It's Wednesday Wildcard on Living Luxe for Less, and I am introducing another new feature that I cannot wait to share with you! As you may know, my motto is to live well and spend less whenever possible, but I know that I am not the only one who feels this way!
That is why today I am starting a new series, Luxe for Less Interviews, where I will be interviewing friends, family, acquaintances, and a variety of other trendsetters who I believe are experts in their field, and also have clever and creative ideas that all readers can utilize to "live luxe for less" on a daily basis!
So as the beginning of a new school year is almost upon us, I thought it would only be fitting to interview two of my cousins who are both going to college in just a few days, and ask them to talk about how they look good and have fun with their friends for less. One will be a freshman this year, and the other will be a senior!
I chose to interview A Freshman and A Senior for this series because they both have amazing taste, are always in adorable outfits, and I know that they both love to get a good deal too! The girls go off to school this weekend, but luckily I was able to get in touch with them before they left for school!
That is why today I am starting a new series, Luxe for Less Interviews, where I will be interviewing friends, family, acquaintances, and a variety of other trendsetters who I believe are experts in their field, and also have clever and creative ideas that all readers can utilize to "live luxe for less" on a daily basis!
So as the beginning of a new school year is almost upon us, I thought it would only be fitting to interview two of my cousins who are both going to college in just a few days, and ask them to talk about how they look good and have fun with their friends for less. One will be a freshman this year, and the other will be a senior!
I chose to interview A Freshman and A Senior for this series because they both have amazing taste, are always in adorable outfits, and I know that they both love to get a good deal too! The girls go off to school this weekend, but luckily I was able to get in touch with them before they left for school!
LL4L: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me before you go off to school! No matter what you are doing, you girls always look great and are dressed just right for the occasion. How would you describe your signature outfit?
A Senior: My go to outfit would have to be dresses! They are so easy because you don’t have to worry about matching tops and bottoms. I really like to shop at Urban Outfitters for dresses because they have a great selection that is always reasonably priced. Also, if you take advantage of the Student Advantage Card, a discount card for college students, you can get 10% off at Urban Outfitters every time you shop there. Oh and at my favorite store, Madewell, you can get 15% off when you use your college ID card!
A Freshman: Definitely a romper! They look dressy, but they are as comfortable as a t-shirt and shorts, and you can dress a romper up or down. I have worn them to the beach as a cover-up, or out to dinner with friends by adding jewelery, heels, and a clutch! My favorite romper is from Brass Plum, the Juniors section at Nordstroms, and I got it on sale. If you see jewelry or a purse on another floor at Nordstroms that you like I would definitely recommend checking Brass Plum before you make a purchase! Brass Plum's selection of purses and jewelry is similar to the rest of Nordstroms, but their lines are at a lower price point than the rest of the store because they are part of the Juniors section.
A Senior: My go to outfit would have to be dresses! They are so easy because you don’t have to worry about matching tops and bottoms. I really like to shop at Urban Outfitters for dresses because they have a great selection that is always reasonably priced. Also, if you take advantage of the Student Advantage Card, a discount card for college students, you can get 10% off at Urban Outfitters every time you shop there. Oh and at my favorite store, Madewell, you can get 15% off when you use your college ID card!
A Freshman: Definitely a romper! They look dressy, but they are as comfortable as a t-shirt and shorts, and you can dress a romper up or down. I have worn them to the beach as a cover-up, or out to dinner with friends by adding jewelery, heels, and a clutch! My favorite romper is from Brass Plum, the Juniors section at Nordstroms, and I got it on sale. If you see jewelry or a purse on another floor at Nordstroms that you like I would definitely recommend checking Brass Plum before you make a purchase! Brass Plum's selection of purses and jewelry is similar to the rest of Nordstroms, but their lines are at a lower price point than the rest of the store because they are part of the Juniors section.
LL4L: What is your favorite “cheap and chic” clothing item or accessory?
A Senior: A few years ago I found a gold clutch at the Marc Jacobs Accessories Store for $10! I love it and I carry it all the time!
A Freshman: Buying jeans at Loehmann's…I have found J brand, True Religion, and Hudson, all for 50% of the original price!
A Senior: A few years ago I found a gold clutch at the Marc Jacobs Accessories Store for $10! I love it and I carry it all the time!
A Freshman: Buying jeans at Loehmann's…I have found J brand, True Religion, and Hudson, all for 50% of the original price!
LL4L: What is the best deal that you have found in the past month?
A Senior: I went to the Ralph Lauren Rugby store a few weeks ago where they were having a big sale, and I got a bunch of sweaters in the Mens section. They are button down varsity sweaters. I love how they fit. They are cable knit and they are a bit oversized...they look like they could be for women, but I just like the way these sweaters fit better than the ones in the Womens section. So I definitely recommend looking around the whole store when you are shopping...I got six sweaters for $170!
A Freshman: When I was out for lunch in NYC for my cousin's birthday I saw a store with an 80% off closing sign in the window that caught my eye. After lunch we stopped in and I found a black strapless dress that I wore to my graduation party in July. It was marked down from $300 to $89, and I know that I will be able to wear this dress again!
A Senior: I went to the Ralph Lauren Rugby store a few weeks ago where they were having a big sale, and I got a bunch of sweaters in the Mens section. They are button down varsity sweaters. I love how they fit. They are cable knit and they are a bit oversized...they look like they could be for women, but I just like the way these sweaters fit better than the ones in the Womens section. So I definitely recommend looking around the whole store when you are shopping...I got six sweaters for $170!
