Being one of the least financially responsible people I know, I am the queen of showing up at school with a pile of textbooks, a box full of ramen, a room full of new tchotkes-and a dresser full of entirely non-seasonal shorts and sundresses. So what are you supposed to do when you’ve blown the budget on back-to-school stationary and you’re left with limited duckets for a new wardrobe? CHALLENGE! Editrix extraordinaire Jen dared me to create some Back to School looks from Bluenotes for three necessary collegiate firsts -with $200 in cash. Can I do it? YES I CAN! Take a look and learn.

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
Comfy, simple, and pulled together. Those are the key elements when you’re making a first impression in a small tutorial with a cranky T.A.
Ashley Jeans-$39.50. This is a great basic jean that you can wear comfortably to class, then dress up for a night out.
Urban Stripe Cardigan-$29.50. Cardigans are great because you can mix and match them with different outfits, and they’re an all-season piece-perfect over tanks in fall, under scarves in winter, sundresses in spring, and a bikini by the bonfire in summer.
Racerback Pocket Tank-$12.50. Tank tops are another great investment-casual for class or classy for the club if you tuck them into a high-waisted skirt.

FIRST NIGHT OUT
All jeans at Bluenotes are buy one, get the second 50% off-so stock up! This up-all-night-outfit is simple and sexy.
Black Destroy Skinny Jeans-Reg. $39.50/50% off!-$19.75!
Match them with your Racerback Pocket Tank
Studded Leather Hangbag-$29.50. Studs are EVERYWHERE this fall-from boots to blazers to bags. A long strap is key for a night out-let’s be honest, you’re in college now, you need some help hanging on to your purse after 2-for-1 martinis.

FIRST HANGOVER SUNDAY
You want to be comfy, but maybe (just maybe) you should get out of your pajamas at some point today. Throw on some comfy jeans and a soft, soft tee and drag yourself to the caf for some Lucky Charms.
Pair your Ashley skinny jeans with this AMAZING Bowie t-shirt. If this doesn’t make you friends and score you extra scoops of eggs-from-a-bucket, change schools. The people where you are are lame. $15.00

AMAZE! We have succeeded in our task-three ensembles, three different looks, under $200. So what are we going to do with our last $55? I say either stock up on basics-amethyst is THE colour this season (check any magazine rack-purple purple purple!) so you could score some great basic tees-or invest in this cozy sherpa-lined hooded peacoat, to walk around campus in true collegiate style. ($49.50)

If you can score all this for $200-IMAGINE what you could for $500! Bluenotes wants to give one lucky lady a $500 shopping spree-ENTER HERE: http://www.shedoesthecity.com/bluenotescontest