Cheap, Cheap Chic!

Easy Ways to Update Your Spring Look for Next to Nothing!

Spring is in the air! It’s time to peel off those winter layers and freshen up your look with some much needed Spring pizzazz. Your bank account might be suffering but your look doesn’t have to! Here are some fun ways to spruce up your style from head to toe, all for next to nothing.

Best Tressed
Let’s start with the hair! Instead of going to the salon and spending hundreds restoring your dry, brittle hair you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home. Try L’Oreal’s Nature Therapy Hot Oil Botanical Treatment, perfect for winter ravaged hair! Almond and mango oils nourish your dry, damaged locks giving you the professional look for only $4.95 at Shoppers Drug Mart’s nation-wide.

Shopping Spree (for Free)

Now that we’ve got the hair under control it’s time to put your best face forward for Spring. Take it from me a professional bargainista the best in beauty can be yours for free. We all want those designer products that promise youthful radiance but the price holds us back. Try going to places like Holt Renfrew, Sephora, or The Bay and chat up the cosmeticians. Act like a confused customer, not knowing which product is best for you. This will usually result in a bountiful supply of beauty samples. This will be more than enough to rejuvenate that dry winter skin. Make a day of it, hit up multiple stores to acquire enough products to last you the season.

Come Into the Light
It’s time to fix those chipped, busted nails! Ditch the dated darker hues for something flirtier for Spring. Try OPI’s new “it” colour, a bright yellow that sizzles with style for less than ten dollars -- available at Sephora. Here’s another thrifty tip; try mixing your own colors to get your own personalized polish.

Sew in Season!

You might not be able to afford new Spring clothes but you can always personalize pieces already hanging in the back of your closet. Try changing the buttons on that old cardigan or spring jacket for a new dramatic look. Add girly flare to an old dress or hat by attaching an inexpensive piece of ribbon, the options are endless at any fabric shop. Switch up the laces in last season’s oxford style pumps to bring new life to your old shoes. Take your grandma’s old fake flowers and be crafty! Sew a few together and attach a pin for a Spring look that never fails. Creating a versatile brooch, that can be worn in multiple ways.

Now that you’ve been taught the ways of frugal fashion there’s no excuse not to look fabulous this Spring. You can inexpensively move your look into this season by using some of my helpful tips. Just because your wallet is empty doesn’t mean you have to compromise looking beautiful! Go get started and you will realize just how fun bargain hunting can be!

hand cuffs

Big, bold bangles will ensure your wrists steal the spotlight this spring.

As we all continue to look warily at our diminishing bank accounts, we can’t help but pine for spring’s latest fashions. Luckily, designers have given us an easy and budget-friendly way to update our wardrobes without breaking the bank. On almost every runway, layers upon layers of bangles were spotted in a wide variety of textures, shapes, and colours to suit any gal’s style. Below, get inspired by the designers who did it best.

Heavy Metal
Rocker chic is back in the form of this edgy trinket. Vera Wang and Zac Posen showed lacquered black bangles embellished with funky gems, metals, and jewels. Alexander Wang went for an industrial feel with chunky textured metal bracelets in various shapes and sizes. Not into rock star glam? Don’t worry, these bangles look fab with a feminine frock.

Rainbow Brite
Bangles in a variety of playful colours were seen on many catwalks, and the brighter they were, the better. Alberta Feretti did it with fiery red, Marc by Marc Jacobs had a 90’s inspired neon approach, and Jaeger London flaunted pretty purple bangles with white accents. If you really want to stand out in a crowd, take a cue from Christian Lacroix, who paraded models down the runway wearing the full spectrum of rainbow colours up their arms.

Material Girl
Need something for a night out or just want to splurge? Armani Prive has you covered with structured yet glamourous pieces. Beautiful bangles in gold, silver, red, and black were adorned with luxe jewels and gems. For all over sparkle, La Perla had eye-popping creations consisting entirely of diamonds. Truly every girl’s dream, these sparkling bangles are so large they could light up a room!

Wild Child
Explore your wild side with animal prints and African-inspired bangles. Not a look for the timid, the bangles at Louis Vuitton consisted of vibrant animal prints, chunky details, and even some dangerous-looking gold bracelets covered in tubular spikes. Taking a more subtle approach to this earthy inspiration, Burberry Prorsum showed an array of large round and square bangles made of leather and dark wood.

Works of Art
Looking for something special? Some designers thought outside the box with this trend and transformed bangles into art pieces. At Marni, the bracelets looked like beautiful, delicate flowers around the models’ wrists. Emilio Pucci took on a modern sculpted approach and moulded bangles into unique shapes using many different materials such as wood, resin, and delicate silk. At Dries Van Noten, bangles constructed entirely of small gold baubles were truly eye-catching.

No matter which style of bangle you choose, you’re sure to stand out as a fierce fashionista. Just remember, with this trend, the more the better!

Break-up – Break-downs
10 ways to get over that crushing break-up!

1.Water Works
Yes, of course every girl is going to cry after a break-up, its only human. We all know it seems like the end of the world when you and your partner end the relationship. The number one thing to do to get over that break-up is to suck in the tears and smile! Wipe those tears away, and get off your butt because that is the start to recovering from this hard time. Once you get the tears away its all fun from there.

2. Munch-Out!
From Hagen Das, to chocolate, to a huge bag of chips; these are three things that make any girl feel better after a rough day. Although these are a huge factor to getting to your happy days and forgetting about that boy, do not go over board! One thing that is going to make you feel worse is if you gain that ten pounds from eating way too many potato chips.

3. Bubbles, Candles, Music
Draw a hot war bubble bath, turn on your favourite music, and light some calming candles. A soothing bubble bath is a great way to relax and forget about any troubles you may have. A bubble bath is also a great way to get your day started or even end it.

4. Break- up, to Make- up
Makeover—one word that any girl wants to hear. Go out, get your hair done, buy a new outfit, and make yourself beautiful with awesome new cosmetic products. When you look your best, you feel your best. You can even go to a small make-up stand in your closest mall and get your make-up done—its cheap and you feel pampered.


5. Mani, Pedi.
Relax in a spa while getting your nails and toes done. There is nothing better than being pampered. Sitting in that soothing massage chair while getting a pedicure will separate you from your thoughts.

6. Feet First
Dog—mans best friend, a hot new pair of shoes—girls best friend. No matter what any girl is going through, shopping for that perfect pair of shoes is an awesome way to boost your spirits. After your relaxing pedicure, you need that pair of shoes to show them off.

7. A night on the Town.
After a day of pampering, and shopping, a night with all of your girlfriends will take your mind of that crushing break-up. Get dolled up, go dancing and have some drinks!

8. Batter those Eyelashes
Yes, you just had a terrible break-up, but there is nothing wrong with a little flirting from across the dance floor. Spot a cute boy, dance, and maybe get a number. A little re-bound always helps.

9. Slumber Party
After a long, but fabulous day, have your girlfriends over, gossip, and girl talk before the night ends. Spending time with your friends is a major factor in the break-up stage of that relationship.

10. REWIND!
The one thing you never want to do is give in to calling the boy. Keep yourself busy with fun activities with your friends. If you do end up calling him you may start right back at number one; water works. Yes, ending up in the first step would not be such a bad thing because it ends up in a fabulous day! Keep your mind off of him, keep in touch with your friends and do not worry. Everything works out in the end.