Valentine’s Day Bliss

Posted on February 3, 2012 by | Leave a comment

 

Your Miss. Fanatic Guide to a FANAT-astic Valentine’s Day:

 

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, complicated, married, engaged, or divorced, you can find a way to enjoy Valentine’s Day 2012 (for it could be the last!) —kidding, of course.

 

If you are single, find an interesting way to look at the glass half full. Think of this day as “Singles Appreciation Day.”  Make it all about you! Instead of the ever popular couples massage, book the spa for you, and only you.


Enjoy that alone time. Reflect on the positives in your life. Sip on some Champagne and nosh on some fresh strawberries. Indulge in all your senses and focus on your love for yourself. Isn’t it true that you have to love yourself before you can share your heart with others?

 

For all my relationship people out there, take Valentine’s Day with a grain of salt. Why does the society we live in only recognize ONE day out of the year (besides your anniversary) to celebrate your love and relationship? We should be celebrating this feeling EVERYDAY! Don’t you think that we take for granted every hour we spend with our significant other? So on this Hallmark holiday, I challenge you to think outside the box.

Do something sentimental and special- not superficial and trite. Every couple goes to a fancy dinner and exchanges expensive gifts; it can get cumbersome after a while.

So after work or class on Tuesday, go to a mom and pop ice cream shop, and enjoy each other’s company. We always forget to take moments in our life to just appreciate the simplicity of being together.

 

You know me: a “frugal sally,” who detests wasting money when I really don’t have to. That being said, this year doesn’t have to bring cob webs to your wallet. If you are one of those people who associate Valentine’s Day with gifts, then do yourself a favor and save your money by letting those creative juices flow! Remember our elementary days? Where we were masters of scissors, glue, and card board; we were artists, our imaginations ran wild; we were our own Picassos.

Use that magic touch that you once had and go back to the simplicity of homemade Valentine’s Day cards that you gave to mommy and daddy. If you ask them, I’m sure they would tell you that your cards were the best things they could have ever received, because you put your heart and soul into those things- and they knew it.

Bring back the joy to love, whether it is love for you, or love for another. Keep it simple, keep it happy, and have an amazing Valentine’s Day fanatics!

 

 

 

Love,

Your Miss. Fanatic fashionista,

Alexis


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Dribble, Shoot and Score!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Since the NBA lockout is officially over and college basketball is in full swing, a viewing party to watch your favorite team is the best way to have a great night in! Your team too far away to be in the arena for all the live action or a college budget doesn’t allow enough spare cash for some tickets? No worries, invite your fellow fanatic friends over for a night filled of basketball fun and friendly rivalries. All you need are a few simple things to make your place “the place to be” for basketball fun all season long!

Make sure your local television provider has the games you plan to watch on their schedule. Nothing is a bigger damper on a basketball party then not being able to actually view the game. Go your television providers website to view their schedules of upcoming games to make sure your good to go before you send out the invites.

Make fun game friendly foods, ignore the evil diet man on your shoulder and indulge a little in the sake of basketball! Part of the fun of being at a game is the atmosphere, food being included, so bring some arena snacks into your home! My personal favorite arena snacks are of course the common pretzels and pop corn, easy enough to find at your local grocery store along with several other game day must have treats.

Have a sweet tooth? Make some fun basketball cupcakes! I am currently in a huge tie dye batter phase in my baking life and highly recommend adding this fun little twist to the usual cupcake. Dye the batter the colors of the teams of the nights big event. Guaranteed to be a huge hit and will be talked about among your friends for the next few parties, trust me.

How to tie dye batter:
Separate your usual cupcake batter into different bowls (as many colors as you plan to use)
Add food coloring to those separated batter bowls
Then layer the colored batter into the cupcake wrappers
Need a little more help on tie dyeing batter, check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVLmPNOfFdw&feature=related

Once cooled ice the cupcakes with a cute basketball design! The outside will look like a cute basketball with a surprise of the teams colors inside!

With these great tips on how to make your basketball party a hit all you have to do is throw on your favorite teams gear (obviously made by Miss Fanatic) and pour your over-the-drinking-age self a cold beer. With your friends by your side and the game on the screen there is no way that this could not be a great night…unless your team looses.

