I like to use the changing of the physical seasons as a cleansing of the emotional season for my closet; out with the old and, depending on my budget, in with the new.

Ladies, I know you hear me on this one.

So while you’re sorting through your stuff, what better way to gear up for fall then to shred the skin of your closet and replace some of your old garb with 10 essential, fabulous fashions that just scream fall? Read More »

As summer is coming to a close, your final paychecks are hitting the bank, the bills for school are adding up and new clothing might some like a huge luxury. If you’re dying to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe, this weekend is the time to do it, as many retailers are furthering reductions on items, or even just offering 35%  off (Banana Republic what up!) on all items. Sure there are a lot of expenses related to school, but if you save some money by buying used textbooks, you have a little extra to go towards a new top. Here are some of my picks from the best of the end-of-summer sales. Read More »

[This post and contest come hot off the Internet presses from our friends at CollegeFashion!]

School is on everyone’s mind as we approach the final weeks of August. One of my favorite school-themed movies is The Breakfast Club, and it’s the perfect source of fashion inspiration for back-to-school. In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the basic plot: five high schoolers are held captive in detention one Saturday, and throughout the course of the day, their struggles and similarities are revealed. This film is as iconic to the eighties as Madonna and hair bands, and is today’s go-to source for back to school fashion ideas.

The Breakfast Club takes place during the winter, so I tweaked the outfits a bit to work for a college campus during the fall. Ready for some fresh inspiration? Read on over at CollegeFashion!

Every morning when I get off the subway to go to school, I have to walk right past Forever 21. And it’s torture.  School been in session for three weeks now, and there has been this super hot navy lace dress (I think it’s a dress, but you never know with that store…) every time I walk by.  Seeing as I don’t REALLY need another dress (remember how I bought 3 in the spring?) I’ve been trying really hard not to go in and buy it in all its gorgeous, lacy glory.  So far I’ve been successful, thanks to the fact that my classes start before the store opens (which might be the only redeeming thing about 9am class).

The good news for me and every other girl out there with a closet full of frocks: dresses aren’t the only way to incorporate lace this season. This dainty, feminine fabric is on everything right now (both in and out of the bedroom), even showing up in some new and unexpected ways. Our girls over at CollegeFashion have even put it on their Back to School shopping list; do you even need another reason to stock up?

Oh you do? Well here are 15.

(And if you do happen to find and purchase that little navy lace dress, let me know so I can live vicariously through your closet.)

[Click on the pics to shop!] Read More »

So I’ve hit that point in the summer (which usually comes after a couple hot-as-death-weeks) where I start craving my leather boots. I’m not going to lie if you walked into my apartment unannounced I may or may not be wearing them around with the AC cranked up pretending that, if for just ten minutes, it is finally fall.

Other than my crazy “pretend” sessions, I obviously satisfy this yearning to zip up my motorcycle knee-highs and run through some leaves by heading to the mall and dropping some major cash (if not all my cash) on a brand new pair…which then just leads to more torture as I stare at them for an entire month before it’s socially acceptable to put them on…outside of my apartment.

But that’s beside the point.

The actually point of my ranting is that I have found my new fall love. Which is no easy feat (or feet…ha!) considering that there a million different styles of boots of which I own about 20, so finding one worth my entire paycheck for a week is a hefty task.

This fall, Steve Madden’s Roady boot in brown will be my go-to shoe for any and every occasion. I am so excited about these that I can barely contain it. I can’t really begin anywhere other than the color, which in a sea of black leather boots stands out like a sore thumb- in an amazing way of course.

The distressed brown leather is so unexpected – rugged and feminine at the same time – making them a girly addition to rocker-inspired dark wash skinnys and a motorcycle jacket for night, while also being able to toughen up a floral print dress and tights for day. Read More »

How game are you when it comes to cutting edge fashion and trends?

Would you use whale Sperm Conditioner in your hair?
Do you believe that black nail polish can set you free?
And would you let your sexy bras peek out of your top?

Yeah, apparently everyone who’s anyone in the fashion world is embracing those…er…interesting trends.

Should you find yourself too skittish to travel that far out onto the limb (it’s OK – no one’s judging you for the conditioner….), simply stock your wardrobe with these modern classics.  They are all foolproof for Fall and beyond….without a hint of weirdness.

I’m a firm supporter of the whole “quality over quantity” argument when it comes to stocking my closet.  I believe in having a handful of basic pieces that transcend the trends- a slow accumulation of great handbags, well-made shoes, and basic shirts and pants.  The problem with my little rule is that once in a while I see something so absolutely to die for that I just want to hand over my hard earned cash and make an impulsive splurge purchase.

Ladies, this stripe confetti ruffle shirt from J.Crew is the current #1 on my lust list.  It’s a departure from the standard white or blue button-down oxford we’re all used to wearing when we want to look polished and profesh.

A great addition to your Fall shopping list, it’s a straightforward button down with a cheeky side.  Just look at that ruffled collar!  Check those stripes!  Appropriate for class presentations, job interviews, and looking generally collegiate while posing with the school mascot next to a stack of newly purchased textbooks (wait, does that situation only occur in catalogues?).

Don’t think you need to banish the ruffled goodness to pencil skirts and formal occasions.  J.Crew has hit a home run and created the shirt dreams are made of with this one.  Half-tuck it into a pair of white short-shorts and throw on some cute sandals.  Roll the sleeves, don some aviator sunglasses and you’re stylin’ your way to the football game.

Want to snazz it up for date night?  Add a pair of killer sparkly earrings and stack up a few bracelets when you wear the shirt with a mini-skirt and ballet flats.  But be sure to unbutton the first three buttons so you don’t look like a nun…you do want another date after all.

This week we take another trip down cheap & trendy lane to Charlotte Russe.  This is a great place to shop if you’re looking for affordable, well, anything. Hot evening looks, basic day looks, super sexy shoes, way cute accessories and everything in between – Ms. Charlotte has it all.  They also recently launched a new line of more upscale/expensive pieces and denim called People’s Liberation that I am totally feelin’. Just not for this, since none of that shiz is under $20.

But this stuff is, meaning you can load up on the goodies and keep that budget in check. It’s a beautiful thing, I tell you. A beautiful thing. Read More »

Wake up at 7:45. Throw on sweats, a hoodie, and flip flops. Throw your hair in a messy bun. Check Facebook. Grab your bag and get to class by 8 AM.

Does this at all resemble your morning routine? I know how tempting it is to get that last fifteen minutes of sleep and run out the door looking like you just rolled out of bed. Fashion is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re trying to remember things like, Where on earth is my physics book? And, Why can I only find one shoe??? However, it is important to put at least some effort into the way you look before class.

The way you dress affects the way people perceive and treat you, whether you care or not. It can also affect your attitude and level of performance in class. If you are wearing pajamas, you aren’t going to feel awake enough to fully participate in a class discussion. If you look like you don’t care, people are going to think that you don’t care (including your professors).

Obviously you aren’t going to head to class decked out from head to toe in your Sunday best (unless you never made it home, you dawg), but there are easy ways to update your outfits so you look a little less messy and … sleepy.

10 Easy Style Updates For Class This Fall

1. A scarf – throw on jeans and a plain colored fitted t-shirt. Add a scarf and voila! Instant fashion. Scarves are really in this year and there are tons of cute ones out there to pick from. You can’t get an easier shortcut to style. Find them at American Eagle, H&M, or Limited Too (yea, it’s for little kids but they have a lot of cute scarves that are only $10!). Read More »