Just neutrals

I keep finding myself reaching for the same neutral shades over again over again. Perhaps I just need a little heatwave to break me out of basics rut, but at least I added a fun new pair of sunglasses to my collection. Pink is both unusual and unprecedented, but they caught my eye and for $10 I wasn't leaving without them.

The Rundown
Grey Boat Neck Tee Gap
Black Cardigan Gap thrifted similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Lace up Flats "Ottila" AK Anne Klein via DSW
Leopard Clutch Clare V. c/o Shopbop
 White Scarf Taken for Granite similar
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses Kenneth Cole Reaction via Marshalls
Dog Chloe
Chevron Leash Dabney Lee via TJMaxx

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to work

Spring for savings

I'll be the first to admit that I mostly use Groupon for the half-off Starbucks gift cards when they are offered, but you might not know that in addition to discounted vouchers to restaurants, Groupon has a dedicated portion of their site to coupons, both for shopping in stores and online.

There are over 9,000 national retailers to be found on Groupon Coupons, including stores like Last Call and Banana Republic, basically stores I'm going to be shopping at anyway, so if I can get a coupon code for an extra discount it's completely worth taking the little extra bit of time to check. Currently there is an offer for $10 off $50 at Last Call, and considering they typically already offer pretty good discounts, the extra $10 is great. Plus the Banana Republic friends and family sale is going on, and it's not to be missed!

Naturally Groupon coupons are for so many more businesses than just apparel, and I noticed that there is a Turbo Tax offer for $20 off tax preparation, which I really, really need to take advantage of and just get my taxes done already - that way I'll have refund money to shop with, right?

Last Call

Trina Turk Tassel-Trim Dress, $125

Freida Rothman Crystal Tassel Drop Earrings, $131

Jules Leather Tassel Bucket Backpack, $72

Banana Republic

Dark Wash Denim Legging, $98

Jacquard Peplum Tank, $88

Fringe Sandal, $98

This post was sponsored by Groupon Coupons, and as always, my views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the businesses who support Chic on the Cheap.

Left behind

I own a good deal of coats. It isn't unusual for me to acquire two coats each year, and naturally I struggle with letting any go, so I've amassed quite a collection. Unfortunately what is being passed off as a coat closet in my apartment is incapable of housing my coat wardrobe so much of my outerwear remained at my parents house this winter, including this cream colored Zara coat I thrifted back in 2010.

When I was over the other day I saw it looking dejected in my parents closet, so I swapped it for the coat I'd arrived in, and I'll undoubtedly get some more wear out of it this spring, as the chill in the air is still holding on strong.

The Rundown

Layered Look Sweater c/o Chadwicks
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
White Fur Collar Coat Zara thrifted similar
Boots "Jabine" Adrienne Vittadini
Pink Bag "Penny" Coach via Ebay similar
Lariat Necklace Made by Me similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Ojai Ring Gorjana
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

Ways and means

Back to a very rainy Monday after a weekend that almost tried to be spring. Mostly grey and chilly, with an attempt at sun in the afternoons. I had a lovely Easter with my family, with so much food it felt like Thanksgiving and Christmas combined. There was an egg scavenger hunt for the adults, which I won. It's always good to start off the week with a small victory.

The Rundown

Grey Sweater Abercrombie & Fitch
Distressed Boyfriend Jeans Old Navy
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Mint Tote Gap similar
Ojai Ring Gorjana
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye c/o S&G
Nail Color "Marshmallow" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Fizz & Frosting's Mix it Monday

and

Monday Mingle

Pop of color

I've had a crush on the little pink Coach Penny bag since in came out in 2013. I tend to be more a fan of their legacy bags, and even more so of actual vintage bags than Coach's newer fare. Plus, at the price for such a small bag it hardly seemed worth it.

Though three years later I'd still find myself perusing eBay looking to see if one would show up in my price range of $70 or less, and when one did, I couldn't help but to click 'buy it now'.

Smitten by it's adorable bright pink shade and tassels, I'm willing to over look the fact that I can barely cram my essentials into it.

