Category Archives: cheap thrills

on my radar: mikkat market

I know absolutely nothing about Mikkat Market, except that it’s run by a blogger named Katherine Kim, who’s doing a damn fine job of picking pieces and styling them. Her finds are irresistible, fashion-forward, and pre-styled for your convenience. Oh, and the prices are amazing.  A few of my picks:

Double collar blazer, $72

Fringe sheer knit sweater, $59

Orange ruffle skirt, $48

V-neck pocket tee, $20

Chain bracelet, $22

Okay, so most some of the pieces are way a little more fashion-forward than, say, I am. And yes, there’s definitely a chance these are of horrible quality/made in a sweatshop/not as good in real life. But there are some excellent finds in here that are sure to boost your trendy quotient without throwing the rest of your closet for a loop.

What do you think? Would you give them a try, or are you in the “if it looks to good to be true…” corner?

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cheap thrill: kut from the kloth denim jacket

I went to an event at the lovely Shop Adorn last weekend, and friends, I had forgotten how much I love this shop. It’s packed with brands I love – Paige denim in all the best cuts, super soft Fluxus tees and all that gorgeous House of Harlow jewelry – and I always find something new to fall for every time I go in (or surf their site). Plus, the owner is an absolute sweetheart, who positively delights in her customers – how can you not want to support that?

On my last trip, I picked up this Kut from the Kloth denim jacket (the photos aren’t the best, I know…but it’s good, trust me). I’d been obsessing over finding in the market for a new one, but wasn’t willing to pay $200 and hated the cheaper versions. This one is soft, stretchy, perfectly distressed, does an amazing job of creating a tiny waist over even the most shapeless of spring dresses…and $68. Sold!  Incidentally, it was also shown off in People StyleWatch (next to pics of Reese Witherspoon – love her!), and therefore sold out awfully fast. Nab one of the last ones if you can (and size up).

{Photo courtesy of Shop Adorn and People Stylewatch}

Incidentally, if they do manage to sell out, I’ll admit that they also sell them at Amazon. But shop local!

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cheap thrill: red trousers

It usually takes me a while to fall for something that’s really “trendy”. After a youth spent pining obsessively over the latest and greatest shiny new thing “everyone else” had (oh, those Guess jeans, they haunt me still!), I’ve learned that the hotter something is, the quicker it fades…and these days, i’m just too cheap individual to buy in.

Most of the time, this usually just results in me finally breaking down and buying something approximately 5 minutes before it goes out of style. Skinny jeans, for example. But, just this once, I’m thinking of plunging head-on into a trend while it’s still new(-ish). It’s these lovely red trousers I’m seeing everywhere…aaahhh, I just can’t resist!

{image credits: fashionologie, what i wore, stockholm street style}

Delightful, aren’t they? Such a perfect shock of color in a sea of bland neutrals in my closet (what? me? winter blues? nah…). And they’re really seasonless, if you think about it. Pair with camel or navy in the winter, and white or pink in the summer…it’s completely caught me off guard to think of red as such a versatile shade, but there you are.

Plus, a friend told me recently she can’t remember the last time she saw me in something other than jeans. And so, I thought…I’ll show her! I’ll buy red pants. But, while skinny versions abound, it’s actually sort of a trick to find the wide-legged variety. (And honestly, I’m just too old, and too curvy, for skinny colored denim. Really.)

Hours of exhaustive searches later, I narrowed the field to two options…and, readers, you’ll be shocked to know I chose the road less expensive. Yes, instead of the $300 Kate Spade version I wanted (gah, now they’re on sale for $200! damn…maybe I should just…no, no, I’ll persevere), I’m going with the $39.50 version from…Victoria’s Secret.

(do you like how I cropped out the top half of the VS model to negate the scary, overly-sexy pose?)

So yes, I’m terrified. I’ve never purchased a single item of clothing from Vicki, and I was totally content with keeping that record intact. But…well, I caved. I fully expect it to be a sartorial disaster, but I’m honestly sort of wildly curious about them, and had to see them in person. Plus, it will make for excellent blogging fodder, don’t you think?

I’ll be sure to report back.

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cheap thrill: leigh & luca scarves 50% off

i’ve been meaning to do a post to tell you all about the wonders of leigh & luca scarves…i love them so!  and when i met up with one of my favorite fashion designers recently, she was sporting one as well, so i know i’m not alone.  they’re just infinitely useful, as everything from a scarf to a sarong to a shawl, and the designs are utterly modern and fabulous.  a square scarf can be a little intimidating, but rest assured:  once you get the hang of them, you’ll fall in love.

best of all, i hear they’re 50% off today at daily candy’s sample sale site, swirl.  head over and check out the steals…it’s the perfect time to nab a piece by this seriously talented bunch!  and if you don’t find a style you love at swirl, you should definitely check out the sale section on leigh & luca’s own website…many are gone, but there are some steals to be had!

oh, and i promise to do a nice long feature about how to wear these beauties soon…stay tuned!

