CheapChica’s Guide to Style — The CheapChica's Guide to Style


From the category archives:

Want But Can't Have

Want but can’t have…

by Avery on March 29, 2011

It’s no secret that fashion weeks are just as much about what’s being worn off the runway as what’s on it. This year, as I clicked through the street style, I saw the same bag hanging from the arms of the fashion elite over and over again: the Céline Luggage Tote.

Mmmmm that is one b-e-a-utiful bag. The ultra-smooth leather… the simple, but still super-unique design… the just right size for everything you need on a busy, city day… somebody, stop me, please! Mary-Kate’s got one, so do Alexa Chung, Leighton Meester and Nicole Richie.

Yep, I want that bag. But, alas, I definitely can’t have it. Depending on style, the tote costs about $3,000. The structure is so distinctive, too, that its impossible to find anything quite like it at a more affordable price…those details come with a high cost, but get inspired by the structure and the overall look of this tote and you’ll find some great alternatives!

We can all appreciate a lust-worthy find, though…what’s your completely over-the-top, dream handbag splurge?

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Want But Can’t Have: DANNIJO

by cheapchica11 on May 24, 2010

Picture 6Except for a few times when I was watching Gossip Girl (hello, season finale), I’ve never been moved enough to use this expression until now…forget about any other statement necklace you’ve seen before, these breathtaking creations from DANNIJO give the word statement a totally new meaning.

My friend Jenn Falik told me about these these very talented sisters whose designs are truly one of a kind and while their collection is completely out of my budget, when I find something this special I have to share it with all of you!  I mean who doesn’t like looking at something this beautiful!?!

This talented design duo even has a super cool blog that’s full of fun finds, personal pics and ideas/inspirations for the season’s biggest trends!

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Dreaming of Iosselliani

by cheapchica11 on February 7, 2010

Picture 2My hubby and I made a deal last October that we weren’t going to do any big Christmas or V-Day gifts because we treated ourselves to a very nice anniversary present, but now that the 14th is right around the corner, I can’t help but do a little online browsing!

While I was looking around online I came across the blog Now Craving, which happens to belong to one of my fabulous readers, and my mouth totally dropped when I saw her post on these stackable Iosselliani rings. I have been desperately looking for a “signature” ring to wear on my right hand and the second I saw these I knew they were “it”!

I’d never heard of this brand before, but now I will never forget them!! They’re based in Rome and make some of the most unique and modern jewelry I’ve ever seen.  The duo who’s behind the brand is all about mixing metals and creating contemporary jewelry that’s inspired by classic and traditional pieces.

You can find their creations at stores like Barney’s, Lane Crawford and Harvey Nichols…and you know what that means…big ticket prices!  The rings above retail for $234 but I did manage to find this similar set on sale for $188 at Tobi- now I know that’s not a budget buy by any means, but it you’re BF/Husband/Partner is asking you what you want, maybe this would make for the perfect gift!

And in case you’ll be doing the buying this V-day, here are some stackable rings that won’t break your budget!

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Want But Can’t Have: Badgley Mischka

by cheapchica11 on October 3, 2009

Picture 2OK….Seriously? Can you check out these gorgeous ruffled pumps by Badgley Mischka…who even know they made shoes!? I was recently on Heels.com (amazing shoe site btw) and decided to check out Badgley Mischka’s shoe collection.

They were all so pretty but when I saw these AMAZING pumps I instantly wanted them. Wouldn’t you? Unfortunetly my ruffled must-haves are $194.00 so I guess I’ll just have to wait and pray that they go on sale!

UPDATE: Found these for half the price and less!!!

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Pure Perfection

by cheapchica11 on July 29, 2009

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The hair, the lips, the eyes, the dress, the shoes…everything!  Diane Kruger is quickly becoming one of my favorite women on the red carpet and I am dying over this Herve Leger mini!  I love the kick skirt and the fact that there’s some serious shoulders on this dress…the bold shoulder is definitely back!!  Can I please, please, please have this dress!!!

