June 18, 2014

2014 Summer Style Picks w/ Courtney Liu

June 18, 2014/ Jess Estrada

FJ Summer ’14: What I’m obsessed with for summer!

Fresh Jess Courtney Liu Summer Style 2014

Short hair & light tones

– Last year I rocked bold ombré locks (really long locks) and although I enjoyed the black, reddish-brown and blond tones in my hair, I have recently graduated so I thought I needed a change. I decided to opt for a shoulder-length cut and as for the color; I went for a balyage/ombré technique with honey brownish-blonde tones. Now that summer is approaching and the heat is creeping upon us I’m loving the liberty of having short hair!

Color me pink…and purple…and red

– It’s almost summertime so get ready for the vivid hues for your lips. One of my faves and staples is my “Rouge Shine” from Sephora because if you apply a light coat it creates a faint magenta color for day, however; if you’re going for more of a pop of color at night, you can apply a few more layers and your lips will be a gleaming violet. When I want a vibrant hot pink lip I go for my “Rouge Artist Intense” lipstick by Make Up For Ever. I also recently picked up two lipsticks from the “Kate” line of Rimmel London – a classic red and mauve (inspired by Kylie Jenner).

Bralettes are the new push-up

– Totally obsessed with the lightweight, lacey undergarment. Not only are they comfortable, but also they’re so cute slash sexy and may be worn to be seen too – for example, under a loose or sheer top.

Crazy but fun florals

– Be daring and don’t be afraid to wear lots of bright colors in the summer; it’s the time to shine anyways! I recently found a peplum top with a colorful bird-of-paradise floral design and I also have a crop top with a vibrant tropical flower print. I love that both tops have mesh inlays, which could allow the breeze to flow through– awesome for this sizzling season!

Be bold, with colors

– CHARTREUSE. It’s my favorite color for summer. I own an H&M skirt and an Urban Outfitters top (decorated with French lace) both in this color. I love how bold this color is and paired with subtle colors, it just stands out and can pull an outfit together.

Pretty in powder blue

– One of the trendy colors of the season is powder blue! This pastel color, reminiscent of summer skies, is a soft hue that’s looks very crisp paired with white or black. I recently purchased a crop button-down top in powder blue, with white polka dots.

Xx,

Courtney

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Courtney Liu is a Hawaii native in the journalism program at the University of Washington. She loves clothes and styling herself and her friends. She hopes to pursue a career in public relations or in the fashion industry.

Find Courtney on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

June 02, 2014

Fresh Life: Philly Adventures with Courtney Liu

June 02, 2014/ Jess Estrada

Philly Adventures with Courtney Liu

April 04, 2014

Fresh Life: Studying Abroad in Tahiti by Courtney Liu

April 04, 2014/ Jess Estrada

Studying Abroad in Tahiti by Courtney Liu

October 28, 2013

Fall Style Guide with Courtney Liu

October 28, 2013/ Jess Estrada

Seattle has seemed to skip over the crisp air that fall typically brings and jumped straight to the bone-chilling wintery weather—even though it’s still October…

This means one thing: breaking out the down jackets, boots, woven hats and knitted sweaters. In the past, I know I’ve been one to complain about how it’s impossible to look cute while still trying to maintain body warmth but after living in Seattle for nearly three years, I’m here to show you several ways to play it smart in cold yet still be stylish!

Turban Outfitted – Pair a turban with a black leather jacket like for an edgier look this season. The color of the turban model, Katy, is wearing is perfect for fall and was purchased from Urban Outfitters. It serves the same purpose of a beanie – keeping that head warm – but in a uniquely fashionable way.

No more North Face? – People in Seattle are known rock the North Face jackets to beat the rain but let’s be honest, it’s nearly impossible to look cute if you have to cover up your outfit with a black rain jacket. Take a look at stores like Ross or T.J. Maxx for designer jackets at really low prices! The Kenneth Cole rain jacket Katy is wearing, will surely keep you dry and I purchased it at Ross so you know that it didn’t break the bank!

Side note: Since rain jackets aren’t worn for warmth, pair your rain shielder with a knitted printed sweater underneath, to add pizzazz to your look.

Leopard Grunge – When is it really the right time to bring out the animal prints? This season, keep warm in an animal-printed (leopard, zebra or giraffe prints all work) jacket. Be bold and match your favorite animal print – mine is obvi leopard—with a colored jean and combat boots! Try a raspberry or plummy-colored jean since both shades are popular for fall.

Side note: If an animal-printed jacket is a little too much on the “wild” side for your taste, go for an animal-printed accessory such as the leopard beanie, which I’m pictured wearing (it’s from Free People) with a neutral-colored sweater and a chartreuse over-the-shoulder purse for that pop of color.

Faux Fur, Duh! – When you think of fur you probably think bougie, huh? But who says it has to be? I purchased this H&M faux fur vest for $12 at Crossroads…what a deal! You could either pair a faux fur vest with a long sleeved dress or as shown on Katy, with a simple knitted sweater and leggings. You’ll be sure to stay snug in this simple yet trendy get-up.

