If your fall look is a little under the weather, check out my remedy for an effortless and chic way to survive the season without having to shop for a whole new look. Simply buy an item from the following six categories and you’ll be ready to face the fall in style. And the best part is, you don’t need to blow your budget; most pieces are under a $100.

1. Special Black Sweater
A noir knit number will be one of your best layering pieces for fall that instantly boosts your outfit’s excitement level. Instead of going for the basic black, take a risk and opt for a pull over sweater or cardigan with special details like bows, statement sleeves or sweet rockstar influenced studs.

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Let’s cut to the chase. In a short 5 days you will be back home and surrounded by every category of person to ever cross your path. Ever. In your life.

The people you never really talked to, but now feel obligated to acknowledge and chat with. The people you didn’t like then and surley don’t like now. The girls who were bitches to you (and now, because of your cool job, want to kiss your ass). The guys who never gave you the time of day. Your old high school crush. New cute boys you never knew existed (or were too old for you when the age difference was 13-18 but now it’s totes okay to make out with someone 5 years older). The list goes on…

Oh yeah, and you’re gonna run into all of them in. one. place.

Yes, I’m talking about Thanksgiving Eve, AKA the biggest bar night of the year. And, yeah, vodka helps. But you know what else helps to make this awkward/but still fun night so kick ass? Knowing you look DAMN good.

Depending on where you’re from and where your pre-Thanksgiving party scene is, there might be a different dress code. So, I kept one thing in mind (looking hot) and created three insanely awesome outfits that will surely leave you looking sexy and feeling confident. So go ahead and bat your eyelashes at the cute guy across the room (who you are pretty certain was in your geometry class in 10th grade – wow he got GOOD LOOKING), and give a big “EFF YOU, biatch” to that girl who made fun of you in gym class. Because, girl, you’re gonna look HOT.

Yeah that’s right. Look at you now. Shasay across that bar, sister. Read More »

The jacket that started it all.

About 3 years ago, I was visiting my Grandma in… wait for it… Florida. Perusing her closet for vintage finds (clothes that are too young for her, clothes that don’t fit her, or clothes I think I can make look ‘cool’ all the while loving that I will be able to say “it was my grandma’s!”) is a standard for every trip down to the land where dinner is eaten somewhere in the 4 o’clock hour.

Over the years I’ve found some GREAT things in there. Amazing costume jewelery, crocheted ponchos (when they were at their peak) and the coolest belts. But this time, this time I stopped dead in my tracks. Behind her housecoats and orthopedic shoes, shining in all their amazing glory: 2 sequined, shoulder padded, totally rad blazers. And I was in L-O-V-E.

Keep in mind, this was long before sequins made their way back to the shelves, but I loved the extravagant elegance of it all. I loved putting it on and feeling like I should be back on stage doing my time steps and shuffling off to Buffalo. So I took them with me and finally got the confidence to wear them last year.

This season (as we pointed out yesterday) sequins are everywhere and if you haven’t gotten in on the trend yet, try it on for size. It’s intimidating on the hanger – maybe even ugly – but once you bathe yourself in the glitz that you used to only use for art projects in 2nd grade, you will never want to go back!

Of course, you gotta do it right or else you may end up looking like Cher circa 1988. The key to wearing sequin pieces is keeping everything else SIMPLE. Really simple. Super duper simple. Get it? Got it? Good. Read More »

With the world premiere of This is It and recent trips to costume shops, I’ve got Michael Jackson on the brain.  And when it comes to the King of Pop’s style, one thing stands out: that single, sparkly glove.  While donning a sequined glove is a very literal way to pay tribute to MJ (not to mention impractical – won’t your other hand get cold?), sequins are EVERYWHERE this year, and there are much more creative ways to show your love for the moonwalk master.

Or, you know, just for fun, fabulous style.

Thanks to those innovative designers lining 5th avenue in NY, sequins have taken on a totally new look in 2009 and  have become suitable for both day and night.  A cute, sequined cardigan could add sparkle to your morning lecture, or add a dose or personality when you’re heading to work.  On the other hand, a pair of made-for-a-rockstar sequined leggings are the perfect party pants.  Or, if you are more interested in adding a subtle dose of shine to your everyday outfit, you could opt for sequin shoes or the perfect sparkly accessory.  No matter how you want to wear them, there is a sequined item (or many, many fun shiny things) out there for you!

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If my new obsession with Old Soul New Heart taught you anything, it’s that accessories can make an outfit.
And here’s another thing I’m about to teach you, so take note: if you want to stand out in a crowd wear a hat.

