Recycled Fashion...

Hairstyles, fashion and trends are always changing from season to season - whether it's going from ripped jeans to skinny jeans, short-shorts to high-waisted shorts or blonde highlights to pink and blue dip dyed tips. Fashion, in my opinion, is like time - it's never at a stand still, it's always changing. And the saying, "history repeats itself"? This represents the fashion world to a "T". Trends and styles that are current, are always a new and improved version of something in the past - recycled fashion. These are some of the current popular trends today that were most likely worn by your mother or even your grand-mother...

                                                       Crop Tops 

                                        80's                                                  2013

We all know how popular and in style the lovely crop top is whether you're wearing it with a skirt, jeans or tights - but crop tops aren't just relevant in the fashion world this season, they go way back a few decades. From high fashion runways to the hot, sandy beach, crop tops have been a must have this past year. But do you ever wonder where this trend began? Well originally, belly dancers from the Middle East started wearing these shirts with decorative beads, thousands of years ago! Who knew?  But when did these stylish midriff shirts really hit the fashion scene in North America? A very well known singer by the name of Madonna started the "crop top phenomenon" in the eighties, when she wore a black mesh crop top in her music video 'Lucky Star'. Then in the nineties, Britney Spears brought back the look when she wore her infamous school girl outfit in the 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' music video. After years we didn't see any exposed midriffs and tummies for a while, but now the trend has hit the world right on the head again and has become a wardrobe necessity.  

   Dr. Martens 

 

2013                                             60's

One thing you might not know about the "Doc Marten" is that up until the sixties, it was only worn and originally made as a work boot. This must-have accessory became a phenomenon after thousands of working-class men bought the boot and then were joined by the many "rebellious groups" of society. Originally spreading over London, England then eventually the world, the boot was worn by the Punks, Goths, Mods and other socially formed groups at the time. By the nineties, Doc Martens were being worn by anyone and everyone. The fashion statement not only was super in style and popular, but it represented creativity, individualism and personality. The boot was a means of one expressing themselves to the world and showing a little rebellion without causing any trouble. After over a decade the trend has come back, being worn by teenagers, celebrities and anyone who likes the boot and wants to give it a try. Miley Cyrus really made Docs famous again by wearing them in her music video "Wrecking Ball". With her very limited outfit, the boots most definitely stand out to the eye, and anyone who didn't know about Dr. Martens before, knows about them now. 

Platform/Wedge Shoes

                                        2013                                                      90's 

 Platform heels, boots or running shoes are the perfect thing to where if you're going to the disco, a punk/rock concert, or, like Miley, just going out for a drive. The "platform" or "wedge" shoe just recently snuck its way back into the world of fashion, with their unique chunky four-inch heel, they're known to give a you a little height, or give your look a disco-esc feel. The platform shoe was thought to be invented so "higher up" or common civilians could "tower" over the less fortunate. In the 1700's, Chinese male actors wore the shoes in Operas - the taller the shoe in a play, the more important his role was in the play. Until the thirties, when designer Salvatore Ferragamo came out with a rainbow-coloured cork sandal, platform shoes weren't seen anymore in fashion. In the seventies, platform shoes hit the scene once again, mostly being worn to discos. There were many interesting features being added to the shoes, such as flashing lights or small aquariums. Acts like KISS and Elton John were some of the celebrities known to be wearing a wedge shoe at the time. When the disco era finished, so did the platform shoe trend, and once again, the shoe took a break from the fashion scene. In the nineties, the phenomenon grew again when British girl band, "The Spice Girls" were seen wearing the shoes at their concerts and in their music videos. 

High-Waisted Jeans 

2013                                                      80's

 We all definitely have a pair of these vintage high-waisted jeans in our closets, whether we bought them from a a thrift store, or borrowed them from our mom's old wardrobe. Fashionable then, fashionable now. The eighties gave us this amazing style, with its "high-waist" trend in almost everything - jeans, shorts, leggings and even swimsuits. Saved By The Bell character, Kelly Kapowski was known to always sport some sort of high waisted bottoms. Paired with a crop top, this outfit is as popular then as it is now. Everyone from Rihanna to Selena Gomez have been seen wearing high-waisted pants or shorts. This style is most definitely here to stay for a while...

Maxi Dresses 

        2013                                                             70's                                            

The ever so popular flowy and beachy long dress trend, also know as the "maxi Dress" is a favourite amongst us girls because of its comfiness. Worn with a cute floppy hat and gladiator sandals, this is the perfect outfit to wear to the mall or to the boardwalk. This cute trend dates back to the sixties, Oscar de la Renta being credited for designing the very first maxi dress. In the seventies, all the top designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Cardin created their own signature maxi dress - and by the mid seventies, the maxi was seen everywhere in the fashion world. The long dress style disappeared in the eighties, but in the nineties it came back even longer than before. This boho look is quite popular, and supermodel Kate Moss is known to sport the maxi a lot. And why is the maxi dress so popular? Obviously because of its complete flexibility - you can wear it to any event, at any time of the day, and still like mega-chic! 

