“Thrift, thrift, Horatio!”

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Diana

Well, I seem to be getting into a good groove of posting once a week. I’ll try to add back the Etsy and Bento posts once I start getting better at actually managing my time. For now, once a week is still better than nothing.

About a month ago, I had one of those magical thrifting trips one only dreams about. I went by my favorite local thrift shop on a whim after work. I was looking for tops specifically, but I ended up deciding to look at everything else while I was there as well. I didn’t end up with any awesome tops, but I found 1) a pair of perfectly fitting jeans (which you saw last week), 2) this amazing, flattering black and white dress, 3) the cutest, flowing summer sun dress. This was thrifting karma at its peak. The dress is these pictures is by Mlle Gabrielle. I own another dress by this brand, but it’s gotten a bit snug, and I’ve always had issues with the sleeves. The new dress is sleeveless, and fits perfectly.

You’ll be guaranteed to see that sundress soon. I’ve already worn it at least four times, and I’ve discovered that, with proper layering, I can totally wear it to work

Dress: Mlle Gabrielle (thrifted)
Cardigan: New York and Co (thrifted)
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Necklace: Express
Bracelet: Vintage

Quote: William Shakespeare

Shopping Plan: November

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Diana

*November edition of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

Between money left over from October and the $125 I budgeted for November, I had $188.50 to spend this month. Here’s what I bought:

Tank Tops, Target, $8 each

Terribly exciting, I know, but I needed some new tank tops for layering.

From L to R:

White Tee: Ann Taylor LOFT
Green Long Sleeve: Aeropostale
Red Beret: ?
Black Cardi: NY & Co
Brown Dress: NY & Co
Grey Tunic: French Connection
Goldenrod Sarong: ?

Total: roughly $30 at various garage sales

Neighborhood garage sales where there’s a lot of well-off, young hipsters are the best. I got some fantastic items, at a really good quality, and there was a minimal amount of digging through nasty old polyester clothes to find them.

Earrings: $3 from local artist at garage sale

They didn’t have a website that I know of, or I would link. These are fast becoming my new favorite earrings.

Keen Chamonix Boots: $51 on eBay
Keen Barcelonas: $25 on eBay

Once it started getting cold this year, I realized that I had no comfy, flat boots that I could wear all day. I love my boot collection, but they don’t cut it for eight hours on my feet. The chamonix boots turned out to look a little more like snow boots than I had expected, but they’re comfy, and they’ll be great for cold weekends.

The Barcelonas I bought because I adore my black nubuck ones, and I decided it made sense to get them in more colors and fabrics.

Denim Capris: Levis
Tunic: Forever 21
Striped Tee: Old Navy

All bought from Revolve with store credit

Oh how I love shopping with store credit. Revolve Clothing Exchange is the best.

So I spent exactly $125 this month, leaving me with $63.50 to add on to December. After next month, I’ll go back through my original wardrobe gaps list from the beginning of the year and see how many I filled.

“Have some fun in the sun”

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Diana

After talking about how I wear a lot of blue the other day, here is another primarily blue outfit. Oh well. I just recently altered these capris from a pair of slacks, and they are perfect for slouchy spring weekends. The fabric is a nice, light-weight cotton, and they fit just loose enough to be really comfortable without looking too sloppy. I’m still working on figuring out new color combinations for them. So far I mainly pair them with white and blue, but I’m hoping to branch out soon.

This outfit is made up of entirely second-hand and handmade items, which I think is fitting for Earth Day. With so much of modern fashion being made to be disposable, buying second-hand garments and giving them new life is a great way to fight the cycle of waste that our society has developed. And buying quality handmade items ensures that the things you buy will last longer, and you’ll be helping someone make a living doing something they love.

What are you doing to help the planet this Earth Day?

