First Day #OOTD

Sorry for the few days wait but, there's an awesome reason for it! This is the first post with images from my new partner in crime, Megan Madden! Megan is an amazing photographer here at FIT and a great friend. I'm so pleased and honored to be a team with her now!
Now for the outfit details. Wearing my Forever 21 peplum  top and some Hollister high rise black jeans I created a look that wasn't over done for the first day, but displays my style. I also had a leather jacket from Forever 21 but, it was an extremely hot day! Joining my outfit was a pair of Steve Madden booties and Betsy Johnson backpack.
For my first day I wanted to just be me. If you know me well, I'm often in black and tend to have an edgier style. I dressed that up just a little for day one. My H&M necklace added some texture to the look and the jacket added dimension and shape. I thought of this look was sleek and fun!
It was my first day with a new major, new classmates and professors. I know no longer had my usual photo friends and professors that knew me so well. This gave me a chance to really reinvented myself and focus on my new dreams and goals. I'm so far excited and nervous for this new experience. But that's what college is for right? New experiences? Finding yourself? That's what this semester is all about for me. Taking a break from the camera and working with my hands and creative energy in a new way. I can't wait to share my designs and projects from my Communication Design classes. It's already super interesting and there's so much to start still! Good luck to everyone on your first week of school and always be yourself.
Also welcome back to my red hair!

Photos by: Megan Madden

- Mik

The Mannel

I've been obsessing lately over this flannel that actually belongs to my wonderful boyfriend/iPhone photographer for the blog, Gannon. I bought it for him for Christmas and I hadn't actually worn it myself until this summer. It's basically amazing. Probably the most amazing flannel ever. It's thick, warm and stylish for an edgy look. I call this the Mannel. I'm probably not the first one to name this look that, but it totally fits. It's a man flannel or Mannel. I like to think its a chic way to wear your boyfriends clothes. So I say find your favorites of your boyfriends clothes and make them your own. I've worn this flannel a few different ways. Today I went with the look that makes me look pantsless which, I find takes some confidence to do if you're not okay with people looking at you funny. Actually underneath Gannon's H&M flannel is a pair of high waisted leather shorts from Platos Closet ($6!). Even though they never buy my clothes they have some cute ones. For shoes I chose quilted, black Doc Martens that I found for $40 at Off Broadway Shoes in Syracuse. 

I think this look can translate into any boyfriend out there. Maybe he has a sweater you like or a cool hoodie. Rock it your way!

- mik 

The Ultimate Kimono

This summer kimonos have been a huge trend. And frankly I hope they stick around. Kimonos are comfortable, fun and can customize any casual day look. But I find there is a trick to finding the perfect kimono. When things are trending we tend to buy a lot of that item during that period of time. For kimonos I own two, one was gift, the other I wanted to be the one perfect one that matched all my styles. I found this floral skull patterned kimono in an unlikely place, Hot Topic. In my angsty teenage years I shopped there a ton. I haven't purchased buy one get one 1/2 off band tees in a long time, but on a whim decided to go in. I LOVED EVERYTHING (my unexpected reaction). And this kimono was just the beginning of a Hot Topic store raid. Everything in stores was buy one get one half off and I can't wait to go back. They've really stepped up their game! 

I paired my kimono with an urban outfitters cropped tank and forever21 destroyed shorts. 

Lastly I took some inspiration from my favorite singer, LIGHTS, and wore my combat boots with my shorts. She rocks her boots like no one else. Check her out! New album out September 23rd and two new singles "Up We Go" and "Portal" out now! 

- mik 

Because it's Thursday

It's my day off from working that Hollister stock room. And because of that I dressed in this fashion. i.e this is me being lazy for the day. I woke up at 1:30, showered at 3, because I missed teen mom last night and SYTYCD, and here we are today!

The point of this post is not to tell you how lazy I am or how to dress when you're lazy. But because it's Thursday and my day off what else to do but post? I'm just hoping to inspire some pretty sweet lazy day off outfits. I think of my days off as a time to play with outfits and beauty. It gives me time to experiment with my style. I think it's a great use of a day off if you have nothing else planned. All passions need practice, including fashion!
 I'm all about being cool and comfortable. Cool because what if I have to leave the house for some reason? Gotta be ready. Comfortable because honestly we all know I'm not going anywhere (HA). 

This inspired a fun idea though! On your day off take a picture of your day off outfit , Instagram it and tag me mikmadigan and hashtag #cool&comfy! 

Mine is a brandy Melville moon crop top, pacsun flannel and H&M palazzo pants! 

Hope you try it and have fun! 

- mik 

Cuse Takes on Summer Looks

Syracuse isn’t exactly a fashion community like New York City. You don’t see new looks, trends, interesting pieces or anything out of the ordinary when it comes to style and fashion. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t people in the area that love fashion too! As a fashion photographer, getting together with other style lovers in Syracuse is a fun way to show we have style and to practice our fashionista skills. I got together with food and travel blogger, Sarah Narburgh, to put together some summer looks to brighten up Syracuse’s style!  For look one, we went simple, boho, cute and comfy! Pairing a white tank with a pair of Brandy Melville palazzo pants. Palazzo pants are a huge and amazing trend this summer, which will most likely carry on into the fall. They are light, airy and comfortable. Even better is that they are possibly the ultimate fashion invention, the stylish alternative to sweatpants!  Look two is where we went edgy. With a Brandy Melville “Stay Classy” graphic tee, thrifty $6 high rise leather shorts and an H&M necklace. This outfit does a basic tee in a stylish or “classy” way. And we paired it with shorts that follow the high waisted craze. These shorts are also (besides the sweet price!) amazing because you can dress them up or down all summer long.  Lastly, look three is for the more bold and daring fashionistas! A PacSun tie dye dress, Gasoline Glamour white, daisy sunglasses and hot red pumps. It’s a great look that stands out at any summer party. It’s fun, flirty and definitely full of color! There are so many outgoing looks that summer can offer. Especially this summer, which has amazing trends: palazzo pants, cool graphic tees, bold sundresses, kimonos, tribal, boho and more. 

- Mik

Look One

Look Two

Look Three

Lucy Hale Collection at Hollister

We know Lucy Hale as one the famous liars, Aria, on Pretty Little Liars. When she isn’t trying to cover up Alison’s lies and protect herself from A, Lucy is working on brand new projects outside of acting. Our first glimpse of Lucy’s other talent we see in “Another Cinderella Story,” done by ABC Family, where she’s a secretly awesome singer.  Now Lucy has a country album, which was released on June 3rd of this year. Hale’s first on screen performance was on So You Think You Can Dance and she sang “Lie a Little Better.” Her hit single “You Sound Good to Me” is on the recent playlist at Hollister stores, which is the location of her latest project, a fashion collection!  Lucy Hale now has a collection and contract with Hollister Co. that will be in stores on August 8th. How do I know this now? Employee perks, that’s how! Part of those perks allowed me to purchase one of her pieces at 50% off, a maroon, rose patterned romper. While a few things in the collection caught my eye, I was drawn to the romper because it’s super comfy! The collection is totally country chic with lots of pinks and florals. All the fabrics are light weight and airy, perfect for a summer day!  Lucy wore the same romper to her performance at the Hollister House in California today, the same day I wore it too! She styled it with a simple brown belt, necklace and tan booties. I wore it simply on its own and also with a mint tunic because the house was a tad chilly. I also paired it with black flats, my go to summer shoe.  Check out Lucy Hale’s Hollister Co. collection online and in stores for back to school!

- Mik