Need it, want it, gotta have it A guide to back-to-college essentials By Erika Sorocco IT’S SEPTEMBER, school is starting and, like most college types, I’m not prepared. So here I am, a self-professed style maven and propri- etress of the fashion blog Cafe Fashionista, with a virtual Ph.D. in retail therapy, teetering through the aisles of my local Costco in Lake Elsinore, California, with my back-to-school shopping list. What I can’t help but notice dur- ing my fashion-forward foray through the warehouse (or on Costco.com) is that when it comes to stocking up on essentials for the college-bound, there are plenty of chic choices. From dorm to dress-up For the ladies, the Colorado Clothing Micro Terry Capri (Item #520247) and Kirkland Signature™ Camisole 2-Pack (Item #518481) are can’t-live-without items. Top the camisoles with a cropped cardi for early- morning classes or a;er-hours parties when the weather turns a little nippy, or simply slip them on while catching a few zzz’s. ;e terry capris are just as versatile; sure, you can don them for evening jogs through the quad with the girls, but they are just as easily integrated into your daily style, making them an indis- pensable addition to your closet. Guys have it even easier, courtesy of the Kirkland Signature Long-Sleeve Dress Shirt (Item #365676). ;e crisp, button-down design is sophisticated yet comfortable and can be worn with anything and everything, from weather-beaten jeans to interview-worthy slacks. Better yet, they are wrinkle-resistant (so no ironing!), and the preppy touch they add to your look will leave a great impression on tough professors. Layer them under a sports coat for evening a;airs, or untuck the tails for a cool and casual look. Making up isn’t hard to do Whether you pull an all-nighter working on a research proposal that you should have started weeks ago or merely dance the night away at a dorm party, you’ll likely su;er the consequences. Fortunately, there is the power of makeup. If there are two cosmetic items any col- lege woman can bene;t from, my vote is for mascara and lip gloss (when in doubt, apply lip gloss!). Running a few coats of CoverGirl’s LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara 3-Pack (Item #402783) through your lashes gives you a wide-awake, glamorous look, while the Kirkland Signature by Borghese 3 Mineral Lip Shine & 1 Mineral Shimmer Balm SPF 15 set (Item #491171) lets you add a touch of color to your bedraggled appearance without overpowering you—and it moisturizes! ;e three-packs are perfect for a collegian on the go, as you can toss a duo in your handbag or car and keep one set safely at home. Men may not have the assistance of makeup to give them that bright-eyed look, but there are other ways to look rejuvenated— even if you’re running on 45 minutes of sleep. ;e Alaska Mist Combo 5-Pack (Item #514739) is a dorm necessity (you can use this too, girls); one spritz hydrates your skin, making you look as if you got a full night’s sleep, plus it’s small enough to ;t in your Targus Feren Laptop Backpack (Item #229332), so you can have it handy should you need an additional wake-up spritz midday. Essential extras •Whether you live at home or in a place of your own, you can no doubt bene;t from ore closet space. ;e Seville Classics Closet Room Organizer (Item #318631) has eight adjustable shelves for storing anything from shoes to handbags and backpacks. •Jaxx Crash Pad Collection Foam Filled Seating (Item #513009) is lightweight, so you can redecorate at a moment’s notice to satisfy our feng shui personality; plus it’s perfect for entertaining as it seats multiple bodies. Straddle it to play games, ;atten it out for a belly ;op, or ;ip it and make a cozy loveseat. •A brand-new 16 GB Apple iPod nano (Item #465020) is the best investment any col- lege student can make; it holds approximately 4,000 songs, and is likely to become your new best friend (and biggest stress reliever) during your time on campus. •Make sure to stock up on i Tunes Gi; Cards (Item #147833 for one $50 card; Item #103 for four $15 cards) before heading o; to those hallowed halls. Gi; cards allow you to download more songs for less money, and also prevent you from going over your set music budget. Need a few download recommenda- tions? Try Phoenix’s “Armistice,” the Kooks’ “Sway” and Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead”—your ears will thank you. •With all the money I’ve saved doing my back-to-college shopping at Costco, I have money le; for one splurge item. ;ese are some of the best years of my life; I may as well capture them in images and videos. The Canon PowerShot SD980 IS (Item #468283) is lightweight, pocket size and has amazing picture quality. Getting ready for college can make you a little bit crazed, but with these essentials in tow it’s impossible not to have an amazing year. Happy shopping and schooling! C Erika Sorocco lives in Southern California. When she’s not working on her book about style or dreaming of New York City, she can be found shopping—er, doing research—for her blog, Cafe Fashionista (http://cafefashionista. blogspot.com). SEPTEMBER 2010 ;e Costco Connection 33 The Costco Connection The items on Sorocco’s shopping list are available in most Costco warehouses or on Costco.com (search by item number).
33 ;e Costco Connection JANUARY 2010
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