Freakin' Fabulous on a Budget

by Clinton Kelly

The style guru and author of Freakin’ Fabulous shows you how to have it all—haute fashion, food and décor—at bargain-basement prices.

You’ve seen him dish out lifestyle tips on ABC’s The Chew and serve up fashion advice on TLC’s What Not to Wear . Now Clinton Kelly—America’s favorite expert on, well, everything—applies his brilliant sense of style and humor to all aspects of life, from dining and entertaining to decorating and etiquette. And he does it all without spending a fortune!

In this ingenious new collection of must haves, whatnots, and need-to-knows, Clinton Kelly proves that it doesn’t take a lot of money to look like a million bucks. In fact, you can dress, entertain, and decorate in a way that makes everyone think you’re filthy rich!

Clinton shows you how

LOOK YOUR BEST—FOR LESS
Put together beautiful designer looks at a fraction of the cost!

EAT LIKE A KING (OR QUEEN)
Stuffed Artichokes! Beef Bourguignon! Chocolate Soufflé!

LIVE IT UP & PARTY DOWN
Throw fabulous dinner parties that won’t break the bank!

DIY YOUR HOME, CHIC HOME
Make your own “mercury glass” lamps, haute-couture napkins, high-end centerpieces, and MoMA-worthy artwork!

Packed with full-color photos, bargain-hunting tips, posh party ideas, easy-but impressive recipes, dazzling home projects, and everyday indulgences that don’t cost a dime, Clinton’s book is the perfect fit for any size bank account. Now that’s freakin’ fabulous !

Genres: Nonfiction, Adult, Self Help, Fashion, Cookbooks, How To, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

Clinton Kelly is an American fashion consultant and media personality known for his role as co-host on What Not to Wear, a reality program that features fashion makeovers. He shares on-air duties with Stacy London. Kelly started his career as a freelance writer for several fashion magazines. Although he still continues to write he has since expanded into fashion consulting and designing.

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the TV show that Clinton Kelly stars in just a few times (can't remember the name), but I really liked him, so when I saw this on the library shelf I grabbed it. The advice on being fabulous within a budget is very good and includes a few gems that apply even to me. I will feel less guilty about wearing some clothes more than once before washing. Clinton does! But the best thing about this book is the humor; it is genuinely funny, happy, clever, and full of common sense. Three stars because it's not Shakespeare, but I enjoyed it very much.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Clinton Kelly! His tips and tricks to be fabulous on a budget are spot on, easy to do, and well worth keeping in mind. I can see myself using his tips/tricks/hints from home decorating to clothing/fashion.

[Claire P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for Clinton's wonderful conversational tone, his love of grammar (yessss!), his amazing recipes, incredible (and tasteful) crafts, and wonderful wardrobe hints. This man knows how to make the most of life and encourages his readers to do the same.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny writing and lots of pretty pictures, plus good advice here and there. What more can you ask for in a fashion book? And really, I'd expect no less from the fabulous Clinton Kelly.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Clinton Kelly is fabulous himself and this was a nice how to advice book for the perfect get together and how to save money. Some of the advice was great and many do it yourself projects that you can get from dollar store or WalMart... plus the recipes I am definitely trying! Spiced chickpeas?! Heck yes! A tasty not bland potato salad? Sign me up.

More excited to try the dishes myself and the drinks and sharing with loved ones and friends.

This was humorous he whole way through with some sound advice. Someone can use as much or as little of the information provided as they want to. He leaves it open ended and says just have fun!

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't really seen anything Clinton Kelly since What Not to Wear went off the air in 2013 but when I saw this in the library stacks, it looked fun. I love his snarky humor and, surprise for me, I just went grocery shopping for several recipes. Some of the craft projects were meh. The painted bamboo mat will still look like exactly what it is and why would anyone wrap votives in corn husks? His fashion tips are still spot on but I would like an explanation for why you can't wear light colored jeans... This is a fun and quick read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a fun, entertaining book. And it was. But it also was surprisingly informative. The recipes alone are worth the price of admission. And then, of course, are the style pointers, which are timeless and priceless.

