Cheapalicious Links of the Week

photo source: Shine Yahoo

• Organize your closet first, then shop it! [Shine Yahoo]
• Turn your too short maxi dress into a maxi skirt with this simple DIY! [love Maegan]
• Make your own oversized clutch using a pillowcase and a wire hanger! [Fashion du Jour]
• Use a disposable shower cap as a "shoe bag" when traveling.  Not a bad idea! [Fab Finds Under $50]
• Don't let a lack of cash stop you from attending your prom.  Follow these frugal tips! [Tightwad]

Under $5 find: Royal engagement inspired ring from Charlotte Russe

Raise your hand if you got a chance to watch the Royal Wedding this morning!  I wasn't going to watch it at first because of all the media hype, but I found myself watching it as I got ready for work this morning.  Congrats to Prince William and Kate Middleton!

Check out this lovely ring inspired by the engagement ring that Kate wore (the same ring that Prince Charles gave to Diana when they became engaged).  Only $4 at Charlotte Russe!  Love it!

Freebie Friday 4-29-11

• Ore-Ida Sweet Potato fries (via Facebook.  First 100,000 coupons will be given out)
• Free one year digital subscription to Elle magazine for first 50,000 fans (via Facebook, "like" Rue La La). Expires 4-30-11
• John Freida Root Awakening hair product sample
• Free Dove Go Sleeveless deodorant sample
• Free bag of Frito-Lay chips (via Facebook, starting at 2 PM CT on 4-29-11, first 24,000)

One year digital subscription for Elle magazine from Rue La La!

Got a Facebook account?  Go over to Rue La La's page and "Like" them for a free one year digital subscription to Elle magazine! Goes out to the first 50,000 fans, and the giveaway ends Saturday, April 30 at 11:59 EST.

Not a Rue La La member yet?  Join now!  Invite your friends to experience Rue La La, and get a $10 credit when they place their first order!

Under $5 find: Floppy straw hat from Target

straw sun hat $2.50, Target

Eliminated off my list of must-haves for spring/summer is a floppy straw hat. When one of my Twitter friends, The Stylish Housewife, tweeted about some $2.50 straw hats she spotted at the dollar bins of Target, I made sure to look out for them the next time I went there.  Since I was due for my weekly Target shopping trip, I popped in there yesterday to see what new stuff was in store. Low and behold, I found the hat.  It's not as floppy as I want it to be (the floppier, the better, lol), but for $2.50, it will do for a day at the beach or completing a maxi dress/flat sandals look, which, by the way, is my spring and summer uniform.  Score!  It's also available in beige and dark pink.

Please excuse the tired look.  It's been a long, exhausting day at work...

Looking to add a floppy straw hat to your wardrobe?  Check out these options below...

floppy straw hat

Cheapalicious Deals 4-26-11

• 6pm.com:  Free People up to 75% off.  Expires 5-1-11
• Clarins:  Free shipping on any order.  Coupon code: MOM.  Expires 4-28-11
• Justice for Girls:  40% off your purchase.  Expires 5-9-11
• JC Penney:  $10 off $25 or more purchase.  Expires 4-30-11
• Ann Taylor:  Take an additional 25% off sale items.  Coupon code: EXTRA25.  Expires 5-5-11
• Saks:  20% off (Friends and Family event).  Coupon code: FRIEND3.  Expires 5-1-11

Designer Way vs. Cheapalicious Way

The "Charlotte" espadrille pump by Schutz retails for $178 at Singer 22.  Alloy has a similar version (unfortunately is doesn't come in that pretty blush color as the Charlottes) for a little under $35.  Get them here.

Nifty under $50: Bright denim

Kim Kardashian, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Nicky Hilton rocking the bright jean trend

My current obsession as of late?  Bright colored denim!  I started cleaning my closet the other day, and low and behold, I found a pair of red skinnies that I bought from Plato's Closet the early part of last year.  I was afraid to buy them at first because I thought that they were a little too "young" for me, but I went ahead and bought them with the idea that I can put a "grown up" spin to them.  They sat in my closet ever since.  I'm now ready to give them a whirl. I'll just tone the "brightness" down by pairing them with a neutral top, blazer, and pumps for a night out, or a pair of cute flats for day.  Problem solved.  Here are a few rainbow hued jeans that I've found for under $50!

