Happy New Year's Eve!  I am sure that many of you have fabulous plans for this evening that include wonderful parties, dinners out on the town, and late cocktails and champagne with friends to ring in the New Year!

This year my husband and I are having a low key New Year's Eve, and we are staying in to celebrate.  This year I have also heard from many of my friends that plan on staying in and having a low key celebration too!  If you plan on staying in, why not celebrate with some bubbly and a salty snack to bring in 2011?  I believe popcorn is the perfect snack for New Year's Eve!

Santa just brought me the new Ina Garten cookbook How Easy Is That? and I can't wait to try Ina's easy recipe for Truffled Popcorn!

The recipe is simple! Just prepare one bag of microwave popcorn, Ina recommends Newman's Own Natural, and melt 2 ounces of white truffle butter.  Then toss popcorn with melted truffle butter and 1 teaspoon of sea salt.  Yum!  What a luxe snack for New Year's Eve!

But if you aren't a fan of truffles, here are a few other delicious recipes that I found on the Food Network, that would also be a delicious addition to any New Year's Eve party....just click on the following links for recipes!

Any cocktail will go great with a salty snack like popcorn, but my personal beverages of choice to enjoy for the New Year are a bubbly glass of Prosecco, a refreshing bitter brew like Nantucket's Whale's Tale Pale Ale, or a tasty glass of white wine like Paco & Lola's Albarino!

Even though the holidays are over, you still have a few more days left to indulge yourself before you have to deal with those pesky New Year's Resolutions to start saving! 

Until then, I say take advantage of some of the amazing post holiday sales that you can only find this time of year.  Here are a few of my favorites...

1. 50% off at Annechovie through December 31.

The fabulous and talented artist Anne Hartwell who creates the most beautiful prints and stationary, is offering 50% off everything in her shop through the end of 2010!  I have two of Anne's prints in my living room and I get so many compliments on them!  This is a great time to stock up on a few of her chic and chinoiserie inspired pieces!

2. 25% off all SALE ITEMS at Tory Burch through January 2.

Check out the great sale going on at Tory Burch, and enjoy an extra 25% off sale items with the code: EXTRA25

I personally have my eye on this satin royal blue clutch...can't you see Kate Middleton carrying this?

7. Get 50% off your entire purchase (excluding new arrivals) at Ann Taylor Loft now through      January 2. 

I know a few ladies who are expecting right now, and I thought this maternity skinny jeans were adorable! 
Use code: SALE50

What is your favorite post holiday sale?

Happy shopping...and Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy Christmas Eve!  I thought what better way to be in the Christmas spirit than to feature a pair of killer red heels for the holidays!

I love these red satin Kate Spade heels for the holidays.  They are flirty, fun and festive, but the only problem is their price tag of $325...
 

Then I saw these similar red rosette heels at Payless for only $19.99!  What a deal!  For less than $20 these shoes will definitely spice up any outfit you have planned for the holidays, and they also come in black if you love the shoe, but would like it in a more subdued shade.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!

XOXO, Jenn

I'm Chic 'n Cheap Living and as you can tell by the name, I'm a lady with a lot in common with our dear hostess.  We both have a fond appreciation for living luxe, but saving when possible and choosing quality items worth the price.  Luxurious items are definitely accessible - I like to shop around, look for sales, and keep an ongoing wishlist with Wishpot or pinterest.

Accessories and home decor are great categories with so many different possibilities in every price range so they made up the majority of my wish list for gifts that are $50 or less.  I also believe in splurging once in a while and a statement making suit is definitely something I'd like in my wardrobe (OK still may wait for a sale on that one, but isn't it chic?)  Here are my choices...

(Note from LL4L: If this item is out of stock online or at your local J.Crew store, this skinny glitter belt from Talbots for $29 is another great option!)

(Note from LL4L: If this beautiful wine rack is no longer available online or at your local CB2 store, this 12 bottle wooden wine rack from Crate and Barrel is also gorgeous and a great deal!)

Thanks to Jen for having me and have a lovely vacation!  Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Are you still looking for the perfect outfit for New Year's Eve? 

If so I believe this gorgeous gold sequin miniskirt from Victoria's Secret is the perfect option...it's sparkly, fun, and flirty...and at $79, it's also a great deal!

And if gold isn't your favorite color, this skirt also comes in black, navy, green, and silver!

