2012 Trend: Men's wear

It's put together with just the right amount of edge!

(From MarieClaire.com)

And this style can easily be made your own or a little more feminine with a sparkle jacket a la Beyonce!

(from Justjared.com)

Another option is finding a flowy blouse. I like to pair my oversized button downs with leggings. This H&M blouse could work with leggings or dressed up for an interview!

And if you're not a jacket or blouse person, try a more casual version of this trend with a knit blazer from Express. Treat it like a relaxed version of a cardigan.

P.s. As a part of my new year's resolutions, I am trying some new layouts with my blog so please pardon the changes. Thanks, friends!

2012 Trend: Color blocking

(Featured on MarieClaire.com)

Mixing two bold colors can feel gutsy, but the outlook is classic and definitely here to stay! Wear it with confidence and toned down makeup, and you won't regret trying this trend! Pastels and light pants work great for Spring (above), or check out how Emma Stone rocks red and pink - perfect for Valentine's Day or in the Fall when punchy colors are all over! 

Don't know which colors to wear? NBC's Today Show had fashion guru Stacy London share a few secrets here.

Check out this guest feature on a blog entirely about color! 

And here are a few of my suggestions... 

1. Stick with solids. Keep this trend simple.

2. Afraid the contrasting boldness might leave you looking like Barney? Try choosing colors from the same family, like Emma Stone did! Red and pink aren't just for Valentine's Day.

3. Start small by going with a solid tee and bold colorful jewelry.

4. Don't go too crazy on the accessories, though (see number 1).

5. You can never go wrong with color blocked shoes too! Check these out from Charlotte Russe.

Here's to one colorful year!

2012 trend: Sparkles

In anticipation of the New Year, I've decided to countdown to 2012 by covering what trends I think will still be hot in the new year. I'm only a college gal, so take these predictions with a grain of salt and be sure to make them your own. Let's see if they come true! 

First up? Sparkles!

I was reading an old Glamour from 2009 last night, and they predicted sparkle dresses were just getting hot.  Pair them with tights to tone them down a little or buy a stand-out print for a glitzy event. Bottom line is I think this is one trend that is here to stay for a little bit longer! 

P.s. Do you find that you're totally in love with a dress and then you only wear it once? Have you heard of Rent the Runway? You can rent designer dresses for low prices and then just return them when you're done! Brilliant. I definitely need to save myself some dough and put this site to good use. 

Anyone else's pants a little snug today?

Happy post Christmas festivities, everyone! As usual, Grdina fun centered around food, and those new clothes I got are a little bit tight today. I hope everyone finds a little time to relax before the new year rolls in. Here are a few shots from my holiday fun!

Madeline will always get the most excited about Christmas. Despite being 23, she still gets as excited as when we were little!

I got "A Photo A Day" album. New Year's resolution #1? Take a photo a day!

(nice feet, Gen)

New reads! Yum!

Aren't they just so married? 

The day wouldn't be complete without a shoot with Bailz. Doesn't the light above the table look like a tiny halo? I love it! 

Happy Christmas Eve, friends

Looking for some goodies to bake? I recently tried Martha's s'mores blondies and Rachel Ray's PB&J cookies, and both are delicious! I highly recommend trying them if you're looking for a cool twist on already delicious treats. 

The fam might be ready to kill me with all the baking I've been doing, but their stomachs ain't complainin! Today, I hope to lay around and watch Christmas movies all day long. What do you have planned?

Can you believe 2011 is nearly out the door? 

I'm working on my 2012 resolutions as we speak... 

Topshop

If Forever 21 and Express had a love child, Topshop would be it. Chicago just got one, and I finally got a chance to check it out! 

They have lots of crazy cool accessories (everything from feather necklaces and collars and beetle rings to a myriad of eyeshadows) to any kind of tights you could ever dream of and dresses galore! This here sweater looks so cozy!

Looking for a new mascara?

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is always getting dressed up! I never seem to allot nearly enough time, so I usually stick with my tried and true make-up techniques instead of experimenting with too many things at once.

One thing I have experimented with a bit are mascaras! For me, it's so important to play up your eyes. 

So here are a few inexpensive mascaras I've used lately and my thoughts... Hopefully this helps you find your perfect mascara for the holidays! 

1. Maybelline's Great Lash: It consistently ranks in the top beauty product wrap-up of the season in magazines. It's great for a night out, and truly does not clump! Although it does take a while to dry and is definitely not waterproof. One hint of a tear, and this one's a goner. Save it for evening dinner parties or a small event where you want to make a big statement.

2. DiorShow Mascara: My sister Genevieve swears by it! It's a bit expensive for a mascara, but one swipe really is enough. Treat yourself to this mascara if you're looking to really invest, and make sure you'll use it enough. Good make-up is not meant to collect dust on your desk. 

3. Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies: Maybelline, you've done it again. A few coats on my eyelashes make a huge difference, and it doesn't budge until I wash my face at the day's end. Even then, the waterproof version requires a good make-up remover to completely remove it. This number is perfect for all day adventures ice-skating, shopping, or just baking cookies at home! 

4. Covergirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara: Try as I might and as much as I search, I think I will always swear by my CoverGirl. My cousin Hannah showed me LashBlast back in high school, and it's been my favorite ever since! The version of LashBlast called Luxe even has sparkly flecks that add a nice faux twinkle to your eyes. This is an inexpensive beauty tool that is not leaving my make-up regimen anytime soon - no matter how short of time I am! 

5. And if you really can't decide... Sephora has a mascara sampler complete with 10 different brands! Genius!

Happy shopping!

