Campus Style: The Reporter

Thania Betancourt, journalism junior at Cronkite, ASU, took us into her campus wardrobe for her reporting lifestyle, hence why her outfit would be singing to Nancy's "These Boots Were Made for Walking" considering news reporters are constantly on call.

These Boots Are Made for Walking from LaisPrieto on Vimeo

Sweater: Urban Outfitters, $9

Tights: Charming Charlie's, $7 

Studded black shorts: Ross, $10 

Boots: Forever 21, $20 

Necklace: Charming Charlie's, $3 on sale buy one get on free 

Earrings: Charming Charlie's, Free

Campus Style: Lights

 She may not be Lights, but the style emulation is pretty dead on-- from the hair to the boots.
I've known Genesis, student at Arizona State University, for quite some time and her style has always challenged the norm. The girl definitely has some cool edginess to her super sweet personality.
We caught her out on a casual night and she was kind enough to let us keep her from her friends for an impromptu shoot.

Jacket: Tilly's $30

Top: Forever 21 $4

Belt: Forever 21 $4

Pants: Forever 21 $20

Shoes: Ross $20

Nose ring: Mall stand $8

Inspiration: Ice by Lights

Waterproof

Noemi and our friends and I constantly like to come up with new things to do which sometimes turn out to be pretty unconventional (we've had a pool party inauguration, a burn high school assignments bonfire, a fancy dress-up dinner party, a faux prom, and not to mention the countless surprise birthday parties that are not so surprising) but are always a good time and the perfect opportunity to dress up.
The day after Memorial Day, Noemi took us to this beautiful lake-- I think it's man made, or man conserved(?), but filled with natural beauty nonetheless-- she had visited with her family the day before. We intended to go in the morning but had to push it back to the afternoon which was great because we were able to catch the sunset.

Sheer Cami: $6.50 Forever 21
High-Low Skirt: $11 Ross
Fedora: $7 Ross
Feather hair clip: $10 Payless
Flip Flops: 2 for $5 Old Navy

A Trip to the Opera

For Fernando Ruiz, currently a photography student at the Art Institute of Phoenix, dressing up is about being presentable yet approachable-- and a whole lot of compliments.
"Sometimes, you see someone dressed really nice, and they're kind of intimidating. Or Barney from How I Met Your Mother who wears a nice suit everyday as a sex object, I wouldn't want to be something like that."
How classy is that?
Fernando has worn the featured look to church but can also see himself wearing on a nice night out to see an opera or a play.
"I would like my formal wear to sing something by Sinatra or Michael Buble. 'Me and Mrs. Jones' [by Michael Buble]."
The savvy shopper gets his fashion finance smarts from a cousin who has taught him to be 100 percent sure about everything he buys. For example, pieces of this outfit have been part of much more casual ones.
"I do wear them separately. Like my boots I wear them with jeans, especially in the winter. And the shirt I've worn with shorts and white shoes before."

Steve Madden Boots: Ross $35

Pants: Old Navy $25

Shirt: Forever 21 $20

Vest: Forever 21 $20

Tie: Free at a school function

Denim, Denim, and Not So Much Makeup: Summer Edition

Back in September, I posted Denim, Denim, and Makeup, which consisted of a pretty simple denim button-up and black denim shorts. Yesterday, I found myself wearing a pretty similar outfit with a much more summer feel, so I though it'd be fun to do a little post about it.

The top is actually the same, I just removed the sleeves a while back when it started getting warmer. Honestly. I love this top. I wore so often in the cooler weather, and now, it's summer friendly so I can continue using it.

The lavender shorts, in trend with all things color and pastel, add a refreshing summer look as opposed to the black shorts I wore back in the fall. I bought these online at Forever 21 for my birthday, and unfortunately, they fit a bit loose so I have to belt them.

The belt is from Kohl's.

Another difference from this look and the previous one is my necklace. In the other look, I went with a pearl necklace to add a bit of sophistication to an otherwise very casual outfit. This time, I wanted a very casual look, so I went with a simple music note necklace from Target.

As far as makeup is concerned for this look, I kept it very simple. I'm wearing a creamy eyeshadow with a slight purple tint because I wanted a more toned down look. My nails, however, are completely different.

I absolutely love the whole bright color current trend and I love showing it through my nails even more.

My favorite nail polish currently is Wet n Wild's Megalast in "I Need a Refresh-Mint". The color is gorgeous and it lasts just long enough until I want to try a new combination. I did glitter as an accent nail --Wet n Wild's Wild Shine in "Sparked" (courtesy of our good friend Lynda's couponing which we shall feature very soon!).

