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LOOKS FOR LESS

High-tops Aren't Just for Kids Anymore!

Okay, let’s face it: the new synonym for college is broke. Broke as a JOKE. So as we all venture on this 4 year (or probably longer because let’s face it we aren’t all going to strike it rich anytime soon...or at least I won’t be!) journey of just barely getting by and “making it work”, I’ve decided to step in and try to make things as easy as possible on everyone’s wallet! Here I’ll share with you the DIY’s and looks for less that I deem necessary for survival in this struggle I like to call “life”.

So to make it clear, I am all for saving whenever I can and spending as little as possible on everything I buy. I’ve become quite the savvy shopper and ebay-er and I look for a deal even when there usually isn’t one. So, I am happy to present to you all a flurry of DIY’s that are actually worth your time and many a look for less so we are all able to be just as stylish as when we didn’t actually have real bills to pay.

The Look: Olivia Palermo , street-style

For Less:

Since I work at Forever 21, I'm usually pretty up to date on the stock we receive, what we get a lot of and what sells out fast. So, naturally, this is the store I turn to first when I'm shopping because it's convenient and affordable. So just to start out, most of this outfit is from Forever 21, but I'll try to focus on a different store for each outfit.

So, it is my pleasure to present this lovely look to you, the complete package, the whole she-bang, for under $150!

1. Forever 21 Cropped Knit Blazer, $29.80 in Navy

2. Forever 21 Oversize V-Neck Tee, $9.80 in Cream

3. Forever 21 Cuffed Cotton Capri w/ Belt, $22.80 in Light Olive

4. Forever 21 Contrast High Top Sneakers, $14.50 in Navy

5. Forever 21 Anchor Chain Bracelet, $10.80 in Gold

6. Aldo "Teem" Tote, $55.00 in Cognac

Your Total Cost: $142.70

Olivia’s Cost for her Hermes Birkin Bag at the discounted OUTLET price: still $589 (with the regular price ranging anywhere from $9,000 - $150,000 according to the materials used).

– AMANDA KWASNIEWICZ

Fashion's Night Out Comes to Michigan

This Thursday September 8th, Grand Rapids will be a part of the worldwide retail event, Fashion's Night Out. The annual affair is the kick off to Fashion Week in New York City and allows customers to help restore consumer confidence, boost the industry's economy, and put the fun back in shopping at various stores in multiple cities. In the United States, FNO is a collaboration between Vogue Magazine, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. Spearheaded by the international editions of Vogue, countries including England, China, Japan, India, Italy, France, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Russia, Greece, and Taiwan are also participating in the festivities.

To be apart of this global event, head out to Grand Rapids for some fashionable fun, chic in-store events and amazing deals!

To purchase a FNO t-shirt, which a percentage of the sales from the Fashion?s Night Out T-shirt will be donated to the NYC AIDS Fund, or learn more about attending this free event, go to http://fashionsnightout.com/fno-worldwide.

–CARLY HILL

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

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

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

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.

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

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 7^th and prices range from $7.99 to $199.99. Thanks to Budget Babe for the tip!

–MANDILYN KERR

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

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

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

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

VIM Trend Watch: Suspenders

Rock the menswear trend seen on celebrities such as Taylor Momsen and Victoria Beckham (pictured) by wearing suspenders this summer. Forever 21 has their own $20 version of this look (Added bonus: The suspenders are detachable). If you?re skeptical about trying this trend, wear a top that matches your suspenders or one that?s close to it, to make them less obvious. If you?re willing to take the plunge, wear a tie with your suspenders, a lá Diane Kruger. Suspenders don?t have to be worn with just shorts. They can be worn with skirts, high-waisted shorts or pants. Remember to add a feminine touch to keep the suspenders from looking too masculine. Last but not least, remember to be confident and own your look!

