*There are only two days left to enter the Tibi dress giveaway. I’ve noticed that some eager beavers entered their name more then once but, in the interest of keeping things fair, only the the first entry will count. Good luck lovelies!

What I’m wearing:

• Cotton/silk dress by “April, May” (last seen in June 16’10)
• Cashmere cardigan by ‘Michael Kors” (last seen in Mar. 30’10)
• Turquoise necklaces (last seen in May 12’10)
• Large bag by “Calvin Klein” (last seen in July 26’10)
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 27’10)

For my Russian Readers:

Это  мой первый в этом учебном году образ, лук, наряд (всё звучит, как-то не по русски и двухсмысленно – ПОМОГИТЕ!!!) состоит из легкого платья, кашимирового кардигана и бижутерии, как акцента. Просто, лаконично  и удобно.  А ранним прохладным утром только  кашимир способен вернуть мне уют и тепло покинутой постели.

* Look at this pancake breakfast my mom made me on my first day back – talk about a sweet welcome home! Actually it was more of a collaboration because my dad made the latte. Making gourmet coffee drinks is yet another one of my dad’s hobbies (or obsessions) and he is definitely reaching the stage of perfection with this one. He gets so into roasting beans and brewing that he looks like a mad scientist with a coffee grinder. (Lol) It’s like a coffee shop at my parents’ house.

Tell us a little about yourself, your blog and where you’re from…

I was born in Moldova and moved to Canada with my family when I was 12. I’ve always loved to dress up, take pictures, and talk about fashion, so creating a blog like Fashionista Talk seemed like a natural development.

What are you studying and hope to get into later in life?

In September, I’m starting Law School in California where I hope to practice it in the future.

When did you first realize your flair for fashion?

I think that moment of realization came to me sometime in my early childhood. Growing up in Moldova, in the years of perestroika, there was a significant shortage of options in clothing (or pretty much anything for that matter). And I think that for some, these limitations sort of imposed a heightened sense of creativity because if you had a vision for an outfit you had to make it yourself. This is one of the areas in which I watched my mom and aunt really apply themselves. When everyone was wearing minis, because that’s what was available, they were in gypsy maxis. I watched them and I waited…for my turn.

How would you describe your personal fashion sense and how has it changed over the years, if at all?

I love to experiment and play, but on the whole I tend to gravitate towards the feminine. My fashion sense experienced most instability in my high-school years. I went from sexy, to preppy, to somewhere in between. By the time I hit University (or it hit me) my current style was probably in the last stages of manifestation. And by the time I graduated, I began to gain appreciation for high-fashion, couture stuff.

Any specific style icons?

One of my biggest style icons is Evelina Khromchenko, who is the Editor-in-Chief of L’Officiel Russia. She is the strongest voice of Russian fashion right now, and let me tell you, that voice is “pretty.”

Where is the one place in the world that you would love to spend the rest of your days and why?

For me, that’s a pretty difficult question to answer because there are a lot more cities I’d like to see before I commit. Out of all the places I’ve visited so far, I can definitely see myself living in San Francisco or Manhattan. I just know that the city would have to be big, diverse, and dynamic.

What is the one thing in your closet you couldn’t live without?

I couldn’t live without my Inhabit cashmere cardigan. It’s by far one of the most useful items in my closet and we’ve been through a lot together.

What are your favorite designers and places to shop?

Some of my favorite designers are: Consuelo Castiglioni (MARNI), Stella McCartney, Alberta Ferretti, Pierre Hardy, Giambattista Valli, Lanvin, Miu Miu, and Guillaume Hinfray. I shop anywhere that makes affording these brands possible to a student.

How do you decide when to splurge and when to save on certain items?

Considering that I hardly ever truly ‘need’ a piece of clothing or accessory, I go by the value principle. I almost never pay full price for anything, but if I come across a vintage Prada dress that fits me well and is somewhat reasonably priced, I’ll splurge.

What advice would you give to someone looking to define their style?

Experiment and stay conscious of how your choices make you feel. When you begin to feel comfortable with your own style, you will exude a certain confidence that will intensify its effect on others. The way you carry yourself frames people’s perception of your outfit, so wear what makes you feel good and with time your style will define itself.

Next item you MUST purchase.

A pair of those black nerdy frames for my next prescription glasses. I plan to hit law school in style.

In your opinion, what makes the world go round?

I left this answer for last because it’s a serious toughie. To answer “money” would be too pessimistic and “love” too naive. So I’ll go with the sun’s gravitational pull.

You’re stuck in an elevator with your favorite Beatle, who is it and what do you ask him?

Paul McCartney.

Realistically speaking I’d probably be too shy or nervous, or both, to ask anything of substance.

