Lulu’s is one of my favorite online stores. They have a great selection of unique clothes and accessories from emerging designers. I love their dresses and jewelry the most, but they also have amazing tops, skirts, bags, shoes and more! And the best part is, their prices are pretty affordable! Check out my $20 and under picks, which are all available now at Lulu’s!

initiating the gallery...

It’s no secret that college students drink a lot of beer. And it’s also no secret that we’re all pretty broke, so often the money that we could be spending on our beloved beverage has to be spent on more “practical” things…like food or textbooks. Well, thanks to a new site that’s calling itself a “search engine for beer,” you’ll be able to save more money so you can afford beer and the other important things in life.

Just plug in your zip code, and SaveOnBrew will give you a list of all the deals on beer near you. SaveOnBrew lists the type of beer on sale, the store, and the price. You can also sort by beer type, beer brand, the store and container size or quantity.

So instead of having to search each store’s ads to find deals on beer, SaveOnBrew makes it easy for you by putting it all in one convenient, searchable database.

It’s common knowledge among anyone who knows me (or anyone who reads my posts) that I’m an online shopping addict. But I can’t afford to buy everything I find online, so I’m always on the lookout for great deals. If I find something I really like, I’ll keep checking back until there’s a sale or it goes on clearance. Now there’s a web app that does the work for me!

Salemarked helps you keep track of the selling price of your favorite items — and it couldn’t be easier to use!

First, sign up for an account and drag the bookmarklet to your browser’s toolbar. Then, just online shop as normal. Once you find something you just love but want to wait until it goes on sale to buy, click the bookmarklet or paste the URL directly into your Salemarked dashboard and note how much you’d be willing to pay for that item. That’s it!

Once the item drops to (or below) your desired price, Salemarked will email you immediately! You can also check an item’s current selling price via your dashboard on the site.

I’ve already marked a few potential NYE dresses and I’m planning to buy whichever one goes on sale first — and thanks to Salemarked, I’ll know as soon as it happens!

Wedges: they’ve been around forever, but this year they were an especially big trend for Summer. They’re great because you can easily switch out flat sandals with wedges to instantly dress up your outfit, and they’re more comfortable than regular heels. And what’s more, they look great with everything: jeans and a t-shirt, a cute sundress…even shorts!

While Hollywood celebrities can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on their staple summer wedges, college girls are on a much tighter budget. But I’ve found that there are plenty of great options out there for about the same as a movie ticket! Check out these great finds, each of which is under $20!

initiating the gallery...

Click on each image to see the next.

Now is the PERFECT time to stock up on sundresses, shorts, swim suits, sandals and anything else that begs you to accessorize with SPF and a straw tote. First of all, I don’t know about where you live, but it JUST got warm in Chi town and I’m thinking (hoping, praying, begging) that it will stay this way until October — which gives me plenty of time to rock all my sale purchases. And of course, there will be December break, spring break with your girls, or next summer to wear these discounted duds. Not to mention you can use this opportunity to snag pieces that can be used in the early fall to transition your ‘drobe.

Just about every store from Bloomingdales to Old Navy are having fabulous sales right now. Here are three stores that have MAY-JOR sales going on and a few of my fave picks.

Ann Taylor- As if the sale price wasn’t enough, now ALL sale items are an additional 50% (yes you read that right!) off! Woot Woot! This eyelet dress is adorable, the citrus halter is playful and sexy all at the same time and the sandals are the perfect touch of femme and tough. Snap these bad boys up or else I will!

Eyelet Dress / Ruffle Halter / Bronze Chain Sandals

Gap- We all know that The Gap has great sales and this time around is no exception. I love these wedges paired with a killer pair of flared pants or jeans, the paperbag shorts are adorable with a simple tank, wedges and a long necklace, and this top (which I have in white might I add) is the best way to spruce up your typical white or black T’s!

Shorts / T-shirt / Wedges

J.Crew- Browsing J. Crew during a non-sale is like looking in the fridge after you’ve used up all your Weight Watched points for the day– tempting to give in but you know you will be mad at yourself once that credit card is swiped (or that cake is eaten!) but J. Crew on a sale?! That is like those days when you find out your favorite carrot cake is fat and calorie free– hook a sister up with 3 servings baby! This swim suit it ADORABLE and I love the idea of color blocking. The sequin tank can be worn day or night and can 100% take you into fall. And the pants? So casual cool paired with wedges and a slim tank OR toms and a cute T. done and done!

Sequin tank / Bathing Suit/ Bathing Suit / Pants

Facebook. Twitter. Urban Outfitters.

These three websites are, hands down, the most clicked bookmarks on my Safari page. Like most people, I have my allotted time throughout the day where I routinely check my Facebook News Feed and update my Twitter. It is almost automatic that I then click to Urban and check out what’s new on sale. And then buy it all. Woops?

Online shopping has become almost a hobby as it is almost too convenient to scroll through an entire store, easily click the size you want for a cute shirt and have it shipped in a few days. Yet in a world where there’s an unlimited amount of online stores to shop at, how do you know which ones to skip over and which ones are worth looking at? Leave it to me to tell you the websites with the best sales, free shipping, and cutest clothes!

Behold: the holy grail of online shopping.

If you’re a committed shopper like myself, these websites will change the way you shop forever. You won’t regret reading this…or signing up for those annoying mailing lists (which WON’T be annoying with all those sales you’ll hear about.)

Happy shopping!

Because I’m usually a sane and rational human being, I never dared go out on Black Friday. Until last year, when I saw a killer sale on something I really wanted.  It was a scary, adrenaline-rushing, almost death-inducing experience that I survived with success. So I’m here this year to give you the ins and outs to getting what you want (without being trampled by a crowd of screaming soccer moms) on Black Friday.

