Club Fashionista Girls: Celebrating Halloween in Chicago

By Elma B.

Halloween--when the witches come out and the zombies rise, yes, it is my favorite time of the year! Most of us have some alter persona, and this is the perfect time of the year where you can live that fantasy. We decided to celebrate in Chicago and had an all girls night out! 

Style Guide for Men: Casual Hot Look in 9 Steps

By Elma B.

After receiving queries from many of my male friends on what to wear for a casual stroll around the town, I am dedicating this post to all men whom are in need of some style advice. So, drop the boring polos and oversized and outdated khaki pants, and take a cue from the following 8 style tips:

1. Wear fitted pants: not skinny pants but pants that fit your actual size. So, get measured at the store for your exact proportions. Wearing oversized pants make you look like a bureaucrat from the 1990s!

Casually hot: James Dean

How to Guide On Fall/Winter Makeup: 8 Steps

By Elma B.

What is it about the fall and winter look that exhumes more glamour than the summer and spring look? It can be summed up in one word: MAKEUP. I am here to provide you with an insider's beauty tips on how to wear your fall and winter makeup. Here are my 7 beauty secrets... 

1. Wear brighter makeup, e.g., bright eyeshadow. Your body is covered-up in the fall and winter and the dominant colors of your clothes are black, brown, gray and navy blue.  Hence, take more risks with makeup. Wearing bright makeup contrasts with the cold and gloomy weather.

2. Wear heavier makeup, e.g., wear foundation and powder. You do not have to worry about your makeup melting off. 

DIY Avocado Face Mask for Dry Skin Recipe

By Senka Haveric

Hello fashionistas!

I wanted to share with you guys an amazing face mask I recently tried that has done wonders for my skin! I have dry skin, and during the colder months my skin needs extra moisture. This mask is best for dry skin but if you have oilier skin you can substitute some of the ingredients. Avocado is filled with natural oils that are good for the body but also work really well for skin. The honey is cleansing and moisturizing so it makes the mask even more beneficial. The yogurt is great for acne prone skin since it contains lactic acid, which kills bacteria and can also help restore skin's PH balance. Try this amazing nourishing, cleansing, and moisturizing homemade mask out and let me know what you think! 

Ingredients:

1) Half of an avocado

2) A little bit of honey

3) A teaspoon of yogurt or milk

4) A couple drops of olive oil *(optional) 

Steps:

Christy Turlington: A Model of Inspiration

By Jeanne M. Zonneveld

Christy Turlington – A Model of Inspiration

World-renowned model Christy Turlington has been turning heads since before she started her career in the fashion industry in 1983. Now, after years of captivating fans with her stunning looks, Christy has begun to make a buzz in the global community this time by using her voice to stand up for a cause much greater than herself. An advocate for preventive health and wellness, Christy poured years of dedication into forming an inspiring campaign focused on taking preventive steps towards eliminating deaths of pregnant or delivering women worldwide. This organization, appropriately named “Every Mother Counts,” was founded in 2010, but began as the result of a life-changing moment that occurred for Christy in 2003, while she was giving birth to her first child. 

Christy Turlington Advocates for EMC

Fashion Fall Trend: Chunky Sweaters

By Senka H. 

Hello fashionistas!

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend! 

One of my favorite fall trends are chunky sweaters. They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes but more importantly they are SO comfortable. Comfort is really important to me when it comes to fashion, especially in the colder months when layering becomes necessary. Below is my fall outfit, and some other outfit suggestions when wearing a chunky sweater. Hope you enjoy!

Outfit Dissected: 

Sweater: Forever 21
Shirt: Soprano

Leggings: Thrift shop in Colombia

Turban: Hippie Market in Colombia 

Bag: Juicy Couture

Boots: Guess

Necklace: L.A Cano (AMAZING Colombian Jewelry Designer)

Bracelet: H&M 

Winter Whites

By Amra B. 

There is something so fresh about wide-legged-white pants: they stand out in the sea of "all-black-winter ensembles", you can combine them with almost anything, and they are super comfortable (you can breathe as opposed to some of the skinny pants that cut off your circulation). They have been around since the seventies (see the Charlie add below)and they are still popular today. 