-MANDILYN KERR

A Magnetizing Nail Polish Trend Alert

If you’ve Shattered and Crackled your nails to their limit, try magnetizing lacquer. LCN has a new line of polish that uses magnetic attraction to create unique designs within their metallic shades. By holding a specialized magnet over wet polish for 10-15 seconds, nail aficionados are able to add a subtle yet intriguing design to their fingertips. While the eight varying shades of polishes are only $9.90 each, the necessary magnets (which are available diagonally lined or star shaped) are $19.90. It’s quite a price tag for magnets, but just might be a trend worth investing in.

-STEPHANIE WEBER

A Glamourous Collaboration

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's clothing line "The Row" have teamed up with TOMS Shoes to debut three styles of classic TOMS slip-ons. The shoes, done in luxurious fabrics such as cashmere and wool that are often seen in "The Row"'s collections, are priced between $140-$150, and like all of TOMS Shoes, for each pair purchased, a pair will be given to a child in need. ?Having the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful has made the collaboration with Toms so special to everyone at The Row,? Mary-Kate said in a statement. You can buy the collection on toms.com


- Carly Hill

Ombré Obsession

By now we’ve all seen the ombré hair trend, with celebrities such as Lauren Conrad
and Sarah Jessica Parker sporting two–tone highlights that go on dark at the roots and
progressively get lighter and brighter toward the tips. Well, now the ombré craze has
spread to manicures—meaning each nail is painted a different shade to create a gradient
that gradually fades from dark to light. To achieve this look, choose five different
polishes from the same color family that show a soft progression from one tone to the
next (so that your ombré manicure looks intentional). Paint the darkest shade on your
thumbnail and finish with the lightest on your pinky finger. Check out LC’s versions of
the ombré manicure in shades of red and blue to help you decided which color palette
you’d like to try!

-SAMANTHA MEUX

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Now is the time to buy fall and winter pieces at discounted prices. Some items worth looking at are floppy hats for $15 and capes for $45. If you need investment pieces like leather boots, now is the time to buy them. Steve Madden, Report and Via Spiga are a few of the brands on sale. Love them or hate them, Ugg boots are also on sale at Nordstrom. The last time I bought Ugg boots, the salesman told me Uggs never go on sale.

Sales end August 1^st.

-MANDILYN KERR

Hair Trend Alert: Rainbow-Tipped Tresses

Goodbye feathers, hello rainbow tips! Although rainbow-colored hair may conjure up images of the consistently eccentric Nicki Minaj and the like, the bright plunge may now be more attainable for those looking to spice things up without going overboard. Lauren Conrad, the always classy and captivating fashionista, tweeted pictures last week of the tips of her famous sandy blonde locks tinted blue, purple, and pink. The colors are slightly paler than traditionally seen in non-natural hair colors and gradually intensify and brighten by the end of the strand, creating a unique tie-dye look.

For those questioning if a non-celebrity can get away with such a vibrant look, Lauren’s color-kissed tips are only a few inches long and can be easily hidden in a bun. We love this playful look for summer—consider testing it out if your summer is being spent in a locale where an unorthodox hair color would be acceptable. If your jaunt with colorful tips goes awry, remember you can always dye it back or trim off the tie-dyed ends!

Learn how to copy Lauren’s look here: http://thebeautydepartment.com/2011/07/tipped-out/

-STEPHANIE WEBER

Domestic Diva

There is no denying that Funfetti cake is the perfect party dessert. Sweet and extra special because of its batter full of sprinkles, this cake flavor is loved by adults and kids, making it the perfect dessert to make for parties or just a fun night at home. However, this recipe from bakedperfection.com has taken a new spin on this cake mix and turned them into pretty sandwich cookies! Easy to make, this is a recipe everyone can easily make.

Funfetti Sandwich Cookies
makes approximately 24 sandwich cookies

1 (18.25) package Funfetti Cake
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla until combined. Drop teaspoons of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown. Move cookies to a cooling rack, cool completely before assembling.

Frost bottom side of half the cookies. Top with unfrosted cookie. Roll edges in assorted sprinkles.

-CARLY HILL