FFF - Anna Suit Target on sale, London 24 hour Shakespeare Marathon, NYC Dia de Los Muertos

Friday and it's time to par-tay!  Unfortunately, this is my first weekend without Mr. Chic 'n Cheap (he's on some school retreat thing).  It's funny how much time we spend together since we moved to London. Basically, this will be our first time apart since we've been married.  It will be a little weird, but ok.  I'm hanging out with my grad school friends and possibly going to a Halloween party so it will be fun.

Everywhere
I've poked around and see that some of the Anna Sui for Target stuff is now on sale.  All the cute dresses are of course sold out. But try your luck in store.  Sigh, I wish I was in the US to rifle through my local Target.  At least there's a few things left online. 
This vest isn't bad either at $20.98.

Also Ann Taylor is still on sale ladies!  AND there is an additional 40% off sale stuff in-store only.  Man, I could have saved a ton of money on dresses for my girls.  I see some dupioni silk dresses online that would be $36 in store.  Totally insane.

New York
Dia de los muertos will be celebrated on 11/1 in NYC (116 Street b/w 2nd and 3rd Avenues).  This colorful festival will feature a parade and most importantly food!  More details here.

London

There's a 24 hour Shakespeare festival going from 12 pm Friday - 12 pm Saturday at the Scoop at More London.  The actors have only 12 hours to rehearse and there are no sets or props.  Audience participation is encouraged.  Kinda cool!  I'm totally going if I can wake up in time!

Have a lovely weekend!

Last day for brides to win $2500 diamond earring rentals from @bridaltweet

If only we could all have diamond earrings like these.  I had to post because I would love someone to wear  these lovely earrings.

Or you can win the chance to rent them.

My bride friends/vendors/fans of bridal stuff, you can still win a chance for a $2500 jewelry rental by registering with Bridal Tweet before 10/31.  You get an entry for the diamond earrings rental just by registering!
I first joined when a graphic designer I found online invited me to join.  It's a nice growing community that easily connects brides and vendors in the wedding world.

Anything that could make wedding planning easier or a chance at gorgeous earrings is always nice.

Designer Thursday - All Black Shoes

So I was inspired by Ms. Pink Argyle and her shoes.  Yes, that is her wedding dress!

Tres adorable (just like her!).  The tiny pearl and starburst kinda details, the slate-blue color, see it and love it.
I would totally wear them to work, weddings, girl's brunch, whatever.

Some things are just plain pretty.

It was totally funny because I saw them on Anthropologie
the week before and was totally lusting after them.

I checked out the brand a bit more on endless.com.  
They're an up and coming indie brand that makes shoes and handbags.



Apologies for the really small pictures - does anyone know how to download pictures from endless.com?
 

They have a decent selection of flats and boots at reasonable prices.  Here are my favorites:

New Weave Woven Flat - made from grosgrain ribbon and on sale for $68.72.

Long boot, faux suede for $164.95 - totally cute with tights or skinny jeans.  They're LYCRA - cool right?

What shoes are on your wish list?

What I'd wear...to a charity event

Yep, wallets are tight these days.  I'm looking at mine right now and it's certainly not what it once was.  Anthropologie, go on sale and hold my sizes!  But let's be thankful for what we have and remember those less fortunate than us.  ShopitUPchic is having a charity fundraiser in Aaustin, Texas tomorrow, Oct. 29 to benefit CARE & Women THRIVE WorldWide!  Full details here.

Enjoy a fabulous night of fashion & fun with FREE food and GREAT drinks & shot specials!

Charity Raffle $2 for one ticket, $5 for 3 tickets with prizes like:
$100 for Jose Cafe
$75 GC to Uchi
4 passes to Yoga Yoga
2 tickets to Ester Follies

If I could attend I'd certainly wear an understated, but classy number, something like this metallic polka dot number from the night's hostesses' shop.

Of course I'd need a great accessory.  Not bad Banana Republic.

 

and lovely shoes with some texture seen here 

 

If you're in Austin, stop by to support a cause and of course get free snacks.

