I’ve gushed about Leighton Meester  before, but what can I say, I have my faves (I even paid to see Monte Carlo the weekend it came out…and legitimately enjoyed every cheesetastic second of it).  I fell totally head over heels for the outfit Leighton recently wore on the set of Gossip Girl. It is ridiculously frilly, bold and boasts not a single layer in sight. I don’t know about you, but when it’s 94847383 degrees outside, that’s exactly what I want from my summer couture.

Embellished Tank Top / Floral Skirt / Bag / Heels

Of course yellow is a staple summer color. It’s just as vibrant as white, but doesn’t seem to attract as much dirt (seriously, my life turns into a comedic tragedy of klutzy errors almost every time I wear it). The ruffles on this tank top are very much on trend and are an instant burst of shameless femininity. The floral skirt adds a classic pattern into the mix, and the yellow in the skirt complements the yellow tank top.

As for accessories, Leighton’s outfit incorporates peach, which is so perfect for the season. It’s neutral, but still punchy, and the good thing is, you don’t have to worry about perfectly matching the shades. A dark peach purse looks totally acceptable with lighter peachy orange heels. This is a refreshing outfit that has very versatile separates that you could wear to work or the bar or to brunch. Functionality is always hot.

Dresses are usually the go-to item when getting ready for a night out on the town. And for good reason! They’re cute, they’re sexy and there’s nothing easier than slipping on a dress and some shoes and heading out. But I challenge you to think outside the box a little bit and embrace the shirt and skirt combo. This alternative is far more versatile in that it allows for more choices; you can mix and match tops and skirts to create infinitely more looks. That means that the skirt you buy goes way further than that LRD that you can’t wear more than once a month because (oh the horror!) everyone recognizes it.

Skirts in all their sexy, flirty glory are the perfect alternative to the dress. Heck, you can even make a skirt and top LOOK like a dress, all while getting the versatility of picking the type of top you want. Want more coverage? Go for a crewneck long sleeve tee. Want to exercise your right to bare arms? Go for a tank. Really the possibilities are endless. 

Every year it boggles my mind when boots and wool sweaters start showing up in stores in mid July.
I mean honestly, people! Sweat is dripping down my back and I’m supposed to be shelling out dough on the over-the-knee leather boots and colorful wrap scarves? I think not.

But all these early fall shenanigans in the stores means one thing: they need to clear room.

Enter: the summer sale (!!!).

Pretty much every store you go to (or shop online at) is offering HUGE summer sale discounts. So this week, instead of putting looks together, I’m highlighting 10 of my favorite summer sale pieces. From shoes to vests to cute tops to totes… these are my favorite budget buys that will you can wear now.

Because even though the stores want you to think it… summer is FAR from over and you’ve still got plenty of time to look hot.

Product Information (Left to Right):
Top Row: Vest – JCrew; Boyfriend Jeans – Banana Republic; Tank – Ann Taylor; Ruffle Dress – Bloomingdales. Second Row: White Skinny Jeans – Ann Taylor; Tote Bag – Gap; Zipper Skirt – Bloomingdales; Ruffle Tank – JCrew. Bottom Row: Ring – Banana Republic; Sandals – Ann Taylor

And I’m not just talking snapping at people on the subway because my skin hasn’t seen the light of day in months and the lack of Vitamin D has sent me into a permanent state of PMS. Not only my overall disposition, but my entire style changes during the winter. It’s part brooding downtown rocker-chick, part sleek uptown-chic. And while it is many things (bad-ass included), one thing it definitely isn’t is colorful.

Which is why when summer comes around I fully embrace the rainbow.

Catch me out at a club now and there will be no trace of the head-to-toe black ensemble complete with chunky rings and metal-chained necklaces. In its place will be a vibrant fuchsia ruffled mini-dress or a white linen pencil skirt and a floral top.

And if you catch me out next week, I just might be rocking the Tie Die One Shoulder Ruffle Tunic from Arden B.

For me, summer outfits are all about fresh silhouettes, fun colors and patterns and comfortable fabrics, and this dress hits all of the criteria on the head. I am obsessed with the one-shoulder trend, it perfectly channels chic, sexy and modern all at once –not an easy feat. This dress kicks the trend up a notch by adding a cascading ruffle detail down one side; adding a dose of flirty movement to an otherwise form-fitting and sexy shape.

The vibrant aqua base is accented by deeper navy and cobalt blues, and it reminds me of a watercolor painting of ocean waves. And finally, the rayon material is a stretch fabric making it move along with you, perfect for a night out busting some moves on the dance floor.

