Tag: Chic In Academia

Fab Finds Friday!

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Can you believe we are already 10 days into the new year?!  I can’t!!  Time flies when you’re having fun, right? 🙂

I am certain that, like most people, you may be engaged in upholding some new year’s resolutions, or have set goals for the year; unless of course, you are the wiser, and decided to just live your life the way you want to live it! Haha!

I did not actually resolve to do anything specific this year, but did join in on some fun on Instagram (IG).  One of my IG friends, Jen, started the #2014closetremixchallenge.  The idea is to NOT SHOP for ONE WHOLE MONTH!!!  AH!  I know; the idea of ME not shopping for an entire month seemed completely outlandish/impossible/flabbergasting, but I figured, eh, why not give it a try?

So, I am 10 days into not shopping, and to tell you the truth, I have yet to go through withdrawal!  I was scared to quit cold-turkey, but honestly, it has not been as bad as I anticipated it to be.  In fairness, it is probably helping that I am head deep into manuscript and grant writing, so I really HAVEN’T had the time to peruse my usual websites and step foot into my favorite stores.  But, I will say that it has helped me to better assess what is already in my closet; made me aware of the fact that I had several items with price tags still on them; and, that I had pieces of clothing and accessories that I love, but had not worn in years!  Perhaps I needed this challenge more than I imagined!  THEN, this happened…

Don’t worry, I didn’t fall off the challenge wagon!!  Instead, I opened my inbox this morning (btw, thanks Gmail for creating a tab for ‘Promotions’ so that all my store emails are in one place and not mixed in with my work emails!!) and was confronted with several emails from stores alerting me to their fab sales!!  Sigh.  Everyone said I would be crazy for vowing to not shop this month because the sales would be SO amazing.  Well, it turns out they were right!!

Anyway, just because I have vowed not to shop, doesn’t mean I should keep YOU from doing so!  So, as an act of public service, I figured I would put together a few of my favorites and pass them along to you!  I am, afterall, a giver. 🙂

Below are some of my picks (all items under $50, one as little as $2!!) based on the emails I received this morning.  Links are listed below the collage of items.  Credit to the incredibly stylish Marce (@lawyercouture) for the tip on the Ann Taylor Faux Fur Collar!  Of note, all the items are at least an additional 40% (discount applied at checkout)!  The only exception is the Lotus Boutique necklace (black stone necklace with red shirt), which along with other items on the site, will be on sale tomorrow during the flash-sale taking place from 10am-12pm CST! Use promo code FLASHSALE to get the discount! You heard it here first!!

Have fun shopping and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for outfit styling inspiration for your new purchases!!

Have a great weekend!!

Fab Finds Under $50

Happy New Year!!

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Happy new year dear readers!!!  May this year be filled with happiness, love, and success for you all!  I am excited for what 2014 has in store, both professionally as well as personally.  I am also excited for some upcoming collaborations that are in the process of being established for my blog!  😀  More details to come soon!

It’s been 30 whole days since my last blog post!  Can you believe that?!  In my defense, I have been busy with work-related activities; specifically, writing (manuscripts and a grant)…you know, my bread and butter.  Well, let’s just say my bread, because I don’t really care for butter. 😉  In academia, you must publish or perish, so I have been actively trying not to perish!

Anyhow, being that it is the first day of the year, I wanted to make sure I posted today and also remind you that I had some unfinished business pending with some of you!!  You may or may not remember that I was to announce the winner of the book ‘Lean In‘ giveaway the first week of December.  For those of you who missed out, read up on the giveaway here!

Well, what had happened was…  Haha, just kidding!  Seriously, though.  I had planned to give away my personal copy of the book.  Then, I decided, why not try to get books for ALL the readers who commented on my blog post??  How Oprah of me would THAT be??!

So…guess what??  If you commented on that post (I also have a list, if you need to make sure), THEN:

Screen Shot 2014-01-01 at 9.46.35 PMExciting, right??!!  I was able to negotiate getting books donated for all those that commented, so it is no expense to me OR you!!

Anyhow, I wanted to make sure to get this news out on the first of the year…you know, to help get your year started off right. 🙂  Email me at chicinacademia@gmail.com to claim your book!  Books will be mailed before the end of the month.

Finally, I want to take a moment to thank you all again for your continued support and readership!  2013 was an amazing year for my blog, so I can only imagine how much better it will get in 2014!

