What We Wore - Rack 'em up!

The other day I went shopping by myself to clear my head.  You know how a good retail therapy session is.  I headed to Khol's, Target, & JC Penny.  I love these stores because they always have good clearance sections. I know JCP just got done with a huge clearance event before Labor Day but when I headed in I still found a load of good stuff.

For example, the outfit I wore yesterday:

dress :: Khol's ($18)

Shirt (under dress) :: Khol's ($10)

Cardigan :: JCP ($14)

Clogs :: Thrifted ($4)

Rings :: JCP ($29 originally $80) & gift ($40)

Watch :: Target ($12)

Outfit total :: $87

Now I really couldn't believe I bought that ring.  But it was super reminiscent of one I lost back in school so I felt I had to buy it.  I am also on the hunt for another one that was lost at the same time, that my mother gave me.  This one was given to me by my mother & it was given to her by her mother.  I was completely torn up for days (and still get waves of sadness) over it.

This is the ring that was a gift from the picture above. It was also from my mother.  We found it in a consignment shop in her home town over last Thanksgiving.  Both she & my grandfather have one like it.  I always loved hers & wanted one.  It wasn't until my grandfather passed away that I realized he had one & she always love it.  I am very excited to see that this is something we all share:

I believe it is onyx.  There is a diamond in the middle.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I have found super awesome deals on clothes by just shopping in the clearance rack.  I even think that since I have been on my own I've only bought one or two full price things.  I think I am setting a new little goal to only shop in the clearance section.  I mean when I hit a store I look for those red signs!  

I have also decided to see if I can get away with thrift store or handmade gifts for xmas.  I've already picked up my sisters gift fro a total of $4!  Two absolutely lovely satchels that were 2 bucks a pop!

You can also pop by Five Sixteenths & see that I wore a near similar outfit to work again the next day. 

What are you skimping & saving on?

Where do you draw the savings line?

Are second hand/clearance gifts ok?

What We Wore - Moe's Office Style

I love the office I work it! I get to be creative everyday, I have loads of fun people to be around, I get facials (big plus) & I get to put my degree to work.  Not to mention I get to dress cute.

I am the type of person that looks much better in skirts than in pants.  There has been an ongoing feud of dress pants in my closet.  This has been going on since probably the 2004.  I had one pair that fit me perfectly when I was in high school.  But my butt won't fit in them any more.

The problem is this: My hips are not wide enough for the size of my waist.  So when I shop, I get the effect of ridding pants, the balloon out at the sides.  And let me say it's like this:

source

And not like this:

source

Both of these images come from etsy surprisingly

So dress pants an I do not get along.  It is a rare occasion that I find a great pair that fit me in all the right ways.  Now I could get them tailored or do it myself but I think this gives me another excuse to wear/buy dresses & skirts.  Good enough for me.

So in the office you can most likely catch me wearing a dress or skirt.  Today I wore a dress, my graduation dress in fact.  Yay class of 2011!

Dress :: H&M

Cardigan :: TJ Maxx

Bag :: Spotted Moth

Shoes :: Thrifted

Bracelet :: DIY

I've been wearing these shoes nearly everyday right now.  I love the pop of color.  I based this Rad Red post on them last week!  The bag is also one of my favorites! I got it before the end of the school year last year & love it.  Spotted Moth is like the greatest shop ever.  As creepy as this is, Monica Burnett (the owner) was my total inspiration for crochet designs back when she owned Monica Burnett Hats.  I even emailed her once when I was looking to start up a handmade business.  She is my craft/retail icon!  So I totally suggest checking out the blog & the Spotted Moth Shop! They just opened a retail store too! How exciting, right?

Is there anything in your wardrobe that you are loving right now?

Are you wearing it everyday?

DIY: Change Your Clothes

So, I have this dress. I got it for $4 at Ross, and because it was such a good deal (and my size), I couldn't pass it up. I like the graceful, flowery print, and the fit was unexpected on a simple sundress.  But I didn't love the neckline. 

It was so boxy, and square, and changed the otherwise interesting fit of the garment.  I'm not really interested in cleavage, but it needed something.  So I changed it to a sweetheart neckline.

Step 1: Spread your garment on a flat surface, face up, and decide where you want to make a change.  I simply pulled the points in until they formed obtuse triangles (I think) and gently marked the corners with dots inside the folds.

Step 2: Thread your needle.  Carefully.  I used only about six inches of thread, and doubled it, so that it would be stronger.  And easier to hold when knotting the thread.  Match up your marked points, then insert the needle, pulling your doubled thread through to the point where you can make another stitch.  Continue sewing up to the seam, then repeat on other side.  

