Fashion Porn: Hats & Sunglasses Get it On

There’s one thing that hats and sunglasses have in common that make them super sexy. What is it? The fact they protect you from the sun! Essentials for summer, these are not only functional, but they also add pizazz to your look.  Functional and stylish! What’s not to love?

This combination of accessories will take you from the beach, to the bar (just toss the shades in your bag!), and even on the morning walk home.  All your bases are covered as a hat will cover up your tousled bed beach hair and shades can help you avoid making eye contact with anyone throwing you judgmental looks.

With milliners such as Eugenia Kim designing hats for Target, there are many stylish options that won’t break the bank.  And as the uber-chic fedora is back in style, those fearful of the floppy J-Lo-esque hat have another choice.

There are so many chic shades and hats to choose from, you’ll find it hard to make a choice. So don’t! Just pick up a set for every day of the week.  Read More »


Budget Stylista: Business in the Front, Party in the Back!

Baby’s got back my friends. And by baby I mean the term of endearment I now use to call all of these amazingly sexy dresses. This summer, dresses with some sort of fun/sexy back detailing or cut-out are all over the place. Sure you might think that cleavage is where it’s at, but when you think about it these dresses make total sense.

Enter Exhibit A: You see cute guy at the bar, from the front you look put together, sophisticated and classy – the girl you can take home to mom. Then – BOOM – you turn around to walk away and there is one (sexy) party going on with your back. Va va va voom! Business in the front, party in the back doesn’t just apply to mullets anymore, ladies.

Here are some of my favorite options for summer and the back details mean you don’t need much else (except a great back workout!). A fun bracelet, a simple purse and shoe, and off you go. Oh, and the best part: Since you want to show off the back there’s no need to waste time straightening your hair in the humidity (we all know how that ends up). Just throw it back in a sleek bun or try a low side pony. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a simple ‘do to me. Read More »


Fashion Porn: Tie Dye Orgy

There are some things that you can’t get away with past college, but contrary to what some may believe, tie dye is not one of those things. It’s shown up on nearly every runway and celebrity this season, and unlike those tie dye tees you used to make at summer camp, it’s taken on a whole new level of fun sophistication.

Tie dye is perfect for spring: it’s fun, it’s colorful, it’s easy to create, it goes perfect with cut-off jean shorts and flip flops… And if you’ve become a recessionista, tie dye is easy to do yourself! Just gather some friends, each buy a different color and dip away! You an make everything from cute tanks to summer scarves! But if you’re lazy/not artfully inclined (I know my tie dye projects always come out looking like a hot brown mess….), there are plenty of already-made options to choose from.

[Click on each item to get all the deets.]

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8 Under $20: Summertime Hats

Since the first Kentucky Derby and my long time-span between showers, hats have really become this girl’s best friend. They block out the naughty rays of sun on a summer day, and make everyone look cute and trendy while doing so.  To top it off (pun intended) the spring-summer hat styles are making me melt in my desk chair. They. Are. To. Die. For.

I can see it now…strolling from my local coffee shop, latte in hand, fedora on head, bliss in fashion/local barista form. Bliss, eh? Whether or not you are prancing to your last final (with greasy hair) on a windy day or rolling out your beach mat for the first day on the beach front lawn – fall head over heels with this super cute summer hats, for cheap! Read More »


Wardrobe Wish List: Deena & Ozzy Canvas Menswear Tote

I have an unhealthy obsession with handbags, but then again who doesn’t? It just seems like no matter how many you have thrown in the closet, an outfit always manages to emerge requiring a clutch or hobo that you don’t own.

That bag for me at the moment is the Deena & Ozzy Canvas Menswear Tote from Urban Outfitters. I’ve already had a couple of warm weather ensembles that felt like they were missing something and the minute I laid eyes on this bag I knew it was just what I needed.

It reincarnates the lazy, romance of summer with its soft canvas material and adorable buckle strap closure. It reminds me of a student traveling abroad in a romantic European country. And I am ready to bring a little European romance into my totally average American life. The mix of details is genius; the classic canvas tote is updated with a rustic flare from the buckled closure and soft leather detailing.

And the bag is so versatile that you can choose to channel certain details to complete an outfit.

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Fashion Porn: Wedge Orgy

Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend, obviously never tried to walk in 4-inch heels – if they had, they’d know that a woman’s real best friend is a hot pair of wedges.

