Trends

These can be found at Urban Outfitters.

Dating Lessons from Paris
*Ever daydream about going abroad and meeting the man of your dreams? Although this is entirely possible, it is also much harder than expected.* *_Here are a few tips that I picked up while studying in Paris last fall…_* We all know that meeting someone special in America can be hard enough. When abroad, I found it to be even harder. This is not because there is a lack of potential, but rather because I did not know the ground rules. Here are a few things that I wish I had known… *1. Don't give your number out unless you really want it to be used.* French men don't play as many games as American men; if they say they're going to call, they will…and often. I had more than one friend who ended up having to ask a man to kindly stop calling them. Although French men love to call all the time, they are also very prone to text messaging. This is not an insult or a game. Air time on European cell phones is extremely expensive, so texting will quickly become your favorite method of communication, as well. *2. Being asked to meet for "un café" in the morning or afternoon is a normal first date.* Instead of our traditional dinner and a movie date, the French usually opt for the stereotypical outdoor cafe environment, which is conducive to chatting and getting to know each other. *3. French college students often live at home.* Being introduced into their home and family is a big deal, so don't be surprised if you never see where they live. On the other hand, I had a lot of friends who dated older men. Conventional rules about dating people in your age bracket don't apply as much in France. *4. In bars, French men will not be too shy to come up to you and talk.* They are generally much more forward than American men, so don't be surprised if you often hear the cliché statements about how beautiful you are and how much your eyes shine the clearest blue. These comments become more annoying than amusing after a while, but they're no reason to be uncomfortable. Also, even if you end up talking to one of these admirers for the whole evening, don't expect them to buy you a drink. They may offer to treat you, but more likely than not, they won't. Buying drinks for women in bars is not as common a practice in Paris as it is in America. Furthermore, it is a huge insult to ask a man you just met to buy you a drink. My friend learned this the hard way on her twenty first birthday. *5. Although meeting new men can be a lot of fun in Paris, it can also be a bit scary.* As a foreigner, you are constantly out of your comfort zone. Even if you are nearly fluent in French, there will be plenty of times when you don't understand what people are saying to you. French slang among younger Parisians is like another language, and it is very complicated. It's difficult to know when someone is telling you that you are beautiful and when someone is insulting you. Furthermore, don't be surprised if you are insulted for being American…even by a man who you are chatting with in a bar. This does not mean that French people hate Americans, but rather that there are ignorant people everywhere. By nature of the fact that our government is carrying out some very controversial policies right now, there are issues that people will want to debate with you. Because of the language barrier, this situation can become extremely frustrating and at times heated. If you find yourself in a situation where you are feeling uncomfortable, even if you have a strong opinion that you want to express, my best advice would be to walk away…no matter how cute and charming the man you're debating with is. I've seen these situations turn ugly more than one time. For all the warnings that I've issued, I have to say that meeting guys in Paris was really fun. A lot of times, funny interactions caused my friends and me to laugh for hours, and the memories I have of nights out in Paris always bring a smile to my face. As long as you keep the same level head on your shoulders that you do in America, you'll be fine. Amusez-vous et bonne chance!

Beautiful You!
College is one of the best and most challenging times in a woman's life for better or worse, you are discovering your strengths, weaknesses and quirks. Here are a few beauty pointers to keep in mind while you're developing your sense of style: Real beauty comes from the inside out: I'm sure you've learned by now that the skin is the largest organ on your body and as such, it needs a lot of attention. Pizza, sugar cereal, late nights, drinking (not that anyone in college drinks, right?) all do a number on your skin. Getting enough water, sleep, nutritious food (plus an occasional break from sugar) and exercise will not only help your overall health, it will give your skin the opportunity it needs to be its healthiest, too. Be clean, but not too clean: You need to wash your face and moisturize it every night before you go to bed and when you wake up. I don't care how oily you think your skin is - you still have to do it. If you have oily skin, go with a milder cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer. Washing with a very strong cleanser and not using a moisturizer has the opposite effect than you intend: your skin produces more oils and creates more breakouts. If you're dry, then you might want to think about a milky cleanser and a more soothing moisturizer. Experiment: Now is your chance! Pink hair? Blue lips? Yellow nails? Whatever! This is your time to go wild because your biology teacher is not going to hire you for a job, but when you're looking for one, that's your time to be conservative. So feel free to go nuts now, but be aware that you do live in a judgmental world and a few odd looks can be character building. You can also discover more elegant and sophisticated styles, but keep it simple. You don't really need makeup: You are at the most prime in your life for beauty: your skin is elastic, its tone is great, your lips are full and delicious, your hair is voluminous and shiny, why are you going to cover it up? If you're having skin issues, try to address them through skincare, not foundation. Concealer, on the other hand, we all can use. Remember, the cosmetics industry is an industry: And an eight billion dollar one at that. People who work at makeup counters are experts, their duty is to sell products and women are particularly susceptible to buying makeup and thinking it will truly change their lives. It won't. A cosmetic splurge might cure a blue mood, but so does talking with a friend, taking a walk or reading a good book: $20 saved! Kim Weinstein is a makeup artist and the author of Pretty City New York. Her goal is to demystify makeup shopping so you can save time and money and focus on your real life.

