A student wears prada

I just got back from California, having completed my mission: a family friend requested that I purchase a Prada handbag for her, and I did.  I carried it back, having some suitcase room issues, while I was bouncing around airports (Palm Springs, San Francisco, Vancouver).

It's weird for me to carry a designer handbag.  I'm not a handbag girl.  I bought a purse out of necessity about three years ago when I needed to look nice for medical school interviews, and I chose a navy blue hobo-style shoulder bag from Nine West for about $100, which I thought was pretty damn expensive for what is essentially a container.  Since then, I've been very happy with that bag and it still looks new.  I've also accrued an assortment of other handbags, including totes and clutches, most of which I bought because they were dirt cheap, they came free with a purchase, or I didn't actually buy and they just mysteriously appeared.


I have definitely also never bought any type of clothing/fashion item this expensive.  My personal philosophy on designer items is that 1) I generally don't like how they look that much anyways, 2) I feel like I could find something cheaper that looks essentially the same and 3) I don't feel the item is worth the price.  Oh, and also I'm a student and don't actually have money.  So it was really interesting for me to think about my first brush with a designer bag.

  

Bold prints and batted lashes: How to adapt spring’s runway looks to your wardrobe

I present to you below vitamin J's first ever guest post, courtesy of the lovely Jax Kimball!  Jax is a self-professed beauty addict who's looking to get some writing experience before starting her own blog, and approached me with the following article.  She's definitely given me some ideas for the spring (and summer)!

Read on!

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This Spring is big. Big like a triple sundae. Big like Michael Jordan’s feet. Big like a double-decker bus on a back road. To celebrate all this big is betterness, the fashion world has been adding a little bit of bigness to the list as well. Runway looks for Spring 2012 are all about big prints and bold makeup. What makes this spring’s looks different from the 80s crazy shoulder pad and Full House hair look is that it’s tempered by a bit of restraint. Clothes are cut trimly, hair is pinned back, and with the exception of fearless eyes, makeup is toned down.

The great thing about this blend of “out there” and pulled back is that you don’t need much to pull off the new trends. All you need are a few key wardrobe pieces to mix with articles of clothing you already have in your wardrobe.

1. Find a statement piece

Mara Hoffman Spring 2012 Lookbook

via Mama’s a Rolling Stone online

Large and brightly colored prints have been all over the place. Mara Hoffman’s spring collection exemplifies the kinds of prints to go for – abstract geometric, modified animal (I know this sounds like genetic engineering – but go with it), neon tribal, etc. Mara Hoffman’s collection emphasizes pant suits and dresses – but a pair of harem-esque pants with a crazy print or a pair of patterned pumps or blazer would be just as much of a statement.

2. Pair statement with sedation

Roberto Cavalli Ready to Wear Spring 2012

Via FirstH-Mode online

It’s not enough to have just anything with a print. You want to balance the bold clothing article with simple, chic pieces to create a rounded look. Think Duchess of Windsor meets Madonna. There are some basic pieces you should already have in your wardrobe: a simple cami, a loose sheer shirt, a black blazer. And though it might not be considered an essential wardrobe piece, if you don’t have a pair of harem pants yet, you should invest in a pair for the spring – either in black, gray, or olive. Now put your statement piece together with these basic ones. If you’re having trouble envisioning how to pair crazy prints with a toned-down look, check out Roberto Cavalli’s spring collection. Wild pants with a sleek black blazer, a loose skirt with a gold tiger-print jacket, a metallic and peach skirt with a sheer black shirt and sedate black blazer. (So Roberto Cavalli was really into blazers this spring…)

3. Beach face

Spring 2012 at Tracy Reese

Imaxtree.com via Harper’s Bazaar online

There’s no point in going all out in your wardrobe if your makeup doesn’t match. Similar to the trend in fashion at the moment, makeup is blending bold with restrained. Face makeup is generally nude – as little as possible on the face with bronzer or blush on the cheeks to create a “just finished working out” or “just got back from the beach” look. I’ve been totally hooked on this blush from Tarte called “blushing bride” which, applied directly below the cheekbones gives a natural, healthy glow.

Retail Therapy: Of batwings and kimonos

I've been a bit behind with posting my shopping goodies-- these ones are from December of last year!  I'm currently away on an elective, and having tons of fun in the sun, and I'll post about it soon!  Hopefully I'll be better with taking some outfit photos too. (:  On a related note, since I'm away from home so often lately, the next post will be a special guest post!  If any readers would like to write a guest post, I could definitely use another one too!

This top looked really weird on the hanger, as I find most drapey tops do.  It really requires one to use their imagination or a fitting room.  I like the open shoulders and back of this top, and thought it would be a fun addition to my wardrobe, seeing as I don't have anything like this, and tucked into a skirt or some pants with a cardigan or blazer, this blouse could absolutely be work-appropriate.  I like how the print wraps around the top of the blouse too-- it's a cool design choice.

I was so intrigued by this weird swingy piece of cloth when I saw it on the hanger.  It was on super sale, and I could see why-- there's such a potential for old lady bathrobe territory with this thing.  I really liked the print and the kimono jacket silhouette when I tried it on though, especially with a belt.  I will say that it does tend towards a short bathrobe, as in the below pictures, but I promise that with proper styling a piece with this kind of structure can actually look quite edgy and fun.

I've already worn this lace batwing sleeve top about four or five times since I got it.  I like how effortless it is-- it's a super easy piece to wear, but it looks like I put thought into my outfit as opposed to just grabbing for things on the floor in the dark (it happens more often than I like).  It works well tucked or untucked, which is really nice-- I think its the sort-of hybrid silhouette-- skimming the curves but with volume due to the sleeves.  The pale rose/blush colour is very versatile and I would definitely call it a neutral, especially for spring.

Daily Dose: Velvet Underground

 It's been a while since my last post, and I apologize sincerely for that!  This has been a transition time for me in terms of school, and it's been a little bit crazy.  I've had this post half done for a long while, but just couldn't find the time to finish it up.  This illustration is not my best work; that's part of why there's been such a lag on publishing this post.   

This blazer is actually made of velvet, and I found it at a Goodwill in Hollywood for $5.  It's been a good addition to my wardrobe and surprisingly versatile, considering it's 1) purple and 2) velvet.  The shirt I'm wearing underneath is something I believe is now being referred to as a 'cold shoulder' top, where the shoulders are cut out.  It's cool, but I find that it's sometimes hard not to look too 80's with it.  The shorts are a kind of silky material and are pretty short, but I love them with tights.  I think I've become addicted to shorts and tights to be honest.  I find it a very fresh look, and it's pretty easy to put together.

Hangin' in the GTA

So I have a post almost done, and thought I would finish it up last weekend, but that was much too optimistic. You see, currently I am not at home but across the country as I'm completing a visiting elective for school. I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts and I promise it's just because I'm so busy with this terrible commute and long clinic hours! Toronto has some very excellent vintage shops though, and I got some cool stuff that I would love to share when I get back home. Until next weekend!