Once upon a time, my great friend showed me a little website she knew and loved called Etsy.com. “It’s Betsy without the ‘B’” she said ever so kindly as I typed it into my browser. She did however, fail to tell me I was going to lose an average of 3 hours a day digging into the website and dumping my very shallow money truck into the virtual Etsy ‘shopping cart.’

Etsy.com is fashion crack. And I love it. It puts me in a happy place of inspiration and vintage goodies. Anybody can share and sell their vintage or homemade items on the site. And anybody can put the light out on their paycheck buy the vintage goods.  But sometimes it can be difficult to find that perfect item going for cheap.  Good thing CollegeCandy is here, because we’ve got proof that 8 Under $20 is so pleasantly possible on Etsy.com.

[Important Note]: Some of these items only have one in stock. So if you really fall in love, act fast and whip out that VISA. Otherwise, just go explore Etsy. It has many many beautiful vintage items to lust after.

I am double lusting over this intricately design vintage purse from India. It’s a modest price is only $11.50.  I knew elephants were lucky.

Awww, Etsy is so amazing. I just want to marry it. Anyway, this super girly lace tea skirt is so unique I want it in my closet right meow. It is perfectly casual for any event and would put the ‘innocently sweet’ message into any outfit. Oh, and it would look to-die-for with a pair of equally unique flats.

The gem selling this item also sells it in yellow and white.  The vintage hanky sleeves are adorable and sweet. This simplistic top would look glorious with a pair of skinny jeans and a Popsicle (just don’t drip on the shirt, please).

This beautiful silk scarf would splash a world of color onto any simple outfit. I’m loving the cool blue color and free-bird tie dye. Perfect for a summer night.

This glorious balloon skirt would look great with a white tee and leather jacket. It’s flirty and versatile and looks way heftier a prize than $19.90.  To top it off, it is a unique design and looks like something that would come straight off the Urban Outfitters rack.

I may have worn KEDS when I was 12, but since I purchased a romper today I decided it would be tangible to take another prance down memory lane. Besides, these flowery red and white ones are cute ya’ll (yep, they come with a southern accent). Anyway, at only $8.50 who could pass these up? They would be cute with anything denim.

I’m crushing over these pale blue mini-rose earrings.  They are like a packet of Splenda on any outfit.  From jeans and a white tee to any flirty sundress, these earrings would sweeten up every look.

This vintage polo beach bag is perfect for a summer afternoon. It’s nautical, it’s casual and the rope handles and leather strap grip are so Hampton beach party, I’m dying to have it as my own.

Anyways, Hudgens works this season’s floral trend perfectly. And it’s not easy; there are three different levels of floral patterns and if you pick the wrong one, it could be a fashion disaster. What are they?

1) The cheap, horribly tacky looking kind
2) The kind that looks like your grandmother’s couch. Or your grandmother’s floral skirt. And matching floral vest.
3) The really, really cute kind.

With color and patterns being EVERYWHERE this season it’s really easy to become desensitized to it all and, before you know it, you’re sporting a fabric that is best suited covered in plastic with a remote control and the year 1977 attached to it. So leave it to me – and, uh, V. Hudge – to help you sort through the bubbie looks to find the floral must-haves.

Here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Everything’s Coming Up Vanessa Hudgens.

Skirt
Mini’s are everywhere, so it’s easy to find one that best suits your body type. A bit higher waisted with a tank tucked in is flattering on just about everyone, whereas a fitted mini, a bubble, a looser fit or an a-line depends on your body type.

Tank
You really don’t need to buy a new tank, but it’s always a good idea to have a crisp and clean one if it’s a main piece in your look (armpit stains are not the finest accessory). This one  is easy and casual and perfect for summer. And the white will only enhance that sun kissed glow of yours.

Fringe bag
This is the perfect “It totally looks like I’m a carefree hippie, but I’m really not” type bag. Not that you are trying to be something else; you are just looking for the perfect look to enhance your so-relaxed-in-the-Summer look.

Necklace
A big pendant completes adds a little extra flair and totally brings the look together.

Sandals
The gold or camel-y brown go great with this look. Easy to throw on and go! If you are going for more of an evening look, just throw on a neutral pair of pumps. Voila! Florals done oh so right.

Who knows? Maybe this look will get you your very own boy with perfect abs, eyes and side-swept bangs….

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Bubble shaped skirts are a big trend this fall from the runways of designer brands like (see above) Dior, Armani, and Erin Fetherston. Like the ruffles we’ve seen all season, this silhouette is really flattering; the volume of the skirt makes your legs and waist appear tiny in comparison. It’s also a fresh look for any holiday parties you will be attending this season (you social butterfly, you).

Before you zip into a bubble skirt, there are a few tips you must remember.

First, this type of skirt is definitely OK to go mini with, but if you think you’re showing a little too much leg put on a pair of opaque black tights. You don’t wanna look trampy! Also, when shopping for a bubble skirt, you must try it on! This is not the type of thing that will always fit you the same, so head to the nearest dressing room and make sure that the fabric stays upright and bubbly and doesn’t droop into a saggy mess. Finally, to maximize the slimming effect make sure you wear a tight fitted top (so as not to appear voluminous all over!) and heels to lengthen your legs.

Here are some cute options for skirts. Just click the picture to learn more:

If you a skirt isn’t your think, you can achieve the bubbly silhouette with a dress! There are a ton of cute options for party/semi-formal bubble dresses out there to choose from. Here are just a few to get you started: