Ugly Sweater Party Time

Happy holidays everyone! Today officially marks the first snowfall of the season and what is even better is that it is the first day of December. Now that everyone is starting to get in the holiday spirit the invitations will start flowing. Let the holiday parties begin! My favorite types of holiday parties are the ugly sweater ones. The point of an ugly sweater party is to wear the ugliest Christmas sweater possible and wear it is your outfit to the party.  I love looking around at all the ridiculously corny sweaters people are wearing at these parties. Some people go all out and even wear ones that have lights! My favorites are the ones with reindeer on them because I am a sucker for cute things. Now is the perfect time to start searching for the perfect ugly sweater to wear to all the parties. Although most department stores put insane price tags on these cheesy-sweaters places such as good will and Walmart have the same quality sweaters for a fraction of the cost. So while your out doing your holiday shopping be sure to pick up an ugly sweater for yourself.

Designer:

Dillard's

This holiday sweater is adorable
...except it costs $89. Instead of 

overpaying for a sweater you will 

most likely only wear once a year, 

why not save your cash for the holiday

presents you need to buy for your loved ones. 

                                                  

                                                          Bargain:                                   

Tacky Christmas Sweater

       
           This sweater is so tacky that it actually

           looks cute.  It is a great comparison to

           the designer one featured above, but this 

           one is much more acceptable for an 

           ugly-sweater party. Not only will you have

           one of the best ugly-sweaters at the party, 

           but you will be happy with the price you'll 

           pay for it. This sweater is available at

           myuglysweater.com for $34.99. 

Cyber Monday

Taylor Swift and Taylor Momsen

Are you bummed that you may have missed out on the excitement of Black Friday shopping? Well let me tell you that from experience you did not miss a thing. The deals were amazing, but the lines and crowds were overbearing. If you are still regretting not getting that special someone the gift of their dreams that you knew was on sale you can relax because here is your second chance!  Today is Cyber Monday, in case you haven't heard. What that means is that stores nationwide are having sales and deals exclusively for online purchases. Now is the time to stop what you are doing and enjoy online retail therapy. Retail therapy does the body and mind good while saving you a pretty penny!
Winter has finally arrived! The temperature has plummeted, and while I was home for break I raided my home searching for our stash of winter hats. To my dismay I discovered that my younger sister had decided to steal all my hats! After a nice scream session I realized that this was the perfect excuse to do some online shopping.  Just my luck too that it happens to be cyber monday which means that my favorite stores are having deals on winter items, including hats! Why not keep your ears warm this winter season with a cute beanie, trapper, or beret? Just remember to go for materials such as knitted hats to avoid static hair and frizziness.

Reasons to add a hat to your wardrobe:

• Contains body heat
• Warms ears
• Cute
• Fashionable
• Variety

Designer Look-Alikes for Less:

Forever21

Try this stylish beanie to add some cuteness to your winter ensemble. The color is neutral so it will match any outfit, plus the brooch adds some class and personality. Even though it looks like a pricey hat that Taylor Swift would wear, you can get it right now for only $9.80 at Forever21. Don't forget about the discounts and free shipping today too!

Target

Looking to add some sophistication to your outfit? Try adding this chic beret. Black is a statement color that elicits a sense of confidence. Walk the paths of the campus and show off your new hat, while staying warm despite the chilly winds of the Northeast. This hat is available at Target for $12.99.

Kohls

Tired of the wearing solid colors? Ready to add some color and patterns back into your life? Then you are definetly ready to try out this trapper hat available at Kohls for $25.20. The inside is made of polyester which will prevent static friction which causes your hair to frizz when you remove the har.

                                                

Thanksgiving Fifteen?

Not This Year!

