Secondhand or Bare Bottom

A VERY Windy Day

2012-04-19T12:10:00.001-07:00

Top: Old Navy/GW ($3), Jeans: ?/GW ($5) Shoes: MIA/GW ($4), Belt: GW ($1), Bangles: GW ($2)

TOTAL: $15

I seem to remember referencing the word “windy” in at least one of my past posts here at SHOBB, though I didn’t check to be sure.

So, I thought I’d clarify with a superlative in caps because, y’all, the day these picture were taken (and by “were taken,” I mean, “were taken by the camera on the timer as I ran around like an idiot”) was one of the windiest I can remember.

Like ever.

Uh huh.

Windy enough to make me talk like a Valley Girl.

Oh yeah, and that string hanging down in half the pics?

I didn’t notice that until the very end of the day.

Awesome.

Laughs and Handbags

2012-04-16T09:44:00.001-07:00

Jeans Jacket: GAP/Clothes-swap, Jeggings: ?/GW ($4), Dress: ?/GW ($4), Tank: American Eagle/GW ($2), Shoes: 21/GW ($3), Ring/Necklace: GW ($4), Earrings: Gift from the hubs, Purse: C/O Fashion to Figure

TOTAL: $17

Just in case you’re curious as to the infrequency of posts here of late, you might want to refer to this post over at Five days…5 ways. (You guys do know that I have another blog where I post every single stinkin’ day, right? You know…just in case you miss me or something).

Or maybe this one (for those of you who don’t like riddles).

Or, just for a general round of excuses, this one might do.

Suffice it to say that, in my current state, putting together 100% thrifted outfits sort of takes a backseat to—I don’t know—naps.

Still, I don’t want you guys to think I’ve abandoned you altogether, so, wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, I’m writing a post for you today, AND I’ve scheduled several posts for the rest of the week.

Will the outfits be in chronological order?

Um, no.

Recent?

Probably not.

But they will be posted.

So, there.

Okay, so moving on.

You see that pretty pink envelope purse I’m carrying?

Well, I got to take her for a test run on a date night with the hubby to hear Bill Cosby (who is 74 and still waaaaaay funnier than practically anybody else half his age).

And you know what?

She passed with flying colors.

I’m not usually a pink purse kinda girl.

But when the nice folks at Fashion to Figure contacted me about trying out one of their products, I took a look through their accessories (since the clothing is geared toward plus sizes) and immediately swooned over the rich color and fun shape of their envelope bag.

I can’t speak to the durability since I’ve only carried it twice so far.

My impression would be that it’s best for date night outings when all you need to throw in your bag is a phone, some breath mints, a tube of lip gloss and maybe a book (all of which I managed to fit in mine with room to spare).

It’s comes with both a wrist-strap and a longer, adjustable strap, which allows you to wear it on your shoulder (like I’m doing in pic #2) or across your body.

The stitching appears to be sturdy, and there’s a pocket for small items inside as well as a zippered pocket (the zipper unzips smoothly) on the back.

So far, I love my new bag!

It’s the perfect color for spring, and the simple lines and minimal embellishments make it easy to pair with everything from a layered boho look (like I have on here) to a more polished evening look or even a business suit!

Be sure to check it out if you’re in the market for a fun new lightweight bag!

I’ve already gotten compliments on mine!

Bare

2012-03-27T12:18:00.001-07:00

Top: Mossimo/GW ($3) Shorts: Forever 21/GW ($4), Shoes: Mia/Goodwill ($3)

TOTAL: $10

There are plenty of things I could say about my recent AWOL behavior.

But I really think I’ll just skip ‘em today.

Hope that’s okay with you guys.

Let’s talk for a moment, though, about this outfit.

A bit bare, yes?

(Thankfully not in the nudist sense).

Why I thought it would be a good idea to wear white shorts with a patterned top and neutral wedges when I love accessories (I’m not even wearing EARRINGS…gasp!) is completely beyond me.