Only a few days left to win $50 from ShopitUPchic.  Enter here.

Photo Love; How to look at your partner

The way my dear Miss T. at Bride vs. Groom looks at her man.

I seriously love this picture (and of course that hot flower fascinator).  I see wonderment, appreciation, respect, and love.
Things have been a little up and down in London.  New and exciting city, but challenging prospect of setting up home and finding a new job.

It's hard sometimes.

But just pull your loved one close to you and appreciate what you got - partnership, devotion, and love.  I know that's the way we look at each other.
Life is good again.

Gotta promote lovely, small, and cool new businesses so reminder to enter the $50 ShopitUPchic contest my dears.  Enter here.

$50 ShopitUpchic giveaway reminder and discount rundown

Friendly reminder - just a few days left to win $50 in the ShopitUPchic giveaway.

Enter here and you could rent all of these during a fabulous, fashion filled month with your certificate!

 

I also sidebarred some of the lovely discounts some lovely Etsy friends have offered for you if you mention Chic 'n Cheap Living when you check out (am working on more!):

DonnaElla veils and fascinators - CONGRATULATIONS - she just got married and offers 20% off any item

Blossom Stamps - 10% off orders under $40, 20% off orders over $40, free stamp with any custom order

Happy shopping!

Alternative shoes under a wedding gown and a Bliss FitFlop discount ending 26 Oct!

What shoes can you wear under THE dress?

Previously, it was thought that we should wear satin shoes with embellishments under a wedding gown.
Something like this Badgley Mischka shoe.  Still kinda cute with the over the top rhinestones - kinda love the art-deco, bling factor of that.

These days, a woman can wear what she feels like - pumps, sandals, boots, whatever!

I wore pewter strappy Judith Leiber sandals I had previously worn as a bridesmaid to a friend's wedding because they totally matched my dresses and were pretty comfy.

I really love the concept of wearing some practical (as in can wear after the wedding) or comfortable (see my picture later).

Take the lovely Dawn and her peep-toe Jimmy Choo Mary Janes - fun and functional to so many other parties!

Is it going to be rainy or do you just love your rain boots (I have the same ones from Target!)  Wear them then like Lori did!

 

 How about cowboy boots so you can just kick up your heels and run around?  As seen here.

Or do you just want comfortable shoes?  Wear Fit Flops like I did! When we did out first look pictures and had to walk around to different spots, I had these on.  Hanako first told me about the Bliss sale on Twitter a few months ago.  I got them and LOVE them. 

They're on sale again at Bliss - up to 50% off most flip flop styles.  I want boots as well, but will probably wait until there's a bigger discount. Sale ends 26 Oct.  Enter code 119908 and get free shopping if you buy over $50 .

Since buying them, I've found other friends (1 with a chronic back problem) who laud the comfort and support of these shoes.  I'll admit that they aren't the cutest flip flops out there, but they're pretty basic (so can be worn with quite a few outfits) and the shock absorption is so worth it.

I've had a pain in my right foot sometimes and find that these are the only pair of shoes that help my feet even after walking for hours.  I'm sure I look pretty funny while wearing them around South London though.

This is also one of the funniest and one of my favorite photos from our day.  I was running out of the Echo because we were starting to run late for the ceremony. 

Anyhoo, happy shopping!

FFF - Ann Taylor Discount, Central Park Halloween Sail -NYC, Sunday Upmarket-London

Hello lovelies, TGIF!

Mr. Chic 'n Cheap and I are going to have a laid back weekend and probably try Korean or Lebanese food in London.  Mmm, grilled meats and lovely sauces either way!

Anyway, here's a roundup of discounts and freebies I hope is useful for you:

Everywhere
Ann Taylor 40% off any full-priced item in-store (e-mail me if you want the coupon) or online with code PRIVATE40 from Oct 23 - Oct 25.  Great time to buy special occasion dresses (bridesmaid, party, tea-time at the Ritz, ;) )
Man, totally could have gotten this dress for my bridesmaids - it's $120 after discount.  Awesome.

