Roxy is a brand that I haven’t really looked into for a while. They were popular when I was about 13, but then that popularity died off shortly thereafter. However, Roxy has recently reinvented itself, going for more of a hipster look than surfer chic. Along with this new branding, comes new handbags and one in particular has caught my eye!

This is the Blue Bird Shoulder Bag by Roxy. I’m not entirely sure why it’s named Blue Bird, especially considering it’s black. Made of faux leather, it’s definitely a winner for animal lovers. The purse measures 14′ L x 11′ H x 5′ D and I would say it’s medium-to-large in size, depending on your stature. The single carrying strap, attached by d-rings, and the strap detail on the side are all reminscent of the Rebecca Minkoff “Nikki” Hobo. What’s great about the Blue Bird purse is that you can get a similar look for a measly fraction of the price of the designer version.

Inside, you’ll find a full-lined interior, with two front slip pockets and one rear zip pocket. This formula seems to be typical of most hobos. One atypical thing about this purse is the zipper closure, which I love. Most hobos have a magnetic closure, which is handy for quickly grabbing things out of the purse, but a lot less secure. It’s not something that everyone is concerned about, but it makes me feel a whole lot better about bringing the purse anywhere if it has a full-zip closure.

The Blue Bird Shoulder Bag by Roxy has the potential to become your everyday go-to purse. The faux material means it won’t get damaged in rain or snow, plus the basic black color goes with everything. If you’re interested, it’s on SALE right now on Roxy’s website for $29!

[Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.]

I’m not sure about your neck of the woods, but up here in Northern Ontario, snow is going to fall any day now. Biting winds and cool temperatures have become the norm and we’ve all hauled out our winter gear. Fur-detail is huge this season, especially when it comes to purses, but I just can’t bring myself to tote around a completely fur purse. I’ve yet to find one that doesn’t look like some dead rodent on a string. However, I did find a cute little wristlet with fur-detail that I could definitely handle!

Presenting the Poppie Jones Lodge Wristlet. I’m a huge fan of wristlets; they are great not only for a night on the town, but also for storing things like change and makeup. I always have a few floating around in my purse.

This wristlet is made of faux suede (another for the animal lovers!) and features a faux fur flap. There is also a removable wrist strap, so you can carry this as a clutch or coin purse and lose the bulk of the strap. It measures 8.5′ L x 5′ H x 2′ D and would be considered a large wristlet. The fur flap closes with a magnetic snap (the buckle is just for show) and the interior is fully-lined in a matching fabric.

I think this would look smashing with a LBD for a night out. The fur is unexpected, but really stands out and makes your outfit oh-so-wintery. If you’d like to pick up one for yourself, it’s available at DSW for only $20!

[Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.]

Every morning when I get off the subway to go to school, I have to walk right past Forever 21. And it’s torture.  School been in session for three weeks now, and there has been this super hot navy lace dress (I think it’s a dress, but you never know with that store…) every time I walk by.  Seeing as I don’t REALLY need another dress (remember how I bought 3 in the spring?) I’ve been trying really hard not to go in and buy it in all its gorgeous, lacy glory.  So far I’ve been successful, thanks to the fact that my classes start before the store opens (which might be the only redeeming thing about 9am class).

The good news for me and every other girl out there with a closet full of frocks: dresses aren’t the only way to incorporate lace this season. This dainty, feminine fabric is on everything right now (both in and out of the bedroom), even showing up in some new and unexpected ways. Our girls over at CollegeFashion have even put it on their Back to School shopping list; do you even need another reason to stock up?

Oh you do? Well here are 15.

(And if you do happen to find and purchase that little navy lace dress, let me know so I can live vicariously through your closet.)

[Click on the pics to shop!]

When you’re on a budget you can’t spend your money on just anything. You need items that are versatile, timeless and just plain pretty. And this beautiful dress from ASOS is all that and more.  It is short enough and reveals just enough skin with its strapless design for hitting those clubs on Saturday night. Put on some sexy, strappy heels and you are ready to conquer the dance floor.

When the party’s over, work this dress in a different way. You got a holiday party coming up? Slip it on with a pair of pumps and clutch. A nice family dinner to attend? Put a blazer over the top and you’re good to go. Wanna rock it out? Add a leather jacket, tights and a pair of ankle boots.

Unlike most mini dresses, this ASOS design is anything but typical. I really love the contrast created by the light drape, especially how it crosses the bust to the waistline and then back over again on the bottom. It’s not only flattering and elegant, but gives the dress a bit of intrigue as well. If you’re into the classics, go with the black and white version.  For a chic yet edgier look, choose the black on black. And if you’re all about the show stoppers, the red dress is for you.

With this dress in your closet you’ll have the solution to every wardrobe dilemma. Whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding, this dress is the answer.

H&M, which was still under construction the last time I had been at the mall, had finally opened! We did a little jig. Then we ran in and started loading up on everything we needed to try.

I was rifling through a pile of shirts when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a pair of glimmering black sneakers. I dropped everything in my hand and went to them.

