Posted 18 days ago by Amanda Raye

Emily Giffin, author of the famed Something Borrowed and Something Blue has a new book coming out on July 24th called Where We Belong.

Thanks to a chance encounter by Office Style writer Melissa Murphy, one of our readers can add the book to their collection before anyone else!

Here’s How

It’s totally simple. Head over to Broke & Chic’s Facebook page, LIKE it and tell us in the comments why you’re excited about the book!

Want another chance to win? Click here to tweet about it.

You have until 5/5/12 to win, hurry!

Synopsis:

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever.

Good Luck!

Posted 18 days ago by Amanda Raye

Isabel Marant has officially started a trend with her Willow shoe. Aka, the high-top sneaker wedge! Not a fan of heels? Regular high-tops are just as trendy.

This trend has taken Europe by storm, and has just recently made its debut on the New York City streets. Get the lift you desire while sporting a casual look, or opt for the regular flat version. Either way, you’ll be stylin’. The more bright and loud the colors are, the better.

Unfortunatly, the Isabel Marant pair start at a whopping $760. Luckily for us broke fashionistas, ASOS has saved the day. Find a pair of wedge high-tops for only $82 on their website.

Other options for a wallet friendly wedge sneaker:

Nike’s ’Dunk Sky Hi Liberty’ Hidden Wedge Sneaker: $130

Modcloth’s Heigh and Seek Wedge: $90

ASOS DENY Wedge High Top Trainers With Suede Detail: $82

If you’re not a fan of the wedge, check out Aldo for a funky pair that won’t hurt your feet. If you want to avoid the funk factor, stick with the traditional Converse. Try a pair in white, they’ll go with everything you own…even that LBD!

What are your thoughts on this up and coming trend? Think you could pull it off? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted 22 days ago by Amanda Raye

The simple yet sophisticated Singapore based fashion line RAOUL is hosting a sample sale in just a few days! From May 1st through May 4th you can enjoy amazing deals on RAOUL’s Fall/Spring 2011 collection, and the 1960′s inspired 2012 Cruise collection.

Fill your closet with beautiful blues, tans and oranges, for a retro inspired nautical look that will make heads turn all summer. Attending this event would be a good investment for any broke fashionista. Quality clothes from a high end fashion line at a Broke & Chic friendly price! Hope to see you all there.

What: RAOUL Sample Sale

When: May 1st – May 4th

Where: 601 W. 26th Street, Suite 1745 (Manhattan)

Lookbook

Posted 24 days ago by Melissa Murphy

I love to shop, but I love finding great deals even more!  I fell for my first Calvin Klein dress sometime last year.  I scored it at Marshalls for around $50, it normally retails for over $150.   I now have more then I probably should admit, but they fit me perfectly and all have unique accents.  This bright blue one is amazing, the color is so bold and the cut is very chic.  It doesn’t require much styling at all.  I just threw on a pair of nude stocking and pumps and I was ready.

• Calvin Klein Dress: $50 Marshalls
• Bag: $250 Junior Drake
• Nine West Pumps: $40 Marshalls

Speaking of nude stockings.  After banishing them from my wardrobe sometime in middle school, I’ve recently started wearing them again.  The spring weather came upon us so quickly and I was not ready to reveal my un-spray tanned legs to NYC.  There is not a dress out there that could ever make white pasty legs look pretty.  So taking a cue from the style icon Kate Middleton I bought a pair and surveyed a few people.  The votes are in- they didn’t even realize I was wearing hose until I pointed it out.  I’m now a believer and totally recommend adding them back into your life.

Check out the mother/ daughter duo below.  Both professionals with amazing taste and the eye for a great deal.

• Calvin Klein Coat: $29.99, Marshalls in North Kingston Rhode Island
• Flower Pin: 25 cents, Thrift Shop
• Alfani Clutch: $3.00,  Nearly New Shop in Ruskin Florida
• Franco Sarto Boots: $24.99, T.J. Maxx

• Tommy Hilfiger Trench: $49.00 Macy’s
• Earrings: $2.99 Christmas Tree Shops
• Bracelet: Designed and Made by Jess Cooper (model)
• Enzo Angiolini Shoes: $24.99 Marshalls
• Yellow Purse: $24.99 T.J. Maxx

•  Polka Dot Trench: $49.00 Macy’s
• Bag: $24.99 Marshalls
• Sunglasses: $99.00 Calvin Klein
• Earrings: $2.99 Christmas Tree Shops
• Bracelets:  Designed and Made by Jess Cooper (model)

Meet Teresa Cooper

By day, Teresa is a promoter of education, self determination and goal setting. She spends her leisure time in search of all things beautiful, and she will most likely end her search in a local consignment shop. Teresa wears her passion for life by discovering new and eclectic styles of clothing, shoes and accessories for both herself and loves ones.

Meet Jessica Cooper

Jessica Cooper, a Sr. Management Consultant based in Boston, spends almost as much time packing and traveling as she does in the office. Her style is fashionable and sophisticated, and she is always on the hunt for versatile pieces that travel well and need little maintenance. To add some flare to her otherwise corporate look and show off her street style, Jessica will layer on her self-made bracelets, wear bright eye shadow, and accessorize with animal prints and vibrant colors. And of course, she’s always sporting her mother’s latest thrift store find!

What do you think of Melissa, Teresa and Jessica’s sophisticated yet colorful outfits? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted 25 days ago by Alexandra Jacobs

When winter turns to spring, there comes a need for newness and change in every area of life, especially in fashion. For most people, spring comes as a huge relief after the cold and dreary winter. This relief plays out in fashion with the response of bright colors, light fabrics, flowery patterns and slim, crisp shapes.