Every time I go out on a weekend in a beret EVERYONE comments. It’s unique, it’s different andit says you’ve got fashion balls.

Hello, risk-taker!

If, however, you find yourself in my shoes with a big case of LH (large head, and I mean that literally; not the ego kind), headbands are another great way to change up a look or keep up with a trend without going into serious debt. They also happen to be a great way to get by without washing your hair for “just one more day”- slick those bangaroos back and you look chick and clean! Cute while being lazy? Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Here are my favorite hats, headbands and hair accessories for fall. They give a whole new meaning to hat hair and for once, I don’t mind it! Read More »

I have to admit – it’s becoming somewhat painful to watch Project Runway this season and find things to write about. Unlike seasons past where designers say and do funny things beyond whipping up runway looks, all things more than worthy of writing about, this season is a whole lot of blah. And it’s impossible to write about blah.

Perhaps that’s why the producers decided to bring in Bob Mackie and Christina Aguilera last night. Maybe a little sequins would liven things up a bit?

Too bad it didn’t work. I mean, absolutely nothing about this challenge worked. The designers were instructed to take some inspiration from Mr. Mackie and go all out on a stage design for Christina Aguilera. CHRISTINA FREAKING AGUILERA. A woman known for her strong voice and her awesomely choreographed shows.

Not a woman known for living in a cave and tearing meat from dead animal carcasses with her teeth, Logan.

And not a woman who is currently retired and heading to the Assisted Living Annual Ball, Jordana.

I’d like to think that in a subconscious homage to their good friend Epperson, the designers misunderstood Tim Gunn’s assignment. Maybe they were struck dumb by all of Bob Mackie’s brilliance and instead of hearing “Christina” they heard “Junior Prom in the Midwest”? All that sparkle. All that glitz. Seriously, I walked away for a minute to grab a snack during the show and missed the part where the designers got their assignment. When I came back in and saw what everyone was picking up at Mood, I thought this was a crossover event with TLC’s Toddlers in Tiaras.

It was just bad. Almost as bad as Irina’s bitchy attitude. Almost. That girl is one big biznatch. And that ice skating costume she made? Hurl. Read More »

Let’s hope she’s not the Yoko Ono of the Yankees.

Levi Johnston prepares to show his Johnson.

Does it really matter who the Idol judges are?

Rock the sequins this fall.

Wanna hear Lady Gaga’s new song?

Need to wake up? Try these tips.

So it’s Friday night. You need to get ready and you spent far too long watching GLEE on your DVR and chatting with your roommate about the best mode of communicating with your crush tonight. Text? G-chat? BBM? You just don’t know! And now you have – uh – 20 minutes to get I-look-damn-good ready.

Enter from stage left, MAJOR problem: you are oh-so-sick of wearing a black dress with black tights and black shoes and a black bag. “Wouldn’t it be so nice if I had a style genie that could just pop in and show me ways to rock my plain black dress with, like, 3 different looks and 8 different trends for the season?” you think to yourself while sighing in front of your drab looking frock. Life is so hard sometimes.

Well call me a mind reader, call me a genie, call me amazing – I will answer to all. Because I have done just that for you (I know, I’m great).

From lace to leopard there are TONS of options to spruce up that ordinarily dark, boring ensemble of yours. Not to mention it’s a much better way than falling all over yourself while dancing on the tabletops to stick out a bit from the other 9,999 chicks dressed in solid black as well.

So here we go: One Dress, 3 looks, 8 different trends to rock with it. Read More »

Lady Liberty wouldn't be caught dead in a fanny pack

Patriotism is kicking into high gear as our Nation celebrates its big birthday today.  Suddenly, the crowds on the streets look like they got lost on their way to a (slightly chubby) reproduction of an American flag-themed musical.  With fanny packs…lots of fanny packs.

In contrast to the more traditional elements of American style (bedazzled jean jackets, tie dye and reverse fit denim), people are going all out to show their love and support for this great nation. In the form of sequins. But is an American flag parachute jacket really the way to show someone, especially our forefathers, you care?

I don’t know about you, but it’s things like this that make me question my pride in America. I know this is the land of the free, but shouldn’t we be free of fashion like this? Read More »

I don’t know about you, but after what seemed to be the most grueling. winter. ever. I am excited and eager to dust off my spring wardrobe… and add some new pieces to it. As is always the case with the new season, we have some new trends (along with a few piggy-back trends of season’s past) to spice up our wardrobes.

Here are some of Spring 2009’s hottest trends: Read More »