I hit the mall the other day and witnessed a wonderfully beautiful sight: Spring clothing. The racks of shorts, tanks and skirts were like the (bright, patent leather) light at the end of a cold and dreary tunnel. I felt euphoric, giddy and a need to spend. I grabbed my friend’s hand and together we skipped from store to store taking it all in.

The colorful shoes.
The exotic prints.
The dresses.
The bags. Oh boy, those bags.

I would have loved to give my credit card a workout and my wardrobe a much needed pick-me-up – as I have found myself wearing only grays and blacks these past few weeks – but the price tags at Nordstrom, etc. were just way bigger than anything I could afford. I pitied myself and my dwindling bank account for a moment, but instead of throwing in the proverbial towel and heading home to sulk in a pile of black sweats, I went in search of equally fabulous, yet far more affordable, Spring pieces.

It was a cinch. Spring trends are all about bright colors, patent leather, and new shapes. Luckily for me and any other lady on a budget, these elements are all very easy to find at any price point. I scoped out my I Have to Have Them But In No Way Can I Afford Them pieces, admired and drooled over them, and then snapped back into reality and went in search of their less expensive brothers.

What I Lusted: Marc by Marc Jacobs “Posh Turnlock” Convertible Clutch

Price: $298 (Ouch.)

This bag adds much needed drama and excitement to the bar-standard black dress or shirt.

The leather is soft, the colors (I prefer yellow) are bright without being too much and the bag is perfect for going out – both in the fact that it will hold everything and can be worn as either a clutch or on your shoulder.

What I Got: Xhilaration (For Target) Envelope Clutch

Price: $17.99

This bag has so much in common with the one by Marc - the perfect size for going out, the perfect color to pop a typical ensemble, the ability to be worn both as a clutch or shoulder bag – for a fraction of the price. Just think about how much better you will feel about spilling beer on an $18 bag versus one for $300. Read More »

Please make the eighties comeback stop.

I know, it’s funny to be campy and over the top. But didn’t we all make fun of the eighties the first time around? Now it seems the spandex are unstoppable, patent leather is everywhere, and even the fanny pack has re-invented itself as a bit of “so old it’s new.”

I will say that the leggings, short dress, and boot combo is functional and sort of sexy. I’ll admit it I’ve rocked it.

But every time I walk into a shoe store and see the patent leather shoe, I think to myself, really? I think that was over circa 1990. If I see shoulder pads I might slap somebody. I know that Europeans have been heading towards the eighties trend for some time now.

The last time I was in France (about a year ago) I would see the skinny jeans, with heels and be brought back to the iconic image of Brooke Shields in her Calvins.

As a not-so-skinny girl, (size 12 perfectly normal) the flared jean has done wonders for me. Then suddenly out of nowhere it seemed the skinny jean and/or the spandex was everywhere. Me and my above average ass were not ok with this.

Check out the awesomely bad 80’s fashion gallery after the jump! Read More »

Following the trends can be quite problematic. Especially when you are trying to find the trends on the cheap before every mass retailer has picked it up. And by that point, you’re so over it because EVERYONE has one. Sound familiar? It’s pretty much the story of my life.

Before I get to the trend (sigh, big bags are out). I’m going to tell you a story. And then I’m going to tell you how to remedy our little situation.

In October of 2005, I saw a Calvin Klein ad where the model was wearing FLAT BOOTS. And not just flat boots, but black patent leather pointy toe snakeskin flat boots. And at that point, not only did I want a pair of boots sans their heel, I wanted them right THEN before they became über popular.

Now you can find a pair anywhere. Forever 21, H&M, Payless: they all jumped on the flat boot bandwagon, but a year and a half after I wanted a pair. That year, I spent my fall break in New York and decided that I would find a decently priced (i.e. around 200 dollars) pair of boots. I knew I couldn’t find them for less, if I could even find them at all.

I dragged my then boyfriend to every shoe store in Manhattan looking for a pair of flat boots. Poor guy. That was a rough shopping day.

I knew what I wanted but could not find them for less than 500 bucks. And my college budget sure wasn’t able to afford a pair of shoes THAT expensive.

Eventually, at the end of the day, I found them. My beautiful flat boots were just sitting there on the shelf in a tiny unassuming shoe store on 14th street. And when I went back to school, everyone made fun of my shoes and I was like whatever, bitches! Just you wait!

So now for the new fall trend that can’t be found: small shoulder bags or saddle bags. Whatever you want to call them. Big bags are out for those in the know. As much as I love my big bag, I am a bit tired of lugging so much crap around and having so much accumulate within its cavernous interior. So I am going to embrace this new trend before it becomes too trendy. Problem is, every little bag comes with a big price. Read More »