FFF - Tablet Travel Magazine and Unexpected Trips

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Travel Guide
You already know that I take a lot of trips - I just can't seem to stay in one place!  Well I remember signing up for Tablet hotels emails a while ago and liked their selection of unique, but still reasonably priced hotels.  It is cool that they have gone further and created a carefully curated online magazine as well.  Oh how the New Orleans article makes me miss the city (mmm beignets and poh boys!)

Image via Rodney Smith

This weekend I am...

...off to Taiwan!  My family is visiting the area so we decided to meet up there.  I am looking forward to street markets with fried chicken, cool bubble tea with mini tapioca pearls, and simple, but satisfying sesame noodles (seriously they are so addictive!)  I really needed a break so jetted off earlier this week.  It is a good time for reflection too because I'm having a mini quarter life (ok slightly above quarter life) crisis as I contemplate next moves in my professional life.  I'm just thankful that my savings allow me to travel the world and take time off when needed.  I'll be back soon!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a lovely week!

Fashion Highlight: Color Blocking Craze by BCBG Max Azria Autumn/Winter 2012 (with some year round looks)

Is color blocking just a trend?

Well think again because when a collection like BCBG Max Azria is devoted almost entirely to color blocking, it is a fashion statement that will be around for a while longer.  I was fascinated that the colors and designs explored color blocking in many different combinations - it ranged from vertical and horizontal combinations in different neutral colors to a fun mix with different textures. The same color (white) paired with a sheer white to create a different textural view or a simple color blocked coat was mixed with fur sleeves for a modern spin on a retro look.  I thought that this was also a look that works for warmer as well as cooler weathers.

It is definitely a wearable and simple collection, but one that enables you to experience a new take on a familiar favorite.  I also love that BCBG is relatively affordable (watch those sales lovelies!) so many more of us can rock color blocked frocks.

{Source}

Saddle Bags/cross-body bags for Spring (most under $200)

I'm no cowgirl, but I do love a functional bag combined with some aesthetically pleasing touches.  You already know how much I love cross-body bags, and saddle bags are essentially the same types of purses.  They are usually made of a durable material, have a long strap that can be worn cross-body, and have an button closure for easy access to your items.
While the traditional camel color is classic, I love the updated colors and embellishments (the chunky studs on the Proenza Schouler bag make me swoon as does the price on the red hot iguana version!)  You can still get a neutral color, but spring is the time to bring a fun, bright color as well!

What cross body bags are on your list for spring?

1. HOBO International Camilla Cross Body bag, Amazon, $128
2. Making Waves Mint Green purse, Lulus, $48
3. River Island Cross Body bag, ASOS, $35.81
4. Co-Lab by Christopher Kon Carissa Crossbody, Amazon$38
5. Blue Proenza Schouler PS11 Classic Shoulder bag, SSENSE, $1,950
6. Poppy leather whipstitch crossbody, Coach, $178

High Street Highlight: Ann Taylor Modern Lace Sheath Dress and Neon Yellow Sleeveless Lace Sheath Dress (at 40% off!)

Lace is one of my favorite materials (ahem enough to make my own alencon lace waltz length veil because I had to have it and couldn't afford it!) I am so glad that it is making a resurgence in the last few years.  Of course there are the classic design houses like Valentino which make exquisite lace dresses in their own lace motifs.  But retailers like Ann Taylor are also doing a fabulous job at making modern lace apparel.  Ann Taylor has created a few lace dresses for spring with modern draping (seriously I love the chiffon overlay) and in lovely colors like bright yellow or traditional black.  You may have to check out some styles in store because these pieces are selling fast!

Bonus - try out a lace dress and get 40% off your entire purchase with code ENTIRE.

Save!
- Go to Mr. Rebates first and get cash back on your purchase!  Here is my invite if you need it!

