Your Flip Flops Will Kill You

havianas-flip-flops-sandals

Don't trust 'em. These things are dangerous.

They come in all different colors, styles, and sizes. They’re a part of our daily uniform during the summertime (Editor’s Note: And if you’re me, they stay in rotation until the snow begins to fall); we wear them to the beach, to work, or when we’re just hangin’ out in the house. Some people may hate on flip flops, but they are truly god’s gift to mankind (after Channing Tatum and Coldstone Creamery, of course).

A gift that can kill us all, according to a new study by TODAY.
Seriously, after reading this you might wanna think twice before flippy flopping around town.

After testing some footwear, health scientists discovered that there were more than – are you ready for this – 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. Did you just look at your feet in disgust? Yeah, me too. But what is even more disturbing than the number of bacteria on your favorite footwear is the type of bacteria that consumes them. We’re talkin’ bacteria from fecal matter (that’s poo, ladies!), skin and respiratory germs, even bacteria that causes yeast infections and diaper rash. Oh, and the scariest? The potentially lethal germ, Staphylocaccus aurerus (AKA staph infection). Read More »

Shopping Your Closet: Hoodies

hoodie 1 hoodie 2

While hoodies don’t exactly have a rep for being fashionable, every girl has a few in her closet. They are pretty much THE staple in every college wardrobe since they are comfy, warm, and easily slip on over whatever you wore to bed last night. Even hardcore fashionistas have lazy days!

Since you most definitely have one (or 6) zip-ups in your closet, I’ll give you a few different ways to wear them so you look more casual cute and less “Holy sh*t I just woke up in my boyfriend’s room and I’m 20 minutes late for class so I’ll just borrow his clothes and run out of the door.”

Contrary to popular belief, that is not cute. Read More »

Wardrobe Wish List: Stanton Sandal

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[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

I’ve never paid much attention to the Tory Burch brand. Seeing every girl and her mother walking around in those flats with the instantly recognizable golden medallion was quite enough. However, I recently stumbled upon these gladiators, and I have to say that they’re one of the nicest pairs I’ve seen.

I need em, I need em, I need em!

The Stanton sandal is made of leather and comes in black or tan. There are three square buckles: one each at the ankle, arch, and toe. The sandal appears more elegant than some other gladiators, which can have so many straps or buckles covering your feet that you might as well wear sneakers. What also makes this design a bit different is that the straps do not simply run parallel to one another. I like how two straps form an X across the top with two straps running along the sides, making it incredibly flattering on any ankle.

What I don’t love, however, is the $265 pricetag. I’d have to work long and hard (and turn up the charm for some major tips) to add these to my collection. A girl can dream, though.

The Budget Stylista: Budget Beach Babe

beach girls

I don’t get the appeal of the expensive beach babe. First of all, budget beach babe just sounds better. Second, I simply don’t understand the point of spending so much on a bathing suit just because the piping is plaid. What is the point of spending that much on something that isn’t even original. You look down the row of lounge chairs at a hot Miami hotel and it’s like Burberry drank too much last night resulting in a major hangover and then vomited all over the sunbathers.

There are SO many cute bathing suits, cover ups, sunglasses, totes, etc., out there that are muy cheapo but look muy expensivo. Plus, not only do you look like a beach babe, you look like an original that-girl-has-mad-fashion-sense one to boot.

Just don’t forget your SPF. Even I can’t make a person-turned-lobster look cute. Read More »

The Budget Stylista: Channel Your Inner Moses With Gladiator Sandals

gladiator2The gladiator sandal.

At first glance, they leave me thinking, “Why else would I wear all this stuff on my ankle unless I was going to Delta Sig’s Toga Party?” Unless I was going to grab a stick, part the red sea and call myself the second coming of Moses, Gladiator sandals didn’t really seem like my vibe. I was perfectly happy with my patent leather flats and woven wedges for summer. But then you go to stores like Saks, and Nordstrom, and DSW and Target and the more you see the more you like them. Sort of like The Pussycat Dolls; at first you think WTF is this crappy song, but by since the radio plays it 3 times every. single. hour, by days end you’re obsessed.

So now with my newfound gladiator obsession, not only do I have the perfect pair of shoes if I do decide to step up to the Moses challenge, but I have those perfect gladiator flats for my maxi dresses and awesome gladiator pumps for my cute summer minis as well.

