Economy of Style

Flowers in Bloom Again

2012-02-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

I was skimming through my closet a few weeks ago, passed by the dress in today's post, and thought, "ick!" For some reason, the floral print just wasn't appealing to me that day. I decided to try on the dress recently, though, and I fell in love with it all over again.

Anything in your closet need a little love renewal?

Here's a casual Friday outfit featuring the floral dress. By the way, want to know how I bought this dress for $5.95? Read all about it in Super Steal: How I Got a Loft Dress for $5.95.

Dress—Loft
Cardigan—Loft
Tights—Dolci Calze via Marshalls
Boots—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck
Coat—Calvin Klein via Marshalls
Sunglasses—Marc by Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom Rack (recent purchase)

Same floral dress, two additional looks:

1. From Work to Play in One Dress
2. Looking Back, Looking Forward

Extra: Shopping for Sunglasses?

Nordstrom Rack has a wide selection of designer shades, including Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Coach, and Kate Spade. Many pairs only cost $34.97, a mere fraction of the retail costs!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Vintage Inspired Sunglasses, $34.97

Spring Brights: Pink and Orange

2012-02-09T10:36:00.003-06:00

Tangerine Tango may be the color of the year, but bright pink is surely trying to upstage that orange in this look. An orange dress is belted with a tan belt and topped by a pink blazer. Grey tights and tan boots complete this bright look suited for an overcast day

Random: I'm loving how grey pairs with brights.

Don't you just love a funky lining on a blazer?

Dress—Loft (Mossimo for Target Orange Dress)
Blazer—H&M (Forever 21 Hot Pink Blazer)
Belt—Gap
Boots—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck

For a more subtle way to wear this color combination, check out how I did it back in Spring 2008 in Too Bright or Just Right? If I thought that was bold and bright, I sure have changed.

Get today's look:

Blazers by Forever 21
Belts by Asos

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2012-02-08T11:58:00.001-06:00

When shopping the Jason Wu for Target collection recently, I was interested in the jersey dress with the red and navy stripes, but ultimately passed on it. Of course, y'all know I purchased the poplin dress in navy.

I passed on the stripe jersey dress because I've noticed that I get stuck in the pattern of purchasing dresses like that one, but not wearing them. I immediately thought about a stripe BCBG Max Azria jersey dress that I purchased last August. You see, that dress has been hibernating in my closet since.

So, for today's Looking Back, Looking Forward, I thought it would be a cool "wear what ya got" challenge to pull out that dress and make it work right now. Here's the look:

Dress—BCBG Max Azria via eBay
Cardigan—c/o Liz Claiborne for jcpenney
Boots—b.o.c. Born Concepts via DSW
Bag—Vintage via Borough Vintage

For a look back at a summer style outfit with the same dress, visit Summer Style in an eBay find.

What items are hibernating in your closet, but deserve to come out?

Sping Restyle of Ann Taylor Muse Print Dress

2012-02-07T10:23:00.001-06:00

Remember that Ann Taylor Muse Print Dress that I purchased on clearance last September? With its vibrant print and cool muted colors, this dress can be a dress for all seasons.

To add a little spring freshness (while staying warm since it is like 37 degrees outside), the dress is topped by a kelly green cardigan that effortlessly compliments its color and print. Opaque tights and black booties complete the look.

Dress—Ann Taylor
Cardigan—Old Navy
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls

Wear Now: Jason Wu for Target Poplin Dress

2012-02-06T13:04:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I purchased the Jason Wu for Target poplin dress. Yippee! I've certainly been a huge fan of Target's collaborations with designers, but I was especially drawn to this one because the collection is classic, fresh, sophisticated, and hence very wearable.

I'm so excited that I got the dress that I insisted on wearing it today despite the fairly cold weather. Adding a layer or two to transform this lightweight dress is a breeze though.

For today's look, the navy poplin dress is belted with a burgundy skinny belt and topped by an orange cardigan. Opaque tights, black booties, and a grey bag complete the look.

Don't full skirts make you want to twirl?

Dress—Jason Wu for Target
Cardigan—Talbots Outlet
Belt—The Limited
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls
Bag—Philip Lawrence via Imperfect Concepts Boutique
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle in pink agate
Watch—MICHAEL Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

Did you shop the Jason Wu for Target Collection? What was your experience?

Shopping the Jason Wu for Target Collection

2012-02-05T09:53:00.001-06:00

After the Missoni for Target collection fiasco, I decided not to take any chances with the Jason Wu collection. You see, Jason Wu is known for his "clean lines and smart details" according to Target, so this collection, more so than any other, matches my my style.

Shopping Jason Wu for Target:

1. Prior to the big release day today, I studied the collection previews (styles, price points, and so on) and decided that I wanted the poplin dress in navy. I also verified that my neighborhood Target would carry the collection.

2. At about 4 am this morning, I grabbed my iPhone while in bed to see if the line had released online. It did. I then checked to ensure that the dress I wanted would be available in store because some items never made it to the stores.

3. I headed to my neighborhood Target (Hampton store), a much less trafficked store than the Brentwood location, arriving at 7:45 am. There were only 5 people in line!

4. At about 7:55 am, a Target employee came outside to explain a few shopping rules. For example, we were only allowed to carry 2 sizes in a style at a time and one of each accessory per person. Doors opened promptly at 8 am. I headed straight to the poplin dress and grabbed a size 4 and size 6.

5. Next stop was the fitting room. The size 4 was too tight, but the 6 was about right. I grabbed a couple other things in store and headed to the register.

Jason Wu for Target Poplin Dress in Navy. Size 6.

A little Jason Wu next to my slice bread.

Other Observations:

There were very limited selections in most styles. In the poplin dress, there were only about 2 of each size available. There were about 25 people in line at my store at 8 am, and I'm certain that by the time we all left, there was nothing left.

A few local shoppers were disappointed that their preferred items weren't in-store. Should've checked online first. But, Target was unreasonably quiet about important details like this prior to release day. Perhaps Target was directing all its energy into avoiding a site crash again?

For a few more pictures from my shopping trip, visit the Shopping Jason Wu for Target album on Facebook.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2012-02-01T11:17:00.002-06:00

Today's Looking Back, Looking Forward, takes a closer look at something old. By old, I mean vintage.

I met the owner of Borough Vintage, a local vintage clothing boutique at the Coffee, Curls, and Cupcakes event last weekend. I was immediately drawn to her vendor booth because I absolutely loved everything on display.

At the event, all of the the boutique's items were specially marked. So, I couldn't resist this beautiful, braided, bucket bag. It is vintage, real leather, and was just $18 that day!

Vintage. Real leather. Excellent condition. Just $18!

Back of bucket bag

Lining in excellent condition.

You saw the bucket bag in the following look from yesterday's post, Fashion Thesaurus: Orange Blazer.

I have plans to visit the local boutique soon. I will definitely let y'all know how that goes. You can also shop the boutique online at Borough Vintage.

Fashion Thesaurus: Orange Blazer

2012-01-31T12:37:00.001-06:00

In yesterday's post, you saw me sporting a new blazer from Forever 21 (double knit blazer in rust). I purchased it on the weekend for $29.80, so I could create the look seen in Going Out: Coffee, Curls, & Cupcakes.

I deliberated over the purchase for a minute, though, because I already own a couple orange toppers. Both are cardigans, but good alternatives to a blazer. I had to make sure, then, that the blazer would be adding real value to my existing wardrobe, so I consulted the Fashion Thesaurus.

How to Wear an Orange Blazer:

1. Casual stripes for moving around on the weekend:

Dress—Max Studio via Marshalls

Shoes—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck
Dark purple tights—Dolci Calze via Marshalls
Bag—Vintage via Borough Vintage

2. A splash of orange for a casual work day:

Top—Loft

Skirt—Gap

Shoes—Me Too via DSW

Dark purple tights—Dolci Calze via Marshalls

Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via eBay

3. Layers of orange (monoblock) for Sunday brunch:

Dress—Rachel Roy "Isadora" via Macy's

Shoes—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck

Dark purple tights—Dolci Calze via Marshalls

Clutch—Aldo

In addition to its versatility, this Forever 21 double knit blazer is so well made. The knit looks and feels luxe, and the lining is impeccable.

Close-up of the blazer

For another look featuring this Forever 21 orange blazer, see Going Out: Coffee, Curls, & Cupcakes.

Going Out: Coffee, Curls, and Cupcakes

2012-01-30T09:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I attended Coffee, Curls, & Cupcakes, a natural hair event in St. Louis. I've been natural for over 15 years and still enjoy attending these types of gatherings. There's free swag, hundreds of women sporting fierce natural hairdos, and amazing vendors on site.

For the event, my hair was styled by Chi-Chi of ErthTonez. The curly look was the result of a rod set on the top and coils in the back and sides.

Here are some shots of my outfit (taken after the event). I wore my Gap asymetrical ruched dress with a skinny tan belt, grey tights, tan boots, and an orange blazer.

The Forever 21 blazer has a leopard lining (visible at rolled sleeves)

Dress—Gap
Belt—Ann Taylor
Blazer—Forever 21 (Double knit blazer in rust)
Tights—Dolci Calze via Marshalls
Boots—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck
Clutch—Aldo

Check out a few more snaps from the event on Facebook.

Get the look:

Blazers by Forever 21
Earrings by Kendra Scott

"Nautical Sleek"

2012-01-24T15:52:00.001-06:00

One of Lucky magazine's editors picked "Nautical Sleek" as a "Look I Want Now" in the February 2012 issue. Don't you just love nautical wear?

Since I already own many of the essential pieces—a crisp cotton shirtdress, a stripe top, heeled loafers, and a utilitarian jacket—to create this look, I decided to attempt a nautical sleek outfit today.

Dress—Gap
Sweater—Old Navy (limited colors and prints online)
Shoes—Me Too via DSW (bright yellow alternative)
Jacket—Hilary Radley via TJ Maxx
Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom (Saddle bag in tangerine)

Summer Stripes Suited for a Wintry Day

2012-01-23T11:25:00.001-06:00

I purchased a strapless, A-line, stripe dress from Ann Taylor in the spring of 2010. Since then, this dress has emerged as one of my favorite summer dresses. It's like a luxe jersey knit meets stripes and a perfect A-line silhouette.