Modern Lace Sheath Dress, Ann Taylor, $148.80 (from $248) 

Sleeveless lace Sheath Dress, Ann Taylor, $118.80 (from $198)

Lace Complexity Lace Dress, Ann Taylor, $59.99 (from $99.99)

Photo Love: Reliving the 1950s via Miranda Kerr for Harper's Bazaar April 2012

Miranda Kerr for US Harper's Bazaar April 2012

When I think of retro, I immediately think of an era of soda fountains, pencil skirts, and perfectly coiffed hair.  Of course I am thinking of the 1950s.  I haven't watched "Mad Men" yet (I know I am one of the last people on earth that hasn't seen the show!) but I can appreciate the influence the show has had on fashion and style.  I love the longer hemlines (but err, not too long because I'm not that tall!) and fitted silhouettes.  But I think we keep revisiting this age for fashion influences because it created such classic pieces that celebrated the female form while still covering women up.  This balance is still one that most of us try to achieve, especially in professional settings.

I know fun pencil skirts, like this ASOS lace bonded one for $53, are still a wardrobe staple for me.  Do you have any fashion influences from the 1950s?

Have a lovely week!

Worthy Reads Roundup - Making of a Chanel jacket, Travel Log to the Taj Mahal, and Trays for the home for under $40

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living these past two weeks:

- Photo Love: (Under) Water Colors

- Travel Log: Journey to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

- Hot under {$40}: Trays for the Home

- Fashion/Artisan Highlight: Fruity jewelry inspiration via Kenzo and Kawaii Culture

- FFF/Fun Finds: CB2 Peeps Vases (under $2!)

Here are other worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:

- I love watching the process behind how classic pieces are made - view this video to see how an iconic Chanel jacket is made!

- Pinterest used to be able to sell your content, but has recently updated its terms of service - here are some highlights including private boards some day

- Wedding planning can certainly be stressful but wedding planning for eloping is now a highly styled affair - will a wedding for two be a new standard?

- Are you inspired by the style of characters in movies?  Now you can deck yourself in beauty products inspired by anything from "The Hunger Games" to "The Amazing Spider-Man"!

FFF/Fun Finds: Peeps Vases from CB2 (for under $2!) and Moving Prep

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Fun Finds
I'm endlessly fascinated by all the fun possibilities in decor.  While crystal vases are still timeless and elegant, there is a great range of options for a casual, modern display of beautiful, fresh flowers.  I also love how the knobs on the sides are like little arms reaching out for a nice hug!  Sigh, too cute!

Peeps Vases, CB2, $1.95 (on sale!)

Otherwise this weekend, I am...
...starting to clean up our apartment and prepare for our move next month.  We are moving to a bigger apartment in the same complex next month!  It is really exciting to go to a new and larger space (yay for more storage space!) but we will miss our cozy apartment.  It was the first home that we built together as a married couple (we aren't counting graduate school housing because we didn't decorate and were only there for a few months).  Of course we have fond memories here and it signified not just a home, but a start of a new life for us in Asia. It looks like we will be here for a bit and we are excited about the move to a larger place - it also means we are preparing for bigger things in life too!  But in the meantime, it is time to start packing!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

{Fashion}/Artisan Highlight: Fruity jewelry inspiration via Kenzo and Kawaii culture

Most of us like to eat fruit, but have you ever considered wearing fruit?  I was first intrigued when I saw these resin earrings from Kenzo.

So I had fruit on my mind when I was surfing around Cargoh and was instantly smitten by the coconut earrings below.  They were familiar yet eye-catching and undeniably fun.  Sarah of Kawaii culture wanted to create "kawaii"jewelry, i.e. jewelry that is cute or lovable.  Each clay piece is crafted to be durable and retain its coloring - so don't worry about cracking those coconuts!  Loveable indeed and perfect for spring and summer!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Sliced Coconut earrings by Kawaii Culture, Cargoh, $20

Sliced lemon necklace by Kawaii Culture, Cargoh, $25

Blueberry earrings by Kawaii Culture, Cargoh, $20

Chocolate dipped strawberry necklace by Kawaii Culture, Cargoh, $30

Hot Under {$40}: Trays for the Home

Are you the consummate party host(ess)?