They weren’t really low-tops or high-tops, settling on a height in between. What made them gleam was that they were made of black velvet. They came with black shoelaces, a black rubber sole, and a small loop at the back. Now, usually I would say that this was too much of one color on a sneaker, but the rich, deep velvet stood out from the other components of the shoe for a subtle contrast. I also really dug the zippers on the sides, and at only 15 bucks, I couldn’t resist.

So I made them mine. And I can’t wait to wear them. They are pretty comfy and are great for casual looks, but the velvet definitely amps up the style and sets them apart from your basic Converse, Pumas or Nikes. Plus, they’ll look super cute with skinnies, which is exactly how I plan to rock them for their first trip onto campus.

With fall here, it’s time to start adding new outerwear to your closet, and while many people argue that everyone needs a boyfriend blazer, I think everyone should be picking up this military jacket from Banana Republic. This sharp, dapper blazer can pull together any combination of a T-shirt and broken-in jeans (you know, the super comfy ones you wear every other day) when a decent outfit takes too much effort, or make you look even smarter when paired with a crisp, collared shirt.

It features pockets at the chest and waist, a standing collar, shoulder epaulets (for that extra touch of cool), a concealed button placket and cinching at the waist that creates the perfect hourglass shape. Roll up the sleeves for a more laid back look or add a necklace or two for some glam. Available in black and gray, it practically goes with everything, so, like your jeans, you can wear it every other day as well.

Planning my next trip to Banana Republic as we speak. See you there?

I first learned about Freitag, a Swiss company, and its products while flipping through a magazine during a flight. What kept me reading the whole article instead of turning up the volume on my headphones to whatever random movie was playing on that mini screen 10 rows up was how they made their products. This wasn’t just another ho-hum ad for a travel bag; Freitag was born from something bigger.

The idea came about when graphic designer brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag wanted a durable and waterproof messenger bag to carry their belongings in. They traveled by bike and when it rained, their designs would get ruined. They were inspired by the colorful trucks that would drive past their apartment, so they made the very first Freitag bag out of a truck tarpaulin with a used car seatbelt as the strap and an old bicycle inner tube as the edging.

And there it was: an awesome looking bag that was practical and eco-friendly.

Since its first production in 1993, Freitag has expanded from messenger bags of various sizes to tote bags, duffle bags, wallets, and even soccer balls, as well as many other items. They continue to use the same recycled materials, making it a very eco-friendly company. If you are able to afford the price tag, which may be a bit steep, you will get a high quality and unique bag in return. Each product is made from tarpaulins of different colors and designs, so your bag will be the only one of its kind! With so many to choose from, there’s sure to be one you’ll love.

I’ve been wanting a Freitag bag since I read that article over a year ago. If only I could stop making all those trips to frozen yogurt shops and Forever 21 to save enough for one.

I love flats. I practically wear them every day and to all occasions. I can’t even remember what I used to wear before I started slipping on those cute and comfy babies. Wait, yes I do. It was sneakers (love my Chucks), but I had to find something else after I realized that old school Nikes are not acceptable for all occasions. Like job interviews.

And now Adidas has taken my two favorite forms of footwear and morphed them into one mega shoe: the Gazelle Ballerina. Not to quote Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana or whoever she chooses to be today, but you do get the best of both worlds with these shoes. Revel in the cuteness and convenience of a flat and the stylishness and comfort of a sneaker with its rubber outsole for added support.

So if, unlike the Spice Girls, you’ve got a little Posh and a little Sporty to ya, these shoes are your perfect match. And if you find yourself running from parties when campus security shows up, these are probably right for you too. It’s those girls in the stilettos that always get caught.

When it comes to many things in life, including fashion, I’m a fan of odd, quirky things that leave people asking questions. No, I’m not going to start wearing fairy wings like one of the girls on What Not To Wear, but I did pick up a pair of pants last week that totally fit the bill. They were a pair of skinny pants by Fragile I found at T.J. Maxx for seventeen bucks, but which retail for $29 (sweet!). Had they not been at T.J. Maxx, I never would have fallen in love, as they are typically sold at Hot Topic, a store I haven’t stepped into since my friend’s goth days in high school.

The pants look like jeans, but function somewhat like sweat pants in that you basically pull them on and button the single button at the top. They feature back pockets, faux front pockets, and no zipper, so you can imagine my surprise when I took them off the hanger and unbuttoned them in the dressing room to discover… pants that were not actually jeans. I tried them on anyway and loved how they looked. They are low rise, so you can avoid that weird baggy look around your danger zone and are stretchy to fit a broader range of body shapes (they come in letter sizes instead of number sizes – pants for all!).

I would say that they are comparable to denim leggings, although I prefer these Fragile pants since they look more like jeans and aren’t so skin tight that they literally outline every cellulite bump on your legs. The leg openings are also not super small, so you won’t look too unbalanced if you have wider hips. They are amazingly comfortable, like sweatpants, but just way more chic.

These pants are definitely the answer to every college girl’s fashion dilemma: chic sweatpants? That you can wear to class? And not look schlumpy? I think it’s time we all made a run to Hot Topic.