On a serious side note, tell us, whose style have you been eyeing on Weardrobe lately and why?

I really like Rachel’s looks (Studio Swag). She always looks so well put together and her pictures are interesting and dynamic.

What I’m wearing:

• Zipper pants by “Stella McCartney” (last seen in Apr. 11’10)
• Chiffon blouse by “YA-YA Aflalo” (last seen in Nov. 16’09)
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 24’10)
• Reversible cloth bag by “Xpat” (last seen in Beach Clothes)
• Handmade necklace with clay gingerbread men looking things (bought in Cuba) (last seen in Dec. 30’09)

What I’m wearing:

• Silk dress by “Alexandra” (my mommy bought it for me in Italy) (last seen in Feb. 17’10)
• Silk top by “ETRO” (last seen in Mar. 7’10)
• Leather belt by “Rough Roses” (last seen in Feb. 17’10)
• Rolls Royce Fold-Over clutch by “Marc Jacobs” (last seen in Jan. 14’10)
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 20’10)
• Suede sleeveless coat by “Isaac Sellam” (last seen in Apr. 7’10)

What I’m wearing:

• Silk layered petals dress by “Chelsea Flower”
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 18’10)
• Long necklace by “Angie Gooderham” (last seen in Jan. 8’10)

What I’m wearing:

• Jacket by “The Wrights”
• Pencil skirt by “The Wrights”
• Leather heels by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 17’10)
• Headband (worn as a necklace) by “Priti Moudgil” (last seen in Apr. 12’10)
• Simple tank top from “H&M”

What I’m wearing:

• Dress by “Malene Birger”
• Belt by “Deena & Ozzy” (last seen in Jan. 30’10)
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (last seen in Apr. 14’10)
• Oversized cardigan by “Young Fabulous & Broke” (last seen in Apr. 15’10)

The shorts I’m wearing today have a story of their own. As you might have guessed, they used to be jeans with rips at the knees. I loved these Aberctombies but they quickly went from ‘distressed’ to plain stressed and tired. The rips got bigger with every wear and I figured it was time to put them out of their misery. Shortly after this realization, they had some ‘quality time’ with my scissors and the jeans where never the same again. This morning these ‘shorts’ popped into my head and I decided it was time for a revival. They are now knee length so I rolled them up for a more finished look.

I guess it’s true what they say…never give up on those you love .

What I’m wearing:

• Distressed jean shorts by “Abercrombie & Fitch”
• Knitted crochet cardigan by “YA-YA Aflalo”
• Leather belt by “Fullum & Holt” (as seen in Apr. 11’10)
• Silk top by “Rory Beca” (as seen in Feb. 5’10)
• Pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (as seen in Apr. 11’10)
• A strand of amber tied into a knot (my grandmother’s)
• Large leather bag by “NICOLI” (as seen in Apr. 11’10)

This is basically where Stella gives things over to Amber. I accessorized these garments with a chunky amber necklace that my mom and I made from a number of my grandmother’s small amber strands. But I wore it rather unconventionally today because instead of using the hook and wearing it as a triple-strand, I hung it vertically over my neck. It ended up looking like a super long necklace with one strand of amber on top and two at the bottom. If you watch the Gloves video this might become clearer.

What I’m wearing:

• Pants by “Stella McCartney” (as seen in Dec. 30’09)
• Cotton organza blouse by “Stella McCartney” (as seen in Mar. 16’10)
• Leather pumps by “Guillaume Hinfray” (as seen in Apr. 1’10)
• Amber necklace (made with my mom) (as seen in Feb. 1’10, Gloves)
• Amber ring (made it myself) (as seen in Feb. 1’10)
• Large leather bag by “NICOLI” (as seen in Gloves)
• Leather belt by “Fullum & Holt” (as seen in Feb. 1’10)

The amber necklace and the bag were featured in my video on Gloves. Here it if for those who haven’t seen in it:

Click here to view the embedded video.

What I’m wearing:

• Suede jacket by “Isaac Sellam” (as seen in Mar. 31’10)
• Hooded dress by “Le Grand Blue aka. L.G.B” (as seen in Mar. 31’10)
• Shoes by “Guillaume Hinfray” (as seen in Mar. 31’10)
• Leather/stones necklace by “LM” (as seen in  Mar. 31’10, Dec. 10′09)
• Crystal heart necklace by “Cristal de Sèvres” (as seen in Mar. 31’10)
• Nude tights
• Cashmere blanket my aunt Laura knitted
• Leather bracelet by “Julia Roberts for Emporio Armani” (the bracelet is embossed with a Banyan tree that says “Revolution, Evolution, Devotion”) (as seen in Dec. 10′09)