Can't Afford the Real One?

Neither can I folks, neither can I. If one of your fashion dreams is to own the iconic quilted Chanel bag, but you don't exactly have $2,500 just chillin in your pocket, there are some purr-etty cute look-alikes floating around on the web. Case in point:

This schnazzy duplicate from ASOS retails for just over $25. 

I would gladly strap this chic imposter over my shoulder on a Saturday night.

The Classic Chignon

I admit I'm definitely not the queen of stylish and posh hairstyles (my mother is nodding). You will see me with either A. Straight hair, B. Curly hair, or C. A pony tail. Quite the diversity. I have neither the time nor the talent to try out new hair-do's, but upon finding this easy-peasy chignon tutorial on marthastewartweddings.com, I will most definitely be giving this a try if I feel like looking as sassy-classy (I just made that up) as this stunning woman. Have you ever seen red hair and red lipstick look oh so right?

*okay, I am not guaranteeing we will all look as "yes, I actually am this pretty, true story" after constructing this up-do. But gosh darnit girls, we can try. 

Step 1: 

Using a round brush, blow-dry hair smooth and straight, focusing on the top sections.

Step 2: 

Once dry, use a large-barrel curling iron to create waves from the ears down.

Step 3:

Build height and volume at the crown by teasing hair gently with a fine-tooth comb.

Step 4:

Gather hair into a low ponytail. Twist it along the nape of your neck, pinning as you go

Step 5

Once you reach your ear, shape the remaining hair into curls, and pin them back over the twist.

Step 6:

Spritz strands in place. Try Frederic Fekkai Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray, $20, fekkai.com.

Step 7

To add texture, gently curl and scrunch the wispy ends with your fingertips.

Gorgeous!

Jcrew Spring 2011

Jcrew's stylist, Jenna Lyons, is one of the best in the business. She instantly makes you want to buy every item on each model simply from what she pairs together.  She's genius at layering, and making mismatched pieces look like they were made to be worn in the same ensemble. Here's a peek at the Spring 2011 line; I don't know how good I would look in sherbert-on-sherbert colors, but Jenna makes me want to give it a try. 

For Best Friends....

"Friends never betray each other. We fight, sometimes. We disagree. We laugh at each other. But friends, friends are something else altogether. Friends are God's way of saying: here, I know it's tough trying to find your soulmate, but here are some other people you know for sure you can count on forever. They're like family, but better because they love you without the moral obligation attached."

Image & Quote via LeLove

Drooling.

The most amazing, affordable cocktail dresses. Want them ALL. 

Topshop

Urban Outfitters 

Quicksilver

Victoria's Secret

Asos

American Eagle

Asos

Urban Outfitters

American Eagle

Some Cute (and Funny!) Videos for Your Holiday Weekend

Sloths get me. Every time. They have to be world's cutest animal. 

K, we all need to start our day out like this. Sassiest optimist I've ever seen, and I dig her style. 

I saw this awhile ago, but it's still worth sharing for everyone that hasn't seen it. 

Black Friday Study Guide

Personally, I've never done the Black Friday sales (in the stores anyway). Getting out of bed in the freezing cold at 3 in the morning, and standing in a mile long line to get $100 off an ipod isn't really my thing. However, I gladly participate from the comfort of my own home, where it is warm, I can do it in my pajamas, and people aren't trampling over each other's heads to get the last Guitar Hero - or whatever it is you people wait eight years in line for. 

Whichever way you indulge in the weekend sales, it is still a daunting task. Which stores are having the best sales? Which sales are only on Friday? Which ones go all weekend? Which stores are having sales at all? Ahhh! It's like homework! Which is why a study guide would make perfect sense. The geniuses at College Fashion has been so lovely as to take the time to organize all the stores, and their deals, by date. God Bless them. What are you waiting for?? START SHOPPING!

Thanksgiving Weekend Deals Starting Wednesday, 11/24

 Aeropostale is offering 50-70% off everything for Black Friday and Cyber Monday plus free shipping on $75, PLUS a free Holiday Bear with a $100 purchase! Offers are good from now through 11/29!

 Benefit Cosmetics is offering free US standard shipping on any order with code GLAMSHIP, or free international shipping on any $85 order with code DEALDAY1. (Both offers end on 11/29.)

