Thrifty in pink

Yep, I take a couple weeks off from blogging and I come back with a brand new hair do (did you notice?!). Sorry for the absence, but work has been pretty hectic lately. And now, I'm getting ready to go on a big trip! So there will be yet another long lull in the blog. I'm sure you'll manage though, right? :)

This has to be one of my thriftiest outfits ever. Feeling really good about the low price on it for sure! I've gotten a lot of longevity out of this pink pleated skirt, which I almost didn't purchase because it seemed kind of grandma-ish at the time. I'm really glad I bought it anyhow, otherwise I'd have to go back in time and smack past Christen for being a dummy.

Ok, clearly I have nothing more clever to say.

Instead, here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. White button down, thrifted ($6.99)
2. Pink skirt, thrifted ($2.00)
3. Gold shoes, consigned ($7.50)
4. Clutch, gifted/passed down (thanks mom!)
5. Sunnies, Forever 21 ($5.80)
6. Earrings, Collinsville Trade Day ($0.50)
7. Ampersand ring, gifted (thanks Natasha!)
8. Leaf ring, gifted (thanks Embo!)

Total: Under $25.00

 

 

 

 

Photos: Laura Menconi

Mad about plaid (& print mixing)

So I tend to wear plaid shirts a lot in the fall/winter seasons. In fact, if I were a daily fashion blogger, you'd be like, 'yep, bored of seeing the same old plaid shirts every day.' Which is pretty much what I told myself when I looked in the closet and was reaching once again for one of my new fav plaid shirts (that I scored from a Madewell sale, thank you very much!). And that's why I tried to mix things up a bit.

This outfit is a little grunge, a little music enthusiast and a little business casual. And I think it's starting to grow on me a little bit as well. Really glad it's ok for me to push the envelope with my attire at work, btw. Not sure this would be acceptable at the majority of offices.

(also, you'll probably notice that I have a new pose I seem to keep using when I have a button down shirt wrapped around my waist - I mean, doesn't this look familiar? I'm so creative - insert sarcasm here)

Alright, enough already....here's the outfit breakdown:

1. Plaid shirt, Madewell ($24.99)
2. Charles Bradley concert tee, gifted
3. Pencil skirt, GAP outlet ($19.99)
4. Socks, ??
5. Boots, C. Wonder ($55.00)
6. BCBG bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
7. Hat, NYC street vendor ($10.00)
8. Sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse
9. Ampersand ring, gifted (thanks Natasha!)
10. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
11. Triangle earrings, gifted (thanks Joy!)

Total: Under $150.00

 

 

 

photos: laura menconi

The army shirt saga continues

How many times have you guys seen this army shirt on me/the blog? Too many to count I am sure. I wear this piece every which possible. Man, this was a great purchase. Hopefully the army/military trend will continue and I can keep rotating this little beauty into my outfit circulation.

What about you guys? Do you have any piece that is super versatile and that you love so much that you wear it ALL the time in any way possible? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Oh! And also, I should mention that I love this new beanie I bought from Finn Apparel, which is a clothing company started by a fellow climber here in Birmingham. I'm super excited for Michael and his friends and hope to see Finn really take off in the next year or so. You should definitely check out this beanie and their other great pieces here.

Ok, here's this week's outfit breakdown:

1. Army shirt, Rugged Wearhouse ($9.99)
2. Tank, TJ Maxx ($9.99)
3. Jeans, Zara ($16.99)
4. Boots, C. Wonder ($55.00)
5. BCBG Purse, Zoe's ($30.00)
6. Slouch beanie, finn ($30.00)
7. Aviator sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse
8. Squirrel necklace, gifted (thanks Em!)
9. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
10. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
11. Turquiose ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
12. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
13.Thumb ring, Charlotte Russe ($2.99)

Total: Under $175.00

 

  

 

photos: Laura Menconi

Boho Asian fusion

So it's been a month. Miss me?

Ugh, yeah, sorry about that. I've definitely missed you guys and blogging in general. Somehow I just haven't been able to squeeze in any time lately. Here's hoping that changes and I can be more consistent in the near future (fingers crossed.)

Anyhow, this little ditty of an outfit came about because I love this skirt that I scored from a post Christmas sale at Madewell and I have been dying to feature it. But I wanted to jazz things up a bit with it and not just do a same ole nice top and skirt combo. That's when I saw this top that has been hanging in my closet since I lived in NYC—um yeah, more than 10 years ago—and knew it was time for it to come out of retirement.

Once I started piling things on, it became apparent that even though I was rockin an Asian printed top, I  still couldn't let go of my boho ways. But I figured that was ok and I should embrace it. And that's how Asian Boho fusion was born.

Let's go to the cheapskate outfit breakdown, shall we?

1. Top, Chinatown in NYC (old - ??)
2. Skirt, Madewell ($34.99)
3. Knee socks, Century 21 (old - ??)
4. Boots, The Clotheshorse ($32.50)
5. Purse, gifted/handed down (thanks Granny!)
6. Hat, Target ($16.99)
7. Jacket, Know Style ($39.99)
8. Bracelet, Charlotte Russe ($6.00)
9. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
10. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
11. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
12. Sunglasses, c/o Sunglass Warehouse

Total: Under $150.00

Photos: Laura Menconi

Cheap versatility

When I bought this dress (which, oh yeah, you can't even really see that well here) I had no idea it would actually be versatile. Not to mention that as affordable as it was I didn't think it would last as long as it has either. Nope, I just thought it was cute and cheap and pretty flattering. Therefore, purchase was made.

Now fast forward about five years later and I've come up with a couple of different ways to wear it so that I don't get tired of seeing it hanging in my closet. That's right, a little foreshadowing on a "one dress, three ways" blog post. That one will be coming out in a couple of months...yep, get excited!

Ok, on to the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Cardigan, thrifted ($4.99)
2. Sweater, Old Navy (??)
3. Dress, Rainbow ($5.00)
4. Tights, Hammers ($4.99)
5. Knee socks, TJ Maxx ($9.99)
6. Boots, Macy's ($54.53)
7. Sunglasses, Forever 21 ($5.80)
8. Earrings, Charlotte Russe ($6.00, set of 3)
9. Rocking horse ring, Hello Holiday (gifted - thanks Natasha!)
10. Ampersand ring, Hello Holiday (gifted - thanks Natasha!)
11. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
12. Leaf ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
13. Crossbody bag, thrifted ($5.99)

Total: Under $100.00

 

 

 

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

Under the (fashion) influence: Diane Kruger

I am so psyched to be back blogging again. And I am even more psyched to talk about this killer wood ring I received from Altin Place. Not only did it arrive in super cute packaging (which I am a total sucker for) with the Hawaiian islands printed in silver across the exterior ring box, but it's also a beautiful finishing piece to pretty much any outfit.

I really can't wait to rock it with something a little more boho, but I love how versatile it is that I could wear it with this outfit that was inspired by a photo I saw of Diane Kruger. As soon as I saw this pic I knew I had similar pieces to recreate it and I can't believe I didn't think of such a classic outfit idea on my own.

Here's the cheapskate breakdown:

1. Plaid coat, Marshalls ($59.99)
2. Striped sweater, Hammer's ($2.98)
3. Pleather leggings, ModCloth ($34.99)
4. Pumps, thrifted ($2.99)
5. Crossbody bag, Charlotte Russe ($9.99)
6. Sunglasses, gifted (thanks Peach!)
7. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
8. Koa Wood Ring c/o Altin Place

Total: Under $125.00

 

 

 

 

Photos: Laura Menconi