But just for fun, let’s play a little round of, “What if?”

What if I had actually accessorized my windblown ensemble here (that last pic expresses my real opinion of the wind and its meddling self).

What would/should I have added?

A Thrifter at Anthropologie

2012-02-22T09:44:00.001-08:00

Giraffe tee: ?/Goodwill ($2), Cardi: Papaya/GW($4), Jeans: Abercrombie/GW ($5), Belt: GW ($1), Wedges: ?/GW ($3), Bag: Fossil/GW ($4)

TOTAL: $19

Hey guys!

Remember me?

I’m that girl who likes to get dressed in 100% thrifted outfits (although, I must say that I should probably clear up the issue of undergarments, which are most decidedly bought NEW at a variety of respectable retail stores).

If you’re still a little fuzzy, I’m also that girl who likes to apologize for not being around much lately in the last, oh, three months.

Aaaaah…I see it’s all starting to come back to you.

So, this is the most shameful stunt of no outfit posting that I’ve pulled yet, and I’m abjectly begging for your forgiveness and trying to pacify you with a) a post, and b) the prospect of a chance to vote on fashion, which, in my experience, seems to be a fun thing.

So!

Yeah. I wore this outfit on an outing to Anthropologie and couldn’t help cracking up as I meandered through a store with price-tags that sported numbers like $254 (!!!!) and $168—all while wearing an outfit whose 5 separate pieces added to less than $20!

I’m pretty sure they would have tossed me out on my ear if they’d known.

Good thing I didn’t leave my Goodwill tags on.

Because, shockingly enough, I managed to avoid getting thrown out long enough to actually buy something (my first real Anthro clothing-something ever).

And I’m having a “Grifted or Grifted” poll over at Five days…5 ways to so you guys can vote which dress I bought between two that my husband declared his favorites. EVER.

Go check it out, vote, and let me know how much you think the cheapest clothes-buyer possibly on the planet paid for the dress she chose!

Pepto Bismol, Eat Your Heart (burn) Out

2012-02-08T00:18:00.001-08:00

Sweater: $4, Jeans: $4, Trench: $3, Shoes: $3

TOTAL: $14

I got this whole outfit—including that epically pink trench—as part of Round 2 of The 30 Minute Goodwill Challenge (click on over to read how I fared my second time around).

And while I usually prefer that my clothes not remind of heartburn and indigestion, that new-with-tags trench from Old Navy was just too perfectly Pepto to pass up.

And the rest of it?

Well, I don’t own a single other item that could be described with the word “argyle.”

And it’s only so often you can feel like a pirate and a Scotsman at the very same time while describing your (itchy, wool) sweater.

And comfy orange wedges to wear in February? That’s just too obvious for words, right?

By the way, if you’re ever wondering how to pull yourself out of a fashion rut, I strongly recommend heading to Goodwill and giving yourself a time limit.

You might end up wearing hammer-pants and a bow-tie silk blouse, but I guarantee that you will leave with something you wouldn’t normally wear.

And with that little gem, I’m all fashion-adviced out.

(Send me pics of the hammer pants, please).

Hemming and Hawing

2012-02-01T08:44:00.001-08:00

Top: Gap/Clothes-swap ($0), Jean: Anthro/GW ($6), Jacket: Mixit, NWT/GW ($4), Shoes: CATO/GW ($3)

TOTAL: $13

When you’ve got to pull up your jeans and pose awkwardly just so your readers can see that you actually have shoes on, it might be time to consider a) hemming your jeans or b) wearing taller shoes.

Boy, do I like the sound of B a whole lot more than A.

Also, it might be questionable logic to combine uber wide-leg jeans with a figure-obliterating “swing coat.”

And yet, despite all of its iffy elements, I’m still okay with this outfit.

And that, dear friends, is the height of fashion laziness.

But I’m calling it fashion-contentment.

Because that sounds much more enlightened and wise.

