Satisfy Your Urge to Splurge!

The semester is almost over, summer’s just around the corner, and tax refunds are arriving in the mail. Who needs more reason to shop? Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to something big!

If you’re going to splurge, make sure your purchase is worth the money. Avoid buying unnecessary items on impulse. Instead, find classic, quality pieces that you can work into your wardrobe.

Here are some splurge-worthy buys:

• Handbags: Durable materials and quality craftsmanship can tack a few extra zeros to a handbag’s price tag, but the right bag can become a lifetime investment. Simple, timeless handbags will always be in style, like the Kate Spade classic nylon "Sam" bag. Avoid trendy purses or limited edition styles. While these bags can become great vintage pieces in the future, you probably won’t be able to wear them throughout the years. How often do you see those Coach scribble print bags that were so popular a few years ago? I rest my case.
  
• Swimwear: It’s important that your bathing suit flatters your body, and the perfect fit often isn’t cheap. Within the last decade, retailers have begun selling swimwear tops and bottoms separately, making it easier to subtly increase the price of a two-piece. Today, a good bathing suit could easily cost a hundred dollars or more, but isn’t a killer beach body worth the extra bucks?
  
• Eyewear: If you wear prescription glasses, don’t skimp on the frames. Instead, use them to enhance your style! If you already have a pair of wire-framed glasses, get a pair with plastic frames. If you have glasses with black frames, get a pair in brown. Depending on the brand and quality of the frame, designer eyewear can cost a few hundred dollars, but don’t freak. Lots of insurance companies provide discounts on eyewear and will sometimes even cover the entire price.
  
• Jewelry: Nothing makes a girl feel more glamorous than an expensive piece of jewelry. Choose something elegant and timeless, like a watch or a pair of diamond earrings. Less is more when it comes to everyday accessories, so don’t buy something gaudy if you plan to wear it frequently.

Here are some great places to splurge, all located an hour or less from the TCNJ campus:

• The Mall at Shorthills: If you’re looking to spend big on designer names, make Shorthills Mall your next shopping destination. You’re bound to find stuff worth splurging on in Cartier, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, or any of the five department stores in the mall. There’s even a Saks Fifth Avenue!
  
• The King of Prussia Mall: This Pennsylvania mall is like a dream come true for shopaholics. It’s about an hour from campus, but it’s totally worth the drive. With more than 400 stores, restaurants, and boutiques, it’s easy to spend a whole day shopping here. The exclusive shops, designer merchandise, and eight department stores make splurging inevitable at the King of Prussia Mall, so be prepared to spend, spend, spend!
  
• The Walk: This summer, skip the boardwalk and shop at The Walk, Atlantic City’s outlet shopping center. Get great deals on designer merchandise at Coach, Calvin Klein, and Kenneth Cole; or stock up on clothes for everyday at Guess, H&M, and Gap. Forty new stores are opening this summer, so save some money from the casinos!
  
• Jersey Gardens Mall: Located in Elizabeth, the Jersey Gardens Mall has over 200 oulet stores, including Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Old Navy, and Victoria’s Secret. Score discounted designer merchandise from Bebe, BCBG, and Neiman Marcus Last Call.
  
• Jackson Outlets: For an exciting shopping experience that isn’t an hour away, visit the Jackson Outlets about twenty-five minutes from campus. Make it an all-day splurge with a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure, which is just minutes away from the shopping center.

With exams approaching, why not plan your splurge as a post-semester reward? Don’t feel guilty about spending money on something worthwhile – you earned it!

Step Into Spring in Style

Ladies, I don’t want to see another pair of Uggs until the next snowfall – it’s officially Spring! I know it’s hard to part with your beloved boots after developing such a close bond over the winter, but I promise I’ll help you find a Spring shoe to fill that wintertime void.