I keep passing by the dress in my closet, wishing I could wear it now. Today, though, I decided to pull out the dress and make it work on this cold day.

The dress is topped by a chunky knit, blue sweater that I bought in Old Navy yesterday for $3.50! Old Navy is currently offering an extra 50% off clearance items. This sweater, by the way, is also available in a few beautiful colorblocked combinations.

Dress—Ann Taylor
Sweater—Old Navy
Belt—Banana Republic
Boots—b.o.c. Born Concepts via DSW
Scarf—Jones New York via Marshalls
Bag—MICHAEL Micahel Kors via Nordstrom

Casual Friday: A Winter Edition

2012-01-20T13:45:00.000-06:00

Brrr...I've been complaining about the drastic weather changes lately, but I sure do wish it would suddenly get warm again.

Today's look is casual and relies on a basic tee, blazer, scarf, trouser jeans, and heeled loafers to look pulled together on a cold day.

Tee—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls
Blazer—Gibson via Nordstrom Rack (recent buy)
Jeans—c/o Dress Barn
Shoes—Me Too via DSW
Scarf—Collection Eighteen via Marshalls
Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom (saddle bag in tangerine)

Enjoy your weekend!!

Stay Warm in Style on Freezing Days

2012-01-19T10:45:00.001-06:00

It's finally beginning to look like winter. So, what do we wear?

I live in the Midwest and our winters are cold, but not as severe as they are up North. During the winter months, I wear the same clothing I wear throughout the fall, but rely on layering, an extra warm coat, and other essentials (like gloves, a scarf, and a knit hat) to keep me warm and cozy.

Dressing for Work in the Winter:

Shirt—Loft, Skirt—The Limited

Tights—Cynthia Rowley via Marshalls (similar pair)

Coat—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls

This coat is so warm.

Warm weather essentials:

Scarf—The Limited; Gloves—Loft, Beanie—eBay seller

b.o.c. boots via DSW. Insulated for added warmth

Shopping for a coat?

I purchased my MK coat in Marshalls for $39 last year. Guess what? Several similar styles by MK are in Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores at the same price right now. Check them out! I've been so tempted to pick up another one.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2012-01-18T13:48:00.001-06:00

Today's Looking Back, Looking Forward reflects on an aspect of my seasonal purchase desires and decisions. I've noticed that at the start of every season, there's always a handbag that I have to have.

Last fall, my must-have bag was the MICHAEL Michael Kors chain shoulder bag. I didn't purchase it immediately because I couldn't decide on a color. I later decided against the bag because I realized it was too small for my intended use.

I soon forgot about that bag I had to have. After that experience, I imposed a handbag moratorium to think more deeply about my handbag purchase desires and needs. The ban failed. You see, Nordstrom marked down the MICHAEL Michael Kors saddle bag two months into my moratorium and I was sure I wanted that one.

Bag--MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom ($113)

If you are here, I know you also think deeply about your purchases too. I find that I have to spend extra time thinking about my handbag purchases because I'm usually willing to spend more on a bag than on clothing.

So, here comes spring, and hence the new bag arrivals in store. Here's one bag I've visited at least ~~four~~ five times in Macy's stores—MICHAEL Michael Kors Margo shoulder bag.

Photo from Zappos.com

It's tangerine and has ostrich-embossed leather. The shoulder strap is a perfect length and doubles to make it shorter. It had my attention at first sight.

For now, I'm not making any decisions about this bag. If I'm still thinking about it in February, though, it might have to be mine.

What bags are you eying?

Spring Style for Wintry Days

2012-01-17T12:28:00.001-06:00

Last Thursday, St. Louis was hit by a snowstorm. The storm wasn't as bad as it could get here, but I was caught off guard, so my outfit that day was hideous. Apparently, the city of St. Louis wasn't prepared for the storm either as several commuters were stuck on highways for hours because the roads weren't sufficiently cleaned and salted.

Yesterday was a very nice middle 60 degrees here in the Lou, but the freezing temps, rain, and possibly snow are scheduled to return. This time, I'll be ready!

Y'all know I prefer to be in a dress everyday. Here's how I style one of my work sheaths for a colder day, but keep it spring fresh by playing with color.

Dress—Calvin Klein via Marshalls; Cardigan—Old Navy

Close-up to showcase details in outfit:

Belt—Banana Republic

During the day, I'll wear this lightweight yellow coat because it just screams spring and the temps aren't falling into the teens until tonight.

Coat—Kenneth Cole New York via Marshalls

Guess what? The super chic, patent, aubergine boots I'm wearing above are rain boots! I've never seen rain boots look this fly. They are by Cole Haan, retail for $228, but I found them in Marshalls for just $49! Score!

Cole Haan "Air Melanie" Rain Boot via Marshalls ($49)

Shopping for rain boots? I found these shoes in Marshalls yesterday, so they could be in your stores too. If you can't find them in store, check out the online options below. They are on sale (in select colors) online as well, but the prices aren't as low as in Marshalls.

Boots by Cole Haan

Fashion Thesaurus: Pleated Basic Skirt

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

The January 2012 issue of Redbook magazine spotlights a pleated basic skirt as the new go-to skirt this season. According to Redbook, the pleated skirt "has the same superpowers as a black pencil skirt."

I recently purchased a Cynthia Rowley pleated skirt on clearance in TJ Maxx. It was marked down to $15! Unbelievable, right? Today, I pull out the Fashion Thesaurus to see if this skirt could really become a go-to piece.

How to Wear a Pleated Basic Skirt:

1. Nautical Chic

Tee-Loft, Scarf-Nordstrom Rack, Boots-boc via DSW

2. Cozy Chic

Shirt-Loft, Sweater-Old Navy, Shoes-Adrienne V. via Marshalls

3. Party Chic

Tank-c/o CATO, Blazer-Banana Republic

And, remember the Fashion Thesaurus: Chambray Shirt post? I wore the pleated skirt in that post, so it works really well with a basic chambray shirt too. Here's the skirt as featured in that post.

Shirt-c/o jcpenney, Booties-Franco Sarto via Marshalls

So, what do you think? I think Redbook was right. This skirt goes with everything.

Shopping for a pleated skirt? Here are a couple options, both on sale for less than $50.

Mid-length Skirts by Ellen Tracy
Mid-length Skirts by Lauren Conrad

Experimenting with the Color of the Year

2012-01-12T15:20:00.000-06:00

The folks at Pantone INC named tangerine tango the color of the year. Woohoo! I'm a fan of the reddish orange shade and look forward to seeing what fab items appear in stores in the color.

I started looking at dresses in the color and remembered that I purchased the "red passion" Loft zip pocket dress last spring. So, here's that dress styled for a not-spring-just-yet day in early 2012.

I'm wearing my slouchy tan boots in this look, but I would wear a more structured boot if I owned one. Strangely enough, I spotted the boot I would love to wear with this look in DSW last night. It was the tan version of the following boot:

In DSW, the boot is priced at $159.99 and has the blue savings code, which if I remember correctly, means that there is an additional 30% off.

Dress—Loft
Cardgian—Talbots Outlet
Belt—Gap
Tights—Cythia Rowley via Marshalls
Boots—Jeffrey Campbell c/o SoleStruck

Watch List: New Arrivals in Stores

2012-01-10T09:41:00.000-06:00

Have y'all been browsing all the new lookbooks? I'm wanting one of about every new arrival in stores right now. The colors, the prints, the silhouettes, I'm loving it all.

I easily spend hours in a week browsing the websites of my favorite stores. You see, if a retailer I frequent has a site, I never enter the store without first browsing its website. We've got to arm myself with information before we're faced with temptations. That was a tad preachy, wasn't it? Ha.

My shopping plan this year is to continue building my dress collection, add more skirts to my wardrobe, and introduce non-basic tops and cardigans. What about you?

Here are some of the items that I'll be trying on in stores. Stop by the "In the Field With Economy of Style" album on Facebook for soon to come updates on what works and doesn't.

From the Gap:

Mini Skirts by Gap
Flats by Gap

From Banana Republic:

Longsleeve Tops by Banana Republic
Day Dresses by Banana Republic

From Loft:

Cardigans by LOFT
Bracelets by LOFT

From Ann Taylor:

Mini Skirts by Ann Taylor
Shortsleeve Tops by Ann Taylor

Restyling a Bold Red Dress

2012-01-09T14:59:00.000-06:00

I purchased a red sheath dress from The Limited back in the fall of 2010 and I love wearing it. It's bold, bright, and the kind of dress that makes you feel powerful when sporting it.

On the days that I want to turn down the volume on the bright red dress, though, I rely on some warm color pairings. This season, I'm totally drawn to the mustard, camel, and red combination. Divine, right?

The clean silhouette of a good-fitting sheath makes restyling a breeze.

Dress—The Limited (Calvin Klein alternative)
Sweater—Loft (on sale in stores now; Forever21 alternative)
Blazer—Gibson via Nordstrom Rack (recent buy-$49.97)
Belt—The Limited
Boots—Jeffrey Campbell c/o Solestruck

Friday in Seattle

2012-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:00

If you've seen the "What's in My Bags: A Travel Edition" post then you saw today's outfit set aside to be packed. Here's the outfit as worn today.

Camisole—Old Navy
Sweater—Old Navy
Skirt—The Limited
Headband—Old Navy
Tights—c/o Loft
Shoes—boc by Born Concepts via DSW

Get the look:

Mini Skirts by Ann Taylor
Boots by Nine West

What's in My Bags: A Travel Edition

2012-01-05T15:34:00.000-06:00

I'm in Seattle for 4 days. Short trips by plane can be difficult to pack for especially given all the TSA and airline regulations these days. Interested in seeing how I packed?

The Bags:

MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote and Terrida Tangaroa holdall bag

What's in the MK Tote Bag:

What's in the Holdall Bag:

Day outfits

Extra dress

Evening options

Jewerly. I did wear some of these to travel though.

Intimates, makeup/toiletries, makeup brushes

Cables and such...

You may notice that I'm one outfit short. For the return trip, I'll probably mix and match some of the items I wore in Seattle. I chose the items and the color scheme to allow for mixing and matching. It's more likely, though, that I'll wear something I buy here. The flagship Nordstrom store and a Nordstrom Rack are just down the hill.

