I have this awesome Chinese cut red dress. The tag says it’s a size 14 but it’s form fitting if you’re a sexy eight. But you know back during the 40s sizes were just different. There was a war going on then, you know. I wasn’t there. I heard about it from my grandma, the original owner of the dress.

In any case, in the event that you don’t have a grandmother who stock piles everything that she and her children have owned since BIRTH you might need a place to fill your vintage needs. Because vintage clothes are awesome and pretty and everyone needs some.

Fortunately, the internet is there for you:

1) Mod Cloth

This is a fun little boutique featuring everything from dresses to shoes. You don’t see many retailers sporting vintage shoes, so this is a rare find. Or maybe I just love shoes. Too much. Anyways, they also carry a wealth of accessories to augment your perfect retro look whether it be 40’s swing or 60’s flower child.

And they’re giving it all to you for 15% off until August 8th! Just shop your vintage little heart out, put it all in your “basket,” then enter the super special code (ModCandy 15) at checkout! That’s it. 15% off some of the cutest vintage-inspired goods on the web.

2) Newport News

Didn’t expect to see this site on the list, huh? Well here’s the thing, you find the greatest treasures off the beaten path. Although there’s nothing vintage about their clothes, their shoe selection has some fantastic vintage-inspired finds. Nestled in between all the smart shoes for work there are a few hidden gems. Look towards the boot section and pumps.

3) ChinaTowner

Another clothing site filled to the brim with great clothes. The site actually caters to many different styles. There are quite a few vintage inspired dresses and tops among the ranks as well as some really cute jackets and blazers. It’s summer now so you can catch a few good deals on the winter stock.

4) Baby Girl Boutique

This site is quite a bit more pricier than the others listed here but well worth it. They carry dresses and shoes centering around the Pin Up look. Got curves? Then try this place. Nothing looks sexier on a girl with curves than a cute dress and a pair of killer pumps. Channel your inner Monroe on this site.

5) Red Dress Shoppe

This is a site much like Baby Girl but a little more cost friendly. The selection isn’t as big, but what they do have is stellar. They spotlight mostly the 40s and 50s in their clothes, but there are few 60 surprises mixed in there as well. Where this site really shines is the price. Even the full price items are pretty low on the cost scale so you can build a wardrobe with a bulk of these items and pick up a few pricier items from one of the other shops.

6) Antidote Clothing

I love this site. Simply because it has EVERYTHING. I could spend hours browsing through pages of clothes and still find something new everyday. They have clothing inspired by the 20′s onward. The site itself is a little all over the place but fairly simple to navigate.

7) Pinup Girl Clothing

At first glance you would think that it’s all waist cinching dresses and five inch heels. But that’s only the first glance. This site also carries the cutest mini dresses. Sure we all want to be Bettie Page, but sometimes we want to be Twiggy too. And this site lets you do it.

8 ) Phix Clothing

Much like VH1, I love the 80′s and you know you do too. Cyndi Lauper was so hot. I’m not ashamed to admit my love of 80′s pop icons! Bright colors and a sea of ruffles. Stockings, leg warmers, the whole nine. This site has it all.

9) The Vintage Vault

It’s all fine and dandy to have vintage inspired clothes, but nothing sets you apart from the crowd like real vintage wear. And its not always expensive. Take this site, for example; the prices are reasonable and the selection is good. Pick up a few items to add an authentic feel to your wardrobe.

No matter what decade you’re channeling there’s an online store out there for you. No need to deal with the scents and sounds of the local Salvation Army – you can get your vintage fix from the comforts of your very own desk (or bathroom, if that’s how you roll).

But, and here’s the catch, everything I find so essential now will be completely outdated in like three years. Think about it – that new phone/game system/computer that you JUST got and are totally obsessed with will be old news very soon. And you will long for the day that you can get an upgrade.

That’s really kind of depressing. And a total waste of money, no?

Being that electronics go bad faster than those rotting apples in your fridge, it doesn’t always make sense to get the hottest, newest thing. There are just some pieces of technology you do not need. So, before you head off to Best Buy to ogle the latest and thinnest TVs for next year’s apartment, let’s discuss the things worth investing in vs. the things you can just play with at your guy friends’ frat house.

