Top Easter Dresses Under $40

The holiday of chicks and bunnies is coming up.  I’m gathering up my favorite Easter dresses like eggs in a basket.  Looking for a “Ladies who brunch” outfit? How about a dinner date banquet dress? Ruffled frock to hunt eggs on the White House lawn?  Yes, yes, and yes to all and bonus when they are all so wallet-friendly. 

Start with 2013’s color of the year and don a sexy emerald green halter wrap dress from Mossimo for only $30. 

Sip a mimosa and mix two top trends of ombre and the high/low hem with the sleeveless Mossimo Hi-Lo pullover dress for $25.

I love the lemony ruffles of Prabal Garung for Target Dress for $40.  This one is perfect twirling in the garden in your bare feet.

The V-neck Mossimo printed dress looks like a bunch of glowing Easter eggs melting in the night.  It’s either that, or I am suffering from a sugar coma from too many chocolates.  All I know is that the sophisticated palette of midnight and pastels is pretty on this dress and I love the flowing hem.

Now that you’re properly attired for the rites of spring, make sure you have the right bonnets and accessories too!  But that’s for another day…

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.”

Read more >>

Uncomplicate Your Spring! J. Jill Giveaway

For my fourth post for a week of budget-friendly spring shopping, I figured what is more budget-friendly than a big giveaway?  I'm giving away a $100 gift card to J. Jill for you to add some relaxed spring style to your wardrobe.

As the sun finally peeks out from winter clouds, we can't wait to hit the stores for lighter clothes, ditching the heavy tights and letting our toes peep out.  J. Jill wants you to uncomplicate your wardrobe with easy choices to put together your looks for the season.  Their site has great guides for fitting denim and videos on everything you could want to do with a scarf                                                                    

To win the $100 Gift Card, leave a comment telling me what fashion item you most look forward to wearing this spring! We'll choose a winner on March 31, 2013.

If you don't win my giveaway, go for the BIG prizes on J. Jill's Facebook page.  Nominate a woman whose life YOU think needs to uncomplicate and try for a closet redesign, head to toe makeover, shopping spree or catered dinner party.

  Campaign Launch and Sweepstakes
 This Spring, J.Jill is making the promise to their customers to uncomplicate. by providing an easy-to-put-together approach to dressing and offering guiding, helpful service. The brand’s uncomplicate. campaign will undoubtedly show women everywhere that it’s never been so easy to look this good! In addition, J.Jill will be partnering with More, Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple to give three lucky customers the opportunity to give the gift of uncomplicate. to a deserving woman in their lives. Beginning March 14 through April 25, fans can nominate a woman whose life they would like to make less complicated, by entering the sweeps through the brand’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JJillStyle) – prizes will include one of the following: a catered dinner party, a special closet redesign or a complete style makeover; each prize will include a shopping spree at J.Jill.

Read more >>

Spring Shoe Trends

Oh yay! With the weather thawing out, boots open up and toes come out for spring shoes.  I can’t wait to shop for my favorite footwear trends for spring.

One of the biggest spring trends all over the runways was the mix of artistic prints.  Abstract floral, brushstrokes and kaleidoscope patterns have made every fashion item a canvas.  Spring shoes are no exception.  Many designers on spring 2013 catwalks crafted shoes to coordinate to the patterns of the clothes.  For my budget-friendly designer picks, you can’t go wrong with Prabal Garung’s pumps and laced up sandal in a “Nolita”print for Target (only $40).  If you want something more romantic, go for Xhilaration’s dark floral Sae pumps for only $30. 

The wedge was a big hit for fall and reconstructed in more spring friendly trims for the upcoming season.  I love wedges because they are safer (for clumsy me) to walk in than your typical stiletto.  Spring materials like cork, rattan, rope wood give it a bit of a warm rustic edge, while still keep styles sophisticated.  You can mix up all sorts of colors, contrast trims and configurations with a pump.  Stripes give you a nautical look, bows are ladylike and solid colors are bold enough for any spring dress.  All these fun styles come from Merona, Xhilaration and Target’s shoe collection, starting at $17 and topping out at $75.

Are you ready to step out of your boots and into the sunshine? I am.

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

Read more >>

Fashion of Goodwill

I can't believe I finally watched Macklemore's music video for "Thrift Shop" for the first time the past weekend.  I had listened to the song many times, but the video is absolutely hilarious.  I read an IBTimes Magazine report that despite the popularity of the song (the first independent track in nearly 20 years to top the Billboard 100) sales at Goodwill have not significantly increased.

Why not?  Luxury consignment is thriving online and in stores.  Many of the items IN those stores are picked by savvy buyers straight from Goodwill and the Salvation Army.  People are willing to go to great lengths to buy "green", yet thrift stores are as green as you get.

Lest you forget, the Salvation Army and Goodwill started as organizations that help people.  Selling donated goods are only one of their ways to raise funds for the many job training programs they provide.  I spoke to Bjorn Nasett a few seasons ago during NY Fashion Week, an ambassador of sorts for Goodwill's fashion projects.  He informed me that high end designer brands often donate full collections of unused clothes, and that Goodwill produces full fashion shows.  They are social media savvy with fashion blogs, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter accounts showcasing curated style.

Many designers have realized that there is a hunger for styles in their archives.  Many have put out clothes from past seasons back for sale at considerable cost.  For budget and elite shoppers, a thrift store might accomplish both!

