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Welcome fellow fashionistas

Photo by Sommer Rayne Forte.

My name is Erica Spondre, and I have always had a passion for keeping up with the latest fashion and beauty trends. Ever since I was young, I would flip through fashion magazines searching for new ideas of how to spice up my wardrobe. However, growing up I never really had much money to spend on clothes. 

My mother is my greatest inspiration, and the best teacher I’ve ever had in the fashion department. As a single mother raising three kids, she was always sure to teach us the value of the dollar. She would always say, “you don’t have to pay a million to look like a million.”

This phrase has carried on from my childhood and into my adult years. I have learned how to shop the latest looks while staying within the boundaries of my budget as a college student working a part-time job. 

It’s almost as if I have been conditioned to never, and I mean never, pay full boutique and retail prices -- but that doesn’t mean I don’t shop my favorite brands. There is always an alternative out there, you just have to find it – and hey, you may even start to set your own trends along the way.

Photo by Sommer Rayne Forte.

Acid wash jeans: Pacsun clearance, $25

Black turtleneck: Ross, $6

Purse: H&M clearance, $6

Jessica Simpson sunglasses: Ross, $12

Total Cost of Outfit: $49

I can't help but get excited when someone compliments my outfit, and I get to tell them how much I spent on it -- or rather how much I didn't spend. Although I love the thrill of scoring a good deal, this blog is not just about saving money. 

I want women to know that they don’t have to miss out on rocking a fresh ‘fit just because they feel like they don’t have enough cash. With these tips and tricks, not only will you feel confident in your clothes, but guilt-free knowing that you didn’t have to pay a million to look like a million.

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Subscriptions that help you save: Fab, Fit, Fun and Ipsy

The idea of subscription boxes came about a little over 15 years ago. People would pay a monthly fee to receive sample-sized products mailed to their homes. Now, companies like Fab, Fit, Fun and Ipsy are showing their subscribers a lot of love by delivering full-sized products to their members. This is a great example of how spending now can help to save money in the long run, and, I mean, what’s better than opening a box full of surprise goodies?

Fab, Fit, Fun Fab, Fit, Fun is a seasonal subscription box that delivers eight full-sized lifestyle, beauty and home products to members four times a year. The whole box is only $50, and the combined value of everything inside is worth over $200. This means you can save 75 percent on retail prices that would normally scare bargain hunters away. 

Featured above are some goodies from the 2016 Spring Fab, Fit, Fun box reveal. Photo from https://fabfitfun.com/magazine/spring-2016-box-reveal/.

For each season, a customization period opens for subscribers to customize items in their Fab, Fit, Fun box. You will have the option to choose some of the items that go in your box so you will receive a package that is tailored to fit your needs. Some of the personalized options for spring include Quay glasses valued at $60, a Show Me Your Mumu robe valued at $84 and an aromatherapy diffuser valued at $55. 

Customization options for the spring 2019 box are pictured above. Photo from https://www.girlmeetsbox.com/fabfitfun-spring-2019-full-box-reveal-coupon-code-last-day-for-customization/.

There are no contracts or membership cancellation fees. Once you become a member, you will receive an email from the Fab, Fit, Fun team before you are charged for the upcoming season’s box, so do not fret; You can always cancel your subscription if you feel the need to tighten your purse strings.

Ipsy Makeup fanatics can now add to their makeup collection with Ipsy’s Glam Bag Plus. Starting off with only delivering product samples, Ipsy recently launched the Glam Bag Plus in 2018, which is a subscription that includes full-sized versions of your favorite beauty brands. The deals are nothing short of fabulous. Glam Bags are bursting with brands like Buxom, Tarte and even Yves Saint Laurent. Imagine spending $25 a month on $120 worth of cosmetic and beauty products. 

Photo from https://purlisse.com/blogs/pur-lisse-by-jennifer-yen/ipsy-glam-bag-plus-featuring-purlisse-blue-lotus-seed-mud-mask-exfoliant

To get started, you will take a beauty quiz, where Ipsy will ask you questions about your skin tone, the color of your hair and eyes, and even your comfort level with applying makeup. The quiz ensures that you receive products that fit you best. 

You can even help dictate how often you receive certain items. For instance, if you’re a fiend for lengthy lashes, you can choose the option to receive mascara more often. If blush just isn't your thing, you can choose to rarely have it sent in your glam bag plus.  

Spots for the glam bag plus are limited, but the OG Glam Bag is available for $10 a month. Despite only carrying sample sizes, the Glam Bag still has its perks. Sample sizes allow you to give products a test run. If you find a product in your bag you just can’t live without, you can always splurge on the full-size version at Ulta or Sephora later.

These are only two of the countless subscription boxes out there. Mysubscriptionaddiction.com is the go-to blog on the internet for reviews and information about subscription boxes. Some of the posts even contain coupon codes for additional savings on your favorite subscriptions.

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Strut your stuff with these student discounts

The internet is an amazing resource to help score deals on some of the hottest and most popular trends of the season. Not only does it allow you to access just about any store, but it also gives you endless opportunities to save.  These discounts will make you channel some serious Ariana Grande “I want it, I got it” energy.

