Bon Vivant and a Budget

My Kate Young x Target Shoot

2013-04-12T22:56:00.000-04:00

A little while ago I did a photo shoot with Target for its latest design collaboration - Kate Young for Target. Kate is a Hollywood celebrity stylist with a keen eye for color and proportion, so it was really easy to model for her. Kate picked this body con chartreuse dress out for me and it fit like a glove (no alterations necessary)... I'm 6'2" so that's no small feat. This picture appeared in a nationwide Target Style email campaign, but there are a few other shots that Target should be sending me soon. The Kate Young for Target collection appears in stores and online April 14.

xX Helene

Inspiration File

2013-04-04T03:04:00.000-04:00

xX Helene

Free Pinkberry

2013-04-03T01:40:00.003-04:00

I love Pinkberry, but a $6 cup of yogurt doesn't always have a place in my budget. Well as luck would have it, every Wednesday this April you can stop by any Pinkberry store for a free small Greek Yogurt from 11am-2pm.

For a list of all Pinkberry locations click here. Save these dates on your calendar 4/3, 4/10, 4/17 and 4/24.

What is your favorite dessert?

xX Helene

Seeking the Next Snooki (or TLC Reality Star)

2013-04-01T21:56:00.000-04:00

Because you read Bon Vivant and a Budget, you must love saving money, right?! Well, a casting director from a TLC reality show about people who live large for less thought you might be perfect for their show (and I do too)!

Here's the casting notice for you, my lovely readers in NYC:

Do you have a family member or friend who knows how to stretch their dollar to its absolute breaking point? Does the idea of spending money on anything other than what is ABSOLUTELY necessary make them sick to their stomach? Do they love showing off how very little they spend?

Then we want to meet them! TLC is currently casting for a second season of a hit show and is seeking families, couples or individuals who live well on very, VERY little. In this day and age, many people want to save more and spend less. But for them, saving every penny possible borders on OBSESSION!

If this sounds like someone you know, please NOMINATE them by emailing SECONDSEASONCASTING@GMAIL.COM with the following information:

Name/s, Age, Address, Phone, Email... and tell us a little about their lifestyle and why you think they made the decision to live this way. Please give specific examples and please include photos of them.

Apply and let me know if you make it on the show. Good luck!

xX Helene

Trendspotting: Pastels

2013-03-29T22:14:00.001-04:00

Spring is officially here in the Northeast! Even though the temperatures are still a bit nippy outside, it's time to burst out of that dark, heavy cocoon of winter clothing and lighten up. For Spring 2013, pastels are taking center stage.

Right now, I'm completely smitten by an airy, sorbet-like palette of mint green, blush pink, peach, butter-creme yellow, lavender and robin's egg blue.

Whether you don the trend head-to-toe or simply dip your finger and toenails in pastel colored polish, there is something to inspire everyone. There's even home decor... take a gander!

*All images via Pinterest

Do you have any pastel pieces in your wardrobe?

xX Helene

Doing Fashion Blogger Things

2013-02-26T12:03:00.002-05:00

I so rarely post pictures of myself on the blog, but I figured I'd switch it up and offer you a glimpse into some happenings as of late: launch parties, meet and greets, style studios,showroom visits, fashion shows and more ... stay tuned!

xX Helene

Maidenform Outlet Shopping

2013-02-25T21:32:00.002-05:00

How many times have you heard that undergarments are the foundation of any look? Probably more times than you can count, but it's true- the right underpinnings can lift, shape and smooth while hiding the fact that you may have skipped 1, 2 or 10 workouts!

Woodbury Commons Maidenform Outlet Staff

Typically good bras, shape-wear and lingerie cost a lot of money, but I come bearing good news. Earlier this month, lingerie brand Maidenform opened a new store at Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY and everything is sold significantly below retail... The prices are actually Bon Vivant and a Budget approved!!!! Maidenform invited me to visit the new store for the VIP treatment and a little shopping spree, but what fun is shopping without girlfriends?! So I brought fellow bloggers Carol and Ely to join in on the fun!