What I Carried by Wearing:

I wore my coat and boots to save room in the carry-on

By the way, this French Connection "Poodle" coat retails for $368, but I found it in TJ Maxx for $69. Since the coat has that oversized and swingy vibe, I made sure that all my outfits had either straight or skinny silhouettes to complement it.

What I'm Wearing Today:

Today's outfit with the coat.

Travel Chic

2012-01-04T12:01:00.000-06:00

Today, I'm traveling to Seattle. Who knew it would take so long to fly from St. Louis to Seattle?

This is a short trip, so I'm taking a small carry-on bag and a tote as my personal item. For travel day, I opted for a casual, comfy, chic, and TSA-approved look.

Traveling in boots could be a pain when going through the security line, but I wore my zip-up boots because it would be easier to wear them than pack them.

Tee—Loft
Sweater—Old Navy
Skirt—Dolce & Gabbana (swap)
Tights—Anna Sui via TJ Maxx
Tote—MICHAEL Michael Kors via eBay
Holdall Bag—Tangaroa via TJ Maxx
Boots—boc by Born Concepts via DSW
Coat—French Connection via TJ Maxx

Fashion Thesaurus: Polka Dot Dress

2012-01-02T12:22:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! To style on a budget in 2012!

Polka dots were a huge trend last fall. We saw spots everywhere. I recently purchased a black and ivory polka dot dress on sale in Nordstrom Rack (sale: $54.97 | Orig: $138). It's an ECI faux wrap dress with a blurred polka dot pattern.

I wanted to make sure that my love for this dress could outlast the spotted trend. So, I'm consulting the Fashion Thesaurus today to assess the versatility of this dress.

How to Wear a Polka Dot Dress:

1. Plain Dots

Shoes—MICHAEL Micahel Kors via Macy's

2. Peak a Polka Dot. It's easy to get bored with standout prints. In those times, I hide the print with chic coverups.

Cardigan—H&M; Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls

3. Dots and Dots. Print mixing using variations of one print creates amazing style opportunities.

Sweater—Old Navy

Black blazer tones down the bold print mixing

4. Dots and stripes. Dots and stripes need not argue over their differences, but instead celebrate their compatibility.

Jacket—Loft

5. Dots and Classic Colors. Red and yellow always accent black and white prints well.

Cardigan—Loft

6. Dots and Brights. I'm already ready to embrace spring brights. The bold orange, the bright yellow, the kelly green. Spring brights are the perfect toppers for polka dots.

Blazer—H&M

Shopping for a Polka Dot Dress?

I'm currently head-over-heels for Banana Republic's large polka dot dress. It is priced at $130. Banana Republic handed out coupons for 40% off new items though. I think I may use one of those coupons to get this dress because it'll surely sell out.

Banana Republic Large Polka Dot Dress, Size 4

Holiday Loft Look

2011-12-30T09:13:00.000-06:00

I participated in a special Holiday edition of "How Bloggers Wear Loft." I was tasked with finding a holiday look for under $150 at the Loft.

I maximized the budget by shopping during a store wide 40% off promotion, so I could get newly released items at a discount. By the way, the current offer in Loft stores is 50% off everything, so if you've been eying items, this is the time to shop!

My goal for shopping the look:

Buy separates that would effortlessly look glam.
Buy items that I would want to wear all year long.

Here's the final look:

My New Year's Eve party outfit. I'll add a black velvet blazer.

Get the LOFT look*:

Sequin mini skirt
Draped ruffle v-neck shell
Opaque tights
Oval Stone ring
Gem mix coil bracelets

*Many of the items are sold out online, but may still be available in stores.

Many of you might be thinking, "I've seen those pieces on you before." You have! I'm so fond of these Loft items that I've already been mixing them into my existing wardrobe. I've actually worn the sequin mini skirt to two parties. It's quite versatile.

Some recent looks with the same Loft items:

Disclosure: I received a $150 gift card to shop at the Loft. No monetary compensation was received for writing this post. All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own.

Hello Yellow

2011-12-29T09:02:00.000-06:00

Yellow has been cited as an "It" color for spring 2012. Hello yellow!

Imagine then how excited I was when I spotted the dress below while shopping Banana Republic's after Christmas sale. Isn't it the perfect shade of yellow? The dress, previously priced at $130, was marked down to $59.97. And, all sale items are an additional 30% off, making the final price $41.97.

I debated the purchase for a minute, though, because I couldn't envision an immediate need for the dress. You see, its material and texture make it perfectly suited for a spring wedding or some special affair like that.

I eventually decided to purchase it anyway because I saw a potential opportunity to dress it down and make it more wearable.

Dress—Banana Republic
Sweater—Old Navy (Old Navy Crew-neck pullover in dalmatian)
Belt—The Limited
Tights—Marshalls
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls
Earrings—Kendra Scott 'Danielle' (Danielles at Nordstrom)

Get the look:

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Old Navy
Boots by Franco Sarto

Short Work Week Style

2011-12-27T09:06:00.000-06:00

Have to work this week? Finding it difficult to get out of bed not to mention get dressed this week? I feel you.

Here's a little inspiration to keep it stylish this week even though you may be the only one stuck in the office.

Tuesday:

Top—c/o Liz Claiborne for jcpenney
Skirt—Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx ($15)
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls

Wednesday:

Top—Loft
Skirt—Dolce &Gabbana (swap)
Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls
Belt—Ann Taylor
Pearls—Overstock

Thursday:

Tee—Old Navy (see here)
Jacket—Vertigo Paris via Marshalls (see similar here)
Skirt—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls (see similar here)
Shoes—Tahari via Marshalls

Friday:

Sweater—Gap (buy)
Pants—c/o Liz Claiborne for jcpenney (buy similar)
Shoes—Ellen Tracey via Marshalls (buy similar)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle in purple agate (buy)

We're almost to the new year!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T10:55:00.000-06:00

Best wishes for the holiday season and fast approaching new year!

Around the house look today:

Leifsdottir dress via TJ Maxx, Moc wedges-MK via Macy's

Movie night look for later:


Lyendecker blazer via TJ, Talbots Outlet tee, boc boots

To a stylish holiday season on a budget!

Much love,

Psyche
Economy of Style

Holiday Shopping Haul

2011-12-22T11:56:00.000-06:00

Two days ago, my husband said that he missed the days when I would come home with lots of shopping bags. Who told him to say that? Lol.

On a serious note, I find that every year I grow more discriminating in my purchases. My wardrobe is at a point where I only need to shop for special and particular items. So, I rarely do large shopping hauls. With that said, I went to the mall yesterday and shopped!

Now, the post holiday sales are going to offer the best deals. Prices will be seriously slashed then. But, there are some items that will sell out before that time. So, I decided to purchase some of those items that I love and are seemingly at risk of selling out.

Here are the fashion-related items I purchased yesterday. I'll spare you pictures of all the Teavana tea and Bath and Body Works home fragrance oils I also bought.

Macy's: All of the shoes in the Macy's sale section are now 75% off!

MICHAEL Michael Kors Amber Moc Wedge, $31.25

MICHAEL Michael Kors Pressley pump, $24.50-$10=$14.50

Banana Republic: Sale items in Banana Republic are an additional 40% off.

Banana Republic tweed bow skirt, $29.39 (orig. $89.50)

The Limited: Sale items are an additional 50% off and yesterday after 5pm, everything was 50% off.

Finally, red skinny jeans that fit! $37.46 (orig. $74.90)

Bangles, $4.49 each (orig. $29.90 each)

That's it! I don't plan to do anymore shopping until after the holiday. But, plans can always change :-)

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-12-21T13:34:00.000-06:00

Today's post is the "repeat offender" edition of Looking Back, Looking Forward. You see, yesterday I shared a few ways to style a chambray shirt. I wore the preppy look with the Old Navy sweater that day. Today, I'm wearing the same sweater again. #NoShame

Meggy of Chasing Davies wore the polka dot version of this sweater over a stripe tee and the look was lovely. Since I have the stripe one, I'm gonna try a stripe on stripe version of her outfit.

I'm heading to the mall today in this look. It's also fairly warm in St. Louis today, so I won't even need a coat.

Stripes on stripes. Top-Loft, Sweater-Old Navy

Ikat print scarf added for warmth, but mostly to add the additional print.

I also considered rocking a polka dot headband. I decided against it though.

Both the tee and sweater were bought on clearance. The Old Navy sweater is a recent buy. It was on sale for $15 and I used the ON friends and family coupon (ends today) for an additional 30% off.

Sweater—Old Navy
Tee—Loft
Jeans—Kohls
Shoes—Me Too via DSW
Earrings—Kendra Scott 'Nyla' via Nordstrom (see Nylas in other colors at Nordstrom)

Fashion Thesaurus: Chambray Shirt

2011-12-20T11:23:00.000-06:00

Chambray shirts are a spring and summer perennial favorite. This fall, though, the denim-on-denim trend made the chambray shirt a must-have item for the fall too.

I got a chambray shirt when I participated in the Liz Claiborne for jcpenney "7 Days of Style" campaign. But, I haven't worn the shirt much since creating that denim on denim look. Since the shirt is too fly to be closet-bound, I'm pulling out the fashion thesaurus today.

How to Wear a Chambray Shirt:

1. Chambray and tan: Chambray and white is always winner, so why not khaki or tan? This tan, pleated skirt with a black waist band works wonderfully with the chambray top.

Skirt-Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx, Shoes-Franco Sarto via Marshalls

2. Chambray and sequins: Who says chambray is only for casual wear?

Blazer-Gap, Skirt—c/o Loft, Shoes-Tahari via Marshalls

3. Chambray with a print skirt. Chambray makes a cool substitute for a white shirt, so why not rock it with a print skirt?

Cardigan-Loft, Skirt-The Limited, Shoes-Tahari via Marshalls

4. Chambray for a preppy look. Chambray exudes preppy cool when paired with preppy essentials.

Sweater-Old Navy, Skirt-Dolce & Gabbana, Loafers-Me Too via DSW

5. Check out my Liz Claiborne for jcpenney "7 Days of Style" post for a denim on denim outfit with this chambray top.

Shopping for a chambray top? This jcpenney top has sold out online, but check out this Eddie Bauer chambray shirt on sale for $19.99.

Weekend Recap: Holiday Party Style

2011-12-19T13:15:00.003-06:00

The holiday season is officially here!