 Buckle has a TON of Thanksgiving deals available, and prices will be slashed from now through 11/29 – check the site now for all the amazing deals, AND the best selection!

 Charlotte Russe will be offering 25-50% off everything plus free shipping and a free Infinity Scarf on orders of $50 or more starting TONIGHT, 11/24 at 8PM EST, and running through 12AM EST on 11/28!

 Fossil is offering free overnight shipping if you spend $100 from now through tomorrow, 11/25 at 12:00pm CST. No code is needed.

 New York & Company is offering 50% off everything from now through 11/29, plus free shipping when you spend $99 or more and use code 1529 through 11/28.

 Nike is offering 25% off clearance items with code NIKEAIR (good from now through 11/30), plus get Holiday Free Shipping on all orders with code JUSTDOIT (excludes NIKEiD orders).

 Onlineshoes.com is offering 20% off an $80 purchase with code TURKEY. Offer ends on 11/27.

 Organize.com is offering 7% off a $35 purchase with code XMAS7OFF35. Not sure how long this one will last, so use it now!

 Pacsun.com is offering a $25 gift card with every purchase of $50 or more from now through 12/10! No code is needed.

 Saks Fifth Avenue is offering a 9-piece gift set (a $100 value) with any $35 Clinique purchase and codeCLINIQUEG. Offer is good from now through 12/6 while supplies last.

 Sally Beauty Supply is offering free shipping on orders of $5 or more through 11/26 with no coupon code required!

 Sephora.com is offering 10 travel-ready deluxe sized samples and re-usable airplane-friendly pouch with any $25 purchase and code GETAWAY (while supplies last). Or, get 20% off a Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit plus free shipping through 11/30 – no code required.

 ShopBop is having a HUGE sale, with 20% off hundreds of new items, plus a special savings code! Spend $250 and get $50 off, spend $500 and get $100 off, spend $750 and get $150 off, spend $1,000 and get $250 off, or spend $1,500+ and get a whopping $500 off, all with code BIGEVENT. Offer is good from now through 11/29 at 11:59pm PT.

 The Body Shop is offering 2 for $25 Body Butter and Scrubs, plus free shipping on all orders over $50 through 11/25.

 TOMS Shoes is offering $5 off any shoe purchase with code AFFTM5. Offer ends on 12/31.

 Torrid is offering 50% off clearance items from now through 11/28!

 ULTA Beauty is offering a FREE Crabtree & Evelyn gift with a $25 purchase today, 11/24 only! Also, don’t forget – you can get $3.50 off any $10 purchase with promo code 41863 through 12/3.

 Urban Outfitters is offering free shipping on orders over $75 with code GETSTUFFED (ends 11/29), plus 40% off select women’s and men’s outerwear and 25% off select cardigans while supplies last.

Deals Starting Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, 11/25

While most stores are having deals on Black Friday, many stores are also offering deals starting tomorrow, on Thanksgiving! Unless otherwise noted, these deals are only good for Thanksgiving Day, 11/25, although many last through Black Friday as well. Here they are:

 7 For All Mankind is offering 40% off full priced items with code TSD10 from 11/25 through 11/28.

 Alloy.com will have everything on sale from 11/25 through 11/28 – all jeans will be buy one, get one 50% off, all sweaters will start at $19.50, all boots will be up to 30% off, all dresses will be up to 50% off, and all outerwear will be up to $50 off. Also, get 15% off your order with code AF15A or $20 off an order over $75 with code 20ALL75!

 American Eagle will give you 25% off plus free shipping on all orders on 11/25 ONLY with code 46932285.

 Arden B. will be offering 65% off clearance items plus free shipping when you spend $25 for Thanksgiving Day only!

 Armani Exchange will be having a Black Friday Sale, with $50 off every $150 purchase from 11/25 through 11/28.

 ASOS.com will have markdowns of up to 70% off starting on Thanksgiving Day, and lasting through the weekend! Check them out! Plus, they’ve started offering free standard shipping to anywhere in the world from 11/25 through 12/14. Also, ASOS branded items will be 20% off through 11/30 with code ASOS20.

