Bargain Baubles @ Forever 21

Let's end the week with some good old fashioned bargains! While I love drooling over Tom Binns and Erickson Beamon and other pricey jewelry lines, they aren't very attainable for the majority of us (unless one is lucky enough to take advantage of a 90% off markdown!) For statement jewelry that doesn't break the bank, Forever 21 is the place to go. These necklaces all come in under $15, except for the rhinestone Binns look-a-like on the second row which is the "splurge" at $22.80. I'm tempted to place an order right now... or maybe make a run to the mall!

From top left: satin bead rope necklace, $10.80; teardrop bead flower necklace, $14.80; beaded loop necklace, $10.80; empress rhinestone necklace, $22.80; song bird pendant necklace, $5.80; triple crescent bead necklace, $7.80; laser cut butterfly necklace, $5.80; artisan plate necklace, $8.80 - all Forever 21

Bargain Baubles

There is nothing better than a good bargain, and I've been finding lots of them recently at area flea markets, consignment stores, and outlets. Jewelry seems to be where my luck has been best of late. Take a gander at some of the beauties I've discovered! They are all laid out on a vintage lucite cosmetics tray that I bought for $5 at a recent flea market, and the sweet little fern is potted in a $1 footed milk glass urn from the Salvation Army....

How amazing is this chunky, Art Nouveau-style bracelet? It was found this morning at a flea market for the ridiculous price of $4. It's a real statement piece, and will look great combined with a variety of studded bangles, or perhaps all by itself.

The little enamel and rhinestone whale is from Buffalo Exchange. If your city has one of their store locations, by all means make an effort to stop by on a regular basis. I often find wonderful vintage jewelry for mere pennies - this cutie was $2 and looks great pinned to the lapel of my khaki trench.

While not exactly an "under $10" find, this rhinestone stunner by Tom Binns was a remarkable bargain nonetheless. Thank you, as always, Last Call Neiman Marcus, for continuing to fulfill my fashion fantasies!

It really is amazing what beautiful things you can find if you know where to look for them. The next time you pass a flea market or thrift shop, make sure you scan the folding tables and cases for a sparking gem!

p.s. The Flora by Gucci perfume pictured on the tray is also a recent acquisition. If you have not had the opportunity to take a whiff of this yummy new fragrance, do so immediately. It is lush and decadent, yet perfect for summer.

The Outnet

Umm, this necklace is ridiculously amazing. And I must have it. Where is it from you ask? The Outnet, Net-a-Porter's awesome new designer outlet. I've been busy perusing its pages ever since the launch late last week and can't help but love it. Unfortunately, even at a deep discount, most of the merchandise is beyond my price range. But this statement necklace (by Mawi), at $129, is the right balance of "potentially affordable" and "oh wow!" Observe how much impact it has on the dress below...

Meanwhile, I'm also enjoying some of the fun summer pieces from Tibi. I've been on a bit of a Tibi kick lately it seems, ever since I picked up two of their dresses, each with tags still attached, at a certain consignment store for less than the cost of a single sale item at H&M. Anyway, the green dress and pink patterned thongs would be the perfect combo for a sunny Sunday brunch, don't you think?

Have any of you checked out The Outnet yet? If so, any favorite pieces? Or do you have another favorite spot for discounted fashion? Please share!

Finally... a greyhound!

Dear Stockers of the Junky Clearance Shelves at HomeGoods:

Thank you for hiding this treasure amongst the broken candlesticks, tapestry-covered photo albums, and crystal faerie paperweights. I have been wanting a greyhound FOREVER! He is so tall and handsome, and will look perfect sitting (somewhere) in my house. As soon as it stops raining outside, I'm going to paint him glossy white so he can start his new life all fresh and bright. What a great addition he will be to our home. So thanks, HomeGoods... oh, and please let me know if you get another one so I can have a matching pair!

xo
Elizabeth

feathers...

While in NYC last week, I made a quick stop in Forever 21. The store in Soho carries the Twelve by Twelve line, which is slightly more fashion-forward (and high-priced too.) I was SO tempted to try on this dress, but my aching feet didn't feel like waiting for a dressing room. Now I'm kind of regretting it...

Let me first say that the purple bustier half of the dress is not my thing at all. But the black feathered skirt is fantastic! And for $59, it would add a TON of high fashion to my closet for not a lot of cash. I would cover the bustier with something neutral and maybe a little more casual, like a simple gray cardigan. Or maybe a cropped leather jacket...

I've been loving this image via The Sartorialist for a while now. A feather skirt for with leather and leggings is just too cool. I'm not sure if I could get away with it during the day in Philly, but for drinks and dinner it would be perfection!

No. 54

I love these delicate numbered teacups from Anthropologie. And what a bargain at $6 each! If you don't drink tea like me, they can be used as a tiny planter for flowers or maybe to hold rings on your dresser. I have mine sitting in the kitchen windowsill with the rest of my plants. I'm not much of a green thumb, but I enjoy looking at this grouping when I cook or wash dishes...

Felix Rey & Miss Trish of Capri for Target

Have you guys checked out these awesome new design collaborations from our friends at Target? I am absolutely loving the summer-perfect bags and sandals from Felix Rey and Miss Trish of Capri. I was lucky enough to pick up the wave-print clutch yesterday. It is adorable! And don't get me started on the sandals.. they are so perfect for a summer at the beach. While they aren't in stores yet, they should be any day now. Personally, I will be in line for the black patent ladybug wedge...

Sanderson Wallcoverings

These prints from Sanderson are so pretty -  they make me want to start wallpapering my bedroom! Did I mention snagging 6 rolls of the plum floral wallpaper from Target?  It looks kind of like the last one shown above, except that I got all six rolls for $45... whoo hoo!

Images from Sanderson... via The Style Files

Erickson Beamon for You-Know-Where

I can't help myself. The new Erickson Beamon jewelry line at Target is totally fun and I love it! The cuff above is particularly fab and eye-catching. I would have died for this stuff back in the late 80s when I was in high school... funny how some things never change!

Oh, and I am totally getting these earrings...

Wallpaper Fun

It was a lovely Valentine's/Presidents Day weekend! While out Orla Kiely hunting at Target yesterday, I came across a wonderful wallpaper bargain. This aqua and gold print is from their Home Design Event which recently concluded.  At 75% off, I got it for $7.49 a roll! I decided to use it on a small wall section in my living room, so this morning I got down to business. Here's the wall before...

And here it is now...

Subtle, I know. But in person it has a lot more impact. I particularly like how the tree branches give the illusion of height in the room and how the metallic accents reflect light. Now I want to wallpaper the entire room with it! I might have to do a Target run tomorrow to see if I can find more...

And to those of you who favor earthier tones, I noticed many rolls of a plum version with cream and gold flowers. Very chic, and very cheap!

Bargain Design Favorites

I'm sure most of us are familiar with these home decor favorites that seem to pop up in all sorts of interiors: the monkey with bananas vase, the pierced carthage vase, the elephant side table... Two's Company makes chic, affordable version of all of these. I happen to have their version of the small white simian shown above. Anyway, while perusing Amazon last night, I came across all of these goodies marked down, in some cases almost 70% off retail! 

The elephant would be fun painted a bold, glossy color - like maybe yellow. But I think I need to get one of those vases. At $58 (marked down from $170) for the largest, it's a lot of design pow for the money!

Images via Two's Company

Mirror, mirror...

People often ask me where the mirror over my entry table came from.  I don't mind saying that it was discovered (via my friend Lisa) for a very reasonable price on Wal-Mart.com.  The gold is currently out-of-stock, but the darker finish can be had as we speak...