Party On, Eccentric Necklace

Alright Anthropologie, you know how often I put jewelry that's 50 bucks on this blog? ALMOST NEVER! It just doesn't happen.

But damn...this necklace is SO DIFFERENT! So unique! There is so much going on, and yet somehow it all really works. I'm so impressed that a designer had the foresight to see all these things and know that they would party together and be totally happy.

Made By: Anthropologie

Price: $49.99 (originally $80.00)

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Let's Getaway

It'd be nice to go to Tahiti! A big Tahitian vacation where you lay on the beach and sip neon colored drinks. It's nice to dream about. Until it becomes a reality, you should getaway to somewhere other than your apartment or house in Forever 21's Tahiti Getaway dress.

I love the pattern, and it's the perfect frock for a hot summer day (I severely regret wearing sleeves on what has been New York's hottest day of the year!!!)

Made By: Forever21

Price: $22.80

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Origami!

Who knows how or why I'm so obsessed with origami, but the minute I saw these uber-cute paper crane earrings, I knew I had to post them.

They look lightweight and fun! I looked at them for a while, and I think they also kind of look like dinosaurs, so for you dinosaur lovers...these earrings are for you, too!

Made By: Silver Lining Design. Visit the Etsy store here.

Price: $10.00

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Awesome Or Ugly!

Awesome?

Or Ugly?

YOU DECIDE!

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BUDGET BELLE: Organized Chaos

It's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer and the official start of summer travel madness. If you're like me, you're a little OCD about packing. If you're not like me and can just throw things into a bag and leave . . . well, I admire you. Please, tell me your secret.

Regardless of whether you just throw things into a bag or pack methodically, you're definitely going to want to have one thing organized and easily portable - your make-up. The last thing you want is to be searching through your suitcase for an eye pencil, only to find it broken to bits near your favorite silk top. No one wants to see that. And no one wants to have to spend loads of money to dry-clean make-up stains out of a silk blouse.

The solution? A cosmetic bag. I prefer the ones that open up into two sections - this way you can open up the bag and see exactly what you've packed without even having to unzip the compartments. If something spills, just take a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe it clean - it couldn't be more simple.

My cosmetic bag is from the Sonia Kashuk line at target. While her bags change from season to season, the colors are always vibrant and the quality is fantastic. At $9.99, you can't ask for more than that. I've had the same cosmetic bag for about 4 years and it's still going strong.

Happy packing, have fun this weekend and don't forget your sunscreen!

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FRUGAL FIANCÉE: This is not a bridesmaid's dress.

You don't have to choose dresses for your lady crew that are specifically marketed as "bridesmaids dresses." See Exhibit "A" above.

This Calvin Klein Dress from Macy's works perfectly as a bridesmaid dress and comes in electric pink, turquoise, and yellow. If you like those colors, why not have three birdesmaids in each color? Each one will stand out but still be wearing the same style as the other.

Made by: Calvin Klein

Price: $95.99 (originally $128.00)

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GUYS BUYS: Bond. James Bond.

This blazer makes me think of James Bond. Maybe it's because I was supposed to go to a James Bond-themed party but couldn't because I had to work. Or MAYBE it's because, to wear this jacket, you have to be a Bond-esque badass!

It's $70.00. THAT'S IT! It's the perfect sport coat for a dressy summer event. As long as you don't wear it the way the model is wearing it, you'll be fine (who styled this person????)

Made By: Andrew Fezza

Found At: Men's Warehouse

Price: $69.99 (originally $199.99)

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Jumping The Trend Shark

I was walking around in my neighborhood the other day, and I passed four women wearing black and white striped shirts. I thought to myself "jeez, is this a cafe, or a prison?"

Has the black and white-striped shirt trend jumped the fashion shark? Maybe! And as much as I love those shirts, I think you need to change up the style a bit. This yellow and grey striped shirt has everything I like about the trend without being black and white. For added super cuteness, the shirt is cropped, and has two adorable bows on the back.

Made By: Forever21

Price: $8.90

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BUDGET BELLE: Summer Lovin'

Ah, the joys of June. Sun. Breeze. Humidity. (One of these things is not like the other.) I like summer. I don't love summer, but I like it. The one thing that prevents me from having a love affair with summer is humidity. Feeling drenched in sweat, like you need a shower the minute you step outside of your apartment? No thank you. Nicely groomed hair that turns into a frizzy mess? I'd rather not.

Unfortunately, I have yet to figure out how to rid my life of humidity. However, I've developed what is perhaps one of the handiest tricks for dealing with humidity-induced frizzy hair - especially if you're on the go. Hairspray. I rarely use hairspray for actual styling purposes, but it's my go-to product for fighting frizz. How? It's so simple I can't even stand it. Spray a small amount of hairspray in the palm of your hand. Then - run your hands over your hair and through your hair to smooth down frizzies.

