Congratulations to...

Pamela of Ginger Girl! I want to say a big thanks to everyone who entered the Anna Dillard Designs Give Away--I'll be hosting more contests soon so keep check back for your chance to win!

Pamela--check your email later today. I'll be contacting you with more information!

Glee Spoiler Alert!

A Glee episode with Uncle Jesse AND the Princess of Pop? Did I die and go to heaven? If you're a gleek like me and can't wait until tonight's Britney-tastic episode, click over to Gleethemusic.com for a full preview of all the songs featured in tonight's episode. Or just watch this sneak peak of Brittany and Santana rockin' out to "Me Against the Music":

 

Readers, are y'all Glee fans? What are you favorite fall shows?

 

Clockwise from top:

Hand Carved Set of Rubber Stamps (Etsy: $15)

Splash of Sunshine Umbrella (Modcloth: $29.99)

Eileen Fisher Weather-Resistant Hooded Raincoat (Bloomingdale's: $218)

Hunter Original Gloss Rainboots (Zappos: $125)

After breaking North Carolina's record for most 90-degree days in a year just last week, Fall has finally come to the Forest. Unfortunately, cooler temperatures were quickly followed by monsoon-like rains. With such dreary days its hard to pull myself out of bed, but if I had a chic rain outfit it might be a little easier. I love the idea of wearing bright colors in the rain, but I haven't quite convinced myself that Hunter Boots are worth the $125 price tag. Readers, what are your thoughts on the Hunter Boot phenomenon? Are colorful wellies worth over $100?

P.S. Today's the last day of  the Anna Dillard Designs Give Away! Click here and leave a comment to enter!

Give Away Reminder: Anna Dillard Designs

Remember--you have until tomorrow at midnight (EST) to enter the Anna Dillard Designs Give Away! Click here to leave a comment for your chance to win!

Wake Forest Alum Starts Preppy Clothing Line: Southern fROCK

Fashionistas dissatisfied with your current wardrobes, look no further than Southern fROCK for this season’s most-stylish tailgating attire. Drawing inspiration from the laid-back lifestyle of the coastal Carolinas, Southern fROCK’s spring/summer 2010 collection is filled with light-weight fabrics, flattering silhouettes and perfect pieces to transition from a casual lunch date to a night on the town.

The preppy clothing company, best known for vibrant sundresses and chic skirts, was founded by Wake alumna, Amelia Rogers, and her close friend Emily Newman in the fall of 2009. Just three years after starting her career as a kindergarten teacher in Charlotte, NC, Rogers made an impromptu life-changing decision when she spontaneously moved to Charleston, with Newman, a childhood friend and fashion design major who had recently graduated from Meredith College.The pair spent a few months hammering out the details of starting a clothing company, and Southern fROCK was born.

Unfortunately, the company decided to forgo designing a fall/winter women’s wear collection this year. Instead, Southern fROCK is choosing to focus on preparing for the Atlanta Apparel Trade Market in October, giving the company an opportunity to be showcased to wholesale buyers alongside popular clothing lines including Vineyard Vines. Additionally, this fall, Rogers and Newman are expanding the company to include a menswear line. “The Tobacco Road” is a collection of men’s clothing inspired by local sports and North Carolina history, scheduled to debut in November.

The company’s original marketing platform was based entirely around digital sales and trunk shows, but boutiques in North Carolina and Georgia recently started carrying the line. Click here for store locations. Wake Students, contact senior Rebecca Hinson (hinsre7@wfu.edu) if you'd like to schedule a trunk show for your sorority, group of friends or other organization.


Later this semester, Southern fROCK will be one of the featured brands in  Panhel’s Breast Cancer Fashion Show slated to take place on campus Nov. 1. The line will be modeled in the show alongside other preppy industry staples like Lilly Pulitzer and Southern Proper. I'll post more details about the show when they become available.

For more information about Southern fROCK (or a little online retail therapy), check out the company’s new website: www.southernfrock.com.

Readers, what are your favorite new clothing companies?

Hautelook Rant

Readers, I wanted to give you an update on this post from back in August. Here's the story:

At the time of the post, I had just scored a deal through Hautelook on a chic Rachel Pally dress and couldn't wait for it to arrive on my doorstep perfect and pristine, ready to be packed for school. Unfortunately, nothing happened how I imagined.

