This recession totally sucks. But, if you ignore the unemployment rate and rising cost of beer, some good is definitely coming from it. And one of those positives is the fact that the plummeting sales of retail chains has caused them to re-evaluate their brand and reinvent themselves for fall. Suddenly stores that used to make me feel nauseous (boasting window displays stuffed with mom jeans and fugly tablecloth patterns), actually have some adorable stuff that us college girls would actually consider wearing.

For the closets of fashionistas, this is great news. Now there are a dozen more stores that we can peruse online during class and drool over on our weekly treks to the mall. (Plus now when my mom calls and tells me she’s going to Ann Taylor to pick up a suit jacket, I can ask her to pick me up a cute skirt to add to my care package!)

Check out my favorite extreme makeovers (that don’t involve sexy Ty Pennington) below: Read More »

Another legend is lost.

Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler’s near death experience.

Feminism is alive and well online.

Are you washing those makeup sponges?

Mischa Barton on suicide watch.

Fashion takes a major hit in this economy.

So by now, the majority of us are back at school, making attempts at being organized that we know will never last the entire semester, scanning our syllabi in horror and stocking up on the snacks we know we’re going to need for those nerve-grating late nights. But while we’re preparing to study up, a lot of other people who aren’t even in school are doing a little bio homework of their own.

Living green is getting more and more popular, not to mention much easier. There are tons of organic choices lining supermarkets, pharmacies, even clothing stores.

But how do you even know what to pick while you’re cruising through the aisles? You want to help out Mom Nature, of course, but you don’t want your wallet to go the way the polar ice caps are going. Here are five of the best methods to save earth and your money, a little bit at a time.

5) Always always buy your fruit and veggies organic: It’s healthier for you, and since it’s gotten so popular, it’s just the same price, and sometimes cheaper. If you can, try to buy local produce; it supports your local farms and sometimes you can even see where it’s grown, if you live nearby. (Quickie tip: while you’re shopping, just bring a backpack or a canvas bag instead of wasting the paper and plastic bags at the store.) Read More »