October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but this is an issue that should be brought to light at all times. In an effort to spread the word, designers have been coming out with some simple and flattering t-shirt designs that can be worn way past the month of October to remind all of us of this worthy cause. Many of the t-shirt designs still show the recognizable pink ribbon and use the bubble-gum pink color that we’ve all come to associate with Breast Cancer Awareness, but in an effort to reach a larger audience, designers are also introducing looks that include more versatile colors, trendy details and cute graphics that still sound as a voice for the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, allowing you to wear these tees for numerous occasions.

Not only would the message for awareness be seen more often, but a large percentage (50% to 100%) of the proceeds are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, helping spread the word for prevention and funding the search for a cure. Even celebrities like Nicky Hilton, Sophia Bush and others are jumping on the Breast Cancer awareness bandwagon and have designed shirts to help spread the word.

Check out the cuteness (slide show!) over at StyleHive to shop the tees and help raise awareness in the process.

To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

Sophia Bush hosted the LeSportsac 35th Anniversary Celebration in NYC this past week. I’ve always like LeSportsac bags, especially the collaboration collection they did with Gwen Stefani a few years ago.

For the 35th anniversary, the brand revisited some vintage classics from 1974 and modernized them for 2009, but still at affordable price points. Prices range from $28-178.

I particularly love the bag Sophia’s posing with – the Posey Shimmer Lexie Tech Tote. The patent-finish orange nylon tote features a spring clasp on the sides and contrast gold banding throughout. The double rolled handles measure a perfect 7″ and there is a two-way zipper closure at the divided main compartment.

(Left to right, Fall 2008 RTW, from style.com: Jill Stuart, Fendi, Fendi, 3.1 Philip Lim)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading! In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Belts are your most useful accessories; they can hold up your pants, make your waist look small (even in the bulkiest of sweaters), and (literally) pull your outfit together.

Belts are a worthwhile investment because they are so versatile. Neutral colors like brown or black will work with most items in your wardrobe, and brighter colors can make a boring outfit unique. Read on for different ways to cinch your waist this winter. (Warning: anything that applies pressure to the stomach is probably not something you’re going to want to try out at Thanksgiving dinner.)

All dressed up:

Blake Lively looks amazing in this purple Tadashi Shoji dress and black belt at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards in August. This is a great look for any more formal event, like a New Years Eve party. Just wear some tights if you’re going to be outside! Put this look together yourself below: (Click the picture for more info.)

A Casual Look:

Dress up your drab daytime look by adding a belt. Try wearing one over a cardigan, like Sophia Bush in this picture. It is an unexpected twist that really highlights your waist and adds a little ooomph to your ensemble. Here’s where you can get this look (click pictures):

More good ideas for wearing belts:

1. Tie a long skinny belt instead of buckling it – it looks messy but in a good way.

2. Tuck your scarf in. It makes the whole look a little more chic.

Also, make sure you try both wide and skinny belts – both are very in and very cute right now.

Before you head for the nearest mall, get smart. Hundreds of companies use October to boost their image (not to mention their profits) by connecting themselves to a good cause. Just because an item is anointed with the sacred pink ribbon doesn’t make it clear where the money from this product is going.

If you really want to make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer, volunteering your time or contributing to a great, reputable charity is the way to go. But if you’re in the mood to splurge (or stock up on office supplies, paper towels, lip gloss and home furnishings) read the fine print on those pink product labels.

In the meantime, here’s a peak at nine awesome items from brands that donate a significant amount to breast cancer charities

Celebrity Tees by Bop Basics

Shopbob has partnered with Denise Richards, Hilary Duff, Sophia Bush, Nicky Hilton, Cindy Crawford and Jamie King to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tees. Each shirt has a unique design, with 50% of each sale going to Breast Cancer Network of Strength, an organization that provides emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer. Its mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.

