Old Clothes & Pet Pigs

This picture is from early 2011 sometime.  I chose it because even though we all want to run out and buy everything new when the seasons change, we can easily shop our closets and dig out something we wore last time it was cold.  Also, the boots are a little more than prices I generally post.  When it is time to purchase new boots you'll wear the crap out of, it is important to make an investment.  I think of it this way:  A nice pair of boots will get me through 2-3 seasons, definitely giving me my money's worth.

In other news, I stopped in the Akira by my apartment yesterday.  I thought for sure I would leave with some goods. Clearance items were 70% off and a pet pig was running around the store.  Two good reasons to believe, but nope!  I walked out empty handed...
I really have to stop reading into "signs" so much...

Tan Cardigan from H&M: $39.95

Brown Stretch Leggings from Old Navy: $5 (down from $10)

Wedge Leather Boots from DSW: $119.95 (down from $170)

Metallic Tote from NY&Co: $44.95

Ssssnakeskin

I would never want to be a runway model.  Even though they wear fabulous clothes and get to play dress-up for a living, it just seems like a rough life.  I'm perfectly content to incorporate hints of high fashions into my wardrobe and maintain my Average-Jane lifestyle.

Anyway, snakeskin is all the rage right now.  It's slithered (nice word choice, huh?)  its way into the collections of many designers and has become one of the major trends this Fall season.  Take a looksies...

I'm not so sure I'd have anywhere to sport an all-snakeskin-print get-up.  And to be honest, I think if I were to wear something like what is shown above, I'd look like a hot mess.  Instead I think I will add just a touch to my closet.  Here are some picks:

1-Snakeskin Embossed Clutch from Sears: $29.95 (down from $115)

2-Snakeskin Pump Heels from Old Navy: $26.94

3-Snakeskin Scarf from Nordstrom: $28

4-Snakeskin Wrap Dress from H&M: $29.95

She's even holding a coffee...

Fresh off a weekend celebrating my sister's Bachelorette Party, it would have been really nice to sleep in and skip work.  That wasn't an option. 

Since I have to go to work, my second choice would be to roll out of bed and throw on Miley Cyrus' comfy fall ensemble (seen here).  That wasn't an option, either, since jeans aren't allowed where I work.  I would have left the sunglasses on all day, even while indoors, with my hair tied back in a similar looking pony-tail.  Ugh...the fact that she is holding a coffee is even perfect!

Anyway, this isn't a perfect world.  I'm not wearing the featured outfit, but if I were, here's how much it would have cost me:

1-Olive Military Jacket from Old Navy: $32.50 (down from $42.94)

2-Mid-Wash Skinny Jeans from Macy's: $27.99 (down from $34)

3-Black Sunglasses from Forever 21: $5.80

4-Tan Laced Flats from LuLu's: $26

5-Basic White Tank from Old Navy: $8.50

So sleepy today.  Listening to Mumford & Sons really isn't helping, either... 

DIY: Fringe Shirt

This project  really didn't take much brains to figure out.  I was inspired by all of the fringe shirts I saw at Lollapalooza (yes, I'm still on a Lolla-high) and knew I could easily do this myself.  Let's face it, it's way more fun to make something yourself and know that nobody else has it.  Such satisfaction!

So, let's get to work.  Here's how I did it:

Step 1:  Scour your drawers for an old t-shirt you don't care gets ruined or visit the thrift store to make such a purchase. 

Step 2:  Try the shirt on and mark to where you'd like the fringe to reach on your waistline.

Step 3:  Cut off the bottom hem, then cut thin strips of the t-shirt up to the designated line going all the way around the shirt.  I'd say make them about 1/4" thick.

Step 4:  Throw that baby on and style your shirt using what you already own. 

Tada!

And it only took me about 15 minutes :)

Yellow Shirt:  Thrift -- $1.99

Skinny Jeans:  Forever 21 -- 4 years old

Turquoise Sandals:  Target -- 1 year old

Colorful Beaded Necklace:  Forever 21 -- 5 years old

Watch:  Gift

Anne Hathaway's look at a $teal.

Celebrities are no different than us;  they strap their sandals on one at a time and wear day 2 hair like it's no big deal (I always think it looks better the 2nd day).  Obviously, what sets us apart from the stars is the fame...and the money.   Now, I really don't know how much this ensemble of Anne's cost her, but I'm willing to guess she paid more than I would think is practical. 

***



Abstract Dress from Urban Originals: $25.90

Black Crossbody Bag from Target: $14.99

Chinese Laundry Clear Flats from Amazon: $21.38 (down from $49.95)

Black Sunglasses from Forever 21: $1.50

It was pretty easy to create this outfit for a $teal:  $63.77

I bet Anne's sunglasses were atleast 3 times that much.

$138 can buy you a lot...

Cute skirt, huh?  Not a cute $138.

Tiered Lace Skirt from Ann Taylor: $138

I was reading the commuter paper on my way to work this morning and this skirt was featured as a

"Weekend Style Pick".  I definitely think the skirt is stylish and I would love it in my wardrobe,

but not that bad. 

I found a similar looking skirt at Forever 21 for much cheaper. 

In fact, I created an outfit where all items combined STILL was less than $138. 

