Trend watch: Colored jeans

What's the latest craze in celebrity fashion? Colored jeans! This bold statement is a favorite for many of the stars.

I have to say that this look is another tricky trend to pull together. When it comes to that much color, it's easy to look more like a side-show cirucus on two legs than a glamour girl. If you do opt for bright and bold, be sure to keep your top half more subdued. Too much going on with your outfit it going to have you competing for a spot in the latest magazine layout as a featured figure of fashion horrors.

Personally, I don't plan to change from the blue color palette of my jeans. Ripped, patched, and varying shades is enough for me without stepping into the wilds of crayola.

A Season to Give

It's hard to believe the holidays are already arriving. Wasn't I just working on a great tan? What happened to shorts, tank tops, and lemonade by the lake?

Chances are, you've put off holiday shopping and don't even want to think about what to get everyone on your holiday gift list. Tempting as it is to procrastinate once again, take off some stress this year and shop early. Here are some suggestions that not only make great gift ideas, but are also for a good cause.

Made By Survivors

Choose from a selection of hand-crafted items: jewelry, holiday & home, and shoulder bags by visiting this website. All items are made by women who have escaped the sex trade business and benefits programs to fight human trafficking in India.

Yellow Ribbon Fund

This website is dedicated to helping injured soildiers by making it possible for families to visit while the soildier is hospitalized. The fund provides rental cars, taxi service, and hotel accomodations to the families of the fallen and has had a huge impact on lifting the spirits of those who are wounded.

Puppies Behind Bars

Support Puppies Behind Bars, a program that teaches inmates to train puppies who become service dogs. View statistics and more information by visiting the website.

Warriors in Pink

This woven scarf is one of the latest items at Warriors in Pink which is dedicated to funding research to fight breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. At only $38 each, it's a stylish way to show your support.

Winter Essentials

The last few weeks I've spent preparing for the Fall/Winter changes. The morning air is crisper, the mornings are dusky, and my warm mug of morning coffee is all the more enticing. In preparation for the winter chill, I've started stocking up on a few fashion essentials.

A Robe

It's time to invest in a plush robe. Nothing feels better after a long day followed by a hot shower when you can wrap up in a robe and slippers.
An Oversized Sweater
We're seeing them everywhere this season and it's no wonder everyone's falling in love with oversized sweaters. Pair one with tights, leggings, or over a pair of jeans.

Boots

This is one item you can't do without when the weather turns cold. Boots are great through all kinds of winter, versatile, and WARM!

Scarves

Make sure to have at least one scarf on hand this winter. Besides being warm, you can wear them in so many ways. Tie it around your neck, over your hair, or drape one as a belt.

What is your winter essential?

Look What I Found!

So, I've been searching for a new coat before the winter season begins to blow in. It seems like I have a closet full of perfectly decent jackets, but last year I still ended up mostly wrapped in the oversized jacket I stole from my boyfriend. Mine of course were the typical type of "girl jacket." (i.e. they are more fashionable than functionally warm and too fitted to wear a sweater or many layers underneath without looking like you've spent too much time at the holiday buffet table)

After shopping online and browsing a few stores, I decided that what I really wanted was a vintage faux fur. I came across a fantastic vintage shop downtown, but the coat I tried on had two problems. 1) It was more than double my budget and 2) It was real fur. Mink to be exact. And what girl is realistically going to spend the winter in a mink coat?? Aside from the fact I do not believe in wearing animal fur.

But TODAY, lo and behold, I came across the perfect brown vintage faux fur coat. It was tucked on a rack outside the fitting room of a second hand store, obviously discarded after an unsucessful fitting. Elation! I snagged it up. Felt the heaviness of it's warmth and silkiness of delicate lining. Trying it on was like falling into a warm embrace. And for all of $12, it was mine!