Pre-Falling

How many of ya'll are craving fall a little bit early?? As of today, I am joining your club.

The South is a beautiful land full of ocean breezes, beach weekends, and sweet tea, but 95-100 degree temps combined with intense humidity are hard to love. Even for this summer girl!

Today Starbucks was playing classical music and I was instantly flooded with images of red-gold New England landscapes, fireplaces, blanketed couches covered with books, and fitted camel trench coats. What is it about Vivaldi and Bach?

As if that wasn't enough, Forever 21 put up their back-to-school displays featuring collegiate stripes, stacks of sweaters, and long plaid skirts.


I wore an almost-identical plaid skirt back in highschool. Seeing this one gave me a horrible flashback involving frumpy blouses and granny boots. But now I'm curious: how will you style it this fall to bring it into 2011?

Comment away!

-B.

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In Now: Texas via OPI

Just when you think the verbose minds behind OPI couldn't possibly produce another insanely creative collection, they do exactly that.
You'll want to be in a "Texas State of Mind" for this:

In Now: Textiles by Rodarte

The Fashion program at my school includes several textile classes, so I geeked-out when I heard about Rodarte's collaboration with Knoll Luxe (thank you, Zoe Report)! The collection is intended for home projects, like cushions and drapes, but interior design fabric can be used to create AMAZING clothing designs as well.




I am itching to get my hands on a few yards to experiment with my DIY Rodarte fantasies!
-B.


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In Now: Never Gonna Survive Unless...

...we get a little crazy. These flats are currently on-sale in the boutique where I work. Nothing leopard-printed has made it's way into my wardrobe yet, but I think this is the right time, yes? As if the sale price and adorable style (buckles + leather) were not enough, they have a padded sole that equals serious comfort.

SOLD to the broke college girl behind the desk.

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Let's Go Disco

Every few months a certain trend crosses my path and turns me into a completely obsessed moron. I will not be satisfied until I have turned every store in the area up-side-down to find the perfect top, or skirt, or coat, or necklace, or shoe. My current obsession is a bit more dangerous than usual because instead of being a specific style or cut, it is a general desire for anything with sparkles. ANYTHING.

The sparkle craving began to take hold when OPI revealed the new Burlesque line, and became a full-fledged obsession when I saw shimmering skirts, tops, tights, and jackets on many of my fellow students at a recent theater event. Although the glitter-as-daywear trend has been on the blogs since August, it took me this long to appreciate the many uses a girl can have for something sparkly. Lucky for me, Black Friday is only 2 days away!

OPI Burlesque line. Bring On the Bling is going in my Ulta bag!

J. Crew sequin drizzle tank. Love paring this with jeans and a black jacket!

Charlotte Russe sequin mini skirt. Try it with a structured jacket or top in blush tones.

Loft glitter capri wallet. Perfect wristlet and super affordable too!

Kate Spade charm pump. Because it's just too pretty not to look at!

In Now: New York Post

The weather outside is frightful, but that's to be expected when a southern girl leaves her natural habitat and heads north for the New Year. What was I thinking? Thankfully, I'm fully equipped with boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and of course, a few fabulous coats.

Watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV has been a tradition for who-knows-how-long so this year we decided to do something really different: going to Times Square to watch the ball drop. Thus, here I sit in a tiny appartment somewhere in mid-town Manhattan. I have no idea where I am once I leave the building. If someone were to spin me in a circle one time, I strongly doubt I could even find the front door again. Yes, it's that bad.

Anyways, we headed up-town earlier today and I spent quite a bit of time people-watching while lunching on 5th Ave. It wasn't long before 3 trends began popping out repeatedly. Skinny jeans, flat boots, and skinny jeans with flat boots. Do New Yorkers not wear anything else? I felt out of place with my heeled, pointy boots and slight boot-cut trousers. Ugg is everywhere. Maybe it's just my view, but personally I don't think I can pull them off. Give me heels or.... well, heels. It is the rare occasion when I break out the flats, and my feet have to be in serious pain before I go to the last resort.

Tomorrow I head out again, this time in jeans and maybe (gasp) silver skimmers. After all, I did spend most of my day traipsing up and down the upper-east side. Who wants to take a cab when there are stores as far as the eye can see?

Go shopping New York,

-B.

In Now: Burgundy Boom

Found: the new It nail color. Many college girls go with the time-proven pinks or (even more boring) a plain clear top coat just because they "go with everything". If you're looking for something to spice up your mani life, go with a burgundy shade. I've been sporting it for the past week and it managed to match nearly everything I wore. Try Essie's "Wicked" or OPI's "Lincoln Park After Dark". Bill coming up? You can grab "Red Raven" by Love My Nails in any Wal-Mart.

Go shopping,

-B.