Jeans. Gene. Jeanie.

Jeans.  The staple of most American's wardrobe.  You can dress them up, or dress them down.  Wear a t-shirt or a sexy blouse!  They are so versitile, and are widely accepted as proper attire for *almost* any event.

I have to tell you a little story about my "walk the line" thought with jeans.  My gorgeous boyfriend Josh, and I were on our way to Ohio for his college buddy's wedding.  I figured Columbus was a fairly big city, the wedding wasnt there but only about 45 mins away...It is a younger couple's wedding...We are getting decked out.  We go to 2 galas a year for Nashville Cancer Society and an AIDS gala, and we really enjoy getting dressed up and going out for the night.  (It doesnt happen often!)  So as Josh and I walk into the church doors, the whole congregation turns and looks...and keeps looking...and keeps looking!  We might have been dressed in the powder blue, and orange tuxedos that are in Dumb and Dumber for the way they were looking at us...Now normally I have no problem being looked at, or talking to a bunch of people, but in this moment all I wanted was to turn around in my hot pink high heels and RUN out.  I had a black spahgetti strap dress on with a pink ruffled top under it, hot pink high heels with bows on the toes, hair and makeup done...the whole nine yards...Josh had on super nice jeans, a black button down, and a cocktail jacket.  We were more over dressed than wearing a prom dress on the subway.  Everyone continued to stare..not talk to us...just stare...okkkaaay.  Noted: Being overdressed SUCKS!
-Being underdressed sucks worse.  I went to a really good girlfriend's wedding this past weekend in nice black jeans, flats, a pretty grey lace top...and was underdressed. BAD.  I wish I could go back in time and switch outfits around.  Be smart about where you wear jeans!!  If in doubt, wear a dress!!!

*Destroyed jeans are probably the worst investment ever.  They are already more suseptable to getting more holes or ripping completely because they have holes...they don't look good on anyone that is over 30, they don't look good on anyone under 30.  I hate that sometimes "trendy" coinsides "trashy".  If I ever get holes in my jeans I will be painting or gardening in them or they are in the trash.  HOLE=in the TRASH!! (unless its your "working" jeans.)  If your shirt got a couple holes on the stomach I would hope you would throw it out...its the same thing.  If you want to show leg, wear a skirt or shorts.  They can also look dirty, and you wanna spend money on that?!!! Get real.

*Best Jeans for everyone (looks wise) is a small flair (to give shape) dark wash, fitted jean.  Make sure when you stand straight your jeans hit the floor, or else they are too short.  Old Navy has great sales on jeans, so does Macy's.  If you are over size 12 I would say stick to darker wash jeans, they make you look smaller.

*Best jeans for your wallet comes from ebay! lol seriously, just look for jeans in your size and you can find them for pennies!

*Skinny jeans...SHOULD ONLY BE WORN BY SKINNY GIRLS!!!! Not guys, not someone over size 12!!  You will look like an ice cream cone!!!!  I have love for all sizes but to keep you looking the best and staying classy, SKINNY JEANS SHOULD ONLY BE WORN BY SKINNY GIRLS!!!!!

THIS PICTURE LOOKS LIKE BIG GIRL SKINNY JEANS!

*The new "boyfriend" jeans look slouchy, and classless.  Skip them or keep them to walk the dog!!

*Jeans with rhinestones, thick stitching, pink-green-yellow-white stitching, I SAY GO FOR IT!  Those are the ways you can show individuality and as long as your whole pant leg isnt embroidered (Ed Hardy anyone?)  You will stay classy and fun!!

Xo Cassie

Shoes Condundrum

Let me start off by saying as a female, I am wierd. I HATE buying shoes.  My mother would spend her last pennies of her life not on food but on a pair of shoes. (I love you Mom :)) Also, I really do think they are an investment worth time for the success of your wardrobe.  I am just extremely choosey when buying shoes, and wont spend over $50 for any pair. EVER.  While other fashion trends become increasingly unsuitable (mini jumpsuit anyone?) the right shoes are ageless.

Heels and jeans...I, personally, love love love heels with jeans.  But MAKE SURE YOUR JEANS ARE LONG ENOUGH!!!  Almost any heel will look good with jeans, other than a wedge.  Put the wedges to summer dress use.  A round toe, box toe, peep-hole heel is best for jeans, 3-4 inch heel, have buckles have studs, sling backs, they all look great with a length appropriate jean.  If you have short legs go for a shoe that has a pointed toe, or box tow that is slightly elongated.  Long legs can wear anything.
**No matter how long your legs are, or arent, leg warmers died in the 80s and in dance class.  Let them rest in peace for heaven's sake!** Best heels for jeans I found for short or long legs is at TARGET!! Believe it or not the selection they offered was great!  I paid $17.50 for a pair of black, peep-toe, slingbacks, that go with anything!! Unless its snowing I dont need another pair of black heels.  (Who would wear heels in the snow anyways?)  This picture shows how long jeans should be for your heels unless you are wearing skinny jeans.

"Oh, they are so comfortable though".  Crocs.  They are hideous.  They have a Croc high-heel and its named Tricita. Awesome. They should only be worn if you meet the following requirements:
1.  You are under the age of 5
2.  You are gardening (although I would never garden in them, they have holes where dirt can get in)
3.  You are female.  A grown-ass man should NEVER EVER wear Crocs.
4.  As a good friend told me, matching your significant others Crocs, (I wasnt aware this even occured) makes you a double loser.
Crocs, with all the little charm, stick-ons are needed in dumpsters all over the U.S. This is a Croc epidemic and needs to be brought to attention of every violator.  Please donate your ugly pieces of over-priced rubber to the nearest trash bin! You will be acting for the greater good of humanity!!

