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.

Lanvin loves H&M

The day is fast approaching for the "Lanvin loves H&M" collaboration to hit stores nationwide. On November 23, H&M stores will have the shock of their lives when women from all over the United States will come crashing in, looking for their favorite, newly affordable, Lanvin pieces.

Plenty of hype has come with the announcement of this line, and rightly so. Lanvin will have a fashion show for some of New York's hottest fashion editors to preview the line on November 18 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. After the show, a pop-up store will be fully stocked where editors will be among the first to shop the line before it hits stores.

The fashion video created to market the line has a certain je ne sais quoi with it's understated references to the classic 1980 thriller, "The Shining," and "Alice in Wonderland." In several scenes, two or more models are wearing the same outfit and prancing precariously about. The point of the video, though you have to dig deep to find it, is to showcase the off-kilter, oddball spirit of the line in all it's glory.

Some of the best, and most on-trend, pieces include a sheer Victorian-esque blouse, a velvet military-style trench, and an off the shoulder ultra feminine frock featured in carnation pink.

Until next time, Chelsea

garden party

Just like every other "starving" college student, I try to budget myself in areas that could be coined to some as additional spending, such as clothing and entertainment expenses. I rent movies through Redbox ($1 for a movie? I'm in), scope out the cheapest gas stations and even cut coupons for groceries. With this frugality in mind, I tend to pay close attention to guest appearances in cheaper stores like Target and Kohl's.

Target has done a pretty good job in selecting some up-and-comers in the fashion world to do designer collaborations. Their previous choices have included the likes of Zac Posen and Rodarte. But this time around I believe they have truly outdone themselves.

Liberty of London, a specialty design house with products that range from stationary to bedding along with their exclusive clothing lines, will be launching one of the largest outside brand collections to date with Target. The collection will include fashions for men, women and children, storage, home decor and garden.

Although Liberty is not the newest company (it dates back to 1875), their take on florals and small prints through their Liberty of London boutique is fresh and ideal for a spring collection with Target. The 25 patterns chosen are the best of the best taken from Liberty's archive of over 43,000 prints. The entire collection evokes pure simplicity; picking wildflowers while having a tea party.

I've been waiting for months for this line to come out, and the time has finally come! The line debuts in stores this Sunday, March 14, just in time for spring break. So get out your piggy banks, frugalistas.

Until next time, Chelsea

spring awakening

About a month before every season I start to get a fever that stems from boredom of the current season I'm stuck in. I begin to pine for the next season to come and think about how much nicer it would be if only that season would get here already.

I start to daydream about its weather and the clothes I will wear. How I would give anything to never wear a jacket or pair of boots again in the winter, or how desperate I become to travel to Alaska and get out of the heat during the long summer months. You're likely to find me inappropriately dressed when this fever begins to set in - freezing my butt off because I'm determined to wear shorts in January, or trying on cardigans and mittens in September.

Well, it seems I'm not the only one pining away this season, as stores everywhere are already dressing their mannequins in pretty pastel florals and summery stripes and ruffles in preparation for spring. Where most magazines at this time of year are focused on a grey-black color scheme and how to add a little something to your normally drab outfit, this month they are featuring fluttery skirts and lingerie-like tank tops that are meant to be paired with leggings or a long sleeve t-shirt underneath while it's still cold. Even in the beauty world, bronzer blushes and coral lip stains are being recommended for an early summer glow.

My personal favorite look includes a striped boatneck t-shirt tucked into a short, flouncy floral skirt with some wedges to kick it up a notch. Forever 21 has nailed it in an (always) incredibly affordable way in their New Arrivals section on their website forever21.com. So bring on the spring fever, I've already had it for weeks.

Until next time, Chelsea.

I wanna be a supermodel

We all remember watching Clueless back in 1995 and wishing we could be Cher, if for only one day. We envied her for her amazing house, simple Beverly Hills lifestyle, and never ending amount of credit on her card from Daddy. But the one thing I personally envied her for the most was her virtual closet program. It catalogued her clothing and could create outfits in a snap.

Alas, it seems that my days of envious wishing are over. Allow me to introduce - the application "Stylebook". It is the same basic concept of Cher's virtual closet, only better. You simply take pictures of your clothes, or even accessories, and label them by type (shirt, pants, etc.) and voila, it's outfit making time! This application is not just for the Chers of the world, but is also guy friendly (we all know a guy or two who could use some help in the outfit making area).

The app has a note taking advantage to mark down information about the outfit, a certain size you run at a store, or even to keep track of how to wash or take special care of an item. Gone are the dreaded days of wondering what all your friends are wearing to an event or accidently sporting the same outfit, for you can email your masterpiece to others. You had me at hello, Stylebook.

Until next time, Chelsea.

once upon a time..

A new year means new beginnings, and I think it's just about time I got started on a long term goal of mine to start my own fashion blog. Not just any fashion blog of course, but one to inspire and invigorate those who choose to read it.

My hope is to capture fashionable moments and follow the train of thought to the source of inspiration. To me, fashion is not just threads woven together to cover up a body; it is an ideal, a moment captured in time that expresses more than anything else what is going on in this crazy world of ours. Another hope of mine is to follow trends and show what's coming up next, who you should keep your eye on, and where the action is.

You may recognize Karlie Kloss as the face of Marc Jacob's latest perfume Lola, but I think of her as the sweet ballerina who modeled in the "Little Manhattan" editorial of Teen Vogue in August 2007. She soon moved right on up to the cover in February 2008 with fellow models Chanel Iman and Ali Michael.

These days, along with her perfume campaign, Karlie is sashaying down every possible runway and basically rocking the fashion world. I love her for her lack of apparent cattiness, and overall down to earth and delicate aura. Every article of clothing she wears, she transforms. This girl could wear a potato sack and start a revolution in the fashion world. Therefore, she is my pick for the moment, and who I will be watching for upcoming trends.

Until next time, Chelsea.