Yard Sale Chic: Bargain of the Summer

On the way home, I made a pit stop at Century 21 and found myself the BEST BARGAIN OF THE SUMMER! I bought a satin cocktail dress by Phillip Lim and an ombre mesh skirt by Jil Sander for a grand total of $29. The dress retailed at $895, but I bought it for $20. The skirt retailed for $775, but I bought it for $9. The total saving was $1,641. If that isn't the best shopping steal you have ever seen then I want to know where you shop.

Yard Sale Chic: AE Sample Sale

I recently got to experience my first work sample sale. I've been to tons of sample sales in NY, but never to one of my own. What is a sample sale you ask? When manufacturing clothing (jewelry, handbags, accessories, etc.) you go through lots of development before you land on a line for the upcoming season. Once a line is booked, there are rounds of pre-production samples that are made to be reviewed, some a rejected and others are approved. In short, you can't come up with the perfect line in one shot, and a sample sale is a way to sell off perfectly good samples at a very cheap price. When I say cheap, long sleeved shirts were $4, jewlery was $.25, outerwear was $10, bras were $1. Not all sample sales are this cheap, but ours definitely was. There were bought samples from Europe, L.A., Asia, and all over the U.S. used for inspiration, so people ended up with $300 dresses for $5. I ended up with a ton of great items all for a whopping $37. Can't wait for the next one!

Items purchased:
* See by Chloe dolman long-sleeved tee
* 2 AE plaid oxford shirts
* AE striped tie-back tee
* AE Sheer tank
* AE Anorak
* AE drop shoulder sweater
* 2 Aerie bras
* A pair of Aerie underwear
* A bracelet
* 2 necklaces

Obsessed!

Cute, comfy, and for a good cause...gotta love Tom's!

Yard Sale Chic: Fashionable Warmth for $50

I've been looking for the perfect cape coat/poncho/blanket coat, whatever you call it. They are all the rage this winter and finding a good one for a good price has been very difficult. Luckily for me, I found a hardly worn, native print, Dolce Vita wonder on eBay for $50. Shwing shwing!

Cross-dressing?

My friend Eryc says his style (which is fabulous BTW) is often inspired by women's wear. I told him that I usually take my fashion cues from stylish men. I am a girl who likes to dress more like a boy (with a feminine flare)...just like these gentlemen on Stylesightings.

DIY Project: Dye Leather Bag

I love a nice bag, but I cannot afford $1,000+ for a brand new one. So what do I do? I buy secondhand via consignment and/or eBay. Now people always ask, "How do you know it's real?" RESEARCH. It's easier when buying consignment because I go to reputable shops and I can see the bags with my own eyes. When buying on eBay, I always check out the seller, "What kind of feedback have they received from past buyers?, What have they sold in the past?, Does the price make sense (no luxury bag will be re-sold for pennies)?" I also make sure to only consider items that have a lot of good pictures and make sure they capture the key points of the bag (i.e. Serial number, zipper brand, any special marking particular to that brand).

A few months ago, I found, not one, but two Marc Jacobs (not Marc by Marc Jacobs) bags. They were not in perfect condition, but I got both for a wonderful deal of $400. The first bag had a minor stain on the inside of the handle (not even visible to the public) and a little tear in the inner lining. The second bag had dye transfer from the previous owner wearing something red that rubbed off on the handles.

So I asked the seller how she would fix this dye transfer issue. She told me to use Tarrago leather dye. I found this dye at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply for a measly $5.95. There is an array of colors, and I was fortunate to find a close match to this greyish-blue color. This was the easiest fix! Basically, all you do is take the Preparer and rub it on the area you plan to dye with a sponge. Then you shake up the dye and brush it on. That's it! So now my once-red handles are no more.

So let this be a lesson to all you shoppers.....you can get a great deal on slightly damaged goods. With a little patience and time, you can wear designer items at a fraction of the cost.

My Look Book: Spring 2011

Just a few looks I liked from Spring NYFW. I'm totally digging the sheer pants by Phillip Lim! Sheer and satin fabrics as well as prints seem to be "what's in" for Spring 11. Fun, sexy, and flirty!

