I adore Selena Gomez. Her face looks as if it were lifted from a porcelain doll. Her hair is so luminous and luxurious. Her music is perfect for those times when you’re dancing in front of the mirror in your PJs with your hairbrush (in contrast to those times when you’re dancing in front of the mirror in your highest stilettos and a bottle of Smirnoff). She is the personification of rainbows and unicorns and puppies and everything that is fluffy and G-rated in this world. I love it.

Selena’s style is just as unpretentious and down-to-earth as the rest of her image. She’s totally youthful, fresh, and laid back. She is that girl who swears she “isn’t even into fashion,” but she always looks current and hip, and you never see her wearing the same ensemble twice.

She is essentially every friend I’ve ever had and secretly resented totally admired.

Luckily, this easy-breezy style fits perfectly into the college style scene and, even better, is not at all difficult (or expensive) to emulate.

Product Information: Blazer, Sweater, Jeans, Boots, Scarf, Bag

Boyfriend blazers have been in for the past few seasons, and this fall is no exception. This particular one is corduroy, which is so quintessentially fall, and can be a staple for years to come. Adding a black/white shirt adds a little bit of flair to an overall very neutral outfit. You can throw on any sort of solid scarf, but I love the idea of mixing prints in the same color family for a little extra visual interest. And don’t be afraid of pairing a black bag with brown boots. If Selena’s outfit teaches us anything it’s that it can totally work.

This is such a great look because it’s fashion-forward but still sticking with clothes you most likely already own. By mixing and matching colors that clash, but still fall under the realm of “neutral”, you can create an adorbz look that is so easy to customize and personalize.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

While you could lug everything around in your backpack all the time, a more stylish option is having a cute shoulder bag. Why drag a giant bag around when all you need is a notebook and a fountain Diet Coke? (Although I’d definitely stick to the backpack for days your need your laptop, three textbooks, a notebook AND your lunch….) Backpacks are boring, but these cuties are great transitional pieces; you can take whatever you need with you (in style) to class, and not be weighed down when you meet your friends for coffee or an afternoon shopping sesh.  They also add interest in your outfit, even if you’re simply in a shirt and the jeans you picked up off the floor 10 minutes before class.

And, because college girls need options, I’ve also scrounged up several cute options for going out bags… none of which are clutches. Come on, every girl knows you need your hands free to double-fist dance and snap some Facebook-worthy selfies. Shop away, ladies!

[Click on the image to see more info!]

I’m not the only one who loves me an oversized bag. According to Alan in The Hangover, even “Indiana Jones has one.” And why not? Besides holding Skittles and $80,000, huge bags are the perfect way to tote your most needed (and maybe not-so-needed) belongings. But they don’t come without their issues, namely back pain and  the embarrassment that comes with accidentally swinging that thing too close to a wall of breakables.

Big purses have made their statement in the fashion world and their way onto women’s (sore) shoulders worldwide. But as much as we all love ‘em, and boy do I love mine, there seems to be some extra “baggage” that comes with the bottomless wonder.

Pro: The Olsen Twins are right about one thing: big bags slung at your side do make you look slimmer.
Con: Try navigating a packed bar with this thing. You may look thinner, but you won’t feel it as you’re trying to make your way through the throngs of drunks with an extra 6lbs on you. Not to mention a wet shirt when you inevitably knock everyone’s drinks out of their hands.

Pro: You can fit virtually anything in your big purse. There are pockets and mystery caverns to put your most valuable items. My purse is like a transformer; one minute I keep all my books in it and the next minute I have secret mini shots of Smirnoff in a mystery back pocket.
Con: You can’t find anything in that behemoth! Good luck finding your ringing phone; every time you reach for it you pull out hand lotion, a half-eaten sandwich or – score! – that roll of quarters you’ve been searching for. And you know this is a problem, which is why you put that phone in the pocket. But of course you don’t remember that as  you scour the bottom of the bag for the faint sounds of “Tik Tok” playing somewhere in there.

