Blog posts about recession, Fashion, Fashion Design, Style, Shopping, Beauty, Fashion for women, Fashion Dresses, Fashion Shoes , Fashion Celebrities & more - Stylehive

The Budget Babe Finds Us Some Sequined Blazers For Less!

The boyfriend blazer gets bedazzled with sequins just in time for the holidays, as seen on this sequin jacket by Diane Von Furstenberg. If you've been lusting after this look but seek it for less than its $795 price tag, consider this sequined PYT blazer from Fred Flare, $84. You'll find yet another sequin blazer at Arden B. for $88. Finally, Urban Outfitters offers this amazing sequin blazer for $98. Wear this blazer to all your holiday fetes and you are bound to draw attention. The good kind. Find out how to get more designer looks for bargain prices at The Budget Babe!

The Budget Babe Spots Cute Boots For Under $40 At Forever 21!

From over-the-knee and fold-over styles to peep-toe booties, few stores can deliver cute, cheap boots under $40. Enter Forever 21, a happy place we can always turn to when times are tough on the wallet yet ripe for fashion. Buckles, studs, cuffs and zippers can all be yours at these manageable prices. For runway-inspired looks at rock-bottom prices, browse Forever 21's current offerings. While the cheap route isn't always the way to go when looking for a long-lasting staple that you'll depend on to take you through the upcoming seasons and beyond, it's great to have the option of saving when it comes to bolder styles and trends you want to test out. We especially love these lace-up cut-out booties and this buckled pair! Head over to The Budget Babe to scroll through the full selection of steals!

CollegeCandy's 8 Stylish Steals Under $20 At Express!

So, Express isn't cheap. That is pretty obvious when you walk in and the hot shirt your eyeing for your birthday party is marked at $49. But every few months, they have a major sale. And I mean major. The kind that makes you giddy and happy and willing to sift through giant over-stuffed racks because the deals are just that good. You see, Express marks their stuff down to really low prices and then gives you an additional 20% off of that! That is some serious saving on a lot of really cute stuff. It's a frugal fashionista's dream. And that dream is coming true right now. I sifted through the (digital) racks for you and pulled 8 of my favorite pieces. They're all under $20, so you can stock your closet without that annoying guilt getting in the way. I especially love these metallic ballet flats and this pleated square-back tank! Click over to CollegeCandy for the rest of the bargain highlights!

Wardrobe Jackpot: Boring Stores, Reinvented!

This recession totally sucks. But, if you ignore the unemployment rate and rising cost of beer, some good is definitely coming from it. And one of those positives is the fact that the plummeting sales of retail chains has caused them to re-evaluate their brand and reinvent themselves for fall. Suddenly stores that used to make me feel nauseous (boasting window displays stuffed with mom jeans and fugly tablecloth patterns), actually have some adorable stuff that us college girls would actually consider wearing. For the closets of fashionistas, this is great news. Now there are a dozen more stores that we can peruse online during class and drool over on our weekly treks to the mall. (Plus now when my mom calls and tells me she's going to Ann Taylor to pick up a suit jacket, I can ask her to pick me up a cute skirt to add to my care package!) Check out some of the best brand makeovers by clicking over to our friends at College Candy\!

Vintage Fashionistas Go For The Gold!

James Wilson Marshall discovered gold in California in January 1948 and started the California Gold Rush that profoundly changed America. Now, with gold prices reaching record highs, many people are scrambling to cash in on a modern-day Gold Rush by selling their old gold jewelry. But consumers should beware. Gold-buying scams are rampant, and, according to the BBB, some of the worst offenders are the companies advertising on late-night cable television. So take the time to read these tips before you join in the stampede. And of course, not everyone is selling. If you're a fashionista, you can invest in gold for a fraction of the price charged by the US mint. Just click the slideshow to go for the gold with these fabulous vintage gold clothing and accessory finds.

LC Lauren Conrad For Kohl's Appeals To Recessionistas

Like most celebrity designers with high-priced items, appealing to the masses has become the latest trend. Target, Walmart and Kohl's have replaced Bloomingdale's, Saks and Barneys. Who can afford those anymore? And so celebrities, or their advisers, got smart. Sell your clothes for less in highly trafficked discount stores. Genius! The latest celeb designer to jump on the trendy-for-cheap bandwagon is Lauren Conrad herself. While LC's casual, Cali-chic pieces used to sell for upwards of $150, her line at Kohl's, LC Lauren Conrad, is priced below $50. Consisting of laid-back tees, tanks, dresses and jeans, the line is actually pretty nice for casual wear. I even saw a pair of boyfriend jeans for $37! Her line debuted on September 15th in select Kohl's nationwide and her second collection hit stores October 1st. Head over to WhatsWear to watch as Lauren explains her line and how she got ready for the launch.

