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

What's in my piggy bank for February?

If my January picks were pretty much "essentials," then I think it's safe to say that this month's picks are essentials with a twist. A lot of these items are basic every day staples, but a fun print or shiny metallic or an added embellishment or unique shape seem to make all the difference to spice up your fashion routine.

1. Forever 21 Modern Lines Woven Top, $17.80.

2. Peter Pilotto® for Target® Sunglasses in Red Iris Print, $16.99 (in stores only). 

3. H&M Wide pants in dark blue, $34.95.
4. Small Lovely Heart Print Design Scarf, $6.55.
5. Zara Sheath Skirt with Zips, $29.99.

6. Express Quilted Studded Circular Cross Body Bag, $29.94. 

7. Necessary Clothing Screw You Cuff in Gold, $13.99.
8. Urban Outfitters Little Animal Ring, $10.00.
9. Charles David Frontier 2 Boots, $34.99.

10. Ulta Salon Formula Nail Laquer in Baby Doll, $2.00. 

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

What's in my piggy bank for January?

For some reason when it comes to looking at fashionable purchases at the beginning of the new year, I seem to gravitate toward simple, basic items in (go figure) basic colors. I guess I just want to get a couple of staples to get 2014 started off right. The rest of the more "fun" pieces can come into play later on in the upcoming months. 

1. H&M Viscose Blouse, $17.95.
2. Urban Outfitters Bold Initial Stud Earring, $4.99. 

3. Necessary Clothing Leather Snap Back, $21.99.
4. Joe Fresh Assymetrical Zip Moto Jacket in White, $59.00
5. Merona® Perforated Leather Glove with Buckle in Brown, $21.99.

6. Target Limited Edition Bucket Bag in Navy, $34.99.

7. Forever 21 Chic Accordian Pleated Maxi Skirt, $22.80.

8. Zara Chain Belt, $19.99.

9. ModCloth Unisexy Sunglasses, $11.99.

10. Fioni Womens Two-Piece Flat in black, $27.99.

Splurge on: Holiday essentials

Well, I think I "missed the boat" so-to-speak on getting these fun holiday items out in time for all the Christmas parties. But I think you'll still find these options helpful for ringing in the New Year!

1. Joe Fresh Beaded Satin Dress, $19.00.
2. Forever 21 Iconic Quilted Minaudiere, $19.80.
3. Urban Outfitters Bow Bobby Pins, $10.00.
4. ModCloth Over and Outfox Ring, $9.99.
5. Necessary Clothing Teresa Steel Toe Pump in Black, $39.99.
6. H&M Sequined Leggings, $24.95.
7. The Limited Faux Fur Cape, $59.95.
8. Charlotte Russe Geometric Drop Earrings, $6.00.

What's in my piggy bank for December?

Well obviously my obsession with faux fur coats and animal prints continue. I also think this month's piggy bank picks are just a tad random, don't you? But I guess that's ok. I suppose I don't always have to have pieces that make sense together.

Basically these are just some things that have been on my "list" for a while and the others are just super cute pieces I've seen around the internet lately. Here's hoping you'll find some inspiration in these picks as another year comes to an end.

1. Dorothy Perkins Blush Zebra Fluff Jumper, $49.00
2. Minnetonka Womens Thunderbird Soft Sole Moccasin, $35.95

3. Yellow Hammer Creative Heart of Dixie Pullover, $25.00

4. Zara Shorts with Lace Hem, $39.90 

5. OASAP Striped Faux Fur Coat, $60.29

6. Necessary Clothing Becker Leopard Belt, $4.99

7. Charlotte Russe Golden Bow Stretch Ring, $6.00

8. Brash Women's Monroe Backpack, $26.99

9. Old School Small Retro Steampunk Flip Sunglasses, $3.98

10. Forever 21 Cozy Knit Beret in pink, $5.00

Splurge on: Faux fur coats

Woah. Holy moly, it is finally cold down here in the south! And even though I am pretty sure this cold weather phase probably won't last very long, it's still enough to make me think about all the lovely faux fur coats I wouldn't mind snuggling into.

Here are just a few options, most of which would be particularly perfect for a finishing touch to an upcoming holiday party outfit.

1. Necessary Clothing Rocco Faux Fur Jacket, $49.99
2. H&M Faux Fur Coat, $129.00
3. Top Shop Pelted Faux Fur Capelette, $136.00
4. Charlotte Russe PU Trim Faux Fur Jacket, $21.49
5. Forever 21 Be Seen Shag Jacket, $64.80

My cherie d'amour

I have no idea why, but for some reason looking at this outfit now I feel like I look a bit Parisian? Maybe it's the sunglasses, maybe it's the red lips. Not sure. But whatever it is, I am totally ok with it!

