College Girl's Guide to Online Shopping

Not only do university girls have to stay on top of their studies, jobs and other obligations, but we also have to stay up-to-date on all of the latest fashion trends. The hard part is when do we have the time? Homework already has us pulling all-nighters and our jobs have us working doubles, so when are we going to have time to search through racks and racks of clothing to find clothes worth purchasing? The point is, WE DON’T. Thanks to websites like Top Shop and Asos all we have to do is click that magic "purchase" button and our new all-time favorite outfit will be delivered to our doorsteps.

Online Boutiques have made it so easy for us to purchase apparel, shoes and accessories. These boutiques even provide detailed pictures of each item. You can see what the item looks like on and off of a person, close ups of details that make each item unique and different color options instantly at your fingertips. Online Boutiques have eliminated the hassle of fighting the mall crowds at Waterford Lakes or Mall at Millenia, keeping us off the roads of the ever-busy Orlando traffic.

So watch out shopping centers and mega malls, because online boutiques are on the rise! Here’s a sneak peek at my online shopping guide.

Top Three Clothing Sites

1. www.gojane.com
The clothes here are not the best quality, but the shoes here are amazing. I have to point out that their customer service is impeccable as well.

2. www.lulus.com
Perez Hilton made this site infamous through the advertisements on his page. Lulus is more high-end than gojane, but it’s all up to your clothing preference.

3. www.asos.com
This site is based out of the UK, and I completely love it. One of my favorite parts of this shop is that when looking at the picture of the product you would like to purchase, you can click “Show Runway” and see if you still like the item after seeing how it moves. The fact that they have free shipping with no minimum purchase is also a plus as well.

Top Three Membership Sites

1. www.ideeli.com
A con is that shipping takes forever, but the site does have a large selection of designer products.

2. www.hautelook.com
Shipping sometimes does take a month, so don’t expect to receive your new product right away. Hautelook often cycles the same companies and products, and they have a large selection of items ranging from clothes, to shoes, to furniture.

3. www.gilt.com
Although the shipping time for this site is good (with high fees), you have to purchase knowing that everything is final sale.And if you are able to somehow return an item, they would simply give you credit to the site.

Top Three Monthly Sample Packages

1. 1. www.myprettypinkbox.com

I found this site months ago and fell in love with the idea right away. It was the first site I knew of that delivered a variety of samples every month at a limited price of roughly $10 a month. This site features brands such as Yuko, Cherry City, meet mark, and Jesse’s Girl.

2. www.birchbox.com

This is now my all-time favorite site. It’s the same idea as MyPrettyPinkBox, except Birchbox offers high-end samples. The only con I have about this site is that after purchasing my first box, I was automatically signed up for a year. With the products being so brilliant, I didn’t mind much. This site features brands such as blow, Laura Mercier, Korres, NARS, Stila, Sue Devitt, Too Faced, benefit, Erno Laszlo, and so many others. Now you can see why I love this site so much!

3. www.ecoemi.com

Eco-Emi is $15 a month, but of course, that’s the same with all ‘green’ items. This site offers “organic, green, all-natural and animal friendly products everything from herbal teas to lipstick, vegan bars to cute boots.” The brands this site offers include Pangea Organics, Eco Lips, Om Aroma & Co., and Chocoveda to name a few. There’s a goose bump-rising story on their site about where the name ‘Emi’ came from which I definitely suggest that you all read.

I hope you have all enjoyed this guide and hopefully found out about a new website to shop through while in your most boring, mandatory-attendance, lecture course. (Yes, that’s what you can find me doing.) Be sure to look out for more articles reviewing the best online shopping boutiques, as well as certain products too.

Happy Shopping!

*This is an article I wrote for HerCampus Magazine: http://www.hercampus.com/school/ucf/college-girl%E2%80%99s-guide-online-shopping

101 Days of Summer: Day 85

Once again, I slept in. I don't know how that happened considering I fell asleep so early last night. But then again, I know that's what happens to me. If I sleep early, I sleep forever. So I sleep late to wake up early. Doesn't make sense to anyone, but it's the truth.

