Getting the look for less!

I'm always browsing my favorite fashion blogs and oogling over the awesome designer pieces that I would love to get my hands on. Unfortunately, they're a bit out of my price range. (Still on that college girl budget!) While I hope to afford some of these items someday, that doesn't mean I have to miss out on the trends now.

Fortunately, I've been spotting a few items lately that resemble those designer pieces. The list is growing, so I feel compelled to share them with my fellow broke girls! Who doesn't love a good dupe?!

The first time I saw this All Saints skirt I fell in love....and then my heart was instantly broke when I saw the price. Then my heart was all stitched up when I saw this skirt at Express for $60! Hello gooorgeous! I was unsure of what size I wore so I went to the store to see it in person. The fit is awesome and the skirt is so comfortable! Score!! Can't wait to dress it down with a white tee and my beat-up Converse.

I can remember it like it was yesterday....I first saw one of my favorite bloggers wearing these Louis Vuitton shoes and I loved how versatile they were! They're a classic style, but the metallic cap toe gives them an awesome edge. It goes without saying that they were out of my price range.

I was so pumped (pun intended! I crack myself up.) when I saw Worthington's version at JCPenney's! For $37, they're a steal!

I have spotted almost every fashion blogger I follow wearing these Valentino "Rockstud" heels. From jackets to sweatshirts and rings to heels, I am a sucker for everything studded! The trend is very in right now, and while I wish I could drop these shoes in my shopping cart, it's just not going to happen.

Alas, another JCP find! Cosmopolitan has done a great job of re-creating this look with their pointed toe heels. They're a little bit more tame, but they definitely give you that rockstar look. Great for the office or a Friday night out. You can find them for $40!

I saved the best for last. Since I graduated college and started working, I decided I was going to make my first big purchase. And like any responsible girl, I decided that big purchase was going to be a designer handbag. I'd been searching all corners of the internet for the perfect bag that was going to be completely worth the (copious amounts of) savings. And I found her. This beautiful Stella McCarney bag was exactly what I was looking for.

I'm still attempting to save for that bag, but until I spotted this bag at Zara, nothing compared. I know the look is slightly different, but it's the first bag I saw that wasn't designer that I dramatically said, "I need that!" I truly felt like I was getting the look for less! For $130, it will most definitely hold me over until I gather enough nickles and dimes to grab the Stella...which will be a long time.

If you're anything like me (broke), dreaming of Valentino shoes and designer bags is just that--a dream. Thankfully, so many stores have done an excellent job of putting out items that are just as fashion forward, and you will still be able to afford rent! If you've found any dupes yourself, don't hesitate to share! Us girls-on-a-budget have to stick together, right?

Happy Shopping!

NBC's Fashion Star!

Can I just begin by saying how obsessed with NBC's new show Fashion Star I am?! The mentors are amazing (die-hard Nichole Richie fan right here..I have a thing for pretty girls with mouths like truck drivers), and the talent is beyond! I've always felt H&M and I were soul mates so seeing Nicole Christie on there makes me so happy. From the beginning I was a major fan of Sarah Parrott. H&M bought over $100,000 worth of her clothes, but sadly she was sent home tonight--MAJOR tears. However, Orly Shani completely took my breath away with her collection, and, as if she could read my mind, Nicole for H&M bought her dress! Finally I've got my hands on a piece of clothing from a Fashion Star designer! ...Well, in 7-9 business days. Orly's style just rocks..I love the delicate look with an unexpected edge. Can't wait to wear this dress!

Let the lusting begin...

I'm starting a new chapter in my life in the next few weeks and I am feeling so restless! I'm very excited to finish up college and enter the working world. Seeing as I've been so restless, my head has been in the clouds. I'm currently lusting over these beautiful (and expensive!) items. I can't get myself too excited over them, I'm still a broke college student!

Getting everything in perspective.

I've had some crazy crazy things happen in my life in the past month and a few hours ago it all came to an end. Unfortunately, I chose to let a few people in my life go. Oddly enough, I'm feeling a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. I made some mistakes, let myself become vulnerable to someone who I thought was a good person, and got hurt. It's an unfortunate situation with a bittersweet ending. I've been crying for the past hour, but I decided enough is enough. It's time to remember what I have to be thankful for.

1. My family. I have an amazing family, and while we're quite dysfunctional, we have each others back and nothing will ever come between us.

2. My boyfriend. I was lucky enough to find an amazing boy who loves me unconditionally. We're so different, but we compliment each other perfectly. No one can make me laugh like he does, and he always reminds me to not take everything so seriously.

3. My friends. I met my best friends when I moved to a new school in sixth grade, and after a year of discovering where I belonged in this new place, I finally met my best friends in seventh grade. That's over eight years ago! It's crazy to think that we've all grown up together and even though we are all very different people, we make a great group and I love them.

