Daily Style: Midsummer Adventures

{Yaoyao wears UO high-waisted shorts, thrifted American Apparel cardigan, UO tank, Aldo accessories, PacSun bag}

It's the middle of July! Wow, summer has sure passed by quickly. Even though your summer outfits most likely have become repetitive by this time, you can always change something up in your look. For me, I put three basic pieces together so it doesn't just look like an ordinary jeans and T-shirt outfit. 

Since the tank top was long, I decided to knot it for a more unique look. And to cover it up a bit, I slipped on my favorite high-waisted shorts and slouchy cardi. To make the look less boring, I added newly bought accessories from Aldo for instant edginess. This summery look is perfect to a day in the city, a photography adventure in the woods, or even just a quick PMT run. 

I hope this inspired you guys to keep up with staying in style for the rest of summer. Sure, study SATs and do AP homework, but don't forget to go out and have fun!

-Yaoyao

What to Wear: Rompers

As lazy days of summers go, I was scavenging through my old clothes when I discovered an unexpected item that my eyes had not laid on in what seemed like years. It was the romper I had bought in seventh grade because I thought I was a fashionista... But never worn because I didn't actually know how to wear it. Thus, it lay untouched on the bottom of my storage box until today. 

Now, three years later, I am confident in handling this styling task!

This first look is more of a casual, daytime outfit. Since it's strapless, I made the Forever 21 romper more wearable for anywhere by layering on a Forever 21 denim vest. I love this vest because it's simple, stylish, and matches almost everything! To slim down the waistline, I put on a Forever 21 belt as well. To top it off, I wore a Wet Seal necklace and Toms for more quirkiness to the look.

For a more business-y look with the romper, this second outfit is great to wear. The H&M blazer is perfect because it streamlines the originally casual romper, making it much more structured. The only other accessory is a Aldo necklace, a nice addition that flatters this look's fit. Finally, I slipped on a pair of ASOS heels, pulled my hair back into a sleek pony, and wore a plum lipstick to complete the look.

Good luck styling! You never know, maybe that "no" piece from last summer will score you some boldness points this summer.

What to Wear: Summer Trends

I don't know about you, but this year sure has passed by quickly! Fortunately, summer is coming. Unfortunately, finals. (Plus AP testing and SAT?!) To make it easier for you busy fashionistas out there, I have liberated you from doing your style reports, and bring you two of my favorite trends for summer '13. 

As first seen on the runways of Paris Fashion Week, monochromatic and metallic pieces are no doubt becoming hot trends on the streets. Here, I present you my interpretation.

Monochromatic

Rock a Topshop cropped shirt paired with a quirky Forever 21 pinstriped shorts. Look even more hip wearing ASOS rings and Barney's snake ring with black and gold accents, and a Wetseal fringe bag. A red lip by Lancome Rouge in Love contrast perfectly with the muted color, and Nia nude wedges complete the look.

Metallic

Get futuristic wearing a Influence graphic tank with a trendy Topshop metallic skirt. You can tuck the tank-top in or knot it to keep the outfit fitted. Add Falke knee-high socks for a more unique touch and slip on T.U.K. creepers to go along with the futuristic-ness. Finally, a Nastygal backpack with an Only Time toywatch make cute accents to the overall look.

Daily Style: Journalism Convention @ SF

Yaoyao wears a Cotton On skater skirt, Forever 21 knotted blouse, Forever 21 denim vest, Steve Madden (thrifted) purse, sandals from China, and an Aldo ring.

This simple outfit is easygoing and comfortable, yet stylish enough for a day out in the big city. Cute wedges would also go well with this look, but since we were going to do a decent amount of walking, I decided to stick to relaxed sandals. The denim vest was actually just recently bought at the Forever 21 in the background! However, it was a nice addition and an extra layer of warmth in the breezy San Francisco so I added it to give more dimension. You can also wear this outfit for a day out shopping, a downtown Sunday brunch, or even a trip to the beach!

Rachel wears a polka dotted blazer and lace tank (both thrifted!) with a contrasting pink Forever 21 cami. On the bottom she wears H&M highwaisted shorts, sheer black tights, and Mossimo boots.

The city has the most unpredictable weather, and we have to be prepared for anything! Shorts and tights can go in both cold and hot weather and are much more stylish than plain black jeans. To save my poor feet from blisters while exploring the city, my trusty boots kept them nice and cushioned. To contrast my all-black bottom, a white lace tank adds a spring-y feel and different texture. I'm also loving this new thrifted blazer! The navy and cream polka dots math with almost any color, and this piece has the ability to dress up a casual outfit or dress down a fancy dress. It's sophisticated and fun at the same time! 

What would you wear in the city?

Video Tutorial: Headband Curls

Easy and effortless - what more could you ask for? If you don't want to burn your hair with an iron, or if you simply want a pretty updo resulting in curls, the headband is your go to!

Some tips:

• Use a loose cotton headband so it doesn't squeeze your head too tightly or leave marks in your hair.
• For neat curls, use equal amounts of hair in each roll.
• If you make the headband curls carefully, it can be worn out as an updo!
• This works on any hairstyle - short, long, layered...

