Universes Collide

Does it blow a black hole in the blogging universe if I imitate Jenni imitating me?  
 
By the way, Jenni, I also like to wear this blouse backwards. 

Cardigan - Eddie Bauer

Blouse - Tucker for Target (Unblogged)

Jeans - Gap

Bracelet - Loft

Necklace - Vintage

Flats - Calvin Klein

Prep Club

I feel a little "80s prepster" in this. Kind of like Molly Ringwald should be my best friend.  I am making a concentrated to blog the unblogged, so last night, I decided to start at one end of my closet and work my way through the unblogged items on at a time.  My closet is organized by color (of course). I employ the Roy G Biv system, meaning red is first, but I consider pink "light red" so here you go.  The unblogged shirt that was hanging farthest to the left in my closet.

Shirt - Ralph Lauren Sport, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Jeans - Gap

Heals - Antonio Melani, Dillard's

Bracelet - Vintage

Made in the USA

Long time readers will remember that around the end of last year, I wrote quite a bit about my sordid relationship with cheap (primarily foreign made) clothing. You can read my initial post here. I thought that a good way for me to break this addiction was to buy only American made clothing, thus Nothing New in the New Year was born. 

NNNY didn't last long because I soon realized how difficult and expensive it was to buy American made clothing, so I switched to the 5 Piece French Wardrobe to at least limit the amount of new clothing I was buying.  I have managed to stick with the 5PFW thus far, but I'm still interesting in buying American made clothing. That's where this skirt comes in.

Below is the Black Flare Skirt, sent to me by the lovely people at Karen Kane.  This company has been in the news recently, because in the last two years they have switched 80% of their production back to the United States, including this skirt.  If you are interesting in supporting companies that are bringing jobs back to the US, be sure to check out the Karen Kane website.

Tank - Lucca Couture, UO (Unblogged)

Skirt - c/o Karen Kane (Unblogged)

Necklace - JC Penney

Bracelets - Vintage

Flats - ???, Old

Thrift Finds for the Week

I made some lucky thrift finds this week, including one item off my Fall 5 Piece wishlist.  It really is amazing how many things from your wishlist or how many on trend items you can find at a thrift store with enough patience.

On an unrelated note, I am soooo ready for fall so I can break out my boots, including these new beauts.

l to r

Vintage Dress - Bobbie Brooks, Local Thrift Store, $2.00

Brown Leather Boots - Antonio Melani, Goodwill, $4.00

Black Leather Boots - Gianni Bini, Goodwill, $5.00

3 Vintage Slips - Local Thrift Stores, $1.50, $1.50, and $1.00

Total: $15.00

Getting Dressed for $11.00

Another Thrifty Professional outfit for you. This time 100% thrifted. Some of you might recognize this top from my thrift finds two weeks ago. It's just now making its debut, because it had to take a little trip. Through the laundry.  I'm also wearing the pumps from that same week.

I've had the skirt for a while, but I've only worn it once. It was also purchased at the Goodwill Half Price Center for $2.00. Oh yeah! I got to thinking, this is a really affordable outfit. It could be one of my cheapest ever.

Blouse - Odille, Goodwill $2.50 (Unblogged)

Skirt - Vintage, Goodwill $2.00

Heels - Kenneth Cole Reaction, Thrifted $5.00

Belt - Thrifted $1.50

Bracelet - Mom'd

Total: $11.00 

Being cheap never looked so good. Ha!

Polka Dot Professional?

Okay, so the jury is still out on turquoise skinny jeans for work, but how about polka dot pants?  I've had these pants for a while (since well before my big move), but I just haven't gotten up the courage to wear them.  I even considered cutting them into shorts before this pair came along.

Blouse - Banana Republic (Unblogged)

Pants - Thrifted (Unblogged)

Flats - Naturalizer

So what gave me the courage to finally try them out? The lovely girl on the left from the September issue of Lucky Magazine. She looks quite cute and professional in her polka dot pants. If she could pull off $375 polka dot from Vena Cava, surely I could rock my $2.00 pants from the Goodwill Half Price Center and save myself $373 in the process.  How's that for a bargain?

Colorful Professional, An Oxymoron?

We've already determined that Thrifty Professional is not an oxymoron, but what about Colorful Professional?  Oh sure, I know that there are plenty of people who wear plenty of color to work each day.  It's just that I think that there's a line and I just crossed it.

