Oscar looks for less!

YAY it's OSCAR season!  In honor of the OSCAR'S I've decided to "up the anty" a little and find some fancier looks for less, a la designed Badgley Mischka.  This is going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it!  On the left we have a Badgley Mischka cocktail dress.  Maybe not an Oscar dress, but definitely an after party dress.  This dress will run you thousands!  On the right is a Jessica McClintock creation.

This dress will run you much less at $173.00.  Can't beat it with a stick people!  

These next two dresses are also Badgley Mischka.  Both are  lovely gold dresses reminiscent of the OSCAR statuette itself.  Below these are some dresses I found that are equally as figure friendly...but much more wallet friendly.

I found the first dress, Max Azria BCBG dress, on Dillard's.com for $184.20.  The next dress is another Jessica McClintock creation.  It's only $103.80!  Yay we're getting cheaper!  The 3rd option is an evening gown version of the McClintock dress.  It's $120.00.  I saved the best for last...this dress is $150.00 and is probably the closest to the Badgley gown.  It also has a bit of a greenish/brownish tint like the original.  

The next dress is super duper pretty!  I love blue jewel tones!  Next to it is a dress from Cache.  While it doesn't have the same bodice, the color is similar and it's still really pretty.  It costs $188.00.  This next dress is from Macy's and is on sale for $238.  The color is a bit deeper and I feel like this shape may be more figure friendly for the average woman.  The final three are both Jessica McClintock.   The first McClintock frock is pretty but hard to wear for women who aren't perfectly proportioned.  You wanna make sure you're not popping out.  You also want to make sure that you can actually fill the cups.  The dress does have a lovely color, and is $181.00.  IF you want a little more support, go with the strappy version. It's $157.00.  While it's not as shiny as the others, the straps have a little shine and the shape is probably the closest to the designer gown.  The third dress, has a great shape to add volume to the chest, and whiddle your middle.  It's also a bit lighter than all the other dresses, so if dark blue isn't really your color you can go a little lighter and still have the same effect.  It'll run you $167.00.

Finally we have a silvery grey number.  I found this dress from Banana Republic, which looks really comfortable, for $225.  It would make a great day wedding dress.  Just be wary as silver/grey can really wash people out.  If you want something a bit dressier, try this McClintock dress.  I know I'm using Jessica a lot, but she's got great dresses at great prices.  When you find a good thing, you go with it.  The color of the dress is pretty close, and they both emphasize the chest.  Personally. I think a one shoulder dress is a little bit harder to wear than the empire style of the McClintock.  You need some pretty nice clavicles and arms to wear the Mischka, and if it wasn't designed so elegantly, it might make the body look a little flat.  So, once again, I think the McClintock might better fit the common, everyday woman.  It sells for $171.50.

Phew!  There you have it!  That took a loooong time but look how many dresses we found! 

SPRING IS COMING

Here we see a fabulous "Depression chic" (yes that's really a term the fashion world is using this spring) outfit by Marc Jacobs.  I'm loving the belted white trench with scarf and floral dress.  Below this look, you'll see some alternatives to this look and the costs for each piece.  Just a side note here, they really shouldn't call it  depression chic if it costs over $1000, which surprise surprise, this look does!

Our first couple of looks are from Urban Outfitters.  Not the cheapest of the cheap, (I've saved that for later) but still fairly budget friendly.  

Now I know this dress isn't the same color, but the point of this exercise is to get creative and find a look that works for you!  That washed out violet may not be your best color, but this vibrant blue floral just may do the trick.  This dress is $29.99.

Here's a pale, rose colored dress, a bit closer to the original, with a bigger, bolder print for $40.00

YAAAY now for my favorite part.  The rest of the look is being brought to you by none other than...OLD NAVY.  Cheapie cheapie cheap cheap! And what do we have here?  A floaty, soft, 

violent sun dress!  How about that!  And how much do you cost little dress?  $29.50?  THAT'S AMAZING!

Here's the same dress in blue, just in case violet washes you out.  

Now the rest of the look.  I found this trench from Old Navy.  It's not white, but I feel like this might last you  longer, because white tends to get really dirty really fast, especially if you're a messy spiller like me!  The khaki, beige blend really just goes with everything.  Though it comes with belt, I feel like you can mix it up with the gold to spruce it up a bit.  

The belt will set you back $12.50.  The coat costs $49.50.

OMG! I AM INTERRUPTING THE OLD NAVINESS TO BRING YOU THIS!  $25.00 for this coat!  True, it is from Walmart, but who cares it's cheap and it's cute and it has a belt and it matches!  Just order it online you won't even have to go in there. 

The scarf is $12.50 and comes in an array of patterns and colors. 

This bag is really cute for $16.50.

The shoes that I've picked are all neutrals.  They also suit every fashion palate.  I've got flats, heels, and trendy sandals.  

The flat is $69.00                  The heel is $70                      The trendy shoe is $60.

There you have it! 

TRADER JOES AND MICKEY D'S

Ok so I know this is technically a fashion blog but I think fashion is a lifestyle not just what you take on and off everyday, so I have to tell you about my two new favorite things that have added a certain economic panache to my incredible shrinking budget.  

