Take her home

I have been thrifting a lot recently, and I realize I am probably getting a bit carried away; because while a practically new top for $6 is a great deal, as is a wool sweater for $3, and a vintage rhinestone necklace for $6, all those low numbers start to add up pretty quickly.

I need to work harder at cutting back, and more importantly, avoiding the temptation, because when a wool coat, made in Italy, is there in my size for TEN DOLLARS! I simply have to take her home.

I'm pretty sure I 'needed' a neutral winter coat anyway. Plus, it's got a hood.

Have you entered to win $100 to South Moon Under yet?

The Rundown

Striped Sweater Hekla & Co. via Marshalls similar

White Button Down Shirt Loft similar

Skinny Jeans Kohls similar
Brown Booties Crown Vintage via DSW

Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay

Grey Coat thrifted similar

Tartan Scarf c/o Front Row Shop
Gold Leaf Necklace Lauren Conrad for Kohls
Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova via Lucky Fabb
Tennis Bracelet c/o Anjolee
Knot Ring c/o Emitations
Emerald Ring c/o Red Envelope

Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color Essie Sole Mate

South Moon Under Giveaway!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to South Moon Under, a clothing retailer with roots in the East Coast. They started as a small surf shack in 1968 in Ocean City, MD, but have grown and evolved into a sophisticated, upscale clothing retailer.

South Moon Under currently has 21 locations up and down the East Coast, and will be opening their 22nd this March in Westport Connecticut!

Offering hand selected pieces from hundreds of vendors, and providing personal styling assistance to every customer, I must admit, I am pretty excited for South Moon Under to open in Connecticut.

Of course if you aren't on the East Coast, or near a location, their online store is amazing... I browsed it for hours and did not stop falling in love. (I'd kill for these shoes, at this price, to be in my size.)

To help celebrate the opening of their new Westport Connecticut location, South Moon Under is generously offering a $100 gift card to one lucky reader of Chic on the Cheap, and there are so many amazing items to choose from! Here are a few of my favorites - all under $100 of course! What would you choose?

Gold Elephant Print Scarf, $32
Cage Cuff Bracelet, $40
Silky Stripes Fit and Flare Dress, $70
Gold Vermeil Earrings, $88
Striped Thermal Mug, $18
Gold Heel pumps, $65

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is being sponsored by South Moon Under and is open to residents of US and Canada.

Editing with Fotor

Post production is essential to the photos I post here. An image straight out of the camera never graces these pages. Exposure, white balance, sharpness and curves always require some tweaking, along with blemish removal and a few other minor touch ups.

Unfortunately most photo editing software comes at a very high price point, and not everyone can afford it. Thankfully there are companies like Fotor, hard at work, granting everyone free access to these key editing features online.

Fotor invited me to give their editor a try, and I was greatly pleased with the results. Every basic editing tool you need is both represented and simple to use and understand if this is new territory for you.

I was able to edit my photos just how I would if I were using Lightroom (except for being able to edit the raw file). I was even able to add my watermark in my usual font, as Fotor can access all your local fonts.

When you are finished editing you can save the photo to your hard drive or upload it directly to your favorite service. Getting my photos to my Flickr account was fast and simple. You can save a file as large as 1066 x 1600 pixels. 

Check out your changes - It's easy to see how your edits look with the side-by-side comparison. 

A look at the editor - All the basics and tons of extras. I was impressed to see you could even edit the curves.

On the spot - Here I used the blemish remover, teeth whitener, iris enhancer, and even experimented with the digital makeup to enhance my blush.  They all looked subtle and natural. 

I tried the wrinkle remover/skin smoother, but this was essentially just a blur tool and did not deliver pleasing results. 

Borderline - It's easy to stitch photos together, as few as two, as many as 12. You can make collages as well.

Time for a little fun - Fotor has dozens of photo frames and borders, like this Polaroid inspired one. You can customize the border sizes and add little 'handwritten' notes. 

You can also utilize their library of greeting card templates to create photo cards you can then print out yourself. 

The Rundown
Birdseye Wool Sweater Woolrich thrifted similar
Jeans "Lola" Lucky Brand
Red Pea Coat Nine West via TJMaxx similar
Duck Boots B.A. Sport similar
Brooklyn Camera Bag ONA via Young Adventuress Giveaway
Anchor Belt ASOS
Beanie Borrowed from my Dad similar
Gloves Antonio Murolo via TJMaxx similar
Socks Target simlar
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Meteor c/o TJMaxx

I received compensation from Fotor for this post, however my views and opinions are my own.

What's old is new again

This skirt has been around since the start of the blog... one of the first things I blogged about, actually. I bought it for $19 on sale from Gap and it sat very low on my hips - was that the style then? Then a few years later I considered getting rid of it, but instead altered it to be high waisted and wore it as a mini.

When I came across it again, after not having worn it the past few winters I thought I might alter it once more, this time to sit lower, more at my natural waist, and I think it's finally perfect.

It really is a beautiful, well made wool skirt. I'm glad I never gave up on it.

