Farewell to Broke Girl!

While I have truly enjoyed the Broke Girl concept; after some constructive feedback over the last few weeks, I have decided to retire the blog and re-brand on another site.

I am pleased to announce my newest venture: Born in Heels: A Fashion Blog. The new blog will allow me to broaden my "fashion horizons", as opposed to being pigeon-holed as a discount diva! Don't worry, the new blog will still have many of your old favorites, including the monthly $100 outfit challenge, plus so much more!

Please follow me on the new site: www.borninheelsblog.wordpress.com

Thank you so much for your continued support :)

All my love,

LB

KC Fashion Week Recap- Part 2: The Runway

Did you really think I'd leave you hanging on the best part of Fashion Week?! 

Here are my favorite pieces from the two runway shows I attended.

Saturday's afternoon show:

Top left: WM Couture; top right and bottom left: Lauren Bander; bottom right: Afielda

Lauren Bander, a young designer from St. Louis, was my favorite of the day. Her collection was slightly gothic, yet soft. I loved that she used many different textiles, but everything was still cohesive.

Sunday's afternoon show:

Top left and right: Quite-A-Riot by Adrienne Anderson; bottom left: Magnetic Threads; bottom right: Meredith Lockhart

I had a really hard time choosing my favorites from Sunday. All the designers did a fabulous job, there was something I loved from every collection! I did; however, have a clear favorite: Quite-A-Riot by Adrienne Anderson from Lincoln, NE. Her collection was everything I love: structure, clean lines, feminine, with just a touch of drama and sparkle!

I had an amazing time at KC Fashion Week! I can not wait for the Fall shows!

KC Fashion Week Recap- Part 1: What I Wore!

The last few days have been extremely busy! Kansas City Fashion Week was in full swing, and I took full advantage of as many events as I could. I wracked my brain for hours on what to wear to each outing. I went through my closet about 1,000 times, and there may have been a failed last-minute trip to the mall! Well, I made it to each event fully clothed and on time... That is 100% success in my book!

Event 1: Bubbly and Bow Ties cocktail party was the official kick off of the week. We enjoyed champagne and desserts at Paolini Garment Company where we met lots of fabulous new people!

Can you tell I was excited??

How cute is my husband? He schmoozed with the best of them all night!

I was so happy my sister-in-law, Jenny (left), was able to join us! It was also really nice to meet Whitney (right), a very talented illustrator. 

Wednesday's outfit:
Tank: Express
Skirt: Express
Necklace: LeJane c/o Wish
Shoes: Mixx No. 6 c/o DSW

                             
Event 2: Meet and Greet with Project Runway designers. I was so excited for this, you would have thought I was a 6 year old getting to go to Disney World!! I have been a die-hard PR fan for the last 13 seasons, so the chance to actually meet designers was a true dream. I can say with complete confidence that I was the oldest fan there!! Did I care? Not in the slightest.

This picture is capturing one of my favorite moments of all time. Laura Kathleen was a designer from Season 9. She is a St. Louis native and my all-time favorite designer from the show. I was a total creep and waited around for the event to end, so I could get my picture with just her. She was an absolute doll; extremely funny and down-to-Earth. 

From the left: Joshua McKinley, Michael Drummond, Casanova, Laura Kathleen, Team Broke Girl (Lori and Dennis), and Anthony Ryan Auld. 

I dragged poor Den along to this event too! He was such a good sport about the whole thing. He even admitted to the designers that he's a shoe addict :) 

Friday's outfit:
Top: Rue 21
Jeans: Express- old, see similar without the distress
Wedges: Old, see similar


Events 3 and 4: Project Runway trunk show, followed by the afternoon runway show.

Saturday morning, the designers allowed the fashionistas of KC to preview some of their Spring 2015 items, as well as purchase some ready-to-wear items. I, of course, made several purchases! But you'll have to wait for future posts to see those items in actions.

Abby, me, Nicoale, and Liz enjoying the Saturday afternoon show, VIP style!

Saturday's outfit:
Chambray button up: Old Navy
Skirt: Express
Shoes: Wild Diva Lounge c/o Amazon

Event 5: Sunday afternoon show.

Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous! Sunday's show was by far and away my favorite of the two I was able to attend. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to sit front row for both shows, so I was able to see lots of details. Big thanks to my friend, Heather, for the hook-up!

My friend and fellow fashionista, Danica!

Sunday's outfit:
Lace top: TJ Maxx (similar from Express)
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Fergie c/o DSW
Velvet Clutch: old, see similar

I can't wait to share my favorite designs in Part 2 of my Fashion Week Recap! Keep your eyes peeled :)

Thanks for reading! Stay fab!

