Flat 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

Right on Target

Target’s been in the news lately for the Missoni collection fiasco, but I’m less interested in infamy than tried-and-true; I went into the store yesterday and made a beeline for a section that never disappoints:  the shoe aisle.  

I found a great pair of suede platform pumps that came in red, black, taupe, and gray for only $29.99:

(Mossimo’s paisley suede pumps are my new “Goldilocks” heels…not so high as to be unmanageable, and not so low as to read “dowdy.” Image and price from target.com.)  

My second find was in line with fashion’s fascination with all things fair and feminine:

(Xhilaration’s Shannon pump is available in silver, black, and red for only $19.99!  This heel is a dealImage and price from target.com.)

I’ve been looking for some footwear in the wine color that is all the rage now that also won’t require a bottle of Pinot Noir to forget the fact that walking around all day in them has caused your feet to turn into blistered meat slabs.  I found what I was looking for in these Merona wedges:

(Merona Milena Suede Wedges available in black, gray, and red for $29.99.  I love items like this that can be adorably appropriate whether you’re stuck behind a desk all day or constantly on your feet!  Warning:  head into the store for the black and gray options, as they appear to be sold out online.  Image and price from target.com.)

To shoe cravings that end with savings,

Brooke

Sometimes it’s Okay to Splurge Away

Most of the time, I avoid pricey items like the plague.  Tough times call for tough shopping strategies; many of which include shunning designer duds for budget beauties.  But sometimes, (and only sometimes), it’s okay to spend away on a piece that’s “worth it.”

But what makes something “worth it?”  I’ve made up some FlatBrooke rules for a (justifiable) case of the splurges.

1) The piece is of good quality and fit. The only exceptions are if something is easily fixable, like a few loose threads on a button.  If it needs tailoring, it’s out.

2) The piece makes a statement.  T-shirts, jeans, and the like can be found almost anywhere, at almost any price.  That gorgeous trench you’ve been eyeing cannot.

3)You want this purchase and you know you’ll use it.  It’s the kind of thing you’ve been passing in the store window for a few weeks and can’t get out of your head.  Do not, and I repeat DO NOT, buy something expensive just because you’re feeling bad or are shopping with richer friends who buy 8 things and look at you with those terrible pity eyes when you just buy a frozen yogurt.  Pretend you don’t see the pity eyes, because you will be making the same face at your wallet in a couple weeks if you buy something you will never wear.

Expensive means different things to different people as well.  To me, expensive means over $50.00 on a purchase.  That’s why I was almost hesitant when I found this Bebe trench coat at my local Plato’s for $60.00.

(Photo from thisnext.com)

I happen to love the Bebe aesthetic, but not the price.  So when this came along, in a great color with a great fit, I put aside my fears and purchased it.  Not only was it $70.00 off the original, but it was a unique purchase in such great condition that I couldn’t afford not to snatch it up.  

(P.S.  I don’t know if all the Plato’s are on the same schedule, but mine is Jacket City!  A good five racks were just full of leather, wool, and satin blazers and jackets.  I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to fall weather this much!)

To playing by the rules,

Brooke