Might I suggest trying flats? There are so many styles to choose from: leopard print, patent leather, satin, pointed-toe... The varieties are endless, making it easy to match a pair of flats with almost any ensemble. Dress them up with a Springy sundress, or wear them more casually with jeans and miniskirts. Use flats to define your outfit. Pair satin flats with skirts and lace for a romantic look, or wear pointed-toe metallic skimmers with skinny jeans for a rock-star edge.

As the weather gets warmer, show some toe! Peep-toe wedges are very foot-flattering. Wedge soles thin out the foot and – who knew? – even disguise cankles! Best of all, wedges can be worn with just about everything. Bermuda shorts, gaucho pants, or any length dress or skirt are perfect for wedge sandals. And because they’re so much more comfortable than heels, wedges are ideal for walking in the city or dancing at the club.

For summer, throw away your inhibitions and expose those sexy feet! Whatever you do, please don’t put them in a pair of dirty, white flip flops. Or any rubber flip flops, for that matter. Instead, stand out from the crowd in a pair of leather thong sandals. "Gladiator" sandals with lots of buckles are the hot new style for summer, or opt for sandals with straw soles for a beachy look. Thong sandals look great with peasant skirts, cropped pants, miniskirts, and cuffed or flared jeans.

This Spring, designers are going bold and eccentric with footwear. Sky-high tapered heels, chunky platforms, and superflat sandals dominate the runway this season. 80’s-inspired metallic textures are paired with Lucite heels, and neutral colored leather and suede sandals are adorned with buckles and multi-straps. Prada tacked tiny kitten heels on the bottom of arched platform soles, Armani and Calvin Klein added Swarovski crystals to several styles, and Missoni embellished chunky heels with colorful ostrich feathers. When it comes to high fashion, anything flashy and different is chic for feet.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on designer footwear. Luckily for us, inspiration is free of charge! Get the designer look with creative shoes that dominate your outfit. Don’t be afraid to be daring. This Spring is all about calling attention to your feet with unique textures, vivid colors, and funky styles. As long as you can walk without looking awkward or falling down, no shoe is too exotic. So put your best foot forward in the most fabulous shoe you can find!

Shoe shopping doesn’t have to break your bank, either. Hunt through the racks at TJ Maxx and raid the aisles of DSW shoes for unique styles and great deals on designer footwear. Designer outlet stores are great for bargains, too. If you’re an online shopper, try search engines like Froogle or Yahoo! Shopping to find the best online deals. It’s also not a bad idea to try shoes on for size and comfort in a department store before purchasing them from an online retailer.

But remember, no matter how hot your shoes may be, your feet won’t look sexy with dry, cracked heels or chipped polish. Pedicures – or at least painted toenails – are a must for spring and summer footwear. And, please, don’t forget to get rid of those hairs on your big toe!

Britney Spears: Comeback Queen or Hopelessly Helpless?

What happened to the old Britney Spears? You remember her: the belly-baring blonde bombshell who rocked our world with stripteases and spectacular performances. Lately, Britney just looks disheveled in the midst of her chaotic life. After splitting from Kevin Federline (finally!) she’s been photographed partying with Paris Hilton, exposing her naughty bits, and even shaving her head. Her crazy antics have landed her in rehab, and some think she’s too far gone for a comeback.

Ironically, Britney’s style (and often lack thereof) has mirrored her life and career as a pop princess. In 1998, the world was introduced to Britney as an innocent (but "not that innocent") teen pop idol who set trends with her pigtails and risqué Catholic schoolgirl uniform. America got to know and love the famous Britney and Justin duo in 2000. Glowing with happiness, Britney looked stunning in a sleek, black dress the night the couple publicly debuted their love by sitting next to each other at the MTV Video Music Awards. Except for their awful matching denim outfits at the American Music Awards, Britney’s style remained in tip-top shape throughout her relationship with Justin.

The great schism was announced in March, 2002: Britney and Justin had broken up. Rumors flew about the breakup, but Brit kept herself looking good. Later that year, she wore a full-length, multicolored Versace gown for the designer’s runway show, where she was photographed getting chummy with Donnatella herself. In 2003, Britney made jaws drop with the open-mouthed kiss she shared with Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards. She was shocking and independent, which put her on the road to becoming a diva.