Trust me, it isn’t an experience you want to go into blindly.

1. Have a Plan of Attack in Advance

Planning ahead for Black Friday is essential. Running into a field of mayhem with nowhere to go isn’t usually the best offensive plan.  (Have you ever tried walking into Ikea just to look around? Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.) Give yourself a head start by checking out some sales that you should definitely be checking out.  As always, Macys is offering insane deals, Urban Outfitters is offering 50% off on everything in the store, and those aren’t the only clothing racks offering great sales.

2. Pack Some Heat Energy Shots

Let me tell you right now, you’re going to need more than your natural energy to get through the craziness that is Black Friday.  Go to your local gas station and pick up a Five Hour Energy. It’s powerful as powerful as a Venti coffee, but it goes down quick so you aren’t stuck toting it around as you fill your arms with goodies.

3. Wear the Right Duds

This is essential so that you can huddle in the corner and try on all your clothes over other clothes. May we suggest no-tie shoes (but keep ‘em sturdy for any running you may have to do), spandex, and a thin tank top.

4. Play Good Offense

Especially against those mommies who want to snatch everything in your path — and use their elbows while you’re at it.  Puff your chest out in confidence, walk with meaning, and always be on the look-out for the deal you want. Never take your eye off the prize.

5. Bring a List

Learn something from Santa Clause (besides the fact downing cookies and milk for 24 hours straight probably isn’t the solution to that beer gut).  Lists are one of my favorite things on this planet — and they are even better when you can take them to Black Friday. If you know what you need (and what you don’t), you and your wallet will leave happy. The biggest goal of the day is to save money on awesome deals, not buy things you don’t need. Like a $200 (used to be $1000) lawn mower for your dorm room.

6. Get a Fabulous Nights Sleep Before the Mayhem

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.  There is nothing like the power of some shut eye before such an important and strenuous event.

Good luck out there, ladies.

Got any other good Black Friday tips? Share them below.

[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like GoFobo, FashionStake, and Philo) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

The holidays are almost here again, and if you haven’t finished (or even started) your gift shopping yet, you’re in luck: it’s almost Black Friday.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the biggest shopping day of the year.  Malls are absolutely crazy on this day: expect huge crowds, long lines at checkout, and parking lot road rage… but if you’re willing to brave all that (and wear a helmet), you can get some amazing deals.

Black-Friday.net posts leaked ads and sale info for Black Friday ahead of time, giving you an edge over the other shoppers.  Come up with your plan of attack before hitting the stores by searching through the ads (which are organized by store and product category) and making a list of items you want to purchase–there’s even a feature on Black-Friday.net that lets you create one and either save it or print it out!  Then, when Friday morning rolls around, you’ll be able to enter each store and go straight for what you need, cutting down on the amount of time you’ll have to spend dealing with all the craziness…and the risk of losing that $9.99 42-inch plasma TV.

As great as Black Friday is, it’s not the only day to find great discounts on holiday gifts.  On Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, there are tons of amazing deals on the internet–and Black-Friday.net has information on those as well!  Big online retailers like Amazon and Overstock have specials and major markdowns, and other stores will offer Cyber Monday sales on their websites in addition to their Black Friday deals.

So whether or not you’re willing to brave the malls on Black Friday or prefer to do all your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home on Cyber Monday, Black-Friday.net has you covered so you can score all the best deals!

Here at CollegeCandy, we’ve sort of been obsessed with sequins lately.  And why shouldn’t we be?  Sequins are fun, glam, and, depending on what you style them with, you can rock them day or night.  And while designer sequined clothing can get pretty expensive, these pieces are all under $20!

This mini dress looks super comfortable, but  jewel-toned color and sequined stripes make it dressy and stylish.  You’ll wear it all year long–with tights and a coat in the colder months, and bare-legged with sandals in the summer!  And the best part?  It’s only $15.99!

Shoes can make or break any outfit–so make sure you have cute ones!  These silver sparklers will go with practically everything in your closet, making them more than worth the $12.99 you’ll spend on them!

Pulling on a sequined mini skirt instead of your go-to jeans is a great way to shake up your usual going-out look.  And this one is super cheap–only $13.98!

Another alternative to jeans for a nighttime look, these shorts are definitely attention-grabbing!  They’d look especially hot paired with a sexy white top (see this cover of Glamour for proof).

Basic black?  Not this top!  At just under $20, this tank top will look great under a blazer for day or with your favorite jeans at night!

This sequined scarf is a great statement piece for nearly any outfit: with a t-shirt or sweater for a casual look, with a tank under a blazer for work, or with a mini dress at night!  It comes in gold, silver, and black, and it’s just $19.90.

This sparkly vest is on sale for only $13.99, but it’s glam enough to to dress up even the most boring t-shirt and jeans look, with virtually zero effort!

So you’re going out tonight, but just the thought of wearing your favorite halter top in the cold nighttime temperatures make you shiver.  Easy solution: a sequined cardigan like this one.  You still have enough sparkle to look dressed up, but you’ll be warm and comfy all night long!

We’re so pooped now we can barely form complete sentences.

Or is that the boxed wine we just drank…

Anyways, here is a look back at this hellish week.

The Bad:

The not-so-great news from the gyno.

The lack of a social scene on some college campuses.

That douchey Jason and his Bachelor mind games.

The leftover pizza…eaten off the floor.

A university preventing students from getting access to birth control.

The knowledge that Ryan Seacrest and I could never be.

The Good:

Getting ready for SPRING BREAK, baby.

Which can still be awesome even if we’re not goin’ anywhere.

An awesome dance playlist.

Relaxed fit (read: no muffin top!) pants are back.

Alexander McQueen is coming to Target!

That not-so-hot boy can still turn you on.

And, the best of all, there are some seriously hot professors out there.