Happy Birthday America

To celebrate America's birthday, I'm taking off to my parents' cabin in northern Michigan for a canoe trip with about a million of my family members.  We make this trip every year and it's always a hilight of the summer.  To say that I am excited is an understatement :)

Here are a few of patriotic picks in honor of Independence Day:

1-Heart Flag Tank from Charlotte Russe: $18.99

2-Anchor Star Top from Urban Originals: $28.80

3Nautical Red Stripe Bag from World Market: $29.99

4-Denim Shorts with Stripes from Forever 21: $22.80

5-Striped Belted Dress from Urban Outfitters: $19.99 (down from $49)

6Red Espadrille Sandals from Amazon: $16.90 (down from $24.90)

 How do you plan to show your American pride?

(I can't wait for sparklers and fireworks!!!)

Happy 4th of July! Be safe celebrating and see you next week...xoxo

Get out of town...

Summer is travel season and though I don't plan on going anywhere exotic or new this year, I seem to be packing and unpacking my paisley turquoise duffel bag quite a bit.  My only travel destination during these months will be to the purest of states, Michigan, for various fun events! 

(I love a good ROAD TRIP -- this is what my friends and I do,
except it's usually to "The Wind Beneath My Wings".  Oh Bette <3)

Through the packing and unpacking processes, and living out of a cute turquoise tote,
I've realized the importance of traveling light.

(not the actual turquoise bag I lug around, but you get the idea)

Vera Bradley Duffel: $59 (down from $80)

Here are some items to mix and match so that you can have a new outfit everyday without packing an entire outfit for each day...

1-Straw Fedora from Asos: $25.86
2-Lime Striped Tank from Forever 21: $10.50
3-Floral Scarf from Asos: $17.24 (down from $25.86)
4-Grey/Black Belted Dress from Urban Outfitters: $24.99 (down from $49)
5-Lavender Shorts from Gap: $34.99 (down from $39.95)
6-Pinstripe Button Up from Forever 21: $15.80
7-Cropped Skinny Jeans from Old Navy: $15.99 (down from $34.50)
8-Tan Sandals from Amazon: $30.56 (down from $35)

There are easily 5 outfits here.  Bring along some solid color tanks and a few more colorful accessories and ba-da-boom.  The last thing you want is to throw your back out because you had to bring your entire closet on a weekend getaway.  You can't pull off a cute outfit if you're hunched over and immobile.   It's not a good look on anyone.

Orange Shoes

At my last job, my nickname was "Orange Shoes".  I showed up to work on my first "Casual Friday" wearing a pair of orange peep-toe flats with some skinny jeans and a white button-up (I never forget what I wear and when I wear it--it's sick and wrong, but go with it).  "Orange Shoes" stuck. 

Side bar:   For this, I can thank the most handsome dark chocolate I've ever seen who wears a new watch everyday, "The Don".  And actually, the name was sung instead of spoken.  Even better.  Love you, Don!

Back to the shoes..that was three summers ago.  Just last month, I had to throw those babies away.  It was a sad day, but all good things must come to an end.  And then we move on to bigger and better pairs of orange shoes...

These are a pair of fantastic espadrilles I found at Marshalls about a month ago.  I had to have them.
Especially for only $19.99. 

It feels good to be back.

Sometimes when I go shopping and buy something totally whimsical like this, I forget what I already own and think "What the heck would I ever wear with these?".  Then I get home and have a fashion show with myself and my closet.  I don't know how I still surprise myself, but I managed to build multiple (fantastic) outfits around these crazy orange kicks.

And other times, I browse different online stores and come across elastic espadrilles just like the ones I already own (for $19.99), but they're $40 more.  See here:

Yellow Elastic Espadrilles from Gap: $59.95

I like mine more.  I also like the price I paid more :)

Shop it to me...

Here's your personal online shopper: 

http://www.shopittome.com/

Select your favorite designers and your sizes, then leave the rest to them. 

This handy little site finds you heels, 'hose, handbags and halters all at a discount, then emails you to let you know what kind of smokin' deals fall under your criteria.  And this isn't just for women.  It's also for the men you love and the kids you adore.

Here's the best part: the service is FREE! 

 If that doesn't describe Style at a $teal, I don't know what does?!

Get your profile started with Shop it to Me by clicking HERE.

If you get 10 friends to sign up using your link, you will recieve a $10 gift card to one of 13 stores.

Call it like you see it: Ikat..?

Ikat is a new buzz word, but an old craft...

Wikipedia tells me it "is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres.  The dye is applied prior to the threads being woven to create the final fabric pattern or design."

We've seen ikat all over the place, but now we can give it a name!  Here are some of my pretty ikat picks...

1-Romper from Target: $19.99 (down from $21.99)

2-Trapeze Top from Forever 21: $12.80

3-Maxi Skirt from Macy's: $8.99 (down from $38.00)

4-Scarf from Forever 21: $8.80

5-Clutch from Etsy: $15.00

Mix & Match

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long.  Things have been busy and the weather has been nice, so I've been outside!  Anyway, I am back!!  And we are finally into summer! 

