Working on a college campus has its pros and cons – definitely more pros, but in the midst of a 12 day work stretch I can’t pretend like it’s perfect.  One fun thing that I always enjoy is seeing the fashion trends that are worn by our newest and youngest students.  Our new freshmen, the Class of 2014, were born in 1992 – AHH!  I’m nearly ten years their elder which makes me old and probably unrelatable in their eyes, but that’s not really my point.  My point is whatever year they are born seems to be the fashion trend when they are 18 too.  So the girls born in ’92 are here with their cross-body bags, courtney love bangs, and layered tops.  So maybe I’m generalizing just a *little* bit…you get the idea. 

I don’t live in a bubble (although Syracuse does not exactly boast big city fashion), and I have known the 90s were back…but I just never knew how far until I met with hundreds of girls in the past few days.  I swear they even talk like they want to be Cher (from Clueless, I wonder if they know who that is?).  Well…I picked up my Raybans, I have a Badgley Mischka hobo ready to go for fall, and I love my ripped denim, but I think I’ll save the backpack purse for my toddler. 

Choose your favorites of the new trends + your go to classics = a style that’s totally unique and you.  I may not be in college - and I most certainly wasn’t born in ’92 – but that just makes me much more confident in my own style and what works for me.  Time to run, my bangles are calling.

shops love!

I was born into a family *wild about stripes* and am so thankful that the stripes seem to continue popping up year after year.  My mommom used to collect all things zebra and we would lose count of how many she had obtained.  Who knew we were setting ourselves up to be so fashionable by our love of all things striped black and white?  My mom would buy anything with a zebra on it…and I have tried keeping with that trend.  Unfortunately, zebra is everywhere now and I just can’t buy everything that I see. 

Here are some of my favorites right now though…1) Urban Outfitters “Wildfire Couture Zebra Baggy Beach Sweatshirt” $108; 2) Hunter Zebra Print Welly Socks (that fit under my black patent boots) $30; 3) Tweezerman Slanted tweezers; 4) Michael Stars Zebra Racerback $40

You didn’t think I’d let the love of zebras end with me, did you?  My daughter recently received this coat, undeniably cute cute cute (don’t worry, it’s faux fur)!

So if you’re passionate about something, there’s no reason why it can’t seep into your wardrobe…in time, it will probably be uber-fashionable just like stripes! 

shops love!

…and in anything but this 3/4 sleeve shirt with the orange logo!  It practically screams uniform and after 13 years of Catholic schooling, uniforms are just not acceptable (especially on a Sunday).  College classes start tomorrow, which means that the academic offices on campus are open the Saturday and Sunday prior for those who need help with their schedule, etc.  Fine – I’m over the fact that I must be here – but I should have revolted on the whole uniform idea.  Yesterday, we all wore matching blue polos with a white logo, and today, the way-too-cropped 3/4 sleeve top.  If we must wear matching tops, I’m determined to find something cuter!  To be honest, I can live with the polo shirt.  But since I can’t wear the same shirt two days in a row, we need to find something new by next year!  I’m always up for a challenge, and since I can pawn it as a work project, that makes me a little smiley.  Here’s what I’ve found (all from holyshirt.com, a local Syracuse business)…I like the first because it’s made by Bella, who made all of my sorority tanks/tees…the second is a cardigan which means I could wear something cute underneath AND it would be practical during our winter weekend as well.  Hmm…soo maybe *cute* will never be the right word, but there has to be something!

So if you know of any *cuter* work apparel tops, please let me know.  We are working 12 days straight, so I promise to post something more fun when I actually have time.  This is my life and these are my tales…man how I miss the sales!

shops love!

