Where to Buy Kate Spade Lookalike Bags for Less

Alright everyone, how many of you like Kate Spade bags? Now, how many of you guys can afford to drop $$$ on her designs on the regular? While I'm sure many of you can - and all the power to you if so - there's a store out there that sells stuff with a similar vibe for a fraction of the price, and that magical store is called *drum roll, please* Charming Charlie.

They're pretty big so I'm guessing a lot of you already know about them, but I wanted to blog about CC because I discovered them not too long ago.  I shopped their store for the first time a few months back at the National Harbor, and I was totally blown away by their selection.  It was like accessory heaven!  

The quality of their clothing's comparable to Forever 21 or H&M, they have a lot of trendy items in stock so you should definitely get your browse on if that's your thing.  I personally prefer their jewelry & bags, but not everything's super high quality so definitely take your time when shopping! 

The last time I was there, I purchased two evening bags: a fabulous faux-velvet handbag (aka the piece I'm carrying below) and an adorable starfish clutch.  Both pieces were under $20, and they looked exactly like something Kate Spade would sell:  whimsical, flirty, and fun!  

The designs I bought are no longer available on their website, but I've linked other adorable options for you guys! I haven't seen anything over $50, and most of their stuff's under $20 so it's definitely affordable.  

Dress: Asos (currently on sale for $47) || Bag:  Charming Charlie (similar-ish) || Shoes:  Jessica Simpson (similar)

Photos shot by the amazing Sung Shin.

Magical Denim that Won't Break the Bank

Sensible Stylista's all about shopping smart, and that means knowing when to save versus when to splurge.  A lot of people mistakenly assume that there's a direct correlation between price tag and quality, but I'm here to tell you guys that that's not always the case.  When it comes to denim, I opt for the more affordable options because they fit and feel better than the designer styles I own (...and trust me, I own quite a few).

My fave store for jeans is Aeropostale.  I know they have a not-so-great rep, but I swear by their denim.  I've purchased at least 6 pairs of pants from them, and they all fit beautifully.  My mom was actually the who got me hooked! They were having a huge blowout sale so she went in and got her browse on.  Their jeans were $15 at the time so she ended up purchasing a bunch: 3 pairs for herself and 2 pairs for me.  I was hella skeptical when she presented her haul, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt because she has fantastic taste in clothes.  Lo and behold, 5 years later they're still wardrobe staples.  No joke.  Definitely give them an unbiased shot!  You'll pay less than $20 for killer jeans that'll last you year after year.  You're welcome in advance.

Stitch Fix is yet another favorite, but since I'm super picky with pants, I didn't even bother ordering them in my fixes.  I just assumed they'd be fails, BUT when I visited SF for their 3-day influencer event, I tried on their jeans, and it's been a done deal ever since.  I now ask for denim every time I place an order!  Their pieces tend to be a bit more expensive than Aero, but that's what your style survey's for - just remember to set a budget for your stylist so he or she knows what you're comfortable with financially.

If you're still set on purchasing designer denim - which is totally fine BTW - be smart and don't pay full-price! Stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Last Call carry lines like Joe's, 7 for all Mankind, and the like for less.  Also, since denim's timeless, take advantage of blowout sales (ie. after-Christmas, back-to-school) and stock up. Anywho, that's it for today guys! I hope you found this helpful, and let me know what you think of their denim if you give either of 'em a try.

Photography by Sung Shin & Jared Wolfe.

The BAMF Suitcase You Needed Yesterday

Holy freaking crap, guys.  I can't WAIT to tell you all about my new suitcase!  I'm not gonna lie, when I first saw the price tag, I kind of flipped the eff out, but now that I've experienced the magic that is Raden, I'd happily dole out more $$$ for another.  After lugging around heavy cases for years, this baby was a godsend.  Like, I don't even know how this is real.  It's ridiculously light yet hella strong, and I love that it glides effortlessly.  My model's an A28 check, but the A22 carry is also available for purchase.  

...the A28 check is (obviously) luggage you check, and the A22 carry is an carry on.  I know that's basic, but hey, gotta cover all my bases just in case.  Anywho, my beautiful case is bronze, and it only weighs 13lbs (!!!!)  The silver, gold and bronze cases are more expensive at $445, but the others (there are 7 additional colors available) are $395.  You can get them in either gloss or matte!

The A22 only weighs 8.4lbs and is available in 12 colors total!  Like the A28, the gold, silver and bronze hues cost more ($345), while the other shades are priced at $295.  I know it's a hefty sum, but think about it this way, you'll be using this for years - and I mean YEARS - to come.  Plus, it's built with kickass tech that'll do you good + give you so much peace of mind.   

Once you get your case, you sync it up with Raden's phone app where you can locate your case with bluetooth technology.  You literally NEVER have to worry about it getting lost because you'll be able to track it wherever you go.  You'll also be able to weigh it with its ergonomic handles, which is all kinds of awesome.  You guys have no idea how many times I've had to unpack my sh*t and stuff clothing into my carry on in front of Southwest's ticketing booth in order to avoid getting charged a ridonkulous amount of cash for my heavy @$$ bag.  On top of that, this baby CHARGES YOUR PHONE (!!!!) Soooo, lesson of the day:  go out and purchase a Raden suitcase because this will seriously improve the quality of your life.

...you're welcome in advance.

Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you about my OOTD!  My top's from Marled Clothing, my white skinnies are from Stitch Fix, and my adorable headphones are from Ankit.  I'm always cold on planes so I make sure to bundle up, even during the summertime.  Anywho, that's it for today! I hope you enjoyed my latest.  A huge thanks to Sung Shin for taking awesome photos like always!