Smart Fashion: Birthday Dinner

Oh hey, I've missed you guys.  I've wanted to post since like forever  but work has been so busy lately. Speaking of work, I was promoted! (eee!) I'm super excited for the opportunity but even more excited for the added financial stability. I was thinking about it the other day and its amazing how far SSF and I have come. This time last year we were scrambling to get our tax returns filed because we needed our refunds to make other payments. This year, we are doing it at our pace. It feels good amazing to not be reliant on a tax refund to get us through the month.

As for my outfit, my sisters birthday (Happy Birthday Amber) on Saturday so we all went out for a family dinner.  Nothing too fancy, just a casual dinner out. I of course wore my glitter shoes.

How was your weekend?

Outfit Details

Shirt: Old Navy $7

Jeans: Gap $25

Shoes:  J.Crew $60

Jacket: Express $30

Total: $122

Today Feels Like...

A sequin jacket and tall shoe kind of day....



sequin jacket: $25, ebay auction
elizabeth and james hali wedge: $82 (down from $275) shopbop

just saying.....

Smart Fashion: Making Do

Early last week there was a brief chill in the air. It lasted about 30 seconds (or 3 days, but who's counting?) and then it went right back to near 60 degrees. This is seriously the most mild winter I've ever experienced. SSF is totally bummed. Snow is one of the things that both him and his students look forward to.

Anyway, Once the cold weather hit I was dying to wear something furry, anything furry. Buying was not an option. I considered one of my cats but then settled for the next best thing, a detachable hood-liner. I swear as I ripped it from its normal home I heard Tim Gunn saying "make it work".

And so I did, or tried to. A broke girls got to do what a broke girls got to do.

PS. the cats loved it.

Outfit Details: 

Shirt: Urban Outfitters:  $15

Pants: Lands End Canvas c/o Lucky

Boots: MIA via DSW: $79

Belt: thrifted: $4

Total: $98 

  

Long Weekend---Bliss

jeans & Cardigan: gap; booties: aldo; top: goodwill

Guess what I did this weekend... Nothing. Well not entirely nothing, I mean I did something, but in the grand scheme of doing something versus nothing. I basically did nothing. SSF and I (with the exception of a planned family gathering and hair appointment) just did whatever we felt like this weekend... and it felt great. It was the first time in awhile that I didn't feel bogged down by school, work, wedding planning, etc.

All in all, it was refreshing. I took some time to reflect on things, clean out my closet (literally), and just spend some quality time with SSF that didn't involve me sitting on the couch with my laptop while he watched TV.

On a totally unrelated note, I've been having the best luck at goodwill the last couple times I've gone. I found this amazing polka dot top a couple weeks ago and over the weekend I scored some other seriously excellent goodies I can't wait to share.

How was your Thanksgiving weekend?

Ps. this last picture was too sexy not to share.



You can thank the wind for that work of art. :)

Senioritis

top: thirfted, cardigan: old navy, riding pants: c/o lands end canvas; boots: aldo

I seem to have come down with a really bad case of "omgwhycan'tgradschooljustbeoveralready". More commonly known as senioritis. I'm just ready to move on, you know? Unfortunately there are about four more papers that separate me and graduation.

Luckily, I have little things like $4 dollar shirts to keep me going.

I promise things will return to normal shortly. I have had lots of things on my mind lately that I am dying to share with you all. Financial stuff, future stuff, and even wedding stuff (SSF and I finally saw our venue up close and personal-- was it worth the splurge? OH HELL YES)

Just bear with me a few weeks. k?

Utility Vest for Under 10

vest & jean leggings: old navy; shirt: j.crew; shoes: nine west via piperlime; scarf: american eagle

I love Old Navy.
I hate Old Navy.
I love Old Navy.
I hate Old Navy.

Right now, I love Old Navy.
Snagged this vest off the clearance rounder for $7.

