Sun, sand, swimsuits and Spring Break.

Apart from an icy cocktail and a hot cabana boy, the final touches for your Spring Break packing is an assortment of practical (yet stylish) accessories. The first accessory: the perfect sunhat that is as  fabulous as it is functional. Not only will you look fierce on the beach, but it will also save your scalp and face from too much sun exposure. You’ll also need a great pair of sunglasses to shield you from the sun when you’re laying out… or struggling to stay outside after a late night out. (Sunnies are also great for discrete boy watching. Just sayin’.)

Now is also the time to start scoping out sandals if you need a new pair. Just be smart; Spring Break might not be the time to break in a pair of expensive sandals you love, in the off chance you lose one. Which, as anyone who’s ever been on Spring Break knows, is highly likely. And of course, you need a great beach bag to hold it all (and sunblock, magazines, a bottle of tequila…) that won’t get ruined when someone spills their margarita on it.

What’s that? You need some help picking out the goodies? Well lookie here – I’ve got 15 splendid Spring Break accessories ready and waiting for you. Bon Voyage! Read More »

Every year it boggles my mind when boots and wool sweaters start showing up in stores in mid July.
I mean honestly, people! Sweat is dripping down my back and I’m supposed to be shelling out dough on the over-the-knee leather boots and colorful wrap scarves? I think not.

But all these early fall shenanigans in the stores means one thing: they need to clear room.

Enter: the summer sale (!!!). Read More »

Once upon a time, my great friend showed me a little website she knew and loved called Etsy.com. “It’s Betsy without the ‘B’” she said ever so kindly as I typed it into my browser. She did however, fail to tell me I was going to lose an average of 3 hours a day digging into the website and dumping my very shallow money truck into the virtual Etsy ‘shopping cart.’

Etsy.com is fashion crack. And I love it. It puts me in a happy place of inspiration and vintage goodies. Anybody can share and sell their vintage or homemade items on the site. And anybody can put the light out on their paycheck buy the vintage goods.  But sometimes it can be difficult to find that perfect item going for cheap.  Good thing CollegeCandy is here, because we’ve got proof that 8 Under $20 is so pleasantly possible on Etsy.com.

[Important Note]: Some of these items only have one in stock. So if you really fall in love, act fast and whip out that VISA. Otherwise, just go explore Etsy. It has many many beautiful vintage items to lust after. Read More »

Summer means beach. Beach means sunscreen, snacks, beach reads, magazines, a towel, a wallet, two pairs of sunglasses (you need some smaller ones so you don’t get those ridonk tan lines), a change of clothes, more snacks…

Basically, a whole lot of crap.

Crap means I need a big ass purse, and by that I mean I’m totes in love with totes that hold all my crap to get me to the beach (even though I still always manage to forget something important….). Instead of dragging your everyday purse to the beach or worse, your mom’s ugly “Acapulco 1992″ straw bag with the sticky sunscreen stains on the bottom, pick up one of these super cute, cheap, totes-cute totes for summer!

And if you’re feeling really creative, create one of LL Bean’s custom-made tote bags. You can pick any of their famous totes (great deal, great size, durable, adorable… it’s no wonder everyone loves them) and pick the colors, the strap length, the shape, etc. to make it all your own. For cheap! Read More »

I have an unhealthy obsession with handbags, but then again who doesn’t? It just seems like no matter how many you have thrown in the closet, an outfit always manages to emerge requiring a clutch or hobo that you don’t own.

That bag for me at the moment is the Deena & Ozzy Canvas Menswear Tote from Urban Outfitters. I’ve already had a couple of warm weather ensembles that felt like they were missing something and the minute I laid eyes on this bag I knew it was just what I needed.

It reincarnates the lazy, romance of summer with its soft canvas material and adorable buckle strap closure. It reminds me of a student traveling abroad in a romantic European country. And I am ready to bring a little European romance into my totally average American life. The mix of details is genius; the classic canvas tote is updated with a rustic flare from the buckled closure and soft leather detailing.

And the bag is so versatile that you can choose to channel certain details to complete an outfit.

Read More »

[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. Read More »

The season of sun is finally here, and that means three things: sand, water, and your beach bag! But before you load up the car and head to the shore (or down the shore, for us New Jerseyans), make sure you pack these innovative yet imperative items so you can make the most of your day as a beach bum: Read More »

I don’t get the appeal of the expensive beach babe. First of all, budget beach babe just sounds better. Second, I simply don’t understand the point of spending so much on a bathing suit just because the piping is plaid. What is the point of spending that much on something that isn’t even original. You look down the row of lounge chairs at a hot Miami hotel and it’s like Burberry drank too much last night resulting in a major hangover and then vomited all over the sunbathers.

There are SO many cute bathing suits, cover ups, sunglasses, totes, etc., out there that are muy cheapo but look muy expensivo. Plus, not only do you look like a beach babe, you look like an original that-girl-has-mad-fashion-sense one to boot.

Just don’t forget your SPF. Even I can’t make a person-turned-lobster look cute. Read More »

Summertime gives me a reason to be a total beach bum. I live for the days spent at the beach just lounging around, sporting my newly purchased bikini (I’m lusting over this one from OldNavy.com $15.00 separates), and all too obviously, scouting out the many shirtless male bodies… Ah, life is good.

Yet too many times my chill shore sessions turn sour when I find myself unprepared for an impromptu post-beach party or happy hour. I refuse to look like a mess in front of potential summer hook ups!

So, ladies, summer ’08 is dedicated to being ready for anything and it all starts with the perfect beach bag. Read More »