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friday finds

i’m really starting to look forward to these friday finds lists, if only because it gives me a chance to get out all of the random “hey, that’s cool” thoughts i have during the week.  i hope you’re liking them too!

i keep meaning to tell you all about my new facial serum of choice.  it’s clinique’s repairwear laser focus, and i admit, my love for it sort of snuck up on me.  when you test products day in and day out, you get lazy, and start to expect resusts fast, or you move on.  fortunately, i didn’t have any other serums around, so i kept using the clinique version.  and after a month, i started to notice that some of those nagging lines from constantly sleeping on my side were starting to vanish.  plus, it’s only $44.50, a nice change from some of my $100+ serum obsessions.  well done, clinique!

i’m feeling pretty smitten with kirakira, a new line of jewelry i came across this week.  the designs are so diverse, the shop feels like you’ve stumbled into a vintage jewelry shop in your favorite foreign destination – yet they’re all brand spanking new.  prices run the gamut, but those silver marrakesh earrings are $125…definitely attainable luxe.

as usual, best to follow a splurge with a steal.  on one of my target wanders the other day, i came upon the william rast collaboration.  the denim actually looked promising, so i gave it a try.  and lo, it was highly impressive, readers.  i was more impressed with the boot cut than the straight, but that’s okay, since straight is on its way out anyway.  for $50, these jeans had great fit, the right amount of stretch, and enough quality that i think you’d get well over your $50 worth of wear from them.  you could even try holding out until they go on sale…not a bad gamble, i think.

and last but not least, this wallet caught my eye a while back, and i keep forgetting to show it to you!  i’m a sucker for a bright wallet, i’ll admit, and this striking blue/green hue is no exception.  the leaves might be a little much for me, but i haven’t totally decided yet (and they could always be removed, i’m thinking).  plus, it’s called the “fiscal ficus“, and i do so love some nice alliterative word play.  it’s $98, which isn’t out of the realm for a well-made wallet (which this is).  and, bonus, some kind anthro shopper has bothered to take photos of the interior and post them in the reviews section…so, kudos to her.

have a great weekend, everyone!

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cheap thrill: dkny abby trench on super sale

despite my illness, and my irritation with bloomingdales lately, i couldn’t let this steal slip away without telling you!

i picked up this exact dkny trench in black during nordstrom’s anniversary sale, and i absolutely love it.  it’s the perfect mid-weight trench, made of sleek, waterproof fabric, and it fit me better than the classic burberry trench (which, given my love for burberry, is saying something).  in fact, i loved it so much that i convinced my very frugal BFF to buy the exact same one (in tan) when we were out shopping a month later.

now, you can nab that same lovely trench, in black or tan (or both!), for a measly $111 – down from $278. if you don’t have the perfect trench in your closet, now’s the time, friends.

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cheap thrills: the new loafer

i’ve been seeing a resurgence of loafers in my september mags this year, and it’s no surprise.  designers are returning to ladylike classics with menswear touches, and a loafer is the perfect way to add a dash of masculine energy to keep a girly look from going too far over the frilly fringe.

there are options out there at the highest of price points – i especially love the versions from elizabeth and james, and tods, but both are pretty cost-prohibitive.  but honestly, when a classic style like this comes back around, i think sometimes it pays to look back to the classic sources. and when it comes to a loafer, my first thought is still bass.

Picture 4

sure enough, they didn’t disappoint.  bass has updated their classic loafer with a shorter vamp (creating a more feminine shape), and a funky cumin color to give the right dose of edgy, but kept the price point downright cheap at $65.  i’d wear these with cuffed boyfriend jeans now, and a silk blouse (like, say, this one i picked up recently) with menswear trousers for fall…either way, they’re a great way to indulge in the men’s-inspired shoe trend without going the route of the overdone oxford.

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DIY, couture-style

i absolutely love the look of this dries van noten blazer from the august issue of vogue, but at $1,300, it’s unlikely i’ll ever even see it in person, let alone own it.  but ever since i spotted it, i can’t help wondering just how hard it would be to recreate on a budget.

dries blazer-aug 10 vogue

image from vogue, august 2010

i’m envisioning a thrifted (or otherwise cheaply obtained) camel or tweed blazer (i found dozens on etsy), maybe a size or two larger than you’d normally wear.  take it to your trusty tailor, along with this photo, and just ask for three exaggerated accordion pleats on either side, right above the pockets, to create that sharp definition at the narrowest part of your waist (you’ll want a larger size jacket to allow for space to create those pleats).

you’ll also probably want the shoulders taken in just a bit, and maybe even need the sleeves narrowed a bit – since the rest of the jacket was purposely too large, you’ll want those sleeves trimmed up to fit you properly.  and, assuming it’s an old-style, two-button blazer, feel free to have her add a third button and buttonhole to make it a perfect three-button blazer.

it’s major reconstructive surgery, i’ll grant you, but i think you could get it done for $50-75 (much cheaper if you don’t need the shoulder/sleeve work done).  add on the $25 you spent for the blazer in the first place, and you have a serious style fix for under $100 (original will set you back nearly $1,300).  not bad when you consider the thousand ways you’ll find to wear your creation.

now to nab that slouchy grey sweater underneath…

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