Yes, watching TV is a nice alternative, but keeping your brain active after studying will help you retain information much easier in a short amount of time! Plus, if you’re the artsy type, you’ll be having fun in the meantime.

What I used:

Push Pins

Hemp String

Clamp Clips

Make three (or any number you want) equally spaced rows of hemp by tying the hemp string around the end push pins, pulling the string taught to prevent any slack. If you have a corner desk, like myself, loop the hemp around the push pin placed in the corner.

Then, decorate! Put up cards, drawings, anything that inspires you or makes you happy. Tumblr has awesome photos that you can print out and clip onto your clothesline bulletin board.

For more DIY ideas, style tips, & fashion fun, check out ToBeBrightStyle.com & be sure to LIKE To Be Bright on Facebook for your chance to win some awesome free giveaways!

Image Source: To Be Bright

Yes, layering is an art form. We all know how inconvenient cold weather is. It’s great for a few days, but then it just turns into a hassle to get dressed every morning, especially the bipolar Southern weather; one day it’s hot the next day it’s cold (refer to Katy Perry song).

Layers are great for mornings that start cold and end warmer. So how do you prepare yourself for the weather while also looking extremely fierce? By layering. The other great thing about it is that you can take two items in your closet and put them together to get a piece of clothing that you otherwise would have had to buy.  For example a recent fall/ winter trend was military inspired jackets with leather sleeves. You can accomplish this trend by taking a black leather jacket and putting a green military vest over it. Ta-dah, now you have three looks with only two pieces of clothing and your incredibly warm.

I always turn to Leandra Medine, the Man Repeller, for innovative ways to layer clothes. Below she layers a pencil skirt, tank, shirt, military jacket, and oversized denim vest for an ironically effortless look.

I have also included several examples of how to create new items with pieces you already:

And finally, a step by step on how to perfect this art form.

First, I usually pick a color scheme I want to work with. I pick out a few pieces in that scheme and start layering things until I find the perfect combination. Below is one of my favorite go-to layered outfits. I started with a simple white top, put a plaid shirt over it, and then finally my leather jacket. I finish it with accessories; scarf, necklaces, etc. The layering is limitless; I even ended up layering two silver necklaces to add some glamour to a harder look.

Image Sources: manrepeller.com, Rachael Dornellas, tjmaxx.tumblr.com

Living in Patterson Hall, the hub of party-going freshmen girls, I see far too many “downtown” outfits that just make me shiver. Girls decked in flowy tanks, short dresses, or sheer tops…you look great, but it’s not summer! I watch their faces cringe when they hit the crisp, winter air. By the end of the night, they are drunkenly huddled together with frost bitten faces, hailing a cab.

Everyone can agree that it is often difficult to find an outfit that is stylish and sexy, yet conducive to the recent Antarctic weather. Are you supposed to walk into the bars wearing a parka and mittens? Unfortunately, there are no coat checks at Pavs. We need a solution! Here are my tips for styling weather-friendly outfits on your night out:

• Blazers, blazers, blazers! This should be an investment piece for every college girl. A fitted blazer pairs perfectly with almost any look- skinny jeans, skirts, dresses. This key piece is very flexible and will sophisticate any outfit! It also provides the perfect amount of warmth to survive outside, but won’t burn up in the bars. Blazers come in a variety of styles and fits that you can find at almost any women’s store. I suggest checking out H&M or F21 for the best deals!
• Tights- not pantyhose. If you dare to expose your legs, at least show them some love. Wearing a mini dress or skirt in February can be a borderline fashion faux pas if it’s not paired with a winter touch. Tights add length to your legs, as well as hide the fact that you probably haven’t seen sun since September. Not to mention, they are easy to come across and inexpensive!
• Find a badass jacket. Along the same lines of a blazer, a fitted jacket adds shape and style to your winter wardrobe. Leather has been making a comeback this season- take advantage of it in this weather! Icons like the Kardashians can give you inspiration for how to rock these great fitted pieces. You will drop jaws walking into the bars with a chic leather jacket over a bright blouse and a pair of skinny pants.
• Modest toes, please! I’ll be blunt- summer wedges are NOT okay in the winter. Try to limit the exposure of your foot as much as possible- at LEAST your toes! Boots- especially knee highs- are very in! Take it to the next level with a pair or bootie wedges. Target sells some adorable pairs for under $40!
• Sleeves don’t always mean warmth. Wearing a long sleeve sheer blouse might as well be a tank top- the wind cuts right through you! Pair your blouses with one of the jackets I talked about above. Don’t be afraid to wear long sleeve shirts- a body hugging v-neck draws attention to your curves and can be very flattering.
• My secret weapons… When it’s cold out, anything goes. If you have long hair, wear it down to provide your upper body with some extra warmth. When times get tough, I like to think of my hair as a blanket. Another sneaky way to bundle up is to wear a pair of tights or leggings underneath your jeans. You’d be surprised how much of a difference it makes- not to mention, it adds a little more booty in the pants!

