[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 if you’re anything like me, you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and the re-emergence of color and pep to your wardrobe. But hey, since we’re getting so close to those lovely spring days, why not add a little spring to your winter ensemble by adding a little pop of spring’s hottest color: magenta.

And since those bleak winter days come with our bleak economy, everything in this look is from the always cheap-o, Forever 21. Pretty awesome, right? Read More »

[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.]

So it’s almost NYE and you still have nothing to wear. Between the snowy weather and the malls being currrazy with holiday sales and returns, the last thing you want to do is spend countless hours in line to try on dresses for a night that is already overrated and, more likely than not, won’t even be remembered.

The thought of countless dirty dressing rooms just sends shivers down my spine. Instead, go for a look that you know will work. Like this one from our pal Gwyneth. Not only did she make it on our list of favorite Jews this Hanukkah, but this chic looks HOT in this outfit.

So now, thanks to me and Gwynnie, you can look smokin’ on NYE and spend the weekend at home with your cup of joe reading this, instead of behind a mom and daughter fighting in the long line at Forever 21.

So sit back and relax, because here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Tonight We’re Going to Party like it’s 1999…er…2009 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 »

I know The Fleet has come and gone from the East coast, but now it has made it’s way to The City of Roses (Portland, OR- my city of residence) and when my friend informed me she had won tickets to this “non-denim” (yes, the tickets specified no denim) formal affair event, we had to go – it was our patriotic duty after all.

I should take a second here to clarify a few things before I really get into this story. I would like to start out by saying I fully support the troops, after all my brother is in the Navy, and when I told him I was heading out to the annual Meet the Fleet festivities his only response was a very brotherly “Don’t hook up with sailors.” Granted, I really had no intention of hooking up with these guys, I was more seeking some attractive company who would buy me drinks and could possibly turn into a pen-pal who sends me presents.

In order to maximize my odds with nabbing me a high ranking sailor I had my brother write me out a little guide on how to separate the men from the boys. With my criteria in place I was ready to meet and greet the ocean’s finest. Read More »

It happens to the best of us. Midnight strikes, and you’re sitting on the edge of your bed, staring at your feet. A voice whispers savagely in your ear, “What the hell are you wearing?! You look like Sarah Jessica Parker’s closet threw up on you. Are those, leg warmers? Oh for godsake.” You turn and nobody is there. Yeah, it’s one of those nights.

No matter what anyone tells you (even if you tell it to yourself), never believe that a “style icon” is anything but a woman with bad (BAD) style who oozes confidence. That confidence has the power to transform even that puerile pink tutu into something chic and cosmopolitan. Alas, genuine confidence like that is so rare that, more often than not, it is misinterpreted as a blood-curdling scream for attention, when in fact it is a bold determination to play “dress up” well into adulthood.

In New York, there’s simply too many fashion “statements” going on that it hardly leaves an impression on anyone, except perhaps on the fashionista themselves…in the form of a wedgie (American Apparel leotards, anyone?).

So when that moment comes when the clock is ticking and the city beckons…and you are trying to adopt New York style (even though you can’t get rid of those Birkenstocks or Girbaud jeans) there is but one piece of advice I will pass along to you. From the wise words of Coco Chanel, “A style does not go out of style as long as it adapts itself to its period.” Read More »

Okay. I can’t believe these words are going to come out of my finger tips…

I hate shopping!

Okay, well, that’s not entirely true- I can’t say I hate shopping as in I never want to shop again or I hate the activity of shopping. I guess what I meant to say is every time I walk in to a store whether is be Saks or Forever 21 I want to scream: WHO DESIGNED THESE UGLY PIECES OF GROSSNESS?

I mean seriously I can’t be the only person who feels this way. But EW. What has happened to fashion?

Wasn’t it just a few months ago I was overwhelmed by all of the different fashion choices?

Waiting with gnawing anticipation while I debated what my spring style would be? Why is fall fashion making me sad, depressed and looking fifteen pounds heavier?

Now I step into a store and minus the pretty jewel tones that are in (which might I add is the ONLY thing we have going for us right now) everything seems to be designed for Nicole Richie in her 9 th month of pregnancy.

Maternity Wear is the new little black dress. but guess what? I’m not planning on busting out a buddha belly anytime soon. Read More »