Just five more days until Thanksgiving dinner! I remember waking up every Thanksgiving morning and smelling the amazing aroma of turkey, apple pie, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes baking in the oven. So good! Fortunately I am able to continue this tradition since my college lets me go home the day before Thanksgiving. I hope that you all have that same privilege that I do. Piling my plate full of food and then going back for seconds....and sometimes thirds, I am always regretting my outfit choice. Typically I wear a long sleeved shirt with a scarf, mini skirt, and a belt. After  whole day of eating the belt around my waist digs into my over expanded stomach and causes a lot of discomfort. This Thanksgiving I am going to wear an outfit that will stretch with my full stomach, but still makes me look nice and put together. The solution I have come up with is leggings. Layer a sweater dress or over sized sweater over a pair of leggings and you are good to go. You will look fancy without the uncomfortable feeling as a result of stuffing your face with home cooked food and desserts. So enjoy your meals and don't worry about the Thanksgiving fifteen with your expandable leggings and loose sweater!

GOjane

Reasons to fall in love with leggings:

• Fun prints
• Warmth
• Contour your legs
• Stretchy
• Comfortable material
• Versatile
• Layer

If you are looking to add a girly twist to your look then go for a nice floral design. The flowers express your cute side which lets your personality shine through. Try this pair that goes for only $8.10.

Fancy Night

Designer Runway Dresses

Have you been bummed out by the same cafeteria food being served every week for the past three months? Well I sure have. As a solution to this problem, the girls on my floor and I have created fancy night. Fancy night happens once a month (or twice depending on someone's birthday) and happens is that we dress up in our nicest outfits and then go out to a restaurant. Our favorite restaurant is the Olive Garden because the prices are affordable, but it is a step up from the casual setting of Applebees or Panera Bread. Not only do I get to enjoy some real food, I also get to dress up and look fancy for  the night and it is perfectly acceptable. The key to dressing fancy is finding the perfect dress and then playing it up with bold accessories.

Tomorrow is my friend's 18th birthday, so tonight we are celebrating by having a fancy night out at the Olive Garden. The outfit I have chosen to wear is a silky one shoulder lavender dress with silver heels, earrings, and necklace. Remember that the key to dressing fancy is to first find the perfect dress and then pick out accessories to either give your look a sophisticated feel or a pop of color which projects a fun vibe.

Bargain

Grab a friend and hit the dressing rooms with these tips in mind:

• Get your friends opinions
• Take your time
• Try on several types
• Have an upbeat attitude
• Pick out matching accessories
• Have fun!

Debs is a store specifically designed for girls who want a cheap but fancy dress. The prices are affordable and the dresses are made with good materials. The red dress is chic and bold and on clearance for $13.25. Why not turn heads at the next fancy event with this adorable dress?

Leather Loving

As the weeks fly by the weather continues to decrease and make me shiver in my shoes. I find it hard to stay warm in my sweater dress ensemble complete with tights and boots without a coat. Normally I would opt for my peacoat, but that would hide my cute sweater dress from the public as I walked across the campus. As I pondered what to wear I decided to seek out some inspiration. Collegefashionista's latest post had the perfect solution to my problem. Recently she went to Italy and brought back with her a leather jacket. Fortunately, for us Americans, leather jackets are currently trending across the states and there is  quite the selection to choose from. A black leather jacket is the perfect accessory to keep you warm as well as showing the bottom of the sweater dress and making it look like a cute skirt. According to Seventeen Magazine's November 2012 issue "A fitted leather jacket is a must: It keeps you warm without adding bulk and makes every outfit a little edgier".
Unfortunately real leather costs a fortune. Lucky for you, I have done all the searching and have selected the best faux leather that is comparable to the real thing as well as being cost conscious enough to not leave a gaping whole in your wallet. No need to thank me, just enjoy!

Faux Leather

Try a faux leather motto jacket from
Delia's. Black goes with almost any
outfit and since this style is cropped
it will show off the cute outfit that
you are wearing underneath. The
leather looks comparable to the real
thing except it is on sale now for $34.50.

Leather

                                                    If you have an extra $279.99
                                                    hanging around your dorm
                                                    that does not need to go to
                                                    paying off a college loan then
                                                    feel free to splurge on this
                                                    real leather jacket available
                                                    at Macy's.

Ugg I need New Boots

Did you survive Hurricane Sandy? I sure hope so. Well, now that you are a survivor it's time to treat yourself to a new pair of winter fashion boots. I hope you are not thinking that I am referring to Uggs. Uggs may be the most fashionable winter boot but they are defiantly not the cheapest. Since Uggs are a designer brand from Australia the prices are very high. Assuming you are not willing to pay full price for boots that could potentially become water damaged by the end of winter and will require you to buy a new pair the following year then you may want to consider some alternatives. 


