An Affordable Statement Necklace

I have spent months searching for a statement necklace that won't break the bank and was really hoping that I would find a good deal at some end of winter season sales. Unfortunately, I was wrong... the most desirable pieces were so much so that they were all gone and the pickins' were slim to say the least.

I am delighted to say that all the waiting was not in vain... I found an amazing, totally unique, handmade option for a killer price. This Black Faceted Stone Bib Necklace is available on Etsy for a totally affordable $9.99!! If that isn't right for you Make This Your Own has lots of other affordable options for rings, earrings, headbands, and of course necklaces including this lace bib necklace featured on The Budget Fashionista. All of them are competely worth the price tag, beautful and unique! I can't wait to wear this great piece...

New Beginnings, New Focus

Hello All,

Things have been ridiculously crazy with the whole graduation and job thing. Oh, to go back to the days of playground fun... I digress. My whole focus for this blog is changing as I reach this new juncture in my life.

Originally I wanted to talk about designer sample sales and high fashion happenings in this blog but, for me at this point that is just noise. Without an amazing job to financially back me and student loans looming in the distance I have found myself in a new place. Some might call it the "real world" I'll just call it the next step. This is not to say that I don't adore high fashion it more means that I need a whole new wardrobe for my next step and I need to build it with a necessitous, frugal person's savvy.

I mentioned previously that I am shopping on the more thrifty side of things and I wanted to share some deals and notices from my personal inbox. If you can look like a million bucks without spending it (or anything close), why wouldn't you want to?

• The Iridesse sample sale is this week. I walk by this store all the time when I'm at my fancy mall but I've never gone in. I know that it's so ridiculously out of my price range. Now, this would be the time to get a classic piece of jewelry for 50-60% off retail. At some point we all were that little girl wearing her mother's pearls, why not grow it up a bit. That seems to be my mantra now. Head over to the Warwick Hotel (65 W. 54th in the Oxford Suite) Monday (11-7) or Tuesday and Wednesday (9-6).
• Today I might be headed to the Carnelian Knoll booth at Crafts on Columbus. I'm all about unique pieces of handmade jewelry for the right price. Julie Siegmund will be there this weekend, as well as, May 3-4 and May 10-11. The booth is in its customary location, on 81st Street between Columbus Ave. and Central Park West. The fair is open from 10-6 but if you can't make it you can always contact her for a private show.
  
• Lastly, I was searching for places online to get sweet deals. There are always the old standbys like Target, New York and Company, and Old Navy. But, new beginnings and a different budget calls for this change. So I came up with MoxieBee.com, created by the thrifty lady behind So Frugalicious. They have great deals on basics and a few trendy items. My only problem was their lack of larger sizes (me being a 36DD and all). When I emailed them about it they let me know that the brand Unyx ran larger. I'm skeptical but it's good to know. Anot'her online shop that I found was Martin and Osa, some of the items are really expensive but there are other more affordable options if you just look. Lastly, there was an old standby, Chadwicks. When I was younger I used to read my mom's catalog and think, that's only stuff for old ladies. They've changed quite a bit and have some really cute stuff if you search.

Do It Yourself... Almost

Are you one of those people who loves the handmade look? Not quite able to pull it off yourself or just too lazy too? Well, I am the latter and I love it when I can find cute, unique, handmade items that will compliment my everyday wardrobe. Like these earrings although I could probably break out my crochet hook and get to it I'd rather just fork over the $50, wait a few days, and wear them out. Saves my fingers a load of pain. Same thing goes for these darling hair pins. Unless of course someone wants to make them for me...

Sorry

Ok, I have been really sick for the past week and a half and all the while unpacking, going to school, and kinda working. But, it's no excuse!

Time for sale updates and much She Spys love...

• Right now one of my fav sales has just begun and I stumbled upon it completely by accident. Lucky me! Threadless $10 sale. You know the deal. Hit that up now before they run out of your size or it ends on 3/12.
• Ying Li’s hand-painted lingerie normally sells for $30 to $400 at Saks, but at the sale everything is up to 90% off, like silk camis that were $200 but are now $25. 3/5–3/23: 10–5 @ 270 W. 39th St. (nr. 8th) on the 14th floor.
• Denim Blitz is back with the first ever BCBG sample sale in conjunction with the latest styles and brands you have to have in premium denim and apparel. You will find unbelievable buys for both men and women all at 30-90% off retail. And the usual: Seven's, Rock & Republic, Paper Denim, Chip & Pepper, People's Liberation, Earnest Sewn, Citizens of Humanity, and Antik Denim.3/8-3/11: Thurs-Sat 11-7 Sun 11-5 @ 72 Greene St. (btwn. Spring & Broome)
• Save up to 85% off original retail at Escada’s four day warehouse sale. Visit the new location and check out pieces from Escada Collection, Escada Sport, Couture, handbags, and footwear. New merchandise is available dailyso that means you have to arrive early for the best selection. 3/8-3/11: Thu-Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-6 @ 401 7th Ave. "Penn Plaza Pavilion" (btwn. 32&33)
• Past spring season Built By Wendy goods are going to be on sale 40-70% off. Plus you can snag some current samples at discount prices as well. Get your handmade look on and tell everyone you did it yourself. Super shabby chic for spring! 3/9-3/11: Fri-Sat 11-8, Sun 12-6 @ 46 N. 6th St. (btwn. Kent & Wythe) Williamsburg, Bklyn.
• Shop Shelly and Renee's "Spring Designer Sale" for the hottest brands at the coolest prices for top American and European designers. They have sportswear, evening wear, outerwear and accessories at up to 80% off. Featured designers include Blumarine, Barbara Bui, Peter Soronen, Marc Jacobs, David Rodriguez, Twin Set and Marc Bouwer. Here's your excuse: a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the breast cancer research foundations. 3/11-3/13: Details here.

1990-Something

While browsing through e-mails I got a notice about some new revolutionary pieces of jewelry. Now, we all know how I am about the bling so of course I started to browse. And as I was admiring the cute, handmade designs I was moved to perhaps purchse on of these cute bracelets. Until, that is, I looked at the price. I know Lacquerite is innovative, forward fashion worked entirely by hand that originated with Molly Jackson and which utilize revolutionary liquid polymers from a company pioneering progressive "green technologies". But Artisan produced or not they don't seem like they are worth the hefty $285.00 that is being charged. They look like slap braclets! Hmmm... maybe I would change my mind if I tried one on but that'll probably never happen since I'm not going to shell out the dough. If anyone gets to try one on let me know how it is.

Culture Fest

This blog is all about fashion but sometimes you have to look at the big picture. How about all the culture that influences our everyday lives (including fashion). Well, this weekend is a good chance to take a look at what NYC and it's cultural institutions have to offer at Culture Fest in Battery Park. You'll find me there perusing the booths and working, of course. How could the nation's largest maritime museum not be included? On Sunday one of my stops will the Bronx Council for the Arts tent (#27). From 11-5 a friend of mine, Elizabeth Oritz, will be there selling her beautiful jewelry and artwork. The original handmade designs and craftmanship are exquistise. Who knows, maybe you can meet the mind behind She Spys the Buys...