The ladies working at the store were super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. After fitting us for bras, they guided us in finding many comfortable, fashionable styles from their large, well-curated selection. I'm extremely pleased with the pieces that I took home, but I won't be doing bra and underwear outfit posts on the blog anytime soon hahahaa :)

Where do you shop for lingerie? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Counting Down... Duro Olowu for JCPenney

2013-02-23T20:17:00.001-05:00

Not gonna lie, I'll probably be one of the crazy shoppers lined up at 5 am on Friday, March 1st to get my hands on Nigerian designer Duro Olowu's collection for JCPenney. From housewares to clothing and accessories, Olowu's use of print is bold, bright and inspiring. And even better yet, since the collaboration is with JCPenney, it's also affordable... Bon Vivant and a Budget approved! See the rest of the looks here before they hit JCP stores.

Are you looking forward to any upcoming designer collaborations? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

If the Dress Doesn't Fit, Buy it Anyway

2013-02-15T17:12:00.003-05:00

As you can probably tell from the umpteen posts I have created about the topic, I simply adore vintage clothing. I also adore actress/fashion icon Tracee Elis Ross' unique style, so naturally I found her vintage dress video inspiring. Too many times I've passed up stunning thrift finds because they weren't flattering on my body... In this video, Tracee proves that you can buy those pieces anyway and just have them altered to fit.

Have you gotten any thrift pieces lately? Where are your favorite places to thrift shop? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Baublebar Popup Shop in NYC

2013-02-07T14:51:00.002-05:00

It's e-commerce jewelry site Baublebar's 2 year anniversary and they are celebrating in style with a NYC popup shop and complimentary gifts. Just for stopping in and adding your email address to their mailing list, you will be given a surprise piece of jewelry completely for FREE!!! I scored some sweet earrings. And if you tweet or Instagram a picture of your gift with the hashtag #BBunwrapped, they'll give you a second gift on the spot.

Valentine's day is coming up, maybe you're single but maybe you're not... who says a man has to buy you jewelry anyway?! Head to Baublebar's Popup Shop and buy some pretty baubles for yourself. Prices start at $15. They're only in town until February 16th at 344 West 14th Street @ 9th Avenue in the Meatpacking District... Hurry!

I feel naked without earrings. What is your favorite type of jewelry? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Wear the Clothes You Have

2013-02-04T15:01:00.002-05:00

Who would have thought that Scott Schuman, the man behind street style photo-blog The Sartorialist, would say anything worthy of mention on a budget fashion blog?! It's especially ironic considering that Schuman's photo subjects are often dressed head-to-toe in full-priced (gasp) designer clothing... if it isn't painstakingly obvious, paying full price (or a high price) for anything is not Bon Vivant and a Budget approved... in fact, it's almost a cardinal sin on this blog!

Anyway, there I was thumbing through Schuman's second book, The Sartorialist: Closer, when I came upon a paragraph of text (the book is largely pictures) that resonated with me:

"It's pretty funny that we buy pre-washed, pre-ripped, pre-faded clothes. Yet we can achieve that look ourselves with a couture-ish level of uniqueness that store bought pre-aging will never, ever duplicate."

Immediately I thought of my Nigerian immigrant father. When he was alive, he would chide me for wearing clothing with intentional rips, holes and fraying. Dad found it nonsensical (and sometimes comical) that I was willing to drop cold, hard cash on new clothes that appeared distressed and worn out. In fact, he considered it a privilege of the West. Somewhere along the way my dad's ethos must have rubbed off on me... These days I don't find myself buying mass produced "beat up" clothing much. Instead I look for quality pieces with sound construction, craftsmanship and materials that I can wear in beautifully myself.

That said, let's attempt to consciously shop our closets and wear what we already own more often. If you don't wear it, donate it to charity, swap it or sell it to Buffalo Exchange (Beacon's Closet or any other store of the sort).

My favorite worn-in piece is a shrunken Levis denim jacket (worn here) that I have owned for half a decade and wear nearly everyday in Spring and Fall. What is yours? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

H&M 30% OFF Coupon

2013-02-02T09:15:00.000-05:00

Now until February 6, 2013 you can get 30% off any regular priced item at H&M simply by printing this page or showing it on a smartphone... You're welcome!

