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


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Rose to the Occasion

by Ann Whitbeck on April 12, 2012

I have a little secret to share with you-I have been cheating on my gold accessories.  And the way things are looking, I may never go back. Rose gold has me whipped…and this is coming from a girl who used to never feel dressed without her over-sized gold watch.

Well, times have changed. Spring has sprung and along with it comes softer, pastel pieces that are perfectly complimented by a little rose tint. Rose gold accessories give any outfit the same luxe feel of gold, but with a softer, more ladylike touch. Hopefully this trend stays around long enough for me to save up for this Michael Kors Watch ($250). But until then, this one from ASOS will have the same impact without the cost.  It’s only $40!

Accessories are your chance to put a finishing touch and unique edge to any outfit. That’s why I love adding this belt ($10!!) to a basic look. You could even add rose gold ballet flats to any colored sun-dress or a pair of white jeans!

Even Victoria Beckham is getting in on this rose-gold rush…she had Brian Atwood create custom rose gold Maniac pumps for her models (and her) to wear at her fashion show!

And for those of you especially crazy about rose gold, you can even try some subtle highlights–in your HAIR! Rose gold was seen on the Spring runways not only on accessories, but yes, in models’ hair! I am seriously considering trying this look out, but with some semi-permanent color…what do you think? Will you be giving up your yellow gold for rose gold?

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The F.A.B. Report: The Statement Earring

by cheapchica11 on April 11, 2012

The latest trend in jewelry gives an instantly glamorous transformation to any subtle ensemble…we’re talking about the statement earring and the bigger the better!

Molly Sims toned down her printed maxi with a black blazer, but added an unexpected bold pop of color with turquoise earrings. I love how she let her earrings spotlight her look, with a sleek ponytail, and no added jewelry.

If your style is all about classic separates paired with bold statement pieces, this trend is definitely for you and you can find this trend at every price point…

For more of a splurge, these chandelier earrings by Kendra Scott would be a great addition to your wardrobe…they’re the perfect shade of turquoise that goes with just about everything in your Spring/Summer wardrobe! And just think how good they’d look with a little Tangerine Tango!

If you love this season’s neon pops of color, but want a less risky version of the trend, why not try this pair that looks almost identical to Molly’s for under $20

The key to wearing big turquoise earrings is avoiding anything that looks too Southwestern-inspired.  Instead of pairing them with a silver tone, opt for gold or a brass metal.  You also want to avoid actual turquoise stones and look for something turquoise colored for a more modern take on the stone.

Now if you’re in the mood for all out glam, this pair for under $50 from MANGO is the only accessory you need for a night out!

But remember, Molly styled these right by going minimal on all other jewelry. When you’re earrings are this bold, you don’t really need much else so let them stand alone!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement.

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Look for Less: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

by Ann Whitbeck on April 9, 2012

Looking for an alternative for your basic jeans and tee with ballet flats ensemble? Well, look no further, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has given us all a little lesson in cool.

I love this outfit because, well, it is not your basic jeans and tee but it is equally as comfortable and it nails so many trends in a not-too-trendy way. Make sense? Let’s discuss…

She has dressed down black leather pants (an item usually saved for girls night out!) and made them a totally wearable jeans alternative. Part of what makes these leather pants work is the fit. The looser the fit the less “big night on the town” they look.

You could also opt for a “coated” jean for a more budget friendly version of a leather pant…and remember, keep the fit loose, almost like a BF jean so I would suggest going up a size.

Her silver cap toe shoes are MAJOR! They give the outfit a fun, refined bad-girl edge. And if you don’t want to wear pumps, like these from ASOS, during the day, check out these cap-toe ballet flats I found from Nordstrom. They’re casual and trendy but tasteful and functional.

And for the final essential piece to carry off this look, a blue (the color for Spring!) handbag. This one from Big Buddah has the same carry-all luxe feel without the $5,000+ price tag!