The Rundown

Plaid Button Down J.Crew Factory similar

Navy Cable Knit Sweater Target similar

Grey Wool Skirt Gap similar
Cutout Oxfords G by Guess similar

Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay

Wool Baseball Cap San Diego Hat Co. via Zappos
Bracelet Belonged to my Grandma

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade
Nail Color Essie Sole Mate

Relatively

Another cold week behind us, another cold week ahead. I will admit that wearing the gold flats was a poor choice, but they just looked so cute, I couldn't help myself. At least the blazer is wool, and it was only 30° out, as opposed to something in the teens.

Is it strange to say that I am looking forward to when it's 50° and I can rave about how warm it is?

The Rundown
White Button Down Shirt Loft similar

Plaid Blazer C. Wonder via TJMaxx similar, similar

Black Cropped Pants Gap

Gold Glitter Smoking Slipper Gap similar

Huntley Tote c/o Joie
Gold Tassel Belt Sperry via Nordstrom

Pearl Drop Earrings c/o LydellNYC

Bow Bracelet c/o OASAP similar

Antler Ring House of Harlow

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Nail Color Essie Sole Mate

I miss the sun

There have been an overwhelming number of dark, grey days lately. Often the sun does not make an appearance at all, however on this particular day, right about 3pm, all the dark clouds lifted. The sun was bright and brilliant, and I was so excited.

What good fortune, that the sun should come out at the very exact perfect time for outfit photos (during the winter months). I got in my car, drove to this bus station (a.k.a my new fave spot), fired off a few test shots, and then watched the sun get swallowed up by the clouds in a matter of seconds.

Dark and grey once more. I took my photos anyway.

The Rundown

White Sweater TJMaxx similar
Printed Shirt Thrifted similar
Green Skinny Jeans TJMaxx similar
Leather Jacket Gap similar
Brown Booties Crown Vintage via DSW
Bag Coach thrifted similar
Wool Fedora c/o Front Row Shop
Tassel Necklace Thrifted similiar
Ring Lucky Brand Gifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color Essie Bordeaux

By hand

I've inherited a lot of lovely traits from my Mother, and one of them is an obsession with greeting cards. There is something so special about receiving a handwritten note in the mail. Once a fact of life, sending cards now feels like a dying tradition, though not one I will ever give up on.

While I've bought more than my fair share of Hallmark cards, I prefer to find cards that are more unique, like this hand drawn one from Eternal Girl's etsy shop. Julia creates not just greeting cards, but jewelry as well, all with symbolic, henna inspired designs. Julia says the connection to people through her creations is large part of what inspires her, and it is that same feeling that has resulted in my love of greeting cards.
And also, they are pretty.

Today's post is also a special collaboration with Megan from Closet Fashionista. My first CT blogger friend, we've been so fortunate to share many blogging experiences together! While I'm showing off the beautiful Pinwheel Greeting Card, Meg is showcasing an adorable Harry Potter pendant, so be sure and visit her blog as well!

The Rundown

Grid Print Dress c/o Choies

Black Cardigan Gap similar
Houndstooth Coat Kohls similar

Shoes Adrienne Vittadini via TJMaxx similar

Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Linger Rose
Earrings Vintage thrifted similar

Tennis Bracelet c/o Anjolee

Pearl Cluster Ring The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar

Nail Color Essie Sole Mate



Don't forget to check out Meg's post!

I received this card for the purpose of this post. My views and opinions are my own.

Instant Crush: Gilded home decor

Gold and white has been on my radar for sometime, though lately it's crossed from 'something I like' to full blown obsession.

Anthropologie has more than enough gold pieces in their catalog, and while their monogram mug is sold out in every letter except for 'P', I was able to satisfy my need for such a mug when I found a similar one at Marshalls. Granted, I didn't find it at the first Marshalls I went to, or the second, and ended up going to five stores before the 'L' mug was mine...

It's also worth noting that Nate Berkus's Spring '14 line for Target clearly has my number... now if only he literally had my number and would come and redecorate my place, filling it with bright, brilliant white and gleaming, opulent gold.

Lamp Base and Shade, $90 at Target
Bodum French Press, $60 at Zappos
Salad Set, $28 at Anthropologie
Webbed Mirror, $118 at Lulu and Georgia
Playing Cards, $18 at Anthropologie
Stoneware Vases, $13 at Target
Coasters, $18 at Cin Cin and $26 at Lulu and Georgia
Throw Pillows, $80 at TJMaxx and $36 at PBTeen
Measuring Cups, $36 at Anthropoloige
Monogram Mug, $8 at Anthropologie
Side Table, $149 at Urban Outfitters

Fair Isle

I feel like I'm still trying to figure out the ball cap.

Does it need a menswear element to work?
Can it be preppy?
Can I wear it with a skirt?
Does it go with Fair Isle?

If you happen to have any ball cap inspiration, feel free to send it my way.

The Rundown
Fair Isle Cardigan Cambridge Dry Goods via TJMaxx similar
White Skinny Jeans TJMaxx similar
Brown Booties Crown Vintage via DSW
Brooklyn Camera Bag ONA via Young Adventuress Giveaway
Gold Tassel Belt Sperry via Nordstrom
Wool Baseball Cap San Diego Hat Co. via Zappos
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Anchor Bracelet Knotical Knovelites
Knot Ring c/o Emitations
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade
Nail Color Essie Bordeaux