Category / preparation

by Kelly Mattei

Prime Days Beauty Deals

Prime Days Beauty Deals

***LOG IN TO AMAZON WITH YOUR PRIME MEMBERSHIP TO GET THE DEALS. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I receive commissions on products purchased through my links.***

Amazon Prime Days are here, and there are some great beauty deals! Here are some of the best ones:

  • Dyson Airwrap Origin and/or Dyson Supersonic Origin Dryer. Anytime you can get a discount an a Dyson hairdryer is a great time. Right now, the Dyson Airwrap Origin is $100 off…a rare deal. You pay $399.99 instead of $499.99 for the three-piece set. Get it here. Or save $80 on the Supersonic Origin Dryer and pay $299.99 here. Could be a great time to purchase a Christmas or Hannukah gift! Or if someone on your list has a birthday coming up…buy today!

Crest 3D White Strips at 35% off! Click here.

  • Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplements. Get 26% off this proven product for visibly thicker hair and scalp coverage…a great deal! Get it here.

  • Mighty Patch Pimple Patches. I know someone who swears by these. If you have a daughter going through sorority recruitment this fall, this could be a great addition to her beauty products. They’re 25% off with Amazon Prime Days. Purchase here.
  • COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray at 30% off! Save over $8 on this product that stops frizz and makes hair shiny! I love this stuff. Get it here.

  • Shark Hair Dryer | FlexStyle Hair Styling System…Regularly $369.99…now $249.99! This is for the whole styling system. The Shark system is normally quite a bit less expensive than the full Dyson System (about $600), and right now it’s even less! You can get this special deal on the Shark System! Get it while supplies last here.

  • IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream – Full-Coverage Foundation I love IT Cosmetics Foundation, and now is time to stock up if you do too! Its 40% off! That’s unheard of! I’m stocking up today. You can stock up here. Or get IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Illumination – Full-Coverage Foundation With SPF 50 for 40% off here.

  • LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Award-Winning Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder Foundation I have friends who swear by this foundation for mature skin. Right now, you can get it for 50% off with your Prime membership here.

  • Supergoop Glow Screen. I love it…purchased it a couple of months ago and love it. This stuff rarely goes on sale, but you can get this primer/tinted sunscreen for 20% off on Prime Days here.

  • Oral-B Genius X Limited Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush This is a fantastic deal at 50% off! Get it here.

  • IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream – Hydrating & Anti Aging Face Moisturizer I have loved this moisturizer for years, and you (and I) can get it for 40% off with Amazon Prime membership here.
  • Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength Lip Plumper Gloss I cannot express how much I love this product, and during Prime Days, we can get it for 30% off while supplies last! It really plumps. I know, because I use it every day. I also tested it on my hand, and it literally plumped the skin on my hand. Available in five colors. Let’s gooooo! Get it here.

THAT’S NOT ALL! POSTING MORE ALL DAY AND THROUGH THE 11TH! CHECK BACK!

by Kelly Mattei

Dorm Stuff on Amazon Prime Days 2025!

I’m not going to waste any time…just getting straight to the good stuff. Need dorm items at a good discount? Click through the links below! (As an Amazon associate, I receive commissions on items purchased through my links.)

Some of these are EARLY DEALS you can get now, while others might start tomorrow. Get these deals!

  • Fire TV. If your student wants a TV in his/her dorm room, Amazon has a great deal on an Amazon Fire 32″ TV. It’s what our daughter has, and it’s what we have in our upstairs bedrooms at home. For us, they have been great. Purchase for just $69.99 (at publication time) here. That’s 46% off the regular price! Or maybe your student wants/needs the 55- inch Fire TV. It’s almost half off, priced at just $189.99 (regularly $349.99)! That’s a steal! See it here.

  • Big Fire TV. If you have a son or daughter who lives in an apartment with roommates, they might need a bigger TV. Right now, Amazon has a 75″ Fire TV at 48% off…that’s $569.99 for a huge TV (regularly $1099.99)! Purchase here.

