Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Seven Must-Have Sale Items For Under $100!

Now that I’m in the throes of dual employment, it’s become clearer than ever to be conscious of what investments I’m making in my wardrobe. I always love to find end-of-the-season deals on sale, especially when they feel like brand new pieces the following year. However, I’ve been seeing a lot of cute separates & accessories that I’m eager to mix & match on these cooler spring nights, into the summer, & eventually include for some fashionable fall outfits. Making tiny purchases here & there are easy on your budget & can really change the way you reinvent old favorites.

Recommended sale items include Dress Barn‘s shimmer stripe sweater ($19.00) in silver, which is perfect for over a maxi dress with ankle boots, or how I recently wore it with leggings & sparkly ballet flats. Also, the Just Chic tee ($7.99) from Forever 21 is exactly what it advertises to be; try wearing this with leather skinny pants & a bold boyfriend blazer, or to dress down a peasant skirt & gladiator flats. I’m always one for a cute skirt, which is why I’ve included the striped jersey pencil skirt ($12.99) in blue from Old Navy. It’s casual enough to wear for brunch with a pullover & a denim jacket, but it can also be worn with a blouse & belted cardigan.

My favorite piece is the Drew dotted cuffed ankle pant ($22.49) from The Limited, which mixes spring’s trendiest fabric, chambray, with the always-classic polka dot print. These will pair well with a nautical-inspired top in stripes or a neon embellished blouse. Affordable accessories include the faux suede colorblock flat ($13.95) in red from GOjane, jewel drops diamondite stretch cuff ($9.25) from Claire’s, & the snakeskin embossed metallic skinny belt ($13.93) in ivory from Express.

The total for these pieces is under $100, ringing in at $99.60, which is quite the bargain! How would you style some of these pieces? What sale items are you eyeing? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out the details behind 3.1 Phillip Lim’s latest collaboration with Target, Ashley Madekwe’s Topshop jumpsuit look, spring-ready cardigans for under $25, & stylish shirt dresses for any size! Happy Styling!

Fabulous In 4 Ways: An Old Navy Graphic Tee For Day, Weekend, Date, & Cocktail!

There’s so much going on in fashion right now & all of the latest spring styles have been hitting retailers, which means that it’s time to consider how you can revamp your wardrobe for the upcoming season. One trick that I recently experimented with was how to dress up a graphic tee for more than just a day look, which is the inspiration behind my latest Fabulous in 4 Ways post. I’m always drawn to pretty t-shirts with fashion-related designs, something Parisian, or a classic Hello Kitty print, however the watercolor-graphic v-neck tee ($14.94) in lodge khaki from Old Navy caught my eye for its modern look over a neutral hue. I’ve decided to share how to style this top for day, weekend, date, & cocktail, ranging in price from $83.52 – $133.48.

For the day look, I loved bringing out fun colors like the 1969 always skinny jeans ($21.99) in lemon meringue from Gap & pairing it with the Christian Siriano Camile bow flat ($26.99) in dark green from Payless. Of course there’s always dark denim as an option, but I loved the neutrality of the tabbed sleeve jacket ($22.50) in Olive from Wet Seal. For an extra splash of style, I picked the 1928 jet-tone filigree teardrop earrings ($5.00) from Kohl’s, which will dress up any casual look & even work with a sheath or LBD for a night out on the town.

When you’re headed away for the weekend, consider comfortable options like the Mossimo Supply Co. bootcut denim ($22.99) in dark wash from Target. To add some extra height to this already casual chic look, I love the basic longline cardigan ($12.80) in black from Forever 21, which gives that boyfriend-sweater menswear look, especially when paired with the Michael Antonio Mallory bootie ($24.99) in black from Piperlime. Lastly, the tribal style bangle set ($7.80) in gold / dark brown from Forever 21 highlight the colors in the graphic tee & bring some extra personality to the whole ensemble.

On the flipside, experiment with this graphic tee, or any printed top for a cocktail look with the feminine skirt ($29.95) in black from H&M & edgy Jacquez jacket ($24.98) in jet black from G by Guess. To contrast the softness of the watercolor butterflies, I choose Charlotte Russe‘s spiked zip-back sueded pumps ($38.50) in black, which complimented the two tone chevron statement necklace ($12.90) from Windsor Store.

A date night look is the perfect opportunity for dressing up a graphic tee, especially when there are options like The Limited‘s silver & rose gold sequin jacket ($49.99) with the faux leather moto leggings ($39.80) in black from Forever 21. Sexy accessories for this look include the sparkling geo drop earrings ($4.80) in black / gold, also from Forever 21, as well as the patent faux leather pumps ($23.95) in black from GOjane, which have been recently marked down.

For more posts on affordable fashion, check out how to find the best bargain-priced pink jeans, look-alike floral Stella McCartney pants as seen on Diane Kruger, clearance heels & flats from Target, winter white looks inspired by Nicole Richie & Taylor Swift, Lauren Conrad’s latest Kohl’s collection, & Christian Siriano’s newest designs for Payless. Happy Styling!

