Author: Jill – University of Wisconsin

Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really great local band? An awesome website? A product that truly changed your life? A great deal on spa services? Email your “The Know” ideas to [email protected] and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!

You know that hunch you get when you know something just isn’t right? Or when something aligns so perfectly in life that you just play it off as a coincidence?

What if it was really your dead grandpa trying to clue you in on something big or your spirit guide/guardian angel helping things along?

I know, to the average person I sound crazy. But I swear I’m not. I’m just your average 20-something girl who believes in the idea that there are spirits around us guiding us through life and that if we listen closely enough, they are willing to communicate. And while this is a new idea to me, Psychic Medium Rebecca Rosen discovered her gift of communicating with those who have crossed over back when she was in college (as if worrying what to wear to formal wasn’t a big enough challenge!).

When I first saw Rebecca Rosen in high school at an audience reading, I was blown away. With the risk of sounding off the wall, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my own grandfather had come through (and hey, if I’m crazy then so is Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox who are also clients of Rebecca’s). Then when I interviewed her last August (over the phone mind you) I was even more convinced when she acknowledged my grandmother’s ring that I wear on my finger every day in hopes of good things to come.

So after my own amazing experiences, I believe that Rebecca’s new book “Spirited” is totes something worth being in The Know about, whether you are a big time believer (uh – me) or the most skeptical skeptic. In the book, she goes into her own personal struggle and she got this gift, and explains how we don’t NEED mediums or psychics to tap into this for ourselves. She believes that everyone can communicate with their own crossed-over loved ones and guides, we just need to develop our own intuition. Even for those who don’t believe it’s possible to talk to “dead people,” Spirited breaks down great meditation exercises to quiet your mind, look inward and tune in to yourself – something that we all can benefit from.

Spirited will teach you that perhaps there is no such thing as a coincidence, and that gut feeling you have? Well Rebecca would say, it’s there for a reason. She will also teach you how to strengthen that ability so “coincidences” and hunches happen a lot more frequently – only this time you will know better than to chalk it up to chance.

Also worth being in the know about? Rebecca’s current book tour; she is hitting a bunch of cities and doing audience readings/book signings in each one! And much like our annual bar crawl, it’s a total CME (Can’t Miss Event) in my book!

Let’s face it: in these wintery months looking somewhat presentable takes way, wayyy too much effort. When there’s 5 inches of snow on the ground and a 15-minute walk to class ahead of me, the last thing I want to do is think about cute shoes, cute pants… cute anything. And I know you’re all with me cause I’ve seen you walking around campus looking just as hideous and sloppy as I do…

BUT (obviously there’s a “but”; this is the way we look, after all) you can make that throw-on outfit (jeans, boots and a white or black top) instantly fabulous with a simple pop of color. And the best way to do that? A big, bold, bright bag.

There are so many great and afforable bags out there that allow you to have a little fun with your basic winter wardrobe. Add some life to the drab and slushy streets or those so-effing-cold-you-don’t-wanna-leave-the-house-but-you-wanna-get-your-drink-on-so-you-throw-on-a-big-black-sweater winter nights. Whatever you’re doing, there are tons of awesome bags in every color of the rainbow. It’s like Skittles, only instead of making you fat it will make you fashionable.

Here are just a few of my favorite bags that will take your look from blah to bomb. As in the bomb.

I love. LOVE spa treatments. I may even love the spa more than I love chocolate. And boys. And the backstreet boys. And that, my friends, says a lot. The ONLY thing I don’t Ashlee-Simpon-style “Lo-lo-lo-love” about spas is the hefty price tag that tends to come with them. It’s a bit hard to relax with cute masseuse man getting out my stress knots when I keep stressing about I’m going to afford to eat following my de-stressing sesh.

But fret no more, my friends. If there is one thing to be in The Know about this month, it’s Prettycity’s discounted $59 spa treatments. Prettycity teams up with The Heart Truth organization every February to bring us our favorite deals and remind us the importance of taking care of our own heart health. Simply go to their website to sign up (it’s free!), type in your zip and – BOOM – discounted spa treatments by your favorite (and soon to be favorite) spas in your area of this fine nation. 

From massages to facials to teeth whitening and cellulite treatments, it’s all yours for less than $60. And while I’m not saying $60 is cheap, if you are looking to indulge, now is the time to do it!

Not to mention, this is a damn good way to say Happy Valentines Day to M-E!

Getting dressed for a night out can be quite a conundrum. You don’t want to get all decked out in sequins only to spend your night at some dive bar with hay and peanuts on the floor. But you don’t want to throw on tattered jeans and a tee only to find out you are going to some swanky mcswankerson lounge.

And don’t even get me started on dates. We all know the fear of being too overdressed (heels or flats? jeans or a dress?) only to wear the wrong outfit and feel silly.

Well no more. Thanks to this kick ass belt (I am a firm believer that big belts make everything better) we now have two trusty ‘fits for those nights where anything goes. Both of these looks can be dressed up (with a quick swap of heels instead of those boots) and can be worn right into Spring. Because a stylista as budgety as yourself knows the importance of versatility!

The Big Belt With a Dress
If there’s one thing I know it’s that some things are worth spending on. And this belt is definitely one of them. It’s versatile, it makes a statement and it’s the perfect transition piece. The wooden beads scream summer, but the brown makes it heavy enough to wear now.

You can work this belt with just about anything, but I love it next to the bright hue of this dress. And have you seen the back? Hello there, sexy. Obviously the dress is great on it’s own, but adding the belt and covering up that bow takes a simple sheath and make it a little less simplified. Throw in the hair clip and some flat brown boots and you’re ready for some techno and an overpriced drink, or some 80s live-band-karaoke and a $2 beer.

Belt: Urban Outfitters, $42
Dress: Lulus.com, $30
Boots: Lulus.com, $36
Tights: Target, $7
Hair pin: Lulus.com, $17.

The Big Belt with Jeans
Wood, coral and turquoise may just be the best combination EVER. So obviously this is a look I am obsessed with. Throw a cardigan over the top for now and, come summer, swap out the boots for some flat woven sandals or cork wedges. This ensemble is easy and chic and just screams “Looking this good just comes naturally to me” and what better message could you send?

Belt: Urban Outfitters, $42
Top: Forever 21, $19.80
Skinny jeans: Express, $59.50
Boots: Forever 21, $38.80
Earrings: Forever 21, $4.80