Can't Rain On My Parade

Rain. It is wet, cold, disruptive, annoying, and as always puts a damper on what could be a fabulous fashion statement. However, there are many affordable items out there made to help keep you dry during these torrential downpours. The number one item that should be on everyone's list is a pair of Hunter Rain Boots. Rain boots are an essential item to have in your wardrobe, but these boots drown out the competition. Hunter has capitalized on a sleek, simple boot and a great concept. "Although Hunter is, in many ways, a traditional and old-fashioned company, we have also embraced the 21st Century and have welcomed the fact that our products are now worn by a much wider range of people. (usa.hunter-boot.com)"

You could find any old pair of rain boots this season, or you could acquire a pair of Hunter Rain Boots. You can purchase them on their website - and at various other retail websites - or in select stores that carry the brand (such as Nordstrom). Usually I would say that these boots cost way too much for something that us California residents who see rain but a few times a year. However, you cannot pass up a pair of these fantastically rubber boots. They are just above $100, plus an additional $30 if you want some Welly Socks to go with you Hunter Rain Boots. So, for just under $200 you can own a pair of classic rain boots with comfy matching or mismatching socks. Keep in mind the cost-per-wear with this item since they are a little pricey and due to the fact that we do not experience much rain.

This rainy season, check out a pair of Hunter Rain Boots and see what you have been missing out on. Not only will they keep your feet, ankles, and most of your calves dry, but they will keep you looking great, even when it is wet, cold, disruptive, and annoyingly gloomy out. Never let the weather dictate what you can and cannot wear!

What are your go-to items for the rainy weather? Do you own a pair of rain boots? Do you own a boring black umbrella or something fun?!

*Images: http://www.splendicity.com/shoeblitz/files/2009/10/20091018-piperlime-rainboots-pink.jpg

http://www.collegefashion.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/hunter.jpg

What's in MY Shopping Bag?: Rain, Rain Go Away

I don't know about you and your geography, but here in California it has been quite gloomy andvery wet lately. So what better item to shop for than a new raincoat

Your first option is the must-have Trench Coat from Gap. If you do not already own a trench, you are missing out. This coat may be a little high in price at $88.00, but this is an investment item. You purchase this trench now and you will have it forever - or until you wear it out, whichever comes first!

Your second option is this "Unisex Nylon Taffeta Rain Parka" from American Apparel. With four stormy-weather inspired colors to choose from, there is no doubt that you will be working it in the rain while everyone else simply looks a hot mess. Once again, this jacket is a little pricey at $85.00, but you definitely be wearing this for years to come.

Your third option is this absolutely, fantastically simple "rain jacket in a packet" from Old Navy. Not only does it come in seven different colors, but it is only $19.50! There is no way you can't afford this fabulous find. Layer it on top of a sweater, sweatshirt, or even another jacket and start watching the rain drops just roll off your shoulders!

So this rainy season, no matter where you are, invest in a raincoat and for Pete's sake, stay dry! Just because you are protecting yourself from the elements does not mean you have to sacrifice your style. Rain gear will not be around much longer (this season), so if you find something you like that is priced right, purchase it and do not look back. Besides, the more you save on a raincoat, the more you can spend on funky umbrellas and quirky rain boots - try Walmart and Target! So this rainy season, stay dry and as always, keep it Fashion, Friendly & Frugal.

*Images: AmericanApparel.net

Gap.com

OldNavy.com

Sunglass Hunt

Sunglasses are a great accessory for everyone because no matter what your face shape, there is a pair of sunglasses for you and your personal style. The downside to shades is what you may be sacrificing in order to own a pair of sunglasses that you truly cannot live without. You can either empty out your bank account for the perfect pair of $200 designer sunglasses, or spend $10 on very inexpensive and sometimes very awkward-looking glasses. I am not usually a fan of counterfeit apparel, but when it comes to the delicate frames I continuously put on and take off, I have nearly no problems with the cheapie and sometimes knock-off styles. Here are my tips to finding the right pair at the right price:

1.) As with everything else in your wardrobe, try sunglasses on. You will never know what looks the best with your face shape unless you try on many different styles and colors.

2.) H&M and Nordstrom have great sunglasses for great prices (all under $12) that are pretty sturdy. Be creative where you shop for glasses!

3.) Use the Internet. Search out a pair of sunglasses that you are interested in that may be out of your budget (check out what the celebrities are wearing and what the style magazines are advertising). Once you find a pair that catches your eye, shop around until you find a price point that matches your budget and your research.

4.) Spend less and own more! Obviously the less you spend on something so small like sunglasses opens the door for you to own more pairs!

