Purple Reign

Purple is undoubtedly the color of spring. You can’t walk into any department store or see any awards show without noticing the vibrant hue. Whether you go for a light pastel or deep eggplant color, here are a few items to help you jump on the purple train.

Sandra Ingrish Roll Sleeve Shirt, $48. Folded Ponti Neck Dress, $64.96.

T-Strap Cut Out Booties, $29.99. Poppie Jones Crossbody Bag, $19.95. High Waisted Mod Skirt, $19.80. Prevatte Sunglasses, $12.

Prevatte Sunglasses, $12

Are Cheaper Clothes a Waste of Money?

I love a great cheap chic find but when you break down the cost per wear ratio, is it really a waste of money to buy a cheaper item? Cheaper can (but not always) equal lesser quality and not likely to be in your closet for more than a few seasons. Believe me, I know cheap doesn’t always mean crappy. My Payless shoes that lasted longer than my Manolos are a great example of that.

But let’s look at the boucle jackets above. The Forever 21 blazer (left) is $34.80 and the D&G jacket retails for $595 (ouch!). Forever 21 is great but their clothes aren’t meant to last a lifetime and designer duds can (or so I’m told). So lets say a woman gets a year or two usage out of the F21 piece before the chains start to fall off, it fades, tears, pills, etc. The D&G will be a constant companion in her closet and she won’t have to purchase a new boucle piece for years to come.

So what say you guys. Do you prefer to buy cheaper items that may not last as long or invest in the real deal? Or do you splurge on some items and save on others? And the prices at Forever 21 are steadily increasing, does this mean the quality is getting better also?

Links to Save By

Wanna win a $10,000 shopping spree and appear in Harper’s Bazaar? Yeah, of course you do! Enter their Personal Style Contest.

Payless has definitely come a long way. Stylish Curves has an up close and personal look at their collections from Lela Rose and Christian Siriano.

The Budget Babe is giving away a Tiffany and Co. bracelet valued at $290.

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Week is under way. The “week” actually lasts until March 15 and includes 3 course meals from spots like 67 Orange, Mojo’s and Chez Lucienne.

Dress up your closet with this super-cute and funky DIY “trashion” hanger courtesy of 2 Bitchez Deep (I just love saying their name!)

Rachel Zoe’s Wardrobe Essentials {for Less}

Uber stylist Rachel Zoe recently unveiled her  (Not So) Basic Guide of 20 wardrobe essentials every woman needs in her closet. Though most of Ms. Zoe’s picks were a bit out of my (and most likely your) price range, here are 5 more of the 20 essentials (click here for last week’s first five picks), at a price we can all afford! *Be sure to check back next week for part three of the 20 wardrobe essentials {for less}.

1. Dark Trouser Jean: Ivette Boot Cut Trouser with Tummy Control, $29.99. 2. Abstract Print Scarf: Apt. 9 Abstract Circle Scarf, $15. 3. Feminine Blouse: Lulu’s Make Do Top, $36. 4. Party Skirt: Forever 21 Ruffle Skirt, $6.99. 5. Oversized Satchel: SM Rose Ruffled Dome Satchel, $64.95.

Rachel Zoe’s Wardrobe Essentials {for less}

Uber stylist Rachel Zoe recently unveiled her  (Not So) Basic Guide of 20 wardrobe essentials every woman needs in her closet. Though most of Ms. Zoe’s picks were a bit out of my (and most likely your) price range, here are 5 of the 20 wardrobe essentials, at a price we can all afford! *Be sure to check back next week for part two of the 20 wardrobe essentials {for less}.

Nude pumps: Asos, $42.49

Body Con Dress: Bebe, $49

Perfect Red Nail Polish: Essie, $8

Leather Biker Jacket: Arden B., $39.99
Statement Making Flat: Urban Original, $16.99

Trend for Less – Oxfords

Oxfords have been seen on the feet of the hottest celebs lately. If you’re looking to partake in the preppy chic trend without spending a wad of cash, here are a few options, all under $50.

Urban Original Oxford Lace Up Flat, $17.40
DSW Coconuts Goose Laceless Oxford, $39.95
Forever 21 Cracked Metallic Oxford, $24.80
Chadwicks Lace Up Oxfords, $24.99

Tags: shoes, trends for less

Real Style on a Dime

While attending a bloggers event during Social Media Week (more on that tomorrow), I bumped into Ms. Joy Adaeze, image consultant and stylist. Before I even asked her name I said, “I wish I had my camera so I could take a picture of you!” I just loved her style. And when she told me her fashionable finds were all cheap chic options, I was in love. Luckily, Joy sent me a picture of her outfit and a breakdown of where she scored her look for less.

Here’s what Joy had to say about her look and her overall sense of style.

To me, living fly on a dime means looking fabulous without having to spend a lot of money. I’m an image consultant and I always tell my clients that it isn’t how much you spend, it’s how you put your outfit together. There are so many quality pieces you can find for affordable prices! I know this well because I live it! I look like a million bucks, but spend way less : ) My clients appreciate that I am able to have them looking amazing for great prices. I love vintage stores and scoring hot deals at sales.

4-1-1 on my Outfit:
Blazer: Vintage, $10
Blouse: Forever 21, $20
Lace Pants: H&M, on sale for $20
Belt: Salvation Army, $2
Necklace: Vintage, $10
Scarf: H&M, $7
Boots: Payless, $35
These are definitely a fab find, since they are from Payless and are made of surprisingly good quality…I’ve had them for almost 3 years.
Lace Gloves: Party City, $4
They were part of my Halloween outfit in 2005. I was a black cat!
Gold Bracelets: Pink Apple, $2/each
Pink Apple is a small costume jewelry store in Paterson, NJ.
Clutch: Forever 21, $15

Love it!

Be sure to check out Joy’s blog, Fashion Divalicious as well as her YouTube channel. She has a great video on 15 fabulous ways to wear your winter scarf.

Tags: accessories, Forever 21, H&M, Payless, real style, Salvation Army, shopping, vintage

Fanny Pack: Yay or Nay?

Recently a few celebs have been spotted with fanny packs on their hip. For most people, that accessory conjures up images of the 80s or confused tourists. But these ladies seem to embrace the trend as Rihanna and Amber Rose wear luxe Louis Vuitton versions. Amber’s Monogram Mink Bum Bag retails for $6,000 to $8,000.

However…I’d like to think I was ahead of the curve since I purchased a a red leather version from Housing Works last year for about $1. I’ve never worn it, I think I just liked the 80s nostalgia.

But what say you guys, is the fanny pack back? Would you be caught dead with one?

How Do You Score Financially?

Thanks to The Frugalista, I came across a handy calculator that tallies how you score on the financial meter. It measures factors like debt, housing payments, savings, etc to determine if you’re on the right track or if there’s room for improvement.

I didn’t fare too well (I got a C, doh!) due to my lack of savings and life insurance and the crazy rent I pay in NYC, but hopefully the tips they provided will help me go from academic probation to the dean’s list.

So, how do you score?

Give a Day Get a Day

I just wanted to remind you Disney’s Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program is underway. Haven’t heard about it?

If you volunteer for a day with a participating organization, Disney gives you a one day theme park pass. They have a list of tons of organizations in need, and the volunteer opportunity is even open to children. So, make a difference in someone’s life and have some fun along the way!