Some Reasons to love Boots:

• Cozy
• Warm
• Trendy
• Versatile
• Assorted Colors
• Different lengths
• Different styles

Places to look:

• Macy's
• Delia's
• Payless
• Aeropostale

If you are going for the classic comfort look then this boot is the right fit for you. The designer brand looks exactly the same as the bargain one from Macy's except that the Chestnut colored Ugg boot costs $155 and the Chestnut colored Ukala boot costs $80.

                Designer                                                                                   Bargain                              

Ugg Classic Short

Ukala

If you are more into colors and sparkly things then sequined boots are more for you. The silver sparkled boots on the left are the Ugg brand that cost $190. On the right are the silver sequined boots from Delia's that cost $24.50.

                 Designer                                                          Bargain

Ugg Classic Short Sparkles  

                                                       

 Delia's Sequin Boots

Trick or Treat

Halloween is just around the corner, are your ready? I love this holiday because it lets you channel your alter ego into the costume of your choice. The only hard part is deciding what you want to be. The possibilities seem to be endless with the choices ranging from being a fairytale character to being a vampire. Narrow down your choices by thinking of what image you have always wanted to portray but were too afraid to do for fear of being judged. That is the beauty of Halloween! This is the only day of the year where anyone can go all out and be as daring as they want without being judged by others.
To help you choose the perfect Halloween costume you need to decide which type of look you are going for. Some examples are:

• Funny
• Cute
• Group
• Flirty
• Historical

Designer Costumes from places such as Spirit Halloween and the Halloween Outlet sell the same costumes as Walmart, Target, and Iparty but for much higher prices. Before you succumb to the prices of Spirit try out those other cheaper retail stores to get a comparison.

Spirit $79.99

Budget Bargains:

Funny: Purple Crayon                                                Cute: Little Red Riding Hood

Target $28.99

 Target $19.99

Group: Cute Critters

Target $48.99

                             

Flirty: High Seas Hottie                                                  Historical: Venus Goddess of Beauty

Walmart $28.50

Walmart $29.97

           

Pretty in Pink

It's October, do you know what that means? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of those affected show your support by sporting a whole month worth of pink outfits.  For starters lets try pink sweaters which are the perfect fall staple.

Designer

Lately I have been reading a lot of fashion magazines such as Glamour, Seventeen, and Cosmopolitan and a trend that has caught my attention is sweaters. No, not the ugly Christmas sweaters. The sweaters I am referring to are plain sweaters in light colors that pair well over a skirt, leggings, jeans, or a dress.

This weekend  was dedicated to family and friends of the students to visit and do partake in activities at my college. I worked in the box office at the campus center for most of the weekend so I was able to observe the different outfits that people were wearing. The most common ensembles that I saw included a sweater . Although I saw many sweater dresses, every person looked different in them and wore a different type. 


Reasons to love sweaters:

• Versatile
• Laid back
• Warm
• Stylish
• Easygoing
• Fun Designs

Designer Look A-likes For Less:

H&M $29.95

These two sweaters are chic and affordable plus they 
are pink! Now that's what I call a triple threat. Try pairing either of these sweaters with a pair of skinny sorbet skinny jeans (mint or yellow) and uggs. For some added sass even try adding a scarf to tie the whole ensemble together. 

Remember that its not important where you bought your clothes from, its only important how you wear them. Don't let brand names define you. Be yourself and let your personality shine through your clothes...and pink sweater.

American Eagle $39.95 

Inspirational Style Quote:

"My mission was to democratize fashion and make something positive out of a time that was less than ideal. After I proved my point that you could look chic using the most affordable store in the country, I opened up my blog to all the stores that are within ten miles of every home in America (Kmart, Target, Sears, etc). The mission is still the same…you can look and feel fabulous regardless of your budget."

- Shauna Miller

Peas Please

Get inspired by Gossip Girl's Blake Lively who broadcasts her
sporty/girly side with the help of her pea coat.