And 99% of the time, I feel neither enlightened nor wise, so I’ll take what I can get.

A Blazing Comeback

2012-01-26T23:44:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($3), Jeans: U by Yanuk/GW ($5), Jacket: Isaac Mizrahi, NWT/GW ($6), Shoes: Nine West/GW ($3), Belt: GW ($1), Earrings: GW (gift)

TOTAL: $18

So…if you placed a vote for Thrifted or Grifted, you already know this is the Thrifted outfit.

And you know that I typically post the thrifted “outtakes” here on SHOBB.

And that’s usually it.

I mean, I can hardly pass up the chance to blog about a completely thrifted outfit that I went through the trouble to put together.

But today is about redemption, folks.

Because my poor blazer got lambasted over at 5D5W.

She got accused of not matching her lining to her buttons…of being a 70’s cast-off…of being ill-fitting…having boxy pockets…too long sleeves.

The works!

And all she ever did was somehow end up at Goodwill even though she originally cost $40 at Target and still had her original price-tags on.

So, this is her second chance at blogging respectability.

Y’all be nice now, ya hear?

Did I mention I like this shirt?

2012-01-23T09:34:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($3), Skirt: Old Navy/GW ($4), Jacket: Moda/Ebay ($27), Boots: Halston III/GW ($6), Belt: GW ($1), Jewelry: GW ($4)

TOTAL: $54

That may be our highest total ever here on SHOBB…definitely the jacket’s fault again, but you guys didn’t seem to mind last time, so I’m bringing it back.

And, yes, I realize that’s the same shirt from a few posts ago and that this outfit is eerily similar to this one.

Can’t win ‘em all.

Can’t even be bothered to change my shirt out that often.

Maybe I should change my blog title to “Secondhand or Lazy Bones.”

Nah.

The acronym’s not nearly as good.

LInking up with Lindsay at The Pleated Poppy.

P.S. If you haven’t already visited my primary blog, Five days….5 ways, make sure you do to vote on which outfit is thrifted and which is grifted! (Just click on over if that makes no sense to you! : ))

Just call me Solomon

2012-01-20T07:56:00.001-08:00

Top: Forever 21/GW ($3), Jacket: Jessica Simpson, NWT/GW ($5), Jeans: Lucky Brand/GW ($5), Shoes: GW ($3), Bag: Fossil/GW ($4)

TOTAL: $20

I wouldn’t blame you for sending out a search party to recover my dead body. I know I’ve been AWOL lately, but here I am again.

Posing.

Smiling.

Carrying that bag that all of you keep begging me to send you when I’m done with it.

I’m getting the impression that I could made a fair bit o’ dough if I were to auction it off…

Of course, at least two of you would hate me forever, if you didn’t get it.

And there is only one bag after all.

So, maybe I should pull a Solomon and start hacking the bag to bits and sending scraps of it to each of you who loves it so.

Of course, to fulfill that scenario, the truly deserving woman would need to then selflessly declare: “No! Just GIVE it to some other girl. I can’t bear to see it chopped up!”

And then, of course, I would send it to her Express Mail with a Target gift card inside to show my appreciation for her extraordinary self-control and giving spirit.

And then…

Wait a minute…

Why are you all staring at me with that hungry, expectant gleam in your eye?

It’s a hypothetical scenario, folks!

The bag stays!

(Ooooh, I’m evil).

Straight up…

2012-01-12T10:09:00.001-08:00

Tank: Clothes-swap ($0), Jacket: J. Crew/GW ($5), Jeans: Lucky Brand/GW ($5), Shoes: Loft ($3), Belt: GW ($1), Necklace: GW ($2), Bag: Fossil/GW ($4)

TOTAL: $20

A lot of times, my “photo shoots” go a little something like this:

Glance at clock after attempting to get 45,000 things done since 7 AM and actually finishing maybe 6 (I count putting my shoes on and feeding my children as two of those).

What??!

It’s already 4:45?

Oh no! I’m going to lose my light!