  • Clothes Steamer. I know you think your student doesn’t need a steamer, but girls need a steamer…especially if they are participating in sorority recruitment in the south. You can get a handheld steamer or a standing steamer. When our daughter was a freshman, I got her a standing steamer, because I know it wouldn’t “walk away” to someone else’s room. You can purchase one on sale at Amazon here. If you prefer a handheld steamer, you can get one at a deep discount here.

  • Mattress Topper. A college freshman moving into a dorm needs a mattress topper. Lately, it seems most dorm beds are sized Twin XL, so I’m sharing a deal on one that size. Bedsure offers a 4-inch topper that gets great reviews for just $99.99 through Amazon at time of writing. Purchase here. If you’re looking for something more high-end for your little darling, I highly recommend the Sleepyhead brand 3-inch gel topper you can purchase here. It’s not on sale, and it’s pricey ($399), but there is a coupon on Amazon that makes it $60 less than normal…$339. If you prefer the Sleepyhead brand 2-inch gel topper, it costs less and has a coupon right now too. Originally priced at $299, you can get it now for $259 with the coupon on Amazon. Get it here. It’s a great, proven brand. We got our daughter the 3-inch gel topper from Sleepyhead when she was a freshman, and she used it for two years and loved it. It’s all about personal budget and preference. ***Double-check the size of the beds in your student’s dorms before buying.***

  • Moving Bags. You’ll need them, and Amazon has a Prime Deal on some heavy-duty moving bags right now. Purchase before they’re gone here.

  • Backpack. A few different brands are being offered at great prices in early Prime Days deals. Check these out: Zorfin 26L backpack for $16.99 here. Amazon Basics backpack for $20.13 here. Or check out the huge assortment here.

  • Desk Organizer. There are a few different desk organizers from Amazon Basics on Early Prime Days deals…different shapes at different prices. Click on the price to see the organizer: $8.99, $10.99, $15.99, and $22.47. Keep in mind…there are only so many set aside for the bargain prices. Right now, at time of writing, the $22.47 organizer is showing 7% claimed.

  • Air purifier. If your student is moving into an older dorm, you definitely need an air purifier. My daughter lived in a brand new dorm her freshman year, and I found that it was dusty, simply because it was new construction. We got her a small purifer. Right now, there’s an early Prime Days deal on one from Levoit for just $39.97 here. Or pay more but still get a Prime Days deal on a “smart” one from BlueAir here.

  • Velvet Hangers. NOT a Prime Days deal, but your students needs these, and they are inexpensive. They take up less room that plastic hangers, and because they are “velvet,” the provide a non-slip surface…less likely to find clothes on the floor. Highly recommend! Get them for your student here.

I’m watching the deals in all categories…not just college buys…on Prime Days (starting July 8!), and I will try to get the info out there as fast as I can!

I will be posting more deals as I come across them! Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

The Best Pill Bottle Organizer for Travel and Home

The best pill bottle organizer for travel and home (and it makes a great graduation gift!).

This week, I found the best pill bottle organizer bag for home and travel! I know there are lots of people who don’t have any regular prescriptions, but a pill bottle organizer bag is great for essential over-the-counter meds too! Just recently, at spring break, my college-age daughter found herself feeling ill, but she had not taken any pain or nausea medications with her! I couldn’t believe she was traveling without essentials like her Zofran prescription, but she was. That’s when I first thought about a pill bottle organizer…one for her and one for me. Anyone who is a mom knows it’s always up to us to provide the meds for our families at home and when traveling.

For years, I have carried all those pill bottles (my prescriptions and over-the-counter meds) in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. I always put that big Ziploc bag in my carry-on bag when I travel, because who wants an airline losing their medications?! On a recent trip, though, I realized that’s probably not the best way to carry my meds and vitamins. I was at a hotel, and one of my prescriptions had fallen out of the Ziploc bag into my carry-on bag. I panicked when I didn’t see it in the Ziploc, but I found it when I looked in my carry-on, and I realized I must have left an opening in the Ziploc in my haste. I needed to do something different.

