Lately, I’ve found myself using canvas tote bags a lot. When I can’t fit all my textbooks, notebooks or other awkwardly-shaped junk into my gorgeous purses, I opt for a tote. Most of mine are quite boring and were free at various conferences or academic events, so I wanted one that I wouldn’t be slightly embarrassed to be carrying. And I found it in the Out of Print Book Bag! Read More »

I’ve always been a big fan of St. Patrick’s Day, and not just because I’m Irish. There’s so much about it to love: beer, Irish whiskey, corned beef and cabbage, parades, and just the general merry feel to the whole day. Plus, green has always been one of my favorite colors, so seeing it everywhere for a day just puts me in a good mood.

Dressing for St. Patrick’s Day can be fun, but can often times border on tacky. Luckily, there are lots of great green clothing items out there that are festive enough to keep you from getting pinched but you can wear long after St. Patrick’s Day is over! What’s even better, all of these pieces are less than $20 — and there’s not a shamrock in sight! Read More »

Ah green. The color of trees. And money.
And really, really cute clothes.

Everywhere I turn there they are, just staring me in the face. The clothes and accessories come in every shade and every style. From mini-dresses to bags, kelly green to army green to sage green, feminine to boyish – green is everywhere and green is cute. And now, green is cheap!

Green is also a great transitional color that complements your gorgeous summer coloring now and works well into the dreary days of Fall. Who doesn’t love a green lightweight sweater-dress with tan flat sandals now and paired with chestnut boots later? No one with good style, that’s who.

So here are some of my favorite budget friendly green pieces for you! Read More »

You’ve probably all heard about clothing swaps, and maybe even experienced one first-hand, but do you know about the S.W.A.P Team?

The S.W.A.P. Team is behind North America’s largest clothing swaps. So far the organization has exchanged over 12,000 items! I had the pleasure of volunteering with the Calgary (Alberta, Canada!) chapter this spring, experiencing the beautiful chaos that is a clothing swap. And it’s definitely something everyone needs to know about.

For the “Take Off Your Clothes” events, a S.W.A.P. Team staple, volunteers collect clean, undamaged items ahead of time (people can also bring them to the event, though they have to wait for them to be sorted.), at which point they are sorted to make sure they are swappable. If your stuff meets the criteria, you (the swapper) are given one ticket for every item you bring in. Then, on the day of the event, you take those tickets and go shopping… er… swapping, choosing from the thousands of items in the “boutique.”

Yup, you get tons of “new” stuff and you don’t have to spend a dime! That’s the beauty of the swap. Read More »

[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like how we love our BFF, but we just don’t know if we love him like THAT. Or how we love trashy TV, but we’re pretty sure it’s ruining our lives. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]

I’ve always been baffled by American Apparel. Do I love their array of colorful t-shirts and skirts, or am I absolutely terrified by their unitards/gold lame leggings/sales guys in skinner jeans than mine? How can a store with such awesome clothes also carry things like this? Help, I’m torn.

Love it:

Is anyone else a huge fan of that dress you can wear practically 237 ways? I have one in black and it’s the perfect go-to dress for pretty much any occasion. It looks great as a halter, and can also be worn as a going out top or even a long skirt for more conservative occasions. Plus, as the name dictates, their clothing is all made right here in the US of A. And for all you green fashionistas – cotton from America is exposed to far fewer harmful chemicals than that produced overseas. Clothing with a conscience? Count me in!

Loathe it:

Eww, eww, EWW- have you seen their Yo Mama ad campaign? No one, let alone a lady with a watermelon in her belly, should wear a neon blue jumpsuit. It’s really embarrassing. And to be honest, why should I pay $17 for a t-shirt when I can get one that’s just as cute and probably half the price at Target?

So honestly, what do you all think? Is American Apparel totally hideous or is it quirky cool?

[Every week our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Green. The color of all things great: this lovely planet, money and Starbucks straws.

Oh, and how can I forget fashion?

This season there is no shortage of kelly green. And for good reason; this color looks good on nearly everyone, and totally sets its wearer out from the crowd. From the red carpet to Old Navy, there it is – yet another cute, bright green dress shouting, “BUY ME! You have to have me for summer!!”

I’ve never been good at saying no, especially when something (or someone) so cute is talking to me.

I like to call this little sitch the big green oxymoron. I don’t have any green in my wallet to buy said green dress, but I have to have it. What is one to do? Well, aside from splitting your purchase onto three different credit cards, of course (not that I’m condoning that!).

Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a lot of green to take home the green, and I’m here to bring you these cute green dresses for cheap. You love me. I know.

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: It’s so easy Being Green! Read More »

Yes, this dress is hot and totally earth-friendly!

The earth friendly movement is sweeping the nation – cars, homes, even an entire TV station, everything is getting the green makeover, and fashion is no exception.

What does Green mean, in terms of fashion?  Well, organic fabrics, recycled fibers, and green production processes that have a low impact on the planet, for starters. Ethically sourced fabrics are also a high priority, crafted by artisans from around the world who are paid a fair wage. In addition, sustainable materials like organic cotton and wool from humanely raised animals are sought out. Essentially, Green clothing companies have to take both environmental and ethical factors into consideration.

Sounds like a lot, but there are tons of earth-friendly designers out there doing just that. And doing it well.

Here’s a look at some of the finest fashion finds around, from designers and companies committed to making a difference with their super-stylish AND eco-friendly products. If you aren’t a Green Girl yet, these green goods may just sway you! Read More »