The No-Fail Interview Outfit
Beyond the Call of Duty I did a piece earlier this summer about the long lazy days of summer and the perfect outfit to wear to work. Thank god that's over. Work was great, as much as all my coworkers rocked (though not all their wardrobes did), but I want to get back to school. For many of us, returning to school also means looking for new jobs or internships. And with the new fall season, we can't be wearing the same light cotton blouse or airy skirt. So, I have compiled one great outfit to wear to interviews. It's definitely more classical with the necessary white blouse and great black trousers.Very classic, very clean, very professional, and very fashion-conscious. This first blouse mixes sexiness and professionalism. It's the perfect piece to have at all times of the year for any occasion. Check out the Paco Rabanne blouse below at Saks Fifth Avenue. In Theory, we should all have those perfect black slacks that hug and fit everything we want it to and hide what we don't want shown. In practice, Theory does the work for us and presents the classic slacks.
Theory charcoal pinstripe wool 'Tara' pants
Dress up your wardrobe with simple, sophisticated sportswear from Theory. This Miguel Ases necklace is great. The red coral beads are like youth and energy in a dull work environment; impress your potential boss with your enthusiasm.
Miguel Ases red coral beaded long necklace
Spanish born fine jewelry designer Miguel Ases continues to gain a strong following with his intricate works of art you can wear. Shameless. Walking into work with those great heels and showing off your boss is never a good idea. But Seychelles provides the exception with these cute heels, aptly named "Shameless." Worn with jeans or slacks, they're perfect for any occasion, including an interview. Look on www.seychellesfootwear.com. You can wear this outfit to any interview, as many times in a week or month as possible, and it won't do wrong. Just make sure you bring along that wicked smile and a killer portfolio.

