When you’re on a budget you can’t spend your money on just anything. You need items that are versatile, timeless and just plain pretty. And this beautiful dress from ASOS is all that and more.  It is short enough and reveals just enough skin with its strapless design for hitting those clubs on Saturday night. Put on some sexy, strappy heels and you are ready to conquer the dance floor.

When the party’s over, work this dress in a different way. You got a holiday party coming up? Slip it on with a pair of pumps and clutch. A nice family dinner to attend? Put a blazer over the top and you’re good to go. Wanna rock it out? Add a leather jacket, tights and a pair of ankle boots.

Unlike most mini dresses, this ASOS design is anything but typical. I really love the contrast created by the light drape, especially how it crosses the bust to the waistline and then back over again on the bottom. It’s not only flattering and elegant, but gives the dress a bit of intrigue as well. If you’re into the classics, go with the black and white version.  For a chic yet edgier look, choose the black on black. And if you’re all about the show stoppers, the red dress is for you.

With this dress in your closet you’ll have the solution to every wardrobe dilemma. Whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding, this dress is the answer.

H&M, which was still under construction the last time I had been at the mall, had finally opened! We did a little jig. Then we ran in and started loading up on everything we needed to try.

I was rifling through a pile of shirts when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a pair of glimmering black sneakers. I dropped everything in my hand and went to them.

They weren’t really low-tops or high-tops, settling on a height in between. What made them gleam was that they were made of black velvet. They came with black shoelaces, a black rubber sole, and a small loop at the back. Now, usually I would say that this was too much of one color on a sneaker, but the rich, deep velvet stood out from the other components of the shoe for a subtle contrast. I also really dug the zippers on the sides, and at only 15 bucks, I couldn’t resist.

So I made them mine. And I can’t wait to wear them. They are pretty comfy and are great for casual looks, but the velvet definitely amps up the style and sets them apart from your basic Converse, Pumas or Nikes. Plus, they’ll look super cute with skinnies, which is exactly how I plan to rock them for their first trip onto campus.

With fall here, it’s time to start adding new outerwear to your closet, and while many people argue that everyone needs a boyfriend blazer, I think everyone should be picking up this military jacket from Banana Republic. This sharp, dapper blazer can pull together any combination of a T-shirt and broken-in jeans (you know, the super comfy ones you wear every other day) when a decent outfit takes too much effort, or make you look even smarter when paired with a crisp, collared shirt.

It features pockets at the chest and waist, a standing collar, shoulder epaulets (for that extra touch of cool), a concealed button placket and cinching at the waist that creates the perfect hourglass shape. Roll up the sleeves for a more laid back look or add a necklace or two for some glam. Available in black and gray, it practically goes with everything, so, like your jeans, you can wear it every other day as well.

Planning my next trip to Banana Republic as we speak. See you there?

I first learned about Freitag, a Swiss company, and its products while flipping through a magazine during a flight. What kept me reading the whole article instead of turning up the volume on my headphones to whatever random movie was playing on that mini screen 10 rows up was how they made their products. This wasn’t just another ho-hum ad for a travel bag; Freitag was born from something bigger.

The idea came about when graphic designer brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag wanted a durable and waterproof messenger bag to carry their belongings in. They traveled by bike and when it rained, their designs would get ruined. They were inspired by the colorful trucks that would drive past their apartment, so they made the very first Freitag bag out of a truck tarpaulin with a used car seatbelt as the strap and an old bicycle inner tube as the edging.

And there it was: an awesome looking bag that was practical and eco-friendly.

Since its first production in 1993, Freitag has expanded from messenger bags of various sizes to tote bags, duffle bags, wallets, and even soccer balls, as well as many other items. They continue to use the same recycled materials, making it a very eco-friendly company. If you are able to afford the price tag, which may be a bit steep, you will get a high quality and unique bag in return. Each product is made from tarpaulins of different colors and designs, so your bag will be the only one of its kind! With so many to choose from, there’s sure to be one you’ll love.

I’ve been wanting a Freitag bag since I read that article over a year ago. If only I could stop making all those trips to frozen yogurt shops and Forever 21 to save enough for one.

I love flats. I practically wear them every day and to all occasions. I can’t even remember what I used to wear before I started slipping on those cute and comfy babies. Wait, yes I do. It was sneakers (love my Chucks), but I had to find something else after I realized that old school Nikes are not acceptable for all occasions. Like job interviews.

And now Adidas has taken my two favorite forms of footwear and morphed them into one mega shoe: the Gazelle Ballerina. Not to quote Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana or whoever she chooses to be today, but you do get the best of both worlds with these shoes. Revel in the cuteness and convenience of a flat and the stylishness and comfort of a sneaker with its rubber outsole for added support.

So if, unlike the Spice Girls, you’ve got a little Posh and a little Sporty to ya, these shoes are your perfect match. And if you find yourself running from parties when campus security shows up, these are probably right for you too. It’s those girls in the stilettos that always get caught.

I’m really sad to see summer go (waaaah, goodbye beach days!), but I am kinda, sorta (ok, REALLY) excited to break out my new wardrobe for fall. I’m getting sick of my flip flops and summer dresses and really just want to wear some light sweaters and <drool> boots!