(Girly) Military Mayhem – There’s two looks if you enjoy the military look. You could go more literal with a camo jacket or you could go for the subtle military look with an olive green jacket and leather accents.

Camo jacket: Pair your camouflage-printed jacket with a ripped jean and a colored hat (see how raspberry color appears again in the beanie!). Since camo is usually a combination of neutral colors, it’s nice to throw a bright color into the ensemble. Side note: It’s cool to mix prints these days! Don’t be afraid to wear your camo jacket over a printed sweater like the one on Katy, which is tie-dyed. Olive green jacket with leather accents: Similarly when wearing this jacket, because the color is very neutral, try adding a colored hat (in this case, Katy is pictured wearing an ox blood-colored beanie). Also to keep with the rough look, wear a pair of black booties with buckles.

Cozy Chic – After a long day at work or school you just want to curl up in bed with a good book but instead of throwing on some sweatpants and a big T-shirt like you may usually do, try putting on a soft, pastel sweater; leggings and bright, fuzzy socks!

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Find Courtney on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

July 31, 2013

10 Fashion & Style Instagram Accounts You Must Follow

July 31, 2013/ Jess Estrada

Nowadays, who doesn’t have an Instagram account? Fashion and style have created a huge presence on the hip social media site and I’m here to show you my top 10 picks for “Instagrammers” that are a must-follow for you fashionistas!

1) @SydneyFashionBlogger

This Sydney-based stylist and creative producer is one of my favorite Insta-fashion accounts. Although she tends to rock a lot of expensive designer wear, including that Chanel brooch that appears in many of her posts, I love taking inspiration from her “bougie” outfits.

2) @Beyonce

The famous singer jumped on the Instagram bandwagon fairly late in the game but nonetheless she has an account that I turn to a lot for style tips. I bought a pair of houndstooth print loafers and leather leggings earlier this year because I saw that Beyoncé posted a photo of herself clad in sexy leather leggings and an eclectic pair of loafers.

3) @SincerelyJules

Julie Sariñana is a fashion blogger and a popular “Instagrammer.” I found her account one day while browsing through some of the photos that made it to the Popular page. I enjoyed her laid-back style and how she puts together sophisticated feminine clothes and accessories with some designer pieces (like that irresistible pair of studded pointy-toed Valentino stilettos she owns!)

4) @JNELV

This Insta-famous fashionista has an urban flair to her style and she’s not afraid to take a risk with bold prints and bright colors. I love how she doesn’t try to follow any trends but instead she forges her own personal style with her eccentric clothes, accessories and shoes.

5) @KatrinaCamille

Another Insta-famous fashionista, Katrina Camille, posts cute and mostly casual ensembles. She spreads the pieces of clothing, the accessories and shoes out on her floor – unlike the majority of Instagrammers who model their #OOTD (outfits of the day).

6) @JessicaFang

This account is for jewelry lovers! She showcases accessories from body chains to stackable rings that you can purchase on her website: mod4rntrend.com.

7) @Karrueche

The infamous on-and-off-again girlfriend to R&B singer, Chris Brown, has the best Instagram account if you’re one for streetwear. Karreuche Tran sports clothing from Karmaloop, Dimepiece, Crooks & Castles, and Jeffrey Campbell among many others.

8) @ewat24

The other half of football player, Victor Cruz, has an Instagram account that will have you drooling over her high fashion and designer style. Although her photos don’t typically make it to the Popular page, her everyday ensembles and red carpet gowns are going to wow you.

9) @MonicaRoseStyle

The stylist to the Kardashians has created a name for herself by posting pictures of her adorable toddler, Alaia, in miniature versions of outfits that her mom would be dressed in. She also showcases her picks of the latest trends and of course, photos of the Kardashians styled by her.

10) @31philliplim

The fashion designer has a high-end clothing line but that’s why I love following the Instagram account of 3.1 Phillip Lim! I enjoy looking at pieces from his collections and taking inspiration from them. I saw his embroidered Souvenir Jacket (which looks like a floral bomber jacket) and soon after purchased my own from Crossroads in the U-District.

Who are your favorite fashion and style Instagrammers?

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Find Courtney on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

May 29, 2013

Court’s Summer Essentials for 2013

May 29, 2013/ Jess Estrada

EOS (Evolution of Smooth) lip balm

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this lip balm that I just got for my birthday! In general I cannot go a day, let alone an hour, without applying lip balm to keep my lips moisturized. I absolutely hate chapped lips, especially in the summer. It’s a must-have to protect your lips from the sunshine! Pick up this no-mess lip balm in a variety of flavors (mine is “Honeysuckle Honeydew”) from your local drug store for just $4.

Dolphin shorts

This is one of my favorite latest trends! This style of shorts is very casual (with its slightly athletic flair), yet stylish. I just picked up my first pair from the Buffalo Exchange in the U-District for only $10! But you can find dolphin shorts in an assortment of prints at Forever 21.

DIY crop top

Crop tops are an essential for summer – need I say more? How can you possibly go through summer in the sweltering heat without rockin’ a crop top?! I recently purchased a graphic tee (a white T-shirt with a black and white graphic of Tupac) off of eBay. I then DIY’d it so that there was a bow-like design on the back and I also fringed the hem of the shirt. Pair your DIY crop top with dolphin shorts for a chic summer look!

