on fashion? Leave a comment below!

If you have GREAT style and would like to be featured on The Fashionable Collegian, contact me (Abisi123@gmail.com). Hurry, spots are filling up!

Bisous,

Bisi

What I Wore To Class: All Black Everything

2010-04-26T12:16:00.004-04:00

Ahoj (i.e. that means "hello" in Czech), Fashionable Collegians! I just found out over the weekend that I have some readers from the Czech Republic! How cool is that?! I'll be giving more shout-outs to an array of international readers of The Fashionable Collegian throughout the week, so stay tuned, your country may be next!!! Aside from that, here are some pics of "What I Wore To Class." *cue Jay-Z's song, Run this town*

"...all black everything, black cards, black cars, all black everything..."

I felt like going for an edgy look, so I wore ALL BLACK EVERYTHING to class.

I'm wearing a black Tommy Hilfiger rain jacket (retail price: $50), a black tank from Old Navy (retail price: $2.00-when they were having their clearance sale!), black leggings from Forever 21 (don't remember-sorry. lol), black boots that I got in London (retail price: $45), and my favorite pair of glasses were from Forever 21 (retail price:$8.00).

Flip the hood to see more pics of yours truly-MOI!!!

I was definitely feelin' myself that day. Check me out!

I got it goin' on

You like? Leave a comment below.

Bisous,

Bisi

Fashionable Collegian STYLE PROFILE: Geraldine Rodriguez of Mount Holyoke College

2010-04-22T10:43:00.006-04:00

Salut, Fashionable Collegians! I hope everyone is doing well as the academic year wanes away-just a few more weeks. Yikes! Time goes by so FAST!!! Aside from that, I've been wanting to feature other Fashionable Collegian women (and men) on the blog, to showcase their own personal style on the blog. Therefore, this section of the blog will be called, "Fashionable Collegian Style Profile." If you're a college student with impeccable style and would like to be featured on here let me know! (Abisi123@gmail.com)

With that said, I would like to present the FIRST Fashionable Collegian STYLE PROFILE. Her name is Geraldine and as some of you may know, she's been featured on here before. Take a look at how fashionable this college student is! :)

About Geraldine

Name: Geraldine Rodriguez '10
Age: 21
College and Major: Mount Holyoke College: Latin American Studies (major) Sociology (minor)

Click below to check out more pictures of Geraldine's style and the interview I did with her, discussing her style and fashion in general.

What clothing stores do you frequent: I frequent a variety of stores, but mostly Forever 21, H&M, Express, Guess, American Apparel, Bakers, Steve Madden, Victoria's Secret, Aeropostle, New York and Company, Macy's, I also shop in neighborhood small clothing stores/ thrift stores, or boutiques.  

Must have fashion accessory and why: My number one fashion accessory to have is at least one pair of name brand, stylish sunglasses. I feel it is extremely important to invest in a good pair of sunglasses because firstly you should always protect your eyes from the damages of sun rays, but more importantly for fashion purposes, sunglasses always complete your look whether you are deciding to dress down or do it up.

Some of your favorite fashion designers and why: One of my favorite top designers is Oscar De La Renta. I particularly enjoy watching his fashion shows and celebrities who wear his label because all of his clothing are distinguishable for its top notch vibrant colors and layers of surprises. A native from the Dominican Republic, (woop, woop) he holds true to his Latin roots by always adding a touch of spice and sexiness to all of his designs. He is also known for accommodating the curvaceous features of Latinas, so this is extremely important for me! Another one of my favorite designers is Dolce and Gabbana. Personally I think, Dolce and Gabbana represents true style, class, and fashion at its finest. All of their designs look so classic and clean, you can never go wrong wearing them for any event!

Celebrity fashion inspiration and why: One of my favorite all time fashion inspirations is and will always be Jennifer Lopez! Despite the fact that she is also Latina, J.LO always looks impeccable at celebrity events, movies, award shows and wherever she is, even just walking her babies. She has a timeless sense of style and she is always nominated to be one of the best dressed at most events she attends because she knows how to always show her curves, but in a classy and respectable way. Another one of my favorite fashion inspirations is Kim Kardashian. Kim has become increasingly popular because of her celebrity status, but she also always gets recognition for her fashion options. I feel that in a lot of ways she mirrors J.LO in her style, but in a more hippy and younger version.

