8 Under $20: Leopard Accessories

Animal prints have been hot for the last few seasons, but leopard prints are especially huge this season.  However, this trend can be tricky to pull off–too much and you’ll just end up looking trashy. Or like Snooki. Or worse, Angelina.

The important thing to remember about rocking the leopard print trend is that less is more.  Wear just one piece at a time, and you’ll look classy and trendy.  If you’re still unsure about wearing animal prints, a great way to start is with accessories.  They’re a great way to introduce yourself to the trend by working it in a subtle way.

Here are some great leopard accessories to get you started–and they’re all less than $20! Read More »


Fashion Porn: Rain Gear Orgy

I have a secret.

I love rain boots a little more than anyone my age probably should. However, I feel this love is justified – on top of being SUPER adorable, wellies also keep your feet dry, making them practical as well. Over the last few years, retailers have rolled out all sorts of fun, bright-colored, patterned boots for you to go dancing in the rain. They start relatively inexpensive for the hesitant puddle jumper, and quickly escalate in price, for those looking to invest in a pair of multi-seasonal boots.

While you might be seeing stars by the price of some of these boots, keep in mind, if you buy a pair of quality, 100% rubber boots they will not only last you a life time (Hunter’s, after all, were used during trench warfare in WWI), but when lined properly can take you to -10 (Celsius that is) weather.

With the quick approach of spring showers, wellies, joined by raincoats and umbrellas, are the perfect remedy for being able to stomp to class without looking like a drowned rat. With lots of fun patterns, styles and colors to choose from there’s plenty of ways to stay dry… in style.

Not to mention, you can always invite boys to stand under your super cute umbrella…

Read More »


Gossip Girl and More! My FAVE New Blog Trend.

gossip-girl-image.jpg

I would now like to share with you one of my favorite blogs. It’s very simple, nothing fancy, but somehow it manages to be the most awesome thing every Monday. This magical, mysterious blog?

Isgossipgirlnewtonight.com.

Guess what it’s about? Yep, that’s it! That’s literally it. Is Gossip Girl a new episode tonight? A one word answer, yes or no, and you can continue planning your Monday night. Go ahead – check it out. I know, it’s not THAT hard to find this info out yourself, but come on, who wants to navigate the CW website and get attacked by terrifying new-90210 ads? Not I, that’s for damn sure. It’s handy, it’s clear,  it serves its purpose and nothing more. Love. It. Read More »


Fashionably Techie: (For) All the Single Ladies

etsy.jpgSo, the world is awash in a sea of red and pink. There are hearts, roses, and tiny angels with bow & arrows everywhere. Sigh. Love.

If you’re like me then this time of year can be pretty lame. And SAD (that would be Singles Awareness Day). So instead of pining over the great romantic love that you’re not having, do what I’m doing and practice some self love. Spoil yourself!

Here’s my techie grab bag:

Something I Can Use: Although not exciting, if I give myself a gift, I want it to be something I can use. A day at the spa (or, more accurately on my budget, a spa-in-a-box) would be nice, but a new umbrella would be better. It’s cute and shiny. And blocks the rain. And it will make it oh-so-much easier for that perfect man to see me on that gray and dreary day.

Something That Sparkles: I like jewelry. And I’m a geek. Did you know there was a whole section of Etsy dedicated to the combination of those two things? That’s right, geek jewelry. I can’t actually decide what I want because it’s all so full of win. And since it’s Etsy it’s pretty much proven to be unique. Read More »


America’s Creepiest Family Band Wows Us With A Crappy Version of ‘Umbrella’

I don't know why, but over the past few months I've heard some seriously piss poor covers of Rihanna's 2007 Summer jam, "Umbrella." For some reason, reality show contestants have been bastardizing the popular ditty and dragging it to the place where all good music goes to die a painful, unfortunate death.

Last night's America's Got Talent contestants, The Taubl Family, played a haunting rendition of Umbrella...at least as haunting as a Christian Family band from Connecticut can get.

And how could we forget Coffey, a contestant from the latest season of Nashville Star. He dedicated the song to his daughter, a great sentiment, too bad it sucked so bad. He scats, he salutes, he beatboxes, he yells at the crowd and he does Lamaze style breathing into the microphone. Please people, watch at your own risk. You'll need an umbrella to protect yourself from the sh*tstorm that is his performance.

Word to any and all future reality show contestants: Back off Rihanna! Why don't I ever hear anyone covering Sisqo? The Thong Song won't remix itself people!


