Sure we all dream about designer fashion and high-priced jeans and living in a world where a $120 white tee seems reasonable. But in real life, we’re all well aware that (for most of us), those are just dreams. So while we might bookmark our favorite fashion blogs and make up shopping wish lists at high-end NYC boutiques, we always end up going straight to the mall.

That’s totally okay. Every girl has her favorite store at mall. It’s your go-to store and where you get 99.9% of all your clothes. And like your favorite movie, your favorite store says a lot about the inner workings of your mind.

Here’s a guide to what your favorite store says about you…

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Old Navy is one of my favorite stores. It’s great for stocking up on wardrobe basics like tank tops, tee shirts and sweaters, as well as some trendier pieces — all at an affordable price. Old Navy has great prices to begin with, but they also always have some kind of promotion going on and a great sale section, so getting an awesome deal there is easy.

Right now, there’s tons of great pieces at Old Navy that are just $20 or less each — here are just a few!

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Today I broke a purse. I filled up my usual school purse with textbooks, a snack, my pencil case, etc. and set out to take an exam. After my exam, I hopped in my car and headed home. Once at my house, I went to reach for my purse and BAM! One strap totally broke off. I awkwardly carried my belongings into my house and then mourned the loss of my favorite bag for class. I needed to find a replacement stat and may have found one in the Old Navy Shoulder Bag (definitely not getting points for originality Old Navy).

Old Navy has really stepped up their game in the past few years. They’ve transformed themselves from an athletic wear hub to a really fashionable place to shop! Old Navy keeps up on trends and I’ve particularly noticed a big push in their accessory department to stay on top. The Shoulder Bag is following right on the fall trends with the buckle detail and clasp-closure pocket.

It’s made of faux leather and measures 13′L x 15′H x 5′D, so it will be the perfect home for textbooks, your wallet and other daily necessities. In addition to the front pocket, which is ideal for a cell phone and lip products, there is also a slip pocket on the inside. There is no top zipper, but the bag is fairly deep and has a magentic closure, so you should be safe from pick-pockets.

Another great feature, and one of my personal faves, are the two carrying options. If your shoulders get sore or you need to be hands free for a while, you can sling the crossbody strap over your torso. The bag will sit comfortably at your hip so everything will still be in reach.

I prefer the tobacco brown shade, but if you are in need of a basic black tote, consider this your lucky day! Old Navy also produces this bag in black, using a complementary silver hardware instead of gold.

If you’re looking for a great tote for school or the office that won’t break the bank, consider the Old Navy Shoulder Bag for a thrifty $39.94!

I’m going to be honest with you — my first thought after watching that Shopaholic film was ‘so this means if I got a credit card, I could have amazing clothes like that too?’

Definitely not the point, as every person I shared my revelation with was quick to point out. But what’s a shopaholic on a limited budget to do? Figure out how to do it on the cheap!  I’ve rounded up some less expensive alternatives to those pricey stores we all love in hopes that we can look super trendy, without being super broke.

Click on the photo to see the next slide

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Any more suggestions?

I’d watch the commercials for once.

And let me tell you something, I will never do that again. Because a lot of the commercials today? Well, they’re pretty terrible. What are these marketing people thinking? What are the companies thinking? How can they spend millions on this stuff??

10. Flo from Progressive. There’s nothing outright annoying and ridiculous about this commercial except, you know, Flo herself. Who wouldn’t want an overly perky woman in white who wears way too much lipstick and looks like she should be in a Bumpit commercial for their spokesperson? Who would find her annoying? Um, me.

9. Honda’s Mr. Opportunity I’m sorry but why would they think that a cartoon sketch of a sleazy car salesman would be any better at selling cars than an actual sleazy car salesman?

8. McDonalds R&B McNugget Commercial. Girl you got a ten piece, don’t be stingy. Really? This is what they’re going with? An R&B singer crying over the fact that his girlfriend has snuck off in the night, in the rain, in heels, to go pick up a ten piece of McCripsy, McJuicy McNuggets? Whatever happened to ‘we love to see you smile,’ huh, McDonalds?

7. The Freecreditreport.com Song Oh, make it stop. Make. it. stop! I don’t know what it says about America that this commercial campaign was so successful that they actually ended up making nine (nine!) freecreditreport.com commercials with the singer dressed up as a pirate, riding a bike, and even living at a renaissance fair.

