I’m not even five months out of college, and the word “adult” seems to have taken on an entirely new meaning. It appears that the idea of being an adult is boggling post-grads, such as myself, night and day – even over mundane things. Facebook status updates don’t lie, especially when recent grads are excited to update the world about their climb into adulthood:

“I just cooked dinner for myself, and I didn’t even wish it was dining hall food.”
“I’m paying my bills on time this month – like a real adult!”
“I’m turning into my mother now that I’m out of college.”
“How adult of me! I went to a job interview!”

I can’t lie; I’m guilty of putting this idea of being an adult on some kind of pedestal. In fact, if my vocabulary was monitored like songs played on iTunes, it definitely would have the phrase “how adult of me” or just the word “adult” on the top of the charts. Here I am, dabbling with my big toe (not even my whole foot) into whatever adulthood really is, and I’m making a big stink about it.

For example, when I wear heels to my internship (hello – it’s not even a job!), I check myself out in the elevator door reflection and think to myself “How fashionably adult of you.” Funny enough, when I take the heels off after a long red carpet outing, I make fun of my old-college self, “Oh look at you, switching into your trusty Rainbows – the ones that accompanied you to nearly every class senior year.”

And trust me; you don’t even want to hear my adult-o-meter going off when I do household things, especially cooking. Whenever I make dinner for myself, I toot my horn like I just climbed the Mt. Everest of Italian cooking. In fact, I get so worked up over being this LSAT student by day, intern by choice, and wannabe chef by night, I spend hours searching for new recipes and I make out grocery lists ahead of time, so I can continue to evolve into a ‘real’ adult in the kitchen. Read More »

Look, I love the denim/chambray shirt as much as the next person who inhales everything the fashion magazines offer up, but sometimes I feel a little bit like one of the characters from Hey Dude when I try to pull it off with a pair of jeans.

So how do I get my chambray on without rocking the denim tuxedo?
Two words: denim dress.

The denim dress is a fashionable and versatile wardrobe addition. First, it’s a great way to get out of those jeans (that may or may not be giving you muffin top) but still enjoy one of the biggest trends of the season. Second, it’s the ultimate transition piece to take you from summer to fall. Pair it with some wedges or flat sandals now and in two months, rock some tights and a chunky cardigan (or leather coat!) and you’re good to go.

Plus, we all know that dresses in general are the bomb.com because there is so much less thought needed to look cute and put together, and the denim dress is no exception. Throw one on, add cute shoes and a bag and – boom! – you = SO FREAKIN CUTE! Need some help finding the perfect denim frock? I’ve got 8 fun and flattering options right here. No, you don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing my job! Read More »

In the world of shopping right now, it is a very in between time. It’s still so humid that your hair is poofy and your face is dripping with sweat, so the thought of wearing anything warmer than a cotton camisole is non-existent. But at the same time, you know it’s silly to buy said cotton camisole-esque ensembles (or other summery ‘fits) because before you know it, leather jackets, wool sweaters, knit caps and boots will be your daily staples.

But thanks to major sales (and a deep and unwavering love for summer clothes) you still want to buy those fun, summery dresses! They’re so cute and frilly and light and cute! AND ON SALE. And you do have a few more bonfires/summer parties to attend before the heat lifts and you’re back at school, running to class in a pair of jeans and a cardigan.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can! And you don’t even need to feel guilty about it. Here are 7 great options that can be worn with open toed wedges, flip flops and gladiator sandals now, then paired with opaque tights, leggings, boots or close-toed pumps later. Throw a leather jacket over them for some edge, add texture with a scarf and even a fabulous white dress can be made to look fall ready (paired with thick black tights, patent toe pumps and a leather jacket or black velvet blazer- so crisp, so fall).

So even though you don’t want to even THINK about fall (unless you’re thinking about how you’re going to decorate your new digs) you can wear these fab dresses for Welcome Week and know full well you can rock them into November!

Clockwise: Forever 21, $15,80; Forever 21, $29.80; Delia’s, $34.50;  Mod Cloth, $44.99; Victoria’s Secret, $49; Nordstrom, $48; Old Navy, $29.50

After the novelty of college graduation (and all the great gifts that came with it) wore off, I spent a year crying myself to sleep. And I’m not exaggerating. While being done with school after 16 years was pretty liberating, not knowing what was coming next scared the sh*t out of me. And the fact that no one ever warned me how difficult being an adult would be made things a whole lot harder.

I went through a lot that first year – looking for a job, moving to a new city, ending a long relationship, and learning how to care for myself, to name a few – all by myself and now feel that I have the experience and knowledge to advise others on the transition. Because it’s a hard one and every college grad should know that they are not alone. Come back every week for another nugget of information to help you survive in the big, bad world.

My commencement speaker, like most commencement speakers, spent 25 minutes telling my graduating class about the endless possibilities in the real world. He spoke of our bright futures, giving back, and making the world a better place.  The speech was inspiring, but now that I’m on the other side of the cap and gown, I wish he had gone in another direction.

Perhaps he could have taken a more realistic approach and warned us of how hard that first year after college was going to be. And that it was OK to be really, really unhappy.

When you’re a college senior, life after college seems like a glamorous world filled with an awesome new job, an awesome new city, and a bright, successful future. You see all those people who graduated before you living it up and enjoying their new place in the real world.

The reality, though, isn’t quite so bright and cheery. The truth: that first year out of college isn’t always so easy. In fact, it’s pretty sh*tty. Read More »

After the novelty of college graduation (and all the great gifts that came with it) wore off, I spent a year crying myself to sleep. And I’m not exaggerating. While being done with school after 16 years was pretty liberating, not knowing what was coming next scared the sh*t out of me. And the fact that no one ever warned me how difficult being an adult would be made things a whole lot harder.

I went through a lot that first year – looking for a job, moving to a new city, ending a long relationship, and learning how to care for myself, to name a few – all by myself and now feel that I have the experience and knowledge to advise others on the transition. Because it’s a hard one and every college grad should know that they are not alone. Come back every week for another nugget of information to help you survive in the big, bad world.

The hardest part of graduating college is not the fact that your friends are now spread all over the country. It is not the fact that you can no longer party 6 nights a week with $1 pitchers. It isn’t even the whole “getting a job” thing (even now).

The hardest part is having no freaking clue how to do anything. Read More »

[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.]

Spring, especially in late April and early May, is one of those tricky seasons where you don’t quite know what to wear besides your winter wardrobe minus your coat and plus flip flops. This is just the time when you need some cute new additions to brighten up your wardrobe, which is exactly what the Abstract Banded Back Top from Forever 21 will do!

The top is sleeveless, so it can be worn with a cropped cardigan right now, or on its own this summer. It’s full of bright colors and a cool design, so it’s the easiest way to add a little pizazz to that drab wardrobe leftover from winter. And the coolest part about this top? The back! It’s cut out like a racer back, but the strap from the neck to the back is actually an elastic band, so it’s totally adjustable. Classy for class but cleavage for Friday night? Sounds like a plan to me.

Of course, since the top happens to be from Forever 21, it comes at a fabulous price tag: only $20! And that is exactly why I’m running out to get one right now.

Forever 21, I love you!