BGG Crush: Shauna Miller of Penny Chic

We hardly think Ms. Shauna Miller of the blog Penny Chic needs an introduction, as her styling prowess has earned so much attention in recent years that we're shocked she can walk down the street without being mobbed (we're BIG fans, can you tell?).  Each day on Penny Chic, Shauna styles clothing from stores like Walmart, Kmart, and Sears on real women to create chic and of-the-moment looks, thereby empowering ladies of all shapes, sizes, and incomes to feel good about what they're wearing.  In short, we love everything about what Shauna does, and who she is as a person, so we recently sat down with her to pick her brain on budget fashion, her favorite spots in LA, and the best advice she's ever received: 

BGG: What inspired you to start PennyChic?

SM: I graduated college in 2008, during the wake of the recession, and couldn’t get a job in the luxury fashion or editorial world like I had hoped. I saw magazines fold and fashion houses go bankrupt right before my eyes, and I knew I had to come up with something fresh and relevant if I wanted to work in fashion. There was simply nothing compelling about high fashion anymore -- who could afford a $10,000 outfit, and what was so epic about it?  I knew that styling was my calling, but I wanted a real challenge.

I created Penny Chic to show women the simple fact that you can be chic on an extreme budget, and there’s no shame involved. What better way to prove that than to style outfits with America’s cheapest discount department stores, the stores that are within 10 miles of every home in America, yet that no one in fashion acknowledges?  If I could accomplish that, then not only would I prove my talent, but I could prove my belief that being chic is not about the price tag.  It’s about being resourceful, choosing the right pieces, pairing them with fabulous accessories, and -- most importantly -- owning it!

BGG: When shopping at big-box stores like Target, Walmart, T.J. Maxx, etc., are there certain things you should definitely look for and certain things you should try to find elsewhere?  Which stores are best for which items?

SM: Target is great for handbags, accessories, swimsuits, and trendier pieces like floral pants, graphic tees, etc.  Walmart sells the best stretch denim pants (jeggings) under the name Faded Glory. I also love their Men's button down shirts, which I wear myself, and they have really great ballet flats for $9, too!  At Kmart, I love the Sofia Vergara line. She makes amazing, sexy dresses that hug your curves in the best way. Kmart also sells great work clothes under the line Attention.  Sears is great for "going out" clothes. Kardashian Kollection actually has some amazing feathered skirts and maxi dresses right now.  JC Penney is great for staple pieces like blazers, black dresses, boots, etc.

BGG: You grew up in LA. What's one place that you loved as a child that you still love?

SM: During the holidays, our grandma would take us to the 99 cent store and tell us we could buy whatever we wanted. I had so much fun running through the store with that cart and sifting through all of the cheap finds. Little did I know it would come full circle. I still get such a thrill out of visiting that store.

BGG: What are your favorite broke-girl-friendly spots in town? 

SM: Drybar -- what's not to love about a $35 blow out?  I have very long hair, so for me it's a bargain.
Darya -- an amazing Persian restaurant. They have a lunch special for $10.99 that comes with delicious chicken breast kabobs, salad, and basmati rice. It's enough for 2 people!  I usually eat half for lunch and take the rest home for dinner. 
Whole Foods -- on Wednesdays, the location in Beverly Hills gives you $2 off at the hot bar and the salad bar.

BGG: What do you suggest we splurge on in terms of fashion?  What do you splurge on?  

SM: When it comes to advising people on what to splurge on versus what to save on, I always say you should splurge on the things that you lose sleep over. It may not always make sense (once I splurged on a suede crop top), but at least you're spending your hard-earned money on something that excites you!  Every year, I "invest" in a handbag. It's one of my weaknesses!

BGG: What is your favorite splurge in life?

SM: This HUGE obnoxious cocktail ring I got at Alexis Bittar. The stone is so big and heavy that it weighs my finger down when I lift my hand. I love it because it's a conversation starter. I've met many men over that ring, none of whom ended up working out. SHOCKER!

BGG: Who inspires you in terms of style?

SM: I go through phases where I get fixated on different women. When I was in high school, I was obsessed with '90s Winona Ryder. In college, I wanted to be Carrie Bradshaw. Right now, I'm obsessed with Blair Eadie from the blog Atlantic-Pacific. She has amazing style!!!

BGG: As an entrepreneur, what advice would you give to girls who are trying to start their own businesses? 

SM: It can be overwhelming because you want everything to be perfect before you take that kind of risk. It took me 2 years before I actually started my blog because I was hung up on the design and making it perfect, and then when I had the design done, I convinced myself it wasn't the right time to launch. It's never going to be the "right" time. You have to just go for it!

BGG: What's the best advice you've ever been given?

SM: As an entrepreneur, you have to constantly self-motivate and find new ways to stay focused on your goals. There is one quote by the life coach Eric Thomas that I repeat to myself daily and it's like clockwork....I automatically get into my groove. He says, "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful." It's not that complex, but it works for me.

BGG: Can we follow you on Pinterest? Instagram? Twitter? Facebook? Give us all your social media deets. 

Twitter-- @pennychic http://twitter.com/#!/pennychic
Pinterest-- Penny Chic http://pinterest.com/pennychic/
Tumblr-- Penny Chic http://pennychic.tumblr.com/
Instagram-- @pennychic
Pose-- Penny Chic
YouTube-- PennyChic
Facebook-- Penny Chic https://www.facebook.com/PennyChic