I sported this look to a vegan holiday party this past weekend. It was such a nice change to be able to eat everything available at a party. You see, I've been vegetarian/pescatarian for over a decade, but I became vegan after realizing that I'm 100% lactose intolerant. Now that I'm living dairy-free, I've never felt better!

Sweater—Old Navy; Skirt—c/o Loft, Tights—c/o Loft

Earrings—Kendra Scott 'Danielle', Ring—c/o Loft

Watch—MICHAEL Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

I've received a few questions about my lipsticks lately. Thanks for noticing! I used to be a bold eye shadow/nude lip kind of woman, but I'm now into bold lips and bare eyes. Mac 'Rebel' lipstick is my fall favorite, but I must now add Mac 'Girl About Town' lipstick (a fabulous fuchsia) to my list of favorites. I'm wearing it above with the Mac 'Beet' lip pencil.

FYI: I purchased the animal print sweater above using the Old Navy friends and family coupon (valid until 12/21). It was about $18 after the 30% discount.

Teal Tales

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

It's no secret that teal is another one of my favorite colors this season. By the way, did you catch All of My Purple Life, a post that revealed my fondness for purple? Apparently, I like teal too.

Recent outfits with teal pieces.

I've noticed, too, that I keep getting drawn to the same teal dress. Remember when I bought the Akiko back-out dress in TJ Maxx? I returned it because I didn't think I would get to wear it a lot.

Why then did I just buy a Catherine Malandrino dress that is quite similar to the Akiko one?

Catherine Malandrino dress via TJ Maxx

Sometimes I get enticed by the savings. This dress retails for about $375. The original TJ Maxx price was $149.99. I purchased it on clearance for $44. Still, though, let's just say, this dress hasn't earned a permanent spot in my wardrobe yet.

Catherine Malandrino dress next to Akiko dress to show the similarities.

I'm not the only one thinking so deeply about every purchase am I? Notice how I make my somewhat erratic behaviour seem sophisticated? Lol!

Have a great weekend!

Catch me on Facebook and twitter for in the field updates.

Old Navy Friends and Family Sale

2011-12-15T10:48:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, I was so excited to share my new $10 chevron top from Old Navy. I didn't mention, though, all the other fierce tops in store right now. Let me tell you, I went into the store to buy that chevron top, but I entered the fitting room with a a pile of clothing. The fitting room attendant had to tell me that I could only take 8 items at a time.

I'm glad I stayed focused and only bought the chevron top because now I can consider buying some of the other things, but with an extra 30% off! Woot! It's friends and family time in Old Navy stores through 12/21.

Here are a few of the other items I tried on in store and will be heading back to check out again.

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Old Navy
Cardigans by Old Navy

Preview of ON Coupon. Click link below to print your coupon.

Click this link to print your friends and family coupon.

What have you been eying in Old Navy? Tis a good time to head to a store. Happy Shopping!!

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-12-14T14:25:00.001-06:00

There is just something about a chevron print that takes me back to the 70s. According to a Wikipedia entry, though, the inverted v-shaped pattern dates back to as early as 1800 BC.

I've been closely watching Old Navy's chevron tops and yesterday I decided to head to a store to purchase one of them since it had been marked down from $25 to $19. When I got to the store, though, the tops were on sale for just $10! Talk about a consumer surplus!

This $10 chevron top is so chic and versatile. Here's how I'd wear it to three different affairs: Work, a party, and a casual outing.


1. Work. Skirt: The Limited; Sash: Ann Taylor

2. Party. Skirt: c/o LOFT

3. Casual. Leggings: Max Studio via Marshalls; Belt: BR Factory

If you've also been eying the Old Navy chevron-print raglan top, I just purchased it in store yesterday. So, the in-store price is likely still only $10.

Chevron tops on rack in Old Navy. $10

Fashion Director of SELF Magazine Talks Time, Affordability, and Photography With Economy of Style

2011-12-13T10:36:00.000-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to interview Evyan Metzner, SELF magazine's Fashion Director. She has had over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. I think you will find her responses regarding time, affordability, and photography especially interesting.

Evyan Metzner, SELF's Fashion Director

December 2011, SELF cover.

1. How do the overall philosophies of SELF magazine (including health, fitness, and happiness) influence your role as its Fashion Director?

My philosophy has always been to help people embrace fashion from a place of confidence and have fun with it. It is a way to express what you like or how you are feeling. As a lifestyle magazine, we always shoot our stories for SELF on location, not on a white wall in a studio, because people live life in places—not on a white wall.

November 2011 issue of SELF

2. Functionality and affordability are more important now than ever to women, how does your work as the Fashion Director at SELF try to address these issues?

I always felt that fashion has two parts: to have function and to be fun. You have to have both, really. I feel it is always good to have some essentials and add pieces to that collection to make your style more fun and unique. Spending the money on good building pieces is a great way to go. They will fit better and last longer, and they don’t have to be boring.

November 2011 issue of SELF

3. Who do you perceive as your main audience and why are you interested in talking to them?

Our main audience’s main issue is time...and not having enough of it. They love fashion, but they don’t have the time to spend hours shopping around to pick the best boot out of 100 flat boots...So my advice is to follow your first reaction when you see something in our magazine. Mark it, rip it out to remember what you loved. If it's not in your price range, head to your computer and look for something similar.

December 2011 issue of SELF

4. Are there aspects of your background that are not typically thought of as fashion or journalism that have influenced you going into this career?

Yes. When I was in college, I worked as a production assistant in NYC for different commercial production companies. I did everything from drive talent to and from location, organizing casting polaroids, buying props, putting together production booklets, and researching photographs. What I learned is that it's a puzzle. Putting the pieces together. It isn’t about just the day you are shooting or looking at clothes. And I love that part of our job. What makes a good editor is learning how to choose the right puzzle pieces and putting them together.

5. You’ve been in fashion for over 20 years, how have your experiences influenced the work you are doing now with SELF, especially given all the changes associated with blogs and social media?

So many things have changed—the largest is, again, time. And, money. We have less time to do more, and less money to do it with. When I started, we had many days for scouting locations and shooting. But, now we fly in, scout around for a day, shoot, shoot, and leave. We have to cover photographs for 3 different formats (print, ipad, kindle fire) and we do video. We blog. We tweet. So much more information is being shared. It's incredibly exciting.

6. Over the years, what have become a few of your key interests in fashion and why?

I love photography. I love telling a story through pictures. I love fashion and showing how someone can really enjoy clothing as a way to express themselves. I still swoon over a beautiful pair of shoes, or an amazing dress. I love the evolution of fashion and photography.

Twilight start Nikki Reed, Dec 2011 issue of SELF

Spots, Stripes, and Leopard

2011-12-12T07:32:00.000-06:00

You all remember that striped H&M dress I bought for $29.99, right? I mentioned in previous posts that I envision the dress easily transitioning into fall and winter wear. Here's how I made it work this past chilly weekend.

Dress—H&M (American Apparel alternative)
Tights—c/o Loft (buy)
Flats—Banana Republic Factory Store (Betsey Johnson pair on sale at Dillard's)
Jacket—Kenneth Cole New York via Marshalls ($39) (similar Kenneth Cole jacket)
Scarf—Ann Taylor (gifted from family)
Earrings—Kendra Scott (Danielle in pink agate) (various colors at Nordstrom)

Dressed for Success

2011-12-09T13:00:00.000-06:00

This morning, I helped facilitate a mock job fair for participants in the Pathways to Success program at Connections to Success (the umbrella organization for Dress for Success in St. Louis).

Since I had to conduct interviews and such, I dressed up a bit more than I would normally on a Friday. I always get assigned a particular hotel chain, so my look was classic but chic.

A snapshot of the details in this outfit. There were a lot of things going on—bold black/white print with a subtle ombre effect, teal cardigan, leopard sash, and spotted nails.

Dress—Claude Brown via Daffy's (B/W A-line alternative)
Sash/belt—Ann Taylor
Cardigan—Gap
Tights—c/o Loft
Shoes—SE Boutique via DSW

Have a wonderful weekend!

Black and Yellow (and white)

2011-12-08T09:20:00.001-06:00

The warm spell that lasted until December was nice, wasn't it? It's so over now.

I struggle to get dressed when the temps are as low as they are today. Shoot, it's a struggle just to get out of bed.

My plan is to invite the warm sun into my world today by sporting something yellow. My yellow Live a Little jacket is worn with a black long sleeved tee and a houndstooth pencil skirt. Opaque tights and black boots complete the look. This outfit isn't really warm, so my coat will have to compensate. I'm pulling out my MK puffer today.

Tee—Old Navy
Skirt—The Limited
Jacket—Live a Little via resale shop
Shoes—b.o.c. Born Concepts via DSW
Coat—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls

Extra Extra:

This year, I've started doing my nails regularly. I've accumulated a collection of L.A. Colors Color Craze polishes. And, get this? They are $1 in the Dollar Tree Stores! I also like these cheap polishes as much as the OPI ones.

Spotted nails (teal and yellow). Loft ring.

Michael Michael Kors puffer coat

Ann Taylor Asymmetrical Jacket and 50% Off Sale

2011-12-06T09:46:00.001-06:00

Last weekend, while strolling through the West County mall, I glimpsed a larger than usual sale section in Ann Taylor. So, I decided to investigate. Once in the store, I was excited to learn that there was a buy one get one free offer on all sale items.

I decided to purchase the Ann Taylor asymmetrical jacket, which is described as having modern motorcyle details on the AT site. The jacket reminds me of a straightjacket, and I find the look so appealing. It was $44.98 in store (and $240 on sale online). I claimed another item that was the same price as my free item.

Two different, but similar outfits. Ponte knit leggings on left and black denim leggings on right.

50% off Sale Items Now

I might need to swing back by Ann Taylor this week because the sale just got sweeter. The offer is now 50% off sale items. There are quite a few items I would reconsider purchasing at much lower prices. Checkout this dress I spotted—the sought after leopard sheath dress. It was $49.99, so it would be $25 now. The only size available, a 4P, was just too tight on my hips though.

From the dressing room. Ann Taylor sheath. ~~$148~~ ~~$49.99~~ $25

Have you been eying items in Ann Taylor? Check your stores, the prices might be right there.

Cheap Cheap Fun Fun

2011-12-05T10:26:00.000-06:00

You think you know me, but you have no idea...

