On the Cheap: Oscar Inspired

Was anybody else kind of let down by the Oscar fashion last night?  It was just meh.  People didn't look BAD per se, but it was nothing special.

Until Hailee Steinfeld showed up:

I love this.  LOVE.  There were rumblings of a few people not really liking it, but I think it's perfect.  She's 14, for Pete's sake!  If you're ever going to dress like a princess, the day you attend the Oscars as a freshmen in high school would be it.  (And I think she got to help design it, which is even more awesome.)

So now I want to be 14 again so I can wear it, too.  Of course, I'll have to wait until my time machine is ready, but in the meantime:

The ruffled shirt/dress/tunic (I guess it depends on your height) is $44.80, the rose earrings are $9, and the tulip clutch is $17.

I also thought Cate Blanchett looked fab, even if nobody else would wear her dress without looking insane.  But that's part of her charm.

Were you inspired by anybody last night?  Bored to tears, perhaps?  Missing Bijork and her swan dress, just to make things interesting?

Ma, Look What I Got: White Sapphires

The worst thing about a 30 for 30 is officially the lack of shopping.  I mean, you CAN shop, but you can't wear anything new until the month is up, and since maaaybe I found some things on super clearance at Loft last weekend, I can tell you that waiting to wear that cute sweater is like looking at a bowl of ice cream and not eating it.  Which is to say it sucks.

And I can't even cheat, because everyday Hubsey is like, "Are those in your 30?"  (Stupid husband holding me accountable.)  Sigh.

I am, however, allowed to wear new jewelry.  And thank god, because I got a great deal on this baby:

No, those aren't diamonds; they're white sapphires!

The same day as the Loft excursion, we wandered into an antique store I don't normally go to, and saw this gem (ha!) hanging out in the back of a jewelry case.  It's 10 karat gold and the stones are still in great, though not perfect, shape.  The owner sold it to me for $59.  SNAP!

Sparkles!

Just pretend it's on the other hand.  I couldn't get a decent picture with my left one.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my plan is to eventually curate a jewelry collection.  Obviously, I'm not going for the crazy bling, but I'd rather have interesting pieces than the same old stuff everybody else has.  In fact, aside from these, I haven't purchased jewelry at a chain store in... well, I can't even remember. Many moons.

Have you gotten any sweet deals lately?  Also, do you collect anything?  Perhaps you're another jewelry obsessee?

30 for 30: Nearing the end.

Only six days left of the winter 30 for 30!  I said I wasn't going to show you every outfit (since this blog isn't a virtual diary of my wardrobe), but maybe showing you more than a third would be helpful.  You'll see more of them as this winds down--promise.

Look, here are some now!

Do I look weird? I was laughing.

cardigan: F21
blouse: Banana
jeans: F21
boots: F21
necklace: I made it

sweater: H&M
shirt: Target
jeans: F21
boots: Rack
necklace: (that you can't really see, which is a shame) I made it

I realize this one is eerily similar to the last time I wore the pink shirt, but the sweater and necklace ARE different.  And I think those might be different jeans, too, but they're all so dark it's hard to tell without seeing the butt.

How's your Challenge going (if you're doing one)?  If not, what are you wearing today?  I might need some inspiration for the tail end of my quest.

On the Cheap: Viva Las Vegas

Last night's dream was about Vegas! I'm not sure where I was supposed to be, but there was a giant fireplace making everything super hot, and I had to wear clothes that belonged to a much shorter person in exchange for my being there.  About half the dream was me trying on different outfits and hating all of them.

So it wasn't that awesome after all.  Although, I've been remembering more of it the longer I'm awake, so maybe I'm just missing a link?

Either way, if I were to flounce off to Sin City (and wear my own clothes), I'd prefer something like this:

Guess I'm ready for spring, huh?  Starting top left, the yellow and white dress is $27.80, the peacock shoe clips are $32, the rhinestone bow necklace is $28, and the vintage aquamarine ring comes in at $16.

Anybody been to Vegas?  (Hubsey and I were there three years ago and LOVED IT.)  Did you enjoy being able to wear sequins all the time without getting weird looks?  See any good shows?

This is a lot for a Monday.

I love a good game show.  Jeopardy has always been big with me (speaking of, did you see Watson?). Once in a while I get to watch Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader, but Jeff Foxworthy's voice makes Hubsey want to bang his head against the table, so I have to wait until he's not home.

Anyway, I made up my own game. Who Made This Tragic Thing?

Answer this question and prove your brilliance: What retailer has recently paid a visit to Tacky Shoe Boulevard?

Need to use a lifeline?  That's fine, take a minute and ask your co-workers.

Ready?

Are you sure?

Target.

SIGH. Tarjay is one of my favorite stores ever, but every once in a while they come up with something like this.  Platforms, and gold, AND sparkles. Not only are they... um... eye-catching, but I'd be terrified of falling off that stiletto and breaking my fibula.