Pro:On a good day, you can find mystery food items that have spent the night in your bag.  Everyone can relate to the story where they find a Jimmy Johns #4 conveniently wrapped in their purse for the next morning. Big purses also come in handy when you don’t want to spend your left leg on a bag of popcorn at the premier of Twilight-Eclipse.
Con: Finding that long lost tuna sandwich…3 weeks later.

Pro: You are always prepared for any problem that may arise. Need a Band-aid? A breath mint? Some hooch? Check, check and (hidden in the lining) check!
Con: Two words: Back pain. Hopefully you can fit some Valium and an ice pack in that thing, because you’re gonna need it after toting around that 20 pounder all day.

Pro: Bigger bags mean more room for the gorgeous. Seriously, small bags are alright, but there’s something classy, chic and just plain amazing about an oversized tote.
Con: Storage. Sure, there’s plenty of room in the bag, but where the hell are you supposed to put that thing? It’s too big to put on your lap at the diner, so you’ve gotta rest it on the dirty floor. Same goes for when you’re driving and your friend takes the seat normally reserved for Big Bertha. And can we just talk about trying to rest that thing on the TP dispenser in the bar bathroom?

Impossible.

OK, so big bags aren’t perfect, but no matter how many times I lose my keys in there, I just can’t quit them. I mean, who cares that your arm falls asleep when the bag looks like this?

This week, in honor of heavy books, stuffed make-up bags and bulky laptops, I’ve decided to dedicate It’s On to tote bags.

Every girl’s tote needs are totally (tee hee) different. Some of us carry body-bag size totes, while others prefer something a bit more…manageable. Some bring along a purse and a tote. Some of us carry only a tote, and fill it with everything from makeup to Macbooks. With such a variety of uses, there is obviously a giant variety of toting options. And while you could go buy a Coach tote for anywhere between $500 to $900, there are plenty of places where you can get equally cute totes for a cute price.

And you don’t even have to leave the house or jump from store to store. Or run around town comparing prices. Someone else does all the work for you; all you have to do is point and click. Allow me to let you in on a few secrets. My shopping pot-o-gold, if you will. Use wisely.

ShopStyle.com

Shopstyle is essentially an online shopping mall. They run live feeds and update hourly with competitive pricing from stores like Nordstrom, Juicy, American Eagle and even other online sopping stores like Zappos and Ebags. It’s amazing.

If you’re looking for tote bags, then, you hop onto shopstyle, type in “tote” and – voila! – you’re staring at tons of different totes, in thousands of different colors, by millions of designers. Most importantly, though, you have competitive pricing. Just scroll through your many options (don’t worry – you can filter by size, designer, color, etc.) until find that perfect tote bag, whether it’s a Ralph Lauren Canvas Tote for $89.99 (perfect for sliding your Mac in with a few small books or a make-up bag) or a Marc by Marc Jacobs Graphic Birds Tote for $228 (more fashionable than practical, but who doesn’t love Marc?).

You can navigate your way around the site and find the perfect tote to start off the new semester all in time for those wonderfully priced, totally necessary school books.

But while ShopStyle has a large selection, it’s not the only site out there of its kind.
The competition?

Glimpse.com

Glimpse offers a very large selection of styles and brands, but most importantly, they offer a much larger price variety than other sites. Instead of merely directing shoppers to Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Ralph Lauren (like ShopStyle), Glimpse works with other web-shopping sites and mega stores, like Target and Forever 21. That means that everyone – from the girl looking for something under $20 (most fairly priced bags start at $19!) to the girl with $500 to blow – can find what they’re looking for in one easy-to-navigate place.

And the more moderately priced stuff is not cheap, reusable shopping bags. This is good stuff. I just found a Betsey Johnson Eco Tote in Green Poppin on the site for only $19.95! And then I found a Stephane Verdino Extra-Large Patent Tote for $775 (from Saks). Hey, if you got it like that, you can have whatever you like.

So… Which site is better?

What I love most about these two websites is how they allow you customize your search right down to the maximum you want to spend. You can select the brand, the store, the size, the color, the shape, everything. I love it.

And best of all, you can use these sites for all your shopping needs: shoes, totes, jeans, sweaters, tunics, accessories, and even guy stuff! Sites like this have totally revolutionized shopping and made it simple for all of us to see a wide selection at the best price. Without having to go anywhere!