The Cell Phone:
Some things are pretty much a no brainier. Sure you probably CAN live without it, but why would you want to? With society’s on-the-go attitude (and our overflowing social calendars) trying to track us down on a land line is nigh impossible. And trying to find a friend at a party? Good luck. What you don’t need, though, is the latest and greatest phone the moment it comes out. Wait just a few short months and the price on that sick new touchscreen phone will drop.

The Blue Tooth:
Does it really take that much energy to lift that precious phone to your ear? And do you realize how ridiculous you look talking to yourself on the way to class? Pass on the blue tooth and save that money for something you really need, like rent. Or shoes. If you are doing something that prevents you from holding the phone, you probably shouldn’t be talking on it anyway.

Flat Screen:
They are pretty. They are cool. They are also very expensive pretty and cool items that you probably don’t need, especially to watch Gossip Girl. Hold onto that regular TV set a little longer, or just watch your shows online. You’ll save money on cable AND a TV purchase. Cha ching.

Blu-Ray:
Blu-Ray players are very cool, but you don’t need to splurge on one. DVDs are just fine and I’m confident they are going to stick around for awhile.

iPod Touch:
This thing is sweet – there is no doubt about it – but it is also really expensive and doesn’t hold nearly as much music as the pods that came before it. Yes, you can switch songs by tapping on a screen, but is that really worth the giant price tag? Probably not. Hold onto the iPod you’ve got until it’s dead. There will probably be 12 new iPods between now and then, so you’ll end up with an even better one in the long run.

Technology is ever changing and very disposable these days, so remember not to pick up anything just because it looks cool. Chances are something new a better is coming along in a few months.

Take that, bookstores!

So, despite my general love of books in the book form (there is nothing more satisfying than the sound of a book being cracked for the first time), I have begun to let my eyes wonder over to the E-Reader realm. It’s a bit cheaper when you add up the cost of all those books you’re buying, it’s good for the trees of the world, and since there has been talk of loading text books onto them, they are definitely something to look into.

And if not, I could still carry my ENTIRE library around with me without the aid of a large, burly moving man.

Yes, some are totally out of anyone’s price range and some are really crappy, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there for you. There are two really good options for e-readers out there today and I know that one of them will work for you. Trust me.

The Kindle

Everyone is pretty familiar with this device, thanks to Oprah. It’s pretty much awesome. It holds 1,500 standard size books, has a battery life that lasts for days if using the 3G network (or weeks if you’re not), and the newer version sports 16 shades of gray (which, admittedly, doesn’t sound that exciting but, keep in mind, it’s basically in black and white and grayscale adds depth).

The Kindle comes with a built-in dictionary that allows you to look up any word you come across that you don’t know simply by tapping it. And reading off of a Kindle is not like reading from a computer, so it doesn’t hurt your eyes as much as sitting online and Facebook stalking all night would.

The best part, though? The 3G network is completely free, allowing you to download new books, newspapers and magazines virtually anywhere. In the world. Without having you wait in line at Barnes and Noble.

But all that awesomeness comes with a hefty price tag. This Amazon exclusive is about $360, which is not cheap for the struggling college set. However, you can get a slightly older (or gently used) one and save a few dollars. And if you read a lot, the discounted price of $9.99 for downloaded books could end up saving you money in the long run.

If all else fails, ask for this for graduation. It’s perfect for long subway rides to that new office job, or for saving you some extra space in that tiny city apartment.

Sony – Reader Digital Book

This is the second best option. It’s cheaper… and it’s evident why. Whereas the new Kindle is full of flash and extra features (and a much cooler name!), this older Sony is basically, well, basic. It’s exactly what you need to function and nothing really extra. It handles all the same files and formats, but has only half the grayscale WAY less room for data on it.

It also doesn’t have connectivity that the Kindle carries, meaning you’ll have to download from your own home computer. Which, while not as awesome as the Kindle, really isn’t that bad. I mean, how often do you really need to download a new book when you are on your way to class or sitting in a restaurant?