(Note: I had to move to the other side of the garment, since I can't do diddly with my left hand, apparently.)

Step 3: You're as close to done as I got for today, though I may come back and embellish with some buttons.  If you choose to do this, studs work nicely on little frilly dresses.

So, now what do you do?  Why, reinterpret Alice in Wonderland, of course!

Dress: Ross; bow: Forever 21, tights: DKNY, amazing shoes: Poetic License (at Gabe's), jewelry: Betsey Johnson (Nordstrom Rack)

Artwork: Urban Outfitters

Little quirks like this make your clothes look and feel tailored and expensive.  Yes, I'll have to hand-wash this now, but it's worth the wear.  Do you have any awesome projects in the works?

XOXO,
Jenni

We Love Today: "Nudity"

When it's too darn hot outside, everyone wants to be naked, but nobody wants to be arrested. It's a catch-22! Here's how I deal with the heat, and how sometimes those naked pieces can bolster your wardrobe.



Shoes are a good place to start your career in acceptable nudity.  There's something sexy about barely-there shoes, and I tried a very sheer pinkish topcoat instead of my usual brights. I personally prefer my coral nails, but it was fun and a good excuse to buy $2 nail polish from Charlotte Russe.



Yep, that's my underwear drawer. Notice the set right on top - nude bra, nude panties.  These aren't the sexiest things I own, but they are incredibly useful, and I would recommend them for every woman.  I hate to break it to you, but everyone can see that white bra through your white shirt.  Sorry!  Just for the record, I prefer bras by Jockey.  More expensive, but so worth it.                



I found this beautiful little shift dress at Kohl's, by Lauren Conrad, for $18.  It's a little big on me, but all I had to do was add a belt, put up my hair, and choose some fly accessories.  The shoes are Steve Madden, which I got at Ross.  If you're not crazy about heels, wedges will definitely work, as will black.  It also works for fall/winter with tights and a coat that covers the hem, preferably worn open, and at night.

Other than pulling a Madonna, what indecent fashion exposures lurk in your closet, waiting to sell you a watch?  Let us know here, and follow us on Twitter!

Fashion For Less Friday

One of the many perks of being an artist/writer/musician/printmaker/blogger is that we have equally (if not more) talented friends. Our friend Jared is a gifted photographer, and today he snapped pics of me in some of my frugalest finds. I'll share them with you, plus outfit ideas and shopping tips.


I found this funky safari-inspired romper ($8) at Forever 21, and although rompers pose slightly more wardrobe malfunction (add a few minutes when powdering your nose) risk, they're definitely worth it for the daring. Since it's summer and so hot, I wore a locket ($4) and a bag, but ordinarily I would wear tights and a cardigan and maybe a scarf. Yes, you should be totes jeal of my ($12) Chanel bag, and yes, any major city Goodwill has troves of fashion treasures. If that's not an option, those denim espadrilles were just $12 at Roses in Farmville.



This adorable girl is Molly, who is a food and culture junkie, not to mention an amazing singer. We went to my favorite Vietnamese place, then she agreed to be photographed for this article because that beautiful maxi dress with its violet-hued paisley came from Kohl's ($15).



I guess I felt extra jetset today, so I put on another thrifty ($3) find from another Goodwill, albeit not from a major city. This dress is super versatile, which is helpful when establishing a style. Here I wore it with those amazing lime-green suede pumps ($8 at Gabriel Brothers), but ordinarily I would wear an embellished sandal, sunglasses, and maybe a hat with a large floppy brim. It's a classic shape, but it definitely needs a belt ($15 Betsey Johnson at Marshalls), and the wider your belt is, the littler your waist looks. I also recommend a chunky bangle and dangling earrings, or a standout pendant. Whichever you prefer - make it your own.



This is one of my favorite looks - the idea that you can throw on a chic little dress with a few interesting details and look great everywhere. I found this adorable ($5) dress at Rugged Wearhouse in Lynchburg, and I've nicknamed it my "Parisian bistro dress", because I can put it on and all I need is my bicycle and a baguette. I paired it with ($10) pop-art flats from Urban Outfitters, a picnic-basket-shaped necklace by Betsey Johnson ($25 at Nordstrom Rack), and a wonderful Marc Jacobs bag ($58 - pricy, I know, but I love it, at Saks Off Fifth).  I call it my "Inception bag", because it's a handbag with a sketch of a handbag on it. Or a dream within a dream.

Which finds are you most proud of? Let us know right here, right now.

XOXO,
Jenni