My Cute Pick Of The Month: July

Though July is nearly over, I wanted to show you my cute pick of the month. Because it is such a hot month, I decided to go with an adorable, yet sensible outfit that will keep you cool, even when the thermometer soars.
I started off with a plain brown babydoll-style top from Hollister, adorned with a ruffle and a matching ribbon at the bust line. Underneath that is a plain white camisole from Aeropostale and cuffed denim Bermuda shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch.
In keeping with the simple yet elegant theme of the outfit, I chose my newest shoes, from an earlier blog post. They feature a floral brown-and-white pattern and four-inch heels. Also, I incorporated my signature statement (countless bracelets) into my July pick. Don't be afraid of matching patterns with solids, as long as they have a color in common.

Back to School Shopping (And No, I Don't Mean Glue Sticks and Notebooks)

So summer is beginning to wind down, and what better time to think about school? Actually, most of us would rather not think about school, but what about back-to-school clothes shopping? Now that's a subject I'll talk about any day! Many retailers, such as Hollister, are starting their summer clearance sales, which can be a great place to get started. Begin with a basic lacy tank (Marina Park, $14.90) and pair with a newly-arrived plaid button down (Northside, $39.50) and chic crops (Swami's Beach, $49.50). Or, to save more money, make a complete outfit from clearanced items. Combine a super-cute skirt (Boneyard Beach, $19.90) with a laid-back tee (Picnic Beach, $16.90). With all these adorable and affordable clothes for sale at a store near you, you'll be wishing for days filled with algebra problems and gym uniforms.

Are You A Recessionista?

With the economy in such a downturn, many fashion-forward teen girls feel they are forced to compromise on their clothing--they may not be able to afford things from their favorite stores anymore. This can cause them to feel as if they cannot be stylish as long as money is tight. In my opinion, this is totally not true.
I was just flying back to Colorado from Wisconsin today after a nearly two-week-long trip and I happened to pick up the latest issue of Teen Vogue at the airport so I would have something to read. I was flipping through it and (sorta) drooling over some designer pieces I won't be able to afford for quite some time when I came to an article on recession-proof fashion tips. I devoured that article and picked up some helpful advice from it.
First, you can host a 'swap' party with your friends where you all bring no-longer-worn clothes to exchange for "new" ones.
Also, don't forget to hit up consignment shops, where you may find great deals on brand name gear. Even stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's can have steals on designer handbags and shoes. And, if all else fails, shop around your own house. Borrow your mom's cool jeans from high school and pair them with a modern top and bold jewelry.
With all these budget-conscious tips, I know you'll be a recessionista in no time!

No Pain, No Gain

Being "vertically-challenged" so to speak (I am 5'1), I really love the invention of high heels. Not only do they add inches to my height, they also increase my confidence.
One problem: they are extremely painful!
Recently, I bought a pair of cute, brown-and-white wedge heels, perfect for summer. So far, I have worn them four times, and each time, I brought along an extra pair of shoes (and used them, by the way). The shoes are great for looking cute, but I can only wear them in a maximum of two stores before I switch.
Today, my mom and I ran errands. I wore the shoes and I could not make them last longer than two stores. Now I have blisters on all of my toes as a souvenir.
One of the many questions guys ask of all heel-wearing girls is, "Why do you wear those things?" The answer is: for beauty only. We never claimed they were comfy, but we wear them anyway. And despite my pain, I know I will wear those shoes again...but maybe only if I'm going to be sitting down!

"It's My Life!"

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary purse. Handle, front pocket, everything that is typical of a handbag. Except this is my favorite handbag, the one I use nearly everyday...my Coach purse.
I got it nearly six months ago (for Christmas) and it was by far the best present I've ever received. It's my first and (currently) only designer handbag and I guard it with my life. Though I didn't have to pay a dime for it, I still want to have it for years to come, and a replacement isn't cheap. My mom got it online for a little less money than it would have cost in the store, but she reminds me that if it gets lost or stolen, I have to replace it myself. Not necessarily an investment I can make right now, considering I don't have a job.
Nevertheless, I continue to use it all the time, storing most of my "life" in it: my wallet (with credit card and driver's license, as well as various gift cards, most of them expired or used up), my cell phone, my iPod, three flavors of lip gloss, makeup, sunglasses, contacts, a hairbrush and a mirror, along with various other things I stow in there temporarily.
I love this thing, and I hope I can enjoy it for a long, long time!

My Cute Pick Of The Month: June

It's nearly summer, so it's time for loose, breezy clothing that's also fun and colorful. This particular outfit that I picked out for this month shows off just enough skin to keep cool on hot days but is still cute and not too revealing.
I started off with a V-neck tank top from American Eagle. It is white and has vines of colorful flowers cascading down the front and back.
I paired it with a cardigan I bought from Hollister a few months ago. It is coral-colored and complements the tank top.
Because the tank top is so long, I decided to use capri leggings instead of jeans. The tank top almost functions as a minidress, but is still modest because of the black lace-trimmed leggings.
This adorable ensemble shows that with a little bit of color-matching know-how, you can really make a statement piece stand out. Instead of just wearing the tank with a pair of Bermuda shorts or jeans, I decided to play it up with two pieces that really add to the whole outfit.
Don't be afraid; be bold with color but make sure the whole outfit works together.

70% Off Flip-Flops? Count Me In!

So yesterday I went to the mall for a quick little shopping spree. Okay, so I only bought two items but I still got a little thrill from it.
First, I checked out Aeropostale because my sister needed a new swimsuit. Because I am saving up my money for a few things, I wasn't planning on buying anything at Aero. I was browsing around the store, and finding all kinds of cute things that were unfortunately above my budget for the trip, when I happened upon a pair of flip-flops in the very back of the store.
One thing you should know about me is that I am very addicted to flip-flops; I probably own about a dozen pairs or so and I wear them nearly every day in the summer. This particular specimen had silver straps and silver decoration on the footbed. They were very cute, and there was one pair left in my size so I checked the price tag: $17.99. I was about to put them back, disheartened, when I noticed a little red sign above the flip-flops that read "70% off ticketed price". I quickly did some math in my head, and realized that they would only cost about $6!
I waited for my sister to pick out the right swimsuit and then headed for the cash register, cheap but cute flip-flops in hand. In the end, they ended up only costing $5.80, including tax. I definitely scored a good deal and still had enough money to buy an adorable tank top from American Eagle!