What do you think?  These are overkill, right?  Or am I just a party pooper?

30 for 30: Spring Fling

Let's get right to the outfits, shall we?

shirt: thrifted (originally Delia's)
jeans: F21
shoes: Loft

We had a heat wave!  It was in the 50s for a couple of days, so most of the blizzard snow is gone.  In fact, all that's left are some slushy puddles.  To celebrate, I wore a t-shirt and the only shoes in the 30 that are remotely springy.  Don't count on seeing them again.

cardigan: H&M
dress: F21
tights: Target
boots: Rack

I have to say, I didn't realize how short(!) this was on me until I saw the pictures.  Now I know why Cher Horowitz doesn't trust mirrors.  Note to self: don't wear this to work again.

Tell me I'm not the only one who's done that.  Also, how are your 30 for 30s going?  We're past the halfway point!

Ma, Look What I Got: Happy Zombie Day

Hubsey made me this card for Valentine's Day:

Yep, that's a zombie eating my brain.

I didn't make Hubsey a card, but I did make him a dinosaur:

Well, I painted it.  Mr. Rex was this hideous opalescent green and brown combination that clashed with everything, so I busted out the white paint and made him all better.  I might go over him with some grey, but I'm kind of liking him how he is.  (I guess this means I technically got Hubsey a gift for Valentine's Day. But let's pretend it's a card.)

What'd you get?  Anybody else displaying a zombie at work?  Did you also find a $5 dinosaur for your husband at the antique mall?  Spill the beans.

Make the Investment: I love you, Clarks.

OF COURSE.  When I'm in the middle of a 30 for 30 and can't shop, I find magnificent shoes from Clarks that are calling out to me, whispering that they're really not expensive since I would wear them for years.  Many, many comfortable years.

These are a little more rock n' roll than what I usually have (at least lately), but I'm trying not to wear the same damn thing all the time.  $109.99.

Let's run away together, black wedges.  Just you and me, trotting off into the sunset.  $99.99.

I can't wear shorts to work (not that I would, anyway) so I need something semi-professional to go with the 3,962 dresses I'll be sporting between May and September. $89.99.

I know, I know--these are WINTER shoes--but now's the time to buy them because they're on sale.  At least, I'd buy them if I wasn't a rule-follower.  Maybe I'll make an exception, because it would be very tragic if these were gone at the end of my 30 days.  $49.99, marked down from $94.99.

Any of the above catching your eye?  Which ones are your favorite?  Obviously I can't buy four pairs of $100 shoes, so if you were me, what would you get?  Advice is appreciated.

30 for 30: Triple Dip

New to the blog?  This is the 30 for 30 Challenge, where I pick 30 items from my wardrobe, including shoes, and then remix them into 30 different outfits for 30 days.  And in the spirit of using what I have, no shopping is allowed.

Without further ado, proof that I own a color:

cardigan: H&M
shirt: Banana outlet
jeans: Forever 21
boots: Forever 21

sweater: H&M
shirt: F21
skirt: Target
tights: Target
shoes: Target
necklace: H&M

I busted out the skirt on what I thought was going to be a nice day, but by the time I got home there was a windchill advisory.  And even then, I figured I'd be fine because I would only be outside for 15 seconds while I ran from my car to the door.  I was wrong.

sweater: Macy's
shirt: H&M
jeans: F21
boots: Nordstrom Rack

This was pretty much my uniform in college.  Not this specifically, but there were lots of sweaters over shirts.  Hubsey dresses like this a lot, too, so I put it on the other day and said, "Look, I'm all dude-ly!" He goes, "Yep."

Ah, love.

On the Cheap: Valentine's Day Part Deux

Hubsey's birthday is tomorrow (halfway to 50!) and we were planning out the weekend yesterday when he goes, "So, should we do something for Valentine's Day?"

Um, no.  Especially since he said it like, "Should I put my hand in that lion's mouth?"

We might get (or make) each other cards, though:

This is especially fitting since as soon as I set up the record player I got for Christmas, Hubs dug out HIS records and dumped them in with mine.  Like I would ever buy a Kanye album.  $16.

When we have ice cream in the freezer, it's gone in about three days--mainly because I have it for lunch sometimes.  This is actually a cross stitch pattern and not a card, but the sentiment is still the same.  $6.

There's a dinosaur theme emerging in the guest room/office, so it's only perfect to acknowledge our lizard love. $3.95.

What are you and your significant other doing for V-Day?  Anybody else going the card-only route?

DIY: Supply Roundup

Does anybody else have bizarre-o dreams?  I have them on a regular basis--like being a spy, but only at the mall (because there's such a demand for that?)--but last night's was weirder than most.