In my new job, I'm finding myself coming in frequent contact with clients, contractors, suppliers, mostly men, mostly of the mature variety.  I know that I'm young-looking and female.  Am I putting myself at a further disadvantage by dressing quirky?

Take today's outfit for example.  I wore turquoise jeans and red wedges.  I did throw on my cream blazer for work.  But is cream blazer enough to cancel out pattern, and turquoise, and red?  How do you find yourself tempering your clothes based on your job or who is going to be present?  I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts on the place of color and quirkiness in the workplace.

Tank - Loft (Unblogged)

Skinnies - F21, Plato's Closet

Wedges - Jeffery Campbell

Belt - Thrifted

Bracelet - Vintage

Someone found my blog by searching for "I wish I was more colorful".  Haha!  Well, they found the right place for that.

The Pants Conundrum

Girls, I may have to put off wearing skirts to work until it's cool enough to wear tights.  It's so cold in my office I definitely need some leg coverage, but with outdoor temps in the high 90s, it's too hot for tights.  Will you still read my blog if I wear pants every day for the next month?  I have been making a concentrated effort to buy colorful pants to add interest to my pants-based outfits, but skirts just seem more interesting.

I must not be the only person who feels this way.  Skirts, it seems, are the item of choice for bloggers.  I dare say that percentage-wise, they out number pants.  I guess I go for skirts because you can purchase them in a rainbow of colors and endless pattern variations.  Not so with pants.  They are much harder to obtain in patterns and colors and much harder to pull off for that matter.  What gives?  I'm going to go buy some red jeans.  See you later.

Blouse - Anthropologie

Skirt - Thakoon for Target (Unblogged)

Heels - Kenneth Cole, TJ Maxx

Necklace - Simply Vera, Kohl's

Bracelet - Vintage

Thrift Find for the Week

Well, the good thing about working is that you're making money, but you don't have time to spend it.  As opposed to when I was under-employed.  Plenty of time to shop, just no money.

This week was my first time to have an 8 to 5 in a while and I did no shopping whatsoever.  I did however pick up a blouse this past Sunday amid a wedding thrift excursion.  You might even be able to guess what kind of top it is.  Why yes, it is a silk top from Banana Republic.  Summer 2007 according to the tag.

Blouse - Banana Republic, Salvation Army $4.00

Ever since I learned the tag trick, I've been using it in my thrifting.  I find that the average piece found in a thrift store is 2007 or 2008.  So I guess that indicates that for most people 3 to 4 years is the life span of something in their wardrobe.  Do you find this to be true for your own wardrobe?

Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted

Blouse - Banana Republic, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Jeans - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Wedges - Jeffery Cambell

Bracelets - Kohl's

All Unblogged, All The Time

I wanted to participate in FBFF this week, because I thought that it was an interesting topic.  I'm too tired though to put together coherent answers as I'm writing this post on Thursday night.  I will leave you with a totally unblogged outfit though.  All unblogged, all the time.  Well, just this time.

Blouse - J.Crew, Resale Shop (Unblogged)

Pants - Joe's Jeans, Anthropologie (Unblogged)

Heels - Kenneth Cole Reaction (Unblogged)

Climate Control

After this record-breaking summer, I never thought that I would complain about air conditioning again, but brrrr.  My new office has an efficient unit to say the least.  We're taking need a sweater, boots, and cup of cocoa cold.  So now I have the added challenge of dressing for outside temps that are in the 100s and indoor temps that are comparable to a meat locker.  I seriously wanted to wear my boots today, but thought that it would be silly considering that the high was supposed to be 104.

I know that you're all yelling at your computers by now.  LAYERS!  Yes, layers are the answer to my dilemma.  I'm breaking the cardigans out of their summer retirement.  I must say that I'm am excited about the prospect of layers.  They definitely add dimension to an outfit.

Today I broke out two unblogged pieces. My cardigan is an unidentical twin sweater to this cardigan from my summer 24 for 29. The blouse is another silk Banana Republic number, but I bought this at an actual Banana Republic (though I know I didn't pay full price).

Since my outfit is muted.  I decided to let my lips be the pop of color.  Today I'm wearing NARS lipstick in Heat Wave.  NARS is my favorite brand of lipstick.  The colors are so vibrant and pretty and they last all day.

Cardigan - Madison (Unblogged)

Blouse - Banana Republic (Unblogged)

Skinnies - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Belt -Bought in Spain

Flats - Thrifted

Thrifty Professional, An Oxymoron?

