cheap chic

How to live elegantly on a budget [Quick Tips Video]

Secrets to living a cheap chic and elegant life.
Secrets to living a cheap chic and elegant life. I’m often asked how to have a sophisticated, upscale lifestyle without spending a fortune. This really resonates with me as it’s how I grew up.  My mom wanted to us to appreciate the aesthetics in life to enjoy art, culture, luxurious living, and designer clothes even when we couldn’t afford it. How we enjoyed the pleasures of an elevated lifestyle within our budget was easy. We didn’t sit home and ruminate about what we could not have but look for ways to live the life we dreamed about on the budget we had. Here are some simple ways to live a cheap chic and elegant life: If you enjoy the theater,

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Discount Designer Style Tips- Life secrets for looking great on the cheap(er)

Honestly, this is one of my favorite posts...  Some kid's went to summer camp, I went shopping at discount stores (ok, some trips too)!  I consider myself lucky to have had a mother who from a very early age instilled in me the virtues of looking the best you can with any budget and who taught me how to seek out the best deals. I never (like to) pay full price for anything if there is a saving alternative! For this week's continuing reprise of some of my greatest evergreen material leading up to the 15th anniversary year of FocusOnStyle online, I want to spend this week’s review looking back at how you can get the best deals on great fashion.  Don't forget to tell

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Cheap Chic: Balmain for H&M looks pretty good

Cheap Chic Shopping Alert: The Balmain x H&M Look Book just dropped and the snaps look pretty good. If you want to add some cheap chic glam to your wardrobe this holiday season, the collection will be available starting November 5, in around 250 stores worldwide and online, and will feature clothing and accessories for both women and men. More: Cheap Chic Balmain for H&M

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Cheap Chic: How to look stylish on a budget

How to look stylish on a budget in minutes with expert style advice... Take from black belt shoppers who NEVER pay full price for almost anything when it comes to looking chic while being frugal. Let's be clear, Sharon & I both love something fabulous, at an equally fabulous price when we can. We're here keep you looking more put together and confident, with ease that rings true to your personal style. After all, we get dressed ourselves and no matter how much attention we pay to the runways and gain experience in the fashion industry, we still learn something new for ourselves every week. >> READ Sharon's Secret's:  Discount Designer Style Tips Kate Spade Saturday And as we start to

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Cheap Chic Alert: Isabel Marant for H&M [video]

Isabel Marant
I can see the lines around the block now... The Isabel Marant for H&M collaboration will launch in around 250 H&M stores worldwide and online on November 14, 2013. Surely resusitation masks will be in order. I'm not sure if there is an official count but I would dare to guess there are 50,000 knock offs inspired versions of her what is now iconic wedge sneaker. >>MORE: Isabel Marant For those of you who can't wait for the Isabel Marant for H&M goods on the cheap (her first men's line too), you can get her edgy French Chic in-stores now & probably on sale too! Here's the H&M microsite. Take a look at regular Isabel Marant in store now: [raw][/raw]

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SHOP this London runway trend on YOUR budget: Burberry FW13 Animal print kitten heel wedges to steal now + watch the fashion show video too!

Cheap(er) Chic: From Burberry Prorsum comes a fantastical flat to consider wearing now, on your budget in the form of animal print kitten heel, almost flats... Low heels are BACK on trend! Tired of seeing painful skyscraper platform heels on runways the world over? Apparently fashion folk got the cue as sensible flat shoes have been finishing off many a look for Fall 2013. Burberry's Christopher Bailey took the notion to the truly unexpected; animal printed kitten heel wedges featuring oversized, mod-inspired grommets. They were wacky, but plenty stylish too... The wedges all-over grommets, unique tabs and sculpted heels also gave those looking for a theatrical flat(if there ever was one), a run for their money. Paired with a bare leg

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I WANT: Cute, Fun & Cheap Chic Holiday Gifts $50 and Under