Pair these key items with your basic grey tee and a black blazer to give your outfit a little more of a Rosie-remix!

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Back on The Today Show…with VIDEO!

by cheapchica11 on March 29, 2012

UPDATE: Here’s the clip from The Today Show… and can I just say how incredibly sweet and gorgeous Savannah is!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I’m so excited to be back on The Today Show this morning in the 8am hour! Please tune in to find out what I’m loving about these celebrity looks…

…and in true CheapChica fashion, some of them you can get for under $5 bucks! ;)

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Trend Alert: Aztec Prints

by cheapchica11 on March 28, 2012

I’ve been desperately searching for a grown up interpretation of this trend and I’ve finally found it in this skirt!

Aztec prints have been a summer trend for the last few years, but presented in ripped tees and styles that appeal to the high-school set, I usually skip them because they just feel a little to young for me.

Higher-end lines like All Saints always seem to strike the right balance with this print but it’s been a real challenge to find anything that looks sophisticated enough (at a budget friendly price) for those of us who are over thirty!

And then came this skirt…which works for two reasons, the muted color palette and the sequins. I can’t wait to wear this out once the weather gets a little warmer and I plan on styling it similar to the picture for both day and night.

A classic white button-down helps balance out the sexiness of the hemline and dressiness of the sequins…when it comes to shoes, you could just as easily style it with flat gladiator sandals or a pair of high-heel sandals!

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Look for Less: Louboutin Pigalle Plato Pump

by cheapchica11 on March 27, 2012

Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I talk about the necessity of a fabulous nude pump in every woman’s wardrobe.

This shoe is perfect for hard to figure out fashion situations where you stand in front of the mirror asking “what shoe would look good with this?”…it’s perfect for those days when you feel 10lbs heavier and need an instant slim down and it’s essential on any day when you want to look chic, sophisticated and put together.

I’ve had my nude (almond-toe) Louboutin Pigalle pumps for more than six years now…it was one of my first big splurge items and in that time they’ve more than paid for themselves.  I’ve worn them countless times and they still look just as good as they did on the day I bought them…with the help of my very talented cobbler!

But lately I’ve been into a pointier toe…like the new Pigalle update, called the Pigalle Plato.  This toe feels so fresh and while I’m tempted to splurge again, I have a feeling this toe is more of a fad than a classic look.

So when I found this style from Nine West I was beyond excited.  The shade is slightly cooler than the Louboutin, but the toe and the thin platform are almost identical.  And for under $100 you can’t beat the price! I own this style in a black satin version and they are one of the most comfortable pairs of pumps in my closet.  I wore them out right after I bought them and NO blisters!

If you are in the market for a new nude pump or are looking for an update to the ones you have I can’t recommend a better choice!

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Sponsored Post: Local Trends…Miami

by Ann Whitbeck on March 27, 2012

With so many of us heading out for Spring Break or a little cold weather get-a-way, I thought it would be fun to spotlight the “local trends” in one of my favorite warm weather destination…Miami!

Miami has so much to offer its locals and visitors. From gorgeous beaches to endless shopping, there is something for everyone. When they aren’t in bikinis, Miami-goers are often found wearing vibrant clothing.

Miami temperatures do drop and it frequently rains in the winter. When the chillier weather hits, a fitted top and jeans are popular choices. Put on a cozy top like the Simply Vera Vera Wang Chiffon Cardigan from Kohl’s. To add a bit of shine to your daytime look, opt for a bold statement Simulated Crystal Necklace from Simply Vera Vera Wang.

No matter the weather, at night it’s all about a form-fitting dress. Try pairing this Chaps Solid Pintuck dress with a Leopard Woven Straw Clutch.

During a warm day, there’s nothing quite like relaxing at the pool or beach! A Leaf Chiffon Caftan Dress from Jennifer Lopez is perfect for Miami because it’s vibrant and easy to throw on over a wet bikini.

This post was sponsored by KOHL’S.

