Category Archives: Fashion

Simplicity & Freia Shawl

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Good Day Lovely People,

Today’s simplistic outfit was chosen to showcase my new Freia Shawl.  This Freia Shawl was 10 months in the crafting. In December 2016, I visited Loop Yarn promising myself to only buy what I needed. Yet, a ball of Freia yarn began to call my name and once my eyes looked on it I knew she was coming home with me. The price of $38 per skein didn’t deter me, I have learned to spend money on quality yarn, and it came with a free pattern. I was Sold!

 

 

I knitted through the pattern in six days never realizing my stockinette stitches were twisted and the edging was done in the wrong side. Only once the project was complete could I see all its flaws.

 

The Dilemma: Do I take the project apart and start all over, or do I just wear it knowing it’s riddled with mistakes? Discouraged, I placed the project on the side of my sofa, and contemplated what to do next. See, I am a non-traditional/neophyte knitter so pulling a project apart to start over is a foreign concept for me. There had to be a way of fixing it without starting all over.

On September 7, 2017, rather than unraveling the whole project I began knitting the shawl from the opposite side; this method would slowly pull apart all my mistakes and I could visually see what I did wrong.

 

Sidenote: This time I practiced the pattern on less expensive yarn before using the merino wool.  This allowed me to tweak the pattern to fit my personal style.

 

 

10 days and two skeins later… I present to you my version of the Freia Shawl Ball in Blue Voilet and Mint Julep.

 

 

 

Active & Casual Sunday

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Good Day Lovely People,

This was a relaxing Sunday. My only agenda was to assemble a Liatorp Sideboard I purchased last week.

So my attire needed to be function for assemble and semi-fashionable for me.

I paired a Mondetta Drapey Bra with Old Navy The Sweetheart Jeans. This was my second time venturing to wear a bra outside of my clothes and I like it. The length of the drape on the bra was perfect for minimum belly exposure.

My earrings are from Soulful Buttons. I will do a creator’s view on these earrings in the future.

Final Tally on my OOTD: Mondetta Drapey Bra $4.00, Old Navy Sweetheart Jeans $10.00, & Soulful Buttons Earrings $8.00

Weekly Fashion Flair

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Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude. – Iris Apfel

In our pursuit for creativity and remaining fiscally astute we are presenting our ideas on how to maintain your personal style on a shoestring budget. If you follow us on Facebook you will see how my personal style vacillates from my childhood favorites to my current bold and classy look.

 

I am the self-proclaimed bargain stalker. My ultimate price point is $5.00 or less and every clearance rack provides unique opportunities to meet my target price. Most people think it’s impossible to go anywhere but the thrift store to find clothes that reasonably price. Possibilities all around us and combining bargains with the right accessories you can upgrade any outfit and affirm that what I snag inexpensively has a higher worth then cost.  So let’s see what fashion finds we conjured up last week.

 

 

I knew I was taking a calculated risk wearing a denim dress to work on a Tuesday (Tuesday is my Monday in the summer). Yet when I wake-up with an outfit in mind that’s all the confirmation I need for an outfit of the day (OOTD).

 

I acquired this upcycled Bleach Tie-dye Gap Dark Wash Platform Shirt Dress from the 2nd Street Festival in NoLibs (Northern Liberty). The vendor was two young ladies that worked at a last destination thrift store. They find pieces they loved and upcycled them with a new patterns and/or reconstructed them. I regret that at the time they didn’t have a business cards. Yet if they see this post, hopefully, they’ll contact me so I can add a link to their business.

 

This dress was originally around $24.99; sales price $5.00. I paired it with Secret Treasures Control Top Seamless Twill Leggings from Wal-Mart for $7.81; sales price $3.00.

 

 

 

Bringing the Bright Colors on a Wednesday. I noticed this Lilly White Sleeveless Blouse at Ross. It was so impressive I got it in two colors. However, it took me until this year to find the right undergarment for it; the Victoria Secret Long Line Seamless Sports Bra.  My Sharagano Petite Trousers were purchased from the Goodwill in Cherry Hill, NJ for $1.00.

