"Just five more steps. Just five more steps...."

I would put money on it that every college girl has at least one pair of high heels stuffed into their tiny dorm room closet (or if you’re like me, you have 12 and they are strewn all over your floor where you kicked them off after a long and painful night). They are pretty much a staple of every woman’s wardrobe, especially us college girls who need to look sexy every weekend (isn’t college life so demanding?).

Of course heels are an integral part to every party outfit, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t come with some sacrifices. And while I feel hot when I first slip into those bad boys, halfway through the night (or immediately after I step outside the door) I am seriously rethinking my shoe choice/contemplating using the pointy heel to saw off my baby toes to ease the pain/looking for someone to give me a piggy back ride home.

I love them so much, but I loathe them just the same.
It pretty obvious: I’m torn. Read More »

So maybe I’m a little behind on the trend, but I’ve found myself fascinated by ankle boots lately. At first I wasn’t so sure – in fact, I was pretty damn sure I hated those things – but I’ve been watching girls prance around in them for a year now and they’re totes growing on me.

Only problem? I’m not sure I can pull them off. Dear gods of fashion, help me – I’m torn!

Love it:
I’m super short, so the idea of little boots with big heels makes me really happy. There are so many cute and reasonably priced options out there, I’m surprised I still don’t own a pair. I don’t know about you, but those over-the-knee boots that are so popular this fall sort of terrify me. How the heck can a short girl pull them off? And won’t “over the knee” on most people just mean “up to my crotch” on me!? That’s why I’m thinking ankle boots for fall.  Sliding into a pair can immediately update an otherwise drab outfit. They look great with tucked in skinnies, or even with a dress. They immediately make you look more stylish, even if the rest of your outfit is less than exciting. Plus, you can wear them in slightly warmer weather, which is more than I can say about Uggs.

Loathe it:
For some reason, when I think ankle boots, I immediately think of Barbie. Or runway models. Though I like the idea of ankle boots, I think they may be just too trendy for me to pull off. Also, when I’m in the market for a new pair of shoes, I like them to be both stylish and practical. Though these boots satisfy the first requirement, I don’t see them surviving my heavy partying schedule. Or real life, for that matter; those babies will not be able to survive a Boston winter.

So, what do you ladies think? Do you own a pair? Should I grab one for myself?
Help!

So I know you’re thinking: “How can you get anything for under $20 at a department store like Macy’s?”

I get it – sometimes I feel like I can’t even afford to breathe the air in that store and I am doomed to spend my life lusting for everything on the over-stuffed racks. But I’m here to tell you it’s not impossible.  Macy’s is all about the discounts and they always have a giant selection in the clearance racks. Most of the stuff is under $50 and a giant chunk of that is under $20! You just need to know where to look for ‘em.

Here are a few of my personal favorites right now. And, yes, a lot of this stuff can take you right into fall: Read More »

Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!

We know you’re busy, so we’re making shopping simple this summer by scouting out the most flattering, wearable, must-buy pieces to round out your wardrobe this season. After all, isn’t “easy” what summer’s all about?

Today we offer our short list of favorite heels:

It’s Friday night and you’re heading out on the town with your friends. You’ve got on your cutest outfit and a killer pair of heels – you’re all set for a night of serious bar hopping.

Unfortunately, when you’re getting ready to leave the second bar you realize that you no longer have the ability to walk. Your balance is already a little thrown off by the amount of heavy drinking you’ve been doing, and now you have to walk in 6-inch stilettos? No thanks. That stool you’re perched on will be just fine for the rest of the night, thankyouverymuch.

You continue ordering drinks until the wee hours when you’re friends are finally ready to head home. You carefully step onto the sidewalk and within 5 minutes decide there is NO way you are walking home in those shoes. Fueled by all the alcohol you have consumed, you decide that you’re going to take off your shoes and walk home barefoot through the city. Classy.

Does this sound like a typical night to you? Are you sick of waking up in the morning with black feet/someone else’s chewed up gum between your toes? (True story…) Perhaps you should invest in a pair of Fit In Clouds fold-up flats. Read More »

I get weak in the knees every time I see a celebrity sporting a pair of red soled shoes. And it’s not the infamous red bottoms that do it for me, it’s the fact that all Louboutins are beautiful, sexy, and so sophisticated that I literally dream about them. (And in my dreams, they are super comfy, too!) But in my dreams is where they are going to stay, unless some very rich person (Oprah, you listening!?) sends over a few pairs. At over $700 a pair, that’s my only chance.

But maybe not. While mindlessly perusing the interwebs last night I found this: a how-to for making your own version of the chic and beautiful Christian Louboutin Petal Sandal. All you need is an old pair of strappy black sandals (which we all have lying around) and a little delicate fabric and you are minutes away from your very own Louboutins. Read More »

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

Sexy pumps: every girl’s necessity for a fabulous night out. Yes, they will probably definitely kill your feet and you’ll be walking back from the party in flip flops (or barefoot!), but they’re hard to resist because they look so.frickin.good. Sick of typical stilettos but want to add some height? Look no further than the Sarkia Pump by Calvin Klein.