Love how your legs look in stilettos but hate hobbling home at the end of the night? This year, wedges are the answer.  No longer will you have to opt for flats, shove another pair of shoes into your bag, or take a cab 5 blocks to get home at the end of the night.  Wedges give you height and elongate those legs, but have more material pounding the pavement, meaning you don’t have to balance your weight on that super fragile ball of your food anymore. Hot legs + hot shoes + comfort? Be still my heart.

Even better (as if that were possible!), wedges come in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. You can find some for day (hello, espadrilles!) or night. You can go basic to let your outfit do the taking, or incorporate this season’s hottest trends (animal print, bright colors, nautical??). Wedges really are the shoe for everyone, and I’d like to offer up a big “Thank You!!” to whatever fashion gods decided to bring ‘em back. Read More »


Fashion Porn: Shorts & Rompers Get It On

Chances are you’re seeing the light at the end of the cold month tunnel and feeling ready to bare those legs again. While dresses and skirts are the obvious way to show some leg, their counterparts, rompers and shorts, are another equally adorable option. A much more practical option, I might add, as they won’t blow up (exposing your lady parts) when a lovely spring breeze blows through.

There are many options of shorts available, with every length imaginable to cover up as much (or as little) as you want, whether you’re going to the office or to the bar. Or, for those ladies who think picking out two pieces of clothing is far too much to ask of anyone, there is always a romper to try out. (Yes, try it out! I guarantee it will look better on you than you think!)

Despite what you may think, just like skirts and dresses, shorts and rompers can be worn out day or night. You can even wear them on a chillier day with tights underneath, meaning you can indulge in a little instant gratification right now before the temps start rising. Read More »


Campus Couture: Brooklyn, Drake University

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Brittany from Northwestern) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.... And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

At a school where most girls’ wardrobes are dominated by T-shirts and going-out tops, I always find it refreshing to spot a girl who takes her style seriously. So after seeing Brooklyn roaming around campus on multiple occasions, I just had to stop her. She has the uncanny ability to look effortlessly cool in every situation. Whether she’s heading to class or dressing up for a formal event, she manages to achieve that difficult balance of looking polished but still 100 percent original.

Brooklyn is great at pulling together pieces that fit together without being overly matchy. Her style is all her own, a mix of timeless pieces and funky accessories. It’s a look that’s often imitated but never quite duplicated–because the thing about effortless style is that trying to pull it off just doesn’t work. It has to come naturally. And for Brooklyn, it just does. Read More »


Fashion Porn: Spring Dress Orgy

With the end (fingers crossed) of the rain and the new May flowers that follow, what better way to celebrate it finally feeling like spring than with a dress! This year, there are so many adorable spring dresses to choose from that’s it’s hard to pick! (I just bought three…I have a problem.) But really, why should you have to choose just one? With retailers slashing their prices, you’re sure to find a good deal on one or two (or three) to satisfy your every dress need.

Or desire. Because that’s what it really comes down to, yes?

There are so many styles of dress to choose from, meaning there is the perfect dress out there for everyone, as well as every occasion.  More modest dresses worn with blazers or cardigans are perfect for the summer job, while the fun, flirty, floral mini dresses are sure to be a hit for a girls night out on the town.  With a large range of patterns and colors available, it’s easy to choose the statement you want to make with your dress, or find one that suits shoes and sweaters you already own. Read More »


Fashion Porn: Trench Coat Orgy

It might be my inner journalist talking, but I’ve always been obsessed with trench coats.

This obsession only grew when Burberry put my girl crush, Emma Watson, into their summer ad campaign – looking as lovely as always in some gorgeous trench coats.

Trench coats are classic. Buy one now and you can wear it forever; regardless of trends they will always be chic and sophisticated. There are many options this year, meaning you could splurge on a classic, neutral trench or save on a fun, bright colored coat for spring. Either way, a trench is a must-have in your wardrobe. Not only are they a nice touch over an interview outfit, but trenches are also perfect for over skirts and dresses, meaning you don’t have to freeze (or rely on male chivalry) while wearing your hot little dress.

Long or short, classic or bright, solid or funky, there is a trench coat for everyone. And if, like me, you can’t afford one of Emma’s gorge Burberry coats, there are a million other beautiful options out there that won’t break the bank.  Although, it doesn’t cost a thing to sit back in your bed and drool over the rich and Burberry-clad on the Art of the Trench. Read More »