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By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. April 23, 2008. Accessories, Bargains, Clothing, Fashion, Jewelry, Under $100, Under $200, Under $50
There’s one area where fairy tale princesses and I agree; Special occasions call for glamorous accessories. And what could be more glam than wearing a dazzling tiara?
This rhinestone and silver plate tiara is perfect for a girl’s quiceanera or prom, but is also a fabulous alternative to a veil for the modern bride who wants to show that fairy tales do come true.
At just $19.99, it’s also a lot cheaper than most of the bridal veils you’ll come across, and much more likely to be reworn. Trust me, wearing a tiara can become highly addictive. You may soon find yourself looking for any excuse to wear it.
(Pssssst, to all the men out there: a tiara can make a really romantic gift.)
By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. March 20, 2008. Advice, Bargains, Bracelets, Earrings, Fashion, Jewelry, Necklaces, News, Rings, Shopping, Under $100, Under $200
Costume jewelry has been chic since Coco Chanel made it so, but sometimes there’s no substitute for real gemstone jewelry. If you’d like to pick some up for much less than usual, here’s how.
Hint: It’s all about timing — and March is my favorite time to hit the jewelry counters.
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By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. March 18, 2008. Bargains, Fashion, Jewelry, Necklaces, News, Under $100, Under $20, Under $200, Under $50
To update your look without spending a lot, jewelry can be your very best bet.
The right piece:
- makes it easy to pull off edgy colors and trends
- will accent many outfits, so you can wear it a LOT
- won’t wear out like shoes do
- could even become your personal signature
For example, to rock the current green trend, we suggest a gorgeous piece of jade jewelry — and it will still be stunning long after the trend is over.
Our pick is this sterling silver and jade open circle pendant for just $25. Ships to the U.S.
By Sydney's Bargain Queen, Sara. March 11, 2008. Bags, Beauty, Clothing, Jewelry, News, Shoes
We get a lot of emails asking, “where is the best place to look for …”
To help us answer your questions, we have a list here at BQ HQ where we share all our favorite shopping spots with each other. As well as helping us answer your questions, we also use it to find fabulous things to write about, and of course, to work out which retailers we want as affiliates too!
Today, we’ve decided to share our ’secret’ list with the world. It’s been months of work compiling it, so we hope you find it useful.
Next time you’re looking for something fabulous at a reasonable price, we recommend that you try these retailers. We always have great luck with them, so we’d love to hear your thoughts on them too!
Without further ado, here’s the list:
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By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. February 12, 2008. Bargains, Earrings, Fashion, Jewelry, Necklaces, Under $100, Under $20, Under $200, Under $50
Bright color is ‘in’ this spring, but black is always chic. One way it really looks sophisticated is in black onyx jewelry — whether you wear it with a little black dress or this season’s hottest color. It’s hard to go wrong because black is still the king of neutrals.
Another thing to love about onyx is that it’s very inexpensive. This elegant onyx and marcasite pendant is just $18.99. Who’d have thought! And the matching earrings are just $10.99!
Spend more $49.99 or more on Gem Avenue jewelry and shipping within the U.S. is free! If you’re looking for another piece that will match beautifully, check out this marcasite hummingbird brooch.
All three pieces ship internationally.
By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. February 7, 2008. Bargains, Fashion, Jewelry, Under $100, Under $200, Under $50
It’s almost time to trade in those thick wool scarves for airy silk ones. And what better way to fasten a lovely floral scarf than with a hummingbird pin! Or attach it to a cloth bag for a little extra sparkle!
I gave this sterling silver and marcasite brooch as a Christmas gift. That’s how I can tell you that it is absolutely stunning in person. The marcasite picks up the light beautifully and the design has more dimension than you might suspect from the photo.
It’s now on sale for $23.99, down from $53.98. It ships internationally, plus if you spend $49.99 or more at Gem Avenue, standard shipping within the U.S. is free. Therefore, you might consider adding a jewelry polishing cloth to your order for just $2.99.