The Pixie Cut  

                                60's                                                      2013

The short and cute pixie cut is a lot common this year than you would actually think. Girls with long, luxurious, thick hair are chopping their locks off to get this wispy and delicate style. Many celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams and Jennifer Lawrence famously wear the style, but this cut was popular in past decades as well. The first time a pixie cut was popularized was in the fifties when Aubrey Hepburn sported one in her debut film Roman Holiday. Then a decade later in the sixties, British supermodel Twiggy made it her trademark look. Goldie Hawn was also a popular celebrity of that era to model the cut. In this decade, we recognize Emma Watson and Miley Cyrus who famously brought back the style to a younger generation. So why are all of these ladies chopping their amazing locks off? Is it because they want a completely new look? Or is it because they just don't have the patience to spend an hour in front of the mirror with a hairbrush and a hairdryer anymore? If it were me, I'd say the latter...

Six Things Single People Should Do On Valentine's Day...

Valentine's Day is around the corner and while all the adorably cute couples are flaunting major PDA and buying each other plush teddy bears and candy hearts from the dollar store, us single girls are spending yet another February fourteenth, trying to figure out something productive to do with ourselves besides crying on the couch with a bowl of ice cream while watching The Notebook. To help you get through this years Valentine's, I am going to enlighten you with six different ways to spend the utterly romantic and cheesy day. Enjoy...


6   Watch Violent Movies 

 Skip the traditional romantic movies that are only going to make you sad and lonely and surf Netflix for the most gory and action packed films you can find. There's nothing more satisfying than watching cars explode, gun battles and tough macho guys punching the living daylights out of each other. What movie do I recommend? Drive, featuring hottie la mottie Ryan Gosling. This movie gives you the best of both worlds. Instead of crying over Noah and the fact that Allie thought he didn't write her, you can watch Mr. Gosling kick in a guys head and still get to stare at the dreamy stud for two hours..this character is maybe not as sweet as Noah but hey, Ryan Gosling is Ryan Gosling, am I right?

5   Eat Fruit                  

If you've been working hard all year round, watching your diet and working out hard to get that perfect bod, why ruin it by stuffing your face with chocolates, ice cream and candy on this one stupid day? And guess what, when you are sad and down because all your friends are out with their boyfriends so you decide to stuff your face with junk to make the pain go away, research suggests sugar is actually associated with an increased risk of depression. What you think is a comfort food that will make you appear to feel better, will actually contribute to your depressing thoughts and make your body feel crappy the next day. A simple solution is to eat fruit so you still get the taste of sugary goodness and you feel more active and energized. Throw those cinnamon hearts and chocolate cupids out the window and make a yummy fruit salad. Besides, who knows if that dollar store chocolate rose is real chocolate anyways... 

4   Get Active 

 Whether it's actually hitting the gym, going to a yoga class or "horizontal running" on your couch, do something to get your heart rate pumping instead of aching. Get your mind off of being upset, and instead of crying out those tears, sweat out those tears.You'll feel good and look good and you'll waste a good amount of time focusing on something else other than Chris Hemsworth and why you can't be with him. Don't be a couch potato all night. Dress up in your cutest work out clothes and go for a run in the park - and who knows, maybe you'll run into a cute guy who's also spending his single Valentine's day going for a jog as well. Well played cupid, well played.

3   Send Yourself A Gift

Who says you have to have a significant other send you flowers, jewellery or a felt-heart box full of chocolates topped with a big pink ribbon? Is there a Valentine's Day rule book that says you may only receive gifts from someone else? Of course not. Feel free to order twelve dozen bouquets of flowers to your house or treat yourself to a spa day. Consider this a you day. If you want to go on a crazy shopping spree, do it! If you want to send yourself a card in the mail from a mysterious admirer, go for it! Like I said, there's no official rules here, you're free to do what you want. The only thing I would suggest would be to not have company over while you "receive" these gifts, because really, who wants to explain that one to a crowd.. not me. Keep this little plan to yourself. And the next day when someone asks you where you got those gorgeous new earrings, you can say, "I got them for Valentine's Day." What, that's not a lie..