 Banana Republic is offering 25% off your purchase with coupon code BRTHANKS at checkout. Offer is good through 11/28.

 dELiA*s will be having a sitewide sale on Black Friday – jeans & pants will be buy one, get one 50% off, boots will start at $29.50, all sweaters will be up to 50% off, plus more – all these offers will be good from 11/25 through 11/28. Plus, get 15% off sitewide with code AAF15D or free shipping with code CYFREE. (Both codes expire on 11/28, too.)

 e.l.f. Cosmetics is offering buy 1 get 1 50% off everything plus free shipping on orders over $30 with codeBCGBOGO50. Offer is good from 11/25 through 11/27.

 Ella Moss will give you 30% off with code FFHOL2010 from 11/25 through 11/29. Use this link to visit the sale once it goes live!

 Endless.com is offering 30% off full price slippers, boots, athletic, and accessories from 11/25 through 11/28 with no code required. Some brands are excluded – check the site for details.

 Express is offering 40% off everything for 11/25 and until noon on 11/26, Black Friday.

 Guess is offering 20% off regular items plus 60% off clearance items, plus free shipping when you spend $125+. This offer is good starting at 9AM PST on 11/25 and going through 11:59PM PST on 11/26.

 Kohl’s has over 400 Early Bird Specials available online on Thursday, 11/25, or in-store on Friday starting at 3AM – preview the specials by clicking right here. Also, save an extra 10% when you spend $100 or more and use code JINGLE10.

 Puma will be offering an automatic 25% off all purchases from 11/25 through 11am PST on 11/26.

 Rachel Roy is offering an additional 30% off + free shipping on everything from 11/25 at 12:00 am ET through 11/28 at 11:59 pm ET.

 Saks Fifth Avenue is having a Thanksgiving Sale, with up to 70% off! Plus, get free shipping with codeHOLIDAYS. The sale and coupon code are good from 11/25 through 11/26 online. Also, get a $25 gift card when you spend $100 on Beauty & fragrance and use code BEAUTYSFA for 11/25 and 11/26 only.

 Skechers is offering $30 off a $150 footwear purchase with code GIFT300, or $40 off a $200 footwear purchase with code GIFT400 – both offers are good from 11/25 through 11/29.

 Target is having an online-only Thanksgiving Day sale! Check out the deals on 11/25 – they’re good for one day only! Click here on Thanksgiving day to go directly to the deals.

 Walgreens is having a Three Day Sale – get $10 off your online order of $50 or more with code TENOFF(good from 11/25 through 11/27).

 Wet Seal is offering 50% off clearance items plus free shipping over $15 for Thanksgiving Day only!

Black Friday Deals – Friday, 11/26

Here are the best Black Friday deals! Unless otherwise noted, these deals are good for the duration of Black Friday, 11/26 ONLY!

Online Deals:

 Banana Republic will give you 40% off until Noon on Black Friday plus Free Shipping! The 40% off deal is good in-store and online. Enter coupon code BR40FRIDAY. Offer ends 12:00 PM PT.

 Boutique To You is offering $25 off $175 or more from Friday to Monday with code BLACKCYBER. Offer is good from 11/26 through 11/30.

 eBags.com will give you an extra 25% off plus free shipping on orders over $100 from 11/26 at 12:01am MST through 11/29 at 11:59pm MST.

 Express is offering 40% off everything online until noon, and 30% off everything from noon until midnight – shop early for the best deals!

 Folica will give you $25 off orders over $100 plus free shipping with code NOV25 (offer is good through 11/30).

 French Connection is offering up to 40% off men’s and women’s outerwear and sweaters, plus up to 50% off select Women’s dresses online and in-store for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, plus free shipping over $125 with promo code FCBFFS. The sale and code are good from 11/26 through 11/29!

 Heels.com is offering $50 off orders of $180 or more with code gift50. Offer is valid from 11/26 through 11/28.

 Juicy Couture is offering a free reversible tote bag when you spend $175 from 11/26 through 11/29 at all Juicy stores and online at JuicyCouture.com.

 Lucky Brand is offering $30 off all regular-priced denim from 11/26 through 11/28 only!

 Nasty Gal, one of our FAVE online stores ever, is offering 10% off orders up to $100, 15% off orders from $100 to $150, and 20% off when you spend $150+ from 11/26 through 11/29. Note: The offer does not include sale items or vintage.

 Macy’s is offering Black Friday specials for 11/26 only, plus free shipping with a $99 purchase using codeGIFTS (code is good through 12/20). Hint: If you want a better deal on shipping, consider shopping at Macy’s on Monday instead – they’re offering free shipping on $75 for Cyber Monday… (See details below.)

