5 Thrifty Things: Gold Rush

I'm not a gold person, normally. Midas never touched me. I'm Italian (half anyway), and gold has always reminded me of horns and chains and the gaudy adornments of tanorexic gumbahs trying to look like they're wealthier than they actually are. Silver (or white gold or platinum — hell, even copper or brass) have been my golden rule to avoiding becoming an aesthetically cultural stereotype.

But, somehow, of the three times the metallic trend has influenced fashion during my time as a lifestyle writer, this one has actually influenced my personal style. Maybe I'm getting older, and giving in to "my roots," as my husband would say. Maybe, in such a time of austerity, being a bit more flash just feels really good. Or maybe I've finally admitted to my love of shiny things and my propensity for costume drama. Who knows.

Whatever the reason, I'm totally feeling the gold rush right now, and am stocking my wardrobe with pieces like these pretty (and affordable, if not necessarily eco-friendly) indulgences:

UK Style by French Connection for Sears Gold Bolero Jacket
($49.90 on sale)
I'm totally coveting unique blazers and cropped jackets right now, especially since this is my first spring back in an office after working mostly from home for the past two years. It might be my new favorite item — yes, from SEARS! — and I'm styling it with a similar blue-and-white striped top from Target (to many compliments in just one wea so far). Regularly $59.90, shop Sears through 3/19 for $10 off purchases of $50 or more and $20 off purchases of $75 or more. Trust me, this collection is worth checking out.

Gold huaraches with ankle strap from Lulus.com ($39)
When I was in junior high (cough...in the late 80s/early 90s...), my closet literally burst with woven sandals like these. I literally had them in every color: black, white, brown, blue, green, red, yellow, and on. But what I hated about them was that the popular D'Orsay style huarache flats always fell off your feet. Ankle strap = problem solved. Lulu's, you girls are geniuses. Now, if only I could figure out what a size 7 or 7.5 is in European sizing...38?

"Newly Coined" Necklace from Modcloth ($28)
Another thing I'm totally embracing this year is the nautical trend. I recently picked up a similar piece to this one at one of our clothing swaps, and love that ModCloth's style also doubles as either a necklace or a belt. Just add a blousy white T-shirt dress, the sandals above, and you're ready to be on a boat. Or look like you belong on one.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gold Pebble iPhone Wallet Clutch ($80)
Recently, just before heading to SXSW and the Texas Style Council Conference, I broke down and traded in my 2-year-old iPhone 3 for the iPhone 4. And then I went through three iPhones in six days, after which I began calling the thing the "china doll of technology." Functional cases are expensive (even the boring ones will set you back about $20 and basic "bumpers" are $30), and I love that this clutch doubles as a stylish clutch with wallet built-in, so it does triple duty. Just be careful when you take the phone out to take calls or pictures!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in Glitz Blitz ($10)
Every fashion-forward celeb has touted their love for Minx nail coverings or gel manicures over the last two years, both of which require a (potentially pricey) trip to the salon. These strips are simple to apply, come in dozens of styles, and are the modern equivalent of the Lee Press-On Nails of my youth, which makes me giggle.

Story: Copyright 2011, Shoestring LLC.
Photos: Courtesy of Sears/French Connection, Lulu's, ModCloth, Michael Kors/Apple, Sally Hansen/Walgreens.