When I returned home, I went online to Amazon to look for a pill bottle organizer bag. In fact, I wish I had thought of this sooner for me and my daughter! It would make a great graduation gift! I know young ladies don’t think they need to carry medications with them, but they do need to carry the essentials when they travel, and they need to have them in their dorm rooms and apartments! I wanted something soft that had slots for medications but wouldn’t take up too much room in my carry-on bag. Of course, Amazon had exactly what I needed! In fact, I have already put my medications in it, so I’m ready for a trip! I’m leaving the meds in the organizer all the time, so I can use it at home and just zip it closed when it’s time to travel.

You can see the one I purchased here, and I highly recommend it! It’s soft-sided, and it won’t take up a lot of room in my carry-on bag, but it has plenty of room for my essential meds and extras like Tylenol, Advil, nausea meds, vitamins, seasonal allergy meds, eye drops, and more. Yes, I actually carry anything I can think of, because who wants to try to find a pharmacy when you’re traveling? I like to try to have everything on hand. This particular “organizer” comes in two colors: Misty Rose and Black. I opted for the Misty Rose, because in a dark carry-on, it’s easier for my 57-yr-old eyes to see something lighter.

I like using it at home, and I am leaving town tomorrow, so it will be my first trip with my new pill organizer!


I highly recommend purchasing this pill bottle organizer here for yourself and anyone on your list for graduation gifts! At under $30, it’s a deal! To give it to someone graduating from high school, you can add some essentials: Tylenol, Advil, antacids, over-the-counter seasonal allergy meds, and maybe a pill cutter. (Purchase a pill cutter here.)

***As an Amazon Associate, I receive commissions on items purchased through my links.***

by Kelly Mattei

You Are Not Going to College with Your Child

You are not going to college with your child.

Why am I saying that? Well, because it seems lots of parents think they need to be involved with their child’s college experience. I’m here to tell you: you do not need to know anything, Mom. Even if you went to your child’s orientation session (or plan to attend), you don’t need to remember the information. College is your child’s job. It’s not your job. If you keep assisting your child with everything he/she needs to do/know, your child will never learn to do it on his/her own. Stick with me, and at the end of this piece, I will tell you what you can do to make your child’s transition to college more successful.

I think parents became more “helicopterish” with their college students when colleges and universities started offering orientation sessions for parents. No, just no. It makes me sick. I have said before that I went with my daughter two years ago, but I only went because it seemed everyone else was going, and I didn’t want her to feel like an orphan! I skipped out at lunch on the first day and never looked back. I simply couldn’t take it. It made me crazy that parents were asking questions kids should have been asking for themselves. If I had a second child, he/she would be going it alone, and I would feel great about it. You know why? Well, I truly believe those parent sessions are simply babysitting sessions to keep parents busy after they have traveled there. It wasn’t terrible, but I did not need to know the information they were putting out there. Where to park? I don’t care. Where to eat? I don’t care. I have already graduated from college…way back in the 1980s…and I figured it all out myself.

In 1985, my parents didn’t go to orientation with me! No way! I drove myself two hours to the university, found the dorm without a navigation system in my car, learned what I needed to know, made my schedule, and drove myself home…alone. In fact, I don’t recall seeing one parent at orientation at The University of Alabama in 1985!

And while I’m at it, allow me to also remind you that you don’t need to make your child’s academic schedule. Again, he/she needs to learn how to do it on his/her own. I see parents on the parent pages regularly talking about helping their kids make their schedules. What??? I don’t even know what classes my daughter is taking! And my parents never knew what classes I was taking!

Take a deep breath, Mom. Your child can navigate college without you. If you don’t believe that, maybe your child shouldn’t be going too far from home. Mine goes to a school 450 miles away, and it’s the greatest thing I ever did for her…letting her do college on her own. She takes care of herself and handles everything on her own, and we don’t waste our time talking about school. We talk about life and fun things, instead!

