Posts tagged glitter
Recipe for the Ultimate FashioniSTA Birthday
Apr 10th
Birthdays are the greatest day of the year—but can also be the most stressful. It’s the one day that is all about you; as a fashioniSTA, there’s pressure to make it fantastic. Picking out the right outfit, party location and activities (not to mention creating your birthday wishlist) can be completely draining. However, after having just celebrated my own birthday, I’ve perfected the recipe to a fun, chic and successful fashioniSTA birthday.
Step 1: The Wishlist
I love making wishlists. I make them for Christmas, my birthday, and even various seasons—okay, maybe I’m a little overzealous. Still, if it’s your birthday, you want to receive gifts that you’re actually going to use, right? My birthday wishlists have completely changed since I hopped aboard the Pinterest train. Virtually any store can be accessed online, so you can just pin your favorite items straight to your very own birthday wishlist board. I start pinning my wishlists early and often, so there are lots of options for gifts by the time your birthday rolls around (and also because pinning is madly addictive). Once you’re done, all you have to do is send your wishlist board to your friends and family to give them a nudge in the right direction 
. Need some inspiration to get your Pinterest board on the right track? Check out our own “Night Out in Style” board for ideas!
Step 2: The Outfit
There are two days of the year when it’s okay for a fashioniSTA to get decked out in sequins: New Year’s Eve and your birthday. I have a crazy obsession with all things sparkly, so I obviously took advantage of the day and donned a green, long sleeved sequin mini dress. I paired the dress with simple black booties and a blazer, along with minimal jewelry—it was a hit. Not quite as excited about sequins as I am? Not to worry! Try a sparkly top with skinny jeans and killer pumps or a simple little black dress with fun statement jewelry, and you’ll still be a glittering birthday fashioniSTA.
Step 3: The Party
Every fashioniSTA celebrates her birthday differently, especially depending on your age and what day of the week it falls on. If you want to have a blowout event, you need to start this step fairly early on. Creating a guest list, planning food and drinks and finding a venue takes a lot of time—but is definitely worth it! Having a chic birthday bash is the ultimate way to celebrate in style. While I’m all for big parties, I had a milestone birthday last year (and rented out a hip bar to celebrate it), so this year I decided on a more intimate dinner with my closest girlfriends. Myself and nine other girls got dressed up and headed to the gorgeous Boston Waterfront, where we enjoyed specialty cocktails and fantastic new American food. My biggest suggestion when going to a birthday dinner with a large group is to go somewhere that has an extensive cocktail list (everyone has their own drink of choice) and a menu with plates to share. Also, pretend not to notice when your friends ask the waiter for a birthday dessert—it’s always more fun to act surprised when everyone starts singing happy birthday!
~Alyssa, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: tavernroad.com, thrillist.com, curioos.com/galaxyeyes/Abstract/Swim/000014152)
Countdown to NYE: Part 2, Menswear at its Best
Dec 28th
Yesterday, we dished some tips for the glitter girl heading out on the town to usher in 2013. What if sequins aren’t your thing? We have a few ways to incorporate menswear-inspired pieces (one of our favorite trends!) to your knockout New Years Eve ensemble.
A crisp tuxedo jacket serves as the perfect foundation for a New Years Eve look. For just a spritz of glamour, this Rag & Bone style features a gold collar. We love it paired with a skinny black pant or tonal sequin short, and patent black heels. Think you can’t handle shorts for a semi-formal occasion? Trust us, slip a pair on with black (or colored, for the bold) tights and just go with it. Whatever uneasiness you may have will quickly disappear when you start fielding compliments and officially assert yourself as a style star. Top it off with gold earrings, a bold clutch, and a vivid manicure, and you’ll be ringing in 2013 in the most fabulous way.
Stay tuned as we bring you NYE-worthy loungewear choices this weekend! And as always, you can find more New Year’s Eve inspiration on our countdown Pinterest board, as well as with our daily NYE tips on Twitter!
~Meredith, fashioniSTA
Countdown to NYE: Part 1, Glittering Gold
Dec 27th
While it feels like everyone just put away Christmas leftovers, it’s already time to plan the perfect New Year’s Eve ensemble. Whether you’re ringing in 2013 with your girlfriends at the hottest party, or with your loved ones at home with a take-out container of Chinese food, we have your guide to start 2013 on your most stylish foot (or, rather, Louboutin clad heel). Here we dish out the details for the glitter girl who’s headed out on the town for the last night of the year.
