20 Must-Have Basics for Fall

1. Ankle Boot

2. Sneaker

3. Flat

4. Basic Tee

5. Striped Tee

6. Basic Skirt

7. T-Shirt Dress

8.  Layerale Tank

9. Cropped Tee

10. Basic Cardigan

11. Statement Cardigan

12. Bomber/ Leather/ or Jean Jacket

13. Long Sleeve Blouse

14. Statement Accesory

15. Knit Scarf

16. Crossbody

17. Jean Shirt

18. Baggy Sweater

19. Black Jeans

20. Skinny or Bell Bottom Jeans

Happy Saturday beauties! I wanted to put together a post about the 20 items I think everyone should have in their closet! These are all layerable and can make SO many different outfits. These colors work best with my wardrobe but of course pick the colors that would match your wardrobe and style best! Since there are so many outfit variations you will be able to pull off a new look everyday without breaking the bank! Almost all of these items are under $60 and will transition well into each season. I am so ready for fall, waving goodbye to those 90 degree days, and saying hello to pumpkin spice latte weather!

Last weekend I launched my clothing line, elle.stevierep.com! It’s beautiful, modest, and affordable clothing for teens and adults! It has been such a fun journey and I can’t wait for the experiences that will come with this opportunity! I feel so blessed to be able to do this! I already have had so much support and love, and I am so thankful!

Have a beautiful day!

Elle Coffman

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My Makeup Routine

Happy Saturday lovelies! This week has flown by! It was my first week of school so I wanted to share my makeup routine! Depending on how much time I have in the morning I may modify my routine. Most of the time this is what I will do though. Every product I use in this tutorial will be linked in the description.

Before Makeup:

Step 1: I wipe my face with a facial wipe to remove any oils from my skin.

Step 2: I moisturize my face with Ultra Repair Cream from First Aid Beauty.

Step 3: I prime my face with matte primer by Bare Minerals.
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Step 4: I apply Becca Backlight Priming Filter to make my skin glow and blur any imperfections.

Step 5: I cover my blemishes and help heal them by putting on Blemish Therapy Concealer by Bare Minerals. I only apply this on my blemishes not anywhere else on my skin.It comes with the Heal and Conceal brush below.

Step 6: I apply the Blemish Remedy Powder Foundation by Bare Minerals. It helps fight acne and provides matte full coverage. It is buildable so you can increase your coverage. I chose this foundation because I wanted a more natural makeup look and it does just so.

This brush is recommended to be purchased with the powder foundation above. It is the Seamless Buffing Brush by Bare Minerals.

Step 7: I apply concealer under my eyes, on blemishes, and any area with redness. I love the Maybelline Age Rewind Highlighting Concealer. Also, to enhance the color of my lipstick I apply some on my lips before application.

I use a beauty blender to blend my concealer out. I would recommend a small or medium size. I would also recommend this to apply any liquid foundation. The original brand is expensive so you can buy a cheaper one from TJ Maxx or Amazon.

Step 8: I apply Neutrogena Shine Control Powder to set my makeup and prevent any shine from sweat to occur. This is my favorite drug store translucent powder.

Step 9: It’s time for the brows! I brush mine with an old mascara brush but you can buy an inexpensive one from the drugstore. Having shaped and filled brows is trending right now so a lot of companies have good products. Sephora and MAC have very nice high quality products that I would recommend!

I use an angled brush to fill in my brows. Always remember to buy nice quality makeup brushes because it changes how the product applies and cheap ones shed bristles. I recommend this one.

I use MAC brown powder to fill in my brows but I would recommend this pencil: click here

Step 10: I highlight my cheekbones and brow bone to give my skin a natural glow. I use one from MAC but Urban Decay and Becca have beautiful highlighters too.

Step 11: I apply blush to warm up my face and make my skin look more natural. I recommend the shade Melba from MAC. It applies beautifully and compliments every skin tone. But most of the time one of the makeup artists in MAC will recommend the perfect shade for you.

I use this brush from Mary Kay to apply both my highlighter and blush. I pat the product on my cheek bone then blend up towards the top of my ear. MAC also carries amazing quality brushes!

Step 12: I prime my eyelids with Bare Study Primer by MAC. It has a gorgeous finish and applies beautifully. I just use my finger and cover my whole lid.

Step 13: I apply Naked Lunch Eye Shadow by MAC on my lids ending at my crease.

This is my FAVORITE palette! It’s the Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette by Urban Decay. There are so many beautiful ways to use this product.

For this look I apply Limit for a matte base.

Next I apply Strange in the center of my lid to add a spotlight effect.

