Cleaning Out Angela's Closet -- BLOG SALE!

One of our FABulous cupcakes (aka: contributing writer) Angela has decided to clean our her closet! Can we say BLOG SALE? She has some FABulous items for great prices! Drumroll please as I hand you over to Ang! Can we just say -- we are dying over that Nicole Miller! Someone better grab it up!

Details:

All items must be paid for via paypal within 24 hours of purchase. Items will ship ASAP via USPS Priority for $3.00 (will also insure package for you). 

Email me if you are interested in any of the items: 

diaryofdomesticfailure@gmail.com or comment below! 

Happy Shopping!

J.Crew Size 4

New, Never Worn

Retailed $128.00

Cost: $35.00

Adorable Embellished Skirt

New, Never Worn

Size 6

Purchased in Los Angeles Boutique

Retailed: $85.00

Blog: $25.00

Lilly Pulitzer

Jubilee Collection

Style # 70273

New, Never Worn

Size 8

Retail $ 378.00

Blog Cost $150.00

Lilly Pulitzer

Sherman Tunic

Size 6

New, Never Worn

Retail: $228.00

Blog Price: $ 100.00

Nicole Miller

Cocktail Dress

New, Never Worn

Size 6

Retail: $430

Blog: $100.00

Nicole Miller

Ombre Dress

New, Never Worn

Size 6

Retail: $365.00

Blog: $ 95.00

Stay Tuned, if these items sell there will be MANY more to come!

Daily {LOVE}

By Angela Parks

If you follow me on Twitter, then you will know there is one item in particular that I obsess over. One item that makes me go weak in the knees. One accessory that I simply cannot live without.  Forget the handbags and the shoes...this girl loves her SUNGLASSES!

So imagine my delight when I happened upon these little gems while shopping online:

These Tod's 2-tone Butterfly Sunglasses ($350)are to die for! I personally prefer the two-toned Antique Rose with the Brown Lense, but you can also purchase them in Black with a Grey Lense. These will be absolutely perfect for my upcoming trip to The Middle East! So chic and divine!

cupcakeMAG home edition! Decorating on a Budget!

By Angela Parks, Contributing Writer

Angela's Virgina Beach Home 

This comes as no surprise to those who know me, I LOVE to decorate. I have forever evolving taste. One day I'm obsessed with greens, the next day I'm consumed with blues. Needless to say, I don't believe in spending a great fortune on expendable items in my home. I always pride myself on being a bargain shopper. I'm known for seeking out deals from the clearance bins, ebay or even searching Craigslist.com for (occasional) furniture deals.

I will say that our daily furniture was not necessarily a bargain. We have learned over time to carefully choose our furniture. We are a military family (my husband is a Navy Pilot), so we are mindful to purchase pieces with the knowledge that it needs to fit nicely in our next home. I feel that daily pieces such as sofas, chairs, mattresses, dinning tables, etc should be bought with quality in mind. Simply because you will use them daily and will retain them for many years.

I had the pleasure of opening up my home to host the very first CupcakeMag Retreat! Throughout the weekend I was asked where I had purchased specific items. Honestly, I had to laugh because my response was always the same:

Target

Overstock.com

eBay.com

Craigslist.com

Marshalls

TJ Maxx

Michaels

Hobby Lobby

Remember it isn't the cost of what you buy,  it is merely WHAT you buy! Decorating doesn't require a fortune.  Take the time to bargain shop, and while you are sitting in your beautifuly furnished home - relish in the fact that you have saved a lot!

How beautiful is the Mrs. Preppy Poppy's home! We just LOVE her style. 

Make sure you check out her new blog all about being a domestic failure. 

Even though we think she is perfect! 

Which room is your favorite?

Couture Item of the Week for Not a Couture Price -- Iconic Trench

By Angela Parks, Contributing Writer 

You will find overtime that I gravitate toward simplistic and classic fashion. I adore Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Valentino. I believe clothing should be worn to bring out a woman's best attributes and that a woman should always portray herself as a lady. I also feel it necessary to invest in timeless wardrobe staples. Your "go-to" items in your closet,  that will never let you down. Over the next several weeks, I will be writing about the items you shouldn't be living without and how to obtain them without paying retail.  

One item in my wardrobe that I consistently wear in the Spring and Fall is my Burberry Trench. An enduring classic that has been an icon for over 100 years. I can be a wreck under my trench - but no one would ever know. Much like sunglasses disguise a face without makeup - my trench allows me to appear put-together at a moments notice. 

