What to wear while traveling v. 1 with maxi skirt - by Chic n Cheap Living

What to wear while traveling v. 1 with maxi skirt - by Chic n Cheap Living by chicncheapliving featuring floor length skirts

H M chiffon top
$40 - hm.com

Wallis studded blazer
wallisfashion.com

Forever New floor length skirt
$63 - forevernew.com.au

Cole haan wedge
colehaan.com

Rebecca Minkoff mini handbag
$230 - eluxe.ca

What to wear while traveling v. 1 with maxi skirt - by Chic n Cheap Living

What to wear while traveling v. 1 with maxi skirt - by Chic n Cheap Living by chicncheapliving featuring floor length skirts

H M chiffon top
$40 - hm.com

Wallis studded blazer
wallisfashion.com

Forever New floor length skirt
$63 - forevernew.com.au

Cole haan wedge
colehaan.com

Rebecca Minkoff mini handbag
$230 - eluxe.ca

{Fashion} Highlight: Chanel Spring Summer 2012 takes flight

Ahh to have sat in one of the "first class" or even "business class" seats at Chanel Spring/Summer!  The airport runway was recreated with this show and the clothing was somewhat of a 1960s homage to flight attendants (err if flight attendants wore Chanel of course!)  Jackets and cuts were boxy and waists were undefined.  While the silhouette wasn't fitted (I normally don't' even take a second glance at dresses with a boxier shape), the detail was typically Chanel and typically divine.  I loved the large beads on the bodice of the dress below - they make a bold statement on a simple dress.  I also think a gradient tweed jacket should be in the works for me some day.
The mixed sizes of the stones and the tulle cape also make the first dress a quirky and wonderful wedding gown alternative no? It is all in the details (hmm or a fab DIY if you had the time)...

{Source}

Decor Thoughts: Style at Home High Low Decorating ideas - Creating glamorous home looks for less

The High / Low section of Style at Home is pure, inspired genius for decor and design lovers.  Their creative team styles two, almost identical rooms for a situation or place in your home - a wine and cheese party, lounge, living area etc.  The crucial difference is that one of the rooms costs thousands of dollars less to style!  I find quality decor a bit expensive, but love the inspiration here.

The lower cost items came from an array of familiar mass retailers (Pottery Barn, IKEA, Homesense, Pier 1) as well as specialists that were lower cost (e.g. chairtablelamp.blogspot.com).  I love the ideas and the message that great decor may be available at a much more affordable price elsewhere!

Here are some favorites:
Boudoir High - $10,101

Boudoir Low - $4,194

Vignette- $3,457

Vignette - $1,899

Dressing Room - $9,070

Dressing Room - $3,116

Trend/{Fashion} Highlight: Snake Print

Are you an animal print lover?  To tell you the truth, I never really loved animal prints (leopard, zebra, etc.)  . The prints seemed too loud for my more conservative fashion tastes.  But as time goes on, I find myself more and more attracted to animal prints - they pack a really fun edge to a printed dress or shoe.  The print for this season is the snake print (my mother's most feared animal - can't wear it around her!)  I've been on the fence about snake print, particularly in clothing, because I wasn't sure if I would love the scaly look.

Fortunately, designers must have consumers like me in mind because there are a variety of snake prints in more subtle hues and patterns. If I can get my hands in a snake print in a classic black, white or gray, with a smaller print, it could be versatile enough for work to weekend wear.

What do you think of snake prints?

Here are a few favorite picks:
1. MICHAEL Michael Kors sequined snake print jersey tank, Net-a-Porter, $80
2. ACNE shimmer snake print top, My Theresa, $135
3. Helmut Lang abstract snake print dress, The Outnet, $153
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Red Snake print jersey dress, My-wardrobe.com, $425
5. Pour La Victoire Haya snake print pump, mauve, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, $15
6. Tory Burch Reva Ballet flat Almond Snake print flats, Jildor, $235

Guest Post: Personal Style and Shopping Tips

Tanvii is one of my newest blogger buddies.  She always has a good attitude, unrestricted and free style, and a dash of wisdom.  Check out her recipes too - healthy and delicious!  I'm so glad I "met" her - her fun and easy vibe and lovely outfits always put a smile on my face!


