City Chic and Cheap

What I Bought Today

Ruehauer — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:37:03 GMT

My laptop wouldn't turn on this morning (oh, the horror!), so I went to the mall with my wonderful boyfriend to get it looked at. While he was at Best Buy talking to the Geek Squad about my ailing laptop, I went to Target. You see, techies intimidate me. I'd rather look at clothes.

Here's what I bought for a grand total of $38.74!

Yes, I know, yet another fedora. I'm obsessed!

I'm loving the return of the 80s, especially with bright wayfarer sunglasses.

This retro-style bikini was on clearance at this store for $5.98 per piece!

Needless to say, I put together my chic little outfit and lounged by the pool for the rest of the afternoon.

Happy shopping!

Daily Steal!

Ruehauer — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:30:54 GMT

Statement necklaces are the best: just throw one on over any outfit and you have instant chic!

With this necklace, you get both the statement-necklace trend and the floral trend in one. It's a little pricier than I normally like to post, but still very affordable as far as jewellry goes.

$38 at Urban Outfitters.

For an idea of size, here it is on a model. Also, love the swimsuit!

Happy shopping!

Bright, fun lipcolor for pennies!

Ruehauer — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:56:36 GMT

It's a fact: I have highly underestimated drugstore cosmetics.

While preparing for an 80s-themed party last week, I picked up a tube of N.Y.C. Cosmetics Ultra Last LipWear in Air Kiss. This bright raspberry hue really does last! I loved it so much that I decided to make it my everyday lipstick.

Who knew??

$1.99 at pretty much any drugstore. Love it!

Happy shopping!

Story for the Telling

Ruehauer — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:45:24 GMT

Avid journal-keepers, rejoice!

I finished another journal today--as I do every two or three months--and quickly went searching for a new set of blank pages to fill. My favorite place is Barnes and Noble for journal selections, and I found this wonderful green-and-white damask piece there today. I can't wait to start writing!

($9.95 at Barnes and Noble.)

Happy shopping!

Daily Steal!

Ruehauer — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:24:46 GMT

Too much working this week.

I realized a few days ago that my favorite basic black blazer has a hole in the elbow. I've had it since I was seventeen and got my first "real" job, so I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm still sad to have to replace this piece that has seen me through college, two internships, and three jobs...

On the bright side, it looks like it won't cost me much to replace it, since I spotted this pieve in Old Navy today!

($30 at Old Navy.)

Shopping for work clothes may not be as fun as shopping for party clothes, but a steal is a steal!

Happy shopping!

Summer Scarves

Ruehauer — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:58:19 GMT

For those of you who live in warm climates, wearing a scarf in the summer probably sounds sticky and uncomfortable. But in the Pacific Northwest, summer never gets too hot, and fun, bright scarves are the best way to have fun with the basic shorts-and-tank-top uniform.

Tie-dye is at the top of the summer-scarf-chic list, as seen on just about everybody from Rachel Bilson to Cameron Diaz. And with stores like Target, Forever21, and Kohl's stocking up, it's easy to find this chic piece for cheap!

$9.80(!!) at Forever21.

Simply Vera Wang Scarf for $16.80 at Kohl's.

Happy shopping!

"They Call Me Mellow Yellow"

Ruehauer — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:34:21 GMT

It's been a long day *sigh*. So what else would I be doing other than perusing the web, looking for adorably cheap finds in hopes of cheering myself up?

In my perusing, I stumbled upon this:

(34.99 at ModCloth.)

Alas, payday is not for awhile yet, so I won't be buying anything tonight, but just seeing this saffron-hued tulip skirt was enough to brighten my day.

Hope it brightened yours, too. Goodnight, fashionistas!

Happy shopping!

Boyfriend Jeans...for Free!

Ruehauer — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:45:53 GMT

This spring, it seems every magazine on the newstand was featuring boyfriend jeans. I love comfort, so the idea of looser fitting, distressed, rolled-up jeans is my cup of tea...but, as always, funds were lacking.

Then I realized something: boyfriend jeans are just fat jeans in disguise!

