Valentine’s Day Fashion: CLassy vs. CLiche

Valentine’s Day can be fun for everyone, whether you have a special someone or a few—your girlfriends! A private dinner doesn’t always have to be for two, so if you and a couple good friends want to celebrate but don’t have a beau to celebrate with, look up one of the classiest restaurants on campus and make reservations for the group. After all, everyone needs an excuse for a classy night out with the ones you love most! Now that the “What should I do on Valentine’s Day” question is out of the way, let’s focus on the best part…what to wear!

Everyone’s first instinct is to raid their closet (or quickly sift through their ROYGBIV organized closet) and head for the reds and pinks. STOP right there. Do not do this. As hard as it is, resist the temptation to go with the CLiche colors, and instead be CL CLassy. If volunteering at a children’s Valentine’s Day party or celebrating at a friend’s Valentine’s Day themed party, dressing up in the traditional red and pink may be a fun choice; but for a classy private dinner, drop the candy cane dress or the pink Forever21 shirt that’s raining hearts and instead go with a sophisticated, elegant color.

Stand-out colors for a fabulous Valentine’s Day date are deeper shades like navy, burgundy, emerald, or the classic LBD. If you want to add a touch of color, throw on a vibrant pair of heels—mustard or peach for example. To achieve the poised princess look, check out my example below. I am wearing a navy dress from TopShop that has a graceful look, but has a fresh fun twist to it with the rhinestone embellishments and poncho-style sleeves. If you don’t want to shop through your closet, check out TopShop, Forever21, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, or H&M for some great last minute deals. And remember, the best thing a classy co-ed can wear is her confidence!

Happy Valentine’s Day sweethearts! Xoxo — Sunny

Have the perfect outfit, but need help with your makeup? Check out CL’s first beauty tutorial on how to get the smokey eye in 5 minutes and 9 easy steps!

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

Day 11: Valentine’s Dates with Best Friends and Boy Friends.

Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day?  Whether a dinner date with someone special or a movie night with girlfriends, we want to know suggestions for a great Valentine’s Day date.

Do tell….

What are great date ideas with your boyfriend?

What are great date ideas with your best friends?

Day 10: Your Best Date Ever!

Do tell….

What was the one date where you returned home floating?  

 

Day 9: Your Embarrassing or Awkward Date Moments.

When I am interviewed by a writer and when speaking to groups, I am often asked to describe myself.  Simply put, I am a the child of Little Miss Sunshine meets Awkward Turtle.  To simplify, positive and accident prone.  Newton’s law applies to Shelly Marie Redmond leading to extremely awkward date moments.  While I am poised, if someone will fall, it will be me.  If something falls on someone, it will be on me.  I have been known to walk into walls, potholes, and tables; as well as spill ketchup, drinks, and food in my lap.  Dating has been an adventure; and my husband now knows not to fill my glass completely full, keep the tablecloth away from me, and drop me off at the door of a restaurant.  (Yes, while I LOVE heels, I have fallen in the one crack on the sidewalk while on a date).

Long story for such a question….

Do tell…..

Your embarrassing and/or awkward date moments.

Day 8: What was the ‘Slow Song’ of the school dance AND post a picture!

Remember the moment during a school dance when everyone ‘Oooooed’ and ‘Ahhed’ for the SPECIAL song?  The song where you longed to be asked, ‘Would you like to dance?‘

The ‘ooo’ and ‘ahh’ songs of my dances were:

• The Dance by Garth Brooks.  How could you not love this country classic?
• Love of a Lifetime by Firehouse .  Yes, I was raised in the final days of the hair bands.  The cheesier the ballad, the better.
• End of the Road by Boys to Men.  The more emotional, the better!

Along with our favorite slow songs, join us on twitter as the College Lifestyles team tweets pics of their past school dance photos.  #CLlove

Tell us….

What was the ‘slow song’ of your school dances?

Mother Knows Best: 10 Tips of Advice

College years are filled with success, failure, change, heartbreak and ultimately growing up. But one thing that doesn’t need to change is calling your mom for help. At age 19, I still call my mom asking every question from ‘how long do I cook this for?’ to ‘what should I do with my life?’. No matter how bad of a day you may have, a phone call to mom has a 99 percent success rate of making you feel better. Sometimes it takes that little bit of advice and guidance to put things back in perspective. Since I found listening to my mother’s advice to be so helpful, I gathered some motherly advice from fellow CL interns’ mothers and grandmothers.

