After devoting two full hours to shopping for me, my mother insisted on doing a little shopping for herself. I was tired from lugging all my new goods around the mall and cranky (because the line at Auntie Anne’s was too long), but I begrudgingly agreed to accompany her to JC Penney for some sheets.

Obviously, I wasn’t excited about this little trip. Not only was it all the way across the mall, but it was JC Penney – who the hell shops there? But I went; it was the least I could do after she dropped some serious dough on me for my birthday.

We walked in on the 2nd floor and while my mom went to the information counter to find out where her ish was, I looked around the overlit store. I turned to my left and spotted about 20 racks of really ugly mom clothes. Ew. I turned to my right and – WTF – I saw this gorgeous, Missoni-inspired dress.

“JC-Penney sells Missoni?!” I thought to myself.

I walked (OK, maybe I ran) towards the display. When I got closer I realized it was not Missoni, but rather Charlotte Ronson’s line for JC Penney. There was a ton of really adorable stuff (jeans, cute going-out tops, etc.), but this dress was clearly the crown jewel of the line. I instantly fell in love.

I love the bright and graphic top. I love that you can wear it alone or, like the photo, unzip it a bit and add another layer underneath. I love that you can rock the basic black belt that it comes with, or add something a little brighter from your own collection. I love that it’s perfectly appropriate for bar hopping on Saturday night and brunch on Sunday. I love that you can wear it with some cute strappy sandals in the spring, or pair it with black tights and pumps right now. I love that it’s really freaking cheap.

I just L-O-V-E it.

And now that my mom isn’t rushing me through the store to pick up whatever boring white sheets she needs, I’m gonna head back to JC Penney (I know, I never thought I’d say that either) and pick it up.

The recession is bad news for anyone looking to get a job, save some money or sell a house. But it’s great news for fashionistas! Stores that were once dowdy and just screamed “crazy cat lady” are bringing in new designers to create chic lines at lower prices.

Take JC Penney. When was the last time you stopped in there (not counting those post-Starbucks bathroom emergencies)? I know: never. Because their clothes were cheap, outdated and just not cute. Well, that’s not the case anymore! JCP now sells several lines by popular designers (Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, and Allen B. Schwartz, to name a few) and they not only have stuff that is totes cute, it’s totes affordable as well.  I can’t wait to add some of these pieces to my closet… Read More »

Even the glamorous world of fashion has been hit hard by the recession. In a time where most people are cutting back, spending money on designer outfits just doesn’t seem reasonable. At this year’s New York Fashion Week, many designers have cut costs by hosting smaller runway shows or gallery presentations.

But more than how, designers have changed what they are showing. Their goal is to show women looks that they must have; looks that will get them reaching for their wallets. So what can you expect to be snatching up for fall? A little of this, a little of that and a whole lot of 80s… Read More »