Nastygal

Nasty Gal runs a 24/7 continuous sale offering a 50 percent discount off the entire site. They have also partnered with Unidays to provide students with an extra 10 percent off after signing up on the Unidays website. If you need something ASAP, make sure to place your order with Nastygal at least a week in advance because shipping your fabulous new items will usually take five to seven business days.

Photo from http://www.motherdesign.com/work/nasty-gal-brand/

Owned by the original girl boss, Sophia Amoruso, the Nasty Gal brand is all about empowering women to be themselves and making them feel confident and fierce in their own skin.  From its humble beginnings as a small business in San Francisco in 2006, Nasty Gal now offers pages and pages of the hottest tops, dresses, accessories and more. Check out Amoruso’s best-selling book, #GIRLBOSS to discover more about how this badass brand came to be.

Pretty Little Thing

Pretty Little Thing is a global online fashion brand that keeps fashionable shoppers on their toes with 100’s of new styles hitting their site every day. Whether you’re looking to find trendy pieces or causal basics, pretty little thing pretty much has it all. 

Pictured above are some featured looks by Pretty Little Thing. Photo from https://www.prettylittlething.us/.

Celebrating and appreciating the figure of every woman, PLT carries sizes 0-22, showcasing models of different ethnicities and body types. They even carry petite sizes for women 4′11″ and under, and tall sizes for women 5’9″ and above.

PLT also values college babes on a budget, which is why they’ve partnered with Student Beans to give their collegiate customers 40 percent off of every purchase. Stack that 40 percent on top of PLT’s already insanely reduced sale prices, and you’ll be purchasing everything in your online shopping bag guilt-free.

If you’re unsure of how to style your sleek new dress, or simply looking for inspiration, check out the look books on the PLT website under the tab “the edit,” or follow @prettylittlething on Instagram for daily posts. They even have their very own blog full of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for all of your inspo needs.

To view the PLT blog click here.

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One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure

There are many different thrift stores and consignment shops scattered throughout the town of Gainesville filled with treasures that are waiting to be dug up from the racks. It may take some time to find your hidden gems, but when you do you’ll love the new additions to your wardrobe. Here are some stores whose racks are worth rummaging through.

Flashbacks $

Flashbacks is a consignment shop filled to the brim with retro apparel, accessories and home décor items located at 818 W University Ave. Head on over if you’re craving some vintage finds.  

Outside shot of the store.

Whether you want to clean out your closet, or are just looking to make some extra spending money, Flashbacks will also buy your clothes for 35 percent of the asking price that they later sell to customers. Their buying schedule is pictured down below.

To save even more money at Flashbacks, click here to get an extra 20 percent off any one clothing item. All you need to do is send the coupon to your phone, download the Yelp app and present the coupon in store.  

The photo on the left was taken by Gabrielle Toro, and the photo on the right is from https://www.prettylittlething.us/shamira-black-sheer-stripe-wide-leg-pants.html.

Inspired by a look on prettylittlething.com, the sheer black pants on the left were found at Flashbacks for only $6. They can be dressed down for a sandy day at the beach, or styled for dancing the night away at a music festival. The possibilities are endless. 

Urban Thread $$ If you are in the position to splurge on a special item here and there, Urban Thread is the perfect place for you. The merchandise is either obtained from store overstock or catalog returns, meaning that you get to indulge in brands like Urban Outfitters, Free People and Anthropology for an awesome discounted price. Look up Urban Thread on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on new shipments and flash sales.

Pictured above is a window display of styled Urban Thread merchandise.

Urban Thread currently has two locations in Gainesville. One store is located conveniently close to campus at 802 W University Ave. and the other is located at 1236 NW 21st Ave. Pop into either shop from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday or 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. If you don’t live in Gainesville, the store is expanding its reach to Ocala this spring! The grand opening of the Ocala location is taking place on Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m.

An exterior shot of Urban Thread is pictured above. Photo by Erica Spondre.

Op Shop to Runway is a fabulous blog to follow for some inspiration of what to look for when going thrift shopping. As an eco-stylist and an ambassador for Red Cross, Alex Van Os will give you ideas of how to style your thrifted finds, while informing you more about how recycling clothes actually helps to save the environment. She is the queen of seeking out chic and sustainable items. To check out her website, click here.

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Look daring in DIY denim

According to historyofjeans.com, about 450 million pairs of jeans are sold in the US every year, and the average American owns seven pairs in their closet. When you’re on the hunt to find a pair to add to your own collection, it can be difficult to find inexpensive jeans.

Distressed rips and frayed ends are spicing up traditional jeans everywhere. Before the 1970s, ripped jeans were associated with lower-end working class families that could not afford to fix their worn-out jeans. Nowadays, you can find distressed denim hitting the runway and making its mark as the trendiest of fashion statements.