Recently, I was reflecting on some of the odd things I do ~~sometimes~~ often to save a dime. I thought it might be fun to share a few of them with you. Since you are here, you probably like to save money too, so you might not find my actions that odd. Nonethesless, don't judge me! Lol!

Odd Things I do to Save a Dime:

1. Can I get a sample? When I take short-haul trips by plane and pack only a carry-on, I sometimes forego packing facial products in my 3-quart bag. Instead, once I get to my destination, I visit Sephora (or a similar store) to get free samples of the products I use at home.

Various samples from last trip.

2. Can I get a sample? Take II. When I'm not ready to splurge on pricey facial/skincare products that I love, I become a sample seeker. For example, I received a sample of Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation and loved it, but I wasn't ready to dish out $55 for it. So, when my first sample ran out, I returned to the store and asked for another one. Benefit: After a couple samples, I realized I wasn't correctly color-matched.

Chanel samples

3. Price Adjustments. I hate missing opportunities for a price adjustment. And, stores aren't making it any easier with their shrinking time periods in which you can claim an adjustment. I recently bought a Michael Kors saddle bag on sale at Nordstrom for $149.90. I visited Nordstrom.com everyday after purchasing the item to check for price changes. Two days later, the bag was marked down to $113.90. What! I promptly called Nordstrom and the rep adjusted the price via the phone.

4. Return It! When does the goal of maximizing purchases go too far? If I buy something that I have the slightest doubt about, I return it. That has backfired once, and I've repurchased something that I returned. Okay, maybe I did that twice.

I bought, returned, and repurchased these Coach flats.

5. Best Price. I don't purchase anything unless I'm sure I'm getting the best price. Before getting a smartphone, to do that in the field, I would call my husband or a friend and have them do an online search of the item I was contemplating buying. "Could you google Paolo Masi and tell me what the bags retail for?" Smartphones have made that process a lot easier.

6. Online Purchases. I refuse to buy anything online before searching for free shipping and other coupons on coupon sites like retailmenot. Actually, I usually refuse to purchase anything online unless it has free shipping.

Source

You're starting to understand why my name is Psyche now, aren't you? o_O

So, what quirky things do you do to save a dime? Don't leave me hanging out here by myself!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Hair Products

2011-12-01T13:30:00.001-06:00

Many of you have commented favorably on my hair lately. I was invited to participate in Dove's "Make Friends With Your Hair" campaign. So, I received the entire line of Nourishing Oil Care products, and I've been testing them on my hair.

I use mostly natural products on my hair, but I've had such great success using the Dove sensitive skin products that I was willing to try the hair products. The new Nourishing Oil Care line was appealing, too, because it promises to address the needs of extra dry hair.

First Use:

When I first tried the products, I used a combination of the shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and anti-frizz serum. The shampoo left my hair (and scalp) feeling clean, but not stripped. I wasn't immediately fond of the conditioner because it seemingly lacked slip. Detangling my hair with the conditioner in it, though, was quite easy. I was surprised.

The leave-in conditioner was my favorite product. It made my hair feel smooth and slick, and once applied, it was so easy to comb my hair in preparation for blowing it out.

Dove Nourishing Oil Care products and tools used to achieve look below.

After blow drying my entire head on a low-heat setting, I applied the anti-frizz serum, and blow dried the hair one more time on a higher heat setting. My hair was left shiny and smooth. I then flat-twisted my hair, went to bed, and loosed the hair in the morning to achieve the following look:

Flat twist-out on blown-out hair using Dove Nourishing Oil Care products. The result was light and fluffy hair.

Second Use:

The second time I tried the products, I used a combination of the shampoo, daily treatment conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and the anti-friz serum. This time, I wanted to see what the products would do for my hair without using heat.

The Daily Treatment Conditioner worked similarly to the other conditioner. My hair didn't feel slick and smooth, but it was a breeze to detangle. These conditioners have the consistency (really thick) of deep conditioners. So, they could possibly be more effective if I let them sit on my hair for a few minutes.

Conditioning with Daily Treatment Conditioner. Working it through hair.

I used the leave-in conditioner to moisturize my hair, then two-strand twisted it while wet. After I completed the twists, I applied some of the serum over the twists. The next morning, I loosed the hair, and saw the following result:

(1)Twists using leave-in and serum (2)Unraveled twists show great definition. (3-4): Fluffed out hair after further separating twists. Shiny and soft.

Final Thoughts:

Pros: Overall, this is a good, low-cost (each product is under $5) line of hair products. They smell great. The products aim to nourish extra dry hair. My clear favorites are the shampoo and the leave-in conditioner. I'd surely use the leave-in conditioner again because it coaxed my hair really well, and after using it to wet set my twists, my hair had good definition and it was soft.

Cons: The hair-healthy ingredients like sweet almond oil appear near the end of the list of ingredients indicating that they are in low concentration in the products. If you're a natural product enthusiast, these products also contain ingredients like SLS and dimethicone.

Be sure to check out the Make Friends With Your Hair Contest on facebook and vote for your favorite candidate until December 12. I voted for Brittany D because her entry was hilarious and I'd like to see the Dove professionals work with her hair. The winner will appear in the next Dove TV ad.

Disclosure: I received all of the products reviewed free of charge. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post. As always, all the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. For the review, Dove products were used exclusively.

Party Outfit You Can Wear to the Office

2011-12-01T09:29:00.001-06:00

Buying several glamorous holiday outfits to meet the holiday party demands is just not practical for a lot of us. This year, my plan is to mix in a few low-cost glitzy pieces with my everyday basics to create holiday looks.

So, you've got a party at the office or immediately after work? No time to change? Check out an option for a party look that works for work. One piece, a sequined tank from CATO Fashions ($17.99), adds some holiday sparkle to a couple work basics—black skirt and black blazer.

Tank—c/o CATO Fashions (not close to CATO, online options under $20 here and here)
Skirt—Banana Republic
Blazer—Gap (same style at full price)
Tights—Cytnhia Rowley via Marshalls
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-11-30T09:18:00.000-06:00

Bag in 2007. Seen in Fashion ans Big Ideas post.

My first Michael Kors handbag was the Ashbury E/W satchel. I received it as a birthday gift in 2007, and it was purchased via eBay for a fraction of the retail cost at that time.

Four years later, this is still one of my favorite bags. With details like buttery soft leather, tasseled leather zipper pulls, double straps with whip stitching, and the signature luggage tan color, what's not to love, right?

If I examine all of my purchases, it becomes obvious that I'm willing to spend more money on handbags than anything else in my wardrobe. I have somewhat discerning taste when it comes to bags and I've grown fond of the styles by a few designers.

Since I spend more money on bags, I want to wear them a lot, lowering the cost-per-wear ratio, and I also want to keep them in great condition.

How I Care for My Leather Handbags:

Before wearing: I spray with a coat of leather protector spray. Leather protectors promise to seal out water, stains, and dirt.
Moisturize: To keep the leather supple, I usually condition my bags about twice a year.
Stains: In the unfortunate incident of a stain, I gently wipe my bag immediately with a rag dipped in mild soap and water.
Storage: When not in use, my bags are stuffed to preserve their shapes, and stored in dust bags.

I usually buy the conditioner in a local leather care shop. I get the Wilsons TLC at the Wilsons store in outlet malls.

My care plan has worked well for me. Here's my satchel, still looking new after four years of wear:

Satchel in November, 2011.

A Fall work look with the satchel:

Top—Loft
Skirt—Dolce &Gabbana (swap)
Tights—Cynthia Rowley via Marshalls
Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls
Belt—Ann Taylor
Pearls—Overstock

All of My Purple Life

2011-11-29T10:07:00.001-06:00

I've been shopping for a new coat. So, the day after Thanksgiving, I went hunting for one. I first spotted a beautiful, green, wrap coat in Marshalls, but the only size available was too large for me. So, I launched a serious search to find that coat in my size. In St. Louis, there are 9 Marshalls stores within 25 miles of my home, and one of them was going to have my coat.

Glimpse of green wrap coat in dressing room.

The Marshalls Goddesses smiled on me because the next day, I found the coat in my size and in the perfect shade of purple. Between the color and the beautifully draped cascade collar, it was a winner.

Calvin Klein Diagonal Twill Wrap Topper via Mashalls, $69.99

Purple Rain

While in the checkout line at Marshalls, the woman behind me asked if purple was my favorite color. I was curious as to why she asked me that. She then pointed out all of the purple things I was either wearing, holding, or carrying. It was a lot, y'all. I guess purple is a favorite color of mine?

That encounter made me take a closer look at a few of my recent purchases, and apparently, it has been raining purple in my closet.

CATO Fashions knit blazer

LOVE Moschino dress ($39) via TJ Maxx

Michael Kors clutch via Marshalls

LOFT Oval Stone ring; Kendra Scott Danielle earrings

DVF flats via Century 21.

MARC by Marc Jacobs sunglasses in purple

Lots of purple nail polish.

Even my phone case is purple!

Okay. I guess it's safe to say that I love purple. What color(s) do you find yourself drawn to?

Edgy Work Outfit

2011-11-28T08:38:00.000-06:00

I was watching the Sex and the City movie on E last night and I was as inspired by the fashion in the movie as I was when I first watched it. In particular, I was reminded of how fond I am of the studded belt that Carrie wore throughout that movie. So, I decided to pull my studded belt out today.

Top—c/o Loft (Loft draped ruffle v-neck shell)

Skirt—The Limited (similar Express red pencil skirt)

Tights—c/o Loft (Loft opaque tights)

Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls (similar military inspired bootie)

Belt—Destination Style NY by Patricia Field via HSN

Here's a snap from the movie with Carrie sporting the belt with a pink dress.

Happy Monday!

Thanksgiving Holiday Recap

2011-11-26T11:16:00.001-06:00

Hey y'all! Folks in the US, did you have a good holiday?

I spent the holiday in St. Louis at home, so my outfits were super casual.

On Thanksgiving Day, I wore some ponte knit leggings, the perfect pants for overeating. To elevate my at-home chic, I paired the leggings with a satiny cobalt top and a black sequined scarf.

If I were going out, I would add a velvet blazer.