Honestly, I’d recommend using either. Or both.
What? A girl can never shop too much.

Now that I’m back in school and broke thanks to a few trips to the bookstore, saving money is more essential than ever. But so is a brand new fall wardrobe!

Luckily, American Eagle is a great stop for super comfy weekend/gym/off-to-class clothes on the cheap. There are always awesome deals to be had, and here are just a few of my favorite things.

I love the look of this preppy, college-y sweater. It just makes me want to grab a book and some coffee and spend the afternoon studying in the quad.  But more realistically, it’s perfect for those fall days, especially with a pair of skinny jeans and flats, Keds or Chuck Taylors.

I’m a fan of oversized sunglasses (and use them year round), and I especially love ‘em when they’re under $20. These are on clearance for $14.95, which means it’s not the end of the world if you smush them under a pile of books in your haste to get out of lecture.

Sweatpants are normally not acceptable daytime attire for anyone, but there are exceptions to that rule and these pants are definitely an exception. Not only are they fitted, but the detail around the ankle dresses them up a bit and sets them apart from those torn up boys’ sweats you wear around the dorm.

This skirt is adorable and goes perfectly with a simple tee, some flats or even tights & boots when it gets a little cooler.

Wear it under a cardigan, a boyfriend blazer or on its own – this simple tee is cute, comfy and a great way to make a statement.

Polos are another cute, comfy and easy option and I am diggin’ the rugby stripes (and color selection) of this one.

I find boy shorts to be some of the most comfy and flattering style of undies out there; you can be wedgie free but still totally sexy. And with the $4.95 price tag, you can easily afford a few pairs.

This tote is big and roomie and perfect to carry around campus or to the gym. If you’re not feelin’ the green, they have a couple other colors to choose from.

[We all live busy lives: we go to school or work (or sometimes both), we try to keep our lives in order and, on top of everything else, we try to maintain a social life.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when you’re running here, there and everywhere, and in the process of it all, still trying to look cute.  On a weekly basis, I will be posting a guide for an outfit that looks super cute and casual during the day, but you can easily rock out at night with a few accessory additions and/or a change of shoes.  And maybe, just maybe, it’ll help ease the stress of life a little bit because, hey, when we look good, we feel good, right?]

This weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season and that means cool ice cream treats, hot days, hotter boys and less clothing.  I figured that in honor of Memorial Day, I’d do a Day-to-Night Style that can easily be worn from a picnic in the park to a night bar-hopping with your buds, all with a few key extras you can store in your beach tote.

Because why should you sacrifice quality daylight hours to go home and do a complete wardrobe change? The summer only lasts so long and we gotta make sure we get the most out of it.

For Day:
Denim shorts are always cute (OK, maybe not always, but they are now, so embrace them!). I love the wash and cuff on these. They are light, summery, and can go easily from daytime style to night time chic.

A flowy tank in a bright color (like a fun sunshine yellow) tops off the look nicely, while also bringing out that gorgeous tan you are definitely going to get.

A pair of flat white sandals are the perfect, versatile summer shoe. Comfy as a flip flop, but so. much. cuter.

Wear some silver hoops with a twist and you’re good to go. (PS: Please not that these earrings are from the most amazing web find ever: 2dollarjewelry.com. Yes, everything on there really only costs $2!)

For Night:
As the day wraps up and it’s time to go into party mode, there’s no need to fret; just change your shoes and your jewelry, add a wrap cardigan and you’ll be sittin’ (or dancing) pretty. Really pretty.

Swap those summer flats for a pair of white hot wedges. You still have the casual, summer vibe going, but the added height will make your legs look oh-so-hot in those shorts.

Add a little oomph with a few accessories. My recommendation: turquoise jewelry. The pop of color perfectly compliments yellow & white and really adds a bold statement.

The nights can still get a bit chilly, so don’t forget your cardigan. And don’t worry about lookin’ sloppy; a loose cardigan over a blousey top looks incredibly chic and will draw everyone’s attention to those long legs of yours.