The Rundown
Silk Blouse Equipment thrifted similar
Jeans Joe's similar
Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Pink Bag "Penny" Coach via Ebay similar
Pineapple Necklace Moon & Lola via Rocksbox
Cuff "Vista" Gorjana via Rocksbox
Watch c/o Caravelle by Bulova via Lucky Fabb
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)

Spring beauty favorites

When it comes to my beauty routine, I'm a big fan of the five minute face, so I stick to the simple things which deliver the biggest impact.

Lancôme Le Rouge Absolue, $34 at House of Fraser
Each season I like to find a new lip color to be my signature, so I was pouring through the pages of lipsticks at House of Fraser until I spotted Lancôme Le Rouge Absolue in152 Rouge Mars - kind of a pinky coral that I feel will be a nice change from the 151 Rouge Mythique I've been wearing all winter.

Tarte Smooth Operator Powder, $14 at Ulta
Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist, $25 at Sephora
While I know having oily skin is better in the long run, contenting with shine is a big challenge. My current mattifiers are letting me down, but I've heard good things about Tarte's Smooth Operator Powder and Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist, to both keep the shine away and makeup in place. I'd love to give them both a try.

Push-Up Brow Highlighting Pencil, $12 at Boom Boom Brow Bar
Another effect of my oily skin meant eyeshadows would never, ever stay in place, and it wasn't until I got Boom Boom Brow Bar's Push-Up Brow Highlighting Pencil as a freebie in a swag bag that I found the only eye makeup I ever want to use for the rest of my life. This little two sided pencil is an amazing highlighter and adds just the right amount of shimmer. Not to mention that it lasts and lasts.

Lavender & Sage Natural Deodorant, $9 at Schmidt's
After years of an on again - off again relationship with natural deodorants that were always letting me down, I finally found one that works really, really well. I might even go so far as to say that Schmidt's Natural Deodorant is working better than the aluminum based antiperspirant I'd been using. I was nervous at first because some people who've used it have had a bad reaction to the active ingredient, baking soda, but it's been a week with no ill effects.

Essie Petal Pushers Nail Polish, $8.50 at Nordstrom
For nail colors, ever the Essie addict, I'm feeling this grey shade in a big way. Even the name, Petal Pushers, has won me over.

Hexagon Makeup Bag, $9 at Forever 21
And of course I'll want a new bag to shove it all in; how could I not be drawn to this hexagonal one for under $10?

House of Fraser provided me with compensation for this post, my views and opinions are my own.

Sweaters are better

Spring does what it wants. Yesterday morning I woke up to a beautiful snowfall. All the schools had a delay and I was wishing I had one to so I could have gone out and photographed the trees by the duck pond and maybe taken some outfit photos too, as by the time I got home there was barely a trace of the snow left.

All too often I'm hasty to wear more summery clothes at the first signs of spring, but as someone who is perpetually cold, I know I'll be much happier wearing sweaters and boots, unless it actually happens to be 60° out.

The Rundown
Cowl Neck Sweater Gap similar
Black Leather Moto Jacket Express similar
Black Jeans Old Navy
Booties 'Upton' c/o Vionic
Leopard Clutch Clare V. c/o Shopbop
Ear Crawlers Gorjana
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye c/o S&G
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

Welcome to spring

Some grey mornings it's tough to get out of bed. The change of the seasons can often leave me in the doldrums, and I allow the looming of Monday morning to put a damper on my Sunday.

With more than half the day already wasted to my despair, I knew I had to rally. Sick of my endless cycle of denim I remembered this gem of a maxi dress tucked away in the back of my closet. As comfortable as pajamas, as easy as denim, but the appearance that I was really trying. And I suppose I was, I was really trying not to ruin the rest of my day with my negative thoughts.

Spring is here, the time to bloom is coming, if I could enable myself to embrace change.

The Rundown
Scarf Print Maxi Dress c/o eShakti
White Blazer Cynthia Rowley via TJMaxx similar
Lace up Flats "Ottila" AK Anne Klein via DSW
Leopard Clutch Clare V. c/o Shopbop
Pavé Disc Pendant Avon
Hexagon Cuff Bracelet Line and Label similar
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Fizz & Frosting's Mix it Monday

and

Monday Mingle