budget fashion blog

Steve Madden Finely Wedge: $39.99

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Summer is winding down, but its not over yet. These wedges are the perfect item to rejuvenate your wardrobe for the rest of the summer. And they’re so cheap you won’t even feel guilty about wearing them for two months!

Fit: Perfect fit! I love Steve Madden! Their shoes are really well priced for the quality and this pair is no exception. I can wear these for hours without feeling a thing.

I have gotten so many compliments on them  and others asking me where I got them. I got mine at DSW, but online you can find them at Journey’s or Zappos (Journey’s is $20 cheaper!).

Shopper’s Notes: I love these shoes in the Natural color I have. They go with everything and have been totally versatile. However, the other day I saw someone wearing them in the Khaki (pictured above) and thought they looked so chic! They looked almost army green, which is a color you can never go wrong with. With so little summer left, I’m sure these will be able to transition into next summer, so wear them while you can and hope next summer comes fast!

Over the last two years many of you have asked me to post what I’m wearing or encouraged me to do daily outfit posts on the blog…and while CheapChicas.com wasn’t really the right place for it, my brand new tumblr blog Lilliana Loves… is!

I’m so excited to share what I’m wearing with you and get your feedback (good or bad) and hopefully inspire you to have your own adventures in fashion!  And any advice from all you fabulous personal style bloggers is much appreciated.

I hope this new blog enhances your experience with CheapChicas and gives you some insight into my  personal style choices and how I love to dress for work, play or just for fun!

XOXO, Lilliana

PS: If you’re not already, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr!

Its pretty much a dream come true for any girl in America who loves high fashion on a budget…Zara is introducing E-commerce to the USA on September 7th! And just in time for stocking up on fall’s trendiest pieces!!

For those of you who don’t know about Zara (I’m sure you all do though), in one word it is…A-MAZING! All of their clothes are budget friendly and incredibly on trend each season. The prices are usually about $20-25 more than your average H&M and Forever21 prices, but the quality is nicer too.

Actual brick and mortar stores in America are scarce, my closest Zara is a half hour away (which is pretty lucky actually), but now fashionistas from all over the country will finally be able to indulge in the European gem with a click of a mouse.

And bonus! We will now be able to feature some our most favorite pieces from every season on the blog, because they will be finally be able to accessible online. Check out their website now to see their fall line and prices and  then start your wishlists girls, because as soon as it launches, I’m sure, everything will disappear fast.

I’m having a bit of a moment right now…and while I’m usually very excited to be excited about something new, this kind of moment is the kind that can cost me a lot of money and a lot of regret.  I’m a devoted ShopStyle user (and you should be too) but lately they’re really getting me with their “Editor’s Picks” like these rose gold Brian Atwood pumps.  OMG.  I die. MUST HAVE.

I need them like a plant needs water and since my husband might just kill me if I bring home another pair of shoes (and divorce me when he finds out how much), I need to find a way to get my rose gold fix without actually buying them…bring in the accessories!

Rose gold happens to be oh-so hot right now so there’s plenty to choose from and just like the shoes, accessories are a great way to get what you’re craving without having to hide your credit card bills.  I was convinced that a bold ring, a chunky necklace or an oversized watch watch in rose  could all make that same statement and add some serious luxe to my look…so I was on a mission to find the perfect piece when I came across this Kenneth Cole watch.

It’s the perfect combo of sporty and stylish all at once and since it’s so different from my everyday stainless watch, I knew it was something that would make my day feel fresh and new.  I love the weight of it and the fact that it doesn’t feel chintzy…the white against the rose gold feels so modern and I love the simplicity of the face. If you’re looking to add a new watch to your collection, this is one I definitely recommend! And in case a rose gold watch isn’t quite your style, check out these other options that help ease the pain of not getting these Brian Atwood shoes!

More Warner’s…

It’s not a mini and it’s not a maxi, the perfect way to head into fall is the midi. As an avid fan of Mad Men (are you a Betty or a Joan?) and after swooning over the Louis Vuitton midi-looks on the Paris runway, I could not be more excited for this trend–consider it a Draper-way of dressing and who doesn’t love that?  And while this new trend comes with less worries of wardrobe malfunctions than a mini it needs a little more know-how to pull it off just right!

From the runways of Louis Vuitton to the high street, this trend offers so many options. It can be worn in the office, to a dinner date or you could even try a more casual variation for errands or day of shopping.  Here are some ways to take the midi to the maximum level!

Height vs Length: The taller you are, the longer you can go. Mid calf and/or A-line skirts are best left for those gams over 5’5”. For those of us 5’4” and under, lets stick to the just below the knee length (and don’t forget your heels!).

Color Block It: Pair a bright red midi with a neutral top. Or try a black leather midi with a silky neon tank to add texture and fun to your ensemble. Stick to nude shoes with this look to lengthen those legs and leave the attention on the outfit.

An Office Fashion: Take it to work a’ la Mad Men style. Think tailored, A-line black or navy skirts with simple white tops and make it into your own uniform. A neutral canvas of colors with some bright and bold accessories or a colored cardigan is an easy way to amp up your office style this fall.

