Royal Wedding Mania

The big day is just around the corner. Tomorrow Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton and her dreams of becoming a princess will come true! While most of America won't be awake for the royal festivities, the DVRs will be set on record. I'm excited to view this little piece of world history, as I was not around when Prince Charles wed Diana Spencer all those years ago. It makes me think of my own wedding some day- What dress will Kate choose? How will her hair look? Will she be super nervous and forget her lines at the altar? The whole world will find out tomorrow. Stay tuned!

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Fab Finds

Like most red-blooded American women, I love getting a great deal when shopping. I've been following Jennifer's blog The Looks for Less for the last year now and absolutely love it. Her site is dedicated to helping readers find fashion-forward clothes, shoes and accessories at affordable prices.

Of course I'd love to have a closet full of designer duds, but unfortunately my wallet (or credit card limit) doesn't allow for that. When it comes to trends I try to get the best deals, as they generally come and go out of style. Like many savvy shoppers, I'm willing to invest a little more money into classic pieces, and usually find that they mix well with my trendy pieces. I have gotten so many great ideas from Jennifer's blog for mixing current trends with classic pieces, all at a price I can afford.

OK, a little bit of this is tooting my own horn. Often the blog showcases a reader's "Look for Less" submission, which feature an outfit where each piece is priced less than $50. So, on my recent wine tasting trip in Santa Barbara I came up with an outfit that I thought was perfect for a fall day at the vineyards (and definitely budget-friendly).  Today my look was featured on the blog! Check out my look for less. Below is a photo of my outfit as well. Thanks to my wonderful boyfriend for taking such a great shot!

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All That Sparkles

I love the holidays. Whenever I think of Christmas and New Year's, I immediately think sparkles. Every fashion magazine and store catalog I've picked up has pages dedicated to the glittery obsession, and this season I've already indulged. From nail polish to accessories, sparkles are definitely in style.

I scored a pair of Steve Madden Miami pumps in Gold Glitter for $59 $45 at DSW (I used $15 worth of rewards certficates). Can you say LOVE? Here is a similar pair that I liked also, but the heel was a bit tall for my 5'11" frame.


Steve Madden 'Caryssa' pump



Of course you'll need some sparkly nail polish too to go with these fabulous shoes. I just tried Sally Hansen's Xtreme polish in Celeb City. At $1.99 a bottle, it's a keeper!

Sally Hansen 'Celeb City'



OPI 'Burlesque' collection

In the midst of looking for New Year's Eve attire, I found a cute alternative to the standard LBD or sparkly dress (although I always love those too!): a sparkly tank with a pair of trouser shorts, tights and cute platforms or booties. I may just have to rock this look instead of my 'ole go-to dress this year. 

Whatever sparkly piece(s) you choose this holiday season, you'll be sure to stand out. Happy shopping!



                                 







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Cocktail Rings: Big & Bold

Lately I've been really into finding unique cocktail rings. For me, the bigger and brighter, the better! Since I consider myself part of the "Young, Fabulous & Broke" crowd, I'm always looking for a fun statement ring at a budget-friendly price.

So far in my search, Forever 21 has been my gold mine for finding rings I can afford. You can also find some great rings at online shops such as Etsy, where individuals sell their handmade and one-of-a-kind items. I like the rings to be larger than my ring-finger size, so I can wear them on my middle or forefinger. I get a thrill out of hunting for the perfect ring for an outfit and usually discover it will work well with many different items in my closet. Statement rings are also great for showing off an awesome manicure. Whatever piece you find, it will be sure to dazzle!

  

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