budget

eBay

And now for the finale! Everyone knows I am an eBay lover. I’ve been a proud member since 2001 and nearly every fashion favorite in my closet is from eBay—silver tweed Couture Couture winter coat, black patent Furla bag, vintage rhinestone collar, 80s enamel Hermes cuff—the list goes on…and on.  The good news is that I save an average of $200 to $300 off of retail prices when I shop eBay. And I’ve come back to my Mecca this year full force. So to satisfy the multitudes of you people who ask me to share my sellers, here all of my secrets (well, some of them :) )

http://stores.ebay.com/Celebrity-Owned?_rdc=1

• Straight from the wardrobes of some of your favorite TV and film sets. Get the white cashmere shawl Gwyneth wore for ¾ of the price.

http://stores.ebay.com/DOLLFACE-VINTAGE-clothing?_rdc=1

• Actual super cool vintage finds that look modern and well kept at super low prices. Your friends will think Pat Field is hiding in your closet.

http://stores.ebay.com/thepaisleypetunia

• I love J. Crew. So sue me, I’m from Connecticut. But I’m not so jazzed at the fact that their price points now hit the $1000 mark. Thanks to The Paisley Petunia, I can load up on all my J. Crew wish list items for at least $100 below the original retail price. And the merch is literally only a catalogue behind if that.

Now, go forth and save. But don’t you dare look any less cute, people!

Sephora Brand Cosmetics

I allowed a Sephora employee to attack me this weekend. And by attack, I mean move aggressively at my face with a wand covered in some kind of pink glittery substance. Luckily for her, I am a sucker for anything pink, glittery and/or cosmetic. Nameless-Aggressive-Makeup-Lady ended up being my cosmetic savior (if you will). I am now a devoted follower of Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow. It lasts all day (and many of my days are 20 hours at a time) without creasing!!!!! WHAT?! It’s $12 of magic. I am sporting Hawaiian Beach 52 for up to 20 hours of style right now. 

 Endless.com

Whenever my roommate has a date, work event, family holiday, trip to the grocery store, she declares: “I need a new outfit.” I, on the other hand, declare that I need new shoes. We all have our thing (or in my case things…lippies and shoes). If you relate to this, click as fast as you can to Endless.com. EVERYTHING is here from Dolce & Gabbana to Dolce Vita. Free overnight shipping and the best prices around. Trust, I’ve looked.

 L’Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara

We represent L’Oreal Paris—you know this if you’ve ever read our Web site. And if you know me, you know I tend to like expensive things…such as DiorShow Mascara. It’s pricey but it IS amazing, ladies. A couple of months ago I happened to hear our beauty team saying that L’Oreal Paris Original Voluminous Mascara is a fave of the beauty editor circuit. Obvy, I had to try it! And I was not disappointed. At around $6 (versus $24) my lashes have a new BFF.

Old Navy

We ladies always try to present a veneer of perfection. Women don’t sweat, grow hair in any other place beside their eyebrows and top of their head, and certainly don’t pass flatulence. Ahem. Just like we don’t pit out our white shirts. Riiiiight. Well, instead of resupplying at Theory this year, I was pleasantly surprised to find adequately classic, tailored white button downs, henleys and t-shirts at Old Navy. I loaded up and didn’t break the $50 mark. For clothing I replace seasonally, the price is right, Bob Barker.
 

Source: sarajofrieden.com

I’ve been feeling cash poor lately—like most of my countrymen.  And I’ve definitely gotten a lot feistier about my purchases. Luckily, I am quite the savvy spender so I really feel that I haven’t been looking or dressing less cute than the standard I have always held myself to…cute wise.  So I thought I’d share a few of the smarter alternatives I’ve been turning to in these times that try men’s souls. Stay tuned for the next week, friendly readers.

Wet N’ Wild Lipstick in Hot Read

I have been lusting after Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red for years now. BUT I already have one in Manhunt and cannot justify another $24 spend for such a similar hue. (Have I mentioned I have a lippy addiction?) Thus, Visual Therapy’s resident maven Sarah Davidzuk showed me the way, the truth and the light by recommending Wet N’ Wild’s Lipstick in 519A. It is a movie star pinup, Rita ‘Hay-worthy’ matte red lipstick. And it’s $1.29, people!!!!
 

Source: nyshirt.com

Kendra Foley Simpson was one of our associates for a time. Now, this woman is adorable, but she has fire. With her black hair and brown eyes, porcelain skin and perfect cupid doll face, Kendra has the looks of a gal from the 50s or 40s. But don’t let those sweet looks fool you. Kendra is a woman with ideas and she loves to share them. And does this woman have style! You should have seen the invite to her wedding (baby blue and red) and many of her fab little dresses (gingham or crepe) are handmade or reinvented by Kendra herself. LOVE THEM! When I read one of her tweets (basically she was shopping for her spring wardrobe on a crazy budget) I thought: “If anyone can do it this girl can!”

So, why am I writing about Kendra? Because she has just launched a new blog that you MUST check out: www.budgetretro.com. The blog features house wares, vintage goods and crafts. And though it offers up great concepts on a budget, you never lose style in the exchange.

We love your new venture Kendra. We think everyone else will too!