To make a long story short, I once purchased a pair of Gucci sunglasses and they fell apart nearly a year later. Although I took great care of those flimsy things, they still ended up broken. They retailed for $300 and I hustled my way down to a mere $150, which still did not help my bank account. In then end, I have strayed away from expensive sunglasses because they are such a fragile accessory.

Designer sunglasses are beautiful and always unique, but my wallet cannot handle the real deal right now. This is why I have turned to my $10 Ray Bay Wayfarers and $12 Aviator knock-offs, my cat-eyed $6 H&M jump-offs, my $24 fake Chanels, and my most favorite, over-sized, 70s inspired and Gucci inspired, $12 sunglasses. If they break, oh well! At least I can go to sleep at night knowing their cost-per-wear was worth it. Someday, I will indulge in the real deal, but for now, I am very happy being Fashion, Friendly & Frugal.

(My Inspiration $300: Stella McCartney's sunglasses - above, far right; My find - $20: directly above at VogueWear.com)

What are your favorite pair of sunglasses?

*Images: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/01/we_love_stella_mccartneys_sung.html

VogueWear.com

Why Steve Madden?

I have been a loyal consumer of Steve Madden ever since I can remember. My first pair of Steve Madden shoes had a wood platform and black leather straps with the most beautiful black leather flower in the middle of the top of the shoe. However, I would not be caught dead in these shoes today. The reason why I have been so loyal to this particular shoe company is the fact that their quality matches their reasonable prices and they always have fresh new styles. I know my size, Steve Maddens fit correctly and last a long time. The hardest part about searching for a new pair of Steve Maddens is choosing the next hot pair to pick up! Here are my top picks for the end of Winter and beginning of Spring shoes:

A little bit stripper yet still very fun for Spring. The faux snakeskin print adds a not-so-subtle hint of interest to the shoe while the platform paired with all those straps is simply unstoppable. Pick up these sky-high sandals for a good time today!

VENOMM $89.95

These flats are to-die-for! Who knew that something so flat could be so cute? Not only is this grey perfect for any colors this Spring has to offer, but there is a hidden zipper with a pop of color on the heel! Try these on in Black - yellow zipper, Grey - blue zipper (pictured), or Zebra Print - fuschia zipper!

KENSLEY Black/Grey - $79.95; Zebra - $89.95

Talk about fun. These 3" heels come in four fantastic colors and are seemingly quite comfortable for an eight hour day at work or a girl's night out. You don't always have to invest in the tallest pump you can find. This little number proves that fun comes in all heights. Try this heel on in Black Suede, Grey Suede, Berry Suede (pictured), or Blush Leather.

ULLTRA $69.95

Gladiator sandals may be a

thing of last season, but these

perforated leather sandals are

the next best thing. The zipper

on the heel combines style and

function in one small zip!

Cropped pants are the must-

have bottom for Spring, which

works out perfectly with these

sandals. So show off your next

pedicure with these fierce

sandals. The best part is their

price! Try them in Black or Yellow (pictured).

THUNNDER $39.95

So, if your wardrobe is in need of a shoe update, check out Steve Madden's newest arrivals... or their sale items! Keep an eye out for a fresh new color, fabric, or silhouette and as always, keep it Fashion Friendly & Frugal.

What kind of shoes are you interested in for this Spring?

Would you purchase any of these featured styles?

*Images: SteveMadden.com

Project Runway: Back to New York

Project Runway fans, the seventh season of this fabulously fashionable program is only 24 hours away! Are you excited? Tune in tomorrow night (Thursday) at 10:00pm on Lifetime to catch the all new season. Although season 6 may have taken place in Los Angeles and Mr. Michael Kors was very absent, I am optimistic that this upcoming season will blow last season off the runway. I love me some LA but NY is the place to be in love with fashion (you can't live without MK)! As long as they sought out better talent than season 6, there is no doubt that season 7 will be "fierce". So "make it work" and sit your butt down in front of a t.v. when the clock strikes 10.

Which season is your favorite? Which designer won you over? Why do/don't you like Project Runway?

*Image: http://cdn.sheknows.com/realitytvmagazine/2009/11/project-runway-season-7.jpg

Frugal Price Points

Fashion, Friendly & Frugal shopping comes in all forms and many different price points. Up until this point, I have only touched upon one end of the frugal, budget spectrum. However, I look forward to exploring what frugal shopping may be considered with various price points in mind. So while I continue my journey of Fashion, Friendly & Frugal finds, keep an eye out for upcoming posts that may be considered budget items to some but perhaps splurging to others.

No matter what your frugal price point may be, by shopping smart you can find more bang for your buck and/or acquire more clothes - which is always a plus!

What do you consider a good find? What price point do you tend to acquire? What is the best Fashion, Friendly & Frugal item you ever purchased (great quality, price, and value)?