Last I blend Nooner into my crease. I dab the product toward the outside of my lid then blend it into the center. This adds definition to your eye. You can add any other color to the inner corner of your eye for a compliment. When I’m done with eyeshadow I apply highlighter to my brow bone.

I use this tapered blending brush by MAC to apply all of my shadows.

Step 14: I curl my eyelashes to add volume, 3 seconds on each side. My eyelash curler is from Revlon.

Step 15: I use Upward Lash Mascara in Black from MAC. This product is a Godsend, it adds amazing volume and length. It’s buildable so you can increase the thickness.

Step 16: I recently discovered this GEN NUDE Matte Lipstick from Bare Minerals and it’s my favorite lipstick I have ever owned. It’s expensive but SO worth it!!! I have it in the color Slay (which is gorgeous), but I recommend every shade they have!!!!

My favorite gloss is Mocktail Hour by Victoria Secret. I like the consistency, color, and it smells wonderful.

I use a makeup mirror similar to this, and sit in front of a window when I apply my makeup everyday. This ensures that I will properly apply everything and nothing will be applied too heavily.

My Full Makeup Look:

This look takes me 10-15 minutes in the morning to do! It’s quick and easy yet looks like you spent hours doing it! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have any suggestions in the comments below! Enjoy your weekend!

Yours Truly,

Elle Coffman

P.S. I HAVE EXCITING NEWS: Last night I ordered merchandise from Shop Stevie for my new clothing line!! My website will be launching soon, I will announce when it does! Follow me on instagram, @elle.shopstevie to stay updated on my business! Here is a sneak peak of one of 22 pieces… 

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My Favorite Body Care Products!!

Happy Saturday lovelies! Today I’m posting about my all time favorite body care products! I always try to take really good care of my body and have done lots of research to find the best products for me! Everyone has different skin and hair types but hopefully some of these products could be beneficial purchases for you!

Facial Care Products: 

My skin is pretty sensitive so I stay away from any products with harsh chemicals. Over the years I have discovered these are the best products for my skin.

• Sensitive skin wipes by Equate Beauty (I always wipe my makeup off before washing my face and applying makeup.)
• Moisturizing Facial Wash by Simple (light face wash that leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean, and soft.)
• Clarisonic (One of my favorite purchases! The bristles and motion are designed to effectively clean your skin and leave it feeling so soft and wonderful! It removes all the dirt and oil from your skin better than any other method.)
• Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty (I moisturize after I wash my face and before I apply makeup- this is SO important for healthy skin.)
• Pore-purifying serum by Mary Kay Clear Proof. (I apply this in between washing my face and moisturizing it. I spread it on my forehead, T zone, and chin.)
• Acne Treatment Gel by Mary Kay Clear Proof (I apply this after I moisturizing my face. I only apply on my blemishes, then they are either gone or reduced by the next day!)

Body Care Products: 

• Raspberry Sorbet Body Wash by Philosophy (This soap smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling smooth and clean.)
• Pomegranate Raspberry shaving cream by EOS (The most amazing shaving cream you will ever lay your eyes on! It leaves my skin feeling super soft without any bumps! It applies like lotion and has a smooth removal by my razor. Also it smells like heaven!)
• White Citrus body lotion by Bath and Body Works (I love smelling crisp and fresh and this lotion does just that! I use this on a daily basis but if my skin is super dry I resort to a more intense hydrating lotion, normally from the brand Vaseline.)
• Freshwater orchid scent clinical strength deodorant by Secret (I struggle with deodorants because many of them still leave me sweating through my shirt, embarrassing, but true! I apply this at night, that is the most effective method for me because it helps block sweat before my day even starts. Did I mention it smells amazing?)
• Pure vanilla healthy deodorant by lavanila laboratories ( This is 100% natural, and contains no aluminum or parabens. I apply this in the morning instead of applying clinical strength twice in a day. The aluminum in normal deodorants clog your pores and cause carpal tunnel. The less you use it the better!)
• Perfume- I have two favorites; Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture and Daisy by Marc Jacobs (They are expensive but I’d rather have two amazing scents than a ton from BBW. Also they last a lot longer and smell much nicer than low price perfumes.)

Wet Hair Care Products:

As the title indicates I use these products when my hair is wet.

• Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (I have tried probably a thousand different brands of shampoo and conditioner and this is my favorite. It leaves my hair smelling wonderful, feeling soft, and doesn’t build up easily. Even though it’s very moisturizing it doesn’t leave my hair feeling oily when it dries. I apologize that the conditioner isn’t pictured, I ran out of it! Anyone else have the same issue where they run out of conditioner first?)
• Keratin Styling Cream by CHI (My hair is very frizzy so this helps smooth it out and remove the frizz. It also contains keratin that nourishes your hair and helps it grow. The only negative is that it smells kinda weird but it’s mild so it’s not noticeable and goes away by morning.)
• Frizz-less styling cream by Living Proof (This product also helps with my frizz and smells amazing! Sometimes I rotate products or use both, depending on how I style my hair that day.)
• Straight hair Styling Cream by CHI (This helps smooth out my hair and protect it from the heat of my straightening iron the next day. This is not pictured but if you’re interested it comes in a red bottle with a pump.)
• Silk Infusion by CHI (This makes my hair so soft and shiny. It’s literally heaven in a bottle. If you buy any product from this blog post it should be this one. You can also apply it to your dry hair before straightening it or after curling it for best results.)

Dry Hair Care Products: 

• Iron Guard by CHI (I spray this on before styling my hair. This helps protect my hair from heat which causes breakage.)
• Shine Infusion by CHI (I spray this on for a quick shine touch up! If my hair is looking dull or dry this perks it right up! It makes your hair look flawless!)
• Not Your Mothers Texturing Sea Salt Spray (When I wake up I have very soft curls, this helps define them and texture my hair. Perfect for creating beach waves in seconds!)
• Magnified Volume finishing spray by CHI (My hair has NO volume whatsoever. I spray this in my roots and it instantly perks it up!)
• Hairspray by TRESemmé (I don’t like when hairspray leaves my hair feeling and looking crispy. This one hold my curls while looking invisible. Life Hack: spray hairspray on an unused toothbrush to brush your flyaways back. Trust me, it’s a life saver!!)

Dental Care Products:

• Electric toothbrush by Diamond Pro Series (If you haven’t switched to an electric toothbrush I highly recommend it! I feel like my mouth is cleaner and teeth are whiter since I’ve started using one. This one also has LED lights that disinfect my brush heads. For some reason I have always been weird about the sanitation of my toothbrush and this makes me feel much better!)
• Sensodyne extra whitening toothpaste (This leaves my mouth feeling fresh and it helps whiten my teeth. This brand is known for its sensitive formula so that’s why I chose it.)
• Crest Pro Health Advanced extra whitening mouthwash (For an extra clean feel.)
• Crest 3D sensitive white strips (I use these for 3 days every other week, if I have any left!)
• Fresh Guard retainer cleaner (I use either the powder or wipes to clean my retainer every week.)
• Disposable Floss by Oral B (I was never good about flossing until I discovered these. It makes flossing much easier and convenient.)

I hope that at least one of these recommendations can benefit you! If you ever wonder what a certain product is like search a review on YouTube! Those are always so helpful and save time and money!

My plan was to do a LUSH product review but I didn’t love the products enough to share them with you all. I tried their shampoo, conditioner, face bar, and lip scrub. If you are looking for products with all natural ingredients then I would highly recommend them. But they weren’t the right products for my hair and skin type. I’m  not knocking all of their products because I LOVE their bath bombs and face masks. Plus I haven’t tried everything so try them on your own before you say no.

Next week my plan is to do my makeup routine. The next few weeks I am planning on doing a school outfit look book, 20 clothing essentials for fall, and my workout routine. If you have any suggestions or want to see a certain post, comment below!

Have a wonderful day and remember to take care of yourself,

Elle Coffman

Shop With Me {Kendra Scott}

Happy Saturday! Yesterday was my birthday so I spent the day at Easton, and one of the stores we went to was Kendra Scott. I’m in love with her jewelry, plus I got 50% off one item because it is my birthday month. The reason I love this store so much is because of the simplicity and beauty of each piece, and the venue is gorgeous. Also Kendra Scott is a Philanthropist and gives back to people in need. 

Photo Credits: Found Online

This is the Color Bar. In every Kendra Scott store there is a large screen that gives you the opportunity to design your own jewelry. You can choose your style, metal, and stone. Then they put together your design and set your stones right there!

A few styles I’ve been loving…

Photo Credits: KS Instagram

PERSONAL PURCHASES

Photo Credits: Elle Coffman

I was able to design the following pieces. Shop links below photos.

 

Jayna Silver Earrings with White Pearl and Black Stones

 

Jamie Rose Gold Bracelet in Iridescent Drusy

Elisa Rose Gold Necklace with the Iridescent Drusy

 

Elisa Silver Necklace with the Turquoise Magnesite

Phara Necklace in Rose Gold

NINE WAYS TO STYLE THE PHARA NECKLACE IN ROSE GOLD

1. Choker and Knot

2. Hanging Choker

3. Tight Wrap Choker

4.Loose Wrap Choker

5. High Single Knot

6. Knot-less

7. Low Knot

8. Triple Knot

9. Belt

You could also belt a dress, skirt, or cardigan!

You can be very creative with how you style the Phara, these were just a few I came up with!

