Have a nice trip. See you next fall?

Well, it’s about that time again. The dog days of summer are drawing to a close, and those of us ill-fated to the quarter system are resigned to watch our home friends trot happily back to a world devoid of curfews, gas money and eight-hour retail shifts. Before you start wishing these sunny days away, however, consider the silver lining: while they’re busy slaving away over research papers and bone-dry textbook chapters, we retain the precious gift of free time…time I, personally, plan to fill with Sex and the City, a boudoir overhaul, and – of course – window shopping for fall must-haves.

Digging on lately?

Gold nail varnish (and the entire Chanel ad campaign).

!iT jeans.

Faux nerd glasses.

This koi fish necklace, inspired by the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Plum and cobalt skinny jeans.

Shrunken blazers.

Anything zebra or peacock.

Blair Waldorf frocks, tights and headbands.

Sam Edelman moccasin boots.

Two times and counting…

Forget The Dark Knight and its media hype. All I need for a great night at the cinema is Meryl and Colin in glittery spandex.

A woman’s right to shoes.

I have a major crush:

The height is perfect, the fit is divine and now the question is: cranberry or gunmetal? The old question was whether to drop $110 on them, but the more I think about it…you really can’t put a price on true love.

Ga-ga-ga glossy, glossy.

I won’t lie: I’m a lip gloss junkie. Surely Chapstick has its time and place, but there ain’t no shame in shelling out $20 for a two-inch tube of the good stuff every once in a while.

I was cleaning out my purse drawer when I rediscovered my long-lost and sorely missed Urban Decay XXX Shine in Guys Love Betsy (center), a cooling, vanilla-peppermint-scented moisturizing gloss with just a hint of color. It ranks among Stila Lip Glaze and Lancôme Juicy Tubes as one of my top glosses of all time. The cherry tint is perfect against tan skin and pearly whites, so take this one out for a spin before summer comes to a close – I can’t promise it won’t stick to your hair in the convertible, but for lush color and a long-lasting shine, even this Windy City girl can make some sacrifices.

A not-entirely-respectable soundtrack to summer ‘08.

Because nothing makes me want to throw my hands in the air and good taste to the wind quite like heat rash.

Braided twists aren’t just for vending machines anymore.

Your new best-friend summer shoe:

Forever 21, $7.50. Let that pedicure see the sunshine.

Say what?

I take a considerable degree of pride in hating American Apparel for generally being poorly marketed, overpriced hipster bullshit. I also could not be more obsessed with this mélange jersey tulip skirt:

Considering purchasing multiple colors. Be concerned.

Ode to summer.

Please come soon!

Made in China.

How’s this for DIY? Balloon twisting isn’t just for children’s parties anymore.

Shoe crush…

Happy March! Ring in spring with a pair of ankle-strap ballet flats, $148 at J. Crew.