I transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison after my freshman year and immediately started writing for CollegeFashionista one month after the original site launched. It has been so cool to watch the site start as a small project and grow into a successful company with some serious credibility in the fashion industry. Not only have I been able to report on the street style in Madison for eight semesters and three summers, but also I’ve been able to catch a glimpse and be a tiny part of the fashion industry all while living in Madison. And let’s be real, I did most of my CollegeFashionista work in my apartment while wearing pajamas—does it get any better than that?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in the fashion industry. I thought I wanted to be a designer, but after majoring in apparel design for two and a half years and interning for CollegeFashionista, I knew I belonged in a different part of the industry. Blogging and social media are definitely my calling. With a quick switch of my major during my junior year, I put blinders on and made CollegeFashionista my number one focus. I ignored a lot of traditional ideas and values and evaluated all kinds of advice from professors, professionals and friends. But I always did what felt right in my heart and gut. I couldn’t be happier that I did, because it landed me a position at my dream company: CollegeFashionista. New York, here I come!

As a fashion fanatic with a passion for creative writing, I was beyond excited to join the CollegeFashionista team at the start of my senior year. Having been NAU’s Style Guru for the past three semesters, I pride myself on showcasing the unique styles of my fellow Lumberjacks while simultaneously enhancing my personal resume. Because of the time I’ve spent snapping photos of stylish Fashionistas/os, I’ve developed a newfound love for fashion photography. Now I can finally put my fancy Canon to good use! I couldn’t be more grateful for this internship and the numerous doors it has opened for me, especially as I prepare to throw myself into the professional world.

While I would ideally have some major big city job lined up upon my graduation, I’m planning to give myself a solid six months of down time (and hardcore money saving) before I make any big moves. We can’t all be like Lauren Conrad anyway, right? Though I’m an Arizona girl through and through, I can definitely say that my heart belongs to Los Angeles, which is where I plan to kick-start my future in 2014. Wherever this life takes me, whatever I end up doing, I know I’ll do it with style and grace. And at this point in my life, that’s enough for me.

The biggest highlight of my collegiate years has to be my internship experience in New York City. I interned at both Michael Kors and Black Frame, a fashion PR firm, and was finally able to experience the fashion industry first-hand. Even though I had learned about the industry for years in school, experiencing it for myself gave me a whole new perspective on the industry.  At the end of my internship with Black Frame, I assisted with preparations for three different shows during New York Fashion Week. Working at NYFW had been a dream of mine since I was in high school, and it was a surreal feeling to actually make that dream of mine come true.

After wrapping up my internships in NYC, I transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 2011. I applied to become a Style Guru during my very first semester at VCU as a way to get myself acclimated to the fashion scene at my new school; however, this experience turned out to be much more than I could have ever imagined. CollegeFashionista has become my own little family, as I’ve connected with Style Gurus across the nation and have learned so much more about the fashion industry. CollegeFashionista uncovered my passion for journalism, and this organization has challenged me and pushed me to reach my potential. I’m incredibly sad to be leaving my adopted CollegeFashionista family, however, I’ll always be a Style Guru at heart.

Since graduating, I’m currently enjoying my very last summer before I enter the “real world” and I’m applying to jobs in the fashion PR field. Further on down the road, I plan on getting my MBA and founding my own PR firm.  Look out, world!

It is definitely safe to say that my time as a Style Guru has taught me to appreciate the personal style of each unique Fashionista/o I come across on the University of Iowa campus. Whether it be their quirky way of mixing unexpected pieces together to create an awesome look or their daring ability to walk down the street looking like no one else on campus. I have learned that being a CollegeFashionista can mean a lot of things. For me, being a Fashionista on a college budget has helped me fall back in love with all the great pieces I have in my closet. Running into and photographing so many amazing Fashionistas/os here on campus has kept me inspired throughout my years as a college student, and when endless amounts of homework and due dates to meet have me stressed, it is those unique street style looks that keep me smiling.

