Wednesday, February 27, 2013

GIVEAWAY: Rent the Runway Gift Card!

I'm hosting my very first giveway raffle! This giveaway is going to be for a gift card to go towards your rental on Rent the Runway! I'm a campus rep for Rent the Runway at my college, and Rent the Runway is such a great resource to have as a college fashionista on a budget. Basically, they offer designer gowns, dresses, and jewelry for up to 90% off the retail price. Usually, when I have formal events, I buy an expensive dress and only wear it once, then it just hangs in my closet collecting dust, but the good thing about Rent the Runway is that you can rent the dress just for your event, and then you just send it back in the mail! It's so simple and so useful for anyone who loves high-end designer gowns.

Some designers include: Herve Leger, Diane von Furstenberg, Badgley Mischka, Tracy Reese, Nicole Miller, Vera Wang, and many, many more! 

It's easy to be entered into the raffle too! All you have to do is click the links below and:

- Sign up for Rent the Runway (it's free and you can check out all the merch)

Then, once you're done doing the above, just comment this post with your e-mail! If you don't feel comfortable posting your e-mail on my website, then you can personally e-mail it to me at hsquaredfashion@gmail.com and you will still be entered into the raffle. I will be randomly selecting a winner on Friday, March 8th and I'll e-mail whoever wins their discount code!

Here are some of my favorite gowns available on Rent the Runway:

Erin by Erin Fetherston - (Retail $550) RTR Price: $115
Herve Leger - (Retail $1590) RTR Price: $150
Nanette Lapore - (Retail $378) RTR Price: $75
Badgley Mischka - (Retail $850) RTR Price: $125

If you have anymore questions about the raffle or about Rent the Runway in general, please comment below or e-mail me and I'd be more than happy to answer your questions! Good luck to everyone!

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AND...

I'm now offering advertisements and sponsors on my website! You can either click here, find the link at the top of my page, or click on the sidebar to find out all the information on the different types of ads and their very affordable prices!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Best & Worst Dressed from The Academy Awards 2013

The Academy Awards, otherwise known as The Oscars, is probably one of the most talked about awards shows of the season. That being said, the red carpet expectations are very high. At last year's Academy Awards, I was not impressed at all. No one really stood out and Angelina's exposed pale leg stole the show (in a bad way). Click here to see the red carpet flop from last year. I was happy to see that this year was much different. The red carpet was filled with glamorous actresses wearing breathtaking gowns - both good and bad. 

Pictured above are some of my favorites from the night. Louise Roe looked exquisite in a beige Monique Lhuillier gown with detailing. The dress looked amazing with her skin tone, although I'm not loving the styling paired with the dress. Next, Sandra Bullock looked elegant and stylish in a black Elie Saab embellished gown. Of course I would love this on her! I knew that Elie Saab would be found somewhere on this red carpet! All eyes were on Jennifer Lawrence in her Dior Haute Couture gown. Although I'm not usually a fan of large ball gowns like this, with her exquiste styling and for an event like The Academy Awards, it's acceptable in my book. Unfortunately, she took a little spill while she was walking up the stairs to accept her award, but she still managed to look glamorous!

Amy Adams looked breathtaking in an Oscar de la Renta light blue gown. Her personality was perfect for this dress and she walked the red carpet with grace and confidence. Naomi Watts sparkled on the red carpet in this Armani Prive gown with an assymettical top. The gown itself is gorgeous, but the unique cut of the top makes it stand out even more. Last, Jessica Chastain looked simple but stunning in an embellished Giorgio Armani gown. Some might say she was playing it safe, but it looked amazing on her, especially with her curled hair and minimal jewelry. 

There were a few gowns that I just couldn't decide if I loved or hated. Halle Berry took a major risk in this sparkly striped Versace gown. It doesn't look horrible on her, but I think it would have looked better on someone else. Jennifer Hudson showed off her body in a Roberto Cavalli navy blue gown. Again, it's not horrible, but not great either. Last, Stacy Keibler walked the red carpet by the side of George Clooney in a Naeem Khan gown. I like the look of the gown itself, but I'm not sure about the all black belt and the high neckline. I think that making it a strapless dress and adding a lighter gray belt that blended better with the gown would have moved it up to the best dressed list. 

Of course, there have to be some misses on the red carpet. I was upset to see that Anne Hathaway really bombed it at the Academy Awards this year. Her style isn't always my favorite, but this was just intolerable. Her pale pink Prada gown that exposed her nipples was not a good look for her. Helena Bonham Carter has never came close to being on my best dressed list and tonight was no exception. This tiered Vivienne Westwood gown paired with messy hair looked horrible. Finally, Brandi Glanville (from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) decided to squeeze herself into this gown which she helped design. Obviously she's showing way too much cleavage here, so maybe she should just stick to reality TV.

Who were your favorites and least favorites from the Academy Awards? Were you shocked when you saw Anne and Brandi's gowns? 

And...