XOXO Fanatics,
Jara

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How to Make the Most Out of This College Basketball Season

Posted on January 20, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Okay, I have to admit that I know NOTHING about basketball; however, we all know that college basketball season can spark many good times with friends as well as new romances! So make the most out of this basketball season—even if you don’t like the sport.

 

A. If you have a man, make it a basketball game date night. It will make him happy, which in turn will make you a happy girl. Sometimes in relationships we have to sacrifice a little of our pride to make the people we love happy. This is a perfect way to do that, if your guy likes basketball of course! So, for the next game, make it fun! Get dolled up in your favorite teams’ gear with a pair of denims, heels and a blazer. Buy a couple of beers and make light of the situation-the other great thing is that the game can be free, with your college id! Have your guy explain the game to you, and show some interest. Your curiosity could lead you both to happy endings! Check out how these celebrities spend their date night at a basketball game. Notice the fashionable, yet, comfortable looks these trendy women are sporting!

 

Here’s an outfit that will keep you stylish and flirty at the next game!

Get this look from Polyvore!

 

B. If you don’t have a man, make it a fun friend’s night. Every guy likes a girl who can appreciate a good game. However, if you truly don’t like the sport, fake it till you make it baby! Go out with a solid group of girlfriends, and scout out the single dudes out there! Flaunt your stuff with a hot new outfit that shows your class, and your team spirit, especially with Miss. Fanatic’s  Free Agent tube top, underneath a stylish blazer! All the while, enjoying the energy in the arena. If all of your friends are going to the game, go with them! I’m sure it is a lot more fun than staying home reading Facebook updates all night!

 

Pair the Free agent tube with a blazer for a sophisticated, yet spirited look.

Here are some pointers to mention the next time you’re with a guy or friends to show you know a little about the game…

1. Friend ESPN basketball on their twitter page to keep up with game day talk!
2. Ask questions politely during the game to show your genuine interest.
3. If Space Jam is your only source of game knowledge, don’t mention it!
4. Like I said before: “Fake it till you make it” when everyone cheers, you cheer too!
Now, to support my fellow basketball Knights…GO KNIGHTS!!

 

Love,

Your Miss. Fanatic fashionista,
Alexis

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Back to School Juggling Act

Posted on January 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Now that were all back in school mode, the usual juggling act of friends, school, internships and life has begun. Despite the fact that we’ve only been back to business for a week or so, we are already pulled in several directions and in need of another break-pronto! (Spring Break, you can come any day now! No seriously, hurry please!) It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life and drown yourself in a plethora of commitments, before you can even say: WHAT?  Here are some tips that we use on the daily, to make sure we don’t burn out before the new semester even starts!

  • A planner: learn it, love it, and treat it like it is your baby! This will be your guide for your semester. Everything from class due dates, to birthday dinners can be cataloged in your little planner. They come in all different sizes, colors and even made by different designers to suit all of your organizational needs!

 

24.95 at the Lilly store!

 

  • Make a list of your daily activities at the beginning of the week so you can limit the amount of last minute issues. Post-it-notes can be your best friend if you let them. They are easy to stick everywhere and even come in obnoxiously bright colors so you couldn’t ignore them even if you wanted to!
  • Take time in the morning to do things for you. We all love to get as much sleep as possible, but take an extra 30 minutes to wake up early and stretch. Just by doing your morning stretches you will already feel better and ready to start your day. Take that endorphin high and ride it out! Eat breakfast and take some time into picking out your outfit, looking good makes you feel good!
  • Listen to the “Solo piano” station on Pandora to get your mind working and ready for the day of minimal stress. Music can soothe or hype you up so do whichever you feel will work best for you!
  • Get a good night sleep before you have to go to school or work. With less sleep the less productive you are and the quicker you can fall behind! Stress can burn you out faster than a full workload ever will- and cause giant pimples and hair loss-not cute!
  • This is THE most important tip we can share with you: make time for yourself! Being pulled in several directions can be hard and it’s sometimes easier to put others before yourself but make sure to leave time to tend to you. It can be something simple, just as long as it helps you regain a sense of normality in your newly hectic schedule!