NYC
Great event for kids - pumpkin sail, storytelling, crafts, and a costume parade!  Bring your own pumpkin to participate in the pumpkin sail.  Check out details here.
Total cuteness.

London
Markets are one of London's best features - the foods, small artisans with custom jewelery, and other vendors to suit your culinary or design palette.  I just visited the Sunday Up Market last week and LOVED it.  You can really get everything here - Sri Lankan chicken 65, Mauritian aubergine and fish stew, Argentinean beef sandwiches, Vietnamese banh mi (the reason I visited and some of the best tasting sauces I've had on banh mi), handmade t-shirts, pillows, and jewelry.

I'll have a detailed post about this market later because it was really remarkable and a great place to buy gifts. I'm thinking of buying a really cool necklace for my Taiwan wedding and a lovely edgy wool jacket with a hood for Mr. Chic 'n Cheap.   But I highly suggest it if you're in London!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Designer Thursday - Claire Pettibone (Bridal Market 2010) - Cherry Blossom 2010

Sorry for the delay, but I couldn't upload pictures in blogger yesterday and you HAVE to see the pictures!

Ok, you've seen my dream team designers Monique Lhuiller and Pronovias.  In honor of bridal market 2010 - I thought I'd devote Designer Thursday to the new collections of other admired bridal gown designers.
  
I think I first saw Claire Pettibone featured in the Knot magazine last year.  I was browsing through the runway show pictures and was drawn to the whimsical and delicate features on Claire Pettibone's dresses.  She says that she wants her gowns to evoke a vintage, yet modern feel.  I tried some on at Saks and certainly appreciated the details though her dresses probably work best on hourglass figures (many are sheaths and don't have much boning/structure).

I saw the Claire Pettibone's live runway show and was immediately drawn in by the splashes of color (the models all wore pink shoes, cute!) and Asian references.  It was definitely a bold move inspired by a recent trip to Asia.

First up, this slip dress with tulle overlay accessorized with a Korean wedding ornament (sash can be made in ivory too I think).  Detailed gold flowers decorate the bottom of the gown.

 

Then, we have sheer kimono-esque sleeves on this re-imagined fab flapper dress - love the 3D flowers on the bottom and the back of the dress will be the center of attention in any room (certainly my favorite back of the dress look).

 

Of course, nothing accents a waist like a red obi - it reminds me of a doll in the back!

 

Finally, just a fun, sexy slip dress with a flower pin on one shoulder - one shoulder look that is actually a spaghetti strap dress with a great pin!

All pictures taken from brides.com

What do you think?  Do her details work?

What I'd wear...for a modern afternoon tea-date

One of my best friends had a tea-time bridal shower at the Ritz in DC a few years ago and it was the height of lady-like fun.  Ok we were a bunch of 20 something girls giggling and gorging on pastries and finger sandwiches.  We were a large group - at least 10 - and partook in everything! 

You are served tea first and then brought courses of savory and sweet snacks.  I particularly loved the savory, cute finger sandwiches and fresh scones with jam.  The staff there was also nice enough to give us doggie bags though of course my friend couldn't finish that much chocolate cake by herself!

Taken from the Ritz London site - check out the menu - Ritz chocolate cake

Oh my, please have an extravagant tea-time at least once with friends.  It is such a laid-back activity with good company.  It's not super cheap, but great for celebrating a special event and the snacks and service are outstanding.

I remember wearing a Walter skirt with large flowers trimmed in faux pearls - I knew I wanted something lady-like.  If I went today, I'd want a similar, but edgier look.

First I'd have to have a great shift dress (complete with pearl trim) as seen here for only $32:

Of course I'd want a jacket with super cute detailing, like this one - agh, $80, totally wish I could have bought this!

Of course a cute bag as seen here, even cuter when it's £20.00!

Finally, the shoes - a lust piece for sure because of the price, $895.  Of course, that is what end of season sales are for (or friendships with SAs that can save these for you).

 Otherwise this practical pair as seen here for £12.00 is still chic 'n cheap!

What do you think?  What would you wear for an afternoon tea party?

P.S.Remember to enter my $50 ShopitUPchic contest here!