6.The Optimum Triple Play Commerical 877-393-4468. I will remember that number even when I can’t remember my own name. I’ve got to hand it to them, that jingle was catchy, still is even now when I hear it in the newer versions of this commercial. You know, the ones without the half naked mermaids and the dancing pimp.

5. The Swiffer Baby Come Back Commercial  Okay. Hmm. What’s the word I’m looking for? Corny? Cheesy? Obnoxious? Annoying? How about all of the above.

4. Boost Mobile Commercial I would really love to know what it was exactly they were trying to do with this commercial. A little kid dressed up like a dog and stuck in a cage? Yes, obviously if they were going to cut back on costs that would be the way to go. Was it supposed to be funny? Well…it wasn’t.

3. The Skittle Tree Boy Commercial Another one that I guess was supposed to be funny but really just fell flat. The mother and her “stop talking about dreams, we depend on you” approach came off as really, really creepy to me. Really creepy. But entertaining? Not so much.

2. The Swiffer Mud and Dirt Commercial  I didn’t think anything could top my dislike of “baby come back,” but, oh boy, was I wrong. Mud and dirt turn out to be two single gals just waiting around for the perfect mop to come along an sweep ‘em (har har) off their feet? What audience were they trying to target here, exactly?  Because I can tell ya as a single gal I really don’t spend all that much time thinking about cleaning supplies.

1. Old Navy Mannequins  Every time this commercial would come on I would cringe. With each new addition it just got more absurd. Talking mannequins. Dating mannequins. Super model mannequins. Suburban mannequins. How could they possibly let this continue? How could they possibly build on such a ridiculous concept? Why wasn’t this pulled off the air immediately? Why did it run for so long?? Why am I wearing Old Navy sweatpants right now?!

Here’s the thing, though, despite the fact that these commercials are really, really terrible, I still remember all of them. So maybe there’s a method to the madness? Huh.

What about you? Which commercials do you hate the most? 

Ladies and gents, it’s called VANITY SIZING.

In short, companies are starting to realize that when their consumers think they can fit into a smaller size, they feel better about their body image. Let’s face it: when we can fit into pants that would normally be difficult to zip, it’s super exciting. As a result, stores are thinking that we’ll keep coming back to purchase more stuff because, well, we are always guaranteed to feel good when we try on their clothes.

Personally, I think that vanity sizing is completely ridiculous, but I’m sure all you business majors know that it’s a great marketing tactic. Just as long as consumers are aware of the size differences, it’s not a big deal. But you see – that’s the thing. People are starting to believe their true size is not what it really is.

Girls are going around thinking that they are a size 6, when they really might be a size 8. For me, it sucks when I try on a different brand of jeans to learn that it is shockingly inaccurate. Plus, how annoying is it that you never really know what size to order online because every company follows a different sizing chart? Let’s face it – not every 34” waists fit the same.

In addition, a lot of girls are in the mindset that they only wear one size and refuse to buy anything bigger than that. As a result, when they do come across a cute pair of jeans, they are more likely to purchase their regular size – even if it fits more snuggly than if they had gone a few sizes up. Little do people know…not all sizes are the same.

How do we fix this? The only way to really tell what size you are is to take a measuring tape and measure yourself inch for inch. This way, you can refer to each brand’s sizing charts and purchase accurately.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, size should not be the main determinant for someone’s healthiness. Yet, when it comes to vanity sizing, it concerns me to hear that stores are doing this. Is it because they are ashamed of their heavy set population or is it because they are promoting larger waist lines? Why is it so satisfying to think that we need to wear clothes that are smaller? Sure, it makes us feel better to hear we’ve gone down a size, but what does it mean if all of that is a lie?

According to Esquire, the biggest vanity sizing culprits include H&M, Calvin Klein, Alfani, Gap, Haggar, Dockers and Old Navy.  The shocker is that stores also do this for guys! And we thought girls only had body issues…

Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about vanity sizing except for be aware of its existence. Don’t let a store reel you into their web of deceptions. Be informed and if you’re ever unsure, measure out their clothes yourself. You might find that their 27’s are really 29’s. At the end of the day, buy outfits because they make you look and feel awesome, not because of the size on the tag.

If you are the type to use clothes to monitor your weight loss, keep track by measuring yourself every so often and use clothes you already own to see how the fit changes overtime. Do not rely on the latest clothing – the newer the item, the more likely the sizing is off.