But we’re not quite there yet. Even though the nights are getting chillier, it’s still too warm to break out the biggest trends for fall without looking a tad out of place. Thank god for Nine West! To help all of us transition from summer to oh-so-delicious fall, they have given us the Skipper boot.

It’s nice and boot-y (that’s an adjective, not a noun) on the bottom with great detail like durable leather, straps and buckles over the ankle. But what makes this the best. boot. ever is the perforated shaft. Not only does this detail make the boot unique and different (and you know me, I like different), but those holes lighten everything up a bit so  you can now rock your precious boots without feeling as though you’ve dressed too warmly for the weather. Tuck a pair of skinnies into the Skipper and you’ve got the perfect look for this in-between-seasons kinda time.

The Skipper comes in three colors: dark green, dark gray, and black, and range in price from $77.90 to $88.90. As always, Endless.com provides free overnight shipping, so you can start wearing your boots tomorrow! I know I’m ready to retire my gladiator sandals. You with me?

When it comes to many things in life, including fashion, I’m a fan of odd, quirky things that leave people asking questions. No, I’m not going to start wearing fairy wings like one of the girls on What Not To Wear, but I did pick up a pair of pants last week that totally fit the bill. They were a pair of skinny pants by Fragile I found at T.J. Maxx for seventeen bucks, but which retail for $29 (sweet!). Had they not been at T.J. Maxx, I never would have fallen in love, as they are typically sold at Hot Topic, a store I haven’t stepped into since my friend’s goth days in high school.

The pants look like jeans, but function somewhat like sweat pants in that you basically pull them on and button the single button at the top. They feature back pockets, faux front pockets, and no zipper, so you can imagine my surprise when I took them off the hanger and unbuttoned them in the dressing room to discover… pants that were not actually jeans. I tried them on anyway and loved how they looked. They are low rise, so you can avoid that weird baggy look around your danger zone and are stretchy to fit a broader range of body shapes (they come in letter sizes instead of number sizes – pants for all!).

I would say that they are comparable to denim leggings, although I prefer these Fragile pants since they look more like jeans and aren’t so skin tight that they literally outline every cellulite bump on your legs. The leg openings are also not super small, so you won’t look too unbalanced if you have wider hips. They are amazingly comfortable, like sweatpants, but just way more chic.

These pants are definitely the answer to every college girl’s fashion dilemma: chic sweatpants? That you can wear to class? And not look schlumpy? I think it’s time we all made a run to Hot Topic.

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

Cute bathing suit? Check.
Sunscreen? Check.
Awesomely colorful beach bag? Hmm… Maybe not yet.

Well, Roxy is here to save the day with its cleverly named bag, “Dandy Lion.” The bag is made of durable cotton canvas, and its wide platform bottom makes storing your large beach towels a breeze (sorry, I tried to be as clever as Roxy). It has a back wall zip pocket and a slip pocket for your small items (so your cell phone/iPod don’t get lost in the shuffle) and a magnetic snap closure to keep everything secure. The bag is lightweight and big enough to carry your sunglasses, wallet, change of clothing, and all your other beach essentials (like, I don’t know, snacks?). Best of all, it comes in five, you guessed it, awesomely colorful patterns.

Personally, I’m all about the animal print bag in black. It’s bright, striking, and screams, “Have fun with fashion.” It also screams, “Don’t worry about spilling sunscreen/margarita all over me, because I’m totally affordable and you can throw me right into the washing machine.”

Yeah, this bag has a lot to say. And I totally want to hear more. Great beach days, here I come!

I recently went to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a massive electronic music festival/rave, and saw some wicked cool costumes. While I didn’t go all out with leather and lace like some party-goers, I did enjoy stepping away from my usually more conservative outfits and wearing neon bright clothes. I liked it enough, in fact, that I figured I could try to work them into my daily summer wardrobe.

And why not? When paired with the right articles of clothing, bright pieces are a super easy way to add color and fun to your look.

The easiest way to incorporate color is with a bright pair of shorts. Sure, you have your reliable blue or black jean shorts that practically go with everything (so you can grab the nearest clean – or not – top), but colored shorts would make the outfit more vibrant and exciting. I picked up these shorts featuring destroyed cuffs from Wet Seal, and at $12.50, they won’t make you feel too guilty about dipping into your account for a “novelty” item. They come in a couple of other colors, and  if the cutoff look isn’t your thing, other styles are offered in even more colors.

I’ve been pairing these with a basic top (white or gray v-neck, anyone?), some key accessories and flip flops and my summer look has been instantly amped up. I’m even considering heading back to Wet Seal and getting every color they got.

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

I’ve never paid much attention to the Tory Burch brand. Seeing every girl and her mother walking around in those flats with the instantly recognizable golden medallion was quite enough. However, I recently stumbled upon these gladiators, and I have to say that they’re one of the nicest pairs I’ve seen.

I need em, I need em, I need em!

The Stanton sandal is made of leather and comes in black or tan. There are three square buckles: one each at the ankle, arch, and toe. The sandal appears more elegant than some other gladiators, which can have so many straps or buckles covering your feet that you might as well wear sneakers. What also makes this design a bit different is that the straps do not simply run parallel to one another. I like how two straps form an X across the top with two straps running along the sides, making it incredibly flattering on any ankle.

What I don’t love, however, is the $265 pricetag. I’d have to work long and hard (and turn up the charm for some major tips) to add these to my collection. A girl can dream, though.