Splurge and Steal.

I was flattered by some of the comments I received during the September Style month on the blog. I don't consider myself to be particularly stylish - I just wear what I like and what I feel like works for me. But I guess I consider that to be good style, working with what you have. We all have unique builds, shapes, sizes, and coloring so the trick is in finding what highlights the you that you love as Carrie Bradshaw would say.

I've been pondering lately the art of balancing what you splurge on and what you get as a 'steal' (a rediculously good deal, by definition). See, some of my best outfits include at least one 'steal'. An item I got for less than 20 dollars on most occasions but when pair right - can make a really great outfit that looks anything but cheap.

Allow me to illustrate. I bought the top I'm trying on for you below at Kohls. It's a LC by Lauren Conrad top that started at 56.00 (I think) and I found on super clearance for $12. That's right $12. Think how many people spend that on a lunch in a workday.

This picture doesn't do a great job of shop the color which is a pale pink. I see it with dark denim, a black cardigan, and simple heels. Since I already own a black cardigan, dark jeans, and more than a few pairs of black heels, I don't actually have to purchase anything additionally to go with it, making it that much more of a 'steal'.

This next one is more of a splurge. I found this Lucky Brand sweater at Marshall's in South Tampa for 29.99 which isn't totally unreasonable but isn't in the 'steal' catagory either.



I love it though - especially the cuffs being reserved. It fits great and it comfortable! I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it this fall/winter - with jeans (obviously) boots or flats, maybe even some fun red or gold accessories.

Ok fine, I have to share my big splurge of the month. I'm a little ashamed of this one because it was over my normal allowance for one item, especially a top but I LOVED it and can imagine doing so many things with it.

I'm a Nordstrom Rack insider so I know when all the sales are going to happen in advance. I usually hit them up on lunch ready to hunt through the sale racks for treasures. This item is a splurge but it's also what I'd call an investment piece because it's versatile and could be work a lot of different places and ways. Ok I'm justifying...here:

This was on super clearance but was still a little steep. Marked down from $158 to $58 - I just had to have it. I sent the picture above to two of my budgeting babes and they said go for it, just this once. ; ]

What have you been splurging on lately? What steals have you found? I'm always looking for fun ideas and I love to talk fashion.

Love,
B

Cha-Ching & my To Reads.

I'm always on the hunt for Colts colored outfits for games, parties, etc. I snagged this skirt for ...get this... $3 at Old Navy (where I rarely go). But I'd spy'd it online a month ago or so and then noticed it hit sale last week. When I went in today the clearance items were an additional 50% off! While 6.99 would have been a steal...$3 was even better! So exciting.

As for what's on my weekend reading list I figured since a few of my newer readers have taken an interest in my reading material - I'd show you what's coming up next. This weekend I will be finishing up the last few pages of Gigi Levangie Grazer's novel 'Queen Takes King' as it was leant to me by a coworker and I was ready for a bit of mindless reading material (Grazer is good for this). Little substance but a bit of New York flare.

Next up after finishing Grazer I'm back to the library pile with...

How to be Single came highly recommend on several websites and I've see the cover on a few blog pages lately. I'm interested to try about Tuccillo, whom I've never read (or heard of) before. This one may be worth reviewing for you all. If it's good I may just get it done this weekend. If it's sunny I'll be poolside with my book and if it's rainy (as predicted) I'm going to hole up in the 'batch pad' and blaze through these.

If (or when) I finish How to be Single I will be reading this from the BBC list I printed earlier this year...

I try to make myself read the occasional 'classic'. Good literature is so hard to find these days.

I'll keep you up to date as time goes on.

Love,

B

These are a few of my fav. things: Condo Addition.

Happy Valentines Day sweethearts! Hope it's been delightfully special. : ]

Ok, so to give you all a small idea of my decorating style, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things in the condo thus far. Also this entry doubles as a deals and steals feature since nothing you will see pictures cost over 30 bucks...and most of them cost less than 10! : ] Yeah yeah, pat me on the back later...here ya go:




I found this vase for...get this, 2.99! Love it. I just got it so it has no flowers yet. But ya know, it's in my bathroom anyway.



Isn't this cute? 5 bucks. Also in my bathroom (the master).



This striped shower curtain was a cheap find at HomeGoods. 12.99 I think? But I love it. Orange is the accent color in the that bathroom. ; ]



I love baths! So this catty was found at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Marked down from 70.00 to 19.99 but I had a coupon so it ended up being 14.99. : ] Oh and I had a giftcard.



Lamp on one end of my bed...from target. $29.



A pier one find. The hook was already in my ceiling. 20 bucks, but I had a giftcard.



Diamond branches. Also pier one...less than $1 a piece during the after christmas sale.



I love this vase. It looks like it's a weird color because of my flash. But it's actually the EXACT color of my wall. : ]



I have 2 of these...on on each end of my huge black dresser with vanity mirror. They were a little pricey...20 bucks each. But worth it. Very...me.

Ok so there you have it. : ] Deals and steals from my 3rd floor. May have to show you some on the middle floor after my fab couch arrives Saturday!

Love ya!

B

Shopping with Saavy.

