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).
2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential.  And that’s why I’m bringing back the Shop Your Closet series. 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.  With the growing popularity of 6 Items or Less it can’t be that difficult to remix one item, right?

My favorite clothing item this fall is the utilitarian military jacket.  Originally popular in the grunge era known as the ’90s, a utilitarian jacket in your closet is not only on-trend, but necessary. The military jacket – thanks to its neutral color and shape – is incredibly practical and versatile.  There are very few things that can’t be worn with one and its the easiest way to completely re-style the staples that are already in your closet. Check out Who What Wear to see how the celebs are embracing the army jacket. Read More »

One mom approved must-have for both fall and college is a chic fall jacket.

The perfect fall jacket is neutral, goes with all your favorite clothes and fits just right.  Not to mention, it “keeps you warm on those walks to class. You don’t want to catch a cold!” (Thanks, ma.)

This year there are lots of options out there regardless of your style: denim, military, leather, oh my! With so much variety at so many price points, why choose a favorite?

A fall jacket will take you to the field to watch football, on a walk home from an evening class when the air starts to feel crisp, and even out at night.  Though if you’re going to a party, and don’t want to lose your coat, see if you can find a hot yet chivalrous boy to lend you his oversized jacket. If you’re wearing a feminine outfit underneath you’ll instantly achieve the “Cardellini effect” and have an excuse to find Mr. Hottie another day! Read More »

It might be my inner journalist talking, but I’ve always been obsessed with trench coats.

This obsession only grew when Burberry put my girl crush, Emma Watson, into their summer ad campaign – looking as lovely as always in some gorgeous trench coats.

Trench coats are classic. Buy one now and you can wear it forever; regardless of trends they will always be chic and sophisticated. There are many options this year, meaning you could splurge on a classic, neutral trench or save on a fun, bright colored coat for spring. Either way, a trench is a must-have in your wardrobe. Not only are they a nice touch over an interview outfit, but trenches are also perfect for over skirts and dresses, meaning you don’t have to freeze (or rely on male chivalry) while wearing your hot little dress.

Long or short, classic or bright, solid or funky, there is a trench coat for everyone. And if, like me, you can’t afford one of Emma’s gorge Burberry coats, there are a million other beautiful options out there that won’t break the bank.  Although, it doesn’t cost a thing to sit back in your bed and drool over the rich and Burberry-clad on the Art of the Trench. Read More »

[Note: I'm Canadian and therefore it's spelled grey, not gray.]

As we head back to school, the transition back to independence from mom’s home cooking, added to the cold weather and lack of sunshine can lead to a gloomy, grey day. One way to embrace that blue mood is by dressing how you feel, made easy with the rising popularity of the color grey.

Why is grey suddenly the color to wear?

1. Grey is a neutral and goes with EVERYTHING.
2. Only 1 in 5 women look good in black, making grey a softer alternative to our safety color.

So next time you’re out shopping for the perfect LBD, take a chance and try on a Little Grey Dress; if you’re not the lone one out of five, chances are you’ll look better in grey. If you think that grey is a little drab, being a neutral, it’s the perfect supporting star to a bold, bright, colored piece. And with so many options in grey this year there is no reason not to try it on. So put back the black and embrace its softer sibling. Read More »

When the weather outside gets frightful and bundling up seems quite delightful, the must-have accessory to keep you warm is a scarf. Not only perfect for keeping your neck warm (or covering up any unwanted marks left from last night), the scarf is also a chic way to add some oomph to your otherwise blah winter outfit. Because when you’re bundled up from hood to Sorel, you need a little pop of color or pattern to show you still got style, even when it’s freezing cold outside.

As anyone will know, scarves come in every color and pattern imaginable, as well as a variety of different textures. There is literally something out there for everyone. And now they’re so versatile! The hot new infinity scarf can be worn a variety of ways, including as a hood/scarf to keep you toasty.  Or, if you have its American Apparel circle scarf counterpart, you can also wear it as a skirt… or a cape.

Scarves are available in pretty much every clothing store, meaning there are ample opportunities to pick up one (or twenty) for yourself this season.  As there are scarves in every price point, and every style possible, they also make for the perfect gift for anyone and everyone on your Christmas list. I mean, really, who doesn’t like a scarf?? Read More »

If it’s two things I love it’s ripped jeans and the Kid’s Choice Awards.

Random I know, but my mom never let me buy ripped jeans saying she wasn’t going to “spend money on something that was already ruined,” and that “ripped jeans are for homeless people.” Now that I’m on my own, I’ve found that there is actually ONE perk of being financially independent and that would be ripped, torn and tattered jeans. Take that, mommy dear.

