You Got it In the Bag

Getting back into the swing of things after the holidays is always tough. The new year means a new semester and new internships. Every girl that is starting an internship needs a good work bag. Nothing is worse than carrying your backpack into the office. I made it my mission to find some work bags that won't break the bank, especially because interning often equals little to no pay. One good tip is to pick a bag that is fairly structured and large enough to hold any papers/documents you might have to take home. 

Zara Plain Tote - $25.99 (reg. $35.90)

photo credit: Zara

Zara makes high-quality bags for decent prices. It's no wonder why they can be seen everywhere on college campuses. You cannot go wrong with this simple, chic tote.

Kohl's Dana Buchman Lexi Tote - $39.99 (reg. $69)

photo credit: Kohl's

Similar to the Zara pick above, this bag from Kohl's comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns to suit anyone's style.

Just Fab Francois - $39.95

photo credit: JustFab

I have ordered many items from Just Fab and find all of them to hold up extremely well. You'll be sure to brighten up this office with this blue briefcase-inspired option.

DSW Nine West Trio Looks Tote - $39.95

photo credit: DSW

You'll never have to worry about mixing black and brown while carrying this tote. The dual color combo gives this classic shape a modern twist.

Aldo West Orange Bag - $30.00 (reg. $60.00)

photo credit: Aldo

This Aldo bag is perfect for going from the office to happy hour. Its shape and color keeps it office appropriate, while the crossbody strap can easily transform it into a more casual piece. 

T.J. Maxx Kenneth Cole Reaction Two Tone Snake Tote - $34.99

photo credit: TJ Maxx

Although I am the biggest supporter of wearing animal print at work, you have to be careful. Too much can make you look cheap. To keep your tote professional, opt for a bag like the one above which has a small detail of an exotic print. 

Holiday Party Looks

The holidays are full of parties and events. This means swapping out your messy buns and sweats for blow-outs and cocktail dresses. The best part is that you can easily pair things you already own with newer pieces. Here are some looks that can be worn Christmas or New Years:

photo credits: DSW, Target, Tobi, Nordstrom, Express

clutch - DSW $29.95, blazer - Target $19.58, romper - Tobi $46.00, tights - Nordstrom $24.00, booties - Express $44.00 (reg. $88)

I am obsessed with rompers, especially wearing them year-round. Rompers can be dressed up simply by adding a blazer and some great shoes. Patterned tights are also an easy and cheap way to add some extra flair to your outfit.

photo credits: Express, Lulu's,  H&M, Charlotte Russe, Macy's

necklace - Express $17.45 (reg. $34.90), clutch - Lulu's $42.00, ring - Express $11.45 (reg. $22.90), dress - H&M $49.99, headband - Charlotte Russe $5.00, heels - Macy's $44.99 (reg. $59.50)

If you don't have a little black dress in your closet, drop everything and go buy one now! Seriously, they are the most versatile thing you can own. H&M often gets a bad rep for making poor quality clothing, but this dress is actually made of a super durable knit material. It will be a staple in your wardrobe for years, I promise!

photo credits: Bloomingdale's, Sears, Target, Nordstrom Rack, J. Crew

earrings - Bauble Bar $38.00, top - Sears $17.99, wedges - Target $29.99, crossbody - Steve Madden $39.97, pants - J. Crew $36.00

For more casual get-togethers, tailored pants and a lace top is a safe bet. They are just formal enough for a party, but still seem laid back. The key to keeping it casual is to have one attention-grabbing accessory, like these Bauble Bar earrings, and keep the rest relatively simple.

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

Boohoo Review + Haul

If you've been following my blog, then you know that I love Boohoo. I constantly feature their clothing in my posts because they are both fashion forward and, more importantly, easy on your wallet. They have promotions going on all the time, so I couldn't pass up a sale on all their inventory. I decided to show you guys what I got and create a mini pros/cons list in case you are new to the site.

Here is what I got:

Hannah Tassel Edge Cape - $24, originally $32

More capes! Super soft and easy to throw on or keep in your bag. It only comes in one size, but I can see this fitting all body types.

Sasha Oversized V Neck Jumper - $20, originally $28

I've read a bunch of reviews on this sweater and had to try them out. I bought it in the silver and mint colors in the S/M and it is extremely oversized!!! If you are petite, I would not recommend this unless you want an off-the-shoulder look. Very comfortable though!

Unity Oversized V Neck Tee - $12, originally $16

I'm a sucker for a great t-shirt. These are honestly some of the best I've worn. After reading reviews, I got the S/M size and in 4 different colors. Oops! They are a bit slouchy, but not crazy big where it makes you look like you're wearing a circus tent. Great shirts that aren't super sheer, don't stretch out, and machine wash well. I highly recommend them, especially for the price!

