ShopEatSleep

It’s every girl’s (and some boys’) dilemma: finding the perfect party dress for all those holiday parties that crop up every December. But you’re also on a budget — what to do? Hopefully I can help. Here are some of my favorites, from the ultra cheap chic to the less-cheap-but-won’t-necessarily-break-the-bank chic.

Fun, flirty party dresses: This H&M dress ($19.95) with a vintage-vibe print is super cute and super affordable. Looking for a little more sparkle? Try this Forever 21 black sequin dress ($24.80).

H&M

Forever 21

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I’m always on the lookout for cheap-chic fashion finds à la H&M and Forever 21. While I love to shop, I don’t have a lot of dough, so I either do a lot of window shopping, or I have to get creative in my purchases.

So when an email popped up in my inbox about Anique Michelle, an online boutique where nothing is priced for more than $60, I was intrigued. Sounds like Forever 21 prices, right? The difference here is you’re not forced into combing through skanky-looking inventory to find something decent; the site has already done it for you. I’m partial to these $16 clutches (right) and this $55 biker-style jacket:

The boutique doesn’t sell name-brand items, just private label stuff, but that’s why it’s so cheap. But if it’s cute, who cares? That’s my motto!

Anique Michelle was kind enough to offer ShopEatSleep readers a 15 percent discount off purchases through Feb. 15. Enter code “shopeatsleep” at checkout.

To start your weekend off right, get yourself some free goodies tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 12. I want you to enjoy your weekend so much that I’m telling you about it on Wednesday. ‘Cuz that’s how I roll.

H&M: The grand opening of the H&M store at Westfield Century City starts at 12:00 p.m., but the first 200 people in line before doors open will get gift certificates with a random value of either $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $200 or $300. And one lucky person will get to take that free money into the store before everyone else. If I didn’t have a little thing called work to attend to, I would so be there. Momma needs new clothes!

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: What, more freebies from Coffee Bean? Why, yes, they’re at it again. From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., participating (read: most likely not the stands in your local Ralphs or the location at USC, though I’m going to try to find out about that one) Coffee Bean locations will be hosting a holiday “open house” with your choice of a free 12 oz. Winter Dream Tea Latte, Peppermint Latte, Peppermint Ice Blended, Pumpkin Latte or Pumpkin Ice Blended.

And if that weren’t enough, they’ll be handing out samples of their new Belgian waffle, which is part of the chain’s push to get you to eat breakfast there, too.

Wait, there’s more: You can get samples of the new holiday beverage line-up, including Spiced Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Orange Ice Blended and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Ice Blended. If you can’t get your caffeine and sugar fix here, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.