So, how can you help your child with the transition to college? I’m not a counselor or psychologist, but I am a mom, so I know a little bit. Here’s what you can do:

  • Help them prepare to outfit their dorm room. Gather what they need, and purchase what you don’t have. (Amazon Prime Days are coming up in mid-July, and there will be lots of dorm stuff on sale…a great time to get good prices! Come back to my site to get information on some special deals!)
  • Answer the phone when they call you…anytime, day or night. That first semester can be difficult, so they might need a sounding board. Be there for them. Be supportive. Be positive and encouraging.
  • Make sure they know what to do in emergency situations.
  • Provide whatever they need.
  • Most of all:

Let your little birdie fly! It might not be easy, but it’s important! They can do this! And you can too!

by Kelly Mattei

Links to Sorority Rush Posts

Several people have asked for links to some of my posts about sorority rush. Here are some from the past, and I’m sure I will have some new ones over the next few months. ***I am not a rush consultant.*** Please feel free to send me any questions you might have. I am always open to suggestions and ideas for new posts!

Links to sorority recruitment (rush) posts:

  • Sorority Rush Preparation in the South, click here.
  • Sorority Rush Bags, click here.
  • Moms and Sorority Rush, click here.
  • Sorority Rush: Last Minute Items, click here.
  • Sorority Rush Conversations, click here.
  • OK, Moms, It’s Sorority Rush Time, click here.
  • When Sorority Rush is Over, click here.
by Kelly Mattei

Don’t Sweat Fall Sorority Rush Yet

Don’t sweat fall sorority rush yet.

I have received three phone calls from worried friends this week. Their daughters are planning to participate in sorority rush in the fall at big southern schools, and they are worried they should be working on “rush stuff” right now. No. The answer is no. Let your daughter enjoy her senior year!

Mom, you can start thinking about the preparation, but there’s no need to be consumed by it. What can you do now? Look up which sororities have chapters at your daughter’s school. Start thinking of your friends who know your daughter; which ones were in sororities in college and would be willing and able to write recommendations for your daughter? Make a list in the notes on your phone. Or you can do like one of my friends and make a spreadsheet. I’m not Type A, so a spreadsheet was not my thing. I just made a list. Anytime you’re out and about and hear that someone is a member or alumna of a sorority, make a note of it in your phone.

If you’re thinking about hiring a rush consultant, that’s entirely up to you. We didn’t hire one for my daughter when she rushed, and she landed exactly where she wanted to be. I have lots of friends who have daughters who have rushed, and personally, I don’t know anyone who hired a consultant. And all my friends have daughters who are very happy with their rush choices. The hiring of a consultant is a personal choice.

Seriously, right now, just start compiling your recommendation list and having your daughter start working on her resumé. The girls cannot even make a complete resumé right now, because they don’t know what they’ll have to add before the end of the school year.

In May, have your daughter contact your friends who are sorority alumnae by phone, text, or email to ask them to write recommendations for her. This is something she needs to do herself, and she needs to ask people who actually know her. In a pinch, she can ask a friend of a friend. Recommendations are basically introductions of your daughter to the chapters, so she will want them to be able to write about her from personal knowledge. For example, when my neighbor’s daughter participated in “recruitment,” I was able to write a detailed recommendation/introduction of her, because I had first-hand knowledge of her personality and great attributes. Try to get recommendations to every chapter, and whatever you do, make sure your daughter does not say to any alumnae, “I’m only interested in sororities A, B, and C.” First, it sounds bad. Secondly, until rush begins, your daughter might think she knows what she likes, but she might change her mind. She also might not get invited to the ones she think she will.

You can start looking at dresses if you like. Spring dresses are coming out now, so it’s perfectly fine to start looking and even purchasing dresses she thinks she will wear. When shopping, look for fairly conservative dresses but not too conservative. Amanda Uprichard offers some great options at amandauprichard.com.

But right now, the main thing is to have rush in the back of your mind. Keep you ears and eyes open for people who can help with recommendations. Soak up every moment of senior year of high school, and enjoy having your daughter at home with you!

