Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

When Shopping Small is the Good, Easy, Smart Way to Go

Thank you PayPal for sponsoring this post. Shop small merchants with PayPal to make your holiday shopping a breeze.

You’ve probably heard it before. Shopping small is good because it helps support and sustain local economies. And, who wouldn’t want to do that, right? I have a few favorite small merchants I’ve been shopping for years. But, I don’t remain loyal just because they’re small. I continue to shop with them because it’s also convenient.

Many of my favorite small businesses have online stores that make it super easy to shop. Don’t want to deal with traffic or brave the holiday crowds? No problem. That well-curated selection of unique items and gifts you can only find at a small boutique is just a click away. What can I say? I’m especially fond of shopping small when I can do it from the comfort of my home this holiday season.

Shopping Small

Here’s a cool example. I’d been searching for a blush sweater with a little pizazz. You know I like pieces with a little flair. Instead of hopping from store to store, I decided to shop online. I was beyond thrilled when I found my dream sweater at PinkBlush, a small online boutique that aims to style women through all phases of life. And, I mean all phases of life. The store carries modern styles in sizes small to 3X to maternity fits. And, there’s more. The price point at PinkBlush is quite affordable too.

After an extended session of adding and removing and adding items to my cart, I was finally ready to check out. Naturally, I chose PayPal at checkout because it makes the process easier. I don’t have to find my purse nor enter my credit card number. Actually, since activating PayPal One Touch, I don’t even have to remember my PayPal login information nor fill out my billing information when I shop. Furthermore, I can shop with confidence because even though small boutiques like PinkBlush don’t offer free return shipping, PayPal will refund the cost of returning an item (up to $30 for 12 orders a year) that doesn’t work out. Win-win situation!

I’ve been wearing the sweater I found at PinkBlush in this post. This cozy sweater is the exact color I’d been searching for, and its crisscross accent sleeves are just my kind of flair.

Pieces like my PinkBlush sweater make looking chic so effortless. I simply wear it with jeans and booties, and I’m ready to slay the day.

Location: Fiddlehead Fern Cafe, St. Louis

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

How I Stay Cozy in my Workspace at Home

Thank you Solmate Socks for sponsoring this post. Learn more about Solmate Socks and grab your coupon for Free Shipping in time for the holidays!

I work from home on most days of the week. When I initially made the transition from a traditional office space to a home office, it was challenging. One of the things I missed most was getting dressed up for work. No surprise, right? Style is a huge part of my life. And, my style is a reflection of and a spark for my creativity. I didn’t want to lose that just because I worked from home. So, I looked to new ways to be creative with style at home. One of my solutions? Fun footwear, especially fun socks.

I prefer to walk around my home in socks or slippers. Enter, Solmate socks. One of my life mottos is to live colorfully, and Solmate socks bring punchy color and quirky designs into my work-at-home life. Peep the mismatched pattern below. I love!

I practically live in my Solmate socks, especially this time of year, because they’re so warm and cozy.

Whether I’m working in my library, at my desk, or on the sofa, my Solmate socks are like a fun workmate. These fun socks go where I go.

I’ve enjoyed wearing my fun socks so much that I’m planning to gift a few pairs to friends and family this year. Fortunately for me, these socks check some important requirements of some of my friends with particular taste. That friend who’s committed to buying American-made products? Solmate socks are perfect for her because they’re made right here in the US (in North Carolina) by a family-owned company. That friend who lives sustainably? She’ll love that these socks are knit with recycled yarn using a zero-waste manufacturing process. Win-win!

fun socks

They’re so pretty, too, that all I’ll have to do is roll ’em and stuff ’em in a holiday stocking. Gifting genius.

Anyway, let me grab a cup of tea and get back to work, y’all.

Know someone who’d also love these socks? Be sure to use the code “FUNSOCKS” at the Solmate Socks site to get free shipping (excludes expedited shipping) on any size order. The code is valid through December 31, 2017.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Give the Gift of Luxury for Under $30!

This post is sponsored by Specialty Retailers, Inc.

Participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange with a spending limit? Have a long list of people to gift and want to spend responsibly? There’s no need to compromise your luxurious standards when gift shopping this holiday season. All the designer items I found in today’s gift guide are under $30. Want in on the secret? I found everything at Gordmans! Keep reading to explore all the Gordmans designer gifts I scored.

Gordmans Designer Gifts

Gordmans Designer Gifts

2017 has been the year of Gucci. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to impress a woman on your list, give her Gucci. And, Gordmans is making that easy and affordable. Gucci Flora, a sophisticated floral fragrance that retails for $92, is available at Gordmans for only $54.99. Great deal, right? It gets better. When I checked out, this popular perfume rang up for only $27.48!

