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Long Skirts

Men everywhere cringe while readers of manrepeller.com are celebrating over this anti-sexy look! The look leaves everything to the imagination in a genius "look at me" sort of way. After a decade of the mini skirt in full reign, I fully embrace this chance to let my legs take a breather - if only for the month or so the trend will last. The trick to wearing the long skirt is to keep it from going grungy or granola.

To wear:

1. Don't go billowy on top. This will only make you look bigger than you really are.

2. If you are going to belt it, make sure it hits you a little higher on the waist, creating a more hourglass, less frumpy look.

3. Pair with heels and tights of the same color (black on black for example), funky wedges (leopard print?), or a simple gladiator type flat.

Here are some of my favorite examples...

current obsessions

With New York Fashion Week, fashion blogs suddenly taking over the world, (15-year-old Tavi Gevinson, with thestylerookie.com, leading the pack) eight magazine subscriptions piling up in my inbox, (sorry roommates!) and my own fashion show to run production for... you could say inspiration is on overload these days. So, with that being said I have decided to spend this week offering small glimpses every day into my crazed brain for your enjoyment. Here goes!

White on White

Previous to this season, this style made me gag. I, myself, wear rompers, cutesy headbands adorned with bows and consider granny pearls an acceptable form of fashion. But the white on white look was too angelic, sweetsy and demure for even my taste. But, times are a-changing for this particular eyeful. In Marie Claire's "Lacy Sunday" March editorial, the look was given a suggestive and coquettish gloss-over. Love.

a charmed life

Matchbook, the new online magazine for the girl who "views the world through rose colored glasses," has officially launched! Although I have been hesitant to throw myself into the online magazine trend, (I'm a die hard print fan) this issue really made it easy for me to give the movement a chance.

The magazine is seamless in its branding and design aesthetic. The "matchbook girl" was introduced brilliantly by co-founders Katie Armour and Lilly Warren page after page without its tactics becoming monotonous. I, as a reader, fully understood who the matchbook girl is and what she enjoys in life. Photos had plenty of variety and fonts chosen played together nicely throughout the entirety of the magazine.

The technically savvy advertisements coexisted with the brand's features perfectly. The reader could click on an ad if they so chose, providing an excellent resource for revenue for those brands. Without print overhead costs the option of placing an ad in an online magazine is a preferred one.

My personal favorite feature was "An American in Paris" which showcased blogger Haleigh Walsworth's recent move to Paris. The photography was endearing and cutesy with different images of Walsworth around the town in a long grey overcoat, loafers with socks and tights, and a vintage dress and hat. Walsworth embodied the Matchbook brand perfectly according to my view of the brand thus far.

Another favorite aspect of the magazine was its "50 Classics for your Closet" piece. The picks were clean, smart and so charmingly perfect for the reader they were marketing to. Among its findings were a trench coat, black opaque tights and riding boots-all so unquestionably timeless in fashion.

With beauty, fashion, lifestyle, interior decorating, technology, entertainment, and smart, snappy features a girl couldn't ask for much more in a magazine. Consider me the newest Matchbook girl!

Until next time, Chelsea.

how to: rain boot chic

When autumn comes around, most people dread the cold and rainy season that comes along with it. I revel in it. I love layering scarves and whipping out my hats that have been collecting dust in my winter trunk. Throwing on piles of clothing to stave off the cold has its fun perks, but my favorite thing to do is dream up new ways to wear boots. Not just any boots, but in particular rain boots.

Gone are the days that rain boots must be worn on downtrodden days where you can't wait to get out of the gloomy weather and back into your slippers at home. Rain boots these days are bright, cheerful, and have the potential to be... fashionable! Just follow these simple steps and soon you'll feel like you're walking on sunshine.

1. If you don't already own a pair of rain boots you have some shopping to do. When selecting the perfect rain boot for you, you must think about what style will go best with your current wardrobe. If your look is typically minimalist, a classic gray Hunter look will probably be best. If your go-to vibe is girly and feminine, you might try the newest batch of floral rain boots out this season. Polka dotted and striped options are available for the eclectic bunch and if you must wear heels there are wedge options as well.

2. Always wear your wellies with tights or skinny jeans. Spending all that time cramming extra fabric in is only going to make you late and frustrated. Anything thicker than a skinny jean will only make you feel uncomfortable and make your legs look chunky: never a good look.

3. If it's extra cold outside and tights alone aren't going to cut it, pair your boots with long socks that peak out over the top of your boots. This look can either further your look or add fun contrast.

4. As for what to wear on top, the possibilities are endless. I typically go for a flowy dress, cinched at the waist with a casual pea coat or trench. Another option would be to wear a simple top with jean cutoffs and tights.

