by cheapchica11 on April 13, 2009
I just spent the last 5 days lounging by the pool in sunny Cartagena and it quickly dawned on me that Memorial Day is right around the corner so I better get my butt in shape! Anyone that knows me just read that statment and LOL’d but given that I’m approaching 30 at a rapid rate and that I can suddenly see changes in my body (that I don’t love)…I need to put myself on some kind of fitness regiment!
I also realized that the part of working out that excites me most are the outfits…hence why I love tennis! I can’t get enough of those cute skirts and tank tops but they are so expensive and playing in the city is not the easiest thing to do, so I need something easier like Yoga or Pilates that I can do at home or at my local gym!
So to get me started, and hopefully get you inspired to start your Summer fitness plan as well, here are some cute pieces for less than $15 that will have you looking good both in and out of the gym!!
by cheapchica11 on April 12, 2009
This dress stuck out from the pack a few weeks ago when I first saw it online, and now Forever 21 has made a tube top version of it. I like it, but I’m kind of on the fence about the diagonal origami-like pleats because I think they might overwhelm my small frame…
What do you think? Would you buy the dress version or the top…or neither?
by cheapchica11 on April 11, 2009
I’m totally loving Cartagena…the architecture, the people, the food and most of all the overall feeling of being in such an incredible city! I’m staying at the Hotel Charleston Cartagena and if you ever end up in this amazing town, I highly recommend it…it’s right in the heart of the Old City and there’s a fiesta right outside your hotel each night!
I did a little bit of shopping yesterday and what I discovered is that Colombians make some of the prettiest linen fashions I’ve ever seen. Designers like Ketty Tinoco and Beatriz Camacho really take this material to a new level and go beyond traditional beige linen pants and skirts to create gorgeous dresses and shirts with details like cascading ruffles in bold, eye-popping colors like Chartreuse, Marigold and Fuschia!
Unfortunately, the prices for some of these pieces are way out of my budget, but if you’re looking for an affordable (and cool) linen dress for the upcoming Summer months, here’s an adorable one for under $30!
by cheapchica11 on April 11, 2009
With spring blooming right around the corner our bodies are calling for a day at the spa. But every time the word “spa” comes to my mind I see dollar signs instead of relaxation.
My skin is dying for some serious re-hydration and TLC, but I couldn’t find something that was affordable until I found this…
SpaWeek offers countless services for only $50 from April 13th-19th, but act fast…spots fill up really quickly! I was super excited when I saw this website and could not wait to share it with you. They have a list of locations with spa offers, deals, give-aways and all you have to do is sign up! So go ahead and indulge in a facial, aromatherapy massage or that sugar scrub you have been waiting for because this spring should be celebrated with a new you!
by cheapchica11 on April 10, 2009
Shedding the winter blues starts with getting your skin ready for spring. We’ve been hiding under our coats, sweaters, and foundation and spring means new beginnings and shedding all those layers. So get ready to ‘build your face’ for spring and there’s no better place to start than with your skin…
Looking good with less makeup for summer starts with good skin and the best way to shed dry winter skin is to start exfoliating regularly. Add a quarter size of exfoliator to your favorite cream or gel cleanser and use in the shower twice a week. Follow that by using a daily moisturizing lotion that has an SPF15 or more. After this, your skin will look and feel refreshed and it’s ready to glow!
Check out Cosmedicine Self Adjusting Skin Exfoliator and Remede Sweep! Both gently exfoliate and are perfect for even the most sensitive of skin.
Once you’re ready for makeup, begin with a tinted moisturizer which evens out skin just like a foundation, but it looks and feels much lighter. The application technique with this product is key: Blend one direction one area at a time. Any corrective product, like foundation or tinted moisturizer that is rubbed into the skin will actually be removed while being applied if rubbed. Blending with the middle or ring finger will give you better results.
Try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for a light, weightless coverage.
