While you continue to cope with April showers, I’m here to remind you that it’s nearly time for May’s flowers! If the rain has you in a slump that not even Cee Lo on repeat can get you out of, you might have to take some more drastic measures. Like busting out those spring clothes that channel your cheery, summer self.

And what better way to channel spring than with bright, happy florals?

Even though the flowers might be a little scarce in your area at the moment (hell, even the sun is scarce in my part of town), now’s the time to start pulling out your bright-colored, floral print items for spring. Why? Well, for one thing, maybe that great floral top will inspire Mother Nature to get a move on with the spring weather. And if that doesn’t work, well, at least you’ll be looking splendidly springy until she does.

The wonderful and surprising thing about spring florals is that there really is something for every kind of style; there are lots of small floral prints in light colors if you like to dress girly, and large graphic floral prints in bright colors for those of you looking to make more of a splash (and not the April rain puddle kind). From skirts to dresses to bags to undies (??), everything’s coming up florals this season. And here are 15 items to get your garden wardrobe started. Read More »

V-Day season is upon us again, and even though I’m in a relationship this year, I still feel like I want to punch people whenever I see little red hearts dotting store windows. I’m not a big proponent of the “show your love for someone by throwing money at him” school of thought. I am, however, all for gifts that are thoughtful, useful, and CHEAP.

Hearing me out? Read on.

- If you want to go traditional, mix up the monotony. Candy and flowers are nice and don’t break the bank, but apparently they are not great for the planet, so why not choose something a bit different this year? A box of fair-trade, organic chocolates won’t run you more than 20 bucks, and they’re made with more care and better-quality ingredients than that Russell Stover collection.

- Does your boo like to spin the tunes? Make him a mix CD. I know, I know—that’s so sixth grade—but really, it’s a very thoughtful gift that can’t come from anyone except you. Go through your playlist and mountains of CDs to pick out songs that remind you of that special someone, burn ‘em off, and make a pretty liner and cover for the CD. Done! Read More »

Romeo and Juliet probably would not have been the famous star-crossed lovers had they met at a bar instead of a balcony. We all remember the duo that defined infatuation, Juliet up on her pedestal and Romeo down on one knee. Though I hate to be the bearer of bad news, the times have changed since the days of poetic love letters and walking a girl to the front door.

Despite what Taylor Swift might sing.

Let’s not be blinded by St. Valentine himself. A few secret admirers are sprouting up these days and chocolates may end up in my mailbox on the 14^th of February, but I want to focus on the other 364 calendar days. Where did dinner at a nice restaurant go? Why are guys no longer lending a sweater when my arms get chilly? How come the term “first date” is becoming just as out-of-date as the Spice Girls’ famous “girl power” slogan?

Let’s face it: Chivalry is dead on college campuses. Feel free to send flowers because a guy is not about to.  The love letters that used to bear hearts and souls have been replaced by 140 character text messages. That first date is more likely to involve a grungy couch at 2a.m., not a romantically lit table for two. Gone are the days of sweaty palms and Cupid’s arrows. These days college courtship revolves around Facebook “pokes” and the highly anticipated changing of the status from “single” to “in a relationship”.

I hear tales all the time from my parents and extended family that involve sweet little love stories laced with flowers left on the doorstep and first dates where a guy actually met the parents. And he picked the girl up. And he actually took her somewhere that didn’t include Solo cups and a $5 cover charge.

Crazy, I know. Read More »

Most guys we know stay up late dreaming of the day they might end up in a giant orgy with beautiful women. We, however, lie awake at night dreaming of a closet full of beautiful clothes. To the left, a wall of shoes. To the right, shelf upon shelf of delicately handcrafted bags organized by color and size.

Sigh.
We all have our fantasies.

Since guys can turn to the interwebs to get their daily fantasy fix, we thought you should, too! So, we’re bringing you some fashion porn. The best of the best in all things fashionable. Sure, it may be out of your price range, but it’s a fantasy, so live it up in all its delicious glory.

One pattern that has been hot this season is the floral print. Florals are no longer just for your grandmother’s couch.  Or housecoat.  Or drapes. You get the point… There are many, many ways to embrace this trend.  While you can go big with a loud, fabulous floral dress, if that’s not your thing, you can go subtle with a floral accessory.

It’s that easy. And I’m totally smitten with flowers, flowers everywhere.

