New heights in fashion

First of all I feel like I should explain that these photos were taken nearly two weeks ago—it is certainly not warm enough here this week to warrant a sweater and shorts combo!

Second, I'd like to excitedly point out that my friend Chris ended up staying put here in Bham instead of hightailing it out to Cali for a few months, so I get to reap the benefits of having an amazing photographer who's eager to shoot pretty often.

One of my fav things about shooting with Chris is that we will spend a solid two hours just hitting spots all over downtown to get some great backdrops. I mean, we went to the museum, the park, the theatre district and even a random parking deck.

I also love that he will make me climb up ridiculous heights and give me a "boost" when I need it because, ya know, I am wearing 5 inch heels. Yeah, definitely not something I would do on my own, but he's never wrong. The shot is always amazing and it's always worth the risky climb—even being on a ledge at 8 stories or so high (hence the blog post title). Just scroll down, you'll see what I mean!

Oh and I'll go ahead and apologize for the insane amount of photos. But there were just so many good ones, I couldn't make decisions on which ones to cut!

Okay, here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Sweater, H&M ($19.95)
2. Shorts, c/o Sugarlips
3. Heels, Charlotte Russe ($15.00)
4. Vintage purse, gifted/passed down (thanks mom!)
5. Sunglasses, Venice Beach ($7.50)
6. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
7. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
8. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
9. Dainty ring, gifted/passed down
10. Bar earrings, gifted (thanks Joy!)

Total: Under $50.00 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Chris White 

ps. Happy Turkey Day Yall!

Under the (fashion) influence: Miranda Kerr, vol. 3

I swear I actually look at other people's fashion and not just Miranda Kerr's. I mean, I look at Alexa Chung too yall! Ha, kidding, but for real I have had quite a few Miranda Kerr posts lately it seems. Oh well, what can I say? She has great style.

When I saw this picture of her I knew I could recreate something similar based on the utlitarian army jacket alone that I already owned. Then I bought the booties a couple of months ago and when I looked back at this photo, I was like "bingo!" Done and done.

Also, I will go ahead and admit these aren't my favorite photos, but it was just one of those days. I felt rushed and there were way too many bystanders and my outfit just felt frumpy. That would be the only downfall losing a few pounds—my clothes don't exactly "fit" anymore. I still wear them all, but sometimes I feel like my outfits just look messy and unflattering. Oh well, we all know I'm not buying any new clothes any time soon!

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Army jacket, Sugarlips ($59.00)
2. Floral top, Sugarlips ($32.00)
3. Skirt, GAP outlet ($19.99)
4. Booties, Target ($34.99)
5. BCBG bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
6. Sunglasses, Venice Beach ($7.50)
7. Earrings, gifted (thanks Joy!)
8. Turquoise ring, gifted (thanks mom!)
9. Love ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
10. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)

Total: Under $200.00

eek! My most expensive outfit to date so far!

 

 

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

ps. this last photo is such an Alicia Silverstone "Clueless" pose to me!

Splurge on: Sheer

Ever since I saw this article from WWWD about how to wear sheer pieces, I've started thinking differently about this trend. It seems like you can actually wear sheer pieces in a classy manner after all as long as you choose items with smaller sheer panels. And you can make an otherwise old outfit seem fresh and fun just by layering a completely sheer top over it.

Sounds like something fun to experiment with to me! So here are a few sheer pieces I've got my eye on:

1. ASOS Swing Playsuit with Sheer Panels, $59.40
2. Forever 21 Sheer Striped Shirt, $13.99
3. ModCloth Star Exit Dress, $37.99
4. Lulu’s Cuts and Bolts Neon Yellow Top, $36.00
5. Sugarlips Casual Stroll Top, $49.00

A hand me down tune

I love hand me downs. They're basically a vintage items that someone is passing down to you—for free. There's just nothing better, right? Well, actually I guess what is better is when said hand me downs are passed down from a generation in your family.

Last Sunday I was given the opportunity to go through my grandmother's belongings and take anything that I would like as a keepsake. Don't worry, my granny is still alive, but she is in the nursing home so it has been decided to sell her home and the items in it. Yes, still a bittersweet way to spend the day.

It was such a strange thing to go to my granny's house and sift through her property to fill up a box. On the one hand, I was so glad I got to keep things that made me think of her and also items that I could really use around the house. But on the otherhand it's just an odd situation. You just don't know what you're supposed to feel. But overall, it turned out to be a pleasant experience.

I was lucky enough to see extended family members that I typically only see around the winter holidays and it was so great to have my aunts there telling me what some of the items were and when/how they were used. They were also sweet enough to hand pick things for me that they thought I would be interested in the most.

So! All that said, I'm showcasing a few pieces of my plunder in today's post:

1) My great grandmother's reading glasses. And no, I really can't see in these things! Had to switch them out during the shoot for my sunnies.
2) A purse that my mom bought as a gift for my grandmother. I almost didn't take this one, but finally gave in and now I am completely smitten with this thing. What was I thinking?!
3) A heart pin that I turned into a charm on a necklace.
4) A teensy, fragile and beautiful thin gold ring. I'd like to think it was an older relative's wedding band, but I just can't be sure.

I can only imagine you'll see and hear about all the other pieces in future posts to come. I mean, I got so many lovely things, I can't wait to share them all!

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Floral top, Sugarlips ($32.00)
2. Floral skirt, thrifted ($2.99)
3. Platforms, Charlotte Russe ($16.25)
4. Belt, Necessary Clothing ($5.99)
5. Vintage purse, gifted/passed down
6. Vintage reading glasses, gifted/passed down
7. Vintage RayBan sunnies, gifted/passed down (thanks mom!)
8. Heart necklace, gifted/passed down
9. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)
10. Thin gold ring, gifted/passed down
11. Leaf ring, gifted (thanks Em!)

Total: Under $75.00

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Leslie Evans

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

Sweetly awaiting the new season

In case you hadn't noticed by yesterday's piggy bank picks, I am sooooo ready for fall to get here.

Fall hasn't exactly arrived in the south yet, and who knows when it will, but what did arrive was my new item from Sugarlips. And since it was such a beautiful item and got me super pscyhed for fall fashion, I just couldn't wait to piece together an outfit with it.

Plus, the temps have fallen here just a bit, so I'm not really overshooting the new season by too much. Ok, so maybe the boots were overkill for September in Alabama, but can you really blame me?

1. Wendy Darling Blouse c/o Sugarlips
2. BCBG jumper dress, TJ Maxx ($29.99)
3. Guess boots, sale at Macy's ($54.53)
4. Knee socks, H&M ($5.99)
5. Leaf ring, gifted (thanks Em!)
6. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
7. Earrings, gifted (thanks mom!)
8. Flower headband, Urban Outfitters ($9.50)
9. Aviator sunglasses, Rugged Wearhouse ($3.99)

Total: Under $150

 

 

 

 

Photos: Laura Menconi