It might seem a little bit early to be thinking about spring shopping, but for those of you who want to get a head start (or who just can’t wait for summer vacation already), here are the top ten looks I want to steal from fashion week this year (from top left to right in the above picture). Read More »

Save your money and forget Lasik! Glasses are now so chic that those who originally considered themselves “blessed” with perfect vision drool over their blind companions’ stylish eyewear. If you want to embrace this trend but unfortunately have no prescription for glasses, don’t worry! You can destroy your eyesight simply by staring directly at the sun for ten minutes each day.

Ok, so I’m just kidding. But if you wish you could wear glasses, wish no more. This fall, fake reading glasses are all the rage. The Michael Kors fall 2008 runway collection featured several faux eyeglass wearing models who looked HOT (as in sexy librarian hot). Glasses were also spotted in several other runway shows, including Betsey Johnson and Carmen Marc Valvo.

If you’re going to purchase a pair of glasses (fake or prescription), it is important to find the right shape and color for your face. Generally, you should buy glasses with a shape in contrast to that of your face. If you don’t know what your face shape is, or what shape glasses would flatter your face, click here for a simple guide.

After you’ve figured out what shapes work for you, here are the top five eyeglass trends for fall. Hurry up and buy them before classes start. You want to look smart and studious when you meet your new professors! Read More »

During my freshman year of college I was amazed at how many girls wore designer denim to class and toted their books around in enormous Coach bags every day. How do they afford it? Why would they waste such a cute, expensive outfit on 8 AM class? It wasn’t the parade of sweats and pajamas I had been prepared for by older friends.

Instead I saw Seven For All Mankind, Paige, Primp, BCBG, Free People, Steve Madden, etc. etc. etc: What distinguishes these particular brands from Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, or those created by T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s? After questioning several of my designer brand sporting friends and trying to justify several of my own purchases, I came up with the following list:

SIX REASONS TO GO DESIGNER

1. Product Quality - Many people who don’t believe in buying designer brands say that you are only paying for the brand name and that the product is no better than any other. While you are paying in part for the “privilege” to wear the brand’s name, you are also probably purchasing a product that is high quality. For example, I buy designer denim because it fits better and lasts longer than the jeans I buy for $25.00 at Bob’s. Designer clothes are usually made from finer fabrics and have superior stitching compared to those of bargain stores.

2. Consistency - Most people who wear designer clothes swear by a few designers. For example, someone might own thirty pairs of Paige jeans but refuse to even look at Joe’s Jeans. Both are expensive, high quality brands, so what’s the difference? Paige jeans consistently fit, last, and look great, where Joe’s Jeans aren’t as flattering (this isn’t my personal opinion, it’s just an example). People keep going back to the same brands because they consistently perform well for them. Read More »

It is pretty obvious that we are obsessed with the Olympics around here. We love the sports, we love the politics and, obviously, we love the men.

Hell, we’d probably even wear those U.S.A. themed Speedo’s if we could get our hands on them (or squeeze our butts into them). But, alas, that is not going to happen. Which is fine because it’s not like we actually want to participate in any events - cuz we got no skills - we just want to show our support.

Yeah, we could probably hang an American flag over our beds or sing the National Anthem at every chance we got, but that’s so boring. We wanna support the U.S. in style, baby. So let’s give a big thanks to our pal Ralph Lauren for creating this awesome Olympic collection.

After designing the outfits worn by the athletes during the Opening Ceremonies, Mr. Polo decided to take his American pride one step further and give the rest of us somethin’ to rock.

Lord knows I love me some popped collars and now I can feel like the athletes without actually having to give up the cookies or run 5,000 laps around a track. Some of it is a bit cheesy, but the rest is chic, wearable and an awesome way to commemorate the occassion.

I have to say – last night’s episode of Project Runway brought back feelings of happier times. Times when the contestants were funny and talented and I actually enjoyed watching.

Yeah, I’ll say it: I laughed out loud. And it felt good.

