Ever since I've come to school in Rhode Island, I have been introduced to all the wonderful things that this small state has to offer. Did you know that an Awful Awful is a milkshake, and not something, well, awful? Besides food, I have also been inspired by many of the local brands and designers. In the Ocean State, it’s all about anchors, nautical stripes, and accessories. Other than Roger Williams defying the puritans in Massachusetts in the 1600s, one of the greatest gifts that Rhode Island has given to the nation is Alex and Ani.

Courtesy: Alex and Ani

According to their website, Alex and Ani was founded in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian, who named the brand after her first two daughters. They are based in Newport, Rhode Island, and their flagship store in Newport is amazing. Although today they have expanded their brand to include vintage pieces and menswear, the staples are still their classic bangles, necklaces, and rings. Their mission statement defines that the purpose of the jewelry is to “adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit.” Alex and Ani is all about positive energy.They became a sensation overnight, and were spotted on many celebrities.

Selena Gomez wearing Alex and Ani.

Ashley Tisdale wearing Alex and Ani.

Although they carry a wide variety of product lines, my favorite line is their classic bangles. The muted colors and simple design go with any outfit. The single charm bracelets are perfect for layering with their embellished bangles, and the charms are meaningful and artfully designed. They make for perfect gifts (in the $20-$40 price range), and you can choose between Russian Gold and Russian Silver, which is gold or silver with a chic tarnished look. The bracelets that I wear are:

Initial Expandable Wire Bangle “K” Alex and Ani, $24

Sea Shell Wire Expandable Bracelet, Alex and Ani, $28

Newport Charm Expandable Wire Bangle, Alex and Ani, $38

I mix and match the gold and silver pieces together, and I often layer them on top of my tortoise shell watch (see my article on watches for that one). Here are some more cute ways to layer them:

Courtesy: stylehive.com

Courtesy: fashiondynamite.com

The best part about Alex and Ani is that you can wear one bracelet, or you can wear ten. They are perfect for a subtle piece of sparkle or as a statement. I am looking forward to trying out some of their other items, like their rings, but for now, I'm looking to expand my collection, and maybe get my hands on some of their beaded bracelets. Luckily, if there isn't an Alex and Ani store near you, lots of gift store and jewelry retailers carry their line of bracelets, or you can check out their website. So, next time you need a little but of positive energy, slip on one of Rhode Island's pride and joys.

Diamonds are lovely but the best friend of today's modern girl is definitely the cell phone. Dress up your gadget in these fun and quirky cases.

These adorable bunny cases come in every color! They have removable tails and are only around $9 (or less depending on which seller you buy from) on Amazon.

Bunny Skin Case With Furry Tail for Apple iPhone 4, amazon.com, price varies

While you're at it, you can give all of your gizmos a faux fur makeover.

Cat-Fun Fuwa Fuwa iPad Case, iwanties.com, $37

These stunning charm cases from Jagger Edge are amazing.

All can be found at www.jaggeredge.com.

Rebecca Minkoff has a great tech accessory line on ebay! The matching BFF iphone cases are my fav.

Courtesy: ebay

Bleach Black came out with an iphone case for the tough at heart only.  Spiked and considered a weapon by airport security, this unique case will definitely stand out in a crowd. You could shell out the 80 dollars or you could make it yourself by checking out the tutorial at cestclassique.blogspot.com

Bleach Black Death Roll iPhone 4 case (not for sale yet!)

Happy texting!

What is your most important accessory? No, it’s not your sunglasses or your bangles. It’s your phone. Think about it: how much time do you spend texting, calling, and checking Facebook on your phone? It’s in your hand constantly, so why not have it become part of your outfit? There are so many cute phone cases out there that can protect your prized possession from the dangers of gravity, while contributing to your outfit. For simplicity’s sake I am focusing on the iPhone, but I’m sure that there are tons of other adorable cases for other models.

YouTube beauty celebs, Elle and Blair Fowler, have released a super cute line of cases for Cellaris. My favorite one is the Black Lace on Nude because it is neutral, but sassy. The best part is that it is real lace on the case, so the texture is way cooler than plastic.

Elle & Blair In the Flesh Case for iPhone 4/4S in Nude, Cellaris.com, $27.99

Another great place for cute and unique accessories is etsy.com. This one is fun, artsy, and would look great with a blush colored skirt and other pastels. Did you steal that from the Louvre?

Universal Motion for iPhone 4 / 4S sold by ArtPhone, etsy.com, $14.50

These ones are simple, the material is soft, and the colors are so in. The lambskin leather softens that look and the feel of these trendy cases.

