Packing Everything You Need In A Carry- On

When traveling I always over-pack and I end up paying baggage fees (approx. $50 RT). The main reason I over-pack is because I wait until the very last minute to pack and just throw any and everything in my suitcase. Since I'll be moving to Paris in the fall, I need to learn to start packing more efficiently and I don't have money to waste on baggage fees.

I'm going to Miami this week for a work trip for 5 days and I'm going to pack everything in my $20 carry- on  suitcase that I got from Target last year on Black Friday and these cool packing cube bags from Amazon. I really love these packing cubes because you can fit alot of stuff in them and only use half the space.

Here's what I'm packing:
  • Travel toiletries bag  
  • Travel makeup bag
  • 2 pair of shoes
  • 1 large packing cube ( 5 work outfits, 4 after work outfits, and sleeping clothes)
  • 1 small packing cube ( bras, undies, and under shirts)


- Christen

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Celeb Style: Tulle Skirt

Move over Ballerina! The Tulle skirt is for everyone and has made its way to mainstream fashion. I've recently seen Kelis in this cute little number and decided to make one of my own with my trusty sewing machine
           
This look can be casual and more upscale for a night on the town, it totally up to you. But I would definitely rock this skirt either way. But remember you have to own the look and be confident in what you put on! You can purchase this Kelis Inspired Tulle skirt at the link below.

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Frugal Spotlight: Want My Look By Lilly Ghalichi

SM Papa 
If you watch Shahs of Sunset you're familiar with queen of glam, Lilly Ghalichi.  WANTMYLOOK is her online clothing boutique. She takes fashion very seriously and wants all her fans and followers to feel sexy, smart and flirty at a guilt free price.



Wantmylook is comprised of a team of stylists, business savvy glam geeks , and fashion industry leaders who are always in the know and on the forefront of fashion. The ultimate goal is to present you with the fiersest trends available. Checkout wantmylook.com for fashionable yet affordable pieces.



 
 
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The Look for Less: Christian Louboutin


Check out these Louboutin look for less, by ShoeDazzle for only $39.95. I ordered the ShoeDazzle version last week and got 20% off with promo code STYLE20 ( code may have expired but try anyway). 


- Christen

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How to Transition Your Wardrobe From Winter to Spring

Spring is a couple days away and despite wanting to get rid of your whole wardrobe and start over, this post will give some insight on how to utilize items you already have to save time and money while doing spring shopping and spring cleaning!

Leather: Pair your leather pieces with bright or pastel colors, with bare legs to lighten up the look of leather pieces. Keep that leather jacket around especially until mid spring for those cooler nights you can throw it over you baby doll or sun dress.

Booties: Can be worn with skirts, dresses and your favorite cut off shorts. They are perfect for spring weather because its not hot just yet but some days are cooler than other.

Colorful cords/pants: Me and Christen are obsessed with black in the late fall and winter months. But colored denim is perfect for transitioning into the warmer months. Colored denim is warm enough to wear on a cooler day, but bright colors are reminiscent of a sunny day.

Scarves: Switch out your wool scarves for lightweight scarves.

Long-sleeve shirts: Keep those long sleeve shirts out for a little while longer but add in blouses with prints and pops of color.
Word of Advice: Don't confuse spring with summer. Yes the temperatures will be rising but summer wont be here until June. Tank tops, sandals should stay in your closet until then. Roll with the long pants, lightweight jackets and cardigans until the weather allows us to show more skin! I'm so excited for warmer weather, it seems like this winter just won't go away quick enough!

-Derria
 

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Get The Look: J.Lo

J. Lo was seen out the other day in a hot pink J.Brand ensemble paired with some Christian Louboutin pumps. Get her look for under $100.
Top $20 || Pants $18  (Similar here and  here) || Shoes $35

-Christen

Hat You At Hello

For some, hats are a hit or miss accessory but you should definitely have a few within your wardrobe to utilize here and there. They bounce around in each season with various shapes, sizes and styles. Below are my favorite trendy hats that are versatile and stylish.


Hat you at Hello!