Here’s a rough timeline of preparation:

  • January-April: Find out which sororities have chapters on campus. Also, make a list/spreadsheet of sorority alumni who can write recommendations for your daughter. ***ALSO, make sure your daughter cleans up her social media…no alcohol or extreme photos.***
  • March-May: watch the university’s Panhellenic website to find out when registration is. At most southern universities, you can register for fall rush starting in May.
  • May-June: Your daughter can contact sorority alumni and ask for recommendations, telling them they will send their resumé soon.
  • June: create a resumé using the Canva app or another app. Distribute the resumé to the alumni who have agreed to write recommendations. Most sororities want digital recommendations now, so please don’t do old school “rush packets.” If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry about it…you don’t need to know.
  • July: make sure you have your rush wardrobe, and finish gathering everything for the “rush bag.” For more information on the rush bag, click here.
  • Late July/August: move her into her dorm and let the magic happen!

I will have posts later in the spring and summer with more information.

Mostly, relax. Don’t let your daughter get nervous about it.

***Over the next few days, I will be re-posting some posts about rush and preparation for it.***

by Kelly Mattei

Moms After Christmas Day (again!)

Moms after Christmas Day (again!).

Two years ago, I wrote a piece the day after Christmas titled Moms After Christmas Day. You can see it here. It’s recognition of all the extra work moms do during the holidays…the list-making, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the baking, the scheduling…and that’s in addition to our regular roles! Lots of moms even take on extra part-time jobs just to make Christmas happen for their families. And no matter how old our children get, moms still want the holidays to feel special.

My husband and I have one daughter. She’s 20 now and a sophomore in college, so Christmas at our house looks a lot different than it did 15 years ago. It’s still fun, but it’s fun in a different way. And you know what? There’s still a lot of preparation that goes into it. As the mom of the house, I still do all the preparation. I’m fortunate to have a sweet husband who will help me upon request, but truthfully, the ultimate responsibility of the holiday is mine. I orchestrate everything. I purchase everything. I wrap everything. I cook everything. I even play bartender! Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy every minute of it. I really do. I finally feel like I have everything planned out in advance now, so I don’t end up dropping the ball on anything. I wrap the gifts as I purchase them, and I love wrapping and making bows…it gets me into the spirit of the holiday. And the meal prep? Well, I even got that right this year! In fact, this year, the timing of the meal even worked out perfectly! We weren’t waiting for biscuits to finish baking. We weren’t waiting for any particular dish to be ready. Somehow, I managed to make it happen on time! And after the meal? I directed the cleanup efforts…and the whole family participated! One cleared the table. One loaded the dishwasher. One put away everything else.

And today? The day after Christmas? I have rested. It’s raining, so I have the perfect excuse to stay in my pajamas. In fact, right now, it’s 3:40pm, and I am still in my pajamas. Am I embarrassed about that? Not one bit. In fact, I’m a little bit proud that I have been lazy after being so busy for the holidays. In fact, it’s my gift to myself. I have watched a little television. I have talked on the phone. Well, I have done two loads of laundry, but that’s all the work I have done…and frankly, because I enjoy doing laundry, it’s not really work at all. There aren’t many household chores I enjoy, but I do enjoy doing laundry…including ironing or steaming. Just don’t ask me to vacuum.

Our daughter is out and about this afternoon. That’s a lot different than just a few years ago when the new toys were still exciting. I do regret that she didn’t get any toys this year. In fact, she told me a college friend’s mom insists that everyone in the family should get at least one toy every year. I love that! The friend got a pogo stick this year, and I immediately wished I had gotten one for our daughter! She was quite good at pogo back in the day, so it would be fun to see her do it again. So my daughter and I have made a pact that all of us will get at least one toy next year. We will see what we come up with!

Today has been a lazy day, but tomorrow, I will hit the ground running. There are more things to prepare for before the New Year’s celebration, including a big party on the 30th, so there won’t be any laziness tomorrow! Until then, I’ll be searching for the next movie to stream. Or maybe I can watch a few episodes of some favorite old shows? First, though, I’m taking a shower and putting on some real clothes. It’s time.

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts for *Future* College Students

Holiday gifts for future college students.

