Anyone who knows me understands that I love a good trend. I am all for experimenting with your style. Personal style is limitless...

But wait, doesn't that go against everything that the capsule wardrobe stands for? NO!

You can still indulge in trends, but they should be ones that you feel would be ones you wouldn't mind repeating another season  or even out of season.

For example, in the photo above, are all neutrals. Now, when khakis and tans were huge over the summer, I decided to invest in some items that were "on trend" but were still classic. What's great is that I've had these three items for over a year each...again, investing wisely in pieces you will love to wear over and over again (cue Nathan Sykes).

So, for this Fall 2016, I have selected a few trends that I could create looks from in my own capsule.

Let's get started...

TREND LOOK ONE: The Bomber Jacket, Plaid, and Bucket Bags

The varsity style bomber jacket gives the look a prep-school undertone while the Converse sneakers and leather pants add edge to the look. Add an on-trend item like the bucket bag and you definitely look too cool for school.

TREND LOOK TWO: Bodysuits and Loafers

I know not everyone is a fan of the adult version of a onesie, but to me, they are perfect for when you don't want that awkward uneven tuck from a shirt. What's great about this burgundy body is that it incorporates the lace-up trend as well. Paired with a simple black skirt, classic denim jacket, simple studs, and a black bag, the look almost screams girly...until you get to the shoes. A pair of unique loafers (especially with stud details) add a tough edge to the look.

TREND LOOK THREE: Duster Cardigans and Pointy Toe Pumps

I see the duster cardigan being a huge trend for Fall not just because it's cozy, but because you can pretty much wear a cardigan in any weather. I live in Florida and I've already worn mine a few times. Pairing the long cardigan with a shirt skirt allows for a bit more coverage as well as adds drama with the varying lengths. A basic t-shirt serves as a base for the outfit, while adding the pointy toe pumps gives it a bit of sophistication. A blush color choker adds a splash of color without completely throwing off the neutral theme of the outfit.

TREND LOOK FOUR: Shades of Blue and Leather Jackets

Shades of blue were quite popular during the Fall/Winter 2016 runway shows, but a simple way to incorporate that is to indulge in the denim on denim trend. Typically the key is to have two drastically different denims, but here I've paired a light wash denim skinny jean with a blue was chambray shirt which gives a bit more fluidity. The leather jacket is always a staple for Fall/Winter, and this year is not going to change. Adding the leather jacket and red pumps give the look a smart edge that's appropriate for almost any occasion.

TREND LOOK FIVE: Shades of Red, Plaid, Destroyed Denim, and Lace-Up Shoes

Four trends in one outfit? That's unheard of! Most fashion experts would drop their Chanel 2.55 if they heard of such a thing. Here's the key to pulling it off: keep it simple. A pair of distresssed denim shorts may seem summery to you, but by pairing it with a red plaid shirt, black lace up flats, and a deep red clutch, you've got a look ready for the daytime brunch life of a fashionista. The statements are made in the plaid shirt and denim shorts, while everything else is kept solid.

I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know, what are your favorite trends for Fall?

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

P.S. Follow Me On My Social Media Links At The Top Of The Page :)

     Hey guys and dolls! So it's been a week since I've posted my actual Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe (if you haven't seen the posts, I will link them at the end). I have to say, despite giving myself plenty of options, there's already been a few hiccups in the process. I knew there would be some changes throughout the month, but did not anticipate them happening within the first week! But not all changes were bad, some dare I say for the better. Let's review...

1) It is sooooo bloody hot in Florida right now! I intended on wearing closed-toe shoes to keep with the Fall theme. However, I have had to bust out my lace up gladiator sandals on quite a few occasions. It's just too hot to give up sandals yet, so I am adding these bad boys to my capsule and taking out my leopard print booties for now

2) The bucket bag is a bust. So my beloved Liz Claiborne bucket bag has a hole at the bottom of the bag. Needless to say, I don't know whether I will have it repaired or if I will call it a bust and give it away. The bucket bag is on trend, and having it in black is pretty handy, especially when going to concerts or being at amusement parks. But the bag has exhausted its cost per wear and I think it is just time to say goodbye. If you live in the Tampa Bay area and know of a business that repairs handbags, please let me know!