And, being that last night’s episode was all about the Olympic games, I decided it was only fitting to choose an MVP. And, quite obviously, it is going to Blayne and his many hilaaaarious one-liners:

“Other people go to the gym. I go tanning.”
“The Olympics are HUMUNGOUS! SO big. Thousands and millions and billions of people. Heck yeah I’m going for the Gold!”
“In tanning, I’m an Olympic athlete. It only goes to Bronze medal.”
“I just don’t do the Beatles…Sorry Ringo.”

I know he seems to be melting due to his lack of tanning, but I think it makes me like him more. And he has all those bright 80’s Hyper Color t-shirts; he’ll get through it. Oh, and he is MVP purely for what he says. His design sucked. Read More »

Sunglasses are in year-round, but summer is definitely a time to show off how style-savvy you are with your specs. Whether navigating the city, laying on the beach, or bike riding along the boardwalk, sunglasses are a fun way to accessorize while also protecting your eyes, and are a small piece of an ensemble that can express your own personal style. This year we’re seeing many of the trends of years past, with a few newbies thrown in, and some minor changes to add a new look.

Oversized Frames: This look has been around for a few years now and was taken mainstream by the likes of Nicole Richie and the Olsen Twins. While it’ll eventually go out of fashion, don’t expect that to happen for the next couple of years. This look doesn’t work for every face shape, but if you can rock it, it can be a blast. You can go for many different shapes; square, round, oval. We’re even seeing octagonal and heart shapes! And the color combos are endless. Classic black gives an Audrey Hepburn look, while going for a fun, funky color and shape allows a whole new feeling. The best advice is to try these glasses on and make sure they don’t take over your face, then have fun with it! Read More »

While at the airport this week, I observed a woman clutching a scraggly toy-sized dog decked out in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt made for a six-month-old child. Ew. Just because owning an animal is like having a child does not mean that the dog’s fur has stopped acting as its clothing. Now even dogs are subject to the materialism of today’s society.

Maybe it started with Paris Hilton or the talking chihuahua in Taco Bell commercials, but the dog trend never really sunk in on a personal level until I visited my former college roommate…and her new puppy.

It scared the hell out of me. Not the dog himself, he’s a teeny dust-mop-esque guy that legitimately bites your ankles, clothing, and anything else he can get to. What frightened me was the idea of what people are getting themselves into (please see single, childless friends referring to themselves as parents) and the fact that I really am that big a commitment-phobe.

Sure, many of us grew up with pets, but there was no actual “raising” going down on our end. It wasn’t our job to shop for pet carriers or plan out potty schedules, that’s what our parents were for. Now that we’re on our own (ish), so many people who want an animal are just looking to use it as an accessory. Puppies are like a new pair of Chanel shades, right? Only they love you back? Read More »

Last semester, I woke up one day and realized I was completely out of money. I guess going to the Ralph Lauren Outlet a weekend earlier had been therapeutic for my mind but not my wallet. What’s a girl to do?

Instead of freaking out and starting to dumpster dive, my anxiety mobilized me to act. I started by cleaning out my closet. I isolated the items that sat in there and gathered dust (which was nearly everything) and spent a day listing them on eBay. A week later, I had made three hundred bucks off of old clothes and handbags (and, tear tear, brand - new discount Ralph Lauren Oxford shirts). I took the stuff that didn’t sell on the net to a resale shop in my neighborhood and scored another $20.

The best part was that most of the things I sold I hadn’t bought in the first place (thanks mom!), so I accrued a maximum profit. I’m the farthest thing from a business major, but I know that’s pretty sweet.

So if you’re short on cash, ditch your material sentimentality and purge your closet. You’ll end up with more than just monetary rewards: ebaying my life ended up being more therapeutic than the discount shopping. After I had shipped away my things, I felt the weight of hundred pounds lifted from my shoulders. Out with the old and in with the money! Next stop: MBA.