Back to School Shopping: Fashion Must Have's
_"I like my money right where I can see it--hanging in my closet."_-Carrie Bradshaw in _Sex and the City_ Whether you spent your summer serving fries, doing Starbucks-runs for bossy corporate superiors, or (in a perfect world) working passionately and profitably at your dream job, hopefully you've amassed at least a modest savings, and undoubtedly you're in the mood to treat yourself to a little end-of-summer pampering! Aptly timed is the arrival of Back-to-School Shopping season--okay, so it's as commercially-fabricated an event as Valentine's Day, and intended mostly for the cartoon-backpack-toting set...but who cares? *Indulge Wisely, and Indulge With No Regrets* It's not that I'm advocating _complete_ abandon of financial sense, but I do believe that a little hard-earned indulgence goes a long way. So go ahead, pick your poison--Music? Dining? Fashion? Aaah, yes, Fashion--and treat yourself _sensibly_. Otherwise, you'll spend September crying into your fabulous new Balenciaga bag, scouring its buttery-suede depths in vain for that stack of paychecks that once seemed so endless. *You CAN Revamp Your Wardrobe Without Breaking the Bank!* When rationing out your available funds, keep this rule in mind: Buy the _best_ quality you can with what you can _afford_ to spend. That means that _one_ well-made, perfectly-flattering, classic black dress is a superior investment to _ten_ cheap, ill-fitting, trendy items that you'll dump after one season. When on a budget (and who isn't?), outlet and consignment stores are a great place to look for high-grade buys with discount pricetags. Sorting through miles of haphazard racks can be a treasure-hunt to some and torture to others; fortunately, with online discount sites like Bluefly.com, stylish, quality items at a fraction of retail costs are just a hop, step, and click away! The following are my top 6 picks for fall: functional, stylish pieces that will stretch your hard-earned savings to the max. *1) The Tote* !http://www.bluefly.com/media/images/site/shims/shim.gif! $50.95 (You Save 40%) At 15x15 inches, this baby has room for your laptop, textbooks, and probably a chihuahua. Padded canvas siding cushions your valuables in, and a black sateen interior adds just the right amount of luxe. *2) The Blazer* JOIE wine stretch cotton 3-button 'Flame' blazer !http://bluefly.speedera.net/is.bluefly.com/mgen/Bluefly/prodImage.ms?productCode=1060794&width=300&height=300! $109.00 (You Save 40%) For the onset of cooler evenings, this soft-yet-structured piece is light enough to keep you covered without making you sweat. *3) Flats* ==
Donald Pliner Sportique gold leather 'Famous' maryjane flats
Sport-i-Que by Donald J. Pliner gives a new meaning to 'happy feet'.== $72.00 (You Save 40%) It may still be 89 degrees outside, but your shower-shoes shouldn't double as going-out footwear. Flats offer both comfort and style; the metallic color of this pair only adds to their versatility. *4) Sweatpants* VINCE white terrycloth low-waist flares !http://bluefly.speedera.net/is.bluefly.com/mgen/Bluefly/prodImage.ms?productCode=1038996&width=157&height=188! $39.99 (You Save 60%) Because, really, who are we kidding? Sometimes the same pair of sweatpants will take you from bed to class to dinner to the gym. Find a pair that's in a neutral color (white is versatile, but also risky) and that's stretchy enough to fend off that oh-so-sexy saggy-bum look. *5) Denim Skirt* ==
Marc by Marc Jacobs distressed denim jean skirt with novelty stud and patch details
How can the classic jean skirt get any better? Why, when it's a Marc by Marc Jacobs design of course. Things just got down right splendid!== $182.00 (You Save 54%) Enjoy the lingering summer heat while you can in a sweet denim skirt that fits like a dream. *6) Date Dress* ==
BCBGirls pink jersey braided dress
Never has fun been defined so well thanks to delightful designs from BCBGirls.== $64.95 (You Save 41%) You've invested in 5 quality, chic-yet-practical pieces. Yet just as every balanced meal is only perfectly complete with a sweet treat at its close, it's now time for you to pick out something frivolous, fun, and just for You! _My_ personal favorite "dessert" item is the "date dress," a sweet piece that's equally at home in a coffee shop or a cocktail lounge. For you, it might be a sassy tee, obscenely large sunglasses, or a pair of deadly-hot heels. Go ahead, enjoy!! Great Shopping Sites: Bluefly.com ShopBop Kitson

Back-to-School Dating Advice
*Q: How can I get this cute guy in one of my classes to ask me out?* Virginia, BYU *A:* Why wait for him to ask you out? If you are interested in a guy in your class and you want to get to know him, you should ask him out. I know it sounds forward, but there are ways to be subtle in every situation. Ask him if he wants to study. You can use studying as the opportunity to spend time together and can find out if you want to spend more. *Guys are flattered when girls ask them out.* If you are afraid of getting turned down, make eye contact with him and check out his body language so that you can use your instinct gauge his interest. If he returns you gaze or lingers to leave the class at the same time as you, you're in. I suggest approaching him as you are leaving class. Walk along side and say, "Hi, would you like to get together and study some time?" It should flow from there. He will either say yes and you will make plans or exchange numbers. Or, he will have some excuse why he can't study with you and you will know he isn't interested. *Bottom Line: Never wait for a guy to ask you out, if you are interested.* *If you have a question for LoveAdviceLady,* email them to UniversityChic@gmail.com.

The Summer Fling
After several discussions with friends about their sex escapades during the summer, I have formulated a list of things we look for in girls that determine their potential for summer fun with us, while we are away in a different city or single or whatever. **1. The perfect girl** no strings attached, do not work with her, do not have friends in common, and she's sexy and adventurous. If this is you, give me a call.

Guy's Column
What are the boundaries of flirting when you're in a relationship? After overstepping these bounds many times and regretting it (and a few times not), I must say that relationships are a tricky business when it comes to classmates.

Heather's Hot Chic Picks
Warm temperatures have finally arrived! With the onset of milder temperatures and sunny days, it is an excellent time to showcase a more feminine, soft, and colorful wardrobe. Most importantly, don't be afraid to showcase your individual style.