I dreamed about Unique Stitch.  I was buying it in buckets (literally, giant red buckets) for something, and I was CONVINCED I wouldn't have enough.  I woke up laughing, because the only thing I have planned that involves "sewing" is a pillowcase for the guest bed. What's up with that, subconscious?

Anyway, I thought I'd do a rundown of inexpensive DIY items I recommend, since my brain is clearly on that wavelength today.

1. Spray paint. Almost anything can be transformed with a little squirt of color, and for about $6 a can (for the good stuff), it's one of the most wallet-friendly things you can do.

2. Scrapbook paper. Obviously, if you scrapbook this is handy, but even if you don't, you can use it for birthday cards, housewares, artwork...

3. Foam paintbrushes. For crafts, foam is fine. You don't need to shell out for something fancy unless you're painting a wall.

4. Mod Podge. It's a glue, finish, and sealer in one product, so you don't need to waste money buying all three.

5. Unique Stitch. Especially for small projects, way easier than dragging out the sewing machine. Plus, if you don't have a machine, this is cheaper than buying one.

What items to you love?  Anything major I forgot about?  More importantly, what's the weirdest dream you've had lately?

30 for 30: One step forward, two steps back.

Uh oh, somebody's reverting back to her bland ways!

I hang my head in shame.

t-shirt: Target
cardigan: H&M
jeans: Forever 21
boots: Forever 21
scarf: not sure, perhaps Wal-Mart?

Don't be too disappointed, though.  I wore red today.  RED.  You'll see that outfit soon.

On a totally unrelated note, who watched the Super Bowl?  (We had a little par-tay, and Hubsey and I were the only ones who correctly predicted a Green Bay win. So that was nice.)  What'd you think of the halftime show?  Actually, let's not go there.  What was your favorite commercial?  Everybody at our house liked the creepy co-worker situation from Doritos.  If you missed it, click here and go to 1:40 to see the hilarity.

On the Cheap: Valentine's Day

People always look at me funny when I tell them I think Valentine's Day is stupid.  "But you're maaaarried!"  Yep, sure am.  And I expect my spouse to do cute things for me everyday (which he does), so I kind of feel like the holiday is pointless.

However, I know I'm in the minority with this one, so I'll step off my soapbox and get to shopping.  If you're going to get your significant other something for V-Day, it should be something awesome:

Like this.  A love typography print (I'm into these lately, aren't I? It's like cardigans all over again!), $11.

Or perhaps a dainty token of love, $24.

Or a shirt featuring romantic robots, $16.

Are you fan of Valentine's Day?  Have you purchased any gifts yet?

30 for 30: Snowed In

That blizzard turned out to be a doozy!  Hubsey and I both stayed home from work and once it stopped snowing, we headed outside to assess the damage:


The drift here came mid-thigh on me.  I'm 5'9".



Thankfully, none of those cars are ours.  Aside from 6 to 8 foot drifts all over the place, most schools are closed, and Lake Shore Drive is still out of commission because people got stranded in blowing snow and had to abandon their vehicles.  But things are much better today.  The sun is out (though it's only 2 degrees right now, so nothing is melting), it's not supposed to snow again, and my office is open for normal business. 

So what does one wear to trudge through snow in blinding sunshine on her way to work?

shirt: Forever 21

sweater vest: Target

jeans: Forever 21

boots: Nordstrom Rack

One mixes neutrals and wears navy with black.

How'd you fare in the blizzaster?  Did you have to go to work today?  (Hubsey got another snow day, the lucky dog.)

30 for 30: Winter Kickoff

It's time!  Day #1 of the 30 for 30 Challenge: Winter Edition.  Before I get to my first outfit, here's how my 30 items break down:

8 shirts
6 sweaters
5 pairs of shoes
4 pairs of pants
3 dresses
3 tank tops
1 skirt

It might seem pretty top-heavy, but Chicago in February requires some layers.  In fact, none of those 8 shirts and 3 tank tops can/will be worn by themselves in this weather.  Cardigans, ahoy!  You might also think I'm crazy for including the dresses and skirt, but my legs (somehow) keep themselves pretty warm.  It's that damn chest cavity I have to worry about.

Anyhoodle, here's how I look today:

My new BFF.

cardigan: Nordstrom Rack
shirt: Target
jeans: Forever 21
boots:  Nordstrom Rack
necklace/earrings: I made them
belt: borrowed from a dress

I thought I'd be ironic and wear a spring color for the impending blizzard.  We're supposed to get somewhere between 1 and 2 FEET of snow by Thursday (which might seem like small potatoes to some of you, but a normal snowfall here is like, 3 inches).

Forgetting my weather woes for a second, I should mention that I don't necessarily plan on posting all 30 outfits.  Mainly because I'm lazy, but also because this blog isn't a virtual diary of my clothes.  You're here for bargains, and bargains you shall have.

Are you doing the Challenge?  You might want to think about it.  Check out this post for the deets.