The $100 Challenge: A Black & Silver Look On A Budget!

Just b/c New Year’s Eve is long gone, that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a little sparkle & shine in our wardrobe. While I’ve been clicking around to find the best clearance deals on the latest markdowns, I keep coming back to Kohl’s, which is where I found the Jennifer Lopez foil racerback tank ($10.20) in primer gray.  Of course, this top is versatile for a casual day in skinny jeans & ballet flats under a flyaway cardigan, or perfect for a night out with the girls with leather leggings & cut-out booties.  I’ve paired this look with the high waist sequin stripe pencil skirt ($24.99) from The Limited & GOjane‘s open front cropped blazer ($24.95).

To accessorize this look, I’ve also found the pointed hologram pumps ($24.80) in gunmetal from Forever 21, which are also available in silver & rose, but there, you can find the diamond spike necklace ($1.50).  Lastly, a gorgeous cocktail ring for any evening look is the Apt. 9 jet simulated crystal stretch ring ($8.99) from Kohl’s.

Would you wear a shiny top like this during the day? How would you style it? Have you been shopping the sale racks? Where do you usually go to find the best end-of-the-season deals? For more posts featured in The $100 Challenge, check out a black & blue dressy look, an LBD date night ensemble, how to mix stripes & tweed, a coral & cap toe feminine outfit, & how to wear animal prints with embellished accessories! Happy Styling!

Fabulous In 4 Ways: A Spiked Sweater From GOjane For Day, Weekend, Date, & Cocktail!

I love it when I’m searching the web for a blog & then get totally side-tracked with inspiration for another blog.  That’s how I came to find the metallic spiked shoulder patch sweater ($47.20) in silver from GOjane. Now, this sweater is totally not my style & it’s a little high in price for one item (for me, anyway), but I couldn’t get it off my mind. Rather than building just one look with the unforgettable piece, I needed to play with it for another Fabulous In 4 Ways post!

Spike details have been trending for quite some time now, what with accents on jewelry, shoes, bags, & now clothing.  Of course, it takes a certain kind of Style Darling to pull this look off & here are some suggestions for day, weekend, date, & cocktail on how to wear this eye-catching sweater!  Let’s start off with weekend, which is a two-day break from the confines of your office apparel & evening pieces when you’re headed out on a date.  I wanted to create an easy & comfortable ensemble to wear when shopping with girlfriends or taking in the sites with your beau.  This includes the skinny pieced sequin pants ($19.50) in charcoal from Wet Seal, paired with the bow front canvas flat ($15.00) in black from Charlotte Russe.  Since there’s so much going on with the striking sweater, I wanted to keep my accessories sweet & functional, which is why I selected Forever 21‘s owl charms necklace ($1.50) in gold/black & the Kirna Zabete kiss print sequins schlepper tote ($17.48) from Target. 

When it comes to daywear, a similar vibe from the weekend look is seen, but I love the distressed look of H&M‘s slim regular jeans ($29.95) in black with the scalloped platform wedges ($32.80) in black from Forever 21. The top is flashy enough for day that I simply added Wet Seal‘s 3 on stackable rings ($7.50) in tri-tone to the look, which can be worn on different fingers or stacked on one, as seen above. When I go out during the day, I love the ease of sweaters & basic pants, but this look has a little extra splash, offering a street style smash worthy of Miranda Kerr or Olivia Palermo. 

For a cocktail look, it’s always recommended to go with a short dress & some towering heels, but I feel that this sweater is successful even when you’re having drinks with co-workers, or looking to break out those pajama-inspired silk pants.  Brocade & other such luxe fabrics are all the rage this season, which is why I turned to The Limited for the Drew mini tab-waist jacquard ankle pants ($29.99) in silver, which have just been marked down.  In keeping with the glitzy metallics, I added the metallic x-front peep toe pump ($25.00) in rose gold from Charlotte Russe, which helps dress up both the pants & sweater.  Lastly, a simple pendant will do, such as the Candie’s jet marquise pendant ($13.00) from Kohl’s. 

 If you’re looking to make an impression on a date night, show off your gams to offset the sweater’s volume with the side panel sweater mini skirt ($19.99) in black from Express, along with the Nina Pangea sandal ($19.94) in brown leopard from DSW.  You’ve got texture in the strong shoulder, but don’t be afraid to add a little something else like a classic bag to downplay the edginess.  @Sears, a great bargain can be found with the Scarleton faux snake flap clutch ($15.99) in black. For a final splash of sass, I recommend the cutout ring ($3.80) in gold from Forever 21 as the only piece of jewelry for your special night. 

These looks range in price from $100.68 – $117.45, which isn’t bad when you consider how many different ways you’ll be able to wear all the pieces, not just the spiky sweater.  Do you like spike details? What kind of hardware do you look for in clothing? Or, do you prefer them on accessories like shoes or bags?

