Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and what’s left of your tan is probably beginning to fade. Add that to the fact that the first week of classes (When you don’t actually have to do anything but collect syllabuses and catch up with friends.)  has been replaced by actual classes, and you’re probably pulling a Danny Zuko and wishing longingly for summer nights.

But autumn isn’t all bad, and here’s why.

1. The Weather. Here on the east coast, we broke records with the sweltering summer heat. And I’m not going to lie; I took full advantage of that warm weather. But sitting in class in weather that’s meant for the beach? Like I’d ever be able to pay attention. I’m eternally grateful that the temperatures dropped just as I’m forced to hit the books. Plus, it gives you an excuse to buy that cute fall jacket you’ve been eying since July.

2. The Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They’re back. Yesterday’s trip to my friendly neighborhood Starbucks confirmed as much. Starbucks has also introduced the Toffee Mocha, along with the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and the Pumpkin Scone. Its fall food at its best. But if you’re not quite as caffeine crazed  as I am, you could always try an old standby. Caramel Corn. Pumpkin Pie. Apple Pie. Caramel Apples. Apple Cider. Take your pick.

3. The New TV. I love a good reality TV meltdown as much as the next girl, but by the time August rolls around I’m ready for some good old fashion scripted drama. From Glee to Gossip Girl, your old favorites are returning. Don’t you want to watch the new cast of Dancing with the Stars make complete and total fools of themselves? Or find out if Derek actually recovers from the Seattle Grace shooting? Your wait is almost over. Read More »

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble (even one that's supposed to be vintage), you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire look. For cheap. Yes, we know - there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Leighton Meester is my favorite person ever to exist. I know, that’s a totally insane bold statement considering her contribution to society is a few catchy tunes and an embarrassingly addictive teen drama, but seeing as how she is the woman who brought the fierce, fashionable, crazy-bitch-in-charge Blair Waldorf to life, I think she deserves over-the-top accolades.

I admit, Leighton’s personal style may not be Upper East Side/recessionista unfriendly as Blair’s, but she has an unassuming, down-to-earth, accessible sophistication that I admire. Read More »

Between on-campus jobs, late nights at the library and  even later nights at the bar, the college lifestyle can take a toll on our bodies. And, even worse, it can take a major toll on our under-eyes. I don’t know one college lady who hasn’t suffered from you-look-like-you-got-punched-in-the-eye syndrome at one point or another. And it ain’t pretty.

Fortunately, there’s a solution….and it doesn’t involve cold spoons (which can be too harsh for your peepers, not to mention make you look totally ridiculous when you’re lying on your bed with two spoons on your face). I tested out  Eye Candy Coolers, small rounds that promise to reduce puffiness and give you a moment of relaxation, and I think you’ll love them!

[Disclaimer: I received this product to review and received no payment for a "good" review. This review is 100% my personal opinion based on my experience with the product.]

Check out Caitlin’s other videos and beauty tutorials right here!

There are a lot of reasons to look forward to autumn: pumpkin spice lattes, the leaves changing color, good television, and – oh yeah – Fall fashion. September is the January of the fashion world, with designers battling it out to set this year’s trends, and magazines battling it out to report them.

The September Issues are back for another year, and bigger than ever. This month’s Vogue was over 700 pages. Glamour released its largest issue in 20 years.  And don’t forget about InStyle, Elle, Marie Claire, and Harper’s Bazaar. That’s a lot of reading material, even for a seasoned fashionista. So consider this your fashion cheat sheet. I’ve drooled over slaved over pages and pages of bags, boots, coats, and colors to bring you this seasons it items (without 497 pages of ads). Enjoy! Read More »

It’s the holidays – a time for family, good food and, most of all, great parties. But what is all of this without a great outfit? And I mean, sure – the sexy dress, the hot boots, the plush sweater, the perfect jeans; they all make a lasting impression, but it’s nothing if you don’t have the right accessories. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hats, rings and even belts all make an outfit pop. And so, in honor of what I think could possibly be the most important component of an outfit, I give you:

It’s On: The Accessories Edition.

And yes, it’s a triple play! Read More »

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. Read More »

Designers like Christian Dior, Rachel Roy, Junya Watanabe and Louis Vuitton embraced the exotic this spring by incorporating tribal influences into their collections.

Unless it’s already your style, you’re probably not going to be rocking full animal print outfits to your 9 a.m. psychology lecture or feathered and beaded stilettos to this weekend’s frat party. However, adding a few tribal accents to your look could be just the update your style needs this year. Read More »

This spring, fashion is all about variety in your wardrobe. Although bright colors are a must-have trend this year, mixing in some neutrals is also a fashion “do.” Instead of donning black, like you have been all winter, rock a nude garment instead. It is a lot fresher for the warm weather months, plus painfully chic and sexy. Showing a little skin without really showing any skin? H-O-T. Read More »

British bag designer Anya Hindmarch is known for lustrous, elegant styles and rich colors and is such a hit in jolly ol’ England, her boutiques have been raided numerous times in the last several months.

Celebrities like Anne Hathaway are fans of her bags, which fall into the $500-$1000 range, and now those of us commoners with label lust can greedily grab up one (or more!) of her new limited-edition collection for Target. The line will be available from October 12th until December 26th and will range from just $20-$50.

Hell yeah.

But Anya didn’t sacrifice style for her much cheaper Target line. The collection stays true to her love of elegance and class with gorgeous colors and faux patent leather, and features satchels (the most popular shape of the season), shoulder bags and clutches. As Hindmarch says, “The designs are sophisticated yet practical, simple and streamlined, and the shapes are classic. They add polish and shine to any outift!”

You definitely don’t want to miss out on this limited collection. Snatch em up at Target stores or online at Target.com. Read More »

Gone are the days of dainty purses and miniscule wallets. They’re fine for special events, sure, but for everyday use, it looks like women are turning to real bags. Huge bags. The kind of bag into which you fit half your life- and then never find it again. Giant black holes slung on our shoulders sucking in every stray business card, matchbook, and penny that cross their paths.

At one time Big Bags were strictly for use by mommies, to carry Bandaids and nail clippers and tissues and lip balm and the million-and-one other things that kids may require on a daily basis.

Now my own Big Bag is stocked with Bandaids and nail clippers and tissues and lip balm, and I definitely have zero children in tow. The bottom is littered with old receipts, seven pens and gum wrappers. My Metrocards are slipping between the pages of my three notepads and my laptop is a constant companion. There’s even a hardcover copy of The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen somewhere in there. My iPod headphones are tangled up in my cell phone charger. Every credit card I’ve ever owned is jammed into my wallet that contains no cash. Three lipsticks are rolling around stuck inside of the lining.

Sound familiar? Read More »