Forever and Always- The Eternity Scarf

It's warm, its bold, and best of all- it's one size fits all. The Eternity Scarf. With last weeks blizzard, drawer slams were heard down the east coast as girls shoved their summer short shorts away and pulled out the sweaters and boots they've been waiting to wear since Memorial Day. Not only can these scarves be worn with heavy wool coats for snow days in the city, but can be worn inside at work or in class to give your outfit extra oomph. Scarves are one of the cheapest, most versatile accessories. Unlike other acccessories, you cant break them and you can't scratch them. Best versions of these scarves are basic. One colored. Look for deep tones this fall, like maroon, gray, and deep purple. You can even wear it in different ways, like as a vest or even a skirt!


Gray Cooperative Waffle Knit Scarf- Urban Outfitters



Blue Denada Eternal Knit Scarf

The College Girl's Guide to Business Casual

Linen Pants
JCrew

Sweatpants, ripped jeans, hoodies. These are the staples of many college students' outfits as they rush to get to class on time or hang out in their dorm rooms all day. And when those days come up that call for "business casual attire" whether it be for a class presentation or an interview, cries of panic can be heard throughout campus. Here is a simple guide to the vague term of "business casual" that will help you look fashionable and presentable each time you are met with a business casual dilemma:

1. Find a great pair of black pants, make sure they are a little loose (but not bordering cargo)
2. Skirts- great for work, an interview, and even happy hour drinks. The key is finding the right length, make sure they reach just above the knee so as to make yourself not look stocky, or more importantly skanky
3. Dresses- my favorite of the three options. A few great dresses can make styling a million times easier, as you don;t have to mix or match.

Brown Linen Skirt
H&M.com

 -- make sure they are knee length
 -- no tube tops or halters or bra straps
 -- thick sleeveless is appropriate, but remember to bring a cardigan or cute blazer for those cold office cubicles!
4. Pencil Skirts- sexy and professional. They can't help but hire you.
5. Shirts- theres hundreds of different shirts that are appropriate. If you must wear a camisole, make sure you wear a pretty cardigan over it and tuck the shirt in your pants or skirts. Nothing see through. Button ups are great, but to create a more feminine look, a patterned or floral skirt really helps.
6. Great pair of heels. 1-2 inches is enough height to make your legs look longer, but short enough to make a long day bearable.
7. Pretty flats. So comfortable you could even walk to work in them.

Print Jersey Dress
Ann Taylor

Never, Evers:

1. Shorts.
2. Mini skirts
3. Any "too tight" clothing that you're dad wouldn't let you out of the house wearing.
4. Hide your undies, hide your bras.

Key stores:
H&M, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, JCrew

Remember, all of the clothes you buy for business attire should be of good quality so that they last for a long time. These are staples of your every day life, or will be, so invest now. Who knows, you might even begin to like them?

The Great Cape Debate

Cubus

So recently I've been thinking about superheroes, my semester abroad in London, and my love for vintage shopping. What do all three have in common? Beautiful capes. If your not familiar, capes are like half jackets, they have armholes but no sleeves, cover your body but don't constrict you. Most importantly, the perfect cape can give you a whole new wave of confidence as you walk down a crowded street looking effortlessly chic. The biggest deterrent most people have when deciding whether to buy a cape is the question, "But when would I actually wear this?" The answer: Every season. This spring, a cape is a great transition jacket from frosty winter days to the warmer months of April and May. For summer, a cape can be a great topper to a light summer dress, great for when there's a breeze by the beach at night but you still want to finish your sangria outside. As fall rolls around, the same cape can be worn over skinny jeans, with great boots and a long sleeve blouse. During the winter, use the cape as a great layering tool with trendy furry boots with thick socks peeking out, a knit sweater, long gloves, and a cute winter hat. One final tip. When shopping for the perfect cape, be selective. You don't want to end up in one of those tasseled ponchos circa 4th grade when you still had your batman lunchbox. Find simplicity and quality, and you will win the great cape debate. 

American Apparel

Alley Cat Vintage

Even Cover Girls Cover Up

INC Printed Caftan

There may be one thing I look forward to more than bikini lines and sipping margaritas poolside. Cover ups. An excuse to wear a dress all day and more importantly eat without worrying, cover ups provide the comfort and style that skimpy bathing suits often lack. My bohemian style is most appropriate at the beach, where loose fitting and flowing tops are the perfect compliment to the relaxed atmosphere of vacation. Add bright colors and some jeweled touches, and you've got the look. While you may have limited yourself to the old terrycloth/towel look in the past, this is the year to break free of heavy materials and let yourself frolic in light satins, cottons, and polyesters. Elastics are key for feeling comfortable after one too many burgers and appletinis or playing volleyball with the boys. Don't be turned off by cover ups that look more like dresses, you can take these looks from day to night by simply adding a necklace and espadrilles. As far as colors go, don't let your skin be the only thing that's red, and go bold with your cover ups. Safari patterns are not as outlandish when worn as a pool cover up, and deep sunset colors like royal blue and purple create a romantic vibe. Just remember that you can be sexy without baring everything, and a hot cover up is the best sneak peak to what's underneath.

Forever21 Afternoon Woven Dress

Foverer21 Springtime Breeze Dress

Spring Break: Swimsuit Edition!

