Consider this… would you rather express your style with a pair of earrings that no one can see or a gorgeous umbrella that all the damp people around you admire?

Let’s be honest: anyone can pop on a necklace, carry around a $500 hobo bag, and call it a day. To be a true pioneer of style, you should learn to strut your stuff in truly unique ways that no one will copy.

Regarding bags, why not go for one that is actually supposed to carry stuff rather than just look good? True, you can stuff an awful lot of crap into a hobo bag, but laptop bags are a great way to rock some style while keeping your computer safe. And if you’re going to walk all over town or lug your textbooks to class, you can customize a backpack for a really cool and personal look. Read More »

With the dawn of Fall semester approaching, and the recession in full swing, many of us are facing a dilemma–quality or quantity. And when it comes to fashion, I’m a faithful believer in both. The only way to create a truly personal, awesome and –let’s face it– realistic wardrobe is to incorporate incredible steals with the occasional investment piece.

Yes, it may seem frivolous to blow a month’s rent (and then some) on a single item to add to your closet, but trust me, buying a ton of shoddy, albeit adorable, stuff from Forever 21 will hurt your wallet more in the long run.

When it comes to clothing, I like to use the simple formula Cost/ Number of Uses = True Value. Is it a way to justify my splurges? Yes. But it also proves that sometimes a higher price tag means a longer life span, therefore making that splurge totally worth it.

Consider saving up for these items–and trust me, when you walk out of that designer boutique with a sweet purchase you made completely on your own, you will not regret it.

1. A Classic Handbag.

I’ll admit it, I am a complete label whore. And many a designer house capitalize on this weakness by jacking up price tags just so I can have someone else’s name plastered all over my purse. But the intricate design, meticulous attention to detail (much of the time hand-crafted) and use of higher quality materials also contribute to the higher price tag. Splurge on a bag made of a quality material (like soft, buttery leather) as opposed to a generic cloth or plastic. Yes, they’re hot, and some of my favorite purses rhyme with “Trada” and “Moius Luitton”, but those are status bags and are expensive for the sake of being expensive.

A note of caution: if you’re looking for a deal and the price seems too good to be true, it probably is! Check here for specific ways to spot a fake. Premeditating buying a fake? Don’t waste the money. Any decent copies (in addition to being ILLEGAL) will most likely be pretty pricey ($100 and up)– so you’re better off just saving up for the real thing and enjoying your new bag for years to come. Read More »

Let’s face it, when you’re a college chic on a budget it’s hard enough to afford the actual fashion and celeb magazines (what are they these days $4.95?), let alone the glorious, “I will be poor for the rest of my life if I actually buy that” fashions that are inside.

It’s like that boy you love that you know has a girlfriend and yet you flirt with him anyways…a major tease that you knowingly setting yourself up for disappointment only to be left without the boy (or in this case, Jimmy Choo’s).

So what’s a girl on a major budget to do (aside from salivating all over this month’s Vogue)?

Consider me your new best friend (or personal shopper). Your own Rachel Zoe, if you will. Each week, I’ll take a new celeb or couture look and do all the leg work for you. I’ll find a similar style on a real girl’s budget. Now all you have to do is order it, throw it on and go.

This Week: Jessica Simpson’s Red Wrap Dress

Red Wrap Dress from Victoria’s Secret. A wrap dress is such a great wardrobe staple. This one is a little bit of a longer sleeve than the one Jessica is wearing, which is a great piece to take you from summer to fall. Wear it now with a wedge and in October with tights and a great boot… and if red isn’t your color, it comes in Black and Blue too! Read More »

Bright colors are all the rage this summer, and there are certainly some rockin’ choices out there. The difficulty exists in walking the fine line between looking fabulous and looking like Bozo the Clown. Here are a few hot tips to get you started.

1. Accessorize.

If you’re feeling a little unsure about bolds, sneak them into your closet in ways that aren’t so obvious. Try a hot pair of purple crocodile-print shoes, an eye-catching tangerine handbag, or a long necklace made of turquoise rock pieces. You can cash in on summer trends while slowly building up your confidence with color. Genius!

2. Get classic pieces.

Buying a pair of lime-green skinny jeans might sound like fun, but think about your ratio of cost to use. Though bolds really shine in the summer, they can (and should!) be worn during other seasons as well. Rather than going all out on an embellished fuchsia tube top that you’ll probably wear a max of three times, you might be better off with something like this, which you can wear over and over again (including in the fall and winter with leggings). Read More »

With my 21st birthday coming up, I want to celebrate in style. The only problem? Style costs money, and I’m in no position to splurge on a new going-out outfit. But I’ve got a secret that gets me compliments on my outfit even from the friends that have seen me in it a dozen times—jewelry.

When I’m having one of those days where everything in my closet is simply unwearable, I go with a basic black outfit—pumps, pencil skirt, and v-neck top—and make a statement with a pair of unique earrings or a bold necklace. That’s why lately, I’ve been lusting after Salonika jewelry.

Each Salonika piece, inspired by the designer’s Mediterranean heritage, makes a statement without being gaudy. If you’re bored with your basic silver and gold jewelry, check out the City necklace—a howlite stone that hangs on a suede chain. And as a bonus, howlite, which looks like turquoise, is said to have healing properties and relieve the wearer of angry energy.

The jewelry in the 2007 Salonika line will run you anywhere from $75-$280, and owner and designer Bryce Gruber says her pieces are made to last. “The quality of Salonika pieces means you’ll still be wearing them in 5, 10, or 20 years at least,” she told me.

Gruber’s pointers on wearing jewelry: Read More »