Values

In today's economy, it can be tough for frugal fashionistas to keep up with all the trends. It's really hard to walk by some of your favorite stores and not be able to walk in and purchase that cute new handbag, or the latest trendy outfit. But, there's something to be said about being frugal--it means that you're resourceful, and likely have some creativity to "make it work," as Tim Gunn would say.

I'm a regular follower of The Sartorialist, a blog that chronicles street style all over the globe through photography. One of today's posts shows a man in Paris layering denim shirts below his overcoat. Scott Schuman, blogger-photog extraordinaire, commented that his blog can be especially useful right now because it allows its readers to think of styling their clothes in a way they may not have previously considered. Often, it's all about using the clothes you already have in your closet.

How true! There are plenty of items I already have in my closet or jewelry box that I may not have worn together before. Instead of buying entirely new outfits this season, it would be more fiscally responsible of me to review what I already own and save my money to purchase classic pieces that can be worn again and again, from season to season.

Some of those classic items I'm contemplating this season: knee-high rain boots (you need 'em in Chicago! I like the Hunter brand in black), classic straight leg jeans (I just bought a great pair--check out Serafontaine), simple but brilliant stud earrings (moissanite jewels are high quality at a better value), the khaki trench coat, white oxford button-down shirts, and well-made high heels that work with a formal or more casual look.

Some of the items I'm reusing from previous seasons: scarfs, skirts, capri pants, sunglasses, costume jewelry, handbags, and formal dresses (for weddings, parties, etc.).

It's a tough time right now, but if you can be frugal and use your creativity, you can come up with new outfits and looks you didn't even know you had!

Gift ideas

Things have been busy here in Chicago! So busy, in fact, that I almost didn't notice that winter is upon us. That became apparent especially today with all the ice and cold, cold air...it's only about 15 degrees here today for the high. Brrr!

Despite wanting to curl up on the couch with a good book, I have a lot of holiday gift shopping to do. Maybe you have yet to begin your holiday shopping excursion. I have a few ideas for you!

First off, I like to consider the gift recipient's interests. Is she a wine lover? If so, how about enrolling her in the wine-of-the-month club? Or, purchase her some unique wine glass tags.

Maybe she enjoys traveling. How about some cool and useful items from a specialty travel store like Flight 001? From decorative passport covers to in-flight toiletry kits, this place makes any traveler's journey more comfortable.

Maybe you're looking for something unique for the ultimate sports fan. Here's the perfect game room or kids' room decoration: A life-size wall image of a sports star. (The cool thing is that it peels off easily if you don't want it up anymore.) Check out Fathead for cool wall graphics. They also have graphics of celebrities, comics and more.

For the foodie among us, how about a spice gift basket from The Spice House? This series of stores may be based in the Midwest, but they have an amazing selection of every spice you could possibly want from all over the world.

Perhaps you have a mom, sister or friend that just loves jewelry. She might have diamonds, she might have sapphires, but does she have moissanite? This jewel have over two times the fire of diamond, is second overall in hardness and has much more brilliance than most gemstones. Best yet? It's more affordable than diamond! I've seen that more independent jewelers are now carrying moissanite, so chances even if you're not near a big store like JCPenney or Macy's (who carry the jewel nationwide), you could still find moissanite in your town. Check out the moissanite website that lists store locations.

Best of luck in your shopping endeavors! (And here's hoping you get to unwrap some good gifts, too!)

Favorite (and not-so-favorite) fall trends

The weather is cooler now--here in Chicago it's been hitting a high of about 60 degrees each day. That means I'm finally able to wear fall clothes! This is one of my favorite seasons for fashion. It's cold enough for sweaters and jackets, but not so cold that you have to wear snow boots. You can still get away with a skirt and heels. Great!

I'm quite excited about this season's trends. Then again, there are always a few that just don't work for me. Here are my favorites:

1. Floral prints - Not just for grandma anymore! I think floral prints can be beautiful (when worn correctly) and now's the time to wear them.
2. Art prints - They're bold, but I really enjoy them. I think art prints are truly unique and make a modern fashion statement.
3. Rock - I'm so excited to wear black skinny pants with a pair of boots with plenty of metallic detail. If you think you can pull off the rocker look, then...rock on!
4. Metallic - I've always loved shiny things. In fact, a couple months back I purchased a silver Calvin Klein bag for this fall. It's perfect. I plan on implementing metallic details into every inch of my wardrobe whenever possible.

And...here are the not-so-favorites:

1. Slouchy - Oversized and baggy is not the most flattering look. I'm not a big fan of the Olsen twins slouchy style, and this is what I think of when it comes to this trend. I like clothes to fit, and maybe even be slightly big, but slouchy is taking it too far.
2. Open-toe boots - This is a bit of an oxymoron to me. A neat runway look, but just doesn't work on the street.
3. Mustard yellow - Autumn colors (forest green, burgundy) are popular now, and mustard yellow is among the group. But it just doesn't suit my personal taste.

Chicago's Fashion Focus

This week, Chicago is hosting their own fashion week, called Fashion Focus. This is a great way to check out emerging designers and learn about Chicago's fashion scene. There are dozens of events around town, and several are free. Check it out at Chicago Fashion Resource for a full schedule.

Designer jeans: a "do" or a "dud"?