With an outfit this hot, you won’t need the sun; you’ll be puttin’ off enough heat yourself. Have fun!

[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.]

While I do not have the $1,200 plus sales tax it would take to bring this bag home with me, I would do just about anything to get my paws on this new bag from Coach.

It has all the elements that make a Coach bag: the buttery leather, the quality construction, and the design that just screams classy. Only it’s better. There is no cheesy “C” print screaming “I BOUGHT THIS AT COACH!” and it is absolutely chic. This is the kind of bag that makes a statement. Hell, this is the kind of bag that makes an outfit. I could leave the house in jeans and a wife beater and look instantly glamorous by throwing this over my shoulder. In fact, maybe I should just sell everything else I own to get it. I don’t need 14 pairs of jeans anyway…

Ugh. I feel the same way about this tote that I do about Jason Segal: I would cut a bitch just to get it. Sigh.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

So you’re gearing up to go home for Thankgiving. I get it – no one likes to travel in jeans. We all know that it is just flat out uncomfortable. But it seems that chicks nationwide think that just because you aren’t wearing jeans, you have full permission to wear the sloppiest, messiest, not-a-stich of pulled togetherness, look for the airport. I would venture to say that airport security has probably seen some of the WORST looking ‘fits of all time.

I’m here to tell you that just because you aren’t looking your BEST doesn’t mean everyone needs to see you at your WORST. I know I’ve gone through the airport numerous times looking like I just spent the night bonding with the toilet bowl, but it is possible to be comfortable and cute. \

Remember, it is Thanksgiving after all, which means most people are headed home, and you’ll want to be thankful that you look and feel good when you run into your 7th grade crush in the airport. So stick with me… and these leading celebs who have created the new unofficial airport uniform

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Leather, Leggings and Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton Optional).

Black Leggings:

These ones have buttons on the bottom, which will be great for Wednesday night at the bar with pumps or booties. But for now, tuck those bad boys into your boots.

Black Jacket

I’ve featured this leather one before — any leather (or faux leather) bomber will work. If you aren’t into leather (real or fake) this cute black jacket is also a great option.

Or, you can add a pop of color:

Steven Madden Boots

In leather or patent leather – you will look super hot, and this boot is easy to slip on and off at the airport, too.

Retro Black Shades

For when you don’t want to be recognized by your 7th grade crush when you see he is at the airport with his 7th grade girlfriend- who is now his not-so-7th grade fiance…

Longsleeve Burnout Top

Comfy without being boxy, and low-cut enough to give you a little sex appeal.

Sweater/Scarf/Wrap

Functional and fashionable: wear it in the airport and use it as a blanket on the plane.

Big Tote

Throw your life (books to prep for finals and magazines to avoid prepping for finals) in it, throw it over your shoulder and gooo.

Rolling Suitcase

LOVE this bag.

Oh, and leave the cigarettes at home; that is definitely not chic.

In high school, I went through the, “I’m too cool for a backpack” phase and I carried my books everywhere, stopping at my locker in between every class. But that wasn’t really feasible in college. Walking across campus to class, it was impossible to juggle my books, laptop, cell phone, snacks, Venti Latte and various other staples.

Unable to carry it all – and completely unwilling to pick up another LL Bean monstrsity – I needed something cute and functional.

I searched high and low. The good news is: there are tons of cute bags out there. The bad news is: I bought them all.

5 Hot Bags For College:

1) Kate Spade Belle Meade Cana Tote- Kate Spade will have you actually feeling excited to gather your books and head to class. The Belle Meade Cana Tote is made from tumbled cowhide, which pretty much just sounds awesomely luxurious. Of course, the tote packs a pretty price tag at $425, so you may not be able to afford your books after purchasing it. But hey, you can always throw in a few sheets of loose-leaf paper and borrow a pen from the kid who sits next to you. This tote is worth it.

Image from katespade.com

2) LeSportsac Travel Tote- The travel tote by LeSportsac is sure to fit all your books. And look at all the fun patterns you can choose from! My friend’s classmate told her that her LeSportsac tote kept him from getting bored in class because it was so fun to look at. So, the tote is multifunctional- carry your books,prevent boredom…and flirt with boys! And for $88, I would say that’s worth it. Plus, the bags are made with nylon, so they are completely durable and washable, which will be necessary after carrying it around to all those classes you’ll be attending.