So here is a whole range of options – from flats to heels, tan to black. There are so many options that it’s a cinch to find not only the ones that won’t give you blisters, but the perfect sandal to flatter your tooties, too! (Note: yes, there is even a pair out there for those of us with cankles. Go for the ones that don’t hug right around your ankle and they will elongate your legs. Trust me….) Read More »

Day-to-Night Styler: Maximizing Your Style

Maxi dresses are everywhere and are not only super cute and stylish (in that boho kinda way), but they’re a perfect look for everything from shopping, museum hopping, or BBQing in the park, to a glamorous evening on the town. And all you need are a few quick changes.

You can find maxi dresses in all sorts of price ranges, but if you’re looking for less expensive versions, your best bets are Target , Wet Seal ,Charlotte Russe or Forever 21.  I love the colors and style of this dress, and the halter style works well for those of us who are on the bustier side (I would also recommend wearing a tank or a tube top underneath if you’re not wanting to Leave it to Cleavage).

wet seal dress Read More »

Candy Dish: The Real Housewives of New Jersey Have Something to Say

housewives njThe Real Housewives of NJ aren’t in the mafia, OK?

So that’s why Red Bull cola works…

Bloomer’s are back?

American Girl goes Jewish.

Jerry O’Connell changes our views on the Speedo.

15 affordable sandals you need now.

The Perfect Sandal-Season Pedicure

pedicure

I’ve missed my sandals. I missed them so much that I dragged them out of the back of my closet a month ago, only to gaze longingly at them every day, sigh, and pull on another pair of warm socks. After a long, hard fall, winter AND spring of boots, rain boots, and snow boots, I am dying to leave the house in nothing but a kick ass summer dress and a fantastic pair of gladiator sandals.

Before that happens, though, I have to take care of one teeny problem. You know that long hard winter of boots I mentioned? It has left my feet looking….less than pretty. So, in preparation for the day when all my sandal dreams come true, here are some step-by-step instructions for an at-home pedicure that will have your feet ready to see the sun before you know it! Read More »

Flip-Flops: Fashion’s Anti-Christ

Flip-flops

Peppered throughout magazines and blog sites are optimistic articles about delicious summer activities and fashion trends to anticipate and enjoy.  However, there is one thing about summer that is so heinous and disgusting that I feel I must warn the masses before it destroys them: flip-flops, fashion’s Anti-Christ.

I can hear the gasps and verbal WTF’s already.  I know, I know, flip-flops are practically the poster children for summer fun.  Calm yourselves, I have reasons.

1).  They Make Any Outfit 1/4 As Cute: No matter how much effort you put into your ensemble this morning or how much you paid for that sundress, if you add flip-flops to the equation it will look instantly less cute.  Much less cute.  So much so that it defeats the purpose of even trying to make a cute outfit and you should have just worn sweats.

2).  Your Feet Will Get Dirty: Want to know why outfits are less cute with flip flops? Perhaps it’s because dirty feet are not cute. On anyone. And dirty feet are inevitable when flip flops are involved. Your toes will turn brown, your heels will turn black and your calves will be covered in whatever crap that flop is flipping up. Seriously, no one wants to see your cracked and crusted feet stomping around in fluorescent rubber contraptions.

3).  They Make Your Legs Look Fat: For some reason, colored slabs of rubber are not the most slimming choice for summer fashion.  Optical illusion? Perhaps…At any rate, you spent all winter in the smelly gym to look like this, so don’t waste it on flip-flops! Read More »

Do It Yourself Tuesdays: Leather Huaraches

greenleatherfootbedBThe summer season is here, and that means the season of sandals! But are you tired of wearing the same Old Navy flip-flops that everyone else has, or are your Rainbows almost worn out to the point of nonexistence? If you have a shoe addiction like I do, these homemade sandals will add a whole new dimension to your shoe closet. And with these homemade kicks, you will never have a shoe twin again.

Huaraches are traditional Mexican sandals or flip-flops made with woven leather straps and rubber soles. They became extremely popular due to their reputation as being long-lasting, comfortable, and inexpensive to make. Oh, and someone in the fashion world decided they’d be cool again. Either way, you don’t have to spend money on a shoe that everyone else will inevitably have – you can make a pair of the originals yourself!

Materials:
Rubber sole material, about 5mm thick
Very long strips of leather (as thick or thin as you want them).
Scissors
A hole puncher Read More »