The Style Report

As you may have noticed, it has been a bit of a challenge to keep up with this new fashion blog and post regularly. Because of that, I am going to once again try my hardest to update and post more often! It is my "October resolution." (By the way, happy October 1st ;)). 

Creating this blog has shown me just how difficult it can be to stick with a new blog. It is super exciting in the beginning. You want to post 25 entries on your first day because you are so excited. However, once the days start to pass you by, and your everyday routine of work, errands, or school starts to take over, your blog starts to look a little empty and neglected. Needless to say, that happened to me.

So...I have decided to begin blogging more regularly and have implemented a new structure to help me do it. That brings me to the second reason for this post. Below you will find some tips to sticking with your new fashion blog (or any new blog for that matter)! These are the new tricks that will help me to post consistently, and should also help you too! 

Create a Schedule

You should consider making a schedule when you start your blog. Pick a couple days a week that you know you will make time to blog. Ideally, you should blog every or every other day, but starting off that way is difficult. Maybe you will post something new everyday at 2 p.m. Or blogging on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday works best for you. No matter how little time you may set aside, try to pick a day/time that works, and stick to it. 

Brainstorm

So you are sitting at your computer, ready to blog, when you just cannot think of anything to write about. This is a common problem with new bloggers as well. That is why you should take some time in the beginning to brainstorm different topics and posts you could write about. How many different angles can you take when producing content? You should explore the many answers to this question so that when you feel stuck, you can look at your list and get an idea. 

Research

Can't think of anything to put on your brainstorm list? It is time to research. Look at other blogs that are producing similar content to what you want to produce. See what you like and what you don't like, and try to figure out how you can make that work for your blog. Obviously you do NOT want to copy someone else's idea, but if you like how a blogger commented on his or her favorite designer's new collection, then think about what you might want to say about your favorite designers. Then take it a step further. Did the other blogger post links to the designer's website? What about a link to the newest collection? Figure out what you can do differently to make your post stand out.

These are three things that I am going to do to make sure I am updating my blog as often as I hoped I would when I first created it. I hope these tips help you!

Happy blogging :)

xx.

--J

Want a career in fashion? Here is a short list of biographies recommended by Annemarie Iverson, author of In Fashion: From Runway to Retail, Everything You Need to Know to Break into the Fashion Industry, that she believes anyone with the passion to work in fashion should read:

• D.V by Diana Vreeland

• Front Row: Anna Wintour: The Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue’s Editor in Chief by Jerry Oppenheimer

• Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux

• No Time to Die by Liz Tilberis

• A Dash of Daring: Carmel Snow and Her Life in Fashion by Penelope Rowlands

As a side note: In Fashion has been one of the most interesting and useful books on fashion that I have ever read. As someone who has identified her passion, but maybe not quite her place, it was a great book (that is now filled with page tabs and post-it notes) that enlightened me on what path I might hope to take one day in the industry. It was filled with such useful information it was both exciting and scary. I definitely have a long way to go in terms of research and practice… but that’s the fun of it, right? Personally, I feel this list of biographies is not so much daunting as it is guiding. In the next year, I hope to get started on this list as well as the many others Iverson provides on documentaries, fiction, dailies, weeklies, monthlies, etc.

Has anyone read any of these biographies, or one not listed that you found particularly interesting? Comment and let us know!

xx.

-J

 Between 8am classes and movie nights with your roommates, there might not be a type of clothing a girl needs more in college than her loungewear. Whether that means sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, etc., it is a necessity. But it does not end there. For those that do not feel comfortable pulling out their class play t-shirt from 5th grade, or want to leave the sweatshirt with their high school logo behind, a "re-vamp" of the loungewear section of the wardrobe is imperative before packing up and going to college at the end of August.

Now that the people you live with has changed from parents and siblings, to friends and that cute guy four doors down, many girls want to look cute 24/7, but stay true to their laid-back nature and still be comfortable. So here is a loungewear idea that makes sure you are cozy, comfortable, casual and (of course) stylish!

There is nothing more perfect for the comfortable fashionista than a pair of leggings, a cozy tee, an open cardigan, a headband, casual shoes, and lip balm to pull it all together!

Pieces specifically featured in the layout include:

Petite Black Ponte Panel Leggings $36 - Topshop

Felicity V-NECK T-SHIRT $75 - Reiss

QSW Storm Stripe Cascade Cardigan $94 - Quiksilver

TOMS 'Classic' Glitter Slip-On (Women) $53 - Nordstrom

Paisley & Floral Headband $2 - Forever 21

Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm $3 - Smallflower

xx.

