Fall On A Budget
At the beginning of October I shared my Fall 2012 Must Haves, which included eye-catching patterns & prints, faux leather, fun pants, tweed pieces, asymmetrical details, and the color de jour for Fall – Oxblood.
It’s easy to see pictures from the Fall 2012 collections and put together a mental list of all the things you want, and then give up in frustration because you can’t afford straight-from-the-runway pieces. But I’m here to tell you that we can very easily update your wardrobe for Fall without having to dip into your 401k. I promise!
I like to get one or two great new investment pieces each season – something like an updated but classic Little Black Dress, a chic new handbag, or a timeless trench – but I’ll also collect a handful of fun, on-trend pieces from less expensive stores that quickly update my looks for the season. There are great stores like Zara, ASOS, H&M, and TopShop were you can find trendy, well-made pieces each season for a steal. Read on for some of my personal suggestions & recommendations as well as a collection of great articles that’ll steer you in the right direction for all of your Fall 2012 needs.
- Where Do Editors Really Shop from Refinery 29 is just the sort of article that I love to read – Knowing where the most fashionable and stylish women in the fashion world shop is like being handed the keys to the kingdom! And wouldn’t you know it, along with the high-end designers that you’d expect them to mention, they also list great inexpensive shopping destinations like E-bay, Target, Zara, Amazon, Madewell, J.Crew, TopShop, JewelMint, ShoeMint, and even The Salvation Army. Great news, isn’t it?
- The Glitter Guide’s Caitlin’s Budget Buys: Fall Essentials Under $80 includes fabulous beauty & fashion finds from Target, TopShop, Old Navy, Dorothy Perkins, Christian Siriano for Payless, ASOS, L’Oreal, and Sole Society.
Another lucky break for us fashion obsessed is that more and more high-end designers have been coming out with reasonably priced collections for retailer giants like Payless, Target, and Macys.
{Long-sleeve Shirt Dress in Red Geometric Print – $40 @ Kirna Zabete for Target, Long-Sleeve Satin Blazer – $60 (on sale) @ Nicole Richie for Impulse & Racquel Side Zip Bootine – $50 @ Christian Siriano for Payless}
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Lucky Magazine’s 100 Cheap Fall Finds is a trove of fun Fall pieces from printed pants and embellished collars to chic dresses and leather trimmed jackets. In addition to featuring clothing from Luckymag.com, they included other retail websites like Romwe.com, Pixiemarket.com, Urban1972.com, Levis.com, and Ulta.com.
- Two of the trends that I’m most excited for this Fall are printed pants and leather-trimmed pieces and luckily for all of us the fun website The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style featured fabulous recommendations for both trends – Geometry Class & Just The Sleeves Please. So no matter what type of fashion you’re in the mood for this site has what you’re looking for!
The less expensive secondary lines created by designers and sold at department stores like Bloomingdale’s, Macys, Nordstrom, and Kolh’s are great pieces to keep an eye out for.
{Left to Right: Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Jac’ Denim Leggings – $140 @ Nordstrom, MICHAEL Michael Kors Sleeveless Cowl Neck Banded Bottom Dress – $45 (on sale) @ Bloomingdale’s, and LC Lauren Conrad Embellished Ruffle Tee – $40 @ Kohl’s}
- Not quite sure how to approach stores like Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, or Ross? Refinery 29 took it upon themselves to teach us how in their piece Discount Shopping – How To Shop At Marshalls where they had three different editors put together 6 cute looks under $50. Wow!
- Waiting for stores to have announce a big sale is a great way to find the pieces you’re craving without paying full-price. Not sure just how to make this tactic work for you? Check out Sales Rack Skinny: The Subtle Statement’s Sale Shop Tactics for tips that’ll help you find just what you’re looking for in stores or even online.
Are you still in the mood for more tips, recommendations, and suggestions for updating your wardrobe, Fall dressing, and online shopping? Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Style For Hire and a series of informative posts all about online shopping.
What I’m loving right now…
I definitely go through phases when it comes to the inanimate objects in my daily life – Everything from the beauty products I use to the accessories I wear to the reading materials stacked on my nightstand. Whether you call it a rut or finely tuning your routine, I’m sure you know precisely what I mean.
So here are some of my current (new and past) loves…
{The love of my life, my new Givenchy bag – See Skulls & Givenchy for photos from the first MCLV Style post featuring this bag!}
{My newest mascara acquisition – I’ve mentioned my love of Benefit’s BADGal and Chanel’s Inimitable mascara in the past, but I also like to rotate in a drugstore brand now and again, and I’ve been thrilled with the results of Maybelline’s One by One Volume Express}
{As far as I’m concerned you can’t have enough fun, statement jewelry: Spiked Bracelet – Asos.com & Purple Beaded Necklace – Zara}
{In my opinion the only positive thing about the end of Summer are September issues!}
{SWOON! I’ve been a fan of Moroccan Argan Oil for a while so when I saw this L’Oreal Precious Oil Treatment I jumped at the chance to try it – Not only does it smell like a dream, it’s visibly nourishing}
{It’s official – I’m in love! Skull adorned Steve Madden smoking slippers}
{Fashion Books & Vintage Jewelry. Left: The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia & vintage pearl collar. Right: Parisian Chic – A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange & vintage Vendome tassel necklace}
What are you loving lately? What can’t you get enough of? Have you gotten any fun new pieces or exciting accessories to update your wardrobe or prepare for Fall/Winter 2012/2013?