All in all, be proud of your body and know that how you feel is more important than what the label says. Wear clothes that accentuate your figure and watch those heads turn (towards your fab abs and lovable legs) as you walk down the street.

What do you think about Vanity Sizing? Twitteroo me @jackelynho.

Leather is one of the biggest fabrics for fall 2010.  It is also one of the easiest to embrace because EVERYTHING can be made in leather: bags, shoes, leggings, shorts, jackets, skirts…the list goes on.  And I love it all. Leather is sexy. It’s edgy. And it makes everything look cool.

Leather items are almost magical in their ability to transform an outfit. Just add one leather piece and you’ve got an entirely new look. Pair your favorite floral dress with a structured leather belt or a moto-jacket and you’ve got a totally different style. Or add some edgy, buckled boots to a pair of skinny jeans and your favorite camisol from last season and – bam! – your look in updated. (That being said, make sure not to go overboard; you want to look edgy, not like a member of Hell’s Angels.)

Even those opposed to wearing leather (or meat dresses….) can get in on the trend, as many designers and chains are offering up a variety of faux (and fabulous) leather pieces. Seriously, there is something for everyone, and you should definitely get out there and take advantage. Not sure where to start? Here are 15 awesome options to choose from.

[Click on each image to get all the info.]

If you haven’t caught on by now, it’s official: I’m smitten with all things military-inspired.  Despite the short summer season, by the time fall clothes begin to hit shelves, I’m already swooning over cardigans, boots and fall jackets.  After spending all summer trying to dress in ways to prevent heat exhaustion (and hide pit stains), I crave layers and structured clothing.

Sure I love cute summer dresses, strappy sandals and bright colors, but right now all I want is olive (and not just garnishing a martini).  Olive is technically a shade of chartreuse – meaning it’s partially between yellow and green. When it is closer to yellow, it’s referred to as ‘olive’ and when it’s closer to green it’s called ‘olive drab.’  (There, that’s your color lesson of the day!)  Olive drab was the standard color of fabric for American military uniforms in World War II – hence the association with the military trend.

This year there are many pieces, both military-inspired and otherwise, made in olive, meaning you have one more neutral to incorporate into your everyday life. One of the best things about this color is that since it’s quite similar to the color of dirt you can wear your olive goods one more time before you have to wash them. (Score!) And if the structured pieces with masculine details aren’t your choice of garnish, try an olive colored jersey top or maybe an accessory, because there are so many choices out there!

You’ve got your mattress cover, your mini-fridge, your XL twin sheets, and lots of garbage bags, but there is a whole category of dorm room essentials you are skipping out on.  DORMWEAR.  Because, if you’re like me, no matter how hard you try and fight the stereotypical college student walking round in pajamas and sweats thang, there are times you will break down.

I by no means encourage you to wear your sweats and pajamas out in public EVER, but a dorm is a whole other realm of the world.  Having cozy loungewear comes in handy when you want to fist-pump with the rest of your floor while catching the newest Jersey Shore episode.  It’s also handy when you need to do the L in GTL – because everything else you own is stuffed inside that hamper.

But don’t be fooled. Just because you’re lounging doesn’t mean you need to look like a slob. There are so many cute and cozy items out there for you to lounge around in.

And they’re perfect for sleepy time, too. If you’re sharing a bedroom, the person 10-feet away from you will appreciate you wearing pajamas to bed.  And if you’re a sleep-in-a-shirt and underwear kind of girl, try keeping a few of these pieces near your bed in case someone pulls the fire alarm in the middle of the night.  You’ll thank me for this advice later.  Trust me.

One mom approved must-have for both fall and college is a chic fall jacket.

The perfect fall jacket is neutral, goes with all your favorite clothes and fits just right.  Not to mention, it “keeps you warm on those walks to class. You don’t want to catch a cold!” (Thanks, ma.)

This year there are lots of options out there regardless of your style: denim, military, leather, oh my! With so much variety at so many price points, why choose a favorite?

A fall jacket will take you to the field to watch football, on a walk home from an evening class when the air starts to feel crisp, and even out at night.  Though if you’re going to a party, and don’t want to lose your coat, see if you can find a hot yet chivalrous boy to lend you his oversized jacket. If you’re wearing a feminine outfit underneath you’ll instantly achieve the “Cardellini effect” and have an excuse to find Mr. Hottie another day!