♥ ♡

I am really excited to be filling in at Chic ‘n Cheap Living today while she is off enjoying her time away!
Today, I will sharing a few of my personal styling & shopping tips.  Running a personal style blog means being under a public scrutiny and detailing every single item you decide to wear. However, if you are smart and efficient about your purchases you can definitely get bang for your buck. 

Closet Rules

First, clean out of your closet. Anything you haven’t worn even once in the past year needs to go [except for your wedding dress, of course!]. This is the biggest hindrance in your path of becoming the next fashion icon. Trust me!

Organize your closest according to the space and utility. For example, I hang all the tops/blouses/dresses which I wish to wear in the season within my immediate reach. Then I organize types of clothing together (t-shirts, tanks, etc.)

'Use’ all your clothes easily! 
Once I have worn an outfit I stack it at the bottom of the pile or hang it right at the end. Then I use my ‘other’ clothes and make an effort to style things differently.


Styling Rules

Keep it minimal. I often find people getting their outfit right but going over board with their accessories. Ideally wear accessories according to the occasion and your outfit.

Keep in mind the neckline of the top/dress, the hairdo, color palette of the outfit and shoes!

99% of the people get their shoes wrong. They should complement the outfit, but not stand out or distract from the overall look.

Shopping Rules


I always, always only buy things if they meet all the following criteria:

·       It fits you perfectly today [not tomorrow, not in future but TODAY!]

·       You absolutely love it! Have no doubt in your heart about it

·       You can see yourself wearing it at least 3 times at 3 different occasions [or what I do is divide the cost of the item by the number of times “I think” I will wear it, e.g. Jeans $100 and I will wear it at least 10 times = $10 per wear = Worth it!]

And just to prove my point below are two collage
1. Top - Urban Outfitters, bought in September 2009

 $26.00 (already worn at least 6 times)

 $26 ÷ 6 = $4.33 = Worth it!

2. Trousers - BCBG, bought in May 2010

 $100.00 (...so far worn 3 times)

 $100 ÷ 3 = $33.33 = Kinda worth it! [Don’t you think?]

Links to all the images:

Image1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5, Image 6, Image 7

What are your personal style and shopping rules?

What I'd wear...to the gym

In honor of me hitting the gym a few times recently (*gasp* what is my husband doing to me?), I put together a little guide of useful and fashionable active wear.   I am totally fine going in an old t-shirt and exercise pants, but if I wanted some sensibly priced and fashionable options, I'm glad I found some below!

Comfort, style, and an iPod pocket - score.

All in the Body Rock Sports bra

Ooh but for those that don't want to rock just a sports bra (me included, not everyone is allowed to see my tummy now), I found some great options from Alo, like the one below for $24.

I love how some workout tops can actually be worn as "regular" clothes - seriously double duty clothing rocks.  Hey, it's always nice to have options besides my h.s. musical t-shirt (seriously I was in h.s. a long time ago) when the laundry is piling up.

Workout pants can be pricey, but Overstock has a pretty decent selection under "Loungewear".
I'd definitely get these Calvin Klein rollover pants and they're one of the best deals I could find at $27.

Found here

How cute are the stripes on these socks?  They will also inevitably differentiate between my socks and my husband's socks.

$5.80 here

There are just too many sneakers to choose from, but if I had to have only one pair of sneakers/trainers, they would be cross trainers or running shoes.  They are great at absorbing impact from a variety of physical activities and are readily available.
I like Amazon's large selection and consistently good prices.  These Adidas are simple and classic.

 Found for $44.99 here  Darn, I wish I found these before I moved.

Nothing is grosser than smelly gym shoes.  Keep them dry and smelling fresh with Stuffits.  Alternatively, Gold Bond or a talcum powder is always great too!

Stuffitts at $24.95

What's your workout outfit?