POW!

Summer has flown by: Fall is flying forward.

This fall's break-out style? A short sassy crop paired up with a BIG bang. This do has been seen on celebs like Rihanna, to the runaway. Phillip Lim sent every one of his model's down the runaway this season with matching wigs; shouting the fierce call: "The bowel is back!" Boy short hair, paired with bangs with a bang, has been showcased everywhere in the fashion world. This up-beat modern take on the once popular sixties look can be rebellious and hardcore, or sweet and flirtatious. The key for either look is to keep the hair shiny and voluminous.

Baby on a Budget

You don't have to shop at designer stores to buy cute clothes, but you also don't have to get caught shopping at Wal-Mart with a bag over your head in order not to break your budget either. Here are some fun, fashionable places to buy adorable clothing in the mist of our country's economic melt-down.

1. Forever 21: http://www.forever21.com/

Sells women's and men's clothing at affordable prices, (like a prom dress starting at about $25 each), is part of a chain of stores including Heritage 1981, Twelve by Twelve, and the newest edition, Faith 21, a line of fashion forward plus size clothes. With 21 specials daily, (a 20% off sale on 21 different items everyday), this will be your new one stop store for everything from cute outerwear to sexy swimwear.

2. Charlotte Russe: http://www.charlotterusse.com/
A preppy, pretty, girly store featuring casual and formal dresses and tops to fit any girls' needs. With their new Shop, Share, Socialize tool bar, you can shop and chat with your friends anytime, anywhere. Charlotte Russe also features seven7 jeans and chic accessories to complete any look.

Morph Your Closet

With summer coming and the colder seasons away, dig deep into you closet and turn something old, into something new.

Go from a fashion scarf to a statement belt.

Recently, Teen Vogue had a feature in their magazine called "Blues Traveler" that featured vintage, and authentic American finds. They also used an ordinary plaid or checkerboard fashion scarf as a belt wrapped around the waist at the middle. I personally thought it was a cute idea, and making your ordinary played out scarf versatile in many ways. Below shows one of nine designs in the feature, were they took a Dosa scarf and a vintage safety pin to make a stand-out belt with a country twang.

Change your ordinary dress to a cute skirt or top.
This one is easy and an old trick of the trade. To take your dress to classic skirt, just throw a coordinating blouse or shirt or whatever else you have in your closest on top. To take your dress to a pretty top, just throw on some pants or a skirt on top. I suggest pairing you checkerboards with your plaids, your stripes with your florals, or any other daring combo you might dream up, but it always works best when you stay within a color scheme like red white and blue, or cool colors like blues and greens, or purples and darker pinks. Caution: Make sure you try your ensemble on and do a 360 in the mirror before going out in order to prevent you from looking tacky, I know it seems like basic procedure but, you should be cautious while layering. :)
On the picture above: Chloé dress (worn as a top). Luella skirt.

Only You Can Rock a Smokey Eye

Not only can you prevent wildfires, but you can also rock a smokey eye this spring, anytime, anywhere. Recently Demi Lovato was sporting a smokey eye looking dramaticly more grown up in her new music video "Don't Forget". Now, getting the absolute perfect smokey eye can be tricky, so here's a link to perfect your smokey eye technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3b0wtUOJNM

And, dispite what you may know, or always see on models, smokey eyes don't have to be a smoldering black all the time. Tone down your smokey eye into a soft gray or violet or deep blues, or greens, heck try every color of the rainbow!

Swing Into Spring

Bounce back from the winter drag in pretty, frilly, i-desperatly-want-the-sun-on-my-back sundresses, skirts and tops in florals, lace and subdued hues.

Flower Eyelet Dress, $32.99 at Charlotte Russe. Nothing says "Bring On Summer like Eyelet tops and dresses.

Abercombie and Fitch tank top (Bailey) in floral print, $80. Match pretty florals with mini skirts and gladiator sandals.

AE floral maxi dress in pink blast, $44.50. Pair patterned maxi dresses with solid scarfs and solid maxi dresses with patterned scarfs.Lush Layered Ruffle Top in purple from Nordstrom, $34. Frilly and girlish, and all jazzed up for spring!

Billabong Campbell Sweet Pea Skirt from PacSun, for about $30. Who knew that this well known hardcore punk store carried something cute and girlish?The Fabulous Sundress from Forever 21, only $10.50 (who could pass up such a great deal!?) and comes in six solid versitable colors.

Rebel, Rebel

This spring, get the biker babe look. Step out with leather heels, and a pair of Chucks, along with your pretty and feminine dresses and tops.


Rock a frilly dress with a pair of laid back Converses. Pictured at the right is Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, from the recent movie, "Twilight" and their upcoming movie, "New Moon" Converses, about $45, converse.com

Pair these motorcycle heels with a cute little black dress or a pretty floral sundress. Alexander Wang leather sandals pictured at the left. At the right are Studded Strappy Platforms from Charlotte Russe, about $35, charlotteruse.com

My New Tools? Eco Tools.

Finnaly, something good for you, and good for the enviorment. Made all with natural and recycled materials, 100% cruelty free, and bought in a cute reuseable pouch, Eco Tools are a great alternitive to cheap plastic brushes or brushes that use hairs that fall out after so many uses. Your make-up is practicly dying to be applied with these brushes. Seperatly each cost about $4 or buy in sets for about $12, found at any drugstore.

Spring Hit List: Your Must Haves for Spring

1. The boy friend jean. Classic, comfy and at American Eagle for only $50. Or, if you want a cheaper solution, raid your boyfriend's closet! Pictured at the right is Marc Jacob's boyfriend jean version in his spring and summer 2009 collection.

2. Gladiator Sandles. These are a spring (and summer) must have for 2009. Instead of throwing on a pair of played out flip flops, put these on for a twist in your wardrobe. You can pick up a pair at Talbots for about $20 or $27 for a pair in mettalic colors, pictured at the left.

3. Faded Denim Jacket. Looks great with those boy friend jeans, a floral summer dress, or a neon scarf! Before you go and pick up one at the mall make sure to check your local thrift stores or flea markets for a great price on a great buy! Pictured at right, American Eagle vintage denim jacket, about $50.

4. Neon Accesorries. This one can be as simple as nail polish. Other ideas include scarves, jewlrey, bags, cardigans, or simple tees. Try funky greens, blues, purples, yellow, and pinks. Try the Gap for some simple and colorful cardigans and tees.

5. Eco Friendly Bags. In a carry-it-all bag that's also safe for the enviorment, you can't go wrong. Get one at any Ralph Lauren Factory Store for only $10 (pictured on the right.) Each bag is made from 100% organtic cotten and is big enough to use as a duffel bag.