Category Archives: Uncategorized

Perfect Pastels

Now that spring is here, we can finally say goodbye to our dull browns, blacks, and grays and say hello to our pretty pastels. When it comes to springtime, you will want to incorporate these colors in as many ways as possible into your wardrobe. One accessory that comes in a wide variety of spring colors is the classic headband. Headbands are very popular and stylish because they can easily turn a bad hair day into a phenomenal one, and they can keep your hair out of your face on Florida hot days. The best thing about headbands is that the length of your hair doesn’t matter since, unlike other hair accessories, they work with every style. Also, when deciding on what to wear, you can go the sporty route and rock a headband with a bun or ponytail. You can go for a more girly, feminine look and choose a jeweled or laced headband with your loose locks. Another essential accessory for Spring 2015 that comes in all shades is the perfect purse. Purses range in all forms, from totes to cross bodies to clutches. Personally, I prefer cross bodies because they are easy to wear as opposed to other bags which you need to constantly hold. Cross bodies rest on your shoulder and carry all of your necessities without you needing to lift a finger. I feel that adding a purse to any outfit can give you a sense of sophistication and will give you an extra boost of confidence in your look. Thus, as we embrace spring with open arms, don’t shy away from these trends but rather give them a shot because who knows — these accessories could become your new go to’s!

– Laura Flescher

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.45.31 PM

Runway to Hallway

In both New York City and Europe there were many distinct fashion trends on the runway this season. It was clear that all of the designers were getting the same spring vibes. Runways are usually very intimidating and hard to relate to. It has most of us thinking things like “How would I wear that?” or “Is that even clothing?” Well not to worry; Storm Style to the rescue! We gathered the top trends on the runway and selected a few tznius and affordable tops, skirts, and shoes to inspire your everyday looks.

Gingham Style

Karen Walker, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta all did the gingham style this season — but not the dance!

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.55.06 PM

Spring is the perfect time for a picnic, but who has the time with our school work load? The least we can do is wear some picnic-inspired clothing with a cool gingham print. It was all over the runway this season and it’s currently in almost every store. Try it out in your hallway look.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.55.47 PM

Floral Skirts

Michael Kors, Miu Miu, and Undercover planted some fashion-forward skirts.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.56.23 PM

Spring is the season for…flowers! Literally. South Florida is wishing a farewell to the “cold” and happily welcoming flowers and trees! Not only will flowers grow in our soil but also in our style. Floral print was prominent on the runway, and mostly in skirts! This season try to pair a floral skirt with a solid top or even be a dare devil and go pattern-on-pattern!

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.57.09 PM

White Hot

Christian Siriano and Ralph Lauren made sure to white out the runway.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.58.03 PM

 

The runway seemed more like a wedding isle than a runway with all of the white! Many of the looks this season were white from head to toe! This look is very clean and chic, but maybe a little gutsy for the hallway. Don’t worry, if they could pull it off, you can too! Give the all white look a try with these clothing pieces.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.59.17 PM

Glamorous Gladiators

Erdem (bottom) had a line up of models with gladiator sandals! Valentino (top left) and Fausto Puglisi (top right) followed suit. 

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 8.00.02 PM

An unforgettable trend on the spring runway this year was the gladiator sandal. Whether it was up to the knee or just above the ankle, every designer had it. Getting a good pair of gladiators can be a little pricy. If treated well, these shoes should last a long time and are definitely worth the splurge. Give your everyday look a Romanesque vibe with the glamorous gladiator!

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 8.01.15 PM

Doused in Denim

Dare to go denim like Fendi, Stella McCarthy, and Chloe.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 8.01.47 PM

Denim, denim, denim! The runway was filled with this classic fabric this season. From light to dark wash, denim complements any outfit. This look will be a staple this spring. Follow the trend and pull out your denim. Since it has always been a very popular style, change it up! Try a denim skirt or vest. Switch up the classic button down and explore different denim tops.

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 8.03.02 PM

– Vida Romano

Dishes with Dalya

Hi everyone, and welcome back to a new segment of Storm Style‘s Lifestyle section! If you have come here, you are in for a real treat. The theme for this Spring’s cooking edition is “Three Ingredients Or Less Snacks/Desserts.” Each recipe included is healthy, easy, and quick to make!

Recipe #1: DIY Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup frozen fruit
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4-1/2 cup greens of your choice (arugula, spinach, kale, etc.)

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend until completely combined.