It’s no secret that sequins are this fashioniSTA’s friend. A gold sequin minidress (like the one above by Haute Hippie) is the perfect look for any New Years Eve bash that’s sure to turn heads. Paired with opaque black Wolford tights and classic black Louboutin heels makes looking New Years Eve festive easier than popping a bottle of bubbly. If you’re nervous about shining too brightly, throw on a basic black blazer, just be sure to mix it up with texture - velvet, corduroy, etc. - rather than embellishments.
Unsure how to accessorize your New Years Eve look? Switch out your festive holiday manicure for a dash of gold (like Sephora’s “Come to Paparazzi” topcoat). Toss on a chunky cocktail ring, and a pair of neutral gemstone studs for the ideal amount of sparkle. Need a clutch to stash your ID, iPhone and lip gloss for the night? A sleek black envelope clutch never fails (especially when you’re already donning this much sparkle).
Need more New Years Eve tips? Check out our " onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/pinterest.com');">Countdown to NYE Pinterest board and our daily Twitter tips. And stay tuned for our next part, where we shift from girly glitz to menswear-inspired elements for the big night!
~Meredith, fashioniSTA
Eighth Day of Style - Just Add Sparkle
Dec 29th
The holiday/NYE season is all about the glitz, and wherever I can get away with wearing a little extra sparkle, I’m all over it. From using a glitter topcoat on your nails to busting out the baubles, there are tons of great ways to infuse your everyday wardrobe with a little sparkle. Breaking out the sequins for a party is a great start, but add a little of that shine to your casual look, and it’ll make everyday a mini celebration.
A Pinch of Glitter From Your Head to Your Toes 
When the weather gets colder, it’s easy to slide into a dark-colors-only wardrobe. Don’t worry, you can still do that and not look like you’ve become seasonally depressed. An all-black or all-navy ensemble can look great with a multi-colored or silver glitter flat. To pull together a casual – yet polished – look, start with the pair of dark denim of your choosing (boyfriend, distressed, skinny, etc.). Pair your jeans with either a black tank/blazer, or with a dark cashmere sweater. Finish off the look with a thin, sparkly headband and either a sleek blowout or a messy up-do. Glitter flats also work great with darker jewel tones, such as cranberry or forest green. For a modern look, pair your jewel-toned corduroys with multi-colored glitter flats, topping off the look with a white button-down or a lace top.
For an even subtler look, try a black glitter belt paired with an all-black, fitted ensemble. Or you can always go with solid-color flats that have a sparkle cap toe. It’ll add just a tiny dose of glam to a basic outfit. Sparkle tights have been popping up everywhere as well, and they range from slightly shiny to full-on gold sparkle. Find what you’re comfortable with and add them into your tights rotation to spice up your normal work or nighttime attire.
Layer the Glitz In With Your Basics
Got a sequin or embellished tank that you usually reserve for after the sun goes down? Make the most of it and wear it during the day! Layer it over a basic black or gray long-sleeved knit top and pair with jeans, basic pants or a neutral skirt. Dress it up with heels or dress it down with minimal accessories and a blazer for a day at the office. The neutral layers will balance out any embellishment, and the glitzy detail will provide the same accent that your jewelry normally would.
You can also break out your sequin sweaters during the day as well. Pair any sequin sweater with contrasting neutral pieces for a fresh take on timeless chic. Lighter sequins tend to work better for daytime, but a black sequined cardigan, styled with a white cotton tank and dark denim, is a great casual option that can quickly go from day to night. Got a metallic sweater that doesn’t resemble a basic cardigan and you don’t know what to do with it? You can always layer it with a blazer or other indoor-appropriate jacket to tone down the sparkle, but these pieces are also great seasonal transition items. Pair a gold sweater with a pastel skirt (see below) for a winter-sparkle-meets-spring-awakening look, which will help you transition in style by using the best of both seasons.
Sequin skirts are usually reserved for nighttime activities, but if you own a sparkly skit in a lighter color, you can also work them during the day. Pair knee-high, flat boots with a cream sequined skirt and a cream cashmere sweater for a winter white ensemble that is daytime-appropriate and wonderland-esque.
Remember, fashioniSTAs, probably the easiest way to subtly sparkle in style is to brush a glitter topcoat across your nails, it’s quick and will complement any ensemble!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA