My summer thus far has been filled with backyard BBQs, nights out with girls, day-trips and weekends on the lake. Although shorts and tank tops cut it for all these events, sometimes I just want to be girly and wear a casual, summery dress. Cue the Gentle Fawn Wilderness Dress!

This gorgeous dress comes to just about mid-thigh, making it sexy and sassy, without showing off too much. It’s 100% cotton, so it’s super lightweight, but the detailing is what really steals the show. A beautiful eyelet design decorates the upper part of the dress and the unexpected cut of the top make it super unique! You definitely don’t have something like the Wilderness Dress is your wardrobe. Read More »

Why didn't I think of that?

Okay, so it’s hot.  Like really, really sweltering hot.  The temptation to stay inside and watch the first season of True Blood on DVD is certainly great, but you’ve got to escape the house at some point.  While there’s not much we can do to persuade mother nature to tone it down a few (hundred) degrees, there are a few tactics you can implement to keep cool on your outdoor adventures…and a few you’d do better to stay away from.

Grab a Cold One
The timeless, tried and true remedy for beating the heat.  Find a shady porch, call over a few friends, and ice down a six-pack.  Just make sure you don’t over-imbibe, as alcohol dehydrates you quicker than a walk through the Sahara.  Throwing a few bottles of water into your cooler can save you from hangover hell.

Kick Off the Heels
Nothing’s worse than dressing for work in the summer.  Fitted pencil skirts, blazers, business shirts…might as well add pit stains and forehead sweat to the company dress code.  Lighten up your wardrobe by mixing in airy (yet professional) sundresses and ditching the heels for a pair of cute flats or sandals.   Looking to make a bold statement at the beach?  A bikini and stilettos is not the message you need to be sending unless you just divorced someone named Spencer. Read More »

Something from Anthropologie is always on my wish list (okay, maybe more like five or six things), but I decided a long time ago that a column based solely on their merchandise would be a tad boring, especially for those of you that aren’t obsessed with their girly-vintage-hippie chic vibe.

So in order for an Anthropologie item to make it to the top of the wish list for the week, it has to be something special. And that is exactly what the Splatter Sneakers are.

Amazingly special…and to-die-for.

I love my Converse. I could wear them every day with every outfit. Hell, they’re so worn in I could sleep in them.

But obviously a plain sneaker gets old, and I often sigh a huff of sadness knowing that I have to leave them in my closet for the jeweled flats that will only leave me with multiple blisters. Read More »

Now that Spring is officially here and I’ve busted out my flip flops, I can’t wipe this loopy grin off my face. It just makes me so happy, especially after the winter we had in New York. I swear, if I had to step in one more brown, slushy puddle I was going to kick someone. But now that all those nasty puddles are gone and the restaurants are setting up their outside tables, all I can think about is iced coffee, al fresco cocktails, the joy that comes from going out without having to lug a giant coat along, and SUNDRESSES!

Summer sundresses are awesome for so many reasons:  they’re comfy, they’re cute and they’re totally versatile.  You can pair ‘em with all kinds of shoes (flats, sandals, heels, wedges, boots; you name it, it can work), and you can wear ‘em over a bikini, for those last warm days on campus, or for a night out.

Go for any of these babies that are all under $20 and really, you can’t go wrong. Read More »

Riddle me this: It’s June. It’s cold and rainy in most of the country so you spend your day shopping instead of at the beach. You stumble upon sundress after sundress, cute top after cute top, and you want to buy everything. In fact, you’ve pretty much convinced yourself that it’s totally fine if  you move some money from your savings into your checking. Clothing is a sound investment, after all.  And even though Suze Orman would say “stop it right there, sister,” you really want/NEED these amazing frocks for summer.

Well I’m no Suze Orman, but “Stop it right there, sister.”

Let’s face it, summer is only 3 months. Is it worth going into debt buying that totally adorable DVF wrap dress? Sure Carrie Bradshaw would say yes, but Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character. I however, your trusty budget sylista, am 100% reality. And not reality like The Hills reality – reality, reality. So listen up.

For such a short season, especially one that has been unseasonably unsummery (seriously mother earth – get on that), there really is no need to go into debt and owe your soul to Saks. Especially when this summer is ALL about accessories. The bolder, bigger and brighter, the better. Bib necklaces and funky necklaces are all over the place making it possible to take a garb from the 8th grade and make it look instantly modern, and make the simplest of outfits look uber chic and pulled together.

I scoured the web and compiled a ton of awesome options. When you wear one, though,  remember to pair it with simple clothes, solid color dresses, maxi dresses or with a great pair of jeans and solid top. Keep the rest of your accessories minimal. And, no, minimal does not mean 3 cocktail rings and a pair of hoop earrings. (Yes I’m talking to YOU, Miss Over-Accessorizer…and you too, grandma) Choose ONE other accessory, whether it be one ring, a few thin bangles or small studs and let the necklace be the focal point. Throw on cute shoes and a great bag and – boom – you just saved yourself a lot of money and buyer’s remorse. Not to mention you still look hella stylish.

I know, I’m good. I’ll be here all week. Well, I’ll be here every Friday. Read More »

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).

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Even if you’re still finishing up finals, there’s no harm in daydreaming about the 4 fabulous months to come. So put down that Econ 101 textbook, grab a towel, and layer on the sunscreen.

Summer’s almost here, and it’s time to celebrate!

To help pump you up, we’ve put together a list of the 35 greatest things about summer. Here are our top picks: Read More »

So spring has (finally!) sprung and I don’t know about you, but for me that means pulling out all those cute sundresses, sandals and the rest of my spring/summer wardrobe that I love so much (and, hey, adding a few pieces to the mix as well).   So in honor of spring, I figured I’d focus this week’s day-to-night styler on a basic sundress that can be easily converted into a stylish and sassy outfit for the evening.

This dress from Forever 21 is totally cute and flattering for a number of different body types. It’s long enough to sport to class or while running around town with mom, but sexy enough to dress up for later. And, better yet, at $11.50 a pop, you can buy it in more than one color.  I love the pink, blue and purple for spring.

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I think Easter has become an underestimated holiday. It’s unfortunate that it’s never at the top of the favorite list with similar holidays. I think we fail to see the gloriousness of a low key, no stress holiday because Easter isn’t flashy like the Fourth of July. No one is staying up to wait for the Easter bunny or doing last minute Easter present shopping or tuning into the Easter parade.

It’s true Easter should probably be about religion, and Jesus, and morning mass and whatnot, but I love Easter for a different reason. … it is one of the only holidays that is all the fun and none of the work.

First of all, Easter usually involves a little miracle called brunch also known as the magical union of breakfast and lunch. I always enjoy the meshing of meals. Most of the time that means popcorn for dinner or leftover pizza for breakfast, but brunch is different. Brunch picked the best meals of the day to incorporate croissants and cold cuts, spinach quiche, fruit salad, and bagels – pretty much a spread from heaven. I also enjoy any meal that makes drinking before noon classy instead of trashy (hello mimosas).   Read More »