Shirts that work in spring/summer/winter and fall are just BONUS. This shirt is one that I like to wear under sweaters or cardigans as well as alone -with slacks and with skirts. The great thing is that it's "wrinkly" so that it doesn't need to be iron. It's truly a wash and wear shirt.
The Breakdown.
Sunny Leigh shirt ($13 Belk's Sale/ARP $79), Speigel denim skirt ($4 thrift store/ARP $29), Linea Paolo strap wedge ($4 thrift store/ARP $99 ).
Grand Total: $21
Approximate Retail Price: $207
Savvy Savings: $186
Savvy dressing doesn't have to be fancy dressing. It's a misconception to think that one has to be "dressed-to-the-nines" all the time. I want to be comfortable. I have kids. I don't need a pair of skin tight jeans telling me all the places I need to lose weight. I can't and don't want to compete with all the mini-skinny teens running around. Listen, Demi Moore at 43 is intimidating enough!
But I do want to make the most of what I do have, hide the stuff I wish I didn't have and be comfortable and look cute if possible.
Before I go off on a tangent of dressing to where you want to be and how you want people to see you, I leave you with this, one of my favorite songs from the musical Annie (yes, the musical, Annie). Silly as it may seem, it does relate to this topic.
I see lots of pretty Moms out and about during the day with their children. I have admired a lovely purse or a well put together outfit, but it's all pretty hollow when that Mom never makes eye-contact with the people around them or grimaces or makes faces at those serving them at cash registers or others just shopping in the same store.
Pretty is as pretty does, is an old saying, and I'm always quick to point out to my children that what you wear on the outside can never compensate for what's inside and how you treat others.
And so back to my Broadway Musical song..."Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile." If you've never heard it, take a moment and find it somewhere on line or better yet, rent the movie and watch it!
Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
By Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin
Hey, hobo man
Hey, Dapper Dan
You've both got your style
But Brother,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile!
Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly
They stand out a mile --
But Brother,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile!
Who cares what they're wearing
On Main Street,
Or Saville Row,
It's what you wear from ear to ear
And not from head to toe
(That matters)
So, Senator,
So, Janitor,
So long for a while
Remember,
You're never fully dressed
Without a smile!
So please smile as you stay savvy, you never know who you meet during the day that just might need it!
My favorite shoe outlet, French's, is moving. While that sort of news might make someone sad, it makes me happy on two counts. One, they are moving closer to where I live. Two, they currently are running a 50% off of rack shoes - children's, men's, and women's shoes. As long as I have been going to French's they have not had sales on children's shoes. As most of the shoes are under $20 I guess I shouldn't complain, and since their stock usually includes names like Merrell, Keen, Geoxx, Stride Rite, Uggs and Juicy Couture I still know a good deal when I see it.
I have to say that I was pretty pleased with my score this week when I walked home with a new pair of Merrells and Nike's and a pair of store returned Uggs all for $20. The girls are thrilled with their new shoes.
So to my savvy Williamson County friends, run, don't walk to French's on Columbia Avenue. All their rack shoes are half off and since they hope to move by June there are some great deals to be had between now and then.
As a note, the black Nike's look a little dingy because my youngest wore them playing outside yesterday, they were brand new!
Stay Savvy Y'all!
Hey Y'all! How on earth have you been? To say I've been busy would be an understatement. It's been a full year so far. New jobs, a new homeschool tutorial, girl scouts and some household renovations that have just seemed to have eaten up all my free time. Nonetheless I have been thinking about y'all and have some great things to blog about so please stay tuned!
Lately I've been feeling a little funky and bohemian, but as I am not 20-something and don't plan on wearing dreadlocks anytime soon I've been trying to find that line between cool casual and "I'm trying to look younger than I am." It's not that I don't like my cardigans and trouser jeans, but I guess I've been craving something less structured.
There's something about the more organic shapes (paisleys and swirls in earthtones) versus symmetrical boxes and plaids and distressed leather and the deep patina of well-loved leather that just "speaks" to me. Maybe it's because in the midst of hitting my 40-something stride, I feel very liberated and more comfortable with myself.
The Breakdown.