Home Design Guide: How to Pick Wallpaper?

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata

Everyday, fashionistas around the world are looking for trendy pieces of clothing, footwear, and accessories, but today that passion for all things trendy carries over to our home! How does your living space look like? Give your home a new, fun and fresh look with wallpaper! Here is a COMPLETE "HOW TO" Guide on choosing the right wallpaper for your home!

Wallpaper as Seen on the Set of Gossip Girl

Top Three: Fashion Trends Straight Off The Sydney Streets

By Sammy Jade 

Top Three: Fashion Trends Straight Off The Sydney Streets

Here in Australia, we're not all about our cork hats, crocs and kangaroo riding… I promise. 

With the weather being so unpredictable lately, there is a lot going on in the streets of Sydney; wherever you look, everyone is awkwardly trying to decipher how they feel in this climate; everything from scarfs to denim cut-offs, trench coats to maxi dresses, everything is happening at the moment. 

As uncomfortable as it may be, this also means that there is a huge space for many trends to take the limelight, and that is just what is happening at the moment, and for me, here are my three favourites.

1. That Zara Skort

BEST Boots for This Season (Part 2- High Heel and Party Boots)

By Amra B. 

In my previous post (BEST Boots for This Season, Part 1- Flat and Medium Heel), I talk about the best flat and medium heel office boots. However, my real "boot passion" lies in the high heel and party boots. OK, so you may not get a lot of wear out of these, but they are just so "OMG..."

3. High Heel Weekend Boots: I reserve these boots for glam coffee meetings in Harrods, Selfridges, SaksFifthAve, or afternoon/evening cocktails. These shoes are not the most comfortable, but I love how amazing they look during the day! However, I wear them on days I know I will not be doing much walking...

My high heel black slouchy boots (Rachel Zoe)

À La Mode Travel Destination: South Beach Miami

By Elma B.

Miami Beach

One of my favorite places in the world is South Beach, a.k.a. Miami Beach, where one can find everything from chichi hotel lounges to fabulous and edgy restaurants on Lincoln Road. For the young crowd, I definitely suggest that you stay in South Beach. With that said, rent a car for at least three days to explore all the other scenic places surrounding South Beach (e.g., the Everglades to see while biking alligators and crocodiles side by side or the striking sky line on Biscayne Bay). 

Nutritious and Delicious: Tips for Tasty, Healthy Eating

By Cynthia Gentry

Nutritious and Delicious: Tips for Tasty, Healthy Eating

Picking out the perfect outfit takes a lot of thought and creativity. Pairing the right shoes with the right accessories can make or break an ensemble. But do you put as much thought into how the inside of your body looks as you do to what the outside does? 

Many people have the impression that healthy eating means eating grilled chicken over greens with no dressing and no flavor. However, one of the most common misconceptions is that healthy eating is tasteless. 

In the Life of a London Designer: Style Chat with Maya

By Jessica Miller

Introduction: With its signature Kimono tops and its upcoming debut at the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in Moscow, we could not resist but to have a style chat with this amazingly talented designer Maya, whose label "Mayka" is based in London. We chatted about London, New York City and what happens behind the scenes in the design industry? Here is what Maya had to say...

Airport Style: A Fabulous Affair

By Elma B.

Traveling: a Fabulous Affair

Traveling used to be a fabulous affair in the 1960s: people would dress-up and the flight attendants were pretty young women. I like to keep the '60s tradition and fly at à la mode. We flew from Miami to Chicago. My outfit inspiration: l950s.

My Outfit Dissected

Your COMPLETE Guide on Winter's "IT" Piece: Oversized Coats

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata 

Wrap yourself in something warm and comfortable this winter season: oversized and chic coats! Wide, x-large and warm coats dominated the fashion week runways, e.g., Céline and Alexander Wang, for the fall/winter 2013 collections. So, the trend was obvious! Tip: the "it" colors for the x-large coats are: gray, brown, black, and the most popular color: pink! 

Vintage: Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy
in Oversized Coats

How to Stay Stylish at the Beach

By Elma B.

When in Miami, you must visit the gorgeous Balboa Park on Biscayne Bay; the light house at the end the beach is magical! 