While the Sarika pumps are classically attractive, they’re far from boring. They feature a 4.5 inch semi-chunky stacked platform heel and a stacked wooden platform of 3/4 of an inch. They also feature an adorable rounded toe. What really makes these shoes different from all of the other black pumps in your closet, however, is their texture: they’re covered in a fish scale pattern! Of course, the Sarkias also come in nude–a hot trend for summer.

You can pick up your own pumps in store at Macy’s on sale for $68, (which, realistically, will probably cost less since Macy’s always has in-store promotions and deals!) but don’t fret if they don’t have your size–the Calvin Klein shoes can also be found online at Lori’s Shoes or Piperlime, where they just happen to be a Rachel Zoe pick.

Personally, I’m going to pick up a pair of the black ones. Here’s hoping that a chunkier heel will mean less stumbling and spills post-party!

[I used to show you how to pull off runway trends in the series "Rock the Look." In this new series, I'll be taking a different item you probably already have in your closet each week and showing you three new ways to wear it. After all, the best shopping tip anyone will give you is to only buy pieces that work with something you already own. Last week we built looks around the classic white shirt and this week we're going glam with the mini dress.]

A mini dress is one of the most versatile pieces in your closet since it can be worn as a dress or a top. Therefore buying one is like a double investment, right? (Right?? because I just bought six.)

The mini dress can be worn dressed up or casual, and can easily go from day to night. And if you never made it home last night? Well, go you! And lucky for you, it’s pretty simple to transition back to day as well, so no one has to know about your late night tryst.

This Sky mini dress is available at Fashion Chateau for $123, but you can get one of these puppies in any style, color or budget.  Here are three ways to wear this one (or yours!). Read More »

Spring is nice for some girls, but me? I am all about summer! When springtime days start lasting allllll the way to 7pm, and nights don’t dip below a balmy 55 degrees, I start dreaming of summer fashion.  Summer dresses, strappy sandals, bright colors, bold patterns, breezy fabrics; I just cannot get enough!

But even with all the beautiful summer fashion options out there, I worry.  What is it about the imminent arrival of summer that causes normally well-dressed people to make some, shall we say, questionable sartorial choices? Why do they think it’s okay to be semi-nude in public or dress like children?

Sure, bad fashion exists year-round, but summer clothing lives so much closer to naked that its faux pas are particularly troublesome.

Below, a round-up of my all time worst offenders! Remember, they’re called ‘don’ts’ for a reason!

1. Uggs. I know I’m going to get some slack for this one, but I just do not care. Yes, I think Uggs are ugly as sin and make your feet look like blobby puddles of dough, but I have begrudgingly accepted them as a form of warm and practical fall/winter footwear.  That being said, if it’s warm enough for shorts, it’s also warm enough for sandals!  If it’s dress season, your Ugglies should not be seeing the light of day. Hide those things under pants.

2. Call ‘em short shorts, call ‘em hot pants, call ‘em Daisy Dukes: but ladies (and please, for the love of god, men) put ‘em away! There are some seriously cute shorts out there these days, but if I can see the curvature of your ass cheeks before that fabric hits bottom, they are TOO SHORT.

3. Jelly shoes: What, are you 5 years old? No. And if you are, you shouldn’t be reading this website. You are too young, little lady!

4. Tunics as dresses: Fine in theory, but for my general problem with these, see the entry for short shorts and add in the problems of wind, subway grates, and public staircases, to name a few. And everyone knows it’s a shirt. Read More »

When shopping, I often find my wallet trying to convince my mind that the skirt, the moisturizer, or the heels in front of me are worth the outrageous price tag. But after I make the costly purchase, I wonder—was it worth it?

To help answer this question, I’ve compiled a list of things that I feel are, and aren’t, worth the splurge during our sad and painful recession. My basic rule of thumb? Things that last are worth the cash.

What’s worth it:

Jeans. I always used to laugh at the fact that my friends paid $200+ for jeans…until I tried on my first pair of J-Brands. While you can find cheaper options, the fact of the matter is, most designer jeans are better quality. Invest in a few pairs. They feel softer, they fit better, and they last longer. Your wallet might not thank you but your tush sure will! J-Brand, Hudson, and True Religions are my top picks.

The Iphone–If you can get your fam to join in. Individual plans are pricey, but with a family plan, the monthly rates are much more affordable. The iPhone beats all other cellular choices, plain and simple; it’s genius combo of visual voicemail, thousands of apps (including Shazam, which can detect any song playing nearby and tell you what it is), iPod, internet, and more makes it the clear choice. So worth it.

Haircuts/Hair dying. If you’re looking to change your hairstyle or color dramatically, please go to a salon. Now I’m not saying you should spend $200 to get a trim, but good haircutters/colorists can really make a difference on your do (mom, I hope you’re reading this—put that herbal essences hair-dye DOWN!). So when should you indulge? When you want layers, highlights, or to alter your color dramatically. Or you can get your friend to “work her magic,” just don’t come crying to me when you’re locks are purple and lopsided. Read More »