Take a look:

Crochet Lace Skirt from Forever 21: $19.80

Coral Ruffle Sleeve Blouse from Asos: $34.86 (down from $44.83)

Brown Clog Slingbacks: $29.99

Grey/Cold Studes from Forever 21: $2.80

Red Saddle Bag from Urban Outfitters: $19.99 (down from $38)

Chocolate Brown Belt from Forever 21: $3.50

Stone Necklace from Forever 21: $4.80

Gold Boyfriend Watch from Amazon: $21.99 (down from $44.99)

So, would you rather have one skirt that isn't even an investment/staple piece for $138?  Or, would you rather have an entire outfit full of items you can wear over again in different ways with other things you already own for $138?

Good Price. Better Price.

Last night I went to pick up a few essentials for my festive St. Patrick's Day ensemble. 

Lucky for me (no pun intended) I came across these leopard rain boots

 from Hollywood Mirror for only $8. 



I also had to stop at Marshall's while I was out. 

As soon as I walked in I spotted these other leopard boots for $19.99

Had I seen the boots at Marshall's first, I probably would have

gotten them and returned them after finding the $8 pair :)  All in all, $19.99 isn't bad. 

But cheaper is better, especially when they don't look cheap!

Robbery!

Clearly I browse my favorite online websites way too often
because I noticed that two stores had the same skirt for sale. 

Don't be the victim of a robbery!  Be the robber!

Macy's is selling the moroccan skirt for $54.
Forever 21's skirt is only $22.80.

 Same look...at a $teal!! 

Macy's vs. Forever 21

While we are on the topic of maxi-skirts, I'll continue...

For the past couple of years, the maxi dress has been a pretty popular
piece to incorporate into the summer wardrobe. 

I have noticed that this year the maxi trend continues and is popularizing the long skirt. 
I'm pretty sure I will eventually own one..or two :) 

Here are a few I like:

3 Tier Black Skirt from Lulu's: $32

Nautical Skirt from Forever 21: $18.90

Tiered Aztec Maxi Skirt from Wet Seal: $22.80

J.Crew...Fail

J. Crew clothing has a great classic look.  It is too bad that their prices are absolutely absurd.  

 I came across this article in Women's Health Magazine that praised the J. Crew line.

I could do nothing but disagree with the write-up. 

After browsing their website, I decided I could never imagine myself

 paying these prices for such Plain Jane items. 

Coincidentally, around the same time,
a friend suggested I post about how easy it is to

find many of the pieces sold at J. Crew

at more reasonably priced stores.

 I did my own little shopping comparison:

Cafe Capri from J. Crew: $69.50

vs.

Khaki Capris from Gap: $39.99 (down from $49.50)

Savings = $29.51

Ruby Trench from J. Crew: $950

vs.

Red Trench from Forever 21: $25.80

Savings = $924.20

Blue Oxford from J. Crew: $98

vs.

Blue Oxford from Old Navy: $21.99 (down from $24.50)

Savings = $76.01

Striped Tee from J. Crew: $85

vs.

Striped Tee from Forever 21: $13.80

Savings = $71.20

A big, huge waste of money if you ask me.

Go on a little getaway with the money you saved on the trench, alone.

You're welcome :)

Pretty Blue Bag!

At the gym earlier this week, I was looking at the pictures in a magazine (unfortunately I don't remember which one) because that is all I can pretty much handle while on the tredmill.  I never can understand people who can read a book while running, but that is a seperate topic.  Anyway, I saw a picture of a really pretty shoulder bag with a chain strap that was BLUE!  What stood out most to me about the purse was the price! 

Personally, I don't understand why someone would spend so much money on a bag that is only for certain outfits and not every day.  And even so, every day purses aren't worth several hundred dollars, at least in my opinion since I change them up so frequently. 

Below are similiar looking bags to the one I saw in the magazine.  Some are pricier, just to show how similiar each item is to one another aside from cost.  My favorite is the first one.  One of the less expensive ones. 

Go figure!!

Prices and links are listed below. 

But please do me a favor, and don't buy the ones that are over the $20 range! 

Christian Siriano at Payless: $22.99

Marc Jacobs at Nordstrom: $525

Stella McCartney at Bergdorf Goodman: $935

Forever 21: $20.80

Lauren Conrad's look for less!

There are very few celebrites that I like everything they wear, all of the time. 

Lauren Conrad is one of them. 

She just has great style. 

Because I deserve to look as fabulous as her, I recreated this outfit for what is probably

a fraction of what she paid!

Tank-$4.50

Blazer-$29.80

Skirt- $22.50

Bag-$29.90

Shoes-$16.99

Necklace: $5.80

Total: $109.49

One Shoulder Bow

The one shoulder bow is everywhere!  I love the girly look it adds.

I decided it would be pretty easy to make my own.  I just added a pin to the backside so I can attach it to whatever I feel like needs a bow!

I used ribbon to create mine.  It was my first sewing project ever!

  I figured it would be something easy for a beginner.

I could pin this on a plain fitted tshirt, a sleeveless blouse, a little black dress...

...the options are endless...

A good find.

I got these Nine West red shoes from the thrift store for $4 on Saturday.  They look brand new.  The next day while I was reading through my Lucky Magazine, I spotted a featured pair of similar shoes. 

Mine were $85 less. 
I like that.