Thanks everyone for your kind words about my new job.  I'm excited to have one that is semi-permanent.  In the coming weeks, you might notice Unusual Form take on a slightly more professional air.  Even though my job has a lax dress code, to say the least,  I still want to put my best foot heel forward.

Today I would like to re-iterate a point that I have covered before.  I think it's a topic that merits another visit.

It is possible to shop thriftily and still dress professionally.  I know that for several people "thrift" shopping has a stigma.  They think that it is all about digging through old, smelly, used clothes, but for me thrift and second-hand shopping is about being able to own brands that I couldn't afford new or that would max out my budget if bought new.  I would never be able to afford a new dress from Tory Burch.  Why would/how could I pay well over $200 dollars for a dress?  However, the occasional thrifting cosmic alignment allows me to own such an item at a much more budget friendly price.

By now my love for Anthro has been well documented, but the reality is that I can afford only a handful of these pieces each year, not the closet full that I covet.  From time to time, thrifting serendipity occurs and I have the opportunity to become the proud owner of pre-owned Anthro.  For example, take the blouse that I am wearing below.  It is Odille, everyone's favorite Anthro brand.  I found it at a charity resale shop (read: higher prices than the average thrift store), but I loved the color and the fit and the tie at the front.  Even thought its $12 price tag might seem hefty as far as thrift goes, it was a mere fraction of its full retail price.

Blouse - Odille, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted, Altered

Heels and Belt - TJ Maxx

Another way to dress professionally and thriftily is through vintage. For the most part clothing from past eras was much classier than the average piece of clothing today.  Crocs anyone?  Suits, pencil skirts, LBDs, these were just the every day wardrobe 40 years ago.  Vintage pieces can now be snatched up second-hand to bring a little class to your wardrobe.  The skirt I'm wearing above is vintage, purchased at Goodwill for $4.00.  I did have the length altered for a slightly more modern look.  I find that most thrift stores I frequent have a plethora of brightly colored pencil skirts, blazers, and button downs, all essential elements of professional attire.

All this wordiness to say that you don't have to look thrifted if you are thrifted.  The best thrifted outfit is one that no one would guess was actually purchased second-hand.

Dress Codes or Lack There Of

Okay, so my pattern mixed interview outfit must have worked.  I got the job!  Today is my first day.

One exciting thing is my dress code for work.  The direct quote from my new employer was "just don't wear t-shirts and shorts".  I can work with that.  Better than a firm I talked to earlier in the summer that required collared shirts.  That would have seriously put a damper on my style.

A flexible dress code means I get to wear more of what I like such as this recently thrifted (collarless, take that architecture firm who shall not be named) blouse.  You can't go wrong with silk Banana Republic for under $3.00, $2.92 to be exact! 

Blouse - Banana Republic, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Skinnies - Banana Republic

Heels - Antonio Melani, Thrifted

Necklace - Simply Vera, Kohl's

Parking Lot Compliments

So this outfit earned me two parking lot compliments.  The first came from a random girl in my apartment's parking lot.  She was walking to her car while I was taking this photo and yelled out, "Cute shirt!"  I just said, "Thanks!" and continued on with my photo taking.  

The second compliment came as I was walking out of the grocery store.  I saw the hair stylist that works next door to my office.  She complimented my outfit and said how much see liked my shoes. You know you're looking good when people are yelling out to you in parking lots.  Ha!

Blouse - Go International Target, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Jeans & Belt - Gap

Heels - Gianni Bini

Bracelet - Mom'd

5 Piece French Wardrobe - #5

I've been looking at pieces for my Fall 5 Piece French Wardrobe, so I thought that I might as well go ahead and buy the last piece of my Spring wardrobe.

I was in Kohl's today picking up coffee (they have the best deal on k-cups).  I just happened to be perusing the clothing section when I saw these really cute polka dot shorts by LC Lauren Conrad.  I was excited until I saw that the only pair was no where close to being my size.   Disappointment ensued. Fast-forward to different rack in different section of store, hiding in the back are the polka dot shorts.  In my size.  I snatch those babies up.  Dressing room and check out later, I have the 5th piece of my Spring 5 Piece French Wardrobe.

Source: kohls.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

I decided to wear my shorts this evening, since I knew i wouldn't be able to wear them until next weekend. I had my fiancé take my photo. I never have humans available to take my photos, so I take advantage where I can. He takes my photo and the following dialogue commences:

Him: Those shorts look like your mom's.

Me: My mom?