Wind got you second guessing your outfit choices? Fall may be the perfect time to sport a chic sweater but with the wind chill increasing daily it may be time to call in some reinforcements.  Now is the perfect time to score the best deals on this fall's must have pea coats because it's Columbus Day weekend. Make your money stretch and your wardrobe turn heads.

Some of the main reasons why I love pea coats are for the following reasons:

• Lightweight
• Endless designs
• Belts
• Insulated
• Warm
• Bold Colors
• Girly
• Statements

 

Fashionable Bargains:Under $100

                                   

              Target                                                     Burlington Coat Factory                                                       

Add some sunshine
to your day with this
bright and cheery
colored peacoat.

For a more chic look
try this one for $39.99.

         Delia's

The belted bow gives this coat
a girly vibe along with its bold teal
color.

Pinterest

The soft pink of this coat
along with the belted bow
will let your girly side
show.

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                      

Sorbet Anyone?

Say hello to your skinny jeans. Its time to put your shorts away till next summer and start getting yourself some new jeans for the upcoming cold weather. For an instant pop of color that is soft but guaranteed to brighten any day try sorbet or pastel colors such as pink, green, yellow, orange, purple, red or blue jeans.

If you need some celebrity inspiration try Kim Kardashian's look. The picture of Kim furthest to the right shows her sporting a pair of sorbet colored orange skinny jeans with a bright pink blazer. The two colors normally do not match very well but a light color paired with a bright color from the same warm colored family is an instant fashion statement.

Designer:                           VS.                           Budget:                                                                                                      

                                             

Nordstrom

Pink colored jeans that
look the same as the
budget friendly jeans
except only a  college

American Eagle

student can't afford them

Mint colored skinny jeans

that look like the designer 

ones minus the absurd  price

tag.

Let It Fall

Fall Is Here

It's officially fall which means my favorite season has arrived. One of the best parts about fall is that you can still wear your summer clothes but you can also start combining it with your winter clothes. It's like having the best of both worlds. By adding a scarf to your summer dress, jean jacket, and high heeled boots, you will instantly create the illusion of a new outfit. The scarf adds personality to your outfit at the same time that it is acting as a key accessory. Ditch the necklaces ladies and start digging for your scarves. Don't have any scarves? Keep reading to discover the stores that have the perfect scarf for you at a reasonable price.

Get Inspired

Gain inspiration from celebrities whose style you love and try sporting a scarf in a similar design. According to FABSUGAR's blog scarves are a "cold-weather triple threat". I would have to agree because not only do they keep you warm from the chilly autumn breezes but they also play up your outfit by adding the perfect touch of personality. Your outfit can be plain and simple but you can add some attitude with a bold cheetah print scarf or a dainty paisley one. The great thing about scarves is that there are so many different designs and styles to choose from so you can constantly keep changing your style with the changes in your mood.
What I Like: Didn't you just wear that dress last week? With a scarf you will no longer have to answer to annoying questions such as that one. Add a scarf to your second (or third) worn outfit and suddenly you have a never before seen on you outfit. It's hard to wear a new outfit every week in college when your closet space is so small so every accessory helps when it comes to faking a new look.
What I Don't Like: Wearing a scarf is not an easy task. First one needs to master the art of wrapping a scarf around their neck the proper way. If you struggle with wrapping a scarf then watch the video and in no time you'll be a pro.

                                                                                                                           

Pretty patterned scarf that can be worn
5 ways from Etsy for $26

Designer:                                                                            

.Bloomingdales ($42-995)

.Barney's ($148-2,750)

Budget:

Flirty peach/gold sequined scarf
that is perfect for any
girly girl and is available for $8.80 from
Forever21

. Forever 21 ($5.80-14.90)

. H & M (9.95-29.95)

. American Eagle ($6.99-29.95)

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                   

                   