Lucky Brand thermal shirt (Birthday Gift!/ARP $59), purple tank top ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), mustard colored tank top ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), Banana Republic Boot Cut Jeans ($19 eBay/ARP $79), Bronx suede boots ($5 thrift store/ARP $125).
Grand Total: $30
Approximate Retail Price: $269
Savvy Savings: $239
I do hope this finds you well and happy - I look forward to talking to y'all soon!
Today was school - the girls and I attend a one-day-a-week school that we integrate into our homeschool routine. I love that it's just one day a week and that it provides for us a skeleton and jump-off point of learning for the rest of the week.
I also love the fact that I put "normal clothes" on before 9 in the morning - not that PJs aren't normal, but they sure aren't appropriate in most social situations.
The Breakdown.
Mossimo cotton sweater ($5 Target/ARP $17), Essentials by Milano shirt ($3 thrift store/ARP $30), Union Bay cord skirt ($4 thrift store/ARP $30), Victoria Secret boots ($15 boot outlet/ARP $130).
Grand Total: $27
Approximate Retail Price: $207
Savvy Savings: $180
Later in the day, the girls and I stopped by the thrift store and I found a lovely Tibetan 100% Yak Pile shawl (never mind that Yak Pile sounds like something from which I would most definitely NOT want to make a shawl) for just $1.50. It also happened to match my outfit perfectly so I'll be sure to use it when the weather turns colder...which I hope it DOES NOT anytime soon.
Stay Savvy Y'all!
Ok, so short sport socks (say that 10x fast) don't really fall into the fashion category, but it is what my husband needed when I recently asked him if there were any type of clothes item that he needed. I like to do that from time to time and see how little I can spend to get him what he needs - it's my way of trying to show off my Savvy Skills to him.
Thanks to our friends at Kohl's, who, for whatever reason, send me $10 Kohl's cards a couple times a year, I was able to check that need off the list. The card is really, for all intents and purposes, a $10 gift card. There's no "you have to spend X amount to get the $10 off". You just can't cash it in, get change back or pay off your Kohls card (which I do not have). Suffice to say, I was able to buy my Beloved 2 4-packs of socks for $1.81. Who's the helpful wife????? That's right!
Grand Total: $1.81
Suggested Retail Price: $17
Savvy Savings: $15.19
Now I don't shop Kohl's that much, but when used wisely, little coupons like this that come in the every day mail, can add up to great savings. Whether it's a "Free Pair of Underwear" from Victoria's Secret or the "$10 off $25 purchase" from Macy's, these are perfect for everyday needs and sometimes, even gifts. And with Christmas right around the corner and sales EVERYWHERE, it's never too early to start shopping for gifts.
There's nothing better than finding the perfect gift on "stupid sale" where the price is almost too-good-to-be-true. Like the $50 Columbia khakis (with 50 UPF protection no less!) I got for my Dad for $4.98 at Academy. That's right, $4.98. Since I was feeling so generous I even bought him a cotton button-down Columbia fish-themed shirt for $4.98 as well (retail was $45). Since he lives in California, it's no problem giving shorts or short sleeve shirts for Christmas (my Dad doesn't read my blog so I'm safe sharing the secret with you - don't tell him, ok?).
Actually even if my Dad did read my blog he wouldn't care...well, maybe only because I didn't buy MORE at that price. Then I would have had to tell him that it was all they had, 'cause if it wasn't, I would have bought more and he would be getting those for Father's Day, his next birthday...you get the picture.
Last but not least, a big ole LOVE YOU to my dear friends who let me know they do indeed love me and miss me (and the blog) when I'm gone. So, to my loyal audience of 10, YOU GUYS ROCK!
My Hubby works in the health care industry. His basic daily "uniform" consists of slacks and dress shirts with a suit & tie for client meetings. For the most part, he's fairly classic in his taste, and while he dresses himself (I do not pick out his outfits and iron them every day) like most men, he doesn't like shopping.
In truth, I do buy things occasionally from the thrift store, usually new with the tags on them, but for the most part I drop by the sales racks from time to time at our local department stores or discount retail stores like TJ Maxx/Marshall's/Ross.
I scored last week at Dillard's and Belk's in Cool Springs when I bought 13 items ranging from dress shirts to jeans for just $105, an average of $8 a piece. The great thing is that I was able to buy a few things that were a little outside of his comfort zone. He's not one to wear orange or green, but these were subtle enough and at $7 a piece, worth trying. I bought all the shirts I thought would work in his size with the idea that he could try them on and I could return them if they didn't work. Turns out he liked them all, and I like them on him.
The Breakdown.
9 Roundtree & York shirts $7 each/ARP $45 each ($63/$405)
1 Daniel Cremieux $11/ARP $75
2 Roundtree & York striped pants $10 each/ARP $60 each ($20/$120)
1 pair Kenneth Cole jeans $11/ARP $78
Grand Total: $105
Approximate Retail Price: $678
Savvy Savings: $573It really pays to shop the sales rack at department stores. The key is to do it with the kind of regularity that helps you find the items you need before you need them, keeping you from spending too much when you get it in a crunch and need it "NOW".
Stay savvy Y'all!
It's amazing how busy summer has become. Our homeschooling schedule has lessened with the summer season, but we still try to find time to fit in a little reading, language arts and math. With all our free time we've started a gym membership at a local club that I will post about soon.
We actually won our membership through a Costco silent auction with the proceeds going to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, but given the services they offer I'm inclined to say that it's one of the savviest deals I've seen around.
The Breakdown.
Energie off-white shirt ($4 Belk's/ARP $20), lace tank ($3 San Diego boutique shop/ARP $3), Sunny Leigh skirt ($11 Belk's/ARP $78), Coach leather slides ($6 thrift store/ARP $125), Dooney & Bourke Large Lock Sac ($24 Plato's Closet/ARP $325).
Grand Total: $48
Approximate Retail Price: $551
Savvy Savings: $503
Hope y'all are staying savvy (and cool) out there!
Today's outfit was for running around. It was kind of rainy but not particularly cold so I wore light denim trousers, and of course, my new purse!
The Breakdown.
INC jeans ($10 eBay/ARP $60), white lace tank top ($3 Rave/ARP $3), red cotton Madison Studio ($7 Belk's/ARP $50), Via Spiga heels (Free Plato's Closet trade-in/ARP $150), Dooney & Bourke Loc Sack ($24 Plato's Closet/ARP $325), herringbone hat ($6 Plato's Closet/ARP $30).
Grand Total: $50
Approximate Retail: $618
Savvy Savings: $568
Sassy and fun, the hat was something the girls at Plato's Closet said I really needed to get so I did, and I'm glad I did, especially since my hair was seriously a mess that day!
Well, it rained ALL day here yesterday. The good news is that I got to use the little leopard Tote umbrella I bought on my Sunday shopping spree. It was also my chance to wear the new raincoat I bought a couple months ago at Belk's. It's a lovely Kenneth Cole classic black rain coat with a touch of flare at the bottom hem. It fits beautifully and it is truly a lovely coat but it was almost TOO nice. So it has stayed in my closet for over a month now while I tried to decide whether I should keep it or not.
It was on the top end of my spending on a single item at about $48, but considering it was originally $180 and it fit so well, I bought it. Funny, part of why I was so hesitant about keeping it was because it was so darn nice. I mean, the other coats I have aren't junk. I have two DKNY rain coats and couple other good name brand coats including a beautiful soft pink Gap trenchcoat, but the truth is that none were as "classic" as this coat. For the past month I've gone back and forth, feeling guilty and thinking "but I'm just a stay at home mom and I've got several perfectly good coats already."
Let me tell you, I'm glad I kept the coat. I feel so...grown-up for lack of a better work. Yeah, me, at 40, I feel grown up because of a coat. Anyway, it just goes to show you that Clinton & Stacie are again correct in saying that it's worth it to invest in classic pieces. I love this coat so much that I will be selling the other coats either on eBay, at Plato's Closet or the consignment store. I'm pretty sure I'll end up more than paying for the coat when it's all said and done.
The Breakdown.
Black Kenneth Cole trench coat ($48 Belk's/ARP $180), black & white Ann Taylor shirt ($4 thrift store/ARP $60), white tank top ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), American Eagle cords ($5 thrift store/ARP $40), white Steve Madden leather boots ($7 thrift store/ARP $100), red patent leather Coach tote (birthday gift that I love, love, love).