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Who knows more about traveling in style than a model who spends her life hoping on planes to new destinations for short periods of time? So check this out – Jessica Stam Shares Her Best Travel Tips with Modelinia.
If you’re decorating like The Glamourai than you’re probably in the market for new and exciting wall art. Next to rugs and furniture, art is one of the most expensive parts of decorating a home, so why not make a piece yourself? { DIY } Tumbling Block Art.
Do you have Olympic fever? Why not admire these fantastic athletes for more than just their athlete prowess – 6 Stylish Olympians Who Have Amazing Off-Duty Style!
Sometimes you need to turn to the experts for tips and ideas – 5 Style Tips Stolen From Our Favorite Bloggers.
As you know I’m quite dedicated Zara fan, so why not indulge ourselves in some fabulous fashion courtesy of the much-loved Spanish retailer – Lace & Leather, Florals & Frills: 12 Fabulously Femme Zara Finds.
Health & Fitness:
One of my favorite apparatuses in the gym is the medicine ball, it’s versatile and always gives me a great workout. Don’t believe me? Ab Exercises Using a Ball – 3 Core-Strengthening Moves Using a Medicine Ball.
If you want to be healthy one of the most important factors is getting enough sleep. From hectic schedules to stressful lives to poor diets, there are many ways that your sleeping habits can be affected for the worse. Gala Darling has you covered – Hey, Tired Girl… Here’s How To Get The Happiest, Dreamiest Sleep Ever!
If you’re interested in a vegetarian or vegan diet but are worried about your protein intake – Don’t! Read my Plant-Based Protein post or The No Meat Athlete’s Protein for Vegetarians — A Simple Guide to Getting What You Need.
Dessert time! Check out these delicious, raw, nut-based vegan bars from FitSugar (Forget the Oven! Nutty Vegan No-Bake Treats) or try mom, baking genius, and author of Peas and Thank You: Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love Sarah Matheny of Peas and Thank You’s Triple Chocolate Zucchini Cake.
My number one suggestion to people who ask for dieting and healthy lifestyle tips is to keep track of what you’re eating. Mindless snacking and eating multiple servings in a sitting are the biggest threats to a healthy diet, so check out these apps and start keeping track of what you put in your mouth – Food Journal iPhone Apps to Lose Weight on the Go.
Skull Candy
And by candy I mean fabulous things that I want – Jewelry, clothes, nail art, and accessories galore. All with fabulous skull designs.
So… I have a thing for skulls. Not a creepy morbid type of thing or a Halloween-only thing, just a deep and enduring love of all things skull adorned.
I think perhaps because I’m born on Dia De Los Muertos…
I mean, how cute is that???
So in celebration of my skull love I’d like to share some adorable pieces and pictures and inspiration that I’ve found, and hopefully convert you all!
How killer are these leggings? I love the idea of a fun printed piece like this one taking center stage in an otherwise minimally styled look, but Fashion Coolture proves you can take things a step further and add another printed piece like this striped top. It’s busy but it works.
Why not wear a swimsuit with your pants? Why not wear a skull adorned swimsuit with your pants?
{Top Left: Nemesis Women’s Punk Rock Collection Skull Leather Cuff Band Watch – $40 @ Endless.com, Top Right: Dogeared Skull Charm – $35 @ CUSP, Bottom Left: Alexander McQueen Swarovski Skull Ring – $200 @ Net-A-Porter, and Bottom Right: Cherry Skull Double Wrap Bracelet – $250 @ Alexander McQueen}
Clearly Lee McQueen and I had something in common…
And just in case you were worried that skulls were too serious for your style, Betsey Johnson gave them a colorful new makeover!
{ Left: Betsey Johnson “Rio” Skull and Cherry Mismatch Earrings – $50 @ Endless.com & Right: Betsey Johnson Skull Fruit Stud Earring – $30 @ Piperlime}
And the new piece that I just ordered online in celebration of this post?
{You can shop similarly adorable Skull Candy pieces over at ASOS Fashion Finder}
Come on, tell me the truth, are you a convert now? 🙂
Chanel’s Little Black Jacket
Fashion insiders, celebrities, models, designers, photographers, magazine editors, Chanel-lovers, and Karl’s international flotilla of muses all flocked to Soho to celebrate the launching of this gorgeous coffee table book. The event was held in an elegant loft space which perfectly complemented the black and white photographs blown up from the book that adorned the walls and acted as the perfect background for the primarily Chanel-clad guests.
Even her sexy sequined gown couldn’t outshine Joan’s smile! Wow!
It’s all about the black & white to stand out in red carpet photographs – These models definitely know how to make a a high impact entrance.
The statuesque Karolina Kurkova struck a pose in all-white, not a feat for mere mortals.
Never one to fade into the background, the stunning Hanneli Mustaparta posed with Caroline Winberg in everyone’s favorite Stella McCartney dress this season.
There was lots of Summer white to enjoy at this event, from hippie-inspired maxi dresses to chic dresses and separates, these ladies know what works best for them.
The Mad Men star looked phenomenal in a traditional Chanel tweed jacket in pale lemon yellow
And the surprise guest? Freja Beha Erichsen, whose photograph appears in the book, emerged for a night out on the town after having mysteriously sat out the last season of runway shows.
Biker chick chic!
Source, Source, Source & Source
You can even check out a FabSugar highlight video from the event if you’re in the mood for some more play-by-play.
Moi Contre La Vie 