$100 Challenge- September

I am still reaping the benefits of my Tax-Free Weekend shopping spree! This month's outfit is courtesy of Rue 21. 

After our trip in August, we were given several $20 off $40 coupons to use in the month of September. My original total was $245... I ended up paying $98 for everything! Super score #1.

Super Score #2: Was the amazing shoes I found at DSW! I have been lusting after the Valentino "Rock Stud" heels for weeks. Unfortunately, they retail for around $995 at Nordstrom. Definitely not in the "broke girl" budget. BUT last week, DSW featured this pair of BGBG heels on their Instagram. I almost passed out! I called the store immediately and had them hold a pair in my size. I also had a Rewards Member coupon for $10 off. 

I love when dreams come true :)

Now for some math:

Chevron Crop: Rue 21- $6.15

Black Jogger Pants: Rue 21- $10.45

Studded Black Heels: DSW- $65.05 

Charm Necklace: Wet Seal $7.09

Pave Toggle Bracelet: Express-  $10.90

Grand Total: $99.64!

Another win for the broke girls :)

Thanks for reading! Stay fab!

P.S.- You like the bangs???

Thirty Three? Looks good to me!

The 10th of September marks one of the best days of the year: the birth of my better half, Dennis! 

I took my tall, blonde drink-of-water to dinner at our favorite restaurant, PotPie! We had a fabulous dinner with his mom and step dad, then gifts and cake at our house...

Lover got a beautiful new Michael Kors watch from his mom! The one he'd been eyeing for weeks, that I told him was sold out :) Sneaky Sneaky!

Now for the bread and butter: The Outfit!

I took full advantage of the Express 40% off everything and $39.90 Jeans sales. Dennis picked out this shirt. He said he thought I should get it because I don't own anything like it. I rarely buy button ups, or anything white. I picked this one up for just $26.98!

I loved the lace-up detail on these high-waist jeans. I'm so glad the high-waist is back! It's a great rise for gals with fuller hips and a small waist. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, jean shopping can be a real pain! The higher rise cinches at your natural waist, as opposed to the ever-so-popular "plumbers crack" ultra super low-rise jeans. 

Here is a fellow-diner/photo bomber! I think he wanted his 15 minutes of fame :) 

Shirt: Express

Lace-up Jeans: Express

Shoes: Madden Girl

Necklace: Wish

Watch: Guess

Thanks for reading! Stay fab!

Jumping for Jumpsuits!

We had a fabulous Labor Day weekend! A definite weekend of firsts; first time trying Indian food, first time visiting a fun jazz club, and the first time I found a jumpsuit that Dennis likes on me! Bonus- It was 40% off!  Thanks, Express for being my style mecca!

Playing around after a fancy French dinner!

Good looks and a sense of style run in the family :) Had the privilege 

of spending some time with my beautiful cousin this weekend too!

Jumpsuit: Express

"L" Necklace: Express (currently 30% off)

Long Necklace: Express (currently 30% off)

Shoes: DSW (old- click link to shop similar)

Lipstick- MAC Red: MAC

Good things come to those who wait... Usually!

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not the most patient person! I want what I want, when I want it... That mentality doesn't usually work in married life. Compromise is key.
So, about a month ago, I was shopping at Express and called Dennis to tell him I wanted to buy an outfit. He didn't sound super enthused when I told him how much it would cost, so I decided to pass on it. I was pretty salty about it for several days...
Fast forward to this past Friday: I decided to head back to Express to purchase the black skirt I had tried on the month prior; after seeing a post on Courtney Kerr's Facebook page (gotta give credit where credit's due!). Here's the comparison pic (I'm on the left). I love her... She's my style soul mate!

This outfit was so adorable, I had to have it!! The skirt retails for $69.90. I had some coupons, so I was ready to use them. It wasn't going to be a huge discount, but I was still excited. I walked in, found the skirt (it was the only one left AND in my size. Talk about FATE). But this story gets better...
When I got to the register, the salesman uttered my favorite phrase: "Oh, looks like this is on clearance"!! After taxes, I paid just over $19 for the skirt! No idea how or why, but I was not about to question it! For once, my husband's patience and frugal-ness paid off in spades.

Skirt: Express

Top: Nordstrom Topshop- currently 50% off!

Shoes: DSW

Necklace: Express

Bracelet: Express

Clutch: (old) from Aldo, but here's a similar super cute one!

Thanks for reading! Stay fab :)