Showing posts with label Target. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Target. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

JT's Bringing Sexy Back to Target - The Review

Earlier this month I told you about a much anticipated diffusion line for one of my favorite stores on the planet, William Rast for Target. And now it's on clearance! Oh, how I love those little red tags... Since the Target near me is running low on inventory, and because I know that diffusion lines never make it past the 50% off rack, I figured it was now or never on trying the line on for size (in more ways than one).

Anyone who's anyone knows that William Rast jeans are the closest thing you will ever find to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants pants. The word on the street is that the original William Rast jeans that normally cost $200 fit every body type like a glove. So of course, budget conscious fashionistas were hoping that the diffusion version could hold a candle to the high-end pairs. Fortunately for our wallets, they are nearly identical, right down to the "W" stitch in the back pocket.

One of my friends gave me a heads up about the sale and raved about how wonderful the jeans fit. She's got a little more junk in the trunk than I do (and I'm jealous of that fact, by the way), so if they fit her perfectly, I was worried they wouldn't magically add something where there wasn't much. But, then, when I zipped up the skinny jeans and took a look at my backside, it looked phenomenal! I didn't know that a pair of jeans could do what a Booty Pop does without the padding. Needless to say, I was in love. Then I put on the boot cut jeans and the balance it created as incredible. The extra long length (all that were left were 34" inseams) is it perfect for my super high heels. I was in love again. And who could resist the $24.98 price tag? Down from $49.99, and nearly identical to its $200 predecessor, they most definitely get this Budgetista's seal of approval.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Bougie Bookworm

If I were a multimillionaire, there are two things that would be in abundance in my home: shoes and books. However, even if money were not issue, do you think I would break my budgetista habits? Absolutely not! Now, shoes are easy to get at a discount. You should see the Michael Kors peep toe pumps I saw this week at Ross! But books, on the other hand, are a little bit trickier to get super cheap, unless you hone in on your super savvy shopper skills. For those of you who are lacking in that department, you know I'm always here to help.

Most people will search for books at Barnes and Noble, Borders and other major bookstore retailers. Those are all fine and dandy if you like coughing up full price for books. Next time you're at the check out counter and they ask you if you want to sign up for their emails, SAY YES! Yeah, so you'll get some random emails about the latest books that you have no interest in, but every once in a while, you'll get a gem of deal, like 25% off your purchase. For the rest of those emails you could care less about, there's the delete button. I will take it one step further, and encourage you to join their membership programs. Barnes and Noble's is probably the best known membership program out there. For $25, you get a one year membership offering you 40% off hardback bestsellers, 20% off adult hardbacks, and 10% of nearly everything else, plus $50 worth of coupons to use. Borders has stepped up their game, but at an even better deal. The original savings program is still available and it's free! With the Borders Rewards program, you get exclusive coupons to use in-store and online, you earn Borders Bucks for qualifying purchases, personal shopping days, deals on beverages, birthday coupons, and 30% off the list price of hardcover bestsellers. For a $20 one year membership, you get 40% off hardcover bestsellers, 30% of selected hardcovers, 10% of nearly everything else AND free shipping on online orders. But wait, it gets better! For a limited time, if you sign up for the Borders Rewards Plus program, you'll get $10 in Borders Bucks back. So basically you're getting a whole year for $10. Not bad, eh?

If you're looking to read the latest bestseller, aren't a member of any program, and can't wait to get your hands on that book, take your tush straight to Target or Walmart. I have yet to see a novel priced at the list price. With an instant savings of anywhere from 10%-30% off the cover, it's your best bet when patience isn't your virtue.

Personally, I love going to bookstores. The smell of new books, the sound of crisp pages cracking, the feel of the books in my hands make me happy. But, if you're willing to give up the experience, or modify it, you may be able to find even better deals! Go ahead, peruse the shelves armed with a pen and a pad of paper, and jot down all of the titles you want, then hit up Half.com. When they say you could get your favorite titles for 50% off or more, they're not joking. I've gotten books for as little as $0.75. I can't even get a cup of coffee for that cheap! The caveat, though, is that you do have to pay for shipping on each item, which could run between $2-3 per item. But if you order from the same seller, shipping costs drop, since they can ship multiple items to you at once. It's an awesome, inexpensive way to build your library, especially with hardback or hard-to-find books.

All my love to my fellow bookworms out there. Happy reading!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Thursday, January 6, 2011

JT's Bringing Sexy Back to Target

I'm a huge fan of diffusion lines. One of the most recent and most anticipated collaboration for Target comes from William Rast. Justin Timberlake (yes, our childhood boy band heartthrob) and Trace Ayala put together an amazing line at an amazing price for the department store. It's a fusion of motorcycle roughness and bohemian softness that is sure to please all tastes, and quite frankly, all budgets. Check out the designers themselves dishing on the inspiration behind the line and the take a look at the line itself.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista



Saturday, November 20, 2010

Fusion Fashion for the Financially Fit Fashionista

It should come of no surprise that I love fashion. One day I WILL own a pair of Christian Louboutins. Preferably in the year 2011. But that's neither here nor there. I know my fellow fashion addicts lust for the looks on the runway, but since few of us are celebutants, A-listers, or a Trump, the prospect of having a closet full of Chanel, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, and the likes any time soon is not yet in the cards. How does a budgetista make due in the meantime while working on on becoming their own CEO?

The fashion dieties have heard our pleas and created affordable lines for the masses, available at our neighborhood H&M, Payless, Target and Kohl's. With price points that fit everyone's budget, the financially savvy fashionista in all of us is finally satiated.

I remember being in elementary school and watching Cindy Crawford report on the latest and greatest fashion trends by designers like Isaac Mizrahi on MTV's House of Style. Yes, I've been in love with fashion since then. By the time I got to high school, I heard about his line at Target and felt like a little kid on Christmas morning! I could finally own something with Isaac Mizrahi's name on it! And so, my love affair with diffusion lines was born.

These days, high-end designers have taken diffusion lines to a whole new level. Today, H&M will have a sneak preview in select stores of it's newest collaboration line and will be available in more stores on November 23rd. The Parisian designer Lanvin has collaborated with the brand to create gorgeous dresses, with hints of vintage flair. Ruffles and bright hues make these looks perfect for any holiday soiree you have on your planner. And you know if it's at H&M, it's going not going to cost an arm and a leg. Lanvin is just the newest addition to H&M's designer collaborations. Over the years, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Madonna and even Jimmy Choo have worked with the brand, and the buzz over Lanvin Heart H&M is proving to be as anticipated as its predecessors.




Target has long been known for teaming up with designers to give us fashion hungry shoppers access to the hottest looks for less. Their latest partnership with handbag designer Mulberry is truly delightful. Together with the retailer, Mulberry has put together a collection of satchels and crossbody pocketbooks that are closely resemble their original handbags for a fraction of a fraction of the cost!


Mulberry Satchel - $1,250
Mulberry for Target Satchel - $49.99

In January of 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama looked stunning in a mint green dress by Cuban-born designer Isabel Toledo. Now we can all partake in her delicate and highly feminine designs for Payless Shoesource. Yes, I said PAYLESS! And it doesn't stop there. Project Runway's Christian Siriano is also contributing his fierce styles to the discount shoe store. With chunky heels and bold accents, we can all make the sidewalk our runway. Can we say "Vicious"?

Isabel Toledo for Payless, Toreador Pump - $44.99


Christian Siriano for Payless, Mena Dress Boot - $59.00

With that said, if you hunger for high-end fashion, you can finally satiate yourself on a low-end budget. Designers all around the world have heard your plight. Go forth and be fabulous... Budgetista style!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista