Designer Way vs. Cheapalicious Way

The Manolo Blahnik "Chaos" heel retails for $695 at Barneys. I love the simplicity of this shoe.  It has that "where me with any outfit" vibe to it.  But, but, but.....that price.....SO out of my budget.

While doing a little after Christmas shopping on Alloy's website last week, I spotted the "Tessa" heel, and it's remotely close to the "Chaos" heel- at a fraction of the cost!  Payless also has a cheapalicious version of the "Chaos" heel, from the Brash brand (they're not available online, unfortunately), so check your local store for them if you want that look for less!

Cheapalicious Deals 12-25-12

• Macy's:  $10 off $25 or more purchase.  Valid 12/26- 12/27 until 1 PM only
• Payless:  Take 15% off your next purchase.  Expires 1-31-13
• Old Navy:  $10 off $50 or more purchase (via Facebook).  Expires 1-2-13
• H&M:  20% off one item.  Expires 12-31-12
• Hobby Lobby:  40% off one regular priced item.  Expires 12-29-12
• Ann Taylor:  50% off full price purchase.  Coupon code: GIFTANN.  Expires 12-30-12
• Anne Klein:  25% off sale items.   Expires 1-2-13
• LOFT:  50% off your purchase.  Coupon code: SAVE50.  Expires 12-30-12
• Nine West:  20% off sale styles (prices marked).  Expires 1-2-13
• Arden B:  10% off $75 or more purchase.  Coupon code: AB1075.  Expires 1-13-13
• Express:  $25 off $100 or more purchase.  Expires 12-27-12

Nifty Under $50: 50% off Neiman Marcus x Target collection

Well, well, well, look what we have here.  I never thought that the Neiman Marcus x Target collection would go on sale this quickly (didn't it just hit the stores about two weeks ago?).  The items are 50% off right now (online and in stores), so if there's something from the collection that you've been lusting over, and waiting for it to go on sale, well, now is the time to scoop it up.  Here are a few faves of mine for under $50.

Derek Lam leopard print slippers $24.99 //  Tracy Reese dessert plates (set of 4) $19.99 //  Robert Rodriguez lace dress $49.99 //  Prabal Gurung cape $39.99 //  Diane von Furstenberg yoga mat $24.99


Did you buy anything from the Neiman Marcus x Target collection?

Designer Way vs. Cheapalicious Way

The Charlotte Olympia "Dolly" suede platform pumps retail for $895 at Neiman Marcus.  Get the look for much less with the Silvia Tcherassi for Payless "Lyon" pump, on sale for only $24.99 (down from $49.99)!  Which one would you choose?  The real deal or the steal?

Cheapalicious Deals 12-18-12

• Deen + Gray:  $15 off $40 or more purchase.  Coupon code: NEWCUST15.

• Children's Place:  30% off your purchase.  Expires 12-19-12
• Macy's:  Take an additional 15% off select sale and clearance apparel.  Expires 12-20-12
• Payless:  15% off your purchase.  Expires 12-31-12
• Old Navy:  Take 20% off your purchase.  Expires 12-19-12
• Ulta:  20% off your purchase.  Expires 12-22-12
• Gap Outlet:  15% off your $75 or more purchase.  Expires 12-24-12
• Ann Taylor:  40% off all full priced styles.  Coupon code: HOLIDAY.  Expires 12-19-12
• The Limited:  40% off original ticket prices.  Coupon code: SHIMMER.  Expires 12-20-12
• Cherry Culture:  25% off all sale items.  Coupon code: SNS25.  Expires 12-25-12
• The Unique Closet:  $15 off $50 or more purchase (first time customers only).  Coupon code: TWT15.  
• Coastal Scents:  50% off all brush sets and palettes.  Expires 12-24-12 at 10AM EST

Cheapalicious Beauty: "Her Sexiest Designers" gift set from FragranceRebel.com

"Her Sexiest Designers" gift set $6.99, FragranceRebel.com

I'm going to be honest with you, I'm not really big on wearing cologne.  I've received bottles of cologne in the past for Christmas and birthday presents, and they either were given away to friends or are still sitting on a shelf in my closet.  The ones that are sitting on the shelf, I just spray on a dab whenever I go out (which is pretty rare nowadays), so they're pretty much still full. I do, however, love body sprays.  They're so much lighter than cologne, and I can pretty much spray it all over my body without feeling like I've bathed in it. In the past, I received Body Fantasies or Designer Impostors body spray gift sets (both brands are owned by Parfums de Coeur, you can find at any major drugstore or big box retailer), and although I don't use every fragrance in the sets, I have my faves that I end up purchasing.  The online home of Parfums de Coeur's fragrance portfolio, FragranceRebel.com,  has sent me Designer Impostors "Her Sexiest Designers" gift set to try out.  The gift set includes three 1.7 oz body sprays- Capri Breeze, Ink'd, and Head Turner:

Disclaimer: I never smelled any of the designer versions, so I can't draw a comparison between the designer and the Designer Impostors versions.

Capri Breeze:  This is Designer Impostors' version of Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue.  Top notes consist of apple, lemon, peach, citrus blossom; mid notes consist of freesia, violet, and marine accord; base notes consist of white musk, cedarwood, amber.

