Getting The Look For Less
I’ve been spending a lot of time on my chair these days, laying low from my dental surgery, I’ll be honest and admit this was much worse than the implant I had put in the back of my mouth. Five days later my face still hurts and my gums are a mess. The surgeon is thrilled with the results. Me? Not yet.
I’ve discovered my temp will stain so nothing dark to eat or drink for 4-6 months. There goes that lovely new Merlot we just discovered but I can’t give up my morning tea so will experiment with using a straw which takes a bit of the charm out of an elegant cup of tea.
To fill my time I’ve been doing a little online shopping…always a tricky thing under the influence of pain meds and yes, mistakes have been made:)
I found some pretty cool look-alikes at more affordable prices so I thought I’d share. This week I was shopping for accessories.
Shoes with large bows are very popular and cute. I ordered these bow twist flats from Nordstrom.
They were wonderfully comfyĀ but I felt like a Clydesdale in them because the bow was enormous. If I was 5’8″ I might have been able to carry them off but at 5’4″ they were too much. Plus at $89.99, they seemed overpriced for what they were.
This week I ran acrossĀ these bow flats at Target. I ordered the blue and white stripe and adore them! At $24.99 they’ll be perfect for kicking around in all summer. On trend, fun and affordable.
I’ve collected wicker and rattan handbags for years. They seem to be trendy this year but are perennial summer classics. Mine all have handles and I wanted a clutch. I foundĀ this classically shaped one by Tory Burch.
At $295 it is an investment I wasn’t prepared to make.
Then I foundĀ this one from J.Crew. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a summer look. I’d pop into a tote for running around or use for lunch or dinner out.
Then I spotted it in pink and pictured it with a black and white outfit, all black or just about any look and knew this would feel more unique.
I’ve been admiring large scale Lucite necklaces lately and liking the look. This is a trend that’s been around for many years. I was introduced to Angela Caputi resin jewelry several years ago and couldn’t see it’s charm so I want to try the look for less to be sure it’s really me.
This white Pomo NecklaceĀ from Anthropologie is made from an Italian resin.
Resin differs from Lucite in ways that don’t matter to me when I can save $100 for a very similar look.
This Oval link necklace from J.Crew looks similar enough and is just $68, plus J.Crew has sales all the time! I’ll let you know when I hear of one.
If a stronger color is more your style 
I could go on, but you get the idea.
When an accessory appeals to you, thereĀ is likely a similar version available at a lower price. Then, if you find you wear it a lot you can consider paying more for that style the next time. Trends frequently have a short lifespan so if you indulge, it’s best to invest as little as possible.
And on that note, Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale starts today which has amazing values!
Do you dive in to new looks or search for an affordable option to test out?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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Boy, you have had quite a time with all of your dental work. I hope everything starts healing up & you are feeling better soon. The white necklace reminds me of something my grandmother used to wear. Not it a bad way. She had a jewelry box full of matching necklaces, earrings and pins. She “dressed” every day in a dress & stockings. I NEVER saw her in pants EVER. Most of the jewelry was from the “dime store”. But it just reminded me that she always worked to look her best. Feel better!
My grandmother “dressed” everyday too! I think it’s a lovely form of self respect that makes me feel confident so I try to follow her lead. Thanks so much Cathy! Xx
I was going to suggest sucking Merlot through a straw until I read about the wrinkles. Hmm, turkey baster with a few quick shots? Anyway, I hope you feel better soon and console yourself with some window shopping in the meantime (although seriously, buy that straw bag, you’ll feel better).
Buying that pink straw bag would definitely help me feel better. š
Great post, Jennifer! I hope writing it took your mind off your sore mouth for a little while.
I’m all about getting the look for less, especially when it comes to accessories. I actually like the bow flats from Target better than the Nordstrom ones. I think the blue and white stripe is so much better for summer than the black. They make me think of sunshine and sandy beaches! I am 5′ 8″, but unfortunately along with the height, I have big feet. The bows really might make me look like a Clydesdale!
I have big feet for my height so they were not for me:) I agree about the blue and white stripe! Fresher for this season.
I hope the tooth is mending quickly. My daughter has had a lot of dental surgery and I know how grim it can be. Love the pink bag. Very cheerful for spring.
Your poor daughter!! I’m sorry. It is cheerful which is a great look for spring.
Jennifer I am so sorry that you, too, are hurting. I am right there with you! Hard to believe it hurts so much, isn’t it? I am starting to think that soup will be my only nourishment for the next 5 to 6 months. So I will raise a glass of Chardonnay perhaps from a bottle of Delinger Sonoma county I have been saving, and a toast to us! And! I love Sam Edelman! Goi g to have to get a pair of these bow flat slip on sandals. Plus I am not surprised that you and I share a love of straw bags! I love the pink straw clutch! Feel better soon!
Luckily I love soup but it does get boring:) Thanks so much. Wishing you great success xx
Sorry you are suffering so much with your tooth. It puts not eating curry between tightening days in perspective for me and braces. At least I can eat curry every 2 months the night before a change.
Good for you! I should have gone with braces when my dentist suggested it several years ago!! It would prevent a lot of the stress I put on my teeth if they lined up better.
Great finds! I am with you on resin versus lucite…as far as I am concerned they are both “plastic” so who cares. I am not a bow person but if I were I would head to Target!!
I hope you’re healing quickly Cindy!!!
Oh I am sorry to hear that you are uncomfortable…and the 4-6 months of nothing dark…Yikes…well we must follow the doctors’ orders.
Online shopping comes in handy when one spirits are low or flagging…nice rattan bags too I hope that you feel better soon.
XO
Thanks, Leslie! It does fill the time but oh the expense if I’m not careful :-O
Love this post. I try to find items at lower prices, as well. Of course, some times you have to bite the bullet when it comes to pants fitting right and tops covering and not clinging. I’ll have to check out those purses!
I agree, Polly. Plus if it’s a unique piece, waiting for it to go on sale means you might miss getting it in your size and color choice!
So sorry your mouth is still sore. Hopefully each day will be better. Clydesdale indeed! Yeah, some shoes are not flattering to the foot. I have a thing for wicker and woven summer handbags. The pink one is adorable and she had to go on my handbag board.
Each day is a little better but it’s slow going:) Cute shoes in the picture has to translate to comfy and cute on my feet or they just aren’t worth it. I adore that pink bag…just lurking for a sale which is always a little sketchy because they could sell out and I’ll miss it.
Oh, I love the rattan purse. I have a pair of cork wedge sandals that it would be a perfect compliment to. I always love a bargain so thanks so much for sharing. I certainly hope your mouth is feeling better soon. I’m sending healing, happy energy your way!
Thank you so much, Barbara! It’s really cute and I do love cork wedge sandals. Maybe I can find some on sale:)
Jennifer, I am sooo sorry you are having such a time with your dental work. That could take the wind right out of a girl’s sails. One word of caution/thought…my dermatologist told me to never drink through a straw because it causes those nasty vertical lip lines! The warning came a little too late, unfortunately for me, since I had bleached my teeth and was using a straw a lot. ????
Oh boy, Roxanne! Saving your nice whitened teeth and adding wrinkles. Not a fair tradeoff!
Nice post! It’s always great to pay less, and you’ve found some good alternatives!
And finding more every day, Beth š It is fun to pay less whenever possible.