3) The casual black dress has been replaced. My Cotton On black t-shirt dress had to be replaced. The dress has shrunken over time and is now waaaayyyyy too short for me to wear as just a dress. So, on a recent shopping trip, I purchased this gorgeous black dress with lace inset on the back from Aeropostale. The one in my local mall is closing and having a "everything must go" sale. I purchased the dress for $27.65 as opposed to $39.50. You can still purchase the dress here.

4) The burgundy bodysuit? Also replaced. Let me tell you what happened with this bodysuit from Rue21. I ordered it online (mistake number 1) and picked it up in store WITHOUT trying it on, even after the sales associate advised I do so. I went home, tried it on and this is what happened:

My boobs looked bigger than they ever have before, and not in a good way. Also, you can't see it in the picture, but the bottom of my bra is exposed through the keyhole....what a bummer! So, I went to Rue21 and exchanged it for a ribbed, lace-up burgundy bodysuit with short sleeves, similar to the one below, but from their plus size range. Needless to say, a much better fit and look.

     Though my first week of capsule wardrobing has been a bit weird, I have to say I am loving how easy it is to get dressed in the morning, as well as how creative I can be with my outfits. I am still hoping to narrow down my closet even more, but it's going to take time. If you're currently on the journey towards minimalism, feel free to share any tips and tricks you have below.

Thanks for reading and I'll catch you later!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

P.S. Follow Me On My Social Media Links At The Top Of The Page :)

THE FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PROCESS

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART ONE

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART TWO

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART THREE

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART FOUR

    Hello everybody! The day has finally arrived! This is the final installment of the four-part Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe series. My main goal was to show you how I do the process by hand, so going forward, when I'm discussing these elements, they will make a bit more sense.

Hola/Hello! Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone had a great week and weekend so far. Mine has consisted of voting, hurricanes, flooding, work, and a little love life action. But I digress.

     Today is Part 3 of a four-part series for my Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe. If you're wondering how I started, I will link all of the parts at the bottom of this post.  The sections that we will be discussing today are my go-to pieces and go-to outfits.

     One of the benefits to a capsule wardrobe is that it allows you to really see what kind of pieces you go for. So many blogs and websites tell you to own a black skirt, but not everyone loves the same black pencil skirt. Some like a full skirt, maybe a-line, even maxi skirts are there for the picking. Every woman may own a black skirt, but your personal style determines what kind is essential to you.

     Once you know your go-to pieces, you can then think of easy outfit formulas that make you feel amazing and reflect your style. By having these formulas, when you're in a rush and are unsure of what to wear, you can look to the formulas and save so much time by not over-thinking it. Not to mention, it's great to see how your go-to pieces can work together and create a multitude of outfits. One thing to remember is that you can intermix your go-to pieces beyond the formulas created. They only serve as a base to support you when you're unsure of what to wear.

Below is a list of my go-to pieces for Fall and formulas I have created from them.*

GO-TO PIECES: When it comes to my go-to pieces, I find that I need versatility from work to chill days. Though my work wardrobe has become much more casual, I still like to have a tailored or formal undertone to them. I find that I gravitate to a blend of structured pieces as well as breezy ones. My go-to items include

GO-TO OUTFITS: Figuring out my go-to outfits was a breeze once I figured out which formulas served which purposes. The first three formulas listed are for work, since I spend most of my time working. My fourth and sixth formula are for special occasions/date nights/events. The fifth formula is my weekend attire, which will pretty much be the same unless it is cold (which means I would switch to jeans/pants). Below is a clear list of my outfit formulas:

1) Button Front Shirt + Skinny Jeans/Pants + Minimalist Heels/Loafers

2) Lightweight Jacket/Cardi + Easy Dress + Ankle Boots

3) Smart Jacket + Soft T-Shirt + Ankle Pants/Skinny Pants + Loafers

4) Feminine Blouse/Top + Pencil Skirt + Minimalist Heels/Statement Shoes

5) Soft T-Shirt + Mid-Thigh Shorts + Low-Top Sneakers

6) Smart Jacket + Soft T-Shirt + Mid-Thigh Shorts + Statement Shoes/Minimalist Heels

     We are almost to the end of the series! Check back tomorrow for the last installment of the Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe series which will feature the final items chosen for my capsule. If you want to check out Part 1 and 2, they are linked below. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions about the capsule wardrobe planning I am doing as well as any resources you may have if you're doing it as well!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART ONE

FALL 2016 CAPSULE WARDROBE PART TWO

P.S. Follow Me On My Social Media Links At The Top Of The Page :)

* The Capsule Wardrobe Planner used in this series is developed from the planner created by Caroline of Un-Fancy. Check out her blog by clicking on the blog name or for just the organizer, click here.