In January, 2004, Britney married childhood friend Jason Alexander on a drunken whim, sparking the dramatic descent of her life and style. Britney was able to get the marriage annulled, but that didn’t stop her downward spiral and fashion catastrophes.

Eight months later, Britney was back at the altar; this time with her back-up dancer, Kevin Federline. After the marriage, Britney rarely wore make up or did her hair. Trucker hats and sweatpants overtook her designer wardrobe and she was often photographed in public not wearing a bra.

Britney gave birth to her first child in September, 2005 and her second child in September, 2006. In November, she filed for divorce. Britney’s life was changing so fast, and her stress was evident in her unkempt appearance. Shortly after her split from K-Fed, Britney and Paris Hilton shared a pair of fishnet stockings at a Los Angeles club. In February, Britney swapped her red mini-dress for a go-go dancer’s teeny bikini at a club in downtown New York. Britney was seen partying almost every night in a different, heinous outfit.

But is it too soon to give up on Britney? Let’s face it – everyone wants to know what she’s going to do next. She has the world in the palm of her hands right now. It’s the perfect time for Britney to turn around her negative image with a head-to-toe makeover.

A new look coupled with a new album would be the ultimate winning combination for Britney. According to MTV News, hip-hop producer Timbaland wants to work with Britney on her new album. Timbaland gave Nelly Furtado a whole new sound on her album, Loose, and collaborated with Justin Timberlake on FutureSex/LoveSounds. If Timbaland can get Justin on board, Britney’s album will be a surefire hit (and maybe they can even rekindle their love!)

With Timbaland to the rescue, Britney just needs is a stylist and she’ll be back on the road to success. Rachel Zoe, who transformed Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie from trash-o-nistas to fashionistas, would be perfect for crafting Britney’s new look. If Britney started putting her life together by reinventing her style, she could work towards reinventing herself.

Faking It

We see designer brands everywhere: Coach, Louis Vuitton, Dooney & Bourke, Chanel. It seems like everyone and their mother has a designer bag these days. When did everyone get so rich?

The modern woman’s best kept secret is no longer her age, but the authenticity of her handbag. It’s become an unspoken fact that most of the "designer" bags we see women wearing aren’t the real thing.

Knockoff handbags are illegal to sell, but that doesn’t make them difficult to buy. Vendors set up carts on the streets of New York, women throw "purse parties," and countless online stores sell replica handbags. We live in an era where designer logos are slapped on anything and everything, and these replicas are affordable and easy to find.

But are you really getting a great deal? Knockoff bags are cheaper for a reason: they lack the quality and craftsmanship of the real thing. Designer bags have clear and distinct logos. Seams are evenly spaced and the fabric or leather is never puckered. Zippers do not get stuck, and snaps and buttons do not come loose. A designer bag will last a lifetime.

In an episode of Sex and the City, Carrie couldn’t bring herself to buy a knockoff bag out of the trunk of a car. She knew she’d be able to fool people into thinking it was legit, but the "Made in China" tag on the inside would be a constant reminder of her bag’s true identity. You may be able to convince others that you have a designer handbag, but you will always know that your bag is a fake. For some women that’s all that matters.

Others see nothing wrong with wearing a knockoff bag. Why splurge on the real thing? A close replica selling for hundreds – sometimes even thousands – of dollars less than retail price can be a great deal. Plus, it’s only illegal to sell knockoff purses – it’s perfectly legal to buy them.

If you’re going to wear a knockoff, just don’t wear a bad one. There’s nothing tackier than a "Prado" or "Goach" bag. The only way to avoid such a calamity is to know the authentic product. It’s not a bad idea to visit high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom to see the real bag in person. You don’t want to be stuck with a knockoff Fendi bag shaped like a Louis Vuitton.