 MeetMark.com will have some great Black Friday deals – they’re keeping them hush-hush for now, however you can check out the offers once they go live on 11/26 by clicking right here!

 Old Navy is having some Black Friday Doorbuster Deals: 50% Off Outerwear, and Selected Items From $5-$15! The offer is good for 11/26 and 11/27 in-store and online.

 Reebok will give you 20% off your order plus free shipping with code TWENTY from 11/26-11/28 only! (Exclusions apply.) Plus, buy any men’s or women’s Toning item and get an Apparel item for 50% off with code TONE through 11/28. And, get 50% off all Fleece, Polar Fleece and Velour Apparel from 11/26-11/28 with code WARM.

 Sephora.com will give you a free Haul-iday Tote with a $25 order on 11/26 only, while supplies last. And, get free shipping on Philosophy’s Limited Edition Hope in a Jar product with code HOLIDAYSHIP through 12/14.

 Stila will be offering a $104 gift set absolutely FREE with every $50 purchase and code BLACKFRIDAY!

 The Limited is offering 40% off everything plus free shipping on everything from 4AM EST on 11/26 through 4AM EST on 11/27. They’ll repeat this offer on Cyber Monday, however the selection will probably be better if you shop on Friday instead!

 Topshop will be offering dresses, jeans, pants, and ALL shoes for 20% off this Black Friday, 11/26 only!

 Torrid is offering $25 off orders of $75 or more, $50 off orders of $150 or more, and $100 off orders of $300 or more on 11/26 only! Plus, get 10% off your entire purchase through 12/15 with code 11AF10OFF.

 ULTA Beauty is offering a bareMinerals Sheer Genius Kit for only $12, an ULTA Mini Blockbuster kit ($60 value) for $9.99, and a Tarte 6pc set ($75 value) for only $25 on 11/26 and 11/27.

Via Spiga is offering 20% off your entire order plus free shipping (Thank you, Tiffany Zent!)


 Victoria’s Secret will have both in-store and online deals on 11/26 – online deals include a Dream Angels Heavenly Fragrance Gift Set for 50% off, and a Secret Garden Deluxe Gift Bag in Amber Romance, Love Spell or Pure Seduction for $15 (usually $25). Also, orders over $50 will ship for free on 11/26 only.

In-Store Deals:

 American Eagle will be having a Black Friday sale in-store only. Deals include an AE Graphic Popover Hoodie for $19.77 (regularly $29.50), Stripe Fingerless Gloves for $5.00 (regularly $9.50), and a Stripe Infinity Loop Scar for $5.00 (regularly $19.50). There are some good men’s deals as well, including fingerless gloves and an AE Beanie each for $5, and a variety of hoodies for $19.77 each.

 French Connection is offering up to 40% off select men’s and women’s outerwear and sweaters, plus up to 50% off select women’s dresses from 8am to 9pm on Black Friday. The same deals are also available online.

 Kohl’s has over 400 Early Bird Specials in store starting at 3am on 11/26. Preview the specials by clicking here!

 Juicy Couture is offering a free reversible tote bag when you spend $175 from 11/26 through 11/29 at all Juicy stores and online at JuicyCouture.com.

 Topshop is offering dresses, jeans, pants, and ALL shoes for 20% off! Plus, get free English Breakfast tea and a traditional British breakfast at their NYC location. The store opens at 8 AM, and the first 450 customers to spend $100 or more will receive a complimentary Toshop headband!

 Urban Outfitters will have 50% off everything on sale before 10AM on Black Friday – at select stores only, so call first to see if your store will be participating!

 Victoria’s Secret will give you a free Supermodel Tote with a $60 purchase, in store on 11/26 only. They will also have lots of beauty markdowns on “Pink Friday” (11/29) both in-store and online! In-store deals include a Best of VS Gift Set for $25 (regularly $38), a Bombshell 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum for $25 (regularly $45), a Star Bright Beauty Rush Color Lip Gloss Set for $15 (regularly $25), and a Secret Garden Splash & Lotion Set in Amber Romance, Love Spell, Pure Seduction or Secret Charm for $15 (regularly $25).

