Fashion Friday - J's Everday Fashion for the Everyday Fashionista

Happy Friday, lovies! It’s the beginning of the month, spring is nearly here (if you’re in Florida, like I am, it’s been here for a while, but that’s neither here nor there), and it’s time to put the sweaters and coats and scarves away for the year! Aren’t you excited? Bright colors. Breezy sun dresses. Linen pants. Wait. You don’t have any of that in your closet? It doesn’t fit anymore because you’ve been sticking to your workout plan? Buying a whole new wardrobe isn’t financially feasible? Are you kidding? As a Budgetista, I can’t even think of those words without shuddering. Where there’s a fashionable will, there’s a fabulous way. And I have found just the remedy for that problem.

A few weeks ago, I came across a blog and instantly fell in love. J’s Everyday Fashion helps women just like you and I, who know that the world is our runway, make financially savvy decisions on what to stock our closets with and how to put ensembles together that look effortless yet fashion forward. I love how she takes looks straight out of the fashion magazines, recreates them, then tells you where AND when she got the pieces (because I always wonder if it’s still in stores), how much they cost, and how to edit them to suit you. She outlines how to take a look from day to night with a few simple swaps. And best of all, J thinks outside the box. Some of the things that are hot on the runway have probably been sitting in your closet for a few seasons because you have no idea how to work it into your wardrobe. It’s as simple as taking what you already have, adding a few inexpensive pieces, and viola! Your closet has been transformed. It’s all around fabulous! I could learn a lot from her… And so could you! Check her out!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Fashion Friday - The First Lady Rockin' A Frugal Frock, And Still Looking Fab

As I was checking my email I came across an article that made me stop in my tracks. “Michelle Obama wows in a $35 dress.” I instantly had to give my BFF the heads up about it. Her response: “You a damn liar!” Seriously. She was on the Today Show in a dress from H&M and it looked like a million bucks! A few styling edits and BAM! A phenomenal dress to fit her wonderful sense of style.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you have to admit, the First Lady has an impeccable sense of style that we haven’t seen since Jackie O. She appeals to the everyday woman and has become quite the fashion muse. If you’ve noticed, she’s not a brand snob. We’ve seen her in Target, J. Crew, White House Black Market, and now H&M. One thing is clear about Mrs. Obama’s personal style - It’s not about following trends or wearing big name designers. It’s about knowing who you are, what looks good on your body and what makes you feel good. PERSONAL style. It doesn’t matter who you wear, it’s HOW you wear it.

My best friend said it best, “Whether it's a $2000 dress or a $20 dress it doesn't matter it's all about how you wear it and how it fits your personal style.”

So find what works for you. Try different looks and trends and styles until you find what best fits YOU.

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista



A Budget-Friendly Birthdaycation Extravaganza

This past weekend, my best friend Shawntel of SOA Event Concepts came to visit me here in Orlando for her birthday weekend. I was forewarned that the budget was going to be tight for the weekend, so I had to prepare my budgetista skills to squeeze a dollar out of a dime and have a FANTASTIC time. Here is the breakdown of our fabulous BFFcation, and some of the killer deals we scored.

Friday night, we went to a swanky restaurant in Winter Park. I liken that area to Buckhead in Atlanta, back in the day. Some of the entrees on Luma’s menu were a little on the exotic (and pricey) side, but the ambiance was well worth it. So what do you do when you want to experience poshness, but don’t necessarily have a posh budget? Order off the appetizer menu, of course! When I was in high school working at Plato’s Closet, my co-workers and I would get together for appetizers and desserts, to a) not spend a lot of cash, and b) have a quality girls night out. Think about it - Appetizers are normally large enough to share and reasonably priced. Typically, you’re not going to find an appetizer over $20 on any menu. We opted for the fancy pizza. It was delicious! We saved our splurge for their incredible wine selection. A glass ranged anywhere from $6 to $12, but the selection was astounding. The first night was a great success.

Saturday, we attended a class at Vixen Fitness, which I will elaborate on tomorrow’s edition of Work It Out Wednesday and enjoyed lunch at Crave, an American fusion bistro. When I tell you this place is awesome, it’s an understatement. The décor is chic, but welcoming. The staff is by far some of the best I’ve ever come in contact with. And the food is to die for! Try the lamb burger. I promise you, you won’t regret it. The best part of it all was that we had an ODeals Daily certificate for $30. I only paid $15 for it a few weeks ago. The key to a great trip is preparing in advance with the deal sites. Let THEM decide where you’ll be dining on your vacation and save up to 50% on your tab. Just be nice to your server and tip on the full amount for the service you receive. Our server Blake was worth 40%. Just saying…

No BFF rendezvous is complete without a shopping trip. But not just any shopping trip. We hunt for super sales, deals and steals, and a gem of a find. By the looks of it, it was a great success. Check out her Max and Cleo dress, purchased from Dechoes for $14.99 and my Charlotte Russe romper for just $9.99. 