Grand Total: $67
Approximate Retail Price: $383
Savvy Savings: $316
Today isn't suppose to be as rainy so I may not get the chance to wear my new coat again, but you know, I wouldn't mind if it did rain. I'd be feeling pretty sassy & savvy if I had to wear it again!
I've find that in the in-between weather pairing a bright light weight blouse with jeans or even khaki's kicks things up a notch. It's just as easy to throw on as a sweatshirt and jeans, just better looking.
This Sunday we were running terribly late for church so I threw on jeans instead of looking for a skirt or a pair of slacks. It's not that our church is formal, tons of people wear jeans, but I don't always get a chance to be out and about so many people during the week so I sometimes like kicking up a notch on Sunday because...well...because I can!
The Breakdown.
DKNY jeans (FREE Plato's Closet exchange/ARP $50), Michael Kors suede & bronze leather belt ($2 thrift store/ARP $50), Apt. 9 shirt ($5 thrift store/ARP $40), gold Nine West leather kitten heels ($5 Kohl's/ARP $60), Fossil patent leather purse ($40 eBay/ARP $180).
Grand Total: $52
Approximate Retail Price: $380
Savvy Savings: $328
Anyway, I ran out of the house in this and my husband commented several times that day that he liked this outfit on me so I took note, and when I went on my buying spree on Sunday afternoon I bought two shirts along the same vein. All the shirts are machine washable and because they are either crinkly or a poly-blend I don't have to iron them! Woo-hoo!
Stay Savvy Y'all!
Today's outfit was thrown together just so we could go outside and play for a while. We had no errands to run after school so we didn't expect to be out in the big wide world, but playing out in the neighborhood usually means you'll be joined by at least 5 other kids and accompanying parents checking in on the action. Having not washed my hair, which sorely needed it, I donned a cap to hide the mess.
The Breakdown.
Mossimo terry cloth sweat jacket ($4 Target/ARP $22), white tank ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), Red Camel denim skirt ($7 Belk's/ARP $30), Via Spiga "Scramble" suede wedge boots (FREE, Plato's Closet exchange - still they would have only been $12/ARP $270 ), olive suede hat (FREE Plato's Closet, new with tags, it was $8/ARP $10).
Grand Total: $13
Approximate Retail Price: $335
Savvy Savings: $322
Ok, so maybe I didn't have to wear such killer boots, but it sure elevated a denim skirt & terry cloth sweat jacket, no? Plus, I felt pretty sassy just watching the kids play and waving to the occasional car driving by!
Ok Ladies, this weekend I bought two beautiful pairs of shoes at Belk's and the sale is still going on, so if you're in Music City, rush on down. They had a long table stacked about 4 boxes high in each shoe size so there's plenty of deals to be had on everything from Coach to Juicy Couture and more.
New to my ever-expanding collection of shoes is the Sofft Patent Leather Gillian in Dark Red and a pair of black Enzo Angiolini pumps in patent and suede named Totiana. A quick search online at Zappos and you can buy the Soffts for $100 and the Enzos for $80 (regularly $90). I paid $25 for the Sofft's and $9 for the Enzos. Let's see that's $180-$35=$145 in savings.
Yes, sdmittedly $25 is on the high-end of my shoe limit, but the Soffts are beautiful. Even my husband said he liked them, and my Beloved is not one to notice what shoe I am wearing.
All together now..."I feel pretty, oh so pretty..." or should I sing, "I feel savvy, oh so savvy..."
Back when I was in the music industry, black and jeans seemed to be the unofficial dress code for most events ranging from casual on up (outside of award shows, and well, sometimes even then). Black is slimming, everyone says and though looking skinny wasn't my main goal, there was something comforting about what I thought to be a classic color combination.
A couple kids and a dozen episodes of What Not to Wear later and I have learned to embrace color. When wearing it in a shirt, it's a great way to add a little life to jeans, still a wardrobe staple in my book. The brick red color of this Free People sweater and the way this vintage asymmetrical jacket matches added a bit of life to what was a gray, dreary day. 
The Breakdown.
Free People sweater ($6 thrift store/ARP $100), off-white tank top ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), B. Laguna jeans ($15 Macy's/ARP $50), BCBG leather shoes ($8 thrift store/ARP $150), vintage Bromleigh New York coat ($15 thrift store/ARP $40) and Coach Pebbled Leather Chelsea handbag ($90 eBay/$360).