On another note I've been in crazy shopping mode lately. SSF even called me out on it over the weekend. I wouldn't say that I've been overspending, but I certainly haven't been under-spending. It's like I'm binging after months of restrictive spending. Better get that under control, ASAP.

Even before SSF had so nicely pointed out my spending (and by nicely, I mean bluntly) I had picked up on it a little. Last week I challenged myself to wear outfits I had never worn before to try and shake that "I need" feeling. It worked a little, but I need to keep pushing this week.

How was your weekend?

Mixing (Animal) Prints

We've been knee deep in personal finance the last couple posts so I thought today would be a great chance to sneak in an outfit post.





top: gap; jacket: banana republic; jeans: old navy; shoes: target; jewelry-mixed. 


How timely of me to choose animal print for my outfit the same day Christina announced her next Bloggers Do It Better Challenge. While I would love to have a leopard print top of some sort, maybe a nice lounge-y sweater piece, it's not in the budget (as SSF would say) so I will have to just stick with my leopard print shoes and my giraffe print cuff bracelet. Not bad though for things I've had just lying around the house.

On another note, I think I've moved past the useful life of these denim leggings. While the price point was compelling last fall when I bought them (around $17) they haven't held up against the washing machine as well as I would have liked. (Lesson learned: don't buy $17 dollar jean leggings hoping they will last)

Finally, If you look closely at the last picture you may notice I'm wearing the state of Pennsylvania around my neck. Awesome right? I have to tell you, I'm kind of obsessed. My sister bought it for me for my birthday (after I e-mailed her the link--I like people that can take a hint). It's designed and sold by Maya Brenner.  I'm totally obsessed with her stuff right now. (I'm not even kidding you that this necklace may have inspired the design behind my whole wedding invitation suite.

Anyway, it's Friday! Everyone go and enjoy their weekend. I know I will. SSF and I have a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant and a Groupon for movie tickets. I smell a date night (cause that's how we roll).

Clarity

shirt, jeans, and belt: gap, sandals: old navy; bag; dooney & bourke. 


I was hoping to get a post together for today about how SSF and I have combined our finances, but thanks to a minor flood in my basement on Sunday, you will have to settle for just another outfit post.

To be honest I've been feeling kind of blah about outfit posts as of late, which is nothing new really, I go through these phases every now and again. This time feels different though. SSF and I don't naturally take a lot of pictures, even during special occasions or events. We both get so wrapped up in the moment we never think to document things which makes outfit pictures kind of feel a chore. I don't want anything about this blog to ever feel like a chore. You know?

I write because I enjoy it, I share pieces of myself because I like the connection it creates with others. As I mentioned on Friday, I started this blog with a different intention than the direction I'm currently heading. I wasn't planning on saying any of this, it all just kind of came out like word vomit, so I haven't really thought everything through. I don't know what course corrections are coming yet. But there may be some changes around here over the next few months as far as content goes. This doesn't mean we're breaking up--outfit posts, it just means we might see each other less often. I don't even know if that's true yet but I guess we will see.

If you have any thoughts on things you'd love to see me cover, I want to hear them.

Did I Mention it was My Birthday?

top: gap; bolero: express; jeans: old navy; shoes: seychelles via dsw


I know, you are probably sick of hearing how it was my birthday on Sunday, but I had to throw it in there at least one more time. It is a day that comes but once a year. You understand. Right?

If you happened to stop by here on Sunday you may have noticed that SSF staged a little coup on my blog. He also planned a wonderful birthday that included brunch, shopping, and dinner at The Melting Pot (yum). He really knows the way to my heart (food and presents). It was an amazing day and the perfect opportunity to wear my gold brocade bolero that does not get out as often as it'd like. Here's to birthdays, and all of you wonderful readers/friends that wished me happy birthday. It means the world.

On another note, today is the official start to my last semester of grad school(yipee!). The only things that stand between me and a post graduate degree  are Business Strategy, Branding, and Social Media. With that said things could get a little weird around here. Consider this your warning. I may not post as frequently as you (or I) may like but I will do my best. Just bear with me through the 3 craziest months of my life... and then we dive head first into hardcore wedding planning. Sounds like fun right?