The groundhog didn't see its shadow this morning, which means we will probably have an early Spring!!! Are you getting your wardrobe ready for the seasonal change yet? What's on your warmer weather must-have list?

xX Helene

Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Lewis

2013-02-01T14:43:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday! Let's segue into the weekend with something light... maybe some inspiration to go thrift shopping?! This music video entitled Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis is pretty funny, but be forewarned if you are playing it sans headphones - the song is sprinkled generously with F bombs and other expletives. That said, it's not my intent to offend you by posting this, but rather to provide you with something that makes you smile and think... I hope it works!

What do you think of this song? Do you like the eccentric outfits pictured in the video? Do you thrift shop? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

IFB Links a La Mode January 31, 2013

2013-01-31T22:32:00.001-05:00

Bon Bivant and a Budget is featured on the Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) Links à la Mode, a compilation of the online fashion community's top twenty blog posts for the week ending January 31st.

Pinky & The Brain... edited by Taylor Davies

So what do I mean exactly by Pinky & The Brain? Well, this week’s round up is a mix of fun and colorful posts that incorporate a lot of pink as well as insightful commentary on the industry and some recent designer collections. This collection of posts sums up much of what our IFB community is about – mixing beauty and stylish content with an intelligent and business-minded approach.

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JANUARY 31ST

Bon Vivant and a Budget: Trendspotting – Baseball Cap Beauties
Chic City Life: IFB Conference Has Arrived
Dress Code High Fashion: Jean Paul Gaultier’s Homage to 80s Pop Icons
Emphatically Elle: Mix & Match Style Essentials for Under $50
Fashioned By Love: Emporers New Clothes or Am I Going Mad?
IFB: Get To Know This Season’s Smart, Sassy & Stylish IFBcon Speakers
Informed Style: Inspiration – Traditional Lu Jacket
Inspirations & Celebrations: Celebrate the Year of the Snake
Lollie Shopping: Five Favorite Fashion Moments on Film
Peace Love Sequis: Outfit Recreations
Pearls & Twirls: Tuesday Twirls – Tights
Pittsburgh in Polka Dots: Plaid + Tweed Under The Kissing Bridge
Pudding Monster: Spring Blossom
Quiet Beginning: The Density of Light
Style Sizzle: How to Keep Your Jeans from Bleeding
TBW Idea: Exclusive Interview With Fashion Photographer Alberto Maria Colombo
The Curatorial: Yoox.com – The Polemics of the New Purveyors of Art
The Fluff Report: Red & Pink: Bobbi, Bloggers & Beauties
The In Club: What the Hell is Wrong with Ads Today?
Youth Savage: How Much Do Ideas Cost?

SPONSOR: Shopbop

Christian Siriano for Payless

2013-01-30T14:51:00.001-05:00

Back in 2008, twenty-one year old Christian Siriano was the youngest designer to win Project Runway. A year later, the Christian Siriano for Payless collaboration debuted. Since that time, Siriano's design talent has truly blossomed and Payless has elevated its shoe game to match. Never in all my life did I think I'd be lusting after a pair of Payless Shoes, but the precocious designer has worked some serious magic with this collaboration. In fact, I bought two pairs of pumps from his autumn/winter collection before they sold out... Now it's time for Spring...

These platform mint beauties cost only $54.99 (and as you can see, the mint green trend is not going anywhere). One would expect to find something with these design qualities on a site like Net-a-Porter for hundreds of dollars more. I'm also loving these metallic pink oxfords for $44.99. And in even better news for hard-to-fit, fashion forward gals like me, these shoes come in US women's sizes 5-13.

P.S. If you want to save even more money, search the internet for a coupon code (as I type this, you can get a 20% off discount by inputting the code 70128 at checkout )

What do you think of the Christian Siriano for Payless shoe collection? Are the shoes worth the price? Are they wearable? Is there still stigma associated with wearing Payless shoes? Chime in via the comments section below.

xX Helene

Loehmann's Italian Event Preview

2013-01-28T08:47:00.000-05:00

It's not very often that I find myself in New Jersey these days, but after Loehmann's invited me to a fashion blogger preview of The Italian Collection before it hits stores, I was back in the garden state in a heartbeat.