Him: Like a mom would wear, like someone in their late 20s, early 30s.

Me: Guess what. 

Of course, in the first photo he took I was tiny. So I had him take another, closer up photo. After the second photo he says in a very disgusted voice, "You're wearing red shoes?!?  They don't match your outfit", in the same voice someone would use for "You eat raw meat?!?" I proceed to tell him that they go with my outfit and besides navy is a neutral.  Fashion advice from a guy who wears flip flops to weddings.  Hmm...

Tank - Gap

Shorts - LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Jewelry - Vintage

Wedges - Jeffery Campbell

Thrift Finds for the Week

There was a clear winner in my survey this week.  Y'all definitely want to see my clothing thrift finds, so here goes...my finds for the week. 

l to r

Blouse - Go International Target, Goodwill $2.50

Blouse - Fei (Anthropologie), Goodwill $2.50

Belt - Brighton, Peace At Home Thrift Store $2.50

Heels - Kenneth Cole Reaction, Potter's House Thrift $5.00

Grand Total: $12.50

I definitely went easy on clothing this week.  I'm trying to buy a lot of my wedding decor thrifted/vintage, so I've been concentrating my resources on that.  There was a little interest in my wedding decor so I may put together a post or two concerning that, but I definitely won't overwhelm y'all with wedding stuff.

Pattern Mixed Dating

I may be the last person in the world to figure this out, but did you know that several mainstream brands are dated with the season and year they were made? I guess this is how Plato's Closet employees know to reject Gap jeans from Spring 2009. Dude, two year old Gap jeans look pretty much the same as new Gap jeans. I digress. 

Anyway, to find the date all you have to do is look on the tag (usually the side tag where it also states the washing instructions, material, etc). A little reconaisance work in my closet revels that Gap, Banana, Old Navy, J. Crew, American Eagle, The Limited, and Eddie Bauer all do this kind of labeling.

This may not be life altering information, but it could prove helpful for figuring out how long you've owned something or determining the age of something you find in a thrift store.

Example 1: The other day I wore a black silk blouse from Banana Repulic. It's side tag says "HOL/06" which would be Holiday Collection 2006. I probably bought this shirt at the end of 06. Wow! 4.5 years. That's practically a senior citizen in my closet.

Example 2: Today's Outfit. Both pieces are thrifted. The top is from Banana Republic. It's tag says "06/fall". Pretty self explanatory. The skirt is from Gap. It says "SUM 10" and "05/10". It was probably part of the Summer 2010 collection which they actually sold in May.

I'm very rarely filled with insider knowledge. I'm not sure this was "inside" to begin with, but if you didn't know this hopefully you'll find it helpful or at least interesting. If you did know this, let me know in the comments. I'm curious to find out if this is common knowledge that I've just missed out on thus far.




The pattern on this skirt is so subtle, I really should have got a detail shot.  However, the creepy guy next door was out having his morning smoke break, so I did not want to linger.

Shirt - Banana Republic, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Skirt - Gap, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Necklace - Coldwater Creek

Belt and Flats - Thrifted

Pattern Mixed with Pity

Do you ever look at the "Search Keywords" people use to get to your site?  Sometimes I feel sorry for those people because I know they're not going to find what they're looking for on my blog.  An example of keywords for this week:

• pattern mixing (Have I got a tutorial for you!)
• french 5 wardrobe (Been there, blogged that.)
• summer interview outfit (You'll find two or three.)
• unusual form (You found it!)
• unusual form blog (Yep!)
• anthropologie woven balls necklace (Umm...sorry.)
• dixon short boot jcrew cloudy grey (I have no idea.)
• fisherman vintage sandals (Can't help you there.)

 

What's the funniest keyword someone has searched to reach your site?

On a totally unrelated note, my outfit for today.   This is an example of Step 2, patterns with similar colors, but varying scale.

Tank - Thrifted (Unblogged)

Pants - Thrifted

Belt - Old, Target?

Heels - Kenneth Cole Reaction, TJ Maxx

Necklace - Belk

New Features

I've been thinking about adding a little variety to my content. Unusual Form will remain primarily a fashion blog, but I thought that I might start incorporating a few topics that interest me (and perhaps you). You can help me out by answering my survey (choose as many topics as interest you). Also, if there is something you've been wanting to see or that you're particularly interested in, let me know in the comments.

Pattern Mix for a Job Interview

I have answered the eternal question.  Can you mix patterns for a job interview?  The answer is an unequivocal "Yes!".