I'm now offering advertisements and sponsors on my website! You can either click here, find the link at the top of my page, or click on the sidebar to find out all the information on the different types of ads and their very affordable prices!

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Photo Credit - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Favorites: 02/22/13


Selena Gomez has really been killing it at her red carpet events for the upcoming movie Spring Breakers. She looked like perfection in a detailed gold and black Dolce & Gabbana dress at the premiere in Venice, and also looked great in London in a jewel tone, blue embellished Gucci mini. The detailing at the top of the dress made it a little risky, but I think she pulls it off. Taylor Swift (middle) also took a risk for once when she wore a black Elie Saab gown with sheer panels towards the bottom. I'm in love with this dress (and of course it's an Elie Saab, so how could I not), and I think she looks great and exudes confidence. 


Mirror nails! I recently saw this trend on Pinterest and found out that Essie has a nail polish that can make your nails look like mirrors! I haven't tried the polish out for myself yet, but it's definitely something a little different that would make your nails stand out.


I actually got this quote from a fortune cookie that I had last week, but I'm in love with it's meaning. I think sometimes we get down on ourselves when we fail, but we have to remember that if we keep on going, in the long run, it will only benefit us. 


Last, I wanted to show you all my festive Valentine's Day gifts, treats, and nails. I love baking for my boyfriend because I know that they won't be sitting around my apartment for me to eat a whole batch of brownies, so for Valentine's Day, I made him heart-shaped rice crispie treats and red velvet brownies. Then I made him bacon roses (what guy doesn't love bacon!). And finally, I showed my Valentine's Day spirit by painting my nails red and having a contrasting nail with sparkly gold and a red heart. See all of my pictures on my instagram by clicking here!

What were your favorites from this week? Have you tried mirror nails before?

And...

I'm now offering advertisements and sponsors on my website! You can either click here, find the link at the top of my page, or click on the sidebar to find out all the information on the different types of ads and their very affordable prices!

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Photo Credit - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8

Monday, February 18, 2013

New York Fashion Week: Best of the Best

New York Fashion Week is officially over, and there were a few looks in some of the collections that really stood out to me. Oscar de la RentaJenny Packham, Diane von Furstenberg, and Kate Spade New York all made me look twice - in a good way!


Let's start with the gorgeous gowns from Oscar de la Renta and Jenny Packham. The bright gowns seen above are by Oscar de la Renta, and the fitted, silhouette-skimming gowns below are by Jenny Packham. I loved the bright cobalt blue/purple and fuchsia that were chosen for the large ball-gown styled looks. Of course, I don't really have anywhere that I would wear the three gowns above, but I would love them 10x more if they were made into mini dresses that were more fitted. I know that's not his style at all, but I'm obsessed with the colors and small details.


On the other hand, I can definitely see Jenny Packham's dresses being worn on the red carpet by celebrities in the short future. My favorite is the strapless red hot gown that's shown first. It's elegant and hugs the model's body in all the right areas, but I can also see a celebrity wearing the navy blue, flowy gown pictured next because of the simple yet classy and glamorous look. 

I found more day-to-day looks in Diane von Furstenberg and Kate Spade's collections. I've always been a fan of DVF, so it was no surprise that I loved her collection yet again. Again, I loved the bright colors that just popped off the runway. It's obvious that cobalt blue and fuchsia are going to be huge colors for fall - which happen to be my two favorite colors to wear already! Check out DVF's collection below.


The easiest way to describe Kate Spade New York's most recent collection is "uptown chic." The models all look like a mix of both vintage and modern style. The prints are bold, but very easy to work with and incorporate into your already-established wardrobe. And adding tights to any of these looks is a "do."


Which designer's collections were your favorite from NYFW? Are you loving the bright color trends for Fall? Which celebrities do you think will show up on the red carpet in one of Jenny's gowns?


AND...

I'm now offering advertisements and sponsors on my website! You can either click here, find the link at the top of my page, or on the sidebar for all the information on the four different types of ads and the very affordable prices!

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Photo Credit : [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12

Monday, February 11, 2013

Grammy Awards 2013 Red Carpet Review


The 55th Annual Grammy Awards aired last night and there were some looks that I just can't get over...in a good way! But of course, every red carpet has its flaws, and there were a few starlets who completely missed the mark. 


Let's start out with the best of the best. By far, the most gorgeous woman on the red carpet was Rihanna. I'm not usually a Rihanna fan, but how can you not be a Rihanna fan when you see her in this crimson red Azzedine Alaia dress. She was a true show-stopper with her hair in loose, natural waves and stunning makeup. She channeled her inner girly-girl side on the red carpet and on the stage when she performed twice. But her red carpet look was no doubt the best of the night.


Runner-ups for best dressed included Carrie Underwood in a simple but detailed Roberto Cavalli gown, Katy Perry in a mint green Gucci gown, Taylor Swift, looking white hot in J. Mendel, and Kelly Rowland who walked the red carpet with loads of confidence in a Georges Chakra Couture gown. I know that Kelly's dress may be a little controversial, but I think it's just daring enough without showing everything off.