What I might love more than anything is the versatility of this dress. If I happen to pull out some of my darker-winter accessories, the dress will go from whimsical to vixen (I’m thinking sky-high black heels, a cropped leather jacket and some gold chains). But with some mismatched bangles, strap sandals and messy beach hair, the dress becomes uber-feminine and girly.

Ditch the heels for some flip flops and a white cardigan and you’ve got yourself a perfect outfit for brunch with the girls or grandma’s 80^th birthday party. Any dress that won’t send granny into a seizure but can still have all eyes turned your way when you strut into a bar is a keeper in my book.

I’m in one of those (very sad) stages where I don’t actually need anything. I know it’s hard to believe. But with months of winter buying under my belt, I have leggings and cashmere cardigans and sweater dresses everywhere (no seriously, I sleep with at least three articles of clothing every night).

And with spring yet to have shown us a glimmer of hope that it’s on its way, it’s just depressing to purchase anything floral and skimpy, catching a glimpse of it as you trudge out of the house in snow boots and a down filled jacket.

But then that amazing little thing creeps into my agenda pages, the one thing none of us college girls can resist shopping for, and which totally warrants the purchasing of, at minimum, a new bathing suit and a super sexy party dress. Spring Break, baby!

This being the last of my Spring break’s ever (I know, I am most definitely in mourning right now), I am going all out, spending 7 glorious booze-and-sun-filled days in Cancun, the spring break capital of the universe.

Which means I am now in need of something again (whew!).

Of course, I’ve already found the perfect dress. And it’s sitting in the display window of Express. Their Escalating Ruffle Strapless Dress is pure sex. The perfect combo of spicy vixen and flirty girlishness.

This mini-dress screams tropical (I’m talkin’ mojito in hand, waves lapping at the sand), exactly the vibe we’re all dying for after months of frigid cold.

Plus, this mini is the one thing that happens in Cancun that doesn’t have to stay there. I can see myself rockin’ it to a party or a bar while waiting for spring with a pair of boots and a leather jacket. The strawberry color is sweet enough that it can even be toned down for the office with a belted cardigan, tights and flats.

It’s the spring break gift that keeps on giving. And it’s going to look amazing with my sun kissed tan.

Ruffles are my latest obsession and they should be yours, too!  They are not only a soft detail that instantly feminizes a piece, but they are also ultra forgiving when worn in the right place (there’s nothing like a tiered-ruffle top to camouflage your over-indulgence at the end of ’09). And they can be worn just about EVERYWHERE – on your tops, cardigans, dresses, and even bags and shoes! Meaning that there are many, many ways to incorporate ruffles into your everyday outfits.

And why wouldn’t you want to? Soft ruffled details add a romantic feel to the most basic of pieces, while the sculptural ruffles on skirts and dresses make a bold statement. As ruffles have been popular in seasons past, you probably have a few pieces you can bust out again this season. But with all that holiday money burning a hole in your pocket (not to mention the holiday sales that are still going on right now), how could you not afford to pick up a few new ruffles for your winter wardrobe?

We all have our own personal style. That’s a fact.  However, no matter what your style is, there is one staple that every college girl (and boy for that matter) should have in their closet – a cardigan.

While the cardigan can be associated with our favorite childhood neighbor, Mr. Rogers, the cardigan is no longer just for old men.  A cardigan is easily the most versatile piece of clothing you can own.  Chicer than a hoody, the cardigan goes with everything, be it with jeans or over a dress.  This year is the perfect time to purchase a cardigan (or 20), as stores have pulled out all the stops.  Name a trend this year, and you can find a cardigan that incorporates it. Of course, there’s also basic cardigans in every color imaginable if that’s more your thing.

So whether you’re looking for sequins, plaid or ruffles, there’s a cardigan out there for you. If only there were room in my closet for all 16 of these…

I’m pretty sure there is nothing better in life than a really fantastic sale section. Especially at a store stocked with things you already love. Take home some awesome finds on the cheap? Yes please!

Much like Urban Outfitters and Express, Tilly’s is chock full of really cute stuff at a somewhat “affordable” price. But it is in their fabulous sale section where you really hit the fashion jackpot. They’ve got everything from basics to statement pieces to stock your closet, and all of it is ch-ch-cheap. Here are a few items I found to be totally darling and will fulfill your inner frugalista.

Who says thermals have to be unattractive?  This thermal comes in a variety of colors and will not only keep you cozy for those long hours spent in the library, but you’ll look good to boot.

Bereanies (beret beanies) are the perfect solution to keeping your head warm while maintaining your style. And, trust me, these things can work on everybody, so give it a shot.

Two of the biggest trends this season are purple and ruffles and this sweet and flirty top lets you kill two trends with one shirt for under $8. Just pair it with some black skinny jeans and a pair of heels and you’ve got the perfect party look for the season.