Max and Cleo Dress

Charlotte Russe Romper

Sunday should have been a beach day, but it was cold and rainy, so we did some window shopping instead (but still managed to come away with some loot). What? Come away with look when you window shop? Who does that?!?!? We do. No, it’s not illegal by any means. I’ve been reading about a store called Lush for what seems like ages. It’s cosmetics store with products made of all natural ingredients. After walking in and basking in the natural fragrances floating around the room, I totally understood the reasoning behind the company name. These simple products make you feel good – literally. The associate demoed Buffy, a soap with granules in it that exfoliate on our hands along with Flying Fox, a body wash with an interesting back story, and our hands felt like silk afterwards. We played in Mermaid Water, a mix of the Big Blue Ball bath bomb and Sunny Side bubble bar and became mesmerized be the waters beautiful colors and skin softening effects. And, our favorite part, they gave us tons of samples! Not just a tiny, one time use packet, but enough for a handful of applications. I didn’t have to purchase anything to get them, even though I did (I’m treating myself to a bath in Mermaid Water for Valentine’s day, but that’s neither here nor there). And the associates were so kind and so helpful that there is no way anyone would leave that store and not come back to purchase something. Great sales tactic, if you ask me.

We ended the weekend at our favorite bakery in town, Sweet by Good Golly Miss Holly for Mini-Mania. Every Monday, they sell their delicious mini cupcakes for $1 each. As a birthday gift to the best friend a girl could ever ask for, I bought her a dozen, and ended up saving $6 on the pack.

Yeah, I saved us a lot of dough this past weekend, and we scored big, but spending time with my Bestie in celebration of her special day was priceless.

♥ - The Bougie Budgetista

Thrifty Thursday - A Shoe Lover's Dream at Ross Dress For Less

For today's edition, we're talking shoes. But not just any kind of shoes. Designer shoes! Not quite Louboutins or Manolos. I haven't found a way to get great deals on those (yet). But we're still talking shoes that retail between $75 and $140 at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom for at least 50% off.

Let me preface this by saying that each Ross is different and could carry different merchandise, so you may have to try a few before you find the diamond in the rough. I'm lucky enough to have the most AMAZING Ross ever less than a mile away from my house. They carry Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Fergie, Carlos by Carlos Santana, Betsy Johnson, Guess, and even Michael Kors. Yes, I said Michael Kors! Their inventory is beyond compare. We're talking styles that are still currently in season, selling for full price in stores.

One day, a good friend of mine pranced into work with the most adorable pair of black leather Guess pumps. "I went shopping with a friend and was suckered into buying them." She got them from the Guess store and paid $90 for them. I couldn't help but shake my head when I broke the news. "I saw them at Ross last night in black AND brown for $32.99 a pair." Her eyes widened and the next day, she waltzed in with the brown pair. Can you guess what she did? I'm sure you can and, yes, I encouraged it.

They not only carry current ladies' styles, but also current men's designer dress shoes. And I know you fellows spend a pretty penny on shoes, but you'll wear them till they fall apart. You may as well save a few bucks, have a stylish pair of well made shoes, and use the money you saved on, I don't know, the next UFC fight or something.

Here are some of my favorite finds, all for less than $35 a pair. They're all my treasures. Enjoy the hunt!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista 

Carlos by Carlos Santana "Queens"

Guess Patent Leather Platform Pump

Carlos by Carlos Santana "Feisty"

Closet organization for the "Clueless"

Getting ready in the morning is a mission and a half. For one, I like to sleep in (don't judge me).Two, I have loads of clothes, but never enough to sort through all of it to find the perfect look. And three, I've got an image to maintain! I'm a firm believer that you must dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. But when you only give yourself an hour to get up, get ready and run out the door, how on earth can expect a flawless look each and every time? Now, we all can't have Cher's closet or her super awesome wardrobe software, but we can take a Saturday afternoon, treat a BFF to a home cooked lunch and grab a camera (preferably digital, but Polaroid will suffice) and get to playing dress up!

I'm a huge fan of playing dress up, in fact, I encouraged my favorite 2-year-old to do so this past Christmas. I gave her a trunk of Disney Princess dresses. Well, they weren't really dresses, they were pretty little tops and skirts, but when put together, they were quite the ensembles. It even had the accessories! Awesome, isn't it? That gift gave me the best idea ever. One skirt, four tops, four different looks. All with five pieces. Such an economical way to perk up your wardrobe, don't you think?

So on this Saturday afternoon, pair tops and bottoms, accessorize, put looks together that you never thought you'd ever wear in public and snap a picture of it. Once you're done, upload the pictures to your PC (or Mac, if you're a cool kid) and take note all the looks you've created. Is it work appropriate? Is it more suited for brunch with the besties? Did you find a killer date outfit? Create folders for each classification (work, weekend, date, party, etc). I would take it a step further by printing the pictures, writing a brief description of each item in the look and the accessories I jazzed up the look with, then tape them to the back of my closet door - well, at least the work looks, since that's what I'm normally rushing to find in the mornings.

The next day, separate your closet into sections (pants, skirts, long sleeved tops, short sleeved tops, cardigans, etc) and, if you're so inclined, color coordinate the sections as well. It makes finding the coral ruffle shirt you wanted to pair with your beige pencil skirt a lot easier. Once you've accomplished this task, you're ready to take on Monday!

Soon, I'll post some of my favorite looks from my closet and I'd encourage you to do the same! Send me some of your best creations! Good luck, lovies and make it fab!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

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