Even Halloween Has Fashion Don'ts!

I saw a man in the city today with a straggly braided ponytail held together by--wait for it...--a puffy orange scrunchie. Maybe he just swiped his daughter's hair accessory to be festive for Halloween, but this guy's bold move is a total fashion flop.

Unless you're dressed as Oliva Newton John during her "Let's Get Physical" era, please, burn all of your leftover scrunchies from the eighties. Or bury them in a time capsule with your New Kids On The Block lunchbox.

Fashion Obsession Of The Moment

Flashy handbags are so five minutes ago. Make a statement with colored flats!

It all started with a pair of hot pink patent flats. I had a black and white outfit at home that was screaming to be worn with a pair of bright shoes, and these were the perfect match. Plus, they were on sale for $7.

A few days later, I picked up a pair from Old Navy in purple suede. They go great with brown, black, white, gray, cream, and even hunter green. Who would’ve thought?

I’m keeping an eye outh for flats in navy, red, and green. I want a collection that puts Roy G. Biv to shame!

Beauty Obsession Of The Moment

Stash away your pink and coral summer hues because, for nails, this fall is all about going vamp. My latest obsession: navy nails. They’re dark, sophisticated and not nearly as harsh as black.

Last week, I bought O.P.I.'s “Russian Navy,” expecting the color to be the shimmery purple shade of the bottle (I know, the name should have been a dead giveaway). At first, I didn’t know how I felt about my blue nails. It reminded me of 8th grade, when I swapped rainbow-colored nail polish with my best friends. But before long, it was love.

The color is perfect for going out at night, but versatile enough for school and work. Shades of gray go great with navy nails. Add a silver accessory or two and, voilà! Instant class.

A Funky Paradise for Cost-Conscious Shopaholics

Thrift shopping has become my new addiction. I love bringing secondhand clothes back to life, and thrift store buys are always affordable. But sometimes it can be discouraging. I often leave the local Goodwill empty handed after hunting through racks of summer camp tee shirts and shoulder pads. The trick to thrift shopping is knowing the right places to look, and recently I found the jackpot for secondhand steals.

Buffalo Exchange sells only stylish, quality secondhand items, which means you won't find any of grandma's old Christmas sweaters. When I visited the Philadelphia location, I brought armfuls of skirts, tops, and dresses into the fitting room. I wanted to buy it all, but I limited myself to one killer dress and a funky turquoise necklace. Total price: $20.

I loved Buffalo Exchange so much that I had to travel back into the city for a second helping. This time, I brought bags of clothes, shoes, and accessories with me that I was able to exchange for half the price they’d sell for. I could’ve opted for 30 percent of the selling price in cash, but the store credit was a better deal and I planned to make a few purchases anyway.

The lady behind the counter had a funky, eclectic style that complimented her tattoos. I was surprised when she recognized me, and we instantly hit it off. She let me shop as she sorted through my donations.

At one point, "It’s Raining Men" by the Weather Girls blasted through the speakers. The entire store sang and shopped in unison, including the employees. The experience as a whole was a refreshing alternative to my usual department store shopping sprees, and the friendly vibes made shopping that much more satisfying. I left Buffalo Exchange with a bagful of clothes and an ear-to-ear grin that stayed plastered on my face even after I realized that my parking meter had expired.

Not only does Buffalo Exchange make shoppers happier by offering amazing secondhand purchases, the company helps improve the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 10.6 million tons of textiles were generated in 2003, making up 4 percent of total U.S. municipal solid waste. Reusing old clothes and accessories helps decrease the amount of waste we create. In addition, Buffalo Exchange has saved millions of bags by offering shoppers a token instead of a shopping bag. For each token, the store also donates five cents to a charity of the shopper’s choice.

There are currently thirty Buffalo Exchange locations in twelve states, including stores in major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Don’t have a Buffalo Exchange in your town? Don’t fret – there are plenty of thrift stores around the country. To find thrift stores in your area, visit thethriftshopper.com.

Visit the Buffalo Exchange Website

Cross-posted at University Chic

What's In Your Closet, Mom?

I have a mom who stands out in a crowd. She may be over fifty, but she looks (and acts) a whole lot younger. While searching the mall for her Mother’s Day gift, I was inspired to write this piece about my mom’s wardrobe and her favorite clothes.

The classic black dress is a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. “There’s a lot you can do with a black dress,” my mom says, “I wear a lot of accessories.” For work, simple gold hoop earrings do the trick, or she’ll pair her black dress with a strand of pearls when she wants to look “hoity toity.”

My mom found her favorite dress at a little boutique and instantly fell in love with it. It was pricey, but it the fabric hugged and hid all the right places. It also goes great with her tiered pink and white pearl necklace that she loves. My mom wore this dress for one year for Easter and always brings it on vacation. “It’s very easy to pack, it’s summery, and it’s very comfortable.” she says.


During spring and summer, my mom lives in gaucho pants, capris, and bermuda shorts. Her black gaucho pants are stylish, yet sophisticated enough for work. “A pair of black gauchos can take you from the office, then out to dinner.” she says. My mom’s only tip for wearing gauchos: don’t pair them with flats.


When she’s aiming for comfort, my mom puts on her cargo shorts from Express. “You don’t have to worry about them hiking up your ass!” she says. The crinkled fabric and hemline that falls just above the knee make the shorts stylish, yet appropriate for momwear.

“These things make me look so thin!” my mom says as she pulls her black bermuda shorts from her closet. “And I even got them at Penny’s.” My mom wears bermuda shorts with flats, heels, and wedges. Because they’re so versatile, she likes to have fun with them. At night or at the office she’ll wear her bermuda shorts with a flowy top, or she’ll pair them with bright tees for daytime.