And with that I’m off to bed to dream about a closet full of beautiful clothes that are far too expensive for my wallet…Nite!

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Crazy for Coco!

by cheapchica11 on July 22, 2009

alexander_coco-421x540And not Chanel this time…

This time it’s all about Alexander Wang’s Coco Duffle which I fell in LOVE w/when I saw MK Olsen sporting it months and months ago…sometimes I hate those  mini-moguls!!

Anyway, the bag is finally available at a few online stores (b/c there’s no WAY anyone in Philadelphia has it) but it’s going fast and with good reason…

It’s you really think about it, the bags is kind of like a mullet…business on the top and a total party on the bottom!!  If you’re interested in making a serious investment ($850 to be exact) I think you would get a TON of wear out of something like this and you would make this CheapChica very very jealous!!

mary-kate-alex-wang-coco-duffel-sm1

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Inspired by Roksanda Ilincic

by cheapchica11 on July 1, 2009

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I’m not usually upset by the fact that I can’t spend some outrageous amount of money on one article of clothing because most items aren’t really worth that kind expenditure…but then I come across something exquisite and beautiful like this Roksanda Ilincic dress and all my thrifty morals go right out the window!!

I’m completely in love with this dress and if I had the kind of lifestyle where one could wear clothes like this, I might just save all my pennies and make a trip to the Penny Arcade to be able to afford it!

But while I wait for all my change to add up, I can still find some inspiration from the colors and styling of this look for a fraction of the cost!! And in case you just came into some serious cash…you can find link to the Roksanda dress at the end of my “look for less” widget below!!

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Jessica Kagan Resin Bangles

by cheapchica11 on June 28, 2009

picture-42I saw these resin bangles when they first hit the scene a few years back in ivory and black…and while I thought they were cute, they definitely weren’t worth the $100 price tag!

Well now Jessica Kagan has come out with a new version for the summer in an assortment of starburst colors like Cobalt, Fucshia, Yellow and Green and with some cute-sy sayings like…

“Toto I feel like we’re not in Kansas anymore”…”We’ll always have Paris…and “All this and brains too!”

I found these on sale at Singer 22 for $66.50, but that’s still way too expensive for a bracelet so I’ll just keep them on my wish list for now!!

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Shoes, Shoes and More Shoes

by cheapchica11 on June 21, 2009

picture-34UPDATE:  Use code SPIN30 to save 30% on these + FREE shipping!!!

I clearly have hot pink and shoes on the brain so I’m sorry for the back to back posts, but I tried these on last week and like Kylie sings…”I just can’t get you out of my head”!!

These Makel shoes by Steve Madden are exactly what I need to add new life to everything in my closet, but they cost $109.90 which is outrageous for a pair of SM shoes!  I used my 20% off coupon code (CJDAD20) but that barely brought the price down to under $100 w/shipping…

so for now I’ll just have to wait and hope that they go on sale before the end of the Summer!!

FYI: The color on the Steve Madden website is totally off…this pic is from Zappos and it’s a much truer representation of what they look like in person.

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Report Card

by cheapchica11 on April 24, 2009

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I’ve been a huge fan of the company Report ever since I saw these FABULOUS shoes featured on the Today show a while back!  I thought they were the perfect way to incorporate some eye-popping Neon into my closet and I don’t exactly need to be forced into buying new shoes!  I immediately found them online and added them to my “want but can’t have” list because they cost a whopping $185… so unless someone really loves me and wants to send me a belated birthday present, then these babies won’t be making it into my closet anytime soon!

picture-215Nonetheless, I instantly became a Report fan so when I was shopping at Nordstrom’s yesterday I checked out the rest of the collection.  I loved it but I was really surprised to see that they also made flats…unbelievably, dream-like comfortable flats!

I put them on my feet and they literally felt like slippers so I wasn’t walking out of the store without them… espeically since I need a good pair of flats for my upcoming trip to Cairo!  If you’re in the market for a great pair of flat shoes that are comfortable and stylish, I highly recommend these!   They also come in really cute colors like Hot Pink and Purple, but I picked them up in White!!

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