Recipe #2: Baked Apples

Ingredients:

  • as many apples as you like
  • cinnamon

Instructions:

Spray a pan with baking spray. Place the apples inside. Poke holes in each apple using a fork to prevent them from bursting. Then sprinkle cinnamon over each apple. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 2-3 hours until the apples have become soft and mushy.

Recipe #3: Meringues

Ingredients:

7 egg whites

2 cups sugar

Pinch of Cream of Tartar

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in a bowl with an electric mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-low speed for 2-3 minutes. Then up the speed to medium-high and beat for another 5-8 minutes until stiff peaks form. Using a tablespoon, scoop spoonfuls of the batter onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 275 degrees F for about 3 hours.

***The more you bake them the crunchier they will get. If you like your meringues totally firm, bake them for another 2 hours.

 

The Wise Words of Modest Milli

Dear Modest Milli,

I don’t look good in floral patterns! They just don’t work! What should I wear instead for the spring season?

Thanks,

Stripes For Life

Dear Stripes,

Floral patterns are very tricky, and not everyone seems to like them. It’s a good thing we have polkadots and other types of fun patterns. Flowers aren’t the only trend you can rock this spring. Bright colored shirts paired with a polkadot or tropical-patterned skirt can make any outfit pop!

Much love,

Modest Milli

Dear Modest Milli,

What makeup can I wear with pastel colored clothes so I don’t look washed out?

– Ghost Buster

Dear Ghost Buster,
Makeup really depends on your skin tone and eye color. If you are very pale, make sure to invest in some bronzer. But do make sure that the bronzer is not too dark  you want to look sun-kissed, not fake. Also look for certain shades like soft pinks with minimal shimmer for eye shadow and brown or moss green for eyeliner. For cheeks and lips, match your blush to your lipstick or gloss to put together a more cohesive look, and don’t forget to keep whatever color you choose soft, like a light rose or coral. Whatever you do keep it natural. You’re already making a statement with your pastel outfit, so you’re makeup should be a simple accessory.

Much Love,

Modest Milli

Dear Modest Milli,

Finding tznius dresses is really hard! Know of any places I can go to shop?

Thanks for your help,

Shopaholic

Dear Shopaholic,

Finding tznius clothes is always one of my biggest problems. Other than the stores catered specifically to religious people, finding modest clothes is a game of luck. The more high end stored tend to carry more modest clothes. However, Forever21, Anthropology, and Urban Outfitters also carry nice skirts and dresses. Don’t give up! Keep hunting!

Much Love,

Modest Milli

DIY: Ear Cuffs

These are such a great alternative to earrings for those who don’t have piercings! All you need is pliers and some wire!

Start with three inches of wire.
Step one: fold the wire at one inch and then fold again in the opposite direction creating a zig-zag
Step two: twist the end into swirls and pinch the swirls until they touch the center wire (don’t pinch zig-zags in a straight line because they’ll be uncomfortable on the ear)
Step three: find a felt tip marker or a pen cap and fold the wire around it (use different pen/marker sizes to fit your ear)
step four: curve the ends in using pliers

And voila! You have a new and totally cute ear cuff that doesn’t poke a hole in your ear — or your wallet!!

– Shirin and Sara Khambalia

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 7.52.52 PM

Sleek, Sexy, and Powerful: The Tale of my Piloxing Instructor Certification

I left the Sunpass at home, so my heart sank when, on the Turnpike, I reached my first, then second, then third toll (my dad is going to kill me). Then I drove around the FIU campus, searching for the Recreation Center; I even had to pull a roll-down-the-window-and-ask-a-student-for-directions. When I finally parked in one of the only not-reserved-for-faculty-and-students parking spots and walked up to the front of the gym, the doors were locked, and the only person there was some Slovakian dude. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, someone opened the doors, and I practically sprinted upstairs to find the room.

All my panic was for naught; I was one of the first to arrive. (One lady spent so long looking for the Recreation Center that she arrived an hour and a half late!) There were seven of us students, plus one amazingly beautiful and fit instructor. Our trainer, Kerry, taught us about Piloxing’s creator Viveca Jensen, the five principles of the workout, the Piloxing motto “Sleek, Sexy, Powerful,” and the structure of the class. The choreography is split into “blocks” — or sets of moves. The blocks alternate in a pattern of Boxing, Pilates, and Dance-inspired moves. There are no breaks in the class; we are continuously moving and switching between higher intensity and lower intensity cardio and core-tightening blocks. Although I Pilox twice a week, the instructor course was surprisingly difficult.