Naturally, I did what any savvy shopper would do. I returned to the fragrance section and grabbed an extra bottle for myself.

Burberry fragrances are among my favorite scents. So, when I spotted the My Burberry gift set, which features a limited edition fragrance, I knew it would make the perfect gift. And, the best part? This set retails for about $60. At Gordmans, it’s only $19.99. You can buy the entire set and use the individual minis as stocking stuffers or the sweet treat in a gift bag you curate.

Who doesn’t love a good manicure? The Kerry Washington x OPI collaboration last year was well-received. After all, we Scandal fans all want to channel our inner Gladiators. So, if you know someone who missed these limited edition colors, grab the collection of minis at Gordmans and make their holiday special. And, get this. The set is on clearance for $3.48 (retail $15). By the way, I picked up the jumbo Yankee candle and the marble notebook (also seen below) for less than half their retail prices in the home goods section at Gordmans. Both items would make great last-minute gifts.

And, finally, here’s a little something for that friend whose smartphone is always dead. Battery life? What’s that? I keep car chargers, charge cables, and portable chargers on hand. And, I never pay full price for those items because I can stock up at reduced prices at Gordmans. These gold styles are so holiday-perfect too. If I were your secret santa, you’d get something you can use like this from me.

Related: How to stretch your dollar when getting holiday glam.

A Watch as the Ultimate Holiday Gift and Accessory

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WatchHowIStyle #CollectiveBias

What’s the time? There are so many ways to get the time these days. Just choose from any one of the smart devices we tow everyday. Many might say, then, that watches are becoming obsolete. For me, nothing could be further from the truth. I believe that a watch is more than a timepiece. Further, I view a watch as an important finishing touch to any look. So, I never leave home without wearing one.

I pass through Macy’s whenever I shop at the St. Louis Galleria Mall. And, I spend a lot of time (pun intended) browsing the watch counters in store. What can I say? I’m a watch lover, and there are so many pretty options.

On a recent trip, I was drawn to the Anne Klein watch counter below. The Anne Klein watches I saw were practical timepieces that boasted fashion-forward details. They were available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Of course, I like to go big with watches, so I especially loved the larger face styles. And, a particular one, a light pink ceramic watch, won me over because of its rectangular case and rose gold accents.

I’m heading home for the holidays. And, I already know that I’m gifting two watches to a couple family members because timeless watches are the ultimate accessory and holiday gift.

Choosing a watch as a gift this holiday season too? The following considerations will you help you make the right decision. Does the woman you’re gifting have a classic or more edgy style. Someone with a classic style may prefer a watch with a smaller, more conservative case than someone with an edgier style. Do you know the wrist circumference of the gift recipient? I like to receive things that I can immediately start wearing. So, one of the features I love about my Anne Klein watch is that the band is adjustable, no tools required. What kinds of colors does the person receiving the watch usually wear? Choose a watch that complements the recipient’s go-to colors.

Holiday Gift

When I say that watches are the ultimate accessory, I’m so serious about that. My light pink ceramic Anne Klein watch is the perfect color and style to complement my fall style. I’m a huge fan of the mauve and blush colors that are popular this fall. And, this watch will beautifully accent my outfits in those colors. See how my watch complements my favorite sweater dress.

Like this particular watch too? Hover over the image below to shop it as a holiday gift (for yourself or someone else).

watch

If you have a few style mavens on your holiday shopping list, be sure to check out the fashionable Anne Klein watches at Macy’s.

Splurge-Worthy Holiday Gifts + Win a $1000 Nordstrom Gift Card

What would you do with a $1000 Nordstrom gift card? Well, you can worry about that after you win today’s big giveaway. I’ve partnered with a few fellow bloggers to give one lucky reader a $1000 Nordstrom gift card. Enter using the widget below.

Nordstrom Gift Card

If I won, here are a few items topping my splurge list at Nordstrom.

Chloe Small Faye Bag | Valentino Rockstud Pointy Toe Pump

Jimmy Choo Bethan Pump | Saint Laurent Mini Bag

Jimmy Choo Emily Peep Toe Pump | Christian Louboutin Anjalina Pump

Gucci Metallic Mule | Gucci Mini Camera Bag

Now, enter to win!

’tis the season to give back!
I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers
to give YOU a chance to win:
a $1,000 Nordstrom Gift Card, to make your holidays just a little bit sweeter!

Simply enter below by completing the rafflecopter.
You’ll receive one entry per completion.
This giveaway is open internationally and runs until end of day 11/20.
Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!

*this giveaway is in no way sponsored by Nordstrom.

a Rafflecopter giveaway