My Cheap & Cheerful Recent Shopping Finds

Cowl Neck Short Dress $24.80 at Forever 21

My bank account is always in a miserable state right after the holidays, but that usually doesn't stop my from roaming around the mall and still looking around. With my nearly empty pockets, I decided to stop into the Forever 21 by my apartment to see if I could score anything cheap and cute. I usually hate shopping in any Forever 21 store for a number of reasons. 1) It's always packed with giddy 15 year old girls dragging their pimply little boyfriends around the store. 2) The fitting rooms are guarenteed to be dusty and you will aways find someone's old chewing gum stuck somewhere in there. 3) The racks are always packed and never sized. 4) You need to be willing to dig through piles and piles of tacky clothes to find one good, cheap find. With that being said, I usually find myself ordering things online when I'm looking for a cheap fix instead of torturing myself by going into the store. However, did manage to find a few cute cheap and cheerful finds on my last trip. Here are a few of the things I picked up...

Open Front Slub Cardigan $14.50 Available at Forever 21

Madeira Knit Dress $22.80 Available at Forever 21

H81 Embellished Silk Dress $28.90 Available at Forever 21

Cheap & Cheerful Find: Black Onyx and Rose Quartz Necklace

I have a pretty nice collection of long necklaces already, but I might have to add this one because it's just an absolutely adorable steal! This cute Belle de Jour Black Onyx and Rose Quartz Charm Necklace is only $33.15 USD at Pret a Portobello. I love the little elephant and butterfly charms with the clutster of stones.

Cheap & Cheerful Find: Ruffled Sleeveless Open-Back Jersey Dress

I absolutely love the style of this dress. The little ruffle details and the low back make this cheap and cheerful dress something really special. Grab a pair of t-strap shoes and black opaque tights, and you're ready to go! This Ruffled Sleeveless Open-Back Jersey Dress is $49. Available at Plasticland.com.

Cheap and Cheerful Find: Mini Dress $58

Usually when you find something cheap and cheerful, it lacks the little special little details that would otherwise make something very simliar more expensive. That's not the case with this mini dress! I love the cinched and braided details of this bargain find...

SHOP: Lux Braid Strap Deep V Dress $58

Enter Code FREEBIRD07 for Free Shipping until 11/26/07

Cheap & Cheerful Find: Printed Silk Clutches

These little silk clutches from Amici Accessories are a great bargain find at only $52 each!! Sorry about the little "Made in America" logo....I didn't have time to crop it out!

$52

$52

$52

Cheap & Cheerful Find: Bold Printed Dress

I just purchased this printed cotton/silk dress for only $69.50! Dispite the bold print and the all the volume, the dress is surprisingly feminine and soft. It also fits perfectly up top because of the adjustable straps and stretchy smocked back.

Gap Big dot empire dress $69.50

Cheap & Cheerful Finds at American Apparel

Have you checked out what American Apparel has been up to lately? They've definitely graduated from boring basics. Plus...the price is right! All of my favorite picks were under $40! I'm absolutely in love with these first two convertible bandeau dresses...

Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau Dress $34

Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau Dress $36

Unisex Striped Fleece Zip Hoody $45 <3 <3 <3

Baby Rib Tube Bubble Dress $26

 

Baby Rib 8-Button Pullover $34

<3 Jen

Cheap & Cheerful Finds from Yochi Design

I'm a huge fan of Yochi Design's jewelry pieces because they're cute, different, and very reasonable in price. Shopbop.com recently got their spring Yochi pieces in and I just wanted to share my favorite picks...

Let me know which are your favorites out of the this lot...the most popular design might be an upcoming contest prize...*wink*wink*

Yochi Design Pear & Apple Charm Necklace $42 <3 <3 <3 This is definitely my favorite piece! I love the idea of fresh fruit on a necklace...and it's much smaller than the bulky Kenneth Jay Lane stawberry or apple necklaces.

Yochi Design Multi Locket Necklace $66 <3 <3 This is my second favorite piece. It's just so easy to wear!
Yochi Design Fruit Charm Hoop Earrings $42 Very cute!
Yochi Design Bird Charm Necklace shopbop.com $42 This design has obviously been done before, but this is a really reasonable price for the design.  I like that it's a little bigger than a lot of similar necklaces I've seen.

<3 Jen

Smart Spring Shoe Shopping on a Budget

So I've got a list of about $3,000 worth of cute new spring shoes I've seen that I need to buy. However, money's a little tight right now and seeing all these new spring shoes is just a horrible tease. Even though I should stop, I'm simply not strong enough to stop shopping all together. I decided that I cou ld get a head start before I start doing my hardcore spring shoe shopping by buying a couple cute canvas shoes. I'd rather spend more money on my leather and patent shoes than canvas. If I'm limited in what I can spend, I can justify that fact that I'd rather spend more money on my nice leather and patent shoes than canvas ones. After all, canvas is just canvas.

I'm actually pretty satisfied. I feel like I got a lot for the amount of money that I spent. Let me know what you think of some of my budget finds!

Sunrise Canvas Wedge - Go Jane $19.99 <3 <3 <3 <3

American Eagle™ "Kalypso" d'Orsay from Payless $22.99

Old Navy Women's Sling-Back Wedges $16.50

Trina Ribbon Ankle-Tie Wedge Shoes - Target $24.99

Which do you love/hate?

<3 Jen

Cheap and Cheerful Clutch Find

I came across this little leather clutch on CoutureCandy.com from Julie K and instantly fell in love. Then, I saw the price...ONLY $55?!? Umm...say "hello" to my new clutch...

Julie K Toni in Night $55
I love the chain detail! The clutch also comes in gold...

Julie K Toni in Gold $55