Splurge vs. Budget Fringe Necklace

With the overwhelming amount of metallic accessories this fall there are alot of choices out there. But, why spend a ton of money on something that is overwhelmingly trendy and bound to be out of style as quickly as it came. Here are choices for you... which one if more expensive?
The left one is the $34.50 Ann Taylor Loft version while the right one is the marked down $9.99 Urban Outiftters version. The best part about our budget choice is that it's are having free shipping right now with the code FREEBIRD. While you're at it you can pick up one of my favs from Fab Collabs on super sale!

Do It Yourself

Maybe you are the make everything yourself type, or perhaps you prefer to pick it up at the store... either way, you don't need to be Martha Stewart to use this recipe! Stray away from the chemical additives in normal lipgloss and make your own. This beautiful shade will take you through the end of fall and carry you through winter in style!

Beet Lip Gloss
10 minutes; makes 1/2 ounce

What You Need:
(local and organic whenever possible)

• 1 beet (light-colored red beets yield a red shade; darker ones get you a merlot color)
• 3 drops olive oil
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 capsule of vitamin E oil
• Repurposed lip gloss container or pillbox

Directions:

1. Remove beet from stem, wash, and chop into 1-inch pieces.

2. Place chopped beet in microwave-safe container and heat on high for 1 minute until it releases juice.

3. Pour beet juice and the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly (add sugar by the teaspoon until it reaches your desired thickness).

4. Empty the finished blend into a small jar, preferably a repurposed lip gloss container. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours to thicken, then apply as you like. It'll keep for 6-8 months.

If You're Going To Do It

Then do it right!!! Black Friday shopping can be a majorly amazing way to save some money and knock alot of people off your shopping list. On the other hand... it can be a total headache! My recommendation to avoid the stress that comes along with venturing out on Black Friday is to only go if you have a plan. Check out the some deals from your everyday favorite stores and be out of there by brunch.

Get Some Culture

We should all go see the Design for a Living World exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt. I'm planning my weekend around it right now. It shows how 10 top designers put their pins and needles on sustainable materials and made beautiful things. Check out Kate Spade's woven totes with FSC-certified hardwood handles and jipijapa, a fun-to-say fiber made from palm leaves; Isaac Mizrahi's salmon-leather shoes, made with re-purposed materials and fewer toxic chems than regular leather; and Ted Muehling's veg-ivory jewelry, like bangles and earrings, carved from ivory-nut palm tree seeds.

Design for a Living World at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum,
2 E. 91st St. (212-849-8400). Tickets, $10/adult.

Green Your Holiday

	Shop eco jewelry from Yania Creations, Jeeyun Ha & Real Jewels, home decor from Humble Collection & Tilonia Artisans, sustainable shoes from Charmone, accessories from Kaija Handbags, First World Trash & The Hand of Fatima, baby wear from Positively Organic, organic pet treats from Get Lick'd, organic beauty products from Spirit Beauty Lounge, Lee Lai, Nima Nyima & She Essential Beauty, gourmet food and drink from Guyaki and more... All under one roof!

Grrrrrrrrowl!

How cute are these simple round toe ballet flats? They are trimmed with ribbed grosgrain at the rim and bow made of cording. The printed design has a patent glossy finish while the sole features a flat, kitten heel. Yes, you are seeing the price correctly....$7.50! Get them now before they sell out!!!

Smart and Sustainable Shopping

via College Candy

As you may have gathered from my previous articles, I am a shopaholic. Even if I have no money, I can’t help but scour the internet for deals at the online sample sales (seriously, check out Ideeli, it’s amazing). And even though I can’t always buy sustainable products, I still try to buy in sustainable ways.

Here are my favorite shopping tips to don’t just save the environment, but they can also save you money.

Read on, my fellow “Frugalista” (thank you, Target.)

Shop in stores. Preferably ones you can walk or carpool to. Retailers get their shipments in bulk, which decreases the amount of packaging material used to deliver the products. When you shop online, shipping costs (and all that wasted paper and cardboard) can add up quickly, so spare yourself and hit the local mall (with your reusable tote!). Be sure to try on before you buy so you can avoid the extra gas needed to return something to the store.

Look for local labels. Try to buy from companies that are based in the your state to cut down on energy needed for transportation. If that’s not possible, look for brands that produce their products within the United States. American Apparel, C&C Cailfornia, Splendid, J.Crew, Lucky Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, True Religion, Juicy Couture, 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and Rock and Republic (just to name a few) all manufacture their clothing in the U.S.

Shop smart online. If you’re going to shop online, be sure you do it in an ecologically responsible manner by using the following tips.

Buy in bulk. Wait until you have a large order before ordering online or combine with friends to save on the environmental and financial costs of shipping.

Ditch the rush order stress. Plan ahead so you don’t have to choose expedited shipping over standard shipping rates. This also gives the Postal Service a chance to fill up their trucks with packages before shipping them out. More packages = fewer cross-country trips = a happy planet.