Hey Hey Hey!

First I want to say thank you for checking out my blog. It's a work in progress but I hope you will continue to check it out from time to time.

As the title states, this is Part Two of a Four-Part Introduction into my Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe. If you missed Part One, you can check out that post here.

In Part Two, we are going to talk about brands and colors. Knowing which brands you love and the color palette you want for your capsule wardrobe makes shoping for missing pieces so much easier. Another great thing about knowing your favorite brands and developing a color palette it that the items essentially will be interchangeable and coordinate with each other.

Below you will find my handwritten capsule wardrobe planner* page dedicated to brands and colors.

BRANDS: Narrowing down the brands I loved was vital to the development of my capsule wardrobe. Not only did it allow me to see whether I was purchasing items of good quality, but it also made shopping for additional pieces much easier. By knowing which brands I loved, I had a list of resources for shopping for future capsule wardrobes. The brands I love are:

COLORS: If you've been following my blog for some time now, you know that I love color. I adore every shade in the rainbow...visually. However, as I've grown into my own personal style, I've realized that I always lean towards neutrals. Being that I am now on a minimalist journey, I had to figure out what colors not only please me but will coordinate well together and maximize my outfit producing potential. After analyzing my closet and daily activities, I settled on the following colors for Fall...

                          

Now that I've gone over the brands and color palette for my capsule, the next thing we will go over are the go-to pieces and outfits created from those pieces.

Stay tuned for the next post!

Peace, Love, and Happiness

Sarah Jane R.

P.S. Follow Me On My Social Media Links At The Top Of The Site :)

* This is a handwritten capsule planner series developed from the Capsule Wardrobe Planner developed by Caroline of Un-Fancy. You can find her blog by clicking here and her link to the Capsule Wardrobe Planner here.

Well, it's been six months since my last post. I am back with another installment for my capsule wardrobe/minimalist style. Since adopting this style almost a year ago, I had some hiccups along the way. I went shopping when I didn't need to and ended up with clothing I didn't wear. I also recently lost quite a bit of weight and some styles just did not suit me anymore. However, for Fall 2016, I have finally found the method for me.

It all started with a worksheet from minimalist blogger Caroline's website, Un-Fancy. I printed the worksheet out sometime earlier this year and was afraid...very afraid. I didn't want to stick to a certain number. 37 pieces? Are you kidding me? That seemed impossible. And even though I definitely have way over 37 pieces (67 to be exact), I plan on slowly pairing down my wardrobe by turning items backwards in my closet. The point is for me to get sufficient wear out of my clothing without grabbing pieces that won't work.

I did my worksheet by hand since I didn't want to ruin it. Below, you will see part one of a handwritten version of the Capsule Wardrobe Planner that Caroline created. You can find a link to the original worksheet on Caroline's blog. This will be a 7-part series what will conclude with the visual representation of my Fall 2016 Capsule Wardrobe.

LIFESTYLE: So, I live a pretty dull life, haha. I work an 8-hour schedule that requires pretty casual clothing Monday through Friday. My weekends usually consist of running errands like grocery shopping, laundry, prepping blog posts, and other random cleaning chores. Every now and then I do have events that require me dress up a little bit. For example, my best friend has a secret birthday weekend planned that may require a step up from my usual jeans and t-shirt combos.

WORD ASSOCIATION: This section allows me to figure what my style says about me. I have a feeling that this may eventually change over time, but for now, these words describe how I want to feel when I get dressed for any day. I love being a bit edgy, bold, sex, and stylish while still being minimal, classic, and casual. I drew this inspiration from celebrities such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Solange, June Ambrose, and Stacey London, as well as bloggers such as Barbara from The Persian Babe, Patricia Bright, Shirley B. Eniang, Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup, Karla Deras of Karla's Closet, Nadia Aboulhosn, and Kim of The Natural Fashionista.

Because there are 6 pages to this handwritten documents, I will be doing each page individually so that it's not an overload of information.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2! If you're on a minimalism or capsule wardrobe journey, share any advice you have.

Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you all soon!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

P.S. Follow Me On My Social Media Links At The Top Of The Page :)

I did some shopping at H&M on the day of their grand opening and on Saturday so here's haul for that. Enjoy!

