Tag Archives: Quickie Darling Deal & Steal

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Seven Must-Have Sale Items For Under $100!

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Now that I’m in the throes of dual employment, it’s become clearer than ever to be conscious of what investments I’m making in my wardrobe. I always love to find end-of-the-season deals on sale, especially when they feel like brand new pieces the following year. However, I’ve been seeing a lot of cute separates & accessories that I’m eager to mix & match on these cooler spring nights, into the summer, & eventually include for some fashionable fall outfits. Making tiny purchases here & there are easy on your budget & can really change the way you reinvent old favorites.

Recommended sale items include Dress Barn‘s shimmer stripe sweater ($19.00) in silver, which is perfect for over a maxi dress with ankle boots, or how I recently wore it with leggings & sparkly ballet flats. Also, the Just Chic tee ($7.99) from Forever 21 is exactly what it advertises to be; try wearing this with leather skinny pants & a bold boyfriend blazer, or to dress down a peasant skirt & gladiator flats. I’m always one for a cute skirt, which is why I’ve included the striped jersey pencil skirt ($12.99) in blue from Old Navy. It’s casual enough to wear for brunch with a pullover & a denim jacket, but it can also be worn with a blouse & belted cardigan.

My favorite piece is the Drew dotted cuffed ankle pant ($22.49) from The Limited, which mixes spring’s trendiest fabric, chambray, with the always-classic polka dot print. These will pair well with a nautical-inspired top in stripes or a neon embellished blouse. Affordable accessories include the faux suede colorblock flat ($13.95) in red from GOjane, jewel drops diamondite stretch cuff ($9.25) from Claire’s, & the snakeskin embossed metallic skinny belt ($13.93) in ivory from Express.

The total for these pieces is under $100, ringing in at $99.60, which is quite the bargain! How would you style some of these pieces? What sale items are you eyeing? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out the details behind 3.1 Phillip Lim’s latest collaboration with Target, Ashley Madekwe’s Topshop jumpsuit look, spring-ready cardigans for under $25, & stylish shirt dresses for any size! Happy Styling!

The Stylish Five: Spring-Ready Shirt Dresses ($50 & Under)!

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I’ve been focusing a lot lately on dresses b/c I think that spring is the best time of year to invest in new dresses. I’ve definitely already started my 2013 collection, which I will definitely wear well into the summer, however, one style of dress that I always turn to is the shirt dress. There are so many shirt dresses out there in stores & online right now, which are perfect for wearing to a brunch with girl friends, a family party on the weekend, or to the office for a feminine change of pace.

The first I found is the Merona sateen belted shirt dress ($22.00) in purple from Target, which is also available in five other bright & neutral hues, & in sizes XS – XXL. This is the perfect dress for matching with a pair of espadrilles, ballet flats, or gladiator flats. Next is the chambray belted shirt dress ($24.50) from Old Navy, which can be made rugged with suede ankle boots or dressed up with cork patent heels, for a Style Darling of any size (XS – XXL).  Forever 21‘s belted high-low shirtdress ($27.80) in turquoise is a soft & lightweight way to add layers to your look, or even mix things up with leggings & knee boots, or a matching suede hat & belt.

To stay on trend with bold neons for spring, I picked the roll-sleeve pocket shirtdress ($34.99) in active yellow from Gap, which is also sold in blue, orange, & pink, in sizes XS-XXL. I recommend pairing it with pointy toe pumps & a printed blazer when headed to a meeting, or with floral flats & a basketweave clutch for a sunny picnic. Lastly, the belted denim shirtdress ($46.00) in orange from Dress Barn is also sold in plus sizes ($50.00) to wear with peep toe wedges & a chainlink bag.

What dresses are you shopping for this spring? What stores do you like to hit up when searching for that perfect dress? Do you like to wear shirt dresses? For more affordable fashion posts, check out nautical inspiration for under $100, Derek Lam’s DesigNation collection for Kohl’s, spring-friendly polka-dotted pieces, peplum tanks inspired by Olivia Palermo & Zoe Saldana, & floral must-have pieces like Selena Gomez & Jessica Chastain! Happy Styling!

The $100 Challenge: Update Your Wardrobe With Nautical Inspiration!

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There are a lot of trends that come & go, & I’m still waiting for this sneaker wedge thing to go away. However, as the weather warms up & we begin to plan more outdoor activities, I’m looking for new ways to wear my favorite spring & summer pieces. The nautical trend keeps coming back for its crisp all-American feel & classic color combinations.