What was your style before entering college: My style before entering college was what I like to call "ghetto fabulous." I was always up to date with the new Jordans coming out or the new sweat suits from Rocawear, Sean Jean, Baby Phat, Lady Enyce, etc...) I went to high school in New York so my style was definitely very urban. 

How has your style changed since then: My style has changed so much since high school, mainly because I left the city for college and was surrounded by a different crowd of people and environment. Suddenly one in just a few students of color on campus, my style was influenced by what I saw around me. I would describe my style now as more feminine, classy, and put together. I only own one pair of sneakers, which I use to work out, and I said bye bye to all the velour sweat suits. I've become a "girly, girl" and chase after light, colorful, dresses, skirts, and rompers among many other clothing items.

Fashion advice:

So what's the verdict on Geraldine's style? Leave a comment below.

What I Wore To Class...

2010-04-21T09:28:00.002-04:00

Good morning Fashionable Collegians. Above is a pic of me and "What I Wore To Class." I have on a red Lane Bryant cardigan, an Old Navy black henley tank top (for $1.00 by the way, when they were having a clearance sale. Woop!), dark blue skinny jeans (got those at a store when I was in London. FYI, If you're looking for a pair of REAL skinny jeans, London is the place to go!), I have on a pair of basic black flats, and lastly I used my tan Longchamp bag for the day.

Here's a pic of a Fashionable Collegian I saw the other day. Her name is Alyssa and she's a Junior at Mount Holyoke. She was wearing a juicy green trench coat that immediately stood out to me, so I had to take a picture of her! Trench coats are definitely in for the Spring season, and the fact that she's wearing a colored trench coat earns her some haute points! In my opinion Alyssa looks beautiful! What do you think?

XOXO,

Bisi

*If you're a Fashionable Collegian, let me know "What YOU Wore To Class." Send your pics to my email (Abisi123@gmail.com)

It's a Beautiful Day Today!!!

2010-04-20T12:10:00.005-04:00

Good afternoon Fashionable Collegians! I hope all is well. I woke up this morning and peeked outside of my window and this is what I saw. Beauty!!!!

Below is a picture I took while walking to class this morning. It's a pic of the lower lake at my school. Mount Holyoke is truly a beautiful campus. You must come and visit!

Stay tuned for pics of some Fashionable Collegians I bumped into to throughout today. In the meantime, listen to this song by James Morrison, "You Give Me Something." I first heard this song when I was at Yale University, visiting my sister for the weekend. I have this song on replay and you should too! Hope you like :)

What I Wore To Class...

2010-04-19T12:24:00.002-04:00

Greetings! Fashionable Collegians! Today is such a beautiful day on the Mount Holyoke College campus! There's a plethora of Prospies (i.e. MHC's term for Prospective Students) on campus and my little sister happened to be on of them :) She really loves this place, so maybe she'll come to Mount Holyoke next year *crossing my fingers. lol*. Anyways, here are some pictures of "What I Wore To Class."

I'm wearing a vintage black and white Liz Claiborne button-down top with Forever 21 black leggings, black platform shoes, and a black belt from Torrid around my waist to enhance an hourglass body shape. And of course I have my Harper's Bazaar mag to complete the look :p Très chic!

What did YOU wear to class? Let me know. Send your pics to (abisi123@gmail.com).

Put It Back On The Rack!!!

2010-04-15T10:06:00.002-04:00

Harem Pants by Abisi123 featuring Givenchy pants

MC Hammer would like his pants back! Like, ASAP! Don't get me wrong, I do believe that "style is subjective," but the Harem pants are a no go! They look ri-DAMN-diculous! Very few women (and I mean very few) can actually pull the look off. The masses on the other hand, fail to make this look pleasurable for the "fashion voyeurs" out there like myself. Harem pants do nothing for your shape. In fact, they make it worse :( I would go on a longer rant, but I have to get ready for class. So please Fashionable Collegians, when you see Harem pants at (insert your favorite clothing store), and you decide to purchase them, do yourself a favor and PUT IT BACK ON THE RACK!!! It's not worth it*

Gracias,

Bisi

*FYI, I say this with love :)

Freebies For Fashionable Collegians!!!!