Here's the deets on what I bought:

Divided Leopard Braided Belt $5.95 (Size Medium)

Black 200 Den Tights $9.95 (Size Large)

Red Patent Belt $9.95 (Size Large)

Red Motorcycle Style Bag $24.95

Black and White Spotted Belts $5.95 each (Sizes Medium and Large)

Divided 5 Pair Pack of Socks $7.95 (Size 8-10)

Beige/Black Chanel Inspired Flats $24.95 (Size 10)

Divided Black Faux Leather Vest $34.95 (Size 12)

Ethnic Print Bomber Jacket $34.95 (Size 12)

Coral Peplum Sleeveless Dress $39.95 (Size 14)

Leopard Sleeveless Tulip Hem Dress $29.95 (Size 14)

Divided Faux Leather/Sheer Short Sleeved Top $24.95 (Size 12)

L.O.G.G. Basic Long Sleeved T-Shirts $12.95 each (Size XL)

Divided Gray Heart Sweatshirt Tunic $19.95 (Size 12)

V-Neck Henley Style Tunic Blouses $12.95 each (Size Large)

Divided Long Sleeved Tunic Shirts $12.95 each (Size 12)

Divided Short Sleeve Bodysuits $9.95 each (Size 12)

Divided 30 Pack Bracelets $5.95

Divided Gold Knuckle Ring $4.95

Divided Gold Hoop Earrings $4.95

If you've been to the new H&M at Tyrone Square Mall, let me know some of your cool purchases :)

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

Hello Fashionistas and Fashionistos!

Hope everyone is had a great first week of classes, or second or third week. I've been under the weather due to this stupid antibiotic (side effects are a b****!). I'm feeling better today so I decided to dress a little cuter. 

 Just one look into your eyes

Makes me feel paralyzed

So many feelings inside

Instead of telling you the truth I tell lies

I did a little shopping at ASOS about a month ago and recorded this video. Enjoy!

I filmed this about a month ago so the code for the 20% off is invalid now. However, the items I bought are even cheaper now so you're still getting a pretty sweet deal.

Ana Konder Exclusive for ASOS Faux Fur Hat: http://tinyurl.com/6rqho2r
Geometric Rubber Watch: http://tinyurl.com/6wzn4vf
Leopard Print Skinny Watch: http://tinyurl.com/883ktuv
Fang Armcuff: http://tinyurl.com/77uf32y
Straight Leg Trousers with Contrast Piping
         Regular Size: http://tinyurl.com/6psg4g2
         Plus Size: http://tinyurl.com/7zzex44

For more video posts, subscribe to my YouTube channel :)

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

Life involves a lot of challenges

Some are easy to handle, while others make you wonder "Why me?"

Lately I've been feeling like everyday is a test

And all I'm asking for is to pass my final

I got slap happy shopping online at Forever 21 lol.

If you have any questions about fit or where to find the items, feel free to comment. The only item no longer on the site is the stretchy horn ring I got.

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Sarah Jane R.

I'm an 80s baby, raised in the 90s

My style reflects the influences from decades behind me

I adore going thrifting to get that old thing back

And just like H-Town, makes those moments once again a fact

Can't wait to style my new finds :)

Peace, Love, and Happiness

Sarah Jane R.

 I can be one cocky MF.

I don't mean to come off that way.

I mean I really can't help it.

I am the MFing ish.

Okay, many of my friends know I love Nicki Minaj. Like, if I was a lesbian, I'd totally try to get at her lol. I love her flow and what I adore the most is her style She dresses like a real life Barbie doll. I would kill to be her stylist and work with her on trying new looks (plus the shopping would be amazing!). So, in honor of her album, "Pink Friday", releasing November 19, I wanted to bring back one of my earlier segments, Cheaply Chic, by doing four looks from the femcee herself. I have taken the liberty to do both standard size versions and plus size versions of each look, because you can be a "Barbie" at any size :) So, without further delay...Cheaply Chic: Nicki Minaj

Louis Vuitton Barbie

Every Barbie must have a signature designer look. Nicki Minaj has claimed to be a "Shopaholic" and rock the best designers, and we see that here where she's rocking an amazing Louis Vuitton purse (while her security guard carried her other LV bag). Here, minus the LV logo, we get similar shapes and concepts for under $175 in each look.

