Posted by Sarah
Dressing,
Kristen,
Shopping
2:46 PM
Can you imagine not shopping picking up the latest styles at Forever 21 or searching for the perfect dress at Urban Outfitters for an entire year?
Marisa of A New Dress A Day decided to challenge herself to create a new outfit everyday using something vintage every day from a thrift store. To make it even more challenging, she limited herself to a budget of only a dollar a day.
Marisa got her inspiration from the movie Julie & Julia. She wanted to something creative and challenging herself much like Julie does in the movie by cooking her way through Julia Child’s French cooking book.
Have you ever thought of doing a challenge like Marisa’s?
Written By: Kristen
Posted by Sarah
Marisa,
Shopping,
Vegas
2:43 PM
I will be leaving for Sin City, City of Entertainment or City of Lights this upcoming Friday for a short but well planned trip with my best friend from high school. The most important thing was what to bring in 115°F weather?! I thought I would share with you some of the essentials and fashionable items that will be stuffed in my suitcase or two.
When your in 115°F all you really need is a bathing suit and I found the cutest one to wear pool side at our casino's awesome pool party. The color is so fun and I love the gold embellishments.
The next items are essential and always fashionable. Must have your SPF because skin cancer is not fashionable. The other item is a cute baseball cap and before summer kicked off I found a white one at Target for under $12 and it has been my beach staple all Summer.
(any brand will do the trick!)
I have not been on a plane in about 8 years but I can never sleep on one so I always bring along a favorite book or magazine. This time I chose Glamour and a few rag mags for entertainment.
Cannot see if you do not have a cute pair of shades. I love the aviator look but can never seem to find a pair that works. I always resort to a oversized black pair of shades to block out the sun. Also good for the next morning after some late night partying.
Cannot remember Vegas unless you bring your camera with you. I will have that thing charged and ready to snap once we get off the plane.
Along with all the cute dresses I have bought you need to be primped and ready to go. There is no sleeping in Las Vegas if you have not heard already. So I am making sure I have my hair coifed 24/7 and my toes and nails done. I chose bright colors to keep things fresh and keep me awake!
( I love this brand too!)
With all the walking around you do not want to carry a heavy purse over your shoulder (ouch!) I picked up this cute Poppie Jones Crossbody bag at DSW.
Along with bright nails and coifed hair you must smell delicious and Victoria Secret came out with this amazing body spray that smells like coconuts and sugarcane (yum!) Its called Island Escape and comes in a friendly spray applicator - easy use and great for packing in a suitcase.
Last but never least is my oh so essential and fashionable Blackberry. I cannot leave home with out and how else will I Facebook, Tweet or blog without it. Here I will post all my latest adventures and crazy pictures.
I hope you enjoyed all the items I mentioned and of course there are many more but that can take days of writing and I am sure you rather hear and see how it all went. I will update you on my return!
Keep making trends!
Posted by Sarah
Amanda,
Make-Up,
Shopping
6:42 PM
On a boring summer day when it's too hot to go outside, I typically ride my bike to the local drug-store and head straight for the cosmetics section. Cheap makeup found here is always a great chance to try out a new look or style: as I will rarely will go above $10 on any item, I never feel very guilty if something doesn't work out for me. This time around, I picked up two items: Dream Matte Mousse Foundation by Maybelline New York and Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm by Revlon.
I've used cream makeup before as blush (also from the Dream Matte line and also from a drug-store), but my foundation has always been powder, so I was a little wary when I opened the container and rubbed my finger into the whipped makeup mix. The makeup ended up being very easy to apply without streaks or unevenness, and it didn't feel any heavier than moisturizer. My only real negative concerning the product is that it doesn't cover up blemishes well without having to cake it on. However, I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who wants to even their skin tone but doesn't like the feel of powdered makeup.
I didn't realize when I bought the lipstain just how much Revlon was trying to cash in on the Twilight phenomenon: besides the product's name, it comes in colors such as “Crave”, “Midnight”, and “Forbidden”. The logo itself uses a font that is close enough to recall the vampire franchise without leading to a lawsuit. I ended up buying “Gothic”, a bright red that looks as if I've been sucking on a cherry popsicle (or someone's neck, I guess). The tip of the stain resembles a felt marker, and putting it on works in just about the same way as one. What makes this product unique from other lipstains is its other end: it comes with a clear lip balm. Lipstains have a tendency to dry out lips, so the balm keeps them soft without making it all slide off. After a bit of practice, I had a perfect pout that lasted the rest of the day.