C. Wonder Equestrian Print Pop Up Tote
Stylish Holiday Gift Guide that doesn't break the bank.... I had so much FUN hand-selecting these cute & cheap chic gifts under $50 for our holiday gift guide. REALLY, I did. I want them all.... There's something for everyone in our cheap chic holiday gifts guide... mom, teen, baby, pup, beau, you, and me. A gift should be something special, whimsical, and, perhaps, not something the receiver would ordinarily buy for themselves. BUT, no matter what, it should be memorable (in a good way)  and useful in an unexpected, "how did I live without it" way. Take the  C. Wonder Equstrian Print Pop Tote, pictured at top. A nifty & classy take on schlep bag to tote about time. Multi-Stone Statement Necklace

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Target and Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Look Book Highlights

Discover highlights from the Target and Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Look Book and get ready for budget friendly items that don't skimp on the chic... Over the past decade Target, the forever stylish retail giant, has been giving budget conscious fans of high-end designer fashion a run for their money with a slew of on the mark collaborations with some of the best designers of the moment. And as our own interest in fast-fashion collabos has most certainly waned, a quick look at the company's latest coup has us once again ready to get in cue. >>There's one more collabo we think you should know about: Margiela for H&M By partnering with the CFDA and Nieman Marcus Target has outdone

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Cheap Chic Alert: Martin Margiela for H&M Sneak Peek

Cheap Chic fans rejoice as avant-garde pioneer Martin Margiela unveils a collection for H&M this fall... That's right, the mega-retailer is sure to have another crowd pleasing hit on their hands judging by first look at the just released lookbook images. We at FoS have been longtime fans of the labels beautifully considered deconstructed patterns and subtle, subversive elegance. And over the years many of the more basic Margiela items, especially the tailored pieces, become closet constants. >> MORE: Cheap Chic Working more as a celebration or tutorial on house signatures, highlights from some of season's past greatest hits are sure to bring about a buzzy, must-have energy soon enough. By the looks of it, this will definitely be one

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Cheap Chic Alert: H&M Fall is all about strong women with plenty of embellishment

The three key trends for H&M this fall are embellished, clean cut, in a new fabric, like coated wool. Emphasis is on slacks, a pencil skirt, and something decorated with a strong woman in mind, and a strong shoulder with a enhanced waist... love that! >> MORE: Cheap Chic Watch the H&M video trend report for fall 2012- (it has menswear too): >> DON'T MISS: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS

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Cheap Chic Stylist Advice: Is fast fashion the end of good taste?

Sometimes less is not more when it comes to a price tag. As I'm sitting outside on what is a very warm day, all I can see is a sea of fashionista fiascos: Ill-fitting maxi dresses that can passoff as nightgowns, garish prints, short shorts and rompers on girls both too old and too out of shape to publicly prance around with their rears hanging out, jersey body-con dresses clinging in a way that even the Shore-ettes would think was cheesy, pastel sheers that look like a shower curtain from Great Aunt Tilly's trailer, and the de rigueur touch of polyester neon (sorry, you shouldn't wear fabric that looks like it would smell!).Eeeecccch. Yet, I'm sure that every fashionista fiasco squealed,

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Yoox Summer Sale: The Best In Design On The Cheap

Yoox Summer Sale Time: Because who doesn't like a good deal on high-end fashion that we've all been craving straight from the runways? Do you love a bargain, we sure do! That's why we were floored when we saw all of the great designer deals at online retailer Yoox.com that have been substantially marked down to upwards of 70% off. Forget about sample sales and ilk when the going on Yoox is oh so good at the moment. Some top designer bargains in our super fab deal finds below.... Happy bargain hunting! Above, Isabel Marant's coveted rugby dress is now only $160 Here's some more deals to covet: A timeless Mugler Wallet Who doesn't love a designer wallet, and on

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Cheap Chic Alert: It’s Official! H&M Collaboration With Maison Martin Margiela

Collab News... Conceptual & timeless style goes mass by way of the H&M Collaboration With Maison Martin Margiela. Honestly, I'm not sure about this. I'm a bit selfish on sharing but then again, sure why not. Everyone should get a piece of better than basic, decidedly edgy and almost never go out of style as it's never really "in style," just ever so slightly avant grade, yet mostly wearable. The blouse blanche It's Maison Martin Margiela that I ramble. >> MORE: Cheap Chic You see, almost every day, I find myself wearing something from the French conceptual, yet timeless design house. Not necessarily the "wiggy" pieces but shoes, lot's of shoes, jewelry, shirts, a jacket here and there and some sweaters

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