Have you been told over and over again that “It’s the thought that counts”, but you still feel pressured to spend more on someone simply because you feel that they deserve something special? Sometimes it seems that “special” and “costly” are synonyms, but really that’s not the case.

As I shared in My gift shopping strategy, or why small gifts rock, I’m a big fan of gifts that don’t break the budget. If you’re still worried…

Photo: Mars Infomage, flickr.com/marstheinfomage

The stock market has crashed, a world-wide recession is said to be starting — and cheap chic is the topic du jour:

• The Rocky Mountains News asked can cheap be chic?, but delivered an article on whether cheap shoes are comfortable. Disappointing, but then the article to match the headline can be written in a word: “Yes.”
• Forget the stock market, invest in a coat says The Telegraph (UK). (Via The Thoughtful Dresser.) I’ve justified more than a…

Summer break is just about over and even this college grad is looking forward to taking a class or two this fall.  After all, it gives me a great excuse to do a little back-to-school shopping.  Who says you can’t be a nerd and love fashion?

As you update your wardrobe for the upcoming semester, don’t neglect the workhorse of scholastic accessories: the backpack.  This Leader of the Pack zip around backpack from Tignanello combines form, function, and…

Sure, cheap sunglasses can let you experiment with shutter shades and other summer fads without breaking your budget. However, if you’re serious about protecting your eyesight (or just want to look luxe for less), then I recommend splurging a bit for a quality pair that you and your eyes will love for years to come.

These oversize Gucci sunglasses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection to protect your eyes and delicate eye area from the sun’s harmful rays all year…

Some of the best recent reads from around the web.

Queen of hearts
Pretty ways to communicate love towards your beau, friends, or self.

Flavor bedfellows
How to match wine and chocolate.

Luxe for less
Rosewater delivers a lot of loveliness for its negligible cost … a bargain way to add beauty into your life in a multitude of ways.

Put to the test
They look stunning on the catwalk, but how do the latest designer collections work in real life?

Why do we read fashion…

Here are some fabulous style tips from Bargain Queen real style icon Kimberly Wilson, taken from her book Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat.

And don’t miss our interview in which she shares the secrets of her personal style.

Weed out your wardrobe

Make it a habit to give away at least one item for every new piece you add to your closet. This will help keep your wardrobe from growing too large…

One of my major expenses last year was building a collection of beauty products like makeup, makeup brushes, and skincare. I don’t regret it; I love the makeup I have and my skin now looks a lot better naked, but I really can’t afford to spend as much this year.

Therefore, I’ve been thinking about how to cut down on beauty-related expenses with these simple ideas.

They said “$5 gifts” and that’s what you bought… but when the gifts start opening, it’s clear that no-one else stuck to the rules.

While you’re perfectly entitled to give a cheap gift, there is another option: a WaySpa gift certificate. They’re redeemable at thousands of spas worldwide and they offer near-instant email delivery — so they’re also perfect if you left your Christmas shopping ’til 9pm on Christmas Eve!

Even better, there’s a spa treatment for…

You don’t need a 24K gold facial to get your skin glowing.

Palmers Skin Success facial mask is my personal favorite face mask. It really does make your skin glow but costs just $9.99!

If your gift budget is small, this is a great gift all by itself — but if you’re looking for a bigger gift idea, add some spa accessories and you’ve made a DIY facial kit. My suggestions:

• Spa Package with robe and slippers for $32.90
• Spa Sister accessory…

Cartier make extraordinarily beautiful jewelry… with equally extraordinary prices!

Luckily, even if you can’t buy the stunning panther brooch at Fashion Tribes today, you can still enjoy the beauty of Cartier’s jewelry.

Cartier by Hans Nadelhoffer tells of Cartier’s rise from humble jewelers to international legends — and of course has plenty of beautiful pictures of the baubles that made their name.

It’s perfect for anyone who’d love to be a Cartier connoisseur, regardless of their budget.

At almost 50% off…