Overall, I would label my trip as a success and well worth the $15 I spent total.
Written By: Amanda
Posted by Sarah
Kim,
Shopping
3:48 PM
It’s August, and my favorite time of the year, featuring crunching leaves, crisp, fresh, make-you-feel-alive air, and warm apple cider, is approaching, and that means only one thing. Fall fashion is upon us.
Thick, beautiful coats, boots, and bundled up accessories encompass the main reason why fall is my favorite season. This year, some of the newest trends are sure to be a fashion hit and should definitely be worked into your wardrobe.
Military Inspired
All over the runway this season we saw buttoned up jackets, laced up boots, and constricted, utilitarian styles. Dark colors such as grey and black, along with the classic military-inspired olive green and tan neutrals, are great styles to mix and match with your outfits.
The affordable way to sport utilitarian? Try Nordstrom’s BP Juniors Military Knit Jacket by Rubbish. $74 (www.nordstrom.com)
Oxfords
Oxfords are huge this season, both in flat and bootie styles. For the girl who’s a little bit indie, this is your chance to make a fashion statement with your footwear. Lace up, Mary Jane styles are popular, but I personally fell in love with these J. Crew Langford platform high-heel Oxfords, on sale for $275. (Eek, bad for a girl on a college-student budget, but please. Just look at them.)
Different Textures
Mongolian lamb, crochet, fur and other different textures are all huge this season. How to incorporate Mongolian lamb into your wardrobe? (Never thought you’d hear that, huh?) Try working it into a vest! Throw on a plaid shirt, leggings, your new (possibly J. Crew) Oxford platforms, and a Mongolian lamb vest, and you are literally the new Rachel Zoe.
Not ready to go Mongolian? PETA fan who prefers faux fur? Take a look at Rebecca Taylor’s “Fab” Silk Twill Vest with Faux Fur Trim. With a price tag of $395, it’s an investment piece, but hey, fur (fake or not) never really goes out of style. (www.bloomingdales.com)
Jeggings
Perhaps the most comfortable thing to ever happen to jeans, the new “jeggings” hybrids of leggings and jeans are in style this season. You can find jeggings in all shades, whether acid wash or dark denim, and I love it when the designer incorporates a little zipper detail on the side. For a cheap, yet decent pair of jeggings, try Levi’s 535 Skinny Jeggings (www.kohls.com), and be sure to pair them with an oversize shirt or sweater, over-the-knee boots, and a crossbody satchel, all of which are in for fall.
Remember, if there is ever a fashion trend you’re trying to incorporate into your wardrobe, always (I repeat, always) check out Forever 21, H&M, Charlotte Russe, etc. for some cheap knockoffs of your favorite designer styles. They do a decent enough job, and are certainly budget friendly! Happy shopping!
Written By: Kim
Posted by Sarah
Anne,
Katy Perry,
Shopping
11:18 AM
If the dress is a bit plain for your tastes, jazz is up with a cute brown belt or a pair of strappy summer sandals like these from
Bakersshoes.com:
Written By: Anne
Posted by Sarah
Amanda,
Shopping
1:43 PM
I absolutely love thrift stores. To me, it's like a modern-day treasure hunt. Of course, that doesn't mean that the experience is all fun. Here are a few tips to take some of the stress out of thrifting:
-
Give yourself time: If you only have an hour to shop; it's not worth the trip. There's a lot of digging involved in thrift shopping, so make sure to free up your schedule so you can be thorough.
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Keep an open mind: Doesn't it always seem like when you need to buy one item, you can never seem to find it? It's doubtful that you'll find the one dress you need for a certain event at a thrift store (at least the first time you go); the best finds tend to just happen. If you're trying to avoid unnecessary buys, make a short list of things you're looking for (skirts, blouses, etc.)
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Look everywhere: My last find? A blue floral dress. The place where I found it? The little kid's section—the size for it is “11 years”. Check the men's and kids sections for some really unique finds.