What is your best thrift shop find?

Macklemore image from imgfave.com

Read more >>

Duro Olowu for JC Penney

I'm dedicating this week to spring style on a tight budget!  The snow thawed, time to shop, let's make it as painless as possible shall we?  Duro Olowu collaborated with J. C. Penney for one of the most unique retail mashups this season.  

This one really caught my interest because Duro Olowu is a Nigerian-born, British fashion designer.  His collections are known for bright, graphic prints and nods to his ethnic heritage.  This an unexpected, fashion forward choice for classic American mass market retailer J. C. Penney.  The result is an entire lifestyle collection that does not look like any other budget collaboration I have seen so far.

Modern updates to African tribal prints are worked into clothing, vases, entertaining pieces, picture frames... Woven textiles are mixed with carved wooden and brass handles for super chic handbags.  Traditional trims in bright, fashion colors are worked into playful jewelry.  

I was lucky enough to score a handbag and platter.  I was really impressed with the quality, especially at seeing the price points.  I could not find anything over $50.  With so many "limited edition" designer projects with stores that aim to be cheap and appeal to as much of the mass market as possible (aka bland), it was really refreshing to see this department store take a chance on both a lesser-known designer and bold collection.   Shop for it here.

Read more >>

Splurge vs Steal: Burberry Toggle Coat or UK French Connection Toggle Coat

It's winter and it's the battle of the toggle coats.  The toggle coat is a classic silhouette year after year that looks good on mostly everyone.  Burberry makes many of my favorite classics, (I'll hold on to my single breasted trench coat forever) and makes this lovely hooded wool coat pictured above on the left for $895.00.  It has the classic nova plaid lining, leather toggles, can stay in your closet for eternity. 

Now, not everyone can afford to shop at Burberry.  If that's your predicament, Sears has come to the rescue with a MUCH more affordable solution.  They challenged me to style a "Steal" of a look. While we know Sears is the place to go for appliances, they are stepping up their fashion game with collaborations with some big brands.  They have an extensive accessories and party dress collection with the Kardashian sisters, and the UK French Connection line as well.  The wool blend toggle coat I am wearing is currently on sale for $64.00, that's right, less than 1/10th of the Burberry coat.  Yes, it doesn't have a hood, and well, it's not Burberry, but it's cute and keeps me warm this morning.  The navy works well with my bold print Diane von Furstenburg dress from this week's sample sale.  The shoes are another super-affordable find from Spring Shoes, and are surprisingly comfortable for heels this high.  The handbag is a silver leather tote from Coach.

Stay warm, whether you're treating yourself or styling on a budget!

Read more >>

Naturalizer Fall Collection & Shoe Giveaway

Not your mother's shoes...That was the message that the Naturalizer team set out to show shoppers last week.  My younger sister wouldn't let my own mother walk into a Naturalizer store for years to ween her away from frumpy but ultra-comfortable shoes.  

Angelique Joseph, the brand's director of product design has overhauled the look and direction for today's fashionistas.  The chic designer set out with distinctive trends to design around this fall.  My favorite, the ultra-hip "Mad Men" influenced retro-style.  This included vintage details like suede pleats and demure bows.  These were updated with stacked heels with platforms and stitched color blocked panels.  

Another direction was the Americana-inspired shearling collection. Rugged suede and warm shearling, faux fur were interpreted into trend-right platform boots.  

Naturalizer is not about style without substance.  The new design direction does not pull the brand away from its roots.  The team invited guests of their Fall fashion event to try out the actual shoes.  They are offered across a wide range of sizes and widths.  The pleasant surprise was stacked platform heels, prim pointed heels were actually very flexible and comfortable.  Their signature wearability was not lost in the stylistic revamp, and their price point stayed friendly too.

So...Are you inspired?  What if I told you that we're giving away a pair of these shoes for you to try yourself?  Check out their website and tell us which style is YOUR favorite in the comments section and we'll pick a winner at random.  (Winner chosen on October 31st).

UPDATE 11/1/11: Congratulations Eva Jiang!

Read more >>

Cold Weather Fashion on a Budget: Winter Blues under $125

I don't know about you, but I am absolutely sick of this snow.  The only solution out of these seasonal affectations is to shop for something new.  I understand that spending money on new winter goodies can be tough.  Luckily, I found a cure for the winter blues that fit nicely on a budget... Post-holiday sales are also in full effect before spring!

Delia's as a rich blue toggle coat for under $80.  It has an adorable floral lining and features Thinsulate to keep you warm.  Spring Shoes had a beautiful crochet ruffled scarf that I use as a shawl indoors or for pop color on a black jacket that was a wallet friendly $10.

My new favorite go-to label these days for cute outerwear for a price point is Latte by Coffeeshop.  They have trendy silhouettes, but remarkably, most of their prices are under $125.  The blue and grey plaid cropped jacket features an asymmetrical zipper and a dramatic collar on sale for $124.

American Eagle has a blue puffer vest on sale for only $20 right now.

If you want some retro-chic, Modcloth has some recently discounted jackets.  The navy jacket with antiqued buttons and red piping is now $119.  The red twisted scarf is from Luxury Divas for $19.

Wind and sleet got you down?  Heat things up with a new look!

Read more >>