5. Lastly, have fun! Rain boots are bound to create a statement look and draw the eye, so embrace the attention. Worn right, rain boots can go from dowdy to sexy before you can say "rain, rain go away.."

Lucky's change in command

In high school I was addicted to Teen Vogue and Seventeen magazine. Senior year while at rehearsals for "The Sound of Music," my director peered over my shoulder as I was curled up in a grungy theatre seat poring into my beloved Seventeen magazine. He simply asked, "So, when you turn 18, what will you do with your life?"

This question honestly hit me like a ton of bricks. Along with graduating and moving out of my house to start college in Los Angeles, I was going to have to STOP readingSeventeen magazine?!

That day I went out and bought every women's fashion magazine I currently wasn't already subscribed to. I read every single one cover to cover in an effort to find my favorite. One magazine in particular stuck out: Lucky magazine. I became obsessed with the way the pages were so perfectly arranged and the simplicity of it's editorials. Every month after that I looked forward to reading Kim France's editor's note.

Kim France was Lucky magazine's editor-in chief when the magazine produced its first issue in December 2000. Since then she has made the magazine the go-to for answers to fashion's toughest questions like: "How do you stay stylish when the weather turns slushy?" as featured in the November 2010 issue.

But now, it seems the magazine is looking for something fresh with the announcement of its new editor-in chief: Brandon Holley.

Brandon Holley, a sort of web genius who has been taking the digital fashion world by storm with Shine, took over as of the December 2010 issue. Does this change in command nod towards a possible future focus on the online form of the magazine, luckymag.com? It's too soon to tell, but you can bet I'll keep you updated.

Until next time, Chelsea.

fall fashion: in a nutshell

Stock your closet with a few of these fall essentials...

Sparkles: The more, the better. Your go-to party girl sparkle tank can see the light of day under a soft cardigan or light jacket. Sparkly dresses are also appropriate for daytime wear paired with tights and boots. My personal favorite way to wear sparkles is in accessories: a cute clutch or chunky bracelet will suffice.

Skinny Cargoes: Erase all middle school Abercombie & Fitch cargo memories from your mind. Cargoes this season are not meant to be tattered with zippers and extra fabric hanging all over the place. Rather, they are to be worn in a more refined fashion. Look for a pair that is cropped at the ankle so you can wear them with this season's most trendy shoes: the suede wedge bootie.

Blazers: You really can't go wrong with a blazer. Pair with a striped tee, skinny jeans, and flat riding boots for a classic look. For some juxtaposition toss a blazer on over a floral dress and booties.

Capes: Yes, you read right. Capes. The number one rule when wearing a cape is to keep the rest of your outfit simple. Think skinny jeans, sleek boots and minimalist jewelry and details.

Fur: Worn full out in a classic fur coat, or even as a vest thrown over a flannel button down, this look will turn heads. For the truly fashion savvy the newest trend for this season is dyed fur in pastel colors.

Pleated tweed shorts: Belted and worn over tights, this look is school girl meets nonchalant fashionista.

Lace: Cream colored and demure is one way to wear this style. For the more risque types, lace can be erotic and give off a come-hither vibe when layered in black.

Velvet: My personal favorite trend for this season. Keep velvet pieces to a minimum - never do velvet from head to toe. Tone the look down by pairing with other textures, like denim or leather. Velvet gives off a regal vibe, so go wild with elegance and pair with luxurious accessories - a headband adorned with rhinestones, for example.

Animal prints: They speak for themselves. Don't overdo it, only wear one piece with a print on it at a time. For example, stick with a chic pea coat, pencil skirt, or even just a scarf to bring out your animal side.

there's no time like the present..

As I sit here in my oversized black cardigan with fuzzy socks and a mug of highly caffeinated coffee I am realizing that this is what the upcoming season is all about. Thoughts of curling up to a fire reading an old Jane Austen novel or having s'mores out by the bonfire with close family and friends comes to mind.

But that time is not here yet. The sun is still shining and the birds are still chirping away outside. Typically, I would jump the gun and pile on clothing in the hopes that Huntsville, Texas will experience the first freeze in it's November history. Yes, I am that girl with a peacoat, gloves, and earmuffs on in early November in Texas - when the temperature drops to a (gasp!) near- 60 degrees at night.

So, I vow for the next couple of weeks to fully embrace this strange in between season. I will force myself to wear less, if only to not sweat while walking in between classes. But I refuse to simply "endure" this time frame. Instead, I will take advantage of the last few days where shorts and tanks are appropriate. Light scarves and springtime dresses will have their final heyday - sans the tights and rugged boots I'm itching to pair them with.

Until next time, Chelsea.