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Small is the New Bag

by cheapchica11 on March 26, 2012

I don’t know about you, but whatever purse I’m using becomes my excuse to carry around my whole life. I will throw everything and anything in there, you know, for “just in case” purposes. It becomes the coffin of every receipt I’ve ever touched and the land of the lost lip-glosses.

But since spring has made an early appearance, why shouldn’t spring cleaning, right? It is all about downgrading, ladies. Reducing clutter, clothes we don’t wear anymore, and even the size of our bags … yes I said it, small is the new big this spring.

These mini bags, from shoulder styles to cross body, will force us to re-evaluate the contents of our purses and only carry the necessities because, well, space will be limited.

Apart from being drop dead adorable, they are being shown in bright and bold colors for spring, like this orange number from Mango on sale for $63.99 or this budget buy from Charlotte Russe for under $20 bucks!

If the thought of only carrying one lip gloss, a cell phone, a credit card, and a few pieces of gum is terrifying, you need a mini bag that is so one-of-a-kind and worthwhile, that it makes you forget about all the missing items…maybe something like this Velvet Tassel Grab Bag from ASOS for $29.54. If I was to have a love affair with a purse, it would be  with this one. It is versatile in the sense that you can rock it to the office, out lunching with the ladies, or even with that prized little black dress. It’s all in the details with this bag, from the vintage vibe of the velvet, to the long dangle of the tassel. A mini bag heart throb, if you will.

Starring at my large tote that is busting at the seams is desperately making me want to jump ship to this mini must-have. With so many colors, textures and styles to choose from, you can find one to complement any look. Now all you have to do is start separating the “must-have” from the “just in case”.

See more from Kate on her blog, LifeSucksInAStraplessBra!

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Look for Less: Floral Blazer

by cheapchica11 on March 23, 2012

Brooklyn Decker has definitely been added to my best-dressed list…besides her impeccable style and the ability to make every fashion statement look effortless she always looks so confident in her clothes and it’s so fun to see her on the red carpet!

She recently turned heads in a trendy floral blazer from Dolce & Gabanna which made her LBD look anything but basic. Toned down accessories and simple black sandals allowed her bold blazer to make a very Spring-time statement!

If you look in my closet, you’ll see it’s filled with blazers…they’re always go-to items whenever I’m in a rush to get ready but I’ve noticed that all my options are solids and in this very print-friendly season, a floral blazer would make a great addition!

One of my favorites out there at the moment is this style from Rebecaa Minkoff…but it’s quite pricey for something I may not love come next spring. But if you’re looking to splurge, a garment like this one with the capability to transform any basic ensemble into something totally fabulous may be worth spending on!

For more affordable options, I’m happy to report that there are quite a few out there! H&M has a great floral blazer for under $50 bucks and I love the draped construction of this floral blazer from Forever 21. Major plus, it’s under $20!

If you’re looking for versatility, a printed floral blazer is definitely a wardrobe essential!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement.

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Look for Less: Louis Vuitton Merry Go Round Pumps

by cheapchica11 on March 20, 2012

From Gwyneth Paltrow to Kristen Stewart, the front row at Louis Vuitton read like a who’s who of Hollywood and the one thing all of these fabulous women had in common, the designer’s coveted cap toe pumps.

I absolutely love the pale yellow version of this pump that Corrine Bailey Rae was just spotted wearing-it’s such a fresh alternative to the all nude and white pumps we’ve been seeing for Spring!

And if you’d like to add these to your shoe closet, these Metal Toe Pumps from Zara look almost identical!  Here they are on one of my favorite bloggers, Liz from Late Afternoon

But for $129-they’re quite the steal compared to the $9950 price tag of the Louis Vuitton version! Or you could also opt for this similar pair from ASOS or this $50 pair from Mango!

If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate the soft pastel palette you’ve been seeing this shoe is the best way to do it…wear it with an all black ensemble, a printed mini or with this season’s must have, a cropped pant!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement.

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