2   Take Tons Of Selfies 

That's right, I said it. When you are scrolling through instagram and all you see is one disgustingly cute and adorable couple selfie after another, don't get angry. Here's a simple solution. Do your hair, make-up, nails, dress up hot and start striking a pose. And don't just post one selfie, post six or seven. What the heck? If they can do it, why can't you? Don't just post those selfies simple and to the point, hashtag ten to twelve random words that have to do with anything anti-valentines. Make sure to use the most obnoxious filter out there, (may I recommend 'nashville'?) and don't forget (this is crucial now) to link these pics to facebook and twitter. Be sure to also incorporate duck faces and peace signs all together in one photo, that should get you tons of likes. Then when it's 11:59pm on February fourteenth, delete all your instagram posts and pretend like nothing happened. If people question you the next day just blame it on the wine...  

1   Hang Out With Your Besties

If you have a bunch of other single friends, then ignore numbers two through six and call your pals up! Don't spend this day alone if you don't have to - take advantage of the situation and use it as an excuse to have a classic sleepover with pizza, magazines, music and movies while you wear comfortable jammies and gossip about anything and everything. Ignore all I said in the previous five numbers and do whatever you want with your girls. Eat junk food, be lazy, watch A Walk To Remember while balling your eyes out and take PLENTY of instagram photos together. Tell each other deep secrets, cry on each other's shoulders, ask each other for advice, just be best friends like you were when you were twelve. They won't judge you for crying over Liam Hemsworth in The Last Song or belting out the words to Wrecking Ball even though you ain't no Miley Cyrus. Don't stress over this day because it's only one day in a year that doesn't mean anything at all. By the next day you won't have to see the colours pink and red or the word "love" anymore. Things will be back to normal, it will all be over and you'll still be single. Ha-ha, just kidding.  

Eight Ways To Wear Leggings...

I don't know about anyone else, but in this cold, wintery weather, my favourite go-to outfits at the moment are leggings paired with just about anything. The beneficial thing about leggings is you can pair them with so many different accessories, wear them in any season and they are extremely comfy - bonus! There are millions of different ways you can sport leggings, but I'll be focusing on eight main different ways...

8 Oh That Blazer Just Don't Faze Her

 

Hilary Duff looks smart and classy, dressing up her leggings with a white v-neck, black blazer and pumps. This outfit is perfect to wear to work, a party or - if you have a book coming out anytime soon, a book signing. Accessorize by adding dangly earrings and a long chain and you're picture perfect ready. You rock Hilary, don't ever change... 

7 Be A Flirt In A Light T-Shirt

 Whether you throw on a a short fitted t-shirt or a long oversized off the shoulder t-shirt, like Lauren Conrad, this is a simple yet stylish way to wear your leggings. This look is great for running out to do some errands or, if you throw on a pair of heels like Lauren did, you automatically dress the look up and are ready for a night out for dinner with the girls. This outfit is so adorable that it will definitely make anyone else in the room run for the hills...

6 Brown Boots Get's You Hoots

One of my favourite ways to wear leggings is with brown boots. Tall brown knee boots are very in this winter season, especially with black leggings. Wear them with a smart fitted trench coat, like how Pippa Middleton did and you'll be ready to royally face that harsh winter weather in style.  

5 Give Her Hugs In those Uggs 

Okay admit it, we have all done this look at one point or another. Many call this look a fashion "don't" but I say, "why not?" Wearing leggings with Uggs is comfy and warm and I don't care what you say but I like it! Olivia Wilde showed the haters that you can still make this get-up look fashionable by adding a cute jean jacket and pink scarf. Even with this casual outfit, the paps still went wild taking her photo. 

4 Getting Slim At The Gym 

Who says you can't look cute and fashionable at the gym? If you look good you feel good, so dress to impress even if you're going to sweat it out. Ashley Benson looks trendy with coral running shoes, a matching bag, along with a purple work-out shirt. Leggings are great to wear when working out because they are easy, comfy and make your legs look long - you'll be ready to strut your stuff on that treadmill, and that's no pretty little lie.  

3 Leave The House In A Sexy Blouse 

Pairing a smart and simple white blouse with leggings is basic and easy yet looks elegant and chic. Selena Gomez's ensemble looks movie premiere ready with that gorgeous black necklace and cute pastel pink pumps. Wear this outfit to a business meeting or dinner party and all eyes will be on you, naturally. 

2 Make The Crowds Stop In A Cute Crop Top 

In the summer time, the perfect way to show off your toned and tanned tummy is with a crop top and tight leggings. Miley Cyrus looks adorable and chic with this loose grey striped crop top, leggings and patterned tennis shoes. Whether you're going to the beach or just out for a walk in the warm sun, this outfit is so simple, fun and trendy that we can't stop looking at it.

1 Don't Be Sad, Wear Some Plaid 

Plaid shirts, whether tied around your waist or used as an actual shirt always look fantastic with leggings. Lea Michele's outfit is so bold and striking, yet simple and to the point. Both plaid shirts and leggings are so comfortable, but look amazing and fashionable paired together - two gleeful benefits in one! Add the black high-heeled knee boots and you have the perfect look to hit the town with.