Budget Fashion

Channel Amelia Earhart in this 3.1 Phillip Lim Leather flying jacket, $995 at Net-A-Porter.com.


Alternatively, you could pick up this brown faux leather motorcycle jacket at Ruche for $72.99. With the money you save, you could take actual flying lessons!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are launching a new affordable fashion line called Olsenboye, which will be sold exclusively at JCPenney stores beginning in November. The sisters announced the launch on Good Morning America (catch the video here). While Olsenboye is geared towards the tween and teen set, Ashley says in the interview that certain pieces will appeal to women of all ages. "It's really about quality and price and style," she says. "[W]e really wanted it to be lighthearted and just kind of a great line for really any age."

The Olsenboye collection will feature denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes ranging from $20 to $50. Check out the promotional video below for a peek at the collection. You know I go ga-ga for just about any designer collab but everything looks really generic, no? Weird. I'll wait to pass judgment until I see more images of the collection.

Faux fur can go horribly wrong whether it's done on a champagne or beer budget. Target has attempted to bring this top fall trend into focus with an assortment of faux fur shrugs. I think they succeeded with the cat print shrug ($39.99) and the brown/black minx ($39.99), but failed miserably with the gray-tipped mystery-animal (a Yeti perhaps?). I love faux fur and don't want to dismiss this collection entirely as I think it depends on what else you wear and how you wear it. Fashion Toast could probably make any of these shrugs look stellar. I, on the other hand, would probably look silly. Anyone feeling the faux-fur at Target?

Back on October 10th, I posted a Lucky mag ad that gave us our first look at the Carlos Falchi for Target handbag collection, which will be sold at Target stores and online at Target.com from November 1 through December 24. Now the press photos are out so we can drool over the entire collection! I will definitely be purchasing something from this line. Haven't been this excited about a designer collab in a while. I love looks 1, 3, 5 and 10 the most. It'll be hard choosing which one(s) to buy although the prices are very reasonable, ranging from $19.99 to $49.99. Are you looking forward to this line? What's your favorite look?







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Normal Kamali for Walmart leopard print wrap dress, $20

My sister told me she saw an amazing Normal Kamali for Walmart puffer coat featured in the last issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, so off I went this past weekend in hopes of scoring one for myself. No such luck. In fact, my Walmart didn't have any new Norma Kamali merchandise for fall/winter, expect for some new graphic tees (kinda lame, Norma). Many items from the summer were moved to the clearance racks like cargo pants and those oversized sweat separates (just what every woman needs more of. NOT.) Made me wonder, is Norma Kamali for Walmart being discontinued? Or are they just grossly behind on restocking? Anyone know?

Well, at any rate, I bought an amazing leopard print wrap dress by Ms. Kamali, which I just love. It looks like it could either have cost me $20 at Walmart or $400 from Norma Kamali's ebay store so... only I will know the truth! And you, my dear reader.

Ruffle front blouse by George at Walmart, $9. Also available in black and ivory.

I also picked up this striking blue blouse by George for just $9. It's tough finding classy looking blouses for cheap, is it not? I loved the color and thought this blouse looked a little Anna Sui for Target. Loves it! And just $9. Not bad.