Winter gets a bad rap. Granted it does have its flaws: blizzards, Uggs, perpetual runny noses, and pale skin complexions. These negatives aside, there are so many wonderful wonders to winter: pets in sweaters, hot chocolate, Christmas trees, Hanukah bushes, and many, many other holiday treats! Below are 25 of the best things about winter, from December to February! Read More »

I have an extremely surprising and shocking announcement for all of you: I hate UGGs.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’ve decided to counter these hideous slippers (yea guys, they’re slippers not boots) with 10 boots for under $200. Today’s retail price of a pair of UGGs is between $150-$180 (for the traditional UGG Australia brand UGGs), so it’s not like I’m asking you to hand over a ton more cash than you already would have.

Below are ten cankle-free, stylish alternatives to the UGG! Read More »

When winter hits and turns us all into grumpy, snow-man looking students, know you have an alternative to the traditional college girl uniform — North Face fleece, Uggs, leggings, ear muffs, fuzzy gloves, and frozen tears. You know what I’m talking about.

While Arctic temperatures might not make you want to look put together 24/7, know these coats will do the trick when it comes to keeping warm and fashionable… Read More »

It’s always a treat to find some hidden treasure in the back of your mom’s closet. What’s (arguably) better is finding old photos that make you stop and ask, “you seriously wore that?!” Believe it or not, your daughter will one day be asking you the same thing. Here’s what I think she’ll be pointing to…

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Big mistake. Huge.

So I was flipping through some old Facebook albums the other day (you know the ones people label THROWBACKS! OLDSCHOOL! And OMG WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! ) when in between fits of hysterical laughter, I started to catch sight of what I actually looked like. And all I can say is, seriously? I mean, seriously? I know I was young and naïve, but I don’t remember being that naïve.

Unstyled hair.
Poorly applied makeup.
And terrible, terrible fashion choices.

But the thing is, I wasn’t alone in these choices. No, they were all the rage once upon a time. Don’t pretend you didn’t think you were so cool with your Victoria’s Secret PINK sweatpants and ponchos (hopefully not worn together). I know you were right there with me, doing the sideways look in the mirror, thinking you looked so good. But really, none of us had any no clue what we were doing. And now years later, as seasoned fashionistas, we can look back on these fashion disasters and laugh.

Or cry. Whichever you prefer, really.

10. The original Ugg Boot. I already know people are going to rage against this one, but Uggs are not attractive. They’re just not. Comfortable? Yes. Warm? Yes. But not attractive. And although they’re still around today, worn on those rainy/snowy/slushy/extra cold days when nothing else seems quite as appropriate, I will forever think of my high school years as the Uggs-with-skirts years. And those are some very bad years.

9. The Messy Bun. Flip your head over. Compile all of your hair into a ball atop your head. Wrap a hair tie around it. Styling complete. It’s still worn today, but at least in college we can admit that it’s not so much attractive as it is convenient… Read More »

Your favorite pair of shoes might be wreaking havoc on your body, and you don’t even know it. If you’re anything like me, you live in your UGGs once fall rolls around and don’t stop wearing them until skirt season shows up on the calendar.

It might be time to kick them to the curb, as studies have shown the harmful effects of repeated wear of UGG and sheepskin boots. Among the health risks are foot fungus, flat feet, ankle deformities and the development of back problems (Not to mention feeling horrible about yourself every time a guy makes fun of Uggs). If these risks sound like the overinflated precautions repeated after prescription drug commercials that should be shrugged off – -think again.

Foot fungus, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, disgusting whatever you call it, is caused from fungi which grown in warm and moist environments. Enter your beloved UGG boots. Whether your wear them with socks or barefoot, by the end of a busy day running around, those things can be pretty gross. Read More »

[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like the college Rachel Zoe (sans baby bump). Have you checked them out yet?!]

For girls who live or go to school in snowy states, winter provides some unique fashion challenges. One of the biggest dilemmas we face has got to be finding fashionable footwear that keeps us toasty, dry, and slip-free.