XOXO Fanatics, Jara & Alexis

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New Year, New (happier) Me!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Hey there fanatics!

Who’s ready for the spring semester? I know I am! I’m sure you are dealing with an overabundance of collegiate matters as well as your personal 2012 resolutions. Between school, jobs, internships, volunteering AND a social life, I know it is a lot to keep up with. But don’t fret, a new year and new you awaits! Here’s five tips to keep you strong in your goals and endeavors, guiding you to the best that you can be in 2012. Trust me, even in my 60 hour work weeks, I find sanity through these notions–besides a nice cup of joe of course ;)

1. Take small steps to one giant leap forward.

Try not to take on more than you can handle. Sometimes we take up a lot of our time with fillers because we are afraid to sit alone and actually THINK. But this can in fact cause us more stress because we care about unimportant matters. If you’re starting an internship or new job, you may want to reconsider overloading your schedule with many tough classes, because of the pressures of graduating early. Instead, eliminate one overwhelming class and replace the credits with something that will bring you joy and leisure such as a dance class. (This will also promote your new exercise regime…a double whammy for your body and mind.)

2. It’s OKAY to say no!

Trust me, you’ll be happy with the decision you’ve made to say NO. There is ALWAYS a choice; some are just harder than others, so evaluate the pros and cons.

3. In the midst of chaos, find a few moments in your busy schedule to step back, take a long deep breath and become aware of your surroundings.

Try to notice something you never noticed about your campus before. Don’t rush; walk slowly, smiling on… the more you smile, the more you begin to recognize your true happiness.

4. Limit the amount of garbage you watch on T.V.

All it does is make you envious of other people’s lives. Instead, in your downtime, take up something that stimulates your mind. Read a book, learn to play the piano, cook a gourmet meal you find on foodnework.com, or take a walk and contemplate life.

5. And lastly, find joy in the little things, spark up good conversation, and smile at people to make them feel lovely. Be optimistic and trust in yourself; if you don’t, no one will. 
XOXO,
Your MISS. Fanatic fashionista, Alexis!

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How to Incorporate Your School Spirit this Holiday Season!

Posted on December 15, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Usually when you think of the holidays you immediately point to red and green as the most festive colors to sport. However, if you’re a true fanatic of your school, there are ways that you can incorporate your team spirit, even if you are on winter break. Whether its wearing your favorite UCF accessory, or having LSU themed cupcakes at your holiday get-togethers, these ideas will keep you showing your love for your school, even in your hometown.

 

1.    Get ready for your Caribbean winter vacay with this awesome bathing suit from Miss. Fanatic.

It comes in 10 different schools!

(You can also get it as a gift for your favorite fanatic!)

 

2.    Wake up Christmas morning with this awesome Pajama set from Victoria’s Secret!

3.    Bring these collegiate inspired cupcakes to all of your holiday parties, you are sure to be loved by everyone there!

 

4.    To conspicuously show your love for your school wear these cute VS panties under your LBHD (little black holiday dress)

 

5.    Be fashionable and spirited with this cute flower clip from the UCF bookstore:

And pair it with a solid black or white dress, some leather boots, and panty hose.

 

That being said, always stay true to your school and remember to flaunt those colors every chance you get!

Happy holidays fanatics <3

Love, Alexis, your Miss Fanatic fashionista!

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The Holiday Gift Giving Frenzy

Posted on December 13, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Hey there fanatics!

 

Are you having an issue shopping for 100 of your closest friends and family members? How about your boyfriend, his best friend, your neighbor two doors down, your distant cousin and yourself? How do you survive the “broke student slump?” Here’s my guide to great gift giving on a budget. Trust me, your friends will appreciate you more than ever:

1. Start off with a price range for each person that you want to buy a gift-and stick to that budget!

2. When determining that budget, remember that it is not about the price of the gift. Your friend will love you no matter what you give them, as long as you put in a little thought. (I’d say, try and keep it under $30 for a good friend, $50 for a boyfriend of a couple of months (as the years go on, add another $50 for each year you’ve been together), and for acquaintances, always keep it under $15. You’d be surprised with what you can find in the stores I mention below.

