New Online Stores to Shop from Under 100

     Okay so many of us bloggers and people who read blogs love to shop. If you read my blog you know that I am all about saving money and looking gorgeous at the same time. I have been getting a little annoyed by the thrift store. I haven't been really able to find anything but I will keep trying. I am tired of Forever 21 although it is one of my favorite stores but I feel like everyone goes there and I like to be different than the people I hang around. On snapchat I was reading an article from Cosmopolitan Magazine, the article was titled "10 Best Online Shops for High Style Fashion Under $100"  written by Charles Manning on August 5, 2014 at 11: 12 AM. It was directed towards bloggers who Love Zara I love Zara but the point of my blog is to keep it real for college students. Let's be honest who has money to spend on an $80 jacket from Zara when you can be buying a new Sociology 260 book for the same amount or cheaper. As much as I love fashion I also love God, and my education. Now I am not writing this to disrespect or argue against Cosmopolitan but I just want to be honest with my bloggers and help them save even more money especially people like me who has to buy their own books, pay tuition, and at the same be a fashionista. Here are the list of stores and my review on it.

1. Pixie Market

Pixie Market is a great store but I felt like some of the items were overpriced, and it was said to be one of the stores that had clothes only come in small and medium. So I am guessing unless you are in the petite range, you really will not be able to get  many clothes.

2. Front Row Shop

It is a Shanghai based fashion and it is really top and fashionable. I actually would love to buy a few things off of their site, but only a few. I have nothing against the store at all but if you are looking for a store that is under 100 and under 50 this is not really the store for you. Actually the store is 100 and over, and there are some pieces under 50 but 30 is the closest you can get. This would be a store I would call a treat-yourself-store. I would buy a few pieces from the store but it wouldn't be like my store, my go to store like Forever 21 or Goodwill. 

3.  Chicnova

This was an online store that I actually liked and really lived up to what it was saying on the Magazine's website. The only problem for me is that the clothes do come in one size but most of the clothes prices remind me of Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe. Prices that we as college students can actually deal with. I recommend this store but it will be hard deciding how to choose your size with the one fits all thing. Yet, if you really are looking to try out so highly fashionable clothes and save money this is the one for you.

4. Akira

Mostly everyone has heard about Akira, it is such a nice store with really great fashion. I think the prices are well rounded and not to pricey and not to cheap. It's an good store, I recently applied for a job there. I hope I get it!

5. My Mum Made It

This is an online store that is just starting out. The clothes look a little too basic in my opinion, to pay 110 and more for a basic crop top and a long blazer jacket. The store really is hard to navigate but for some people who are interested in fashion pieces like this it would be worth the prices, but I am looking out for my fellow fashionista college students who want to look cute but not pay so much.

6. Missguided

This was a nice online store to shop from, the clothes were not too sky high. There were also some very cute maxi blazers, kimonos, crop tops, etc. for under 60 dollars. The clothes went as low as 24 dollars and a little lower. It actually does have a nice price range and some nice high quality pieces, you can buy when you feel like splurging. 

7. Yesstyle

This was such a cute little store with good prices and I really thought it was great! The store it one size fits all but the prices for some items are like 19.99!You can find cute rompers and frilly flirty skirts in the 20's range. I will definitely be losing weight so I can make sure I can fit these affordable clothes. 

8. ChoiES

Now it is time for my personal favorite! The clothes are definitely fashionable, like high fashion! It gives me a break from Forever 21 and a romper there is 9.90. If you are looking to splurge on high different fashion this is the one. Your clothes will stand out in my opinion from your friends Forever 21 styles and you will feel guiltless by shopping like crazy. I think I just met my favorite online store and I am sticking to it!

*note: I have nothing against all stores provided I think they are all nice I am just trying to help college students save more. Also I love Forever 21 I just want a variety in my closet. 