Or are you always looking for ways to organize and display your baubles or bites around the house?

I am definitely more of the latter than the former (why must my husband insist on throwing his watch and wallet in different places throughout the apartment every day?!)  and have been looking for fun and functional trays to store and organize around our home.  While trays can of course be used to beautifully present food, they can also be used to group and display items belonging to a certain category (e.g. a small every day tray could hold your watch and jewelry) or group items, like perfumes and beauty products, together.  I like a polished look for the bedroom or bathroom while a sleek look (like the black tray below) could be used in my living/dining area all year round for displaying knicks and knacks elegantly or even treats like cupcakes!  I use our floral Liberty of London tray in our kitchen for holding our breakfast treats and fresh fruit - the print is just too fun!

I'm on the lookout for a few mirrored trays for our bedroom as well as a few whimsical trays for the kitchen/ dining room.  Luckily there are a variety of options at quite a few price points.  Here are my picks for trays under $40:

1. Seashores Serving Collection, Williams Sonoma, $39.95

2. Hong Kong Garden Collection tray by Thomas Paul, Burke Decor, $18

3. Marimekko Kaiku Tray, Crate & Barrel, $35

4. Marimekko Mini Unikko Black Tray, Crate & Barrel, $35

5. Tiered Serving Tray, Gretel home, $39
6. Mirrored Tray, Willow House, $16.96

Travel Log: Journey to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

What is the biggest thing you have ever done for love?

Hmm, I can't say I'm sure what my answer would be but I do show my husband I love him every day in small ways (so that adds up right?)  I also can't begin to compete with grand acts of love like building a 561 foot marble ode to my partner.  The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal; this white marble mausoleum is the finest example of Mughal (Indian, Persian, Turkish) architecture that exists today.

So it goes without saying that it is a must visit site if you are spending some time by Delhi and can spare 5 hours to get to Agra.  Yes five hours on a highway with no distinct lanes, traffic rules (think cars coming towards you from the opposite direction), and camel traffic.  Yes camel traffic.  While I'm actually more traumatized by the traffic than the mild car accident we experienced, I am glad we got to visit the Taj Mahal.  It is a long drive there so I would actually go again and stay at least one night so I can visit the nearby forts and Fatehpur Shikri (I visited once and it is truly stunning!)

Tip: Stay at or have a meal at the Oberoi Amaravilas.  The hotel is simply stunning and luxurious -like an oasis in the city.  You can also buy your tickets to the Taj Mahal in advance from them (the ticket office is a few blocks away from the site) and they will send you there in a golf cart for free since cars aren't allowed within a few blocks of the Taj Mahal.

Since you will be waiting a while just to enter the Taj Mahal (the queues can be crazy!), take your time, look at the beautiful detail, and enjoy the grounds. Oh and you might want to consider bringing socks because you have to remove your shoes or wear shoe covers!

Photo Love: (Under) Water Colors

I'm living under water. Everything seems slow and far away. I know there's a world up there, a sunlit quick world where time runs like dry sand through an hourglass, but down here, where I am, air and sound and time and feeling are thick and dense.

- Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife

{Source}

I love being underwater.  I truly witnessed a different world down there full of life and color.  It really is a shame that I am not utilizing my PADI certification and scuba diving more these days.  I remember when I first started diving, I was fascinated by all the different fish and coral in their varying sizes and shapes (I even saw a small shark once and swam away as quickly as my flippers would allow!) But there is also  beauty in the different, slower pace of movement (at least for people) and the ability to stop and really observe everything around you.  

I'm not sure when I will get back to diving, but I do want to step away from the fast pace of my usual environment and really watch the (sometimes colorful) beauty around me.  

Have a lovely week!