There doesn't seem to be much else to say about this outfit except that it's always fun to find a new way to wear a dress. I've pretty much only ever worn this one plain. You know, maybe change up the shoes or purse or get really crazy and throw on a pair of tights. But until now, I'd never thought to wear a vest over it to really change the overall look.

This new ensemble has made me pretty excited about the other possibilities of how to remix this sweetheart of a dress that I have a new found love for now (ahem...a nod to the blog title..see what I did there?!).

For now, here's this cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Dress, Rainbow ($5.00)
2. Vest, Forever 21 ($15.50)
3. Booties, Target ($24.99)
4. Clutch, ?? (??)
5. Sunnies, gifted (thanks Peach!)
6. Earrings, gifted (thanks Amy!)
7. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
8. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design

Total: Under $50.00

Photos: Leslie Evans

Splurge on: Sweaters

It's just barely getting chilly enough here to warrant sweater wearing. But a girl can dream of all the future possibilities, right? Here are just a few that I have my eye on at the moment ranging from fitted, printed, fuzzy, flowy, quirky and comfy!

1. ASOS Daisy Street Fisherman's Sweater, $32.02
2. Necessary Clothing Fuzzy Boulder Sweater in Black/White, $32.99
3. Urban Outfitters Coincidence & Chance Foxy Geek Sweater, $44.00
4. Forever 21 Groovy Shag Sweater in Coral, $22.80
5. Joe Fresh Baseball Sweater in Mustard, $24.95
6. H&M Knit Sweater in Navy Zebra Print, $59.95

What's in my piggy bank for October?

I think October is my favorite month of the year. It's the time of year when football season is in full swing and the weather actually starts to turn—along with the leaves.

October says put away your shorts and tanks and pull out the boots, scarves and comfy sweaters. So I'm listening to Mother Nature and looking at several basics to get the fall season started off right, with a couple of flashy fun items to throw in the mix as well.

1. Old Navy Women's Long Sleeve Shirt Dress, $19.00.

2. Forever 21 Forever Cool Fauz Leather Jacket, $15.00.

3. Styles for Less Rib Knit Slouch Beanie in black, $6.99.

4. American Apparel Neon Nail Polish, $6.00. 

5. H&M Studded Skirt, $34.95.

6. American Eagle Women's Filly Crossbody, $19.99.
7. Mossimo Twisted Neck Snood Scarf in Ivory, $19.99.
8. H&M Knit Tights in Burgundy, $9.95.
9. Forever 21 Pearlescent Beaded Collar Necklace, $12.80.
10. Charlotte Russe Studded Knee-High Buckle Boot, $42.50.

Aztec and leather (ok...pleather)

I feel like today's post really goes back to this one. Because Chris, the awesome dude behind the lens of the camera who took (and edited) all of these amazing photos, falls into the fourth paragraph of that blog post about climbing.

Yep, Chris was one of the first people I met when I started climbing. He was encouraging to me from day one and he still fills that role for other new (and old) climbers. He came to see me in the hospital when I did this and now he's the one with a brace on his arm—just for a totally different reason.

One of the best parts about this photoshoot (I mean, besides my killer outfit—am I right?!) is that Chris only recently took up photography. And he clearly is already ridiculously good at it.

But I also love that I can look back at these photos and this shoot and see just one super duper concrete example of the type of friendships I've made since I started climbing. It's so nice sometimes to be able to connect the dots and actually see where life brings you and who it brings into your life.

Chris is getting ready to leave for Cali for a few months and you can bet that me and a ton of other peeps are going to miss seeing him and hearing his goofy remarks around the gym. But I can't wait to see the photos he takes while he is gone!

Ok, here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:

1. Aztec cardigan, gifted (thanks Ashley!!!)
2. Gray tank, Urban Outfitters ($24.00)
3. Leggings, ModCloth ($34.99)
4. Booties, Target ($24.99)
5. Hat, Target ($16.99)
6. Bag, ATL market ($20.00)
7. Circle necklace, Brooklyn Flea ($20.00)
8. Squirrel necklace, gifted (thanks Em!)
9. Vintage cocktail ring, gifted
10. Tungsten ring, c/o Modern Design
11. Square ring, Brooklyn Flea ($5.00)

Total: Under $125.00

 

 

 

 

Photos: Chris White