Instead of shelling out 100 bucks, I just went to my jeans drawer and found my jeans I keep around for "fat" days. A little baggy, a little faded...all they needed were cuffs and a hole or two! Pair with a cute pair of sandals or pumps and a fitted top and...voila! All without spending a cent. :)

Here was the pic that inspired me.

P.S. A cheese grater works wonders for distressing jeans. Also, sandpaper and emery boards are great for more subtle work.

Happy distressing!

Off to the Sunshine!

Ruehauer — Tue, 19 May 2009 04:17:29 GMT

I'm leaving Seattle for a couple of days to visit the bf's family in Eastern Washington. It's not exactly an exciting vacation, but the weather over there is going to be hot and sunny! Since Seattle is back to being cool and partly cloudy today (why do I live here?!), I'm looking forward to leaving town and putting on my favorite new sundress. :)

Fun floral print, loose-fitting so I can breathe in it, cheap as hell -- what's not to love?

Old Navy (on sale for $18)

Happy shopping!

Daily Steal!

Ruehauer — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:11:09 GMT

Searching the web to find you chic on the cheap!

Have you heard of Baghaus.com? This interent shopping haven is chock-full of "designer inspired" purses and handbags for a fraction of the price of the real things. It's wonderful if, like me, you lust for the labels there is no way you'll be able to afford in this century. :)

Here's today's fave:

Perforated handbags are a fun trend for summer 2009 -- and for $15, who cares if the trend only lasts til Labor Day?

Baghaus.com

Happy shopping!

Daily Steal!

Ruehauer — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:39:09 GMT

Here's your daily steal -- for under $20!

This vintage-inspired avian bracelet is so unique! Pair it with a simple black tank top, shorts, and gladiator sandals for effortless chic on-the-go.

Bracelet (17.99) available at ModCloth.com

Happy shopping!

So Long Sephora!

Ruehauer — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:06:02 GMT

I love Sephora. Period. But I'm starting to think spending 20 bucks on a tube of mascara is extortion.

So today, in desperate need to mascara and with less than 10 dollars in my purse -- payday's tomorrow, but I just can't go out another 12 hours without mascara -- I ventured into Bartell Drugs and purchased my first tube of mascara from a drugstore.

So long Sephora. Hello Maybelline!

Maybelline Volume Express. Love it! Makes my lashes full without being goopy at all.

Another great mascara: Maybelline Lash Stiletto. My best friend Erin loves this one for lengthening...and also for the sext packaging. :)

The Summer Fedora

Ruehauer — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:33:48 GMT

Fedoras were hands-down my favorite fashion item last year. Truth be told, I am just not ready to give them up yet! Thank god I found a great way to update the look for summer: the straw fedora.

From downtown streets to sidewalk cafe to beach, this hat is going to be my new best friend for Summer '09. :)

$28 at Urban Outfitters.

$27 at Bloomingdale's.

$14.99 at Urban Outfitters.

$28 at Bebe.

Happy shopping!

Bikinis...with Ruffles!

Ruehauer — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:34:15 GMT

I went skinny dipping with some friends last night, which made me realize that I really should invest in a swimsuit in the near future. I figure that way I will have something appropiate to wear when I get the urge to go swimming at 3 in the morning. :)

I'm loving the ruffles trend currently, and I find it so adorable on bikinis -- they soften up the overt sexiness of the standard teeny-tiny bikini. Also, if you are small-busted like I am, ruffles on the top visually add some size. Hey, every little bit helps!

I love the top here -- such a cute and unexpected twist on the classic bikini!

Top $18 at Victoria's Secret

Pretty petal pink with ruffles. So girly and sweet.

Bikini $36 at Victoria's Secret

Daily Steal!

Ruehauer — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:50:43 GMT

Well it may not be sunny anymore -- at least not here in Seattle -- but I'm still shopping for summer and loving bright colors and fun textures. Here's my favorite piece for the day:

Bring out the color-loving hippy side of your fashion personality with this fun, fringed bag. And it's on sale right now for under $40!

Purse by Steve Madden.