Is the cost of tuition and textbooks burning a hole through your pocket?  Then buy a new pair of pants! Wondering how to stay fashionably fabulous, while staying within your budget?  Well, don’t worry your pretty little minds, because I am here to tell you it is possible.  Accumulating a fashionable wardrobe does not have to consist of designer outfits, or apparel from the finest stores.  There are many alternatives like thrift store shopping, bargaining, or even remarkable sales that can help any college student maintain an oh-so-appealing, trend-setting appearance.  Other than learning how to manage my time, I also learned how to manage my budget, and you can do the same.

Erin (pictured above) is one of the many fashionably forward students at the University of California Riverside, who knows how to be stylish, unique, and creative, without having to spend the big buck$.

Below I put together two outfits that are stylish and under $50!

Outfit 1

L to R: Metallic Threaded Sweater Top, forever21.com, $7.99 (sale); Printed Mid-Length Skirt, wetseal.com, $10 (sale); Faux Suede Ballet Flats, wetseal.com, $8.99 (sale); Call It Spring Truax Cross Body, jcpenney.com, $8.00 (sale)

Outfit 2

L to R: Jersey Top, h&m.com, $12.95; Bow Waist Mini Skirt, topshop.com, $14 (sale); Fold Front Flats, wetseal.com, $8.70 (sale); Call It Spring Schilk Schoolbag, jcpenney.com, $8 (sale)

People pack the gym for their New Years’ Resolutions.  They want to lose weight.  They want to tone their body.  They want to become healthier.  But you and I know a secret they don’t: most of them will fail.

We don’t fail with our resolutions because we don’t try.  The truth is that we often give it our all when we attempt resolutions.  But we fail to consider something very important, especially when we consider health: in order to become more fit, we need more energy.  And achieving big New Years’ Resolutions requires tons of energy, which is why most of us fail.

Instead of aiming for the stars and attempting fifty arduous resolutions, let’s only change one thing about our life that will create a huge impact and give us momentum to achieve all our other fitness goals in the long run.

Twelve years ago I stood at almost six feet and weighed ten pounds above the century mark.  People suggested a fitness program to help me gain weight, but I lacked the energy to begin a fitness program.  The idea of eating a lot of food also drained me as I disliked eating – it took too much energy and effort.  However, almost forty percent of my daily calorie intake came from sugar, whether it was through sodas, treats or some form of desserts.  In other words, I didn’t like eating food if it didn’t come with a lot of sugar and the energy bursts from sugar were great, though they quickly subsided.

Thankfully, an older man suggested that I stop eating sugar for food intake and try to eat only whole foods to see if it helped me gain weight.  I agreed to try his method for one month only.  Although whole foods did not increase my weight immediately, it did something else that shocked me and provides an excellent example of how one simple goal can result in major changes.

Without sugar in my diet, I had a ton of energy.  I started working out two days a week.  A month later, I increased my workout program to four days a week.  By the end of the year, I was working out six days a week.  The workout program and whole food also helped me gain weight after a few months, which had been a major encumbrance to my health.  I also didn’t visit the doctor once that year for flu, allergies or a cold.  Little did I know at the time that I wouldn’t visit the doctor again even for these ailments for the next twelve years (currently).

After a month, I forgot the taste of the popular sugar sodas that I had consumed.  Once the sugar addiction was broken, I found it easy to forgo any sugar that was offered to me (such as desserts, treats or sodas).  I found that water offered a simple, yet fulfilling taste, and began to notice that simple foods were sweeter than I imagined.  For instance, many people describe blueberries as “tart,” but when you don’t consume sugar, blueberries are quite sweet.  So is grapefruit.  So are tomatoes.  In fact, I found that each vegetable had a taste that I had never experienced.

I can’t write it enough: sugar is an enemy.  Sugar sucks your energy by giving you a quick high.  Sugar blinds your taste buds from sensing the variety life offers.  And the worst part, sugar tempts you to keep coming back to it for solutions to the problems that it creates.  When you dump sugar, you’ll find that all those other resolutions become easier to do.  But do yourself a favor and try only this one resolution for the next three months and watch how everything else in your life becomes easier.