One thing about changing seasons that can be difficult, is trying to keep a budget for a new wardrobe.  Tj Maxx and Marshall’s carry designer and fashionable clothes for low and affordable prices.  Also, make sure you check out sales, and clip your coupons for great deals at department stores.  Forever 21 is also a great place to find cute, inexpensive clothes for the spring.  Spring fashion is the most exciting, luxuriating in the sharp contrast of cold turning to warm and the subtle elegance of new growth.

With all of the impulses to change up the wardrobe, the best way to keep spring fashion classy is to turn to the casual, sophisticated styles inspired by the Hamptons. The atmosphere is full of freshness, laid back elegance and classic chic. The combination of the relaxed environment with tastes for high fashion brings forth the epitome of spring style.

Characteristic of relaxing in your Hamptons homes; nautical fashion is summed up with clear, crisp ensembles and pieces in natural materials such as cotton, linen and silk, colors with a flavor of sea breezes and classic, well defined feminine shapes. With timeless pieces that easily transition from day to night, from the beach to the city, it’s easy to create a personal style by combining certain wardrobe staples and accessorizing in a unique way. With a destination like the Hamptons in mind, a nautical flavored fashion emerges that is timeless, ageless, classy, unique and easy going.

Spring is also a time to bring out all of the lightness and fun. Don’t get caught up in trying to go all out. Let the focus of the wardrobe be practicality and relaxation, and the beauty and style will look effortless without getting in the way.

Daytime

For daytime, have fun with light, simple outfits in crisp fabrics. Focus on clear shapes that have a great silhouette. Dressing in solid colors is always classy and timeless and makes accessorizing simple. Save money on clothes shopping by investing in classic pieces, like denim pencil skirts, great jeans, basic tees and cardigans, that can be paired with lots of other things. Just because simplicity is the goal doesn’t mean it has to be boring!

Pull out striking colors and dramatic shapes. Don’t forget stripes! Enjoy stripes in every area of fashion, from a nautical bag to a striking black and white top to a flirty skirt. Chambray is both trendy and timeless, so look for a flattering dress that works for at home, for errands and with a cardigan for a casual night out and use it as a centerpiece this spring.

Evening

The fun of evenings in spring comes with converting day looks to something a little more dressy. Exchange a cardigan for a blazer, cover up a light dress with a chic jacket, or take the sweater off to show off the pretty details of a cute frock. Change flats for heels and put hair up in an up-do, and the look is complete! The look of Hamptons fashion is effortless and graceful, so don’t try too hard.

 Accessorizing

Accessorize the simplicity of the spring look with favorite, personal details. Wear lots of heels and open sandals in natural leather, accentuating the breezy naturalness of the nautical feel. To bring out the nautical feel, choose jewelry in brass, from necklaces to bangles. Keep jewelry light, since spring at the Hamptons is relaxed and classy. Enjoy the fresh nautical fashions this spring, relaxing in effortless style.

About the Author:

Alexandra is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about tourism, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world.  She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere.  If you would like to learn more about her, follow her on Twitter or visit her blog.

Posted 29 days ago by Amanda Raye

Life can suck sometimes, say your favorite nail polish is all dried and clumpy, or your morning coffee was so bitter you just couldn’t stand it, and your bank account wouldn’t allow you to purchase another cup. Many of life’s little problems and annoyances have a simple fix. Below are a few tips that might just make your bad day a little bit better.

1. Clumpy Nail Polish

We all hate it when our favorite polish becomes dry, clumpy and hard to use.

Solution: Nail Polish Remover

Add a drop or two of nail polish remover into the nail polish bottle. Give it a good shake and you should be good to go! If it’s still on the clumpy side keep adding more polish remover until you get the perfect consistency.

2. Bitter Coffee

If you’re a coffee drinker, a bad cup of coffee could potentially ruin your morning.

Solution: Salt

By adding a pinch of salt to your unbearable morning brew you will cancel out the bitterness, giving you a smooth cup of joe that’ll be a lot easier to drink. Believe me, when I first heard this I was very skeptical, but I was in desperate need of a caffeine fix. My end result was a cup of coffee that was actually enjoyable.

3. Clumpy Mascara

When you want to extend the life of your favorite mascara, Or find it’s giving you the dreaded “spider” lash look, head over to your fridge.

Solution: Coke

Add about three drops of Coca Cola into your mascara tube. Give it a good shake, and bam! It’ll be just like new. If you don’t have any Coke, try using contact lens solution instead.

4. Streaky Mirrors

We all like to apply our makeup in a streak and fuzz free mirror, but sadly that doesn’t always happen.

Solution: Coffee Filters

Instead of using the usual paper towel, try a coffee filter! Take an unused coffee filter and use it the same way you would use a paper towel the next time you need to do your chores. You’ll happily find a house full of streak and fuzz free mirrors and windows.

Hopefully one of these tips will make your life a little bit easier. Want to keep reading? Check out Three Surprising Uses for White Vinegar and 14 Ways to Ace That Interview. If you have any quick tips that can make a Broke & Chic fan’s life a tad better, share them in the comments below!

Posted 33 days ago by Amanda Raye

California’s famed music festival Coachella just finished weekend one and is just a few days shy of the finale weekend!  Every year, Coachella has 100+ performers from all genres play for three days under the hot desert sun.

With on-site camping and star studded events one can never be over or under dressed. Take a sneak peek at some of the wonderful fashion that plagues this music festival every year! Hint: There was a cowboy meets hippie vibe this year.

 Keep Coachella alive all year round by wearing high-waisted shorts, minidresses, floral prints, feathers, cropped tanks, floppy hats, unique footwear, fringe, maxi skirts and of course, cowboy boots!

What do you think of this famous music festivals “desert” style? Let Broke & Chic know in the comments below.