Dress Effie’s Heart / Striped Cardigan- Target  / Jewelry- thrifted /  Shoes- ModCloth

My personal style has been developing over time but the common thread is a love for vintage notions- a mix of old and new.

I adore the romantic notions of vintage finds – the classy coverage and sensibility with a bit of playful flair.  I have also loved playing with mixing old and new pieces, which is exactly what I did with this look.

I just received this gorgeous Jackie dress from Effie’s Heart and played up the vintage feel of the dress with my classic mary janes.

Beyond new and old- mixing a bit of vintage romance, a little school teacher class and a bit of punky flair is a playful but totally comfy look.

I’m in love with this mix…integrating all the aspects of style I love which is also why I’m in love with the styles at Effie’s Heart.  They also have adorable shoes, but the dresses are to die for!  I adore the ruching on the pink dress in the middle and the soft, flowy feel of all the dresses!

Effie’s Heart is going to be gifting one lucky reader a $50 gift card to snag a dress of their own!

Leave a comment first (it’s an entry!) then click through to BeautifulGiveaways.com to enter (ends 5/23)!

I <3 Chicago when the weather gets nice.  The neighborhoods just call to be explored, the cupcakes practically beg to be eaten, and retailers quietly call you inside to check out their colorful new springtime wares and dazzle you with their delicious new shoe designs- it’s a good time to be alive!

I’ve been experimenting with new restaurants, new walking paths and trying new styles and brands of clothes to mix things up a bit…here are some of my adventures and musings!

Just discovered the best wonton soup in Chicago & the fortune cookies are a win!  /  Margarita cupcakes on Cinco De Mayo? YES PLEASE!!  /  My dream is to own my own scooter…perhaps with a pug friendly sidecar? Or not.

You are the apple of my eye @ Urban Outfitters  /  Just discovered John Fluevog Shoes and am in love. These heels look like those faux granite composite countertops, gorgeous in person!  / Celebrating graduation with a cold one  /  Some of the sweet cards I got for graduation, thanks everyone, it meant so much!

Divinity is close by in Chicago / Trying on shades @ Urban w/ Carolina / My new Christian LouBoutins that I saved up for for practically eons to buy… I love them and yes, want to marry them.  haha!

My Outfit- Blazer & Top c/o ellelauri  / Dark Wash Trouser Jeans- Target  /  Taupe Flats & Wide Belt- Urban Outfitters

I was so excited to wear out my new outfit from ellelauri-  I got to try their awesome Whitney Blazer {$202}  &  Madeline Top {$62}.   I’ve had a hard time finding blazers that fit in the past, they’re either too bulky or look odd on busty figures- but this blazer fit like a dream!  The blazer is NOT lined and is made of a windbreaker-esque material, it’s your best bet if you want to wear a blazer on a humid summer day without feeling stuffy.

The Madeline Top also comes in a ton of colors-  coral, cobalt, cranberry, plum, buttercup.  It looked great under the blazer and is the perfect neutral piece.  I felt like a million bucks in this outfit that was classy enough for a day out, but not too dressy for a shopping break at our favorite pizza place!

You are going to LOVE the Whitney Blazer from ellelauri-  they’re graciously giving one lucky winner their very own!  

Click through to BeautifulGiveaways.com to enter!

Being frugal doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself of the fabulous essentials.  I just wrapped up graduate school so it meant my life was measured by three things:  Low on time, low on money and high on stress.   In my two years as a struggling student I perfected the art of the spa staycation- you can too!

The Tennants of a Successful Spa Staycation:

• You’re saving money already, splurge a little on pretty nail colors & good products.
• You need to unplug for a day and rent your favorite, most cheesy movies.
• Stock up on good food or order in delivery.
• Champagne (even the cheap kind) for mimosas is suggested but not required.
• Enter a cool giveaway from Frugalbeautiful.com

Read more →

I’m on cloud 9!  I’m graduating with my M.A. degree in two weeks,  I’m speaking at The Financial Blogger Conference in October, my blogging stats have grown & Frugal Beautiful is getting a much needed layout makeover!

…Speaking of makeovers,  I’m giving away $152 in Mary Kay Products to 3 lucky winners over at BeautifulGiveaways.com…check it out!

Dear Frugal Beautiful Readers!

I am SUPER excited to announce The ImpulseSave Invite Giveaway! ImpulseSave is an awesome new tool that makes saving as easy and rewarding as spending! If you’ve ever felt like there’s just never enough money to get it all done then Impulsesave is the solution you’ve waited for!

ImpulseSave is a private saving site on a mission to turn your impulse-buys into ImpulseSaves! They’re doing some really awesome things on that front, but the coolest thing is that today and today only they’re giving Frugal Beautiful Readers a chance to get into the program!

Here’s a video explaining how the product works:

Remember they are a PRIVATE site and the product really works! I mean $3,000 towards paying off debt instead of on needless purchases is no small thing! So, if you want to be one of the 10 Frugal Beautiful Readers who get invites, sign up right now!

*Please note: this giveaway is now closed!