Below are a few fabulous pieces you can add to your collection to instantly transform your look from ho-hum to glam rock chic. And best of all, all of these accessories are under $20!

Images: Forever 21

Dual Rhinestone Burst Earrings ($5.80)
Opulent Jeweled Bracelet ($14.80)
Round Jewel Elastic Bracelet ($78.0)
Braided Pearls ($9.80)

Images: Forever 21

Bouquet Hinged Bracelet ($5.80)
Lacquer Floral Pearl Bracelet ($6.80)

My favourite from above selection has to be the last pearl bracelet, it’s quite pretty and versatile enough to be worn for day or night.  Another favourite would have to be the braided pearl necklace, it’s such a  new and fun way to wear pearls and the colour combination allows you to pear it with just about any other piece of jewelry.

See, what I mean about ridiculous prices? With all the parties and events coming up this holiday season, you won’t have to worry about how to accessorize your little black dress.  If you love these there are tons more on the Forever 21 website!

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Rock Chic Accessories Under $20

Image: Target

I went over to my local Target today and browsed through the collection. Here are a few of my favourites from the line, based on what I saw up close and personal.

Lace Halter Dress ($69.99) – This dress has a really nice texture. The semi see-through lace is a little sexy without trying too hard. It’s not exactly a halter style as your whole back isn’t exposed but the collar is a cute touch.

Houndstooth Jacquard Dress ($69.99) – This dress is one of my favourites because it looks a lot more expensive than it is. The lace detail on the bottom is a nice touch as is the semi iridescent sheen of the fabric underneath.

Silk Wrap Dress ($59.99) – I love this dress because it felt really soft and is flowly. Definitely a dress that’s figure flattering.  The print may be a little loud of some people but you can easily tone it down with a blazer, cardigan or a cute sweater coat.

Herringbone Dress ($59.99) -  What I love about this dress is it has a ‘mod’ vibe. This would look killer with a long sleeve top (turtleneck!) underneath and boots!

Notice I only chose dresses. The tops I saw were cute but not anything you can’t find somewhere else. Overall the Anna Sui collection has quite a few items worth purchasing. Make sure to try these on, based on the reviews some of them run a bit small.

By the way, as a warning, the photos on the Target website are heinous (seriously!) so definitely go to the store because these are so much better in person!

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Picks from Anna Sui for Target

Net-a-porter.com is a bit like German Chocolate Cake. It’s tantalizing, seductive, and superior to most other shopping Web sites (or chocolate desserts) in creation. But the thrill of finding Jimmy Choo Samoa Kid Sandals in the most perfect shade of tangerine I’ve ever seen in my life subsides slightly when I notice the $785 price tag.

Screenshot: theOutnet.com

Natalie Massenet, the founder and CEO of Net-a-porter.com, has heard our collective cries and is just weeks away from launching theOutnet.com, which will be a discounted outlet sister site to Net-a-porter.com.

Visit theOutnet.com now and sign up for their newsletter so you can be the first get your hands on a discounted Derek Lam-anything.

Lisa Fogarty’s Bio: “I am a reporter for the Queens Tribune newspaper in New York City and a recent graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. I am obsessed with skincare products, pretty scarves and belts and any sweater or blouse that features an unorthodox neckline. And shoes aren’t so bad, either.”

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theOutnet.com Answers Our Prayers

5. Shop It To Me

Shop It To Me is what happens when the Sunday sale pages from your local newspaper get personalized for you. This is how it works: you go to their site and create a profile of brands you love and they scour e-shopping sales and send you pictures and prices of things you might like. Sign up to receive updates as often as you like (or can handle) getting an inbox full of things you want to buy.

4. Independent Designers

Independent designers don’t always have the caché of the bigger names, but you can pay a lot less for a high quality garment from an independent designer than a commercialized one. Why? ADVERTISING. Independent designers don’t buy glossy pages in W or hire teams of publicists, so their price point stays lower, and in general, the customer service is a lot more customized. Etsy is my favorite source for independent designs. I recently purchased this gorgeous cocktail dress from independent designer, Desira Pesta, for $298, and had it custom-fitted for an extra $50. That’s less than $350 total for a custom-fitted handmade dress. Try getting a deal like that at Gucci!

Circus Dress by Desira Pesta. Photo Credit: Desira Pesta

3. Designer Discount Retailers

Designer Discount Retailers purchase overstock from designers and sell it for way less than the designers want to sell it for in their own stores. This is a great way to buy gorgeous clothes if you can be flexible about what you’re looking for. My favorites are:

Bluefly: I have purchased more from Bluefly than from any other single retailer in the past several years. They carry everything from Seven jeans to Valentino gowns, all at at least 20% 0ff retail. Online only.

Loehmann’s: Always has a great selection of lower-end designer clothing, like Free People, Anthropologie, etc. Sometimes they carry more expensive things, but the selection is off-and-on. Stores nationwide.

Century 21: Mecca for recessionistas. Every designer you’ve ever heard of at prices you wouldn’t believe. This place has the atmosphere of a wrestling ring, so be prepared to fight for that last pair of Rodarte tights. Only in/around New York City.

