Latest Bargains

Happy Monday!

Well, kind of happy. This time change thing is for the birds. I woke up this morning feeling like I had been ran over by a truck! I'm plotting to have my entire workplace protest time change. No, totally kidding...maybe.

This past weekend, I found some awesome deals at a very unexpected place. I try to avoid clothing shopping in an effort to save money, but I couldn't help but drag (literally) my husband into Rue 21 to check out their latest deals. I know, I know, Rue 21 is definitely a teenager brand. However, they have always been my go-to place for trendy accessories and clothing at a ridiculously affordable price. And when I say ridiculous, I mean cheaper than Goodwill ridiculous.

By the time I left the store, I managed to pick up three dresses, one pair of sandals, and a pair of leopard canvas shoes. Wait until you see my total cost, y'all...

1.  Navy Striped Skater Bow Dress

Anyone who has spent more than five minutes shopping with me knows that I am a sucker for bows. I would put them on everything if I didn't look completely crazy! The nautical feel of this dress, matched with the feminine touch of the plunging bow back, made me fall in love without a second thought. I simply could not leave without it, and for the price, I didn't have to!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $5.20

Get it online here! Fair warning though - it's A LOT cheaper in stores. 

2. Polka Dot Tunic

Ok, so it's a tunic on me. I'm a bit taller than the average gal (5'7), and while I could pull it off as a dress, it's just slightly too short for my taste. If you're any smaller than me, you can absolutely rock this as a dress. My favorite thing about this look is the v-neck and pockets. Even though I paid basically nothing for it, the product looks well made and sophisticated. No complaints here!

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

3. Floral Baby Doll Dress with Bell Sleeves

I am in loooooooove with baby doll style dresses. They are so comfy, yet so chic! With this dress, though, the colors and bell sleeves are what really sold me. I have nothing in my closet that looks anything like it, and if you've seen my closet, you know that's quite an accomplishment. It's the perfect feminine look for spring, and with its affordable price tag, I just couldn't pass it up.

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

4. Leopard Canvas Shoes

I've been looking for a new pair of leopard shoes for the past few months. The ones I bought from Target 3 years ago were literally falling apart before my eyes, but I couldn't bear to throw them out before finding a replacement. Thankfully, I found them at Rue 21 for an awesome price!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

5. Gold Dusted Sandals

It's ironic - I was just telling Kyle that I needed to be on the look out for a neutral pair of sandals for spring. Fast forward about thirty seconds, I found these beauties! My favorite part about these sandals is the ankle strap. To me, it makes the sandals look a little nicer than the average pair you'd find elsewhere. And for the price? I just couldn't resist!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

And the total cost is...

$21.60! 

P.S. - Keep in mind this is technically a junior's store, so you'll probably need to buy a size bigger than usual in clothing.


XOXO,

Timeless in Plaid

Happy Wednesday! Wait...it's only Tuesday. YOU GUYS - IT'S ONLY TUESDAY (WAH!).

Anyway...

On Sunday, Kyle and I went out to eat at a local brunch restaurant downtown. The restaurant is a pretty nice place, so I decided to wear a new skirt I found at one of my favorite boutiques, Brooklynn's, in Woodstock. My favorite part of this look is the skirt - which, by the way, I snagged for only $12 bucks on the clearance rack! I can't recommend this store enough;they have the latest styles for a fashionable gal, and you can pretty much always find choices for 40 bucks and under (I usually stick to the sale racks, but I'm a bargainista through and through!)

I also adored the vintage blouse I stole..errr, I mean "borrowed" from my grandmother's closet. I believe that the latest styles are usually just modifications of something that was "in" decades ago, so I always take inspiration from my gran's vintage pieces. She owned her very own boutique back in the day called "Jody's Junction" and has always had a knack for knowing what flatters a woman and what doesn't.  The store closed its doors decades ago, but Gran's looks continue to be timeless and lovely. I adored the outfit I wore that day because it pieced together the old and the new - a brand new skirt and my grandmother's worn yet timeless blouse.

  Plaid Skirt - Available in store only - Similar style here

Tan Double-breasted Peacoat - Similar style here

Vintage Cream Blouse - Similar style here

Tights - TJ Maxx

Rampage Boots - Similar style here (MAJOR CLEARANCE!)





What did you do this weekend?

A Pop of Red

Hooray for Thursday!

This week has gone by SO fast! I love waking up feeling like it's Tuesday and realizing you're almost done with your work week. As if this week couldn't get any better, on January 18th, Kyle and I will be celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. People always tell me your first year of marriage is the hardest, but I think it was the best year of my life. We will probably celebrate by going down to Atlanta for a nice dinner and some exploring - we're saving the real celebration for our anniversary cruise next month. :)

ANYWAY, enough of the sappy stuff - The outfit below was something I paired together for an afternoon out with my hubs. It was FREEZING out, so I knew a warm, cuddly scarf was a must. The downside of those kinds of scarfs though is feeling like the rest of my outfit was drowning in it. I needed a pop of color to outshine the scarf, and my red cowboy boots were just the ticket! I actually got lots of compliments on this look, and I felt warm and stylish all day long.