In today's economy, people are rethinking all of their purchases. Everything is being reconsidered, from groceries to entertainment to automobiles. We just don't have the money we used to have to spend on those "extras" like going to the movies, dining at a nice restaurant or travelling. I know of many women who are second-guessing their spending habits in the clothing, accessories and beauty departments.

One of the best examples that comes to mind is designer jeans. Do we really need to spend $150 or even upwards of $200 on a pair of jeans? Our mothers and grandmothers would likely disapprove. But jeans today make a true fashion statement. With an increasingly casual work environment, and numerous celebrities popularizing high-end jeans, the fashion-minded are clamoring to find the latest "it" jean. And it doesn't come cheap.

But is it worth it?

On the "yes" side, I have to say I own several pairs of designer jeans. The fit is incredible, and I enjoy the styles offered. Plus, there's just something about wearing designer that makes you feel, well, special. I was concerned when I found a hole in one designer pair recently, but was pleasantly surprised when I emailed the company, I found out that they'd repair or replace my jeans for free. This, to me, makes it worth the higher cost.

On the "no" side, before I moved to downtown Chicago, I lived in a suburban area in Michigan. People still dressed stylishly, but the emphasis on high-end jeans was not so pronounced. It wasn't until I moved here that I felt the pressure. Even some of my good friends, who by no means had the extra money, still encouraged me that I needed these designer labels. Now I like them, and don't know if I could go back...but I survived before. I was fine without my designer jeans.

There are good points to both sides, but just like comparing drug store makeup to department store makeup, or a $20,000 car to a $50,000 one, it comes down to your priorities. Is it worth it to spend more and save less? Or are you willing to take the lesser of the two items (where the difference is often unnoticeable) to save money? It's up to you.

Beauty on a budget

As a fashion-conscious gal who regularly attends special events, I often need to find outfits that make me look amazing, the latest "it" shoe, a bunch of beauty products and beautiful handbags. On top of this, I really should get my hair and nails done too. Don't forget some kind of tan--whether its a fake spray or from a bottle. Goodness, this stuff adds up!

I do think I'm a bargain-savvy individual, and I regularly buy sale items. I even purchase drug store makeup. (Hey, don't knock it...Great Lash mascara rocks, and has been an expert favorite for decades!) But there's a point where I just simply feel I do not have the $$$ to keep up with the trends and the designers and the spa appointments.

While I've become pretty dejected lately, I'm never one to completely give up. The thrill of the hunt is always a good motivator. And when I find an amazing bargain, I'm happy to tell all my friends about it. So I'm telling you about a few superb bargains that have come my way lately. First? Everyday Lip Gloss. Convenience is a major factor here--it's shiny, comes in several colors and is NOT sticky. Hooray! The bargain? $5 bucks! Plus, the company donates a portion of every sale to breast cancer research. Did I mention...it contains all natural ingredients? Can be shipped anywhere in the US? If you order four the fifth lip gloss is free? WOW!

My next bargain is my newest find. So new that the salon hasn't even opened yet, but you can be sure I will be there to test it out....it's almost too good to be true, so a girl's gotta see for herself. Blo Dri is a walk-in (yes, walk-in) salon specializing in blowouts and updos! You're in and out in under an hour. You can get a shampoo/style (and even the option for champagne, you lush!) for $50 bucks or less. What a phenomenal idea. What a good deal! It's in Chicago starting Sept. 22. Don't know if it's in any other cities yet, but I'm happy it's here.

Then there's my tried-and-true favorite bargain--moissanite. Bling without the huge bucks. But still the best quality around and more fire than a diamond too. Totally worth it (and you don't have to worry about contributing your money to dangerous mining practices).

You need a dress to go with that beautiful jewelry. I'm excited to try out Le Dress in Chicago. Apparently the prices are great too. Then again, there's always BlueFly--if you can buy your dress online, you get a good deal. For sure. But I've always been a fan of the Bloomingdale's sales racks.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to Hudson jeans. They were expensive when I bought them, but they quickly became my favorite pair. I was quite upset though when I found a hole in them in under two years of wear! Fortunately for me, I emailed Hudson directly and got a prompt reply that I can mail them my jeans, and they'll either repair or replace them free of charge. Good move on the company's part! I would not have bought a $100+ pair of jeans if I knew they'd get a hole in them, but now that the company will stand by their product, they will have a return customer in me. The jeans are seriously awesome.

Now I'm curious: what are your bargain beauty secrets?

Women's Shows

I've just recently heard about the Southern Women's Shows. As a northern girl, I wasn't aware of these events. I must say, we don't have anything like this up here in the Midwest. (At least not that I'm aware of.) According to their website, the Southern Shows began in 1959, and the company is still family run. Over 600,000 people attend these consumer-driven shows every year.

I happened to run across the shows as I was browsing online for moissanite. I found out Charles & Colvard, the company that markets and distributes the jewel, will be showcasing there for the first time at this upcoming week's show in Charlotte, NC. And, they'll be raffling off beautiful pairs of earrings too! I wish I could go. I imagine these shows are like temporary mega-malls with phenomenal sales and offers. Plus, I'm sure each company or boutique that's exhibiting is showing off their latest and greatest designs. What a cool idea! I wonder why there aren't shows like this in the Midwest.