“Tankinis are good for the mature mother.” my mom says – although I wouldn’t consider her a “mature” mother. Nonetheless, swimwear can be tricky for moms. Bikinis are usually too revealing, and many moms fall victims to awful one-pieces with built in skirts. Tankinis show just enough skin and won’t give you funny tan lines.


When it comes to shoes, my mom’s collection is pretty impressive. She has it all: strappy sandals, pointed-toe heels, flip flops, sneakers, and even cowboy boots (if only we had the same size feet!). She has dressy shoes in brown and black, which are perfect for important business meetings and dinner dates. She loves her comfortable Kenneth Cole Reaction sandals, with their low heel and slip resistant sole. Her beige Anne Klein heels are more difficult to walk in, but still adorable. My mom wears them with her favorite coral dress. “They make the outfit.” she says.


“Believe it or not, these are Easy Spirit.” my mom says, pointing to a pair of black sandals with silver buckles. Her casual footwear is cute and comfortable. When she’s laying by the pool or going to the grocery store, she likes to wear her cheap (five dollars!) flip flops from Wal-Mart. The turquoise beads match a lot of her spring and summer outfits, which always make her blue eyes pop. For a sexier look, my mom wears black sandals by Nine West. “They’re harder to balance,” she admits, but my mom has always been a firm believer that beauty sometimes requires a little sacrifice.

I love my mom’s style because it’s not ordinary, yet it’s not over-the-top either. She’s stylish without being flashy. Although she calls me her “fashion consultant,” I actually learned a lot about fashion from my mom, who always made sure I didn’t look too ridiculous when I walked out of the house. My mom and I have a great relationship, and our mutual love of fashion and the shopping addiction in our blood only make us closer.

UChic, How I Love Thee!

I found my new favorite website: University Chic. It’s an online magazine for and by college students. I log on everyday because the content is always changing. There are some really great articles on the site, all pertaining to college and fashion. And the perks aren’t bad either – members get discounts at tons of online stores and boutiques.

It’s super easy to get published on UChic, which is great for aspiring writers like me. I applied for the Chicster Network and was approved within a day, so now I can blog on the site whenever I want. Whatever I write is instantly published in whatever category I choose, so of course I put my first article on the homepage!

Today, I applied to UChic's Student Editorial Board. The position is perfect for my career goals and I’d also receive college credit if accepted. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

What's In My Closet?

This weekend, my closet underwent its annual Spring transformation. I weeded out all of the bulky, winter sweaters in my wardrobe at school and replaced them with the spring skirts and bermuda shorts that had been hibernating in the closet at my parent’s house. The pieces mixed great with some of the new clothes I’ve already bought this season and I’m having a blast making outfits for every occasion. Here are some of my wardrobe essentials for spring:

Sundresses. When I’m in a rush, I throw on a breezy sundress with a pair of sandals or flats, add a dash of accessory, and I’m ready to go. Layering a tank under a sundress with a deep neckline is also one of my favorite looks. Sundresses are simple, but stunningly flattering – not to mention, super comfortable. I always find cute, cheap sundresses at Forever 21 and Delia’s.

Bohemian skirts. I’m a bit of a hippie when I’m dressed down, so I live in flowy, boho skirts when the weather is warm. They look great with flats, sandals, and wedges and make perfect beach cover ups. I try to wear bohemian skirts with hemlines just below the knee because longer skirts accentuate my short stature and shorter skirts inevitably lead to wardrobe malfunctions.

Bermuda shorts. Initially, I was skeptical of bermuda shorts. In a day when capris and gaucho pants dominated my wardrobe, I was reluctant to give them a chance. To me, they looked boyish – like something Avril Lavigne would wear during her skater girl years. I finally gave bermuda shorts a shot last summer in the American Eagle dressing room. I expected to hate them, but they were surprisingly flattering and I instantly fell in love with the length. They’re great paired with t-shirts or tank tops and can even be sexified with a pair of stilettos. I’m addicted! I have solid colored, striped, and plaid bermuda shorts and I can’t wait to add more to my collection this season.


Lucky jeans. I love love love Lucky Brand. Their tie dye prints, peace signs, and boho theme perfectly reflect my style. I love everything from their fragrances to their accessories to their swimsuits. And don’t get me started on their jeans! I have four pairs of Lucky Jeans that I practically live in. The tattered and patched embellishings, sandblasted washes, worn in denim make Lucky jeans my ultimate weakness.


Tees. Gotta love your basic tees. Plain, printed, bold, and muted, T-shirts are simple enough to wear with anything. I’ll wear my Beatles tee with a flowy skirt for a carefree casual look, or accessorize a plain tee with tiers of necklaces to create a little spunk. Tees comfy and casual enough to wear everyday and are versatile enough to be dressed up or down. My XXL t-shirt from Pat’s Steaks (the absolute best place to get a cheese steak in Philly, by the way) was completely unwearable on my petite frame, so I used my sewing machine to transform it into a cute tee that fits in all the right places.


Flats. I wear flats with everything. Metallic flats, leopard print flats, and pointed flats are just a few pairs in my shoe collection. My mom gave me Michael Kors flats for Christmas and they’ve been my favorite ever since. In chocolate brown, they’re dark enough to wear for fall or can be paired with whites, brights, and cream for spring. And they were a total steal at Macy’s for $70.00.


My wardrobe is, by far, my most prized possession. Some students can’t be bothered sifting through their closet for an outfit and, instead, opt for a simple college tee with a pair of shorts. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite. Sometimes I try on different clothes just for fun, even if it does turn my room into a total mess. To me, creating ensembles is worth the effort because looking like a million bucks makes me feel like a million bucks.


Cross-posted at University Chic