Dear Celeste.....

Okay, to my dismay, I haven't done a good job of updating and posting these past few days but that's just because I am patiently allowing all my thoughts and ideas to stop going crazy like a child with too much sugar in their system (or me with a superior online sale) and form solid notions for the progression of this site. So! I've decided, to figure out how to make this a 3 column blog and have a column for "advice"- thus, an advice column... "Dear Celeste". Don't ask me who Celeste is.. I haven't the slightest clue. But anyway, I don't want to come off as the "know all, end all voice of fashion" because that's not what I'm attempting, BUT I do feel that I have considerable "knowledge" to lend. So.... wanna know what to wear on a hote date for less than $50 bucks? Shoot me an email! I'll post it. Wanna know the best clothing styles for your body shape? I'll hook you up! So email bargainbeautybaby@gmail.com.

I'll post some RO's later.
If you love it, tell a friend. If you don't, tell me. I'll listen.

Embrace it, Don't Fake It.

I used to be a huge fan of knock-offs. I got my first "Louis Vuitton" in seventh grade and kept on a faking year after year. It wasn't until recently that I read an article about the replica industry and how it is actually really horrible for the people in who China make them, specifically young children. I won't go into detail because this blog is supposed to be fun and fabulous but I just say that because I've made a transition in my life and realize that if you can't afford it, getting a cheap knock-off isn't the answer. You can get a bag equally as fabulous as a Balenciaga without breaking the bank. I notice people's random patterned totes and sexy leather bags more than I do a logo'd bag in a heartbeat. So these pics above and below are an example of how to embody the fabulousness of a couture with college money. Couture/College. (Sounds like a recurring theme to me) The ruffled dress is a $6, 400 vintage Giorgio Armani (found on thefrock.com) . It's sexy counterpart is $43 dress from fashionjunkee.com. It comes in a bajillion colors and is PERFECT for a hot date or night on the town. Or if you're like me, trying on in your dorm room when you're bored and wearing while you watch 30 Rock. Hey, no ones judging. So go ahead! Get that sophisticated swagger - the world is your oyster, go grab yourself a pearl!

RO Alert! All cute things were not born at Forever 21!

I love finding websites that not a ton of people know about. But then again once I put them on here the secrets out. Not that a ton of people read this anyway. I'm in this phase where I subscribe to the belief that every item I buy is "building my wardrobe" so I don't buy t-shirts anymore but have been known recently to buy some fifties style skirts. I love a printed skirt with a sold color top and great heel! BUT hey ladies, everything doesn't have to come from Forever 21. Lord knows 75% of my 'drobe is but I'm trying to branch away. As much as I love walking out with multiples of that iconic yellow sack with that bold black print it's getting ridiculous. (Sidenote: Forever 21 hooked me not just on the cute clothes but on the "John 3:16" printed on the bottom of the sack. I feel good giving my money to folks who believe just like me) If you wanna be a little more unique here's another website that I love. It's kind of hit or miss but they have some great vintagey pieces. MODCLOTH.com. It's not necessarily expensive, it runs the gammet in the price department, but the pieces are detailed and tailored and give you a unique shopping experience that's worth a couple of extra dollars.

Fire your stylist! Oscar's Mess

Uhh as soon as I saw Beyonce's dress I knew it HAD to be House of Dereon... and I was right! C'mon sister girl! Stop letting your mama sew you these tight dresses. We got it!!!! You have curves! Enough all ready! Not to mention Beyonce attempts to wear GOLD any chance you she gets! If you like it then put a gold ring on it(your ring finger, a wedding tattoo is not hot).. oh oh uh oh! But Beyonce isn't the only child of repetition. Heidi Klum suffers from this too. Heidi! Heidi! Heidi! Stop wearing red! It's okay to branch out... and if you MUST wear the same color you wore last year, at least choose a dress that's pretty. You did it last year... what's the problem? Make it work! (Shout out, Tim Gunn) Speaking at Tim Gunn... what would he say about Vanessa Hudgens trying to be the Little Mermaid at a funeral?

First Oscar Bit... Gotta love these!

I'm SUH-WOMPED with homework right now but HAVE to give you a least a little bit of Oscar chit-chat. I was overall intrigued by the beauty of the dresses but heavens(!) why were there so many look-a-like? I know what a "trend" is but that doesn't mean everyone should show up wearing the same damn thing! Maybe it's because there's a shortage of stylist after the Globes but nonetheless it was a night of duplication. Beyonce (on my least faves list) and Halle both in black in gold. Everyone trying to recreate their wedding day with huge white dresses (Penelope Cruz did it well, Sarah Jessica Parker: not so much). My favorites were:Penelope Cruz, Taraji P. Henson, Marisa Tomei, and Miley Cyrus.But they are all in the same color scheme! :( Oh well, glam is glam and these lovely ladies did it right! BBB Award for Best Dressed!

RO ALERT! Oscars!

Whoever styled some of the hot mess that was paraded around the Golden Globes was obviously fired because for the most part the Oscars were a show of fabulousity that made me happy. The dresses full of glam glitz and confection-like tulle volume were a show of style, elegance and grace. That doesn't mean there wasn't some serious sad misses but the O's were such an UPGRADE from the hot tranny mess that was the Globes.  

Recent Obsession

I'll just tell ya. Obsession is not a word I like to use because it makes me feel out of control but I am kind of obsessed with asos.com, based out of London. I'm also obsessed with the idea of having RO's as a regular part of this newly- my- fave- thing- in- life- blog. ASOS has fantastic sales and generally low prices for the chic clothing they carry and I don't believe the shipping is astronomical. Maybe even in accordance with what we normally pay in the good ol' U S of A. My current RO? This pleated dress from the site that is on sale for a "only" $42.34. I'm sorry but that's just bat nuts crazy for a dress that's bat nuts cute. But in case you haven't assumed, we're peachy keen with crazy!In fact we praise it. Anywho, I'm a magazine junkie and come across marvelous little nuggets of fashion goodness such as cheap deals, stores or just a mind boggling low price. I smell plenty of RO's in our future.

Can I tell you a secret?

I have champagne taste on Kool-Aid money. Honestly, no wait. Sometimes I have that champagne money but am seriously too cheap to get off of it. My heart beats faster when I walk into a store that has endless possibilities. My heart beats even faster when I walk to a store with no possibilites and emerge with the chicest skirt or the cheapest most versatile piece imaginable. I wanna blog and show fantastic things that don't have to blow the budget or make you choose between a dynamic dinner or a deluxe dress. I don't want you to live off Ramen trying to look cute. I know I certainly don't. Let's keep it that way. 

Nervoso

Yes, I'm nervous. Blogging is so simple and it's essentially a journal that I don't have to cramp my hand writing- I attempted a journal a few months ago and cranked out a whopping two pages because the pain was simply a hot mess. I know it should be no pressure but I want you- whoever is reading this- to come back. To enjoy. To find me funny, cheeky and maybe even witty. I'm a smart girl who considers herself to have style. No matter what my IQ or SAT score, at the end of the day all I wanna do is read an InStyle Magazine (with a hot beverage in a cute mug). Tell ME what you want to see. Ask me questions about your style. I'm here for you, as long as you're HERE for me. Ya hear me?