Choose your delivery address wisely. Be sure to have your packages delivered to a convenient address. If you have them delivered to your apartment, for example, be sure that your roommates will be around to pick it up for you. If they aren’t available, leave a note on the door telling the postman that he can just leave the package on the doorstep without a signature. This avoids the annoying and fuel-guzzling trips back and forth to the Post Office.

Switch to Paperless Statements. Once all your earth-friendly shopping is done, you’re going to have to pay that credit card bill. But make Mother Earth proud and do it all online. No more 5-page bills coming to you in the mail. No more wasted paper (and money!) on mailing that check back to the company. It’s the greenest way to pay.

Updates

As I mentioned back in June Carlos Falchi is doing a collection for Chez Target. The wait is almost over! It will be launching November 1st in stores and online. Hobos, satchels, shoulder and messenger bags in great fall colors can be found in the collection, with a price range of only $19.99 to $49.99. I think the price is a little steep but, maybe it's just because I'm not overwhelmed by anything. Check out the images below, what do you think?

Sale Alert

Sale Alert

Who Up Next For Target?

Jean Paul Gaultier is doing a Target collection, reports The Cut via WWD. The over-the-top designer's collection will be available at more than 250 Target stores across the country and naturally Target.com on March 7 through April 11.

Following Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui, Gaultier is the third established designer to do a collection for the mass retailer under the Designer Collaboration series. His chosen muse? The American woman, "celebrating the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture," a Target spokesperson says.

I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes out with but, I take the whole thing with a grain of salt. Anna Sui was a little bit disappointing.

Participate!

In a Save the Garment Center demonstration! On Wednesday October 21 at 12 p.m. on the corner of 39th Street and Seventh Avenue, the fate of the Garment District is in your hands. The Save the Garment Center initiative is hosting a rally to stir discussion about the industry's (and neighborhood's) current state. Supporters to take to the podium include Nanette Lepore, CFDA executive director Steven Kolb and Simon Collins, the Dean of Fashion at The New School for Design.Designers, CDFA members, factory workers, Workers United Union employees, as well as Parsons and Pratt students, will assemble to coax Mayor Bloomberg and city officials to reconsider the effort to rezone New York City's Garment Center. The current statistics are staggering. "I'm concerned. I want to preserve and build on the 5% on manufacturing that is left here in New York City," said Nanette Lepore Monday evening during the screening of Marc Levin's documentary Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags, which will premiere on Monday the 19 on HBO. Community members will gather outside the Button and Needle Statue to fight for the district so that it does not literally fall apart at the seams.

Private Sale

I know, it sounds so exclusive! I will let you in on a little secret. Tory Burch is having an absolutely awesome private online sale. I love the casual easy feel of her classic styles but, normally they are way out of my price range. The sale is definitely a good one but, still a little pricey. If I see something I am absolutely in love with though it's the perfect reason to pick it up because this is probably the best you are going to get.

Wardrobe Jackpot: Boring Stores Reinvented

This recession totally sucks. But, if you ignore the unemployment rate and rising cost of beer, some good is definitely coming from it. And one of those positives is the fact that the plummeting sales of retail chains has caused them to re-evaluate their brand and reinvent themselves for fall. Suddenly stores that used to make me feel nauseous (boasting window displays stuffed with mom jeans and fugly tablecloth patterns), actually have some adorable stuff that us college girls would actually consider wearing.

For the closets of fashionistas, this is great news. Now there are a dozen more stores that we can peruse online during class and drool over on our weekly treks to the mall. (Plus now when my mom calls and tells me she’s going to Ann Taylor to pick up a suit jacket, I can ask her to pick me up a cute skirt to add to my care package!)

Check out my favorite extreme makeovers (that don’t involve sexy Ty Pennington) below:

The Gap

Then: Uber boring button up shirts and polos.
Now: Cute staples essential to layering.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The perfect dark wash jeans – soft, stretchy and with the perfect butt pockets – for us girls with some junk in the trunk.

Express

Then: Going-out clothes that were borderline trashy.
Now: Chic party clothes that are fun, but not slut-tastic.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Fail-safe dress for girls’ night out. The clean lines of this color blocked, one-shoulder dress make it effortlessly chic while still being young and trendy.

Ann Taylor

Then: Boring mom clothes
Now: Classy pieces that have some edge to them
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Edgy, heeled boots. The wrap around leather strap adds just the right amount of personality and these would look pretty killer over a sexy pair of skinnies.

New York and Company

Then: All the store had was 40 different black pants that all looked the same and some really fugly jumpsuits.
Now: Totally on top of the trends (I’m talking leggings, tunics, ruffles…) at prices that wont break the bank.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Go-to pencil skirt. It will be there for you through dinners, parties, weddings and any other occasion that forces you out of your sweats and into real clothes. (And did I mention it’s only $32?!)