Morgan low rise skinny jeans in Twilight Blue $9.99, Delia's;  Rogan jeans $36, YOOX;  Vera Moda denim legging $39.45, ASOS;  Just Cavalli yellow ankle jeans $49, YOOX;  turquoise skinny jeans $29, Hot Topic

Cheapalicious Links of the Week

photo source: The Budget Babe

• The Budget Babe interviews Gossip Girl stylist, Eric Damon, and gives us a sneak peek of his prom collection for Charlotte Russe! [The Budget Babe]
• DIY rose gold watch?  Yes, please! [Real Girl Runway]
• Where do you get your fashion inspiration?  J shows you six ways to get some inspiration from your closet! [J's Everyday Fashion]
• It's "The Looks for Less" 2-year blogiversary next week, and she's going to be giving away awesome prizes!  Yay! [The Looks for Less]
• Pleat front pants for the curvy fashionista [Stylish Curves]

Enjoy your weekend and have a happy Easter!

Freebie Friday 4-22-11

• Dream Angels Heavenly fragrance sample from Victoria's Secret
• Aveeno hair care product sample
• Tresemme Naturals Nourishing shampoo and conditioner sample (via Facebook)
• Two complimentary issues of Family Circle magazine
• Sun Vibes Spa massage oil sample

May 2011 All You Magazine fashion and beauty coupons

Before you do some shopping this Easter weekend, grab the May 2011 issue of All You magazine!  There's some pretty good fashion and beauty coupons in there this month!  Here's the list:

Beauty:

• Rimmel: $3 off any Match Perfection foundation, p.12
• Nivea:  $1 off any body wash or shower gel.  $1 off any lip care, p.38
• Neutrogena:  $3 off any cosmetics product
• New York Color:  Buy one, get one free on any In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry nail polish, p.50
• Eucerin:  $1 off any face or body product, p.52
• Kiss My Face:  $2 off any full size product, p.69
• Finesse:  $1 off any product
• Yardley London:  $0.30 off any Yardley purchase

Fashion:

• JMS (Just My Size):  $5 off on JMS sportswear, p.14
• Fashion Bug:  $10 off $25 or more purchase, p.25
• Save $2 off any Dr. Scholl's For Her Fast Flats or insole product, p.46
• Lane Bryant:  30% off your entire purchase, p.48
• Woman Within:  Free shipping on purchase of $25 or more.  Coupon code: WW54570.  Expires 6-6-11

Topic Tuesday: Do you get the "side eye" when couponing?

Picture this.  You make a shopping trip to one of your favorite stores.  With coupons in hand, you're excited about saving some serious cash with all the cool promotions going on.  You get to the register and ring your stuff up and hand the coupons to the cashier.  While your total is dwindling down because of the coupon savings, you hear the constant groans and getting the "side eye"  from fellow shoppers and/or the cashier. This is what happened to me when I went to CVS and did my mini makeup haul a few months ago and this is not the first time.  It baffles me because I didn't have that many coupons, and my transaction was done in less than five minutes, so why be annoyed?  Did I missing something?

I've said it once, and I'll say it again- I never leave the house without a coupon.  I don't see anything wrong with saving a buck or a few. Now, I'm not one of those people on that Extreme Couponing show, but if I can maximize my savings, I do.  Why the annoyed looks?  I don't get it.

Do you get the "side eye" when couponing, or are you the person giving the "side eye" to your fellow shopper?  Speak on it.

Cheapalicious Deals 4-19-11

• Jessica Simpson Collection:  Take an additional 25% off sale items.  Coupon code: SPRING.  Expires 4-25-11
• Pink Tuesdays:  15% off your purchase.  Coupon code: APRIL15.  Expires 4-30-11
• Ann Taylor:  40% off your entire purchase.  Coupon code: SPRING40.  4-20-11
• JC Penney:  $10 off $50 or more MNG by Mango purchase.  Expires 4-23-11
• Walmart:  Buy one Neutrogena Naturals product, get a free Neutrogena Naturals lip balm (hopefully these are still available)
• Folica:  $20 off $75 or more purchase.  Coupon code: APRIL20.  Expires 4-22-11
• E.L.F:  Take 50% off gifts for Mom this Mother's Day with coupon code MOM through 4/26.