As a recent convert from the ways of head-to-toe-couture to being a Frugal Fashionista I'm always looking for ways to put together great looking outfits, for less cash. Lucky for me, during my old ways I bought some great wardrobe staples that are still in style and working for me today in my new Becca-on-a-budget lifestyle. I don't think that budgeting means suffering! Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? You can be financially fit and still have some fashion fun.

I was walking past a coworker's desk when I spotted a book with a catchy title. It read, 'Five-Star Living on a Two-Star Budget'. Ah ha! It had me at hello. Isn't that really what most of us 20-somethings want? A 5 star life but were stuck in 2-star budget land? So I asked to borrow it for a quick browse. I'm thinking I need to devote some time to scouring it later. But for now I will give you some brief fashion advice as taken from Margaret Feinberg & Natalie Nichols Gillespie, co-authors of the book.

A brand name coat, shoes, and purse are smart investment because they are distinctive pieces you'll be able to wear regularly and enjoy. Something like a white t-shirt - whether it's made by Ralph Lauren, Diesel, or Old Navy - is still just a plain white shirt, so choose your accent pieces wisely.

I love this advice. I'm 100% a believer in accent pieces. My bags, shoes, and jewelry are what make my outfits. I'd much rather rock a New York & Co. dress with some killer heals than wear an expensive dress with Walmart shoes. Cheap shoes are wicked uncomfortable. And bad materials for handbags show just how much of a 'bargain' they were.

She recommends that if it's time to clean out your closet, you consider donating to Dress for Success an organization which helps women of lower socio-economic status get into the workplace. They are given one suit for their interviews and a 2nd when they land a job. I'm all for helping someone get their feet on the ground, especially in this economy! Helping someone help themselves gives them the power to reach their goals, what a great feeling.

The girls go on to recommend some great places to get designers for less including Luxe in Buckhead (a burb of the ATL) and Filenes basement. But what about those of us who don't live in Atlanta, Chicago, or the NYC? Well, I've had great luck with TJMaxx since moving to the South. In Indianapolis they were kind of weak and I only shopped at Carmel Consignment for my designer needs. But now that I'm 17 hours south, the TJ's are off the chain (yeah, I said it).

I've found everything from Kate Spade, Gucci, Armani, and Juicy sunglasses (all under 50 bucks!) to Abro & Coach bags to D&G watches and Marc Jacobs necklaces. They may be a little late hitting the floor of these stores but now that we're being frugal, does it really matter? I'm not going to spend 100 bucks on anything I can't wear for more than 1 season. Period. So better late than never friends. Here in Florida we also have the benefit of life-changing outlet malls! Can you say O-town? This is where I hit for all my Burberry, Fendi, and Juicy needs. I also like Ellenton outlet mall for my staples like Gap sundresses and beach bags.

Two other great spots to keep your eyes on are Blue Fly & Smart Bargains. I recently found a killer mango colored dress for a girlfriend of mine on Smart bargains that she's going to rock in Dallas for her NBA weekend. It happened to be the last one AND I saved her $191 from the original sale price.

Let me leave you with some immortal words from none other than Oprah Winfrey herself, ' I'm a black-belt shopper, always have been...I still get a little thrill whenever I see these two words: free and discount'. (quote from the book, page 33).

Happy (but smart) shopping to all.

Love,
B

(my) Best Buys of September 09.

I always hate to say goodbye to September it's one of my favorite months.  But with November and December just around the corner (Tgiving and Xmas!) I supposed it's ok to move on.  I found same great steals this month and I wanted to share them as a sort of goodbye to this month.  So here is the best of my September purchases...

This sweater from New York & Co.  I bought it when Sarah was in town for my bday and it's featured in the Deals & Steals section of the October In Style. : ] I was ahead of the game on this one.  I love this mustard color for fall.

Sorry for the homemade pics. : ] But I couldn't find these online.  This dress also from NY&Co got my oodles of compliments both at work and out on the town last week. : ]  One of my new coworkers even wanted it so bad I gave her my other coupon so she could get herself one.  Sarah decided after seeing it on when we hit Soho that she wanted it as well.  I promise it's better on than it looks flung on my bed. 

THIS little darling was my most excited find of September 09 - an Italian leather Abro bag!  These are hard to find and especially for a good deal.  But I snagged this on Clearance and I'm in love.  The pictures makes it look brighter than it appears in person (great new camera - can't help it) but it's really a Magenta-ish leather.  I've been wanting one this color since I found out this color was going to be big this fall and finally found one I could justify spending the $ for. Yay.

These I found at the DSW clearance this weekend. They were on the sidewalk sale rack and I love them. Thank you Nine West & DSW. I have a few great outfit ideas for these babies.

My new Sony Cybershot 12.1 pixels takes beautiful pictures. I sprung for the Carl Zeiss lense as well.  Love love love this. I also have a hilarious camera story for you all soon. Look forward to that soon.

My iTunes buys of this month that are now staples on my fall playlist? These include: Birthday by Flo Rida (the edited version, of course), Never Say Never by the Fray, I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas, and Paparazzi by Lady Gaga.

Enjoy.

Love,

B