So on a blustery cold Saturday morning I bundled up and headed to the Loehmann's store in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. From there, a select group of fashion bloggers was shuttled to the Rutherford, NJ warehouse. Having grown up in the fashion capital that is NYC, I was unimpressed when we arrived at our destination- a grey windowless building in an area devoid of foot traffic and beauty- clearly, this wasn't Fifth Avenue, Rodeo Drive or The Magnificent Mile. But the plain facade of the warehouse belied the glamorous clothes that awaited us. Walking through the warehouse we were able to see and touch thousands of clothes, shoes and accessories from coveted Italian designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana and many more.

The amazing part is that these clothes will be sold in Loehmann's stores across the country at prices that are hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars below retail. I always naïvely assumed that Loehmann's and other retailers of its sort were sent catalogs and samples to pick what they wanted to sell and simply ordered inventory at a set price. It never occurred to me that the process was much more hands on. After chatting with several of Loehmann's buyers, I learned about this process in depth...

Loehmann's buyers cultivate relationships with design houses throughout Italy; whenever these design houses have surplus inventory that they haven't managed to sell, they contact off-price retailers such as Loehmann's, Bluefly and Century21. With limited stock available, discount designer clothing is a majorly competitive business. That said, buyers are constantly jet-setting so they don't miss out on something special. Equipped with trend forecasts, an understanding of their customer's purchasing habits and an eye for style, Loehmann's buyers visit Italy six times a year to select merchandise for their stores. The buyers then negotiate the best prices for what they want, ensuring that Loehmann's can bring its customers fabulous pieces at equally fabulous prices. The Italian Collection arrives in Loehmann's Stores on February 27... you might just want to be there!

My favorite Italian designers are Adele Fado, Patrizia Pepe and Dolce & Gabbana... Do you have any favorites ?

xX Helene

Trendspotting: Baseball Cap Beauties

2013-01-26T00:41:00.000-05:00

Any image conscious woman understands that she may appear caressed in sloppiness simply by wearing the wrong pieces... big 90s scrunchies, unflattering "mom jeans", muumu dresses that lead to pregnancy speculations, anything with obvious stains or pilling... these items are part of what I've deemed the sloppy list and virtually scream "I have given up on life and I don't care how I look!"

The baseball cap was a mainstay on the sloppy list for many years. Only after a few chic women donned baseball caps recently, was the affect turned on its head... suddenly, the sporty baseball cap has emerged as one of the poshest trends for Spring 2013.

Why wear it? Because it's unexpected and directional; the baseball cap is the cherry-on-top (and whip cream) for an otherwise blasé outfit. Wear it with skinny jeans, mini-skirts, short shorts and always, always, always heels... putting a strong emphasis on the legs nicely offsets the masculine affect of the cap. You can easily buy a baseball cap for under $20... or to rock this fashion trend for free, borrow a baseball cap from your brother, father or boyfriend!

all images via Pinterest

What do you think of this trend? Will you be rocking a baseball cap this year? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Salvation Army Coat Sale January 2013

2013-01-05T02:18:00.002-05:00

I've been getting a lot of emails asking about the Salvation Army Coat Sale, so it's about time I wrote a post about it (sorry I should have gotten to it sooner). Anyway, the final coat sale for this winter season will be taking place tomorrow, January 5 2013. It starts at 9am so get your coffee ready!

Unlike last year when I made it a few times, I haven't actually gotten to attend any Salvation Army Coat Sales this winter (Trust me, I have more than enough coats). Below is a picture of my friend, Braxton after this past December's Coat Sale... Braxton got four coats for only $53... Amazing, right?! This sale expect everything to be further discounted because in shopping terms, it's the end of the winter season... I wish that meant warmer weather on the horizon... le sigh! Click HERE for my tips on shopping the SA coat sale.

