Day 4: Trendy (cheap) vs. Timeless (the real deal)

Have you all heard of GroopDealz?  Aside from the fact that I will get $5 in credit if you sign up and spend $20*, this website usually features at least one knockoff item from store favorites Anthropologie and J. Crew.  Occasionally there will be shoutouts to other stores, including Nordstrom.  Even I was tempted by the Stella & Dot Outlaw bracelet knockoff (under the boutique section) and the J. Crew enamel link bracelet knockoff (each for under $10!)

a closer shot - you can see where the finish is wearing off - but hey! they were less than $10 (and the finish on all jewelry wears off over time.......)

I have one rule of thumb for jewelry:

• Trendy = cheap

• Timeless = invest

There's not much worse than buying a cheap accessory you love to pieces (literally) and can't repair or replace!

*Groopdealz is not sponsoring this post.  Anyone who signs up with Groopdealz will be given a personalized "invite friends" link and receive the same $5 credits.

Nothing Like Nautical

This month's EBEW theme is Nautical.  The rebel in me had to stand out, so in lieu of all the stripes, red, whites, blues and otherwise-over-the-top-preppy clothing in my closet, I chose this:

Earrings: Forever21

Top: JCrew

Bracelets: Target

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes: JCrew (similar here)

Handbag: Target

and stood on the dock of a lake - you know, to make the "nautical" theme seem more relevant.

That's right.  I'm wearing a Hawaiian-print shirt.  Now I need a boat and a fruity drink in the shape of a pineapple (or coconut.)  And a pair of Sperry's.

In other news, if I happened to fall overboard, I should be easy to spot, right?  Haha.