I wore the outfit below to a job interview.  I didn't want to wear my most fashion forward outfit, even though it was a second interview with someone I knew.  Now granted the first picture is a bit "Where's Waldo?" when it comes to finding the mix.  Hint:  I'm wearing a patterned camisole.  You have acknowledge that it's at least more adventurous than a black suit.  Ooh!  What about tri-tone shoes?  Does that count as another pattern?

Jacket - Mossimo, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Tank - Old Navy

Skirt - Banana Republic

Heels - Kenneth Cole Reaction, TJ Maxx

I did an open jacket shot just to prove that there really was a patterned tank under that jacket.

Another Day, Another Pattern Mix

It's another day and I'm wearing another pattern.  This one is also a Step 4 or maybe a Step 3.  It depends on whether you consider this particular shade of blue "neutral".  It is a bit brighter than navy.

Today I have another unblogged skirt with a funny story.  Before I went to grad school, my dad and I went down to Auburn to rent an apartment, sign papers, etc. (my mom had to work).  Anyway, it was just us and on our way back, we stopped at The Summit in Birmingham to do a little shopping.  At Anthro my dad tells me that I can spend $100 his treat, so I shop and try on and all I can come up with is the skirt I'm wearing below on sale for $30.  Don't get me wrong.  I love this skirt, it's one of my favorites (though unblogged, hmm...), but who leaves $70 unspent at Anthro.  Me, apparently.  Well, I'm sure my dad was relieved, for that trip anyway.

Blouse -Thakoon for Target

Skirt - Fei, Anthropologie (Unblogged)

Necklace - Loft

Belt - Flea Market

Heels - Gianni Bini, Dillard's

Be sure to check out how everybody else mixes their patterns.

Pattern Mixing Week

In honor of EBEW Pattern Mixing, I decided to do pattern mixed outfits all week. Today's outfit would be an example of Step 4, two similarly colored patterns.  In this case, it's red that ties the shirt and skirt together.

This skirt actually comes with a funny story.  One day a few weeks ago, I was out shopping.  My first stop was a local resale/vintage shop.  It generally has nice merchandise, but the prices definitely reflect that.  It is definitely not a thrift store.  I saw the Tulle brand skirt (that I'm wearing in the photo below).  I thought it was cute, but at $17.00, I decided to pass. 

My next stop was one of my favorite thrift stores.  I was perusing the skirt section and low and behold, there was the exact same Tulle skirt.  The only difference was that this one was $2.92.  Needless to say, I snapped this one up and now display it for your viewing pleasure. 

Blouse - Banana Republic, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Skirt - Tulle, Thrifted (Unblogged)

Heels - Antonio Melani, Dillard's

Unusual Form has been all over the blogosphere lately. In case you missed it. I guest posted for Lidi of Eclectic Flair.  See the post here.  Also today on Modly Chic, Katy featured me in her blogger profile.

Short Commute

It's amazing how much where you work effects the way you dress. I'm not just talking about corporate dress codes and that kind of thing. I'm talking about the day to day practicalities of working. I wear very different clothes now that I'm spending 6, 7, 8 hours a day working at a computer than I did when I was teaching.

While pencil skirts and dresses look really cute (because that was my primary goal as a teacher, right?) when you stand up in front a class, they are just not that comfortable for a long haul in front of the computer. Heck, I never really had to sit in my teaching ensembles. Get dressed, look cute, go teach, come home, change into pajamas, grade, prepare for class, etc. Now that I'm sitting more I find myself gravitating more towards pants, especially those of the stretchy variety.

One good thing about a desk job is the shoes. When I had to walk across campus (and stand up for an hour and a half straight to teach), I always went for the flats. Now that I only have to walk from the parking to my desk, and trust me, this is a small parking lot, I say, "Bring on the heels!" Who care if they're hidden under my desk all day? They sure look cute on my short commute (seriously, it's like 100 ft, ladies).

This is for you, Katy:

Blouse - Banana Republic, Resale Shop (Unblogged)

Jeans - Gap

Heels - Gianni Bini

Belt - Gap

More Engagement Photos

I got the rest of my engagement photos today and I am so pleased.  They are so perfectly "us".  I have only one person to thank for that, our photographer and friend Meredith Mashburn.  If you like the photos be sure to stop by her site and tell her so.  I promise I won't enundate you with photos (or wedding stuff in general).  This is the last of the lot.