General Mills’ “Save Lids to Save Lives” Yoplait Yogurt

This program has raised more than $19 million over the past 10 years. The program donates 10 cents to Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation for every lid mailed back by the end of the year, with a guaranteed donation of $500,000 and a cap of $1.5 million.

e.l.f.’s Super Glossy Lip Shine in Pink Kiss

Only $1 most drug stores, 100% of all sales during October benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon CollectionEstee

Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Tomboy Traveler Tool Kits & Hammers

In partnership with the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, Tomboy is working to make a $1 million donation to research. The company will donate $7 of each Tomboy Traveler tool kit sold before Dec. 31 and 50% of the purchase price of their Help Hammer Out Breast Cancer tools.

In The Pink Chocolate Collection

Put your diet on hold. 20% of the retail price of these divine chocolates are donated to fund various breast cancer research projects. Voted one of the best holiday gifts on the Today Show, the nine piece box includes flavors like Bravery Baseball Caps, Pink Paisley, Swirls, Pink Ribbon, You Go Girl!, Raspberry, and Heart of Life.

Aveda Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief

$4 from each sale will fund environmental research at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder and dedicated to funding clinical and genetic research on breast cancer at medical institutions across the globe, Aveda will donate a maximum of $300,000.

Hanky Panky Breast Cancer Signature Thong

Lacy, low-rise and adorned with a rhinestone breast cancer awareness ribbon on the hip. You can’t pass up these sexy one-size-fits-all panties. $2 of every purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Skyn ICELAND Detox Kit

In October the $45 kit gives you a month’s supply of face wash, face mist, lotion and oxygen-infusing night cream and provides $5 donation to The American Cancer Society. The collection is free of parabens, petroleum and sulfates, as well as being 100 percent vegetarian.

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Girls can be classified as bitches. Gay men can too. But can straight guys fall into the ‘bitchy’ category?

Yup.

The Bitchy Straight Guy is one of the most annoying categories of the male species. He comes in many different shapes and sizes; sometimes he’s a thin hipster with stupid hair (like Marcel Vigneron, a contestant on last season’s Top Chef), sometimes he’s a balding, pseudo creative type (like Dustin Diamond, aka Screech, from this season’s Celebrity Fit Club), and other times he’s a popped-collar, J-Crew sandal wearing frat dude (Chad Michael Murray comes to mind…at least in looks and based on that little marriage snafu with his costar).

The one link between these motley individuals? They’re bitches. Guys with all of the bark but none of the bite. Asswipes who get under everyone’s skin and then run if anyone tries to retaliate.

They’re relentless teasers. Boys who grew up passing rumors about you in junior high and doing their best to embarrass you in front of giant crowds of people in high school. They love an audience, and will stoop to any level to get one.

They also have a negative sense of chivalry. When it comes to rumors and reputations, most guys will go after guys, leaving girls to embarrass each other on our own time. But the Bitchy Straight Guy has no boundary, and often targets his cruel jokes and condescension at women, most of whom pose no real physical threat. It doesn’t seem to faze him if you cry, and when you retaliate, he uses his man-bitch powers to make you look like a hysterical crazy person.

Whenever I come into contact with a Bitchy Straight Guy, all I can think about is how good his face would look with a fist in it. These types tend to be how they are because of their innate ability to scramble out of the way before trouble starts, but most would surely benefit from a beat down or two. Either that, or a very public verbal thrashing by someone who isn’t afraid of a BSG’s small arsenal of comebacks.

Not to go all Psychology 101, but I’m pretty sure BSGs are, at their core, suffering from low self-esteem and internal aversion. Why else would they feel the need to constantly taunt and bullshit? Your mom was right when she told you that elementary school bully was just a scared little baby himself. BSG’s are some the biggest babies out there. Big, annoying, falsely arrogant babies.

So next time you stumble across a Bitchy Straight Guy, make sure to remember that he’s nothing but a pussy underneath all his talk. And if his insults come your way, stand up straight and look him in the eye. Nothing freaks a BSG like a chick who won’t back down.