I'm in love with this trick for a variety of reasons: First, you can throw a small travel-sized bottle of hairspray in your bag and use this trick anywhere. It's that easy. Second, by using your hands to smooth your hair, you don't have that stiff, dried hair-spray feel on your hair. (Though you'll need to wash the hairspray off of your hands. The more you know...) You can still run your hands through your hair without that weird gunky feeling. Finally, the hairspray won't weigh your hair down because it's distributed more evenly.

There you have it. It may not be enough of a breakthrough for me to love summer (or humidity), but I think it's enough for a truce.

Whoa Oh Oh It's Magic!

I don't think I look particularly good in this style of dress, or I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

The pattern on the skirt is simply amazing. I love all the colors and the contrast to the navy top. And the belt. That belt! I want that belt to wear with other stuff! It's worth buying the dress just for the belt.

Also, the pattern seems to be playing an eye trick on me...it makes the dress seem poofier (and your waist smaller) than they probably actually are! This dress is a magician.

Made By: ModCloth

Price: $47.99

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The Return Of Tie-Dye

There is definitely a part of me that doesn't understand why tie-dye is back in, or why I like it so much. Then there is another part of me that LOVES tie-dye and is jumping for joy that it's back in style.

This particular tie-dye has a different feel from the tie-dye of the 90s. I have to hope the coming tie-dye trend is a more grown up one. Think about wearing this tank with a blazer and jeans, and then all of sudden tie-dye is a bit more palatable.

Made By: Target

Price: $10.00

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My Favorite Shirt!

Fashionistas, I'm going nuts over here.

I THINK this may be my favorite shirt ever! I can't be 100% sure that it's the shirt I wear at least twice a week year round, but I think it is!!!!

This shirt hits every curve perfectly. It always looks spectacular and matches anything! Wear it out with jeans! Or tucked into a skirt! IT LOOKS GOOD EVERY SINGLE WAY!

It's also kind of silky and sexy so you feel uber confident when you're wearing it!

Made By: Ruche

Price: $25.99

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Three Words Or Less

Describe in three words or less.

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Loyal

I've never seen anything like this. A ring that uses antique paper!

Also, I'm extremely loyal in pretty much everything I do (I'm that person that goes down with the ship!), so I'd be happy to wear this on a ring.

This, btw, is the reason I LOVE Etsy...there is no way I would have found this without it!

Made By: Palomina. Visit her Etsy store here.

Price: $12.00

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Awesome Or Ugly!

Awesome?

Or Ugly?

YOU DECIDE!

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FRUGAL FIANCÉE: Ann Taylor invites you to celebrate the marriage of silk and taffeta

You might not think of Ann Taylor when you think of wedding apparel, but they have some cute dresses that you should check out.

This is their silk taffeta strapless dress and, although I don't always love sashes/bows on a bridesmaid dress, the details on the bow are great and you can see them better if you look at the dress on the Ann Taylor site.

Made By: Ann Taylor

Price: $149.99 (originally $215)

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P.S. I'm giving a mini-plug to the Illegal Wedding Fair which I am attending this Sunday in New York. It is a same sex wedding fair to celebrate love for all and I'll report back next week on what cool things I saw.

GUYS BUYS: Purple Pirate

I liked this shirt the minute I saw it, but I liked it MORE when I found out that they named this color combo the "pirate black combo," this made it MORE awesome.

It's nice way for a guy to wear purple. Because you're wearing it with black! Boys, just face it, some of you look sooooo good in purple. It's ok to wear it!

Made By: Urban Outfitters

Price: $14.00 (originally $20.00)

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Draw Some Strings

Some ladies look great in halters AND skinny strap dresses. For those ladies, Forever21 made this drawstring dress!

I love the blue floral. Kind of whispers country/prairie (but in a really really good way). I think with the right jewelry and shoes, you COULD make this baby fancy.

Made By: Forever21

Price: $17.80

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The Wonderful World Of Color!

If you don't like color, just stop reading now. This is not the shoe for you.

Ok....if you're still reading, then you like bright, colorful things, right? Well this is the shoe for you! This shoe makes me want to go out and buy it, and then buy white pants to wear it with. I love the bright patent leather, and that the wedge is anything but boring.

Made By: Via Spiga

Found At: Lord & Taylor

Price: $129.99 (originally $185.00)

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I Only Have Eyes For Blue

On Friday I saw a girl on the train with a Lacoste tote and I kind of fell in love with it.

After some investigation, Lacoste clearly has someone new designing their handbags, and they are all spectacular choices for summer!

This particular baby blue tote is on a great sale. The material is sturdy and versatile, and that baby blue color is perfect for a sunny day.

Made By: Lacoste

Found At: Macy's

Price: $57.99 (originally $105.00)

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