Week 12. Gossip Girl. Best Looks

I have already shared a few of Blair and Serena’s outfits on my INSTA-SHOP that you can check out now. I am going to update that page with more looks from the show soon, so be sure to follow me on Facebook for updates.

In today’s post I will feature a few of the best outfits worn by Manhattan's very own Upper East Side princesses and give you tips on how to steal their signature styles.

BLAIR WALDORF

1. Prints and Patterns

The only high school mean girl we can admit to love, can masterfully mix & match her prints and textures. It might be a dangerous game to play, but young Waldorf knows how to win it. If you don't think you have enough style points to skillfully match floral skirts with striped tops, then you can always settle for a polka dot dress.

2. Headbands and hats

Quirky headbands and fancy hats are a signature element of Blair's look. But make sure you wear your headband at least an inch back from your hairline!

3. Bright contrasting colours

Blair Waldorf takes colour blocking to a whole new level.

SERENA VAN DER WOODSEN

1. Cleavage Power

Serena van der Woodsen knows how to turn heads! Her cleavage can be a bit risqué, but it might be the number one reason why the show has a surprisingly large male fan base.

2. Effortless chic

The Manhattan IT girl looks stunning even when it seems likeshe put onthe first thing she found on the floor when she rolled out of bed.

3. Maxi dresses

Maxi dresses can be either worn down for a walk in Central Park or worn up to a socialite event or wedding.

Week 12. Gossip Girl. How Blair and Serena would wear a Burberry trench

When Ben and I were in Park City last weekend, my father-in-law shook his head judgmentally when he saw me watching the beginning of Blair and Chuck's romance on TV. "What?," I said. "It’s just research for my blog!"

I wanted to re-watch one of my favourite TV shows from my younger years― Gossip Girl, and I found the perfect excuse for it! So here we are starting the 12th week of Pastiche.today―  the Gossip Girl Week.

For the first outfit post I wanted to show you how you can style the same Burberry trench coat in two different ways. The Blair Waldorf way, of course, includes her signature headband, which brightly contrasts the trench, a dress, a pair of flats, and a perfectly matching classic Lady Dior bag.

For channelling Serena Van der Woodsen, opt for skinny jeans and high heels for an overall hot, yet effortless vibe.

Whose style interpretation you prefer? Blair's or Serena's?

Let me know in the comments and stay tuned for more outfit posts and styles from our two favourite TV show characters!

SHOP MY LOOK:

Week 11: Instagram Babe. Secrets of a Perfect Selfie

I have been busy in Park City with my hubby the last few days, so I was't able to publish the last post of the Instagram Babe Week on time. However, I always try to keep my promises and below I am sharing a few tips on how to take the perfect selfie. And get ready for the new Theme of the Week that will appear shortly!

7 Secrets of a Perfect Selfie

It might come as a surprise to many of you, but I am not a huge fan of social media. I do not try too hard to gain more followers, I don't buy thousands of fake likes just to prove something, nor do I share as regularly as some social media maniacs do. On the other hand, I am genuinely trying to increase the engagement level and the quality of my content, even though most of the times I laugh at myself and my generation for caring so much. But we all care at least a little bit, and we do want to take good selfies!

I have gathered all the information I could, from my own experience and from the experiences of a few of my most-followed friends and came up with this little guide to perfect selfie-taking.

1. Lighting is everything.

Good light is one of the most basic key elements of every successful photograph. My best selfies are taken indoors using natural sunlight coming from the window. Always face the light for crisper, sharper and more vivid photos. Outdoors self-portraits can be beautiful as well, however try to take them in the shade and preferably before noon when the sun is not too bright. 

Avoid taking photos at night because even if you turn on every single light in your house, your face will probably look too yellow and flat.

Poor Indoor Light. My skin looks too yellow and flat.

Natural light coming from a window falls beautifully on my face.

2. Insta-makeup.

Girls with the most liked selfies often have very heavily done up make-up which looks amazing on Instagram, but quite ridiculous and cake-y in real life. If you want to do full blown Insta-makeup, watch this tutorial:

Double layer of Dior Mascara to make my eyes prettier.

If you are like me, a little bit more sensible and not willing to spend an hour drawing another face on top of your own, follow my easy little tricks. I've noticed that the most important part of my selfies is my eyes. I almost never wear faux eyelashes, but when I do, my selfies look prettier.

No one has time for applying faux lashes, so usually I just use a double coat of my favourite Diorshow Iconic Mascara.

My TOP 3 Mascaras:

Another area I also focus on is my under eyes. Try to conceal any darkness under your eyes and make the area as light (but natural looking!) as possible.

Here are my TOP under-eye concealers:  

If you do not have time to perfect your make up, download the Perfect365 app. Almost every single girl I know uses apps to enhance her beauty, but the ones who nail it, use it just a tiny bit. Make-up apps can make you look like a clown, however if you use it moderately, you will get great results! I use Perfect365 when I find that my eyelashes don't look long enough. 

BEFORE Editing.

After. Have you noticed that my eyelashes are darker and longer? I also added the HB1 VSCO filter to adjust colours.

3. Clear the Background.

Make sure there is nothing in your background that will distract from your face. Try to have as few colours in the background as possible. Some bloggers recommend using the Whitening Tool on the FaceTune app for whitening/discolouring the background.

White walls are always handy!

But a beautiful landscape or city view can look gorgeous in a selfie as well.

If you want to show your background then make sure it's interesting and that you fit well into the photograph.

4. Know Your Angles.

"Legend" has it that Ariana Grande demands photographers and filmmakers only shoot her left side. We get it, Ariana has a favourite side. You might not have to go that far, but you can certainly experiment to try to find your most flattering angle and facial expressions. 

P.S. I just noticed that I usually find my left side more photogenic as well!

5. Organise your Instafeed

I used to post without thinking of the overall colour palette of my Instagram gallery. But lately I've been trying to make my Instagram page look more consistent and organised. VSCO is my favourite app for organising my Instagram Feed. You can upload the photos you post on Instagram to VSCO in the same order and then use the app to see if the next picture will fit into your gallery and play with its colours. 

My Instagram Feed a year ago. Colours and croppings are inconsistent. 

My Instagram Feed now. More sleek and organized.

Did you find any of these tips useful? Do you have your own insta-secrets? Share on our FACEBOOK page or write in the comments below. 

Week 11: Instagram Babe. New York When It Sizzles

Two piece dress is one of the biggest style trends seen on Insta-models and seems like it is not going to disappear out of our fashion radars any time soon. I have quite a few two piece dresses myself, that I love wearing for a night out with girls or a special date with my husband.

To be honest with you, I feel much more comfortable wearing such tight sexy clothing in Miami or LA. I certainly attracted too much attention shooting this bright turquoise dress on the streets of New York City. Oh well, I am just preparing everyone for a very HOT summer.

Had to get rid of so many nice photos just because some creepy people lurking on the background. Funny!

SHOP MY LOOK AND SIMILAR:

Week 11: Instagram Babe. Hottest Looks

                Screenshot of the Insta-Shop page.

I am so excited to present my new curated Insta-shop that will be updated regularly with the best outfits of Instagram hotties and celebrities and with the links to the similar items. 

If you want your outfit to be featured in the shop or you want me to help you find similar items you saw on a celebrity, blogger or an Instagram beauty, email me at: ulya.aliyeva@gmail.com

For outfit inspiration and a shopping spree visit the INSTA-SHOP!