My new favorite, trendy store is Trader Joe's.  I know it seems like old news and  it's not as glamorous as Whole Foods but it is sooooo much better. The aisles for one are a billion times wider than those at Whole Foods and the prices are infinitesimally lower.  But the thing that really sets Trader Joe's apart is the awesome customer service.  Every time I go there, I find that at least one employee helps me and actually seems to care, not like those snooty Whole Foods granola munchers.  Recently I was at the check out counter and the cashier rung up a bag of avocados, which, by the way only cost me $3.19 (that's like a miracle in itself), but i digress....any who he rings up the avocados and calls over another employee who promptly takes my avocados.  Why, you make ask?  Verbatim, the guys says this to me:

"Those avocados were a bit too mushy.  I'm having her go and get you some better ones."  

WOW WOW WOW!  This guy rings up probably hundreds of avocados a day, and he could have just rung me up and let me leave without a second thought of my mushy avocados.  But he actually thought, while swiping my fruits, that perhaps I did not have one of the freshest batches.  Now I have fresh avocados thanks to that guy and his concern!  I know this sounds a bit dorky but it really made my day.  

Now for the icing on the cake...I go to McDonalds drive through this morning because I have a craving for some delicious pancakes, and lo and behold, at the drive through McD's in Fairlawn I see a sign, "Free Hotcakes with Purchase of a Medium Beverage."  Doth my eyes deceive me????  FREE HOT CAKES???  Surely this must have been some special promotion, one day only that I missed.  Are they really willing to give me my favorite food in the entire universe for free???   I decide to press my luck and I order a medium coffee and, dare I say, free hotcakes??? Then the tiny, little, Latina voice echoes through the microphone, a beautiful sentiment that if I didn't know any better, I'd think was God herself, "One medium coffee and one order hotcakes.  That'll be $1.72."  

ONE DOLLAR AND SEVENTY TWO CENTS!!!  I CAN AFFORD TWO ORDERS!  MAYBE MORE!

A tear glistened down my hopeful, rosy cheek and I drove to the window.  I prepared my $1.72, I had exact change, and I watched with anticipation as the Latina drive through angel approached with a beaming bag of  hot, fluffy, golden, buttery, pancakes.  And then I handed her the dollar with exact change, and she handed me the bag.  Instantly, pancakey deliciousness whipped my nostrils into a frenzy.  Next came the coffee, a rich and delightfully strong roast, savory, with a hint of bitterness.  I almost couldn't drive because I was drunk with delight.  

So friends, I encourage you to shop at Trader Joe's, where, though you might be a pauper, you'll be treated like a princess.  And if you can, go to the McDonald's in Fairlawn for a breakfast treat you'll never forget.  I know I won't.

RUE LA LA RUE LA LA!!!!

MY NEW FAAAAVORITE  WEBSITE IS RUELLALA.COM.  It's an invitation only site that has sample sales for all different designers and cosmetics and accessories.  Just recently I purchased a Stila Foundation kit for, $28.00...seriously.  Is that a deal or is that a deal?  The only caveat is that you have to pay $9.95 for shipping.  However, it's still great, because one little tube in the foundation kit i bought cost $16.00.  I got 5 items in my foundation kit and each one averages between $10-$20, so in the long run I made out like a bandit.  If you are interested in joining, just message me with your email address and I'll add you.  

Here's a link to the page so you can check it out

www.ruelala.com

 Lily Pulitzer and Miu Miu sample sales are coming, starting on Feb. 10th and ending on Feb. 12th.  

So there you have it!  I think the only down side to this glorious website is that it just makes designer shopping seem so much easier and so tangible....which is  bad for us girls on a budget...especially us girls who just booked a cruise and a flight to miami.  But hey, I gotta look good on the boat right?  RIGHT!

H&M Virtual Dressing Room is Fall Ready!

H&M....love. Although you can't buy clothes on their website, you can try them on without ever leaving the comforts of your own home. How, you ask? THE SWEET VIRTUAL DRESSING ROOM on their site.

How does it work? You simply create a likeness of yourself (using an actual picture of your face if you like) with your measurements, height, weight, hair color and complexion. Then you choose from various settings to see how your outfit measures up in a bathroom vs. a library. (I wish every dressing room had this feature). Under each item of clothing is the price, ranging from $15-$40. These are some of the outfits I created from the new fall line. My absolute favs from are the green blouse and the grey shoe-booties.

.

seriously...what is this?

Vanessa Hudgens,
What ARE you wearing? Hollister sweats, an off-the- shoulder 80's top and Robin Hood booties? COME ON! You look downright silly...like a silly billy gumdrop! No wonder you're hiding!

Let's try something else shall we?


For something sporty and casual, try This Shopbop.com
hoodie for $26.40 and these track shorts for $17.70.

Shoe wise, try a cute lil sneaker a la these little cutie pies
from DSW ($29.95).





If you want a laid back, casual boho look, try a cute little dress ($44.00) or something like it ($34.00) Pair with an adorable floral print scarf ($9.50) or a stripy ombre one ($12.50)


Shoe wise, I'd probably go with a nice Grecian Sandle ($34.99) or something a bit chunkier ($39.99)

Now add some cool shades ($9.50) and a fun bag ($14.99) and you're all set!


Now isn't that better?