I’ve selected five pieces that will cost under $100 total to help bring a fresh, youthful, & flirty nautical look to your spring & summer essentials. This includes the luxe jersey striped ringer tank ($17.99) in gray heather from Gap, which is perfect for skinny jeans, a dark denim mini skirt, white cropped pants. Also, a fun topper for any casual outfit is the cropped canvas hooded jacket ($34.94) in sea turtle from Old Navy, which will work for over a tank & jeans, with leather pants & a graphic tee, or to dress down a sheath dress & ballet flats.

Also, I love the nautical stripe lightweight scarf ($9.99) from Charlotte Russe to wear with patriotic separates like a red top or blue capris. The striped boat shoes ($19.80) in red / white from Forever 21 are a literal way to include nautical inspiration into your wardrobe & will allow for all of your current love of menswear loafers to make a preppy appearance this summer. Lastly, the Brash dusty crossbody bag ($16.99) from Payless offers a cute seersucker neutral pattern to offset florals, polka dots, & pastel paisley prints.

The total for these pieces comes to an affordable $99.17! How do you like to wear nautical inspired looks? Do you prefer articles of clothing or striped accessories? For more posts on shopping on a budget, check out Steve Madden cork heels, Derek Lam’s DesigNation collection for Kohl’s, how to wear polka dots this spring, & peplum looks inspired by Cate Blanchett & Zoe Saldana! Happy Styling!

3/26/2013 Darling Of The Day: Copy Drew Barrymore’s Spring-Ready Look By Alice + Olivia & Rag & Bone!

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During an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Hollywood’s glamorous flower child, Drew Barrymore, hit the stage all smiles in a rag & bone Hillary blouse ($395.00) & Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet 5-pocket skinny jean ($198.00). The actress & wine entrepreneur looks youthful, on trend, & ready for spring in this outfit, which features some really famous & acclaimed luxury brand names in fashion today. Spending that kind of dough on separates can work if your main focus is quality, but for the rest of us, we can admire Drew’s polished & flirty look with similar separates that cost less & can mix well with other wardrobe staples any time of the year!

First, I picked the Merona pintucked long sleeve blouse ($16.08) in black Target, which is availble sizes XS – XXL. Not only will wearing this lightweight blouse look great with a patterned pant, but consider this for dressing up a denim skirt, headed to the office in a leather pencil skirt, or want to keep a monochromatic rocker look with liquid leggings & pointy toe heels. Also, I’ve been raving about floral pants for quite some time now (& really patterned pants all together), as seen in previous posts including Ashley Madekwe in Mulberry, pieces from Rihanna’s debut collection for River Island, must-haves for your spring break vacation, & Diane Kruger’s Stella McCartney look. Here, I’ve selected two pairs of floral pants from Forever 21, including the Aloha floral ankle pants ($22.80) & plus size rose print skinny pants ($24.80), which share a cimilar color scheme to Drew’s. Not to mention that these feminine flower-power bottoms will look darling mixed with a striped top & cork wedges or a polka dot peplum top & peep toe pumps, if you’re daring to try something new!

For more celebrity-inspired posts, check out Marion Cotillard’s return as the face of Lady Dior, Nikki Reed’s embellished blouse look for less, Beyoncé’s debut ad for H&M, & behind-the-scenes with Katie Holmes for her Allure cover shoot! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Get These Green Pieces For St. Patrick’s Day!

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A friend of mine recently asked me what the big color for spring was going to be & from my research & observation of trends, I saw that emerald green was getting to be very popular, amid the rise in pretty pastels & trendy neons. Nearly everyone looks great in emerald, so I thought, what better day to talk about some amazing emerald pieces than on St. Patrick’s Day!

I know when I’m putting a look together, I usually stick to classic black & white pieces, but there’s nothing better than a special pop of color, especially when it comes to green. First, the Merona 3/4 sleeve v-neck cardigan sweater ($19.99) from Target is the perfect topper to any polka dots, graphic print, or houndstooth sheath dress for both the office & a family party. Speaking of dresses, I love the stretch cotton skater dress ($27.93) from Express (which is currently on sale for 30% off) & the AB Studio lace sheath dress ($25.60) from Kohl’s (which has recently been reduced from its original $64.00 price). Both are reasonably priced & can work for any season if paired with cork wedges or even opaque tights & a boyfriend blazer.