New Online Stores to Shop from Under 100

     Okay so many of us bloggers and people who read blogs love to shop. If you read my blog you know that I am all about saving money and looking gorgeous at the same time. I have been getting a little annoyed by the thrift store. I haven't been really able to find anything but I will keep trying. I am tired of Forever 21 although it is one of my favorite stores but I feel like everyone goes there and I like to be different than the people I hang around. On snapchat I was reading an article from Cosmopolitan Magazine, the article was titled "10 Best Online Shops for High Style Fashion Under $100"  written by Charles Manning on August 5, 2014 at 11: 12 AM. It was directed towards bloggers who Love Zara I love Zara but the point of my blog is to keep it real for college students. Let's be honest who has money to spend on an $80 jacket from Zara when you can be buying a new Sociology 260 book for the same amount or cheaper. As much as I love fashion I also love God, and my education. Now I am not writing this to disrespect or argue against Cosmopolitan but I just want to be honest with my bloggers and help them save even more money especially people like me who has to buy their own books, pay tuition, and at the same be a fashionista. Here are the list of stores and my review on it.

1. Pixie Market

Pixie Market is a great store but I felt like some of the items were overpriced, and it was said to be one of the stores that had clothes only come in small and medium. So I am guessing unless you are in the petite range, you really will not be able to get  many clothes.

2. Front Row Shop

It is a Shanghai based fashion and it is really top and fashionable. I actually would love to buy a few things off of their site, but only a few. I have nothing against the store at all but if you are looking for a store that is under 100 and under 50 this is not really the store for you. Actually the store is 100 and over, and there are some pieces under 50 but 30 is the closest you can get. This would be a store I would call a treat-yourself-store. I would buy a few pieces from the store but it wouldn't be like my store, my go to store like Forever 21 or Goodwill. 

3.  Chicnova

This was an online store that I actually liked and really lived up to what it was saying on the Magazine's website. The only problem for me is that the clothes do come in one size but most of the clothes prices remind me of Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe. Prices that we as college students can actually deal with. I recommend this store but it will be hard deciding how to choose your size with the one fits all thing. Yet, if you really are looking to try out so highly fashionable clothes and save money this is the one for you.

4. Akira

Mostly everyone has heard about Akira, it is such a nice store with really great fashion. I think the prices are well rounded and not to pricey and not to cheap. It's an good store, I recently applied for a job there. I hope I get it!

5. My Mum Made It

This is an online store that is just starting out. The clothes look a little too basic in my opinion, to pay 110 and more for a basic crop top and a long blazer jacket. The store really is hard to navigate but for some people who are interested in fashion pieces like this it would be worth the prices, but I am looking out for my fellow fashionista college students who want to look cute but not pay so much.

6. Missguided

This was a nice online store to shop from, the clothes were not too sky high. There were also some very cute maxi blazers, kimonos, crop tops, etc. for under 60 dollars. The clothes went as low as 24 dollars and a little lower. It actually does have a nice price range and some nice high quality pieces, you can buy when you feel like splurging. 

7. Yesstyle

This was such a cute little store with good prices and I really thought it was great! The store it one size fits all but the prices for some items are like 19.99!You can find cute rompers and frilly flirty skirts in the 20's range. I will definitely be losing weight so I can make sure I can fit these affordable clothes. 

8. ChoiES

Now it is time for my personal favorite! The clothes are definitely fashionable, like high fashion! It gives me a break from Forever 21 and a romper there is 9.90. If you are looking to splurge on high different fashion this is the one. Your clothes will stand out in my opinion from your friends Forever 21 styles and you will feel guiltless by shopping like crazy. I think I just met my favorite online store and I am sticking to it!

*note: I have nothing against all stores provided I think they are all nice I am just trying to help college students save more. Also I love Forever 21 I just want a variety in my closet. 

College Freshman Year: Roommate Problems

   Okay so we all know that when we first get to college not all people find their best friends or soul mates. This is not Pitch Perfect or some Clueless movie that we all just happen to live in. Oh, and forget those stories about finding your best friends at college your first year there, I think you should wait a little after freshmen year to see who is really behind you. I did not come here to discourage you on friends in college I have just been dealing with roommate issues and learning which strategies are the best for me and actually give you tips on how to stay focused, away from drama, and actually make quality friends.

1. Try to Communicate your feelings first.

I know this is what everyone says and sounds so cliche but it would really help if you are honest with the people you live with. Remember you are and will be around them a lot so try to be honest with your feelings. Even if you are experiencing difficulties try to talk it out first besides they might not know how you really feel inside.