--J

This coming fall semester I will be a junior in college (time has been flying by). As soon as my very first semester I noticed changes in my wardrobe, as well as finding little use for a section of it that I had loved in high school, but didn't have a place for in college. I had soon realized that I needed to increase my "going-out" clothes and lounge-wear, but couldn't really find a great time to wear the "in-between." That great, fully accessorized, edgy but casual outfit you put together on the weekend anticipating Monday no longer had a place. However, it should be stated early that I have never been a t-shirt and sweats kind of girl. (So if you had no problem integrating every clothing piece you own into college that is wonderful!) My version of comfy class clothes includes a great pair of jeans, a basic top (whether that is a tank, plain v-neck tee, or solid long-sleeve depending on the temperature) and some accessories. Trust me, I understand this is not the norm, but it's me :).

As the weeks progressed, I needed to work in my style with the typical "college style" of class clothes. I came home spring break of freshman year and got rid of so many clothes. Some got saved, but many got tossed. Now I think that it would be unfair to say that the disposal of once loved clothes was a result solely of it "not fitting in the college world." I think that my style simply evolving, just as my mind was in my classes, contributed as well.

So what does a stylish college girl need in her new wardrobe? I am here to help! Throughout several different posts, I am going to highlight one type of outfit that one should expect to need in college. The necessary outfits needed in college usually (but not always) fit into some of the categories below, and will be featured in posts to come:

• Loungewear/Sleepwear
• Class and Daytime clothing
• "Going Out" and Party outfits
• School Club/Organization Event outifts
• Interview Attire

Check back often to see ideas for each of these categories throughout the next week or two! I will also tweet when there is a new post, so follow @StyleReportBlog on Twitter.

xx.

-J

Hello readers!

To stay updated on The Style Report, follow @stylereportblog on twitter. Frequent tweets will alert you whenever there is a new post, as well as when new things are going on in the fashion industry.

This will help anyone who wants to follow The Style Report, but does not have an onsugar account.

xx.

--J

 Although most of us cannot bear to think about saying good-bye to sun, beach days, barbeques, and everything else beautiful summer has to offer, when one of your favorite fashion magazines has a preview for the fall shoe trends, one just cannot keep from sneaking a peak. After reading through this month's InStyle, the quickly approaching fall season seemed even more apparent. While still stocked thoroughly with ideas and clothing pieces suited for the warmer weather, pages seemed filled with what was up-and-coming for the next season. One of the features was "A Field Guide to Fall Shoes" by Leah Karp. This particular article was one of my favorites. With a witty play on words, as if each shoes was a part of a species, the anecdotes (as well as the styles) did not disappoint! This post will specifically highlight the heel selection from the article, though they were accompanied by bowed ballerina flats and chic brogues. Enjoy the pictures and captions, and be sure the visit InStyle.com and pick up the August issue.  

So which style are you most looking forward to? With so many great pairs, it is hard to choose!

xx.

--J

[I do not claim any material in the images as my own. All content in the images is from InStyle.]

Since I am taking a little "blogging vacation" if you will, I'd still love to stay updated on everyone's posts and interests, and for you to eventually get updated on The Style Report posts via twitter!

As of now, I only have a personal twitter account, but plan on creating one for The Style Report during the month of July. If you would like me to follow you, follow my personal account, or stay tuned for the future The Style Report tweets, either comment with your twitter account name, or leave it in my inbox! I will follow you with my personal account, until The Style Report is up and running again.

xx.

--J

Hello followers and readers,

I know it has been a few weeks since I have posted, but I PROMISE there are more posts to come! I have not abandoned my blog and my followers, but I am currently in the process of moving into a new house, so things have been quite hectic and busy!!

I plan on continuing with regular and consistant blogging again in the beginning/middle of July, so please (pretty pretty please) keep following!

After logging on today and seeing the number of views I had on some of the posts, it definitely made me smile :)

So stay tuned, there is much more to come on The Style Report !

xx and lots of love to the loyal readers,

--J

For those of you who have not heard, there has been a recent uproar over Urban Outfitters allegedly stealing independent designer's designs. Some have been claiming the company has been copying others for years, and currently in the eye of the storm is Stevie Koerner and her "A World of Love" necklaces. Simply from posting her observation and concern of the incident on Tumblr, it created a boycott of Urban Outfitters as well as news coverage and celebrity commentary (including Miley Cyrus).  While not Koerner's intention, she states "the impact that resulted was surprising, and oh so beautiful" (PR Daily).

Here are images displaying the Urban Outfitters' necklaces, and then Stevie Koerner's:

As far as I can tell, it seems that Urban Outfitters has removed the necklaces from their website and possibly discontinued them. However, be sure to check out Koerner's designs at her Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/truche 

So what do you think? Do you think Urban Outfitters is unfairly ripping off independent designers' hard work? Or do you believe that designs like these can be found on multiple websites by numerous designers?

Ultimately, this is an example of the power of social networking these days, and the impact it can have on fashion.

xx.

--J

[quotes, pictures and references were found at http://prdaily.com/crisiscommunications/Articles/8410.aspx and http://prdaily.com/crisiscommunications/Articles/Local_designer_fires_back_at_Urban_Outfitters_8434.aspx ]