All Clear

???

That last post went a little funky. I have no clue why the words are split in half at the end of each line. I've tried to fix the problem but alas I have not been able to so instead I'll leave you with a little FashionGoneRogue.

Dear Detox,

Why do you have to be so difficult? I only want to not buy clothes for a whole year. Nothing near that big of a challenge. Sheshhh. So how difficult do you really need to make this?

You're always tempting me with sales and hot trends. Pushing magazines and fashion blogs in my face. Repeatedly making me look in a closet much in need of a stylish update. Why must you constantly tease me with fashion fixes that I cannot attain?

I will admit you almost had me a number of times this past week BUT in the end I resisted.

First, an Outnet email featuring the likes of Antik Batik and Alexander McQueen about killed me. It contained such good deals as 70% off fabulous designer duds. Massive markdowns and hot labels: What could a fashionista want more than that? Not much except maybe a front row seat at Paris fashion week or a job at Vogue.

Second, Urban Outfitters had free shipping as well as J Crew (on their sale items!). If you're going to buy clothes online, why not buy them when there's free shipping? (I think it pretty much legitimizes an online purchase ha!) It also did not help that Urban sent out a link a couple days before to their new dresses. Can I say I only wish I could have a little pardon in my no shopping diet to buy a couple of cute summer day dresses. Check their dresses out. You won't be disappointed.

Third, I went to Target. I was only supposed to see if they had a pair of these brown Cynthia Vincent wedges that my friend and I have desperately wanted. She checked in LA and they were out. Same deal in Atlanta and Macon. All hope was left with me in Orlando, and once again no such luck. Side note, if anyone knows where we can get these beautiful wedges (picture below) or ones similar to them in the same price range for a college student and an aspiring actress, we would greatly appreciate it. Anyways, back to my trip at Target. So Zac Posen is currently their featured designer. Not good. No no, I don't mean his designs are not good; I mean not good for someone not wanting to shop. His gold metallic bathing suit almost killed my detox. I even tried it on, which was a bad mistake because it was just so gosh darn fab! I daydreamed about wearing it to summer pool soirées or on future cruises or on a beach in the south of France with a chilled drink in hand and a dashing gentleman at my side. Okay, enough with the dreaming. I somehow said no, but I was sooooo unbelievably close to buying it.

So detox, I almost had a relapse into shopping. But I hope you're proud of me for saying no. It wasn't easy just so you know.

Sincerely,

Kiki

PS: Here are the wedges. Please help in the quest to find them.

Inspiration and Essentials

Neutrals are your base this late Spring and Summer. Accent with lots of sunny yellows, tropical turquoises, and beautiful raspberries. Think summer sun meets island paradise meets relaxing calm.

Sexy beach hair! Here are tips from Bumble and Bumble's editorial stylist Sabrina Michals.

COLOR.

Please, do NOT be bland this summer OR ELSE you might just end up photographed by me on GACITYSTYLE for a fashion faux pas.

Bows, braids, bold.

And finally, you can always count on WhoWhatWear to put a great mix of trends together.

Naturally Neutral

Zara.

That's all you need to know for one stop shopping to stock up on spring and summer neutrals.

Zara's May 2010 lookbook is filled with perfect khaki pieces, beautiful browns, and a handful of trendy denim looks. The ensembles are fresh and great for everyday wear. These outfits are a definite must for the warm sunshine of the coming months.

Design on a Dime #1

The average college student is poor. Student loans, weekend shenanigans, parent's cutting us off financially; we have no spare money. Look at our diets: ramen noodles, ramen noodles, and more ramen noodles. Satisfying both in the stomach and in the bank account. Okay I lied, not satisfying at all. If the dwindling digits on our accounts was not enough, we also have classes to worry about AND the ever important task of looking fly. Yes, I just you used the word fly. Don't hate.

Lucky for you readers, I too feel the strain of wanting to look stylishly fabulous while not breaking the bank. So here I present you with great spring ensembles at GREAT prices! Please don't jump up and down in your lecture hall seats with excitement, you might disrupt your painfully fascinating class on the homogeneous second order constant coefficient linear ordinary differential equation describing the harmonic oscillator. Oh boyyy, just typing that makes me want to study! Hmm...