2010-04-14T08:28:00.000-04:00

Freebies For Fashionable Collegians by Abisi123 on Polyvore.com

Who doesn't like FREE things?! Hurry up and click the links to get your FREEBIES from Dove, John Frieda, Aveeno, as well as FREE COFFEE from Starbucks on April 15th when you bring in your own reusable coffee mug! Be quick, some of these freebies go FAST!!!!

(Note: Please know that freebies regarding shampoos and lotions do not come in the full product sizes that you would normally see in stores. Instead, they are sample sizes. Also, you may want to put in the address that you are going to be staying in for the summer versus your school address, because typically, these products take 4-8 weeks to come in the mail.)

Source: Free Sample Freak and Free Snatcher

A NICE Graduation Gift

2010-04-12T12:25:00.001-04:00

For the senior Fashionable Collegians out there, commencement is nearing. What could be a better graduation gift than getting the ultimate experience of being in NYC for the premiere of Sex And The City 2?! *begging your parents may be required* I personally LOVED the first Sex And The City movie and can't wait to watch the second movie (May 28), when I go back to NYC. Check out The Luxist for more info on the sweet, "Sex And The City 2 Hotel Packages" and as the saying goes, "Get Carried Away."

Photo Source: Sex And The City 2 Official Movie Poster

Nail It!

2010-04-12T11:46:00.004-04:00

Ladies, it is time to get our mani-pedi game on point! Forget the typical French mani-pedi and go for the BOLD look. It's all about splashes of color! Juicy reds, oranges, lime greens, dark purples, gold, hot pinks, and yes, black are IN for the season. Above are some of the nail polish colors that I've seen many Fashionable Collegians wearing on campus lately. I've asked around in regards to the top choices of nail polish brands. Essie, Opi, and China Glaze, have been mentioned quite often. I personally LOVE juicy colors (i.e. colors that are so attractive you want to eat it! lol). Currently, I'm sporting Opi Nail Polish's "California Raspberry" on my feet and I'm falling in LOVE with it! I haven't decided what color I'm going to do for my finger nails. I want to do something different, so I'm toying with the idea of doing a juicy green. Yikes! *a little nervous about it* What nail polish colors are YOU wearing Fashionable Collegians?

Beijos,

Bisi

Quoted For Emphasis..

2010-04-12T10:52:00.003-04:00

"Quoted For Emphasis..." are quotes that I've read or heard someone say. There are some quotes that I feel are very inspiring and speak volumes to Fashionable Collegians. Thoughts?

Source: Today Show: Supermodel’s daughter details 170-pound loss

Yesterday Was A Good Day...

2010-04-09T11:49:00.001-04:00

Salut Fashionable Collegians! I hope all is well. Yesterday was indeed a good day. The weather was nice and in true MHC fashion, the green looked like a beach! Bikinis everywhere! lol Peep the pics after the cut to see the Fashionable Collegians I bumped into!

Bisous,

Bisi

Both ladies are MHC seniors and opted for spring, loose-fitting, casual dresses. Annie (left) is wearing a black empire-waist dress and gold-rimmed aviator glasses (I heart the shades). Nicki (right) is wearing a juicy-green dress and decided to spruce up her look with a colorful scarf and open-toed wedges. Looking great ladies...

Next, we have another MHC senior and her name is Geraldine (aka Gera). We both had classes at Smith College (so excuse the Smith College sign. lol) Gera came to class looking hawt! She's wearing an empire-waist, navy blue and black polka dotted dress, metallic silver gladiator sandals, a pink cocktail necklace and a pair of white over-sized glasses.

These Fashionable Collegians did not disappoint.

Do YOU agree? Leave a comment.

Little Black Dress...

2010-04-08T10:31:00.004-04:00

The Little Black Dress (aka LBD) is an essential dress that every Fashionable Collegian must have in their closet! Given the recent change in the weather, calendars are filling up with events to go to. The LBD is a safe bet if you're planning to attend cocktail parties, birthday dinners, going out on date, and of course, graduation ;) I last wore my LBD sometime ago when I attended Yale University's "Black Solidarity Conference." The color code for the conference dinner was black, so I knew that the women who attended the dinner, would ultimately make a considerable effort to stand out with their LBD. I was no exception. LOL! I'm a "blessed" woman, so I felt that a trapeze style dress would best suit my body type. and the added bow around the neck, helped to elevate the look. Check me out! POW!!!