If you’re not daring enough for a liquid legging but bored with the basic black, these could be your legging soul mates. The lace running down the side of these not-so-basic black leggings adds a hint of freshness and sex appeal to a typically standard look.

Tired of wearing the same old jeans?  Why not pull on a pair of sailor pants? They’re basic enough to wear every day, but cute enough to add a much-needed change to your same-jeans-all-the-time “rotation.”

I love BF cardis as much as I love me some BF jeans (and my actual BF) and I adore the stripes on this one.  Not only that, there are several colors to choose from and with their $19.99 price tag, you can afford at least a couple of ‘em.

The cut of this tunic will give some va-va-voom to a gal’s curves and the red plaid is perfect for the holiday season.

You can’t go wrong with girlie ruffles. Ever. And a belt to cinch your waist? Everyone needs one. This is the perfect skirt for all those holiday parties you are sure to be attending this season. It’s versatile – you can dress it up or dress it down, and it will look cute with flats, booties or some sexy stilettos.

It’s about that time when I start looking around for my holiday go-to outfit. It may seem a little early given that we just entered November, but the second Halloween ended I saw Christmas decorations shoot up in every Manhattan storefront, so I’ll take that as my cue.

Now, it isn’t easy to compile the perfect ensemble. Holiday parties, dinners and dates pop up in short notice and with any extra cash sent directly to the Christmas gifts fund we can’t run out and buy a new outfit for each one (well, we could, but let’s try to remember it’s the season of giving…to other people). So you have to have the perfect outfit to get you through the season, and all the events it brings about.

And I ladies, have found the one item that will instantly make anything in your closet party appropriate.

It’s a pair of amazing satin Charles By Charles David pumps. And the heel wasn’t named “spicy” for nothing. They are incredibly sexy, with sheer, textured ruffles winding down the top, contrasting the sleek satin base. And the peep toe gives a hint of sex appeal, while still keeping it classy enough for family functions.

The shoe has the perfect balance of risqué and feminine, which will totally add just the right amount of flare to a pencil skirt and a blouse for Christmas dinner at Grandma’s, a LBD for New Years, or a pair of jeans and a dressy top for a pre-holiday dinner with the girls.

Basically, I’m in love.

Added bonus? While I am all for the wow factor of the bright red, the shoe also comes in a toned down gray or black for the more conservative.

The recession is bad news for anyone looking to get a job, save some money or sell a house. But it’s great news for fashionistas! Stores that were once dowdy and just screamed “crazy cat lady” are bringing in new designers to create chic lines at lower prices.

Take JC Penney. When was the last time you stopped in there (not counting those post-Starbucks bathroom emergencies)? I know: never. Because their clothes were cheap, outdated and just not cute. Well, that’s not the case anymore! JCP now sells several lines by popular designers (Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, and Allen B. Schwartz, to name a few) and they not only have stuff that is totes cute, it’s totes affordable as well.  I can’t wait to add some of these pieces to my closet…

It’s no secret I am lovin’ all the plaid that’s out right now, and I think this shirt is particularly cute.  Reminiscent of a  lumberjack, with just the right amount of girliness to look feminine and fab.

This skirt is a great addition to your fall wardrobe, as it can be worn bare-legged or with a pair of tights.  Because of the simplicity of the skirt, you can have some fun by amping things up with a funky printed shirt, bold accessories or textured, printed or bold colored tights.

I love the print and details (belted waistline and ruffles) of this dress and, again, it’ll transfer over to colder weather with tights and a cardi or sweater coat.  It’ll look great with flats, boots or a pair of menswear inspired oxfords.

I think this tunic is totally adorable with its cut and flowy chiffon. Or perhaps because I have an affinity for owls thanks to Harry Potter…

Flowy tanks are not only trendy, they’re versatile and they’re great for these transitional months because you can easily layer with ‘em.  This’ll look especially cute with a boyfriend blazer and the bonus is that you can slip it off when you’re in a warm place and still look totally stylin’.

Fall/Winter is all about neutrals, which means grey jeans are a great way to wear denim with a bit of a twist. You can rock grey with black or the popular jewel tones of the season.  And hey, who doesn’t love jeans that are under $15?

Winter is fast-approaching and soon it’ll be time to bust out the scarves, mittens and hats soon.  Houndstooth is a timeless print that translates over for every season and is a great way to add a bit of oomph to your cold weather ensemble without going overboard. And you can get it in four different colors, which makes it that much cooler.

I’m all for wearing an all-black ensemble out to the bar, but only if there is something fun and fabulous to spice it up. Like this bag. Snakeskin, a metal handle, and a hot mixture of gold and black is the perfect combo to add some va-va-voom to your otherwise neutral look.