This first post of styling designs for those of you on a dime is of great casual day outfits for spring. They're perfect for a walk in the park or a bite to eat al fresco.

Items in this set:

Cooperative Neon Poplin Frock, $58
Forever21.com - Tops - Casual - 2064247686, $20
American Eagle AE Women's Bleached Shorties Vintage Destroyed Wash, $35
Cynthia Vincent for Target® Cognac Wedge Sandal - 7.5 : Target, $30
Kimchi Blue Netted Bucket Bag, $58

Items in this set:

T Bear RS White T-Shirt, $45
Stripe Y Neck Top, 8 GBP
Slim Straight Leg Jeans in Black Blue Stretch, $36
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Specialty Oxford Shoes, $35
Manhattan Portage Medium DJ Bag with Reflective Stripe, Bags..., $49

Now stop reading this post and pay attention in class! Once you've hit the books and aced those tests, unscrew the piggy bank and reward yourself with stylish treat.

Green God(dess)

Some of us may be blessed with a green thumb or a knack for saving a lot of green, but I think most of us may have the tendency to go for convenience rather than strive for a greener tomorrow.

Rewind, let me start with Happy Earth Day to all you readers out there. Every year this day makes me stop and think about the ways that I try to go green. I do the usual: recycle old water bottles and soda cans, eat the occasional organic food, and try to conserve gas by not driving without a certain and needed destination. Though these activities are better than nothing, there is still so much more than I can do and that you can do too!

Think of this Earth Day as the nouveau New Years. At the beginning of each year, we all plan to eat more healthy, hit the gym more frequently, or swear less often. Let's make a similar pledge this Earth Day to make a greener change in our lives whether it's turning off the lights in a room when it's not in use or carpooling to work.

If you want to become one of those green thumbed people, then start from the ground up. Perhaps plant your own organic herbs such as basil, sage, and cilantro or grow your own organic fruits and vegetables in your garden paradise. Personally, I envy those who can find their own personal escape in beautifully nurtured home gardens. I don't have the patience nor the desire to get covered in dirt or be among the birds and the bees (and no I'm not referring to that meaning. dirty minds.) So for those with the green thumb, more power to you!

Recycle. Reduce. Reuse. Everyone knows this common phrase, but how many actually follow its message? Got glass bottles, aluminum cans, old papers, empty water bottles, dated magazines? Recycle, recycle, recycle! Do you keep the water running when you brush your teeth? Reduce water waste by turning it off when brushing. Do you leave the lights on in a room when not in use? Reduce electricity waste by only using lights in a room when in use. Do you and a neighbor drive to the same workplace separately? Reduce car pollution by carpooling. Have a lot of plastic bags in that pantry closet. Reuse them as a trash bag, a bag to pick up dog "treats," a laundry bag when on vacation, a lunch bag, a donation to a food pantry, or as packing material for a package. Be creative and think of ways to reuse items laying around the house. You'll save money by using the things you already have.

Need an eco-chic ride? Hop on a bike! Not only will you save gas and save money, you'll keep in shape. Healthy = Happy.

While riding your bicycle to the grocery store, don't forget to bring your reusable grocery bag. Here are a couple of my favorites that are also available at great prices. Click on the image for more details.

Is your wardrobe lacking in the green department? And I don't mean the color green. Check out Eco Citizen, Ascension, Kind Boutique, and Beklina. You'll get that fashion fix without compromising your green campaign.

As you can see there are many ways to become more environmentally conscious. You don't have to be a part of the Sierra Club to become a green god or goddess, just someone willing to change a small part of their lifestyle in order to welcome a better tomorrow.

PS: For those in Atlanta check out this event tomorrow April 23 at the Georgia Institute of Technology:

"13th Annual Earth Day Celebration Takes Over Skiles Walkway Tomorrow

Among the largest Earth Dayevents in the Southeast, the 13th annual event on April 23 is free and open to the public. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees can learn about the environment and what they can do to develop a more sustainable lifestyle through eco-friendly giveaways, recycling opportunities, an office supply and clothing exchange and more than 70 exhibitors."

(taken from an email sent to me)