Savvy and Stylish on a Budget

I've always been on a budget.  Always, my whole entire life.  I've always loved nice things and high-end fashion.  Always, my whole entire life.  So how have I gotten my bargain basement budget to mesh with my love of nice things and high-end fashion?  T.J.Maxx, ebay, thrift stores, consignment shops and getting creative is the answer!!  I've also always been a shopper.  I love to shop and I love to hunt and dig for the best things at the best prices.  I think it's one of the reasons I make a good personal shopper.  I can shop the high-end stores with the best of them but I can also find great deals at budget friendly stores.  I've also always been able to take a designer or high-end look and copy it (or better yet, make it my own) for a fraction of the cost.  It's like a game for me.  Some people play baseball, football or basketball but my sport is shopping!

Today's outfit, top, shorts, bag and shoes cost me all of a total of $28.00!  The top, shorts and bag all came from Plato's Closet.  Plato's is considered a "teen fashion store" and we all know I am not a teen, but you CAN find adult appropriate clothing and accessories at incredible prices if you just spend some time, try things on and are not in a hurry!  The day I got the items I'm wearing I spent about three hours in the store and made about six trips to the dressing room!  The shorts and straw tote (that I'm going to use as a beach bag) were both new with tags (NWT) which is always a bonus when shopping consignment stores!!  You would be surprised how many items I've gotten at consignment stores that still had tags on them.  The wedges came from Rugged Warehouse.  Rugged Warehouse is a discount clothing store.  It's one of those places that is totally hit or miss.  I've found some great things at Rugged Warehouse over the years and I think these wedges are the favorite of all my finds!  They are very "vintage Marc Jacobs".  The original price was $68.00 but they were marked down again and again with the price I bought them for being only $9.00!!  You will be seeing a lot of them this summer!

What I'm Wearing ~
Top: Tinley (similar)
Shorts: Express (similar)
Wedges: Rocket Dog (similar here and here)
Straw Tote: No Name (adorable striped version here)
Bar Necklace: All The Wire
Sunnies: Coach (via T.J.Maxx)
Pedi Polish: OPI (It's been my favorite this summer! Who knew yellow toes could make me so happy!)

What are some of your tips and tricks for looking savvy and stylish on a budget?

XO
Elizabeth


Linking up with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Summer Style and Working Girl With Style

Fourth Fashion

Who doesn't love a good Fourth of July outfit?  Even if you are just hanging out at home, donning your red, white and blue is the thing to do!  I've created five outfits to give you a little "Fourth Fashion" inspiration.

Comfy Casual
Boyfriend Shorts: Gap
Striped T: Gap
Keds: ModCloth
American Flag Pendant: OpenSky
Flag Motif Tote: Ralph Lauren

Pattern Mixing
Navy Striped T: Topshop
Gingham Skirt: Joy the Store
Flag Scarf: OpenSky
Red, White and Blue Straw Tote: Brooks Brothers
Jute Canvas Espadrille Wedges: Lastcall

Casual Chic
White Skinny Jeans: Gap
Red V-Neck T: Express
Denim Vest: Diesel via 6pm
Red, White and Blue Wedges: Jessica Simpson
USA Flag Necklace: Charming Charlie (another flag option here)
Nautical Striped Tote: Daily Look

A Nod to Nautical
Striped Maxi: French Connection
Red T-Strap Sandals: Frye
Anchor Straw Tote: Vineyard Vines (similar)
USA Necklace: Etsy (another cute option here)

Take Me Out To The Ballgame
 This year for the Fourth my family is having a cookout at my in-laws lake house and then heading to the Gwinnett Braves game for some baseball and fireworks!  I'm sooooo excited!!  To me nothing says "Fourth of July" like family, fireworks, burgers and America's sport, baseball!!  My plan is to wear something similar to the outfit above but I may trade out the boyfriend jeans for boyfriend shorts depending on how hot it is!
Distressed Boyfriend Jeans: Blank Denim
Baseball T: Pacific Sunwear
Red and White Polka dot Tennies: Keds
Striped Cross Body: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Flag Ball cap: Diane's Beachwear
Baseball Necklace: Macy's

So what are your 4th of July plans?  Do you know what you're wearing?  I hope I helped give you a little "Fourth Fashion" inspiration!!

XO
Mz Savvy Style


You can shop this post through the links listed under each picture or here:

Linking up with Funday Monday, Monday Mingle, Mix it Monday's, What I Wore to Church, Trend Spin Linkup and Style Sessions

On Memorial Day We Wear White

This coming Monday is Memorial Day which is the day we kick off summer, and summer makes me think of all things white.  Even though fashion rules have changed and it's OK to wear white year round many wait until Memorial Day to pull out their white clothes, shoes and accessories.  I love an all white outfit, from dressed up to casual it's always fresh and chic.  White looks great with neutral accessories, bright pops of color, neons or metallics.  Here's a little Memorial Day style inspiration ~

Cropped Top with Lace: H&M ~ Similar here and here
Deck Shorts: Madewell
Zip Back Metallic Gladiator: Express
Gold Statement Cuff: Nine West (on sale!)
Long Bar Gold Necklace: Shopbop

Tunic Top: Tory Burch
Skinny Jeans: Old Navy
Wedges: Nine West (currently buy one get one half off!!)
Striped Bag: Michael Kors (navy option here)
XL Red Link Necklace: Mango
Red Seahorse Cuff: CustomMade (similar here and here)

Scuba Peplum Top: Target
Skirt: Rebecca Taylor
Espadrilles: C. Wonder
Straw Drawstring Bag with Leather Detail: Michael Kors
Bib Necklace: Tory Burch
Bracelet: Tory Burch

Maxi Dress: Forever 21
Gladiator Sandals: ASOS
Studded Clutch: 2BBEBE (identical)
Charm Bracelet: Yochi Vintage (similar)
Tassle Necklace: Lucky Brand

Cropped Summer Sweater: American Eagle (similar here and short sleeve option here)
Denim Boyfriend Shorts: J.Crew
Red Striped Bag: Old Navy
Anchor Necklace: C. Wonder
Nautical Espadrilles: Jeffery Campbell (super cute option here)
Bracelet: BCBGeneration

So what are you wearing for Memorial Day?  I'll be wearing white!

XO Mz Savvy Style

Linking up with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Maminista Friday's and Working Girl With Style