Sister is back in America

The time finally came for Madeline to arrive back on American soil. Hooray! After a year and a half teaching English in South Korea, she is back for a little bit to celebrate the holidays. 

We got to the airport and the screen said Madeline's flight had already landed, but the sign never told us what gate she was coming into. So, the rents and I stood and waited in the middle. Ma started crying the minute we saw she landed, so I suggested we take some pictures to pass the time... 

And before we knew it, she snuck up behind us... 

...Who could have foreseen,  I was the one to lose it at the airport. Guess I missed her more than I realized! 

Bailz was probably the most excited to see Madeline. We worried she might not remember her, but that wagging tail proved otherwise. 

Here's to a wonderfully long, family-filled vacation!

Hello again, Winter Break!

The other day I told my roommate I should probably make a to do list of all the things I want to accomplish over Winter Break. Here is what I came up with... 

1. Sleep

2. Bake

Check out THIS chocolate chip cookie recipe!
You'll never run out of ideas thanks to Martha's 50 Christmas cookie recipes. That's enough for two different cookies each day leading up to the holiday. Yes, please! 

3. Read lots of magazines

Have you seen 100 Unforgettable Dresses? (Spotted in InStyle) 

A perfect gift for the fashionista in your life!

4. Decorate the house

Such cute little felt ornaments from Etsy. 

5. Bake some more

6. Go shopping

7. Watch movies from the couch

And perhaps leave the house to see this one.

I haven't exactly set the bar too high as fas as accomplishments go, but I ain't complainin'! 

I hope you've scheduled some much needed relaxation time too!  

Tunes Tuesday: Stephen Colbert and John Stewart

As a continuation of my holiday Tunes Tuesday theme, I decided to give the Christmas tunes a bit of a rest.

Did you know some people nicknamed IU I-Jew? Evidently it's because of the large Jewish population. Who knew! I couldn't think of a better pair to sing this song to ring in the holidays.

You are what you eat

Have you ever played that game where everyone gets matched to their spirit animal? Today at work we played a similar one with desserts. 

Some people's spirit food described them so accurately. One friend of mine was fittingly a lemon bar. Me? I got a raspberry crumble bar, and our tall skinny supervisor was a pistachio ice cream cone. It reminded me of how some people look like their dogs! 

What dessert would you be? 

(Via Food Porn Daily)

New York Times Magazine: The Hollywood Issue

I'm a huge fan of all things magazine, but New York Times's T Magazine is especially cool. It features  everything from food to travel to a look of the moment. And the best part? The great majority of their content is available online! Hooray for free news (for now, at least)!

With the Winter Break approaching (read: time for movie watching on the couch), check out their vote for top actors and actresses. In years past, they've opted for still photos to highlight the talent. This year, they decided to use video to reenact iconic villain moves. I was waiting for Ryan Gosling to do something epic, but all he does is smoke and walk away. Funny how our brains associate such simple actions with anticipation and villainy. 

P.s. See behind the shoot here! 

Rain rain go away...

And turn into snow! I love Uggs weather, but the rain in Bloomington has been terrible. To boot (get it, get it?), my rain boots have a hole in the side! What's a girl to do? 

Buy a new pair, of course! Hunter's are all the rage across campus, but they're awfully narrow. Help a girl out! Any favorite rain boot stores? Do share! 

P.s. I'm currently working on a spanish project... Check out the jams I'm listening to here!

Tunes Tuesday: Norah Jones

I've decided that all the Tunes Tuesdays for the month of December will be holiday-themed. Heck, we wait all year long to blast some tunes, might as well make the most of them! 

No matter what, I could always listen to Norah Jones. That voice! 

It's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. 

p.s. My favorite Norah song? Come Away With Me

It's beginning to look a lot like recruitment!

This past weekend in Bloomington was the first round of women's formal recruitment. Did you know IU has the second most competitive women's rush in the country? 

Check out some of the crafty nametags below... Like my minion? I think the homemade, foam nametags all represented our personalities very well. I only wish I had gotten a chance to shoot everyone's!

Chandlar made her nametag and headband to match. Very impressive! 

Tunes Tuesday: Low

I refuse to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. It's just not the same knowing there is one holiday to go. Thankfully, the holiday season is here!

I first heard this song on The O.C. many moons ago... And it hasn't gotten old since! 

Remember snowmageddon 2011?

The first snow has officially fallen here in Bloomington, IN! It was raining terribly earlier today, and now, thick flakes haven't stopped piling atop cars and covering the roads in a fluffy white blanket. Looking out our big windows, I can't help but feel like I'm stuck in a snow globe! 

Welcome back, Winter. You've been dearly missed.

(from a Denver Post blog)

Think this Winter will be one for the record books like snowmageddon last year? 

Looks like we're in for a treat!

A very happy holiday season

Welcome back, friends! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Mine was full of lots of Modern Family watching, family bonding, and of course eating! For the first Thanksgiving ever, I was the only Grdina sister home. It was strange, but it made the anticipation for Christmas (the first time we will all be reunited since May '10) that much better! 

Allow me to share some of the fun... 

Look at that bird! 

If the Grdina family knows how to do one thing, it's a dessert table!

We were lucky enough to have some fam call over the iPhone. 

Nothing like technology bringing people together! 

Mom had everyone fill out grateful cards that included things like: my favorite food, who I am most thankful for today, and the like. My cousin Joey wrote he was most thankful for the rocket launcher my Dad plans to get him for Christmas. Haha! 

The night ended with a game of Blokus. I'm the undefeated champion. Ahem, was the undefeated champion... but let's not go there. 

Thanksgiving Break was such a tease, wasn't it? Only twenty-eight days until Christmas! And even less until the Grdina family is reunited!