By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. February 1, 2008. Accessories, Advice, Bags, Bargains, Bracelets, Clothing, Dresses, Earrings, Fashion, Flats, Handbags, Heels, Jewelry, Necklaces, News, Plus-size, Shoes, Shopping, Style, Sweaters, Tops, Under $10, Under $100, Under $20, Under $200, Under $50
Green may be the top color of the season, but orange is a close second and is a great color to add some real pop to your wardrobe.
Orange is generally harder to wear than green, but don’t let that stop you. If you love orange but think that it doesn’t love you, check out How to work difficult colors into your wardrobe. (Hint: Accessories, accessories, accessories!) And for lots of orange inspiration, take a look at Kasmira’s outfits that include orange at What I Wore Today.
If orange is a flattering color on you, then now is the time to stock up because it’s rare that you’ll see this much of it.
Now, onto the bargains!
Accessories
Orange accessories make for a great, unexpected pop of color that plays remarkably well with other colors like blues and greens. It works great with any neutral, but it really shines when paired with navy.
Bags
An easy way to play with orange is with this orange patent leather clutch from BCBG MAX AZRIA that was recently featured in our post on the ongoing clutch trend. At 63% off the original price of $198, it’s a steal — just $71.98 for a piece that’s classic yet trendy and from a well known label. It’s also available in parfait and celadon.
This patent leather Jet Set satchel from Michael Kors is similarly discounted. It’s now $79.98, down from $198. It’s also available in hot pink, another popular color right now.
If you’re looking for a bag with more room, then check out this alligator embossed leather tote bag from Muska Milano. It’s now $389 — 54% off the original price of $850. It comes in a variety of colors and ships free to the U.S.
Shoes
Orange shoes are even harder to find than green ones in my experience, but leave it to Prada to solve the color conundrum on both fronts. These peep toe flats from Prada are available in both orange and green with yellow trim. Originally over $300, they’re now on sale for $185. Plus they ship worldwide!
Too steep for your wallet? Don’t worry, Isaac Mizrahi has done it again — combining classic and trendy at an unbelievable price. These orange Georgina suede bow slides are now on clearances for just $6.24!
Looking for something really different but still cute? Then take a look at these orange Rain Dance rain shoes from Jeffrey Campbell. They’re $34.95 and ship worldwide.
Don’t underestimate the power of some orange sneakers like these orange running shoes from Adidas. I’m seen similar pairs worn with sporty casual skirts and it works amazingly well. Listed at $99.95, they’re now $49.99 - $50.89 and available in sizes 5-12.
My final shoe pick is this pair of orange wedge sandals by Easy Spirit. They’d look lovely with a flirty spring skirt and they’re also available in natural and black. They’re now on sale for $46.99, down from $84.95.
Jewelry
Jewelry is yet another place where you probably don’t see a lot of orange, but it can be absolutely fabulous.
For example, check out this beaded bangle cuff bracelet from Fair Trade Gifts. It’s just $11.95.
For $20, you can get this entire set of silver and simulated orange cats eye beaded jewelry. It includes earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. It’s half off the original price and it ships worldwide!
For $9.99, you can also get this orange cats eye bracelet, on sale from $21.99. It also ships worldwide.
Other Accessories
Looking for a statement watch? This orange textile bracelet watch from Christian Dior will definitely grab attention. It’s listed for $650 but now $202 and eligible for Amazon’s free Super Saver Shipping.
And if you want a lot of orange for not a lot of green, check out this 100% pashmina wrap for $17.95. It ships worldwide.
Clothing
If orange and your complexion get along, then stock up now on orange clothing. You’ll be glad you did in seasons to come when the color choices aren’t so bright.
This 100% cashmere sweater from Catherine Malandrino is absolutely gorgeous, not to mention luxurious. Originally $445, it’s now on sale for $222.50. It’s available in sizes P, M, and L, and it ships worldwide. And it’s also available in black!
If you’re a plus-size gal, then check out this fauxmono knit top from Mossimo. It’s “lava” orange and smokin’. It’s now $11.89 and available in sizes 16W-26W.
