Posted 88 days ago by Amanda Raye

1. Paint Your Nails

♥ Kick back, play some music, and paint your nails a fun trendy color!

2. Wear a Bright Colored Lipstick

♥ You’ll instantly feel sexy!

3. Make a Cup of Tea or Hot Chocolate

♥ Summer or Winter, it’s comforting anytime.

4. Re-Organize Your Bedroom

♥ For some reason it’s always refreshing to add a little change to your space.

5. Sell Old Clothes to a Buy/Sell/Trade Store and Buy More with the Credit

♥ Free new wardrobe!

6. Wear a Pair of your Favorite High Heels

♥ Even if it’s just for a morning coffee run.

7. Put your Bedding in the Dryer for 10 Minuets

♥ It feels so amazing to fall asleep in a nice warm bed.

8. Go for a 30 Minute Walk in the Morning

♥ It’ll get you nice and energized for the long day ahead.

9. Buy the Latest Issue of your Favorite Magazine

♥ Nylon anyone?

10. Call an old Friend

♥ It’s always nice to have a nice long chat with an old friend.

Posted 120 days ago by Amanda Raye

Just graduate from high school or college? Just move to a new city? No matter the stage you are in life, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself!

How do you know if you need to? If your haircut/color  is the same as it was when you were 13, it’s time for a change. The word “reinvent” sounds kind of pricey, but no worries, there’s a Broke & Chic way!

Take all your clothes and head over to your local buy/sell/trade store and keep the credit, don’t take the cash. They’ll give you about 55% on what ever they decide to take, meaning…brand new wardrobe! Try to go for clothes that look amazing on you but aren’t in your comfort zone (ex: If you have always worn boot cut jeans go for skinny jeans instead). Invite a friend to join you for advice!

Once you’re done getting a fabulous new wardrobe, it’ll be time to get a new hair-do! If you’ve always had long hair, go short. Scared of losing length? Play around with color instead. Go light, go dark, dip dye your ends. Have fun! Go to Salon Apprentice to find a free or discounted salon service in your city.

Miley is a good example of someone who got bored and wanted a change. In our opinion, she looks great! You don’t have to chop off all your hair and go platinum, but changing things up for yourself will be fun and healthy.

Submit your transformation to hey@brokeandchic.com for a possible feature.

Posted 215 days ago by Amanda Raye

New York City may be one of the greatest travel destinations on the planet, but you’re not going to see the REAL New York if you simply stick to the tourist areas. Yes, Times Square is fun the first few times, but once you’re ready to move on, we have the guide for you.

Broke & Chic teamed up with MTV Travel Co to show you exactly where to go and what to do to get the perfect NY experience on a budget! Here’s an excerpt:

As a New Yorker living in Midtown, I usually have an empty wallet and a constant urge for shopping. On the few days I can hit the town, I start my day with a $4 cup of motivation. A medium latte from Stumptown Coffee Roasters located at the entrance of the Ace Hotel on 18 W 29th St. Beautiful foam art included. I’m then going to start shopping at Buffalo Exchange on 114. W 26th St. in Chelsea. Buy/Sell/Trade stores are an amazing take on thirfting and they’re popping up all over the USA. No two are alike, so always stop in to see what they have.

Interested? You can read the full piece on MTV Travel Co!

Also, if you have a killer NYC spot to share that we didn’t mention in the link above (there are so many places worth talking about), definitely tell us in the comments.

Posted 494 days ago by Amanda Raye

1. Faux-fur

Whether it’s a coat or vest, it’s hot. Just make sure it’s faux. Unfortunately, the biggest fashion victims are animals.

Try Forever 21 or your local Buffalo Exchange for chic faux-fur under $50.

2. Green Parkas

It’s the new black pea coat, and twice as warm. Pair it with a white circle scarf and brown lace up boots!

Stop into your local h&m, or shop online at Necessary Clothing for an affordable parka that’s warm and cozy. Want to spend a little more for extra warmth? Check out Aritzia and Madewell!

3. Leather

Jackets, pants, leggings…everything has been faux-leather this season. Try Target, h&m, American Apparel and Express for a new chic “leather” wardrobe.

4. Chelsea Boots

Easy on, easy off. Need I say more? Check out Aldo and Steve Madden for a quality pair that will last for years!

5. Circle Scarves

Circle scarves are the perfect winter accessory . It’s warm and…you’ll never loose it! It stays put all day. Try Old Navy and Forever21 for a circle scarf under $12.

Hurry, there’s still time

Since many of these are temperature sensitive trends, head to your favorite stores now. Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner! Want to be a bit daring? Wear all these trends together like the girl below, you’ll be the life of the party…or the sidewalk!

Posted 796 days ago by Amanda Raye

Location: Midtown, Manhattan

Cardigan: $22 at Buffalo Exchange (East Village)

Shirt: $17 at Buffalo Exchange (East Village)

Leggings: $13 at Uniqlo

Oxfords: $25 at Necessary Clothing NYC

Posted 805 days ago by Amanda Raye

I walked into the Buffalo Exchange in Chelsea today, and OMG, it was the best one I’ve been into. Everything was well organized and sectioned off by size, so no crazy hunting like at Plato’s Closet. The store was huge and had good finds for both men and women. Not to mention friendly staff. I asked when they opened and they said October, so it’s still brand new. If you live in NYC or are just visiting check it out!

Chelsea
114 W. 26th st.
New York, NY 10001
BuffaloExchange.com

Posted 805 days ago by Amanda Raye

I bought a few cheap things at the Buffalo Exchange in Chelsea today, including a nice maroon J. Crew coat that’s perfect for spring for $6.50, a black blazer for $10, and a cute owl ring for $4. I also found a vintage LEATHER Members Only Jacket for $25.00. It just didn’t fit right so it wasn’t meant to be. If you live in NYC or are just visiting check it out!

114 W. 26th Street, Chelsea
New York, NY 10001
(212) 675-3535

I also found a pair of women’s Coach sneakers for $18 and a pair of mens Marc Jacobs oxfords for $75. Not necessarily cheap, but for a high end designer, it’s an exception. The Marc Jacobs shoes would normally cost you $510 brand new and about $350 on eBay.