Simple bangles

All the celebs are workin’ this trend, from Kim Kardashian to Rihanna! This is such a simple look that all ladies can pull off this summer. Wear multiple bangles together and remember that the colors can be contrasting! Pair a couple of gold bangles with a rose gold one! I purchased a few open double-skull bangles on eBay and I also found a simple rose gold bangle from H&M.

Something neon

Neon has become so trendy rather than tacky – from a chartreuse-like neon green to a neon, highlighter pink! My favorite is the neon green look. Neon colors are so necessary for summer because of the shock factor that it brings to any look. I recently picked up a textured, chartreuse skater skirt from H&M (for only $17.95) that I am completely in love with! I paired my neon green skirt with a cream lace top to balance out the brightness.

(Almost knee-high) Gladiators

These sandals have been an on-and-off trend over the past couple of years but they’re back for this summer and you should all get a pair! The style that I’ve really come to love is the grid-like patterned, almost knee-high gladiators, which celebs such as, Kourtney Kardashian, have been seen wearing ‘em.

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Find Courtney on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

April 12, 2013

How to Make Spring’s Top 10 Fashion Trends Work in Seattle (Contributor Post!)

April 12, 2013/ Jess Estrada

*I'm so excited to present Fresh Jess' first contributor piece from Courtney Liu! Courtney is a bright young talent going to school at the University of Washington. She initially reached out to me for an interview included in this piece, which she then shopped around to different publications in the city. We met for coffee and I was drawn to her tenacity and willingness to put herself out there. Looking forward to her insights on fashion trends and more once a month on Fresh Jess. Enjoy!

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week concluded its showcases a couple of months ago, and recently Glamour Magazine presented the top 10 most wearable trends of Spring 2013. These include: Bermuda shorts, black and white, peekaboo pieces, statement sunglasses, bold stripes, luxe leather, beautiful beading, short suits, sporty dresses, and low or flat heels.

Seattle, the good ol’ rainy city, is infamous for its grungy, hipster fashion sense and its wet and cold weather. As a Hawaii native, I’ve gotten used to dressing up in spring trends without having to cover up my chic ensemble with a rain jacket.

Being a non-native of this Pacific Northwest city, I wondered whether or not Seattleites could pull off these spring trends. Contrary to popular belief, they can.

Local Seattle designer, Cameron Levin, is familiar with creating ready-to-wear pieces for women. One of her favorites of the top 10 wearable trend of this spring is black and white.

Long panel tunic paired with organic Tobillo leggings from Cameron Levin’s “Ruby” line

(Photo courtesy of Cameron Levin)

“Black and white is my favorite because it's such a drastic variation from the typical spring trends of pastels and floral prints,” says Cameron.

The designer expects this trend to fall in everyone’s comfort zones because it’s a classic combination of colors. “It's still dramatic and stark so fashion-enthusiasts can play with fun variations of this motif [including] houndstooth, checkers, stripes, color-blocking, etc.,” she says.

Jess Estrada, editor of the Seattle-run blog FreshJess (Oh heyyy!), also agrees upon black and white as being a favorite of the top 10 trends. But she says she will experiment with short suits, Bermuda shorts and bold stripes as well, to see how they work on her.

The fashion blogger says that it’s all about drawing upon these top trends and exploring your own closet. This way you don’t need to break the bank to be stylish and trendy!

Katy Lohn, senior stylist of the Free People at University Village, recommends how to transform a typical grungy piece of clothing into a trendy spring one for this year…on a budget.

She says to take a band muscle tee and add beading detail to it then to pair it with a high-waisted, long, fitted skirt. It’s still grungy yet with a feminine touch.

Katy also loves the peekaboo pieces trend because she has crafted many tops with cutouts, which you can purchase on her Esty shop, Katy Featured.

Peekaboo pieces are another of Cameron’s favorite trends. She has incorporated this trend into her 2013 spring collection, Ruby. It can be found in the Tunic tops, organic Tobillo leggings and the organic spiral mini skirt, which will be available at Vian Hunter in late March.

“As a designer, I'm drawn to this trend because it makes the overall composition of the garment more interesting and artful. For consumers, it's an easy and accessible way to look sexy without feeling too revealing or uncomfortable,” says Cameron.

She also believes that most of these spring trends are successful because they're so accessible. “Low heels are easy to wear all day long, leather is highly functional, the stripes and black and white themes are timeless, and fun accessories like statement sunglasses feel less intimidating than a bold outfit,” she says.

Cameron feels that since they are all relatively low-maintenance, most of these trends will be appealing to the general Seattle market.

While examining Glamour’s selection of the top 10 Spring 2013 trends, I didn’t see how Seattle’s grunge or hipster scene could embrace them. At the same time, I didn’t think that it was possible to ever look cute or stylish in the cold rain. However, I was proven wrong. As a fashionista myself, I’m always looking for different ways to switch up my wardrobe for the Emerald City’s weather conditions.