Shirt: Target $15 or $20

Shorts: Forever 21 $13.50

Belt: Kohl's $1.98

Necklace: Target $10

Blue Nail Polish: Walgreens $1.99 (bought as part of a buy 2 get 1 free promotion)

Glitter Nail Polish: CVS $0 ($0.99 without a dandy coupon)

Window Shopping (On my Windows Laptop!)

One of my all-time favorite things to do online (other than being on Stumble Upon or Etsy while watching The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes on "Netty" Flix) is window shopping... That is, Windows shopping via the screen of my Windows Laptop.

I'm always tempted to create Wishlists, but I know no one will look at mine, especially because it would be endless!

If you have too much on your mind or need a little distraction (uhm, for an hour or two -- some would call it wasting time, but I call it prioritizing my potential closet), looking for your next item via online stores with the comfort of a not-so comfortable desk chair is an ideal method to channeling your stress into a creative and fashionably outlet.

Or maybe you really need to find something pretty epic for an upcoming event but can't deal with all the buzz of the people at a mall? Online shopping helps with that too.

Like most of you know, this blog's purpose is to provide meaningful guidance to an accessible closet: You may not have the extra cash for a Barneys' top (Heh, I went searching to see what the price ranges are for sale items...$60 and above. Maybe when I'm making over $60 K annually, except I'm not entirely sure this will ever be the case, but one can dream of having enough to shop for goodies while saving the world!), but you may definitely have an extra $20 or $10 bucks laying around for a look that may just scream Barneys!

Because Chatoyant Diary is going through a Formal Wear phase, I decided to provide links and images to various formal wear for women -- and MEN, too, but I'll leave you all for a different post -- that I find striking and are so utterly and irresistibly affordable!

**All these items were found in the Sales section of each online store. This is how I fulfill my longing to own tons of beautiful garments without making myself sad (*Fashionista predicaments).

Charlotte Russe -- 

If you're interested in one of the following dresses that in my humble opinion are relatively inexpensive, please follow the image's appropriate link by clicking on the titles!

Belted Tropical Getaway Dress

Butterfly Catcher Party Dress

Cage-Back Stripe Tank

 Chiffon Twist-Front Dress

 Cutout-Front Ponte Dress

 Knot-Front Sequin Party Dress

 Sequin-Top Pleated Party Dress

Windsor -- 

**Windsor's online and in-store sales section makes me wonder what certain designers were thinking... However, if you happen to be a proud owner of a sewing machine and are quite tactful in creating something beautiful out of, well, out of something funky, I encourage you to  work your magic with some of Windsor's sales items! 

P.s. This is the only sales dress that I found to be beautiful. 

Black Peplum Dresses

JCPenny --

Ruby Rox One Shoulder Dress with Beads 

(*This dress reminds me of something Hanna from Pretty Little Liars would wear!)

Ruby Rox Lace Bust Fitted Dress Plus

Speechless Tube Dress with Shutter Pleats

F21 --

Strapless Corsage Special Occasion Dress

Sequined Ribbon Yarn Dress

Lace Maxi Dress

Blooming Roses Strapless Special Occasion Dress

Cutout Back High-Low Dress

What did I learned out of today's nightly Windows Shopping? I watch too much TV if my only relevant references are from major ABC Family and Marvel shows instead of great literary references! 

Well, to make it up: I'm terrified of Whales because of the tale of Jonah and the Whale! Bye! 

-Noemi 

   

A Very Fashionable Athlete

Prescious Branch, 16, is a sophomore at Sierra Linda High School

Upon meeting Prescious, I quickly discovered she was a student athlete ( those sports fee are part of the reason she needs to be savvy about where she shops), so we tackled the stereotype that athletes aren't exactly the most fashionable*.
She explained to me that between seasons and games, there is not enthusiasm to dress up.
"I think there's always time to dress up and look nice, [though]."
The California native turns to her hometown for fashion inspiration without necessarily following all the rules.
"I like to be different," said the 16-year-old, who describes her style as weird, colorful, and fun, "I like having people come up to me and say 'Why are you wearing that?'"
Dressing up and following fashion trends isn't just a hobby for Prescious.
"I want to be a stylist. I like to dress people up."

Skirt: BB $60

Tank: Marshall's $5

Vest: Forever 21 $20

Shoes: California boutique $40

Necklace: Forever 21 $8

Ring: Target $9

*Now that I think about it, though, I realize that there are many well-dressed pro-athletes. Uh, can you say David Beckham without picturing him in a super hip suit?! ...or underwear...

Make sure to check out our Facebook page for more pictures from this feature and updates!

-Gabee