5 Ways to Be Chic on a Budget

This is the first part of a Bethanimalprint series called 'Fashion Cents.' 

I spend a lot of time boasting about my shallow consumerism on the blog, so I figured I'd let the pendulum swing toward the sensible side and share some tips for staying chic on a budget. 

1. Engage with brands you love. Subscribe to favorite stores newsletters, follow them on Twitter and Instagram and 'like' them on Facebook. You don't have time to peep the internet for sales all day so why not let them remind you the item-you've-been-craving-for-months-now is an extra 40% off today only.

2. Don't say no to rewards programs. Splendid hosts their 'Earn your Stripes' frequent buyer rewards program which is how I scored a Pre-Fall shirt 50% off last weekend. Did I have to spend a lot to get there? Sort of. It wasn't cheap, but I bought everything at 30% off during peak sales season. I also buy beauty products exclusively at retailers that reward loyal shoppers like Sephora and Birchbox. 

3. Make your schedules align. Keep note of when your favorite sales occur and hold off on buying bigger ticket items until then. For me, this means I wait to buy a new pair of pricier shoes until Black Friday because they are bound to be at least 30% off that day. I keep a separate Google calendar for my favorite store's sales.

4. Bookmark budget-friendly online retailers. It becomes a time saver too. Flash sale sites like Rue La La and Gilt and clothing resale sites like Poshmark and Bib and Tuck are very likely to have what you're looking for soon, if not now. Be careful not to make impulsive purchases on flash sale sites (though tempting), but do buy staples like an LBD or nude pumps.

I got the J.Brand shorts above from Bib and Tuck for a fraction of their retail value.

*Not in front of a laptop much? Use a mobile app like Catalog Spree to get exclusive deals; saving you money while saving some trees. 

5. Make trendy and cheap synonymous. Yeah, I super-heart Kate Spade's Karolina Pumps just as much as the next shoe hoarder, but the price-per-wear ratio of these babies is likely high, so I bought some guilt-free metallic shoes from JustFab. Chic can be cheap especially now that Target and H&M are collaborating with iconic designers like Isabel Marant and 3.1 Phillip Lim.

There really is no wrong way to save money on clothes, right? Follow me on Twitter if you want PSAs when my favorite sales are occurring. 

What do you do to stay chic on a budget? (Please don't say you have the clothing budget of Kim Kardashian.)

Shorts Suit

Blazer: c/o Bebe (similar here) / Trouser shorts: c/o Bebe / Shirt: Splendid / Shoes: Zara (similar here) Bracelets: c/o Jami & Ariel Gordon 

Yesterday I went to a 'blogger brunch' with Caity from Moi Contre Le Vie. We both showed up in shorts suits. Our ensembles have more to do with our mutual sunny outlook on life and less to do with actual sunshine since SF summers are notoriously foggy and cold. Regardless, a little bright pink never hurt anybody.

Embroidered Shift Dress

Dress: Forever21 / Denim jacket: Old Navy / Sandals: Rebecca Minkoff / Bubble necklace: J.Crew / Bracelet: Baublebar / Sunnies: Ray-Ban / Clutch: c/o Petel Design

I wore this while playing Frisbee in the park with The Badger and The Banker. I've gotten pretty skilled at catching flying disks while staying steady on both feet (a skill one dress-lover must acquire before marrying The Banker). 

I brought my Aissata clutch from Petel (last seen here) because it's simply perfect for Summer-ish Bay days. 

Turban and Printed Shorts

Shirt: Splendid / Denim Jacket: Old Navy / Shorts: Sugarlips  (similar here & here) / Sandals: Rebecca Minkoff (other colors on sale here) / Turban: Etsy / Necklace: Anthropologie (similar here)

I expect this turban trend will make my bottles of Shu Uemera shampoo last a little longer. Perfect for between-washing Summer days, I paired my new kelly green turban with printed shorts I picked up at Fashion Elles, the softest tee known to man, my current go-to sandals and Old Navy denim jacket that I just can not get enough of. (Both last seen here.) This outfit is the epitome of Summer comfort. 

Pleated Red Maxi Skirt

 Top: Zara / Skirt c/o: Bebe (similar here & here) / Sandals: Zara / Belt H&M / Rings: H&M / Bracelet c/o: Jami / Necklace c/o: Dogeared Jewelry 

This red maxi skirt seems ethereal enough that one has no choice but to tie their belt around their waist like a Greek Goddess. I paired it with a vertical striped shirt from Zara because it happened to be the only non-sheer and non-tee that I packed for my trip to LA this week.