If you prefer separates, then try H&M‘s blouse ($12.95) which can be worn knotted with skinny jeans & sneaker wedges for a casual day out & about, or untucked over some rocker chic leather leggings & metallic pointy toe pumps when headed out with the girls. Also, I recommend the Diva skinny ankle pants ($29.94) from Old Navy to be worn with a cable knit sweater for a preppy look or a flirty blouse & ballet flats when meeting gal pals for a luncheon. Not to mention that Old Navy has a special 17% off coupon code (ONLUCKY) which can be used on almost any online only purchase.

Add green accessories into the mix with some jewelry like the bubble bead statement necklace ($12.99) from Charlotte Russe, which is having a sitewide 20% off sale today, online only! Also, there’s Forever 21‘s iridescent arrowhead drop earrings ($4.80), which can be worn with a modern LBD & strappy sandals, or made exotic for your next vacation in a maxi dress & basketweave wedges.

I always love green in multi-color patterns too, which is why I selected the bright geometric scarf ($19.95) from New York & Company to wear with a denim jacket & jersey skirt while shopping, or to dress up any solid pullover & dark denim jeans. Lastly, you can’t talk about green without mentioning shoes & there are so many ways to wear the Worthington Pennie faux suede ballet flats ($28.00) from JC Penney like with a pair of neutral trousers & button-down shirt. Also, there’s the Payless‘ American Eagle sweetheart high wedge sling ($24.99) with a cotton wrap dress or a chambray tunic & colored denim shorts.

How do you like to wear green? Do you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? Which are your favorite pieces? What’s your budget for new spring-friendly fashions? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out a budget-friendly spring look for under $100, the complete lookbook of Kate Young’s collection for Target, colorful crossbody bags for under $15.00, neon looks inspired by Beyoncé Knowles & Jennifer Lopez, chic spring break must-haves, & how to wear yellow like Emmy Rossum & Miranda Kerr! Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Spring-Ready Neon Crossbody Bags!

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During a recent trip to the local mall with a good friend, Jennifer, in an effort to find affordable pieces for her upcoming cruise vacation, we stopped into Aeropostale to seek out some cute accessories & clothing, perfect for any tropical island escape. However, what surprised us was the plethora of big sale items in a store that is generally geared toward tween & teen shoppers, but these must-haves were perfect for any Style Darling & making our mission successful.

Although I couldn’t find the exact crossbody bag that Jennifer purchased on the online website, I was happy to share the essential neon crossbody bag ($14.00) in kale, lemon zest, radiant coral, & think pink. The bag was recently reduced in price from its original $36.50. The latest neon trend is more than apparent in accessories, which will certainly make any spring / summer outfit all the more fashionable.

Aeropostale - neon crossbody bag $14.00

I picked this particular style since it’ll work nicely with any casual look, including a blouse with shorts & flats for a brunch, a day of checking out antique shops with some girlfriends, running errands in a button-down & skinny jeans, & lastly, with a maxi dress & gladiator flats when headed out for a picnic with that special someone. Which color is your favorite? Are you currently shopping for a crossbody bag? Do you frequently shop at Aeropostale?

For more posts on affordable fashion, check out more from the neon trend with looks inspired by Chloe Grace Moretz & Kristen Stewart, spring break must-haves from Payless & JC Penney for under $100, sexy stilettos from Forever 21, how to style a graphic tee in four fabulous ways, & Christian Siriano’s ‘Striking’ collection for HSN! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Dresses On Sale @HauteLook For Under $30!

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I’ve been keeping my eye on HauteLook for quite some time now, but since Fashion Week, I’ve been bombarded with the urge to share galleries from the catwalk in Runway Rundown.  However, it’s been a while since I’ve spotted a great deal for Quickie Darling Deal & Steal that I just had to write about, especially since the barrage of fall favorites which have been trending all over the place.  I’ve recently started a new job where the dress code calls for business casual, but all of my years in a professional office hasn’t afforded me a business casual wardrobe. I’m trying to find ways to blend both worlds, but I always recommend dressing for the job you want, instead of the job you have.

I love mixing up my summer dresses with heavier knits & mixing feminine tights with suede booties.  It’s no secret that I’m all about the dresses, which is why my jaw dropped when I found these amazing deals @HauteLook for under $30.00. These 7 dresses scream summer fun, but with a few fabulous tweaks, these bargains can transform your fall look while at work, hitting up a bistro for lunch, or if you’re going on a date.