Top—The Limited
Pants—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls
Scarf—The Limited
Shoes—Juicy Couture via Marshalls
Blazer—Gap

On Friday, I decided to check out a few sales. I left home around 10:30 am and headed to the St. Louis Galleria, a local mall. For that mall run, I went with an outfit that was as comfortable as sweats, but a bit more polished—a knit pencil skirt with a cami and an open cardigan. Tights and some well broken in flats completed the look.

Cami—Old Navy
Skirt—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls
Cardigan—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls
Shoes—Juicy Couture via Marshalls

What are your plans today? Since today's been declared Small Business Saturday, I plan to visit some local consignment and thrift shops. I'll definitely be back with a report.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Grab-and-Go Look

2011-11-23T07:29:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago, I started volunteering at a local food bank on Wednesday mornings. I teach Zumba classes for the clients there. Since becoming certified to teach Zumba in September, I teach a couple classes for people who don't have access to fitness programs.

After my class this morning, I'll need to get ready in a flash. So, I'll be pulling for a dress that gives instant glam—a jersey shift dress with an artsy print by BCBG. I purchased this BCBG dress in the BCBG Max Azria Factory Store in Cincinnati last year for $39!

Dress—BCBG via BCBG Max Azria Factory Store
Tights—Marshalls
Shoes—Me Too via DSW

See the same dress styled during the summer as well as another grab-and-go dress I reach for often:

I hope you've done all your shopping for tomorrow. If not, stay safe as you brave the crowds today!

Red, White, and Blue

2011-11-22T12:14:00.001-06:00

Red is surely one of my favorite colors this season. If you haven't noticed, check out how I've worn red in recent weeks in the posts below:

Casual Work Attire (red and white sweater)
Looking Back, Looking Forward (red skirt)
Preppy Chic for Casual Days (red saddle bag)

Today's work look pairs a red pencil skirt with a white tee and navy stripe jacket. Black opaque tights and bordeaux heeled loafer complete the look. Classic, right?

Tee—H&M
Jacket—Loft
Skirt—The Limited
Tights—Betsey Johnson via Nordstrom Rack
Shoes—Me Too via DSW

Preppy Chic for Casual Days

2011-11-21T17:25:00.000-06:00

Since we're on the homestretch to the Thanksgiving holiday, I'm not feeling motivated to get "dressed up." Are you feeling that way too? I think this will be a week of casual looks.

Me Too "Fairy" heeled loafer via DSW

Top—The Limited (J Crew gingham top and Madewell gingham top)
Cardigan—Old Navy
Pants—Kohls (similar black jeggings at Kohl's)
Shoes—MeToo via DSW (similar Nine West heeled loafer)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle in pink agate (Kendra Scott Danielle at Nordstrom)
Sunglasses—Marc Jacobs via Solstice Sunglass Outlet
Saddle bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom (other colors on sale at Zappos)

The Orient Watches USA Giveaway Winner is...

2011-11-21T01:24:00.001-06:00

Angela the Creative Diva

RiAnge Creations

Angela will receive the white Ms Diver watch by Orient ($185).

Congratulations Angela!!!

Thank you all for entering and I sincerely appreciate all the kind comments.

Winners for all Economy of Style giveaways are chosen using a random number generator

(random.org) unless otherwise specified. This was the first giveaway that allowed multiple entries. At the close of the giveaway period, there were 63 valid entries.

Angela was lucky number 4 in this giveaway.

Please stay tuned for future super fly giveaways.

NB: The selected winner has been contacted using the contact information listed in her entry. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Disclosure: The prize in this giveaway was provided by Orient Watches USA. Economy of Style is shipping the prize to the winner.

Short, Short Skirt

2011-11-18T10:25:00.001-06:00

So, I purchased this dress last weekend. I was mesmerized by the mixed media details—tiger eye print, sequined trim, exposed zipper at the back, and tweed skirt. Once I saw that it fit, I purchased it without hesitation.

It was on sale at that time for $77 in Macy's. But, I combined a wow pass, and a few mall gift cards to bring the price down to $46. Then, during the One Day Sale, the dress was marked down to $44.

Now that I've tried it on at home, though, I noticed that the skirt is much much shorter than I recall. And, remember, I'm only 5'4", so there really isn't much skirt on this dress. Due to the length limitations, the dress may be going on the chopping block. I thought I'd share it anyway.

Love the dress? Check it out at Macy's—Rachel Roy Anything Goes Dress.

My search for non-work dresses continues...

Have a good weekend!

Casual Thursday

2011-11-17T09:41:00.001-06:00

Anyone else already in Thanksgiving holiday mode? In my mind, the holiday starts today.

Later today, I'm attending a spa soiree with some local bloggers. So, I wanted my outfit to be slouchy, laid back, but still polished enough to walk around all day in.

Colorblocked tee—Gap (buy similar)
Maxi skirt—OldNavy (buy similar)
Denim jacket—Gap (buy similar)
Leopard flats—Banana Republic Factory Store (buy similar here or here)
Red saddle bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Nordstrom (buy in other colors)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle in purple agate (buy)

Shopping Macy's One Day Sale

2011-11-16T08:11:00.000-06:00

Last month, I won a $25 Macy's gift card at the Show Me The Blog conference in St. Louis. I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to maximize the value of the gift card. So, I've been scouting sales in Macy's.

On Monday, I stumbled into Macy's, and the store was preparing for its One Day Sale, which is officially today. Most of the sale items, however, had already been marked down in the system on the day I was in the store.

I picked up the Rachel Roy Isadora dress priced at $119, but when I scanned it at a price machine, it was $37.50! Say what? I used my $25 gift card on that dress and spent an additional $12.50 plus tax to take it home.

What I didn't know was if I had waited one day, I could've saved an additional $10 with this Macy's coupon for $10 off a $25 or more sale purchase. If you've been watching for sales at Macy's, this is the time to move! Be sure to take the coupon with you.


Dress—Rachel Roy "Isadora"

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Today is also Wednesday, and hence time for Looking Back, Looking Forward. So, let's look forward at a few alternative looks I envisioned when deciding to purchase the dress. I plan to wear the dress casually, but I like that with a few changes, it can be made work-ready.

Cardigan—Gap

Cardigan—H&M

Blazer—Banana Republic

Planning to check out the sale? Already checked out the sale? What are you shopping for?

Dressing Up a Sheath

2011-11-14T20:01:00.001-06:00

I know. You're probably starting to say, "Aww no, Psyche, not that black Tahari sheath again!" I can't help it y'all. This dress is so versatile and always a joy to wear.

Today, I'm experimenting with dressing it up a bit. Tis the season of office parties and after-work holiday get-togethers. So, I'm gonna need this dress to work overtime to avoid feeling pressured to purchase new items.

For a dressy take on the sheath, it is belted with a cobalt, calf hair, skinny belt. Textured tights provide some easy flair. A velvet blazer, black pumps, and blueberry chandelier earrings complete the look.

Dress—Tahari via TJ Maxx (buy similar)
Blazer—Gap (buy similar)
Belt—Ann Taylor (buy)
Tights—Betsey Johnson via Nordstrom Rack (buy similar)
Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls ( buy similar)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Gwen Chandelier (buy on sale)

Same sheath, different looks:

Casual Work Attire

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

I've always worked in fields that didn't have strict dress codes. Of course, my preferred uniform would probably comprise a form-fitting sheath dress. But, on occasion, I just feel like slumming it. On those days, I rely on casual, comfy, but chic pieces to pull a look together.

An oversized, red stripe sweater is paired with denim trousers for a slouchy chic look. I purchased the sweater during the recent Friends and Family sale (40% off) at the Gap. Python print wedges and purple agate earrings complete the casual work outfit.

Sweater—Gap (buy)
Pants—c/o Liz Claiborne for jcpenney (buy similar)
Shoes—Ellen Tracey via Marshalls (buy similar)
Earrings—Kendra Scott Danielle in purple agate (buy)

Weekend Style

2011-11-11T08:50:00.001-06:00

My mission this weekend is to find something to do that would warrant wearing the dress in today's post. The dress is just begging to come out!

Y'all know I shop TJ Maxx regularly. If you're still wondering why, check this out. LOVE Moschino dress on clearance for $39. I know. I initially thought the price was a bargain shopper mirage too. I then remembered I was in TJ Maxx, the store where bargain shopping miracles like this one happen all the time.

Here's the find that had me jumping for joy in a TJ Maxx fitting room last weekend.

My hands are in the pockets. Yes, it has pockets.

Deals like this one are worth framing.

Dress—LOVE Moschino via TJ Maxx
Tights—Cynthia Rowley via Marshalls
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls
Earrings—Kendra Scott (Danielle)

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy bargain shopping!

P.S. Check out the list of Friends and Family sales I'll be hitting up this weekend on facebook.com/economyofstyle

Giveaway: White Haute Watch by Orient Watches USA, $185 [CLOSED]

2011-11-10T11:37:00.002-06:00

What's sporty, sophisticated, fashionable, and functional? It's the white haute, Ms Diver watch (MSRP: $185) from Orient Watches USA that you could win!

Orient Ms. Diver watch with blue dial

Skip the long lines and crowded malls and win this watch that'll make the perfect gift for someone else or yourself. White watches are all the rage. This one has a uni directional bezel with date in a beautiful 200m case. Its rubber band, another haute trend right now, is so comfortable you'll want to wear it everyday.

Orient has earned a reputation for making superb automatic watches. The company is well known for its quality watches for men as well as unique watch details like sapphire crystal casebacks.

Actual watch ready to come home with you!

So, what are you waiting for? See details below and ENTER!

How to enter:

Mandatory: Leave a comment below this post with either your blog link or email address (for e.g., economyofstyle at gmail dot com).
Mandatory: You must be a follower of Economy of Style via Google Friend Connect (see banner on the right), Facebook, or Twitter.
Optional: Earn extra entries by following Economy of Style via multiple ways (for e.g. earn 2 entries by following via facebook and GFC, or earn 3 entries by following via GFC, Facebook, and Twitter). Indicate in your comment how you follow EOS.

Rules:

Must have a valid mailing address.
International subscribers are welcome to enter.
Comments must have a blog link or email address to be valid.
Valid entries can be made until Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST.
Selected winner has 48 hours to respond to winning notification email. In the event of no response, another winner will be selected.

Good luck y'all!

Disclosure: The prize in this giveaway was provided by Orient Watches USA.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-11-09T09:48:00.000-06:00

I've featured pencil skirts in the Looking Back, Looking Forward series several times because they are so classically chic. Today, I'm inducting my red, ruffled pencil skirt from The Limited into my wardrobe's classics.

