Nine West Joydon Ankle Boot, $49.99, was $99

The perfect ankle boot: Stacked heel, 1/2" platform, side zip, brown or black leather, and half off? What more could you ask for?

Just about a week has passed since Black Friday, one of my top five favorite days of the year. Sales rose 8.3% from last year, much better than the dismal 4% prediction, so way to go shoppers!

Back in Buffalo, I work at Express whenever I'm home, which meant that I was armed with coffee and ready to go at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. I love the kick-off of the holiday season, so the down-in-the-dumps attitude of most of our shoppers really hurt my holiday spirit. There seemed to be two categories: stressed out Americans and angry Canadians. The stressed out part I can understand; everyone just got through Thanksgiving, only to be thrust into holiday shopping. But angry? Come on, Canada. You should be happy -- your dollar is stronger than ours.

When I finally escaped from the cave of glitter and sequins that is Express, my sister and I went to the bigger and nicer mall a few towns over to do some shopping of our own, where my excitement for the season was restored as I found awesome sales and presents for my friends and family. After getting all that out of the way, I made a little Christmas list of my own. After three months of nothing but College Ave., a return to commercial retail was surprisingly wonderful and exciting. So here it is, my (in a perfect world) Christmas list, featuring the most covet-worthy items I found on Black Friday.

Banana Republic Beaded Mini Dress, $228

This gray dress is literally the perfect holiday outfit. The beading makes it dressy enough for any occasion, but it is subtle enough to work in a casual atmosphere as well. The patterned beading on the silk fabric is reminiscent of the '20s -- perfect for a party.

Express Legging Jeans, $44.50

Maybe the most inventive item I found. I know Nikki and I have hit leggings pretty hard this fall, but these are an exception. Thick legging material is dyed and designed to look like skinny jeans (and they really do!). As someone who constantly fights the desire to wear my sweats to class, as well as struggling most days to fit my jeans in boots, these are the perfect remedy. A little tacky? Maybe. Really genius? Definitely.

Betsey Johnson Eau de Parfum Spray, $45-75

I'm not a big perfume wearer, but this is one of the best smelling sprays I've ever found. Equal parts floral and citrus, it's perfectly young and just sweet enough.

Urban Outfitters Leather Gloves, $38

The bright purple color and silver buckle adds a punky feel, which makes graduating to grown-up gloves a little easier.

Urban Outfitters Risky Business Sunglasses, $14

I was considering splurging on some really nice wayfarers, but these are just as cute, and you can't beat $14, especially if you're a perpetual breaker of sunglasses like me.

Coach Signature Bangle, $98

I am obsessed with the simplicity of this silver bangle, especially when it's complemented by the deep purple hue. It's ¾" size makes it clunky enough for everyday, but the thinness of the bracelet makes it versatile enough for special occasions.

The only excuse you have for being under dressed as the temperatures drop? Well, guys, you have no excuse...American Eagle shorts and Rainbow flip flops need to be put in that plastic container underneath your XL twin bed. But girls...the answer is formal wear! Holiday parties, semi-formal and formal socials are just around the bend. The end of the semester is when we are all broke, of course, but I have found some chic little numbers that are sure to please if you can muster up some extra dough. Whether you choose a trendy trapeze or a classy chiffon dress, you won't have to shell out more than $60 big ones from my carefully chosen picks!

Metallic Pinstripe Babydoll Dress, $24.80 at Forever 21

Necessary Objects Sequinned Trapeze Dress, $54.50 at Macy*s

Miss Bisou Belted Tube Dress, $39.99 at JCPenny

CR Signature Dress, $28.99 at Charolette Russe

Uptown Sleeveless Chiffon Dress, $10.50 at Forever 21

Going along with the theme of dresses, this Lux Metallic Foil Dress got marked down from $48 to $19.99 at Urban Outfitters. It's a great price to make a statement.

In preparation for the upcoming Sex and the City movie, I've been trying to soak up all the Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big that I can by catching the show's reruns on TBS. I recently came across the episode when Charlotte dates a younger guy, thus subjecting the ladies to the land of 20-something girls. Aside from a disturbing (though not entirely inaccurate) portrayal of us college girls as hard partiers with bad judgment, the show took Carrie on a trip down memory lane, ending at old photo albums. Filled with embarrassing pictures of her youth, Carrie scoffed at her former fashion choices that she once relished. It's true, despite Ms. Bradshaw's fashion-icon status, some of her outfit choices have left more than a few of us scratching our heads. Which got me thinking -- in ten years, when we're 30 (a terrifying thought in itself), what fashion choices from our college years will make us cringe? Here are my predictions for our current trends that are destined for the fashion faux-pas hall of fame:

Colored Tights

This one really bums me out, because I am so excited about this trend for fall. It hasn't even gained full speed yet, but in all seriousness -- colored tights? This just isn't going to look good in a decade. Look at the 80's: Stephanie Tanner, for all her spunkiness and 11-year-old wit, is simply not someone whose fashion choices we should try to emulate in 2007. But, if you're anything like me, you'll choose to ignore your fashion conscience and have fun with the trend. If you're going to do it, do it the right way -- check out this fall's ads for Coach's Bleeker collection. It's colored tights at their very best.

Uggs

Please, don't crucify me for this. I know they're comfortable and I know they're warm, but a fashion statement they aren't. The surf-inspired boot may seem like a practical choice for battling these colder months, but let's not give it more credit than that. Looks-wise, they are sloppy, unimaginative and boring.

If you want an alternative for days when you feel like stepping it up and losing the Uggs, check out Nikki's Ugg-alternative suggestion in last week's post. Comfort and style beats just comfort.

Skinny jeans

See, you can't be mad at me for knocking Uggs, because I'm also going after my favorite style jean ever. When the skinny came back into the picture a little more than a year ago, I was 100 percent against the trend. I thought it was ridiculous, and frankly, ugly. But then, as with so many styles, your eye adjusts, and you want something different. A year later, the skinny fills my closet, and I can't remember the last time I pulled on a pair of boot cut jeans. Similar to the tights, however, this '80s inspired trend will come back to haunt us. Jessie Spano might have rocked 'em back at Bayside, but in ten years, we might be as embarrassed by this trend as Jesse is by her caffeine addiction.

Graphic Tees

Obviously this trend is never going to leave us for good, but that doesn't make it a good idea. Yeah yeah, a funny shirt is, well, funny, but day after day, it's not the way to make a statement. You may be amused now by your "Buck the F---eyes" t-shirt, but when you look back on it, hopefully it will seem not only rude, but a little embarrassing. And while I'm guilty of coveting the t-shirt that says "KEVIN" spelled out in bacon (I can't help it -- I love it) at People's Nation, I'm not planning on making it a staple piece of my wardrobe for the next ten years. Yes, we college students think we're witty, but if you want to look like a college student, throw on a sarcastic graphic tee, and you'll scream it loud, obnoxious and clear.

Brimmed hats

This one I just don't understand. The trend, which I really thought would have been exhausted by this winter, seems to only be gaining speed. This half-fitted cap, half-baseball cap piece of apparel flatters few, and makes your head look like it's horribly misshapen.My distaste for this style does not stem from the fact that I have never been able to pull off a good hat, but rather from the fact that it is such a confused trend. That little brim? No function. Hat shape? No comfort. It's well on it's way to becoming the next Von Dutch trucker hat (yikes!).

Paige Denim Benedict Canyon boot cut jean

Shopbop.com is offering this awesome low-rise, boot cut jean at 50 percent off! Originally $180, this great everyday-denim jean is just $90!