Cyber Monday Deals – Monday, 11/29

Here are all the best Cyber Monday deals from all your favorite online stores, listed in alphabetical order. Unless otherwise noted, these are good for 11/29, Cyber Monday ONLY!

 Alloy.com will have free shipping on all orders with code CYBFREE (valid from 11/28 through 11/29). Just a warming: their Black Friday deals are better than their Cyber Monday ones this year, so plan to shop on Thursday or Friday instead if you can!

 Arden B. will be offering 30% off the entire site plus free shipping over $25 from 11/28 through 11/29 only!

 Armani Exchange will be offering 25% off all styles plus free shipping on 11/29 only!

 Benefit Cosmetics is offering 20% off top rated pics (yup, pics with a c) from Annie & Maggie with codeFORDPICS – good 11/29 only.

 Charlotte Russe is offering 25-50% off everything plus free shipping and a sparkly compact on orders of $35 or more from 11/29 through 11/30 at 12:00 AM PST!

 dELiA*s will be having a Cyber Monday sale on Outerwear – all outerwear will be up to $50 off for 11/28 and 11/29 only.

 e.l.f. Cosmetics is offering 55% off site-wide with any $25 purchase and code BCG55 from 11/28 through 11/30.

 Endless.com is offering a buy/save program for Cyber Monday, 11/29 only – buy $100/save $30, buy $200/save $60, or buy $300/save $100 (with some brand exclusions). No code is required.

 Express is offering $20 off $50, $30 off $100, or $40 off $150 plus free shipping with no threshold using promo code 8666 on 11/29 only!

 French Connection is offering up to 40% off Fall Sale merchandise on 11/29 only, plus get free shipping on orders over $125 with code FCBFFS.

 GoJane has an amazing coupon code good for Cyber Monday only! Get 32% OFF the entire site with code:janecyber32.

 Guess is offering 25% off regular-priced items plus free shipping on all orders from 9PM PST on 11/28 through 9PM PST on 11/29.

 Heels.com is offering $10 off orders of $50 or more with code cyber10, $25 off orders of $100 or more with code cyber25, or $50 off orders of $180 or more with code cyber50 on 11/29 only.

 Macy’s is having Cyber Monday specials plus free shipping sitewide with a $75 purchase and code CYBER(offer is valid from 11/28 through 11/29).

 Onlineshoes.com will give you $25 off orders over $100 with code CYBER from 11/28 through 11/30!

 Puma is offering 20% off all orders plus free shipping on Cyber Monday, 11/29 only! Remember: they are offering 25% off on Black Friday, so shop then instead if you can!

 Rachel Roy is offering $50 off $150 or more plus free shipping on everything from 11/29 at 12:00 am ET through 11/29 at 11:59 pm ET.

 Reebok is offering 40% off your order plus free shipping with code CYBER40 on 11/29 only. Some exclusions apply.

 Saks Fifth Avenue is having a Designer Sale online only starting on 11/29 and running through 12/3 – womens designer apparel will be 30-40% off, and men’s will be 30% off.

 Sephora is offering free shipping on all orders over $25 with code SHIPNOW from 11/27 through 11/29.

 Shoes.com is offering 20% off sitewide plus free shipping on 11/29 only with promo code CYBER.

 Stila Cosmetics is offering up to 80% off hundreds of Stila items in their Online Warehouse Sale. You can access the sale by clicking this link once it’s active, but hurry – the sale is only good from 11/29 through 12/3, and the best items will go fast!

 Target is having a Cyber Monday sale that’s online-only! Click here on 11/29 to go directly to the deals!

 The Body Shop is having a 3 for $30 sale sitewide, plus free shipping on all orders, 11/29 only!

 The Limited is repeating their Black Friday sale on Cyber Monday – get 40% off everything plus free shipping on everything from 4AM EST on 11/29 through 4AM EST on 11/30. Friday may be the better day to shop, though, as the selection will be better then!

 Ulta is offering 10% off your purchase on 11/29 only with code CYBERSAVE10. Exclusions apply.

 Walgreens will give you $5 off $30 and free shipping with code CYBER5, $15 off $60 and free shipping withCYBER15, or $20 off $75 and free shipping with code CYBER20. All three offers are good from 11/28 through 12/4.

 Wet Seal is offering 20% off their entire site for 11/28 and 11/29 for Cyber Monday – no code is needed! Also, get free shipping when you spend $15 or more.