3. When buying gifts for my friends, I like to keep it simple, and let the card do all the talking, or the homemade item for that matter.

4. Top 5 stores you MUST look in:

  • TJ Maxx
  • Ross
  • Forever 21
  • Target
  • Marshall’s
  • Also, check on online stores like Urbanog, most of them have a gift section ;)  

 

5. Don’t underestimate the beauty of DIY—your friend will appreciate all the effort and love you for their one of a kind item. Check out Pinterest and StumbleUpon for great ideas!

 

6. That being said, it’s really important to focus on each person as a separate entity and determine the one quality of them that stands out the most and incorporate that in the gift. 

If your friend is a lover of Hello Kitty, check out this awesome gift, that’s under $30!

(click on the picture to go to the site)

 

 

7. Always check the dollar/ sales/ clearance sections of the stores.Often times, these items are not even remotely old, but stores are constantly getting new inventory, so they are forced to put items for sale so they can sell it quicker.

 

For girls, things that are always going to be a hit: make-up, cute change purses, nail polish, costume jewelry, coffee, novels, room accessories—all of which can be found under 20 bucks.

This E.L.F makeup pallet is $8 on sale at Target.com!

You can find this chunky necklace at Forever21.com for $13

 

This floral jewelery stand can be found at Forever21.com for 12 bucks!

 

For guys, think of favorite foods, drinks, bands, T.V. shows, and feed off of that. If you know your guy loves Seinfeld, go to the local record store and find him a poster of Kramer, frame it, and on the back of the poster write 10 things you love about him. He will never let you go!

You can find this gem at amazon.com for $4!

 

 

 

Good luck and Happy shopping!

 

Love,

Alexis, your Miss. Fanatic Fashionista!

 

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Make your game day attire shine!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by | Leave a comment

GAME DAY STYLE
With the championship games rolling in and your team needing every student’s support, you have to prove your fanaticism here and now! What is the best way to do this you ask? By flaunting those colors and letting them shine! That being said—glitter, glitter, and more glitter, is ALWAYS appropriate to show your love and appreciation of your school. Why not have reasons to go all out with the paint, glitter and glam on the next game day? By sporting the newest trend you are sure to get that attention you want and the “ooh’s and awes” from your peers. I know it may be a daunting experience to be the center of attention, but sometimes, it is exciting and feels nice to be the most appealing thing in the room—or at tailgate for that matter! Let me just say that my absolute favorite game day attire are glitter shorts! They are a fanatic’s perfect accessory to glam up any outfit. Paired with a similar color spirit shirt, some ribbon, glitter, and rockin’ makeup, you are sure to turn heads! I tell you this from experience. At the last tailgate of the year, I sported this outfit because I wanted to end the season off with a BANG. Not to sound arrogant, but I really got a dozen compliments that day, I felt like a million bucks! Doesn’t it feel great to be flattered sometimes? It boosts that self-esteem, and makes you feel all warm and toasty inside. Now, I LOVE my school colors because black and gold are a perfect pair, but whatever school you go to you can be sure to find a pair of shorts that will scream school spirit, all you have to do is search a little.

Get this look:
-Black v-neck UCF metallic print shirt, Walmart: $14
-Black sequined high-waisted shorts, Forever 21: $20
-Watch: Michael Kors
-Belt: homemade (black tie and gold ribbon wrapped together)

Happy game day fanatics!

Love,
Alexis and the Miss Fanatic Team!

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College Bargain Hunting at its Finest