I wear this pencil skirt a lot. And, this season, with all the colorblocking and print-mixing going on, I'm discovering new ways to sport this red pencil skirt. Remember my pink and red combo in Pink and Red: Color Clash or Amazing Analogy?

For today's Looking Back, Looking Forward, I'm attempting a new outfit with my red pencil skirt that combines items I've never worn together. A gingham top (see Gingham Goodness for other style options) with cascading ruffles is paired with the red skirt that also has a ruffle detail. My Cato Fashions purple blazer adds an additional layer of color that's electric when paired with red. Opaque tights and black pumps complete the look.

Close-up showing the ruffle detailing.

Top—The Limited (see similar here and here)
Skirt—The Limited (see similar)
Blazer—Cato Fashions
Tights—Marshalls
Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls (see similar)

Goodwill Hunting in St. Louis

2011-11-08T13:25:00.002-06:00

Last Friday, I went on a Goodwill store hop in St. Louis with Glamazini. I've been quite curious about the local thrift shop scene, so when Glamazini introduced the fabulous idea, I immediately jumped on board. The plan was to visit the infamous Goodwill Outlet and four other Goodwill stores chosen strategically by their locations.

Goodwill Outlet

Thrift shopping demands time and patience because it's a chore to sift through lots of undesirables in the hope of finding a gem. The occasional discovery of fashion treasures, though, makes the entire process worthwhile.

With that said, the Goodwill outlet introduces a whole new world of thrifting. Picture over 20,000 square feet of retail space stocked with bins that are filled with everything you could ever imagine someone donating to Goodwill. In addition, every 20 minutes, new bins of merchandise are rolled onto the floor. Y'all, the St. Louis Goodwill outlet is the largest in the country.

Bargains hunters, clearly more familiar with the process than I was, eagerly awaited the new merchandise being rolled onto the floors. Getting first dibs on the new stuff was such a priority for two shoppers that day that they started physically fighting about it. Say what? Yes, fighting!

Goodwill Outlet, 3728 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63110

Bins in the Goodwill Outlet

After sifting through a few bins, Glamazini and I, both avid dress shoppers, decided to head to a few other locations where it would be easier to shop by item.

Other Goodwill Locations

The other locations, including the Brentwood, Sunset Hills, Manchester, and Chesterfield stores, met expectations. They were well organized by item type (skirts, shirts, dresses, and so on). There was a wide range of brands. There was a sizable portion of vintage items. I was particularly impressed by the extensive coat collection in every location. Fur coats, wool coats, puffer coats, no matter your preference, Goodwill plans to get you covered this fall/winter.

Check out these standout pieces from various locations:


Trendy fur vest at Brentwood Goodwill, $35

Vintage Famous Barr Fur coat in Brentwood store, $25

Glamazini's Fab Find: Wilsons Leather Blazer, $15

On this particular trip, my favorite stop was the Chesterfield Goodwill at 11 Forum Shopping Center, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Why? It was a haven for designer goods in excellent condition. The store also appeared to be new.

Outside Chesterfield Goodwill, 11 Forum Shopping Ctr.

Coach bucket bag, $15

B. Mankowsky bag, $35. Like new condition.

Christian Dior menswear-inspired blazer, $15

I purchased a couple items for myself in this Chesterfield store. Checkout my $14 outfit below. That very mod-looking, red, Live a Little jacket was only $8. The super chic tweed skirt by Tommy Hilfiger was $6.

This Goodwill hop was fun and filled with cool suprises. The trip was especially enjoyable with my company. I plan to delve deeper into the world of thrifting after this experience.

Be sure to read Glamazini's recap of our Goodwill Hunting.

Are you a thrifter? Please share your experiences and tips!

The Fabulous Beauty Freebies Giveaway Winner is...

2011-11-07T10:30:00.001-06:00

Angelique

ALL the goodies shown below will soon be in Angelique's mailbox.

For details on the contents, see Fabulous Beauty Freebies Giveaway

Congratulations Angelique!!!

Thank you all for entering and I sincerely appreciate all the Birthday wishes. I had a wonderful day and particularly enjoyed sharing it with you all.

Winners for all Economy of Style giveaways are chosen using a random number generator

(random.org) unless otherwise specified.

Angelique was lucky number 39 in this giveaway.

Please stay tuned for the next super fabulous giveaway. It is already in the works, highly valuable, and super stylish.

NB: The selected winner has been contacted using the contact information listed in her entry. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Dressed for Thrift Shopping

2011-11-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

Today, I teamed up with Glamazini to seriously survey the thrift shop scene here in St. Louis. A thorough review of the experience will be coming soon.

Whenever I go shopping, I target dresses, so it's always most convenient for me to wear a dress that I can slip off easily to try clothes on. It was also very chilly here in St. Louis today, so tights were a must. Since we had planned to cover a lot of territory today, I needed comfortable shoes.

Here's the look I decided on. A comfy and very short (it looks a lot shorter when photographed too) knit dress is paired with opaque tights. My suede ankle boots anchor the look.

Dress—Max Studio via Marshalls
Tights—Merona for Target
Shoes—Nine West via Piperlime
Jacket—Loft

Styling A Print Shift for a Chilly Thursday

2011-11-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

I wasn't joking in A Bold Print Dress for a Grab-and-Go Look. I do reach for my Nine West print shift often when I'm in a bind about what to wear. From the striking print to the easy-to-sport silhouette, the dress has a magical way of making me look pulled together.

For cooler temps, the dress is worn with a knit blazer and opaque tights. Two-toned flats complete the look.

Dress—Nine West via Marshalls
Blazer—INC via Macy's
Tights—Merona for Target
Shoes—Levity via DSW
Earrings—Kendra Scott "Danielle" (see here)

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-11-02T11:40:00.001-05:00

Some classics are just keepers. I received a beautiful, brown, corduroy, two-button blazer in 2002 as a birthday gift from a friend. Nine years later, this blazer remains one of my favorites. Banana Republic really knows how to make a blazer because after years of wear, this one looks as good as new, and the fit remains current.

Dress—London Times via Marshalls (see similar here and here)
Blazer—Banana Republic (see similar here)
Belt—Gap (see similar here)
Tights—Marshalls (see other chevron tights here and here)
Shoes—Tahari via Marshalls (see similar here)
Earrings—Kendra Scott "Danielle" (see here)

By the way, I am wearing my free Big & Bright eyeliner from Bare Escentuals in midnight. I received it by just stepping in a Bare Escentuals store last weekend (offer ended Nov 1). Join me on Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know on these types of offers.

For a look back, check out the posts below for a couple other outfits with this classic blazer:
Flower Power
Building on the Basics

Charitable Closet Cleaning

2011-11-01T13:42:00.002-05:00

A couple weeks ago, Lauren Conrad wrote a post, "Operation Organize: Charitable Closet Cleaning," that prompted me to finally tackle the pile of unused clothing that has been sitting in front of my closet for about two months.

Snapshot of the pile of clothing I no longer use.

I have a few pairs of sneakers that I don't wear since
getting my dance fitness sneakers for zumba.

Conrad suggested that we should make targeted charitable donations with our unused items. For example, she recommended that shoe donations be given to Soles4Souls, a shoe charity that recycles shoes for people in need.

So, I took a closer look at all the items that I had set aside for donation and realized that the items fell into three broad categories: work clothing, casual clothing, and shoes. I've decided then to direct my donations as follows:

Work clothing: Connections to Success (Organization over Dress for Success in St. Louis.)
Casual clothing: Goodwill
Shoes: Soles4Souls

Bonus: I have about 5 magazine subscriptions that I receive for free that are creating another kind of pile. So, I made some calls and found an organization, Horizon Club, that collects them in downtown St. Louis. So, I am taking a few stacks over there today.

P.S. In the past, I was a strong advocate for salvaging value by selling unused items to resale shops. Unless an item is extremely vaulable (and in those instances, I sell on eBay), I no longer do that because the payoff is so little that it doesn't make $ense.

Want to learn more about my downsized closet space and how I've organized it? See Organizing a Small Closet on a Budget.

What are you doing with the items in your closets that never get worn?

Playing With Patterned Tights

2011-10-31T11:49:00.000-05:00

Last year, I bought a pair of grey argyle tights from Target (see similar here and here). Despite the classic and sexy appeal of these tights, I haven't worn them much. To ensure that I wore them today, I created an outfit around the tights.

Since the prominent color in the argyle pattern on the tights is grey, I opted for a grey skirt to anchor the look. The skirt is paired with a white, long sleeve tee topped by a purple swing jacket for a pop of color.

Close-up on the argyle tights.

Tee—Old Navy (see here)
Jacket—Vertigo Paris via Marshalls (see similar here)
Skirt—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Marshalls (see similar here)
Shoes—Tahari via Marshalls

Feeling the Blues...

2011-10-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

This fall, I'm feeling the blues, and my fashion spirits have never been this high. Cobalt, turquoise, teal, navy...it doesn't even matter the hue, for when mixed together, these blues make you want to sing about them.

Today's outfit takes a satiny, cobalt blue shell and pairs it with a navy, knit pencil skirt. The two fabulous blues are cinched together with a grey python belt. An ecru colored blazer with a navy grosgrain ribbon detail provides the perfect topper.

Top—The Limited
Skirt—Dolce & Gabbana (swapped)
Belt—The Limited
Jacket—Loft
Tights—Marshalls
Shoes—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls
Earrings—Kendra Scott "Nyla" (buy here on sale)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Dressing Down a Sheath Dress

2011-10-27T11:17:00.001-05:00

Today's post is this week's Looking Back, Looking Forward. It was reschedule due to the launch of our Fabulous Beauty Freebies Giveaway. Have you entered yet by the way?

If I had a signature work look, it would definitely comprise a sheath dress. I love sheaths because they are figure-molding, easy to wear, and most importantly, timeless. With these types of qualities, I'm willing to spend more on sheaths. I purchased the dress featured today in TJ Maxx for $69.99 (retail $238) and I've worn it so many times that the cost-per-wear has got to be approaching zero.

Here are some of my favorite ways to wear this sheath:

Sometimes, though, I don't feel like "dressing-up" for work. On those days, I still reach for my favorite sheaths and style them casually. Here's how I make the black Tahari sheath less dressy.

