1. Wednesday, February 1, 2012

    Bargain: Wide Leg Pant Transformation

    Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, Gift | T-Shirt: Banana Republic, $4 | Pants: J.Crew, $20 | Necklace, Gift | Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Macy’s, $20

    This outfit is actually from a few weeks ago and I never got around to creating a post. Cardigans over a cute t-shirt is a look I’ve always loved and gravitate towards. I like to think I was way ahead of times in high school when I rocked the now trendy boyfriend sweater cardigans with white v-neck T’s (and red Dr. Martens). Cardigans just call out to me and I can’t say no to them.

    What do I love about this outfit?

    • $4 Banana republic shirt? Yes please! About a month ago I wandered into Banana and these were $8 with an extra 50% off! I bought 3. They’re a perfect soft stretchy material that can be dressed up or down.
    • These classic chinos from J.Crew are about 7 years old and were originally a wide leg. I altered them down to a fitted straight leg, shaving off about 6” in fabric. I’ve been wearing them tons ever since and love them cuffed with heels!
  2. Tuesday, January 24, 2012

    Bargain: Tie-Dye or Animal Print?

    Dress: Ann Taylor, $20 | Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, $10 | Belt: Kensie via Marshall’s, $3 | Boots: Steve Madden via Amazon, $33

    Ever pull on a new pair of tights for the first time and have your foot go right through the end? No, I didn’t tear through these tights, but apparently bought footless tights. I should have known from the obvious footless picture on the package. Sort of like at the grocery store when I think I’m buying a jar of plain tomato sauce, but when I get home I have a jar of basil/mushroom/meat/garlic/jalepeno sauce. Someone must switch these things on me.

    This dress was an amazing steal at Ann Taylor. The original price was $169 and I picked it up on final sale for $20! I really like the pattern, but am not sure if it’s tie-dye, animal print, or what.

    It’s only Tuesday and I’m already looking forward to the weekend. My husband is a musician (have I mentioned he’s way cooler than I am?) and has two shows with his band this weekend. So, lot’s of fun to come with good music, family, and friends. Check them out if you want!

  3. Thursday, January 19, 2012

    Bargain: $5 Belt & Expensive Leggings

    Sweater: Ann Taylor, $15 | Long Sleeve T: ?? | Belt: Macy’s, $5 | Leggings: CAbi, $89 (yikes) | Boots: Steve Madden via Amazon, $33

    I wore this outfit to work today. I’m never sure if leggings at work are appropriate. I figure pairing them with a longer top and tall boots makes it A-OK (I hope). Can you believe how much I spent on these leggings? I can’t. I do have to admit, the quality is amazing. The fabric is super thick and never gets stretched out of shape in the knees. Also, you can’t see in these pictures, but they have some cool seaming that makes them look a bit like riding pants.

    This outfit has been my go to outfit this winter for many occasions. Why:

    • It’s a reason to wear what’s my favorite $5 belt as seen here, and here.
    • I love a good cowl neck.
    • This outfit is proof you can wear black and brown together. I’ve never followed this rule and think black and brown actually look great together!
    • It’s super comfortable, almost nearly pajama comfortable.
  4. Wednesday, January 11, 2012

    Bargain: Black & White

    Shirt: Old Navy, $8 | Scarf: ?? | Belt: Came w/ a dress |  Pants: Express, $15 | Shoes: Calvin Klein via Macy’s, $20

    January’s Everybody Everywear challenge is wearing all black and white. I thought I’d give it a shot and put together this ensemble for work today. AND, this outfit also conquers something that scares me, pattern mixing! This is a pretty simple outfit, but there are a few exciting highlights (at least to me) I want to share:

    • Whoaa, is that pattern mixing going on here? Yes, yes it is!
    • When the cold weather arrived I thought I might have to stop posting outfits. Why? Well, these are my default “it’s too cold to wear a skirt pants”. Who wants to see the same pair of pants everyday? I’m proud to say this post marks my blog’s debut of these pants. 
    • Rather than gravitating to one of my favorite/over worn tops (so easy to do), I opted for this less worn polka dot top. As silly as it sounds, I pushed myself to dress outside my comfort zone….it’s the little things :)

    These posts are starting to look like my work emails — I love using bullet points!

  5. Thursday, January 5, 2012

    Bargain: Not Great Photos, but Great Outfit

    Long Sleeve T: Banana Republic, $6 | Wrap Sweater: Macy’s, $11 | Belt: Marshall’s, $5 | Skirt: Express, $15 | Shoes: Calvin Klein via Macy’s, $20

    Sometimes this outfit photo taking thing just doesn’t work out, and today was one of those days! Can you tell? It’s amazing how many shots I may have to take to get a decent one. Today was exceptionally difficult from the lighting, to shoes being in the way everywhere, to my awkward hand in the third photo, and to be being really hungry and thinking about my home-made pizza in the oven. In this last photo I’m looking around to clear more shoes out of the shot! Someone must have thrown shoes all around our place while we were at work.