DSW: Amazingly diverse selection of designer shoes, great for shopping from the highest of the high-end to finding a cheap pair of Chuck Taylors. Stores nationwide.

2. Get on the Mailing List

This sounds simple, but the very best way to find out about sales at the stores you love is to be on their mailing list. This works whether the store is online or otherwise. I left NYC almost three years ago, but every time there’s a sale at the Miyake store in TriBeCa, I get a beautiful little postcard from them. If you buy something from an online site, you will usually be placed on their mailing list by default. Make a list of your favorite stores, or places you would like to shop if you could afford to, and get on their mailing lists. You will find that your inbox stays, sometimes irritatingly, packed with deals.

1. Follow Trends Wisely. Use Cost Per Wear Analysis.

The best way to spend your clothing budget intelligently is by knowing the difference between what you like today and what you will wear forever. Cost Per Wear Analysis is a fancy way of figuring out how much you are going to use something. For example, if you love love love the new Love Story handbag line by Marc Jacobs (and who doesn’t?), take a second to stop and think about how often you would use this $1,895 tote:

Marc Jacobs Big Heart Tote. Photo Credit: Marc Jacobs

If you are  going to use this bag every day for the next two years, then at 730 wears, the Cost Per Wear is about $2.60, which is pretty worthwhile. But if you are only going to use this bag once a week for the next two months (and really, unless this bag really speaks explicitly to your personal style, how often are you going to use a giant pink tote covered in hearts?), then the cost per wear goes up to $236! Yikes.

You don’t actually have to do this math to make it work for you. Just think about how often you are going to wear something when you buy it. Here’s the easy version of the equation:

Things that you wear more often should cost more money. Things that you will only wear a few times should cost less.

In case you missed the first part of this series, check out these high fashions on a low budget.

This post brought to you by redtagcrazy.com where you’ll find one sought-after fashion label at a time up to 80% off. Get an instant $5 to spend on anything you want courtesy of Splendicity.

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High Fashion on a Low Budget, Part 2

Luckily, Fred Flare lets you have your cake and eat it too!  Or should that be have your bling and wear it too?

In any case, check out these cute rings – both less than $20!

“Big As A House” acrylic faux diamond ring:

“Constellation” resin ring:

images: Fred Flare

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Sparkly rings without the cha-ching!

It’s become a tradition for me to do a year-end round up of my favorite fashion accessory picks from the year.  I’ve got great designs, hot celebrity styles… and possibly even a fashion goof-up as well!

in no particular order – but with a sense of fun, here you go

• Beyonce’s (or I should say “Sasha’s”) robot glove is definitely a style goof – at least to me…
• I think Michelle Obama is ushering in an era of elegant and yet low-key style to the White House.
• Sarah Jessica Parker’s hat at the London premier of the Sex and the City movie was another fashion moment I’d prefer to forget from 2008.
• Don’t have an Oscar-worthy budget?  Fake it with these fabulous jewels!
• Christian Lacroix made me drool with gilded dragonflies on the toes of his shoes.
• I recommend treating yourself to classic and timeless accessories – especially if you can find them on sale!
• Launching a new jewelry blog was definitely a high point of my year
• Her Accessories celebrated prom with a series of budget prom accessories – all of the sparkle, none of the credit card pain afterwards…
• This purse certainly doesn’t fall into the budget category, but the Judith Leiber cupcake purse that Katy Perry carried at the MTV Awards is just too cute not to include!
• I celebrated the Twelve Days of Shopping – with my annual Her Accessories Christmas accessories gift guide.
• Hush Puppies new design team is making me drool – I adore these boots!
• Steve Madden made me go “hmmm….” with his “Bukled” shoe – see what you think…
• Let’s finish this round-up off with indie designer Island Cowgirl Jewelry – whimsical silver jewelry with a funky edge.

Do you have a favorite Her Accessories post from the year?  Share it in the comments

image: C Findlay-Harder

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Her Accessories – favorite fashion picks from 2008

Or do you just like sparky pink skulls?

In any case, this belt from Rimistyle is such a fun accessory – it’s pink! And sparkly!  And has a skull belt buckle!

image: Rimistyle

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Arrrr me hearties….

Handbag Planet is a new online source for celebrity & designer look handbags – and to celebrate their launch on October 15th – they’re giving away handbags.

Lots and lots of handbags!

In fact, there are 24 handbags to be given to lucky ladies -one purse per hour for an entire day.

Want to enter?

Just click on the link, enter your name and email addy and you’re good to go

image: Handbag Planet

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Handbag Planet celebrates their launch

For my lovely readers in the UK this £2.99 charmer from eBay may be the option!

The auction is on until September 12th, so you’ve still got time to nab it, if you can’t live without your own cherry purse

image: Columbia1979 (eBay seller)

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need your own cheap & cheerful cherries bag?

image source: Rimistyle

I’ve been lusting after one of Dior’s “Diorette” rings, but this ring at just $12 is a little closer to my budget

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more flowers, please