[Fred-Tracy Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

he is always so much fun

CK is witty and sarcastic. His books always make me laugh.
Recipes are always good.
This was my first book on kindle. It was good but the pictures don’t get very big ☹️

[Patricia M. Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Clinton Kelly

Need I say more? Guess I do to submit. The bullies. Still Classic Clinton. Buy his other books too. Can't have too much Clinton Kelly.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love the recipes!

[Beka · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good amount of recipes, crafts, and style advice.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another super-fun read from Clinton Kelly - some good tips & advice, and lots of positive vibes and humor. And a little grammer - yay!

[B Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Done in a freakin’ fabulous conversational style. You feel like Mr Kelly is right there guiding you to be Freakin’ Fabulous!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny but actually has some great ideas.

[Kathleen Kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and given that I bought it for $4 on Amazon, worth it.

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I started reading "Words Onscreen the Fate of Reading in a Digital World" by Naomi S. Baron I've been curious to see if I'd enjoy reading a book off of the computer or Kindle as much as the traditional hard copy version. While going through the Los Angeles Public Library's catalog to look for fashion books to list on my personal list on their website I came across Clinton Kelly's "Freakin' Fabulous on a Budget How to Dress, Entertain, and Decorate in the Style You So Richly Deserve," which was available for downloads, and library check-outs.
Finally after a little bit of computer drama I was able to access and read it on my computer. Witty, exuberant and surprisingly easy and enjoyable to read I spent two hours picking up a lot of great tips for living on a budget without looking like it. Enlivened with quotes so significant I couldn't help writing them down for future reference, tips, full-color photos and sage advice from a lifestyle expert I had a delightful time reading this book.
One of my favorite sections was the Style section. It even featured Kelly's advice on how to replace the "five biggest fashion offenders: a hoodie sweatshirt, light-wash jeans, a shapeless t-shirt, a backpack and white cross-trainers with a cotton-canvas, leather or denim jacket or cardigan, polished dark jeans, a blouse with seams, darts and details, a tote or cross body bag and ankle boots or other non-athletic style shoes." By presenting style advice this way I feel he definitely made this book as accessible to the average reader as it would be to a stylist, interior decorator, chef or other industry professional, working in these fields. The fact that he consistently maintained his philosophy about living well on a budget throughout the book further impressed me and made my time reading it more pleasurable.

[Kayris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm...I don't know. I watched Clinton and Stacy a few times and they do make the people they make over look better, but sometimes I wonder if they live in the real world. They always put moms with babies in sundresses. Moms with babies need clothes that provide boob access and don't need to be dry cleaned. And I was never interested in playing on the floor while wearing a short skirt.

Anyway, this book was pretty much what I expected. The recipes look good but there are very few "cheap tips" scattered throughout the book. As much as this book is titled "on a budget" I felt like the money saving tips were thrown in as an afterthought.

One last thought. I do try to put some care into my appearance, but I also feel like way too many people assign meaning to appearance. You should not wear shorts to an interview or flip flops to a funeral. But perhaps that woman in the grocery store in pajama pants and sporting greasy hair isn't trying to say, "I care about my appearance." Maybe her look is saying, "I was up all night with a puking child and now I'm starting to feel badly too, so please move so I can buy my crackers and ginger ale and go home to bed." The lady with the hoodie and ugly white shoes might look unfortunate but it doesn't make her a bad person. Maybe everyone should stop being so judgmental and just mind their own business.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say I read the entire book from cover to cover, but I did read most of it focusing on what interested me. Some of the recipes look very good and I think many people need to read his grammar tips, but other than that I didn't learn much. While he made a lot of good fashion suggestions, you had to flip to the back and read the fine print to find out where to buy anything and prices were not listed. In a book about budget items prices are important. I think it would have been better if he stuck to one thing (fashion, crafts, entertaining or food) and gave us more information on that specific thing.