Designer Way vs. Cheapalicious Way

The Christian Louboutin "Praia" platform wedge sandal retails for $595 at Saks.  I love, love, love this shoe!  They would fit so nicely into my spring/summer wardrobe.  However, that price wouldn't fit so well into my budget.  Le sigh.  As I browsed Heels.com, I came across these babies from Promise Shoes.  You can see that the "Island" wedge is inspired by the "Praia", but only $545 cheaper.  I'll take a size 9, please!

Banana Republic Summer 2011 Campaign

Banana Republic recently unveiled their campaign for their Summer 2011 collection.  Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, and styled by Lori Goldstein, the summer collection highlights floral prints for women, as well as crisp linen suit separates and madras for men.  The campaign also features models Elettra Wiedemann, Julia Dunstall, Ana Paula Aruajo, Andrew Cooper and Noah Mills, and is shot against one of Malibu's most beautiful sea-side homes.  "This campaign wholly embodies the Banana Republic aesthetic of modernity and stylish wit, while embracing the sentiment of summer.  The contagious energy of the season is reflected in the campaign as well as in our summer collections, truly setting the groundwork for the perfect summer", says Catherine Sadler, Chief Marketing Officer for Banana Republic. For more Banana Republic info, visit their Facebook page. 

Scroll down for more pics...

I love all of these dresses!

Images courtesy of Banana Republic

Today's Video: Dresscue Me premiering on Planet Green

Planet Green will premiere a new series called Dresscue Me on April 19 at 10:30 PM EST.  It follows designer and vintage boutique owner, Shareen Mitchell, as she turns thrift store finds into chic, fashion forward pieces.  Shareen welcomes clients into her boutique (she has two - one in Los Angeles and one in New York), and gives them makeovers to help them feel and look their best!  The show will also take viewers inside Shareen's everyday life.  From launching a new line to juggling home life with her husband (actor J.D. Cullum), this is going to be an interesting show.  I'll be tuning in for sure!  Check out the trailer below:





Will you be watching Dresscue Me?

Freebie Friday 4-15-11

• Eucerin Everyday Protection lotion sample (via Facebook)
• Dove Energy Glow moisturizer sample
• Garnier Fructis Pure Clean shampoo and conditioner sample
• Dove Ultimate Clear deordorant sample
• Essence of Beauty (CVS) Antibacterial Collection product (via Facebook)
• Free value size curly fries from Arby's (4-15-11 only)
• Carefree Acti-Fresh pantyliner sample

Where did you get that?: American Idol's James Durbin's Cobra Jet T-shirt

photo source: INF Daily

American Idol contestant, James Durbin, was spotted last week wearing this Junk Food Cobra Jet t-shirt.   Only $32!  I love how he's paired a worn-in denim jacket with it. So laid back cool!  Purchase the t-shirt here.

Cheapalicious Deals 4-12-11

• Macy's:  15% off womens' shoes.  Coupon code: SAVEMORE.  Expires 4-16-11
• Express:  20% off womens' shoes and sandals.  Expires 4-16-11
• Dots:  $5 off $25, $10 off $35, or $15 off $50.  Expires 4-17-11
• Payless:  20% off your purchase.  Expires 4-24-11
• Urban Og:  40% off all outerwear.  Coupon code: OUTER40.  Expires 4-15-11
• FYE:  20% off used CD's and DVD's.  Coupon code:  USED20AP11.  Expires 5-2-11

Star Style under $200: Gwyneth Paltrow

photo source:  InStyle

Get Gwyneth's casually chic look for less with pieces from Express, Old Navy, and more!

scoop neck sleeveless top $24.90, Express; denim pencil skirt $29.50, Old Navy;  "Anja" platform sandal $79.99, Bakers;  horn necklace $2.80, filigree bracelet $2.80 and rhinestone heart necklace $2.80, Forever 21

GRAND TOTAL= $142.79

Cheapalicious Links of the Week

photo source:  Fashion Without Guilt

• Love the Gucci tassel belt, but not loving that price?  Fashion Without Guilt found a look alike for under $30! [Fashion Without Guilt]
• Tips on how to care for your cheap chic clothing [Budget Chic]
• What Southern Savers thought about the Extreme Couponing show on TLC [Southern Savers]
• Eboni discovers Shoe Land! [The Fashionista Next Door]
• DIY peacock earrings.  You know I'm loving it! [Smart N Snazzy]

Have a great weekend!