Monday, August 29, 2011

On the Dot


The classic and fun polka dot print is back this fall. Polka dots on a sheer fabric are popular among celebs, such as Jessica Szohr and Kate Winslet. Stella McCartney?s Fall 2011 RTW collection features a white sheer polka dot top. Try this trend with dark skinny jeans and heels for a night out!

-MANDYLIN KERR

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Fashion Meets Beauty


Breaking beauty news! Drugstore brand Sally Hansen is teaming up with fashion designer Alexander Wang in a collection of nail lacquers just in time for his Spring 2012 show. Debuting on the runway this September, the polish line is the first beauty venture for the fashion house. Our color prediction? A muted grey reminiscent of his punky-chic studded bags.

—LAUREN DRAGO

Monday, August 22, 2011

Style Smarts

With school starting in less than two weeks (eek!), finding chic and smart school supplies can sometimes be hard to find. But we've found the top 5 things you need to be fashionable and still get those A's!

1) Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda ($24.95, lillypulitzer.com)

2) Marc Jacobs Sharpies ($2 each, marcjacobs.com)

3) Banderole Pencil Set ($12, anthropologie.com)

4) Juicy Couture Vintage Floral USB Drive ($48, juicycouture.com)

5) Polka Dot Tape Set of Two ($10, fredflare.com)


– CARLY HILL

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fall Military Trends


Military inspired pieces are all the rage right now! Grab a pair of combat boots like these for $30 from Target to rock this trend. They look remarkably like Steve Madden?s version and cost $70 less. A fresher take would be to wear a cargo jacket instead of last fall?s skinny cargo pants. For a night out, heeled combat boots are an option. Look to celebrities like Jessica Alba and Rachel Bilson for inspiration.

Monday, August 15, 2011

The It Girl


The movie theater lately seems to be full of a bright redhead named Emma Stone. Hollywood's newest It girl, is starring in two of this summer's biggest movies, "Crazy Stupid Love" and "The Help." Plus, she makes a hilarious cameo in another summer blockbuster, "Friends With Benefits." Emma's charm has also followed her onto the red carpet, stunning in pieces by Tom Ford, Giambattista Valli and Chanel. Her style choices are chic and modern, showing everyone that the good girl can get get it all. With more big movie roles (like the new Spider-man movie), magazine covers (she's Teen Vogue's cover girl this month) and fashionable appearances, it's obvious Emma will be Hollywood's darling for a very long time.

– CARLY HILL

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Missoni for Target Sneak Peek


Photos from the new Missoni for Target line (out next month) were leaked on a Tumblr blog, named All The Way Up Here. The author of the blog, Marina, says the photos were given to her by Margherita Missoni. The Missoni collection will be the largest in Target?s Go International designer history. It includes women?s, men?s and children?s apparel, a bike, home décor, accessories and luggage. The line hits Target stores September 7th and prices range from $7.99 to $199.99. Thanks to Budget Babe for the tip!


–MANDILYN KERR

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Reveal Your Inner Kitchen Beautician


Constantly investing in new beauty treatments can be a strain on a collegiate budget. Ensure that you remain ravishing with these homemade alternatives—all found within your kitchen. So go ahead, treat yourself to a spa-like day of pampering with natural ingredients: hold the chemicals, please!

Face exfoliant: blend two tablespoons each of plain yogurt and ground oats with one teaspoon each of brown sugar and lemon juice. Apply the paste to a damp face and let it soak in for at least twenty minutes. Rinse and reveal a moisturized visage!

Lip scrub: combine a teaspoon of honey, extra virgin olive oil, and brown sugar. Rub a hearty amount on the surface of lips to moisturize, exfoliate, and help prevent peeling and flaking. A perfectly smooth pout will result.

Hair reviver: mash a banana and avocado together into a purée and apply as a paste to hair. Allow the mixture to soak into your locks for fifteen minutes before rinsing out. Shampoo and condition as normal afterwards. The result will be shiny, soft hair to replace dry, tired tresses.

Teeth whitener: crush a strawberry until it is reduced to a pulp and mix with equal parts baking soda. Use a toothbrush to spread the mixture onto teeth and let sit for five minutes. Rinse away the residue with toothpaste and a good brushing. While it’s no replacement to teeth bleaching, it is a cheap, fast way to effectively remove stains from wine, coffee, and dark soda. Shine on, smiles.

Happy mixing… you kitchen chemists, you!

-STEPHANIE WEBER

Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Fashionable Friendship



Who knew arts and crafts could be so on trend? Celebrities like Lauren Conrad (pictured), Miley Cyrus and Nicole Richie have all been spotted with their wrists full of braided friendship bracelets. This childhood craft looks great with different colored bracelets stacked high, with different textures and beads. Plus, with National Friendship Day on Aug 8th, what couldn't be better than making your best friend a heartfelt and fashionable accessory? Here's how to:

1) Head to your local craft store first to pick up waxed thread, rope, colorful ribbons, yarn or string. Also, remember to get securing materials like glue and clasps, and beads and rhinestones for embellishments.

2) Begin to braid! Choose three pieces of string, dying a secure knot at the top and braid the bracelet an appropriate length for the wrist. You can try different braid patterns such as the candy stripe, chevron weave, or corkscrew method. After cutting string, knot ends or string beads on before tying the loose ends. Now time to share with the friends who are always so chic, and always there for you.

–CARLY HILL



Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Designer Deals


Get name-brand items for less on sites such as Ideeli, Beyond the Rack and Gilt. Each site offers deals on specific brands for a short period of time. When shopping on sites like these, it?s important to remember that if you see something you like, buy it right away, because items sell out very fast. Another tip when shopping on sites like these is to visit them every few days because the inventory changes. Gilt has been featured on the CW?s, Gossip Girl, and features high-end designers like Helmut Lang and Charlotte Ronson. Beyond the Rack and Ideeli are priced lower but still offer great deals on brands like Joe?s Jeans and French Connection.

-MANDILYN KERR

Monday, August 1, 2011

Bright Young Thing


With summer coming to a close soon, these last few weeks are for wearing your summer best and showing off those golden tans. An awesome trend to try is mixing neutrals and neons. To achieve this trend, try wearing summer whites and neutrals paired with neon lips, nails or accessories. Jil Sander's Spring 2011 Collection is a perfect example of this trend. By pairing a simple white tee with a neon skirt, this chic, minimalist trend is achieved. Kim Kardashian also shows off the trend by pairing classic white jeans, nude heels and a tan shirt with a great neon yellow Hermes Birkin bag. Some great pieces to invest in are Cambridge Satchel Company's Neon Satchel ($128, urbanoutfitters.com), Splendid's Nude and Pink Striped Tee ($81, net-a-porter.com), Zara's Neon Heels ($100) and Nars "Schiap Shocking Pink" Nailpolish ($17, narscosmetics.com) Bonus? The neturals and neons BOTH help to make your summer glow pop even more.


– CARLY HILL