How to stay stylish at the beach? Here are some fashionista styling tips:

Me

1. Linen (white and light pink): Linen is perfect during warm days because the material is light and comfortably flows around your body.

How to Take Care of Your Skin in Fall/Winter

By Amra B. 

Most of my friends think that adding foundation or bronzer to their skin and covering up any imperfections with a concelear in enough for their skin to look good. Unfortunately, these friends also start looking REALLY old way ahead of their time. 

My skin in Miami: pale (even with the bronzer on my face)

We are in Australia: Introducing Sammy Jade!

By Jessica Miller

We are in Australia! Club Fashionista has been fast expanding globally, and now we are in the far Pacific. We spotted a fashion blogger Sammy Jade, who not only has an amazing sense of style but who also writes splendidly. 

With millions of fashion bloggers around the world, we sat down to find out what drives each and every one of us (or them) to write and keep us up to date with their whereabouts and latest outfits. Here was our conversation:

Club Fashionista ("CF"): When did you become passionate about fashion and start to follow the latest trends?

Sammy Jade (Australian Correspondent): Ever since I can remember I have always had an interest in fashion, and my costly shoe addiction started very early on. While other kids were being given Barbies and sweets from their parents, all I wanted were shoes. 

Australian Correspondent: Sammy Jade

Your COMPLETE Guide on How to Wear LEATHER LEGGINGS

By Lara Medic

COMPLETE GUIDE

What Top to Wear with Leather Leggings?

Leather leggings are an absolute must have this season! Although leather will keep you warm during cold winter days, wearing leather leggings with simple and long shirt is an ideal outfit combination for the fall. Wearing leather leggings and a long shirt is comfortable and looks amazing! I must advise that whenever you have a chance, purchase pleather as it is a lot more humane to spare animals from suffering! Pleather is an excellent cheaper alternative to leather. 

It is All Rock 'n' Roll Baby

By Amra B. 

I am a huge fan of Guns n Roses, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and other rock and roll bands of 80s. Even though I was too little to remember this decade, I love all things associated with this it. The guys were all "leather-lovin-bad-ass studs" and the girls were "skinny-pants-big-hair hot chicks!" As a teen, I had the biggest crush on Slash, the main guitarist from the group Guns n Roses, and still love listening to his solo act in the song "November Rain."

My look below was inspired by 80s. I acquired the leather jacket (below) as a teen, and it is still one of the favorite pieces in my wardrobe. I love leather that feels worn out, and this jacket gets better with age! Tough and feminine combinations are always great: they give off a little mystery (makes people wonder if you are one bad-ass-chic or a proper lady). 

Rock on my babes! 

XOXO

Outfit* Jacket American Eagle, dress Urban Outfitters, shoes Brian Atwood, purse Salvatore Ferragamo, sunnies Versace, earrings River Island, ring H&M

Cindy Crawford: the Ultimate Bombshell

By Senka Haveric

Hello fashionistas,

Who are some of your favorite 1990s supermodels? Mine will always be Cindy Crawford!

Supermodel in the 1990s & a Plus-size Model in 2013

Looking at Cindy Crawford, or any supermodel of that decade, it is important to point out their normal weight. Unlike today, where the fashion industry has ostracized the normal population by hand picking women whom do not resemble the rest of the population, most women could relate to Cindy's body size. Fashion is always changing, and it is expected that what was once considered attractive is not today; however, most of us can agree that in the fashion world some of the models are ridiculously skinny and starve themselves in order to be so.

Exotic Travel Destinations: Lagoons in Miami

By Elma B.

Lagoons in Miami 

One of the natural wonders of Miami are its lagoons. We found a dreamlike spot, where chunky-dark-gray rocks stand side by side with the ocean, caramel sand and green grass. Our location? Mattheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, which is one of my favorite destinations in Miami because it feels like you are hours and hours away from the noise and chaos of South Beach. A lot of families come to Mattheson Hammock Park and on Sunday evenings it is fairly empty if you would like some privacy or picture perfect scenery. 

