Style Crush: Ivy from 90210

If I had to describe my TV viewing style in one word it would be: enthusiastic. I'll watch any show at least once and I have a particular soft spot for teenage dramas. Although filled with juicy hookups, pregnancy scares, and forbidden love affairs my attraction to these shows is also due to something more tangible as a viewer - the character's wardrobe. Every fall I look forward to swooning over Serena Van Der Woodsen's boho chic style that is a mix of high-end designer pieces and frugal finds, put together in a way that accurately reflects the Upper East Side's wild child. I watched lovingly as Betty Suarez transformed from Ugly Betty into a self-confident and assured writer. However my ultimate favorite show for style scouting is 90210. In the second season the wardrobe stylist was able to cultivate distinct styles for each character that expressed their personality and aspirations. You can typically find aspiring theatre star Annie dress in Urban Outfitters chic, Naomi who just recently come into her trust fund would wear nothing but designer labels, and Silver the aspiring journalist bears an uncanny resemblance to The Glamourai. Of all of these fashionistas, Ivy's style is the most intriguing. When Ivy came during the second season it was obvious her character was not a girl's girl. Her hoarse voice and sarcastic demeanor repelled the Beverly Hill's girls but allowed her to be successful in becoming one of the guys. Be raised by a single mother, a free spirit who owns her own record company; Ivy developed into a self sufficient teen who inconsequently has more luck surfing the waves than finding the right guy. What drew me to Ivy's style is the bohemian and California surf feel to each piece of clothing; something that can also be seen off-camera by actress Gillian Zinser. Here are some of my favorite looks from the star:

I can't wait to see what the stylist dresses the girls in for the first year of college in the upcoming season!

Express Yourself.

Every summer I take the time to reflect on my current style - how far my style has evolved, what my style has done for me (the impressions it gives off and how people perceive me because of it), and most importantly decide whether or not my style is cohesive with how I view myself. It may seem silly to others but I think that I am not alone in thinking that fashion is a self-expressive art, to communicate the wrong message is to misrepresent oneself. So I enjoy taking time to see how far I have come and where I want to go - in fashion and in my life. I use the summertime to bury my nose in books released by the power players in the industry (my most recent purchases are What to Wear, Where and Secrets of Stylists) and in my favorite magazines. I scour my favorite blogs (which I recklessly abandoned over the school year but finally was able to read all of my unread Bloglovin subscriptions) and save inspiring photos. Through this process I learn about myself and hopefully get that much closer in expressing who I am. Looks can be deceiving and it is my belief that we should always be crystal clear. Here are some things that I am currently inspired by at the mo'.

Do you guys do anything over the summer in a way to amend your style? Let me know below!

Sources: The Vogue Diaries, Arenbi, Where Did You Get That, We Heart It.

A Lecture on Texture

There is nothing as aesthetically pleasing as pairing a textured piece with a patterned one in an ensemble. This combination is sure to excite your optical and tactile senses, creating the ultimate sensory experience. Recently coming home from a long quarter of studying at my college I was excited to put my juxtaposition knowledge to the test at Urban Outfitters. Never intending to buy anything I tried on a multitude of outfits: a distressed knitted oversized Cheap Monday sweater with cheetah-print hot pants, a crocheted orange tank top with a leather miniskirt, and my favorite a lightly distressed beige crop top with a striped skirt (both had zippers in the back). I was so in love with the 60s secretary (a la Down With Love)feel that this outfit gave me that I couldn't help but to bring those babies home. What makes these pieces even more loveable is that they can each hold their own in my closet ensuring a multitude of texturized outfits to come.

(Silence + Noise top and BDG skirt both from Urban Outfitters )

Currently Inspired By...