I am beyond sad to be exiting my position as a Style Guru, leaving behind the fashionable folks at the University of Iowa. But I do so knowing that I have learned so much about what it means to have personal style. And while my time scouring campus for stylish students is over, I know that wherever life takes me next their will be streets, and on them, amazing style that will keep me forever inspired.

Even then, the business side of fashion never really peaked my interest. As a self proclaimed artistic hippie numbers, meetings and power points scared me to death! Luckily, I enjoyed a lot of my classes but time flew by so fast it was already my junior and I had no internships. A friend of mine asked me to photograph and report on fashion show given by the university. After that night, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: be a fashion journalist. It mixed all of the things I like to do best, photography, writing and fashion. That’s when I found CollegeFashionista. I enjoyed reading all the different posts and there was so much helpful information, I was shocked I hadn’t heard of it sooner. Two years later, here I am. Writing my final post.

CollegeFashionista helped me to answer the age old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We’re expected to always have an answer to that question but sometimes we just aren’t sure. I am so thankful I was able to write for such a fabulous site. Not only do I have an excellent addition to my resume, but I learned a lot. I learned how to professionally write an article, how to research and advise on fashion. Additionally, I became more confident in my photography.

During my time with CollegeFashionista I had the privilege of receiving writing directions from both Amy and Melissa Levin. Newbies always need encouragement and they give it the best, always giving constructive criticism and tips.

While every fashion graduate may dream of New York, I plan on playing my role in a state that is always snow free. I hope to work for a major blog, magazine or newspaper reporting on fashion and taking photographs. I also plan to start my own street style blog. I give all the thanks to CollegeFashionista for setting the stepping stones.

Though my love for fashion journalism started with Scott Schuman and The Sartorialist, CollegeFashionista has allowed me to further my career in this field and I’ve become a better photographer. This website is a place where I come to share my love for both photography and fashion. I’ve realized there are no wrong answers when it comes to style; there are no stupid questions. Fashion is about expressing yourself in the best way possible. Fashion is the most powerful form of self expression we have without using any words. Through colors and shapes, we tell the world that we are here and we are here to stay. The best thing about fashion is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Yes, there are trends and popular items, but in the end, fashion is individual and it can range from bell bottoms and crop tops to mini skirts and oversized blouses. There might be fashion polices but you can’t get penalized for telling the world who you are and that’s a beautiful thing.

This summer, I will be moving to Manhattan and pursuing a career in fashion journalism. My dream job is to be an editor at Refinery29 — one of my favorite websites. I would love to move to Los Angeles this fall/winter season as a fashion photographer and I believe that New York will be that bridge. I am so thankful for all of the doors that CollegeFashionista has opened for me and I look forward to the future this internship has built for me. Amy and Melissa Levin are two of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and I hope we meet again sometime soon.

This Fashionista’s look is comprised of thrift store finds, natural influences and clothes that were purchased with their closet compatibility in mind. Not only is she choosing to wear clothes that have already had a life, she is purchasing pieces that will last long enough to have a second life when she chooses to discard them. She reminds us that sustainability is directly related to our awareness when purchasing new clothes as well as old. Rather than shopping at mass retailers she chooses her purchases more wisely in favor of pieces that will last. Get inspired by this Fashionista’s style which is comprised of pieces you probably already own. I love that her jacket is slightly oversized and she styles it by rolling her sleeves. Her leggings keep her comfortable and the socks peeking out from her boots add another texture to her look. Dr. Martens are easily the shoe of choice for Moore students and I like that this Fashionista chooses a boot style perfectly worn with a floral lining as a fun pop. Her leather and cord bracelets give a nod to the layered bracelet trend, making it her own. Her scarf can be worn in multiple ways giving her wardrobe new dimension, personally I love it as a hood. It also gives nod to her Mexican heritage and the textile is woven with a beautiful but subtle design.