The Sony Reader is functional and will do for most people’s daily needs. With a price tag that’s $100 less than the much flashier Kindle, and a pretty steady track record of, you know, working, it’s worth looking into.

There are some other e-readers out there but they’re really not worth it. None of the them come close to touching either products above. As more people turn away from traditional print media (which they shouldn’t do, print media is awesome…and you can’t get those fun perfume samples from an E-Reader) either one will earn back their price tag.

And you can put the $50 you got for selling back your $400 worth of text books towards it.
Think of it as a really lame rebate.

Remember when you started college and you got a bunch of cool new stuff? Everything was shiny and new and you were off on a great adventure. A lot has changed since then. Now you’re all disillusioned by jerky professors and “real world” problems. Oh, and your laptop is an antique.

Many of you are thisclose to the end of your college days [weep], which means it’s time to upgrade your shiz for the next phase of your life. But what do you need? And which products are the best?

Look no further; I’m here for your graduating shopping needs. I can’t teach you how to survive out there – because I’m a few credits away from that awful place – but I can help you with that graduation wish list to hand off to the parentals.

Please hold your applause until the end.

1) New computer

You seriously probably still need one of these if you kept the same one for all four (+) years of college. No matter how much you loved that thing, the fact that it weighs 11 pounds and burns your legs when you’re using it means it’s time to let it go. Most real worlders will be spending most of their time at work, so your laptop doesn’t need to have as many bells and whistles as it used to. The mini book is slightly limited in its uses, but it’s small and cute and totally portable. And it can get you onto Facebook, iTunes and AIM, so what more do you need?

If you want something fancier, go with the MacBook. It has a built in camera that will let you chat face to face with your friends, which will be perfect for re-creating the weekend Morning After Recap from afar.

2) Smart Phone

You’ve wanted a Blackberry/iPhone/G1 forever, and now is the time to go for it. You are going to be hella busy out there in real life, so having your calendar, email, phone, music and Facebook updates all coming with you wherever you go is imperative. Especially when you want to sneak out of the office for some happy hour drinks without missing any messages from the boss man.

3) A year subscription to Xbox Live

Ok, this seems random and it will only work if you actually play 360, but the real world is stressful and you’re going to need something to de-stress. Since your friends will mostly be spread all over the country, this is the best way to keep in touch… while owning them in the game.

4) A GPS system.

If you’re moving to a new place for that sick new job (which, by the way, is a major accomplishment in this economy), you are going to need to know where to go. You could stop at the gas station every day to get directions (and a Diet Coke), or you could put this puppy on your dashboard and get everywhere you need to go on time. This will also come in handy when you want to road trip back to school for homecoming, or take a weekend drive to reunite with the roomies.

5) A Flip Cam

Personally, I think everyone should have one of these to document the most memorable (or drunkest) moments in undergrad, but if you haven’t forked over the cash for one just yet, get granny and gramps to do it. This camera is smaller than your regular digi, but holds up to 60 minutes of footage and just fits right into the USB port of your computer for easy uploading. Pair that with iMovie on a MacBook and you could be a YouTube sensation (or superstar among your friends) in no time.

The real world is scary, but fun new toys make it so much more fun.
Good luck out there! (Now you can clap.)

Where do you think your old phones go? There’s no magical cell phone farm where they go to live out their last days in a texting spree. It’s more like a industrial landfill where they sit until the end of time.

And well that’s just not great for the Earth. The amount of tech junk that’s hanging out would make Captain Planet cry.

So what can you do to help with that? Well, you could buy less stuff, but that’s not too realistic. Especially with all the cool shiz that comes out monthly (thank you, Apple!) and the short life many of our gadgets have.

So what can you do? Why recycle, of course!

While you can’t just toss your old Razr or MacBook in the recycling bin with your cardboard boxes and empty bottles, there are many recycling centers to send your used electronics to when they break down or become obsolete. Check here for a list of places local to you! Or see if your city offers the USPS recycling program.