Second, I know I’m way to old to care about the Kid’s Choice Awards, but – call me a teenybopper or call me a loser – there is just something a lot more fun (like, um, the goo that gets dumped on celebs) than your typical stuffy awards shows.

So it makes perfect sense that I hearted Cameron Diaz’s look at this year’s Kid’s Choice Awards. She looked cute, fresh and not at all like a homeless person.

For those of you who aren’t into watching programs that 10 year olds watch, I’ve broken it down for you here.

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Cameron Diaz is All Torn Up
Read More »

Being a poor college student sucks…except when other people notice and begin to cater directly to us and our needs. Like the student rate at the movie theater, or Apple’s sweet discount for college students.

Now take the excitement you feel when you get your movie ticket for $10 instead of $12 (wooohoooo!) and multiply that by the thousands of discounts you can get by joining my new favorite discount site just for students, StudentRate.com.

Did you pee your pants yet? (I’m sure they can get you a deal on some new ones!)

This fab new site allows college students to take full advantage of their school ID – all from the coziness of their own dorm rooms.  Even better? The user-friendly layout lets us search deals by category, location, “What’s Hot,” and by browsing keywords to see what pops up.  Of course, the site is free to join (what’s the point in saving money if you have to pay to do so?), so there’s really no reason NOT to take advantage.

Here are some of the best money-savers that I came across in my latest visit to the site: Read More »

Designer duds – for fashionistas around the world, they are a must-have. But with the economy in the crapper and most of us on a college student or recent graduate budget, finding the cash flow for those lovely labels is a lot harder than drooling over them. However, it is possible to find designer apparel and accessories at very discounted prices without having to elbow some other fashionista in the aisle at TJ Maxx, Loehmann’s or Filene’s Basement.

Just hit the internet.

While the prices are oftentimes still much higher than those pieces you love grabbing at Target, Old Navy, Forever 21 or H&M, many of these items are much higher in quality and can be wardrobe staples for many years to come.

I am personally obsessed with designer denim, shoes and handbags. I don’t have the salary to allow me to buy whatever I want at their normal price and I don’t own a credit card (for good reason – it would’ve been maxed out ages ago), so I have to look for deals. Enter my saviors for retail therapy on a budget:

Overstock.com: This site is a gem! You may not always find exactly what you want, but you can find some great stuff here at even better prices. I got my bf 2 sweaters and a button down shirt that were each originally $75/piece, for $15 each! You can also find great home goods here for awesomely affordable prices.

Bluefly: While things here are oftentimes still pretty pricey, they do give a good percentage off, and I check here often because when they have sales, you can find phenomenal deals. Read More »

While I love finding the perfect gifts for people and seeing their faces as they open them, I must admit, all this holiday shopping has got me wanting to get a few gifts of my own. It doesn’t help that there are great sales EVERYWHERE. Unfortunately, those sales are linked to the crappy economy, which means I don’t have the freedom to snatch them up right now, and yet, I want nothing more than to buy myself this ensemble to be lookin’ mighty fine into the new year.

(Note: I found most of these things on bluefly or piperlime, so they’re discounted. Does that make it better?) Read More »

Last night’s episode of Project Runway really made Lauren happy. Lauren is all about saving the environment, so Lauren was super excited when she found out the challenge was to use Green fabrics to create cocktail dresses. Lauren wants a Green cocktail dress!

Other things Lauren wants: the BlueFly accessories wall in her bedroom, a lunch date with Heidi Klum and for Suede to stop freaking speaking in third person.

But let’s get back to the show (and first person).

This week’s challenge was twofold. Not only would the designers be using eco friendly fabrics, but the models would be purchasing them. Oooooo. I am sure that threw a little wrench in everyone’s plans, but didn’t really become an issue for anyone except Stella. Not because the model came back with some hideous fabric, but because the model came back without leather.

Stella LOVES leather. She would make anything in leather! She would make pants in leather, hats in leather, dresses in leather. If only leather wasn’t the WORST THING FOR THE PLANET, Stella. I mean, seriously. Leather is not only a major fashion mistake (unless you are going to a Bon Jovi concert), it just totally goes against everything this challenge is about.

So, anyhoo….the designers start doing their thang with the stuff and some random shite goes down. Some people almost can’t finish their garments, some people are still making up words (enough with the ‘icious…seriously), some people think others are copying them and Tim Gunn thinks one designers dress has the potential to be a HOT MESS. Yes, he actually said that. He totes misses Christian! Read More »