What I thought:  Although I liked the clean, fresh fragrance of Capri Breeze, I found it to be a tad bit overpowering, and I got a slight headache from it. I sprayed it on as soon as I was done showering, and the scent lasted until the next morning (by then it was faint).  I don't know if I'd wear this fragrance again.

Ink'd:  This is Designer Impostor's version of Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier fragrance.  Top notes consist of ruby red grapefruit, paradise apple sorbet, wild strawberry, hawaiian apple, fresh water accord; mid notes consists of Lily of the Valley, Bulgarian rose, and ballerina freesia; base notes consist of white musk, vanilla, Australian eco-sandalwood, and amber crystals.

What I thought: I could really smell the wild strawberry and white musk notes in this one.  I love that the floral notes balances out the fruity notes, so it doesn't smell too sweet. I think I could wear this fragrance everyday.

Head Turner: This is Designer Impostor's version of DKNY's Be Delicious.  Top notes consist of pink Barbados grapefruit, Red Delicious apple, cucumber, and melon granita; mid notes consist of Angel Face rose, cyclamen petals Lily of the Valley, magnolia blossom, and star jasmine; base notes consist of eco-sandalwood, skin musk, and blushing kiss iris.

What I thought: This is my favorite scent in the set.  I love the fresh, clean scent and you can really pick up the apple and cucumber notes in this one.  Doesn't smell too sweet or fruity, and I like that.  I could wear this one everyday as well.

Overall, "Her Sexiest Designers" would make a great holiday gift.  These scents are also available in Spray Colognes if you want something a little stronger than the body sprays and Fragrance Deodorant Body Sprays.  Whether you want to test run a fragrance before you invest in the real deal, or you simply just like the scent, but not the price of the designer fragrances, then these body sprays won't put a dent in your wallet.  

FTC Disclosure: A sample of this product was given to Cheapalicious for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on Cheapalicious are the honest opinions of its author(s) and editorial samples do not, in any way, influence the outcome of product reviews.

Dots' "Pin to Win" Contest

Hey Cheapalistas!  If any of you are on Pinterest, stop by and check out Dots Fashions' "Pin to Win" contest!  Dots is asking its fashion-savvy fans to show off their inspired sides by creating themed Pinterest boards, such as the “Gift of Glamour,” “Deck the Halls,” and “All is Calm, All is Bright,” featuring the latest Dots clothing and accessories. Pinners can submit boards in the comments section of Dots’ Facebook cover photo, and a Dots Fashion Pinning Committee will review and award the $300 grand prize to their most creative pinner. Nine runner ups will receive $50 gift cards. Entries are due by December 14 and winners will be announced December 17. The official rules can be found here (make sure you click on image to enlarge it).  Good luck!

More Cheapalicious Hair Staples.......

Guess what?  I've discovered a few more hair products and my hair loves them! I'm not a product junkie, I swear (see this post and this one  for other products that I use)!  Here are the products that I'm currently in love with.

• Hair Chemist Macadamia Oil hair serum $11.99, Sally Beauty:  I bought this on a whim a couple months ago when Sally Beauty were having their BOGO free sale on Hair Chemist Macadamia products. This has officially replaced my argan oil hair serum for flat ironing.  It doesn't weigh my hair down, and it's not too greasy. A little goes a long way because you don't need to use much. This one's a keeper!
• GVP Smoothing Serum $8.99, Sally Beauty:  This is a generic version of Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum, and I absolutely love it for blow drying. I've been using this product for a while now ( I don't know why I didn't include it in my last hair products post).  Leaves my hair frizz free and shiny.  I also use it when I air dry my hair.
• Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Hold and Shine Moisture Mist $9.99, Walgreens:  I love this stuff!  On days that I need moisture and don't feel like reaching for my usual moisturizing lotion, I just spray this and go!  Leaves my hair so soft!  Oh, and it's free of parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil.
• GVP Hair Reconstructor $5.79, Sally Beauty:  This is a generic version of Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor for Damaged Hair. Not only does it strengthens my hair, but it seems to leave my hair very soft as well (most protein based products tend to leave my hair kinda hard, and then I follow up with a moisture based product). Love it!

Have you used any of these products?  What are your holy grail hair products?

Designer Way vs. Cheapalicious Way

The Ralph Lauren "Sabella" two tone riding boot retails for $995 at Neiman Marcus.  Get a similar, but cheapalicious look with the Attention "Toni" riding boot from Kmart!  They're only $39.99, but catch them on sale this week for only $29.99!

Cheapalicious Deals 12-4-12

• Old Navy:  10% off your purchase (via Facebook).  Expires 12-5-12
• Payless: 15% off your purchase.  Expires 12-31-12
• The Limited:  25% off markdowns (prices reflect discount).  Expires 12-6-12
• One Stop Plus:  20% off first item, 30% off third item, 40% off fifth item.  Coupon code: OSPSNOW.  Expires 12-9-12
• Express:  40% off women's sweaters.  Expires 12-13-12
• Urban Og:  20% off dresses.  Coupon code: 20DRESS. Expires 12-6-12
• Macy's:  $10 off $25 or more sale or clearance apparel purchase before 1 PM.  Valid 12/4 and 12/5/12 only