"Style is very different from fashion. Once you find something that works, keep it." Tom Ford

I must admit, trends are a very lucrative desire of mine and sometimes I have trouble staying away from their style hazards. For example, the neon pink sunglasses that I am wearing in my blog picture are completely trendy, along with the neon flannel scarf. I bought both items the day the picture was taken on a trip downtown Chicago with my best friend. She took the picture on our way back home, and I decided to wear them both in a trend overkill, posing my unhappiness at being such a fashion disaster.

When I first saw the neon pink sunglasses in Urban Outfitters, I felt that it went with with my signature style. As hard as I try to wear timeless classics like Polo's, turtlenecks, and great fitting jeans, every once in awhile a trendy items squeezes its way into my wardrobe. After all, isn't that what everyone is trying to do? Find their own fashion style that works, as Tom Ford said? CoCo Chanel decided to make strands of pearls her "look", and see how fabulous that worked out for her! Along with the sunglasses trend, mention over-sized sunglasses to me, and the first image that comes to mind is First Lady Jackie O. Her iconic sunglasses are popular today as many women wear the bug-eyed, too-big-for-your-face frames.

I think that the reason why I like my hot pink totally trendy sunglasses is that they alter my look so drastically- more than any other article of clothing I own. I love knowing that I can go out and party at night and hide my face behind my neon shades the next day. I can observe without being observed. No one can see my emotions-I could feel really insecure about wearing the sunglasses in the first place.

There's no denying it- When I walked into Urban Outfitters and saw these sunglasses, I felt a rush. Buying trendy items gives my classic and somewhat conservative wardrobe a hip and fresh update. If I could offer some advice about following trends based on my own experiences this would be it:
1. one trendy style at a time...see my picture above
2. choose either a trendy color a trendy shape...never both. You will never see me wearing a hot pink winter coat.
3. wear only trends that complement your signature look. If purple is the new "in" color and looks great with your skin tone,wear it! But if leather pants is "in" and you don't feel comfortable in skin tight clothes, then don't buy into its trendiness.

So will I look back years from now and groan at the picture of me with my neon shades? Maybe. But that's one of the reasons why I like fashion so much- it's changing all the time, much like me.

"Some people dream of having a big swimming pool- with me it's closets." Audrey Hepburn

I am a college junior on a very tight budget...as in I can only afford what my part-time job pays. Although I do not have money to buy designer labels, I feel more confident and secure when I wear a piece of clothing that fits me perfectly. Audrey Hepburn is a fashion icon whose quirky personality managed to combine high fashion with simple things in life. Among the many possessions that clutter my bedroom, my favorite thing is a poster of Audrey as Holly Golighty from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's in her black Givenchy dress, pearls and diamonds around her neck, a cat atop her shoulder, and a cigarette holder in her hand. In a lot of ways, I think women identify with Audrey the same way I do, she had an innocence and sense of style that contrasts with the stereotypical Hollywood image of what women should look like. I must admit, while I do not have the money to buy Givenchy, I do own a lot of clothes and take pride in wearing outfits that make me feel good about myself, similar to Audrey's view about clothing. This blog is primarily my way of expressing how I feel about fashion and the designers who have shaped the way I feel about clothing. I believe that my casual yet elegant take on clothes is a style many college-age and older women find timeless. I agree with the quote stated above... especially living in a dorm room, that a large closet is something that I dream about...but for now I'll take what I can get and keep on getting inspired by the many fashionable men and women I admire.