Three Ways To Wear Ankle Boots This Fall

I've gotten a couple requests regarding how to wear ankle boots, which are boots that end at or just above the ankle. These boots are especially hot for Fall 2009, but here are some things to consider should you choose to wear them:


-If you're tall, you're in luck -- for the most part: Ankle boots can make even the leggiest lass look stubby, so use a mirror. Dare to wear your ankle boots with bare legs and a mini dress.
-If you're short: Pair your ankle boots with tights, leggings or pants that are the same color as the boot to create the longest line possible. Ankle boots have a tendency of visually chopping you off at the ankle, so be aware of this. Try topping your look with a fitted, cropped jacket to elongate your torso.
-If you're plus size: Go for a monochromatic look on the bottom to slim and lengthen your silhouette. Pair with something like an a-line, 3/4-length-sleeve dress in a body skimming (not hugging) fabric that falls at or just above the knee.
-Everyone: I'm stating the obvious here, but the higher the heel, the more height you'll get, hence the more likely you are to nail this look. But I love ankle boots with a low heel, too, since they're more comfortable for daily wear. And anything over 4 inches can start to look vampy. Also, below-the-knee and long skirts don't seem to work with ankle boots no matter what your body type. Looks frumpy.

Here are 3 ways to wear ankle boots:
Left: With dark tights. On top, you could really wear any number of dresses, but I've chosen a very of-the-moment girly floral dress and black leather jacket combo. Difficulty level: Easy as pie.
Center: With cropped pants. Notice how that little chunk of white flesh visually breaks up my leg line? Yeah, it's not the most flattering thing in the world but it does have a fashion-y vibe that I like. You could wear dark tights under your pants to streamline the look (or add warmth when its cold). Try this look with harem pants if you're uber brave; cigarette pants if you're like me and slightly less of a risk-taker. Difficulty level: Hard.
Right: With leggings. This season, there are dozens of prints and fabrics to choose from for your leggings. The simplest solution is to pick black leggings with black ankle boots. Tuck in or scrunch over depending on the circumference of the boot shaft. Difficulty level: Intermediate.


Once you've mastered the ankle boot trend, don't forget to head over to The Budget Babe for more style tips that will go easy on your wallet!

Say It Loud: Got 'Em At Aldo & I'm Proud!

The days of dreaming about how to get those $600 designer shoes are over. Most of us grew up with brands like Steve Madden and Aldo in our local mall or shopping center. Tried and true, we visited these stores for last-minute parties or a pair of work pumps... but not anymore. These brands have caught all the way up, and now feature designs that are fierce, funky and fabulous. With the economy in such a rough state, money is spread thinly for most. But for us ladies, having an amazing shoe must always be in the budget. With most prices at $100 or less, and styles that rival designer brands, you can two-step in your new shoes all the way to the bank! We love these strappy croc booties, especially at the bargain price of $90! See more fashion, beauty, and style news at Essence.

Which Celeb Guest Was Most Fashionably Fired Up For JC Penney's "I Heart Ronson" Launch?

We're all about a hot recession-friendly designer collabo, and in tough times like these, we're definitely not the only ones! In honor of Charlotte Ronson's new line for JC Penney, "I Heart Ronson," celebs and socialites alike gathered at NYC's Lighthouse for barbeque fare, beach volleyball, and killer dance tracks, thanks to the designer's famous DJ siblings, Mark and Samantha. The collection's fall line is said to include lots of fun florals and floaty blouses with on emphasis on flirty low-maintenance style. And while the designer and her wardrobe were naturally the focus of the evening, plenty of stylish stars were present to help share the spotlight. Mischa Barton and Alexa Chung were among some of the launch celebration's fashionable attendees, decked out in their favorite Ronson duds. Vote below on which party guest you think stole the spotlight! Photo Credit: PR Photos
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Lipsmacker Exfoliants and More Drugstore Bargain Beauty Bump-Ups!

To look pretty on less cash, you could yoink your roommate's fancy conditioner and hope she doesn't notice. Or you could try out these drugstore and designer beauty bait-and-switches. Either way, you'll look so good only your stylist will know for sure what you did!


1. Color formulas are generally the same among mascara products, so no need to spring for a department store version. Black is black at $7 or $20. But it is worth investing in a clean mascara wand or comb that you can use to separate your lashes before the cheaper one dries.


2. Instead of giving yourself a spritz of pricey perfume, get a more subtle version of the scent all over your body. Spend less for the fragrance's body lotion or cream and blend with unscented generic-brand lotion.


For even more great tips on how to balance your budget at your local drugstore, click on over to our friends at Lemondrop!


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