frugal fashion

I'm certainly not the cheapest person on the planet. But, it's just that, well, I am not made of money. And though I wish I were (at times), I have to live on somewhat of a budget. 

I am going to try to dedicate Friday to outfit posts. I am fashion savvy enough to at least attempt to talk the talk... with the help of either my 5-year-old camera or my rinky-dink camera phone.  They work...

Mostly, I have been inspired by this fabulous woman, (it has nothing to do with the name similarity), and I wanted to take a small stab at it. Though I am no where near as impressive as she is, and many others are, I know that I will eventually improve. 

Let's start with the boots.  These boots were made for strutting... trust me.  Definitely a year old (don't be fooled ladies- you can wear last years styles!), and still extremely comfy and very trendy.  

 

 I bought them at Kohl's- because Kohl's has never steered me wrong in the footwear department, both in style and price.  Another awesome spot (and they have kick ass online deals) is DSW. Even if I don't buy anything, I LOVE to browse their site.

This is my shoulder.  Isn't it lovely?  

Guess where this shirt came from!.... Nope, it's not H&M, or Express, or even Macy's.  It's from Marshalls!  SO cute!  It was an impromptu gift from my fabulous mother-in-law, Val.  (Here-here to wonderful mother-in-laws).  My husband had it waiting for me when I came home from my night class on Wednesday, and I couldn't wait to wear it.  

"The General" shoulder pads- no bulk, an adorable metallic accent, and most certainly "in" this season.  She left the price tag on (not that it matters), so I can tell you that this shirt was cee.aitch.eee.ay.pea, CHEAP! ($12)

Okay, the pants.  Target.  Thank you, baby jesus, for Target,  I'm not sure if I could survive without that store at this juncture in my life.  These things are SUPER comfy (and I am about the pickiest person on the planet when it comes to rocking pants).  Best part... they're $15 $21.99.

You will get a lot of wear out of these.  I paired them with a casual (but cute) tee today, but these could be worn with a nicer blouse and some pumps, or a slinky top/blazer combo with a great ankle boot.  Get you some!

Sister friend to the left is a healthy, robust woman, so pardon the hips.  But they suit any shape: curvy or not.  And don't be afraid to rock the above-the-hip fit.  It will accentuate whatever you're tww-working with.

My accessories today are simple:  a homemade scarf (cheap as cheap can get), a chunky black cuff bracelet,  and some earrings from Forever21.

Accessorize how you see fit, with ANY outfit you come up with!  I'm not here to tell you how to dress, and I am not here to tell you how to embellish your ensembles.  

I take bits and pieces from every blog I read, every woman I see, every outfit I love, and I do what I want with it.  I hope you do the same.  I hope to be a source of inspiration to get out there and create something trendy for yourself.  Don't let anyone fool you into thinking you can't look good on a budget.  It IS possible!

{The total cost of the outfit I have on is about $72.00.  Each piece can be rotated in my wardrobe, which is KEY to saving.  I cannot stress enough to spend your money on items you will get a ton of use out of!}

Until Monday, new friends!  

Warmth and kindness

Chao!

Someone's Coming

Little girl- huddled-

Hugging herself tight.

Waiting for someone to tell her

Everything’s alright.

Keeping her eyes open,

Staring at the light

Under the doorway.

All alone, in silence

She fears the worst;

She has been forgotten.

She did not come first.

She wipes her own tears now.

She believes she is a curse

In an ugly world.

So she stays in her bedroom, crying quietly.

She spins ‘round and ‘round.

Looking for solace in old pictures-

But there is nothing to be found.

A pile of wrecked memories

Scattered about the ground.
So quiet,            she gasps

At the sound
Of footsteps.

Someone's coming...

** This poem was recently published in George Mason University's literary magazine, Volition (2011)

Holiday Spirit

It's been about, oh, six years or so since I have participated in a holiday decorating ceremony/ritual/party/job (all of the above). 

When I was little, I remember being so excited to adorn the house in Christmas apparel. Karen (my mom) would pull out her absurdly large collection of Christmas decor, and she would lay it all out on the family room floor for my brother and I to admire.

Let's get one thing straight here... this was no ordinary stockpile.  Over the years, Karen had built up an impressive assortment of any and all types of festive doodads.

And I'll be damned if I wasn't ready to Christmafy every nook and cranny of that house.  Once those ornaments and doohickeys were splayed out in front of me, it was game on.  This was SERIOUS.

My brother Mike and I would scamper around the house embellishing window sills, end tables, bookshelves, televisions, counter tops, railings, bathrooms, bedrooms, porches, door knobs, tissue boxes (yes!).  You see, Karen had a "thing" with Christmas.  She still does.... 

...and consequently, so do I.  Though I didn't realize it until recently, when it was time to orchestrate my own holiday decorating extravaganza, I have inherited my mom's Christmas cheer.

We put up our first Whitfield tree a couple of weekends back.  It is just the perfect piece of eye candy to get me in the holiday spirit.  Scott (my dad) and Bren (my hub) put the tree up and strung the lights.  Karen (momma) and Liam (my baby boy) helped hang bulbs and ornaments and bows.  And before I knew it, it was brightening everything around me, inside of me, through me.  I had forgotten... just how much significance decorating carried.  How much the decorations meant.  And most of all, how much I absolutely love sharing the process with my family.

Mom--- Thank you for passing on your holiday enthusiasm to me.  I love you, and your crazy obsession with tissue box covers!

 

What Matters

Time- spent with my husband and my son; spent with my family and friends; spent in solitude and silence.

Space- for Liam to grow and play and dance and create; for Brendon and I to connect and count our blessings; for the newness we have yet to uncover.

Blankets- to cuddle in; to keep warm; to build forts and castles; to dream.

Pictures- to take; to reflect; to commemorate; to remember; to pass on.

Water- to stay healthy and hydrated; to take bubble baths; to rejuvenate; to splash and swim... and float.

To stay involved and engaged with those whom I love, admire and appreciate.

To read; to learn; to generate; to keep moving; to teach.

To pay it forward; to listen and advise; to smile and frown; to laugh and cry.

To keep my heart and ears open and my shoulder available, free of charge.

To ask for help when I need it; to teach Liam to do the same.

To lead by example and follow graciously.

To put love and kindness in the fore-front of my daily motives.

To love my husband, and allow him to treat me well.

To hug my father.

To honor my mom and my dad by being the best version of myself that I can possibly be.

To accept myself; to lower my expectations.

To be gentle.

Love

What is it about me that is
so bad, so terrible,
so unbearable,
that you would so suddenly
and easily
dismiss me?

What is it about my weaknesses
that make my strengths forgettable?
How can you possibly see me
for only my negative qualities?
Especially you.

I am a mix of good and bad…
just like every other person
living and breathing
on this earth.

When I am bad, I am very very bad,
but when I am good, I am lovely.
Does that not count for any
part of my character?

What do I have to be for you to love me?
Perfect?
What do I have to do for you to be able to handle me?
Shut up?

There you are… pointing your finger at me.

Do you think you’re flawless?
Do you think that I don’t have my own grievances
about you?

I promise you, I do.
But I love you.
I love you for the whole package-
flaws and all.

So in the end,
I realize...
This IS about love

(or at least it should be).