OnSugar Blog

If you love fashion, you might have a hard time refraining from shopping. Read on to find out what OnSugar blogger Beauty and the Budget does to keep herself in check.

True story — I am pretty much obsessed with fast fashion. I may not know every designer label in the book, but I can spot a Zara dress from a mile away. You would think that as a frugal shopper that I save sooo much money on clothing, but actually that isn't necessarily true. I have about 20 bags in my closet that I never wear, and I'm pretty sure if you calculated their total price together it would probably equal out to one Louis Vuitton bag that I would wear indefinitely. 

No matter if your money is going toward designer purchases or frugal ones, you can still spend too much on clothing if you are living beyond your means. Most people don't recognize that you can live beyond your means even if you are buying superaffordable goods. (Trust me, I didn't recognize it for years.) But you can and you will, if you aren't careful. 

It's even harder to stay away from spending too much on clothing when you work at your favorite retail store. Working at Forever 21, I see the merchandise before it's displayed in the store. I don't have to dig through the racks for something or search all through the store — the merchandise is just right there in front of me. It's so accessible and so easy to buy. I can put it on hold for myself almost immediately. I'm pretty sure you've heard plenty of boutique associates say, "They should just keep my paycheck — I spend all of my money here!" I've said that plenty of times before. The sad part is, most of the time it's true. Aside from paying my bills, I would spend the rest of my money on clothes from there. It is a terrible spending habit.

So long story short, how did I stop myself from spending too much on clothing?

• Have a short-term financial goal. Although my fiancé is taking care of 90 percent of the wedding, there are still a few other expenses that I know I have to save my money for. I want to shower my two bridesmaids with gifts, enjoy a week in NYC with my maid of honor, and have enough money to get our hair and makeup done on the wedding day. All of these things can really add up, and having this short-term financial goal has really helped me second-guess my purchasing decisions. My wedding is important to me, and I want it to be the most special day of my life. Find a short-term financial goal for yourself, like a vacation, and it could really help you, too!

Read on for more.

Hosting a New Year's Eve party? Serve up some healthier deviled eggs, courtesy of OnSugar blog Sophie's Sweeties.

Deviled eggs usually live up to their name, but these little devils come adorned with a halo and wings. Replacing more than half the mayo of typical deviled eggs with garbanzo beans makes them a little less sinful and absolutely perfect for a holiday party!

Read on for the recipe.

One of Fall's hottest trends is the pleated skirt. If you're looking for different ways to wear it, OnSugar blogger Beauty and Budget breaks it down for you with these five amazing outfit ideas.

The pleated skirt has finally graduated from a schoolyard staple to a trendsetter's must-have item of the season. Its comfort and wearability make it perfect for day and night in both hot and cold temperatures — so long as you mix it with the right pieces. Coming in virtually every color of the rainbow, you can mix and match a pleated skirt with nearly anything, which is why I chose to highlight this trend.

It doesn't matter if it's bold pink or muted, everyone is fitting into these flowing skirts. And the best part is, a pleated skirt can make any ensemble more feminine.

You can find pleated skirts at virtually every retailer, but if you're on a tight budget you can just raid your grandmother's closet! Chances are, she's got one! If not, shop the look below for affordable pleated skirts under $50.

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More Asos...

Want to see more? Check out Beauty and the Budget now — and while you're at it, why don't you start your own OnSugar blog? We might just feature you on Fab!

OnSugar blogger fashion fortuneteller is helping us shop the best grown-up blazers for back to school:

I'm so nervous about going back to school. I know I shouldn't be. I mean I'm going for my Masters, it's not like I'm new to sitting in a classroom, managing work load, and pulling all-nighters! But something, just has my stomach full of butterflies. So naturally, what do I do when I'm feeling nervous or unsure about something, need time to think things through, or am simply having a bad day... I make outfits! I dip into my closet and just start creating new looks. It's my CALM. Lately, I've been trying to think about how I could use the tons of blazers I have in creative ways. I work a corporate 9-5 that requires suits, therefore I have blazers galore. Suits are so not my thing — just seems too structured. Can you think of any creative ways to use blazers, like any of the ones I selected to feature today?

Want to see more (and shop the items)? Head over to Fashion Fortuneteller now!

Today, OnSugar blogger The Artful Shopper shares her love for one of Fall's hottest shoe trends — the loafer pump. Listen up to what she has to say, then shop her favorite picks!

“In fashion, either you’re in, or you’re out.” In the 6^th grade, I wanted “in” and that meant joining the so-called “Preps” so, I assembled a wardrobe of V-necks, cableknits and Palazzo pants. And one of my most coveted items of them all? Wait for it . . . penny loafers.

Who can forget the novelty of buying their first must-have pair of shoes that all the other kids are wearing? Maybe yours were some pretty heels, or a cushy pair of UGG's, or a stylin’ set of Nike Airs, but penny loafers? Sure, there was the novelty of having big sis help me make them look all shiny, and adding the little charm of a penny, but who can forget the thick, awkward block heel, the unflattering height and the typically dowdy association with straight-laced school marms and perhaps, those least interested in fashion, “Gulp,” nuns?

Read the rest.

Looking for some new ways to accessorize for Fall? OnSugar blogger Beauty and the Budget shares five fresh ways to perk up your existing ensembles.

Accessories can make your outfit, whether it's a statement necklace (a la Elizabeth Olsen) or a scarf or the right handbag... you get the idea! But what if we took a new approach on accessories? From around the web--from Lookbook to PeopleStyleWatch to Vogue--I've rounded up some of the newest and freshest approaches to today's hottest accessories. Which look will you try?

Want to see more? Check out Beauty and the Budget now — and while you're at it, why don't you start your own OnSugar blog? We might just feature you on Fab!

How important is your credit history? Read on to find out what OnSugar blog Beauty and the Budget has to say about this vital topic.

In a nutshell, most of us don't really know a lot about credit cards. Those financial articles on money, credit scores, and FICO are too long and complicated. Don't you ever just want a simple explanation? Well, beauties, here you have it! For the next few days I'm focusing on credit history. What is it, how do you establish it, and what effects it? I plan to keep it short and simple — money is boring unless your spending it! So let's figure out how it all works in a brief overview.

The reason many people get a credit card is to establish credit history, which is a record of a person's past borrowing and repaying history. Credit history determines your credit worthiness — will you pay it back consistently or will you be late on payments? In summary, it determines your responsibility with money.

A Good Credit History Will . . .

If you prove that you are financially responsible, it can help you get approved for a car loan, an apartment or home, cable or phone services, etc. It can also lower your insurance rates, which most people are unaware of. When you establish a good credit history, lenders will see that you are reliable, which will likely save you money on interest.

Read on to find out more about credit history.

Bright colors are such a fun way to inject a playful touch to your outfit, and OnSugar blog The Artful Shopper is giving us more reason to try it out with this super cute Alice & Olivia Summer video — check it out!

See more bright color inspiration from The Artful Shopper here or start your own OnSugar blog. We may just feature you on Fab!

OnSugar blogger The Style Files sets out to help you put together a chic, colorful, and most of all, impressive ensemble for a 10-year high school reunion.

The goal of any reunion is to look sophisticated, and most importantly like a woman who has matured and grown up over whatever the time period may be since you were last “united”. You want to stand out without looking like you are trying too hard. With that being said, I would stick to the following guidelines, and you can’t go wrong!

See her great tips and superchic outfits when you subscribe to The Style Files now!