First, the dress didn't arrive until after I'd left for college, more than a week after they estimated it would be delivered. I called customer service to complain, and they eventually refunded the shipping charge, which I thought was very professional of them. I thought the saga would end there.

Nope. Once the dress finally arrived in Nashville, my mom took the box inside and forgot about it. When she finally opened the package to send me the dress, she found the inner bag to be mangled and the dress ripped. At this point it had been over a month since I'd placed the order. There was no way they would take it back so after a lengthy phone call debating my options, my mom kindly agreed to stitch up the tears.


 Fortunately, the large bib of fabric covers nearly all of the stitching, so this didn't become a total fashion nightmare/ waste of money, but I'm still super annoyed. I understand Hautelook is a discount retailer, but that doesn't mean products should come damaged! My dress had at least four tears in it. I think that's ridiculous.

In contrast, when I placed an order with one of Hautelook's rival sample sites, RueLaLa, my purchase came quickly, wrapped appropriately and completely free of any damages.

Readers, have you all ever has issues with Hautelook?  I'm curious to see if this was a fluke or typical of their company. Weigh in in the comment section!

Obsession of the Moment: House of Harlow 1960

Earlier this week, Shopbop.com debuted House of Harlow 1960's Fall 2010 collection. Filled with statement pieces, the triangle-inspired line ranges in price from $57 for a set of turquoise leather and gold earrings to $220 for a tribal cuff. While slightly extravagant for everyday, pieces from Nicole Richie's fall collection would add the perfect boho-chic touch to an outfit for evening. My obsession of the moment: the enameled tribal wrap ring ($65). It adds an instant "cool" factor to any look.

Readers, will you be shopping House of Harlow's Fall line? What are your favorite jewelry pieces this season?

(Image Credits: Shopbop)

Video Post: I know, I know, it's a little late

but it's so appropriate :) Happy 21st of September!

Bliss Offers Discount for Stressed Out College Students!

As my first exams of the semester quickly approach, all talk of a "senior slide" has gone out the window. Fortunately, beauty retailer Bliss (home of my favorite Body Butter) is offering stressed-out co-eds the opportunity to relax on a budget. Just bring your student ID into any Bliss Spa for 20% off a service.

If you're like me and don't live near a Bliss Spa, try not to feel too left out. There's a current promotion on the website for 15% off any Bliss, Laboratoire Remède or Elemis products with the code OCT10. Be sure to shop quickly-the online promotion only runs through September 23rd.

Rothco Messenger Bag Winner

Sorry for the lack of posts recently! All the sudden I had a ton of school work, but I'm finally caught up, and have several posts planned for later this week :) In the meantime, I wanted to announce that Ralphie won the Clothes Out Sale giveaway! I'll be sending you an email with how to claim your prize, so be on the lookout!

If you didn't win, be sure to try again and enter my Anna Dillard Give Away!

In the words of Rachel Zoe: Ba-nan-as.

My current residence, the small town of Winston-Salem, is a far cry from the bright lights and big city of New York, but that doesn't mean I'm completely isolated from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Technology is such a beautiful thing--All I have to do is click over to New York Magazine's fashion blog, The Cut for a complete list of live-streaming runway shows that I can watch in the comfort of my living room. And if I do happen to miss a moment of the catwalk, I know style.com will showcase highlights of each collection. We're only a little over half-way finished with the event, but here are my top 10 looks from New York Fashion Week thus far:

10. Rebecca Minkoff 

9. Marc by Marc Jacobs

8. Herve Leger

7. Marc Jacobs

 6. Victoria Beckham

5. Vena Cava

4. Badgley Mischka

 3.Tracy Reese

 

2. Diane von Furstenberg

 1. Carolina Herrera 

(All Images via: Style.com)

100th Post Give Away: Jewelry by Anna Dillard

In honor of style of a 20 something's 100th post (!!), our sponsor Anna Dillard Designs is giving away one of her beautiful wire rings. This particular ring is made from a large glass pearl bead and 14k gold-filled wire--I have one of her designs myself and wear it constantly. It's so chic-it goes with everything.

