In this weekly column, I'm sharing three ways to style one cool piece to help you stretch those wardrobe dollars (in the most stylish way possible, of course!). For more real-girl-budget outfit ideas, check out my blog Life with Lyss.

I love getting requests for "how-to-style" articles! I took a request from @Wishes_Reality for over-the-knee boots and did some digging on Pinterest for some inspiration. Here are three of my favorite looks for fall and how to re-create them.

In this weekly column, I’m bringing you my favorite budget-friendly accessory that’s available online or in-stores. This week, we’re talking bags. Make sure to check out my blog SydneStyle.com for more affordable fashion inspiration!

Exotics are a major trend in handbags right now. But it gets tricky when it comes to snakeskin, crocodile and python. The real thing is extremely expensive. But faux versions can look incredibly cheap.

Autumn is my favorite season to dress for, mostly because I love being able to bundle up and still look cute. Don’t get me wrong, I fully embrace the yoga pants and hoodies, but fall fashion is all about boots, scarves, coats, and sweaters that are chic—not drab like that dreary cool weather outside your window. Temperature and precipitation should dictate our look! So, peruse the assortment of items that made the top of my list for this season and be inspired. What is your fall closet calling for?

Today I nabbed an exclusive interview with the multitalented fashion powerhouse Shauna Miller, author of the blog Pennychic.com and now, the author of the book by the same name, Penny Chic: How to Be Stylish on a Real Girl's Budget! Full disclosure: Shauna is not only a fabulous blogger, she's also a dear friend of mine. She's what I'd call a kindred spirit, not only because we share a passion for affordable fashion but because she's an all-around awesome person who cares about her readers and the blogging community at large. Ok, enough gushing, let's get on with the interview! And don't miss the giveaway at the end of this post!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE 10/8/14: And the winners of our giveaway are...#18 Kellie Harrison and #23 Lynda! Congrats to our winners and thank you to everyone who participated.

With sweater weather right around the corner, cozy knits are quickly becoming a closet necessity. With this style shift comes a higher price tag (no more cotton tanks and light-weight t-shirts), so it's important to style your autumnal investments for all occasions. Today, I'm showing you 3 ways to style a must-have chunky sweater: Everyday casual, a dinner date, and even a fancy night out!

The Sweater: $36.99