Plaid: Love Of My Life

plaid400×400.jpg

I. Love. Plaid.

I don’t know what it is about that winsome pattern, but I can’t get enough.

I suspect it has something to do with the years I spent looking at fashion magazines with my mother. Every September, from the time I was 11 until I was 17, my mom would come home with a copy of the Seventeen: Back To School issue. And we devoured that sh*t.

And for some reason, every September without fail, that magazine would be busting at the seams with plaid. Plaid dresses, plaid shirts, plaid fricking socks–is plaid in every fall? The answer, my friends, is yes.

I don’t read Seventeen’s Back to School issue anymore (although my mother still does), but plaid don’t fade and neither do my love.

So here, for your viewing pleasure, is the creme of the crop of this season’s fall plaids. Pair with otherwise simple pieces, a smile, and a nostalgia that time will never defeat. Ahhhh. Plaid. Read More »


PLEASE Change the Station: Songs You Hate to Love (or just hate)

ccmusic.PNG

You know how it is; you’re in the gym and, even though you’ve forgotten your iPod, the radio station that’s playing has a pretty good range of songs and you have a good beat going. Or maybe you’re in the car, driving along and blasting the stereo as high as it can go. Or maybe you’re not even moving. Maybe you’re just chilling in your room. But, inevitably, that one song some comes on.

You know precisely what I mean. THAT song. That song that you just can’t stand. That song that makes you want to storm out the room or change the station or maybe even kick the stereo system. It’s like nails on a chalkboard, and all you want is for it to end. Yet, you know all the words, even though you hate admitting that to yourself. Somewhere in the deep recesses of your brain – and you would never admit this to anybody – you want to sing along.

Everyone has their own flame list. This is mine.

10. Warrant – “Cherry Pie“: Why is a song about pedophilia and incest so popular? Why is it a classic? Why is the video so creepy? Why am I so awesome at this song on Guitar Hero? Questions that may never be answered.

9. Timbaland (feat. One Republic) – “Apologize“: This title is misleading, because the word “apologize” never once comes into the song. “Pologize” does come into the chorus pretty often. I think it may be a synonym for self-pollinating your garden. Read More »


Fashion Fix: Designer Rainboots

rainboots.jpgLiving in New York City, I’m the kind of girl who needs to carry my life around with me in one huge bag. I’m like Mary Poppins, if you need it I have it!

So if there’s one thing I know it’s come Fall weather, it’s super important to be prepared. This means a good (preferably long) sweater, a cute hat, an umbrella…and a pair of galoshes!

If you make like a Boy Scout you’ll never find yourself to be uncomfortable. Taking off layers is way better than shivering on the street corner, cursing your wet feet.

But here’s a question: why are people still buying designer rainboots? They are a huge waste of money, no matter how important you think being trendy is. It’s much easier (and easier on your wallet) to go to the shoe store–Payless works–and pick up a pair for $20.

A smarter fall splurge? A raincoat!

Picking the perfect jacket for the fall is way more important than picking out what goes on your feet…a coat is practically your outfit when the weather turns gray.

Why not buy something to last? Check out Burberry or Gucci or you just have to go the designer route, if not there are other more…eccentric jackets that will make you stand out from the masses this fall. Read More »


Mandy Moore Gets Herself an Umbrella

You know that Rihanna song you’ve been hearing all summer? The song which has spawned it’s own line of ridiculous rain gear? That song you want to hate but can’t quite deny the catchiness factor?

Well, someone else has reluctantly admitted it’s awesome.

Mandy Moore, one of those “normal” celebrities who doesn’t whore herself out or shove drugs down her throat, recently covered the pop hit of Summer 2007, doing it a cool, folky justice. Read More »


Your Very Own Um-bra-ella

rihanna umbrella

I remember the first time the heard “Umbrella”. I thought I might like it. Then I heard it again.

And again…and again.

Except, I was so late to jump on the Rihanna train that when I told people I had never heard the song back in June, I got more confused stares than I’m sure this next little tidbit of information will garner:

Rihanna has her own line of umbrellas. Because she has a song called “Umbrella”.

She will also probably get very rich off of all this.

Ranging in price from a reasonable $14.99 (on sale!) to a nauseating $50.00 (very much not on sale), these things aren’t even interesting! One has her name on it…another has a pink strip around the bottom. Which is cool, I guess.

Most of them remind me of the umbrellas you find in the back of the hall closet before you run out the door in the morning. Read More »