Pros/Cons

Pros:

• Lots of clothing and accessories to choose from for women and men
• Clothing is well-made
• Offer plus and petite sizes
• "View the Catwalk" videos - shows how clothes fit. Pretty helpful when trying to determine between sizes.
• Prices are affordable
• Constantly offers promotions and emails promo codes
• Free shipping over $50 and only $4.99 if under $50 total
• Free returns - I love this since I am the worst at determining my size
• Student discount when you create an account

Cons:

• Overwhelming amount of inventory - this also means the search tool gives you a large number of results.
• Lots of categories which can be confusing
• Shipping can take forever! - this makes sense since it's based in the UK, but their tracking tool doesn't update regularly. I like to know where my package is.
• Sizing is European - there are US equivalents, but I mostly use the reviews and videos to guess my size.
• Stock isn't replenished often

Check out Boohoo and let me know what you think!


*photos courtesy of Boohoo

What I'm Into - Capes

During the colder months, it is tempting to just throw on a cozy sweatshirt and Uggs. Capes, a trend that's popping up all over, is a fashionable alternative. They can be worn many different ways and go from day to night in a flash. Here are some of my favorites for under $50:

photo credits: Nordstrom Rack, Boohoo, H&M, Macy's, Asos

left to right, top to bottom: Nordstrom Rack - $29.97, BooHoo - $40.00, H&M - $39.99, MICHAEL Michael Kors - $44.99 (reg. $89), American Rag - $29.99 (reg. $89.50), ASOS - $34.93 (reg. 50.16)

Gift Guide - BFF

It is that time of year again! The one where peppermint overtakes pumpkin spice, Mariah Carey suddenly becomes relevant, and your bank account is in serious danger. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but it seems that as you get older, the more people you have to buy gifts for. Just because you're in college and have little money to work with doesn't mean that you can't surprise your loved ones with amazing gifts.

Check out these gifts that your BFF is sure to love. They also work for the random girl you got for your office secret santa exchange.

1. Ban.Do I Am Very Busy Agenda 2016 - $20.00

photo credit; Hattan Home

A few years ago, agendas used to be plain and simple, with only a few color options. Now, they come in so many varieties its often hard to choose one. This agenda from Ban.Do will keep her organized through all of her classes, internships, and social plans during the new year.

2. Halogen Touch Tech Cashmere Gloves - $35.98 (reg. $45)

photo credit: Nordstrom

You can never go wrong with cashmere or gloves. These are the best of both worlds. Cashmere is super luxurious and perfect for winter. Gloves on the other hand (pun definitely intended), are constantly getting misplaced, so every girl is bound to need them at some point. They come in many colors and are tech-friendly.

3. Jonathan Adler Vodka Pop Candle - $42

photo credit: Jonathan Adler

While I love Yankee candles, I'm not crazy about how obnoxious the labels are. Jonathan Adler makes candles, like the one above, in all types of scents and colors. This one is my favorite obviously because of the name. After your friend is done burning it, the holder can be a chic accent to her desk or vanity.

4. MAC Irresistibly Charming: Nude Lip Gloss - $35

photo credit: Macy's

MAC always comes out with fabulous gift sets around the holidays and this one doesn't disappoint. Thanks to Kylie Jenner, nude lipsticks and glosses are having a moment, so these are a must have. You can bet your BFF will use these until they run out.

5. Target Home Carved Faux Fur Throw Blanket - $31.99 (reg. $39.99)

photo credit: Target

There is nothing I love more than a cozy blanket, especially during the winter. Give your BFF this blanket to keep her warm in the chilly dorms while still looking fierce in faux fur.

6. Lush Comfort and Joy Wrapped Gift - $44.95

photo credit: Lush

If your friend deserves some serious relaxation, then this gift box from Lush is the perfect gift for her. It includes two shower gels, shower scrub, moisturizer, and bar soap. Another plus is that all Lush products are handmade and ethically sourced. 

7. Kate Spade New York Small Square Stud Earrings - $38

photo credit: Bloomingdale's

What girl doesn't love jewelry? Even if your friend doesn't wear any jewelry, she'll wear these. They are simple enough for the biggest tomboy, but yet come in lots of different colors, even glitter, for the fashionista.

8. IMOSHION Conversation Clutch - $34.99

photo credit: TJ Maxx

With the holidays comes lots of parties and a girl has got to have a cute clutch. This one is sure to make a statement. I love the cheeky sayings and how the metallic color will dress up any outfit. I purposefully saved this for last because, well, au revoir!