Party in a box

A couple of weeks ago I had two friends with birthdays who live out of state. And while I always mail their presents, I had seen this idea from Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky of a "party in a box" to make the arrival seem a bit more special. So I figured I'd give it a shot. And while my photos are not as cute or professional as those of Elizabeth's, hopefully the fun paper and confetti still put a smile on my friends faces when they opened their boxes.

Here's what I used:
• pretty, colorful tissue paper
• fun birthday themed confetti (& wedding themed for Casey for her recent engagement!)
• candy
• a special local item from Birmingham (since they both used to live here)
• a "real" gift

If I had more time, I would've a) remembered to also take a photo of Emily's box and not just Casey's and b) looked for better tissue paper since that is what I think makes the most significant impression when you first open the box. Instead I was shopping at Dollar Tree at 9 something before they closed and then putting these together at 10:00 pm the night before they needed to be mailed. That's just how life seems to be these days though.

I would still recommend buying the confetti and candy items from Dollar Tree because it's such a good deal. But if there is a paper or wrapping store in your area, I think really great tissue paper would be a nice splurge.

Once you line your box with the paper, then all you have to do next is sprinkle in some confetti and start placing your items in the box. I also added more on top once everything was in because you can seriously never have too much confetti (says the girl who didn't have to clean it up when the box was opened!).

After the box is taped up and ready to go, you could wrap the box in brown Kraft paper and then use stamps, stickers or your own marker creations to decorate the outside of the box as well. I thought I had this paper at home already, but was sad to learn later that I did not. I was bummed but figured that I'd rather get the boxes out in time than wait another day to get paper and decorate the outside. Next time ladies!

Basically this is an easy, fun and inexpensive way to brighten someone's day that you don't get to see as often as you'd like!

Mix it up Chris

As I mentioned yesterday, I am loving all kinds of printed fabric at the moment. Occasionally I even get really wild and decide to mix those prints.

Exhibit A: Today's ensemble. I mean, stripes and florals together—say what?! Yeah, I know. Real exciting right? I'm sure I just blew your mind.

Oh but wait for it...this outfit is actually a dress tucked into a skirt (you can see the full dress here in another post). I know, right?! You're acting like you can't see the bottom part of my dress and you're totally feeling like you just watched "Inception" for the first time aren't you?!

Ok, enough sarcasm. For real though, if you ever want to shake things up a bit with your wardrobe, just consider mixing a couple of different prints that you already own. Or think about how you could wear a dress tucked into a skirt. Both of these tricks will make your closet seem bigger than it really is.

Here's the cheapskate breakdown:

1. Floral print dress, Anthropologie ($39.99)
2. Striped skirt, ATL market ($35.00)
3. Heels, Nine West outlet ($29.99)
4. Clutch, c/o Oopsy Daisy (thanks mom!)
5. Sunglasses, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
6. Bar earrings, gifted (thanks Joy!)
7. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
8. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)

Total: Under $125.00

 

 

**Also congrats to Sarah, Karen, Leslie, Andie & Logan of CarpeGlamour! They were the winners of my Firmoo Voucher Giveaway. Ladies, you should all have an e-mail from me with your voucher code inside. If not, check your spam :) Enjoy!**

Maxi-mum spending

I distinctly remember when I purchased this dress. It was one of those moments where I was merely accompanying Laura (my now sometimes photographer) on a lunch break trip to Belk quite a few years ago. It was at the height of the maxi dress trend, like when they first came out and everyone was running out to get one. I saw this particular version and thought it was the most beautiful thing ever.

And even though it was more than I cared to spend and I was pretty sure a shorty like me shouldn't wear a long dress, I tried it on anyway. To my dismay it fit wonderfully and was even prettier on that I thought it could be. I know you're thinking I got that last sentence wrong, but I promise I didn't. I was now faced with the dilemma of whether or not I should plunk down $60 on a dress.

Yes, (as crazy as it sounds) $60 seemed like a lot of money to drop on one piece of clothing at the time. And honestly, I would probably still have to stand there and mull it over to this day! But obviously, I decided to just do it because what are the odds that I could find another maxi dress that actually looked pretty good on me?

And ya know, I haven't missed that $60 to this day. It was a good choice that has served me pretty well over the past few years. So if you're anywhere near as frugal as I am, go ahead and let yourself splurge occasionally. It usually tends to all work out well in the end!