Let me know if you purchase any of Kendra Scott’s jewelry and show me how you style it on social media (tag me)!! Also this is not a sponsored post!! I really believe in this company and love the products!!  Thanks for Shopping with Me at Kendra Scott. I am going to continue this series next Saturday, with LUSH Cosmetics! Thanks for reading!

Elle Coffman

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Meet Brittney Sutherin

Meet Brittney Sutherin, she is an 18 year old with a bright future! I met Brittney in Columbus at a fashion board meeting at Nordstrom. We have known each other for about 2 years and are finally collaborating on our blogs!! This interview introduces Brittney’s blog, personal interests, advice, and goals.

 

1. What is the purpose of your blog? 

Originally the purpose of my blog was to have a place for me to express myself but only in the areas of fashion and beauty. Now it’s still a place to express myself but I show many more sides of myself. Just last week I posted something about my walkabout. I would have never had done that in the beginning.

2. What are your goals for your blog? 

My goals for my blog are constantly changing because I’m constantly wanting change. Currently, I am working on a better newsletter system and a project that I will have more details on later. Some of my upcoming posts will be dealing with productivity and organization because I love organization and I try to write posts I’d like to read myself.

3. What is your favorite trend? 

Well I’m not sure if it’s still a trend because as much as I try I always fall kinda behind but I really like the midi- skirt trend. Even though I’m not the tallest person I really like wearing them. A good midi skirt can make me feel put together but also comfortable. I usually only wear pants so transitioning to wearing more skirts was made easier with the midi skirt trend.

4. What are your favorite colors to wear? 

My go to color to wear is usually grey or olive green. My eyes are actually grey not blue so I generally try to wear a grey shirt to make my eyes seem more grey. Some days I feel like making my red hair stand out more so I pick an olive green. I find both colors really easy to style because they are more earthy tones and will go with almost anything.

5. What is your go-to store? 

My go-to store is Nordstrom. My mom has been going to Nordstrom since before I was born. My grandpa lived in California so when she would go visit him she would also go to Nordstrom. My first bear was from Nordstrom. I’ve always been a fan of Nordstrom. But I really enjoy the fact they have pieces in their departments that are really basic and they also have really versatile statement pieces. Their customer service is always superb and I just overall feel really comfortable buy clothes from them. They are always quality.

6. Who inspires your style? 

To be honest, a Youtube named Zoella. I watch her religiously. I just really enjoy her videos. I love her style too. But I have other inspirations too. Taylor Swift, Tanya Burr, Adele. But I take most of my style inspiration from Pinterest or even my sister.

7. How do you stay confident? 

There’s a lot that I’m not confident about. But something has helped is being positive throughout every struggle, or scary adventure. Being a senior in high school as a lot of scary exciting things attached to it. I’m not gonna lie I’m scared of going to college but I am excited too. I have decided to be positive about it. Whatever happens even if it seems like its the end of the world. I believe the universe is setting me up for something grander in life.

8. What is your key to success? 

My key to success may be different to what other people might think I would say. Most people say hard work or determination those kinds of big tough words. But to me success is measured differently. Yeah hard work and determination are a part of it. But if you just try your best. You will succeed. When I had to take the ACT’s over again last October I tried my best. I knew I had and even though my score went down overall I knew I was successful in that endeavor.

9. What experience has shaped who you are? 

 The biggest experience that has shaped who I am is probably this past June when I went to Europe for the second time. We were on a school trip. My sister and I were the oldest girls in the group. I had a super fun time. I made so many friends on that trip and I really felt truly happy when we were in Europe. I made me realize my end goal.

10. What are your plans for the future; how will you get there? 

Going off of the previous question, I realized my end goal was to live outside the United States. Not many people have that goal, most people it seems just fall into it. But I love the countries outside of the united states. I was very happy there. I felt the Europeans have a simpler lifestyle and I would love to be apart of it. I will get there by studying as hard as I can in college. I want to learn about everything. I want to study abroad when I’m in college. I just want to be able to say I did something out of my comfort zone. I lived in a foreign country for x amount of years. I would be so incredible happy.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the awesome, Brittney Sutherin! Follow her blog, and while you’re over there you can read my answers to these questions!!!  {www.brittneysutherin.com.}

#OOTW- Florida Edition

I am so happy it’s Spring! I love this season because everything is going from brown to green and flowers start to bloom, which makes me so happy! Also, this season means Spring Break and this year I went to Florida with my family! I decided to create a mini look book on a few outfits my brothers and I wore over vaca! My brothers (especially my youngest one, Greyson) love fashion, so I decided to collaborate their style in this post.

Look 1: Preppy Evening Out

These looks are for a dressy occasion, like dinner or church, etc.

