fantastic: frugal fridays

Showing posts with label frugal fridays. Show all posts

Friday, January 27, 2012

Frugal Friday

I wish...

Gucci, $1195

Try this...

Ivanka Trump, $96.90

Or this...

Aldo, was $100, sale $48.99

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Style Tip: Layer Your Necklaces

My friend Kim has been begging me to post about this for weeks, since she discovered I was wearing not one necklace on an outing, but three. I had planned to take a bunch of pics of examples from my own jewelry box, but, truth be told, I've been lazy this week and couldn't be bothered. So I'll try to give some e-examples and hope it translates.

I, like most women, like switching up my jewelry. One day I want a dainty strand, the next I want a neck overflowing in chains. But the budget doesn't quite allow to have a new necklace for everyday of the week. So I do what I do with my clothes - switch it up and layer it up. A necklace will look new and dramatic when paired with another necklace (or two) already in your collection. Try it out!

Try one of these combinations:
1) High-low - pair a choker with longer strands
2) Same tone - everything gold or everything black, doesn't matter shape or size
3) Pendant with chains - I love pairing something like a big animal pendant with a bunch of chains. Looks great.
4) Beads, beads, and more beads - go all glass, go all stone. Get a great collection of baubles around your neck.

Here are some great layering pieces from Forever 21 for a steal!

$14.80 @

$12.80

$7.80

$6.80

$6.80 @

$4.80 @

$6.80

$4.80

@Available in more colors

So what do you think? Will you give layering necklaces a try? If you request nicely, I might actually take some pictures of my personal examples for you :)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Frugal Friday - Protect Your Face

The most precious part of your look is... your face! Proper skincare is imperative for keeping a healthy glow for years to come. No one wants to grow up and look like an old leather football. Gross! Keeping your skin protected is always within budget, especially with these items.

I never ever leave the house in summer without a hat. Wearing a hat has the added bonus of making your look effortlessly chic. I swear when walking around town, random strangers will stop me on the street to compliment me on my outfit. But I know it's really just the hat pulling it together! So grab a fedora, keep your face protected, and your look projected.

Francesca's, $24 @

J. Crew, was $65, sale $29.99

Nordstrom, was $68, sale $44.90 @

Another MUST have item is sunblock. You should never ever leave the house without a little spf splashed on your face. Not even in winter. But adding another thing to your beauty regimen may get you feeling overwhelmed, so do what I do - a two-in-one spf/moisturizer. Keeps my skin glowy and moisturized and protects it from the sun at the same time. I recommend going at least SPF 30 to get a good layer of protection going.

Aveeno, $16.39

Bare Minerals, $28

Okay, this isn't under $50, but it's also TWENTY FOUR OUNCES of protection. Talk about a deal! Just a quick pump into your hand and you're off!

Supergoop, $68

Josie Maran, $14-$32

Philosophy, $38

@Available in more colors

Just because summer is winding down doesn't mean you should stop paying attention to your skin. Keep those faces protected!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Frugal Friday: Maxi Dresses

After taking a few Fridays off from frugality, I'm back to bringing you budget finds, all for $50 and under.

Today I set out the challenge of finding something with more fabric than most clothing items, thinking the more fabric the more it would cost. Today I tackle budget maxi dresses. It was no easy task, I'll tell you. Most I found were just big cotton tanks essentially, but I did find some, not diamonds, but cubic zirconia in the rough ;)

Xtaren, $52 @

Oasis, was $115, sale $35

Olivia Moon, was $68, sale $44.90

Oasis, was $90, sale $50 *

Urban Outfitters, was $59, sale $29.99 @

ModCloth, $49.99 *

Forever 21, $22.80

lulus, $47 @

ModCloth, $47.99

Arden B., was $69, sale $49

Audrey 3+1, $50

Charlotte Russe, $26.99

Charlotte Russe, $32.99

@Available in more colors
*EWP fave

Friday, July 8, 2011

Frugal Friday - Swimwear Edition

Today's Frugal Friday brings you something to spice up your summer - swimwear. Nothing like laying by the pool or hitting the beach when the temps reach 90. Yes, it's been super hot here in Chicago and I'm experiencing a shortage of swimwear. And for being made of such little cloth, it's amazing how much swimsuits cost. But today on Frugal Friday I'm bringing you swimwear for $50ish and under. So treat your sexy beach bod, these suits are a steal.

Victoria's Secret, was $68, sale $51 @

Victoria's Secret, bandeau top: was $$38, sale $22.99; bottoms: was $28, sale $15.99 @

Victoria's Secret: top $20, bottoms $19 @

Victoria's Secret, halter top: was $34, sale $29.99; matching bottoms (ranging from side tie to ruffled) were $28-$38, sale $16.99-$22.99 @

Perry Ellis, was $98, sale $67.95 @

J.Crew, Ruched Betty french top: was $48, sale $34.99; ruffle underwire top (pictured above): was $50, sale $34.99; shirred ruffle bandeau top: was $44, sale $29.99; smocked ruffle hipster: was $44, sale $29.99 @

J.Crew, was $80-82, sale $24.99-39.99 @

J.Crew, polka-dot underwire top: was $52, sale $24.99; polka-dot bikini: was $44, sale $19.99; polka-dot wide-band hipster: was $44, sale $29.99 @

J.Crew, was $80-84, sale $24.99-39.99 @

J.Crew, was $78, sale $54.99 @

O'Neill, halter top: was $36, sale $24.95; tie side bottom: was $34, sale $23.95; tab side bottom: was $34, sale $28.95 @

Jantzen, was $100, sale $49.95 @

Hurley, triangle top: was $43, sale $20.95; boyshort bottom: was $43, sale $20.95

@ Available in more colors

Friday, July 1, 2011

Frugal Friday - Summer Sandals

For today's Frugal Friday, I set out to do the seemingly impossible: find shoes for under $50. Luckily I limited myself to summer sandals, a much easier proposition, and something we all could use, I'm sure.

Of course, no sandal post could exist without these shoes. The loves of my life, my soul mates. I want to marry them and have their babies... so that I could then wear the babies.