I know winter break just ended and we’re all falling back into our usual school routines, but I know I’m not the only one out there who can’t wait for summer. I miss long, carefree days at the beach, where thoughts of school and work are miles away and where I can go makeup-free and let my hair air-dry in the warm sun.

Unfortunately, it’s still pretty chilly out there, so I’m not going to be leaving my house with wet hair anytime soon. Until then, though, at least I can cover up unwashed or messy hair with cute winter hats! Winter hats are the ultimate multi-tasking accessory: they cover up bad hair days, keep you nice and warm, and they’re a cute addition to any winter outfit! Here are eight great finds, each $20 or less! Read More »

As temperatures start to drop, and you get to that pesky stage between needing a sweater and needing a jacket, the scarf becomes a key item to fill in. Wrap it around your neck over your favorite cardigan and you’re all set to face the fall chill. And if it gets too warm, you can always use it instead of your sweater, or tie it to your bag for a chic look! A scarf will instantly dress up your otherwise basic outfit – so even if you’ve woken up, picked up your jeans, a tee and a cardigan off the floor, a scarf will make it look like you put some thought in.

Sigh, aren’t scarves wonderful?

The other essential (and almost magical) item for the girl in a morning rush: a hat! If you’re having an off hair day (or you haven’t washed your hair all week. I get it – midterms are rough) toss on a cap over top, cover up that mess and look super chic. There are lots of styles to choose from this year and that means there’s one for you, no matter what your face shape! And while hats always scare people who think they are so hard to pull off (not literally, of course), but don’t be afraid to take the plunge.

If nothing else, at least you can hit snooze five more times and still end up in class in style.

Below, just a sampling of my favorite scarves and hats of the season. Click each pic for more info! Read More »

I’m loud, I’m proud and I love accessories! OK, call me lame if you want, but the importance of great accessories is not lost on me. They are absolutely essential in bringing together a beautiful ensemble and the easiest way to update your wardrobe to reflect the newest trends each season. And, fo real, they are really fun to shop for!  Unlike shoes or jeans or dresses, you really can never have too many of them, so I’m always on a hunt for something new to add to my growing collection.

And if you stick with me, you can nab some new pieces on the cheap, too.

As Giorgio Armani once said, “Accessories are important and becoming more and more important each day.” We hear you bro, so let’s take a look at the good stuff.

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

If there is one thing I hate about winter (unfortch there are hundreds of things I hate about winter) it would be that as I’m bundled in ear muffs, scarves, gloves, 10 layers of who knows what that is throwing my body into such a confusion because I’m sweating like a maniac under all that thermal but can’t feel my nose or ears a the same time, stores, my FAVORITE stores, have the audacity to decorate their windows with eyelet lace dresses, high waisted shorts and canary yellow tops that scream: BUY ME!

It is January 2010 and I’m supposed to buy shorts?

But that dress, that top – they are just so. freaking. cute. So I cave and I buy them. And then I take them home and stare at them and even though know it’s January (and my jeans are wet and frozen to the knee), I want to wear them!

So this week’s Budget Stylista goes out to every girl like me who’s trekked in sloshy snow to her favorite shop and couldn’t stop herself from loading up on the spring styles. No more waiting 6 long, cold months to sport your new goods; I will show you how to wear them now without catching frostbite and then again once the snow (and your body) thaws out. Read More »

The leaves are starting to change and the temperature is starting to drop, bringing in the season of hot- cocoa-and-tv-nights and cute, cozy clothes. While layering sweaters and scarves might seem like a no-brainer, there is another way to ensure you stay warm. And chic.

With a hat.

Yes, while you always listened to your mother when she told you to zip up that jacket, you probably tuned her out when she started nagging you about a hat. “You lose most of your body heat through your head,” she’d yell behind you. Not that you cared; you’d rather lose body heat than look dorky and mess up that hair you just spent 30 minutes straightening.

But not anymore. Hats are all the rage (just ask The Budget Stylista) and I’ve got 16 right here that will make your mama proud. They not only serve the ever-functional purpose of keeping you warm, but they also add a whole new layer of cool to your winter ensembles. Oh, and did I mention how wonderful they are for covering up an unfortunate hair day? Because bad hair days happen.  Especially if you’re doing a walk of shame across campus.  But no one will know if you throw a little cap on top.

And don’t tell me you’re not a “hat person.” Everyone can be a hat person, especially with the variety of styles. Just take a gander and you’re sure to find one that you love and that loves you back. Read More »

If my new obsession with Old Soul New Heart taught you anything, it’s that accessories can make an outfit.
And here’s another thing I’m about to teach you, so take note: if you want to stand out in a crowd wear a hat.