Gap Polka Dot Boyfriend Blouse - Similar style here (ON SALE!)
Rampage Walden Red Boots - Peep them here (ON SALE!)
Levi's 535 Leggings - Similar style here (Style "Indigo Affection" ON SALE!)
Loose-Knit Fringe Scarf - Similar style here (ON CLEARANCE!)

After Christmas Bargains

Hooray for Friday!


So I've been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but I've just been so busy - being completely lazy. Seriously y'all, I've slept til noon, watched one too many Dr. Phil episodes, read books, you name it. Productivity simply was not on the to do list - until now!

On the 26th, my mom asked me to meet her and some family at a local outlet mall for some after Christmas shopping. My husband was totally confused, understandably. "You just got tons of gifts yesterday. You need to go shopping already?!" Little did hubs know, you can find the best deals the day after Christmas. And when I say good deals, I mean like I may move Christmas a week forward in our family to save all that extra cash (kidding, kind of). Check out what I managed to snag:


1. Old Navy Terry Fleece Dress

 

Original Price: $29.94

What I paid: $10.00

2. Bailey Blue Polka Dot Dress w/ Full Skirt

Original Price: $56

What I paid: $3.99

And yes, I was a fifties housewife in another life. 

3. Baccini Ruffle Pleather Jacket in Grey Ghost 

Original Price: $64

What I paid: $7.99

 4. Cathy Daniel's Polka Dot Blouse 

Original Price: $48

What I paid: $7.99

5. Old Navy Little Black Dress

Original Price: $29.94 

What I paid: $8

6. Old Navy Matte-Crepe Top in Fan the Flames 

Front of Shirt

Back of Shirt

Original Price: $29.94

What I paid: $6

 7. Old Navy Gold Buckle Black Loafers 

Original Price: $29.94

What I paid: $8.00

Total Price: $288 

What I Paid: $52 bucks!

Hope you all have a beautiful start to the new year, 

 

Cozy Christmas

Happy Saturday, everyone!


How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was lovely, but busy, busy, BUSY! Since Kyle and I just got married, we are still getting adjusted to sharing Christmas with both of our families. Traditions changed in a lot of ways, but we (and our families, thankfully) took it in stride and still had a great time! For Christmas day celebrations, I was beyond over getting dressed up for parties. For my look that day, I chose something that was both stylish and comfortable. It worked like a charm and I got lots of compliments (while feeling like I was still in my pajamas!)

One of my favorite things about this outfit is that the core pieces are mostly stuff I've had for years! I love taking an old piece of clothing and totally transforming it by adding unique layers. The red sweater I borrowed stole from my mom's closet, the tunic I bought for my first "big kid job" at age 17, and the flats I spotted at a consignment shop back in college. Kyle always calls me a hoarder for never getting rid of my old clothes,  but this is exactly why I keep them!

Red sweater - vintage 

Patterned Tunic - oldie but goodie

Woven Necklace - similar style here

Faux Leather Leggings - similar style here

Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats - Peep them here

Kate Spade Cedar Street Color Block shoulder bag - Similar style here

Hope everyone had a relaxing, fun holiday!

Election Day Recap!

Hello Hello!

How is everyone? Since it was election day today, my school had the day off! WOO! I spent the day running errands, catching lunch with my hubs, and shopping at the mall (and voting, of course!). Since I had the day off, I was able to rock one of my favorite Mean Girls inspired graphic tees. Maybe it's a bit "pre-teen" of me, but I love a good graphic top. What better way to express how you're feeling that day?! Hint - I was feeling a bit dramatic!

One trend I am really loving this season is the denim vest. It takes any simple outfit to a whole new level! Whether it be to give your look a little more edge, or to dress down a typically formal piece, these vests will definitely come in handy this season. The one I'm wearing below is actually from Goodwill! When old styles are suddenly fashionable again, I absolutely recommend looking in your local thrift store. I found ten different denim vests to choose from when I went searching (literally!). I paid 3.50 rather than fifty bucks, so I'm a happy camper and my bank account isn't suffering for style.

Denim Vest - Goodwill - Similar style here
"You Can't Sit with us" top - Forever 21 - Peep it here
Black Skinnies - Old Navy - Peep them here
Leopard Loafers - Target - Similar style here
Kate Spade Crossbody in Dark N Stormy - Old - Similar style here

P.S. - Don't worry, you can definitely sit with me. :)