By Amanda Harding

Back to school shopping has never just been about school. There is something about fall runways and trends that inspire a need to shop in everyone, school enrollment status notwithstanding. This season can be summed up in one word: classic. From women to teens in lace and pearls to kids donning the perfect denim ensemble, this season is all about clothes that feel like home.

Announcing the "What's Your Lehigh Valley Style" contest. Silk jumper courtesy Loose Threads Boutique, Bethlehem.

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of announcing a very special contest after each of the Lehigh Valley Mall’s Fall Fashion Shows alongside my Friday afternoon co-host, B104’s Eric Chase.

I can’t believe it, but the holidays are rapidly approaching and you know what that means. Holiday shopping madness! Every year, it seems like Christmastime sneaks up on me earlier and earlier. As I prepare for the gift-giving season, I have decided that I will try to complete the majority of my shopping at our wonderful selection of local retailers.

I’m a bit of a hypocrite. To defend myself and my chipped, two-year-old MOTOKRZR, I used to tell people I liked the feeling of pressing buttons. One afternoon I attempted to use the Internet on my friend’s iPhone and frustratingly handed it back. I claimed I would never purchase a touch screen phone even though my KZR hardly held a charge, and I desperately needed a working cell that didn’t die during a two-minute conversation.