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look 1 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring forever21 bracelets

Wet Seal Taupe Studded Shoulder Wrap $21.50
Forever 21 White Fab Ribbed Layering Tank $5.50
Forever 21 Black Pleather Leggings Rib Trim $15.80
Forever 21 Taupe Voila Cut-Out Heels $26.80
Forever 21 Taupe Soft Leatherette Handbag $32.80
Forever 21 Gold Elastic Panel Bracelet $9.80
Forever 21 Gold Romania Beaded Bracelet $8.80
Forever 21 Love and Beauty Magenta Nail Polish $2.50
Total Look: $123.50

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look Plus 1 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring a khaki jacket

Torrid Ruffle-Front Cropped Jacket - Khaki $48.00
Wet Seal Plus Basic Amber Cami - White $7.50
Torrid Black Matte Faux Leather Legging $25.00
Torrid Faux Suede Hilda Taupe Pleated Heel $39.00
Forever 21 Brown Alligator Leatherette Bag $29.80
Forever 21 Gold Elastic Panel Bracelet $9.80
Forever 21 Romania Beaded Bracelet $8.80
Forever 21 Love & Beauty Magenta Nail Polish $2.50
Total Look: $170.40

Shoe Game Barbie

Nicki is known for having crazy shoes. I mean, if I could replicate every shoe I've seen her wear, I'd probably be in shoe heaven. Whether they are Louboutins, Giuseppes, Dior, Chanel, she rocks them all so well. In this photo, she's wearing Giuseppe Zanotti heels, and i must say, those shoes are crazy! It's only right that when recreating this look, the shoes has to be just as amazing as the dress. Nicki is rocking a custom made dress by LaQuan Smith. Some may say rocking two statement pieces at once is a fashion no-no. However, as long as the dress has simple structure, what's rock with a crazy shoulder or embellishment with an equally crazy shoe? The best thing here, the looks cost barely over $100.

Nicki Minaj Inspired look 2 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring asos dresses

ASOS Motel Applique Detail Body-Conscious Dress $68.96
Urbanog.com Qupid Catwalk-84 Mesh Studded Bootie $34.40
Total Look: $103.36

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look Plus 2 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring a bow tie dress

ASOS Curve Dobby Mesh Panel Ruched Sleeve Dress $44.82
Urbanog.com Qupid Gaze-122 Ruffle Open Toe Sandal $26.90
Total Look: $71.72

Casual Barbie

Nicki doesn't always have to rock an outrageous outfit in order to look fierce. Here, she's wearing simple black with a great black and white cropped top. This is a look that can be worn out with friends or even to school. By layering a tank top under the crop top, you make it go from ultra sexy to subtle seduction. What's great is that you can achieve this look for under $100

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look 3 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring stretch knit gloves

Wet Seal Blue/Red Boxy Crop Jacquard Sweater $22.50
Charlotte Russe Black Reversible Seamless Cami $7.50
Forever 21 Black Pleather Leggings W/ Rib Tim $15.80
Urbanog.com Black Wild Rose Viena-01 Strappy Bootie $12.40
Girlprops.com Wrist Length Black Stretch Gloves $4.99
Total Look: $63.19

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look Plus 3 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring stretch knit gloves

Torrid Open-Knit Dolman Cropped Cardigan - White $29.98
Wet Seal Plus Black Basic Amber Cami $7.50
Torrid Black Matte Faux Leather Legging $25.00
Urbanog.com Black Wild Rose Viena-01 Strappy Bootie $12.40
Girlprops.com Wrist Length Black Knit Gloves $4.99
Total Look: $79.87

Pink Barbie

Nicki Minaj wears a lot of pink...period. She rocks pink manicures, pink lips, and pink clothes. So this look is definitely a typical look that she would rock while promoting her album and music. What's great is that instead of doing a super crazy all over pink ensemble (much like her look in the will.i.am collaboration, "Check It Out"), she rocks pink nails and a pink top, while keeping the rest of the look black and adding crazy gold jewelry. These looks can be replicated in an inexpensive way. The looks here don't cost more than $170.

