Anyone who reads my columns knows that I’m a girly-girl. Pink bows, fluffy teddy bears – the whole nine yards of girly. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found the Tool Leather Lady Bag by Kimchi Blue. Not only is it made of PINK leather, it’s embossed with dainty florals AND has the words “lady” in the name. SOLD!

The embossed leather on this purse is just divine. It’s a unique touch and also makes the bag look like it’s made of brocade from a distance. The top flap is croc-embossed brown leather, which provides a super interesting contrast with the pink. There are two carrying options for this purse: the top-handle or the adjustable shoulder strap, both in pink leather. The handles are actually reinforced, so don’t worry about busting them off. The bag is standard satchel-size, at 11′ L x 10′ H x 3.25′ D. It has a nice, boxy shape and sturdy build to hold the classic “satchel” shape no matter what you stuff it with.

As for storage, the back actually has a zip pocket, which I find perfect for a cell phone and lipgloss. You know, things you want to grab quickly! The interior is fully-lined, with one back zip-pocket and a few organizer slip pockets. Is it just me or does this seem to be pretty standard for purses now? Anyways, it’s always better to have too many pockets than not enough!

I can imagine this bag being worn by a few different types of women. Firstly, a business gal, dressed in a cream blouse with a pussybow at the neck and wide, flared dress pants. The satchel shape is work-friendly but also shows her playful side. This bag would also look divine on a student, wearing a plaid button-down, her fave skinny jeans and a pair of moto boots. Lastly, what about a girl out for the evening in a LBD!

If you’re any of the above, or have fallen hard for the Kimchi Blue Tooled Leather Lady Bag like me, it’s on sale right now at Urban Outfitters for just under $70!.

Urban Outfitters is popular for their stylish clothes, fun accessories and quirky home decor, but their prices aren’t always college-student friendly. But luckily for all of us on a budget, Urban Outfitters happens to have a great sale section. Unlike some sites, where the sale section consists mostly of unpopular sizes and pieces, Urban Outfitter’s sale section has a great selection and great prices.

Don’t believe me? Check out these great pieces that are currently on sale and Urban Outfitters for less than $20!

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I’m going to be honest with you — my first thought after watching that Shopaholic film was ‘so this means if I got a credit card, I could have amazing clothes like that too?’

Definitely not the point, as every person I shared my revelation with was quick to point out. But what’s a shopaholic on a limited budget to do? Figure out how to do it on the cheap!  I’ve rounded up some less expensive alternatives to those pricey stores we all love in hopes that we can look super trendy, without being super broke.

Click on the photo to see the next slide

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Facebook gets ROASTED

Facebook. Twitter. Urban Outfitters.

These three websites are, hands down, the most clicked bookmarks on my Safari page. Like most people, I have my allotted time throughout the day where I routinely check my Facebook News Feed and update my Twitter. It is almost automatic that I then click to Urban and check out what’s new on sale. And then buy it all. Woops?

Online shopping has become almost a hobby as it is almost too convenient to scroll through an entire store, easily click the size you want for a cute shirt and have it shipped in a few days. Yet in a world where there’s an unlimited amount of online stores to shop at, how do you know which ones to skip over and which ones are worth looking at? Leave it to me to tell you the websites with the best sales, free shipping, and cutest clothes!

Behold: the holy grail of online shopping.

If you’re a committed shopper like myself, these websites will change the way you shop forever. You won’t regret reading this…or signing up for those annoying mailing lists (which WON’T be annoying with all those sales you’ll hear about.)

Happy shopping!

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Tweed might make you think of a stereotypical professor - the old man (who doesn’t know how to use email) with elbow patches on the tweed blazer he wears every single day, the one that looks like he’s wearing since he started teaching 30 odd years ago. Well throw this image out the window, because tweed is a gorgeous fabric that should be in every college girl’s (and guy’s for that matter) wardrobe.

This gorgeous textured fabric is perfect for fall, especially for the college girls. It’s a thicker fabric that will keep you warm. It comes in several neutral shades, making it the perfect compliment to your rich colored tops. And while the tweed blazer is always a classic, if you feel too stuffy in one, there are many alternatives to work it into your wardrobe. Think winter shorts, dresses, bags, and even the knee-high socks that are so popular this season.