Tee: Gap (via Revolve)
Cardigan: NY & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Capris: J Jill (thrifted and altered)
Sandals: Dansko Sela (via eBay)
Purse: Axcess by Liz Claiborne (thrifted)
Necklace: Lii Lii
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Nail Polish: Essie Calypso

Quote: The Three Silly Billies, by Margie Palatini

“And if you’re the type that gets finicky-finick”

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Diana

This has been the week of comfy, put-together outfits. I’ve been trying to meet the challenge of remixing outfits as the weather warms up, and it hasn’t been easy. There have been a lot of days with repeat outfits that I didn’t photograph. Adding a few new items to my wardrobe has helped to freshen things up a bit, but I’m still struggling to create new looks in the warm temps. Cardigans have been my saving grace lately, and I’m dreading the 80 + degree temperatures that will soon become the norm for the next four or five months here. Without the cardigan, this outfit would have just been shorts and a tee – which is a bit too casual for me most days. A cardigan adds a nice dose of polish to it. Right now I’m very much on the lookout for nice sleeveless blouses and light, short sleeved cardigans to get me through summer.

It’s come to my attention lately that I wear a LOT of blue. Blue has always been one of my fall-back colors for clothing, because I’ve always loved how it brings out my blue eyes. During the winter, I started adding a great variety of colors, but much of my summer wardrobe still centers around this hue. I’m trying to diversify my wardrobe more now by adding yellow, green, fuchsia and other colors into my summer wardrobe.

What’s your fall-back color?

Tee: Old Navy
Cardigan: NY & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Sandals: Clarks Rime (via 6pm)
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Nail Polish: Essie Calypso

Quote: You’re Only Old Once!, by Dr. Seuss

“Even if it is a make-believe day”

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Diana

This is what I would have worn to work last week. Except the air conditioning isn’t working very well there, and having a cardigan layered over a 3/4 sleeve dress was just too warm. So in reality I just wore the dress and the shoes. But I loved how the cardi pulled out other colors from the dress, so let’s just pretend that this is what I really wore all day, mmkay?

And this photo is sort of an out-take, but I like how it turned out. I was trying to get my neighbor’s cat to come into the picture, without realizing just how much was cropped out of the frame. It’s not the exact image I was trying to get, but I love how it captures all the colors of the outfit, in all their lovely vibrancy.

Do air conditioning/heat malfunctions change your outfit plans often?

Dress: Boden
Cardigan: New York and Co
Shoes: John Fluevog Malibrans
Necklace: Garage Sale
Watch: Target

Quote: Daughter’s Day Blues, by Laura Pegram

“I love being fancy”

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Diana

All that lovely cold weather made me forget what a challenge it is to dress professionally in warm weather. Even my light cardigans like this one are starting to feel too warm, and it’s only April! I feel like there are fewer ways to remix outfits when I have to put away my scarves, tights, and cozy cashmere. Being a native Floridian, I really should be more adept at dealing with high temps, but they still stump me every year.

This outfit still came together nicely, even though I’m struggling with dressing for warm weather. The light layers, the simple cotton, and the bare legs helped to keep me from getting over-heated. I really love how all these colors work together – I think that the mix pale blue and red is one of my favorite color combinations.

Oh, and it’s hard to see in these pictures, but I altered this blouse to make it work better for me. The v-neck was pretty deep, so I was always having to wear a camisole under this to keep me from being over-exposed at work. Then it dawned on me that I could sew the deepest part together. I moved the buttons around and added a little keyhole at the top. I think it will work much better for me this way, since now I can wear it on its own.

How do you deal with hot weather style slumps? How do you remix outfits sans winter accessories?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: New York & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Skirt: Semantiks
Shoes: Tsubo Acrea (via eBay)
Watch: Target

Quote: Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor

“I’m a daffodil dancing dizzily in the wind”

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Diana

This outfit was all about week-end comfort. My favorite comfy shoes, my favorite comfy (and flattering!) jeans, a nice soft, 3/4 sleeve cardigan. Absolutely perfect. And the weather was spectacularly gorgeous. Winter was fun and all, but I’m totally soaking in the 70 degree warmth of spring. In only a few weeks, I won’t be able to go outside in a outfit like this without sweating buckets, so I’m savoring it while it lasts.