Have you scored any post-holiday shopping deals lately?

xX Helene

20 Percent off H&M Coupon

2012-12-20T13:47:00.001-05:00

Hope this week is treating you well! If you are shopping, whether for yourself or others, I thought you might enjoy this 20 percent off coupon for H&M that's good until the end of the year. Click here to open it in a new window.

Xx Helene

The Tiny Closet Styling Technique

2012-12-12T23:44:00.003-05:00

Last month while surfing the web I stumbled upon The Tiny Closet blog. Instantly, I was captivated by the strikingly fashionable, yet minimalist aesthetic that Natalie Live, the petite ingenue behind The Tiny Closet, was able to create with such a small wardrobe. So naturally, I reached out to compliment her fabulous style and asked if she would do a collaboration of sorts with Bon Vivant and a Budget. It turns out Natalie was just as excited as I was... and bursting with great ideas too! Twenty-something emails later, we decided that Natalie would virtually style me using what she calls The Tiny Closet Styling Technique.

Here's what Natalie had to say:

So, I created 7 schemes around your hair, statement items and The Tiny Closet Styling Technique. Let's get started! First, I shopped around and picked out 18 items from Asos, Blue Planet, and American Apparel:

5 pairs of shoes

3 blazers

3 tops

...and 6 statement items:

floral pants

casual playsuit

dressy playsuit

maxi skirt

casual body con skirt

dressy asymmetric skirt

Then I began mixing and matching, coming up with various "schemes" centered around each statement piece. I call it The Tiny Closet Styling Technique because it's exactly what I do and how I'm able to get so many outfits out of such a small wardrobe.

So you've got more than 40 outfits out of just 18 items! I made sure everything I picked out was in stock and in your size and the best part: everything is under $100. Actually a lot of them are under $50.

Helene: I adore Natalie's choices and actually have a lot of similar pieces in my wardrobe already, so her styling hits the nail on the head!

Now the schemes:

I actually took a look through your Pinterest boards and you're all over the place! Very modern, hip, eclectic with a side of minimalist interest. I like... your interests gave me a lot to pick from. So you will see some color, some patterns, pattern mixing and then a lot black and white additions.

Part of the reason why most of the items are from Asos is because the models have similar measurements to you! From pictures, I guess you're between 5'10" and 6'?? The models on Asos are that range as well and they all fit a size 4.

Helene: It's amazing you can tell how tall I am just from pictures... I'm actually 6'2"

And here's the retail list in case you want to buy any of these great pieces...

Sheer Top
Black Blazer
White Crop Top
Black Crop Top
BB Dakota Jacket
Pattern Dress // River Island Cherub Print Body- Con Dress
Maxi Skirt // River Island Chelsea Girl Metallic Lace Maxi Skirt
Dressy Jumpsuit // ASOS Jumpsuit, Pleat Bust Origami Detail
Denim Jumpsuit // ASOS Sexy Bandeau Jumpsuit in Denim
Floral Pants // ASOS Crop Pants In Floral Print
Gold Flats // ASOS MOMENT Metallic Flat Shoes
Black Flats // ASOS MOMENT Flat Shoes
Snakeskin Shoes // ASOS MILKSHAKE Lace Up Flat Shoes
Body-Con Skirt // ASOS Pencil Skirt in Longer Length
Pink Blazer // ASOS Premium Evening Tux Blazer, blush pink
Glitter Boots // ASOS ALL THAT JAZZ Glitter Ankle Boots
Lace Flats // ASOS LIMIT Slipper Shoes, Metal Toe Cap

What do you think of the pieces? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Goodwill 35 Percent off Hanukkah Sale

2012-12-07T12:20:00.001-05:00

Is it Hanukkah already?! I'm amazed at how fast this year is flying by. Wasn't it Thanksgiving only yesterday?!

If you've been reading Bon Vivant and a Budget for a while, you're probably aware that I have a bit of a thrift shopping jones. I love hunting for unique clothing, one-of-a-kind art and eccentric furniture at bargain prices. So I might just have to stop by Goodwill on Sunday (December 9) because this 35% off store-wide discount is just too good to pass up. (No coupon necessary)

p.s. The Salvation Army Coat Sale is also this weekend.