So two years ago when we moved into a new house, we bought a new tv to go with it.  It was a nice, big one – 47 inch flat screen LCD – and it was mounted on the wall above the fireplace.  So nice…until something goes wrong.  In the past month, about half the screen decided to go blank.  It needs to warm up for like 15 minutes before it decides to “pop” the screen back into place.  We finally decided to bring out the tv repair man…$75 later we learned that we have a broken panel.  How much could a panel cost you say?  $850!  WHAT?!  So, logically, we need to buy a new tv – it’s really the better investment.  Now, we’ve already established how much I love to shop.  But some buys just aren’t nearly as exciting!  Maybe if we had a really old tv and it was going to be a huge improvement, but our tv was great and not old at all – 2.5 years young!  So now, sitting on my couch, I’m staring at a tv backet with no tv…time to do some research!!!!

Of course I want the best deal, but there just isn’t time to shop the market as much as we should.  Next in line to shopping, is my need to watch tv.  I probably have 15 shows with series passes on the DVR – thank goodness my tv decided to die this week and not fall premiere week!!!!  So my point is – even I, the shopaholic – don’t like to buy ALL things.  I can certainly think of a better way to spend $1000.  Think shoes…lots and lots of shoes….or jeans…or sweaters for the upcoming fall – I certainly don’t think TV.  Oh well…this is not a complaint, just simply a statement of facts – there are not-so-fun buys out there.  I think the key to being a “fun buy” is when you come up with the idea of the purchase.  Like, we need a bigger tv with “so and so” capabilities, then YES, that would make the search and sale a fun buy.  But broken tv and already $75 more in the hole = not-so-fun buy.  Ponder this…

shops love!

ps…I promise my next post will be clothing related, but this is the tale and sale I’ve got going on at the moment.

It’s that time of year – shopping for a good cause!  The Give and Get Event sponsored by Gap, Inc allows you to enjoy a 30% discount on all of their brands – Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy!  In addition to the savings, Gap will give 5% of your spending to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (the charity of my choice)!  After you participate in this sale once, you’ll be on their list for future Give and Get sales.  Once you’re on the list, you’ll pick your own charity and invite up to 50 people to share in the sale!  It’s really a win-win because we’re not only saving money, we’re helping to save lives.  That’s deep, right?  Below is a link to the savings, so enjoy!

If you’re curious as to what’s available on Gap, go back to my post “Old Friends can be the Best Friends” where I showcase a few of my favorite things from their Fall line.  But remember it’s not just Gap - Banana Republic and Old Navy have some great things too!

“Enjoy 30% off from August 26-29 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy and we’ll donate 5% of what you spend to a non-profit.”

via Give and Get is Here!.

This is actually an expression that my daughter would say, but I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of days now.  It’s been rainy, cloudy, and altogether dreary since Saturday, and it’s messing up the fun of my newest gift!  My family was in town this past weekend for Lily’s 2nd birthday and of course shopping was on the agenda!  Last minute as our items were being rung, something struck my eye – ironically, it was something to cover my eyes!  The “New Wayfarer” Ray Ban glasses (see below) in a color that was practically made to compliment my blonde hair. 

Say what you want, I’m probably the last person to jump on the wayfarer bandwagon, but I don’t care!  I love them and need to wear them.  So…where’d the sun go?  I guess August would be an odd time to buy sunglasses, but thankfully I have a reason to buy anything at anytime.  My reason: fall brings winter and winter brings snow.  Snow is very reflective and I will *need* sunglasses to keep me safe while driving.  I’m stopping before you can tell me that my old sunglasses would’ve worked just as well. 

Another point – you can find some great sunglass deals right now because most people aren’t thinking about my winter-sunglasses theory.  Nordstrom.com has over 95 styles that are under $100!  I’m posting my two favorite styles below.  AX Armani Aviators, $65 and Michael Kors ’Fiji’ glasses, $95 (zebra and anything = amazing).   

So while the summer may be coming to an end – let’s not give up our favorite summer accessory just yet! 

Shops love!

I had a hard time deciding what to wear for my daughter’s birthday party – especially because the forecast is RAIN and we’ll be inside the house the entire time. The newest addition to my wardrobe made the decision simple…J Brand ‘Houlihan’ cargo dark denim jeans. They fit fantastically with no hemming necessary – a huge bonus since I’m only 5’2″. Not sure what I’m going to pair it with yet, but that’s where my love for cargos stems. You can dress them up or down by choosing between heels or flats and then decide between a halter or something more casual like a sweat jacket. Today I will wear them for a child’s party, but I can just as easily wear them for a night on the town.

J Brand can take credit for having this seasons “IT” cargo (first pic below), but many other brands are making them for a much more wallet friendly price. Free People has a pair that cost $98 (shown below in olive). I actually have this pair and they are very comfortable and run true to size – again, no hemming for me. Blank makes a pair for $78 (bloomies) – can’t say how they fit/feel, but they look similar to the others. So whatever your budget, you can find a pair that are right for you. You can’t go wrong with having at least one pair of skinny cargos waiting in your closet.

shops love…and pictures from the party are soon to come!

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Sometimes, our oldest friends can be our best friends.  I’m always finding new brands that I love, but I’ve been shopping some brands for so long that they’ll always be a part of my life.  One such store is Gap.  Now while I love all companies under the Gab Brand unbrella, right now I’m talking about The Gap.  I shopped their as a little girl, throughout high school, and they were there for me when I wanted my first big girl “professional” wardrobe. 

Last Saturday, I had a Gap coupon for 40% off my entire women’s purchase (sorry for not sharing, the coupon was only good for one).  I went in and found some adorable 3/4 tees that will be great throughout the fall!  Simple, casual, comfortable – all words that I love to use when describing my wardrobe.  I prefer to use fancier words when describing my style, but in reality, it all goes back to those 3 words.  Currently, Gap has a coupon that is 15% off entire purchase…make sure you’re on their mailing list, because they send coupons all the time!  Here’s what I found:

Again…simple, casual, and comfortable.  Most days of the week, I am perfectly content defining myself in those 3 words. 

Shops love

For the second installment of the Shopaholic Showdown, the question is: over or under?  Over or under your jeans, that is!  I’m loving so many boots for this fall season that I can’t decide what I really want.  I’ve already invested in a couple pairs – but what will I wear more?  Let’s decide!  I love wearing knee high boots that go over my jeans/leggings – more and more I’m seeing the “bootie’s” over leggings as well.  This trend is starting to grow on me, but it needs to be a pretty special bootie for me to cave and do it.  Going along with the spirit of ‘saving’, all of the boots featured in today’s post are under $100! 

I tend to be a little more picky than most when it comes to buying boots because I literally wear them 9 months out of the year.  Syracuse is known for cold weather and a lot of snow – so suede is usually a big no-no for my wardrobe!  I also tend to prefer a chunkier heel (although I am easily swayed against this) and a lining because my feet get so cold!  Wearing tall boots over my jeans is a big help in keeping warm on those chillier days!  They are also better to wear when there is always a chance of snow (no one wants to have the bottom of their pants soaked from slushing around in the snow). 

When I go to work, I like to wear comfortable shoes/boots that are classic so that I won’t mind wearing them nearly every day.  For the coming fall, I’ve picked up this Nine West pair ($99 from piperlime.com).  They will also look great with jeans – so I can dress them up or down!  They have a little zipper on the inside, so they are easy to get on/off.  I am loving these Steve Madden Pull-on Slouch boots.  I can see them over skinny jeans or any color leggings and looking so “right now.”  For $99, they are practically a steal (plus remember free shipping and returns from piperlime).  My wildcard pick is the lower, midcalf buckle boot by Wanted.  For only $59, it’s worth taking the chance on them! 

So right now, I have to say that I’m going with the OVER!  Let’s get some good use out of the leggings and skinny jeans that we’ve been buying for the past year.  You will always need the shorter boots/booties to wear under…we can’t completely forget about our bootcut jeans and work pants!  But I think if you’re trying to decide on just ONE new pair of boots for the coming fall, do it big with some knee highs (or over the knee if you really want to make statement)!  Share some of your favorite finds with us!

Shops love and happy Sunday!