How to Mix and Match Colors in the Fall

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata

1. One Basic + Two Neutral Colors

With the breezy autumn days knocking on our door, I have found new colors and trends for the fall and winter! For the fall, I have spotted a perfect combination for outfits: one basic color + two neutral colors. 

2. Add Strong Statement Details

To spice up the look and steer away from the bland and boring, add a detail like leopard print (a timeless trend), statement jewelry, an "it" bag and killer shoes. 

Fall Color Inspiration: Burgundy and Leopard Print

South Beach, Miami

By Amra B. 

South Beach become famous when the "cocaine cowboys" used the location to distribute drugs across America in the 1980s (think Scarface). Today, it is famous for the continuous partying (pretty much 24/7). There are pool parties during the day, after beach parties in the late afternoon, lounges for drinks (before the clubs), and some of the best discos until late night, followed by the after parties until early morning (you never have to go home if you don't want to). Next time you are in Miami, my recommendation for a night out would be: Mr Chow for dinner, W hotel for first drinks (easy to transfer from Mr Chow because the restaurant is in the hotel, so you don't have to worry about the line), and LIV for full blown partying! 

If you are not in a party mood, I would recommend one of my fav sushi places in Miami: Doraku (they have spectacular sushi- see my photos below)! Sushi Samba is great if you want to grab cocktails after your dinner. W hotel has a pool outside and you can sip cocktails under the stars (perfect for drinks). 

This weekend, I tried to maximize my time on the beach. It is October and already getting cold in some parts of the world. However, in Miami, it is a full blown summer! In spirit of my trip to USA, I wore an American flag cropped top. I combined it with red-high-waisted harem pants and silver flat sandals. Miami is full of bright colors and beach wear, and I thought this outfit was perfect for the occasion. 

Wishing you an amazing day from South Beach! 

XOXO

Outfit*: Top Primark, purse Emporio Armani, pants Forever 21, sandals Zara, sunnies Steve Madden 

Miami's Hidden Gems: Secret Travel Spots!

By Elma B.

This past weekend in Miami has been nothing short of magical: it was summer there; the palm trees, the beaches and the hot sun made it an irresistible destination! I lived in Miami for three years so I know all the “secret” spots, and one of these charming places is the Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables. (see my photos below). 

All About Freida Pinto: Style, Career and Her Birthday!

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata 

I am a huge fan of Miss Freida Pinto ever since her enchanting international debut in Slum Dog Millionaire; and since her birthday is coming up (October 18th, 1984), I wanted to dedicate this post to her! 

Early Stardom

Freida Pinto Selena is an Indian actress and model. She was born on the 18th October 1984 in Mumbai. Her dream was to become an actress since she was a little girl. Before her breakthrough role in Slum Dog Millionaire, she worked as a model and television presenter, and starred in a TV drama.

Your Guide To: The Top Three Festival Season Fashion Must Haves

By Sammy Jade

Your Guide To: The Top Three Festival Season Fashion Must Haves

With the temperamental Australian weather showing off at the moment, we are currently enjoying the sunshine, warmth and blue skies, which are being welcomed with open arms and an eagerly awaiting bikini collection. And, with Summer making its pending presence known, we excitedly look towards the upcoming festival season, appreciating our hard earned Winter money before it is inevitably blown on festival tickets and a much needed wardrobe update.

Bienvenido a Miami

By Amra B. 

I am in Miami bit*h! I am so happy to report that, even for a brief moment, I have escaped the cold weather in London and arrived to a sunny heaven. It is still "summer" here: the temperatures are around 28 C or 80+ degrees, and you can lay by the pool and tan your bum off!

Miami is like a second home as I used to come here quite often in the past. I am staying in an amazing hotel (it is also a spa center) and enjoying the view (below are some photos). 

I am wearing my sailor stripes again (I rocked them all over St Tropez this past summer). There is something so perfect about stripes and the sea (so much history there). Hope you are enjoying your week fashionistas! Stay tuned for more adventures from Miami! 

XOXO

Outfit* Purse Giorgio Armani, shorts Miss Sixty, shoes Prada, sunnies Steve Madden, Jewelry Swarovski, River Island, Forever 21, and H&M, Shirt H&M

Supermodel Beauty Secrets

By Jessica Miller

Supermodel Beauty Secrets...

