Spicing up those old pieces in your closet

Many fashion experts say that you should get rid of any items you haven't worn it in the past 6 months to a year.  I, unfortunately, like to keep things in my closet (or in a plastic tub packed away) for a long time.  Something I have fought continuously about with my husband.  The number one thing I can think of like this were my bib overalls from high school.  I LOVED them.  I could live in them back then, and I thought they were cute.  I prayed that they would make a come back someday, but couldn't hold out forever so tossed them on to Goodwill.  Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled when I saw a pair at Target this summer.  I was super excited and of course bought a pair.  They were nothing like my Silver jean bibs from 1999 lol, but they were cute and for $24.99, they looked cute with a tank and a cowboy hat at the Dierks Bentley concert last summer:)

Later in the summer I found another pair that were super adoarble as well, and this time they were 75% off:)  They made me look a little like a train conductor, but super cute with a pair of tan boat shoes made a fun outfit for a day at the lake.

                                                 Striped Bibs $24.99- Target 75% off...$6.24  

Ok, out of my dream world of bibs really making a comeback and back to taking some of those old pieces and adding some fun accessories to spice it up.  Things as simple as scrafs and boots can make an old dress into a fun new piece.  Other things are jewelry and of course handbags. 

This dress I have had for about a year (clearance at Kohls for about $8.00)  I had never worn it and was waiting to find the right accessories to spice it up.  And lucky for me, i found some.

 

Merona Oblong sparkle scarf Target regular $14.99 clearance $4.48

Old Navy Black Sequin Boots regular $40 clearance 11.97

http://www.polyvore.com/old_navy_womens_sequined_boots/thing?id=44163839

Two very cute upgrades to an outfit that went from drab to fab!  And these 2 pieces can be utilized for many other upgrades to other older pieces in your closet.  Look for these kind of staples to pull an older piece of clothing together into a new outfit, and you will pay half the price for what feels like a brand new outfit!

Winter Coat Clearance!

Now is the time to be scoping out you and your families winter coats for next year.  It is almost the end of February and almost all places have their spring and even summer gear out.  Check out some of these great winter coat buys I have found at the end of Winter last year. 

Wonderkids water resistant winter coat Kmart reg $19.99 sale $9.99 clearance $4.99

Wonderkids 2 piece hat and mittens set reg $6.99 sale  $3.99 clear  $1.99  

And of course my beautiful little model:)

Children's Place snow suit gloves and booties included reg $29.99 sale $26.99 clear $13.49

Children's Place dressy jacket with faux fur trim reg $29.99 clear $9.99  

Old Navy Infant Snow Pants reg $34.99 clear $4.99

And these great finds so far this year

     Pink puff jacket old navy reg $60.00 sale $20.97 clear $12.58

And lets not forget about the accessories:)

Pink puff vest old navy reg $39.94 sale $9.49 clear $5.69

Bright Blue knit hat Reg $12.94  sale $2.97 clear $1.78

Multi-color florescent scarf Reg $16.94 sale $4.97 clear $2.98

Ombre Ruffle Loop Scarf Maurices reg $19.99 sale $6.99

Keep on the look out for some good deals on winter coats and accessories.  It will save you a ton come next fall!

Fashion in the Desert

The family and I took an extended weekend vacae to California to visit my in laws and enjoy a little Cali sun.  This is always nice being a Midwest girl to get away for a bit during the long dreary winter months in Wisco.  It has been fairly sunny, low to mid 70's most days which meant that I definitely got to wear some of my summer clothes because low 70's in Cali feels warmer than low 70's in Wisco. 
This gave me an opportunity to wear some things that I found at the end of the summer from Gap Outlet.  As with most outlests, many times it can be hit or miss on finding cute items and at that, cute items that are a good deal.  But I found a few at the Tanger Outlets in Wisconsin Dells at the end of summer sales a couple summers back-just finally getting to wear them now after losing some of that baby weight:).

  Women's Gap Madras Pink Patchwork Shorts reg $39.50 clearanced down to $11.99 with an extra 40% of at $7.19.

They are cute to wear with fun brights which are very in right now!  I actually found them online for sale on eBay and they are still asking almost full price for these. 



This is another cute pair of shorts that can be dressed up for a summer evening dinner out or to wear to the beach for the day. 

Woman's Gap white/tan striped short reg $39.50 clearanced down to $11.99 with an extra 40% of at $7.19.

