Photo Credit

Whether you are currently done with school for summer or not, this list is for you!

1. Reinvent Your Style – Summer is the perfect time to try a new look on for size. Have you been dying to try a new trend? Looking to rid your closet of old clothes that you don’t need or wear anymore? Do it now! Sell old clothes back to Plato’s Closet, donate them to charity or give them away to someone else. Buy new clothes for less at outlet malls, discount stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls or at thrift shops. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can download the My Style Fashion Assistant application for only $0.99 (or enter to win for free for FSU Fashion Girl’s giveaway on May 12th) to help you store your favorite outfits and keep track of the items in your closet.

2. Try a New Recipe – Everyone needs that go to recipe that they use when they are in need of bringing something that everyone will love. Mine? Oreo balls. They require no baking whatsoever. Just your time, a bag of oreos, cream cheese, chocolate chips and a freezer. EVERYONE will love them!

3. Find an Internship – Summer is the perfect time to intern. You have more free time typically during the summer and you are able to intern in areas other than the one you live, if desired. A fantastic resource for all different types of internships is Intern Queen Inc. During her four years of college, Lauren Berger successfully completed 15 internships and her mission is to help other students do the same. Although it might be a little late in the game to start applying for summer internships, it is never too late to get an offer. Employers are still actively looking to hire interns for summer and fall 2010. Follow Intern Queen on Twitter and/or Facebook to instantly find out who is still in need of interns for summer.

4. Try a Self-Tanner – We all know how damaging the sun can be to our skin. This summer, try to avoid the harmful rays by getting a  safe glow. Two of my favorites include Beautisol Summer Glow or All Seasons Glow and L’oreal Sublime Bronze.

5. Enjoy Popcorn and a Movie – Make sure you check out these movies this summer:

5/14 Letters to Juliet
5/21 Shrek Forever After
5/28 Sex and the City 2
6/11 Coco Chanel & Igor Starvinsky (limited)
6/30 Twilight Saga: Eclipse

This past weekend, I went to T.J. Maxx in Tampa and found some great finds! Tops from two of my favorite brands, Juicy Couture and Romeo & Juliet Couture, as well as a classic Ralph Lauren polo all for MUCH less than their retail value.

Juicy Couture “Juicy Juicy Juicy” T-Shirt - everyone could use another casual tee in their closet. What I love about this particular shirt is how soft the fabric is. This shirt was only $19.99 compared to $68.00.

Romeo & Juliet Couture Ivory Top - I love Romeo & Juliet Couture. The clothing I own from this brand are among my favorites. This top is absolutely adorable and perfect for spring. It goes great with a flirty skirt which is a must-have item this spring! I purchased this top for only $16.99 compared to the retail value of $80.00.

Ralph Lauren Gray Polo - everyone needs a classic polo for their wardrobe. Ralph Lauren is known for their polos so when I saw this at T.J. Maxx for only $24.99, I couldn’t resist. Retail value for Ralph Lauren’s polos start at $75.00.

I purchased all three shirts for only $61.97 which saved me at least $161!

I just recently moved into an unfurnished apartment. Most college kids (and some parents) cringe at the thought of signing an unfurnished apartment because they think it will cost them a lot of money. If you take the time and do it right, you might find that signing with an unfurnished apartment might actually save you money in the long run.

STEP ONE: Start Early. The earlier you start, the more time you have to search for the best deals. You can really take the time to think about the stuff you want and need and how much people usually ask for such items.

STEP TWO: Shop Smart. I had no furniture to begin with but I ended up being able to furnish my apartment for around $1500. Check sites like Craigslist. You can find fantastic deals there. I got a year old leather couch for $300 and it is the comfiest thing in the world. I absolutely love it. You can also try your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store. I found a bistro table for the kitchen at Goodwill for only $75. Also go to stores like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls to find furniture and decorations and discounted prices. T.J. Maxx has a Homegoods store where you can find anything and everything that you will need for your house. Other stores to try are Target, Ikea and Walmart and don’t forget to check garage sales!

STEP THREE: Stay Organized. Keep track of everything you have bought. When you are shopping for home furnishings, it sometimes easy to forget what you have already bought especially when it comes to kitchen appliances. Its nice to always have a list to refer back to so you don’t end up buying stuff that you don’t need.

I found a beautiful pair of Nina Gilmore heels at T.J. Maxx yesterday. They come in three different colors: black, silver and gold satin. Retail price is $89. Overstock.com has the black satin pair for $49.82 but T.J. Maxx has them for only $19.99. Embellished with rhinestones, these shoes are the perfect shoe for a little black dress. Also the perfect heels for a homecoming dance or prom!