September Budget

August typically feels like a pretty long month, and in contrast September always feels like it's gone in an instant. I think it partly has to do with how drastically the days become shorter - sunset at 6:30 p.m. - ugh!

I was trying not to do too much shopping this month, and was really, really good up until this past week when I went a little crazy at Banana Republic. But I had credit card rewards, so I rationalized it was mostly guilt free shopping. Though the floral shirtdress hasn't arrived yet, so it may or may not be sticking around. I included it because of symmetry, haha.

The items from Loft I haven't received yet either, but they are going to be part of a sponsored post.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and your October gets off to a good start!

Banana Republic Factory Lace Sheath Dress, free after gift card
Banana Republic Modern Rings Necklace, free after rewards

Banana Republic Floral Shirtdress $13 after rewards

The Dressing Room Boutique Gold Bon Bon Earrings, $23

Loft Skyline Dress, gifted

Pearls and Plaid Grey Tassel Earrings, gift from Meg

Banana Republic Scalloped Shirtdress, $28 after rewards
Loft Gold Ball Hoop Earrings, gifted
Eight Sixty Floral Camisole, $8 via Poshmark

Never let 'Dry Clean Only' keep you from the clothes you love

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.

When I shop, it's often love at first sight. A great print, material that feels so soft I don't want to let it go, or those special details, lace, fringe, embroidery... But once I've tried it on, the very next thing I do is check the tag for care instructions, and I can't tell you the number of times I've allowed the dreaded "Dry Clean Only" to make me rethink a purchase.

Since I've had the opportunity to have Dryel as a mainstay in my laundry room this year, not only have I been able to save money skipping trips to the dry cleaner with the pieces I already have, but I've also allowed myself to add new items to my closet I might have otherwise put back on the rack.

As you know, I love thrift shopping, and when I bring home pieces from Goodwill, their very first stop is the washing machine. Of course sometimes my thrift bargains come attached with pricy dry clean only tags too, but now Dryel saves me from turning my thrift steal into a thrift splurge! For the price of what I'd spend sending one shirt to the dry cleaners, I can clean up to 20 pieces with Dryel - talk about savings!

       

The Rundown
Bow Blouse Alfani via Goodwill similar
Lace Pencil Skirt Banana Republic similar
Toe Cap Heels Me Too via TJMaxx similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Filmore Earrings Rudiment via Rocksbox
Modern Rings Pendant Necklace Banana Republic
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Ruched Dress

"As I work through a problem, I move closer to my goals."

I love the soft, comfortable style of the ruched jersey dress. It's something which can easily be dressed up or down, and with our little heat wave coming to an end this weekend, I think this dress would be really cute with sneakers and a denim jacket.

I found this dress on Swap.com over the summer and paid next to nothing for it - there is an identical one on the site right now and it's less than $10! Over the weekend I went through my closet purgatory bin and packed up the entirety of its contents to send to Swap.com - while the consignment payouts of my last box didn't average more than $4 a piece, any money is better than none and I can work on freeing up more closet space.

      

The Rundown

Dress Express via Swap.com similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Tilly Tote Matine
Filmore Earrings Rudiment via Rocksbox
Chandler Ring Ava Rose via Rocksbox
Freesia Pendant Necklace Aster via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Cinque Terre" Kam Dhillon c/o Coastal
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

If the shoe fits

"I believe in my ability to create my own life."

Last Thursday I had an opportunity to visit Park & Oak restaurant in West Hartford with several other Connecticut bloggers, which was a lovely excursion for a weeknight, and the perfect opportunity to wear my latest closet additions, this one shoulder top and these fabulous gold earrings.

I've finally started wearing these black pumps I got sometime in May, they were the result of trying dozens of black pumps - dear Zappos, Amazon and my UPS guy, I'm sorry for all the returns - and coming to the realization that my shoe size isn't really an 8, but rather a 7 WW! It's not that I haven't been wearing pumps in a size 8 for all these years, just that they would always have a large gap in back and I made it my mission to find a pair of black pumps which fit without needing heel pads. So Naturalizer came to the rescue, and for a comfort brand, I think these pumps are a stylish step in the right direction. You can't really tell in these photos, but the inside of the heel itself is metallic, and that little detail really sold me on them. Plus they met my price cap $100... but of course I waited to take advantage of a 30% off sale and grabbed them in nude too.

        

The Rundown
Ruffled One Shoulder Top Banana Republic
Black Pants Gap similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar
Gold Bon Bon Earrings The Dressing Room Boutique
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Starburst Ring TJMaxx similar
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

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

Formal Fall

"I know that I am good enough to have the life I want."

Today may be the first day of fall, but the forecast for the weekend says we are going to have just a little bit more summer, and I'm perfectly okay with that. Still, I know that I've got weddings and showers coming up this season, so when I was at Clinton Crossing on Sunday and came across this navy lace sheath dress, I decided I just could not leave without it! Plus when it's 40% off, and then an additional 40% off, how do you pass up that deal?

Because this dress is navy lace over a black lining, it easily solves the black/navy dilemma, and looks quite lovely with other prints and textures as well. If you caught my previous post you might have spied this dress with the tweed blazer, and that simple addition would make this dress work for the office as well. This dress also comes in an equally lovely and fall appropriate bordeaux shade, and has a really pretty back keyhole detail. Naturally I forgot to get a photo of it, but next time! Hopefully this dress will serve me very well this fall.

       

The Rundown
Two Tone Lace Sheath Dress Banana Republic Factory
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Leopard Clutch Clare V. c/o Shopbop
Grey Tassel Earrings Pearls and Plaid
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye similar
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Pearl and Pave Ring Forever 21 similar

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flasback Friday (One Year Ago Today)

'Fall For All Of It' at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets

Thanks to Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets for sponsoring this post!

This past weekend Meg and I attended the "Fall For All Of It" fall preview event at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, where we partook in a fall trend scavenger hunt, seeking out styles for both women and men that are going to be huge this year.

Before the shopping began, we made a stop at the Lindt Chocolate shop for one of their signature truffle beverages. The truffles are melted into steamed milk, and either served that way as hot chocolate, or combined with coffee. So yummy!

Next we headed over to the Timberland for their Tiltson try-on event. The booties were really cute and surprisingly comfortable! The thick soles would make them great for the colder weather as well. While we were there I spied one of the first items on our scavenger hunt - a pair of suede moccasins - and our hunt was on. Keep scrolling to see all the trends and the fabulous pieces we found at Clinton Crossing!

It's always great that when shopping the outlets, there are always so many chances for amazing savings. With their new digital savings passport, VIP members can easily access all the current offers from their phones - it's as easy as going to premiumoutlets.com/vip!

Needless to say we had a great afternoon and I did not leave empty handed either. After, we were treated to a lovely meal at Chow, which was right down the road and so delish!

    

This post is sponsored by Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. As always, my views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap!

Sleeveless Sweater Weather

"I allow myself to accept and enjoy all that is good and positive in my life."

Later this week we will be marking the first day of fall, but I'm enjoying our little heatwave at the moment - it feels good to have the windows open and the fan on. I'm not always sure where pieces like sleeveless sweaters really fit into my wardrobe, but hopefully I'll find some great ways to layer it up as the days grow colder.

        

The Rundown
Ribbed Knit Sleeveless Sweater Banana Republic Factory
Denim Pencil Skirt Banana Republic similar
Black Slides c/o Soak
Tilly Tote Matine
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye similar
Filmore Earrings Rudiment via Rocksbox
Chandler Ring Ava Rose via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)

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