So forget about Professor Boring McTweed and embrace the new tweed of 2010.

[Click the image for all the shopping info!]

Leather is one of the biggest fabrics for fall 2010.  It is also one of the easiest to embrace because EVERYTHING can be made in leather: bags, shoes, leggings, shorts, jackets, skirts…the list goes on.  And I love it all. Leather is sexy. It’s edgy. And it makes everything look cool.

Leather items are almost magical in their ability to transform an outfit. Just add one leather piece and you’ve got an entirely new look. Pair your favorite floral dress with a structured leather belt or a moto-jacket and you’ve got a totally different style. Or add some edgy, buckled boots to a pair of skinny jeans and your favorite camisol from last season and – bam! – your look in updated. (That being said, make sure not to go overboard; you want to look edgy, not like a member of Hell’s Angels.)

Even those opposed to wearing leather (or meat dresses….) can get in on the trend, as many designers and chains are offering up a variety of faux (and fabulous) leather pieces. Seriously, there is something for everyone, and you should definitely get out there and take advantage. Not sure where to start? Here are 15 awesome options to choose from.

[Click on each image to get all the info.]

When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges:

1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it).
2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential.  And that’s why I’m bringing back the Shop Your Closet series. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.  With the growing popularity of 6 Items or Less it can’t be that difficult to remix one item, right?

My favorite clothing item this fall is the utilitarian military jacket.  Originally popular in the grunge era known as the ’90s, a utilitarian jacket in your closet is not only on-trend, but necessary. The military jacket – thanks to its neutral color and shape – is incredibly practical and versatile.  There are very few things that can’t be worn with one and its the easiest way to completely re-style the staples that are already in your closet. Check out Who What Wear to see how the celebs are embracing the army jacket.

Look 1:

Jacket, Dress, Shoes, Bag.

Add edge to a sweet dress with a military jacket.  The toughness of the jacket juxtaposed with the femininity of the dress are the perfect contrast.  As this dress is fairly simple, the studded detail on the shoes add some visual interest along with the pop of color.  This is an easy everyday look, as the jacket makes the overall feel of the outfit more casual.  Add a contrasting shoulder bag to incorporate even more color (and fun!) into your look.

Look 2:

Jacket, Top, Jeans, Sandals.

Instead of throwing a cardigan or boyfriend blazer over a feminine top and jeans, try the utilitarian jacket for a completely different feel.  If you’re heading to a bonfire party or football game, the base of this look is very cute and feminine (and similar components are already hanging in your closet), while the jacket adds an hint of ease and a masculine spin.

Look 3:

Jacket, Top, Cardigan, Belt, Leggings, Boots.

After spotting Oliva Palermo’s military-inspired look, I just had to recreate it. Belting an army jacket tones done the masculine feel as it draws attention to your feminine figure. A ruffled top (or even just a graphic tee) under a longer cardigan is a cute and comfy way to layer under the jacket and make the look a little more personal.  Leggings that mimic leather (standard leggings work too!) worn with over-the-knee boots is a perfect and chic way to finish this outfit.

You’ve got your mattress cover, your mini-fridge, your XL twin sheets, and lots of garbage bags, but there is a whole category of dorm room essentials you are skipping out on.  DORMWEAR.  Because, if you’re like me, no matter how hard you try and fight the stereotypical college student walking round in pajamas and sweats thang, there are times you will break down.

I by no means encourage you to wear your sweats and pajamas out in public EVER, but a dorm is a whole other realm of the world.  Having cozy loungewear comes in handy when you want to fist-pump with the rest of your floor while catching the newest Jersey Shore episode.  It’s also handy when you need to do the L in GTL – because everything else you own is stuffed inside that hamper.

But don’t be fooled. Just because you’re lounging doesn’t mean you need to look like a slob. There are so many cute and cozy items out there for you to lounge around in.

And they’re perfect for sleepy time, too. If you’re sharing a bedroom, the person 10-feet away from you will appreciate you wearing pajamas to bed.  And if you’re a sleep-in-a-shirt and underwear kind of girl, try keeping a few of these pieces near your bed in case someone pulls the fire alarm in the middle of the night.  You’ll thank me for this advice later.  Trust me.