2. Write it out first.

I'm no counselor but when someone gave me this advice I really liked it. It really helped me decide what I was going to say and express to my suitemate. It also helps me remember things in detail so I do not leave anything out. Writing out your feelings also lets out the pent up pressure that you are feeling inside. 

3. If you see drama began to back off

One of the main things I always notice and watch out for is drama. I am a drama free person. I really do not like being around drama. When I notice that so-and-so and talking about someone else I know in the back of my mind they either are already talking about me or I'm next. This is an old saying that I am sure most people have heard from their mother, "If they are talking trash about her, then they will do the same to you." When I say I don't like drama I really mean it and if you are a person who says that a lot you have to live up to it. If people try to talk about you or are constantly getting angry at you , you can back off but it would be better to tell them how you feel first then after that back off.

4. Be A Leader

Remember college is about finding YOURSELF so yes it is good to be around the people you hang around, but sometimes give yourself some space. If people think they are hurting you by not asking you to go somewhere with them or hanging out with someone brush that off, and let them know in a kind way that what you are doing does not affect me. The type of personality I have is that if you do not want to be with me cool, because that means I can spend more time alone with God. There are ways you can be completely satisfied without being with so many people. The people that have to constantly be around people are actually the ones that are more lonely. Not all of the time but in some cases. I think sometimes as college students we need to know when it is time to give our roommates or suitemates space because it will really help them. 

5. Go to your RA or RD

If all else fails and you still feel like you and your roommate cannot see eye-to-eye anymore than find a mediator like your RA or RD. They are there to help you when you need it so use them. I know it may seem hard at first but they are actually very understanding. This also can help you talk things out without screaming at each other or things spreading all across campus. I think it would be best also if you can to go to them first like as soon as you identify a problem. Sometimes it is hard to know or see where a problem is beginning but if you are having little bumps in the beginning do not hold them in.

6. PRAY

I am a Christian and not afraid of sharing this information. The one thing that I should have stuck with completely was praying consistently. I should have prayed for me and the people I live with and hang around. I thought that maybe I could handle this but then I saw I could not, so I got prayer and now I realize that me building up a wall of trust issues and holding in how I felt all the time has made me lash out and hurt people that I was not trying to hurt. When I prayed and got prayed for, I realized that God wants us to walk in love. No matter what we have to speak in love people might try to hurt you but you have to remember that you are no better than anyone else. I know this is so cliche but kill them with kindness and the love of Jesus that is the only way. When we try to fight our own battles we only end up getting hurt or hurting others. So put it in God hands whether you are Christian or not. 

College Freshman Year: Roommate Problems

   Okay so we all know that when we first get to college not all people find their best friends or soul mates. This is not Pitch Perfect or some Clueless movie that we all just happen to live in. Oh, and forget those stories about finding your best friends at college your first year there, I think you should wait a little after freshmen year to see who is really behind you. I did not come here to discourage you on friends in college I have just been dealing with roommate issues and learning which strategies are the best for me and actually give you tips on how to stay focused, away from drama, and actually make quality friends.

1. Try to Communicate your feelings first.

I know this is what everyone says and sounds so cliche but it would really help if you are honest with the people you live with. Remember you are and will be around them a lot so try to be honest with your feelings. Even if you are experiencing difficulties try to talk it out first besides they might not know how you really feel inside.

2. Write it out first.

I'm no counselor but when someone gave me this advice I really liked it. It really helped me decide what I was going to say and express to my suitemate. It also helps me remember things in detail so I do not leave anything out. Writing out your feelings also lets out the pent up pressure that you are feeling inside. 

3. If you see drama began to back off

One of the main things I always notice and watch out for is drama. I am a drama free person. I really do not like being around drama. When I notice that so-and-so and talking about someone else I know in the back of my mind they either are already talking about me or I'm next. This is an old saying that I am sure most people have heard from their mother, "If they are talking trash about her, then they will do the same to you." When I say I don't like drama I really mean it and if you are a person who says that a lot you have to live up to it. If people try to talk about you or are constantly getting angry at you , you can back off but it would be better to tell them how you feel first then after that back off.

