What many don’t realize is that the Steve Madden Roady (pictured here as the “look”) is actually a knock-off of a Charles David boot…which I own.  I splurged on it last Fall because it’s the kind of boot that makes everything look totally bad-ass and they were so comfortable I couldn’t imagine leaving the store without them!

My pair is a perfectly worn-in gray color with a red zipper up the back and that’s kind of the reason I was attracted to them in the first place! The zipper detail is oh-so cool and adds a fun touch of unexpected color!

Steve Madden did a great job of replicating this style, but at $199 it’s still really expensive for a knock-off.  Luckily, enough time has passed and other retailers have figured out how freakin’ cool this boot is and issued their own more budget friendly versions.

First example, this pair from Charlotte Russe for only $20…and NO, that’s not a typo.  TWENTY DOLLARS! The only have them in a size 6 so if you have tiny feet, consider yourself lucky because these are the deal of the century.

And if you’re feeling sad, don’t! Target has an almost identical pair (pictured right) for only $34.99 in tan and black!  Better yet, they have a full size run in both colors!!  Get these now…I lived in them last Fall!

What are you favorite stores and places to shop?

“You can’t beat Forever 21. I get all the essentials and then some at Forever. My favorite shopping experience is the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA. You can find so many unique pieces there.”

What is the best location for shopping in Cali?

“Santa Monica is definitely the best for shopping. They have so many stores and they just opened a new luxury mall and promonade there. Not to mention, Santa Monica has one of the biggest Forever 21’s!”

Name your all time favorite item in your closet.

“It has to be my Tory Burch military jacket that I bought a few years back, the gold details make it.” The military jacket is the hottest item to have this fall, and because of it’s versatility I don’t think it will be going away anytime soon.

What is your favorite newly purchased items?

“I just bought Black Suede Steve Madden ballet flats and I love them! They are so comfortable, that I wear them with anything and everything.”

What is your must have accessory?

“I wear my Urban Outfitters hats all the time! I rotate between the floppy felt ones and the slouchy beanies.”

Who are your favorite designers?

“I love Chanel have been collecting pieces here and there over the years. ‘Silence and Noise’ sold at Urban Outfitters is awesome, I like everything they do.”

What is your most worth it splurge?

“My Frye Boots are amazing. They are not cheap but they are totally worth it because they will last forever.”

Below are Mariana’s picks!

L-R: T-Shirt $14.80, Frye Boots $498, Beanie Hat $28, Dress $29.80, Floppy Hat $38, Steve Madden $67, Riding Legging $17.80

Joy Bryant…styled by the always fabulous Rachel Zoe…is a perfect example of how you can use any piece of your wardrobe all year round!

Start with one of your favorite sun dresses...this look works best with something loose like the style Joy Bryant is wearing.

Next, tone down the summer feel of the dress with fall appropriate accessories and colors like Joy does. She incorporates jewel tones through her boyfriend cardigan and adds tights and boots in earth tones for more warmth.

We CheapChicas are always trying to save some extra cash when shopping for a new season, so this fall keep your eye out for versatile pieces like solid boyfriend cardigans, neutral boots, and thick tights to beat the chill on a budget!

Here are a few options to get you started!

More Asos…

They can easily jump from Glam Rock, Hippie chique to total bad-ass with the simple change of a top, shoes and the right accessories. And did I mention, contrary to all I know about embellished jeans, these are totally flattering!

Yes, ladies, my summer slim down did not go quite as planned so my focus for Fall is items that nip/tuck and slim/trim. You can also look for a pair with a slightly darker wash, like these from Alloy for just $23!!

For an added slimming affect, be sure the stitching overall diagonal enough to draw the eye down, not across adding bulk. I just read an article that stated American women own an average of 7 pairs of jeans. Uh, can you say fashion rut? Why not make at least one of those pairs a little edgy?

Check out some of these budget friendly pairs that will kick your jean real-estate up a notch…

More Wet Seal…

Teeny Bunny House is the brainchild of three southern girls (I knew there was a reason I loved them!) from the Savannah College of Art and Design who now make each and every one of our pieces by hand in their tiny Garment District studio in NYC. All of their materials are locally sourced and the best part, everything retails for under $100!!

Their Saucer earrings and Initial Frame necklace are truly unique pieces you would only find at some amazing market and then run home to tell all of your friends about.  They have such a kitschy, quirky, vintage quality about their designs and that’s what I love most about the collection!

I loved it so much that I wanted one of you to have your very own initial necklace so I asked the girls if they would sponsor a giveaway and they said yes!

To enter to win– all you have to do is follow us both on Twitter: @cheapchicas and @teenyhousebunny (just click the links and then click follow) and then send me a tweet with what letter you want in your necklace if you win!

You could choose your name, your BF’s initial or you could even give the necklace away as a gift to your Mom or BFF!  Good Luck!

PS: They also have a super-cute blog worth checking out: http://teenyhousebunny.com/blog/

NOTE: This is only open to US residents.  Winner will be notified via TWITTER on 9/8.

Click It/Skip it: Click it!

I saw this product in InStyle and I had to try this one! The beauty department at InStyle always has great tips on new beauty products, and I am so glad I tried this one!