Here's how to enter to win:

-You must be a follower of style of a 20-something to enter
-Leave a comment on this post with your name and email address so I can contact you if you win!
-One extra entry if you blog about my contest (please leave link in an additional comment)
-One extra entry if you tweet about my contest (please leave link in an additional comment)
-This contest will end Monday September 27, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST

Good luck readers! 

PS There's still time to enter last week's give away-Click here for the Rothco Messenger Bag contest! 

Sunday Evening Trip to Target

After a day filled with sorority nonsense, I headed to my local target to check out the Tucker for Target line in person. I don't know whether my store put the collection out early or eager shoppers picked it clean this morning, but there wasn't much to look at. Hopefully they will restock soon!

Out of the pieces I was able to try on, this top was definitely my favorite, but I can't decide if I would ever wear it. I picture it tucked into a black pencil skirt--very Mad Men-esque, but as a college student, I don't have all that many places to wear such an outfit. At $25 it's definitely within my price range, but I'm going to pass on it for now.

Here are some of the other pieces in-stock at the Winston-Salem target. How cute is this 90's-inspired floral dress? I love the buttons. And I wish they'd had the burnt orange camisole in my size- I'll have to keep checking back.

From what I saw, the collection seems extremely well made. Much better than previous Target collaborations. I definitely recommend checking it out.

I don't know about y'all, but when I go to Target, I always leave with more than the items on my list. I was almost seduced by these hilarious Halloween-themed piggy banks, especially this surgeon one; a cheeky ode to swine flu, perhaps?  Even though they were on sale for $10, I was able to restrain myself.

And as a middle child, I had to pick up one of these bottles of wine:

When I got home, I clicked over to the brand's website, and I love it. So sassy. Check out these pictures of the Drama Queen sister at fashion week-hilarious!

Overall, a moderately successful trip to Target. I wish I'd seen more of the Tucker collection, but oh well. You win some you lose some.

Readers, what did you think of the line?

PS Check out the article I wrote for my university's paper about the great designer collaborations coming up this fall!

Kid Kardashians

Need a Friday afternoon pick me up? Check out this video from Babelgum-It's absolutely spot on.

Alexa Chung for Madewell

After much anticipation, Alexa Chung's line for Madewell has finally arrived!  Feminine and flirty, the collection is filled with fall essentials like these two polka dot numbers.

Readers, what do you think of the Chung/Madewell collaboration? Will you be shopping the line for fall?

Sorry for posting something that's all over the blog-o-sphere, I just think these pieces are fabulous :)

Inspired by: Keith Haring

The Pop Art works of Keith Haring continue to inspire fashion designers twenty years after his AIDS-related death. His vibrant colors, thick outlined forms, and radiating lines are instantly recognizable, as are his images inspiring social activism. I selected some of my favorites to feature here on the blog, but I highly recommend checking out the online pop shop for more Keith Haring products and information about the Keith Haring Foundation.

1.) The Keith Haring V-Neck Lovers Tee ($28)- Wouldn't this simply t-shirt look chic tucked into a pencil skirt?
2.) Keith Haring by Nicholas Kirkwood Collection- Nicholas Kirkwood plans to release a limited edition line of twelve shoes featuring Haring's artwork in February of 2011. These black and red pumps caught my eye with their subtle detailing--many of the other shoes are so over the top!
3.) Black Icon Clutch ($96)-Patricia Field collaborated with the artist to produce a limited number of plastic magazine clutches decorated with Haring's signature work. I love the combination of black and white with accents of purple.

Fashion Goes Gaga for Gatsby

Murder, sex, wealth, booze, elegant soirees and sordid affairs. Sounds like a list ripped from the headlines of a celebrity tabloid, no? Well, not quite. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby has more scandals than an E! True Hollywood story, which might explain why in today's celebrity-obsessed society the classic novel remains a cultural phenomenon. Eighty-five years after it's first publication, Fitzgerald's flowery narration of Gatsby's lavish life of despair remains relevant in pop culture, forever en vogue.

Pictured above:
Kate Spade's autumn 2010 handbag collection includes several "Book of the Month Clutches," with designs based on classic novel covers. The Gatsby edition retails for $325, is made of laminated silk twill with a metallic cowhide trim, and includes the following quote on the back cover: "'The Great Gatsby' is an American masterpiece. A magical world filled with lawn parties and lavish affairs, champagne and caviar--it's Camelot pre-Kennedy...a rare novel that successfully captures the indulgence of the Jazz Age at its most decadent." Other "Book of the Month" handbags include clutches featuring Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.