For those of you who like a little bling with your ring (and yes, I mean a phone), this case has me a little Gaga.

Bling Rhinestone Crystallized Black Phone Case Jewel Bow for iPhone 4/ 4S sold by BlingFairy, etsy.com, $29

This one is so vintage looking and by far my favorite!

Victorian Floral Tin for iPhone 4 / 4S sold by ShopZeroGravity, etsy.com, $22.50

Remember, next time you are tempted to buy the nearest case at the Verizon store, stop! There are so many stylish phone accessories out there. I hope that this has given you some inspiration to ditch the Otterbox, and pick up something more chic for your best friend!

Don’t get me wrong, I adore the winter’s reverence (and forgiveness) to those days of less-than-ideal style moments. All too often, however, I find myself in the never-ending giant sweater+leggings rut as I battle the Connecticut cold for a 9am class. Trust me, I get it: to pull on those skinny jeans seems the equivalent of trekking Mount Everest when the weather doesn’t quite motivate you to take on the day, no matter how good J Brand looks on you. In the winter especially, comfort and easiness of wear supersede style for most school-going women, but they don’t have to! By mixing up the cold-weather basics we all so love with a statement accessory or even a standout lip color, looking put-together while exercising minimal effort (the dream team!) has never been so chic.

Belt it!

With long, cozy sweaters especially, adding a belt can instantly add interest to an outfit while drawing attention to your tiny waist (always a plus!). A few rules to keep in mind: with a thick-material sweater (think wool), the fabric should hang loosely at the bottom, not form-fitting (adding a belt to the latter type only adds unnecessary bulk--very unflattering!). Sweaters that hit above your hip generally look best with a thin belt, and longer sweaters work well with any width.

Courtesy: lookbook.nu, thisnext.com, fashionchoice.org

Bold Lip Color

I can’t emphasize enough how effortlessly beautiful a bright and fun lip color can look when contrasted with a low-key outfit. Try a bright red shade when wearing neutral-colored clothing with very minimal makeup otherwise—so chic, so easy, and an incredible mood-enhancer!

Courtesy: stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se

Courtesy: nylonmag.com

Courtesy: chictalks.com

Stand-out accessories

A handbag with a pop of color or a statement piece of jewelry can completely transform an otherwise basic, no-fuss outfit (read: your go-to winter look). Just don’t go overboard—one eye-catching addition is all you need. It’s the statement, not quantity, of an accessory that tells the best story.

Courtesy: netaporter.com

Courtesy: lookbook.nu

Courtesy: lookbook.nu

Courtesy: fashionited.com

Work, then kickboxing, then a planning meeting. Everyone is busy, so what better time to wear a fabulous watch? Being late for a meeting? No way! Being chic while you are punctual? Oh yes! I make it a rule to myself to wear a timepiece during the day, so that I’m not late. To my surprise, my watch has become my favorite accessory. This year’s trends for watches have been exciting and practical. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Watches with bangles: A watch does not have to stand alone. Stacking a neutral watch with metallic bangles seamlessly incorporates your timepiece in with your other jewelry. The layers are fun and exciting, and it makes wearing a watch feel less “corporate.”

Michael Kors Large Runway Double Glitz Watch, Rose Golden, michaelkors.com, $325

2. Staple watch: No, not a watch made out of staples, but a trusty timepiece that is stylish enough to rock with your favorite outfit and neutral enough to go with just about anything. Watches are not cheap, so having a Staple Watch that you can rely on is key. It should reflect your style and be versatile. Make sure that your watch is water resistant and neutral in color. Here’s my Staple Watch and a few other favorites:

Skagen Faceted Glass Bezel Watch, nordstrom.com, $130

Riley Mini Ceramic Watch - Brown, fossil.com, $225

J.Crew's Timex® Traveler Watch, jcrew.com, $98

3. The Boyfriend/Oversized Watch: First the boyfriend jeans, and now the boyfriend watch. These oversized beauties are great because they can make your wrist look delicate, and as far as menswear trends go, this one is understated and looks great with a floral dress and blazer.

Michael Kors Large Runway Double Glitz Watch, Silver, michaelkors.com, $295

Here are some more watches and looks that I love. The best part about these looks is that the watches look natural, as if it is actually a part of the wrist. Notice that the timepieces are supposed to have a loose fit.

Kenneth Cole Women's Rose Gold Stainless Steel Watch, $135
Courtesy: My Style Pill

Victoria Beckham with gold watch

While you are checking out at the grocery store, grabbing drinks with the girls, or running the office, your watch is your best friend. Punctuality is timeless, and so are these accessories. So, do you have the time?