The world casts its spotlight on these Victoria's Secret Angels; they are pronounced as some of the most beautiful women in the world by media outlets. Did I mention the chaos that Victoria's Secret fashion show creates each year on CBS? So what are the beauty secrets of these girls? Perhaps just good genes? Hard work, e.g., strict diets and workouts? Professionals whom work with them, e.g., dietitians, personal trainers, makeup artists, etc.? My guess would be that it is the combination of all of the aforementioned! 

With that said, we still want to take a cue from a supermodel about her beauty rituals. Here is what some of them had to say about their beauty rituals:

Marisa Miller

Hair

Once a week, I put conditioner on my dry hair, comb it through, wrap it in a bun, and leave it on all day. At night, I rinse out the conditioner and my hair is soft and moisturized. 

Makeup

Even if I am not wearing makeup, I always curl my eyelashes. It makes me look more awake, and I do not even need to apply mascara. 

Advice from a Fashionista on Photography and Styling

By Elma B.

Location of the Mini-Shoot: 

The photos were taken in front of the Washington Monument in Washington DC. The background, the lighting and the angle are like the holy trinity when taking photos. Make sure that all three are covered well when you do your photo shoots. Lastly, the type of camera does matter; sometimes, the iPhone will do a good job if there is a lot of light; however, mostly, the shots will be fuzzy. Thus, if possible, do your best to get a professional camera; tip: look for a used one that is in an extremely good shape. 

50 Shades of Purses

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata

In the 14^th century, people wore purses underneath layers of material: under full dresses and skirts. Women used their purses to carry their sowing items, scented herbs, cosmetics, and jewelry. Purses were not always considered a “fashion item” but instead were also used to carry seeds to the plantations.

"IT" Bags of 2013 

How to Get SEXY Legs

By Amra B. 

Some time ago I did a post about cleavage, but LEGS are equally important feature on a woman. I am not a guy, but I notice incredible pair of legs from a mile away! Personally, I think what makes for a pair of KILLER LEGS is smooth and even skin (no razor bumps) and long, slim (and toned) muscles. DID YOU KNOW: It has scientifically been proven that this is often the most noticeable part of a woman's body? "Research involving more than 200 men and women revealed that people whose legs are 5% longer than average are considered the most attractive, regardless of their gender." [1] 

Sexy Legs in 7 Steps Below!

Weekend in Washington DC

By Amra B. 

I spent the past weekend in Washington DC: Georgetown, monuments, and North Virginia, I visited them all in less than 2 days. What is great about DC? Well, there is an abundance of all things "American" there: US History Museum, Space Museum, Capital Hill, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Art Museum, and finally the White House (entrance to most of these is FREE). It is the capital of USA, so if you want to get a sense of America, start with Washington DC. The down side is that this is a quiet place, and there is not much of a night life (there is NYC for that and it is located only 3 hours by train from DC). Although, I am quite a big fan of more "fun places" like St Tropez, Miami, NYC, and London, a weekend full of cultural activities and family time was exactly what the doctor ordered! :)

XOXO

Outfit***: Sunnies Versace, dress Zara, belt Burberry, purse Salvatore Ferragamo, jewelry Swarovski, River Island, and  H&M, shoes Zara 

Me in Washington DC World War II Memorial 

Top 3 Fall Fashion Trends

By Elma B.

Oh the charms that the fall seasons brings…. 

Orange, red, yellow and green leaves beautifully blend together, and cool fall breeze begins to spread the colorful leaves all over the roads and grass, which makes autumn one of the most sensational seasons. 

I am a huge fan of fall fashion: I can escape from the heavy layers of winter clothing and get away with a light leather jacket, boots and a dress. For a bit of bohemian glamour, I added a light camel colored headband. 

Where to get my look: boots: Urban Outfitters; dress: Forever XXI; headband: Aldo; sunglasses: Versace; bag: Louis Vuitton tote; leather jacket: Zara. Makeup: gel eyeliner by MAC and pink lip stainer by Lip Tar (available in Sephora). 