I finally got out of bed around 10:30am. I focused a little and FINALLY passed my Bonus exam. So proud. Since I felt like I was on a roll, I took some more quizzes just to pass them and feel better. I edited a video. Had pasta for lunch. Watched a bunch of others. Painted my nails (secret periwinkle and it's bouquet with me). Updated some things on facebook. Did two loads of laundry. Ate 6 mandarins for dinner. Watched "Lemonade Mouth" and the last episode of Season 4 of Gossip Girl. Tried uploading a new video. And finally called it a night after midnight.

Yes, I was on a roll today. I felt so productive. =D

Until tomorrow,
Selina Christine

101 Days of Summer: Day 86

Don't hate me. Today was a lazy day. No lie.

Woke up around 11:30am. Didn't truly get out of bed until 12:30pm. Made a bagel and egg sandwich for brunch. Went back to bed.

Chance called and told me to get ready. Ruined my plans of lounging around all day. Took a shower and got dressed super quick. Went to the Loop with Chance and watched "Hangover II". I thought it was pretty funny. Chance said it wasn't as good as the first. There's rumors that they're doing a third. Really?

Afterwards we had Panda for dinner. Not like the actual kind, silly. Panda Express is the name of the restaurant. We always go to the one on International Drive because they have a buffet. Score!

Best part: we fell asleep around 8pm. No lie. I woke up at 5am super awake but made myself go back to sleep.

Until tomorrow,

Selina Christine

101 Days of Summer: Day 87

Work 7:45-4:15.
Meeting: 7:30-11:00.

Bedtime: 12:30am.
Breakfast: Nothing.
Lunch: Wendy's.
Dinner: Nothing.

Can I get away with that? That's honestly what I did/had today. I was late to work. Got upset. Finally told Chance a little bit of what I was thinking/feeling. Went to Training after work. Spent $63 on gas. My phone was dead from 5-11pm. Was almost too tired to stand and turn my house alarm on/off when I got home. But hey, at least it's Friday.

Here's a picture of a TAG I saw today. I have a whole album of these on my facebook. This one's definitely my favorite. You should've seen Sergio, Chance and I trying to figure out what it said. And of course, I took it a step further and analyzed it.

YEAIML8
Yeah, I'm late. That's why I'm speeding.

Until tomorrow,

Selina Christine

101 Days of Summer: Day 88

I've been trying new combinations with my Naked pallette lately. Most of them include Sin though. Today's was Virgin, Sin and Hustle. Worked 7:45-4:15. I was a bit late. That never makes me happy. Breakfast was a medium frappe from McD's. Lunch was free: rice and pork.

After working all morning, I cleaned the house a bit. Threw away some random papers we had lying around the place. Organized my closet. Organized the coupons. Made two couponing shopping lists. Filmed a video. Put away a bunch of "new" things.

Chance came over. I was exhausted at that point. So I fell asleep pretty early (11).

I really could expand this and write more. But I'm writing it the next day. (That's what I always do.) And I'm not in the best mood at the moment. As you can tell, I didn't have dinner last night. And no breakfast this morning either. Oh well.

Until tomorrow,
Selina Christine

101 Days of Summer: Day 89

Hello loves,

First off, I just wanted to say that I'm happy to hear that so many of you are reading this. It feels nice writing and not knowing who's going to read it, but it's even better when I find out who does. =)

I woke up early today because I worked 7-3:30. I had Starbucks for breakfast thanks to Chance. I love their Artisan Ham Sandwiches! Ivette made cakes today for people at work. Just because. She's so sweet. She wants to start her own business doing this. The cake was YUMMY too. (Picture of the exterior is above.)

After work I changed into what I call "normal people clothes" and then went to a Review class. Dustin Rizzo was there. He made $180,080 last month. Yes, MONTH. I definitely think that the class helped me a lot. We'll see what happens. I just want to be licensed already! After the Review class, Tom and I started watching "I Am Number Four" but I didn't get to finish it. I went straight to sleep when I got home.

This is my life.

Until tomorrow,

Selina Christine

101 Day of Summer: Day 90

Today I woke up early and got ready for work. I had planned to do my hair in a nice style with multiple braids, but settled on pulling it back a bit. I got to work a little late; helped some guests, then clocked it and went to GOLD Training. After 4 hours, I took my test and am now waiting for a response to see if I am a Certified Guest Service Professional. We got free lunch (tacos) and then I worked a few hours afterwards. After work, time flew by and Carrie made me dinner which we ate while watching Tosh.0. Since I've been feeling like the posts have been boring/dry lately, I decided I'd post a Random 25 Facts about me blog that I posted in 2009. Let's see how many of these are still accurate...