Grand Total: $137
Approximate Retail Cost: $703
Savvy Savings: $566
The Coach was definitely on the high end of what I will spend on a purse, but the leather is really incredible and the bag originally retails for $360 so I figured it was a good deal. I actually sold a couple of my other purses on eBay to pay for it, and to keep my collection confined to my closet (and not take over the guest bedroom closet). It works out pretty well and keeps me from breaking the budget.
Vintage is another great source of one-of-a-kind style. This coat in particular has an asymmetrical button line, which kind of threw me off at first. Now I enjoy the funky aspect it adds, without being too funky. I gave it an ARP (Approximate Retail Price) of $40 because that's a good average on eBay vintage coats, shipping being at least $10-12 of the total of $40.
So what if all I did was go to Library & Craft Time and the Mall today? Outside of one terrifying moment when Superstar #2 got bright blue foam paint on my jacket (which thankfully washed out even as I kept repeating to myself "it was only $15, it was only $15...") I felt fabulous and funky at forty. Don'tcha just love alliteration?
Today's outfit was a mini celebration for the warmer weather we are having. It's a touch of Spring in February, and while in California it wasn't unusual to have warmer weather, it's a little dicey here in Music City where it can range from 70 degree to freezing.
The Breakdown.
Hot Kiss Jacket (free from Plato's Closet - I exchanged clothes/ARP $30), white tank (For Love 21 $2.50), B. Laguna jeans ($15 Belk's/ARP $50), Anne Marino black leather wedge ($8 Parisians/ARP $70 ), The Sak Reyes ECO Crochet Tote crocheted green purse ($17 Dillard's/ARP $90), silver leather belt ($1.50 thrift store/ARP $20).
Grand Total: $44.00
Approximate Retail Cost: $263
Savvy Savings: $216
Banana Republic is one of those stores that I could probably spend all my money in. I love their classic styles & cuts in everything: their jeans, skirts, tops, jackets, purses, shoes and accessories. I didn't realize till I did The Breakdown that most of these pieces are from Banana Republic, but I felt pretty pulled together and for $23, I felt pretty savvy too.
In truth, this skirt has been sitting in my closet for a while waiting for a warm enough day to wear. And well, Mommy needed to put something nice on because she was tired of the late nights, the hives breakouts and the several days of ALL-DAY-PJs that represented last week.
The Breakdown.
Banana Republic skirt ($4 thrift store/ARP $60), Banana Republic black sweater ($6 thrift store/ARP $80), white tank top ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), Banana Republic suede & leather hobo ($10 thrift store/ARP $200), Franco Sarto suede boots (birthday gift from my sister/ARP $150).
Grand Total: $23
Approximate Retail Price: $493
Savvy Savings: $470
I love these boots. Even my conservative suit-and-tie brother-in-law admitted they were pretty hot when my sister and I stumbled upon them on our Christmas Gift Shopping Trip. I call them fierce, and truth is that I've had women stop me to ask me about them. They are comfortable and just wearing them makes me happy. I'm easy that way.
This Banana Republic purse represents my first great purse find at the thrift store, and is one of the reason I started taking thrift store shopping more seriously. I think I petted it all the way home the day I bought it. It's lovely and that it matches the boots is just bonus.
Today's outfit of the day is variation of something I wore a couple weeks back. Yes, I do wear my clothes more than once! I went to a 'hood party that night and though it was just at a neighbor's house down the street, I wanted to dress up a little more than jeans without being over-the-top.
The Breakdown:
Old Navy puff & fur coat (thrift store $15/ARP $40), Banana Republic argyle sweater ($6 thrift store/ARP $70), turquoise tank ($3 For Love 21/ARP $3), winter white American Eagle cords ($5 thrift store/ARP $40), Steve Madden white leather boots ($7 thrift store/ARP $100 ), cashmere pashmina ($6 hospital sale/ARP $10), MAXXimum leather & suede purse ($6 thrift store/ARP $120).