Enjoy, and if you like this, remember to follow using your Google Account (:

Down in Eighties Town

Wow, it's been awhile. Sorry guys! ...To make up for this hiatus, I took advantage of spring break by finishing up a post we've all been waiting for-- Esther Lin's photo shoot won from the giveaway! 

One of our goals at Crush is to show others that girls can be beautiful in many ways that may be considered unconventional or unexpected. Thus, we decided to do an eighties (school girl?) theme to bring out a new side to Esther. With the combined effort of Wakana's beauty/hair skills, Rachel's and my styling, and Esther's cute and bubbly complex, we produced a successful shoot. Hopefully you guys will be just as surprised as us! 

On top of the amazing pictures, the team absolutely loved working with Esther! We definitely plan to have more giveaways in the future, so stay updated with us. Following with your Google account would make us more motivated to do more photo shoots like this! We'd also be very happy. :) Alright, enough of this self-promotion... Enjoy the photos!

Urban Outfitters jacket, Forever 21 skirt, Urban Outfitters backpack, thrifted brogues

H&M varsity jacket, Target tights, Forever 21 skirt, Keds sneakers

Levi's shorts, thrifted turtleneck, Dr. Marten's boots, J. Crew belt

Photography: Yaoyao Pei

Styling: Rachel Tu, Yaoyao Pei

Beauty & Hair: Wakana Ishihara, Rachel Tu

Model: Esther Lin

Daily Style: St. Patrick's Day

Yaoyao wears an H&M cardigan, American Eagle button-down, Forever 21 shorts, Sperry's, and bangles from Wet Seal.

This simple outfit is not only perfect for St. Patrick's Day, but also appropriate for church! Tan shorts and a dress shirt elevate the look while the cute mint cardigan and boat shoes keep it casual. Since it's a tad plain, she added gold bangles and a pearl bracelet as accents and rolled up the shirt sleeves. 

Although this look is not bold at all, it's quite fitting for one of those quick outfit fixes on a mundane day of school. It's not completely boring because of the classic feel its evoking, but at the same time, it's very easy to put together. In addition, it's suitable for spring weather! So without further ado, have a great St. Patrick's!

Daily Style: 3.13.13

Rachel wears an Apt 9 headband, graphic crop top from Forever 21, vintage Calvin Klein highwaisted pinstripe shorts, and TOMS.

As spring approaches and the weather gets warmer, we're excited to start embracing summer and spring fashion. Headbands make the outfit stand out from the rest! Even if you're having a bad hair day, headbands solve the problem by giving you a messy yet regal look.

She also mixed prints and textures - suede TOMS, pinstriped shorts, and a graphic top wouldn't seem to go together, right? But because they are in a similar color family, it works! 

We love how with warm weather, there's much more freedom in styles of clothing. With sundresses, tanks, shorts, and skirts, we can make statements without wearing the same coat every other day! Something about the sun on our backs makes us start being more bold in the clothes we wear. Be bold today! 

What to Wear: "Sprinter" Weather

It's time to start digging out your warm weather clothing! Spring is just around the corner. 

... But you guys know very well that it's not exactly warm enough to wear spring/summer clothing yet... The mornings are chilly and the afternoons are hot with the sun up high. Well, fear not, because I can help you on that! I've constructed three outfits that I find perfect for this weird season transition. Although these pieces strongly reflect my personal style, these outfits can serve as templates for other outfits (in your personal style) as well; for example, in the first outfit, you can switch out the floral tights for knee-highs and the knotted blouse for a tucked-in top. 

Happy daylight savings, and good luck outfit-constructing! :)

The Edgy Prep

The Topshop leather skirt and River Island knit cardigan are both insulating and airy, making it perfect for the breezy weather. For a cute spring addition, wear the Aritzia knotted blouse and River Island floral tights. Go casual heel this season with the Old Navy oxford pump, and top everything off with an Urban Outfitters locket necklace.

The Carefree Indie 

This look is perfect for those lazy days with no outfit ideas. Just slip on your favorite band tee and comfy black leggings, layered with an unbuttoned American Apparel flannel shirt. If it gets warmer, just roll up the sleeves! To make the outfit more structured, wear Dr. Martens boots over wool ankle socks.

The Cute Casual

After long months of wearing only long skinny jeans, change it up a bit! Since it's not warm enough for shorts, just roll up the denim like this pair of H&M boyfriend jeans. Cashmere is the perfect material for the transitioning weather, so this Uniqlo sweater works wonderfully. Glitter it up with these Toms shoes, and insulate yourself in the cold morning with this Asos pom beanie. Finish everything off with a cute Free People rucksack.


If you found this post helpful or you simply enjoyed it, please support us by following with your Google account so we can provide more tips like these! Comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well.

Video Diary: Yaoyao Goes Thrifting

How are your February Break's going, guys? Well, I am certainly busy (off spending Chinese New Year's money, that is). One of the stops I made was to a nearby Salvation Army with Sunny and Anusha. Boy, am I glad I made the stop, because the deals were superb. I bought four items that I actually like, all for under 20 dollars! ... I'm starting to wonder why I didn't try thrifting before. The cashiers at this shop even gave us a 50% discount because we were singing along to the Taylor Swift playing in the store. Yeah, that doesn't happen often. 

