Are you a budget fashionista? Credit: Lance Shields/Flickr
Want to be on TV? Do you dress fashionably on a budget? A casting agent named John Lowe emailed me about a new show:
My name is John and I came across your fashion blog. I’m working on a new fashion show for a major cable network and I would love to chat with you about it! The show is geared towards girls that don’t necessarily live in the fashion meccas or have a lot in the bank but still find ways to dress high-end. Because everyone deserves to have the style and sophistication of Carrie Bradshaw.
He shared this info about the show. Note, I don’t believe he is looking for girls as young as the one pictured. I just thought it was a cute photo!
JenK ♥ / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Rejoice, caffeine junkies! Coffee prices are on their way down. You’ll now be able to enjoy your java for less. (CNN Money)
Need to getaway? Plan a budget-friendly getaway before school starts. (CollegeCandy)
Dress your man on a budget. Find out what wardrobe staples every men should own to look great on a dime. (WiseBread)
Does your credit score have some blemishes? Here are 5 ways to repair your credit score. (Time Moneyland)
Off season shopping can save you a bundle. As fall approaches, end-of-summer bargains are just around the corner. (Fabulous and Frugal)
micro10x/Fotolia.com
Bargain shoppers like you and me can get trapped by low-priced back to school clothes that appear to be a great value, but are cheaply made. The September issue of ShopSmart, published by Consumer Reports, says here is what to avoid.
Dresses and skirts – Elastic waistbands, no lining, sloppy stitching, crooked seams, and visible hems (they should be rolled).
Jackets – Big, cheap buttons, buttonholes with loose threads or raw edges, no lining (which helps the jacket fit better and keep its shape), labels sewed on sloppily, flimsy
iriskh / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
In a recent post I showed you how to make a statement necklace from an old T-shirt. If you enjoyed that DIY project, you’ll enjoy making your own ruffled T-shirt.
I’m a fan of ruffled T-shirts because they’re comfortable, yet flirty by adding femininity and flare. You can pair them with jeans for a casual look or wear them with trousers and a cardigan for a polished look.
The ruffles can run horizontally or vertically on the shirt depending on what you like. You can also buy flower appliques from a craft store and sew them on the side. Here’s what you’ll need: two T-shirts, scissors, thread and needle, ruler, and pins.
How to make a T-shirt with horizontal ruffles.
lazytcrochet / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Bargain Babe’s post about using wine cork and Patron bottles to redecorate your home on a budget, made me want to share a do it yourself project with you that will help you save money on fashion.
A fashionable and eco-minded friend of mine loves making her own statement necklaces like the fancy ones you see in magazines, at right. These necklaces will set you back about $10 to $30 at a store, but you can make your own and save money! I haven’t made one because I’m waiting for the perfect old T-shirt to upcycle into something fashionable and green. My friend has made several and showed me how. This necklace is super easy to make.
You’ll need an old T-shirt, scissors, and a couple of minutes. You can add flare to the necklace by incorporating beads. Here’s what to do:
- Cut the hem off the T-shirt. You won’t be using it.
- Next cut the body of the T-shirt into quarter-inch strips.
- Once you have the desired amount of strips, stretch them out one by one until they’re really thin.
- Then cut one more quarter-inch strip off the T-shirt and cut this strip in half. If you are adding beads, you can thread them on these strips, which will be used to tie the other strips together. You can also braid these strips or if you know how to knit, you can skip cutting this last strip and instead knit strips to tie the side of the necklace together, like the one pictured above.
- Lastly, put the necklace straps around your neck and grab all of them on one side. Use the beaded, braided or knit strips to tie the necklace on the sides so they are not loose. (You can also do it on just one side like the necklace pictured above.) To hide the ends of the beaded or braided strips either cut them off or tuck them underneath.
These are a great frugal gift so start making them for friends!
If you’ve ever been to the FIDM Scholarship Store in downtown Los Angeles, you know there are many hot clothing deals. I ventured to the store, at the corner of Grand and Ninth, last week. Here’s what I found:
A beautifully sewed jacket with a deep burgendy color was $25. The waist tie fell perfectly but alas it was too tight in the shoulders so I reluctantly left it for another bargain hunter.
br> (more…)
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Wonder why your gas bill is so high? Here are 10 culprits. (Change of Address)
Itching for a new wardrobe? Find a swap near you on Swap.com, which recently acquired my Frugal Festival! co-sponsors from 2010, The Swapaholics. The link even has a guide on how to host your own swap. Cool beans!
Be a frugal traveler without missing out. Here are seven tips from Lonely Planet, including three tips I never thought of. Thanks to my Dad for sharing this one!
Biggest drugstore mark ups. These 11 products are marked ups as much as 399%. (WalletPop)
Morbid, but true. Don’t take your passwords to your grave, or you’ll cause your family additional strife. (MSN Money Central)