Image from lesportsac.com

3) Lacoste New Classic Horizontal Shopping Bag- This is another extremely cute and durable bag that is just perfect for your textbooks. If you’re feeling super preppy, you can even match your polo shirt to the bag. Trendy, classic, and always stylish, I love Lacoste. At only $140, I’d say it’s a steal…especially for this brand.

Image from top-selling-brands.com

4) Guess Sorority Tote- It’s called the sorority tote, so you obviously need to get this one if you’re in, or are planning on joining, a sorority. It’s not exactly discrete with its shiny leather finish, but since when have you ever wanted to be discrete? Guess is always pretty affordable and stylish and this tote is only $85; not even close to the fees you’ll be paying for your sorority membership.

Image from Guess.com

5) North Face Jester Backpack- Sometimes backpacks are the most convenient for carrying books to class. They can comfortably hold all your books and have multiple purposes, like bringing on weekend camping trips, or toting beer to a frat house party (What? Not like I’ve ever done that!). But if you’re going to carry a backpack, it needs to be a fashionable one. And, please be extra careful if you take public transportation. There’s nothing worse than a clueless backpack carrier on the train, swinging that thing loaded with biology books back and forth. My favorite backpack is the Jester from North Face. It’s only $49 and is much cooler than that old LL Bean business.

I found shorts to ride up, leaving me constantly trying to pick a wedgie when no one was looking (yet someone always managed to see). And let’s face it- unless you have legs like Gisele Bundchen walking around on a summer day can be more than quite uncomfortable in a pair of short shorts.

But these past few season’s shorts have been unavoidable. They have been everywhere and they have been CUTE. With heels? Cute. With sandals? Also cute!

Much like that annoying tag-along friend of yours, shorts have found their way into every occasion. From bars to the beach shorts have become appropriate (and trendy) attire.

So it would only be appropriate that before it gets too cold (although I’m sure some freshman girl will be wearing them to the bar- in January- with no coat and you will obviously spend at least five mintues talking about how ridiculous she looks before you realize that you did that too) that I bring you:

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: YOU Wear Short Shorts!

High Waisted jean shorts- High-waisted shorts make your legs look like they go on forever. Not to mention these are so super affordable! So ladies- start NAIR-ing! (Seriously when was the last time you thought about Nair?!)

White button down shirt from the Gap- this also comes in honeysuckle yellow, which I think could be adorable with the shade of the jean shorts. But nevertheless, a good button down is a wardrobe essential. Throw a cami under it and roll up those sleeves.

I know this isn’t in Rhianna’s look, but with September approaching you may need a cute sweater to throw on, in which case I propose this boyfriend cardigan. Leave it unbuttoned for a casual look or button it up and throw a belt around it to keep it more pulled together.

Tote bag- You love me ladies because I always have you in mind! Not only did I find this cute (and cheap!) distressed black tote, but I found another option that is great for all you class-going gals… a fabulous looking black tote that is made for dragging your computer along, too. Holl-er.

Navy Patent Flats. Navy is THE color to have. Okay I know I said last week that Purple is THE color to have. And it is… but so is navy. It’s all about navy’s and purple’s…and patent. And these patent flats are so fab I maaaay just have to order them in Navy. And in yellow. And in gray. (Which are also THE colors to have. Oops.)

Bangles. Throw on what you have or try these adorable enamel big bangles or these small ones from Old Navy. Mix and match- just throw a bunch on and get to class!

Sunglasses. Sure everyone says big sunglasses make you look like a bug, but who cares when they are so cute? Besides, you will need something to hide that hangover from when you decided to hit the bars instead of the books last night… I love these because they are two toned black and green. I also love them because they are cheap. Sold.

What’s so great about this shorts trend is that it’s so easy to take your look from work/class to the beach and then out… take off the button down and flats, throw on a ruffled tank and a pair of wedges and please don’t stop the music!!