And of course, there were those who left me scratching my head and wondering why. Jennifer Lopez stuck out to my first...or rather her leg stuck out to me, literally. J Lo channeled her inner Angelina Jolie and showed a bit too much leg in a black Anthony Vaccarello gown with an extremely high slit. Other misses included Kimbra in a custom Jamie Lee dress, Lisa D'amato reminded me of a pirate in an interesting choice for the Grammys, and finally, D'manti in a mermaidesque Claudio Milano dress. 


Last but not least is Alicia Keys. I wasn't blown away by her dress, but it also wasn't horrible. Then I realized that her dress looked very familiar. After a quick look at the gown that she wore to the Superbowl last week, I was shocked that the dress's bottoms were nearly the same. Alicia wore an oxblood Azzedine Alaia dress to the Superbowl Pregame show, and a black Azzedine Alaia dress with cut-outs to the red carpet at the Grammys. I could understand if she wanted to use the same designer, but to use basically the same dress is a bit repetitive. 

Who did you think was the best dressed? Do you think Alicia made a mistake in choosing that dress?

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Photo Credit: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Friday, February 8, 2013

New York Fashion Week: Favorites Update


Happy New York Fashion Week to everyone! Fashion Week officially kicked off yesterday morning in the beautiful and iconic New York City. Of course I wish I could be in the audience watching all over the runway shows live, but I guess for now I'll have to settle for the live feed (click here if you want to watch too), and the constant updates on Style.com. Just under 100 different designers will showcase their Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear collections over the next few days.


So far, some of the collections that I've seen that I've loved are Erin Fetherston and Sachin + Babi. Above and below, you can see the playful and girly designs of Erin Fetherston. This is definitely my favorite collection so far. I love all of the colors and textures used, and I'm a sucker for a girly mini, so it's no shocker that I love this collection!


Sachin + Babi had a bit of a smaller collection, but showcased a few pieces in a bold blue, black and white print. The looks were cohesive and almost all included an asymmetrical bulky black belt. 

I'm definitely still looking forward to Sunday's shows so I can see the Diane von Furstenberg and Tracy Reese's collections! Also still to come, Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, and Jenny Packham! I'll be sure to post my favorites next week when the shows are completely over, but look forward to my best and worst dressed on the Grammy's red carpet on Sunday night!

Which designers were your favorites so far? What other collections are you looking forward to?

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Photo Credit [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Love it or Leave it: Wedge Sneakers

Sneakers aren't just for the gym anymore. Enter wedge sneakers. Lately, they've been given a lift and have become staples in some women's wardrobes. They can be added to both edgy outfits and girly outfits, and they're probably a bit more comfortable than your usual wedge or heel because of the padding.

It's a trend that's becoming popular around the world as you can see from the above pictures taken from Lookbook.nu. Celebrities are loving the trend too, especially Victoria's Secret model, Alessandra Ambrosio. Below, she was spotted three different times wearing these heightening sneakers.


In my opinion, I would like to leave them. They aren't exactly my favorite trend right now, and they definitely aren't a good look for me. I just can't seem to make myself wear boyish looking sneakers with a cute outfit, even if they do have a wedge in them. Maybe I'll come around to it eventually...but probably  not.

What do you think about wedge sneakers? Love it or Leave it?

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1. Sketchers PLS 3 - $80.00
3. Shopbop Ash - $195.00

Photo Credit: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Friday, February 1, 2013

Friday Favorites 02/01/2013

Happy February - It's time for Friday Favorites! Jessica Alba, Amanda Seyfriend, Lauren Conrad, and...the "kid president" himself. 


Lately, I've been falling in love with Jessica Alba's style! She's been on my best dressed list for the past three weeks, and she doesn't seem to be going anywhere. She walked the red carpet on Sunday night at the Producer's Guild Awards in a lacy, sexy Elie Saab dress. I'm a huge fan of Elie Saab, so I loved it on the runway just as much as on Jessica!

My number one idol and style icon is Lauren Conrad, so when I saw her face on Lucky Magazine's March issue, I couldn't be happier. She always holds herself with class and she's a great style icon and role model for everyone! And today happens to be her 27th birthday! Happy Birthday Lauren!

Amanda Seyfried has also been killing in on the red carpet lately. There was not one thing about her look at the Screen Actor's Guild Awards. From head to toe, her hair and makeup was flawless, and her navy blue, mermaid Zac Posen gown fit her like a glove. Loving everything about this!


I'm just in love with this YouTube video. It's an inspirational, but funny pep talk made by "Kid President."



Finally, I hope that all of my readers like my new look! I gave my blog a face lift yesterday, and so far, I'm really loving it. Let me know what you like, or don't like. I would love some constructive criticism! 

Who were your favorites from the SAG Awards red carpet? Do you love Jessica Alba's style?

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Photo Credit: [1] [2] [3]