June Budget

I do feel as though I tried really hard to not shop online this month, but only two of these purchases were made at a brick and mortar store. I'd been eyeing those raffia hoop earrings for a while and could not in any way justify their $60 price tag. Then then went on sale last weekend for $16, so I called my local store, they had one pair left!

I also had been wanting the white Gap jeans for a while, but they were full price online, and when I went into the store to try them on, they'd been marked down to $28. (You can now grab them on the website for $33 with the code JULY for 40% off). The bodysuit, also from Gap, I'm still on the fence about. I feel like when paired with anything that isn't high waisted it is not super flattering, and therefore I'm not sure worth keeping?

The raffia bag was my indulgence from blog revenue, of which there isn't much of, but I can never seem to let it stay in my paypal account for long! I'm happy I got it though an Etsy seller, as there are so many of those bags going around now, I liked the personal touch - I got to customize my pattern, clasp, and lining.

I also found myself with a $20 credit to Swap.com (thanks to whoever made a purchase through my referral), so I picked up a few things I hope will work out, and if they don't, I only spent $11 including shipping on all three.

Kate Young for Target Star Print Dress via Swap
Gap Scoopneck Bodysuit, $27
Andakasa Round Ata Rattan Bag, $60
Ann Taylor Raffia Hoop Earrings, $16
CottonOn Maxi Skirt via Swap
Express Bodycon Dress via Swap
Gap Wide Leg White Jeans, $28

Gifted Items
Soak Slides
Coastal Sunglasses

Freedom to wear summer whites

This post is written in partnership with Dryel, I was selected to be a brand ambassador for them, but as always, all my views and opinions are my own.

A quick scroll through my last few posts would probably be enough evidence to convince anyone that I love wearing white. All year round, but especially during the summer, it's what I find myself reaching for again and again.

I know many people choose to avoid white for the simple reason that it is destine to attract spills, and even more so in the summer, when I find myself with a chocolate ice cream cone on a 90° afternoon, or a glass of red sangria on a breezy patio, or the iced latté in the cup with the lid that still manages to escape... Yes, all real examples from the past month when my whites were saved by the awesome stain-busting pen Dryel sent over for me to try. I'm not exaggerating in the slightest when I tell you that not 20 minutes before we took these photos I spilled a little coffee on my top at Starbucks. So I simply grabbed a napkin, place it on the inside under the stain, and went to work with the pen. The stain diminished in no time, and as you can see, the top is picture perfect.

I love that tucking this little pen into my purse grants me the freedom to wear all the white I love without the worry a little spill is going to ruin my day.

       
The Rundown
White Tee Loft similar
Denim Pencil Skirt Banana Republic similar
Black Slides c/o Soak
Round Rattan Bag Andakasa
Pineapple Necklace Moon & Lola via Rocksbox
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Gold Wrap Ring Gift from Meg
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

National Sunglasses Day

Thanks to Coastal for sponsoring this post!

While it may seem like every other day is national declaration of celebration for something, when Coastal invited me to celebrate National Sunglasses Day with them, I learned today is not just about how fabulous sunglasses can complete a look, but how important it is to remember to protect my eyes from the sun's UV rays.

Just like remembering to wear sunscreen before heading out the door, sunglasses are equally as important to wear during prolonged periods spent the sun. For me that would probably be shopping with a leisurely lunch al fresco, and since I spend a great deal of time driving, I opted for polarized lenses, which reduce glare. (If you've never tried a pair of polarized lenses, I highly recommend them!)

Because I adore tortoise frames, I was really excited when I saw this dramatic Kam Dhillon pair in a white tortoise. They are unlike any pair I currently have, and I can see them working with so many looks - which is the idea - so I will always be wearing them! Coastal has pretty much endless frame options, and all the lenses can be customized to prescription, so there needn't be any sacrificing of style for function.

Remember to keep your eyes safe this summer, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors with your dog, consider keeping their eyes safe too!

You can see all the other lovely ladies celebrating National Sunglasses Day with Costal here!

        

The Rundown
Leopard Crop Top Leith similar
Black Skirt Simply Vera for Kohl's similar
Lace-up Sandals "Mariachi" Report
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar
Circle Drop Earrings Natasha via TJMaxx similar
Cuff "Vista" Gorjana via Rocksbox
Ring Upper Metal Class
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry

Sunglasses "Cinque Terre" Kam Dhillon c/o Coastal 
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

Coastal provided me with sunglasses for the purpose of this post, but as always, my views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap!

Summer Wedding Attire

Have you entered my giveaway for a pair of Soak slide sandals?

Over the weekend Sean and I attended a wedding at the Guilford Yacht Club, which was a gorgeous venue and thankfully it didn't end up raining all day, as forecasted! I decided last minute to change my dress from the black and white one I was intending on wearing, to this blue and white chevron dress, as I wanted Sean and I to have coordinating outfits.

In the end it worked out, as I played up the nautical theme more with my anchor accessories, this dress has a much shorter hemline, so I got away with lower heels, and Mr. "I only wear blue and grey" wasn't forced out of his comfort zone.

         

The Rundown
Silk Chevron Dress Calypso St. Barth via Coco's on Poshmark
White Slides Ferragamo via Coco's similar
Tilly Scalloped Clutch Matine
Pearl Earrings Gift similar
Pearl Anchor Necklace Made by Me similar
Pearl Anchor Bracelet Made by Me similar
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

A little rusty

Have you entered my giveaway for a pair of Soak slide sandals?

I used to have a pair of very similarly colored heels, so these mules struck a chord with me. I decided to call the Madewell store closest to me to see if they had a pair, in an effort to focus my shopping away from the internet and it's vicious cycle, and it just so happened they did. Actually, they were a customer return because there is a little mark on one of them, so I got the extra discount for damage on top of the sale. Score.

         

The Rundown

Crop Top Banana Republic similar

Striped Skirt H&M similar

Mules Madewell

Vintage Coach Bag Thrifted similar

Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx

Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Soak Slides Giveaway!

Thanks to Nakturnal for sponsoring this post and giveaway!

Imagine your favorite pair of flip flops - the ones you wear around the house, to the beach, to yoga. The ones with no arch support, that you'd feel slightly embarrassed wearing to grab coffee with a friend in. Now imagine if the ease of those sandals were a stylish slide with arch support that you'd confidently wear out to dinner, and could still go to the beach in.

The creators of Soak slides realized there was a gap in most of our shoe wardrobes that was begging to be filled, and not only are Soak slides comfortable and stylish (I've honestly worn them every day since they arrived, work, weekend, and out to drinks, which is what I'm sharing here) but they are made here in the USA from recyclable material.

The slides come in a number of colors, including two tone and metallics and I was having such a hard time deciding, so I decided to play it safe and just get go-with-anything black, especially since the color I chose would be the color one of you will have a chance to win! Yes, Soak is generously giving one Chic on the Cheap reader a pair of their amazing slides! Head to the bottom of the post to enter, however if you'd like to just grab a pair right now, use the code CHIC15 for 15% off your order.

        

The Rundown
Black Off The Shoulder Tee Express similar
White Pleated Skirt TJMaxx similar
Black Slides c/o Soak
Straw Tote Memar via TJMaxx similar
Gold Circle Cuff St. Thomas via TJMaxx
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

Nakturnal provided me with a pair of slides for the purpose of this post. My views and opinions are my own.