Currently Browsing: lots of Vintage!

If there's one thing I enjoy, it's the thrill of a good vintaging trip. For the last two days I have been dreaming of stopping by my favorite thrift store after work, but no such luck. The joy of long hours of work, lots of deadlines and family coming into town for the holidays has left me without a vintaging trip. Oh well, I have lot of shopping excitement to look forward to this weekend :)

Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers! I hope your day is spent surrounded by the ones you love.

like a kid at Christmas!

I was feelin' all kinds of girly and wonderful this weekend when I purchased these two beautiful skirts from Modcloth for $10 each! I can't even tell you how excited I get about receiving packages in the mail. This week I have literally been stalking the mail carrier. I'm already imagining tanks and cardigans with bare legs and flats now, and then booties, tights and sweaters when the weather turns cooler. 

Shop Your Man's Closet: Menswear Inspired Outfits

The Inspiration:

Marc Jacobs Runway Fall 2010

My Version:

vest, vintage $1; tee, American Eage $3; pants, Old Navy $15; pumps, Steve Madden $90

Menswear inspired outfits have been heavy on the trend radar for several seasons now, and it looks like that is going to carry over into Fall 2010. While most designers have incorporated menswear into their female clothing lines, I tend to gravitate toward the real thing. First of all, because it can probably already be found inside a closet in your own home and second, you can't really beat the quality of your guy's vest or blazer. However, if you are like me and are with a guy whose idea of dressing up means putting on fresh jeans and a clean tee, don't fear. Finding a few great items for this trend is easier and less expensive than you may think. I picked up this vest out of the men's section of my favorite vintage store. It set me back an entire dollar. 

DIY: Flower Belt

The Inspiration:

Ann Taylor Loft 

My Version:

Oh, how I do love a belted cardigan!  I knew immediately when I saw the above picture from Ann Taylor Loft that I would need to recreate that flower belt somehow.  This little belt got me loads of compliments and was super easy to put together.  Literally, I got ready in minutes this morning and you can do it too (keep reading to find out how)! In fact, you probably already have everything you need in your own closet. If not, don't worry, flower accessories are big right now and can be found just about anywhere. I got my black flower pin on clearance at Kohl's for less than $3! 

Needed Essentials:

• Belt that has openings to attach a pin, such as a braided belt (like what I'm wearing) 
• Flower pin or hair bow, or fabric flower from an arts & crafts store
• Safety pin (if using hair bow or fabric flower)

How To:

1. After dressing, put on your belt the way you want to wear it for the day
2. Adjust the belt buckle so that it is either to the right or left of the center of your body
3. Secure your flower to your belt so that it is covering up the belt's buckle
4. Wear all day and receive lots of compliments! 

Now, you know...  Happy Monday!

PS - Lady Gaga pics and concert details coming shortly. Still trying to recover from the most amazing weekend ever!

cents-ability

shopbop.com Version

Total Outfit Costs: over $1000

My Version

Total Outfit Costs: $135

I've found that inspiration literally strikes at any moment!  Last week, when I made this cents-ability post, I found the above picture on shopbop.com. After exactly two seconds of looking at it, I knew that I already had the pieces in my closet necessary to re-create the look.  And, you can too!  If you recall, earlier this week we dissected the Military Jacket.  Now that you have one just grab a floral dress, a black belt and throw on some black heels (bonus points for booties because they're transition great into Fall!).  Viola!  A great trend from now until Fall for a 1/10 of the retail price!

Thrift Store Find: 1 Dress, 3 Ways

 The Elements:

All 3 Outfits:
Dress, Thrift Store $5

Outfit 1:
Blazer, Target $50

Gray Peep-Toe Pumps, Payless $25

Outfit 2:
Gray Cardigan, Old Navy $15

Black Belt & Striped Clutch, Payless samples

Cuffed Sandals, Dolce Vita $80

Outfit 3:
Teal Wedges, Payless $7

Shimmery Clutch, Payless sample

I think it's safe to say that we all live busy lives, so it's important to find clothes that can multi-task.  My BFF found this dress for me one day while perusing the aisles of our local thrift store.  It's safe to say that this has been one solid $5 investment! The flowy silhouette of the skirt pairs nicely with a cropped blazer for work as well as a cardigan for a lunch date with friends.  Of course, the dress always looks great by itself with fun accessories, perfect for a summer evening date with the hubby!  It thrills me to be able to say that all three of the outfits above are under $100.  In fact, the date night outfit on the far right is less than $20! Now, that's what I call multi-tasking!

Shop Your Closet: Military Jacket Outfits

Go Buy:

A Military Jacket - pictured: Old Navy, $12

What you already have in your closet:

A sun dress - pictured: Old Navy, $15

Pair of sandals - pictured: Payless sample

Cross body shoulder bag - Pictured: Payless sample

This blog is an ever growing and evolving extension of my own personal style.  That being said something dawned on me last week: for someone who doesn't spend too much money on her clothes and writes for readers who also do not spend much on their clothes, I've fallen into the trap of posting about really expensive clothes! I realized it had gone too far when my Mama commented that she loved the clothes I posted, but would love them more if she could afford them! 

With that being said, I'm happy to present you with the first installment of Shop Your Closet. I think I told you a while back that I love to play the game, "What is Gracie going to wear today?" in the mornings. I love shopping my own closet to mimic styles and trends I see on celebs and in magazines. The military-inspired jacket, for example, is a spring/summer item that has been very popular.  Celebs, models, and stylists have been pairing this go-to jacket with everything from jeans to dresses, heels and flats. Wearing the trend is not as difficult as it may seem and can be worn with items already available in your own closet. I managed to pull off the dress/military jacket combo for under $30. Just grab these pieces from your own wardrobe and you're set!

cents-ability

My Outfit (on left)       

1. Cardigan, Old Navy $15                  

2. Belted Floral Dress, Target $19

3. Wedge Peep-Toe Sandals, Piperlime $30

Total: $ 64

ShopBob.com (on right)

1. Belted Floral Dress, Shoshanna $395

I get a lot of questions regarding looking chic while shopping on a budget. There may be some out there who can spend as much as they want on the latest and greatest fashions, but that person is not me. While I do love buying shoes, I also understand the time value of money and know that saving and investing at my age will pay huge dividends when I get older. The concern I hear most women voice, however, is how to do both while still looking stylish and wearing clothes that fit. When I tell people how little I spend on most of my clothes, they are amazed. My tip: find a piece that you cannot live without and then buy it for less. I never buy the mannequin in a department store. Instead, I dissect the elements from the mannequin and then replicate the outfit for a fraction of the price.  Take for example, the above floral dress.  Earlier this spring I had to have one.  On the right you have a $400 Shoshanna Belted Strapless Dress. On the left, well... the dollars and cents speak for themselves ;) Are there some differences between the two dresses? Or course! But, I don't really care because I achieved the look I was going for and could still afford to stop by Starbucks a few times that week. I promise, it works every time!