Florals are fun! Florals just scream summer! And florals are even versatile enough to work when the snow starts to fall. How can you not love them?! There are plenty of options out there for working florals into your wardrobe (and not your furnishings), so you will definitely find something to love. Here is just a delicious taste of what is out there. Enjoy. Read More »

Along with the spring fashion trends, it’s (almost) time to break out the new shoe styles and this spring shoe styles are all about fun, fun, fun. Here’s what to be on the look out for… Read More »

With spring fast approaching (it’s mid-March already?), the floral trend is once again in full swing. Although most people are fairly familiar with this repetitive trend, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re rocking petals on your outfit.

Here are the 3 biggest tips for keeping florals feminine and sophisticated:

1. Watch the colors you choose for florals. When you pick out a floral-printed piece, make sure you have an item that will go with it and match at least one of the colors.

2. Choose floral patterns that are proportionate to your size and shape. If you are small or big, wearing a huge flower pattern will make you look more so. Also, rock florals on a part of your body you want to bring attention to, not the ones you want people to ignore!

3. To avoid looking like you just escaped from the nursing home, pick floral items in soft, flowing materials such as silk. And make sure they skim your curves but don’t look too tight. Read More »

Do you want to throw up on everyone who wears pink and red on February 14? Do you want to hose down those PDA-displaying couples who take up every square of sidewalk on your way to class? Do you really hope the flowers that the girl two doors down got from her boyfriend of five and a half years wilt immediately?

Have no fear, single girl.  Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples.  In fact, when you’re not joined at the hip, you can usually have more fun by partying it up and enjoying your independence with a gaggle of equally fun, single ladies this year.

Hit the Bar Scene.

Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest bar nights of the year (along with Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day,  the last Saturday before exam week, etc.), and if you have to miss it for a boring dinner date, you definitely drew the short straw.  The bars will be packed with other singles, and if you want to shack up, you’ll find plenty of fish in the booze-flooded sea.

Ogle Some Hotties.

Valentine’s Day, whether you’re single, dating, married, whatever, is a woman’s holiday.  And guess what – you’re far from the only one who isn’t getting wooed this year.  Plenty of nightclubs sponsor male revues and other events where men are forced to put their six packs on display for salivating singles.  Can’t find a live show? Rent your favorite hot stud films and admire Brad Pitt et al on the small screen. Read More »

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with roses?

At Chanel’s spring 2009 couture show, models walked the runway adorned with paper roses in their hair. At Valentino and Moschino, dresses and accessories featured oversized origami-like roses. Looks like Carrie Bradshaw’s flower obsession is back…and bigger than ever.

If you don’t have a real bouquet to flaunt this weekend, throw on a rose embellished headband or pair of heels. Or pick up some rose-inspired fashion; you can add a little Spring to your wardrobe and stay one fashionable step ahead of your friends who are still trying to pull off the whole bow trend. Read More »

[In early adulthood there is an activity that plays a large role in most of our lives; nights out on the town. And with those nights out always comes the question: “What am I gonna wear?!?”

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

So this weekend is quite a weekend: Friday the 13th, Valentine’s Day and a lovely 3 day weekend, all rolled into one.

In the spirit of the equally loved and hated V-Day, I decided to do a Valentine’s version of Night Styler with a super vampy outfit that those of us in relationships can wow our honeys with, and those of us going out in hopes that cupid points his arrow at us, can wow potential suitors with.

If nothing else, at least this holiday is a reason to rock the red. Read More »

God, it feels good to be single again. I recently broke up with my boyfriend of two years, and I know that this move solidified my future as an old maid. I know I’ll never find a guy more perfect for me than my ex, and that I’ll probably die alone. But, damn, it feels good to be single.

When you’re single, it can be hard to sit back and watch your attached girlfriends in their romantic endeavors. They get flowers from their boyfriends; they always have a date to a party; they have someone to cuddle with in the morning. But they also don’t have the opportunities that you have as an independent woman.

My (ex)boyfriend and I had been doing the long-distance thing for a while. I am currently trying to find my career path, but I had to keep trying to get a job close to him. This eliminated a plethora of job opportunities for me. When you get ready to graduate college, you can move anywhere you want or take any job that’s offered to you.

The girls who are involved have to make their life decisions with their partner. True, they can opt for the long-distance thing, but that still makes moving much harder than it does for you, the single gal with no emotional baggage.

Since reemerging onto the singles scene, I’ve also been feeling less stressed. Personally, I’ve had a lot on my plate lately, and I felt like even the daily “goodnight” phone call was cutting into what little time I have to spend on everything else. It takes effort to make a relationship work. True, it’s great to have a boyfriend to vent to or to seek reassurance from, but when you are trying to balance jobs, school, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities, sometimes it’s nice to be able to focus on you without feeling selfish. Read More »