Wardrobe Wish List: Body Central Curvey Keyhole Tee

I’m almost positive that I am not the only woman who wants to accent my assets and disguise my least favorite attributes. There’s no point in buying clothes that don’t make you feel fantastic – they should show what you want to show while smoothing out any imperfections (hint hint – last week’s waist belt).  Whether you’ve indulged in a few too many late-night dorm binges or you’ve been studying too hard to make it to the gym, this amazing Curvey Keyhole Tee from Body Central will remind you that you’re cute and sexy no matter how many pizza boxes you have piled up near your door.

Inspired by Monday night’s Gossip Girl and the so-sexy-it-was-almost-vulgar keyhole shirt that Serena wore (and in front of her mother!) to the Observer party, the idea had me thinking. She wore a fitted black shirt with a diamond shape cut out right in the center of her chest. The girls had to have been duct taped to her sides to keep them from falling out. But her shirt, while unrealistic in the real world (come on, no one’s boobs could look like that!) has the same principles of this Body Central shirt: it drew your eye directly to the most flattering part of her body and nowhere else. The idea was enough to make me want to rush to my wardrobe with a pair of scissors.

After I forced myself to put scissors down, I found this much more innocent version on Body Central, the curators of cheap, well made, just-sexy-enough tops that you can’t go wrong with.  We all know the basics of how to show a little skin – a v-kneck for the chest, spaghetti straps for the shoulders, basically anything besides low rise jeans to highlight a muffin top. But keyhole cut outs? They’re a whole new concept in something unexpected.  Read More »


Wardrobe Wish List: AE Skinny Braided Waist Belt

Yeah, it might not look like much but this little guy will transform your wardrobe.

The quintessential waist belt was not created to hold anything up. It doesn’t fit into loops, it offers no form of support, it’s not durable and it doesn’t save the world from your plumber’s crack. So what does this basic wardrobe staple do for you?

It works harder for you that you did for your A in Intro to Painting; it creates the illusion of a smokin’ waist.

Your closet (aka the storage bin under your bed) and your body are incomplete without this wardrobe essential.  Nothing gives you that perfect hourglass shape quite like a cinch at the waist. No matter if you have curves or none to claim, a braided belt like this one from American Eagle will not only create them, but let your wallet keep a fat curve of it’s own.

This belt is what saved the shirt-dress trend by mercifully adding some shape to an otherwise baggy and unflattering outfit. There are so many shirts and dresses in my own wardrobe that I won’t dare to wear unless I can find a suitable waist belt or I’m left feeling boxy and paunchy. Even if you don’t have a lot of this type of shirt, this belt is so versatile when worn right.

I love this belt because the braided detailing makes it a lot more interesting than any other belt I’ve got. And if I’m going to invest in a nice leather belt, it’s going to be black, so I appreciate that this cheapie option allows for some new color to enter my wardrobe that I don’t have to make above a twenty dollar commitment to. Read More »


Candy Dish: College News Hot Off The Press

Sparknotes is the best study tool in the world

Campus fashion

How to save money on campus

Letter from your friend at a warmer school

College degree only guarantees one thing

How to make amazing drunk nachoes

What are the worst theme party ideas ever?

Dealing with over the top party pals

Should there be an anti-bullying law?


Wardrobe Wish List: Steve Madden Wyndi Lace Up Wedges

I’m not a girl who’s skilled enough to wear heels. I’m not sure what the problem is, but every attempt at stiletto sex kitten I’ve ever made has resulted in scars of the physical and emotional nature. My knees and my pride may never recover from past attempts, but a wise woman once told me what her 24 years had taught her: it’s all about the wedges.

Why should you have to give up feeling confident and sexy because those heels in your closet look better as a prop then when you try to wear them out? OK, so they make your legs look like the hottest stilts in the world, but how hot do you look waddling in them until you trip and smack your face on a keg and have a black eye for the first week of classes? Wedges could have saved my cousin.

And these are the hottest pair of the season. The lace up wedge is so on trend right now, and this Steve Madden pair just won’t quit. They have the awesome height, the sexified peep toe, and an added hole (peep heel?) in the back. The above-the-ankle cut makes them PERFECT for wearing with leggings to completely avoid the dilemma of wearing tights with exposed webbed toes; the legging will totally disappear under the lace-up ankle of the wedge and – voila – you’ve the appearance of opaque tights that allows you to show off the pedicure you splurged on. Read More »


Campus Couture: Kelsey, Lakehead

[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 (remember how chic Brooklyn from Drake was??) 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. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

In Northern Ontario, our spring climate is slightly unpredictable. A few weeks ago it seriously went from beautiful sun to snow on the ground in 3 days. So the college girls up here have to be prepared and equipped; fun, warm-weather outfits must be on call! When my friend Kelsey was sporting this chic, summery look, I knew I had to feature her on Campus Couture.

Now, you can tell from the picture that Kelsey could be a model. She’s tall, skinny and gorgeous and is constantly turning heads. With her figure, she can also pull off pretty much anything (JEALOUS). Every single time a new trend comes out, I see Kelsey sporting it, looking like she just came off the runway. I mean, the girl has been wearing jeggings (jean leggings) since December and I only just picked up a pair! In this look she’s rocking some fabulous English florals, in the form of shorts no less, and her ankle-cuff flats are so hot for summer. Even her headband and earrings match, both featuring tiny white flowers. Kelsey looks like a Coachella-bound supermodel, instead of a student on her way to class. And if that’s not something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Read More »


Campus Couture: Brooklyn, Drake University

[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 (like Brittany from Northwestern) 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. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

At a school where most girls’ wardrobes are dominated by T-shirts and going-out tops, I always find it refreshing to spot a girl who takes her style seriously. So after seeing Brooklyn roaming around campus on multiple occasions, I just had to stop her. She has the uncanny ability to look effortlessly cool in every situation. Whether she’s heading to class or dressing up for a formal event, she manages to achieve that difficult balance of looking polished but still 100 percent original.