Greyson loves to layer! He paired a basic tee with a collared long sleeve shirt, and rolled the sleeves. To make the look more dressy he wore khakis.  Jeans would be a perfect alternative for a more casual, yet cute look. He is wearing dark gray Vans sneakers that are functional and fashionable. To add a touch of his personality he added a tan fedora hat and sunglasses.

 

Carson loves to be comfortable and stylish. He paired a trendy collared button up shirt with khakis (which feel like jeans) and a belt to pull everything together for a clean look. He wore similar shoes to Greyson, which feel like tennis shoes, but look more dressy. Perfect for any guy! He also wore a watch to maturely pull the outfit together.

 

I always try to dress girly and classy. I wore a long sleeve floral dress with comfortable nude wedges. I wore small pearl earrings and a few bangles (I personally always go simple, but that’s just me! ). This evening I also pulled my hair in a low bun because 1) It’s fast and easy and 2) It’s a classy look that goes with my style (and is also out of my face, which is a plus!) I am all for a nice curl but with humid weather my hair just frizzes up.

 

Look 2: Stroll on the Boardwalk

These looks are trendy yet comfortable and you can still have a good time!

Carson wore a blue striped t-shirt and khaki shorts. When shopping, try to find colors that suit your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. That will pull your look together and make you feel more confident. Carson looks good in blue, so he purchases clothing in that color to compliment his features. Embrace your unique qualities and have fun figuring out what looks good on you!

 

Greyson always makes a statement! He layered a red pullover with a blue collared shirt and khakis. He accessorized with a sporty Swatch watch, Lokai bracelet, and of course Ray Ban sunglasses! If you are a guy and struggle dressing the way you want because you think you won’t “fit in”; that is just not true! Greyson used to primarily wear sporty clothes (not that there is anything wrong with that), but now he feels more confident wearing the clothes that he loves and best express his personality. Don’t let others’ comments about your style get to you.  Be yourself, be daring, and try new things because there are also those who love who you are and appreciate your style!!

 

I love wearing black! It is an effortless color that makes you look sophisticated and flatters all shapes and sizes! My outfit looks dressy but is SO comfortable! I wore a black scalloped top with floral shorts, strappy sandals, a silver watch, and earrings. I wore a natural pony and braided one side for detail and volume.

 

Look 3: By the Pool

 

I wore a white crochet top and high waisted blue bottoms. I love this look because it’s so simple, trendy and pretty.

 

I like a little coverage when I walk to and from the pool, so I threw on a fun printed kimono!

I never spend a lot of time on my hair before I go to the pool. It gets frizzy and greasy from sunscreen. For this look, I put Moroccan Oil curl serum and sea salt spray in my hair and braided one side. This is an effortless, natural look that is perfect for laying out!

 

Look 4: Easter

One word to describe this look… sweet.

 

I wore a pink floral dress with a ruffle at the neckline. This pretty look is perfect for church and brunch on a lovely warm day!

All of these looks can be recreated from any store at any price! Don’t get discouraged because you think you have to spend big bucks on an outfit! Always wait for items to go on sale, go thrift shopping, or buy items at an online consignment store to get the looks you want for a lower price. Also remember to only buy the things you love! It’s better to have a few things you love, than a lot that you kinda like.

I hope you got some spring outfit inspiration! Remember to stay true to your style and don’t think you have to conform to society and wear what everyone else is wearing to be “cool”! Someone had to wear something first and start a trend! Be a trendsetter!!

Stay beautiful,

MademoisELLE

Nordstrom Prom Fashion Show

I got the amazing opportunity to be a model for Nordstrom’s Prom Fashion Show with my best friend, Maddy. I loved reuniting with friends that I met when I was on the Fashion Board at Nordstrom Easton. Unfortunately the board came to an end due to lack of participation. If you are interested in fashion, want to learn more about the Industry, get a first hand experience with professionals, and willing to drive to Columbus once a month, contact me. We need 40 participants to get the program back at our location.

Our day started with the biggest decision…. the dress! We got to pick any dress on the floor for the show. I chose a dress by Eliza J with a soft silhouette and  my favorite pattern, floral, for an elegant and girly look. Maddy chose a two piece dress by Xscape with a little bit of bling that was fun yet classy.

Next, we chose our jewelry. I picked out the ‘Double Helix’ Pavé Cuff and the ‘Bermuda’ Drop Earrings by BaubleBar.

 

After we were dressed and accessorized we got our hair done, or touched up in Maddy and my case (we did our own hair). Then got our makeup done by the amazing Wes Villaflor (@makeupbywesvillaflor).