Last week, Racked New York reported that Marc Jacobs opened a book store, aptly named "Marc Jacobs: Bookmarc" on Bleeker Street in New York. One of the products mentioned in their review of the shop is a cheeky journal featuring the title of Fitzgerald's most famous work, only slightly re-worded. "The Gay Gatsby" journal will sit aside other blank notebooks with similarly sassy titles: "Moby's Dick (LOL)," "As I Lay Tanning," "My Grapes of Wrath are Tasty and Delicious" and "Huckleberry Finn is My Homeboy."

Tucker for Target

Tucker by Gaby Basora's collaborative line with retail giant Target premieres next week, on September 12.  The collaboration capitalizes on the brand's feminine design aesthetic, including vintage floral prints and girly silhouettes while keeping a low price point- Every piece in the collection will be under $80.

The popular fashion blog, Nitrolicious, posted pictures of the collection's look book earlier this week, and I couldn't be more excited about the line. Readers, do you think you'll be shopping Tucker for Target?

Labor Day Giveaway: Rothco Messenger Bag

Happy Labor Day! Unfortunately, Wake doesn't adhere to the same holiday schedule as the rest of the country so we have class, but I do have an exciting contest for all of my readers! Discount website Clothes Out Sale contacted me about hosting a giveaway, and I couldn't be more excited to offer y'all a chance to win this Rothco Messenger Bag. The perfect accessory for back to school, this bag comes in four different colors and would be a great carryall.

Here's how to enter to win:

-Leave a comment with a link to your favorite back-to-school accessory and your name and email address so I can contact you if you win!
-You must be a follower of style of a 20-something to enter
-One extra entry if you blog about my contest (please leave link in an additional comment)
-One extra entry if you tweet about my contest (please leave link in an additional comment)
-This contest will end Monday September 13, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST

Good luck readers!

Say Goodbye to Summer :(

I thought I'd give you one last look at white dresses before Labor Day banishes them to the back of your closets. Readers, do you adhere to the "No white after Labor Day" rule?

1.) Alice + Olivia ($277.20)
2.) Nightcap Clothing ($264)
3.) Milly ($176)

(Photo credit: Shopbop)

Obsession of the Moment: L'aromarine Vanille

I am very particular about perfume. It takes me a while to find the right scent, but when I do, I hold on to it for dear life. Well, that is, until something better comes along. Previous favorites include Burberry Brit, DKNY Be Delicious and Philosophy's Falling in Love, but L'aromarine Vanille beat them all to become my new go-to scent. This perfume smells like a cross between the Flower Power movement and freshly baked cupcakes. Light and fresh, each spray of this eau de toilette adds just a touch of vanilla fragrance. I'm obsessed. I picked up a bottle just before leaving Nashville at my local Anthropologie, and I've worn it everyday since- It's so subtle. I can't seem to find the product on Anthro's website, but click here to purchase it from Amazon.com.

Readers, What's your latest obsession?

(Image Credit: Hampton Court)

Back to School Book Bags

As my first full week of senior year comes to a close, I'm slowly easing back into the routine of school. Unfortunately, my schedule requires that I lug around a laptop, planner and numerous school books at all times. If you have to study hard, you might as well look good doing it, right? These are my top picks for a chic book bag:

1.) Marc by Marc Jacobs Nylon Tate Tote ($198)
2.) Feed Bag Large Ikat Tote ($39.50) For each bag purchased, Lord and Taylor will donate $3.50 to UNICEF in support of nutrition programs in Guatemala.
3.) Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote ($145)
4.) Urban Outfitters Briefcase Bag ($158)
5.) Topshop Contrast Strap Satchel ($90)
6.) Gap Leather Tassel Tote ($98)



Or, if none of my above choices strike your fancy, try this Red Cross Bag. I love mine!

Style of a 20 Something's Newest Sponsor!

Readers, I'm so excited to announce our newest sponsor- jewelry designer Anna Dillard! Anna is a Wake Forest student who started her own jewelry business last year. She creates beautiful (and inexpensive!) rings that add a touch of glam to any outfit. Please check out her Etsy site here and stay tuned to style of a 20-something for a contest featuring one of Anna's designs later this month!