 

If you want to know about my recent acquisition of this amazing Vera Bradley Northbrook Tote click here.

 

 

Thursday was filled with Budget Friendly Name Brand Fashion and a Gazebo! The top was from Mr. Isaac Mizrahi Live collection. It’s a Tapestry Print ¾ sleeve Tunic from Jomar ($2.00; QVC Price $54.00). The Talbot Crop Pants were from the Village Thrift ($5.00).

 

 

Friday was a double outfit type of day. It was requested that we create a video for the Interactive Art Wall. So, I got to it first thing in the morning. I chose this outfit for the video and loved it.

This gently-loved LBD is from my bestie, Kimmie_41 and the rest of the ensemble came from Ross. Soho Apparel Ltd Blazer ($1.49), Big Buddha Aviator Sunglasses ($5.99), Fossil Necklace ($5.99) and Fossil Heart Charm ($3.99).

 

 

I prepped for my evening salsa dancing date with a little Ross retail therapy.  I desperately needed a new dancing shoes. I was able to find a pair of Clarks and moderately priced People’s Project LA (PPLA) shirt.

My date attire consisted of a PPLA Aaliyah Top ($.49; retail price $66.00), Old Navy Black Flutter Skirt (closet retro), and Clarks Peep Toe Nude Pumps ($24.99).

 

I must say, telling you lovely people the fine details of my style will probably save innocent passers-by/commuters from having to hear my retail shenanigans. Yes, I am the joyful lady on the bus/train/airplane that can recite the pricing details of every item she’s wearing. I think we all have it in us yet some of us wake-up bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready to share!

 

Understand that you, as a consumer, determine the value/worth of an item.  You can buy a Ralph Lauren dress for $114.00 retail or on clearance for $.49.  The intrinsic value of the item stays the same no matter the price point. Yet the reasonable purchase will allow you to leave $113.51 in your savings account.

 

What was your favorite outfit from last week that encapsulated your personal style? Let us know in the comments.

Update: Statement Pieces and Savings

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My Vera Bradley bags arrived and I am impressed with these bags. They give a pop of color and classy look to an outfit.  I purchased the Northbrook Tote in Plum, Rouge, and a Snap and Zip Case for under $90.00. These Vera Bradley and my Harveys Seatbelt bags are my go to statement pieces.

 

Sales Alert: Today is Vera’s Birthday and to celebrate customers are receiving 25% off their entire purchase (no discount code necessary). So, if you are interested in purchasing a Vera Bradley bag now is the time.

 

 

To get the details on this booty click Statement Pieces and Savings.

 

Statement Pieces and Savings

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It was time to add a few designer handbags to my wardrobe after reading articles on how Human Resources Managers, the gatekeepers, are looking at your wardrobe and weighing it as heavily as your job experience. I thought I was doing something when I saw the Zulily prices for Vera Bradley bags. However, I would have never thought I would get a better price from the Vera Bradley website itself. The Northbrook Plum Tote retails for $148.00, it was marked down 65% to $51.80, and there was an additional 30% off online clearance to $36.26. The Snap and Zip Case retails for $34.00, was marked down to $11.90, and there was an additional 30% online clearance to $8.33.  Oh, let’s not forget Vera Bradley is apart of eBates and offers 3% cash back on a purchase.

 

 

Total Retail Prices for two Northbrook Totes and a Snap and Zip Bag $330 and the total I paid $83.29.

 

I can say it was definitely a good shopping day.  So if you are looking for a reasonable price designer bag that will be a statement piece you just found one. When they arrive I’ll take a pic for ya!😎😎😎

 

Northbrook Bag Description & Dimensions:  Exterior features one slip pocket. Interior features two slips and one zip pocket. Metal feet on base. Zip closure. 13″ w x 13 ¼” h x 5″ d with 6″ handle drop; 39 ¼” removable, adjustable strap.