Here's the cheapskate breakdown:

1. Maxi dress, Belk ($59.99)
2. Cardigan, Ross Dress for Less ($7.99)
3. Wedges, Charlotte Russe ($32.50)
4. Tote bag, giveaway
5. Headband, Urban Outfitters ($9.50)
6. Sunglasses, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
7. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
8. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
9. Earrings, Stella & Dot ($34.00)

Total: Under $150.00

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Take me out to the ballgame

One of the perks I have at my job is that our company shares an executive suite at Regions Field (Home of the Birmingham Barons) with a couple of law firms in town. They pass out a few of these tickets at the beginning of each month to employees. I was lucky enough to snag a couple of them for me, J ("the boy") and two of our friends to attend this past Tuesday night's game.

Since I knew I was climbing after work and the stadium is downtown near my climbing gym, I realized it made no sense to go home and change before the game. Therefore, I needed to pick out something that was both office and baseball game appropriate.

(Insert pinstriped skirt to be worn as a strapless dress here.)

I mean, really, what could be more appropriate for baseball than something pinstriped? Am I right? And the cream lace cardigan made it office appropriate (and cute!). I also wore the wedges to the game, though I probably should've brought a pair of flats. But the wedges were just so cute. I couldn't resist.

Anyhow, even though the Barons (barely) lost, it was a good time. Perfect weather and 50 cent hotdogs. Yes I realize this is the second time I've mentioned these on the blog...clearly I love those 50 cent hot dogs!

Ok, here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Pinstripe skirt (worn as dress), thrifted ($2.50)
2. Belt, Cato ($1.99)
3. Wedges, Charlotte Russe ($12.50) *buy one, get one half off deal
4. Lace cardigan, Banana Republic ($59.99)
5. Necklace, Noteworthy/gifted (thanks Em!)
6. Purse, gifted/passed down
7. Sunglasses, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
8. Earrings, Stella & Dot ($34.00)
9. Circle ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
10. Simple gold ring, gifted/passed down

Total: Under $125.00

ps. oh yeah, check out those lovely scratches on my right shin...compliments of a weekend camping trip and rafting the Hiwasee. Hot, right?

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Basic black

I have to say, it is SO great to have "professional" pics again! Certainly no disrespect to Leslie and her amazing iPhone photoshoot abilities, because without her taking time from her day I wouldn't have any outfit photos period. So I definitely appreciate her! But you can just tell such a difference when you look at these photos my brother took with his ridiculously professional camera versus the ones we usually take with a phone.

I mean, this was a complete impromptu photoshoot and I think these look so amazing. I am super grateful to my bro for taking the time this past Sunday to snap a few pics of me. Granted, we were trying to kill some time around his house before we had to go to our grandmother's, but still. He could've been just chillin on the couch instead, so I'm glad he "took one for the team" so to speak.

Anyhow, it was super fun getting to actually not only spend time with my brother but also spend time while taking the pics and being able to review them as we were shooting. Plus, now you know what I look like on any given Sunday...just in my basic black dress after church that morning. Oh and I realize that this ensemble is nowhere near boho, but I couldn't resist a couple of good hippity dippity flower field shots when the backdrop was literally right there in Josh's backyard.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Dress, GAP outlet ($24.99)
2. Guess pumps, DSW ($29.99)
3. BCBGirls Bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
4. Sunglasses, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
5. Circle ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
6. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
7. Necklace, The Clotheshorse ($10.50)

Total: Under $125.00

 

 

Photos: Josh Lewis

Same difference

There's a saying we have in the south (or maybe just in my crazy witty family?) of "same difference." It honestly makes no sense at all. But then again sometimes it does.

I just figured since I wore this exact same scarf and pants combo in a recent post, but yet made it all look a little teensy bit different by wearing another top, that it kind of looked like the "same difference." Make sense? No? Ok, good.

Anyhow, obviously I love these pants...and the scarf. Honestly I wore this combo again because this day it was cold out for May, but ya know, it's MAY....in ALABAMA. Seemed weird to be really bundled up and in boots, so I at least attempted a springtime color pallet if I needed to be wearing a scarf.

Ok, enough already. Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Dress, Sugarlips ($32.00 - and yes, this is supposed to be a dress)
2. Turquoise jeggings, Necessary Clothing ($19.99)
3. Scarf, c/o David & Young
4. Belt, Brooklyn Flea ($20.00)
5. BCBGirls Bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
6. Booties, Target ($34.99)
7. Sunglass, Dollar Tree ($1.00)
8. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
9. Circle ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
10. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)

Total: Under $150.00

 

 

 

 

 

Photos:  Leslie Evans