Can you believe fall break has already come and gone? Halloween was this weekend? Final exams are in seven weeks? It seems like we just started the semester and now it is time to register for spring classes.

While fall break must sometimes be slowed down by many obligations, it is still nice to have a few days off from carrying books, listening to lectures and studying late.

I was able to spend fall break in one of my favorite places – New York City.

It was a drastic climate change from what we have been experiencing in Tennessee.

As everyone knows, with every drastic climate change comes a drastic wardrobe change.

I went from ballet flats and skinny jeans to furry boots and hoodies within a two-hour flight.

Within the city you see tailored men and women dressed in trendy ensembles purchased from all of New York’s flagship stores – such as Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman.

One thing I have learned from the city that never sleeps is that you do not have to shop at these high-dollar stores to look like you just stepped out of Vogue magazine.

New York has amazing stores such as Century 21, Gabay’s Outlet and Loehmann’s that are full of designer clothing for half the cost. These are only a few of New York’s best-kept secrets.

Though I might have been on fall break, I never stopped studying.

I was not studying the inflation rates we last covered in economics class, I was studying the many trends and fashions of New York.

Most stylish students own a pair of Ugg boots or at least the sister boot. Though they are comfy, it is time to find other winter shoes that can be worn just as often.

If you decide you can’t part with those famous Australian shoes and are on the look out for your next pair, uggsforcheap.com is a great website for a cheaper pair.

Knee-high boots were big last year, and are back again. Only this year, they are making them with or without the heel.

For those girls who are on the short side, a knee-high boot will make your legs look longer.

Ankle boots are also a huge trend right now for fall.

They can look like witch boots if designed in a cheap suede fabric, but with the right color and fabric these shoes can look killer. Especially with tights and a short dress.

If you do not own a pair of the three boots I have mentioned, I guarantee you own a pair of rain boots.

These patent shoes are not just made to be worn when sloshing through the rain. Solid color rain boots look so trendy when worn over tight jeans and paired with a cute blouse or sweater. Just try it.

If you do not know where to find cute rain boots, try Belk, TJ Maxx and even go online at www.whatapair.com.

The next trendy item that is needed is my personal favorite – the handbag.

For awhile it seemed as though handbags only got bigger and bigger. There is a definite upside to being able to carry not only what every girl needs but what she wants.

This fall, what I have seen and read about the most are the smaller bags.

The hipster bag is perfect for the on-the-go girl – just throw it on when darting out the door.

After all, you really only need a phone, money and identification.

Clutches were also very popular in New York.

They are very similar to the hipster, just sometimes more spacious and always elegant and classy no matter what you may have on.

One last thing that I noticed is that New Yorkers even wear something that is commonly seen at ETSU – the Northface jacket.

This item is popular for both men and women and comes in many colors and styles.

One place to find these jackets for less is are the websites Usoutdoorstore.com, Zappos.com, and Ebay.com.

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