Are you F.A.B.?

“I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!” – Carrie Bradshaw

The general consensus seems to be that looking good costs money.  And while I don’t necessarily agree that one must be clad in couture from head to toe in order to knock ’em dead, I hope this blog isn’t encouraging anyone to live outside his or her means.  That new Louis tote may be hot but it’s not worth sitting in the dark (or having to borrow money to cover essentials). And here’s another gem: you can go broke trying to save a dollar.  I can’t tell you what to do with your coins, but I can advise you that smart money management is key (unless you want to be the most fabulously dressed hobo ever).

Rethinking of my own shopping habits (which recently led me to purchase a caftan and yet another sequined cocktail dress although I have no immediate plans to vacation in Capri or hit up a party) has me stopping dead in my stilettos.  I believe one should shop for events ahead of time, but this is getting ridiculous (and pricey).  Several months ago I recommended The Frugalista Files by Natalie McNeal, and I just reread this eye-opening post by my friend (in the head) Demetria L. Lucas.  And the points made in both pieces have me considering trying a “no buy month” in which I only purchase absolute necessities. No auction-hunting on Ebay, no Etsy browsing, no random visits to my favorite haute spots for “It’s Monday/I had a bad day/Oooh! It’s on Sale!” takeout, cupcakes or clothes/shoes. No emergency blow outs at the salon, and no latte drive-bys. Whew.

Can I do it?  Would you do it? Hmmm.

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Champagne Taste, Beer Budget?

Whether you consider yourself a natural frugalista, bargainista, or recessionista or are looking to catch a deal by choice or necessity, pinching pennies and repurposing items you have on hand can be fabulous!  Here’s one of my favorite tips to shop smarter (not harder) and get more bang for your buck:

Spoil me: Book a budget-friendly spa treatment at the Aveda Institute in Hoover.  Treatments are performed by supervised students in a posh setting.  Check out the $50 “Glow” package which includes a 30 minute facial, 30 minute pedicure, and complimentary lip shine.

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The Look for Less: Jennifer Aniston in Vivienne Westwood

Jennifer Aniston rocked this haute tangerine peek-a-boo Vivienne Westwood dress at the launch of her eponymous fragrance earlier this year…and we decided to rock our own blouson version by BCBGeneration (bought on sale for under $100).  This dress is a definite head-turner and a refreshing change from the usual little black dress.  We’re pairing it with nude strappy pumps by Aldo, or perhaps our lucite Manolos (purchased on Ebay!) for a leg-lengthening look (because looking like a walking jack-o-lantern is not what’s haute in the streets).  We think even our leopard booties would work!

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Images courtesy of Fab Sugar and BCBGMaxAzria

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