How was your holiday weekend?

One Necklace, Two Ways

shirt:j.crew; shorts: diyed from an old pair of jeans; flippies:old navy; deco bolo necklace c/o jewelmint.

I've had the pleasure of working with Jewelmint in the past so when they approached me recently for another project I was not about to decline. The original idea was for me to style some Jewelmint pieces for both day and night. It sounded like so much fun, but with my hectic schedule these days there was no way I was going to pull that off in any kind of timely manner. So I called in reinforcements. The lovely Lynzy of Sparkling Footsteps.

We each got to pick one item to style, this is the deco-bolo necklace, Lynzy's pick. To be honest I was intimidated by this thing. I rattled my brain for days trying to decide what to wear it with. Then on Saturday, I was wearing these shorts and a black tank and decided to randomly throw on this plaid shirt and the necklace as I headed out to lunch with my family. (There is a life lesson in here somewhere...be patient?...don't try to force things?...good things come to those who wait?)

But you know what, I think it works. It's actually kind of silly how versatile this thing really is. Don't  you think? Now that I've worn it once I can see so many more possibilities. How would you style this necklace?

Here's a sneak peak how Lynzy did it. I must admit, I'm kind of coveting her pink pants. (I'm a pink convert thanks to all the cerise out there. ) Don't forget to head over to her blog to see her full post.


Finally, if you haven't tried Jewelmint yet, now is the time, from now until next Tuesday they are offering my readers 50% off your first Jewelmint purchase, just enter MoneySmartFashion50 at checkout.

*Jewelmint is a members only jewelry club that provides members with exclusive jewelry from Kate Bosworth and Cher Colture. The membership fee is $29.99 per month which translates to one piece of jewelry. There is never an obligation to buy, memebers can opt out within the first 5 days of the month to avoid being charged a membership fee. I was not paid to provide my opinions or promote jewelmint. You can see my full disclosure policy here.

Comfort Clothes are my Comfort Food

tank: target, jeans: martin & osa, hoodie: under armour; shoes: old navy.

This weekend I was stressed out. Luckily, these pictures were taken on Friday so you can hardly tell. I was feeling the pressure of getting a paper done for my final. Well, my portion of the paper for our final. Got to love group work. I can't believe my summer class is almost over. Do you know what that means? Summer is almost over! Already! Sheesh.

I don't know if I have much about this outfit, besides the fact that I wore it a majority of the weekend. There is just something comforting about a hoodie and jeans. Oh and that side pony was permanently affixed to my head Friday through Sunday.

Sometimes you just got to do what's right.

Did you have a good weekend?

Same Blazer, Different Day

jacket(as if you don't know by now): express, tank: j.crew, pants: old navy, shoes: aldo

If you were thinking "Hey hasn't she worn that blazer a lot lately?" The answer is yes, my friend. Three our of the last four outfit posts to be exact. I bought this jacket back in 2007 when I was a fresh-faced [almost] college graduate looking to land my first job. Then is sat in my closet. A lot. I mean who wants to wear a great jacket like this when they are vacuuming the interior of a rental car [not I.]. I recently, as in May, started wearing it again and I am obsessed. I realize I say that often, about may things, but seriously. I'm a fantasical. Remember? I get obsessed with things until something else breaks my laser focus. (Sidenote: I'm really learning a lot about myself now that I have my productivity personality down. It';s really quite telling.)

Anyway, in my Marketing class the other night my professor and I kind of debated the staying power of the "skinny jean". Long story how we even got there (a current event about Levi's) but I said that they were a staple, she called them a "fad" but then in the same breath argued that low rise jeans were indeed a staple.  My rebuttal was going to be that in the same way low rise jeans are a staple because their fit is more flattering, skinny jeans/pants create a flattering silhouette for many types of women and therefore if not already, will soon be a staple. I didn't say this rebuttal out loud because no one in the class appears to enjoy retail/fashion as much as I an the discussion had kind of derailed into a sidebar between me and my professor.