In the end, I've learned that people will come into your life, and sometimes they'll stay and sometimes they'll go. It's just part of life. It's important to realize when all is said and done, who's still standing by your side. While I'm still sad over the situation, it really helped me put everything into perspective and take a minute to appreciate the people I still have by my side.

Ra-Ra-Radiance

I am thanking the OPI Gods for this color, Radiance from the Designer Series. OPI describes it as "luxuriously rich, brilliant silver," (http://www.opi.com/), and that's exactly what it is--rich, brilliant and very, very silver.

Here's what it looks like on. Please excuse the less-than-mediocre paint job--my skills haven't improved much since I learned...17 years ago haha.

The best part about this polish: what's it looks like in the bottle is exactly what it looks like on, and with only ONE coat! I hate when I buy a bottle of nail polish and need to put 7 coats of it on before it looks like it does in the bottle. And since you only need one coat, my nails dried super fast!

The worst part about this polish: It chips. Even with a base and top coat, this polish chips off rather fast and in large chunks. Meh.

The chipping isn't enough to turn me off this polish, but that's only because I did my own nails at home and I usually redo them every 4-5 days anyway. I probably wouldn't take this color in when I get a manicure done though, because if I'm paying for it, I want it to stick! All in all, love this polish and I can't wait to try the other colors from this collection!

Spring is in the air!

While the newest spring trends are flowing onto shelves at all my favorite stores, the weather in the Midwest is still a bit too chilly to wear any of them! But the sun is shining today and I'm feeling spring is definitely in the air.

I believe fashion is an amazing way to express yourself and it's all about experimenting! I've never really been one to follow the "rules" when it comes to fashion--they totally take the fun out of it! This beautiful weather inspired me to compile a list of all of the looks I'm dying to experiment with this upcoming season. Since I'm a self-proclaimed rule-breaker, my choices may not be of the hottest or newest trends, but nevertheless, you'll find me rocking them!

I can't wait to get my hands on a pair of Hunter Original Gloss Boots in red! I've been pining for some Hunter boots since I first discovered them, but the price is a little steep and I could never decide on a color..until I found these! They're cute, classic and they totally remind me of being a little kid--all I need is a shiny yellow rain slicker. Perfect for those April showers!

Right when spring clothes were hitting the shelves, Forever 21 had an adorable black and tan straw fedora that was exactly what I was looking for. Before I had a chance to order it, sadly, it had sold out. Of course, my heart was a little bit broken and all hope was lost (so dramatic, I know). So, I have my eyes peeled for the second-best perfect Fedora. I have yet to find it, but my fingers are crossed. I think this straw Fedora would look adorable with some beachy waves or a messy side bun.

I love everything 70's, so I was pumped to see super flared jeans on the racks! The first pair I laid my eyes on were these cute light wash jeans from Ann Taylor LOFT. I haven't purchased them yet, but they're at the top of my list! They're super fun and I can't wait to pair them with a great pair of clogs and a fringe handbag.

Since I'm on the topic of denim, I have to say I've seen a lot of denim this spring. From vests, jackets, skirts, shirts or blazers, denim's everywhere! Last fall I purchased a super cute denim vest from H&M, so a denim jacket has made it's way onto my wish list for the spring. I love the look of old vintage Levi denim jackets, so I'll be spending a lot of time in thrift stores looking for one. But if my luck runs out, this non-vintage Levi's denim jacket from Urban Outfitters will do!

The list goes on and on of all the things I'm looking to add to my wardrobe for the spring, but these are just a few pieces that will most definitely be added to my closet. What trends are you dying to try this spring?

The weather is amazing, even the birds are bumpin'

I don't know how much time I have, so this may be pretty short. It's a beautiful day here in WI and I am headed to the beach with my boyfriend! I'm super excited because it's my first day to the beach this summer and I realllly need to even out my tan!

My product review of the day:

I tried Sephora's Waterproof Triple Action Mascara today, and I'm sad to say I did not like the product. I'm not a fan of waterproof mascaras to begin with--I heard a long time ago that waterproof mascaras have shoe polish in them?--but I was hoping this mascara would change my mind. I was intrigued by the brush, the bristles are short and very dense. I may have just got a bad tube, but the mascara itself was very dry and was really difficult to apply to my lashes. I feel like if the mascara was a bit more liquid, I would like this mascara, but that's only because I still like the brush. I hope I can find a non-waterproof mascara with a brush like this!

I don't believe I will be using this mascara again. I've heard good things about CoverGirl's Lash Blast waterproof Mascara, so I will be giving that a try next!

Hope all my followers have a great day! haha

Stay on the sunny side of the street,

-Sarah