The Blu Pepper scoop neck sequin front dress ($27.00) in gold is currently 50% off & would look rich & flirty if paired with tights in a jewel tone & cut-out shooties. The sleeveless v-neck lace dress ($27.00) in navy is also available in ivory, but can look extra luxurious if paired with a sequin jacket or bolero, or can even be made work appropriate when worn with opaque tights, an embellished cardigan, & ballet flats.  The studded neckline dress ($22.00) is in an adorable orange, which begs for regal neutrals in your accessories like a patent leather belt, slouchy boots, & stacked bangles with beads.

The cutout back short sleeve print dress ($22.00) is a date-friendly frock that can be coordinated with other belts in your arsenal, encouraging its wearer to alternate complimenting hues for emphasis.  Also, trading in a corset-like belt will add some edge to the pretty pattern on the dress.  The pleated colorblock dress ($22.00) is the ideal canvas for any time of the year.  Colorblocking is one of the biggest trends & can work with multiple textures like embossed croc for a belt, argyle tights, & suede lace-up knee boots.  Reveal your feminine side with an ivory lace jacket & some drop earrings.

Don’t be fooled by the season since you can still get away with maxi dresses for the cooler days! Take advantage of these prints in order to reinvent your basics, especially with the sleeveless waist tie print maxi dress ($22.00) if worn with a bomber jacket & flat boots.  The spaghetti strap print maxi dress ($28.00) in olive will work with a tuxedo jacket & strappy platforms, as well as over a turtleneck with knee boots. Just look to boho chicqueen Nicole Richie for endless ways to make a maxi dress look chic.

Be sure to sign up with HauteLook to receive news on events & sales, & check out their Facebook page to see all the newest merchandise to add to your already stylish wardrobe for every season! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: I’m Pumped For These Nine West Flats!

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I’m not a fan of brown, but I do like the neutral shades of tan, nude, & beige to help bring out the simple elegance in a daytime look of dark denim jeans & a ruffled blouse with a cardigan.  For when I want to give my feet a break, or am just looking for a new way to put an outfit together, I like to look to my textured flats & here’s a perfect example if you’re looking to revamp your shoe collection for 2012.

The Nine West ‘Cacey’ flat ($39.50) in sahara suede shows off both suede & patent leather with a classic ballerina bow at the toe.  The flats also come in other styles & colors, including black & white polka dot, python, leopard, & black suede, but these are sold at the best price.

Because the color is so neutral, these can be worn all year long, especially with tweed trousers for work, a printed shirt dress in the spring, & romper & cropped cardigan in the summer.

For more great sales & quickie deals on must-haves, check out other Quickie Darling Deal & Steal posts, including a lace dress from Topshop, rust satin heels from Lulu’s, & my new favorite boots from Payless! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: The Latest Sale Apparel Under $30 @G By Guess!

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I recently discovered the online site, G by Guess, a sub-brand of Guess, featuring very stylish apparel & accessories. I clicked through their sale items & found some very fashionable pieces marked down to prices under $30.00!  I always say that the beginning of a season is the best time to shop past-season pieces.  Here’s a perfect example of that!

I love the slinky one-shoulder dress ($22.48) in white, which is reduced in price from $49.50, but it’s only available online in XL. White is a tricky color to pull off if you have curves, but the flattering cut & with some carefully placed accessories like a metallic belt or a leather jacket, this could be a really hot piece to wear for a night out! Or, even a romper for fall can work! The chambray romper ($22.48) is perfect for a look with tights, ankle boots, & an oversized blazer if you want to make a playful daytime outfit.  Replace the built-in belt with something textured in croc or with grommets to create more dimension to this go-to summer piece.

The cargo ruffle jacket ($24.98) is great to complete a look consisting of dark denim jeans, a graphic tee, & pointy toe heels.  It’s a little bit urban, yet still offers a flattering cinch at the waist for feminine dresses.  Most of us can agree that bootcut jeans ($27.48) flatter nearly all shapes.  They’re the best casual & cool way of dressing down a sparkly top, & looking edgy in a masculine vest.