It also helps to know the common mistakes found in knockoffs. The CC logo on Chanel replicas is often thicker than the logo on the real bag. Kate Spade knockoffs usually have bulky, metal feet, while the real bags have flat feet or none at all. Zippers with cloth or leather pulls are also clues that a bag isn’t real, and cheap or unfitted lining is another giveaway. The more you compare real bags to fakes, the more discrepancies you’ll be able to pick out.

And beware of buying bags online. Whether you’re looking for a discount on a real designer bag, or searching for the closest replica, online shopping can be risky. EBay has around 800 listings for Louis Vouitton bags. Some, like the Louis Vuitton Morgane Polka Dot Fleurs handbag selling for $11,000, are probably the real deal. But hundreds of other eBay listings sell obvious knockoffs for a fraction of the retail price. And even if you’re looking to buy a knockoff, it’s hard to assess the quality of the bag from a picture on a website.

Whether your handbag is real or fake is your secret – just be prepared for people to ask about its authenticity.

Define Your Personal Style

At twelve years old, my favorite outfit to wear to summer camp was a pair of light blue denim shorts--cuffed--worn over green or maroon tights with my black and white striped tee (It had cutout shoulders, which blew my mind). I would top off the ensemble with my beat up Sketchers, which were basically Converse knockoffs, but I thought they were cooler because everyone else had Chucks. Looking back, I probably could have done without the tights. It was summer, we were outdoors, and sometimes they made us play sports (not a pretty sight).

Thankfully, my style evolved as I grew up. I no longer wear platform sneakers or my Hot Topic "parachute" jeans from 8th grade.Throughout the years, I’ve defined myself as a person, and I’ve come to develop a style that reflects who I am.

Sure, it’s nice to roll out of bed and go to class in sweat pants. I can’t argue with that. We can’t all be Victoria Beckhams, spending every second of our lives in haute couture. Still, your personal appearance is your first impression to the world and should reflect your individuality. Using your wardrobe to make a statement can be very liberating and, for me at least, is always worth the extra effort.

You don’t have to follow the trends. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. How are you supposed to stand out if you look like everyone else? You don’t need to be "fashionable" to be stylish. Maybe you can’t stand Ugg boots or skinny jeans or leggings. So don’t wear them! Instead of buying an outfit from Abercrombie and Fitch, spend your money at an obscure boutique. It’s better to find quality pieces of clothing that aren’t so common.

Here are some tips help you define your style:

• Know what looks good on you. Wear cuts that flatter your figure and colors that accentuate your best features. Know what trends you can pull off and which ones make you feel silly. Find pieces that feel right to create an outfit that’s truly you. A second opinion never hurts, so try on different styles with a friend, or even with your mom (she’s around for a reason, you know!)
  
• Experiment with fashion by wearing a new style everyday. Refuse to be a typecast! It’s always fun to surprise people by being fashionably unpredictable. It’s also a great way to figure out what styles look best on you and what you’re most comfortable wearing.
  
• If you’re creative, invest in a sewing machine. Customize clothes that you already have or create pieces from scratch with patterns from a craft store.
  
• Never underestimate the power of accessories! They add that extra oomph to an outfit. Wear an oversized bag or a flashy clutch with a simple outfit, or pair a scoop-neck shirt with big earrings instead of a necklace. Mix and match to find the perfect combinations. You’ll be amazed at your creations.
  
• Develop a style trademark, like Jackie O. and her giant sunglasses, or Mary-Kate Olsen and her shabby-chic. It’s easy to find a signiture style trait that sets you apart from the crowd. If you look great in headbands, start a headband collection and coordinate them with your outfits.
  
• Don’t let the thrift store gross you out. Second-hand clothes are unique and eclectic, not to mention affordable. These places are gold mines for creating original and quirky outfits. Serious hunting at the thrift store can lead to great vintage finds. And as long as it isn’t stained and doesn’t smell, I say it’s fair game.

So go home and open your closet. Dig through your shoes and sift through your accessories. Create ensambles from what you already have, and shop for new pieces to add a fresh twist to old outfits. Wear your creations with pride – you are an artist, and your outfit is your masterpiece!