Click the "Read More" link, to see other LBD for various body types.

There are a variety of dresses below for various body types. As you can see, designers all have a different take on the LBD (yay for innovation!) Some dresses have ruffles, are skin tight, have little splashes of color, and are made of different types of fabrics. Because the LBD is black finding accessories shouldn't be a problem. Spruce up the whole look with gold or silver toned jewelry to get that classic look. Or, if you're the edgy/crazy/fun type, different colored accessories work fine with the LBD.

P.S. All of the dresses below are under $50!!!

Little Black Dress by Abisi123 featuring Forever21 dresses

Items in this set:
Zipper Tier Dress, $30
Floral Hem Sheen Dress, $28
Ruffled Wrap Dress, $25
Plaid Tube Dress, $23
Ruched One Shoulder Dress, $23

Fashionable Collegians (Mount Holyoke College Edition)

2010-04-07T23:25:00.005-04:00

It was a beautiful day today in the South Hadley, MA neighborhood! The temperature reached almost 90 degrees! Yikes! It was nice to see everyone make the transition from wearing Uggs, rain boots, bubble jackets, hats, and gloves to skirts, shorts, dresses, flats, thong sandals, cardigans, over-sized shades, etc. Admittedly, since I had only one class today, I was contemplating not going, but mustered enough strength to go anyway (I need to take advantage of the warm days, since the weather in Western Mass is never consistent. lol) On my way back from class, I was met by two stylish friends of mine, who looked stunning in their attire. Both Tania (left) and Natalia (right) were sporting two completely different looks, that looked really dope. I asked to take a pic of them and they obliged :) Below is a pic of both Tania and Natalia. Don't they look cute?!

Flip the hood to see ways to get these two looks!

MHC Fashionable Collegians by Abisi123 featuring Old Navy flip flops

Items in this set:
M-butterfly Bow Front Floral Dress - Multi Colour | women's clothes |..., 14 GBP
Meryl Stripe Blouse, $38
Slashed Black Leggings - Juniors Clothing > Bottoms & Jeans > Pants by..., $17
Monsoon Accessorize - Small Flower Toe Post Gold Sandals, 20 GBP
Women: Women's New Flip-Flops - Robbie Red, $3.50

Thoughts?

Glasses Galore... (Part 2)

2010-04-07T14:31:00.004-04:00

My lil' sis Sade, a "Prospective Fashionable Collegian" (she'll be going to college next year, joining the Class of 2014 at Cornell University *tear drop*), gave me a new pair of glasses this past weekend. She had these glasses many months ago and I will admit that I would often clown her for wearing them. Initially, they looked ridiculous to me, but when I spotted them lying around in her room, I picked them up, looked in the mirror, and began to fall in LOVE with them. Here's my little photo-shoot (courtesy of my macbook. lol) wearing the glasses. Thoughts?

Bisous,

Bisi

Stripes Sensation!!!

2010-04-07T14:16:00.002-04:00

Stripes Sensation by Abisi123 featuring Wet Seal

Stripes have made its way back!!! Yay!!! I personally love stripes because you're able to get bit of an edgy, yet girly look simultaneously, when wearing an article of clothing that entails a stripe pattern. As of recently, there has been some innovation regarding the overall look of stripes. Instead of the typical horizontal stripes design pattern on clothing, both vertical and diagonal stripes are starting to appear. In addition, stripes are appearing more and more on cardigans, stockings, hats, and even underwear (go figure :p)

First, it is important to know that stripes in itself is a bold pattern to wear, so to help tone down the look a bit, match it with sold colors of your choice. Secondly, if you're a "beginner stripes wearer," you may want to start with a shirt that has a stripe pattern, then work your way around to enhance your look. I made some outfits using stripes so you can see what I mean and perhaps you can reference this for your own wardrobe. The first look (from the left) is more for a spring/summer outfit. Pastels are really HOTTT for the season. The second look, is for a night on the town/club look. Skinny jeans are here to stay for another year. lol! The third look, is more of a cute, everyday look you would likely wear to class. Red is the perfect color to help make your outfit stand out. It's a nice splash of color, that pops out. Thoughts?