Ladies, do not underestimate the walk to and from the taxi. You might think that you can survive these seemingly short distances outside, but there is nothing more unbearable than the winter winds cutting through you like ice…literally. Most importantly, keeping your outfits in-season will make you stand out from the sea of girls in denial that tailgating ended months ago.

Image Source: http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/they-wear-cold-chic/

Face it: You can’t be good at everything.

Over the past few years (basically my whole life), I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that I simply cannot draw.  I love clothes, and I can imagine exactly the outfit I want to wear and would love to create, but trying to translate the image in my mind onto a piece of paper just doesn’t work. 

For example: Instead of drawing a simple, chiffon, ombre tank top I envision wearing as a day to night look, I end up drawing a boxy shape “something” on a disproportionate figure that relays no sense of movement, and makes me think my six-year old cousin has more artistic talent than I do.  My dreams were shot of ever being able to draw outfits until I discovered the work of Elvira ‘t Hart. 

As a young, Dutch designer, her unique talent of translating 2-D sketches into 3-D outfits is impeccable, and although her line may look unfinished, I definitely view the clothing as wearable.  When I first saw her sketches, the shape and design process was clear, but the imperfections and constant use of straight lines had me wondering how she could actually create garments that resembled these sketches. 

I have to admit I actually had hope for myself when I saw her sketches; how hard can drawing outfits created strictly of repetitive, straight lines be?  Well, drawing lines is the easy part; the hard part is translating these lines precisely into clothing.  The garments she creates are basically exact replicas of her sketches, leaving open space and unfinished strands as the main focus of her work; t' Hart uses her design aesthetic to produce a variety of pieces from dresses to blazers to bralette tops. 

Although some may view her garments as impractical, I view them as a form of art we've yet to see become popular in the fashion industry, making t' Hart a designer to look out for.

Image Sources: http://www.elvirathart.com/Collections.xhtml, http://www.elvirathart.com/Illustrations.xhtml

A few weeks ago, an ex-fling asked if I had “become any less of a heartless b*tch” over my Christmas break. It was the rudest thing that anyone had ever said to me, but for some reason, my only reaction was to laugh and say “I mean, I don’t really feel any different.”

Now I’m certainly not going to delve into what happened here, but I can assure you that I am not a heartless b*tch. I am actually quite loving (a good cook, a great listener, I love Mumford & Sons and you can apply to be my boyfriend here).

So this boy, with clear, clear resentment towards me, has it fixed in his mind that I conspired to screw him over.

Okay, I did screw him over, but it was completely unintentional. Accidental screwage, if you will. But regardless of the type and/or means of said ‘screwage,’ I will let him believe in his conspiracy theory because I, myself, believe in many a conspiracy theory.

In fact, other than being just a little too awesome, I think my biggest flaw is that I believe most things are conspiracies.

Two things have happened recently that have heightened my sense of societal screwage:

1. The conception of Kimye’s embryo and;

2. The news that Vanity Fair is opening their International Best-Dressed List to we unworthy plebeians.

VF made this announcement last week, asking its readers to submit pictures of themselves in their finest sartorial arrangements through various social media outlets. Those pictures will then be put on their website to be voted on, and those votes will determine who will join A-list celebs on the list that’s published annually in their September issue.

Democracy! Democracy! We have a chance!

Upon hearing the news, I rushed to vanityfair.com to scour articles about the “challenge” (oh, it’s a challenge now is it?) only to be interrupted by ads.

I then clicked on an ad, which took me to the Marc Jacobs jumpsuit of my dreams because a group of marketers somewhere in a far-off land have planted a chip into my brain to know exactly what the Marc Jacobs jumpsuit of my dreams looks like.

