I love skinny jeans just as much as the next person.

They are great to tuck into boots.
Great with long tunics.
Great for so many things in my ‘drobe.

But when I feel anything but? Skinny jeans… not such a fan.

Not to mention that a girl can only have so many pairs of skinny jeans but still wants an excuse to expand her denim wardrobe. Which presents a big challenge when practically everywhere you turn are more skinny jeans that seem to be even skinnier than the last. But now, dear friends, it looks like the antidote of skinny jeans is on the horizon.

The Wide Leg Trouser Jean.

Don’t be intimidated by it’s mountains of fabric. These jeans can actually be both concealing (as in hiding that muffin top that your skinny jeans just won’t) and flattering. Most are higher waisted and skim your thighs. Paired with a platform or high heel, these give your legs an nice, elongated look. Read More »

It’s cold outside. And while that didn’t phase us when we were freshmen parading drunkenly through the streets claiming it’s NOT even that cold (our purple lips pressed against the frozen top of our inconspicuous water bottles…), as time goes on we realize that gallivanting around town in freezing temps in a tank and a mini is clearly not an option. Come on, snotsicles look good on NO ONE.

While cold weather gives us a reason to tuck away our tanks and barely-there dresses, it is no excuse to give up on putting some effort in our ensembles. So in order to avoid turning into the shlub in the bar (we all know that one person who wears a huge baggy sweatshirt and pretends like he/she doesn’t care), I’ve rounded up 9 kick-ass shirts for whatever your Friday/Saturday/Monday night of drinking may bring. And all of them cover your shoulders but are still as adorable (or dare I say even more so!) than our summer time counterparts.

Stay Warm and Stylish! Read More »

Come winter, I seem to gain about 10 pounds. I’m never sure if this is actual holiday weight, or whether it’s just the appearance of bulky layers. Living in Minnesota for the year I’m getting used to the cold, but not what I look like in the mirror.

Layering is a fine art. It needs to do two things – keep you warm and make you look good. Around August I start flicking through magazines, excited and inspired by the layered looks on the fashion pages. Although in reality, size 2 models look great with some extra bulk. I do not.

The best way to layer- both for warmth and for style – is by using thin layers. I’ve chosen to use the same thin jersey dress for each of these outfits, which can be layered both over and under for extra warmth. Even colder where you are? Add thick socks, boots and a warm winter coat. Read More »

It feels like yesterday that we woke up, blurred eyed and fuzzed headed, welcoming in 2010. But here we are again, New Year’s Eve. The one night of the year it’s perfectly acceptable to kiss everybody in sight at midnight and drink your body weight in champagne. It’s also the one night of the year when it’s totally fine to wear more sequins that a drag queen. New Year’s Eve is a night where you spend hours getting ready only to wake up with what looks like half the buffet table down your dress, and your perfectly applied lipstick all over someone else’s face. It’s also the perfect opportunity to buy something shiny and new.

Everyone has different New Year’s plans, so I’ve created three different outfits depending on your plans- Casual Party, Dressy Party and Night on the Town.  And yes, all three contain sequins. I’m not even sorry. Read More »

You don't have to look like this all winter long!

Winter is here.

Blah.

Sure with winter comes snow angels and holidays (and holiday presents!) and hot chocolate by the fireplace and winter break…

But with the snow comes slush, boots, puffy jackets and that ridiculously long walk to class where your fingers freeze and your nose runs and your eyes tear and then the tears freeze. And it’s a wonder how you become such a hot mess given how damn cold it is.

But on the upside, at least for fashion-lovin’ ladies like myself, winter brings a whole new crop of accessories. And cute accessories to boot! Scarves, pom-pon hats, earmuffs, mittens, berets and the like. So if you have to freeze your ass off… you might as well look damn good doing it!