Last of all, say this to yourself everyday (or post it some place where you’ll see it every day): one simple action compounded over time equals a success greater than you can imagine.

“Dress every day like you’re going to get murdered in those clothes.” Tracy, from 30 Rock, says it best. Even though this winter season has been exceptionally cold, that gives no reason to stay curled up next to a fireplace in black sweatpants and an oversized grey sweatshirt all day long. Would you like to be immortalized forever in that outfit? I don’t this so! Especially with a new semester of school here, rather than covering up your body underneath 10 layers of shirts and knitted scarves that shed everywhere leaving weird fuzzy bits in your mouth, you could be in a few of--what I call-- “everyday and every season basics”. Move aside fleece pants, thermal shirts, and heavy unflattering jackets. Instead, say hello to patterned shorts, long flowing skirts and professional, but basic looking tops. Layering clothes, even ones made from thin and light material, can keep you warm even in the coldest of nights!

Joie Jaden Top, joie.com, $348

Joie Lotus Skirt, joie.com, $348

Kimchi Blue Platform Pump, urbanoutfitters.com, $69

3.1 Phillip Lim Rolled Up Sleeve Jacket, shopbop.com, $625

Joie Edaline Blouse, joie.com, $228

Joie Marylin Shorts, joie.com, $224

Sheer Heart Tight, urbanoutfitters.com, $14

DV Dolce Vita Zela Flat Boots, bloomingdales.com, $118.30

 As you all can see, I’ve been mostly favoring neutral and off-white colors over the new bright, vibrant and neon color trends this winter season. Personally, I find these basic and toned-down colors more office appropriate and professional looking. What I love to do is pair up a lightweight blouse or tank top, with a button down over it. The button-down acts as a sweater or jacket would! With this I would add either shorts with tights and boots or a long skirt with pumps.  But remember the functions of clothes, especially blouses and tops, are never limited. Blazers can be buttoned up to act as warm tops (depending on how low the cut is, of course). Shorts with tights worn underneath are just as warm as jeans or pants! Leather boots are more polished looking than Ugg boots and long skirts give just as much coverage and warmth to your legs as any other cotton trousers would. You can always mix and match any of these pieces and you’re sure to stay warm and look polished in whatever weather and during whatever season it is.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds...when it comes to gems and jewels, I don’t pick favorites. While I daydream about that time in the future (possibly the really way far away time in the future) when I will be blinging my large stones and rocks for all to admire, I wonder what quality it is that these gems possess that I covet most. Is it the price tag that would empty my current bank account? Maybe the attention-grabbing sparkles blinding anyone when the light catches the jewel just right? Who’s to say it’s not any of these? Let’s be honest, there’s really nothing to complain about. But what I really think I love about stones - more than sterling and gold - manifests in the deep color each gem carries. Characterized by distinct hues, these jewels magically transform a single metallic chain or band into a beautiful necklace or ring. Jewelry gains personality...strong personality. Color drips from each accessorized body part and you, the fashionista, make a statement.

So by matters of deduction I concluded:

1. I love gems.
2. I cannot afford these jewels.
3. What I love most about gems is their distinct color.

Naturally, when I had gemstones on the brain, nothing else would appease that want except those little glittering jewels themselves. The second bullet point on that list above, however, stood in strong opposition to me obtaining them. Always the eternal optimist, I knew when one portion of my wardrobe suffers, the other portion must compensate to retain a fashionable balance. Who knew clothing items exist displaying similar hues as my favorite jewelry items? I may not be rich, but nothing will stop me from dressing in the rich colors I love so much. Dresses, pants, shoes, and shirts, every article of clothing comes in the deepest hues imaginable. I still may spend my time daydreaming about gemstone accessories, but in the meantime, my sapphire shoes and amethyst pants will satiate my desires.