Grand Total: $48
Approximate Retail Price: $383
Savvy Savings: $335
I LOVE the Steve Madden boots! Using What Not to Wear rules and continuing the white of of the cords to the point of the boots, helps to make my legs look longer, and what woman doesn't want to have longer looking legs? And even though white can be a rough color to wear with children running around, the cord material is more resilient and I love the fact that I don't have to iron it. Really, worse case scenario is if the pants get stained, and then I only spent $5 on it so I didn't waste my money. I've had these pants for over a year now and they're still going strong!
There's nothing like a bright coat to chase away the winter grays...I told you it was pretty stunning, didn't I? I never would have bought a raspberry colored coat as my main coat, but I found this brand new with tags coat at the thrift store for just $15 I couldn't refuse. Isn't the inside lining gorgeous?
The rest of this outfit is pretty boring, but then all I did was run around a bit today so the coat stayed on the whole time; of course we couldn't have the outfit steal any attention away from the coat now could we? Wouldn't you know at my first stop a woman commented on how beautiful it was. No, I didn't tell her it was from the thrift store! I only tell you, my close friends such need-to-know details like that!
The Breakdown.
Raspberry Koret coat ($15 thrift store), black v-neck The Limited sweater ($3 thrift store), white lace edged tank ($4 Rave), Banana Republic jeans ($10 eBay), black patent leather Bandolino kitten heel pumps ($8 brand new at TJ Maxx), Tignanello black leather purse ($7 thrift store - I saw it at Macy's in the fall for $90!). Grand Total: $47
So take it from me and my raspberry coat, be daring today and if you happen to be out looking for clothes, try on something daring and different from the things to which you normally gravitate, you never know what you might find.
Shop Savvy!
Ever have one of those days when you just want to sit in the house all day long in your PJs? Yeah, I had one of those yesterday, but I had to get some eBay items I sold into the mail so I pulled together this outfit that reflected my mood...gray, oh, with a hint of red of course because I'm still alive and kicking, by golly!
The Breakdown
No Boundaries graphite graphic T ($10 Walmart/ARP $10), American Eagle Cream cords ($5 thrift store/ARP $40), lace tank top ($4 Rave/ARP $4), David Aaron suede kitten heels ($4 thrift store/ARP $50 David Aaron is owned by Steve Madden), JCrew thinsulate gray wool coat ($8 thrift store/ARP $150 ), Johnstons of Elgin scarf (a gift from my Tante in Germany over 10 years ago), red patent leather Coach gallery tote (a birthday present from a dear friend).
Grand Total: $31
Approximate Retail Cost: $254 (not including the Coach or scarf since they were gifts)
Savvy Savings: $223
I found this top when I was shopping at Walmart for household items. I thought it was pretty cute for just a casual top, and at $10, not a bad price either. It reminds me a little of Juicy Couture and some of those more trendy looking brands (I use to be in the music industry so it's ok if I go funky now and again). Like Clinton Kelly says, just keep the trend to one part of the outfit if you're a little "older" so that you don't look like you are trying too hard. At 40, I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard but I'm not ready for Golden Girls polyester!
Cream colored pants and a classic like this JCrew coat keep this from looking too casual. It would be easy to change the purse for a black purse and change the scarf to red and have a different outwear look. The gray coat is very versatile and although rather neutral in and of itself, great to pair with pink, red, blue, etc., and well, $8 for JCrew coat can't be beat.
So, a red purse. Who would have thought a red purse could be so versatile. I wear it all the time! The funny thing is that this comes from a woman who never really carried a purse regularly till after I had Superstar #1 at the tender age of 33 (Yeah, I hear you gasping out there). I told you I was a tomboy growing up! Seriously, I'm thinking back and not a single purse stands out in my mind. I don't even remember what I did, though I vaguely remember using a wallet and sometimes stuffing money and my license into my back pocket.
Once kids, and all their STUFF came along, that chapter of my life shut rather soundly and yet another wonderful world opened up to me. The world of purses! It started out when I decided somewhere around the second child that A) I didn't need to carry around SO much stuff, a couple diapers & wipes would do and B) if this stage of carrying extra stuff was going to last for a couple years, why not carry the extra stuff in just a purse?
