Splurge vs. Save + J.Crew Giveaway!

Today I am excited to share with you my participation in Credit Card Insider’s Challenge “Splurge vs. Save” campaign!

Who says you need to spend a fortune on a fabulously chic outfit? Between bills, student loans, and a desire for travel expeditions, who has the money to spend on clothes like there’s no tomorrow? I certainly don’t. I’ve been in love with Olivia Wilde’s style for awhile now and I thought she’d be the perfect “Splurge vs. Save” inspiration.

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Her Look
Dress: Ella Moss $188
Leather Moto Jacket: Unknown
Bag: Gucci ($2190)
Sneakers: Uknown

My Look
Dress: Crossroads $15
Jacket: Crossroads $30
Black Bag (that I have but totally forgot – Last seen here): Crossroads $60
Sandals: Gifted

**Keep scrolling for my chevron dress and jacket picks ALL UNDER $50

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My Picks:

Dress: Charlotte Russe $25 // Overstock.com $37 // Dorothy Perkins $35

Jacket: Mango $40 // ASOS $44 // Free People $50 {sale VEGAN LEATHER)

My tips on saving:
NEVER buy something full price
WAIT till the end of the season
SURF through the sales rack
VENTURE to thrift stores in rich neighborhoods
Be AWARE of the extra savings events

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Now for the giveaway! I am co-hosting with some other fabulous bloggers to give away a $300 gift card to one of my favorite stores — J. Crew!

The giveaway is NOW until July 23rd. The more entries you complete, the more chances you have to win! Good luck! 

GIVEAWAY  ——- CLICK HERE FOR THE RAFFLECOPTER!

Prizes: $300 J. Crew Gift Card

Co-hosts:  Lush to Blush // A Labour of Life // Comfortably Young // Notoriously Dapper // Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog // Just Peachy Blog // Miss Erin Says // alex à la mode // Pretty Thrifty //  [oomph.] // Mass Musings // Southern Girl Ramblings // StushiGal Style // Simply Sinova // Skip to the Details // Prosecco & Plaid // Snippets With Alex 

Organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 7/23 and is open worldwide.

**Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

Orange You Glad That Summer’s Here?

It’s officially the last day of school folks! Put away the teacher hat, and bring on the fun in the summer bliss! [except for the fact that I’m teaching summer school, ha!]

What’s more summer than a bright colored maxi dress?

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Dress
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks: Dorothy Perkins $49 // Nasty Gal $68 // ASOS $129

Clutch
Wearing: H&M $10

Rings // Elephant Cuff
Wearing: Flea Market finds from Nepal and Hawaii

Bracelet – J. Crew – Similar {extra 30% using code SWEET}

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Shoes
Wearing: Norway Sandals by MIA {sale! $48}

Belt
Wearing: My elementary days – Similar

Necklace
Wearing: Anthropologie – Similar

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 Oh and I think I should call this week “Shop and Give” Week, because I am happy to introduce to you Kidogo Kidogo — a company that gives back with every purchase you make! Kidogo Kidogo is a cell phone case company that gives a mobile phone to a woman in Tanzania for every cell phone case they sell! These mobile phones are a necessity for these women — they use these phones for business purposes in order for them to provide for their family. Click here to read stories of how your purchase can change someone’s life!

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Happy Thursday!

Don’t forget to enter the $50 to Boden Giveaway!

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Mix & Match Fashion

Feel Good Sandals — Allie Rae Footwear

I was going to do an outfit post today, but I came across this special company and I just feel so compelled to tell you about it! So introducing Allie Rae Footwear — a company trying to raise money to start up their company that focuses on creating jobs and self-sustaining communities in Hondurus through the production of stylish and comfortable sandals.

I feel like my words don’t do this company justice, so please take a look at their short video!

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Look how gorgeous their designs are! Simple yet elegant and not to mention how well made they are. Right now they are awaiting the patent for their unique heel design. Basically, they somehow figured out how to make sandals more comfortable with the heel.

They only have 9 days left to raise the funds, or all of the pledges are going to be gone. So literally it’s All or Nothing.

They are hoping for at least 10,000 people to donate just $10 or more. So let’s get to it! Pledge and spread the word! I decided to pledge $125 in order to get my own pair of Allie Rae Sandals. I think it’s the best deal because you get to both support their cause as well as enhance your shoe collection!