And when it comes to many other electronics, you have many options to save Mother Earth that are simple and will probably save you money in the end.

* Instead of buying new printer cartridges just refill the ones you have.

* Print on both sides of your computer paper. Maybe not for your actual turn-in products but for your notes. Also check with your profs to see if you can turn in things electronically. Every little bit counts.

* Turn your stuff off. Game consoles burn up an obscene amount of energy. I understand wanting to leave them running but it’s better for everyone if you just turn them off and replay that level later.

* Unplug! Don’t leave everything you own plugged in at all times. Not only does it cost you extra money, but it sucks a ton of energy! When you aren’t drying your hair, unplug the dryer. When you aren’t making coffee, unplug the coffee maker. You get the idea…

You don’t have to do grand things to help make the Earth a better place. Just do a little somethin’ somethin’ with those electronics and we’ll make this planet a better (and toxin free) place.

The system is touted as having many advanced features from the older DS. A slightly larger screen and a lot of really great new abilities: downloading full games directly to the system, camera and photo editing, more memory, etc. Sure, these aren’t things I really needed (I only want to play games on my way to class!), but I’m a sucker for bells and whistles.

And let me tell you, I’m glad I bought it!

The system looks different from the former having a matte finish which keeps it from getting all smudged. Vain and silly I know but I HATED when I had fingerprints on my DS. It just looked messy. But that’s the least of its features.

So what other tasty things does it do?

Le’s start with the camera. The resolution isn’t bad. There’s no flash and it tends to get blurry when anyone moves (like the crappy iPhone camera), but it’s good for taking quick pictures of friends or funny things on the bus. You can also edit the photos that you take on the fly. Wanna add hearts to your boo? Done. Wanna give your BFF fish lips to show her what her obsession with plastic surgery will do to her? Done and done.
It also happens to be a main component of some new games. Brain Age Express: Math uses the camera for some of the features in the actual game.  How cool is that!?

There’s also a voice recorder that you can play around with. It doesn’t record much and you have to be rather close for it to be clear, but it’s good for a quick note to yourself. It’s also good to one-up your friends who have that old DS.

Much like the new iPod Touch, the DSi comes with internet capabilities. It can’t pick up on every wireless router, but it is pretty useful. Although the memory is small and can’t load every page you may want to use (probably to prevent porn surfin’) I was able to check my mail and update my Myspace. It’s browser is powered by Opera and is functional for small internet tasks.

It also has a download shop where you can directly download games to your DSi. The shop is pretty empty right now but I’m sure Nintendo will be adding things in the near future. I purchased Brain Age and have been having fun training my brain in minutes a day.

The only real downside to this puppy is that it only handles DS cards. For most people this is a non-issue, but if you’re really addicted to your old school NES games that were re-released in GBA format a few years ago, you are gonna be upset.

All in all, the DSi is a fun little toy.  And now I have to get back to Animal Crossing. Those weeds aren’t going to pull themselves.

So I was browsing the shelves of Gamestop the other day and noticing that Nintendo was putting out a slew (well maybe not a slew so much as a few) of games that were Gamecube games remixed for the Wii’s controls. I was totally stoked because one of them is Pikmin, which I love. Yes, fight for my supplies my colorful horde. . .

In any case, it got me thinking back to the systems of ancient times. They were fun weren’t they? And so cheap now. So, if you are looking for something to do when you come home from the bar or when you don’t want to study, here are my top five not-really-so-retro-games for your playing enjoyment. Grab one of the gaming systems online and have a grand ol’ time.

Final Fantasy VII (Playstation)

This was the game that brought FF back to the forefront of RPGing. It pits characters against a sprawling world filled with not only monsters, but quirky side games. The story is engrossing and addictive. You just had to play it until the end. The cut scenes were super but the in-game graphics look lame now. Still it’s an excellent game for anyone.

Katamari Damacy (PS2)

You roll a ball around collecting things to make it bigger. That’s the premise of this game. Simple, relaxing, and oddly addictive. With a perky soundtrack and a ton of tiny little things laying around to pick up, the possibilities are endless.