I got back from LA this morning and am probably about 35 minutes away from being hospitalized for exhaustion. I always thought it was ridiculous when celebrity PR teams made statements like that, but this week I totally began to understand (at least the more dramatic part of me understands).  Nothing some red wine and a long nap can't cure.

Colorful Summer Dress

Dress Eight Sixty: (similar here & here) / Denim Jacket: Old Navy / Sunnies: Ray-Ban / Sandals: Rebecca Minkoff (other colors on sale here) / Necklaces: Origami Owl and c/o Dogeared Jewelry 'Accomplish Magnificent Things' Necklace

We spent our Saturday exploring Stanford, a school much larger than the small-ish University The Banker and I attended. We had to use Google Maps to navigate our way out of Ike's, my absolute favorite sandwich shop which until recently was only available in SF. I love when my favorite SF restaurants open in the South Bay giving me less of a reason to miss the city. 

I wore this season-agnostic Eight Sixty dress with my denim jacket (which, if you've read recent posts, is on repeat.) Investing $30 in this jacket might be the smartest thing I have done in 2013. I paired my dress with the Rebecca Minkoff sandals that The Banker got me for Mother's Day. These sandals are my current default due to their ease of wear. 

Aqua clutch

Shirt: Thomas Mason for J.Crew / Shorts: Forever21 (similar here) / Aissata Clutch: c/o Petel  / Heels: J.Crew (similar here) / Bracelets: J.Crew & Baublebar / Polish: Julep Robin

The color coordination between my nail polish and clutch was unintentional, but I think I like it. I fell in love with this Aissata Clutch from Petel Design while doing some research on owner/designer Julie Wagne (who was featured in the most recent Wonder Woman Wednesday). I'm not one to say 'no' to soft, supple, colorful leather that was designed in an effort to help preserve the craft of textile making by Fulani artists in Mauritania.

The fabric portion of this clutch is known as a 'leppi' and is worn for Fulani ceremonies. It's unbelievably soft and takes a ton of time to make; I'm guessing it's why younger Fulani generations are all like, "I'm done with this craft, yo." (I hope there is a resurgence in this craft; it's tough to articulate the softness and beauty of the material.)  

 I paired it with the J.Crew shirt from my first ever outfit post, my lace shorts last seen in Denver and of course the glittery J.Crew pumps that are practically glued to my soles. 

The Banker said it didn't match. What does he know? He's watching a Zombie apocalypse movie right now and it's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. I happen to like the mixture of various prints, textures and shades of blue. 

Yellow mini skirt with a bow belt

Shirt: Splendid / Skirt: Storets / Belt: J.Crew (similar here) / Shoes: ShoeMint / Bracelets: J.Crew & BaubleBar / Earrings: Random boutique in Palo Alto

The Banker: I don't think you need a belt with that.

Me: (wraps belt into a bow)

The Banker: Actually, that looks pretty cute.

And so, I wore this outfit out to drinks at Southern Pacific Brewing Company with one of my dearest friends Tracy. To make your seemingly regular belt in to a bow, make sure you have plenty of slack. (I bought this belt one size up.) Cinch your belt as you normally would and then fold the excess leather and wrap it back through the keeper (leather loop of the belt) and make a sweet bow. Tuck the back of your bow (the tip of your belt) behind the buckle. Voilà! You can 'put a bow on it'.  

Office Style at YouTube HQ

Dress: Free People / Blazer: BCBG (similar here) / Heels: Zara / Necklace: BaubleBar x Honestly WTF / Skinny Leather Belt: J.Crew

The truth is, our office is genuinely more relaxing than the somewhat capricious apartment I call home. I'm not undervaluing my own abode; it's my nest of contentment. It's just that YouTube has a full-time chef and massage therapist that my apartment somehow lacks. 

The folks at Refinery29 stopped by our office and had their 'mouths agape while checking out the wild digs' Read the full article here to see what videos we couldn't live without and get a glimpse into the inspirational playground with cubicles that is YouTube HQ.

Now I feel the need to give you an apartment tour. Probably after I scrub the walls of Harlowe's adhesive-like debris.