Cute with a white linen shirt and pair of tan boat shoes:)

Lovin' the fashion out here.  Much different things on display at the malls, shops and street fair I have been too while I have been here.  Stay tuned for some upcoming posts of some pretty fab finds that I got my hands on while I was here...one of my favorite places to shop:)  Happy Bargaining!

Don't judge a girl by her fashion

OK, I have a lot of loves in my life.  Of course the things that top the list are my husband, kids and family.  And then of course there is a love for fashion and for my "real" work, social work. 
I have worked in the social services/behavioral health field now for 6 years.  I love helping people better their lives in anyway possible.  I have come across all walks of life, with open mindedness and wanting to help where I can....I can honestly say that I haven't always had the same reception from those I have helped, which is fine and too be expected.  But when it comes to the world of fashion and image, others are not so forgiving, and some can be really mean and nasty.

Everyone has there own style and likes.  That is what makes us unique individuals.  And I am sure there are some people that have read this that don't like my style, and I am fine with that.  I am not saying that my style is the best style, but I love fashion-of all kinds, and my real reason for  this blog was the bargains I find and to mix the two. As I said, I do read alot of  magazines and get some inspiration from that of which I see on TV and in magazines.  But I try not to let the media blind me either because of the outrageous prices of some things I see advertised.

Most of the things I own are usually bargain finds.  I am not going to lie and say that I haven't ever spent full price on something or have bought something i felt was outrageous.  The one thing I can think of that comes to my mind is a coach purse.  I love coach.  Many people do, but $300 for a purse is alot of money.  However, I do own a couple.  One my wonderful husband bought for me one year and the other two I bought at a coach outlet (2 for less than one).  I treated myself, AND THAT'S OK.  I work hard for my money.  The money I earn is the time i spend away from my kids.  I don't have the advantage at this point in my life to be a stay at home mom.  Many days I wish I could, but I remind myself that the work I am doing is good also (not to mention the adult interaction some days lol).  But to be judged for it is another.  Because I carry a coach purse from time to time is not to flaunt that I have money-hello, I am in social work!  I like the style of many coach purses and there good, sturdy purses that last a long time.  

 I have been judged by many people for some of the things i wear or own, and it irks me.  I am me, what I wear and own helps say something about me but it doesn't define who I am.  I am a caring mother, wife and friend.  I am a hard worker and passionate about what I do.  I don't take things for granted and I live my life the way I think it should be lived, and I try not to let others get the best of me.  Don't get me wrong, I have my days and those that know me well can speak to that.  But I wish to live to see a world where there is no judgement on others and people can be themselves without being put down about it.

So next time you see someone and look at what they are wearing or how they present themselves, think before you judge...you don't know who the person is underneath the clothes.

                 Moon collection navy floral skirt (Boston Store) reg $59 sale $43.99 yellow dot $21.99

This is me, and if you don't like it, look away..................

A night out on the town....looking good for less!

As a mommy, nights out on the town don't happen all too often.  Its hard to get away from your kids and when you do, you miss them like crazy!  But if you are a parent, it is important to have those nights whether its a date night with your hubby or a night out with girlfriends....its good to have some adult interaction!

Depending on your style and where the night is taking you, you usually aren't wearing your Sunday sweats...for me, I still like stylish Sunday sweats:)....but at any rate, its usually something you dress a little differently for then your everyday wear to work or if your a stay at home mom.

It can be spendy when you go out shopping looking for a "night out" outfit.  There are some really cute new things that are coming out, especially with many stores bringing out there Spring and Summer lines.  And here in Wisco, the winter has been pretty mild so some of these items we can actually wear earlier than normal.  But if you look beyond the new items in the spotlight, stores usually mark items down to move things out and get the new things in.  This is where i always look first...and usually end up finding things. 

I found this entire cute outfits at Target all for under $25.00...

Mossimo Royal Blue Pullover Sweater reg $22.99 clearance $6.88

Xhilaration Leopard Print belt reg $16.99 clearance $5.08

Xhilaration floral corset dress reg $24.99 clearance $12.48

It's cute, affordable and definitely can be worn again!  Notice that it's actually a dress under the pullover sweater.  I will more than likely sport that again in the summer, or maybe when I go to Cali next week:)  Gotta love pieces that can be worn more ways than one!

I find it hard to spend a lot of money on certain clothing items and my motto is always if you know that you will love it, wear it more than once and will be thinking about it constantly when you leave the store and didn't buy it...you should buy it.