So, Express isn’t cheap. That is pretty obvious when you walk in and the hot shirt your eying for your birthday party is marked at $49. But every few months, they have a major sale. And I mean major. The kind that makes you giddy and happy and willing to sift through giant over-stuffed racks because the deals are just. that. good.

You see, Express marks their stuff down to really low prices and then gives you an additional 20% off of that! That is some serious saving on a lot of really cute stuff. It’s a frugal fashionista’s dream. And that dream is coming true right now.

I sifted through the (digital) racks for you and pulled 8 of my favorite pieces. They’re all under $20, so you can stock your closet without that annoying guilt getting in the way. Read More »

I have a love/hate relationship with Urban Outfitters. I fall madly in love with everything on the racks, but hate how much they charge for shirts, skirts and dresses that usually fall apart after a few go-rounds in the washing machine. But then I fall in love again when those trendy little Urban employees stock the sale racks with all that gorgeous goodness.

The Urban sale section might be one of the only ones I’m willing to elbow, shove and push my way through. They have some of the best deals around on some serious cuteness, much of it $19.99 or less! Here are some of my favorite pieces that are all under $20. The best part: you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch or tempt yourself with the rest of the overpriced items en route to the sale section. Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

Most of us who lived through the ’80s would rather forget the decade of big hair, big shoulder pads and all-around bad style. Well, don’t look now, many of those fashion don’ts are making a comeback – whether you like it or not. Here’s a rundown of some trends on the horizon that should come with a warning label: Wear At Your Own Risk: Read More »

Sometimes, it’s not enough to make your own fab entrance at a Halloween Party; you and your whole crew need to be noticed. On the other hand, sometimes your crazy costume idea is so unique that nobody will get it… unless your faves are by your side to complete the picture. Want to make the biggest splash this Halloween (and have some killer bonding time with your buds as you shop, create, and play dress up)? Here are just a few ideas for some great group costumes. And most of them can be done on a budget!

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While watching Project Runway last night, I realized a few things. For one, I realized that Daniel (dude with black hair who is really not so memorable as he keeps sneakin’ by at the runway) totally wanted to do Wesley (boring dude who got sent home last week). I also came to the conclusion that Blayne’s lack of tanning is actually having an effect on him and his sanity…and he is really started to freak me out.

Oh, and I realized that this season of Project Runway is really sort of sucky.

The designers all suck. Most of them are horribly boring (hem hem, Jennifer) and the rest just annoy me. It is sad that the only ones that stand out to me are Suede (who talks in the third person), Blayne (who is neon orange) and Stella (who kills cows and uses their flesh for pants and vests). I used to LOVE the designers on the show and had a clear favorite every season.

This season? Well, I guess I sorta still love Tim Gunn.

Last night’s challenge was to get inspiration from NYC at night, which was just another creative way to incorporate product placement (cool cameras!) into the show. And how perfect was it that Blayne – lover of all things neon (including his skintone) – got dropped off in Times Square? Or that Stella managed to find the one piece of leather in the entire city, so she could take her inspiration from it? Read More »

So last night, around 8:00pm, I was sitting in my jammies eating Cheerios out of the box and watching “Intervention” on A&E (drug addicts getting a second chance, yes!), and was basically prepared to spend the night eating Cheerios in my jammies until bedtime, when a friend called me.

“Hey. I can get you into the Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square Garden tonight if you can get down here in 20 minutes.”

I sat on my futon, Cheerios on my knees, hair tied into a messy bun, body exhausted from a typically exhausting Monday, and considered this offer. Am I a big Bon Jovi fan? Not really. But tickets for this thing were going for thousands of dollars, it’s Madison f*cking Square Garden, and breaking up my nightly pattern of Reality TV watching and cereal eating wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Plus, where else could I wear my acid-washed cutoff mom jeans? (Note: this last sentence is not true.)

After putting on my make-up as fast as I could (and hoping the lights would be in full “80’s glow mode” to keep the rest of my post-work face at bay), I slapped on some clothes and tried to tease my hair as high as it would go (Note: this may not be true). I then pushed past the milieu of yuppies on my block and jumped into a cab. Read More »

Last time, Heather and the exes tore through the house and stupid Megan finally went home.

