Über Chic for Cheap

A Picture Is Worth {No. 26}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

Okay, so I know that every week I say that that week's inspiration image is one of my all-time favorites. I say that about every image I post about, and actually every time it's true (I have a lot of favorites). But this week, the inspiration image is really truly honestly in my top five favorites. I've been searching for a look alike to this top for months, and I finally found one.

That (amazing) sweater is from Madewell, but it's currently sold out. Luckily, Old Navy made a tee that's almost identical for EIGHT DOLLARS. Check it out:

clutch, $26.98 || top, $8 || jeans, $27.99 || watch, $18.80 || boots, $34.94

o p t i o n s

clutch: crushed satin || leather || beaded || textured

similar tops: one || two || three || four || five

watch: for $18.80 || for $19.90 || for $22.80

boots: from Charlotte Russe || from H&M || from Urban Outfitters || from DSW

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Go Get It: Gap {No. 12}

/// categories: dress, gap, go get it, shoes, style

Gap is usually above my budget, but today all regular price items are 35% off with code THANKS. I think it's a great opportunity to grab a few of their fall pieces while they're more affordable. I also love the vibe that Gap has right now - lots of marled gray, plaid, contrast zippers, burgundy - it feels simultaneously cozy and sophisticated. Here are a few of my favorites:

This Week {No. 42}

/// categories: our life, style, this week

Here are a few things we have been up to lately.

Tate's first day at preschool | I made and installed a set of glass cabinets in my kitchen
Simone being adorable (aka the usual) | I remember that these pants are pure magic

Here are a few links for your weekend:

b u y

these high-rise jeggings (on sale!)
this aztec print midi skirt
these two-toned scalloped ballet flats
this cozy plaid flannel shirt
this adorable cat sweater

c o v e t

this dreamy striped top

this rugged leather tote

these drop-dead gorgeous calf hair flats
this amazing flamingo print shirtdress

d o

make this beautiful planter for $15
try this watercolor lettering tutorial

r e a d

this post about being a mother of young children
this amazing blogger has started posting again & I couldn't be happier

f o l l o w

some of my favorite pinners:
Amelia | Melanie | Angela | Danielle

t h i s w e e k e n d

After spending last weekend at home with the kids with my husband out of town and installing six kitchen cabinets by myself, I'm planning to take it easy.
What are you up to?

Spied: J. Crew Factory Tank

/// categories: j.crew, spied, style, swimwear

Maybe it's because I'm spending this week at the beach that I have swimwear on my mind, but I was browsing through the J. Crew Factory website and saw that a lot of their modest one-pieces and rash guards are on sale right now. Some are even under $30! This anchor print is my favorite:

Factory tank in navy floating anchor, $29.99 (Orig. $84.50)

Fall is such a great time to find swimwear for next summer at more affordable prices. Be sure to check out these other J. Crew Factory options, all on sale:

Factory tank in navy paisley, $41.99

Factory tank in coral leaf, $29.50

Factory tank in navy dot, $29.99

Factory tank in navy diamond, $49.99

Factory rash guard, $34.50 and Factory bikini, $24.50 in sailor stripe

Factory rash guard, $34.50 and Factory bikini, $19.50 in navy stripe

By fashion contributor Mary.

A Picture Is Worth {No. 25}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

I love outfits that are classy with an edge, outfits that mix prints, and outfits that go well with a simple red lip. This image (including a pleated leather skirt, polka dots and leopard, perfect red lipstick) is all three.

While the pieces in the inspiration outfit add up to more than $1000 (yikes!), I've put together this affordable look for a tenth of that price:

clutch, $26.98 || shoes, $22 || top, $29.95 || skirt, $20 || bracelet, $6

o p t i o n s

shoes: one || two || three || four || five

top: J. Crew Factory || Express || J. Crew || Jones New York

bracelet: for $5.80 || for $15 || for $19.95 || for $23.97

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Must Have: Anorak & Utility Jackets

/// categories: must have, Old Navy, outerwear, style, target

This image popped up in my Instagram feed yesterday and I (like everyone else who commented, it seems) immediately thought, "I WANT THAT JACKET." Inspired, I spent a while looking around the Internet for anorak jackets. It wasn't hard to find several that I think are adorable - cute anorak and utility jackets are everywhere this fall. Here are some of my favorites, all under $50:

row one: Anorak Jacket, $21.69 || Snap-Zip Jacket, $49.99 || Canvas Utility Jacket, $27.96

row two: Anorak Windbreaker, $44.99 || Cotton Utility Jacket, $49 || Cotton Jacket, $49.95

row three: Hooded Utility Jacket, $32.80 || Quilted Anorak, $34.96 || Cotton Military Jacket, $15

Any that you would buy? And if you don't mind me asking, how much are you usually willing to spend on a jacket? Even though they're good investment pieces and styles are consistent from year to year, I personally have a hard time spending more than $40 or $50. Tell me I'm not alone.