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Be creative: Think of how you can rework a piece to make it fit. With a pair of scissors, anything is possible.
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Do some editing once you get home: Make sure you have room for your new finds: go through your own things and either donate unworn clothes to Goodwill or take them to a consignment shop for some extra cash. Keep the cycle going!
Written By: Amanda
Posted by Sarah
Charlsie,
Shopping
9:37 AM
Lilly Pulitzer, a clothing line best known for its tropical colors, preppy styles, and simple cottons, continues to be an American classic. In the 1960s, Lilly Pultizer released her first line of colorful clothes featuring women's skirts and beach dresses, and women went crazy for the dresses that are known today as "Lilly's" -- even Jackie Kennedy wore them when she was the First Lady!
Although Lilly Pultizer is often considered as the ultimate preppy attire, the new marketing and styles of the line have brought the company to major department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus -- giving the printed cotton colors more exposure. With more accessibility, these cotton "shift dresses" are still majorly popular today.
Interested in purchasing your first "Lilly"? Check out the Shift Dresses, they are classic, comfortable, and come in all kinds of colors and patterns.
Want something a little more subtle? Try one of the Lilly scarves. They are a mix of printed cashmere and silk -- and they are an absolutely perfect touch for an outfit needing a little zest!
Looking for a cute clutch to bring with you down to the beach? Check out Lilly's turtle and alligator "critter clutch." They come in a variety of colors, and the straw mesh gives off casual cool vibes.
For more Lilly Pulitzer styles, check out
Lilly Pulitzer.com
Are you a fan of Lilly? Let us know you're favorite styles, patterns, and colors!
Written By: Charlsie
Posted by Sarah
Amanda,
Shopping
12:46 PM
I recently went to a grand opening for a Forever 21 
store in my area. The store promoted itself by offering gift cards ranging from $10-$210 to the first 200 people, along with a variety of in-store deals, so I decided to check it out.
Big mistake. Though I arrived about 3 hours before the store's opening (the website stated that no one was even allowed to line up until 2 hours before it opened), there was a line wrapped around the building; people had been waiting since 10:30 the night before. I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be getting any of those gift cards and waited in line with a book and a cup of coffee.
When the doors finally opened, everyone let out a wild cheer as they rushed into the air conditioned building. From there, it was a mad rush to grab as many things as one could carry. The line for the dressing room was wrapped through the building, and many people (including myself) had taken to throwing pieces on over our clothes to try it on (thank goodness I was wearing opaque leggings!). Once I picked out my clothes, I then had to wait an hour in a checkout line that refused to budge. I left flustered, sweaty, and poor.
While I do love the pieces that I got from it, I have mixed feelings about the hustle and bustle of huge store sales. What do you think?
Written By: Amanda
Posted by Sarah
Ask Annie,
Shopping
5:02 PM
What do guys like to get for presents?
ok so my boyfriends birthday is coming up and oh by the way hes turning so i dont want too grown up or childish presents haha. but the thing is i have no idea what i could get him any suggestions?
Dear Sam,
You actually did not put an age for me to work off of, but I will take a stab in the dark and say he is turning somewhere between 15-17 (hopefully that is about right).
Anyway, take a look at the type of guy you are dating and the interests he has. Is he into music? How about tickets to see a band he loves or even some CD’s with songs that make you think of him. Does he like movies or maybe he has a favorite television series? Buy him a season of the show he watches the most; Ebay has some great discounts on television series. Is he into books and reading? Maybe get him a book from the New York Times best seller list in a subject that interests him. Is he a sports fan? Hit up the mall and look through the sports paraphernalia, get him a blanket with his teams’ logo or even tickets to a game. Maybe he likes clothes; bounce on over to his favorite store and get him a gift card or even pick out a few things you know he would like, maybe a new pair of sunglasses for summer or a cool watch.
Shopping for guys is pretty easy once you know the type of guy you are shopping for. I hope this list points you in the right direction. Good luck!
Written By: Anne
to 
to Stuart Weitzmann are featuring clogs in their latest collections. Metallic hardware, suede and leather, and thick platform heels are supposed to have revived the clog and bring them into the now, but when I look at a clog I still see the same ol’ galoshes with a heel. So what do you think? Are the new clogs a hit or a miss?
