old fashioned.

Outfit details: ‘Love on a Hanger’ top – $7 (on clearance) @ TJ Maxx; Vintage belt – $0.99 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Vintage skirt – $0.99 @ Salvation Army in Columbia Heights; Old Navy wedges – $4 @ St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in St. Paul.

This outfit kind of makes me feel like I should be wearing bright-red lipstick and holding a plate of freshly-made cookies. Circa 1950′s anyone? Ha!

Anyway – check out how I tied my belt using Elaine’s “twisty belt tutorial video” {via ClothedMuch} here.

workwear: sassy stripes.

Outfit details: D&G aviators – $6 @ Encore Consignment in Mankato; Knot earrings – $1 @ Sophie Joe’s Emporium in St. Paul; Ella moss blouse – $5.99 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Limited blazer – $2.50 @ MVAC Thrift & More in Mankato; Vintage COACH purse – $6.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Forever21 striped bodycon skirt – $6.80 @ Forever21 (buy it here); Mossimo nude heels - $29.99 @ Target (buy ‘em here).

A few notes about the non-thrifted items (& why you should buy them!)…

First off – the Forever21 bodycon skirt. This was a recent purchase of mine and a very good one at that! The skirt is made of a stretch fabric that forms to the shape of your body (hence the name “bodycon”) so it can be pulled off on truly any figure… not to mention stripes are all the rage right now (and by now I mean pretty much always)! It also has a fold-over waist band allowing you to control the length of the skirt. And you definitely can’t beat the price – $6.80! Can you say steal?!

 Second - the Mossimo nude heels. I had been looking for a decent-priced pair of nude pumps for quite a while and decided I wouldn’t be able to find them for under the price Target had them listed at in just the shade I was seeking. And I wasn’t willing to wait for them to go on clearance…. so needless to say, I splurged and paid full-price!! - (this is rare, people!) Regardless, after wearing them a few times now, I’ve concluded that they should be a staple in every woman’s closet based on their versatility to complement any outfit (due to the neutral color) and the added bonus of the effortless “elongated-leg effect” they produce! Oh-la-la!

In the end, these are two items I would highly recommend… so go out and buy ‘em already! :)

book nook.

Outfit details: Sunglasses – $5 @ Wet Seal; Necklace – $5.80 @ Forever21; Gap long-sleeve top - $10 (on clearance) @ Gap; Banana Republic blazer – $1.49 @ Goodwill; Ring – DIY; Aldo purse – gift from my fiancé; ELLE jeggings – $13.30 (80% off clearance) @ KOHL’S; ELLE wedges – $18.99 (orig. $65) @ KOHL’S.

a few summer closet must-haves.

Fun accessories – I think this is a given, regardless of the season ; Stripes -  the whole Fourth of July nautical thing comes to mind… ; Chiffon blouses – simple, airy & chic… perfect for the office or a date-night out; Sunhat – protect your tresses while sprucing up any ensemble; Oversized sunglasses – style + sun protection, what more could you ask for? ; Wedges – so much better than heels and way more versatile ; Paperbag shorts - well, they’re just cute! ; Rainboots – fire engine red… classic. ; Large straw tote – the farmer’s market is calling my name…

And there you have it – my summer closet essentials :-)

country chic.

Outfit details: Merona hat (new) - $1.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Lux dress – $3 garage sale find; Leather belt – $1.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Ring – DIY; Zigisoho boots – gift from my fiancé via Journey’s.

a touch of yellow.

Outfit details: Scarf (brand unknown) – $3 @ Plato’s Closet in Mankato; H&M cognac hobo bag – $10 @ Everyday People in St. Paul; Ring – DIY; Gap turtleneck – $5 (on clearance) @ Gap; Lux high-waist skirt – $3.99 @ Savers in Rochester; Gap flats – $4 @ Steeple People’s Surplus Store in Minneapolis.

eye-popping paisley.

Outfit details: D&G aviators – $6 @ Encore Consignment in Mankato; Michael Kors top – $4 @ Savers in Columbia Heights; Marc by Marc Jacobs bag – $30 @ Everyday People in St. Paul; Belt - $1.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; Gap pants – $4 @ Home to Home Thrift Store in Belle Plaine; Michael Kors flats – $5 @ Steeple People’s Surplus Store in Minneapolis.

{Remix options} – Wear it to work: Add a blazer. Keep it casual: Switch out the slacks for skinny’s.

DIY: cocktail ring.

What you’ll need:

 1) A ring that is missing its center piece

2) Super glue

3) A unique button

Now, simply glue your selected button onto the broken ring - (a plain band works as well).

Here are the four buttons I narrowed it down to for my personal DIY ring:

Can you guess which one I chose? …

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 Voila! New and unique cocktail ring!

a one thousand-view “thank you.”

After having this blog for just over three weeks now, I finally reached one thousand views! Yay! (Did I just say “yay”?!) Anyway, granted I am well-aware that that number is what many bloggers receive in a single day (and maybe one day I will get there) but in the meantime, I am very content knowing that people are viewing simply chic for cheap at all! (And hopefully taking away some inspiration and money-saving tips at the same time)! On a side note -  I must give a shout-out to my imaginative 11-year-old sister, Elizabeth, for being my “part-time photographer” and supplying me with innovative input. She is currently in the process of launching an eco-friendly blog herself… (too cute!!). Again, thanks to all of my faithful followers (and the occasional viewer)! Come back again soon! :-)

P.S. Being that I am fairly new to the “blogging scene,” I am very open to feedback, suggestions & comments - so please do not hesitate!

dream dress discovery.

Although I still have more than one year until “the big day” (Oct. 2012!), I am starting to ease into the process of keeping my eyes peeled for great wedding ideas, items and deals. Well, lo and behold, I came across this FABULOUS unique dress {via Etsy} and instantly fell in love!! I simply cannot stop thinking and marveling over it…
Now if only I could manage to find a similar vintage one at a thrift or consignment store for oh, say, under $100 (vs. the $899 price-tag it currently holds), I would be one ecstatic [budget-savvy] bride-to-be… hey, you never know! :-)