What are your plans for this weekend? Will you be getting into any adventures?

xX Helene

Practicing Gratitude

2012-11-29T07:55:00.000-05:00

Lately I've gotten hooked on watching TED Talks. I find them interesting, informative and quick (I have a short attention span for tv). This particular video, one of my favorites so far, is only 3 minutes long. I say let's heed the speaker's advice and practice gratitude year round (not just on Thanksgiving Day)... it doesn't cost us anything to say "Thank you", but it can give others so much to feel appreciated!

xX Helene

Trendspotting: The Topknot

2012-11-28T00:57:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I get lazy... I don't want to leave my bed, I don't want to blog and I certainly don't want to do my hair, but I don't want to go outside looking a hot mess either. Anyone with me on this?!

Enter the topknot, a trend that is exploding in popularity as of late. Beyonce and Solange Knowles, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Gwen Stefani, Vanessa Hudgens, and Victoria Beckham are only a few of the myriad celebrities sporting the trend.

But what on earth is a topknot? A topknot is simply a really high bun. To create this hairstyle you only need a couple of hair elastics and your hair gathered on top of your head.... trust me it's really easy to do. That simplicity means it's not going to cost us common folk a month's salary to be on trend and it doesn't take hours to do either.

The topknot looks good on straight, curly, braided and even dread-locked hair. And in even more good news... it's versatile enough to go to the office, the classroom, the mall and even the gym.

The key to the topknot:

+ thick or long enough hair for the knot to be full; a tiny topknot doesn't have a pronounced affect and looks wimpy

+ well groomed eyebrows and clear skin (concealer and foundation are sometimes a girl's best friend)- pulling all your hair away from your face draws attention to the skin

+ large earrings, a statement necklace or bold lipstick really punctuate this look

How are you wearing your hair lately? Leave your comments below.

xX Helene

Guest Post: Unleashing the Animal Within

2012-11-20T00:33:00.000-05:00

This is a guest post by Hollywood celebrity stylist, Anya Sarre...

--

Let's face it, nothing says "I am woman, hear me roar" more than animal prints, and this fall has no shortage of critter inspired clothing. The time tested style is making a comeback on runways and cities everywhere, and it's the perfect way to show the world the inner you!

Start by picking your favorite print and building around it. Are you a graceful giraffe or a ferocious wild cat? Find something that speaks to you - there is no wrong choice.

To rock a trend, you have to truly love what you're wearing. Imagine a zebra tunic tee with colorful skinny jeans and ballet flats. Or pair that same tee with a pencil skirt and blazer to impress the boss at work. Perhaps the best trait about print is that it coordinates with any color scheme and body type.

Have fun experimenting with accent colors and fabrics!

If zebra isn't your style, there are plenty of other wild themed options to explore. My personal favorite is cheetah print. Having a rainy Seattle-style day? Cover up your daily duds with a cheetah printed raincoat paired with matching rain boots. A cheetah printed silk shirt is perfectly complimented by a brown or black cardigan and a pair of jeans. If you're feeling especially bold, pick up a printed sweater dress and accentuate with some booties.

Afraid the world isn't ready for your inner lioness? Try something more subtle like a chunky leopard bangle or giraffe printed heels with your little black dress. Scarves, bags, and shoes also add unique little splashes of attention-grabbing detail. Even a pattern on a daily item like sunglasses will turn heads on the street. Hiding a little print under your clothes in the form of a matching bra and panty set can even make you feel more self-assured.

Ultimately, animal prints are about having fun and being daring. So be brave and own this fall trend.
Animal prints are elegant, outgoing, and confident - just like you!

Do you love animal prints too? If so, which is your favorite piece to wear?

About the author of this guest post: Anya Sarre is one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Sarre is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. Checkout more of Sarre's stylish posts on the ShoeDazzle blog.

H&M 40 Percent off Coupon

2012-11-12T11:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Veteran's Day! Here's a 40 percent off coupon for H&M valid until November 14, 2012. You're welcome. :)

xX Helene