If you know someone who will be off to college in the fall (or even in January), there are lots of gift options for them! A friend contacted me yesterday, asking me to compile a shopping list for those future college students. Knowing someone is going off to college can help make your holiday shopping easier, and you can help them prepare for what is ahead of them! First, you can check out my post about Holiday Gifts for College Students here. That post, however, doesn’t include a lot of the things they will need for a dorm as a freshman. Here are some ideas:

  • Laundry bags. If they’re living in a dorm, they’ll likely need to go down the hall or even to another floor to do laundry. Easiest way to transport that? A laundry backpack. Get a great one here.
  • Rush bag. If a girl on your list will be participating in sorority recruitment in January or in the fall, it’s OK for her to start preparing. A Rush bag is a necessity in the south. They can carry all the little things they’ll need between recruitment “parties.” The best bags are water resistant and have zipper closures. I found a great one at Amazon here. Add a bright-colored luggage tag, making her bag easy to identify here. To read more about what you can put into the bag for the future rushee, see my post about rush bags here.
  • Over the door hanging organizer. I was in a friend’s daughter’s room recently and noticed that she keeps all her jewelry in an over-door hanging organizer. What an awesome idea! The pockets are clear, so she can see each piece without even taking it out of the pocket, making it easy to find what she needs/wants. Purchase here.

  • Laundry cart. One of the greatest things ever, the Rubbermaid rolling laundry cart gets all kinds of jobs done, including moving into and out of dorm rooms! We also use one for pool towels, and anytime I have a lot of stuff to move around the house, I’ll use it. It’s commercial-grade and awesome. Our daughter is a sophomore, and when she moved into the sorority house this past fall, this is what the movers used to haul her stuff into the room. You might think you’ll only need it once, but since we got one, we use it all the time around the house. In fact, I really need one upstairs and one downstairs. Your future student will use it for moving, and will use it for gatherings…taking lots of things to parties. It folds when not in use. Get it here.
  • Moving bags. You’ve seen me recommend these many times. They’re sturdy and make moving easier. They can pack a lot of stuff in these bags. They can even use them for storage in a dorm room! Get them here.

  • Cosmetics organizer. College girls need cosmetics organizers, as their vanity space is usually pretty limited. My daughter preferred an acrylic one. Purchase it here.
  • Basketball. Lots of boys and even lots of girls will want to have a basketball on hand for pickup games, but make sure it’s an indoor/outdoor ball. For a good one at a great price, click here.
  • Light up basketball. For an extra gimmick or for courts where there are no lights, a light up basketball can be a lot of fun! Get one here.

  • Sunset lamp. My daughter had one freshman year, and loved it. They’re fun in dorms. Get one here.
  • Disco ball light. Much like the sunset lamp, these tend to be popular in freshman girl dorms. Get one here.
  • Trinket tray. For the little things on the nightstand. Boys and girls need these. I found one that is acrylic, so it won’t break easily, and the price is right. See it here.
  • Portable speaker. I cannot emphasize this enough. They need a portable bluetooth speaker. Get the JBL Flip 6 (the latest model) here. Or save a little money and get the Flip 5 (a slightly older model) here.

  • Yeti trunk/lockbox. A Yeti Go Box is a great place to store items in a dorm room or anywhere. It can also be used for camping trips. They come in three sizes, and while they’re not inexpensive, they’re built to last. Attach a lock, and you can secure valuables. See them here.

  • Yeti cooler. Since we’re talking about Yeti brand, we have to discuss coolers for college students. College boys need coolers, and they love the durability and quality of Yeti. It’s not so important for girls, but it’s important for boys. They are offered in lots of colors and sizes. Check out the Yeti cooler offerings here.
  • Keurig Coffee Maker. College students love coffee, but parents (like me) don’t like seeing charges at various coffee shops. Therefore, a Keurig single cup coffee maker is a great gift for a future college student. There are lots of different ones, but right (at writing), you can get a single cup Keurig coffee maker with a 36 ounce reservoir for just $50. Hurry. Get it here.