And just to show you how versatile these sandals are, I’ve created 3 style boards for you! I hope this inspires you to make a pledge!

Click >> Pledge Here!

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Beach Day

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 9.28.37 AMBoden – Cover Up // Anthropologie – Hat // Boden – Tote // Forever 21 – Sunglasses // Trendy Trinkets – Bracelet // Allie Rae – Sandals

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Date Night

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Hey Crystalie – Dress // Norka – Clutch // Wrenn Jewelry – Ring , Necklace // Allie Rae – Sandals

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To the Park

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Boden – Shirt // Gap – Boyfriend Jeans // Kay and Kompany – Bracelet // UO – Hat // Allie Rae – Sandals

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Thanks for stopping by!

Don’t forget to enter the $50 to Boden Giveaway!

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Trend: The Tulle Skirt

 Okay ladies (and gents if you’re reading 🙂 ), if you want to feel like royalty, no need for a wear-just-once-designer ball gown. Just grab yourself a tulle skirt and you can embrace your inner majesty every single day!

I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect tulle skirt that has the right amount of poof, quality fabric, perfect shade of pink, and is the right length. Like the prince in search for Cinderella, I was in no such luck until my fairy shop mother (a.k.a the internet) brought me to The Girl The Loves. Let’s just say that I have found my Cinderella.

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Tulle Skirt
Babe Blush Tulle Skirt c/o The Girl that Loves

Tank
c/o The Girl that Loves
Similar – TGTL

Denim Jacket
Weearing: Thrifted (Gap)
My Picks: Gap $79 // Lulu*s $129

Shoes
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks: Ted Baker $108 // Kate Spade $196

Necklace / Bracelet
Wearing: J. Crew
Similar – J. Crew // Pyramid Studded Crystal Bracelet (Extra 50% off now!)

Ring
 Bow Ring c/o Rings and Tings

Bangle (Gifted)

Watch
Wearing: Michel

Being the indecisive person I am, I couldn’t decide whether to go with the typical girly look or the tough rocker look. There are so many different ways to style a tulle skirt! Here’s another look where I just switched out my jacket, necklace, and shoes to show my inner rock princess.

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 Leather Jacket
Wearing: Ann Taylor
My Picks: Lulu*s $81 // Free People $168 // TopShop $330

Shoes
My Delicious Ankle Strap Heels c/o Lulu*s

Necklace
Wearing: Talbots
My Pick: Piperlime $14

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And for the Kay & Kompany giveaway winner…

Congratulations Kristi! You will be contacted shortly!

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Walking in Memphis High Heels Trend Link Up

Seen in Green

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Top
Wearing: Madewell $69.50 $$29.99

Skirt
Wearing: Madewell $118 $89.99

Booties
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks: Nine West $89 // Frye $288

Rings/Bracelets
Double Bear Head Ring // Bow Ring // Vintage Charms Bracelet Set
c/o Rings and Tings

Necklace
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks: Forever 21 $8.80 // Accessory Concierge $26 // Anthropologie $78

Purse
Wearing: Vintage Coach
Similar – Coach Classic City Bag $278

I’m not usually the one to match my shirt and shoe color, but today I decided to push that rule out and go a little crazy. I mean it is spring break after all. And yes, this is probably the most crazy action I am going to do this week. Hm, no wonder my students think I live under a rock.

Don’t forget about my current giveaway from Kay & Kompany! You have until April 14th to enter! Just click here to go to the Rafflecopter page.

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MIX MATCH

Reminder: Ora Delphine Giveaway!

Only 11 HOURS left to enter the giveaway for your chance to win the Maddi Mini Wristlet from Ora Delphine! Their handbags are made with quality leather and their unique but classic designs will will make you want to showcase it with any and every outfit! (As you can see from my posts 🙂

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Page.

It’s All in the Bag – Ora Delphine

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Yes, this outfit looks very similar to my New York Wannabe post, but that’s because I wanted you to focus on this gorgeous new bag courtesy of Ora Delphine. The Adele Satchel by Ora Delphine is one to admire and desire because of its sleek design, quality leather, and golden details. You’re going to love the size. Large enough to carry the essentials, plus a tablet, or camera and it has enough pockets to be efficient. Minimalistic. Modern. Classy. And it also comes in a variety of classic colors. I decided to go with purple because it was on the borderline between edgy and neutral.

