Budget Stylista: Bust Out that Spring Wardrobe!

So, unfortch we’re a week into April and it’s still cold. Which really puts a kerfuffle in your plans to wear your newest spring purchases. Colorful spring tops, shorts, peep toe pumps, cute spring dresses and springy cardigans are all sitting in your closet watching you take your same black wool sweater and boots out day after day. But like those cute puppies that never get adopted, they want some love too. Only the words ‘frost’ and ‘bite’ don’t sound so appealing, so you let your spring wardrobe sit and collect dust.

But fear not. I am here to save the day (and your wardrobe boredom)!

You can put your heavy winter things away -they’ve seen enough light of day for the year – and start pulling out those fun spring additions! By pairing them with the right things to keep you warm but the look springy, you will look fresh, cute, and ready for some sunshine. Read More »


CollegeCandy’s Guide to Online Shopping

The internet provides us ladies with a vast array of possibilities. It allows us to catch up on our favorite television shows, Google important questions we can’t get out of our head, and Facebook stalk out ex-boyfriends all from the comfort of our bed. To put it simply; it’s fabulous. But probably the most fabulous thing about the internet  is the unlimited shopping. It’s a mall that never closes.

So many ways to find the perfect pair of boots! Sites created just to help you find the best necklace! Blogs determined to make you trendy!

I’m a bit of an expert in this whole online shopping area, so in an effort to share my wisdom with you I’ve listed my top five shopping sites. You’re welcome.

1. Lulus.com. Because these are designers you won’t know. These are pieces you won’t have seen before.  Lulu’s features designers from all around the world and only snags a few of each piece. So if you want an item no one else will be wearing, this is where you should be shopping. And if you really want a super unique piece, check out their vintage collection. They’ve got it all from jumpsuits to bell bottoms — at prices that won’t break the bank.

The best part? The atmosphere of the entire website. It’s warm and welcoming and so girly you just can’t help but giggle. From the awesome names of their ensembles to the cute descriptions that accompany them, Lulu’s feels like more than just a shopping site; it’s a shopping experience. And in my opinion, it’s one no girl should go without.

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CollegeCandy’s Welcome Week Photo Contest

Sure summer was great, but we’re secretly thrilled to be done with the sunburns, bikini body issues, and living at home.

We’re insanely excited to get this school year off to an awesome start — and we know you are too. There’s no other week in the school year filled with quite the same excitement, enthusiasm, and hangover headaches as Welcome Week.

So to celebrate your school spirit we’re kicking off this semester with a Welcome Week Photo Contest. Upload your best welcome week photos (the photos that scream “I’m SO excited to be back at school”) to our Facebook wall and be eligible to win a $500 gift certificate from Lulus.com.

You have until September 20th to post your photos (with a stellar caption), at which time we’ll choose the 5 that made us want to pack our bag and go back to college best. We’ll post those 5 on CollegeCandy on September 21st and leave it up to you, our fine readers, to vote for the best.

Whoever’s photo gets the most votes will take home $500 worth of fantabulous fashion from Lulus.com. We’ll announce the winner right here, so come back and claim your prize.

So what are you waiting for? Get offline and go make some photo magic!


Budget Stylista: It’s So Easy Being Green!

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 »


Budget Stylista: Business in the Front, Party in the Back!

Baby’s got back my friends. And by baby I mean the term of endearment I now use to call all of these amazingly sexy dresses. This summer, dresses with some sort of fun/sexy back detailing or cut-out are all over the place. Sure you might think that cleavage is where it’s at, but when you think about it these dresses make total sense.

Enter Exhibit A: You see cute guy at the bar, from the front you look put together, sophisticated and classy – the girl you can take home to mom. Then – BOOM – you turn around to walk away and there is one (sexy) party going on with your back. Va va va voom! Business in the front, party in the back doesn’t just apply to mullets anymore, ladies.

Here are some of my favorite options for summer and the back details mean you don’t need much else (except a great back workout!). A fun bracelet, a simple purse and shoe, and off you go. Oh, and the best part: Since you want to show off the back there’s no need to waste time straightening your hair in the humidity (we all know how that ends up). Just throw it back in a sleek bun or try a low side pony. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a simple ‘do to me. Read More »


Fashion Porn: Wedge Orgy

Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend, obviously never tried to walk in 4-inch heels – if they had, they’d know that a woman’s real best friend is a hot pair of wedges.