*Image: http://grtu.net/data/images/Article_images/make-a-budget-piggy.jpg

What's in MY Shopping Bag?: Hot Pants!

Shopping online is dangerous. However, window shopping online is my savior. Right now Gap is offering 20% all regularly priced merchandise, so start shopping! What have I placed in my shopping bag this time? Three great pairs of pants. Strategically cropped skinny jeans, slim and clean cropped twill pants, and the always classic engineer-striped wide-legged pants. Love them all. So stop by Gap.com and put your frugal shopping skills to the test. Enjoy!

Skinny Ankle Jean $59.50

Slim Cropped Pant $49.50

Hip Slung Railroad Strip Easy Flare Pants $49.50

*Images: Gap.com

Gaucho... OUCH

Ummmmm.... hell no! Where did these come from and who created them? These fabulously tragic gauchos first surfaced in the 60s or 70s when hemlines were very experimental. However, their history does not qualify them as fashionable. Please, I beg of you, do not give in and purchase anything that resembles these "pants". On a frugal note, these gauchos are only $48! But that does not make these okay! Frugal fashion is not always pretty-BEWARE!

What fashion mistakes have you made? Would you ever wear these?

*Image: ArdenB.com

What's in MY Shopping Bag?: A Change in Seasons

With the new year brings new merchandise in all retail stores. The transition from holiday apparel and gift-friendly merchandise to pre-spring clothing is beyond exciting. Not only are there huge sales in order to move the old products, but the fresh new and more revealing clothes are invading Fashion, Friendly & Frugal stores everywhere. The clothes I have in my shopping bag right now are still appropriate for colder weather, but will easily translate into the soon-to-be warmer weather. This color palette would bring life to any closet. Spring may still be a few months away, but I am sooo ready to get out of bulky sweaters and wool coats!

Nordstrom ~ Print Top $48

Gap ~ Twill Pants $49.50

Steve Madden ~ Booties $149.95

Old Navy ~ Open-Weave Sweater $34.50

Gap ~ Boyfriend Jeans $69.50

Steve Madden ~ Sandals $79.95

Old Navy ~ Raincoat $19.50

Urban Outfitters ~ Skirt $38

Steve Madden ~ Flats $89.95

Arden B ~ Tunic $24

Gap ~ Denim Shirt $59.50

Gap ~ Boyfriend Shorts $39.50

Steve Madden ~ Boots $129.95

What Spring fashions are you looking forward to? And are you excited about stripping away all the much-needed winter weather layers?

*Images: ArdenB.com

Gap.com

OldNavy.com

Nordstrom.com

SteveMadden.com

UrbanOutfitters.com

Rent's Due: Project Grown Up Wardrobe

Once again, Happy New Year to all of my fellow frugal followers! I realized one of my resolutions (accidentally) this morning while walking four miles in the beautiful morning haze. Since I am stuck in lack-of-career Limbo, and since my field is fashion, I have decided to challenge myself to transform my casual wardrobe into a more work-friendly, grown-up wardrobe; project grown up wardrobe has begun.

My inspiration: a year ago in "Apparel Analysis" I was required to complete a makeover on someone in a transitional point in their career. I successfully transformed my mom from living in scrubs into her current work wardrobe full of mix and match tops and bottoms, including a few fabulous suits. I have been doomed to work in a not-so-flattering all black uniform due to the fact that our economy is still no so hot. However, I am taking full advantage of this opportunity to have fun with my wardrobe and branch out.

I cannot live without a great pair of jeans, and I settle for nothing less than higher end denim (one of the few items I have no shame in splurging on). However, I have realized that I have acquired all the basics one may need (as far as jeans go). I have the crazy flare, the high-waisted and wide-legged, straight leg, skinny, "Always Skinny", dark and light washes, distressed and perfectly tailored jeans. So, needless to say, I am not in need of any new denim-unless I fall head of heels in love with a very special pair.

While shopping yesterday I was also inspired to edit my wardrobe by a pair of taupe-colored, stretch, cotton twill pants at Old Navy. They were only $29.50 and fit like a glove! The great thing about these pants is that they can be dressed up or dressed down which supports my own Fashion, Friendly & Frugal advice.

I pride myself on my ability to create a versatile wardrobe, which I can mix and match quite effortlessly. Although I love dressing in the moment and feeling California casual, now is the time to challenge myself with my own transitional state from student to career fashionista. However, I will never lose my passion to be more like the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw. The next step: find a career in my field of Apparel Design and Merchandising!

What does your wardrobe look like? What do you favor when casually shopping? Do you prefer casual or dressy apparel?

*Images: http://img.dailymail.co.uk

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