So with all that said, what are your deep philosophical thoughts on skinny jeans/pants? Fad or Staple?

A Letter to SSF

shirt: SSF's, jacket: express; skirt: boutique in obx; bag: A&F (about 10 years ago)

SSF,

Thank you for your unwavering support and for wearing a size meduim. I wouldn't be who I am today without you, or access to your closet. I love you. Never change (your size).
xoxo, Grace


On another note. I had an epiphany at work last week. I finally realized the difference between wanting new clothes and actually needing them. To some, this is probably not much of an "aha", but some of you might know where I am coming from. I've never really taken the time to differentiate the want from the need. If I saw something in a magazine it was always "I need that." But one morning last week, sitting at my desk at work I just randomly said, I don't need new clothes. As soon as I said it I was like whoa. It was liberating. Just like it was freeing to tell you all about my student loan debt. I feel like I'm at a point in my life where all of a sudden my priorities are shifting and I am having these moments of like pure "ohhhhhh".


How was your weekend? SSF and I drove to Philly to help my parents clean out their house by taking a few items "off their hands". Including a beautiful cedar chest that needs some love. I sense a DIY in the near future....

Clutch: In Action

jacket: express, top: old navy, jeans: gap; shoes: dsw; bag: i made it!

First of all, welcome! to any of you that have clicked through to my blog from my guest post on Angies blog! I'm excited to have you. (If you just happen to be one of my readers.. go check out my guest post!)

Secondly, Thank you readers for all the nice and amazingly supportive comments on Monday's post. They really mean a lot to me. I mean if if there was a time I felt most capable of tackling my student loans, it was right after reading all of your comments. Thank you. Seriously.

Finally, I'm not really sure how I feel about those shoes. I was totally into them in the moment. Yes Yellow shoes! But now looking at the pictures I'm just kinda eh. What do you think? Too much? Just right?

Welcome Back

shirt&belt: j.crew; shorts: from old gap jeans; vest: kohls, shoes: aldo

I've been missing heels in my life lately. My workplace is so casual that there is just so incentive to wear them. ever. It's actually kind of shameful how often I default to flip flops considering I fancy my self a "style blogger" at times. This weekend I took it upon myself to re-introduce some height into my life. best decision ever. I forgot how much I love these shoes. They make my legs look great in all the right placed and don't make me feel over-dressed.

One thing I do not love.. bug bites. I've got 5 of them clustered around my ankle as a result of partaking in yard work this weekend. There is not enough benadryl in the world to calm my itching.

How was your weekend? I started class yesterday, so my weekend was like the end of my summer vacation. It was depressing. But on a the bright side, I think I will get back to a regular schedule of posting now that two nights of my week are consumed my class.

Oh Hey, I Blog Sometimes

top: target; dress (worn as skirt): modcloth; sandals: j.crew; jacket: gap outlet

I'm just going to go right into this--I've been in kind of a funk the last couple weeks with my clothes. You know, that mid-summer boredom that comes along with 90+ degree days and the constant feeling of sticky. It kind of puts a damper on the whole getting dressed thing. In addition or maybe consequently, I've just been feeling a little ho-hum about my closet. I've been just letting myself fall back on my favorite items-- which isn't a bad thing, necessarily, it just doesn't make for good blogging.

But I'm back baby, and I brought my favorite dress from last summer. Except this time it's a skirt because I accidentially put it in the dryer and gave it the SSF treatment... (I shrunk it). It was already scandalouly short, and now it's "too close to knowing exactly what underwear I have on" short. (sidenote: I'm scared to know who will find my blog by searching "what underwear I have on")

It always rejuvantes me when I can find a new way to wear something I had almost given up hope on.
It sounds silly, but it's just another reminder that shopping does not need to rule me.

What gets you out of a clothing rut?