4. Be A Leader

Remember college is about finding YOURSELF so yes it is good to be around the people you hang around, but sometimes give yourself some space. If people think they are hurting you by not asking you to go somewhere with them or hanging out with someone brush that off, and let them know in a kind way that what you are doing does not affect me. The type of personality I have is that if you do not want to be with me cool, because that means I can spend more time alone with God. There are ways you can be completely satisfied without being with so many people. The people that have to constantly be around people are actually the ones that are more lonely. Not all of the time but in some cases. I think sometimes as college students we need to know when it is time to give our roommates or suitemates space because it will really help them. 

5. Go to your RA or RD

If all else fails and you still feel like you and your roommate cannot see eye-to-eye anymore than find a mediator like your RA or RD. They are there to help you when you need it so use them. I know it may seem hard at first but they are actually very understanding. This also can help you talk things out without screaming at each other or things spreading all across campus. I think it would be best also if you can to go to them first like as soon as you identify a problem. Sometimes it is hard to know or see where a problem is beginning but if you are having little bumps in the beginning do not hold them in.

6. PRAY

I am a Christian and not afraid of sharing this information. The one thing that I should have stuck with completely was praying consistently. I should have prayed for me and the people I live with and hang around. I thought that maybe I could handle this but then I saw I could not, so I got prayer and now I realize that me building up a wall of trust issues and holding in how I felt all the time has made me lash out and hurt people that I was not trying to hurt. When I prayed and got prayed for, I realized that God wants us to walk in love. No matter what we have to speak in love people might try to hurt you but you have to remember that you are no better than anyone else. I know this is so cliche but kill them with kindness and the love of Jesus that is the only way. When we try to fight our own battles we only end up getting hurt or hurting others. So put it in God hands whether you are Christian or not. 

Fashion Week

I know that I am super late about Fashion week but I still want to post. I really think that it is interesting how we have come to repeating fashion eras and how fashion is becoming more acceptable over time. There are already the fashion trends for next fall and it seems like they start with minks and faux furs again. Also the 90s are really making a huge come back which to me is also a interesting. I will be honest I always thought that the 90s style was hideous but as we make the clothes more modernized, I think I am liking the style. A lot of people do not know this but I did find an 80 dollar faux fur mink at the thrift store that was well kempt. ASOS has some really quality fashion pieces that I am a fan of especially their blazers and coats they just make me want to buy the whole store! The fashion that they sell really is fashion, it is unlike any of the things you would see at a regular department store. The taste is exquisite and the clothes look runway chic. A lot of people do not understand the culture of the store, that I know personally, but if you really are looking for some pieces for your outfit that are not mediocre or what everyone else is wearing I really do suggest ASOS. It is one of my dream stores, that if I had a ton of money I would really splurge there. Fashion week clothes may have been from the top designers but if you are looking for something a little more street like but still different I think ASOS would be a perfect place to shop at. 

Fashion Week

I know that I am super late about Fashion week but I still want to post. I really think that it is interesting how we have come to repeating fashion eras and how fashion is becoming more acceptable over time. There are already the fashion trends for next fall and it seems like they start with minks and faux furs again. Also the 90s are really making a huge come back which to me is also a interesting. I will be honest I always thought that the 90s style was hideous but as we make the clothes more modernized, I think I am liking the style. A lot of people do not know this but I did find an 80 dollar faux fur mink at the thrift store that was well kempt. ASOS has some really quality fashion pieces that I am a fan of especially their blazers and coats they just make me want to buy the whole store! The fashion that they sell really is fashion, it is unlike any of the things you would see at a regular department store. The taste is exquisite and the clothes look runway chic. A lot of people do not understand the culture of the store, that I know personally, but if you really are looking for some pieces for your outfit that are not mediocre or what everyone else is wearing I really do suggest ASOS. It is one of my dream stores, that if I had a ton of money I would really splurge there. Fashion week clothes may have been from the top designers but if you are looking for something a little more street like but still different I think ASOS would be a perfect place to shop at. 

Anaconda The Feminist View

Anaconda and The Feminist View

On  August 4th, 2014 the song “Anaconda” by the well-known rapper Nicki Minaj was released, and made over a million dollars the first week .When a lot of people first saw the video cover they immediately thought that she was trying to steal another famous rapper’s image. People might also think about the letter a father wrote to her about her image.  What people have not thought about is how her song “Anaconda”, and even the video connects to feminism. There is a new era of feminism that is different from which our mothers and grandmothers time. Feminism looks similar, but the image has been modified over the years. Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda has been all over the news, and recently on November the 6th an article in V Magazine was released about how Nicki felt on the backlash it received. The first thing that shocked many people was that she told them that she considers herself as a “skinny girl”. Nicki Minaj is rebirthing feminism into a new light because she is proving that body image, the hip hop culture, and the empowerment of women to rethink how we understand how women are portrayed in the media.