A Freshman: When I was out for lunch in NYC for my cousin's birthday I saw a store with an 80% off closing sign in the window that caught my eye. After lunch we stopped in and I found a black strapless dress that I wore to my graduation party in July. It was marked down from $300 to $89, and I know that I will be able to wear this dress again!
LL4L: How do you decorate your dorm room for less?
A Freshman and A Senior: Target! A Freshman just got a cute mini-fridge with a whiteboard from Target…Loehmanns for towels...Homegoods for towels and accessories...and A Freshman just got a pink and orange Tracy Reese duvet and bedding set from Rue La La! (Editors Note: LL4L wishes that this was her new set of bedding because it is so beautiful!)
LL4L: How do you and your friends go out and have fun without spending a lot of money?
A Senior: Get ready together, and hang out together before we go out!
A Freshman: Concerts! Live Nation and Ticketmaster both release tickets the day of concerts, and the tickets are always $10 to $15 cheaper when you buy them the day of the show! I went to a John Mayer concert a few weeks ago, and O.A.R. tickets for the same venue were on sale for $10!
A Senior: Get ready together, and hang out together before we go out!
A Freshman: Concerts! Live Nation and Ticketmaster both release tickets the day of concerts, and the tickets are always $10 to $15 cheaper when you buy them the day of the show! I went to a John Mayer concert a few weeks ago, and O.A.R. tickets for the same venue were on sale for $10!
LL4L: What’s the most fun thing you and your friends do that’s free?
A Senior: Fraternity parties, and sharing clothes with my friends. It is so fun getting something new for free when you swap clothes with your friends!
A Freshman: My friends and I go to each others house, we bake, watch movies, and watch our favorite TV shows...like Pretty Little Liars!
LL4L: What is your favorite store for a great deal?
A Senior: Nordstroms! Every summer they have their Anniversary Sale and it’s so great because you can buy items for the upcoming Fall season on sale! And Nordstroms also offers a "presale" option where you can buy items before the sale even starts if you have a Nordstroms card.
A Freshman: If you are looking for something that is in style now but is going to go out of style soon, than Forever 21 is a great choice. I also love Nordstroms Rack…they have everything there!
A Senior: Nordstroms! Every summer they have their Anniversary Sale and it’s so great because you can buy items for the upcoming Fall season on sale! And Nordstroms also offers a "presale" option where you can buy items before the sale even starts if you have a Nordstroms card.
A Freshman: If you are looking for something that is in style now but is going to go out of style soon, than Forever 21 is a great choice. I also love Nordstroms Rack…they have everything there!
LL4L: Where do you shop online when you want to find a bargain?
A Senior: I don't really shop online. I like to try things on in person and see things before I buy them. Although I did just find out about Piperlime which is great...
A Freshman: Forever 21! They have such great prices, but if you go to the store it can be picked over and very hit or miss. If you go online you can find everything, and you will have a much better chance of finding what you need. And sometimes they only sell certain items online so it is definitely worth checking out!
LL4L: What is your favorite inexpensive beauty product or tip?
A Senior: Vaseline. I always carry a tin, it's the best and most affordable lip gloss!
A Freshman: I paint my own nails. Some of my favorite colors are Essie Lady Godiva for when I want to go dark, and when I am in the mood for something pink I like OPI Bubble Bath.
LL4L:And if you were really going to splurge on something for yourself, without having to look for a bargain or be on a budget, what would it be???
A Senior: A really nice evening bag like the Chanel 2.55. It will never go out of style, and it is so versatile! I can wear it out shopping, on a night out with friends, or to something more formal like the opera. (Editor's Note: This is the handbag that dreams are made of...it's the ultimate, so classic and chic!)
A Freshman: A Van Cleef & Arpels clover necklace. I love it! Each of these necklaces are one of a kind...only 1% off the stones pass inspection for this necklace, and each item is checked 20 times before it goes to the store! (Editor's Note: I hope my husband is reading this post...who wouldn't want a necklace that was checked 20 times before it went on your neck?! And my 30th birthday will be here before you know it...)
A Senior: A really nice evening bag like the Chanel 2.55. It will never go out of style, and it is so versatile! I can wear it out shopping, on a night out with friends, or to something more formal like the opera. (Editor's Note: This is the handbag that dreams are made of...it's the ultimate, so classic and chic!)
A Freshman: A Van Cleef & Arpels clover necklace. I love it! Each of these necklaces are one of a kind...only 1% off the stones pass inspection for this necklace, and each item is checked 20 times before it goes to the store! (Editor's Note: I hope my husband is reading this post...who wouldn't want a necklace that was checked 20 times before it went on your neck?! And my 30th birthday will be here before you know it...)
And on that note I will leave you with these beautiful splurge worthy images to dream about! Thank you so much to A Freshman and A Senior for taking the time to meet with me, and for sharing with my readers about how you "live luxe for less!" I hope you have a wonderful start to the school year, and I can't wait to visit you at school soon!
Do you like the new Luxe for Less Interviews series? I hope you enjoyed it and you were able to pick up some new ideas to live well and spend less from these stylish and savvy shoppers!
Do you like the new Luxe for Less Interviews series? I hope you enjoyed it and you were able to pick up some new ideas to live well and spend less from these stylish and savvy shoppers!