Morning: The final four + Heather and Destiney’s hat remain and they all depart for Vegas in a learjet. I forgot that they did the Vegas thing during the first cycle of this show. No shock that they are staying at the Hard Rock. Good thing that everyone’s over 21.

Daisy’s neck tattoos are super prominent today. The girls suite has a table full of presents – what, no stripper pole?

Bret-o-gram – Jessica and Destiney have to change into some golf outfits and meet Bret downstairs. What a boring date.

Heather decides that they need to 80s it up. Seriously? Oh, she’s not serious. Ha. Even she knows that the 80s are out. They look re-f*cking-diculous. Read More »

Ladies, when we show up to a party or a bar, we want to bring our A game, right?

There’s nothing like strutting in looking and feeling great, and I think the best way to get in the zone is to have a few pre-game rituals to get you going. You know what I’m talkin about. Start the party at home.

#1 Play dress up: You and your roommates will go through 25 different outfits while you’re getting ready anyway. Why not have a fashion show in the process? Dress each other, shop in each other’s closets, just have fun!

#2 Make a Pump-You-Up playlist: Put together all of your favorite girl jams—anything that will get everyone dancing. I always love to throw in some hip-hop, hard rock, and 80’s. Do I smell hairbrush karaoke? Might want to take it for the ride to the party too.

#3 Collaborate: Switch off doing each other’s hair and make-up. You’ll always have fresh looks and new ideas for next weekend. And who doesn’t like getting their hair and make-up done for them??

#4 Crack the bottle: Let’s not get trashed before leaving the house, but it’s always great to meet and greet with the glow of a mini-buzz upon arrival. I like to pick out new drinks every weekend, but if that’s not your thing, a good cosmo never fails.

That’s how I pre-game, but I want some new ideas. How do you pop, lock, and drink it?

I don’t really exercise. Don’t care for it too much. My excuse being, I live in Manhattan and walk constantly, so shut up.

On the rare occasion that I am feeling spunky, however, I will work out and take it to the Elliptical, a.k.a the Poor Man’s Treadmill, just like this hottie. But I cannot and will not work out, if I don’t have good music to help me on my sweaty, fat-burning journey. And that music best suited for my JOURNEY? 80’s music. Journey. 80’s music.

The New York Times just featured an article on the effect that certain songs have on us while we exercise, and while it’s not all that exciting or earth-shattering to read that faster songs correspond to a faster heart rate (NO SH*T, really?) it is pretty interesting to see some of the suggestions of songs to add to our playlists, to help pump us up and keep us motivated.

Self.com is a website after my own heart, as the NYTimes article mentions they chose Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go as a workout playlist hit. There is nothing like a good Wham! classic to really get me going. Which got me thinking of one of my personal workout faves which is also from the 80’s, called Baby I’m a Star. It was originally sung by Prince, but in my opinion, The Lil’ Soul Man does it waaay better. Plus, his backup dancers are rocking those shoulder pads, and his wig is amazing. Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 71

Mood: Wanting to be blank

“Grace? Are you listening? I’ve been screaming your name for like 5 minutes.”

Stacey’s reflection stared at me from the mirror, her eyes heavy with pink glitter. Her whole body was heavy with pink glitter, actually. If I didn’t know any better, I would think my roommate was dressing up as one of those marshmallow birds that take over drugstores in the Spring. Peeps. That’s what they were called, and that’s exactly what Stacey looked like.

“Sorry, I was reading.” Pulling my scarf tighter around my neck, I leaned back in my chair and gave Stacey my full attention. She’d never shut up if I didn’t. “What are you supposed to be again?”

“I’m Jem. Isn’t it obvious? This hair is great, huh?” Straightening a short fuchsia wig on her head, Stacey looked back into her own eyes.

“Oh. Jem. 80’s cartoon. I get it.” I closed my history book and rubbed my face. The words had been jumbling together for the last 30 minutes. I couldn’t concentrate.

“Aren’t you coming out tonight?” Stacey popped her pink gum and applied more pink blush. “You can’t spend Halloween inside, Grace.”

“Rebecca and I might walk around for a little while later.”

“Rebecca?” Stacey’s expression went sour. “How can you stand to hang out with that girl? She’s so weird.”

“I don’t think she’s weird.” Read More »