When  Nick Minaj was interviewed by V Magazine on November 6, 2014 she did talk about her new and upcoming debut album “Pinkprint”, but what created a lot of the controversy in the news lately is what she said during the interview. When Ms. Minaj was asked if there was a double standard to the song; she said, “If a man did the same thing with sexy women all around, no one would care. You’re talking about people who don’t know anything about hip-hop culture.” This statement has some truth to it, because a lot of people do not know about hip hop. A lot of people do not know how it could even tie into a topic like feminism. When many people think about hip hop as a particular genre they think about the butt shaking, “hood” rappers, or very explicit lyrics that are being used. These things are true in some value, but the origins of hip hop did not start off that way. Hip Hop was originally an expression of the feelings or the hardships that people were going through. In some cases, rappers do still talk about those things; sometimes they do not. Although, the video was portrayed in a highly sexual and explicit form, Nicki could really have been trying to show how their is a gender in how music is portrayed. Male rappers always have women with immodest clothes on, and shaking their behinds. When Nicki does it she gets backlashed, even when the women in the video of the male rappers get looked down upon. No one ever says that a guy is wrong for wanting women like that. All people ever seem to say is that that’s just how men are. Hip Hop is changing and some people many choose to look at it in a negative way, but we can also choose to look at it in a different light. A lot of people looked at the video negatively, but on a deeper level Nicki was making a statement. Nicki’s statement was that women should be able to do the same thing that men do and not get looked down upon. Not only was that her statement but she also commented on body image in other recent news articles.

In the song Anaconda Nicki Minaj also makes reference to body image in a positive and negative way. Although, she does seem to make a negative reference and sexual reference she does seem to make a point about how women look at themselves today. A lot of people do not realize how the image of beauty is changing and becoming more modernized. In one source Nicki Minaj actually says that she sees herself as a “skinny girl”. Sometimes we all tend to get caught up on looks and how things are supposed to look; that we immediately shut out someone’s opinion. People might look at Nicki and disagree that she is not skinny but there is nowhere written that beauty is skinny or thin. This is something that in America we are all stuck on.  Nicki Minaj is challenging the way we think about society because she clearly says, “Everything that we see that is beauty is labeled as very skinny,”. Which actually has some truth to it; many women that have curves are not able to look at themselves as beautiful. For so long we have been taught to think that skinny or thin is beauty. It is extremely rare to see a curvy model in a magazine. Nicki Minaj even tells her interviewer for V Magazine, “They don’t say anything when they are watching the Victoria Secret’s models in boobs and things all day.” Which is a true statement because no one looks down upon models showing their bodies. Women need to be able to be accepted for their bodies because the idea of beauty is changing whether we like it or not.

Women have always been portrayed as sex symbols throughout the media.They have always been judged based on how they present themselves. Whereas men have be able to get away with a lot of sexually explicit things because of how gender is viewed in society. Men have been excused because people say that that’s just men being men. Nicki states in V Magazine that, “If a man did the same video with sexy women in it, no one would care.” Not all of the time when women are being explicit they are just trying to portray a sexy image. Now and days women that are stars are doing more sexually explicit things to show an example of feminism. They are showing that they are no longer bound to the gender roles of society. There is a new way that women want to be portrayed in the media; they want the same freedom as men. Nicki was not just trying to  make a hit she was trying to make a statement about how women do not need to be looked down upon because of acting like men. Women are now changing the way they are looked because they are constantly speaking out against what society said the gender roles are.

Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda was more than just the hit single of the summer, but an act of feminism. Women can do the same things as men and the more we keep enforcing that the more the gender roles will disappear. Nicki Minaj also changed what we identify as beauty because not only did she encourage curvy women, she also gave her opinion on what she think is beauty. The more we widen what our ideas of beauty are, the more women of different shapes and sizes will be accepted.