Here are my favorite chic and cheap winter accessories. Scarves, hats and gloves are a great way to bring some color to the dreary snow ridden streets of your campus and an affordable way to play with trends. Read More »

It’s holiday time and at holiday time the LBD goes out the window (OK, not out the window. What a waste! More like to the back of the closet; we all know the LBD will be back by NYE) and in it’s place:

The LRD (the Little Red Dress).

From Thanksgiving to Christmas lord knows we are invited to tons of holiday parties. Some dressy and some a bit more casual. But either way, you can’t go wrong rockin’ an LRD. Nothing says “I’m Festive!” or “kiss me under the mistletoe, cute guy in the ugly sweater!” or “damn that peppermint/chocolate pretzel was good, spoon feed them to me please” like an LRD. Okay, so maybe the last one doesn’t need to be said in an LRD but, mmm, holiday chocolate.

Here are our favorite options for this year’s LRD. From santa red to darker hues to reds in a fun print – you just can’t go wrong! Dress them up with bare legs and a nude pump; dress them down with black tights and suede booties; OR, my all-time favorite combo, opt for grey tights and shoes. It’s less harsh and more unexpected than black (but this works for the more casual options only!)

Happy holidays, ladies in red! Read More »

As much as we want to deny it, if my frozen toes are any indication, winter is on its way. And with winter comes lots of dark, gloomy fashion. The black and gray sweaters, the dark jeans, the Uggs. Ugh.

But why? Winter is a beautiful season – all that bright, sparkly white snow – so I say it’s time to trade those winter woes for winter whites. The fashion gods say we aren’t supposed to wear white after Labor Day, but I say hell to the no. And so does my favorite fashion maven, Rachel Zoe. (The girl may be crazy, but when it comes to style, I totes trust her.)

The trick to successfully pulling off white in the winter-time is making sure you keep your look more “snow angel” and less nautical/I’m on a (mother effing) boat. So avoid those light, loose fabrics and mix in heavier pieces (think suede, velvet, heavy sweaters and thick tights).

Need some help? Here are three ways to wear white in the winter. Read More »

I can’t explain it, but I love chambray. It looks stylish but oh-so-comfy all at the same time. And you know what makes chambray even better?  Mixing a dressier necklace with this casual-feeling top. It’s totally unexpected yet totally works and can be worn to just about anything: leggings and boots for class, tailored skinny pants for the bar, high wasted wide leg wool pants for a bit of a fancier fete like dinner with the boy’s ‘rents, tucked into a corduroy mini with tights… the list goes on and on.

Here are two ways to wear the chambray with a statement necklace. Tucked in for a fitted feel and a tucked out tunic for those days you feel like looking cute, but also like eating everything in your dorm room caf without showing the evidence. Read More »

Shorts have been around for a few seasons now and (after getting over that whole ‘thighs rubbing together’ thing) I’m finally warming up to them. And even though winter is almost here (sigh), shorts are showing no signs of saying farewell. In fact, now that designers are making them in winter fabrics like wool and tweed, they’re taking over.

At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if North Face started making quilted down winter shorts.

So how does one wear these “winter shorts,” you ask? Simple. Just like in the summer, you can make these shorties look great for day or night and still show off those legs of yours. Only this time, they’ll be wrapped in some tights (because frost bite is not a good look on anyone). Read More »

Ladies, fashion can be complicated. With magazines, catalogs and store displays making it look effortless, you think, “I can rock that style; that can be ME!!” So you go in, flip through the racks, and see the price for the military look is way beyond your price range. You buy just the jacket.

Then you see a perfect retro outfit in this month’s Nordstrom catalog, but again, can only afford one piece. This keeps goin’ on and before you know it, you’ve got one piece from a bunch of different looks but NO idea how to put them together.

Until now. Because, my friends, my job is to take this complicated (and often pricey) thing called fashion and make it a little bit easier for you. So here is a little guide to making that one sequined piece you just had to have (because everyone knows it’s important to add some sparkle to your fall and winter wardrobe) work. And better yet: it’s going day and night. For a price that IS right.

Brace yourselves, ladies: Read More »