Leather and suede styles require some extra TLC for winter conditions and aren’t as durable or practical as other styles. Rain boots and wellingtons are adorable and help to keep you from falling, but generally aren’t particularly warm, even with a thick sock. And, while the fashion-vs-function debate on Ugg boots rages on, even Ugg lovers have to admit that few things are worse than dealing with soggy sheepskin lining on an especially snowy or slushy day. Read More »

I’ll never forget the year that Uggs first became popular, also known as the year that everyone on campus started to look like the science school had cloned humans. Maybe you remember the trend from bottom to top: It started with the tan (salt-stained) Uggs, and the black leggings, and the oversized shirt-dress. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. After spending many winters with snow stuffed sneakers resisting the Ugg-ly movement, it’s time to praise a boot that dared to be different.

This must be the first winter boot I’ve seen that doesn’t look like the offspring of the Ugg, not even it’s second cousin twice removed. The Women’s Bayshore Tall Boot from Sperry Top-Sider is from another family entirely.  (Yup! Sperry’s aren’t just for East Coast LAX boys anymore!) If you don’t want to keep confusing your boots with your roommate’s on the way out the door, you definitely need these.

The genius behind these boots is that THEY LACE UP. Who would have thought that not every person’s calf is one-size fits all when it comes to boots? Well Sperry Top-Sider thought of it. Nothing is worse then buying a pair of boots just to realize you have to buy a bunch of new skinny-leg jeans just to fit them in your boots, and the only thing worse than that is soaking-wet jeans because your campus refuses to shovel properly. And when you see that set of stairs that’s still caked with snow 3 days after a snowstorm, you can skip down them confidently with the awesome tracking on these bad boys. These will save you a lot of butt-bruises, broken laptops and humiliation- trust me.

The black is definitely my favorite, and the trimming of fur on the top is a nice touch instead of knowing you have a bunch hidden inside your boot that no one can actually see. And no worries, animal lovers – the genuine shearling is made from pelt, which means the fur is simply shaved from the sheep. No harm done! Read More »

College introduced me to my best friends (who ended up not being my best friends senior year, but oh well), girls that compulsively wore Uggs and North Face jackets to class, stereotypes unknown in high school (hello frat boys), frenemes, coffee buddies, and classroom peers, and a few boys I wish I never met. Being in a university setting provides students with an ongoing fodder of new people – all from different walks of life. And through these chance meetings, you will meet someone (or many ones) that will truly impact your life.

I certainly did. Looking back on the last four years of my life, a lot of specific friends stick with me, along with a few classes and certain professors. However, one person truly means the most to me and that is my boyfriend of over two years. We met our first year of college (and couldn’t stand each other…), but near the end of our sophomore year, we both realized something was there. From that point on, we were inseparable.

Until now. Now, we’re in a long distance relationship (me in California, him in St. Louis, MO). I never thought I would be one of those long distance kinda girls, but with him, I’d rather be in a long distance relationship than to not have him in my life. Not only is he my best friend, but he truly is the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. But I’m not going to lie – it’s hard going from being so close to each other to being so far apart (we’re nearly two thousand miles away from each other).

Read More »

Every (dreadful) Monday, I write a list. Definitely not a to-do list (because it’s not satisfying checking “browse J.Crew’s website” and “Re-watch every episode of Rachel Zoe” off a list) and not “that list” (because I haven’t added to that list… in forever). No, my lists are more about whatever is relevant and weighing heavy on the CollegeCandy readers’ minds (or just mine) right now. Like scarves and jeans and jackets….

The first day of fall came only a week ago and I’ve already stuffed all my shorts into a duffel and shoved them under my bed. Nothing, I tell you, nothing (okay, other than Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes), is more enticing about fall than the clothing choices. I mean, where to start? Sweater dresses, boots, comfy jeans? I couldn’t be storing my sundresses and gladiator sandals faster if I tried.

And try I did.

However, as I page through magazines and scroll through my Google reader, I can’t help but notice some of the heinous fall trends popping up that can’t end sooner. Here’s the rundown of what needs to go.

10. Open toed booties
Seriously, what is up with that? Isn’t the point of a boot to keep your foot warm? Why would you make a boot peeptoe? Unattractive and unnecessary.

9. Button Down Plaid Shirts
I thought these died with Kurt Cobain. Why are they still being worn? Enough. Read More »