If you like the sheer trend, then you’ll probably love this sheer peach camisole. It’s a sweet piece and is now $34.99, down from the list price of $110. It’s available in sizes S-L.
Finally, for the die-hard orange lovers, there’s this sexy Julianna drape dress from Guess. And for those that aren’t, it’s also available in black. It’s $39.50 and available in sizes X-small to X-large.
How do you do orange?
Can you wear orange effortlessly or do you have to work to get it into your wardrobe? Or have you left this color out of your wardrobe altogether?
By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. January 22, 2008. Accessories, Advice, Bags, Bargains, Bracelets, Clothing, Dresses, Fashion, Handbags, Heels, Jewelry, News, Shoes, Shopping, Style, Sweaters, Tops, Under $100, Under $20, Under $200, Under $50
According to Angie at YouLookFab, the hottest color of the season is going to be green, followed by orange.
Wearing more green was actually one of my New Year’s resolutions, because it’s a lovely color that is underused in my wardrobe and many others’.
Fortunately, green is generally an easy color to wear. While yellow greens like lime green can make some people look sallow, dark greens like hunter green don’t have the same effect. If you’re still longing for lime, rest assured that anyone can wear yellow greens if they know how to work difficult colors in your wardrobe.
With that in mind, here are some green bargains that will have your friends equally green.
Accessories
An easy way to incorporate any color into your wardrobe is through accessories since you can get more use out of them per week than clothing and accessories usually last a lot longer.
Shoes
Nice green shoes are hard to find, but I’ve found three pairs.
These Hasper mesh peep toe pumps from Jessica Simpson are available in three colors, including a lovely kelly green. They’re available in sizes 5.5-11 and vary in price from $55.27 to $79.99.
These Naughty Monkey Candyland pumps are equally fun in a white and green floral design. They’re available in sizes 6-10 and are also available in black/white and red/white. They vary in price from $72.47 - $74.95.
If you want shoes that really stand out, then check out these Alanie pumps from Chinese Laundry. While also available in white and yellow, the green is particularly fun because the fish scale texture of the leather makes them look like dragon skin. They’re available in sizes 6-10, for $79.95 - $89.95.
Jewelry
This wavy aventurine bracelet is a neat piece that is beautiful, too. It’s just $18.95 and ships worldwide.
Or if you want something more classic, take a look at this sterling silver bracelet made with green Milano glass Swarovski crystal. It’s on sale for 50% and is now just $28.99. Plus it also ships worldwide.
Bags
With clutches so popular nowadays, why not go with a green clutch like this Sasha leather wristlet clutch from Via Spiga. The hunter green is lovely, though it is also available in black and grey. It’s now just $69.99, down from $120.
Of course, you can’t fit a laptop in a clutch, so take a look at this gorgeous satin brocade laptop bag from Mango Tango. It’s a refreshing alternative to all those boring black laptop bags and it’s just $84.
Clothes
Looking to get into more green?
Tops
This green long-sleeve turtleneck from Mossimo is now just $6.29. It’s available in sizes X-small to XX-large in juniors.
If your complexion can handle a nice yellow-green, go ahead and enjoy this silk trapunto stitch blouse from INC International Concepts. It’s on sale for $38.81, down from $69. It’s available in sizes 2-8.
Dresses
Green also makes a wonderful color for dresses. I know because I have one that wear all the time.
This jersey wrap dress from BCBG Max Azria would make lovely dress for day and night whether you get the forest green or the navy. It’s $108, 40% off the list price of $180, and it’s available in sizes X-small to large.
Of course, green works great with other colors, as evident in this charmeuse, flutter-sleeve dress in a green and aqua print. It’s only available in sizes 7-11, but it’s on sale for $13.99.
Going green
Green isn’t just a trendy color this season, it’s also a lifestyle trend that’s catching on thanks in part to products that make it easier to help the planet. So, if you haven’t already, make sure to check out my recent post on eco-friendly shopping bags.
