The Deal Hunter Diary

My girl, Lauren Messiah has launched a fab frugalista blog entitled, The Deal Hunter Diary. And look who she got for an in-depth Q&A... Click here for more on my $62 Stuart Weitzman wedding shoes. 

Am I Too Old To Wear Hello Kitty?

Regardless of me pushing my mid-30's, I bought a pleather Hello Kitty skirt at Target yesterday. Granted there are Hello Kitty heads stamped on the surface of it, but in my defense, you really can't see it. The skirt is THAT cute that I blurred the lines between adulthood and a possible young girl fetish. And I can't wait to wear it with my chambray button down and my man's P-Funk tee.

Always with chunky statement pieces from Stella and Dot. So, yes, I matured my new Fall look by regressing back to my childhood. Hello Style.

Good Day Columbus!

Good Day Columbus was definitely a good morning! Assisting as Columbus' Lead Cheap Chic Stylist to the talented Fashion Stylist/ Shopping Expert Jess Zaino, was literally a whirlwind of fun and full of cheap, chic fashion finds. The most amazing of finds was the "pharmacy look" that Jess purchased from a Walgreens and CVS on Rt. 71 near Dublin, Ohio, not only blew my mind but everyone's in the studio!

With the perfect white tank and the most gorgeous floral printed skirt...it just screamed chic! Next time your running in for some mascara, check out the clothing! The other two looks were just as amazing.

The Miss Tina by Tina Knowles for Walmart (yes, as in Beyonce's Mom) collection is to die. The leopard printed top (which is something I HAVE to buy), to the dark washed denim, was sleek, sexy, and was polished off sweetly with a black ballet flat, also from Walmart.

The grand finale though was the infamous summer dress that you love so much you want to wear year round! With a cobalt blue tight, black blazer that everyone needs because of its versatility, and an ankle boot all from Target, it was spot on for the fashionable and trendy girl. Throw on some affordable jewelry, "more is more," as Jess says, and you are a cheap, chic girl.

xo Revae

I Bought A Tutu

Every few years I do a photo shoot that represents who am I. Images to send along with interview requests. To post to my various blogs and such. And for over a decade, I have worked with photog, M. David Leeds to do so. Since my hair is now long, and my years are much more wise, I figured a photo shoot was the perfect thing to showcase my new adult self. So, I bought a tutu.

Yup, a tutu from the Capezio flagship store in Times Square, NYC for $17. Paired with a $18 blush pink leotard. American Apparel can suck it charging $80 for such an item. And I knew I wanted my H&M (p)leather vest or Forever 21 chambray top with tons of accessories, for that whimsical magical mixed with rough and tumble black swan gone bad vibe. Or rather, a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired mix of sweet and salty, as the cutie fancy boy pointed out to me, while admiring my tutu at Capezio.

Esmae, an Assistant Stylist on my Chew and Cheap Chic style team, effortlessly guided the pieces together to make the looks pop. And Shon, my amazing partner in Glam Squad crime turned the make-up out! My cheekbones have never looked so defined. And of course, my man with the cam, M. David Leeds shot some amazing photos that I can't wait to share with you. So enjoy the sneak peek from my cell phone shots and I'll give a twirl when the actual photos go up. Curtain down.

Brocade Is The Next Big Thing in Ohio

The pleasure of touring the country on a series of national Cheap Chic Shopping appearances is tremendous! The culture, the twang, the food... the fashion! I've been bopping around Columbus, Ohio this week with my Cheap Chic Stylist, Revae, readying our segment tomorrow for FOX 28's Good Day Columbus. Much like New York, it's easy to buy it cheap and make it chic at outside the box places; $2.99 Wedge Heels at Walgreens, adorable accessories for mere cents at Ollie's Discount Store and the countless thrift stores that pepper the city make it super easy. 

Unlike New York, the fashions are, well... different. BCBG is a brand that dominates and J Brand Brocade denim is the THING for the Fall season. If you're not up for the $250 plus price tag, hit up the Target in Easton for a similar pair for less than $20. 

And if you want more info on a Columbus tour, ask for my girl, Revae, here or email me here. She'll take good care of you.

Come One, Come All!

Got this insider invite to a bebe event in NYC this Thursday. Sip, nibbles & style, plus! a double-decker bus pick-up?! Cheerio, mate! I'm there.

Cheap Chic Shopping Makes It Mo' Better

This morning I had the pleasure of partaking in a Cheap Chic Shopping segment for Better TV. I had met host, Audra Lowe previously at a party, and both she and I couldn't get enough of sharing steals and deals that we've found over the years, so reconnecting with her on set was a blast!

I featured three Cheap Chic Shopping looks modeled by "actual clients, "real girls" if you will, as Cheap Chic Shopping is for everyone, not just the professional models you normally see on-air. One of the models, may even be a bridesmaid of mine... who am I kidding? Meg, a hairstylist at Salon V in the  East Village, was bold and brave enough to rock the pharmacy chic look, which YES! came from the pharmacy. Including the $1 shoes, and polka-dot beer cooler I repurposed as a clutch for $2.50.

I had originally purchased Yuri's shirt at H&M for $20 but on the way to the fitting, I found a similar dark denim button-down from a street vendor for $3!!? Of course, I negotiated that down to $2 matched with the $15 Old Navy dark denim, which topped the outfit out at $17!?

Rounding out the group of Cheap Chic cuties was Danielle. She loved her yellow, floral Summer dress so I made sure to refresh it for Fall with a fantastically rock glam leather-like jacket for $19 and tights I scored for $3 in the bargain bin. Her awesome booties, complete in trendy taupe for Fall with side fringe was $14 at my secret Soho spot. Come shopping on tour with me to find out more about that.

As for the segment, it airs next Wednesday, August 15. Click here to locate time and listings.

Five Easy Ways To Style A Black Blazer