There you have it. Fifteen excellent gift ideas for ***future*** college students.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 4 (Amazon)

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 4 (Amazon)

For Part 4, I decided to find some good dresses on Amazon. Anyone with Amazon Prime membership knows the benefits of ordering from Amazon…free shipping, easy returns, etc. If I need something quickly, I often order from Amazon. Plus, some of these prices are so great that you won’t get upset if she only wears it once! Without further ado…I bring to you…cocktail dresses from Amazon:

  • Pretty Garden Short Satin Dress. This one is super cute and comes in lots of colors. Priced at only $53.99, maybe you’ll get more than one? I tend to do that…when I find something I like, I get it in lots of colors. See this great short dress here. Or you can find the same basic dress from Zesica here for only $45.99. However, I prefer the colors on the Pretty Garden listing, but that’s just personal preference.
  • BTFBM Satin Maxi Dress. $35.99??? This awesome dress starts at just $35.99. It’s a maxi with a gorgeous halter neck that comes in 13 different colors, with each color priced differently, but the wine color is $35.99. All the others are under $55. See them all here.
  • BTFBM One Shoulder Ruched Mini. It’s not sparkly, but it’s gorgeous with one sheer sleeve. Priced at just $36.99, this dress comes in 15 colors, so pick one or two or three at this price! Purchase here.
  • Lyaner Satin Mini Tank Dress. I have actually seen this style on several girls over the past year. It’s another one that’s offered in 15 colors and priced right at just $38.99. Purchase here.
  • Pretty Garden One Shoulder Long Dress with slit. Need a full-length dress? This one could be the answer! Priced at just $52.99, it’s offered in lots of colors. Purchase here.
  • Wenrine Women’s Mesh Long Sleeve Square Neck dress. This dress is flattering for lots of body types, and the long, sheer sleeves give it a more fall/winter look for cooler months. Priced at just $39.99, this one comes in lots of colors, some of which are great for now, and some of which are perfect for fall/winter/holiday. The square neckline gives it something different. See it here.
  • Caracilia Satin Maxi. Another long dress, this one is a classic and priced under $45. See it here.
  • Lots of dresses on Amazon. If none of the above feature what you’re looking for, you can see lots of offerings on Amazon here.

Happy Shopping! Get those dresses now, so she won’t panic at the last minute!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 3

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 3.

Here’s the third installment of the series, featuring cocktail dresses for college students. This one features ten dresses of varying lengths, colors, styles, and prices. Let’s go shopping! If you haven’t found anything yet, don’t fret! There will be more coming tomorrow! (I need to watch football today.)

  • L’Idee Gala Mini. Want a different color? Try this dress in Sunset! Regularly priced at $350, this one is on sale for $123! Very popular style. See it here.
  • Show Me Your Mumu Jasmine Dress. A popular halter-style dress that comes in lots of colors and is priced under $150. See yellow and pink here. See it in black here. Ivory here. And a lovely bellini color here.
  • NBD Lila Gown. This full-length dress also comes in several colors. See it in champagne ($122) here. Mauve pink ($194) here. Or navy ($228) here.
  • Blaine Mini Dress. This one is a steal at $30! Long sleeves, ruching, mini. Get it in red or teal here. Great for fall or holiday!
  • Montrose Mini. This one is offered in glorious purple or pink. At $111, you almost have to get it. See it here. I could totally see my daughter in the purple.
  • Kerrie Deep V Mini. Priced at just $70, this dress comes in pink or green. Super cute! See it here.
  • Joyce Mini Dress. This cheetah print, long sleeve number is on final sale for $42 (orig $168) at Revolve. See it here.
  • Amelia Gown. This black, full-length gown is beautiful and on sale for $153! See it here.
  • Old Money Gown. With a plunging neckline and tiered skirt, this black gown is simply gorgeous. Originally $325, it’s on sale now for $195. Purchase here.
  • Lovers and Friends Lazo Gown. This one is on sale for $188. It’s red, and it’s dramatic. Purchase here.

Happy Shopping! Come back tomorrow for more suggestions!