My outfit posts rarely include handbags, but I think that’s going to change. You’ll be seeing this baby around quite often. 🙂  BTW, if you continue to scroll down, you will have a chance to win a piece from Ora Delphine!

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Also, I hope you didn’t miss this number from Wild Butterfly Boutique. Use code ALEX25 for 25% your purchase! (This necklace is now on sale for only $12.99! )

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Peplum Shirt
Wearing: Madewell
My Picks: Lulu*s $31 // J. Crew $55 // Madewell $88

Trench
Wearing: Thrifted (Gap)
My Picks: Forever 21 $35 // Gap $98

Pants
Wearing: Gap $70

Boots
Wearing: Arturo Chiang

Necklace
Jasmine Statement Necklace c/o Wild Butterfly Boutique 
Get 25% your order using the code ALEX25! 

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

You have a chance to win your very own Ora Delphine piece! They so generously decided to give one of my blog readers the chance to win the Maddy Mini Wristlet in purple ($125)! This essential accessory is perfect for when you just need to bring just the basics from a night out in the city, or on a trip to the grocery store. Just like the Adele Satchel, the Maddy Wristlet is made with genuine leather and is designed to perfection. I’m kind of disappointed that I can’t enter this giveaway. Ha.

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Page. Quick and easy! You can have up to FIFTEEN entries. Giveaway ends in 2 weeks! Good luck! 🙂

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Red and Brown

Yes, I bought something, but luckily it’s technically something old and used, but still in the utmost prime condition! Therefore, I have yet to break my New Year’s resolution.

STORY TIME: I went into Crossroads (a thrift/consignment shop) hoping to find an outfit for this secret event that I was invited to…Oh heck, let’s be honest, I was just trying to satisfy my shopping crave! Haha. Anyways, I was about to pay for a couple of items when I saw these amazing brown boots which were exactly what I was looking for —chocolate brown, with a heel, and is versatile. Tried them on, fell in love, you know the drill. Then I discovered they were Loeffler Randall boots. I apologize ahead of time if this discredits me as a fashion blogger, but I have never heard of Loeffler Randall before. Whipped out my smart phone to see what the damage usually is and found out their boots usually costs a whopping of over $600! Well, guess what price I got them for? A mere $60. Not bad for a pair of barely used, good quality, leather boots! 🙂

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Sweater
Wearing: J. Crew Factory
My Pick: J.Crew $35

Coat / Poncho
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Pick: Daily Look $200

Pants
Wearing: Gap $48

Boots
Wearing: Thrifted – Loeffler Randall
My Pick: Nordstrom $60

Necklace
Wearing: Talbots
My Picks: Chloe and Isabel $148

Sweet Leather

Thrift Style Thursday // Leather

For some reason, I always imagined the leather jacket (or faux in this case) paired up with pants, or jeans, and maybe even a motorcycle to create a fierce and tough look. But being the super girly girl that I am, I wanted to see if it would work with a super feminine dress to turn the outfit from being fierce and tough to soft and sweet.

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Dress
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks: Old Navy $34.94 $23.97  // Lulu*s $47 // Urban Outfitters $98

Leatherette Jacket 
Wearing: Thrifted from Crossroads
My Picks:  Forever 21 $44.80  // DailyLook $59.99 // Nordstrom $78

Boots
Wearing: Anthropologie
My Picks:    Old Navy $44.94 // Macy’s $75.00 $59.99

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I have been debating whether or not to announce this to the world, but one of my New Year’s Resolution is to not by anything new this year (Well, my first checkpoint and goal is to make it till my birthday in April. I have to be realistic right?). I’ve decided to do this because I’ve got a major case of the travel bug, and in order to satisfy this inkling of mine, I need to save as much money as possible. Maybe announcing this will help keep myself accountable. Here’s what I’m doing…

1. Only buying thrifted/used items if necessary.
2. Borrow, borrow, borrow
3. Go through my aunt’s closet for hand-me-downs
4. Accepting merchandise to promote

Want to join me?

Thanks for Patrice, from Looking Fly on a Dime, for the inspiration, and Zhenya for the push to put it on my blog because she’s doing it too! 🙂

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Don’t forget to follow on BlogLovin’!

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Check out the other Thrift Style Thursday bloggers:

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses
Brandi at The Fair Trade Fashionistas

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