L to R: Go Get Em’ Dress in Red, modcloth.com, $47.99; Lela Magenta Cloche with Side Bow by San Diego Hat Company, shopruche.com, $56.99; Buschur, aldoshoes.com, $34.99 (sale)

L to R: Olivia Low-Rise Color Jegging Cobalt, delias.com, $44.50; Sweet Sugar Plum Ruffle Dress by Tulle, shopruche.com, $67.99

Shadows Illuminated Skirt, modcloth.com, $47.99; QUPID Onyx Womens Shoes, tillys.com, $24.99; Roxy Tropics Tank Dress, buckle.com, $31.03 (sale)

Whoosh~ There goes the airship narrowly missing my head while I linger on the balcony overlooking the bustling night crowd. The carriages rustle by and I heard the sound of the trains chugging through in the background. The air was filthy, the steam saturating the atmosphere and leaving a thin gray veil coating the goggles resting upon my forehead. My corset was killing me, but there were bigger matters on hand. A war was raging and my pursuers were gaining on me. My eyes linger on my ray gun and I sigh catching my second wind. A gang of people bust through the weather-beaten wooden doors and suddenly--my alarm goes off.

I wake up.

What a dream. I must've been on the steampunk tag for too long because it finally translated over when I went to sleep. For those of you who are unfamiliar with steampunk, it's essentially an alternate universe set where the digital era has never came-to-be. It tends to be set in the Victorian era. So think corsets, top hats, extravagant dresses, high collars and cravats. The idea is, what would've happened if modern technology never came to be? So dwell on those thoughts while you drool over the incredible fashion inspired by this fantastical universe.

Courtesy: Ruffled blog

The boy meets the girl. Girl likes boy. Boy likes girl. After a while, they decide to get married and since they're both artists what do they decide to do? Throw an extravagant, whimsical wedding with a steampunk theme. First, let me say, I LOVE IT. And even that is an understatement because there aren't words to express how awesome their wedding is. There's a rustic, elegant vibe to their slightly quirky, fairytale like wedding. The suspenders on the groomsmen are a nice touch to the groom more put together attire with the three piece suit, highlighted by his crimson red vest, top hat and goggles.

The bride captures her fairy-like, steampunk edge perfectly with her chaotic bottom and simple top. She has this structured, but unstructured at the same time manner. I'm not sure if you understand what I mean but let's just say that "within the chaos, you can find structure."

If there's anything that makes swoon worthy and make me weak in the knees, this is certainly one of them. And I'm sure you'll feel the same way after you finish going through their photos. In fact, I would even classify this as "fashion porn." After all, if there's "food porn", why is that there can't be fashion porn?

Courtesy: steampunkcostume.com

Now one of the beauty of steampunk fashion is the intricacies. There's nothing minimalist about the fashion here. Nope. Just take a look at the shoe. I love the little cogs and the level of detail. I love how you can follow the chain as it weaves from the front of the school to the back, interlocking with the many cogs. It may not be practical (can you imagine someone wearing something like this every day?) or long lasting, but nobody can ignore its prettiness factor.

Courtesy: Etsy seller JaredBeever

It seems as though one of the "key factors" of steampunk fashion is the importance of time. Many of the accessories I've come across that are steampunk-inspired often have cogs, dials or some sort of time element incorporated into their outfits. Wings are also a contributing factor, seen mostly in jewelry and occasionally in the shoes.

And for those who are genuinely interested of seeking out this sub-genre, Steampunk Couture is one of the places I would go in acquiring the pieces. There are also many Etsy's sellers who have handmade accessories and outfits that can be purchased.

Courtesy: hopie-chan.deviantart.com

So for those fashion-ambitious readers out there or just anyone who has a general appreciation for any history-related or pretty, I do recommend checking out the steampunk genre. I will leave you tonight and hopefully drift back to my wonderful (in the steampunk universe sense) and slightly dismal (I think I was about to get into a fight) dream where I'm apparently being attacked by a band of kidnappers who killed my dream! estrangedhusband and now is coming after me. Well, now I suppose I know what the ray gun is for.