The trench coat was officially introduced during World War I (though, Burberry designed their first coat in 1895), it was considered  an item of dress for officers in the British Army. In 1914,  the War Office commissioned Burberry to make the coat and by 1918 Harper's Bazaar was already recognizing the item as fashionable. Lest we not forget that Harper's considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”

credit: National Photo Group

I routinely shop on Bluefly.com. They carry designer brands from Chloe to Hermes. This week I was able to find a Burberry Trench at 20% off retail.  Combined with a first-time shopper discount, no sales tax and free shipping - you can get this coat retailed at  $ 1,095.00 for $ 856.00 (free shipping and first-time shopper discount can be found on retailmenot.com). 

photo: bluefly.com 

While I understand that cost is relative to one's budget, rest assured you can purchase a similar trench to the Burberry without draining your savings or maxing out your credit card. Bluefly.com not only carriers couture designer items, but also contemporary designers as well.  You can purchase this Elie Tahari trench retailing at $275.00 for $ 192.00 (a discount of 30%).

                                                                    

Whether you're out shopping with the girls, dinning with a loved one or sitting in carpool,  rest assured you will always look magnificent while wearing your iconic trench. 

Side Note: When shopping for discounted designer goods -  you will find that the those items sell out VERY quickly. My suggestion is that if you are in the market for a particular item - do NOT hesitate on a purchase. Doing so will guarantee that your deal will turn into a steal for another bargain fashionista. First one to checkout wins! 

Couture Item of the Week for Not a Couture Price!

By Angela Parks, Contributing Writer

First, let me express how delighted I am to be part of the cupcakeMAG team! Part of my commitment is to provide readers with fabulous couture finds,  at a less demanding cost!  

As a Military Spouse, I have the great pleasure of attending countless balls with my husband.  You have NO IDEA the passion I have for evening gowns! While watching the 2008 Academy Awards, I was inspired by Katherine Heigel's dress. The moment I laid eyes on the vermilion colored Escada gown, I knew it would be my choice for our next formal event. The curve hugging gown was a fabulous throw-back to old Hollywood glamor. 

Naturally, obtaining the Escada gown was not even a remote possibility. I scoured numerous dress sites searching for a comparable gown, but came up emtpy handed. I did happen upon many horrible "looks for less", which paled in comparison.

Photo Credit: Getty Images
Katherine Heigel Escada Gown at the 2008 Academy Awards

After countless days of searching for my coveted gown, I had almost given up hope. Finally, I found a website that would guarantee a quality dress made to my measurements and specifications. I was hesitant to invest a great deal of money to a business out of Hong Kong. However,  when I was quoted the price of $ 100.00 (yes, you read that correctly, ONE hundred), I figured it was worth a shot.  In less than two weeks my dress arrived. I was terribly skeptical.  I opened the box (and much to my surprise) it was stunning! Nearly a mirror replica of Katherine's Academy Awards gown. I tried it on and the dress fit to perfection. I could not have been more pleased with the results (I think I might of even cried!). Especially at the bargain price of (did I mention) $100.  

 

Photo of moi wearing my bargain "couture" gown at Hubby's Navy Ball

Since my fabulous find, I have had many friends commission dresses for themselves. After all -  why buy "off the rack", when you can feel like the Belle of the Ball in a dress tailored just for you!

If you are feeling sassy and would like to commission a dress for yourself, you can do so at the following website: www.eDressit.com  

Side note: Be sure to provide accurate measurements, as eDressit does not allow refunds on commissioned dresses. When in doubt, add a couple of inches to your bust, waist, and hips - then have the dress altered by your local seamstress to guarantee a perfect fit!

meet the cupcakeMAG team! Contributing Writer, Angela!

Angela Parks our newest member of cupcakeMAG is all about being a Bargain Fashionista. She wasn't born with a silver spoon, but certainly had taste as if she were. Because of this revelation, Angela had to find creative and Innovative ways to bare the baubles, clothes & accessories she craved.

Self professed "Internet Shopping Queen", Angela always scores the items she covets at a fraction of retail cost. Better yet, she wants to share these finds with you and also teach you how to find these delightful items on your budget.

Angela is married to a Navy Pilot and is also a Mother to two beautiful girls. In addition, she works as a stylist for a contemporary Christian music label and owns an online personalized children's boutique as well; which keeps her very busy - BUT never too busy to get her shop-on. 

Stay tuned -- Angela will bringing us the couture item of the week, every week!