I plan on going to the beach as much as possible this year.  My old swim suits have been updated by miscellaneous tops and bottoms that I've mis-matched, but somehow look like they go together.  Here is an idea of what I'm talking about:

Swimsuit Tops & Bottoms

1-Xhilaration Bandeau Swim Top from Target: $17.99

2-Floral Bow Tie Swim Bottoms: $14.99 (down from $29.90)

3-Twisted Bandea Bikini Halter from Express: $14.99 (down from $29.99)

4-Mossimo Periwinkle Swim Bottoms from Target: $17.99

By the way, that is me modeling those suits.  Yes, I look that good in a swimsuit. 

DIY: Fancy Peacock Fedora

You can get this fedora on Etsy.com for $50 + s&h. OR! You can make this little number yourself!

Before I sought out this hat on Etsy, I came up with the peacock feather fedora from my own brain.  I bought a plain Fedora from Wet Seal for $10.80 not too long ago.  Though it would match with pretty much everything the way it is, I felt that it needed to be spiced up.  Originally, I thought I'd pick up with of those flowered hair clips or pins that are everywhere.  But, since I haven't been shopping, I haven't been able to do that! 

Conveniently, I had a pair of peacock earrings hanging out on my dresser--yet to be worn--see, I don't need to shop.  To be honest, I don't know why I even bought them because I'm noticing that at my old age I aim for simple studs to decorate my ears.  Anyway, I'm glad I got them.  They're from Forever 21 and were $4.80.  Sorry there is no link to them; I can't find them on the F21 website.  Trust me, they're from there.  I wouldn't lie. Instead of a flower pin, I figured the peacock earrings would be a much more fantastic way to spruce up the hat!  I simply staggered them on the hat.  See here:

(do you notice my studs ;) )

Like I said, the idea of this hat was in my head long before I found the Etsy version.  Actually, it was AFTER I created mine that I did an online shopping search to see if there were peacock fedoras for sale .  I was curious to see what was available and at what price they were being sold. 

My answer: $50 (the cheapest!). 

Do you know how excited I was to know that mine cost me roughly $16?  Pretty excited!

Sooooo, not only do I have a pair of earrings to wear at some point in time (if I ever get over my ridiculous complex that I'm too old for these earrings), but I also have my fedora to either wear as-is or jazz up with other fantastic accessories (that I plan on purchasing once June 9th hits (if I can stay strong, this is a verrry difficult challenge for a "shopping is my hobby"-single girl-who lives alone, like me!))! 

I must say... I like my innovative, less expensive, DIY project better than the Etsy version.

Things like this make my day!!!

Color Blocking -- Everyone is doing it...

The big trend this Spring is color blocking.  If you don't know what it is, it means creating an outfit by combining colors to compliment eachother.  People have been doing it for years, it just seems that lately it is all over the place.

I'm seeing it everywhere--in my favorite fashion blogs, stores, on celebrities.  

Caitlin at Style Within Reach

Rouched Color Block Dress from Express: $89.60 (down from $128)

I think if you're going to buy this, even with the discount, use an Express coupon.  They send those babies out all the time.

Leighton Meester Spring 2011

The nice thing about is that it doesn't require you to go out and buy something new in order to create the look for yourself.  Most of us have plain colored items in our closet. 

Just be smart about the way you pair them up. 

Here is how to do it yourself:

1-Orange Dress from Asos: $46.16
2-Pink Faul-Leather Belt from Old Navy: $12.50
3-Pink and Orange Paisley Crossbody Bag: $14.95
4-Dollhouse Wedge Sandals from Amazon: $27.56

OR!

1-Teal Top from Forever 21: $7.50
2-Blue Lace Skirt from Target: $29.99
3-Pink Cross Body Bag from Forever 21: $14.80
4-Turquoise/Khaki Beaded Necklace from Forever 21: $5.80
5-Navy Wedge Sandals from Payless: $49.99

Have fun shopping in your closet, because that is really the only place you need to go to create this look!!

No likey.

To each their own, but I personally don't understand the look and it doesn't seem comfortable. 

Maybe she really likes her new sandals and wanted to make sure every detail was

shown so she buckled them over her jeans. 

I snuck a photo of a girl I saw standing on the EL plantform while waiting for the train home from work the other day:

And while we are on the topic of sandals, I highly suggest that you avoid buying any sandals from Forever 21.  While I'm a big fan of that store in every other regard, it is not a go-to store for sandals.  I've been a victim of several pairs breaking on me while walking down the street or accidently kicking the leg of a chair. 

It's pretty inconvenient, not to mention a waste of money.

Mission Accomplished

I had said last week that I wanted some white pants.  Boom. Done.

It wasn't even hard.  I got them from Target for $24.99

The rest of my outfit is as follows:

Black Striped Shirt from Urban Outfitters- Clearance $19.99

Black/Grey Snakeskin Clutch from Akira- At least 3 years old and I don't remember the price

Red Pumps from Agaci- Clearance $21.99

Black Watch from Forever 21- $18.80

Black Miscellaneous Bangles- Old and laying around

Black Bomber Jacket (in hand)- Borrowed

Here is another photo of me with my really fashionable cousin and sister!

***

I also got a dress from Pitaya for $18 marked down from $59.  The belt was missing, but I've got plenty of my own to pair with it.  I can wear this dress a million different ways and I think I'll get a lot of use from it!

***



As of Monday, May 9th, I challenged myself to go an entire month without buying anything fashion related.  This should be interesting, even though I have plenty of options to mix and match in my closet.