Thankfully the thrift store was my "laboratory" which allowed me to try different purses without breaking the bank. With the help of eBay (and the selling off of purses that didn't work as well for me), I was able to slowly start a collection of purses that were not only useful but FUN. I like how I can "dress up" an outfit like this one, with a pop of color. Any number of black leather purses would have been fine with this outfit, but the red is a nice surprise that stands out a little more and I love it.
On a side note, I do have several different wallets as well, but I find that changing over from one purse to another is enough changing for me. I do occasionally swap one out when the clash between purse and wallet is too much, but for the most part I'm not organized enough to do so on a regular basis.
Changing purses is easy. I generally have but a few things to switch over: wallet (a gorgeous Kate Landry electric blue patent leather wallet I got at Dillard's last year for $8), make-up bag (a cute studded Coach wristlet I found at the thrift store for $6 last summer), cell phone, and MP3 player. Sure I may collect a few things along the way or throw in the antibacterial wipes for the Superstars when the purse is big enough to do so, but for the most part, that's it. Changing purses has been a great way to keep me organized as well.
One last note for the day, another great thing about savvy shopping is that I've gotten a chance to try things I wouldn't ordinarily try. For instance, the bright blue Kate Landry wallet. Had it not been $8 I would not have bought it. It's now my favorite. I get tons of compliments on it from teenager cashiers on up to people as old as me and older (ha, ha, ha), and it's easy to clean, a definite plus in my world with Superstars!
I didn't start wearing pink until sometime after Superstar #2 was born. It's not that I had anything against the color, I just grew up as a tomboy so I guess I never really embraced my feminine side. I was more at home in sweats & t-shirts running from soccer practice to volleyball practice and then to the football training room (I used to help tape up the players and help with injury recovery/physical therapy on the side). Not to say that I didn't have more feminine friends. I did, and some of them wore big ole bows in their hair that matched our uniforms. I just didn't.
ANYWAY - all that to say, I am falling in love with pink...in moderation. I love using it as an accent color like in this outfit where, yes, I am wearing jeans. But per What Not to Wear rules, they are a nice dark even wash and look dressy even though they are "just jeans".
The Breakdown.
B. Laguna jeans (Macy's sale $15), white tank (Rave $4), white cotton Old Navy long sleeve ($4 thrift store, new), Ann Marino black leather wedge ($8 Parisians), Pink Signature Coach clip purse ($10 thrift store), pink cashmere scarf ($6 hospital sale). Grand Total: $47
You know, I did find a pink Coach signature hat at a local thrift store (for $15) so I could have worn that as well, but it felt a little over-the-top and too matchy-matchy for my taste so here it is, sans hat. It's easy to see that with just a change in accessory color I could have a whole new outfit, but it would have to be bright in order to have the same impact, wearing black or brown accessories would be a little boring. Yellow, orange, green or red would be other good colors to pop this outfit.
Yeah! No jeans today. Today's casual outfit is inspired by my beautiful neighbor who is a NIA (no-impact aerobics), yoga and strip-fit instructor. She has the cutest casual outfits that are comfortable to boot!
The Breakdown.
Yoga Mossimo pants ($4 Target sale/ARP $20), black lace tank ($4 Rave/ARP $4), Joan & David ballet flats ($4 thrift store/ARP $99), Coach signature hobo purse ($43 eBay/ARP $285), Michael Stars blue top ($4 thrift store/ARP $90).
Grand Total: $59
Approximate Retail Price: $498
Savvy Savings: $439
I can't tell you how much I love yoga pants. I can wear them to work out at the gym and then if I have to run somewhere in a hurry and don't have to shower there, I can throw a simple top over it and I look a step above presentable!
Yoga pants were a God-send when I was pregnant and that period after the baby when the pre-pregnancy clothes still don't fit. As long as you wash them in cold water and hang dry them, they will stay nice and dark and will always look better than sweats...especially those velour track suit sweats. But then that's just me! As much as I think some of Juicy Couture's clothing and accessories are cool, you will NEVER catch me in a pair of pants that read "JUICY" on the butt.
Shirts that work in spring/summer/winter and fall are just BONUS. This shirt is one that I like to wear under sweaters or cardigans as well as alone -with slacks and with skirts. The great thing is that it's "wrinkly" so that it doesn't need to be iron. It's truly a wash and wear shirt.