    Good photos or not, I’m really loving this outfit. Why?

    • I love the angles the sweater creates at the bottom when wrapped.
    • These argyle-ish patterned tights.
    • Typically, I pair pencil skirts with a top, tucked in. Wearing a long top over a pencil skirt is new for me. For some reason, it made me feel extra dressed up and elegant today!

    A few days ago someone asked if I live near an outlet mall. I actually don’t have any outlets right nearby. I just love really scouring clearance racks and have developed the habit of never paying full price for clothing!

  6. Wednesday, November 30, 2011

    Bargain: Sweatshirts at Work

    Shirt: J.Crew, $15 | Skirt: Old Navy, $6 | Boots: Steve Madden, $20

    Guess what? This shirt is actually a sweatshirt. Wearing fitted sweatshirts to work = awesome and comfortable. Thank you J.Crew for creating such things.

    I threw on the necklace I made earlier this week and I’m really enjoying the contrast of the fancy tahitian pearls with the casual sweatshirt material. Same goes for the tights.

    Never fail fashion tip? Stick to a basic outfit and throw in some fun accessories. The fun accessories pop against the basic outfit and the basic outfit looks perfectly clean against the fun accessories. Everyone wins!

  7. Tuesday, November 29, 2011

    Bargain: Bad Hair Day!

    Wrap: Urban Outfitters, $10 | Dress: Target, $9 | Necklace: ?? | Shoes: Nine West via Marshall’s, $10

    Today was a long day, you can tell by the frazzled state of my hair sticking out everywhere. I’m happy to be home and in for the night! Here are a few reasons I like this outfit:

    • Wrap cardigans make me feel like I’m back in ballet class getting ready for bar exercises.
    • This dress is really more of a summer dress, but I fall-ized it. I wore it here and here this past summer. I love figuring how to style something for year round wear!
    • I have no idea where or when I got this necklace, but it’s always been one of my favorites. I love the green and gold together.

    Yesterday I shared my braided tahitian pearl necklace I made. Today I came across another braided necklace tutorial….how cute? This might be my next jewelery project!

  8. Monday, November 21, 2011

    Bargain: Kenneth Cole for $11

    Jacket: Kenneth Cole via Filene’s Basement, $11 | Top: Ann Taylor Loft, $10 | Pants: Filene’s Basement, $10 | Shoes: Report via Filene’s Basement, $17

    No, I didn’t wear cropped pants in the 45 degree chill today. These photos are from last week when the temperatures hit just above 60 degrees.

    This blazer and cropped pants are simple pieces, but I am in love with both. Why? Well, because the blazer is Kenneth Cole, made of a soft purple light wool, the cut is amazing, and it was only $11. As for the pants, they also have an amazing cut, are made of a  sturdy and flexible cotton blend so they keep shape, and were marked down from $99 to $10.

    Both pieces always make me feel put together. So put together that I could probably wear a gym shirt with these pants and still feel great. Or pajama pants with this blazer. Maybe.

  9. Thursday, November 17, 2011

    Bargain: What Color is this?

    Sweater: Old Navy, $8 | Ruffled Shirt: The Limited, $10 | Necklace: Filene’s Basement, $5 | Pants: Ann Taylor Loft, $13 | Shoes:Nine West via Filene’s Basement, $15

    I just added up the total cost of this outfit and am pretty impressed….$51 for everything I’m wearing! Not bad. Shoes under $20 (that are not from Target or Payless)  are pretty amazing, mostly because it means you can buy more shoes.

    Sometimes I’m a little color blind. Honestly, I’m not sure what color this sweater is. It might be red, orange or coral. At least my guesses are in the same color family. I do know that, regardless of the color, pairng this sweater with purple shoes made me happy.

    I like this first picture because I’m obviously looking at my shoes, but failed to capture them in the shot. Kind of like one of my favorite wedding pictures with one of my favorite friends where we’re showing off our awesome colorful shoes. Except, the picture is in black and white.

  10. Wednesday, November 16, 2011

    Bargain: I Love Rain

    Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, $10 | Top: Gap, $12 | Pants: Gap, $13 | Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Macy’s, $20 | Necklace: Filene’s Basement, $5 | Belt: ?

    Since it’s now dark out when I get home I’ve been taking my pictures inside my apartment. I’m still figuring out this indoor lighting thing. I’d say today is a lighting win. You’ve also seen the colorful walls in our apartment. It started with splotchy yellow, moved on to red, and now here’s splotchy off white. There’s still a few more colors to share :)

    It’s raining out and in this second picture I’m smiling at the rain. I LOVE rainy days and nights so much so that I look forward to them. I also sort of love this outfit because I feel like me in it. I’m not quite sure what this means, but sometimes an outfit makes me feel like me. Here’s another me outfit and another and another. Must have something to do with a belt!

    What type of outfit makes you feel like you?

About me

A collection of everything Courtney...from my clearance rack style, to creative projects, to things I just like.

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