Now that Christmas is around the corner, many of you must be hunting around trying to cross everyone off your list.  Well if stocking stuffer ideas are what you need, here’s a holiday gift guide full of fab finds from FabGab and Forever 21! 

This adorable pearl clutch bag will be perfect for any special occasion and only runs $14.80.  The receiver will think you spent a fortune on it too!

Place either of these cutesy rings in a nice velvety ring box and instantly they’ll look like one-of-a-kind finds

If bunnies and bows aren’t your thing, how about this Chanel lookalike clutch? You can’t go wrong for just $10.80.

If you love nerds like I do, you’ll love this nerdy Forever 21 version of Domo.  He had me at hello.

Or how about this glam but affordable necklace?  Who can resist all this bling?   Can you believe it’s just $12.80?

Finally, make the everyday special with these key fobs.  They’re sure to brighten even the most mundane morning.  $6.80

And there you go!  Stocking stuffers at a steal!  Holiday gift-hunting doesn’t have to break the bank after all.

That’s when I sort of had to giggle to myself as I meekly responded with a mysterious “no…”  I didn’t want to disappoint and seem like a traitor by having shopped elsewhere so I kept my un-lipstick-ed mouth shut.  But by the third time that I was asked, I couldn’t keep the cheap secret to myself and found myself whispering “Forever 21″ to a shocked colleague.  I loved the expression on her face so much that I felt compelled to continue whispering, “It was only around 20 dollars” (while covering my hand over my mouth as if I were releasing top secret information).

I love mixing high and low brands!  I think it’s all about how you mix it up and style it up.  The rest of the outfit includes:

• Zara blazer (around $49)
• ruffle tee shirt from TJ Maxx (around $20)
• jean skirt by Brooklyn Industries (bought on sale for only $15)
• leather and fur boots by In & Out (yea like the burger)
• designer purse that I brought to work not pictured here

I noticed after purchasing my work tote at a Korean boutique that it was a replica of a Balenciaga tote that Olivia Palermo carries.  The Balenciaga bag looks like this.

I love Olivia Palermo’s style so it’s not surprising I was drawn to a similar bag.  Below are my outfit posts with a replica bag that I didn’t even realize was a replica.

In the above picture I’m wearing:

• dress and blazer – H&M (about $50)
• belt – vintage ($20)
• shoes – Aldo ($60)
• purse – from a Korean boutique (about $80)
• necklace – from a Korean boutique (about $20)

• dress – H&M ($50?)
• hat ($30)
• belt ($20)
• shoes – Aldo ($30)
• tote – bought from a Korean boutique

I loved how this polka dotted dress had such a vintage feel.  I saw it on a mannequin at H&M, immediately did a bee-line towards the dress and charged the $50 faster than you could say “frugal and fab.”  I was so excited to start styling it that I styled the two outfits pictured above as soon as I returned home.  I can imagine also wearing it with brown boots and belt.  It’s a great transition dress that works at the workplace as well as outside of it.  What do you think?

I loved the simple graphic and textural treatment which looked like leather attachments.  I made it work double-time by pairing it with a more more casual and conservative tie-front cardigan – I work in fashion so I can get away with a little more flamboyant work wear.  And later in the evening, I was able to take it off for a NYC showroom cocktail event with Vince (the brand).  The sweater (shown below) with ruffle detail is also from this week’s H&M stop.  And I’m looking forward to wearing it with many of  my dresses, jeans and pants.  It will be a wardrobe staple and lessen the duty of my other black, more traditional cardigan.

The above outfit cost $150 without the purse.

Speaking of H&M, I also pulled from my closet a pair of H&M pants that I once purchased during a fashion crisis where I had stained my pants and had to quickly run to buy a new pair.  After having just viewed the Vince women’s contemporary collection where they rolled up the khaki pants, I was inspired to roll up my own pants for a fresh new look.

I made capris out of what were originally long, skinny pants.  From there, I took a swingy, striped A-line tank with bow detail (Necessary Objects $14.99), studded black heels and accessories and my favorite go-to Chanel purse which perfectly fits my everyday needs.  For a fraction of the price, I pulled off a very Sinclaire 10 look.

I love that for $14.99 I got such a special tank with exposed zipper back (very on trend), large bow and interesting cut.

When I wear feminine items like bows or florals, I always like to toughen them up with a contrasting detail or two.  Here I pair the look with a chain, biker-inspired cuff.  The above outfit cost less than $100 without the purse.

Below, I’m wearing the same suede BCBG heels from one of the above outfits (bought on sale for $60).  But this time, I’ve got on a Tahari skirt (bought at TJ Maxx), a H&M blazer and black cami.  The skirt has a cool 2layer look that can only be appreciated in person.

The necklace is Banana Republic (gift) and purse is Chanel (gift).  I put the belt on to cinch in the blazer even more.

What made me fall in love with the blazer was its puff shoulders.  Shoulder focus was all the rage last season (which is when I bought this cheap H&M find).  The above outfit was less than $150 without the purse.

If you’d like to be featured in my blog’s next “Style Stalker” feature, leave me a comment here with your url of outfit postings and if I like your style, you could be my next featured fashionista!

I see great pieces everywhere all the time.  After all, you can’t avoid window shopping in NY as the streets are filled with tempting creations at every street corner.  You inadvertently shop whether you meant to or not!  But this find was SPECIAL.  It had the power to transform and become many different looks.  So it was without much guilt, I hurried over and prepared my $30something odd dollars knowing I was immediately expanding my wardrobe tenfold with just one frugal and fab purchase.

Here are some of my initial outfit ideas.  This first one would be great for a work day.  I just got a new job working in-house for a major retailer (running their marketing, PR and events) so I can get away with being a little more fashion forward in the workplace. I actually interviewed in this Forever 21 jacket (clearly a Fall 2009 Chanel knockoff) which is now paired with suede frilly booties, pony hair Emanuel Ungaro leopard printed tote that I bought on consignment and new Zara skirt.

This second look is more summery with the white patent leather sandals (CK thrifted) and short sleeve ruffled blouse (also from Zara).  I’m proud to say this outfit costed only about $75 head to toe.

The outfit below is made up of a Forever 21 short sleeve bow blouse, Holland and Holland cashmere sweater shirt, Storets skull tote, and jeweled flats from Chinese Laundry.  I see this as a comfortable go anywhere (errands, work, brunch) outfit.

And lastly, this is a revised version of the outfit I just wore this weekend to dinner with a friend and meetup with friends on a Sat. night.  Here, I’m wearing the Zara skirt with a Eugenia Kim hat that I bought at a sample sale, Forever 21 tank, Express chain necklace, lace clutch, and sky high stilettos from Fergie (bought at TJ Maxx).  Don’t you love a deal?

What’s your favorite look?

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