8 Under $20: Forever 21

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So as I write this, I’m sitting on my lanai (balcony) overlooking the beautiful, blue Maui ocean (yes, I’m on my first “real” vacay in years), which means I’m not particularly keen on scouring the internet for under $20 deals for long periods of time (not to mention, they’re only giving me an hour of free wifi). So where did I head?

The mother of all cheap & trendy spots: Forever 21.

And no, she did not disappoint. Checking out the website or a store near you is a necessity before you head back to school, as there are loads of insanely awesome deals on ridiculously cute clothes.  What are you waiting for?  Read, set, GO!

Here are a few things I know I’ll be grabbing up. You know, when I get back to the mainland. Read More »

Investment Pieces: Summer Fashion Trends That Will Last Through 2010

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

There are some trends that last season after season: leggings, floral prints, gladiator sandals, etc. Then there are those that fade away: baby doll tops, harem pants. How are you supposed to know which trends to trash and which to invest in? Luckily, fashion is already way ahead of you. Fall 2009 and Resort 2010 collections have already been released, and Spring/Summer 2010 is in the works. For most designers, Resort is a preview of what’s coming next. Therefore, the collections provide great insight into what will be hot and what will be not for summer 2010.

We scoured the Resort looks of all the top designers – from Stella McCartney to Brian Reyes to Prada – and compiled a list of summer fashion trends that aren’t going anywhere: Read More »

Shopping Your Closet: Summer Scarves

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I know there is a serious anti-summer-scarf movement out there, but I am not a part of it. I love scarves – yes, even in the summer. They are really versatile pieces and can really add a lot to an otherwise boring wardrobe. And they can be incorporated in many ways – not just tying those suckers around your neck.

This summer, a lightweight scarf (e.g. silk) is an essential accessory. If you don’t own one already, you can buy one for less than $20 at these stores: Delia’s, Gap, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21. Or buy a few from all of these stores; there are so many cute things you can do with ‘em, you’re going to wanna stock up. Read More »

Shopping Your Closet: Just Add a Belt

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Adding a belt is one of the easiest ways to update an outfit. Instead of going out and spending your money on an entire new ensemble, pick up a fun, stylish belt that works with something you already own! In the warmer part of the year, a belt can give a new silhouette and add a splash of personal style to dresses. When it cools off, belts are great for emphasizing your curves which are hiding under all those warm layers.

Here are some belt trends to try for under $25: Read More »

Rock The Look: Belts (Thick or Thin!)

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(Left to right, Fall 2008 RTW, from style.com: Jill Stuart, Fendi, Fendi, 3.1 Philip Lim)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading! In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Belts are your most useful accessories; they can hold up your pants, make your waist look small (even in the bulkiest of sweaters), and (literally) pull your outfit together.

Belts are a worthwhile investment because they are so versatile. Neutral colors like brown or black will work with most items in your wardrobe, and brighter colors can make a boring outfit unique. Read on for different ways to cinch your waist this winter. (Warning: anything that applies pressure to the stomach is probably not something you’re going to want to try out at Thanksgiving dinner.)

Read More »

Candy Dish: Usher’s Hot Body, Starbucks Is Genius

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Meredith Viera embarrassed our cute Matt Lauer on national television.

Herbs aren’t always healthy, but we all knew that.

Disney has produced yet another child-craving-the-porn-star limelight.

Why do pretty women get everything? Even the writing jobs?

There are no more stores to enjoy, not even the electronics kind.

Try on this belt for size.

Hollywood is hogging all the babies, well just Angelina and Madonna.

Starbucks may be smarter than we thought.

Usher can turn me on any day.

Rock the Look: Sweaterdresses

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(Left to right: 3.1 Philip Lim, D&G, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Warm, comfy, and flattering, a sweaterdress should be in every college girl’s wardrobe this winter. They’re possibly the easiest item to wear, but also one of the most fun to accessorize. Read on to find one that fits your budget and ideas on what to pair it with. Read More »

Free Fallin’: 2008 Fall Fashion Trends

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Fall is just around the corner, and soon we’ll have crisper weather, changing leaves and new fashion trends. The upcoming season is an interesting mix of sexy, classy and manly (yes, manly!) and the main color to watch for is purple.

As always, the trends come from the designers on the runway, but there are plenty of options out there for less expensive pieces that give you a similar look.H&M, Forever 21, Target and other regional mall stores (Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal, etc.) all carry up-to-date trends for inexpensive prices. Express, Nordstrom and Macy’s are other, slightly more expensive, stores to check out, and I’m a huge fan of discount stores (Loehmann’s, Filene’s Basement, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, etc.).

Without further ado, here’s a list of what to grab up this season… Read More »

Just Rolled Out of Bed? You Don’t Have to Look That Way

britneygross1.jpgWake 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

1421_4070_573.jpg1. 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 »

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Purples! Plums! Paradise!

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If I had to choose what I love most about this season’s fashions (and choosing one is no easy feat) it’s that purple is THE color to wear. From shoes to bags to dresses and jackets – shades of purple are popping up EVERYWHERE.

You can’t go wrong: neon, plum, eggplant. Deep shades of purple are h.o.t.

“But I will look more like a vegetable and less like a cute trendy person,” you say aloud as you hold up an amazing purple frock. To which I say: NOT SO! Add some black patent accessories, or a fun accent color and you are good to go!

Here are three chicks rockin the neon purple ensemble, but, as usual, the prices of these fabu garments are well out of our reach.

That’s where I come in! Your fashion researcher. Your best friend, the coolest person you “know” to bring you celebrity chic on the cheap: Purple Paradise. Read More »