Tennis Shoes/Running shoes/Work Out Shoes!!!! In my opinion, the most money should be spent on your workout shoes.  They do more "work" than any other shoe for your feet.You HAVE to be comfortable in them, and they aid in making your whole body look and feel better!!  Thats what this blog is about afterall!  Now clearly I am no runner, I workout maybe 2-3 times a week, but the workout is WAYYYY more effective if I am in my nike jana stars, rather than my crappy no name tennis shoes.  I paid $45.00, 3 years ago for my nikes, and they have held up through a lot.  Sometimes you HAVE to spend a little more for quality, only when it counts, and when it counts to me is tennis shoes!!  I bought my shoes on http://www.zappos.com/ and it looks like they are the cheapest, NEW, ones I have found.

Like I will always tell you, look on craigslist, look on Ebay.  The shoes might be used, but if they look new, and are in great shape, haggle your little self away!  Don't take their first offer, counter that with almost a 1/2 price cut!  I bought a great pair of round toe, wine colored heels for $3.00 because the girl needed money.  Originally she wanted $20 for them.  Be politely aggressive!  Always be polite though...I would jack the price higher if the girl was a diva.  These puppies are my latest STEAL of a buy!! :) There are a few scuffs on the toe but you can't really tell.

I will always love gladiator heels, but I dont think they provide any sense of class.  But they are pretty cute on you long legged, lucky bitches.

**Clear heel=jersey hooker**

When in doubt, wear black pumps.

Xo Cassie

Boots, Betch.

Okay this post was supposed to be all things Jeans, but I need to catch a flight and haven't packed!  This post will be all things BOOTS! All of these views are my opinion, if they offend you, quit reading, if you like them we have something in common! This is a CheapChic post, although I will be finding the BEST price on these shoes, I also feel compelled to tell you my opinion on these shoes.

First things first...those AWEFUL UGG BOOTS!!  Okay, they are bulky, have no heel, ruin when wet and the real Ugg boots are outrageously priced.  If you are under 5'7'' they make your legs look like tree trunks, and again they are just flat out fugly.  They ONLY reason why people wear them is because they are "in".  The only place where these shoes might be warrented a wear would be in the tundra desert of Russia!  They are too warm to wear in the U.S. from southern state lines of Montana and down!  Even living in Colorado if you wear these hulking, waste of money in the snow, they are ruined.

I am not infact against all boots though!  I loooove boots and believe EVERY woman should have a pair.  I have the highest instep and its really hard to put my foot in a boot but I found a pair.  I found good quality leather boots, suade boots, UNDER $20 at ROSS!  Also I had a coupon out of the sunday paper for $5.00 off a purchase of $20 or more and so my black, heeled, flattering boots only cost me $15!  Thats the cheapest I have found, and have checked all the thrift stores in the Nashville area and havent found a pair in suitable shape.  You can buy a pair of rough boots at Goodwill but they wont last you long.  You will save money buying the pair for $15!

The only shape that should be wearing booties is someone 5'7'' and above of if your one of those gorgeous leggy bitches 5'7'' and below. All in love, im just jealous because I have legs like a weiner dog.  The best booties I have found for the best price is $11.95 on www.wholesalecloseoutshoes.com/wholesale-boots.  This website is one I just found and get this they have shoes on here starting at $2.50!!!!! Okay unless you hit up Old Navy's $1 flip flops, you CANT BEAT THOSE DEALS!!  Be careful though, don't over buy because they are cheap.  This is about saving money.  If you want a pair of those Erikka booties (my favorite on the page) buy those.  Leave the others alone.  The Hoss booties are cute too.

Stay away from any boots that are any color than tan, brown, or black.  Those brightly colored boots will always look costume-y. NOT chic. Especially in the South, boots are worn with everything from the months september-april.  Choose your boot wisely, make sure they are classy by staying neutral in color, and away from studs and or any chains. If the boot is below mid calf you NEED a heel, even if its just a tiny kitten heel. Above mid calf and higher can go with or without a heel.  I found both at ROSS!

****ANY BOOT OVER YOUR KNEE MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A JERSEY HOOKER****

Xo Cassie

The New Cheap Chic

Whilst I start to undergo this new journey of finding the perfect way to dress, for EVERY shape, EVERY size, the cheapest way possible, all of the information will be based on field study!  There will be extensive siting listed on the interior.

I started this blog because I was reading Vouge one day and I saw a "Cheap Chic for Every Size" article.  I guess that every size doesnt mean size "0" neither size 12 and up.  Interesting, when the majority of women in the U.S. are size 14. 

They proceeded to show Louboutin Shoes on sale for $500.  The average single working woman in the United States as of 2009 makes $33,437 a year.  That smart, working woman would be an simpleton for spending more than $100 for shoes for that whole year on a $33K salary. 

That said, this blog is for the money savvy, always bargain shopping, mother, student, on a REAL budget.  Clothes in any size are TOO expensive.  This blog is for the fashion forward, with a size and/or money dilema.  I hope to help change that dilema into a sophisticated, well dressed, hot mama, power shopper!  I need the help too, and I am always open to hearing new finds and buys!  This should be an open discussion on saving money and looking great, (as I again mention) for THE WOMAN ON A REAL BUDGET!

Tomorrow I will be posting on the BEST and Cheapest JEANS!! Everyone wears them, and they are a fashion staple in everyone's wardrobe!  Look forward to hearing and sharing from everyone!

Xo Cassie