Race around reapplying lip-gloss, finding where I put my jacket, and attempting to tame my unruly locks.

Skid out door, prop hand on hip, and smile. (Actually, I just looked at the pics I posted, and I don’t have my hand on my hip in a single one. I must be evolving as a style-blogger).

It’s awesome.

So, why do I tell you this?

Because I need you to know that, had I glanced in the mirror after attempting to tame my unruly locks, I might have noticed that my bangs are flatter and straighter than an 11-year-old training-bra-wearing-and-hating-it girl’s chest.

And I might have fluffed them a little.

Because, honestly, they’re creeping me out a little with their, um, ruliness .(After all, if unruliness is a word, shouldn’t that be its positive counterpart?)

And now I make you a solemn pledge to fluff my bangs next time.

It may not be Christmas anymore, but that is my gift to you.

You’re welcome.

I’ll fly away…

2012-01-09T12:25:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($3), Jeans: Papaya/GW ($5), Shoes: Target/GW ($3), Bracelet: Gifted, Belt: GW ($1)

TOTAL: $12

I 100% LOVE the shirt I have on in this pic.

I mean, royal purple, super soft and comfy, long enough not flash anybody when I bend over, AND fluttery lace sleeves?

What’s not to love?

So what if I do look a little bit like Kevin from “Up?” It’s a great movie, and if if looking like an oversized exotic multihued bird who likes to swallow tennis balls is the price I have to pay for getting to wear anything that can be described as having “flutter sleeves,” well, find me a tennis ball to swallow because I’m in!

On another note, the tag on this shirt is very “vintage” 90’s. Primary colors, crazy graphics…very “In Living Color.”

But the shirt itself is a very modern silhouette. I think so anyway.

Anybody remember long-waisted, non-boxy, unshoulder-padded tops from 1993?

Yeah, me neither.

Ginger and Spice

2011-12-30T09:06:00.001-08:00

Top: Old Navy, NWT/GW ($3), Jeans: Anthro/GW ($6), Wedges: GW ($3), Bag: Fossil/GW ($4)

TOTAL: $16

We snapped these pics on the patio of a Thai restaurant called Ginger and Spice where we grabbed some delicious grub on a rare solo date night (and by “solo,” I mean just my husband and I…no baby…we don’t call it a date night if we do things by ourselves separately…that would be weird).

And it occurred to me that the restaurant’s name was also a good title for this post, since my shirt is pretty much the color of ginger root, and that bag you guys love so much is all kinds of spicy with its sassy, multi-hued floral awesomeness.

I’ll be honest, I was pretty happy when I spotted it on the rack and discovered, upon closer inspection, that it was in pristine condition.

But it wasn’t my favorite bag ever or anything.

Since I’ve started carrying it, though, I’ve gotten so many “real-life” compliments and "jealous” reader-comments about how great it is that I’m starting to think I underestimated it a bit.

So, sorry, fun floral Fossil bag. I promise to stop stuffing you to capacity and swinging you carelessly about as I clamber up the gym steps on the way to class (umm…never mind; I’m pretty sure I’ll keep doing both of those things because that’s what I do to my bags, but I’m hoping that Fossil bags are no good at reading parenthetical asides).

A BIG hair day

2011-12-27T22:00:00.000-08:00

Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft/GW ($3), Jeans: Paige/GW…purchased from a friend ($15), Jacket: GW ($4), Shoes: Steve Madden ($3.50)

TOTAL: $26.50

Those of you who participate in Thrifted or Grifted will recognize this outfit from last week’s T+G.

Well, here it is again, except now I have time to make fun of my huge Southern hair in these pics.

And yes, I realize that I hardly have the tamest of hair, well, ever, but I generally try to avoid the appearance that I teased my roots ‘til they cried.

The day I took these pics, it was unavoidable. At least, outside of rewashing/drying/”styling” my hair.

And that, folks, was not going to happen.