This model is walking the Chanel Cruise fashion show in Karl Lagerfeld’s denim creation. Photo from https://luxelookbook.me/2018/05/resort-2019-lagerfeld-took-cruise-literally-for-chanel-cruise-19-collection-and-brought-a-ship-with-him/

It seems the more destroyed jeans are, the more expensive they get. Luckily, there is a way to bring old, out-of-style jeans back to life, without killing your cash flow. 

These jeans are sold at Nordstrom by BLANKNYC for $98 online. Here’s how to make a dupe pair that will cost you way less. Photo from https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/blanknyc-the-great-jones-frayed-skinny-jeans-gnarly/5001863?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=gnarly%20med%20wash

Step 1: Find the (almost) perfect pair.

Whether it's sifting through racks at a local thrift store, or searching through jeans in your closet, you will first need to find a pair to re-vamp. If you’re looking in a thrift store, the fit of the waist and bum is most important, while the length can be adjusted to your liking. Most thrift shops sell denim for around $5 to $10. The dark blue American Apparel beauties featured below were thrifted for $6.

Photo by Erica Spondre

Step 2: Gather your tools

After you find the jeans you want to work with, all you need is a good pair of tweezers, a pair of scissors and a lot of patience. The task itself is easy but can be quite time-consuming. Try working on your jeans a little every night before bed or while binge-watching your favorite TV show. 

Step 3: Get to work 

First, you will need to cut the jeans to the desired length, keeping in mind where you want the placement of your frays to be. Then, start cutting strips vertically into the bottom of the pant-leg. The further you cut up into the jeans, the longer the frays will be. Take caution to not cut your strips too close together to avoid losing chunks of thread later in the pulling process. 

Once you have made all of your cuts, take the tweezer and pull apart each thread that runs vertically in the fabric. As you do this, the threads that run horizontally will fall out, and you will slowly start to see the fringe look taking effect. Throw those bad boys in the dryer and voila – you’ve made your very own pair of fringe jeans! Don’t be surprised when the compliments start pouring in.

Photo by Gabrielle Toro.

To explore more ways to distress denim, check out this blog post by stylecaster by clicking here.

http://www.historyofjeans.com/jeans-making/how-jeans-are-made/ https://www.apparelsearch.com/terms/r/ripped-jeans-history.html

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This raw honey is produced by beekeepers Bobby Keen and Andy Reiss, who are referred to as the Bear Bottom Boyz. The two men grow their honey on a farm located at 242 2nd St. Melrose, Fl. They established their company in 2010 after introducing honey bees to their vegetable garden to help catalyze the growth of their produce. Each 22 oz. jar of honey is sold for $12, and each 12 oz. bear-shaped bottle is sold for $8. In addition to honey, the Bear Bottom Boyz also sell salsa, cane syrup and honey barbecue sauce. 

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Featured here are the pretty pink dianthus, the prickly statice, and the whimsical false Queen Anne's lace. These vibrant mini bouquets are grown on Siembra Farm, which is located at 2033 S.E. 23rd Place. Cody Galligan, 41, and Veronica Robleto, 40, started Siembra Farm in 2011. Not only do they sell their products at the Union Street Farmers Market, but they also offer a consumer-service agriculture membership, where members receive a basket of seasonal vegetables fresh from Siembra Farm each week.  There is a startup fee of $50 and a weekly $30 fee for each season. 

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The Union Street Farmers Market located at 111 E. University Ave. has been a staple in the city of Gainesville for 23 years. The market was held for the first time on April 3, 1996, and it has been a success ever since. Unlike other markets, the Union Street Farmers Market is held year-round, with over 60 vendors selling their fresh products to the locals every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. in Bo Diddley Plaza. Several local performers take the stage to perform live music as people shop around at different vendors, or enjoy fully cooked meals while sitting on blankets in the grass.

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Michaela Fellerman, 30, is the founder of Juicy Girls. She started making her homemade, fresh-pressed juices in April 2018 and has been selling her products at the Union Street Farmers market since September 2018. “The classic,” made from carrots, crisp apples, lemons and ginger is Fellerman’s favorite flavor and one of her best sellers. Fellerman charges $8 for a 12 oz. jar of juice and $2 for a ginger shot. The environmentally friendly vendor offers her customers a discount for bringing the same jar back to her stand when they want a refill, and she also has colorful paper cups for those who want to enjoy the juice while shopping around at the market.

“I only use paper and glass,” Fellerman said. “I have never, and will never use plastic to package my juice.”

For weekly updates and information about the juice preparation, follow juicy_girls_352 on Instagram. 

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Stephanie Cornwell, 21 (left), and Natalie Herb, 20 (right), enjoy coming to the Union Street Farmers Market together every Wednesday. Cornwell, studying journalism, and Herb, studying graphic design, both consider the market an escape from their school work. Although the Union Street Farmers Market originally intended to attract families as a weekly family-oriented event, it has become a fan-favorite among many students attending the Univerity of Florida. Cornwell and Herb are always sure to stop at one of their favorite vendors, Juicy Girls, to take ginger shots that help boost immunity. 

“Shots, shots, shots,” Cornwell and Herb playfully said in unison as they threw back their spicy ginger shots.