And then I wanted it. They led me to this jumpsuit, and they’ll choose me if I buy this jumpsuit. Vanity Fair basically just told me that if I buy it, I will get on the International Best-Dressed List and I’ll be famous and Ryan Gosling will marry me. So I bought it.

And Vanity Fair just made a boatload of money from their advertising rates because the ads are working.

Conspiracy.

Image Source: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2013/01/join-international-best-dressed-list

I was doing my usual before-bed-twitter browse the other night when I came across an article tweeted, “Why Did Men Stop Wearing Heels?” The title itself caught my attention, as my first thought was, “Why were men wearing heels in the first place…?”  The article was about how in 18^th century France, heels were a symbol of wealth and status for men, until they were banned by Napoleon because he was frustrated with the idea that no matter how high his heels were he was still the shortest at every party.  I made up that part, but I digress. I remembered reading an article in the New York Times last year about men in their 20’s, living in New York City, who envied women and their wide variety of clothing options available to wear.  So, what’s better than having guys wearing 5-inch heels to clubs in the city?!  Exactly what they did.  Are guys in South Carolina about to start strutting around in heels at night, fighting the blisters and whispering to their friends, “You can do it, beauty is painful,” as they walk to Pavs?  I decided to weigh the pros and cons of this situation.

Pros:  As a girl who stands 5’10’’ barefoot, I would very much appreciate not being taller than three-quarters of the guys at a bar, and would therefore praise the idea of guys in heels.  Also, heels would break the monotony of a typical SC’s guy’s outfit of khakis and a Ralph Lauren button down.  Guys, if this description has offended you in any way, and the idea of heels repulses you, then go buy yourself a fedora.

Cons:  If I saw a guy walk into a bar flashing his red sole Louboutins, I would be enraged with jealousy because they should be on MY feet, not his.  Also, heels are supposed to make a woman’s figure look more attractive and elongated, and I don't see heels having the same affect on guys wearing shorts and a frat tee.

Let’s keep men wearing heels in NYC. As for you guys in Columbia, don’t worry about being taller; I suggest mixing up your strictly preppy wardrobe instead. You can do it, I have faith.

Image Source: http://essentricshoe.com/style/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:real-men-wearhigh-heels

As the month of January comes to an end, the only thing on my mind these days is applying for internships.  Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern in NYC as a graphic design intern.  However, my interests have changed to the mainstream and one of the most popular majors around: Public Relations.

EVERY FIRM has a department concerning public relations.  Great! Plenty of job positions right? Not quite.  The challenge is advertising myself to stand out from all the other public relation majors who also plan to intern this summer, let alone at the places I plan to apply to.  Oh, did I mention all these PR firms are ridiculously competitive?  Terrific. Now what?

Luckily, I came up with an idea that I've thought about for a while, yet never had the motivation to begin. Start my own blog.  

I had the opportunity to speak with an editor for a large media magazine whose advice to me was to make my resume and my work available online and on one site of my own.  Not only did I start planning my blog immediately after hearing this adivce, but I also realized I may have found a potential way to make myself look more appealing for an internship position.

This blog not only showcases my publications and other resume-building work, but also provides prospective companies insight to the type of person I am and the type of person I want to become.  On paper, it is very difficult to stand out from all the rest.  A visual representation highlighting talents, passions, and skills is a more efficient and fun way to showboat.

I began my blog very recently (a week ago to be exact) and I have already received such positive feedback from peers.  It is a style blog, one that I formed around my own needs and wants concerning what I would want to read if I came across it.  I focus on how to put outfits together, where to find the best quality merchandise for a fraction of its original price, and ways to make the ordinary extraordinary.  I try to incorporate the styles of voluntary viewers who want to contribute to the morning dilemmas of getting dressed in the morning that I have struggled with for several years.

In addition to my style tips, I have links and visual publications of some of my DIY work, Toms by Til, as well attachments of my online blogs and publications I have done for G&B.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, demonstrate independence, and showcase your passions, then start a blog.  It becomes a rewarding and exciting way to show off what you know. 

Check out what I've been working on - tobebright.org and 'Like' To Be Bright & Garnet and Black on Facebook.  