For more stylish posts & outfit ideas, check out The $100 Challenge, featuring a black & blue look based off a Gap dress, how to work stripes & tweed, & perfect LBD look with sparkly tights & a cardigan! Also, in Basics for a Bargain, get your wardrobe’s worth with coats inspired by Jessica Chastain & Victoria Beckham, pointy toe heels like the ones seen on Maria Sharapova & Tina Fey, as well as how to get affordable separates looks like Kristen Stewart & Alexa Chung! Lastly, just b/c I love a bargain, check out Splurge of Save? to find out the best prices for polka dot tights, floral & stripe looks inspired by the pages of Marie Claire, & winter-friendly red suede ankle booties! Happy Styling!

Color Me Style: Chic & Affordable All-Black Looks Inspired By Rihanna, Alexa Chung, & The Spring 2013 Runway’s From Victoria Beckham, YSL, & More!

During a night-in with my boyfriend, I kept my look simple & casual in all-black with a comfy oversized sweater & leggings.  He shared with me how much he liked my head-to-toe black ensemble & how good I looked in it too. I like keeping my looks classic with black & white, black & cream, black & grey, or the occasional color blocking, but black is always somewhere in my look since it’s so slimming & fun to wear when you consider different textures like leather, lace, suede, or brocade.  So, I’m inspired by all-black looks by the following celebrities who have hit the red carpet or donned their monochromatic street style with the ultimate dark shade. 

Alexa Chung‘s all black look while deejaying in New York includes leather shorts, a three-quarter sleeve sweater, tights, & ankle strap platforms. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, Naomi Watts turned up the style volume in Calvin Klein Collection coat with Christian Louboutin booties, Jamie Wolf earrings, & a Joan Hornig cuff.  Rihanna plays with volume at her latest album’s release launch party with an all-leather look & pointy toe heels. Jennifer Lawrence gets some style tips from her latest collaboration with celeb stylist Rachel Zoe in this chic suit by Christian Dior & stappy peep toe sandals at a screening for Silver Linings Playbook.  Everyone’s favorite Sex & the City star, Sarah Jessica Parker, layered a quilted jacket over her black jumpsuit & unique tasselled necklace.

Supermodel Kate Moss made an appearance last year at The Hope Variety Show mixing her separates in a fitted blazer over a cotton top & gorgeous silk skirt.  Julianne Moore offers her take on menswear in a strong-shouldered suit with feminine earrings & wedge booties.  Oscar-winner Natalie Portman shows off her effortless style in head-to-toe black with a sheer blouse & straight leg trousers at the Nevada Women’s Summit this past summer.  Kate Bosworth gave her support to Chanel in the label’s embellished button-down, tweed miniskirt, sequin purse, & leather lace-up booties.  Trendsetter Diane Kruger took a risk in her all-black look in an embellished Chanel suit over leather leggings & boots while attending an event in Paris. 

You can also find all-black on the runway, with looks from some of the most well-known designers in the upcoming Spring 2013 collections.  Aside from florals, pretty prints, pastels, & bold colorblocking, black is & always will be a favorite among the fashionable.  This is evident with collections from Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Jason Wu, & Monique Lhuillier. 

I also couldn’t resist finding more head-to-toe black, especially when I saw the mix of casual chic, evening, cocktail, & work looks shown in the Spring 2013 collections by Zac Posen, Rachel Zoe Collection, Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham, Holmes & Yang, & Yves Saint Laurent.

My first look is a fabulous deal for under $100, & this one goes out to my plus size Style Darlings! With this fabulous & classic coated trim shirt with belt ($24.50) from Forever 21, sizes XL – 2X will look ready for the evening.  Also, to keep the look streamlined, you can find @Torrid, the Tripp NYC skinny pant ($29.99), which have been reduced from their original $48.00 price.  These are the perfect foundation for any dressy look, ranging in sizes 12-16.  For an evening of bar hopping, or dessert with the girls, I selected the Lindsay stud ballet flat ($24.50) from Wet Seal.  Also, for an extra splash of sparkly, the Apt. 9 two-tone kite earrings ($10.80) from Kohl’s are the perfect touch, especially with the contrasting metallic texture. 

For a sexy & feminine evening look, try out the sequin & peplum trends with the middle outfit, consisting of the sequin tank ($26.99) from Banana Republic & Arden B.‘s matte latex peplum skirt ($24.50). Also from Kohl’s, the Apt. 9 web net-to-waist tights ($6.99) are the perfect accessory to show off your legs with the Fioni Vice booties ($20.00) from Payless. 

Lastly, an outfit that’s slightly more expensive, but easy to coordinate with other wardrobe staples includes the seed stitch dolman sleeve tunic sweater ($39.99) from Express with the i jeans by Buffalo Paolo knit leggings ($25.00) from JC Penney. To help accentuate your figure, I’ve added the knot-front stretch belt ($12.99) from The Limited, which is perfect for any sweater or cardigan & blouse set.  Finally, for a modern twist on a basic look, the leather velvet wedge booties ($29.10) from GOjane add lots of texture & a sneak of some toe cleavage!

My three mannequins are affordable & perfect for any all-black moment you wish to have. Which are your favorite pieces? Do you like to wear all-black or do you prefer bolder colors? Which celebrity pulls off all-black the best? Happy Styling!