By fashion contributor Mary.

Sale: Old Navy {Extra 20% Off}

/// categories: clearance, Old Navy, sale, shoes, skirt, style

Old Navy is having a such a great sale right now. So many of their summer items are already marked down to under $10, and they're currently offering 20% off your entire purchase with the discount code SAVE. Seriously, now is the time to stock up on knee-length shorts for next year (some are less than six dollars!) while you also browse some of their amazing fall styles (skinny cords, anyone?). Be sure to shop this weekend - the discount code expires on Monday!

A Picture Is Worth {No. 24}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

This week's inspiration image is perfection. I'm a casual person, and I'm always looking for ways to wear basic pieces so that I come off looking more like an easy-going minimalist and less like I shop at Goodwill. (Not that there's anything wrong with shopping at Goodwill, but I don't think anyone wants to look like they shop at Goodwill.) The key with this outfit is sophistication, which she adds in her hair and makeup. Overall, it comes across very elegant. Très weekend chic. I love it.

Here's a more affordable version that I've put together for less than $100:

tote, $25.60 || sweater, $19.95 || jeans, $13.98 || sandals, $39.95

o p t i o n s

tote: for $17.95 || for $40 || for $57.99

sweater: one || two || three

jeans: from Forever 21 || from H&M || from JC Penney || from Old Navy

sandals: double buckle || gold strap || gladiator || gold bar detail

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Inspired: J.Crew Factory {Fall Looks}

/// categories: inspiration, j.crew, style

One of the hardest parts of shopping for a changing season (for me, at least) is that I feel like I need to buy new everything. With fall, it's usually twenty new sweaters, two new jackets and six more pairs of shoes, at least four pairs of pants and probably ten or twelve other things I don't think of until I see them in a store. It's not a very healthy or inexpensive way to shop, and I could certainly benefit from being more organized.

I'm in love with J. Crew Factory's Outfit Obsessions right now. Going through the looks helps me see how I could use items that are already in my closet, and which pieces I might like to add when I go shopping. They even use the same pieces in multiple outfits to emphasize how versatile they are. (I like the style shown in these looks better than J. Crew's Looks We Love; I think they're more accessible, and of course they're more affordable.)

Click here to get outfit details, or check out the budget-friendly options below (all under $50, most under $40):

denim jacket, $29.80 || pencil skirt, $22.99 || graphic sweatshirt, $21.99 || black skinnies, $21.99

wool baseball cap, $29.50 || printed shirtdress, $39.97 || silver shoes, $48 || striped tee, $39.49
sweatpants, $30.96 || leather-trim sweatshirt, $34.49 || distressed jeans, $20.99 || statement necklace, $39.95

plaid button-up, $17.80 || patterned pumps, $49.95 || zipper jacket, $39.99 || white jeans, $19.99

By fashion contributor Mary.

A Picture Is Worth {No. 23}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

I'm currently in a very determined state of denial. I love summer, and the idea that fall is just around the corner is so sad to me that I'm choosing not think about it at all. I mean, It's August! August is a summer month! Our family still has our annual beach trip coming up! Summer can't be close to ending yet.

However, all of the clothing catalogs that have made their way into my mailbox recently have all featured fall clothing, and in the back of my mind I've been evaluating new purchases: will this transition well into cooler weather? This week's inspiration image is such a great transitional outfit. The feel is still totally summer, but the long skirt and jacket (click the above link for more pictures) would work well in an autumn wardrobe.

Here's my version on a budget, for just under $125:

purse, $28 || top, $35 || skirt, $37 || sunglasses, $3.80 || sandals, $21

o p t i o n s

purse: one || two || three

top: for $21.99 || for $24.99 || for $34.97 || for $44 || for $76

skirt: from Target || from 6pm || from Nordstrom || from LOFT + the original (on sale!)

sandals: for $30 || for $37 || for $43 || for $48

+ the gray motorcycle jacket (on sale!)

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Must Have: Old Navy Graphic Tees

/// categories: look for less, must have, Old Navy, style

I have been keeping my eye on the graphic tees from J.Crew since spring. I loved the clean text and french themes but I had a hard time ponying up $40+ to get my hands on one. I was really happy to see these at Old Navy.

1 - lovely tee | 2 - j'adore tee | 3 - take me away tee

4 - you, me, oui tee | 5 - c'est la vie tee | 6 - adore tee

7 - fabulous tee | 8 - voila tee | 9 - amour tee

If only Old Navy hadn't closed their store that was blocks from my house! I would have already walked over and snatched one of these babies up.