Blazin Up The Scene

Hot Off The Runway

Are you ready to strut your stuff? Want to ace that job interview for work study? Then why not try a fitted blazer. Blazers are perfect to make any outfit suddenly more sophisticated. To the left are Emporio Armani blazers that were featured in this years fall fashion show in Milan. These gray blazers would look perfect over a bright top, black skirt, and black heeled boots. Perfect for a night out on the town with friends to relax and not worry about homework. 
What I Like: Blazers are perfect for layering which is exactly what I love to do on crisp pre-autumn days. I don't always feel like dressing up to go to class but with a blazer it's easy because I can throw on a plain white t-shirt and the blazer instantly makes me appear put together. Another bonus to a blazer is that they are lightweight so they keep you warm from the chilly weather but they don't cause you to sweat in the sun. 
What I Do Not Like: If you get the wrong size blazer then it looks slouchy. Instead of coming off as prim and composed the blazer will make you look like you are wearing men's clothes. When buying a blazer always remember to go to the fitting room and make sure its the perfect fit for you. 

Emporio Armani are designer blazers that range between $300-700. Assuming you do not have this large of a budget I have listed some trendy blazers from stores that are much more reasonably priced. 

1.Kohls

The fitted blazer pictured to the right is available 
at Kohls and it has all the same qualities you love 
about the one seen on the runway plus a better price. This stunning jacket is on sale for $36.99 and comes in sizes x-small to XL. 

                                   

2. JC Penney

Want to make a statement then try a bold print like stripes. and replicates the look of the designer blazers. A striped blazer adds attitude to any outfit and makes it the perfect piece to play up and outfit. The blazer to the left is only  $25.  

3. My Own Blazer

This is a pink fitted blazer that I bought at Kohls. I wore this recently to my work study interview and I paired it with my cowgirl boots, black jeans, and a white tank top. When I showed up for the interview I got the job on the spot. I wonder if it was the confidence I was radiating from the blazer? 

Cardigan

Savvy Shopper

Are you ready for fall? It may not be September 22 yet but with all the cold weather Maine has been experiencing lately one would think it was fall.  Since the weather can't seem to make up its mind about whether it wants to be hot or cold this probably means you are experiencing frequent outfit changes throughout the day. Well have no fear because I have come up the perfect solution to transform you into a savvy saver.

Hottest Trend

The perfect fall staple right now is a cardigan. This item is trending at college campuses  all over the country and it deserves a place in your closest. As I bet you already know cardigans can run up your budget very quickly. These sweaters are often made of a lightweight fabric and cover the full length of your arm or 3/4 of it. They are the ideal piece to layer over a dress or tank top. As an added bonus they also provide just the right amount of warmth for the pre-fall weather.

 

http://www.wetseal.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=110&productId=59425&color=CHARCOAL

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Petites/AT-Petite-Sweaters/Petite-Summer-Cardigan/280938?colorExplode=false&skuId=11429944&catid=cata000027&productPageType=search&defaultColor=1066

These two pictures above are both 3/4 sleeved cardigans that look closely related...except for the price.On the left is a picture of a cardigan from Ann taylor which costs $59.99. On the right is a similar cardigan except it is from Wet Seal and only costs $10.50.  

http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-petites-long-sleeve-ultrasoft-cardigan-sweater-assorted-colors/-/A-14020528

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/charter-club-sweater-long-sleeve-v-neck-cardigan?ID=699829&CategoryID=260&LinkType=#fn=SWEATER_STYLE%3DCardigan%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D109%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D15

Above on the left is a cardigan from Macy's that you could own for $44.99 (its even on sale). If your not into spending a fortune on one piece of clothing then you could opt for the cardigan on the right which is almost an exact replica except it is from Target and is only $19.99.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Hello future fashionistas,
If any of you are in college and are dealing with the challenge of trying to look stylish on a budget then you are in luck. Here I will give you the tips of how to make any outfit look amazing without breaking the bank. For instance I have been desperately searching for a pair of affordable new cowgirl boots with no luck. I am on a budget and am only willing to spend at most $60 on these boots. I decided to try Payless because they have cheap shoes that sometimes can compare to designer shoes.

Payless $35

To my surprise I found the perfect pair of boots that I had been searching for. What was even better was that they were on sale! I was able to scoop up a pair of boots for $35 instead of the $140 like other retailers were charging. 

Aldo's $140

This meant that I still had $25 left over to get some froyo with friends and catch a movie. Remember never make an impulse buy on a budget, instead search and compare before buying and this way you know you will always get the best deal.