Simply Vera pleated floral top, $31.20; LC lace shorts, $28.60; Simply Vera rhinestone fringe flip-flops, $9.60
Total: $69.40
It's the Economy, Stupid: Part 3
August 20, 2011
Kohls is my final budget-busting, bargain-chic store in this three part series. Its amazing prices and lower-end designer offerings makes Kohls a must-visit store when looking for a fabulous deal. You can't go wrong with the Simply Vera line, and the Dana Buchman and Lauren Conrad lines. Kohls has done a fabulous job at getting top designers to make clothes for the budget-conscious consumer. Although they may not always be quite as fabulous as the originals, they are, nevertheless, just as stylish and about a fraction of the price. Who can argue with that?!
It's the Economy, Stupid: Part 2
August 19, 2011
JcPenny has been around for-ever. In fact, according to Wikipedia, the JcPenny company was incorporated in 1913. So, for nearly a hundred years, JcPenny has been around. And, I'm sure every single person in America has been to a JcPennys at least once in their lives. It's pure Americana. Great-grandmas, grandmas, and mothers have bought clothes, home goods, home furnishings, and maybe even had their family portrait taken at a JcPennys.
My fondest memory of JcPenny is my Mom bringing home that big, thick catalog and the two of us sitting together look through it, picking out my favorite outfits and toys for my Christmas wishlist. It was always so exciting to see what was new for the upcoming season and to start planning all my fabulous back-to-school, holiday and summertime outfits.
And what made it even better was the price! JcPennys has always been reasonably priced, but never lacking in quality or style. As an adolescent, I had no concept of a budget, but as an adult, I can look back and realize that saving money doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style or substance. I'm glad that JcPenny continues its tradition of offering moderately priced apparel that is just as chic as more expensive department stores.
Here is an outfit that epitomizes the bargain chic look - stylish and sophisticated and quite the steal!
My fondest memory of JcPenny is my Mom bringing home that big, thick catalog and the two of us sitting together look through it, picking out my favorite outfits and toys for my Christmas wishlist. It was always so exciting to see what was new for the upcoming season and to start planning all my fabulous back-to-school, holiday and summertime outfits.
And what made it even better was the price! JcPennys has always been reasonably priced, but never lacking in quality or style. As an adolescent, I had no concept of a budget, but as an adult, I can look back and realize that saving money doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style or substance. I'm glad that JcPenny continues its tradition of offering moderately priced apparel that is just as chic as more expensive department stores.
Here is an outfit that epitomizes the bargain chic look - stylish and sophisticated and quite the steal!
Liz Claiborne belted shirt dress, $49.99; Liz Claiborne Oak Hill shopper, $48.99; City Street Sierra pump, $29.99
Total: $128.97
It's the Economy, Stupid
August 18, 2011
The economy for the last four years has been a helluva rollercoaster ride for most people. At some point you or some you know has dealt with underwater mortgages, foreclosures, unemployment, or a drained 401K account. Our financial senses have taken a beating, and we have been forced to reexamine our outlook on how we spend our money.
I am lucky to have learned early on what I consider the golden rule when it comes to finance: do not spend more than you have. It seems simple enough, right? Well, with credit cards and enticing financing options and the idea of always having to keep up with the Joneses, we've become a nation of financial nincompoops. Sure, we all want things, but do we all need them? If you don't have the money to buy that fabulous designer purse that you see in all the magazines, then don't buy it. If you can't afford to makeover your kitchen like you saw on HGTV, then starting saving money and do it little by little. And, if you feel like you have to eat out at that new restaurant, then wait a little longer until a smoking deal come up on Groupon.
You can blame society, peer-pressure or The Real Housewives reality shows, but honestly the only one to blame is yourself. You can be fabulous and cool and oh so chic without spending thousands and thousands of dollars on things that mean nothing more than: "look at me, I am broke, but I still managed to buy this ridiculously priced pair of shoes." If you truly insist on having an overpriced designer wardrobe or that expensive Pottery Barn leather sofa, then plan for it: sacrifice, save, and savor the fact that you worked hard to get something you wanted.
In the meantime, the best way to start saving for those big ticket items is to start making wiser decisions on the items you can be more frugal with. There are tons of clothing stores that offer designer-inspired looks at a bargain price, and in my next posts I'll be highlighting a few of them. These stores offer a lot of great basic items that can last you a while and some trendier items that can be fun for a season. Whatever styles you choose, I guarantee they'll be a perfect addition to any bargain chic-ette's closet.
First up is Old Navy. A great bargain store for t-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops, but also a fantastic place to find items that you can wear to work, to after-work shindigs, and to weekend fetes. Here's an example of an outfit I pulled together from items on the Old Navy website. It's classy, it's sexy, and it's priced oh-so-nice!
I am lucky to have learned early on what I consider the golden rule when it comes to finance: do not spend more than you have. It seems simple enough, right? Well, with credit cards and enticing financing options and the idea of always having to keep up with the Joneses, we've become a nation of financial nincompoops. Sure, we all want things, but do we all need them? If you don't have the money to buy that fabulous designer purse that you see in all the magazines, then don't buy it. If you can't afford to makeover your kitchen like you saw on HGTV, then starting saving money and do it little by little. And, if you feel like you have to eat out at that new restaurant, then wait a little longer until a smoking deal come up on Groupon.
You can blame society, peer-pressure or The Real Housewives reality shows, but honestly the only one to blame is yourself. You can be fabulous and cool and oh so chic without spending thousands and thousands of dollars on things that mean nothing more than: "look at me, I am broke, but I still managed to buy this ridiculously priced pair of shoes." If you truly insist on having an overpriced designer wardrobe or that expensive Pottery Barn leather sofa, then plan for it: sacrifice, save, and savor the fact that you worked hard to get something you wanted.
In the meantime, the best way to start saving for those big ticket items is to start making wiser decisions on the items you can be more frugal with. There are tons of clothing stores that offer designer-inspired looks at a bargain price, and in my next posts I'll be highlighting a few of them. These stores offer a lot of great basic items that can last you a while and some trendier items that can be fun for a season. Whatever styles you choose, I guarantee they'll be a perfect addition to any bargain chic-ette's closet.
First up is Old Navy. A great bargain store for t-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops, but also a fantastic place to find items that you can wear to work, to after-work shindigs, and to weekend fetes. Here's an example of an outfit I pulled together from items on the Old Navy website. It's classy, it's sexy, and it's priced oh-so-nice!
Clockwise: Dolman-sleeve cardigan, $36.94; Chiffon-tiered jersey cami, $17.50; Leopard-print skinny belt, $14.94; Braided t-strap sandal, $17.97; Skinny mini-flare jeans, $19.50
Total: $106.85
A Bicycle Made for Cool
August 2, 2011
It's impossibly hot right now in Phoenix, and I'm starting to dream of the days when temperatures are tolerable and I can be outside for more than five minutes. And when the weather gets cooler, I'm determined to enjoy it while riding around on a cool new bike. Yep, I am on a mission to get back to the basic. And I want to go old school. Not banana handle bar, pink princess bike, but retro chic beach cruiser bike.
Inspiration Bike
Debutante, Schwinn Bicycles, $520
Bargain Chic Bikes
Huffy Women's Cranbrook Cruiser, Walmart, $79.97
Schwinn Ladies' Cruiser Bike, Walmart, $159
Micargi Tahiti Women's Cruiser, Joyride Cycles, $239.99
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)