What key fall pieces do I recommend for every fashionsta? My top 3: 

Must Try Fashion Trend: Short Suits

By Sammy Jade

Spring (in Australia) 2013 Must Try Trend: Short Suits

Here in Australia, it is officially spring (finally!). 

What to Do on a Saturday in Chicago: Top 3 Travel Tips

By Elma B.

Saturday must be my favorite day of the week because that is one day of the week I take off entirely for myself; no work, just pleasure! The day seems long and best of all--fulfilling! So, what to do on a Saturday? This past Saturday, there was so much sunshine that the options were endless...

Chicago River (left) & Michigan Avenue (top right)

Zorannah: Rock Princess of Belgrade

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata

Blogging in Southeastern Europe is increasing as we speak, trendsetters are making statements with their everyday outfits, revealing their beauty secrets and everything else related to the world of beauty, fashion and luxury. We have been tracking a large number of bloggers through their daily fashion diaries. Finally, I spotted an outrageously beautiful blond, who is quite the diva and a local celebrity with over 51,000 fans on Facebook. She was educated in Milan, Italy (the fashion Accademia del Lusso School of Fashion) and currently resides in Belgrade Serbia. Her name is Zorana Jovanovic, and she is the proud owner of her spectacular blog called Zorannah's Fashion Corner. She goes by the pen name Zorannah.

Her hair is stunning with its fullness, shine and curls; her closet is full of designer items, and she has a multitude of fun videoclips (scroll down to see). So, we decided to contact her on behalf of Club Fashionista and exchange a friendly chat. Her street-style is simply irresistible as she shows it off in cosmopolitan cities around the world. 

Style Chat with the Spanish Tech-Savvy Blogger: Loreto Gordo

By Paulina Fornovi

She simply glows: she is full of enthusiasm, has the beauty of a girl-next-door look, and is one of the most well known bloggers in Spain. Her name: Loreto Gordo.

I wanted to introduce Loreto Gordo to the world because she has a very positive and inspiring story. She pursued her love for fashion since the early age, decided to leave the fashion industry to become a kindergarden teacher only to re-enter it and develop an application for fashionistas: MyLuks...

Her style is laid back and very natural. Almost everything she wears looks effortlessly beautiful!

Made in Style by Loreto Gordo

Here is her story...

Halloween with Hollywood: Vintage & Modern

By Elma B.

Witches on brooms, zombies from the grave, and pumpkins with a myriad of faces—anything is possible on Halloween. The magic, fantasy, and at least a bit of horror is what makes Halloween one of my favorite holidays. The fact that our imagination comes to life with individuals decorating their homes with spider webs, carved pumpkins with jack-o’-lanterns, and scarecrows is simply thrilling. We even let our alter egos out when picking out our favorite costumes and customizing the details of the outfit. Some go so far as wearing clothes that are 100s of years old, e.g., colonial uniforms or corsets from the Middle Ages. 

And how did it all begin? Well, some scholars say, the festivals of the dead and our pagan believes were what propelled the celebration of the ugly, the terrible and the horrifying creatures. One of my favorite Halloween movies is Disney’s Hocus Pocus, which stars Sarah Jessica Parker, and where three witches from 1693 comes back to life! Another must see Halloween flick is the Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci.

INTERVIEW with the "IT" Fashionista: Martina Saira

By Nerina Hodzic Poplata 

(English - Bosanski)

I am sure that after watching the cult TV series Sex and the City, you may have been envious--admit it at least a little bit! You may have thought that the life of Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of her crew was a tad bit unrealistic. For example, they have very successful careers; are invited to the "it" fashion shows, events and parties in the big apple; are overwhelmed with phone calls from cute and interesting men; and always wore the super expensive designer clothes and shoes. I must admit, I was a tiny bit envious! 

Recently, I met a lady who is living in real life her Sex and the City fairytale; her name is Martina Saira. She is the director of telecommunications for the SEE, she writes a fashion column for a lifestyle magazine, and is happily married. In sum, Martina is successful, fabulous and beautiful! Immediately, I demanded an interview; thus, here you have it, an exclusive interview with a local celebrity Martina Saira for Club Fashionista!

Real-life Carrie Bradshaw: Martina Saira