Remember, spring and summer is about making more of an impact with less effort and good skin will always take you further than any color can! You’ll never look as good as you do today…
Dara
by cheapchica11 on April 9, 2009
These enamel earrings would be the perfect compliment to those gorgeous pastels below!! And if you hurry to Charlotte Russe today, you can take advantage of the 2 for $8 jewelry sale that’s going on in-store only!
by cheapchica11 on April 9, 2009
Powder blue, moss green, light lavender, mellow yellow, blush pink and vanilla are among the prettiest shades of pastels and they look as chic as ever when you wear them together! I absolutely love these looks from Erin Featherston’s Spring collection and find them so feminine and whimsical!
When wearing pastels, it can be challenging to put an outfit together that feels chic and sophisticated, instead of one that looks like you’re on your way to lunch at the country club! So try coordinating your outfit with only two shades of pastels instead of many…especially if you’re mixing shades that are close in hue such as powder blue/moss green or even blush pink/vanilla!!
The looks from Erin Featherston’s show are are simply beautiful and although these looks are straight from the runway, here are some fabulous items that won’t set you back a month’s rent! And the best part of wearing pastels is… that they look great on every skin-tone!
by cheapchica11 on April 8, 2009
I’ve received a lot of emails from yall asking for more make-up and beauty content, so I went out and found the one of the industry’s best and brightest and asked her to contribute a weekly column to CheapChicas!
Starting tomorrow, Dara Klein will be providing you with the best information on products, tips and techniques to get your face looking fabulous!
Dara has traveled the globe developing a unique style that has made her not just a makeup artist, but a true educator in the world of makeup. She has worked with Oprah Winfrey, MTV, Good Morning America, WWD, Glamour and she is a regular at New York City Fashion Week where she has worked with designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Nicole Miller, and Richard Tyler!
Dara is also the founder of DARAMASCARA, a make-up studio where she teaches women how to take the cosmetics and tools they already own and learn how to enhance her own features!
Help me welcome her and get ready to look your best!
by cheapchica11 on April 8, 2009
What are some appropriate dresses for a college graduation? I’m graduating on May 14th and would like your help to find something that’s figure flattering and not so boring… it is Spring after all! Also keep in mind that I’m 5′3 and pear-shaped.
Thanks,
Kay
Dear Kay,
Congrats on your graduation…this is a huge moment in your life and you should commemorate it with a dress that not only suits the occasion, but that also makes you look and feel like the smart, sophisticated woman that you are!
When searching for the perfect dress for a pear-shaped body, you’re going to want to find something that draws attention to your upper body so that the attention moves away from the lower half of your body. A “V” neckline or a halter are both great choices for your body type, especially when combined with a shape that moves away from your body, like an A-line cut or even a semi-full skirt.
You should also consider looking for a dress that has a belt or some kind of detail (ruching, pleats, etc.) around the waist so that it helps create the illusion of an hour-glass figure and helps define your waistline.
When it comes to choosing a solid color versus a pattern you really can’t go wrong with either one as long as you keep the shapes I outlined above in mind on your shopping trip. But if you do decide to buy a printed dress, look for a print that’s on a larger scale and that isn’t too busy.
I’m also guessing that your graduation will happen sometime in May/June, so for that time of year you’ll want to find a dress in a light-weight fabric that will feel dressy enough for this special occasion without looking out of place. And this Summer it’s all about color…so look for bright colors like yellow and cobalt blue that will look fabulous in photographs and that will draw all the attention to you!! Here are some great styles that would perfectly for your big day…
by cheapchica11 on April 7, 2009
I happen to love this look on her…
the hair is perfection and the combination of the billowy shirt with the loose shorts feels so fresh and modern. I also like that she’s pulling off some serious short-shorts without coming across trashy or tacky in any way. So if you’re looking to sport shorts after your college years, take a cue from LC…tight shorts are for kids and these are definitely for grown-ups!
She kept the color palette neutral and simple and didn’t overdo it with accessories which make this look feel effortless, even though she probably planned this outfit weeks before her walk down the red carpet!
Here’s a similar look that takes inspiration from the loose silhouettes found in both pieces…nd since each item is less than $30, this is a look you can totally achieve on a budget!
And if you do decide to try this out, don’t forget about the hair which is also a crucial part of executing this look successfully! Click here for a step by step guide to achieve her perfect “twisted pullback” do!