I may not aspire to look like a “Working Girl,” but if a second shower is involved to get around it…1988, here I come!

Fringe benefits

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Top: GW ($3), Jeans: Papaya/GW ($5), Shoes: GW ($3), Scarf: Gift ($0), Necklace: GW ($2), Bracelet: GW ($1), Earrings: GW ($2) Bag: Fossil/GW ($4)

TOTAL: $20

With Christmas over and January fast approaching, you’d think that the likelihood of my wearing short sleeves would be nil.

And, granted, I did wear this outfit several days back when we had an unusually warm spell even for us.

But the weather forecast here looks a little something like this—

Today: Cold, drizzly.

Tomorrow: Sunny, high of 69.

And while I’m mostly grateful for the variety since it’s almost impossible to get bored, it’s also a bit of a pain when you’re trying to plan for a trip or condense the clothes in your closet down to one season, or, even, get dressed at all without first sticking your toe out the door to test the air.

I will now prepare myself for the hate mail from those of you who can’t get to your cars without the aid of a snow-plow.

I wasn’t really complaining. I promise.

I’ll even come help you shovel snow.

Let me go stick my toe out the door first, though.

Shrug it out

2011-12-26T10:26:00.001-08:00

Tee: Clothes-swap ($0), Sweater Shrug: Old Navy/GW ($3), Jeans: Papaya/GW ($5), Shoes: Merona/GW ($3), Earrings: GW ($2), Braclet: GW ($1)

TOTAL: $14

I’m such a sucker for aqua/teal/turquoise, etc. that I’m not sure that I wouldn’t buy a skort made out of the perfect shade of it.

Not that there’s anything wrong with skorts. After all, I wore my fair share of them in my younger days. Specifically the period in my life when I insisted on hanging upside down from the monkey bars at church, and my mom was eager to avoid the inevitable complaints from the moms of my fellow seven-year-olds.

Oh, and skirts with shorts sewn into the waistband.

I wore lots of those too.

Clearly, I was destined to one day write a style-blog. After all, not many can lay claim to having worn both skorts and skirts with built-in shorts. And those who can should definitely do their best to instruct others.

ANYHOO, the main point of all of that drivel is that I’m not usually a sweater-shrug kind of girl.

But when my eyes locked on its cable-knit chunkiness in a yummy shade of aqua, I didn’t even try to resist.

I would say it was meant to be, but “the shrug of destiny” just doesn’t quite have the ring I was hoping for.

Ah well. It still looks cute, no?

The best accessory of all…

2011-12-20T22:26:00.001-08:00

Long sleeved tee: Clothes-swap ($0), Tunic: Max Studio/GW ($2), Leggings: Thrift-store shoes name I can’t remember ($4), Shoes: Merona/GW ($3), bag: Fossil/Gw ($4), Necklace: GW ($2)

TOTAL: $15

So…I’m a pretty big fan of that necklace. It’s fun, funky, and versatile.

I’m also pretty happy with my new, $4 floral Fossil bag (you guys seemed to like it pretty well too!).

But nothing can beat that sweet little 4-year-old I convinced (okay, it didn’t take much convincing) to pose with me.

He is one fantastic kid!

And I promise I didn’t intentionally coordinate our outfits.

If I had, I for darn sure wouldn’t have put those blaring blue and red Spiderman light-up shoes on his feet.

No. If I’d known he was going to be taking a picture with me wearing something so snazzy, I would’ve tried to step up my game a bit.

Literally outshone by your four-year-old on your own blog.

That’s bad, folks.

P.S. I’m hosting a Shabby Apple Jewelry giveaway over at 5D5W, and you might win 5 free entries into it just by commenting on today’s Thrifted or Grifted!

Linking up:

The Pleated Poppy

Giddyup!

2011-12-17T20:10:00.001-08:00

Stick ‘em up!