Pre-show pictures…

After the Show…

Ellie Auch is such a sweet friend. We met each other on the fashion board last year and went to New York Fashion Week together in February.

(From left to right) Claire, Ellie, Barbara, Maddy, Brittany, and me.

The fashion trends for Prom 2016 include embellishments, pastel colors, bling, two pieces, floral, lace, and cut outs, which are shown in the group photo.

The AMAZING ladies who organized the fashion show for us (along with Whitney who had to go home due to being ill). On the left is Cortlin, and on the right is Bethany. They were both so sweet and helpful! They are such positive role models and I strive to be like them. Experiences like this have inspired and motivated me to achieve my dreams and have given me the confidence to believe in myself. I hope that whatever YOUR dream is, you stick with it, and achieve it!!! You are worth so much, you are capable, and you have the world at your fingertips! Be ambitious, do what makes you happy, and never ever give up!!

To everyone going to prom this year remember to be confident in who you are, feel beautiful, and just have fun!!

From my heart to yours,

MademoisELLE

 

New York Fashion Week: Oxford Fashion Studio

I was given the amazing opportunity to work at Studio 450 with the Oxford Fashion Studio during New York Fashion Week. My job was to finalize the chair tags, socialize with guests, and take photos. The show was absolutely brilliant! I can’t wait to share my experience with you!

Part of the Banson group and I before setting up:

The beautiful venue:

   

  

Stairs leading to backstage. The models got ready upstairs, there was a hair and makeup team, and the designers brought their line up here too.

My roomates Macy and Sami

Hair and Makeup team . Two cosmetology students from our Banson group got the opportunity to help them do hair and makeup.

The venue after setting up:

  
  The Fashion Show:

NGA Wun Kitty Mok (China)- Graduate of Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England and designer, Kitty has an eye for bold patterns and detail, and shows that in her innovative designs.  She “…presented a playful mix of colour and pattern that gives an appearance of texture with this ‘arcade’ inspired line.  It’s fun.  Bravo!”

-http://edgexpo.com/2015/10/11/game-over-press-start-edge-interviews-nga-wunkitty-mok/

  

  
  
      Photo taken by Ellie Auch

LEAF XIA- Xia is a graduate of Parsons The New School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Womenswear. Specializing in collage, she uses this medium as a tool to express her unique design spirit. Often featuring oversized shapes with colourful collaged silhouettes that play on classic. Collage techniques and bonded fabrics bring an unconventional sporty quality that is wearable to Xia’s work.

-http://www.leafxiastudio.com/about/

        Photo taken by Ellie Auch

VEJITS (Finland)- Designers Olli Turunen, Pornwijit Chuasomboon and Mikhail
Volodchenkov founded this classic brand with natural Nordic and Asian influences.
Every item is produced ethically in Finland and in Thailand and has a story that can be
seen in the prints as well as in the playful details in each garment.  The collection
embraces Nordic minimalism and functionality with Asian colors and richness.

-Holland Grumieax (Founder of BansonNYC)

              

HANBYEL KANG (USA) – Born in South Korea and educated at Parsons The New School
of Design, Hanbyel Kang creates designs that are original, romantic and dramatic.  Her
inspiration can be defined by the elegance in eccentricity.  Her skills with pattern making, designing, developing fabric treatment and creating digital prints is obvious throughout the line.

-Holland Grumieax (Founder of BansonNYC)

  Photo taken by Ellie Auch

ARTHUR AVELLANO (France)- Avellano graduated from the Institut Supérieur Des Arts De Toulouse. He handmade his designs in Paris, France and are 100% latex. His water resistant designs are eye catching and innovative.

-http://arthuravellano.com/

  Photo taken by Ellie Auch

LENIE BOYA (UK) – Uzbekistan born fashion designer, Lenie Boya, started creating
dresses for herself at the tender age of 7 when she was given a few remnants of material.
She has now launched a luxury womenswear label where she brings her visions to life
and ultimately aims to allow a woman to express her innate beauty, individuality and
confidence while wearing a Lenie Boya creation.

-Holland Grumieax (Founder of BansonNYC)

  Photo taken by Ellie Auch Photo taken by Ellie Auch

ALEXIS WALSH (New York, NY) Alexis is a graduate from Parsons The New School of Design. The majority of her work focuses on the notion of using the human body as canvas. Through unconventional , materials such as metal and plastic, and the exploration of technologies including SD printing, Alexis transcends the traditional modes of fashion to push the boundaries of wearable art. Alexis’s work has been exhibited in New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Berlin, and has been worn by Lady Gaga.