If I was reconstructing this Fashionista’s look I would opt for a canvas army green jacket like this durable style from the army navy store. For leggings I’d opt for this slouched style from Burton Snowboards. Not only is Burton based in Vermont, but I can also vouch for the quality of its products. For a scarf I’d go straight to Melissa D’Agostino, a Moore alum who makes beautiful hand dyed pieces right in Philadelphia.

Although I’m sad to leave one of the best experiences of my college career I am excited for the new things that I lay ahead, but like this Fashionista I hope to fill my life with quality things and recycle the best parts of the past. I hope you do the same.

Today’s Fashionista took the cowboy boot trend into her own hands and opted for some tall vintage brown ones. Since Nashville is the home of country music, we have got vintage boots everywhere you look. She paired hers with some black skinny jeans, an oversized pullover and some Ray-Ban wayfarers.

To get a similar look to today’s Fashionista, start out with a good pair of black skinny jeans. Try these high-waisted looker jeans from Mother Denim. For a pullover, check out this T by Alexander Wang wool acrylic boxy knit hoodie in heather gray. Finally, for boots, you have two options. You can go for vintage and scour Etsy, thrift stores and vintage stores, or you can get these beaties by Golden Goose Deluxe Brand.

Whichever pair you choose to wear, you will look fabulous if you keep the rest of the outfit chic and fashion-forward. Just remember, with cowboy boots comes power, so in the immortal words of Nancy Sinatra, “Are you ready boots? Start walking.”

This way of life may seem barbaric against the cognitive capacity of the human mind; however that doesn’t mean that humans are free of these same animalistic instincts. Despite our place at the top of the animal kingdom, these instincts still lie at the core of each and every human being — ready to pounce if given the right opportunity. Although animalistic behavior has a negative connotation due to a presumed lack of self-control, a bit of this fierceness can serve well even within the slightly tamer walls of the concrete jungle. The sartorial world seems to agree, as animals are appearing everywhere in the wardrobes of the Fashionistas in the street style realm.

Animal print is certainly no novel trend on the runways, however this spring it’s the bold intensity of animal faces and not just their fur patterns, which seem to be the fashionable focal point. The shirt worn by this week’s Fashionista showcases one of the most dangerous, beautiful and well-recognized predators in the animal kingdom — the tiger. Few animals exude such an air of raw fearlessness, making the tiger the perfect animal for the Fashionistas who are as fearless in life as they are in fashion. A graphic tiger T-shirt is the perfect option for the warmer spring and summer months, however a sweater will be an ideal acquisition for this coming fall. Another animal commonly seen transitioning from the safari to the streets is the zebra. Although less vicious than the tiger, the zebra possesses an air of grace and an elegant coat of black and white — making a zebra T-shirt the best match for Fashionistas who love monochromatic color palettes. Last but not least is an animal renowned for surviving the harshest environmental conditions and associated with the warrior-like qualities of strength and leadership. A description like that is fitting for none other than the big, bad wolf, whose image looks just as good on a cropped T-shirt as it does on a draped-back T-shirt.

This season, let your animal instincts take over and channel the ferocious fearlessness that’s needed for survival in the animal kingdom into your everyday ensembles. After all, even in the concrete jungle, it’s better to be the predator than it is to be the prey.

She starts off her look with a simple black V-neck long sleeved shirt. This wardrobe staple is simple yet can be paired with anything and is a great alternative to a sweatshirt on a rainy day. She pairs her shirt with a fabulous pair of black and white Aztec printed leggings. These adorable leggings are right on trend and add unique visual interest to her outfit. She wears a simple black leather belt to continue with her monochrome theme.

On her feet she models classic L.L.Bean rain boots in a light tan. These boots have been around for ages and will never go out of style. They are a perfect rainy day shoe compared to tall rubber rain boots on dreary days. Finally, this Fashionista rocks her shoulder length hair with a few twists and pulls to complete her sophisticated yet practical rainy day look. Take a page out of this Fashionista’s book and rock your unique rainy day wear!