Top: GW ($3), Skirt: GW ($4), Boots: Halston III ($6), Belt: GW ($1), Jacket: Moda ($27)

TOTAL: $41

I don’t know if it’s the skirt or the boots or the hair or the ruffly jacket, but I feel very Annie Oakley in this here get-up.

Like I might start having urges to say things like, “Git along little doggie,” and “Where’re mah spurs?”

Like I should be wearing a gun holster.

Of course, I did wear this (or a version of it at least) on a date night with the hubby.

We went to an Italian restaurant and to see the new Sherlock Holmes (which I recommend, by the way; it’s brainless but quite entertaining).

So, I guess it’s a good thing I left the holster at home. It might have freaked the waiter out a bit when he brought us our bread.

And I like bread way too much to do anything to endanger my access to it!

Linking up:

The Pleated Poppy

Please say it counts…

2011-12-12T06:53:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($2), Sweater: GW ($3), Jeans: American Eagle/GW ($4), Jacket: Moda NWOT/Ebay ($27), Bag: Fossil/GW ($4), Shoes (which I realize you can see…they’re sparkly gold flats): Chinese Laundry/GW ($3)

TOTAL: $43

So, if you just happened to glance at the total for today’s outfit, you might have done a bit of a double take. After all, we rarely break the $20 line here at SHOBB.

But then, if you look more closely, you’ll see that my jacket is responsible for $27 of that total.

Now, I don’t know that Ebay qualifies as thrifted. This jacket was supposedly secondhand, but when I opened it up and inspected it, it was obviously new. It smelled new, looked new, was new.

So…regardless of whether I’m technically breaking my own rules, I decided I had to crow a bit about the super-cute, cognac-brown, ruffled 100% leather jacket that I scored on Ebay for less than $30 when they were asking over $100 everywhere else, and it retailed at Victoria Secret (go figure) for $178.

Oh, and an adorable mint-condition Fossil bag big enough for all my junk for only FOUR smakeroos?

Can we say, heck –to-the-yeah?

Why, yes, we can.

Tight-wad

2011-12-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

Top: American Eagle/GW ($3), Jacket: Jordache, NWT/GW ($3), Skirt: Target/GW ($4), Tights: DKNY, NWT/GW ($1), Belt: GW ($1) Shoes: Lower East Side/GW ($3)

TOTAL: $15

So, if you participated in Thrifted or Grifted two.weeks.ago, you’ll recognize this outfit as the thrifted one…AKA…the one that got picked as thrifted because the shoes weren’t as shiny as the other ones.

I hope for the sake of those who voted that no one starts a shiny-shoe discrimination suit.

Whatever that means.

Ahem. Moving on.

Funny story: I bought two pair of tights from GW on the same day, both new in the package.

The maroon DKNY pair in my size were $0.99.

But the navy these-are-too-big-but-I’m-still-buying-them-because-tights-are-hard-to-find-new-at-GW pair which the packaging clearly indicated were from 1984 didn’t have a price-tag. So, they called the manager over, and she wasn’t any of the ones that I usually talk to.

She gave me a cursory glance, looked at the almost-30-year-old tights, and said, “$1.99.”

Huh?

I love thrifting, and I (mostly) love Goodwill, but I will never claim to understand their pricing methods, that’s for sure.

I gave the checker a raised eyebrow that clearly said, “Are you really going to charge me a dollar more for the ghetto tights than you did for the nice ones?” and she whispered, “I know my manager said $1.99, but how does $0.99 sound?”

Juuuuuuust fine.

Bad blogger…bad, bad blogger

2011-12-08T09:39:00.001-08:00

Tee: Old Navy/GW ($2), Jacket: Clothes-swap ($0), Pants: Mossimo/GW ($4), Shoes: Payless/GW ($3), Belt: GW ($1), Necklace: GW ($2)

TOTAL: $12

Okay, so hi there guys. Long time, no see. Um…yeah. Sorry about that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down in the last week to write up a post for you guys (I even have the pics all ready to go) only to get distracted, forget, wake up, and do it all over again.