(Images via NY Mag)

Venomous Villains

It's one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" moments when I first read about M.A.C.'s new line called "Venomous Villains". Where a slew of make-up essentials are themed on some narsty Disney villains - Maleficent, Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and Dr. Facilier (from The Princess and the Frog). Something about this line reminds me of the play make-up I had when I was little. How fun!

(Image via M.A.C.)

Zip-Off

I LOVE these boots by Loeffler Randall. I like the exposed zipper look, so when these boots are knee-high, they look fun and trendy. Then VOILA! zip off the top part of the boot and it becomes a bootie! I always love buying clothes with multiple ways to wear them, why not shoes?

I also need to point out the fab metal piece at the front of the boots. Lurv it!

(Image via Refinery29)

Yard Sale Chic: Yet another under $150 shopping trip

Look at all the goodies I got for $120! That lovely little romper was only $10, and guess where I got it? Walmart! Thanks Miley and Max Azria!

Designer Collaboration: Alternative Apparel

I just LOVE when high-end designers team up with my beloved retailers. I believe Target started this craze with their Go International line, and ever since then, my fav designers have been giving us high fashion at a fraction of the cost. The latest collab is Richard Chai and Alternative Apparel (Jeremy Scott is also doing a T shirt line with AA). Chic and comfy....just how I like it.

(Image via Refinery29)

Nun Trend?

After 12 years of Catholic school, this is one Fall trend I will stay away from.

(Image via Refinery29)

Fall Fashion Week 2010: Jeremy Scott

Jeremy Scott is so fresh and inspiring with his pop art-inspired digs. His fashion is like fine art meets street-kid graffiti. The legendary Karl Lagerfeld even gave Jeremy the ultimate compliment when told Le Monde newspaper that he was the only designer who could take over after he leaves Chanel (according to Wikipedia). Whoa!

(Images via NYMag)

Yard Sale Chic: Gold TOMS

I live close to an Urban Outfitters so you betcha I frequent that store often. I just snatched up a pair of gold sequin TOMS for $9.99 (they're usually around $40-$70). TOMS are an eco-friendly shoe, and when you a buy a pair, they donate a pair to a needy child. So I got a deal AND helped out a child. Now what to wear with gold, shiny shoes?

Fall Fashion Week 2010: Over-the-Knee

(Above: Jeremy Scott)
(Above: Derek Lam)
(Above: 3.1 Phillip Lim)
(Above: Alexander Wang)

Over-the-knee (or thigh-high) boots and leg wear is nothing new, but at 2010 Fall NY Fashion Week, this look was still very prominent. All the more reinforcing my love of wearing short items during inappropriate weather and combining it with over-the-knee loveliness. Although I will say that I am still on the hunt for an over-the-knee boot that isn't too high, because then it would touch my ass.

Yard Sale Chic: eBay Obsession

I'm obsessed with eBay, and I can't help but look for treasures everyday. Here are 2 items I'm watching. What do you think? To bid or not to bid?

Baby Granny

I like to think of my style as sometimes childish (i.e. giant bows and short, flouncy skirts) and a little grandmama (i.e. little leather oxfords, polyester, patterned shirts).

Yard Sale Chic: Under $150 Part Deux

While Christmas shopping for others, I of course went overboard on myself. Then again, spending less than $150 and getting 2 pairs of boots, a t shirt, grungy jeans, sweater, scarf, nail polish, and a few vintage Playboy tins of mints (for friends!) is far from over-indulgence.

Socks and Sandals

Once thought of as a fashion faux-pas, socks and sandals are considered quite chic these days (when worn correctly...not wearing your Gold Toe socks with your Adidas sandals). Perhaps this became a style out of necessity based on the economy. I certainly don't have enough money to buy a fabulous summer shoe and an equally awesome fall/winter shoe, so this style fits my fashion on a budget.

(Image via Stylesightings)

The New Fad

In my 25 years of life, I have seen the "it" skirt be a billowy peasant skirt all the way to a super-tight mini and every length and width in between. My personal fav is a short, but flouncy skirt....something that is reminiscent of what you wore in grade school. However, I am totally digging the new fad in skirt lengths, and that my friends is the below the knee, fitted skirt. This will accentuate every curve of your body...which means my booty will be more defined. The trick to wearing these skirts is to make sure you are proportionate (i.e. A cropped shirt with the longer skirt)

Love it!

(Images via Refinery29)