Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Bring it on home
Your home is an important part of your style; it's a backdrop to your life and influences your mood. Your home is something you can style cheaply as well as your wardrobe. The photos included in this post include some of the things that have been fashioned or found for my home. The above picture is an art display over my couch. The large frame was purchased for $10.00 from Ikea and was in their "slightly damaged" section. The slightly smaller ones I had around from some old art projects. Inside of the frames are pieces of building/maintenance plans from 1943 for streets in Chicago including Willow Rd., State St., Cicero Ave., and Howard St. I bought these plans for $5.00 at an antique market. The woman I purchased them from said that they were found in her friend's basement when she purchased a house. I like having a piece of history displayed in a modern way in my living room. I think this could be done easily with personal artwork, maps, old posters, etc. Art $15.00
Chairs $20.00
The furniture pieces featured here are the greatest chairs known to man. They are the epitome of comfort and style. They are brown leather modern chairs. Each chair was $10.00 on Craigslist. I placed a sheepskin rug over each of them. My point in showing these things to you is that you can get nice, stylish furniture and decor without breaking the bank, and that I also like scrabble. I plan to sit on these chairs for as long as possible. What are your best home finds? Any creative projects in your home?
Chevron it
I'm trying to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn here. All items are from Salvation Army down to the shoes. Unfortunately, the turquoise necklace I'm wearing does not show up well in these photos. The top is from a brand called Gianni with which I am unfamiliar. I'm pretty sure this top came right from the 70s and turned up just in time for the return of this chevron trend. It was $3.25 and I wear it all the time. The pants were $5.25, originally from the The Limited. The shoes were an amazing find. I am pretty sure they are brand new based on there being pretty much no wear or tear on them and that they smell like new leather rather than feet. I know...the idea of second hand shoes is pretty questionable, but these seem like they've never touched anyone's feet. Why someone would buy a pair of Cole Haan shoes and donate them nearly new is beyond me. But, because of that I got them from $8.99 and can break them in myself. It looks like these shoes are on sale at Neiman Marcus if you want them for yourself at $60.00. Or there are lots for sale on Ebay. What is your best recent find? Comment below.
Total Price: $17.49 including shoes
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Free Haircuts? A Review of Salon Apprentice
I needed a haircut. I had not had a haircut in months. However, I did not really have the $50.00 or so to shell out. So, I looked to Salon Apprentice. This website has stylists and students looking to give free salon services as part of furthering their education or certifications. This past Monday I set up an appointment with a stylist at Art and Science Salon in Wicker Park in Chicago. Haircuts there start at $53.00 for the least experienced stylists at this salon. I will say the set up was easy. I sent an email two days in advance and I had an appointment. Many are looking for specific times during the week such as Monday when many salons are closed for training. I received a long layered haircut free of charge aside from a tip. It took the stylist two hours to do, because he checked everything he did. I do not think I have ever had a more even haircut. Now, I was definitely antsy after two hours of sitting in this chair worrying about parking tickets, but because the haircut was being evaluated, the stylist took his time and did everything with care and precision. So, I have a pretty great haircut for a fraction of the cost that was done with extreme attention to detail. To anyone considering this, I recommend it without hesitation. The stylists are trained professionals doing continuing education or seeking more advanced certification. They are not students who have never done a cut before. Also, if they do not get a hair model. They have to cut a weird fake head of hair. They shouldn't have to do that...
A little red, white, and blue.
Red, white and blue. Being born on the fourth of July, this is one of my favorite color combinations. This top was purchased from Salvation Army for $3.50. It was originally from Banana Republic. The bottoms were also from Salvation Army, at a price of $5.25 and also originally from Banana Republic. The necklace was from a garage sale and cost $1.00. The belt came attached to a dress. The shoes are black flats (not included in total price) with a patent toe purchased from Payless, buy one get one half off for $25.00. I also have a nude pair.
Total Outfit Cost: $9.75
This outfit is easy to put together and is appropriate for almost any situation while still being fun. When I first bought this shirt and it was way to big. However, with some minor sewing machine alterations I was able to bring it in. I never knew how to do this but it is actually pretty easy. Put the shirt on, pinch the fabric to where it should be. Measure. Turn inside out. Mark where you want it brought in using the measurement you took on each side, for example 1 inch. Pin or draw straight line. Sew along those lines on both sides using a sewing machine or by hand. Done. You have a shirt that fits.
Monday, July 1, 2013
T-shirt and shorts
Today's outfit is a dressed up version of a t-shirt and shorts. This pair of denim cutoff black shorts is $12.80 from Forever 21. The top is a lime green tee with a unique square neckline and a zipper back detail not shown here. It was $10.00 from Target. The silk floral scarf was $2.00 from a thrift store. The black and white earrings were $1 from a flea market. The vintage look sunglasses are from Dollar General ($1.00). Sometimes I think the greatest outfits are ones with that take minimal effort. Minimal clothing items and a couple easy accessories should be all it takes. Anything else is too much work. If you cannot get ready within the hour it takes before you start your day, you probably are going to be late. Thanks for reading...Style me Cheap.
Total Cost of Outfit: $26
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Cotton Wood
Today I am reviewing a recent impulse purchase Body Treats Cotton Wood Body Splash from h&m. I am always looking for a new scent and often I find that perfumes are very expensive and over time their scents fade or change. I recently found a scent called Dyptique that was unisex and $88 that I had a mild obsession with, but I cannot justify buying scented alcohol for that much money. So, I prefer body splash. It's a little bit more affordable, hopefully lasts, and allows me to get sick of whatever I bought without feeling too guilty.
I was initially attracted by the packaging and name of this scent. Cotton wood made me think it would be a little more musky and less floral, which it is. This scent smells high end and unique despite the low price tag. It is light, sensual, and appealing. It feels like summer nights.
Body treats just sounds kind of gross. I would have chosen a name something like Serendipity, Occassion, or Recontrer. Body treats sounds like I'm slathered in sugar. I find that lots of perfume, particularly cheap perfume smells like an 8th grade girl at her first dance. The other issue with lesser quality perfumes or body splashes is that they come in seriously unattractive packaging. I know this shouldn't matter, but it does. Sometimes the experience of a particular fragrance is not just the scent itself, but how you feel putting it on. The packaging plays a role in that. This product in particular lends itself greatly to your dresser or sink top. It has mint green packaging with a white label and grey lettering. It looks and smells like quite a bit more than $5.95. They also offer a body scrub in the same scent.
Body treats just sounds kind of gross. I would have chosen a name something like Serendipity, Occassion, or Recontrer. Body treats sounds like I'm slathered in sugar. I find that lots of perfume, particularly cheap perfume smells like an 8th grade girl at her first dance. The other issue with lesser quality perfumes or body splashes is that they come in seriously unattractive packaging. I know this shouldn't matter, but it does. Sometimes the experience of a particular fragrance is not just the scent itself, but how you feel putting it on. The packaging plays a role in that. This product in particular lends itself greatly to your dresser or sink top. It has mint green packaging with a white label and grey lettering. It looks and smells like quite a bit more than $5.95. They also offer a body scrub in the same scent.
Thanks for reading. Style me cheap...
Friday, June 28, 2013
Little things add up

Iced coffee.
I know, some of us still long for the summer-time iced latte beverage and iced coffee does not fit the bill. That is what I thought too. I walked in on a sweltering day in June for a welcomed coffee treat. The decorative chalkboard read, "try caramel iced coffee today". Well, I did. Caramel iced coffee with soy; and it tasted exactly like my latte. Its price was $2.45. No more lattes, ever.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elpatojo/294145821/">el patojo</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
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