Posted on November 30, 2011 by | Leave a comment

With college football season coming to a quick end and the spring season rolling around, the air is getting crisp and the days are getting shorter. You know what that means?! Its time to get your shop on! Don’t lie to yourself, for you know that that time is now. I don’t know about you, but I am a broke college student trying to pave my way into the world of fashion, and with that, I am finding every means necessary to build my impeccable wardrobe selection with the least amount of money possible. How I do that, you ask. BARGAIN hunting. That’s right, I literally HUNT for those deals-and you bet that I was hunting those bargains on black Friday this past weekend. But you want to know the unforeseen issue that I came across— I found a very sorry selection of well priced goodies. You know where I was at, midnight on the Friday after I stuffed my face to some sweet potato casserole and deviled eggs? I was at the mall, first in line at H&M, where I found all but a handful of good deals: a $5, $10, and $15 dress. THAT’S IT! After I fought the vociferous crowd, I came out with a $35 dent in my wallet for 4 things, not terrible, but when you think of black Friday, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is incredible savings-not mediocre buys. I went to two malls in search for that perfectly priced pair of heels and unfortunately came back unsatisfied. I am the type of person that unless it is in fact PERFECTLY PRICED, I won’t settle. Never have I spent more than $40 for a single item in my closet, and let me tell you that I pride myself in knowing that. So, bargain hunting is where I will continue to find my amazing pieces. One of my favorite stores will always be Goodwill. Now I know that may sound pretty gross to buy other peoples hand-me-downs, but I just can’t get enough of it! No other store has brought me greater joy than the walls of Goodwill. Some of my finds include a vintage Chanel Lambskin Quilted shoulder bag, $35; an Ellen Tracy handbag, $7, and $8 Fergalicious booties. In spite of the upcoming Holiday season, as the Grinch says, “One man’s trash is another man’s potpourri.” Just a few days ago I was searching for something to wear for Thanksgiving, and I went to the local consignment store, and found a chiffon floral print dress-perfect for fall-by Forever 21 for $7. Two days later, I decide to go into the Forever 21 by my house and I see the exact same dress for $30! With that, I will end this by saying, if you don’t love it, don’t buy it –because you may just find it in Goodwill.
Happy Shopping!

Love,
Alexis your Miss Fanatic Fashionista!

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Graduation Gifts

Posted on August 9, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Graduation has quickly crept upon you and though it’s a bittersweet moment, you’re finally done! For those of you going on to grad school…well, good luck. But for those who no longer have to study for an exam or pull an all-nighter to then wake up three hours later…you’re home free! And with graduation announcements already sent out to everyone and their grandmother, it leaves you with the question: What would make the best graduation gift?

Yes, we would all like our dream car parked in front of our college apartment, wrapped perfectly in a large red bow with the keys dangling from our parent’s hands. Unfortunately, we live in a little something called, “the real world.” Lucky for you, Miss Fanatic has come up with some fabulous alternatives for your new car blues.
Here are some of our top favorites for graduation:

Money:

Ok, we know it seems so impersonal, but do you really want to spend your precious time returning items you wouldn’t even look at twice in the store? Yeah, we didn’t think so. And as a college graduate, any extra cash helps! You can use it to start saving for your future, or you can just splurge it all. Hello shopping spree!

Trip to Europe:

Though it’s a little pricier, a trip to Europe is just what you need! After four long years of hard work, wouldn’t it be nice to travel with all your close girlfriends? You could finally visit the Eiffel Tower in France, roam the busy streets of England, or enjoy the beautiful landscape of Greece. A last hoorah with all your besties would be the best way to end a chapter in your life. Why not ask for it as graduation gift?

Digital Camera:

It’s time to retire that old, beaten up camera you’ve had since freshman year and upgrade to something more sophisticated. You know you love taking pictures with your friends and posting them to Facebook, so a new camera would be a great graduation gift. It would also be a nice addition to have on that trip to Europe, right? ;)

Jewelry:

Ladies, let’s admit it. We love getting jewelry! So why not use graduation as an excuse to finally get those earrings you know you’ve been eyeing for months now? And if we’re really being honest, there’s nothing better than receiving jewelry in that tiny Tiffany’s blue box wrapped perfectly in white ribbon!

Miss Fanatic Clothing:

Last but certainly not least, why not ask for some great pieces from the Miss Fanatic clothing line?! Though you’re alum, you know the sports fan in you will return to your alma mater for all the home games! Wouldn’t it be nice to cheer for your favorite team in a stylish Miss Fanatic Free Agent tube top? And with summer upon us, an Unnecessary Roughness bikini would be a fun and sexy way to sport your school spirit at the beach!

Congrats on your accomplishment you deserve it!

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