GOTTEX Bikini Top

Since the plane landed back home last march, we've all been awaiting this year's romp on the beach, complete with real or fake tan, and of course, the perfect bathing suit. This year, the same trends shown on the runway have been translated to bikinis, tankinis, and one-peiceinis. Whether its bright colors such as fuchsia or turquoise, animal prints, or rhine stones, pretty much anything goes this season. This year I had the fortune to discover the huge array of bathing suits Victoria Secret has to offer. The best part is that all of their tops and bottoms share the same colors so mixing and matching is so easy, and you get four different looks for the price of two bathing suits! More important than style (there is one thing) is fit. Unless you have a page in this month's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, no one wants to see "extras" coming out of your behind, so buy a bottom that fits, maybe even a size up from your normal underwear if you haven't done any squats in a while. For those small on top, bandeaus are great as well as halters with an underwire to give that extra boost. For those larger endowed, underwire shouldn't even be an option. There is such a thing as too much. Target and Zappos.com are great sites to pick up a bunch of suits for even more affordable prices. Check out these suits and don't forget to put on sunscreen!

Zappos.com Type Z Lola Bikini in Black 

Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Bandeau Top and Bright Pink String Bottom

Target Xhileration Animal Print Triangle Top

Saturday, March 5

Check out the looks that this closet inspired on the My Pieces page!

Going Green

Zara hooded anaroak

Sustainable? Powerful? Environmentally friendly? Yes. Yes. Yes. The only thing these green pieces don't have in common with their army counterparts is their ability to blend in. No, when you put on any of these new looks in camo green, heads will turn and all eyes will be on you. For years I've been on the search for the perfect spring jacket, complete with

hood, and this season has finally brought me an amazing new option: the green cargo jacket. They come in all different fabrics, weights, and lengths, but they are all sure to please. My favorite includes this Zara hooded cargo as well as a Nordstrom brand jacket with a rouged front. Why stop at a jacket when you can buy crop tops and tights in the same forest green. And while we're all still cringing over those middle school pictures of our zip-off cargo pants, the cargos of the new century are slim and hip, not baggy and well, embarrassing. Boot leg skinnys look great with any shoe, but ankle boots make your legs look extra long and lean. Pair with a longer top and a layered necklace and don't be afraid to try on a fedora. So go green, green, green and feel good about yourself and your environment.      

     

From Daddy's Little Girl to Daddy's Big Closet

My favorite old plaid button-up

Its cold outside. And all most of us want to do is curl up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, a corny chick flick, and another bowl of popcorn. But who wants to do that in any thing less than a big baggy shirt, preferably something worn in, and little old. That's where dad's closet comes in. The first thing to look for when sneaking into his a big, comfy sweater. Plain or patterned, doesn't matter. There's nothing better than  lounging around in a big sweater and leggings, and if you're feeling frisky, a sheer pair of stockings. Plaid button-ups from dad's closet are so much better than the tight fitting one's we're restricted too in stores and the confidence you'll feel in this oversized shirt will definitely make anyone on the couch next to you take a second look. When you can't avoid a night out, opt for one of dad's blazers and pair over an old t-shirt and jeans for a simple yet put-together look. Don't leave the room without checking for any old chain watches that dad may have discarded for a newer one. Without leaving the comfort of home, you can find so many great looks up in dad's wardrobe, and who know's, dad may be so proud he'll throw you a few bucks on your way out!

Tuesday, March 1

Check out the Your Pieces page to see my suggestions on how to add even more sparkle to this closet!

Red Carpets, Red Dresses, and You

Last night's red carpet at the Academy Awards proved to be the best showing of couture fashion so far this year. There were a few big trends seen a few too many times. However, one of my favorites of the night was the bright red dresses worn by Anne Hathaway (twice), Jennifer Lawrence, and best actress winner Natalie Portman. Scarlett Johansson seemed to miss the mark though with her skin tight lace dress that made her curves look disproportionate and awkward. Red is a great color that we can all add into our wardrobe. If a red dress is a little too much for you, start with cross body bag like this one from Forever21.com to add some pop to any outfit. Another great option is encorporating a sophisticated red skirt into your wardrobe, which can be worn to work, to class, or out at night. This skirt from Lulus.com is extremely versatile and looks good on all body types. These red pieces will make you stand out in any crowd without having to even open your mouth (or spill a glass of wine).

Closet Talk: Vintage Rain Jacket

Bought for around 10 pounds from a London vintage shop, this neon rain jacket fits perfectly into my spring wardrobe. Neon is back and hopefully here to stay. Let me know what you think about this find.

Thursday Night, 2/24

This closet has a lot of great options, and a few simple additions can make these simple shirts into awesome outfits. See what how I turned these pieces into wearable outfits on the Your Pieces page.

It's Saturday night. You've already exhausted all the usual suspects in your closet. You went shopping today, bought a bunch of things, but didn't actually buy anything that goes together. That's where I come in. All you have to do is send me a picture of a few things you have in your closet (they don't have to go together) and I'll tell you how to style them, what to pair some of your items with, and tips on how to accessorize. Together we'll turn your closet from outdated to renovated and you'll be Fashionably Great.