Love how your legs look in stilettos but hate hobbling home at the end of the night? This year, wedges are the answer.  No longer will you have to opt for flats, shove another pair of shoes into your bag, or take a cab 5 blocks to get home at the end of the night.  Wedges give you height and elongate those legs, but have more material pounding the pavement, meaning you don’t have to balance your weight on that super fragile ball of your food anymore. Hot legs + hot shoes + comfort? Be still my heart.

Even better (as if that were possible!), wedges come in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. You can find some for day (hello, espadrilles!) or night. You can go basic to let your outfit do the taking, or incorporate this season’s hottest trends (animal print, bright colors, nautical??). Wedges really are the shoe for everyone, and I’d like to offer up a big “Thank You!!” to whatever fashion gods decided to bring ‘em back. Read More »


Budget Stylista: 4 Dresses To Get You Through The Summer

If there’s three things you need for summer it’s a cute sundress, a great sandal, and a cute tote. Luckily, I’ve got you covered with four (yes four!) stellar options. From solid to floral, long to short, summer time lends itself to great dresses for all occasions.

And the best news is – they’re a go for any event. Swap the sandals for stilettos and the totes for a totes cute clutch and you’re ready to go from beach/street fair/day drinking to dinner/karaoke bar/night drinking.

So get those closets (and sunscreen ready!). It’s dress season, bitches! Read More »


Fashion Porn: Green Orgy

I’m going to be a little blunt – I personally think that dressing up for holidays is a little lame. There are, however, 2 exceptions
1. Halloween (duhhh)
2. St. Patrick’s Day.

Really, why wouldn’t you go all out for St. Patrick’s Day? After all those morning Irish coffees, you’re not going to care what you look like. And after your 6th green beer, you’ll want your outfit to match your teeth, anyway.

Plus, unlike that slutty nurse costume from Halloween, you can totally re-wear your adorably bright St. Patty’s Day outfits all throughout spring and summer. That is assuming you opt for one of these gorgeous greens items and not something like this.

Read More »


Budget Stylista: The Bolder the Better!

Spring is right around the corner!!

Okay that is a total lie BUT Spring Break is right around the corner, giving us all the perfect excuse to don a great dress. And this season the bolder, the better. All my favorite budget sites have a plethora of bright, bold dresses that are total beauts.

And the best about these banging buys? The bold color choice leaves the rest of the outfit simple. Feel free to pair with some gold bangles or a simple pair of earrings; just let the dress do the talkin’. That means no muss, no fuss, and no stressing out over which accessories to squeeze into that already over-stuffed suitcase. (Figuring out the clothes is hard enough.) Just throw a few of these in, toss in a pair of wedges and a pair of flats (right next to that bottle of Absolut), and you are ready for Acapulco or wherever your Spring Break destination may be. And – bonus round! – you can wear these well into spring and summer.

If only God would answer my prayers and let Spring come now! All I want is a sun dress, an iced coffee and a huge pair of sunglasses. But hey, he did answer my call with Pajama Jeans, so maybe I can hold out for a 60 degree March in the Midwest? Read More »


Fashion Porn: Flat Orgy

While there very well might only be 4 more weeks of winter, being from Calgary makes me a little cynical about the weather. I’ve come to terms with the fact that it could snow any month of the year and I’ll probably be wearing boots much longer than Punxsutawney Phil predicts, but that doesn’t mean I’m not craving flats. As the shoe stores begin to stock shelf after shelf of their adorableness, I’m left cursing Mother Nature for the blustery snow I’m seeing out my window.

Until the sun is shining and the temperature rises enough to expose the tops of my feet, I’m left admiring the plethora of flats retailers have to offer this year.  With most shops carrying inexpensive options, it’s easy to stock up on styles that fit with (and add some style to) all your favorite outfits.  Flats are one of those items that can be worn to subtly incorporate a season’s hottest trends, and there’s so much goodness out there you don’t have to kill your feet in 5 inch heels to look good.

With flats in everyone’s price range, it’s hard to resist these adorable shoes, making it easy to buy one (or ten) pairs to add to your wardrobe.  And hey, if you’re from a colder region like myself, they may even be on sale by the time you can FINALLY wear them. Read More »