Shopping on a Budget

A couple of months ago, I wrote on the very basis of this blog for a CollegeFashionista Thoughts and Musings piece: shopping on $40 a month. I'm really proud of how it turned out, as it got the most views any of my CollegeFashionista pieces have ever gotten and was even featured on the front page of the site for a while!

I've written on this subject on several occasions, the most notable of which I believe include my original post on saving money while shopping, a post on what not to buy, and a recent post on making an easy-to-follow budget. The more I write on shopping on a budget, the more I consider myself a good source of information and advice on the subject.

I'm really proud of this CollegeFashionista post because it felt really good to write about something I feel qualified to write about for a platform that I admire both as an intern and a reader of the site. Plus, while developing my list of ways to shop on a budget, I went back through my archives to read through previous lists on the subject and was able to see how my personal blog has developed and grown in the last year or so. I feel accomplished both as a blogger and as an intern for CollegeFashionista.

I also read through other bloggers' lists of ways to shop on a budget in preparation for writing this piece. I found some really great posts and advice that I've compiled into a list of some of my favorites:

• 5 Ways to Save Money on Beauty Products
• The Online Shopping Secret
• How to Shop On A Budget
• Shop Online Smarter: 10 Ways to Save
• 4 Tips for Not Spending Beyond Your Means
• 10 Thrift Store Shopping Secrets

Don't forget to read the piece that sparked this blog post!

New Festival Style

Every year, the Coachella weekends see thousands of people in flower crowns, fringe, and general boho attire gather to see some of the world's most popular music. Personally, though, I'm kind of tired of seeing the same street style over and over every year. Luckily, this year saw a couple new trends that I'd buy tickets to Coachella to wear.

{Featuring: via Harper's Bazaar, via Style.com, via Refinery 29, Jennifer Moriston, Jamie Chung, and Mara Hoffman}

{Featuring: ZZ Ward, via Style.com, via Harper's Bazaar, via Style.com, via Tim Regas, via Style.com} 

{Featuring: Raven Heinz-Garcia, via Harper's Bazaar, via Style.com, via Style.com, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Bosworth, Margot via Harper's Bazaar}

{Featuring: Veronica Zoppolo, Kylie Jenner, Tim Regas}

Lilly Sunday

Two of my favorite things are finally coming together: Lilly Pulitzer and affordable shopping. Today marks the release of Lilly Pulitzer's line for Target, an occasion that literally caused frenzies across the United States. I wasn't able to go into the store today (not that it would have mattered– the line sold out in hours in most stores!), but I'm already prepping for the inevitable shopping spree that will happen this week by looking online for what I'm going to buy. Check out the line for yourself in a Target near you and check out my favorite picks!

This line is not mostly unavailable online (except the plus-size clothing), so you'll find all my favorite things in stores.

Shop the Rainbow: Pantone Spring 2015

Spring is well underway, which means it's time to start adding some spring/summer color to your wardrobe. I'm loving on brighter pops to wear with my typical light neutrals this summer. Here's how to shop for color according to Pantone's spring/summer 2015 color guide!

{Images via: Christian Dior, Trendy Taste, Harpers Bazaar, Elie Saab, and The Lab Magazine}

{Via Moschino Spring 13, The Blonde Salad, Gary Pepper, Marie Claire, and Elie Saab Spring 15}

{Via Harper's Bazaar, Sirma Markova, The Atelier, Paule Ka SS 2015}

{Via Tobi, Abi Ruth, Elle, Refinery 29, A Spoonful of Style}

{Via Bridget Fleming, Park & Cube, The Sartorialist, and Always Judging}

{Via The Sartorialist, We the Style, Giambattista Valli fall 2014, W Magazine, and Badgley Mischka spring 2015}

Fashionista Friday: Streamlined Simplicity

{Photos via: CollegeFashionista, Tuula, CollegeFashionista, WGSN Street, and Fashionably Kay}

Spring can be a difficult season to dress for. When in doubt, taking a "less is more" approach can be exceptionally stylish. Read more about the streamlined simplicity trend on CollegeFashionista.

A Week at Harvard University

This spring break, I was lucky enough to spend the week with my cute boyfriend at Harvard. I loved exploring the Cambridge area and Boston with my best friend. The timing was also perfect because my parents and sister were in the area checking out colleges, so I got to see them, too! I've already posted about my amazing experience at the Her Campus Headquarters, but here are the rest of the pictures I took on the trip.

We had our first date night in months at this super cute restaurant.

Brendan was placed into his house at Harvard (sadly, there are little to no similarities between the Harvard houses and Hogwarts houses) just a couple weeks before I got there, so he got to show me around his home for the next three years.

My sister was so sweet to invite me to come on a college tour with her. I wasn't impressed by Boston University when I had toured it my sophomore year of high school, but this time around I was more than impressed. Plus, it was a really cool experience to tour one of my sister's dream schools with her.

My parents took me and Brendan out to dinner a couple times. The last night, we went to John Harvard's in Harvard Square.

A photo posted by Hannah Goldstein (@thehannahgold) on Mar 28, 2015 at 10:48pm PDT

A photo posted by lauren (@lauren_goldstein_) on Mar 25, 2015 at 6:13pm PDT

Seriously... How cute is my sister?

Harvard has waffle irons that burn their crest into the waffle. Clearly everyone else needs to step up their game. pic.twitter.com/mUDdePORsO
— Hannah Goldstein (@thehannahgold) March 28, 2015

OOTD: Black On Black With Hair Slicked Back

As a white girl from Oregon, it only makes sense that G-Eazy is one of my favorite rappers. I guess I've been subconsciously channelling him because when my roommate saw this outfit, she immediately quoted a lyric from this his song "Been On". Obviously I had to document this outfit in its black-on-black glory. Maybe I'll make a theme of it.

Everyone Deserves Their Perfect Prom

I was so lucky to have a perfect senior prom. I found my dress for $12 at a discount clothing store and I got to go with my best friends. Not to mention that's how my boyfriend and I started dating! However, I understand that not everyone isn't nearly as lucky as I was that year. While I can't make your crush ask you to prom, I can help by providing some prom style inspiration that often get overlooked in prom magazines or sites. After all: everyone deserves to have their perfect prom.

If you're uncomfortable in a dress (and not just because they often fit a bit tight), a jumpsuit is an awesome alternative. A formal jumpsuit is great because they can so easily be dressed up or down, so you can wear it long after prom is over!

Shop left-right: Diane von Furstenberg, Nasty Gal, ASOS, ASTR, BCBGeneration

I've never paid more than $20 for a school formal dress. It can be pretty tricky to find dresses at such a low price, but I promise, they're out there! Here are some of my favorite places to find inexpensive formal dresses: Jolly Chic, Lookbook Store, Cichic, Tidestore, Choies, Rosewholesale, OASAP, ROMWE, ASOS, and stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Last Chance.

Shop left-right: ROMWE, ASOS, Lovelelify

Shop left-right: City Chic, H&M, ASOS, Windsor

Some schools have strict dress codes for formals, but conservative in no way has to mean unstylish.

Shop left-right: Vakind, Lulu*s, ModCloth, SL Fashions, ASOS

Shop left-right: J.Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Pisarro Nights, John Zack

Shop left-right: Adrianna Papell, Badgley Mischka, Truly You, Donna Morgan