Classic denim jacket—Gap Outlet
Dress—Tahari via TJ Maxx
Scarf—Jones New York via TJ Maxx
Shoes—Levity 'Monica' flat via DSW
Earrings—Kendra Scott 'Nyla' (Buy here)

What are your signature pieces for work?

Giveaway: Fabulous Beauty Freebies [CLOSED]

2011-10-26T13:01:00.003-05:00

Today's my birthday and just like every other day on Economy of Style, I'd like to celebrate with you!

I've been collecting lots of free stuff lately—swag from fashion shows and store openings, birthday rewards, and free gifts with purchase. I've rounded up some of my favorite freebies and created one fabulous beauty freebies gift for a lucky Economy of Style reader.

What will you win?

1. Faux patent leather runner tote with diamond quilted detailing (free from DSW). Coin purse included.

2. Estee Lauder gift set including
a. Take It Away makeup remover
b. Advanced Night Repair
c. Advanced Night Repair Eye
d. Pure Color Eyeshadow duo (Sugar biscuit and Tempting mocha shimmer)
e. Pure Color long lasting lipstick (Rose tea)
f. Sumptuous bold volume lifting mascara

3. Honeydew Intimates nail polish trio.

4. Philosophy vanilla shampoo, shower gel, & bubble bath

5. L'Occitane shea hand cream.

6. Target Beauty Bag (w/samples like Pond's cleansing towelettes and a coupon booklet)

7. Smashbox limitless eyeliner (onyx)

8. bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation (fairly light)

How to enter:

Mandatory: Leave a comment below this post with either your blog link or email address (for e.g., economyofstyle at gmail dot com).
Mandatory: You must be a follower of Economy of Style via Google Friend Connect (see banner on the right), Facebook, or Twitter.

Rules:

Must have a valid mailing address.
International subscribers are welcome to enter.
Comments must have a blog link or email address to be valid.
One entry per person.
Valid entries can be made until Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST.
Selected winner has 48 hours to respond to winning notification email. In the event of no response, another winner will be selected.

Good luck!

P.S. Keep a close watch for the next Economy of Style Giveaway. Hint: The prize has a value near $200 and will keep you on time.

Cato Fashions: A New Statement of Style

2011-10-25T11:46:00.001-05:00

New shopportunities! On October 12, a brand new Cato Fashions opened in Fenton, a municipality within St. Louis County. Since the opening of that store, I've had the opportunity to check it out and my experience surpassed my expectations, so I had tell you all about it.

Cato Fashions at 171 Gravois Bluffs Plaza Drive (Target Center)

I had never been into a Cato store prior to my recent visit. So, I had no idea what I was walking into. But, I do know that when I walked out of the store, I had the super chic yet cheap outfit you see below. Yes, that sequined tank and purple blazer are from Cato! And, they have a combined cost less than $40!

Tank and Blazer (both size small)—Cato fashions

Want the details on this outfit and a sneak peak of my favorite items in Cato stores now? Continue reading.

Cato Fashions stores, usually located in shopping centers anchored by major discounters or supermarkets, offer styles in sizes 6 - 26W for women and sizes 7-16 for girls. The stores also carry an extensive collection of shoes and accessories.

When I first walked into Cato in Fenton, I wasn't attracted to the items I saw. The visual merchandising just didn't appeal to me. I'm glad I kept looking, though, because there are some hidden gems that ought to be on the must-have lists of all budget fashionistas.

Display at the entrance of the store.

The hautest items in Cato Fashions right now have got to be the super chic knit blazers. These blazers are kinda like a cross between a sweater and a blazer and are available in on-trend colors like orange, navy, and purple. And, get this, these blazers are only $21.99!

Orange Cato blazer, $21.99. I am wearing the purple one
in the photo above.

After I tried on a few blazers, I found a sparkly, sequined tank. It is shiny, sophisticated, and just what I've been looking for in a blinged out top for the holidays. The tank retails for $17.99 in Cato.

Sequined tank from Cato, $17.99.

Close-up to show the impeccable detailing on the
sequined tank and the quality knit of the blazer.

The quality of these items absolutely surpasses their
price points.

Cato Shoes

My next stop was the shoe section I passed on the way to the fitting room. Cato has an extensive collection of shoes and I didn't see a single pair with a price above $25. The suede wedges below are my favorite pick. They have a rounded toe, a perfect-for-fall shade of blue, a leopard lining (rawr!), and an unbelievable price of $17.99.

'Suede' wedges at Cato, $17.99

The shoes in Cato are all faux-leather. But, let me tell you, the following pairs make faux look fabulous!

Cato flat boots.

Cato high-heel oxfords

If you've been in the dark like me about Cato Fashions, it's time to see the light. Find your nearest store at Catofashions.com. If you've already been shopping there, I'd like to know why you haven't told me about this budget-friendly shopping spot?

Seriously, though, have you shopped at Cato? Let me know what your experiences have been.

Disclosure: I received a gift card to shop at Cato Fashions. No monetary compensation was received for writing this post. All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own.

My MK Item Tote Has Appreciated in Value

2011-10-24T10:22:00.002-05:00

Anyone watching Fashion Hunters? If you haven't caught it yet, it's a new show on Bravo that follows the buyers at Second Time Around, an upscale resale boutique.

In the second episode of the show, the fashionistas at Second Time Around hosted a Birkin bag swap/shop party. Birkin bag expert, Michael Tonello, was brought in to authenticate the bags. There was, of course, some drama about a fake bag at the party. But, one of the notable things I kept hearing in that episode, is that Birkin bags can be viewed as "investments" since they often appreciate in value.

I don't know about you, but I certainly can't afford a Birkin. Apparently, I can't even afford a fake Birkin. But, I do have a classic, lower cost bag that has appreciated in value—my Michael Kors Item Tote in Python.

I purchased my MICHAEL Micahel Kors Item tote on eBay in the summer of 2010. I paid $98 for it, a price that reflected a saving of $100 off the retail price of $198 at that time.

My MICHAEL Michael Kors Item tote is a bag I reach
for often.
Tee—H&M, Cardigan-H&M,
Leggings—Adrienne Vittadini via Marshalls,
Scarf—The Limited, Shoes—DVF via C21,
Earrings—Kendra Scott "Nyla" in crush

The item tote has been a perennial favorite for at least the last three years. So, I wasn't surprised to see it back on the shelves this year. But, I did notice something peculiar about the price this year.

Source: Macy's

The python item tote must've grown in popularity because the price on this style has increased by $30! Interesting, eh? Have you noticed any peculiar price hikes recently?

Blog Conference

2011-10-21T10:07:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm attending my first blog conference. Show Me The Blog is going down right here in St. Louis at the Lumiere Place Hotel & Casino. The two-day conference will focus on social media topics today and blog topics tomorrow.

I've attended many conferences, but they've all been academic. So, for a minute this morning, I had no idea what I would wear to a blog conference. I had some requirements for an outfit in mind. I knew I wanted to look professional. Since I'm attending as a fashion blogger, I also wanted to dress a little hipper than I would at an academic conference. I also wanted to be comfortable since it's an all-day affair.

For the sessions today, here's what I've decided on. A classic striped buttoned down shirt with a jazzy balloon detail at the bottom is paired with a striking red pencil skirt. A black belt, patterned tights, and a pair of well-broken-in, black pointed toe flats complete the look.

I'm taking my python print Michael Kors Item tote because I love how the animal print clashes with the stripes. More importantly, the tote holds all my blog conference needs, including a laptop, smartphone, and camera.

Top—Harve Barnard
Skirt—The Limited
Shoes—SE Boutique via DSW
Belt—Hobo International via Marshalls
Bag—MICHAEL Michael Kors via eBay
Watch—MICHAEL Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

Have a wonderful weekend!

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-10-19T17:55:00.002-05:00

In preparation for the holiday season, I'm beginning to take stock of my "going-out" clothes. I don't have a lot, but I do own a few pieces that provide great canvasses for continuous reinvention. Today, we shall take a look at one of them.

Eight months ago, I scored a simply beautiful black dress at the Loft and I remain excited about the deal I got. $8.50 for a super chic LBD? Those are the kinds of deals we bargain shoppers dream of.

I haven't worn the dress yet, but I've been exploring styling options, and I've shared a couple of those with you.

I've found that it works well all by itself as seen in Super Steal II: How I Got a Loft Dress for $8.50.

This fall, I plan to spruce the dress up subtly by adding a little bling via a belt. I envision a skinny or slightly-larger-than-skinny belt. I don't own the perfect belt just yet, but in the meantime (and for this post), a pink satin belt adorned with metal details serves as a stand-in.

Close-up of the belt.

Dress—Loft
Belt—Loft
Tights—Marshalls
Shoes—Franco Sarto via Marshalls
Earrings—Kendra Scott

From the look of things, I believe I'm going to make it though the holidays without purchasing a new party dress.

Birthday Rewards

2011-10-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

I'm celebrating a birthday next week. So, for the month of October, some of my favorite birthday rewards from stores have been rolling in.

We've talked a lot about the benefits of signing up (via email) for store clubs. One cool perk of store club memberships is many stores give special rewards for birthdays. Here are some of my favorite.

1. DSW: DSW Rewards Members receive a $5 birthday certificate.

Of course, since this is only $5, there is some pressure to spend more in
a DSW. In the years that I had no plans to buy shoes, I used my
certificate on socks or some other cheap accessory. Use it or lose it.

2. Sephora: Beauty Insiders receive a free, get-gorgeous birthday gift annually. A different gift is selected every year. For 2011, everyone receives a Philosophy shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath.

3. Shopping Malls: The St. Louis Galleria Mall gives a $10 mall gift card for your birthday. You must be signed up (by email) for the mall club. The mall club also provides other opportunities to receive $10 gift cards throughout the year.

4. Aveda: Sign up for the birthday club at Aveda to receive a free customized birthday gift (valued at up to $25).

5. Benefit Brow Bar: Free brow arch on your birthday ($20 value). In St. Louis, there's a Benefit Brow Bar in the Ulta at St. Claire Square.

There are also tons of birthday rewards at chain restaurants (free dessert with an entree purchase and so on) as well as at coffee shops like Starbucks and Caribou coffee (both of these require that you set up an account by registering a gift card online with them).