This skirt is so versatile and because it is such a stand out piece, you could pair it with so many different neutral tops and it will always look great.

I think it would look great just on it's own with this simple crewneck black cotton tee, and this suede black pumps!

As the thermostat keeps going lower and lower, and it keeps getting colder outside, it is hard not to dream about a warm sunny beach, and tropical temperatures!  But how can you bring the beach to you during this chilly time of year, even if a beach vacation isn't in your budget?

Why not decorate your Christmas tree with seashells and starfish to bring the beach to you?!  Wouldn't a Christmas tree look beautiful with seashells, starfish, and glowing white lights?

Just look at this beautiful white, gold, and nautical inspired tree!

Or this one from Wisteria's 2009 Holiday Catalog...

If you have any starfish or seashells lying around from your last trip to the beach, all you need is a drill and some ribbon to make these beautiful beach inspired ornaments...

I just love the contrast of the seashells and starfish against the beautiful evergreen tree.  And doesn't it make you feel warmer already just looking at it?

These also would look great painted in silver or gold, or drizzled in glitter!

And if you don't have any starfish or seashells on hand from your last trip to the beach, you can check out your local Christmas Tree Shop or Jamali Garden...two of my favorite resources for nautical accessories!

It may still be snowing on Christmas morning, but with a tree like this you get the best of both worlds...beauty, the beach, and a warm holiday at home with family and friends, no matter how cold it is outside!

The December holidays are one of my favorite times of year to get together with family and friends!

And who doesn't like getting dressed up for the holidays?  The problem is that after all that partying, you start to feel like you are wearing the same festive attire over and over.

So here is a chic, affordable, and comfortable look for Christmas Eve or any other casual holiday gathering you have coming up...

I love this festive blouse and bracelet from J. Crew, and the great news is that they are both on SALE, and J.Crew is offering an additional 30% off all sale items, plus free shipping, through Monday, December 20. 
Just use the code: MUSTHAVE

This elegant, classic studs from Banana Republic are a staple that you will wear all the time, and they are currently 35% off!
Just use the code: BR35PRE

These Ann Taylor jeans are a slim and flattering cut, without being too skinny.  Get 40% off your purchase this weekend with the code: HOLIDAY

Happy Shopping!

Dear Readers...Thank you for your patience as I try and balance out a few new changes in my life.  As promised I am trying to get back to the blog as soon as possible!  I miss connecting with all of you and sharing great ways to spend less and live better!

For today's post I am happy to introduce a new Wednesday series at Living Luxe for Less called "4 Items Under $50 and 1 Splurge Wish List!"

In the future I hope to connect with some of my favorite bloggers, friends, and family members, who I believe have great taste and ask them to share 4 things under $50 that are on their wish list, and then one splurge...the sky's the limit!

Today I am honored to have one of my favorite bloggers, Lindsay from Starfish and Sundresses, start off this series.  Lindsay has impeccable taste and her blog is at the top of my daily "must read" list!  Look at the four fabulous things she found for less than $50..this cake print by Paul Ferney MUST find it's way into my kitchen too!
Thank you Lindsay!

For my "iPhone App of the Week" series I always try and focus on a free application because there are so many wonderful free apps to choose from.  However, I was so impressed by the Mark On Call app from M.O.C. Interior Designer, LLC, that I had to feature it in this series!  Mark On Call is just $2.99 on sale at the Apple Store, and let me assure you, this is three dollars that will be well spent!

This application allows you to plan out any room and make sure that every piece of furniture will fit, while also giving you a visual image of how the floor plan will look, and how your chosen furniture, fabrics, and color palette will look together.  You can import photos from your camera or the app's library to accessorize your room, while also inputting exact measurements to get a sense of how everything will fit before you start buying furniture.  This is like a digital inspiration board and floor plan combined!  Here is a video which explains more about this creative application. 

I know I can't wait to start using it!

Thank you to all of my readers who have understood my silence during the past two weeks.  I have gone through so many unexpected changes in my life recently, and I really needed to take some time to cope with these changes and mourn a great loss.

I woke up today feeling refreshed and I hope to get back to a fairly normal schedule here at Living Luxe for Less.  I might not be posting every day for the next few weeks, but I hope to be posting often! 

Thank you for all of your love, support, and comments during the past few weeks.  It has been so comforting.  Please let me know if there is anything you would like to read about in the coming weeks!

XO, Jenn

Music: It's a Brand New Day By Joshua Radin