[Hannah]

Man, do I love this guy. I had already read the original one of this, so this was less exciting and new than I would have wanted, but it's still great, because he's funny and excellent and right. I met him and he started with "I love your hair," and then I said "I love you how you hate people who use I-apostrophe-S because I do too," and then we talked about how Siri autocorrects grammatical mistakes into your writing sometimes and I called Siri a bitch and he laughed and basically we're best friends now.

[Just Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick read thanks to lots of beautiful pictures. Not every book one reads has to be Tolstoy. I enjoyed the recipes and,for that reason alone, I will be purchasing this book. There is a surprising section on proper grammar. Like Clinton, I want my party invitations to be mailed. Evites greatly reduce my expectations about the event because if you cheat with this simple task to announce your party, I can only expect your soiree to include the ubiquitous bucket of chicken or a request for a pot-luck get together. Not fabulous.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lifestyle book by a TV personality, and as someone who has only a very fleeting awareness of his TV presence, I can say that this book definitely has something to offer readers not familiar with the author. The book covers a lot of ground, containing recipes from a number of categories, entertaining tips, craft ideas, decorating advice, fashion counsel, and even some grammar! What keeps it cohesive is a pervading dedication towards helping readers put their best self forward, as well as a cheeky, irreverent voice that never takes things too seriously.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever. I checked it out from the library and now have to go buy it because I love it so much. Very original recipes, such as ADULT MILKSHAKES! Sounds fabulous. I love his dry humor, he is my type of guy in that regard. A LITTLE braggy but I can forgive that because I love Clinton. I am left wanting to invite him to my house for a dinner party so badly! My dream is to throw the tastiest dinner party ever! But whom to invite?!! Clinton hit me up if in Chicago area! :)

[lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Clinton Kelly, but this was not his best. A lot of it was awesome, and I always love his snarky comments, but there was a lot in this book that didn't seem that helpful to me. His recipes call for way too much butter and cheese. His crafts are great, but I would never ever in a million years actually do any of them. The price of the book is worth it (to me) for his fashion advice. The tailoring advice, the budget advice, everything on that subject is gold.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish Clinton Kelly lived next door to me. He is classy, stylish, hilarious and knows how to cook. He could assess my outfit before I walk out the door, and even evaluate the clothes I bring home. He could help me plan a menu and how to make the most of my apartment space. I think he could probably even give me personal advice. I wish I were as fabulous as him....maybe one day. Keep the books coming Clinton!

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Clinton Kelly a lot. But this book was tough to read because it tried TOO hard to be his irreverant, flip self. I just felt like there was a blogger trying to be like Clinton who wrote the text for all the recipes or project.

There were some interesting and easy recipes and good ideas for clothes shopping. But I didn't love the book the way I hoped I would. I'm glad it was a library book because I would have been really disappointed if I spent $25.

[Electric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a follow up to that awful and pretentious book "How to be Better than Other People" or whatever, the red one. This book is a better version of that book, with clothes as a bonus. Its a little bit of everything, and although I enjoy the presentation in the book, I much prefer Clinton in person. :) I was happy to be able to get some recipes and a good refresher of a little bit of everything. Nothing groundbreaking, but still a good book. Handy!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly book by the always amusing Clinton Kelly from What Not to Wear. Best chapter was on style which should have been expanded.The food chapter included a few good easy recipes for appetizers with items you probably already have in your pantry. The craft chapter was ridiculous and the end products look cheap. Overall there is nothing new here, skim it, don't buy it.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half was all recipes, then the 2nd half was divided into crafts and clothes. The clothes section was the most interesting to me, so I think I should go read one of his style books. The guy is hilarious though, and this book was worth a read just for his snarky take on common grammatical errors at the very end.

[Renae]

Great for referencing back to again and again

This is not my first time reading this book, it's actually the 3rd or 4th. That being said, I notice something new and notable with each re- read. This is a book that certainly excites and inspires me. You don't have to be loaded to be fabulous!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't like Clinton Kelly? He's fun and doesn't take himself too seriously. Loved the food, clothes, drinks--not crazy about the crafts. They are just junk!! Can't wait for his next book, but please skip the crafts.