Involving yourself within a blog, by creating one of your own or participating in others, demonstrates your networking capabilities that ALL PR DEPARTMENTS are looking at today.  Expand your social media use by expanding yourself.

Image Source: http://tobebright.org

In my two-and-a-half years at this fine institution, I have grown to accept the looks of confusion that are bestowed upon me every day.

I like to tell myself that people just can’t stop staring because I’m ridiculously good looking and they’re questioning why a Victoria’s Secret model is wandering around campus, but I reluctantly stop and face the reality that they’re only looking at my “bizarre” sartorial choices.

Sorry I’m not wearing Nike shorts and a t-shirt that’s twelve sizes too big for me and yes, these leggings are indeed leather.

But at last, I have conquered you all! Sort of. Not really at all.

Upon introducing the (current) trend of all trends to our campus, the sneaker wedge, my daily stare downs have been cut by at least 30%. Official statistics are still being confirmed, but this observation is giving me all the more reason to join Paris, London, and New York and push this trend allll the way through fall.

People went crazy when Isabel Marant debuted the sneaker wedge in her Spring 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week. Her original designs are currently selling for over $1000 on Ebay.

Throw a white tank, a pair of skinnies, and these babies on and you get that “I-woke-up-five-minutes-ago-and-I-just-threw-this-together” look. You’re cute, casual, a little badass (dude, you’re wearing high-tops) and you gain three inches without anybody knowing.

There are a ton of knock-offs so have no fear—you can get your fashion fix without going out and dropping a grand on a pair of designer shoes.

Here’s how to wear them.

 Miranda                                                    Kate

Joan                                                           Gisele

Here’s how to put them on your Christmas List. 

Suede Wedge Sneakers ($299) by Ash, asos.com.

And here’s how to go get them right now.

 Faux Leather High-Top Sneaker ($29.99) by Xhilaration, target.com.

Image Sources: www.asos.com, www.target.com, http://news.instyle.com/2012/05/17/wedge-sneakers-kate-bosworth-beyonce-photos/

The weather has finally been cooling down, as hints of orange and fiery red leaves float throughout the sky. The quick transition into the chilly season has left us clueless about what to wear. It’s not quite time for winter coats, but something needs to provide us fashionistas with warmth.

Scarves must be the answer! This staple accessory never goes out of style, slightly changing with each change in weather. Last season introduced infinity scarves, proving to be both easy and trendy. Just two quick wraps around your head and -- BAM -- warmth and style.

My first infinity scarf purchase was last winter at Loft. I love how chunky it is, and as a neutral color, it is flexible to be worn with every outfit. Now I am on the search for a scarf with print as shown above.

If you like more iconic fashion, that of Audrey Hepburn, there are tons of silky, classic styles. These add a simple addition to an already chic outfit, even if it’s just tied around the handle of your purse! No matter what kind of scarves you like, I highly recommend digging them out of your closet or going on a shopping spree for some. Tis' the season!

Image Source: http://www.asos.com

I remember the first time I laid my eyes on an Elie Saab creation. I was scouring Style.com looking for something new and was immediately dragged into a fairytale full of Swarovski crystals, lace, and chiffon. His creations are that of every little girls dream - the perfect princess dress. When fashion week rolled around, I watched all the marvelous new collections via computer screen, all the while secretly counting down the minutes until I could see what Elie Saab had in store. As usual, he didn’t disappoint. His Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection was jaw dropping.  He had his signature red carpet gowns, as well as gorgeous separates in a multitude of bold colors and beautiful prints.  Without fault, his aesthetic is always feminine, strong, and classic. 

Here are a few of my favorite pieces.

Dramatic silhouettes, bold colors, and lace were seen through out his Spring 2013 collection.

He knows how to make a woman look sexy and sophisticated by showing just the right about of skin.

His playful prints are the quintessential spring accessory pairing neon’s with bold black geometric lines.

 Elie Saab still managed to include classic separates and tailored suites in his collection for the more mature woman.

As well as his signature fairytale dress designed for a modern day Disney princess, Elie Saab is the master of producing a collection that includes every aspect of a woman’s personality.  From the sophisticated professional, the playful socialite, and the envy of any red carpet, his Spring 2013 collection is impeccable.

All pictures from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2013RTW-ESAAB/, http://www.luxq.com/2012/08/05/elie-saab/