From love advice to life advice, see what these wise women have to share.

“Go slow. Have same interests in your future. Overlook the small stuff, don’t check on each other all the time, give space and communicate.”- My mother, Donna, 47

“You have the people who are in college because they’re serious about it and then you have the guys whose parents are paying their way through it. Stay away from those guys! They’re the playboys that pursue girls and then they dump them and they just keep going, going and going. Be very careful who you chummy with.”- My grandmother,Lorraine, 75

“Live with no regret. Let people you trust guide you but make your own decisions.”- CL Intern Meaghan O’Connor’s mother, Faith,46

“Set you standards high, surround yourself with people who also have high standards- people you know you can count on to be your friend and support you. Always be strong and courageous.”- Meghan’s grandmother, Audrey,75

“Always, always let him call you first.” - Shelly Marie Redmond, 33

“Make sure you both know each others favorite color, favorite candy, favorite music, favorite food. Know the little things. Leave notes for one another. Knowing the little things can make meaningful notes you can leave for one another when studying for an exam, or in your suitcase when going on a trip. Have the candy on their pillow. The note in hidden in a wallet. The song programmed on their computer. The food waiting for them if passing (or failing – gulp) a test. The test of love is not big gifts or money – its the little notes and ‘favorite things’ on a Tuesday evening or Thursday morning.” - Shelly Marie Redmond, 33

“No matter what people may say, don’t let it bring you down. Be yourself, and let your actions speak for yourself. Life will always be easier if you live it being true to yourself!“- CL Intern Sana’s mother, Naushi, 49

“All is well. Even when you may feel  down, just remember that all is well and that the universe has a funny way of working itself out. Be happy and healthy. If it makes you smile, then it is worth while.”- CL Intern Kwegyirba Croffie’s mother, Ekua, 47

“Don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon. Even if you don’t quite make it, you’ll land among the stars.” And “my business model is always under promise and over deliver.”- CL Intern Alex Esposito’s mother, Kimberly, 48

“Don’t be afraid to take chances and try new things. Don’t limit your experiences because you think you might not succeed. The experience is sometimes more valuable than just being successful at something.” -CL Intern Rachel Osman’s mother, Judy, 60

What is the best advice you’ve received from your mother or grandmother? Let us know below!

 

Jessica Fecteau is a  senior fashion, etiquette and apartment/dorm life writer and is a sophomore at Central Michigan University. Jessica loves fashion magazines, listening to indie/folk music and traveling to big cities.

Day 6: What is Your Dream Date?

I can remember sitting in my junior high school class dreaming the best date in the world would be if Jared (the popular boy) would ask me to 8th grade dance.  He never did .  (NOTE – Although I now consider myself pretty hip and fashionable, I was not at all growing up.  I sported glasses and a perm).

Fast forward to 2012.  My thoughts of the 8th grade dance long gone (as well as the perm) and replaced with the fabulous position of Editor in Chief, now married, and mom to an incredible 10 month old.  A dream date now?

My dream date is a 9 course meal!  I LOVE food, but most of all, I LOVE company.  Bring on the hors d’oeuvres, soup, salad, fish, chicken with veggies, beef and duck with veggies and potatoes, wine and cheese, granita/sorbet, AND dessert!

Do tell…

What is your dream date?

Day 5: What is Your Favorite Romantic Movie?

Your personal movie preference may be a dramatic love story, a funny love story, or a ‘cryfest’ love story.  Do tell…..

What is your favorite romantic movie?

Day 4: What Would Your Candy Hearts Say?

Be Mine?  Sweet heart?  BFF?

What if you could personalize your ‘Candy Hearts?’  What ‘love’ saying would you personalize?

 

Day 3: What Are Great Sentimental or DIY Valentines Day Gifts?

While roses and chocolate are traditional V-Day gifts, DIY gifts made from the heart will always be cherished by the receiver.

We ask……

What is a sentimental DIY gift you have recievied and/or

What are DIY gift ideas you have?

Personally, I love the idea of a picture book or hand written ‘love’ notes placed in several locations around the house.  A note saying ‘I Love You’ on the coffee maker and ‘Have a Great Day’ on the bathroom mirror will not only make my sweetheart smile but also approach the day with a great attitude!

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