I definitely had a great time and a great buy, so follow my experience in this video and later go thrifting with your pals! And I mean, come on. Macklemore likes it.

Sorry, you may have to turn up the volume because I'm talking too quietly. And view in highest quality please. Special thanks to Jenn Im (clothesencounters) for the inspiration as well!

Campus Style: Valentine's Day

This Valentine's day, Lynbrook was thinking pink, floral, and lace when it came to their outfits. With warm and sunny weather, girls got out their sweetest pieces to celebrate a day of love. 

Diana plays with pastels, wearing a lace batwing top to match her crochet TOMS and a pale pleated maxi skirt.

Janice rocks a denim jacket, tough (and beautiful!) bag, and a wide belt to compliment her flowing high-low skirt.

Jessica's bold floral leggings work well with black combat boots and a black sheer top.

Sarah plays with texture by pairing a rosy lace-overlay dress with a chunkier cardigan.

Hope your Valentine's day was sweet, too!

Daily Style: 1.31.13

Wakana wears trendy leather leggings paired with a drapey top which has accents on the shoulders. Pieces tend to go well with each other if there is at least one aspect that is similar, so it's no surprise that this outfit looks great on her. You cannot forget that leopard print scarf as well! Its wild contrast is muted by her black flats.

Rachel also chooses to accessorize with a circle scarf (it's done twice so take a cue, guys) with a gray skirt, black tights, and knee-high boots. This everyday look with the white collared shirt is made a lot more youthful with the pop of color from the scarf and the subtle blue from the cardigan.

Yaoyao goes with a tougher look, with her black moto jacket and camo button-up. She wears the versatile denim skinnies with classic white converse to make the look more school-appropriate. An outfit, of course, is not complete without accessories! The studded belt and dangly cross earrings add much more personality to the entire look.

She's Got The Moves Like Moss

In case you don't understand the title of this post, it's a reference to the ultra famous supermodel, Kate Moss. In other words, Jennifer is a great model. Which is a pretty good reason for you to keep scrolling!

You may also be asking as to why I'm posting this three months later than when I actually shot this on Lynbrook's very own football field in late October. That's because I was waiting for the spring sports season to almost start! ... Duh. Aside from the hustle and bustle of this upcoming season of sports, I'd also like to point out that the looks on the track or in the pool can most definitely be worn outside as well! Many celebrities sport (ha, see what I did there) trends such as mesh, color-blocking, and brights even on the red carpet.

These following looks were not only inspired by different sports, but also by vibrant color and pattern mixing of gym fashion from the 1980's. Erm, minus the legwarmers though. But seriously, along with exercising your abs for this new year, I encourage you to exercise your style with these sports trends as well. Okay, enough of my dumb puns. Have a KICKIN' new semester! ... Sorry, couldn't help it.

Urban Outfitters dress, H&M sneaker, GAP socks, Nike bag

Vero Moda hoodie, Charlotte Russe monokini, Reebok sneakers

H&M sneakers, Victoria's Secret leggings, vintage Esprit crewneck, fake Raybans

Thrifted zip-up, Reebok sneakers, watch from Korea, Old Navy sports bra

Photography: Yaoyao Pei

Styling & Makeup: Yaoyao Pei

Model: Jennifer Lee

In Full Bloom: The Flower Dutch Updo

One of our goals at Crush is to encourage girls to go beyond their comfort zone and try things out with beauty and fashion. So it was perfect when Diana Zhao came to a Homecoming decoration meeting with a gorgeous flower dutch updo. This girl is talented, wouldn't you say? Although the look may be too extravagant for others, it's perfect for a summer wedding, a romantic date, or simply an outing with friends! Here, Diana speaks about her hobby in an interview with Rachel.

Rachel: So, when and how did you get interested in hair styling?
Diana: Well, I guess I just grew my hair out and I figured I should take advantage of it! For me, it took about one year to grow waist-length locks.
R: What's your favorite hair style?
D: Definitely natural looking waves.
R: From where do you learn new braids and fancy things like that?
D: Youtube!
R: So what's your favorite braid and updo?
D: My favorite braid is probably fishtail and my favorite updo is the flower dutch.

Monochromatica

This season, colors took over the runway. Pastels, neons, and prints exploded on the streets. But behind all that, black and white remained! And will remain. These two basic colors will always be in style and are simply chic. They're the go-to colors for easy outfit pairings you will never have to worry about. At Crush, we took a tomboy yet mod twist to the clean color palette, and completed the look with the beautiful Cantor Arts Center as our location. The classical black and white has never looked so refreshing!

Vintage leather jacket, Corpus shirt, De Masqe dress, Dr. Martens boots

Vero Moda jumpsuit, Converse sneakers

H&M baseball cap, Zara tee

Photography: Yaoyao Pei
Styling: Yaoyao Pei & Rachel Tu
Model: Rachel Tu
Makeup: Diana Zhao
Hair: Rachel Tu
Editing: Yaoyao Pei