As for tops, I found these two which I thought were so cute & at a great price.  The printed top ($14.98) makes for a colorful pairing against leather leggings & a fitted jacket, or can be worn for day under a chunky knit & denim pencil skirt.  The plaid v-neck top ($14.98) shows a colorful pattern in multi / black, as well as a light purple.  It’s a fun alternative to the traditional plaid button-down for fall & also would pair nicely with something cordouroy… OR perhaps the green cargo pants ($19.98)?  I love that they’re a little bit utilitarian, yet still polished enough to wear with heels. On the website, they’re only available in size 24, but for those of you who are looking for a bottom option other than the easy go-to black trousers, grab them while you can!

Have you ever shopped @G by Guess?  What’s your best sale / clearance find for fall?  For more Quickie Darling Deal & Steal posts, check out deals on a sweater tunic, cozy tops, & jewelry!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: My Favorite New Belt & Flats from Charlotte Russe!

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I know I posted a Quickie Darling Deal & Steal post yesterday about affordable leggings, but I was so excited to find these items this afternoon that I couldn’t help but repeat the category!  Don’t you love a great sale on this holiday weekend?

During a quickie trip to the mall on this sunny, summery Columbus Day, I stopped in @Charlotte Russe b/c at the entrance, there was a sign to text “78953” & you could get any number of discounts, including $5.00 off your purchase.  I was snooping around the store for some affordable finds & came across this lurex front belt ($9.50), which answers the question for me: Do I want to wear my gray belt? Or the black one?

Also, there was a wall of flats that had been recently marked down.  I’m always looking for a cute way to relieve my feet after a long day in heels, or a dressy way to keep my feet comfortable if I know that heels just aren’t an option (on those very rare occasions).  I love these pleated satin ballet flat ($10.00) in champagne, which were originally priced for $19.50.  I know they’ll be perfect as we get closer to the holidays & the satin fabric makes any casual look just a bit fancier & more feminine.

I continued to scour the store & picked out a beaded bracelet & matching necklace b/c select styles of jewelry were 2 for $10.  In addition, I picked up a few basic tanks for under $5.00  By the end of my shopping trip, I used my $5 off coupon code that I received via text, in addition to an extra 10% off on the non-sale items, for being a student & providing my student ID.

Have you found any killer style deals?  Where are your favorite places to shop for fun extras like these?  Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: The Black Peep Toes from Payless That’ve Lasted Me All Day!

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I haven’t been loyal to any daily readers out there b/c I failed to post a blog for the day, but it’s still Wednesday & I’ve got a little time left & a little something to dish on.  See these shoes here?  I wore them all day today, from 8:30am until 10:00pm.  Of course my work day consisted of a lot of sitting time in my cubicle & then I drove back & forth to Southampton (1hr – 45min each way), so I’m cheating a little bit here. You dan’t deny that that’s a long day of the same pair of heels & I can’t complain one bit about how my feet feel!

I posted their red companion in a Quickie Darling Deal & Steal blog last month about suede shoes @Payless & I’m definitely kicking myself for not getting the red pair when I had the chance.  The sturdy heel & knot detail just scream a little bit Marilyn Monroe & they’re just so easy to add to just about any look.  Back in April, as seen in a Luxury Look-Alikes for Less posting, I was lucky enough to score the nude pair, which have lasted me all summer & into fall so far! They’re by far, my sexiest, most classic looking heels for when I want to be polished, but playful at the same time!

Right now these Fioni ‘Kutie’ knot platform pumps are on sale for $19.99, marked down from $27.99.  If you’ve got too many black shoes & are looking to spice things up with an unexpected pop of color, the navy ones are also on sale.  However, the black is only available in both regular & wide width sizes.

I wanted to share these b/c they were so stylish to go with my work outfit, consisting of a knee-length abstract print black & white pleated bubble skirt that I paired with a patent red Nine West belt & wore a tucked in black tissue tee to help show off my shape.  On top, I finished off my look with a white short-sleeved cardigan & went about my work day, earning a handful of compliments on my ensemble.  After, when I was headed to an Open House @SUNY Southampton for their MFA program (cross your fingers, I applied for the spring), I wanted to sit more comfortably in my car during the long, rainy commute.  So I changed into my dark denim bootcut jeans & a sparkly black long-sleeved cardigan over my untucked tee.  Somehow I had the time this morning to think of bringing my silver & gold braided belt to complete the very dark look.  I feared for the safety of my peep toes b/c it was raining pretty heavily, but now I’m home & they’ve withstood the elements successfully!

Do you have a pair of go-to comfortable heels?  Do you have any Payless stories?  Would you buy & wear these?  Happy Styling!