There's something in the air. I'm not sure if it's the fact that winter is finally running its course, leaving me anxious for warmer days without snow boots or that my favorite thrift store has been stripped of its usual goodies and its racks won't be full again until after spring cleaning or that I've been looking at pictures from fashion week and it seems like Fall 09 will look a whole lot like 08. It might just be a sum of all of the above that have got me feeling so blah about fashion these days.

Every store seems to have the same dresses, pants and shoes. Every celebrity and usual style icon has mastered the boyfriend jeans and the boho jewelry and no one really stands out or dares to take risks anymore. So I resorted to the internet to search for something new, exciting and affordable, of course.

Parisian ladies from StreetPeeper.com were a good start. A simple idea like cinching a belt over a pashmina or going for a Mad Men inspired pair of pants instead of the usual skinnies can really refresh a styling block. Then there were the items on sale that somehow slipped past the radar before like the Silence and Noise Fringe Cami ($9.99 Urban Outfitters), the cobalt blue Knot Front Crinkle Peep Toe Heel ($22.70 gojane.com) or Iam lace booties ($69.99 Nine West). They're all slightly different and offer a twist on the trends out there. My favorites, however, were the items that really stood out from everything in windows at the mall yet surprisingly were both from the biggest mall destination, Forever 21.

The Croc Heart Clutch with Chain ($19.80) looks so vintage and the Colorblock Dress ($29) looks like something out of Project Runway.

Despite these finds I'm still longing for new collections, colors and inspirations. Any tips on where I can find them?

Did you ever wish you could clean up all the fashion pollution in the world? That you could take away the pair of Crocs from every buyer who ever thought that "they're so comfy" and make a huge bonfire or that you could strip the racks of Rave at the mall and replace them with clothes that have actual structure, color and seams? Meagan French decided to do something about these fashion crimes with Style Detox.

"I just wasn't satisfied with a lot of the other clothing and jewelry stores out there, so I thought Style Detox was like a cleansing from all the fashion pollution in the world," said French about why she started her online vintage boutique a year ago.

Style Detox is a mix of music and fashion. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, the web boutique sells vintage clothing and accessories that have an indie, rocker and retro look to them.

"I think the aspects of indie culture-wether it be fashion, music, film, or art- are closely tied together," explained French. "It's not uncommon to see Jenny Lewis up on stage in a vintage jumper, or to see indie actresses like Zooey Deschanel wearing retro brands like Stop Staring in Magazine spreads. For consumers, indie culture offers more interesting choices."

Perhaps that's the reason why vintage has become so high in demand over the past few years, although French points out environmental consciousness and the clothing's durability are also factors in this newfound trend.

"It wasn't so long ago that caring for the environment was considered a fringe thing that only hippies and liberals took part in. These days, its common place to recycle your soda cans, pick up your trash, and try to drive less. Recycling clothing and purchasing clothes that might have ended up in a landfill are other ways to reduce our impact on the environment without having to sacrifice style," she said. "Vintage clothes are also often constructed better and are more affordable than new ones."

The clothing on the site ranges from $9.99 to $88, with most pieces costing around the $25 mark. As for the accessories, all jewelry has a price tag under $10 and its handbags and belts cost under $30. Expect a lot of mod, some sequin and empire waists in these lightly used clothing and while on the site, check out the blog Vox Detox that centers around indie music and style.

For more information, visit www.styledetox.com

Some lessons are learned the hard way, like don't wear a new pair of heels to a party where you are unsure if there'll be seating available or don't wear a skirt under -20 degree weather. Then there are the ones you learn the hard way but don't quite register, leading you to review that lesson over and over. (Unfortunately) I've had one of those experiences as recently as last weekend. The lesson in question: don't go shopping if you don't have any money.

This Saturday, I told myself I'd go to a few vintage stores for researching purposes only. Oh, the things I don't do for my readers...Well, that excuse lasted about ten minutes before I felt completely miserable for not being able to buy anything, not even a 1940's blazer that fit me perfectly or a 50's dress that was a total find. I later rushed home and ate ice cream to soothe my pain -budget left unharmed, diet not so much.

So what to do exactly to cope with the inability to spend money and the depression that comes with it? I can't possibly encourage and follow through with... (gulp)...not shopping. So I have found a decent alternative: closet shopping.

Somewhere in the depths of the unknown corners of every closet (you know, that drawer of shelf you put everything you haven't worn in years but "could come in handy sometime") there are items that actually can make the transition to the well-lit and not dusty area in it. Which means that you were right in keeping them. You were right. There you go, those three words should make you feel better already. One of those items you are more than likely to find in your closet is florals.

They were all over the runways for Fall and the perfect intro to Spring. They're also one of those prints that are always there even if they're not really on the spotlight so you're bound to have purchased at one point or another a dress, shirt or skirt with this colorful pattern.

In my case, I found this H&M top I bought my sophomore year for $6. Feel free to share what you have uncovered.