With 42 colors to choose from this nail polish is a must have for every season. The product claims to be a 5 in 1…growth treatment, nail strengthener, base coat, color, top coat and on top of all that its quick drying!

Fit: This polish really does live up to its claims. The 5 in 1 totally makes a difference and your nails will have that salon shine with just a few coats. The only slight disappointment…while it is quicker drying than most nail polishes (a few minutes for total dryness) its not as instant as I expected..oh well!

Still, this is a must have beauty buy! I wore it for a week before it began to chip. Plus, the brush is A-MAZING…its over-sized for more coverage and a quicker coat. However, make sure you have a steady hand…not much room for error.

Shopper’s Notes: Aren’t we are always looking to save time in our beauty routines? This polish will last longer than your typical drug store polish but will look just as great as salon brands like OPI and Essie. And $7 is much cheaper than a manicure…not to metnion buying a separate top coat, top coat, quick dry and a nail strengthener!

You can find a list of online retailers here or just check out the makeup aisle at your local drug store, grocery store, or beauty emporium. I listed the price as $7.00 but if you’re lucky you may be able to find a deal and pick up multiples.

If you’ve tried this out already, what are your favorite colors?….I picked up “All Fired Up” for now and “Pat on the Black” which is strikingly similar to OPI’s notorious “Lincoln Park After Dark” for fall.

You never want to go overboard with the military clothing. Don’t wear a camouflage studded shirt, army green cargo pants topped with a utility jacket. This is a sure way to be categorized as a fashion causality. Mix and match it with different textures, fabrics, and colors.

For the work day match a wool patterned pencil skirt, simple blouse or knit top and a cardigan, topped with a skinny colorful belt around he utility jacket. If you’re looking for a more casual weekend look I would wear a military inspired jacket with my favorite air of boyfriend jeans rolled at the ankles, lose fitted tee and a pair of nude/neutral colored heels.

While we are in the last weeks of summer wear this jacket with your favorite sun dress and a pair of moto boots or sandals depending on the weather.

More Urban Outfitters…

This slightly bizarre accessory trend has been picking up speed in Hollywood as seen here with Victoria Beckham. She sported her Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag ($2,640) and Foxtail Charm ($1,120) as she strolled through the airport. Personally, I would only sport a faux foxtail and I definitely cannot spend over $1000 on furry tail accessory!!! So I attempted to find some reasonable faux foxtails to clip onto my (not Louis Vuitton) messenger bag…

This online boutique, La Dama, offers up this faux foxtail for $42. I love that it’s a clip on because it would look great with several of my bags. I also prefer the white over Louis Vuitton’s colored tails, too. White is much more versatile.

I knew one place that would be sure to have some foxtails would be Etsy. This shop carries a faux red and white clip on foxtail for $38. Pretty cute!

I found real foxtails for much cheaper – but I love animals and I am willing to shell out a couple more bucks for the fake foxtail!! What do you think of the furry foxtail trend…cheap or chic?!

The Boyfriend Sweater is the perfect Transition Piece! When you are sitting on the beach in late August until 6 pm and that chill from the water starts to hit you, a light-weight, over-sized  sweater is the best thing to be able to pull out of your beach bag.

You can utilize a light-weight sweater almost all year long,  especially if  you work in an office that is air-conditioned.  I prefer to buy my boyfriend cardigans at least two sizes too big because, oddly enough, I think the over-sized look is more flattering.

If you are worried about looking sloppy because the sweater is too big, put a cute belt around the waist and roll up the sleeves. This trick turns a sweater from comfy casual to put-together cool.

But, if you’re like me and don’t want to dish out $89.50 for the cardigan above from J. Crew,  LOFT has one that’s just as cute for about half the price… and if you wait for one of their amazing sales, you can probably get it for way less!

These are my favorite for transition purposes because they are so light weight they are a little translucent. Buy them fast before they all go out of stock.  If they do, no worries, there are plenty of other places selling great inexpensive cardigans. H&M is another place that sells some of the best cardigans at fabulous prices.

It’s one of those must have items that you need in multiple basic colors. So find your favorite kind and buy it in three colors to get you through the entire season!

The look that I’m obsessed with right now it the long sleeved lace mini! This dress from ASOS is a perfect mix between classic and hippie. It can go either way depending on how you style it.

For summer it’s the perfect date night dress, just match it with a pair of heals, pearl earrings, a cocktail ring and put your hair up. You won’t be able to help feeling sophisticated but so sexy. Or you could pair it with sandals and a fadora to bring it down a notch.

When it’s starts getting chillier outside that’s when you can really have fun styling this dress. It would make a great office look if you just throw on a light weight military jacket or black blazer, some dark stockings and your favorite pair of boots. But if you’re more interested in that hippie look match it with a denim or suede fringe vest, a pair of earth tone stocking, and a pair of oxford shoes with plenty of bangles and necklaces.

You really can’t go wrong with this purchase because it can go every which way. I prefer the dress in a cream color because I think it gives more versatility, but I have seen it in lots of different colors that look great if your not a cream kind of girl. Either way you will definitely get your moneys worth through all 4 seasons!

More TFNC…