Every time I go out on a weekend in a beret EVERYONE comments. It’s unique, it’s different andit says you’ve got fashion balls.

Hello, risk-taker!

If, however, you find yourself in my shoes with a big case of LH (large head, and I mean that literally; not the ego kind), headbands are another great way to change up a look or keep up with a trend without going into serious debt. They also happen to be a great way to get by without washing your hair for “just one more day”- slick those bangaroos back and you look chick and clean! Cute while being lazy? Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Here are my favorite hats, headbands and hair accessories for fall. They give a whole new meaning to hat hair and for once, I don’t mind it! Read More »

I always love coming back from break and seeing all my friends. But even though I can’t wait to see certain people, I will do my best to avoid these five “friends “who seem to appear ever year.

The Unnaturally Tan One

While I sat at home watching Full House marathons curled up under my brand-new Snuggie, this person sat on Caribbean beaches for the entire break. While my legs are streaked shades of orange from drugstore tanners, she is glowing with a tan that seems to defy her race. As if I wasn’t already feeling like Casper’s paler cousin, standing next to her makes me feel downright clinically albino.

The Reccesion-Proof One

This holiday season started with my parents interrupting all my wish-list ramblings with words like “recession,” and “depression.” My wants went from an iPhone to a few new Chap Sticks and a (store brand) chocolate bar. So it’s even more un-fun this year to watch this friend unpack all of her new things: an entirely new wardrobe that matches her Blackberry Storm that she can play with while watching her new flat screen. She’s offering to share her new boots and all I can give her in exchange is some relief for her chapped lips.

The Debbie Downer One

My break wasn’t very exciting but I don’t have any legitimate complaints. But she does. A simple, “how was your break” turns into a two-hour impromptu therapy session while she goes on and on about everything from her mom getting laid off to her dog getting hit by a car. While at first I can awkwardly pat her back and offer my condolences, it gets increasingly less easy as she talks about her Christmas tree burning down, the loss of her lucky penny, and her cat’s unhealthy addiction to alcohol. Read More »

[Every week 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, you don’t have to.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Sure sure– it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Blah Blah Blah.

Because it’s also the most freezing time of year. You know when your eyes water, then that water freezes and before you know it you are picking iciciles off your eyelashes?

It’s no wonder Santa Clause’s belly is full of jelly – fat keeps you warmer. And with the cold weather, usually all things cute fall by the wayside along with dietary discretion (I mean seriously- hot cocoa and hot cookies all. winter. long. First stop: my thighs! Woot Woot!)

But thankfully, Cameron Diaz gives us another option to stay warm. Not only does it not require us to gain 50 pounds, it’s adorable. Just look at her. Her grey on gery ensemble makes me want to go walk five miles in the cold right now… or hail a cab… or just stand outside and take a cute photo in this outfit.

So with that I bring you this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Cameron Makes the Cold Look Cute!

Read More »

For those of us attending school in the north, fashion is often abandoned in order to stay, well, warm. I whole-heartedly admit to dragging myself to class in my warmest sweatpants, topped off with my very unfashionable, but EXTREMELY cold-resistant ski jacket.

Heck, here in Canada, it’s not odd to see students sporting Sorel boots (yeah, the boots mountain people wear).

And don’t even get me started on headwear. People at my school who aren’t dressed warmly enough opt for a homemade-turban look, using an extra sweater they have in their bag! Atrocious!

What is even more upsetting is that with a little research and planning (um, like checking the weather before leaving the house!), you can keep the blood circulating in your skull and still look cute!

CollegeCandy has done the leg work for you and presents you with a list of super chic, and more importantly, WARM, options for your noggin. Yes, it is possible to stay warm and keep the hair intact. Read More »

We’ve seen this look all over town. From Audrina Partridge to Rachel Zoe to just about every other trendsetter out there, everyone who is anyone is rocking the Beret. When I first spotted Justin Bobby sporting this cap last year, I thought he was just covering up his dirty, greasy hair.

But no. He was actually wearing those floppy, knit caps to make a fashion statement (while also covering up his dirty, greasy hair).

Just like many major trends this season, the Beret is one I just don’t know about. The hats are cute – no doubt about that – but do girls in LA really need to wear a knit hat in the summer? And don’t those things give off more of a “I was too lazy to wash my hair” vibe than anything else?

What do you think? Do you love or hate the beret?