Psychonauts (PS2)

Action Adventure anyone? You play a Raz, a creepy kid with mind powers who sneaks into a summer camp for other kids with mind powers. Along the way he manages to stumble upon a nefarious plot to take over the world and then save it all while dealing with his daddy issues. The game play is varied and original, the levels lush and varied. Fun all around. (Though I have no idea who thought of this one!)

Viewtiful Joe (Gamecube)

I’m not going to lie – I was madly frustrated with the last level. I wanted throw my controller at the TV… and I did. It’s in the past now. All I know is that Viewtiful Joe was a great and original game. The story is basically that an action movie fan gets sucked into the movie he so loves and then becomes the hero himself. It utilized a SFX meter to control your powers, which were all based on movie special effects. Slow motion, speed up, posing. All at your command. Frustrating, maybe, but still a great game.

UmJammer Lammy (PS)

It was the rock version of ParRapper the Rapper. She was a girl with a guitar trying to get to her gig. Along the way she meets a ton of people in her crazy town who all NEED her help! What is she to do? The only thing she can do: play guitar. It’s a musical extravaganza. And when you beat it you unlock PaRappa.

What are your favorite classics?

Every week we will be highlighting the best, coolest and shiniest in technology. Consider us your personal Geek Squad. And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

So it’s March. Time of leprechauns and half-nice weather. It’s also a time of sales. Tech sales. So here’s some sites to find some cool stuff for cheap. Because everyone loves cheap.

Outlet PC

So maybe you’re not quite ready to sit on your floor and build yourself and an awesome machine, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need stuff for you current comp. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not but cables for your comp are EXPENSIVE and get lost every time you move. This site isn’t flashy but it does have all your basics on it for really cheap.

Newegg.com

Slightly prettier site with a much larger variety of things to shop. Not just PC, but everything tech. From XBox 360 products to new TVs to laptops, this site has it all. The prices are REALLY reasonable making that decision on whether or not to get that extra controller just that much easier. Not to mention the phones. So if you’re plan is coming up on it’s two years you can shop an upgrade from your house. Or you can check out if you can get a better deal by going elsewhere.

PropertyRoom.com

So you know you can get a car at the police auction but did you ever wonder what they did with the other stuff they seize? I always assumed that they just returned it. Nope – turns out they auction that off too. This is one of the websites that they use to dump it. It’s pretty hit or miss on the site but you can find a good deal if you’re diligent. Remember, like Ebay it’s a bidding site, so stick around to watch your purchase close.

Ebay.com

I’m sure you’ve all looked over this from one time or another, but maybe not for tech stuff. This site is a goldmine when it comes to random tech stuff. And with the buy now option you can assure that you’ll get what you want.

The weather may getting nice outside, but there are still those rainy Spring days coming. Stock up on supplies now!

So winter is almost done and over with. Yay!

But we’ve still got a few more weeks of nasty weather ahead. Boo.

Even though we’ll start breaking out the pastels and cute shoes soon (soon being a relative term, as I personally refuse to wear pastels until it’s above 75 degrees), there will still be a host of rainy days and foul weather between now and “running through a field of flowers” weather. And, let’s be honest for a second; warm weather often means a boring desk job, during which time you will need plenty of things to do to pass the time.

So what does one do when they can‘t get out and play? Turn to the internet, of course! Here’s a quick list of ten sites to get you through the end of winter and beyond!

1) Coffeebreakarcade.com

This is exactly as the name implies. It’s an arcade of sorts filled with a ton of games that you can conceivably play on your coffee break. They range from card games to sports games. There are older and familiar puzzle games as well as new action games. The site is easy to navigate and good for a quick time-waster.

2) Y8.com

Another game site. This one has more games and isn’t as easy to find your way around in. The site is primarily for children, BUT there are still a ton of games that an adult will find entertaining. It has a wider selection of game types broken into topics along the left side of the screen. It also has coloring pages,  and what’s better for stress and boredom than a digital coloring book?