I also wore my two lovely new gifts with this outfit. Isn’t that robot necklace freakin’ awesome? And I love how the rainbow bracelet that Kate gave me ties in the color of my shoes and my cardigan.

What’s your favorite comfy and stylish outfit to wear on Spring weekends?

Tank: Old Navy
Cardigan: New York & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Jeans: Gap Curvy (altered by me)
Shoes: Born Codders
Necklace: Love Spell Jewels
Bracelet: Accidental Artists

Quote: In My New Yellow Shirt, by Eileen Spinelli

“Wake up the street”

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Diana

Between starting my new job as a media specialist (school librarian) today and letting go of the pressure I was putting on myself with blogging and blog-reading, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m free now to enjoy life, I’m free to take fun and happy photos, I’m free to stop worrying quite so much about making it to my next paycheck, I’m free to participate in this lovely blogging community because I want to, not because I feel obligated. It’s amazing what a change in perspective can do to lift one’s spirits.

My smiles feel genuine again, and I’m enjoying writing this blog and sharing with my readers more than ever. It is so good to have an outlet where I can share with others, to have an excuse to take fun and joyful photos everyday, and to hopefully pass some of that happiness along to others.

When I took these photos, I had just finished up a long and stressful day of dealing with bureaucratic paperwork and processing for my new job, wrapping up tasks at my old job, and retrieving my car that had been at the mechanic for almost a week. But when I took these photos, I was able to leave all that stress behind and have fun. Having fun is the best stress-relief ever.

Do you incorporate a little fun into your life everyday? Why not jump in a puddle while wearing wellies? Skip rope? Draw with sidewalk chalk?

Dress: Boden (via eBay)
Cardigan: New York & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Shoes: Dansko Sally (courtesy of Dansko)
Purse: Axcess by Liz Claiborne (thrifted)
Pearls: Coryell Design
Bangles: Jill Popowich Designs

Quote: Bring on that Beat, by Rachel Isadora

Shopping Plan: Week 7

Posted on March 21, 2010 by Diana

Week 7 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe

I kind of strayed a bit from gap filling this week to make it the week of amazing deals on cardigans and dresses. I bought three dresses and two cardigans without going over budget (counting birthday gift money). None of these were explicitly on my gaps list, but they will all be really great for wearing to my new job, so I’m okay with that.

J. Crew Green Cotton Cropped Cardigan, $20 on eBay
Gap filled: Cropped cotton cardigan

New York & Co Baby Blue Cropped Cotton Cardigan, $4.50 at Classy Consignment
Gap filled: Another cropped cotton cardigan

(Isn’t that second picture so cute? I’m so happy with how it turned out)

I’ve decided that one can never have too many cardigans. Since my closet space is so tight, I’ve actually re-arranged my dresser drawers so that there’s an additional section for cardigans. I didn’t really have any truly cropped cardigans before, so I am pleased as punch with these. I didn’t have any cardigans in these colors yet either, so all the more reason to get them.

L to R:
Boden $16 (via eBay)
Ann Taylor Factory Store $12 at Classy Consignment
John Martin Studio $12 at Classy Consignment

Gaps filled: 3/4 sleeve dress, summer sun dresses, work clothes

Like cardigans, I also feel that one can never have too many dresses. All of these will work wonderfully at my new job, or on the weekend. Classy Consignment is a great store that I used to frequent all the time, but now that I live on the other side of town, I don’t get out there very often. There were having a sale on St. Patrick’s Day and I was in the area, so I happily stopped by and scored some great clothes.

I also bought a zebra print bangle for $1.50. I didn’t get a picture of it, but I’ll definitely be working it into an outfit soon.

After last week I had $19 of budget money left, plus $90 of birthday money. I spent $24.50 on cardigans, $40 on dresses and $1.50 on a bangle. That leaves me with $43 of birthday money left. Yay!