Meeting Meghan...

Name: Meghan Elizabeth
Age: 16
Birthday: November 16, 1992
Career Interest: Fashion Journalist/Editor, Fashion Stylist, Music Producer.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, 
silver white winters that melt into springs,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Favorite Designers: Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney.
Favorite Fashion Blogs/Sites: WhoWhatWear, WWD, NylonMag, Chicinspector on blogspot.
Favorite Fashion Magazines: Nylon, TeenVogue, InStyle & Elle.
My Fashion Icons: Lauren Conrad, Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate Olsen.

The Best Shopping in My Area...

For the average Recessionista, like myself, you can always find great buys that are sweet on both the eyes and wallet at your local mall. Chain stores like Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 target an age range from 13 to 23, and even up! These stores are perfect for both trendy statement pieces or The Seven Style Staples every girl should have in her closet. (Read up on 'The SSS' later in this post!) Charlotte Russe is very affordable and their sales are such a steal you would think you were a criminal! While in all honesty, the pieces are a bit wear and tear, they still get the job done. But we all know with Fashion, one day you're in and the next you're out...so keep in mind this runs hand in hand with each trend. Some pieces can really only be worn a couple of times through the season before they are out, making room for a new trend. So if it's trend-wear, simple tanks, statement jewelry or a fun night-on-the-town 'fit for cheap...chain stores like Charlotte Russe & Forever 21 will be your go-to havens!

When on the hunt for something a bit more high-end, polished and sophistocated I find myself at Lord & Taylor. I've been a frequent shopper there since I was able to toddle my way through the racks of embelished onesies to the cafe where the girls of my family have shared lunch just about every other week for the last 16+ years. Great for shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and clothing...this is both a girl's Garden of Eden and worst nightmare! Pieces like your first pair of black patent leather round-toe heels, Perscriptives eyeliner or Rebecca Taylor cardigan can't be beat anywhere but Lord & Taylor. This would be my splurge store, for sure.

When I'm looking for something with a bit more stay and guaranteed quality to it, I shoot for a new branch boutique a town over called Wishlist. There are a couple of stores in Connecticut, as well as a webstore. It is really the best store for a little mix of everything. High-end brands, very trendy, age versatile, yet all safe under the brink between affordable and outrageous. I shoot for this store when I'm looking for something specific like a nice girly Free People sun dress, the perfect pair of Seven jeans or just a couple of Sugarlips ribbed tanks. It is my happy medium on my list of 'Where To Shop', as it is neither overly expensive nor a steal, but the perfect balance of affordable High-End inspired pieces.

For where I live, vintage at best would be found somewhere like Good Will. A couple of towns over is my favorite vintage jewelry, art & antique shop called The Perry/Matto Gallery on Washington in SoNo. I have the best rustic silver bow bracelet from there that is still a favorite of mine, although I bought it over a year ago!

My best bargains would have taken place at either Marshalls or Canal/Mulberry Street in the City. Cheap jewelry, bags and shoes...what could a girl love more? Bargaining with the shop owner is the best part of it, not only do you get a great deal but the rush of having control over what you feel is reasonable for your purchase.

The Seven Style Staples. These seven pieces are vital to a girl's wardrobe, especially if she is a budding fashionista with any hopes of success in the Fashion world.

1. LBD The Classic Little Black Dress is THE fool-proof staple of the seven. It is your go-to item when you find yourself in an 'Everything looks entirely horrid on me' kind of mood. When purchasing your LBD, don't just pick up the first one you see in your size. Make sure that it is the right length, fit, style, shape...the works. It must be not the perfect LBD but your perfect LBD. You need a dress that will enhance your best assets, as it is the outfit that should make you feel on top of the world saying All Eyes on Me! You should be able to dress it up, dress it down. Spice it up with a pop of color and wear any type of shoe or bag to showcase your personal flair. Remember, you can never have too many Little Black Dresses, so never feel guilty for buying multiples of this Style Staple.

2. Pearls Be it a single bracelet, set of large earrings, long strand or encrusted broach....if it's class you're striving for, you've got it. I consider pearls to be the best way to girl up your look with a nice sense of class. They can be worn long, over a plain navy v-neck tee or even layered bib-style over a bright strapless mini dress. Pearls are a great investment, so go for quality over price for this accessory.

3. Dependable Denim Like your LBD, your perfect pair of jeans should be a well-thought out purchase. The fit, the style, the wash, the design and stictching must flatter your shape as well as meet your comfort standards to be considered Dependable Denim. Seemingly like most of the Style Staples, you can never have a maximum in this category...only a minimum. Remember to have at least two to three pairs of jeans that are comfortable and flatter you well enough so you can throw them on with no self concious worries in mind.

4. A Neutral Trench At a medium length in idealy an ivory or off-white, a trenchcoat with a nice structure and fit to it will be perfect to throw over a party dress in weather conditions or even just for a day of shopping the streets in the City. It is a staple you may have never thought of, but will be very grateful for when you're searching through your closet for the right coat!

5. Peep-toe Pumps Girls will be girls, and will do it in heels. Every thought-out look can jump from casual to dressy with a pair of black peep-toe heels. Be it a flowy cream peasant top tucked into a pair of dark wash skinnies or a fun frock, these neutral shoes are a staple that will keep you on your toes! ;)

6. The Perfect Flattering Top Over a tee or a maxi dress, a cropped cardigan is a sensible and chic way to add polish and comfort to your look. A crisp white button down is also the most versatile. Wear tucked into jeans, with two buttons undone is a flirty yet classy way to embrace this staple to it's potential. Even a menswear style with a pair of gray slacks and nice heels will do the job.

7. Belt It! I feel one of the most flattering parts of a girl's body is her waist. A belt can be the perfect fix to an outfit missing that little something. Whether it's cinching the waist to accentuate your slim figure or even just to add a bit of punch to the style, a belt is a style that has become a staple of mine along with women everywhere. I like to match a black single row studded belt over a baby pink or sweetheart top to keep a nice balance between girly and edgy. Make it a thick belt, a thin belt, in brown, black or even orange...take this staple and adjust to make it fit your look!