Flat Brooke

Hairy Situation

I’m sorry I haven’t posted in so long!  It’s almost exam week at school, and I’ve been stressing out like nobody’s business, (especially since it’s my senior year).  

Speaking of stress, did you know being under a lot of pressure (pushing down on me! pushing down on you!) can mess with your looks?  I noticed last week that my hair dye was fading even faster than usual.  Not cool, especially when your natural hair color is significantly different from your color of choice.  Even less cool if you don’t have the money to dash to the salon to fix your usually maintained mane.

Thankfully, home hair colors are available that are both easy to apply and easy to buy.  My secret weapon? Revlon Colorsilk, amazingly available for around $3.00 at my local Walmart.

(My preferred color!  Image from luux.com).

Be advised, however, that there are a few disadvantages to it being so cheap:  the gloves are pretty big and clumsy, and the conditioner included does not work as well as the ones included in more expensive hair dyes, (in my experience).  Just work some of your usual conditioner in if little packet included just doesn’t cut it!  

All in all, this brand does an amazing job of transforming my blah mousy brown locks into exotic ebony tresses.  For three dollars, I can afford to get a little stressed out!

To dyeing without dying when you see the receipt,

Brooke

Velvety Vixen

No longer just for horny robed men with pipes, velvet is back and better than ever! Modern cuts mean that velvet dresses are wonderfully wearable, (and just in time for the upcoming wintry weather)!

Infallible Forever21 has some great affordable apparel, as usual:

(I love how the floral pattern of the first and the sheer sections of the last two prevent the frocks from appearing too youthful!  ”Velvet Flowers” dress and “Textured Velvet” dress  priced at $27.80; the second option, dubbed the “Fitted Velvet” dress is available for $24.80.  Prices and images from forever21.com.)

Lulu’s has a stunning, (and stunningly affordable), option in gorgeous golden shade:

( Want to smolder at your next holiday party?  Look no farther than this molten masterpiece, aptly-named “Hot of Gold!”  DO. WANT.  And for forty dollars?  CAN. HAVE. Image and price from lulus.com.)

For those who may not want to commit to being fully-clad in the majestic material, consider accenting your wardrobe with these items from Modcloth:

(Modcloth never fails to present stylish and sophisticated options to its buyers!  In order:  ”I’m Pumped Heel” available for $34.99; “Glamorous Gait,” also known as Brooke’s next purchase, available for $34.99;”Tranquil Nights” available for $39.99.  Images and prices from modcloth.com.)

To feel good fabrics and prices,

Brooke

Bustier Your Spirits

Feeling like a walk, (or saunter), on the sexy side of life?  Slip into one of fall’s hottest pieces:  the beautifully bold bustier.  

It was difficult to locate items that didn’t look like they belonged to one of tomorrow night’s festive frolickers, but a few stores managed to exude the essence of chic, not cheap.

Forever21 brings the rocker edge:

(Sequins and leather and sex appeal, oh my!  First item available for $19.80; second piece available for $24.80.  Images and prices from Forever21.com.)

From JCPenny’s Olsenboye collection, a clearance item with a more girly take on the trend:

(Down from $50.00 dollars to $24.00!  Pair with a cozy sweater to bring this sweet and summery item into fall.  Image and price from JCPenny.com.)

Lulus has the last budget option with a little basic black bustier:

(Flirty for $30.00!  Sweeten with a full skirt and jacket or spice up with skinny jeans and heels.  Photo and price from lulus.com.)

For a bit more you can channel your inner Sophia Loren with this Modcloth morsel:

(Inspire amore in this little number for $64.99!  Price and photo from modcloth.com.)

To channeling your inner siren without splurging,

Brooke

Plato’s Haul

You know by now that Plato’s Closet is Flat Brooke staple; what could be better than a store that gives you cash for your used clothes and provides designer duds for a discount?

Yesterday I stopped by, meaning only to window shop.  Big mistake.  Turns out they have the cutest outfits in those windows.  I found this subtly shimmering beige Calvin Klein blouse and fell head over heels in love:

I couldn’t find a photo online; thus my wonky picture skills are on display again.  I couldn’t resist this top’s soft shine, (a fall trend), especially for the price!  I paid $8.00 for a Calvin Klein originally priced at $59.00!

Fall, for those who shop at the Closet, is a time to rejoice for both budget and wardrobe, as both jackets and jeans can be found in great supply.  When I went in six racks were dedicated to jeans of all shapes, colors, and sizes.  Brands ranged from cheapies from Forever21 to expensive labels like JBrand and 7 For All Mankind. I went slowly and painstakingly through maybe sixty pairs to find something I had to have:

Finding a great pair of skinnies is hard for me; I’m extremely picky about fit and shape.  Usually, a pair of legging-like jeans make my legs look like sausages bursting out of a too-tight casing.  These Gap 1969 super lightweight legging jeans slid on softly, clinging just the right amount to make my legs look long and lean instead of like they belong to Jimmy Dean.  Not only did they fit perfectly, but they only cost me $15.00.  The price listed on gap.com for these soon-to-be wardrobe staples is $69.95!  Photo and price from gap.com.)

Again, bear in mind that not all Plato’s will sell the same stock…but chances of finding items like these are extremely high!  

To perfection at Plato’s,

Brooke

P.S. Feel free to email me with stories or pictures of your latest haul!  I’d love to get some feedback from you lovely budget babes:)!

Sheer Joy

Fall’s latest trend can only be described as demurely daring; rather than completely bare a sinuous stretch of skin, designers have opted to wrap it in sheer fabric, offering only tantalizing glimpses of what lies beneath.