A Picture Is Worth {No. 22}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

The sad truth about fashion (at least, when you're shopping on a budget) is that some pieces are truly one of a kind. When searching for look-a-likes this week, I found blue floral skirts and pleated skirts and striped skirts, but none that put all those qualities together exactly like the inspiration image:

However, I did find pieces that echo the feel of the above outfit. (Even though you can't see the model's feet, I threw in a pair of nude wedges. Wedges are easy enough to ride a bike in, right? What shoes would you add to this ensemble?)

blouse, $45|| skirt, $49 || wedges, $55

o p t i o n s

blouse: one || two || three

skirt: stripe || floral || white || embroidery || pin-tuck

wedges: for $19 || for $30 || for $31 || for $34

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Sale: J.Crew Factory (Extra 50% Off)

/// categories: accessories, clearance, j.crew, sale, shoes, style

J.Crew Factory's sale section is so so so good right now. Clearance is 50% off online (and possibly more in store - I got 60% off last week). Here are some fantastic finds. Don't miss this sale, these are some of the best prices of the year!

A Picture Is Worth {No. 21}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

When I first heard of track pants, I thought it was a joke. I saw a post title pop up in my Bloglovin' feed that said "6 Ways to Wear Track Pants" and when I clicked through, I fully expected to see an outfit featuring the bottom half of a velour jumpsuit. (Insert awkward emoji showing all its teeth here.) But I have since learned my lesson.

If you too are feeling a little confused, here's the rundown: track pants are basically a socially acceptable way of wearing pajamas in public (seriously, Merrick even has a tutorial on how to turn actual sleepwear into track pants). They're loose and made of comfortable material, and look like heaven to wear:

I loved this week's inspiration image so much, I did my best to recreate down to the last accessory. My total this week is a little higher than usual (due to the number of items I'm including), but I still managed to scrape in under $180:

necklace, $22 || tee, $20 || tote, $17 || pumps, $28 || pants, $30 || blazer, $37 || watch, $19 || sunglasses, $5

o p t i o n s

necklace: iconic baguette || brass plated || crystal feather || deco square

tote: from Forever 21 || from H&M || from Dorothy Perkins || from Zara || from Neiman Marcus

pants: one || two || three || four || five || six

blazer: for $26.99 || for $29.80 || for $34.99 || for $37.50 || for $62.98

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Must Have: Vibrant Prints

/// categories: blouse, dress, forever 21, must have, skirt, style

Geometrics and bright colors have been everywhere this year. Forever 21 has a great collection of bold prints right now and everything is under $30. Here are my favorite finds.

1 - Tribal Print Shift Dress | 2 - Southwestern Geo Print Smock Top | 3 - Chiffon Printed Maxi Skirt

4 - Floral Print Midi Skirt | 5 - Knit Tribal Print Skirt | 6 -Tribal Print Midi Skirt

7 - Kaleidoscope Woven Tee | 8 - Pleated Floral Mandala Trousers | 9 - Tribal Print Empire Dress

10 - Tribal Print Maxi Skirt | 11 - Kaleidoscope Woven Trousers | 12 - Scarf-Print Pencil Skirt

Spied: Audrey Sandal

/// categories: shoes, spied, style, target

I snagged these sandals last week before heading on vacation and they are pretty much perfect. They are super comfortable and I just love the gold details.

Mossimo Audrey Braided Strap Sandal - Target - $23

A Picture Is Worth {No. 20}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

This week's inspiration image comes from what is possibly my new favorite fashion blog, Unfancy. Caroline is all about having a minimalistic wardrobe full of items that you just love, which is something I aspire to (and fall short of, constantly. I pare down my wardrobe often, trying only to keep my favorite versatile pieces, but I still end up looking at my closet and wondering why I hate all my clothes).

I love how, in the outfit below, she pairs neutrals together in a way that feels fresh and urban instead of boring. And I think it's a genius move to help different black and brown pieces get along together by throwing in an animal print.

Here, I've put together a similar look for under $100:

glasses, $9.75 || clutch, $26.98 || tee, $14.94 || skirt, $21 || booties, $26.24

o p t i o n s

tee: "Amour" || "J'Adore" || "On the Road" || "Fantastique"

skirt: one || two || three || four || five

booties: for $40 || for $45 || for $70

You can follow Mary on Pinterest here and Madeline on Pinterest here.

Sale: J.Crew (Up to 50% off Clearance)

/// categories: clearance, j.crew, sale, style

J.Crew is having a killer sale right now. They are offering 40-50% off the seemingly endless clearance section. With all my picks under $50, these are some of the best prices you'll find all year long.

A Picture Is Worth {No. 19}

/// categories: a picture is worth, contributor, look for less, outfit, pinterest, style

By fashion contributor Mary.

When it comes to dressing for patriotic holidays, there are those who try to look like they're literally wearing the American flag, and there are those who take a more subtle approach. Personally, I fall in the latter category. I try for an outfit that I would wear on any other day that just happens to contain red, white and/or blue. This week's inspiration image is perfect to me: it's a classically American girl-next-door look, and the red lip is a perfect final touch to a blue and white outfit.