Get Red Carpet Glam Without Paying Designer Prices

January 12th, 2012

Get Red Carpet Glam Without Paying Designer Prices ImageSome say getting red carpet glam is close to impossible on a tight budget. But it actually can be quite simple if you know exactly how to stretch your wardrobe dollars.

It’s trendy to try to get a good deal and the savviest shoppers take pride in paying next to nothing for their fashion finds. Whether you’re getting ready for a wedding or high school prom, or just want to freshen your wardrobe, here are some tips to help you create your own personal style on a budget.

* Give online auctions a try. Creating your personal style is easier with unique items like those being auctioned online. You’ll come across many hard-to-find items at hard-to-beat prices.

* Plan ahead. Scour sales racks for traditionally expensive items like cashmere or in-vogue bathing suits. Shop for winter items in April and summer items in September. End-of-season sales yield great buys on pieces you’ll wear for years.

* Mix and match. Mix high-end pieces with inexpensive items. Cheap and steep easily go together to help create a unique, personalized style.

* Accessorize. This is the single most important part of completing your unique style. An impressive handbag, stunning brooch or striking shoe can dial up any outfit. And these extra touches don’t have to cost a fortune.

Just ask Star Jones Reynolds, co-host of ABC’s “The View” and red carpet fashion correspondent for E! this past awards season. Jones Reynolds is renowned for her fashion-at-a-value sensibility and has been mixing designer pieces and inexpensive items for a long time. In fact, on the red carpet at this year’s Oscars, she paired a couture evening gown with $20 shoes. The gown was by revered designer Richard Tyler. The shoes? They were from her very own Starlet Spring Collection available only at Payless, proving that you can get glamorous red carpet fashion for less.

Payless is a smart place to scout for inexpensive accessories for any occasion, said Jones Reynolds. The Starlet Spring Collection boasts all the top dress footwear trends of the season for under $25 a pair, including slides, T- and ankle-straps, embellishments like bows, brooches and jewels, and the hottest colors of the season, including metallics and colored foils.

Keeping these tips in mind will help you maximize your style from head to toe – without maxing out your credit cards.

Spring into Style

January 10th, 2012

Spring into Style ImageSpring is simply my favorite time of the year.  Every year, around this time, the major fashion houses in the world release their new designs to the hungry masses.  This season is certainly no exception, and some of the bags I have seen so far are simply amazing!  We all have certain designers that we have grown to love and trust, but some of the new players out there have really impressed me this year.  If you love purses and handbags the way I do, check out some of these new releases.

I have always been in love with Prada handbags.  In fact, it was Prada that first inspired my love affair with purses.  To be perfectly honest, I have never seen a Prada bag that I didn’t love.  This year they have impressed me to no end.  Words cannot describe the feeling I get when I see this bag.  I am talking about the new Prada/Jute Snakeskin Hobo.  For those you that love a bit of glitz and glamour, you will absolutely adore the gold snakeskin accents.  The tan leather trim really helps neutralize the flashiness of the gold, and the simple beige weaved jute brings it a real sense of balance.  The Prada logo is nicely located in the middle of the front side, beautifully mounted on a small wooden plate.  Absolutely stunning!

Fendi is another one of those designers I cannot be without.  While some of their purses are less-than-remarkable, certain others are nothing short of phenomenal.  I have been raving about the Fendi Spy to all of my friends, and now I share this little secret with you.  These might be difficult to find, as women everywhere are going mad over them.  They have a few different purses available in this line, but the one I truly lust over is the Fendi Floral Spy Satchel.  It is oh-so-cute!  This bag has a wonderfully intricate floral appliqué on the front side, and the leather is as white as pure driven snow.  Be still my beating heart!

Isabella Fiore has created what might be the cutest springtime bag ever!  Has anyone out there had the pleasure of holding the new April Woven Bag?  If you haven’t, I suggest you stop what you are doing and go find one.  If you have, please wipe that drool from your mouth.  It’s gross.  The handles on this bag are constructed from the finest braided brown leather, and the flowers painted on the side are the stuff dreams are made of.  Ooo la la!  It has a magnetic closure, and a wonderfully durable canvas liner.  I want to buy all of them up, so you can’t have one.  Happy springtime shopping, ladies!