Cheers to you all and Happy New Year!!!!

Mixology

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Mixology – mix·ol·o·gy (m k-s l -j ). n.  Most commonly referring to the art of mixing drinks (e.g. as in bartending), ‘mixology’ is a term that is often applied to fashion as well.

I’ve previously blogged about my love of labels and the reasons I prefer brand name/designer items over non-brand name items.  Affected by long-term memory loss?  No worries, refresh your memory, here. 😉

Anyhow, I realized after putting together a few of my outfit layouts on Instagram, that I too am a mixologist!  I love to pair high-end items with non-designer items.  It is not uncommon for example, that I would choose to pair a Forever 21 dress with a Chanel bag.  The idea simply is to – in the words of Tim Gunn – ‘make it work’!

Here are some of my favorite outfits; examples of mixology in action:

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Bag, MAC Daddy Rebecca Minkoff, purchased for $185, originally $395 (Saks, here) // Dress, Dorothy Perkins, purchased for $29 (DorothyPerkins.com, here) // Shoes, Cole Haan Nike Air Heels, $37, originally $328 (Nordstrom Rack, read about them here). Cost: $251 (saved, $516).

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Jacket, $17, originally $42.50 (Forever 21, old) // Dress, $12, originally $27.50 (Forever 21, old) // Bag, $250, originally $1275 (Balenciaga, eBay, old) // Shoes, $89, originally $325 (KORS by Michael Kors, TJMaxx, here).  Cost: $368 (saved, $1302).

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Top, $15, originally 22.50 (Forever 21, old) // Skirt, $22, originally $89.50 (JCrew, here) // Belt, $10 (Lotus Boutique, old) // Heels, $12, originally $89 (Nine West, eBay, super old!).  Cost: $59 (saved, $142).

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Dress, $15, originally $79.99 (Maggy London, TJMaxx, old) // Jacket, $15, originally $37.50 (Forever 21, old) // Belt, $69 (C.Wonder, here) // Tights, $8 (Hue, TJMaxx, old) // Shoes, $42, originally $98 (BCBG, TJMaxx, recent), Necklace, $20, originally $365 (Kenneth Jay Lane, eBay, old).  Cost: $169 (saved, $411.49).

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Jacket, $15, originally $37.50 (Forever 21, old) // Dress, $12, originally $22.50 (Forever 21, old) // Shoes, $89, originally $325 (KORS by Michael Kors, TJMaxx, here) // Necklace, $20, originally $365 (Kenneth Jay Lane, eBay, old) // Bag, $800, originally >$2500 (Chanel, eBay, old).  Cost: $936 (saved, $2314).

In general, I tend to purchase less expensive clothes and invest in bags and shoes.  Bags and shoes tend to have better resale value on eBay, so I won’t shy away from spending a little more on those items, since I can guarantee reselling them for at least 75% of my purchase price.  As you can see, though, even my high-ticket items were either purchased on sale or purchased in pre-owned state on eBay (stay tuned for my post on eBay buying soon, including how to tell fake from authentic items!), so I make sure to save even when buying designer items.

Most recently, I was made aware that my ‘mixologist’ tendencies come through, not only in my outfit layouts on Instagram, but in past blog posts as well!  As a dear family friend, Chic in Academia reader, and fabulous fashionista (let’s call her MDF 😉 ) recently put it,

“Your ideas and smart shopping guides show me that one doesn’t have to go crazy spending lots of money or be extremely wealthy to wear higher-end designers’ clothes or accessories. Love how you mix and match, for example when you combine a designer’s accessory with a not too expensive garment!!!”

I hope that this post  – as well as prior blog posts – inspire you to think ‘cheap chic’ when considering spending outlandish amounts of money on high-end clothes, accessories and shoes!  Never pay retail!!

Be a savvy shopper and shop stores like TJMaxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack, or Marshalls for designer labels at low-end prices.  Also consider consignment shops, online community resale websites like Poshmark and Threadflip, as well as eBay for amazing deals on designer labels.  For clothes, my low-cost staples often come from Forever 21, Target, and small boutiques like Lotus Boutique or Francesca’s Collections, as well as from eBay!

Remember, you don’t have to spend a million bucks, to look a million bucks. 😉

Finally, IF you thought these outfits were still too expensive for your taste, stay tuned for another post where I style 5 outfits with at least one item purchased for $5 or less!!

-Stay Chic!