Some would find a smaller group intimidating as it is much easier to be scrutinized and corrected by the instructor this way. I, however, found it not only comforting but also inspiring. Yes, I was critiqued on form, balance, and technique every step of the way. But a healthy dose of critique is humbling and motivating. Kerry’s voice still rings in my head when I practice my choreography to prepare myself to one day teach a Piloxing class: “Tighten your legs. No bouncing. Align your pelvis.”

Growing up, I never considered myself sporty or in shape. It was only in high school that I found my niche in the world of athleticism. I found exercise as a temporary hiatus from my school work, as a stress-reliever, as a way to truly feel sleek, sexy, and powerful. Of course, every type of workout has its benefits. Piloxing is such a wonderful blend of strong punching sequences, graceful Pilates moves, and fun dance breaks. It’s simultaneously intense and beautiful.

I’ve wanted to get my certification to teach the class for a while. In fact, I came very close to taking a course in October 2014. Unfortunately, my third time taking the SATs took precedence When I went online and saw there would be a class in Miami in March, I jumped at the chance to sign up. I took a risk, waking up at 6 AM, driving my terrible-at-navigating self to FIU, attending a course to learn to teach a group fitness class when I am by no means a group fitness instructor. Am I ready to share what I have learned yet? No. Will I be ready soon? Time will tell. All I know is, I can check “Become a Certified Piloxing Instructor” off of my Bucket List, and that feels phenomenal!

– Daniella Cohen

Letter from the Editors

Winter is an especially difficult season for us Floridians because, let’s be honest, we all have serious fashion FOMO. Unfortunately, – or maybe fortunately – it’s not cold enough to pull out the parkas, the earmuffs, the ever-so-comfy North Face jackets. Instead though, we must adapt. We must infuse winter trends into our winter looks in ways that won’t make us drop dead of heat.

As per usual, we’ve compiled the hottest styles for Winter 2015, to carry you from holiday party, to New Year’s party, to winter break.

This season, we’ve revamped our articles to make Storm Style more personal to our readers, with our new advice column and our new Runway to Hallway layout. Enjoy some delicious treats by our chef extraordinaire Dalya. Make this winter season yours, but let us guide you through your fashion choices.

Let’s all stick to our New Year’s resolutions, whether they be to get fit, get stylish, or get inspired. Happy holidays, happy New Year, and happy styling!

– Your Editors-in-Chief

Trending

This season, many old trends have reemerged — specifically sweaters, hats, and boots.  Here’s how you can them pull off!

  1. Text Print Sweaters- These tops can be dressed up or down any way as they can be worn with Middi, A-line, Pencil, and Flowy skirts.  Also, they are perfect to wear to all those Winter Holiday parties you will be attending.
  2. Floppy Brim Hats- Hats can help keep your ears warm and can help keep eyes off your locks on a bad hair day.
  3. Chelsea Boots- On a chillier night – or even if its not so cold – you can pair these booties with tights to add effortless style to any outfit. Chelsea Boots come in numerous colors, and they work with everything!

*A styler’s tip: These three core pieces can be combined to create an incredibly chic winter outfit.

Screen Shot 2014-12-25 at 4.30.08 PM

 

By: Shulli Mayer and Rachel Gittler

Scarfing it Down

Every winter season, many people look forward to pulling out all their comfy warm coats and boots and trying out the latest winter trends, but for us in Florida we are lucky to get a few days here and there that, to us, seem cold. Thus this doesn’t leave much room for us to have a winter wardrobe so we try to incorporate as many little aspects of winter fashion into our attires as possible, most importantly with our accessories. Two fashionable winter accessories this season are the up and coming novel turban like headbands and the classic winter scarf. These turban like headbands are the perfect combination of a headband, a hat, and earmuffs. They are very stylish when paired with the right hairstyle and outfit and some styles can even keep your ears warm. They are especially helpful when you are having a very bad hair day and need to cover up that abominable mess on your head. Additionally, the unforgettable and always dependable scarf can be tied many ways and can be assembled with many different outfits. Your scarf does not only need to be for warm since it is simply a piece of clothing that can be used to add to a dull and boring shirt. In my own experience, I do not usually wear scarves since they can be itchy or make you hot but recently on one of our “cold” days, I decided to add a not so typical winter scarf to my outfit, which consisted of a black flowy skirt, a plain black long sleeve sleeve shirt and a jean jacket. The coral and beige scarf of mine really added to my outfit and allowed me to receive many compliments. So, whether it’s a classic and timeless item or a new never before seen item, feel confident to incorporate it into your outfit. Be confident of your style!

Screen Shot 2014-12-25 at 4.27.18 PM

 

By: Laura Flescher