[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you've got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

For many of us, right now it’s all about planning that hot NYE outfit. Sure, we can go out and buy something new (we can even do it on a budget), but if you’re like me, you’ve spent every last dollar stocking up on gifts for everyone and their mother, meaning you’ve got nothing left for that special New Year’s dress. And that’s OK, because you’ve probably already got everything you could ever need to plan the perfect outfit for the big night.

Forget battling the crowds at the mall or spending oodles of money on something you’ll most likely only wear once (either because it’s too fancy for any other occasion or ruined when your friend spills her vodka cran down the front); all you need for the perfect New Year’s look is a little creativity and all those basics you’ve got stuffed into drawers. Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you've got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

One thing I’m sure you everyone owns is a black cardigan. It’s definitely an essential item for the college girl – it goes with anything, is easy to wear, is perfect for layering when going from a cold classroom to a steamy library, and doesn’t show the dirt that’s accumulated since your last laundry day….3 weeks ago.

As it gets closer to Thanksgiving you might be putting off laundry, in hopes that your parents will help you with the garbage bag full of dirty clothes you bring home. The longer you put off that trip to the laundry room, though, the harder it is to get dressed. Luckily, your black cardigan will help fill in the gaps between now and hooray-mom’s-doing-my-laundry day (or even now and next spring!), and I’ve got three outfits to help you get up, get dressed and get out of your room in style.

Thank you, god of black cardigans! Read More »

With all of these trends milling around in fashion spreads and tabloid magazines, I can barely keep my head on straight.  What do I buy? The fringe purse or the fur vest!?!? Jeggings or slouchy pants?! [Deep breathing.]

But let’s get real: in one month fur vests will totally be out and you’ll be looking down at your werewolf vest and clogs wondering what the hell you were thinking.

That is why we need to get smart and go ‘back to basics’ with simple tees, cardigans, and timeless colors and styles.  The best place to conquer a closet full of clothes that always last and go with everything? A little three letter word we know and love: Gap. And the best part? You can stock up on these timeless pieces for under $20.  Boo-yah. Read More »

It’s that time of year again – the time to start hunting for summer jobs or internships (if you haven’t already), or start hunting for job or internship wardrobes (if you’ve already secured the gig). If you’re working in an office or a professional environment chances are you’re going to need to pick up a few pieces. Contrary to what some people think, Uggs and flip flops are not acceptable at most office jobs.

But don’t worry – you don’t have to pre-spend all that money you’re about to earn on a new work wardrobe. There are a few basics that can help make getting dressed for interviews or a work day simple. Just mix-and-match these with your everyday stuff and you’ll have plenty of options all summer long.

Well-fitted basics are the groundwork for a put together, streamlined outfit.  Dressing these up with accessories, or fun extras – tops, cardigans, or shoes – add personality to simple pieces and keep you lookin’ like you (and not some dowdy old lady).  If you want to hold onto these pieces for the future, it’s always good to spend a bit more and invest in pieces that fit well and are good quality. However, if you have a limited budget, many discount stores offer cheaper alternatives that will get you through your summer gig. Read More »

For many of you, school has already begun or will shortly, which means new additions to the wardrobe are necessary. Woohoo! But you don’t have to spend a lot to update that 2008 fall wardrobe.  Old Navy is a great place to get cute basics at super reasonable prices. Just pair these items (many of which are on sale!)  with the trendier items/accessories in your closet for a brand new look.

Here are a few pieces I found that’ll be great for the upcoming months… Read More »

My friend and I decided “to hell with this recession!” and did a little shopping this past weekend. Well, discount shopping (I’m not totally frivolous). Stops included Nordstrom Rack, Off 5th, Loehman’s and, my personal fave, H&M.

Upon walking into H&M, where I was looking for some basics, I was visually assaulted by something so outrageous, I didn’t know what to say. While my friend was sifting through a pile of spring sweaters (read: throwing all the sizes she didn’t want on the floor), I was frozen in my place, staring at what couldn’t-possibly-but-so-totally-was a zebra jumpsuit.

Yes, you read that right. Zebra. Jumpsuit.

If you have been to an H&M in the last few months, you have probably seen this before. The saleslady, who came over to assist me in my state of shock, explained that the jumpsuit had recently become H&M’s biggest seller. “I don’t get it, but the minute they come in they are sold out.”

I had so many questions:

“Why?”

“What?”

“Are girls getting too lazy to pick out a shirt and a pair of pants?”

“Isn’t it more difficult to pee with that thing on?” Read More »

The Setting: an American Apparel store in Brooklyn

The Characters: 2 girls, about 13 years old, and me

And, scene:

I am waiting to try on some cropped cotton pants, which will be perfect for the new gym I joined.

“Ugh, this is SO tight, I look SO fat!” says one 13 year old girl. She and her friend are occupying the only dressing rooms.

She emerges, in a backless leotard and a skin-tight mini skirt.

Her friend emerges as well, in gold lame hot pants.

“No, you look cute! I like it!”

“But like, you can see my back.”

“Yeah but it’s so cute! My ass looks huge in these,” she says, as they stand in the open dressing room, preening and posing in front of the harshly lit mirror. I am still waiting, but they don’t seem to notice, instead gazing like Narcissus at the river. How inappropriate, I think, that 13-year-old girls are trying on gold lame hot pants. Then I look around and see the life-sized photographs of underage models staring down at me. They look drugged out. They are overly sexualized. Suddenly I don’t want the pants anymore. I throw them down and leave. Read More »

Recently, after spending about an hour trying to find something to wear for poker night, I realized my closet was seriously lacking. I had tons of cute skirts for work, shirts to match, great shoes, and dresses. What I didn’t have were things most girls live in—great jeans, casual t-shirts, and anything under a 3-inch heel.

I made it my fashion mission to buy a few of those essentials every time I went shopping, and now I’m proud to say I have a pair of jeans I love (two pairs if it’s not a fat day), some adorable flats, and a few casual tops. I still prefer to dress up rather than down, but when I’m running on 73 minutes of sleep and am getting dressed with a cup of coffee in one hand, having a wardrobe of basic pieces that I can mix and match is a lifesaver.

Between my casual clothes and my dressy clothes, I feel like I have almost all the essentials (though I can use a few more pairs of jeans!). But chances are, especially if you’re loyal to a particular style of dressing like I am, you’re missing a few things. Take a look at my must-have list and see if you need to do some shopping ASAP:

A little black dress: I finally found the perfect one, and I love it so much that I bought a little gray dress in the same style. Pair it with high heels and a clutch for a night out, or flats and a casual bag to dress it down. If your little black dress is made from something like cotton, it’s a lot more versatile.

Cute flats: I don’t know how I lived without my Mia black flats all these years. Well actually, I do know—-with black heels that my feet will never forgive me for. Let a little toe cleavage peek out and be cute and comfy. Read More »

I love shopping for the trends just as much as the next girl. And with this season offering a plethora of choices from bright prints to sailor shorts, I often find myself debating if I want to spend my extra cash at the bar or the boutique.

And now I have another option to add into the mix: Bop Basics. Sure, we all need those trendy colorful pieces (even if we only will wear them for one season) but let’s get real for a second. We aren’t rolling out the door to class in our platform wedges and patterned smocked dresses are we? (I hope for your sake you aren’t one of those girls).

We need the essentials– the casual, comfy yet oh-so-cute pieces for our day to day lives of class and coffee runs. The clothes that make us look cute without looking like we are trying (even though we so are).

Well we’re in luck because from now until may 11th shopbop.com is offering 20% off their new exclusive Bop Basics line in honor of Mothers Day. Read More »