As you can see, I’m excited by all the green available this season, but how do you feel about its rise to trendiness? How do you wear green most often?
By admin. December 30, 2007. Accessories, Earrings, Jewelry, Necklaces, News, Style, Under $100, Under $200, Under $50
Here’s a guest post from Jill Sherman, a fashionable, thirty-something style blogger, self-proclaimed credit card junkie, and beauty industry insider. Jill currently has two blogs — Hillary Style and Trendinista.
While Hillary Clinton may not go down in history as a fashion icon like Jackie O., she can definitely rock a power suit and pearl necklace like nobody’s business. And with the recent added pressure to look “current” while she vies for the Democratic presidential nomination, her stylists have kicked her accessories up a notch (and, no, I’m not talking about Bill).
Now, if you think you can’t get these White House looks on a real world budget, you’re in luck. Here are six looks you can fake for a fraction of the cost:
Look #1: Layered Chains
Hillary was recently spotted adorning her neckline with a two-tiered layered chain in yellow gold. And while hers would probably set you back hundreds of dollars, skcbeauty.com has a chic layered chain necklace for $23.95 that will dress up your daytime look without digging into your pocket book.
Look #2: Regal Sapphires
Sapphires, also known as the “stone of destiny,” are a favorite of Hillary’s (which might explain her affinity for the color blue). And, given her taste for the finer things, her majestic diamond and sapphire earrings probably cost her a small fortune. But don’t fret. EvesAddiction.com has an equally stunning pair of sterling silver channel set sapphire and diamond CZ earrings for $40 — how’s that for destiny!
Look #3: Twisted Turquoise
Another favorite of Hillary’s is turquoise. And while I love this look, I probably wouldn’t love the price tag. (Finding a necklace with perfectly matched sky-blue turquoise beads isn’t easy—or cheap.) So what’s a girl to do? Substitute sky-blue turquoise beads with blue shell beads to get the same look minus the sticker shock. Clemoon.com has a multi-strand blue shell beaded necklace for $39.95 that will have you doing double-takes (in a good way, of course).
Look #4: Golden Pearls
If you hadn’t already guessed, Hillary also has a thing for pearls. And not just any pearls — rare golden South Sea pearls. Now, if you have thousands of dollars to spend on these beauties, I say go for it. But if you’re like the rest of us, a necklace made of yellow coin pearls and cultured pearls will give you a similarly sophisticated look without burning up the check book. My pick? The 14k Gold and Coin Pearl Necklace for $59.99 at Overstock.com.
Look #5: Bursting Brooches
Of course, Hillary also likes to rock the occasional brooch. (What’s a girly power suit without a dramatic pin?) To offset her Asian-inspired collar, Hillary recently polished off her look with a stunning white gold floral number set high on the shoulder. And, while not identical, the Pugster Floral Brooch for $22 at Amazon.com is pretty darn convincing.
Look #6: Flat Beads
Hillary was also recently spotted wearing a sleek rondelle-style blue turquoise necklace with yellow gold accents. While you might have more luck finding blue-green turquoise with silver accents within your price range, you’ll need a small miracle to find Hillary’s color combination. In this case, blue resin is the way to go. Amazon.com has a Turquoise Blue Resin Beaded Collar Necklace by Chloe’s Choice for $9.99 with all the personality of Hillary’s necklace at a fraction of the price.
By Florida's Bargain Queen, Meg. December 18, 2007. Advice, Bags, Bargains, Clothing, Fashion, Jewelry, News, Shoes, Shopping, Under $10, Under $100, Under $20, Under $200, Under $5
As part of my strategy to focus on small gifts to make Christmas shopping easier and cheaper, I’m compiling the ultimate lists of gifts for under $20.
Traveling away from home is trying on your body, your sanity and your wardrobe, but there are a swathe of smart selections travelers can pack to ease the pain.
We all know that the winter holidays are a big travel season, so for the travelers on your list, here are some ideas that will keep them comfy and chic on their journeys.
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