Fabulously Cheap: Accessories

I'll be completely honest, I spend a significant portion of my day-dreaming about sitting by a fireplace in a cashmere sweater, toasting champagne in a Herve Leger at my engagement party, drinking lattes with a Birkin bag resting casually beside my crossed, dainty ankles (you're getting the fantasy montage here right...?) I'm always a size 4 in these daydreams too so I hope that gets the point across that these images are a complete fabrication of my psyche- things that just simply won't ever occur. Except maybe the cashmere. I don't think it's too much to ask that I have one item of cashmere in my life.

The point is that a county bumpkin like me just isn't going to have the cash flow or the lifestyle to ever make those big ticket purchases a reality. The fact is that if I ever have the cash flow to buy a Birkin, I'll probably also have a six year old whose snot I don't really want to wipe on my $30,000 bag. Besides that, I'm 23, living in the butt crack of the Midwest, and only 1 in 25 people who I meet would know what a Birkin was without a Google search, followed by a Wikipedia article.

I won't, however, stop my search, nay, my quest, to get a little bit of fabulous right here, right now. The perfect compromise? Accessories. Every big boy designer purchase has a little baby brother for a more affordable price and if not, then a first cousin will suit as a resonable knock-off. (Does that even make sense? Go cheap, is what I'm saying.)

I know what you really want is this delightful little Coach bag here:

But honey, I'm saving for a wedding. That $400 is spoken for! This satchel from Payless, will only set you back $26:

Slap this gorgeous Coach scarf on the handle and bam! You are looking luxe for less.

I think you see where I'm going with this. I just really love that you can spend a fourth of what you might have otherwise, and still have something really glamorous, super fun, while staying absolutely in budget. Here are some of my favorite accessory-picks, all clocking in under $150:

Leather Cashmere-Lined Gloves from Coach, $98:

Leather Wallet from Coach, $138:

Chevron Wristlet from Coach, $118: 

High 5 Mittens from Kate Spade, $65:
 

Metallic Ear Warmer from Kate Spade, $85:

Black Leggings from Kate Spade, $48:

Paperclip Notes Gift Set from Kate Spade, $35:

Silk Square Scarf from LL Bean Signature, $39:

Sport Wool Bag from LL Bean Signature, $95:

Skinny Braided Belt from LL Bean Signature, $39

Ballet Slipper from LL Bean Signature, $79 (on sale):

Handbag from J.Crew Factory, $150 (on sale):

Aviator Sunglasses from J.Crew Factory, $20:

Enamled Bangle from J. Crew, $20:

Signet Ring from J. Crew, $25:

Vintage Pajama Sleep Set from J. Crew, $78:

To my mind, you can pretty much shop exclusively at Target (and I know plenty of fabulous people that do!), sprinkle in a generous helping of deluxe accessories, and you're not only faking it... you're making, it baby!