(Olivia Wilde looking gorgeous in floor-length gown with some seriously sexy sheer sides.  Image from streetglamourtoday.com.)

We’ll start with the more casual options, offered by our ol’ reliable (Forever21):

(Forever21 has got a ton of great casual options under its “GLAM IN BLACK” portion of the website…these three immediately caught my eye for their interpretations of the sheer trend!  First item available for $19.80, second for $17.80, and third for $19.80. Images and prices from Forever21.com.)

Charlotte Russe has a few items that read more sexy siren than casual chic:

(Two trends in one:  lace and sheer paneling!  First dress also available in black and blue for $34.99, second also available in white for $29.99, and third also available in black for $29.99. Images and prices from charlotterusse.com.)

Sophisticated elegance is what Lulu’s brings to the table with its interpretations:

(I’ve gotta say, even though these are about ten dollars more than Charlotte Russe’s dresses, they’re  actually my three favorite options.  It might be that they would flatter my curvy body type; someone with a taller, slimmer frame might be better suited to Forever21’s rocker cool aesthetic.  I think Charlotte Russe’s could flatter the gamut of figures.  First dress also available in red for $39.00, second also available in burgundy for $41.00, and the third also available in red for $42.00.  Images and prices from lulus.com.)

To sheer will in bargain-hunting for trendy pieces,

Brooke

Red Hot

Want jeans as spicy as you are?  Look no farther than jeans in red, fall’s favored fashion hue.

(Hayden Panettiere rockin’ some jeans with attitude in the Big Apple. Sadly for us, her J Brand jeans are rockin’ a price tag of over two hundred dollars.  Image from denimology.com/price from polyvore.com.)

Wet Seal has some fantastic flares in “biking red” for sale for $19.50 online:

(Perfect for those who prefer a little looser cut! Image and price from wetseal.com.)

Forever21 has a similar pair of darker red flare jeans as well as a brighter skinny pair for a just a few more dollars:

(I’ve gotta say, I’m really loving the bright ones!  There’s something about that fire-engine red that really captures a spirit of youthful boldness.  Flare leg jeans available for $24.80; skinny jeans available for $22.80.  Images and prices from forever21.com.)

I fully approve of Hayden’s pairing of her jeans with a tough leather jacket; these bottoms are truly ideal for a night when you want a vibe more punk rock than cute and casual.  And where better to find items that embody young punk rock than Hot Topic?  

(What’s great about these is that we finally have the option of finding both blindingly bright skinny jeans and the more elusive darker red skinny jeans all in one place!  First pair available for $29.00/second for $34.50.  Images and prices from hottopic.com.)

To awesomely-priced punk instead of budget blues,

Brooke

Crossing Over

Fashion has taken a cue from beleaguered students everywhere and fallen for cross body bags this fall.  What I love about these purses is their versatility; they can be used to carry fairly large loads easily or simply serve as just an academically-inspired accent to your outfit.

(Kirsten Dunst looking fly even in casual wear thanks to her Ralph Lauren Covered Lock Cartridge bag….did I mention it costs $2895 dollars?!  Image and item name from coolspotters.com/price from ralphlauren.com.)

For those of us not up to spending a couple thou on…anything, really, other options are available. Forever21 has this bag for only $22.80:

(Cutout Floral bag from Forever21. The cutouts add a girly touch that livens up the handbag, IMHO.  Price and image from forever21.com.)

Modcloth, however, earns the title of captain of cross body bags; the prices are almost triple those of Forever21’s bags, but so are the options.  Two of my favorites are:

(The Persimmon Poise Satchel, available for $64.99.  I hate actual persimmons, but love this color more than is healthy.  It’s roomy, cute, and makes a statement appropriate for work or play. Image and price from modcloth.com.)

(First Internship Satchel available for $59.99.  Isn’t this very Rory Gilmore? I feel more competent/caffeinated already just looking at it! The item is out of stock at the moment, but Modcloth is usually great about restocking requested items.  So request, people! Image and price from modcloth.com.)

To crossing the line with budget cross body bags,

Brooke

Bright, Bright Neony Day

Sorry for the week-long hiatus, everybody!  It was my birthday Thursday:)  

But I’m back now, with a new color trend report; neon yellow, in fashion terms, means the opposite of caution now!

I find bright colors like this easier to pull off as accessories rather than full pieces.  A little bit of neon will go a long way in adding  a pop to any outfit!

Etsy was the best source for affordable neon yellow jewelry; I found three great options for under $20.00.

In a bit of a punk mood?  Try these cool zipper earrings from “DPADClothing:”

(Only $12.00!  Image and price from etsy.com.)

Eager to find a piece that’s two trends in one?  Look no farther than these neon yellow feather earrings from “StyLynn.”

($13.00 for these funky feathers…Image and price from etsy.com.)

My last piece from Etsy is a statement necklace that errs on the side of the avant-garde.  Made of metal and yarn, this piece is perfect for a fashionista with a taste for the unique:

($17.00 from the shop “adoodle.”  Image and price from etsy.com.)

But Etsy’s jewelry isn’t the only way to incorporate neon yellow into your wardrobe; celebrities like Katy Perry have been “nailing” this color trend, as shown below:

(Purrfect interpretation from the pop diva.  Image from polyvore.com.)

A great option for the polish comes from trusty old Forever21:

(Available for only $2.80 from forever21.com)

To neon yellow in your wardrobe being “elementary”, my dear readers,

Brooke