And I promise it’s not just because I’m easily distracted (hey, look! a squirrel!).

My husband comes back from his last (for a while) and longest work-trip tomorrow, and I’m hoping things around here get a teensy bit less hectic. I’m not counting on it, though.

I will do my darndest to make a post for you guys each day for the rest of this week, though (and yes, I realize that tomorrow is Friday : )).

I do love ya. I’m just bad at showing it!

Park It

2011-11-29T23:44:00.001-08:00

Tank: Old Navy/GW ($3), Top: GW ($3), Jeans: Fragile/GW ($5), Shoes: Target/GW ($3), Necklace: GW ($3), Baby Girl: Priceless

TOTAL: $17

Since my husband starting traveling early this month, the picture-quality around here at SHOBB has taken a bit of a nosedive.

So, what’s a girl to do to make up for cruddy pics? Pose with the world’s cutest baby, of course!

We snapped these shots (or rather the camera did its 10-second timer thing while we hustled to frame ourselves in the shot) while out on a very chilly trip to the park for my middle boy, Simon’s, birthday.

It was the first chance we’ve gotten for Della to rockher London Fog jacket that I made an extra trip (after forgetting to take it to the register the first time) to buy.

Is it thrifted, you ask?

Of course.

Like mother, like daughter.

Only the best thrifted name brand goodness for my little princess! ; )

Have you been to Five days…5 ways to enter the:

ABSOLUTE LAST DAY to enter to win and give toward a really great cause (every dollar donated is matched and counts as an entry to win some absolutely fabulous stuff!!)

Linking up:

The Pleated Poppy

Too much?

2011-11-27T13:40:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($5), Jeans: American Eagle/GW ($5), Wedges: GW ($3)

TOTAL: $13

Last week, I posted about how necessity is sometimes the mother of new clothes and how my go-to choice for “new” clothes is, of courese, Goodwill (plus a washing machine, duh!). Well, I bought this tunic/dress/top thingie on the same weekend when I bought my oh-so-stylin’ heart-sweatshirt, and if it hadn’t been the absolute best article of clothing I could find on that particular trip, I might have passed it up as being a little too much—too many colors, too many patterns, too many ruffles, too precious, too…you get the idea.

But, being “too” anything else is better than being too naked in public in my humble opinion, so buy it I did. And you know what? I’m glad I did. I threw it on with those straight-legged jeans and some wedges and felt instantly accessorized, supremely comfy, and maybe even a bit stylish.

I’m wondering if maybe I shouldn’t go shopping when I literally *have* to have clothes more often. If you see me next week wearing purple, zebra print leather pants and a muumuu, you’ll know I took this theory a little too far.

Have you stopped by Five days…5 ways to enter?:

ABSOLUTE LAST DAY to enter to win and give toward a really great cause (every dollar donated is matched and counts as an entry to win some absolutely fabulous stuff!!)

Linking up:

The Pleated Poppy

Red and yellow kill a fellow…

2011-11-22T23:36:00.001-08:00

Long sleeve tee: GW ($2), Sheer top: GW ($3), Cords: Paris Blues/GW ($4), Shoes: Aldo/gifted ($0), Jewelry: GW ($3)

TOTAL: $12

Did you ever hear the “red and yellow kill a fellow…red and black, poison lack,” method for solving the oh-so-common problem of differentiating between the venomous coral snake and his multiple lookalikes?

Well, that’s kind of how I feel in this outfit. Red, yellow, black…check.

And apparently I’m harmless because only red and my black are visibly touching. Of course, my shirt kind of makes it look like I already got bitten by a coral snake and have since broken out in a nasty rash, but I really can’t resist polka-dots of any kind, so if I must look a bit infected to get to wear fun new sheer dotty blouse, then so be it.

And despite the obvious usefulness of that nice little rhyme, I’ve got some even better advice for you if you suspect that you have encountered a reptile that might in any way impair your ability to—I don’t know—live, I have to two words for you: “RUN! Now.”