Worthy Reads Roundup - Hot under {$100} Portrait prints, Ferragamo fashion show at the Louvre, and DVF and Current Elliott

Hope you had a great week lovelies!

Here is what happened at Chic 'n Cheap Living these past two weeks:

- Photo Love: Remembering to have fun at any age via Mila Kunis for Harper's Bazaar April 2012

- Hot under {$100}: Portrait Prints

- Fashion Highlight: DVF and Current Elliott

- Fashion and Interiors: Yellow and Bright

- FFF/Fun Finds: La Vie est Belle print

Here are other worthy reads from blogger buddies and beyond:

- Ferragamo will host the first ever fashion show at the Louvre in exchange for being the exclusive sponsor of "Saint Anne, Leonardo Da Vinci's greatest masterpiece".  Not a bad trade!

- Do you have problems sleeping (unfortunately I do)?  There are hotels now, like the Benjamin, that not only have sleep concierges but also give you a variety of tools (milk and cookies are of course one of the options) to combat insomnia.

- How awesome would it be to watch the Olympics in person?  While it may remain a dream for most of us, you an still see Olympic level athletes compete to earn a spot on the team.  If I was in the US, I'd take in a few events, like gymnastics (I love the skill and athleticism of the sport!)

- Is the age of women upon us?  40% of women are now out-earning men so what is the next step?

Fun Finds/FFF - La Vie Est Belle print and being part of the in (pizza) crowd

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!


Fun Finds
I love having inspiration around me and this art print - La Vie Est Belle - reminds me to appreciate the beautiful things in my life.  Life isn't always what we expect it to be, but there are certain parts of it that are undeniably lovely.  So yes, this would be great inspiration to have by me every day!

Otherwise this weekend I am...
...going to Mozza pizzeria with a few friends.  I ♥ pizza and I especially love the pizza at Mozza - the crust is perfect and the sausage and leek pizza is a savory, splendid bite of hearty flavor and crunchy goodness.  Apparently everyone else loves the restaurant too so it is perpetually packed and hard to get a table.  A friend happened to call this week and snagged a table for us so of course we are happy to 


What are you doing this weekend?


Have a fabulous weekend!

Fashion and Interiors: Yellow and Bright

It is definitely a good thing to be bright and cheery.

There is something about the color yellow that instantly puts me in a better mood.  I don't wear it often, but got my first yellow sun dress recently and the color and pattern remind me of a lovely, warm day.  I also love the splash of yellow in a room - the color makes a place more warm and happy.  Yellow doesn't have to stay a spring or summer color - have it as an accent color all year round to brighten your day!

Source: Frida Gustavsson, unknown, Kasia Bobula, AEstate

Here are a few finds for an instant yellow fix:

Magid wide striped paper straw tote, Amazon.com. $70

Small plastic two tone sunglasses, Topshop, $32

Women's striped crew neck sweater, Old Navy, $14.99

Malene Birger pintucked maxi skirt, The Outnet, $117.25

Fashion Highlight: DVF and Current Elliott and a guest post about wedding planning

Everything is coming up florals!

Or at least everything is coming up florals in the new DVF and Current Elliott collaboration.  This capsule collection celebrates covetable Current Elliott denim, but re-imagines it in fresh floral prints for spring.  There are only a few staple pieces - skinny jeans, straight leg jeans, skinny skirt, shirt, shorts, and dress.  The prices range from $229 for the skinny skirt to $398 for the denim wrap dress - a little pricey, but within standard DVF prices.

What do you think of this collection?

View the collection here.

p.s. On a more serious note, I have guest posted at dear blogger buddy Anna's blog - Far from the Wedding Crowd (formerly of Anna and the Ring) about what a wedding means to me.  I do love pretty things and the wedding is the ultimate celebration of all things lovely.  But I also kept a few things in mind so it wouldn't just be a party about lovely things, but a party about love itself.  Enjoy!