Fit or Flow: A fitted cotton midi and a loose crop top is not only comfortable but on trend for a day or running errands or shopping with the girls. If you choose to let it flow on the bottom like this skirt, go opposite on top and go for a fitted tee or tank. Throw on a leather jacket and make it a go-to date night look.

For more from our latest contributor Jammie, please visit her blog faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!

InStyle.com recently featured Rachel Bilson and her exceptional style sense as their “Look of the Day” and rightfully so! She’s easily one of our favorite (petite) fashionistas and I’ve loved her style since her O.C. days!

In an Erdum floral button-down blouse, bright red pants, and beautiful leopard Christian Louboutin heels–Rachel was rockin’ the cameras in a very tailored, classy look! The mismatched combination of prints and colors, set the chic factor through the roof with this ensemble! So let me get to the good part..

if you want something similar it’s easier and cheaper than you may think! Like all of you, I absolutely love this outfit but the Louboutins alone would set me back a month’s rent, so I’ve compiled several affordable similar pieces from one of my favorite stores–Zara.com, that look just as fab!

These skinny red trousers featured on Zara’s website are almost identical to the slacks Rachel Bilson is wearing. They sell for $59.90!

This floral top from Zara is lightweight with a fun, simple pattern. It will tuck in nicely to the red skinny trousers and create a very clean, classic look.

This leopard peeptoe happens to be one of my favorite pairs of shoes lately. They are on sale at Zara stores for $29.99! You can’t beat that price! What I love about this show is that it looks way more expensive than it really is and will look stunning with the skinny red trousers!

So see…you can look like a celebrity and still be on a budget…Enjoy!

For more from our newest contributor Vickie, please visit her blog  www.fashionswalkin.com!

Audrey Brooke Satchel at DSW: $99.00

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When shopping off-price stores like DSW I always search the racks for great deals on bags. A good handbag is an investment and its hard to find one that looks expensive….until now. Audrey Brooke handbags are made of genuine leather and while $99 is not a steal, it is a bargain for real leather.

Fit: What made me pick up this bag is its high quality appearance. Its structured, clean, and looks like something our favorite celebrities might be carrying. And I love the hardware!

The size is very generous–it has two large separate zippered compartments that will always keep you organized…no more searching forever for your car keys!

Shopper’s Notes: Personally, black is the only way to go. When buying inexpensive leather bags, stay away from anything with a pattern/texture or in a bold statement color because they can come off looking cheap. In black, this bag like it cost 10x as much as it actually does and all your friends will be begging to borrow it!

Money Saving Tip: If you shop at DSW and have a Rewards Card, make sure you check to see if you have any awards that you can redeem online. And if you don’t have one, get one when you buy this bag…DSW makes it very easy to add up points and then you can save $10 on your next purchase!

I will be honest, I am one of those rare Fashionistas who wears very minimal make-up. You give me a good mascara and a bit of lip gloss and I am in heaven, all that matters are those killer shoes and handbags. However as of late I have become obsessed with all things make-up. It’s as if the five-year old in me has re-awakened and all she wants to do is experiment with color and what better place to do this than at Sephora.

During my latest 8AM visit to the Wall Street Sephora, I discovered what has to be the must have make-up palette for all Fashionistas, The Allure Beauty Editor Palette by Sephora!

The palette consists of 5 mini-palettes which are made up of 6 eye shadows, one blush or bronzer and a non-sticky lip gloss, yes ladies non-sticky. It also includes one carrying case which fits all the mini palettes and can be thrown in your work tote or your evening clutch. But hold on it gets even better the value of the palette is $150 however it is being sold for $34.00, is this a bargain or what?

And the best pat is that the palette has colors for every season, so you will not have to buy make-up for a very long time. Whether you are just beginning to experiment with make-up (like myself) or are a make-up junky, you must get to Sephora as soon as possible and purchase this palette, you will not be the least bit disappointed! Have fun experimenting with the beautiful colors and don’t be afraid to try out new looks for the upcoming season!

They may just be the “it” boot of the fall and I for one am a huge fan! While I love my high heels (boots included) they are not so fun to walk in and after a summer of teetering around in super high sandals I’m so looking forward to a boot that’s not only stylish but practical too!

The “Dicker” boot by Isabel Marant is a celeb favorite- stars like Kate Bosworth, Nicole Richie and the stunning Rosie Huntington Whiteley (pictured here) have all been spotted in theirs…the only thing is these boots also come with an A-list price tag.  $800 bucks to be exact and even at that price, they’re still sold out everywhere!  Who knew so many people could afford to buy eight hundred dollar boots!? Regardless of the price tag, these boots are haunting me and they seem to be following me everywhere I go…meaning: I need them stat!

I was on a shoot for New York LIVE a few weeks ago and the stylist on set used a similar pair on a model that she swore were from the GAP…so I’ve been stalking their site since then but nothing yet.  Luckily I kept my eyes open and found a very similar style at Zara on sale for $35…but I also found this pair from Steve Madden on Piperlime.

They’re almost identical and for $129 they’re not a bad deal when you think of how much the originals are.  If you want this look, I think these are your best bet! SteveMadden.com also carries them in black and cognac (the color Rosie’s wearing in the pic) but if they’re still too pricey you may want to wait for one of those in-store sales or email coupon codes to try and save 20-30% off!

Either way, I’m getting them in two colors and I know they’ll be my go to come Fall!