-http://www.alexiswalsh.com/bio

Photo taken by Ellie Auch

Photo taken by Ellie Auch

Behind the scenes after the show:

      

I want to thank Holland Grumieax (founder of BansonNYC and chaperon), Rachel Roth (chaperon), Tiffany Saunders (Creative Director of OFS), Zee llze Vira (Assistant Runway Director of OFS), Jemima Myers (PR and Production Manager of OFS), and Carl Anglim (Director/ Producer) for giving me and other high school/ college students the opportunity to work at a fashion show during New York Fashion Week and see such a beautiful show.

I took and edited most of the photos on this page. Ellie Auch also photographed during the show and I used some of her pictures. I am so grateful for this life-changing experience and am thrilled I was able to take photos and blog about it.

From my heart to yours….

-M4demoiselle

Back to School

It has been too long since I last posted on my blog, due to being in California, and I’m happy to be back! Even though we don’t like to hear it, school is just around the corner! I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks for preparing for the school year, including organization, school shopping, and some healthy habits.

Organization

When school starts the last thing you want to think about is a cluttered room. So don’t, take a few hours, or a day in my case and get out with the old, and in with the new!

Step 1: Go through all of your clothes

Clean out your closets, dressers, or whatever you have. This can be difficult, especially for me because I always think “What if I need to wear this one day?”  Truth is, if you haven’t worn it in a year you’re not going to wear it. Also get rid of any clothing that either doesn’t fit or you don’t feel confident in.  You will not wear clothing if you don’t feel beautiful in it. During this process you can also get a feel of what clothing you need for the new school year.

There are many things you can do with your unwanted clothes, shoes, and accessories.

1. Donate them to a local thrift shop.
2. Hand them down to a younger family member or friend.
3. If it’s gently used or new, try selling it online or in a garage sale.

Step 2: Go through miscellaneous drawers

Personally I went through my makeup, lotions and perfumes, hair and skin care products, nail polish, pictures, papers, pencils, coloring tools, and books. All things to keep in mind when organizing. It feels so much better that I don’t have any junk drawers and everything I own has a place and isn’t crammed. Just turn on some music and think about the finished product and you won’t have any issues finishing this task.

Step 3: Clear out your phone

We all have loaded hundreds or even thousands of pictures, some new tunes, and countless apps to entertain us this summer. It always feels so good to go through and delete things to create more storage and make you feel organized. A way to keep all of your pictures on your phone without taking up so much space is an app called Dropbox. You can upload your photos to the app then delete them from your camera roll. Your pictures are uploaded to your account and can be accessed from any device that’s compatible with Dropbox, such as your computer.

Organizing always makes me feel so much better, like I lifted a load off of my shoulders. Once I organize my bedroom it motivates me to keep it clean because I spent so much time on it and I love the way it feels.

School Shopping 

The big thing to remember when shopping is to find clothing that YOU love, and feel beautiful in. Another thing to keep in mind is the dress code. As much as it can be a struggle it is not impossible, you can still dress modest and cute. The two rules most students struggle with is having fingertip length shorts and covering their shoulders. No worries because I have ways to make these rules easy to follow. Some cardigans are great but other times they can be too warm, especially since my school doesn’t have air conditioning. Kimonos are a must because they are light weight, fun, and easy to throw on in the morning. These are a few ways I style mine:

  

 
Don’t be afraid to dress them up either, a skirt or dress would be a perfect combination with a Kimono.

I styled my outfits above with finger tip length shorts, I buy mine from American Eagle, Abercrombie, and Aeropostale. You can still achieve a cute outfit without wearing short shorts. Below I have styled the same outfit but with different length shorts:

Finger tip length shorts   Short Shorts

When buying school supplies always go to the store with a list. If you’re like me and don’t go with a list you will end up buying things you don’t need. Remember to reuse supplies you had last year such as scissors, gently used folders, highlighters, or anything that didn’t get ripped. Every year I buy binders and folders before the year starts. This year I’m going to try something new so I get the best use of my backpack space and don’t spend money I don’t have to. On the first day of school I am going to bring a notebook, pencils, and a folder so I can write down exactly what I need for each class.

Healthy habits 

I am not a health expert but I have done research and know quite a bit about the subject. I always try to be as healthy as I can but of course I’m not going to deny a trip to Whit’s or a cheeseburger and fries. Of course it’s not good to have those things everyday but it’s totally okay to reward yourself every once in awhile. Eating healthy has so many benefits. First of all it is SO good for your body and its makes you feel better, you will notice that you will have more energy, which leads to a better mood!  Also doing some sort of physical activity every day is a great habit to get into. Find a workout that is best for you, it could be taking a walk, jump roping, or even an ab workout. All of those things are great for your body and will make you feel better than ever. It is so important to drink lots of water, especially with all the heat. Bring a water bottle to school so you are drinking constantly throughout the day.