3) Bored.com

For when you’re bored. This is an index site to a ton of other sites that have things to do, read, look at, try, etc. Fun and random things from all over the web. There’s something for everyone here. There’s also a music player, but I don’t like it as much as I like…

4) Slacker.com

It’s a personal music player. Not as personalized as Pandora or Jango, but  it is work friendly with a wide array of stations. It plays everything from classical to modern hits.

5)  Web Fiction Guide

Another index. This time of blogs. Finished all the new articles on CollegeCandy? Tired of sifting through blogger.com only to be hit with a load of people whining about their boring life? Just want to read something interesting? These people have done all the leg work for you and came up with the best of the best web fiction (in blog form).

6) Web comics

There are a ton of comics on the web to read for free. Some have been running forever so just catching up on one new one can fill an afternoon. Need ideas on what to read? Look here.

7) OkCupid.com

I know what you’re thinking: dating site. Which I suppose it technically is. But it used to be The Spark back in the day (anybody remember that site?) and it’s still something fun and mindless to do when you’re bored. The quizzes will fill up so much time you won’t know what to do with yourself. Find out which He-Man Character you are. Or which breed of dog. Or what your power color is. Or start chatting with random people from around the world. Penpals and quizzes? The fun is endless.

8 ) Whirled.com

So we all know about the avatar networking sites like IMVU or MEEZ. (Or is that just me?) This one is pretty much the same but I find it has more to do, to look at and to explore when you’re bored. The games are fun and the people nice. Check it out. Get an avatar. Have some fun.

9) Miro TV

It’s TV. Basically. It’s mostly random nature shows and Chinese Drama but still it’s fun and free. Something to look forward to when you don’t have cable. Or Netflix.

10) Netflix

I usually advocate free stuff, but this one is so cheap it’s basically free. You can get a plan for ten bucks and watch as many movies as you can per month. If you like independent films and cartoons, you can watch a huge amount of things instantly on your computer. And seeing how normal movie rentals are over $5 now (and you have to leave the house to get them), Netflix is totally worth every penny. Did I mention they have a free trial?

[Photo courtesy of cunparis on Flickr]

Like a magpie, you gravitate towards things that are shiny: cell phones, TVs, anything that allows you to play Rock Band. But just because you love ‘em doesn’t mean you know much about ‘em. That’s where we come in.

Every week we will be highlighting the best, coolest and shiniest in technology. Consider us your personal Geek Squad. And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

We all have computers, but what do we really use them for? More than likely they’re dedicated to the normal music/internet/term paper cycle with a little Snood and movie watching thrown in for fun. But there’s a ton of other things that can be done with them. And there’s no reason to let money or lack of technical know-how stand in your way of making the most of your machine.

Graphic Software:

So your BFF makes hilarious pictures with Photoshop. You know, changing that can of soda you had at last week’s party into a 40 and writing some incriminating line above your head. Haha, very funny.  You want to join in the fun…and get her back but you don’t have the programs for it. You could do it in paint, but that’s lame. Why don’t you try Paint.net or pikifix.com first? They may not make you a graphic artist but they’re prefect for having a little fun with pictures when you have a little time.

Video Editing:

We all want to be Michael Moore. Or Guillermo del Toro. Or at least those awesome people who get famous posting a video online. Too bad all you know how to do is watch stuff on YouTube. No reason to let that stop your creative vision. Try eyespot.com or JumpCut.com to create your masterpieces. They won’t be cinematic masterpieces, but a cute video plea to Mom and Dad might convince them to put a little extra money in your account this month.

Need a printer?

I know the worst thing about living in the dorms was a lack of printers. I was always running to the computer lap at the last minute to print that term paper, but there was only ONE lab with a laser printer. And someone was always printing a novel on it. Good times. That can be a thing of the past with PrinterAnywhere. You can print literally “hook up” your computer to any printer in the world and get your work on paper. Got a friend living off campus? Send your essay to her printer then pick it up en route to class.

Need a scanner?

You don’t need to purchase some overpriced scanner to get those funny pics online. All you need is a camera phone. You can use it with scanR, a program that turns your mobile into a scanner, sort of. It uses optical character recognition to convert your pictures. Just email them from your phone.