1. Being Greek is a big deal to me, and I wish UCF had an established Greek Club.

2. I have small hands, and it becomes a problem when trying to open my apartment door with one hand; or trying to squeeze a stress ball.

3. My career plans have evolved as such:
a. Psychologist
b. Attorney
c. Pharmacist
d. International Businesswoman
e. Corporate Event Coordinator
i. With the hopes of opening my own store for Weddings, Sweet Sixteens, etc.
ii. Now I’m looking into Event Management under Hospitality, mostly in a hotel setting.

4. I try not to wear gold because a fashion designer told me it doesn’t match my skin tone. She also told me not to wear black or white, and that I should wear bright colors. Crazy, sure, but she also helped me in realizing that I should not try to get emancipated.

5. I actually like busy-work, because I like being busy. I love running around and having something to do at all times.

6. Lately, I play tetris and check my email at least 5 times a day.

7. I miss GOYA and Dance. So far, I think those were seriously the best days of my life.

8. I don’t like the feeling of my wet hair touching my back after a shower, but I’m okay with it if it’s like at a beach or pool.

9. I would like to read more books for leisure, and write in my journal more often. I always come up with excuses though.

10. I know for a fact that I will name my daughter, which I will have, Melina. And I’m like 80% sure that I will name my second daughter Arianna, which is my two best friends’ names put together.

11. I used to cry during every movie. I used to cry every single night. For years. I even had certain pillows that I called my “crying pillows”. And then, just one day, I stopped. I don’t really know why. At first I thought I had become heartless. Now I think it’s because I’ve overcome the pain. But if I do start to cry… it’s hard to stop.

12. I save all my ticket/movie stubs, all my receipts, and all the fortune cookie fortunes, but never actually do anything with them.

13. I used to not like my last name at all because I thought that it wasn’t a part of me or who I am, but lately I’ve come to realize that it’s really a huge part of me. I still don’t like my initials, SCM, because they instantly remind me of ‘scum’ or ‘scam’. But I love my name.

14. I’m organized, and I cannot stand typos. I also use complete sentences when IMing or texting.

15. It’s been about five months since I came back from my summer vacation in Greece, and I still can’t look at the pictures. They’re online, they’re in my camera, but I can’t look at them because I cry every time I do. I miss everyone so much. I think the time there just flew by. And I can’t stand not knowing when I’m going to see them all again. I’m really happy and grateful that I went; I think it made my relationship with most family members a lot better. But now I miss them terribly.

16. I already know who three of my bridesmaids are going to be. ♥

17. I used to watch The O.C. religiously, and now it’s Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill.

18. When I think about being one of five kids, I sometimes get shocked. Growing up like so, I guess I’m used to it, but when I think about it, it’s really surprising.

19. It hurts my hands a lot when I try to open a bottle of water or something like that. And I don’t like opening medicine bottles or baby oil… child proof’s hard stuff.

20. I don’t like history. I almost failed out of high school senior year because of it.

21. I used to be afraid of dogs, for not psychological reason. I used to be scared that they’d eat me. No lie. But now I want to have Huskies, most likely Siberian ones.

22. I know that I have a guardian angel. I know there’s a reason I’m still alive. I don’ take life for granted, and I try to seize the day.

23. I get really sad when I lose a friend. Not only those that pass away, but those that I just stop talking to for no good reason.

24. I’ve wanted a tattoo on my inner right wrist of the word “hope” for about three and a half years now. I’m thinking about getting it in May for my 19th.

25. My mom is my hero. We’re not exactly the best of friends, but I think she is an extremely strong woman who has had to deal with more problems than any human being should. I try not to think about it too much because I feel bad for her when I think of how much her life changed after we moved to the States. I feel bad every single day for how I have treated her, but cannot get myself to apologize or even do something about it.

Lina & Rania.
Before the dance.

Connie's Sweet Sixteen.

My mom is a cutie!

UCF Spirit!

Independence Day Parade.

Lenten Retreat.

Yeah we can fly.

Cousins, Kosta & Aspa when I was leaving Patra.

LINARINI.

Smiles.

Before the dance.

Until tomorrow,
Selina Christine