-Derria

Links à la Mode: 3rd Feature

We were featured in the Independent Fashion Bloggers Weekly Roundup again! Every week they picked the best 20 posts and we were chosen for the third time. Checkout all the posts chosen below! If you haven't seen our post that was selected check it out here Beauty on a Budget.

lalam0306

In the era of outrageous fashion, peacocking, street style bait, whatever, could it be people are revolting? Sliding back into the classics? Oscar night, the men took more chances than the ladies, and fashion month is buttoning up more than rocking out. It's quite the story that's trending though fashion these days, and the links this week? We're taking a look at Iconic style so you can stay in the know about the latest (non) trends. If worse comes to worse, at least you'll have classic pieces that can last a life time.

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup Brought to you by: 20% Off Shopbop Rosie Pope, Imogene + Willie, TheBlondeSalad, Whistles, Italia Ind., Karen London, Ela Rae, Apiece apart, Converse Premium, Herschel

Meet Frugal Shopaholic Claudia Felix-Garay


Name: 
Claudia Felix-Garay

Where are you from? 
I am from Los Angeles, California.

Describe your personal style? 
My personal style varies from day to day, I may wear a cute girly dress one day and the next I might be wearing a plain top, leather jacket with jeans and sneakers. I am very versatile when it comes to mywardrobes, but I would say that my style is unique, ambitious, and full of confidence, as I enjoy taking risks.



Where are your favorite places to shop? 
I love to shop at thrift stores, local boutiques and little hole in the wall places. I also do online shopping from H&M and forever21, these seem to be my favorite for their great clearance section.

What does being a “Frugal Shopaholic” mean to you? 
Being a “Frugal Shopaholic” means exactly what my personal quote from my blog says,“Style just can’t be bought. Instead of shelling out entire paychecks on a pair of jeans, invest the time into your creative mind. Be your own fashionista! Be you! And Save! That’s what this blog is about. Look lavishly on an affordable budget.”

What is a frugal shopaholic tip or trick that can share with our readers?  
I would recommend to explore your options, if there is a similar print you like at the moment, research all the stores that have it and choose the best and affordable one. Always buy versatile pieces.

Explain your blog name? 
The blog name came about because I wanted it sound catchy yet something that was going to relate to my blog, (Affordable Clothing). With that being said there is nothing cheaper than a Penny so we went with The Penny Closet

Blog: http://www.thepennycloset.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepennycloset_
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thepennycloset_


Submit yourself and your frugal finds for a chance to be featured as the Frugal Shopaholic of the Month by leaving a comment in the comment box below telling us why you are a frugal shopaholic.
  

Look for Less: Kardashian Kollection

Last week on IG I saw Karruche post a photo of herself in an outfit from the Kardashian Kollection. I really like the ensemble but I didn't care for the price that much. 

On a regular day I visit about 2-3 stores just to see what's new or what treasure I can find. Yesterday I ran into target and to my surprise I found a VERY similar look that Karruche had on and it was half the price and in black! 
Kardashian Kollection Top $67 & Skirt $83


Target Version:




-Derria
 

Beauty on a Budget

I'm an advocate of not paying more for an item than its worth.  A lot of these "high end' makeup brands have good products but some are not worth the price in my opinion.  I'm no MUA so I can get away with buying cheaper products. Here are some of my fav inexpensive makeup products that can be purchased at a drugstore or your local beauty supply store. I use all of these products myself and they are WOC friendly!

 1. Revlon Colorstay Foundation - Buildable coverage and transfer resistant // 2. Milani Easybrow // 3. NYX Concealer // 4. E.L.F Brush Set  // 5.  LA Girl Pro Concealer    // 6. Wet n' Wild Eyeshadow  // 7. Milani Baked Blush // 8. E.L.F  Glow Bronzer - The best $1 bronzer ever! Brown girls try this in Warm Tan! // 9. Maybelline Great Lash // 10. NYX Lip Pencil // 11. Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color - Dupes for Mac // 12. NYX Mega Shine Gloss


-Christen

Links à la Mode: 2nd Feature

We were featured in the Independent Fashion Bloggers Weekly Roundup. Every week they picked the best 20 posts and we were chosen for the second time. Checkout all the posts chosen below!


lalam0227


Did you know there (at least) SEVEN kinds of mascara? As someone who lives off of mascara, my mind was blown. Finding the perfect mascara has been a bit like the quest for El Dorado. You know, because a girl has her priorities. Did you also know that if you buy something at certain stores and it goes on sale within a few weeks, they'll refund the difference? I had no clue! This week with fashion month in it's home stretch and Spring on the verge springing we have all kinds of tips and tricks for you to add to your arsenal of fashion goodness. You'll be a total fashion braniac before you finish out the links!
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