I hope some of these tips and tricks help you get back to school ready! Have a great rest of your summer!

From my Heart to Yours, MademoisELLE

What I Learned During My Adventure in New York City: Day 5

Thank you for taking the time to read about my week in New York City. If you are a fellow fashionista and are in high school or college, please look into Banson NYC fashion summer camp. Check out their website (www.BansonNYC.com) and if you have any questions email me at ecoff9@gmail.com.  I am so thankful I had this opportunity. God has taken me places I could only have dreamed of. I also have the most amazing and supportive parents who have given me the privilege to experience things like this.

I thought of the week as a package. Throughout the week we filled it with goodies and the last day we wrapped it and even placed a beautiful bow on top.  Friday, June 26th, was our last day when we took all the information we learned and applied it to our lives. We spent the day at the LIM Townhouse, the school’s classrooms are located here. Admissions1 Educational Consultants talked to us about college and career options, and we learned how to find our best match. Personally I discovered so much about myself, my abilities, and passion. Now I know that I want to live in New York City and have a better idea of my plans for the future. I have learned so many things from this camp, but I do have five that stand out to me the most.

1. Follow your heart, you are capable of anything. Trust me when I say this: “You will do it”. If you love something enough and put all of your heart into it, there is no doubt your dreams can come true. It doesn’t matter what you have or where you are from, Raul told us. All that matters is your passion and determination. My dream is to have a job in the fashion industry and I will never give up on it. I am motivated and determined to work very hard. Honestly I’m not scared at all.  I am so excited! When you find what you want and love to do you will feel the same way. My parents can even see the love of fashion in me. They always tell me my eyes light up whenever I go to a Nordstrom fashion meeting or event or when I talk about my aspirations. During job interviews, something your future boss will be looking for is passion. I talked to many people who have held interviews and they love when someone comes in and shows passion and interest in what they are doing. My hope is to inspire you to follow your dreams and only make decisions that will positively impact you and will make you so happy. You have one chance at life, do what makes you smile every day.

2. Only make choices that broaden your horizons. Kenneth D. King taught me this. When it comes to daily life choices or big choices like what college to attend, only make choices that will positively benefit you. He also told us that these choices might be the hardest, scariest choices of our lives. Always remember to take chances, but always make good decisions.

3. Don’t be afraid to fail, and it’s okay to say I don’t know. Don’t know what you want to do with your life? Guess what? That’s okay, you’re not alone!! A majority of the people we talked to went to college having selected one major and graduated with a different one. They are now just as successful as those who knew what they wanted to do at the start of college. Many people take multiple classes their first year just to discover what they like to do. Also, if you don’t succeed at something, it wasn’t a waste of your time and you shouldn’t be hard on yourself about it. Your failure can lead to your success, and now you can move on and focus on your passion.

4. Always work hard. This should be a no brainer, but surprisingly people still don’t do it. Everyone we met at some point told us it takes work hard. When it comes to an internship or a job, your hard work will be noticed and appreciated. Maybe not at first, but eventually. Kayleigh Adam, for example, has an internship in NYC and she told us that sometimes the girls she works with are on their phone instead of doing their job. Kayleigh always stays on task and gets the job done. Her boss has taken notice of this, which has had great benefits. The fashion industry is large and fast changing, but it can feel small because you never know who you will run into again. Always work hard and be kind to your peers and co-workers. One day they might help you get your dream job.

5. Don’t burn your bridges. Like I said before, you never know who you will meet again. Always keep contact information from people you meet throughout the years. If someone does something nice for you, get in the habit of sending hand written thank you cards. If it’s a former teacher who inspired you, or even a co-worker that has always been kind to you, make a point to thank these people for all they have done. Those kind words will mean so much to them. Holland taught us this and is a living example. The reason we were able to tour the companies throughout the week were because Holland had worked with them before, reached out to them and put an effort into being their friend.

I hope you learned something from my experience as well. I can’t wait for my future, but I am taking one step at a time and living in the moment. Don’t forget to cherish the times you have now because you can’t relive them.

Friday we had a special visit from former Banson campers. It was so cool to see how far all of these girls have come since they were campers like me. They were all so inspiring and one is even attending a college I am very interested in, Kent State, in Ohio.

The Wanderlust Girls (Abigail and Emily) who are fashion bloggers came to the classroom and shared their story of how they started their blog and became successful. They were so kind and encouraging. They were another reason I was inspired to start this blog.

It was sad saying goodbye to everyone that night, but I was smiling at all the incredible memories we made. It is so wonderful how close you can get to people in such a short amount of time. I will cherish our friendship forever.

Remember to follow your dreams and always be yourself. And don’t forget to smile, because life is a privilege.

From my heart to yours, MademoisELLE