The last one is my favorite of the bunch. David and I just randomly decided to jump.  It cracked Meredith up because she wasn't expecting it. It also perfectly describes the spontaneity and silliness of our relationship.

The Night of the Unblogged

Last night I got to thinking about Tip #3 from yesterday's post: wearing the unblogged.  I had estimated that over half of my clothes had never made it on the blog.  Last night I decided to divide my closet into the blogged and the unblogged.  So I played a few episodes of Samantha Who? on Netflix and got to dividing.  Once separated, I counted the items and crunched the numbers.  Without further ado, the final tally.

In my closet:

93 blouses,  49 Unblogged = 53% of Blouses Unblogged

34 Dresses,  20 Unblogged = 59% of Dresses Unblogged

48 Skirts, 12 Unblogged = 25% of Skirts Unblogged (Much better odds)

So I was right.  Over half of my blouses and dresses have never been blogged.  This doesn't even count jackets, tanks, sweaters, shoes, belts, etc.  For the next few weeks, I'm going to concentrate on wearing the unblogged.  The unblogged items I don't want to blog might be a good indication of the clothing items that I should get rid of.  I don't want to own any pieces of clothing that I wouldn't want to show on the blog.

Blouse - Thakoon for Target (Unblogged)

Jeans - James, Anthropologie

Heels - Antonio Melani, Dillard's

Jewelry - Vintage

Please excuse my awkward express.  My neighbor caught me and wanted to chat while I was taking my photos.

Tuesday Blues

I had a funny exchange on Twitter yesterday.  Someone saw my post title "More Deception and Money Matters" and thought I was writing about our national debt problem.  It would actually be a perfect phrase to describe what is currently going on in Washington, but that never crossed my mind.  The only debt ceiling I was concerned with was my personal one.

These yellow pants are another one of my thrift finds from this past week (the one where I went overboard).  J.Crew City Fit pants for $4.  I already own these in grey and love them.  In yellow?  I couldn't pass them up.   

Chambray - Gap

Pants - J.Crew, Thrifted

Heels - Gianni Bini, Dillard's

Necklace - Target

Belt - Resale Shop

Yesterday, I mentioned my new budget and how I'm already $4.14 over for this week due to last week's spending.  Well, despite that fact, I still have the desire to shop.  What do you do when you want something new, but know you shouldn't go shopping?  

Here are a few of my tactics to beat the "got to spend money" blues:

1.  Wear the unworn.

 I have a pile of thrifted skirts I need to hem.  I guess I could start in on those.  That's brand new-to-me clothing just waiting to be worn.  

2. Make something new.  

 I have fabric waiting for some new skirts and dress.  All it would take is some time and effort (though no money) to have something new to wear.  

3. Wear the unblogged.

 Well over half of my wardrobe has never made it on my blog.  I could challenge myself to wear an unblogged piece every day for a week.  A month?

Anyone else have any helpful hint for those time that you just want to shop, but know you don't need to?

More Deception and Money Matters

My blogging deception has been well documented, but I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who practices this particular art of deception.  I started out with the best of intentions, but my hair went into a pony tail as soon as this image was taken, and those heels came off by lunch time. Oh, well.  I tried.  For the camera at least.

This outfit features some of my latest thrift finds.  The jacket is J.Crew and was purchased at the new Goodwill that just opened last week.  The purple shoes were purchased at a different Goodwill in the next town up.  They are brand-new Antonio Melani.  The bottoms weren't even scuffed.

Jacket - J.Crew, Thrifted

Pants - J.Crew

Heels - Antonio Melani, Thrifted

Jewelry - Vintage

I'm trying to be a good girl when it comes to shopping.  I know that come this fall, I'm going to have to stick to a budget.  The amount of $25 per week has been tossed about as a future shopping budget.  This sounds pretty generous, but it's going to take a while to add up for those big ticket items.  Those grey flats that I want from Banana Republic?  Over four weeks of not buying a single thing.  That classic trench?  Two months of not stepping foot in a thrift store.  It sounds daunting right now, but it will probably be good for me.  It will definitely be good for my wallet.

I started really tracking my spending this last week to get into training for the new budget.  I set up $25 a week for shopping, but went over so much last week that I started this week with negative $4.14.  In my defense, last week I went to two Goodwills that I had never been to before, one of which was brand new.  You can't not go to the Grand Opening of a new Goodwill.  

This budget thing is going to be challenging to say the least.  What about you?  Do you have a budget that you have to stick to or is your spending more "flexible"?