You can thank me later.

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The Pleated Poppy

Necessity is the mother of…new clothes?

2011-11-17T22:19:00.001-08:00

White long-sleeved tee: clothes-swap ($0), Sweatshirt: GW ($4), Jean: Old Navy/GW ($5), Shoes: GW ($3)

TOTAL: $12

I know that this is not the cutest outfit I’ve ever donned. It’s hardly blog-worthy, in fact. But that’s the entire reason I’m blogging about it, actually.

I mean, after all, even though I really do wear the outfits you see on here for a period of time, the practicality of scrubbing toilets is pretty much nil. And let’s face it, with two boys, ages 5 1/2 and 4 who think it’s great fun to “”co-potty” (I was horrified until my husband assured me that he and his brothers used to do the same thing and that it was “fun;” If you say so) I scrub toilets a lot,

So, today we’re keeping it real with an outfit that I can wear without fear of breaking and ankle.

Fittingly enough, I wore this little number on an errand run that included a successful trip to Goodwill.

In fact, these clothes resulted from a relatively successful Goodwill excursion last weekend when I made an impromptu overnight trip to my parents’ house and didn’t have a change of clothes from my workout gear.

Now, I realize that normal people would by some things at Walmart to tide them over, and I did do that since the mere thought of Goodwill undies gives me the heebie-jeebies. But my first honest thought was: well, I didn’t bring any clothes, and I can’t wear stinky workout clothes all weekend. I guess I”d better see what I can scrounge up at good ol’ GW.

Yeah. Suffice it to say that I’m not “normal” people. And that’s just fine by me.

Does this sweater make me look old?

2011-11-15T21:34:00.001-08:00

Top: GW ($3), Sweater Vest (did I really just type those words?): Coldwater Creek/GW ($4), Jeans: Anthro/GW ($7), Shoes: Target/GW ($3), Scarf,, earrings, bracelet: gifted

TOTAL: $17

I bought that sweater vest (there I go again) because of the color and the texture and the fact that it’s 100% wool. And then I wore it because I was planning on carving it up into pretty little wool leaves with the die cut machine I borrowed (and have fallen madly in love with) from a friend, and I figured it deserved the courtesy of one good wear (even if it was 80 degrees out when I did wear it—I wish I were exaggerating).

But the more I thought about hacking it into itty-bitty leaf shaped bits, the less I liked the idea. I kept picturing other things that I could pair it with and ways of taking it from Coldwater Creek to Anthro chic (no offense if you shop at Coldwater Creek; they have lovely stuff; it’s just not me usually).

And then, as I was typing all of this, I was suddenly reminded of a story, so of course I felt compelled to share that with you.

I taught high school Spanish (among other things) for 6 years right out of college, and one year, my husband and I were blessed to be able to carpool to work every morning.

After a night of tossing and turning, I was tired one morning, and I said (with a yawn), “I feel ooooooold.”

My hubby, who was driving, glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, and said, “Why, because of your dress?”

My jaw hit my knee!

“WHAT?!” I screeched? “What are you trying to say about my dress?”

Well, he back-peddled and sputtered his way through some sort of red-faced explanation about how I myself had labeled this particular dress my “granny dress,” and that it was just an older style, and I knew that (all of which were technically true, by the way).

6 years later, I still tell the story, and Shaun has never made another comment about my clothing’s effect on the youthfulness (or lack thereof) of my appearance.

I think it’s safe to say he filed that one under, “Things I might want to avoid saying to my wife.”

Too right, honey!

P.S. Have you entered:

yet?! You SHOULD! : )

P.P.S. Also, you SHOULD get on over to 5D5W and check out the Shop My Shoes for Good event I have going on! Cute shoes, cheap prices, FREE shipping, and every dollar you spend goes toward building the PCM orphans a new classroom! PLUS, each item bought = an entry into the giveaway!

Woot!

Linking up:

The Pleated Poppy