Rihanna - S&M

As if the catchy chorus, the raunchy lyrics, and the upbeat tempo wasn't enough; Rihanna proves once again to be a good girl gone bad in her "S&M" music video. I was inspired by her continuous costume changes that featured a surge of bright colors and promiscuous props. Rihanna continuously pushes the envelope when it comes to her style and her hair, influencing others to use fashion as a form of self-expression. Although I'm partial to my relaxed California chic look, Rihanna's indulgence in patent leather, midriff bearing tops, and booty shorts in the video made me want to hit the gym and try the looks ASAP. Although not as extremely, I think we can all attest to expressing our inner wild child so go on and dress unique and daring today. Sometimes it's good to be a little bad.

A Sheer Thing.

As the years have gone by it seems that dresses and skirts have gotten shorter and shorter, making what used to be a scandalous amount of leg appear to be the norm. But as the age old saying goes: what goes up, must come down. This season, runways were flooded with mid-length to floor grazing skirts. However as well know when trying to beat the heat, the last thing we need is a long skirt to bring us down; no matter how chic! However I've spotted a happy medium: sheer skirts. These transparent garments are the sauciest way to update lengthy skirts. Now you flaunt your summer tans and maintain a hint of mystery. With celebrities and fashion shows already sporting the look, I have a feeling this is going to be one hot new trend. Will you be rocking a long sheer skirt for the Spring/Summer season?

(Free People Mesh Skirt, $58)

(Halle Berry at the Golden Globes 2011 in Kaufman Franco)

J'Adore Paris

I love LOVE. The feeling, the action, the falling into, and the very idea of love makes me swoon. Just a four letter word can be an inspiration and a motivator for everyday life. Love is paradise. Nothing says love more romantically than cozy chateaus, picnics in the park with baguettes and brie, and the infatuation with a man who does not know a word of English. So when I got this newsletter from Free People about the Parisian chic twist made to their otherwise very bohemian collection, it was love at first sight. Looking through the January lookbook I felt inspired to infuse the feeling of mysterious foreign adoration into my wardrobe with French accents. Feeling the love? I recommend adding sequined stripes, lace, denim jackets, and chic flats to give your spring wardrobe a European flair. Warning: You might find Jacques are now at your disposal. Tell me what are you falling for for Spring?

J'Adore Paris by vivalachanel featuring canvas handbags

A Year and Some Change

In I Heart Your Style, a book about improving individual style, Amanda Brooks urges readers to reflect on their personal lives in order to understand their developments in style. Although skeptical of this exercise (I didn't see how my personal transitions effected my preferences in my wardrobe) I took the time to write down every prominent and compare them to my style at that time. In doing this I found that my fashion choices coincided with what was going on in my personal life. For instance, my sophomore year in high school was a time where I was "the new girl" in my group of friends, I wanted nothing more than to fit in and be accepted. During this time I chose to dress like my peers; which had me searching for the perfect pair of Hollister jeans and Uggs to complete my typical high school girl look. A similar turn of events came during the summer of my senior year. I wanted to look older, edgy even which is why I took this time period to shop at Urban Outfitters on the search for the chained and studded everything. Our personal goals and situations have a great effect on what we wear.

I bring this up because the New Year is fast approaching, what better way to express your new goals for the New Year than a couple of improvements in your wardrobe. For 2011 my main theme is fearlessness. My internal fashionista is yearning for sharp-shouldered long-sleeves, body-conscious skirts and dresses, and a killer pair of heels. But my delicate free-spirit personality finds comfort in my silk and chiffon fabrics, floaty tops, and embellished flats. This is most likely because at college I'm known as the "nice girl", the girl that will gladly do anything for her friends while not giving them crap about it. However, there's a wittier and more sarcastic side of me dying to get out in the form of sexy badass clothes. This year I'm making it a mission to meld these facets of my personality into one; in my wardrobe and personal life.

Rihanna is the perfect example of someone who transitions stylishly to coincide with her personal events. As she develops as a musician, Rihanna has continued to pleasantly surprise the public in her wardrobe and beauty choices.

Let me know how your goals for personal change in the New Year effect for your fashion choices!