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.

The post 10 Mood Boosters Under $10.00 appeared first on Broke and Chic.

Awesome news. I’m the judge for Thrift Store Runway this month! Thrift Store Runway is an online fashion contest with five cash prizes given away every month for the best submissions. Just submit a photo of yourself wearing an awesome outfit you happened to get at a thrift or buy/sell/trade store.

This contest is a part of the movement to Bring Back National Thrift Week, which used to be a vibrant celebration of the virtue of thrift in America. From the early part of the twentieth century on up through the 1960s, Thrift Week events flourished from coast to coast . Somewhere along the way, though, the idea of thrift seems to have fallen out fashion.

Here’s some of your competition at the moment!

With the exeption of the purple cardigan (worn buttoned up as a shirt), each item in this outfit is thrifted.

• Earrings: $.50
• Belt: $.99
• Vintage skirt: $3.99
• Heels (Steve Madden): $2.50
• Cardigan (Target): $9.99

A Collected Gentleman

• Light Blue Striped Button Down Shirt by Van Huesen(Consignment Store $2.50)
• Blue Bandana use as Pocket Square(Salvation Army $1.00)
• Red Tie with Blue Polka Dots(Consignment Store $4.00)
• Gray Wool Blazer by Stafford(Salvation Army $1.00)

Thrift Your Heart Out

• Polka dot secretary blouse from Roseville Hospice Thrift Store $4
• Black dress from Roseville Hospice Thrift Store $1
• Outfit total: $5

Just go here to submit. It’s super easy. Contest ends on Thursday, 2/28/2013.

Good Luck!

xoxo

Amanda Raye

The post We’re Judging the Thrift Store Runway This Month: Win Up to $500! appeared first on Broke and Chic.

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.

The post Bored? Reinvent Yourself by Changing Your Hair & Wardrobe! appeared first on Broke and Chic.

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.

The post How to Live Like a Local for a Day in New York City appeared first on Broke and Chic.

Summer is quickly coming to a close and that means it’s time to put away the sundresses, cuttoff shorts and warm weather footwear in exchange for scarves, tights and layers. While Fall 2012′s trends were determined on international runways months ago, not all designer looks are exactly wearable (or affordable).

Fashion experts and founders Kaitlyn and Lisa Fergus of the popular online marketplace, Because I Shop Too Much, have some tips on their favorite trends that, they say, any woman can pull off.

Blazers: Tailored, fitted blazers add a classic touch to any outfit.  Try pairing a standard black blazer with a sequin mini skirt or cocktail dress for perfect mix of feminine and masculine.

Jewel-Tone Bags: Choose a classic structured bag in a vibrant jewel-tone color to instantly update your wardrobe. Maroon, emerald and sapphire blue are just a few favorites for fall.

Leather Leggings: A staple this season, Lisa suggests pairing these edgy pants with a silk top or chunky knit for a luxe look of layered textures. While many designers are offering leather leggings in a variety of colors, black is your best, most versatile bet.

Peplum Tops: Undoubtedly the season’s hottest silhouette, the peplum shape accentuates the waist for a look that is flattering on almost anyone.  Try balancing out the feminine flair by pairing it with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.

Mustard-Color Denim: Colored jeans are here to stay!  “Mustard is a deliciously rich hue – making it the perfect color for fall,” says Kaitlyn.  Bright but not overwhelming, mustard-color jeans look especially good with shades of white, ivory and camel. Pairing with black can also be chic, but try to stray from horizontal stripes so you don’t resemble a bumble bee!

Pop of Pink: Amp up neutrals with pops of pink.  Hot pink and shades of grey (charcoal or dove) are a particularly striking combination.

Old World Elegance: Touches of texture, elegant embroidery and a little bit of fur bring a sophisticated, almost aristocratic feel to jackets, dresses and more. Not ready to dive into this trend?  Slightly embellished outerwear is a great way to dip your toe before taking the plunge.

Now that you’ve gotten the full scoop on the top trends for fall, it’s time to go shopping! Because I Shop Too Much is a great place to start building your new affordable Fall wardrobe!

The post Check Out This Season’s Most Wearable Trends appeared first on Broke and Chic.

Beacon’s Closet  is a locally-owned buy/sell/trade company in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Being one of the city’s best buy/sell/trade stores, you won’t be disappointed. It’s filled with both modern AND vintage clothing, making it extra special.

Beacon’s Closet will be absolute heaven for all you broke fashionista’s, so go check it out if you’re people-watching in Union Square, roaming in Williamsburg or window shopping in Park Slope.

Come here for quality, uniqueness, and of course cheapness! They also have an “award-worthy” men’s section. Don’t forget to buy on-line if you aren’t making a NYC trip anytime soon!

Address(s):

Manhattan Store

10 w 13th street

new york, ny 10011
917.261.4863

m-f 11am-8pm
s+s 11am-8pm

*Click here for the Brooklyn locations!

The post Beacon’s Closet appeared first on Broke and Chic.

Alex is an English Major based in Richmond Virginia, she loves fashion, tattoos, cats, linguistics, and of course her city!

” I say my style is rough around the edges while maintaining feminine touches. One day I’m punk, another I’m girly or ridiculously casuel. I wear what I like, including a lot of vintage!” -Alex-

• Tank: $6 Rumors Boutique
• Jean Shirt: $15 Forever 21
• Pants: $20 Levi’s Outlet
• Bag: $24 H&M
• Booties: $24 H&M

Stay tuned for more looks by this Southern fashionista!

The post Richmond Virginia’s Own It-Girl appeared first on Broke and Chic.