(Originally published on CBS)

When I heard my assignment was to put together an entire outfit for under $50 bucks I was like EASY, this is how I shop! I’ve been putting together budget outfits that look like a million ever since I got old enough (and confident enough) to know that I can make things work - if I work it.

Using my beautiful friend Meike Hale as a moving mannequin, we hit a charity shop, a corporate megastore and everywhere in between, sourcing the grooviest gear we could find.

Here’s what we patched together for under $50 ($46 to be exact).

FINAL PRODUCT

STEP-BY-STEP

The Neck TIE

$2.
This new Goodwill shop in Jamaica plain replaced a chain sneaker store in the center of town and believe me, it is way more citizen-appropriate. Let’s just say you’re way more likely to see people sporting your grandmas vintage pumps or grandpas blazer in this neighborhood, than air jordans. 
The Goodwill Store
Neightborhood: JAMAICA PLAIN
678 Centre St (between Starr Ln & Seaverns Ave)
(617) 522-1415
Site 

A SHIRT

$5.50
H & M is one of the best chain stores to shop if you have a limited budget, no time and have to look like a mill. They also seemed to have somehow broken the impenetrable couture barrier by carrying such hallowed brands as Lanvin, Comme Des Garcon and Versace. And these are exclusive deals, just with them. How’d they do it?
H & M
Neighborhood: DOWNTOWN CROSSING
350 Washington Street
(617) 859-3192
Site 

TROUSERS

$19.50
Forever 21 offers gear pieces you’d never think to wear on your own, but then you see on one of their mannequins and it becomes an instant have-to-have. This particular location on Newbury looks to have more square feet than any other retailer on the prestigious street – which can’t be cheap. But the clothes are! So they’re absolutely relying on sheer volume, secured by offering consistently innovative – yeah, that’s the word – innovative! gear. 
Forever 21 
Neighborhood: BACK BAY
343 Newbury Street
(617) 262-0212
Site 

LID

$5.
Urban is one of those stores where you really don’t mind sacrificing quality because the styles are so rocking. I’ve had more than a bag/skirt/scarf or two begin unravelling after a few wears.  Yet I keep going back , spending more than I should, because I know I’ll find something awesome, in a bind. 
Urban Outfitter
Neighborhood: ALLSTON
226 Harvard Ave
(617) 232-0321

ARMWARMERS

$14
When I approached Elizabeth’s table at SoWa Open Market I immediately got that feeling of  missing out on something. This girl gets to spend her working days piecing together random organic materials to make must-have, impulse buy pieces. Gloves, scarfs, armwarmers, pins, patches, etc. I can honestly say I like everything she does. 
Elizabeth Caruso Handmade
Neighborhood: SOWA OPEN MARKET / SOUTH END
460 Harrison Avenue
Site

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET?

Tell us in the comments where you source fab gear for less. xo
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Michelle McCormack is a Facebook expert and blogger at  LoveTheCool. LIKE her Facebook page Secret Boston and FOLLOW her Tweets at @MichelleMMM

(Originally published on CBS)

You can’t walk down a Boston street without tripping over some under-paid street musician just trying to make a buck to either stay in school, or keep ‘gigging out’ til they hit their big break.

For some reason Boston attracts musicians, which is why we’re known for having some of the most killer music venues in the US. From old school favs like The Paradise, to new corporate owned, resentment inducing spots like House of Blues and Bank of America Pavilion.

And because of this, not only do we get to add another factoid to the list of why Boston is great (along with insane sports fans and more college credits per square foot than almost anywhere in the world) we also get to benefit from the plethora of music lessons available ranging from college level commitment to the hourly private lesson.

I asked the Facebook page Secret Boston, which happens to be filled with these under-appreciated souls, to give their recommendations on great music lessons in Boston and here’s some of what I got:

COLLEGE LEVEL

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC

1140 Boylston Street
(Back Bay)
617 266-1400
Site
FEES (2011)
12 week summer full-credit $12,300+
5 week summer program around $5,000
1 semester, no credit, full-time $610

BERKLEE LEARNING CENTER FORUMS
Many are FREE and open to the public.
Site Schedule 

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY

290 Huntington Avenue
Boston
(617) 585-1100
Site
FEES (2011)
Non-credit: (some instructors’ fees may be higher)
60-minute lessons: $101.00/lesson
45-minute lessons: $75.75/lesson
30-minute lessons: $50.50/lesson
School of Continuing Education Credit: (some instructors’ fees may be higher)
4 CE credits: $2300 for 15 hours of instruction
3 CE credits: $1725 for 11.25 hours of instruction
2 CE credits: $1150 for 7.5 hours of instruction

A MUSIC SCHOOL

PAGE MUSIC LESSONS

LOCATION: 93 Massachusetts Ave, 4th Floor (cross street = Newbury St)
Page Music offers affordable, professional, private music lessons in Boston, or you can event take lessons from home via webcam.
INSTRUMENTS: Violin, Cello, Drums, Piano, Keyboard, Flute, Saxophone, Brass and Voice
FEES
Many pricing options – call for plans.
Site
Email
617.267.PAGE (7243)

SPECIALTY

Voice

photo credit: Tony Savarino
Ajda Snyder
Since November of 2009, Ajda has been offering private voice lessons – specializing in adult beginners, and appropriate for anyone looking to develop and master a more perfect voice, or to create a stronger and more dynamic image.  Ajda’s real world experience includes over 12 years of live performance singing and playing several instruments in bands of varying styles such as indie/experimental rock, Americana, goth, & cabaret.
LOCATION: Studio 44 of the Steinert Building, in the heart of Boston’s Theatre District, and across from Boston Common.
FEES
Email for pricing
Site
Email

Guitar

photo credit: Johnny Arguedas
Tony Savarino 
Tony is a guitar player’s guitar player. He’s versatile with the unique ability to put his personal stamp on everything he does. He has appeared in: Guitar World, Guitar Player For The Practicing Musician, The Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, The Noise and SoundCheck.
LOCATION: Fort Point Channel area
FEE
$100 / 2hr
$80 / 1.5hr
$60 / 1hr
$45 / 45min
$35 / .5 hr
Site
Email

Ukelele / Guitar / Bass

photo credit: Kristin Herther
Tim Mann
Inspired by the late George Harrison, Tim took up the ukulele and soon teamed up with Greg Hawkes , keyboardist for ‘The Cars’, and ukulele virtuoso. Together Greg and Tim formed ‘The Diamond Hearts’, and joined the widely eclectic troupe, ‘Ukulele Noir’.
Tim offers Ukelele lessons when he’s not on tour.
FEE
$50 / 1 hour
$35 / .5 hour
Site
Email 
617-633-0648 

Piano

photo credit: Brooke Rodd
Steffani Bennett
Steffani began studying piano and dance at age 5 and went on to study classical voice and jazz technique until graduating from New England Conservatory in Boston. She went to New York to develop her sound in the early 90’s. Since then she has been writing and performing in NYC and up the East Coast, and has performed on countless recordings, demos and albums, developing a reputation as a great session singer, musician, and songwriter.
FEE
$40 / 40 minutes
646-489-6635
Site
Email 

LET US KNOW!

Do you have a favorite music teacher? Leave us their details in the comments!

—————————-

Michelle McCormack is a Facebook expert and blogger at LoveTheCool. LIKE her Facebook page Secret Boston and FOLLOW her Tweets at @MichelleMMM