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NEW YORK READERS!

If you have unwanted clothing (in any condition!), old shoes/handbags/accessories, beanie babies, stuffed animals, luggage, blankets, pillows, etc., the Marty Lyons Foundation is holding a clothing drive through tomorrow from 9 to 3.

All items donated must be placed in 30-45 gallon heavy duty plastic garbage bags and tightly tied. Funds raised from the clothing drive will be used to help The Marty Lyons Foundation, established in 1982, to fulfill the special wishes of children who have been diagnosed as having a terminal or life threatening illness.

Donation location: 58 South Service Rd, Ste 110, Melville, NY 11747

Nothing gets me motivated to work out like comfortable, cute activewear. Shallow, perhaps, but true!

Forever 21 introduced some activewear—and nothing’s over $16. My pick is the jacket above that has thumbholes in the cuffs to keep the sleeves down while you’re moving around.

Crop Pant, $11; Striped Tank, $6; Sports Bra Top, $10; Jacket, $15

Above are my favorite pieces from Sonia Rykiel’s line for H&M. I haven’t seen it in person, so I’m just going off looks here. I was a bit underwhelmed, but there are some nice things available. Best of all is the kids stuff—it’s adorable.

I couldn’t find a price list, so I can’t provide you with those details, but please e-mail me if you know where I can see one.

What do you think?

I love H&M. It’s one of those stores that I can always find something in and it fits me like a dream. Even their pants are usually long enough for me, and that’s saying something!

Their spring “Garden Collection” is to-die-for gorgeous. I want everything. And I mean everything. H&M kinda fell into a rut this past year with (what I felt were) lackluster designer collaborations and exorbitant prices for Forever 21/Target-quality clothing that also lacked the on-trend style and design that H&M usually delivers on.

They might be winning me back! Maybe it’s because their prices seem to have leveled out a bit again (check out those fabulous dresses for only $20), maybe it’s because I just miss warm weather, but you can’t deny that these clothes are just stunning for a mass market, affordable clothing retailer.

Do you know the best part? This entire collection is made from environmentally adapted materials, like recycled polyester and organic cotton/linen.

I can’t wait until March, how about you?

P.S. Just in time for the big one-year wedding anniversary. What a coincidence!

1. Dress, $35
2. Shorts, $25
3. Dress, $50
4. Dress, $18
5. Tank, $18
6. Dress, $30
7. Dress, $20
8. Jacket, $50
9. Dress, $20
10. Tee, $25

Which is your favorite piece? Will you be shopping this collection?

Jessica e-mailed with a photo her dress (above) from the Gap. She needed to spice up the dress with accessories for under $50 for a holiday party she was attending.

Below are four looks that change the feel of the dress just by adding a few accessories.

The base items in each look are:

Gap Shift Dress

Back Seam Tights from Urban Outfitters, $14

1. Forever 21 Jeweled Hair Clip - $4
2. Charlotte Russe Knotted Pearl Necklace - $7
3. Target Patent Pumps - $25

1. Forever 21 Chiffon Chain Necklace - $7
2. Forever 21 Vintage Headband - $6
3. Target “Kadisha” Lace-Up Booties - $30

1. Forever 21 Chiffon Mesh Floral Necklace - $11
2. Forever 21 Chain Belt - $10
3. Madden Girl “Brklyn” - $39

1. Forever 21 Frill Flat - $17
2. Charlotte Russe Braided Chain Necklace - $8

Jessica liked the F21 frilly flats, the headband from the “Vintage” look and the necklace from the “Trendy” look. Which is your favorite look?

The wonderful people over at Lucky magazine featured this nifty layering two cardigans how-to on their website. Of course, since they’re Lucky-freaking-magazine, the cardigans ran in the $100-$200 range for the most part. Unacceptable! Try this instead:

The left-hand cardigan goes on first. The right-hand cardigan goes on second.

• Top: Ruffle Cardigan ($25) + Sequin Bow Cardigan ($25)
• Bottom: Long-sleeved Ruffle Collar Cardigan ($35) + Sequined-Shoulder Cardigan ($25)

Ruche is a fabulous online boutique in the same vein as ModCloth, but slightly less pricey. Ruche’s items rarely top $60 and look like something you scored at a vintage shop. Love the dresses and sweaters and shoes, but don’t overlook the jewelry. It’s adorable and well-priced!

1. Betsey Johnson Over-the-Knee Socks - $15
2. Pink Studio “Honey Gold” Pumps - $57
3. “Baruni” Sweater Dress - $40
4. Ruffles & Lace Sweater Cardigan - $50
5. “Kiev” Chunky Sweater Cardigan - $20
6. Modern Victorian Sweater Dress - $55
7. “Pallas” Gray Sweater Dress - $40

Jennifer e-mailed me with the following:

I’d love to know the best option for refreshing my winter wardrobe on the cheap!  All I need are a couple sweaters and maybe leggings or cool tights and possibly a pair of boots. But I want to spend under $100 -$150.

Well, Jennifer, I went very slightly over your budget (by about $10), but feel free to eliminate any of the above items from your shopping list to compensate!

Here are my picks:

1. Forever 21 Jacket - $40 - Chic enough for work, but relaxed enough for the weekend too. Wear it with everything in your closet.
2. Forever 21 Military Cardigan - $23 - Military motifs are still on-trend and cardigans are perfect layering pieces. Wear buttoned over a black dress, over a tunic, with skinny jeans or leggings. Tons of options with this.
3. Target Chunky Sweater - $9 - A chunky sweater is a winter must-have. These look great with skinny jeans and leggings as well.
4. Target Converse Wrap Sweater - $12 - The print and colors are subtle enough to pair almost anything. This would be also great over a dress.
5. Forever 21 “Carlita” Booties - $19 - Booties are huge this winter! This brown is the perfect shade, since you can still pair it with black—the darker the brown, the harder it is to wear with black. The laces add a nice trendy touch. These will look great with the striped sweater and coat.
6. Charlotte Russe Over-the-Knee Boots - $40 - Over-the-knee boots are going to be all over the place. A flat, slightly slouchy pair is easiest to wear. This pair will also be great in the snow, but be sure to spray them with waterproofing first.
7. Forever 21 Black & Gray Leggings - $4.50 - These are the ideal length (ankle) and the most versatile. You can pair these with endless outfits over the winter. Exchange your tights for leggings and you’ll keep warmer too.
8. Forever 21 Mesh Tights - $6.80 - Textured tights are a great way to spice up plain LBDs.
9. Forever 21 Lace Ruffle Blouse - $5 - On sale, so grab it quick! Pretty and perfect to wear with your new sweaters.

Do you have any pressing winter wardrobe questions? Send me an email!

I love, love, love the socks-with-boots trend.

This is the best way to update your boots without spending a lot of money. Also, if you’ve been lusting after a pair of over-the-knee boots but don’t want to shell out the cash, you can replicate the look with a good pair of socks.

Here are the deets, with some how-to-wear photos below:

1. UO Socks - $14
2. TopShop Button Socks - $14
3. No Romeo Socks (set of socks, briefs and chemise) - $33
4. Jonathan Aston Socks - $17
5. Anthropologie Thigh-Highs - $17
6. Target Socks (2/pk) - $9
7. UO Pointelle Socks - $14
8. American Apparel Thigh-High Socks - $17
9. Charlotte Russe Socks - $5

• Anabel

• Solene

• Tiffany

• Adeline

Tracking Trends : Liz Lange for Target (i.e. Awesome Maternity Wear)

So, Target has some pretty amazing maternity wear by Liz Lange. So, all you preggers Tumblr ladies (Georgie, Melissa, Lindsay, Judiism)—check out these great cold weather goodies:

1. Plaid Peplum Coat - $60
2. Black Tights (2-pack) - $13
3. Leggings (with belly band), Set of Two - $25
4. Pleated Ruffle Jacket - $45
5. Ponte Sheath Dress - $28
6. Sweater Dress - $25
7. Wrap Sweater - $30
8. Cowl Neck Sweater - $22