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look 4 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring butterfly tops

Wet Seal Pink/Black Butterfly Scroll Tank $14.50
Forever 21 Black Cargo Denim Pants $24.80
Forever 21 Black Leatherette Boots $26.80
Girlprops.com Gold Heart Door Knocker Earrings $8.99
Girlprops.com Gold 1.25" Wide Double Link Aluminum Necklace, 36" $16.99 each (get two)
Girlprops.com Gold 1/8" Wide Bangles, Set of 6 Bangles $12.99 each (get two)
Girlprops.com Gold Bigger Boombox Ring, Adjustable $15.99
Forever 21 Love & Beauty Magenta Nail Polish $2.50
Total Look: $153.54

Nicki Minaj Inspired Look Plus 4 by fabulosityrepresenta88 featuring woven pants

Torrid Ruched-Front Poplin Tube Top - Hot Pink $29.98
Forever 21 Plus Black Woven Harem Pants $22.80
Forever 21 Black Leatherette Boots $26.80
Girlprops.com Gold Heart Door Knocker Earrings $8.99
Girlprops.com Gold 1.25" Wide Double Link Aluminum Necklace, 36" $16.99 each (get two)
Girlprops.com Gold 1/8" Wide Bangles, Set of 6 Bangles $12.99 each (get two)
Girlprops.com Gold Bigger Boombox Ring, Adjustable $15.99
Forever 21 Love & Beauty Magenta Nail Polish $2.50
Total Look: $167.02

There are key things to consider when trying to achieve a Nicki Minaj look. Here are some pointers to take with you:

1) Spandex is your friend. Nicki loves a great legging in any shape or form. The key is to find out if that is the look you love. Some women are not comfortable wearing leggings as pants. So, if you want the same look, but don't want to feel self-conscious, wear skinny jeans that have some stretch in them, or even skinny pants with stretch in them. You still achieve the slim fit pants look without feeling like your curves are showing a bit too much.

2) Slim fit tops are great for small waists, but not everyone can wear it. I featured looks that were definitely form fitting, because Nicki loves showing off her curves and small waist. However, I know i don't have a small waistline, as well as many other women out here. So, the secret to creating the small waistline ad creating curves is to wear a slightly looser top that hits at the hit with a wide waist belt. It works wonders for us women who have a larger waist than hips. You can wear the top over those slim pants I mentioned before and it will give you seriously great curves.

3) Statement shoes and bags will instantly make you a "5 Star Chick." Now, I am not encouraging buying all designer shoes and bags, because i am a true recessionista and that would go against my rules of shopping. However, having a few investment bags and shoes will extend the life of your wardrobe. As far as trendy shoes go, definitely don't splurge on them. By not splurging, you can get maybe 3 pairs of crazy heels that you can interchange with 3 pairs of classic heels, and keep everyone guessing which is high and which is low. Websites like Urban Originals, Go Jane, Cutesy Girl, and Ami Clubwear offer great selections of shoes at affordable prices. Also, Forever 21 and H&M have great designer -inspired shoes.

4) Costume jewelry will be your "Massive Attack" weapon. Nicki Minaj has access to the best of the best when it comes to gold, silver, diamonds, platinum, and those luxury jewels. However, for women like us, we cannot afford those prices. Costume jewelry and wholesale jewelry stores are great places to get the funky jewelry for less. Try local ethnic beauty supply stores, as well as websites like Girl Props and Fabuless. Forever 21 and other chain stores like this carry crazy rings and jewels for inexpensive prices, usually under $10.

Remember, the key to great style is to have great basics. Never go cheap on great basics, but always go for less when it comes to trying new trends, or even emulating a celebrity look. For more Cheaply Chic features, check back here at Sarah Jane R. Styling!

Nicki Minaj "Right Thru Me"

Sarah Jane R.

So it's been a looooonnnngggg time since I've posted. I've been so busy with starting school back again that I haven't had much time for blogging. But I'm back to say like Chrisette Michele, I've had an epiphany. For years I've been pre-designing my outfits that I wear so I don't have to try and figure out what I wanted to wear for certain things, i.e. work, class, going out. However, I'm officially done with it. All I am doing is restricting myself. I am going to put my styling skills to the test and actually dress how I feel each day and not worry about what everyone else is thinking about my outfit. So, I will start by showing you my first day outfit for school (I know, kinda lame but I thought I looked cute).

Vest-Wet Seal
Tank- Old Navy
Skinny Jeans-Old Navy
Sandals- Wet Seal
Hoops- Wet Seal
Necklace-Rainbow
Bracelet Watch- Wet Seal
I'm not gonna lie, I was a little inspired by Keri Hilson

But who isn't inspired by their idols? Anyways, I'm taking fashion into my own hands and everyone, beware, because I'm taking no prisoners.

Thanks to Keri Hilson Central for the pictures!