Old Navy

Then: Cheap, shapeless clothes
Now: Cheap, adorable clothes
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The ideal fall jacket: satin lined, waist cinching, wide brimmed, bold colors… should I go on?

Banana Republic

Then: Stuffy, sophisticated and over-priced pieces.
Now: Hip, trendy, and totally catering to 20-somethings (with a large bank account).
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: This darling sheath dress. It’s totally party worthy, but belt it and throw on a cardigan and some tights and it works for an important class presentation, too!

Via CollegeCandy.com

Happy (Budget) Halloween!

No one wants to spend a fortune a Halloween costume. But, whether you are having a quiet night at home handing out candy to the kiddies or partying it up you might want to be a little more festive than the "black dress you never wear/pointy hat" budget standard. Below are a few under $30 options for you to peruse. Happy Halloween!!!

Pop In

The Limited hasn’t had a store in Manhattan in decades and who knows why because they have great a great classic style. But, that’s about to change, at least for a few days! Stop by the new pop-up store in SoHo today, October 14th-17th for a slew of festivities, great people, and shopping. Have fun checking out the new look of The Limited!

Plaza Too & Lucky Mag Want You Tonight!

Fab Collabs

This set of items might seem a little random but, I'll walk you through it.There were a few fabulous designer capsule collections/lower priced lines/collaborations that launched this past week. Now, we all know that just because a designer smacked their name on it doesn't mean that it is the same quality as the full priced brand but, we can hope. With these newbies I don't think you have to worry about that. First is LC by Lauren Conrad for Kohl's. I went to the store to investigate but, the didn't have it in stock. Major bummer but, hopefully it will be in stock soon. Until then I was exploring online and am kind of in love with the Brushstroke Sheath Dress . There are some other winners from the collection but not everything is a hit.

The other thing that is on my radar with the colder weather on the way (maybe) are the fabulous Eugenia Kim EEK! hats for Urban Outiftters. Normally her fab head coverings will cost you a pretty penny but, with penny pinchers in mind she has created this awesome (almost identical) capsule collection. If that's still too pricey for you, you can always wait for the sale. But, if you just have to have a hat I found this great riding hat from AVON. Isn't it a little ironic because we started with LC and end up with mark? (which Lauren Conrad is the spokeswoman for) But, I digress... This alternative is a great choice compared to other priceier options and AVON is always having some sort of sale so you can probably snag a discount or free shipping! Hats off to that...

Does This Outfit Work?

Here is a picture of me wearing what was my attempt at the high waisted skirt. Took a long tweed skirt, cinched it will a belt, added a professional button down, some fabulous patent t-traps and amazing rhodacrosite neckalce. I think it's a decent attempt at it but in the end it just looks like a colorblock dress to me, albeit more professional.

poll by twiigs.com

Trouser Jeans: Where Did You Go?

While getting dressed yesterday for work I caused the death of my favorite pair of jeans. When I heard the sharp abrupt ripping noise I knew it was bad... and it was, a giant and irreparable hole. I cried for a second, which woke my boyfriend up and I told him all about my late lamented jeans, how fat I was, and how special they were. To which his practical (and half asleep) self replied that they were really old, I wasn't fat, and he would take me shopping after work to get new ones. He's the best. I was thinking that I would go to the GAP and pick up a new pair of the same jeans. They are a pretty classic jean... wide leg, dark wash, simple.

Not as simple as I thought. They no longer have the trouser jean in stock in stores. Frustrating but, not the end of the world there is a LOFT right in that same shopping plaza and my only other pair of jeans is from there, the marisa. So, I headed over but, after combing the entire store couldn't find them myself and when a salesperson offered assistance I gladly accepted (mistake!). All she kept giving me were flare this and boot-cut that even though I very clearly explained more than once that I wanted a wide-leg/trouser jean. Frustrating!!

I headed home, fuming about how it wasn't fair that I should be punished because trouser jeans aren't trendy this season. I was exceptionally tired and cranky after a long day of ripping jeans and work. When I got home I couldn't let it go and started searching online, Here are some of the things I found.

There are wide-leg jeans out there, Yay! But, they seems to be only available online, Boo! One of my favorites is the Marisa Nantucket Denim Trousers from LOFT, on that note to the salesperson who couldn't help me yesterday - I told you there were wide-leg jeans, I'm sorry I don't use womens names to categorize the fit of my pants but, I digress. The other that I'm liking is the Mossimo Black: Premium Denim Crisscross (whatever that means) They look promising but, I have no idea what size I am. Frustrating!!!

It's not fair that just because my jeans aren't trendy that I should be relegated to online shopping exclusively. Do I have to wait another 5, 10, or 15 years before I'll be able to buy them in stores again because that's when the trend will hit again? Do I now have to order both of those jeans in three sizes so can try them all on and see what fits best, only to return 85% of what I order? I hope I can figure this out soon...