8 Under $20: Bohemian Fashionista

Maybe it’s the hippie in me, but right now I’m loving everything about that laid back flower-child style we know as bohemian. French Connection,  Free People, Lucky Brand, True Religion. . . I’m just naming a few of my favorite brands that carry the gypsy-like, free spirited style favored by Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, and Halle Berry. (Oh, and Mischa Barton and the Olsen twins, but I’m not sure their take on it is anything to covet….)

Unfortunately, these brands carry their clothes a little steep in the price range for my liking and the celebs are the only ones that can afford it. Fortunately, I’ve got a slew of glorious bohemian finds that have slithered their way into my kind of price range: under $20.

Bring on the side-braids and let’s get shopping.

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8 Under $20: Essential Summer Skirts

It’s that time of year again: The season of the skirt. In all honesty, shorts really aren’t my thing. Sometimes they squeeze in all the wrong love handles places and give me some serious wedgie dilemmas. That is why I have a great relationship with all of the skirts out there. They are girly, breathable, comfortable and wedgie-free. What more could a girl ask for?

One of my favorite things about summer is slapping on some sunscreen, shoving a towel and a Nicolas Sparks novel in my beach bag and throwing on a skirt and a tee. Then, come evening, all I have to do is slather some aloe on my arms, exchange the flip flops for some comfy wedges and hit the town for some summer lovin’. Care to join me/rub sunscreen on my back? First, take a lookie at these pretty numbers.  I promise they will not disappoint.

[Click on the skirt to get all the shopping info.]

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Do It Yourself Tuesdays: The Perfect Ruched Headwrap

Ever since the beginning of Gossip Girl (pre and post threesome) and the sensational style of Blair Waldorf, hair flair has rocked the fashion world. What is hair flair, you ask? Um…only the most vital/amazing/and necessary accessory any woman can own, obvi.

Hair flair can transform an entire outfit and conceal your unwashed hair on days when you just don’t have time to shower (i.e. after a particularly long Tiki Tuesday). More importantly, unlike those expensive skinny jeans you picked up at the Nordstrom half-yearly sale, hair flair will always fit regardless of those holiday pounds, the freshmen fifteen, or the beer belly you’ve been sporting since football season (curse you keg stands and beer pong).

Well, if you want the same accessories as the Upper East Siders but don’t have the same cash monay, don’t worry.  Here is a thrifty way to get the fabulous look without paying the big bucks. And if this particular style isn’t for you, something is wrong with you we’ve got another awesome DIY hair flair project you can do instead.

What You’ll Need:

Stretchy headbands/headwraps: You probably have one of these lying around, but if not, these are super cheap and you can pick them up at drug stores like CVS, Long’s, Duane Read or at any beauty store. My favorite brand to use is Scunci No Slip-Hair Grips because they come in packs of 4, are comfortable, and easy to decorate. Use a black headwrap to keep it classy or a bolder color to add some extra pop.

Fabric: A foot or two of any type of cloth fabric in any color/design you want! Most craft stores sell fabric squares meant for quilting, which are perfect for creating your hair flair, as your fabric needs to be cut in a square shape before you begin. Bonus: Many craft stores (Michael’s or JoAnn’s) have tons of leftover fabric scraps that you can get for super cheap. Just ask one of those ladies with the scissors! Read More »


Campus Couture: Sweet and Simple Sarah

sarah.jpgThere are some people who always come to school looking like they just picked up whatever piece of clothing was in their line of sight, that may or may not be clean (determined by the ever scientific “Sniff Test”). Then there are others who are always dressed so fashionably that you wonder if they live in a clothing store. Or how freaking early they wake up to pull an entire outfit together before making the trek to class.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

Enter Sarah.

Even though she isn’t in college anymore, Sarah still exudes the typical college girl enthusiasm for new clothes and the word “sale.” When I approached her and begged to take a picture of her look, she agreed… but only if I took a picture of the back of her skirt. She wanted to show off the best parts of her look: the pretty metallic details and ruffles next to the rich color of her scarf.  She’s also got this very Nicole Richie, I-didn’t-try-too-hard twisted pin-up braid going on that’s super cute and complements the entire look perfectly.

As a recent college grad, Sarah is always busy running to and from interviews and meetings. She doesn’t have a lot of time to spend on makeup and hair, which she doesn’t mind. Her style philosophy: a cute outfit to match her bag and long, flirty eyelashes. Sweet and simple. I love it. Read More »


Campus Couture: Treehugging Chloe

chloe

There are some people who always come to school looking like they just picked up whatever piece of clothing was in their line of sight, that may or may not be clean (determined by the ever scientific “Sniff Test”).

Then there are others who are always dressed so fashionably that you wonder if they live in a clothing store. Or how freaking early they wake up to pull an entire outfit together before making the trek to class.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

So meet Chloe. Whenever I see her on campus, she always has the cutest outfits on that make you think of picnicking in green meadows and somersaulting across the grassy field. Her style is always really fresh with girly touches like headbands and hair pins, and plenty of gold-toned jewelry to go with. And no one has ever seen her without a cloth bag. Ever. She has defined her own style and done it well. That is why Chloe is my muse of the week.

Name: Chloe M.
Year: 2011
Major: History
Chloe in 3 words: outgoing, treehugger, spontaneous.

1) Describe your personal style.
Feminine with a twist. I love shopping at vintage stores, you can always find something that is unique and so YOU at the same time. And there’s less of a chance you’ll run into a girl wearing the same thing. Fashion crisis averted.

2) You can’t leave the house without your ____.
Hobo bag! You can fit anything you want inside it, a pack of gum, a notebook, sometimes even a laptop. I seriously have one of every color. Read More »