Brooklyn is great at pulling together pieces that fit together without being overly matchy. Her style is all her own, a mix of timeless pieces and funky accessories. It’s a look that’s often imitated but never quite duplicated–because the thing about effortless style is that trying to pull it off just doesn’t work. It has to come naturally. And for Brooklyn, it just does. Read More »


Campus Couture: KP, Quinnipiac

[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 (like Kayla at Lakehead!) 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. You know someone who's got great style? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

College is a wonderful place. It is pretty much the last four years where you can be completely irresponsible and (kind of) get away with it. It is a place where 11 AM is considered early, and where throwing on sweatshirts, pajama pants and Ugg boots (every day) is completely acceptable… and expected. This is why when someone actually has jeans on, I take notice. Which is how I noticed Kerstein, who’s mostly known as KP around campus.

It was time for me to get a “little sister” in my sorority, and I knew the girl I was looking for had to be stylish (it runs in our family.) And along came KP. When she wasn’t wearing sorority letters, she was rocking some seriously edgy outfits, always accompanied by studded belts and funky vests. She even managed to make a backwards baseball cap look chic (when it was raining and she wanted to protect her hair)!

While KP can often be seen sporting super risky looks, I would never say she has one particular style. She can be rocker and edgy, classical and feminine, or comfortable and laid back – all depending on the day. But no matter the heavy watch she has around her wrist or the trendy boots she’s walking in, her best accessory is without a doubt her personality and her confidence, the two most important parts of any fashionista. Read More »


Campus Couture: Lauren La’Flare

lauren campus couture

Yeah, I know this is blurry. It's hard to capture such fabulosity.

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.

And if there’s one girl who’s got some fashion courage it’s Lauren. I spotted her on campus because, well, it’s impossible not to spot her. She’s always decked out in bright colors, bold accessories and some serious confidence. Oh, and her perfect hair helps, too.

We started talking fashion and before I knew it, we were back at her dorm. Where she showed me her closet. Sigh. It was a wonderful place.

Name: Lauren
Year: 2012
Major: Spanish and Religion
Lauren in 3 words: Chill, fly, gansta

1) Describe your personal style.

I have a very eclectic style; I definitely go for bright colors and fun animal prints, something really crazy. You can tell by my hair. Fierce.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.

Ipod. For sure. Read More »


Budget Stylista: These Boots Are Meant for Fabulosity

fall boots intro copySo you know how last week I said the essential item for fall on campus is an oversized, throw-on-anywhere-and-go cardigan?

Well, I lied.

Fact is, aside from the essential cardigan there are a few other essentials that should be stashed in your dorm room (and no, I’m not talking about your birth control or condoms… although those are probably just as important, unless you like to frequent drugstores for awkward encounters with pregnancy tests and Plan B boxes).

Where was I? Oh yeah – boots.

A great pair of fall boots may even rival the essential-ness of a great cardigan. Pair the two together and – shazam! – you’ve got yourself one fabulous looking outfit, even if what’s underneath resembles a burlap sack or something out of Heidi Montag’s closet. The great thing about tall riding boots (combined with a long cardigan or top) is that they can turn leggings into acceptable pants (key word here being long top - I don’t need to see your jelly shaking on my walk to class with my morning latte), and we all know the benefit of not being stuck  in a 3 hour lecture in too-tight jeans and our muffin top spilling over onto our crush’s lap.

Un.comfort.able on all levels.

Boots also prevent the awful wet socks in the winter time, are comfortable to walk around campus, and make the hungover-hot-mess look you could have going on look instantly chic and pulled together. Can Uggs do that? I think NOT.

Bottom line: Boots are a must have, but usually muy caro (that’s spanish for really expensive.  See mom! I did sort of pay attention in High School!). Here are some affordable options that cut back on the price but not on the style.

I l-o-v-e these options: Read More »


5 Things to Learn Your First Week on Campus

campus_intro

I learned more my first week at college than I did in my entire life. And I don’t mean academically. I mean socially, financially, emotionally and drunk-ly. Some things took longer to figure out than others (that I should visit the ATM before I get to the bar, to avoid extra fees and my tendency to tipsily make it rain) and other things took mere minutes (don’t eat dining hall hot dogs).

But there are 5 things that every freshman should figure out their very first week on campus. Consider this College Life 101: Intro To The Best 4 Years of Your Life.

The go-to hangover breakfast spot: For those mornings when a Gatorade and toast just won’t do the trick, you need to find the most happening breakfast place near campus. This is not only important for the mornings when you need to take things to-go (back to your bed where you can lie in the dark while watching Daisy of Love marathons), but also for the social aspect of morning-after breakfast. Because everyone knows, after the party it’s the after party…and after that and the hotel lobby… it’s IHOP.

So, on those mornings when your inner monologue sounds like “Hahalalala definitely still drunk and my hair and makeup still look great!” you’ll know where you and your girls can go to re-cap last night’s madness while chowing on carby goodness and watching people walk in wearing their clothes from the night before. Read More »