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

Sh*t Girls Say About Money

Oh come on, how could I resist?



Thank you LearnVest.

Crazy or Brilliant: Handbag Renting

I'm going to need your opinion on this. Bag renting has always intrigued me. So when  stumbled across this article on Yahoo titled "10 Things You Should Rent Instead of Buy" I had a feeling handbags would be on the list, and they sure were, in the number three spot no less.

Call me old fashion but I don't really like to give something like a dress or a handbag back once I've paid for it. We've all heard of Bag Borrow or Steal. Its a genius business plan and as part of the nouveau frugal I love the idea of saving money on things items that are for the most part out of my league, but beyond that I don't think you would ever catch me renting a bag. . While I would love to be spotted about town with my Chanel bag in tow lets be real here for just one minute. If you are willing to spend $225/month to rent a designer bag (that's $2700/year for repeat offender, btw), don't you think you should just find one bag you love and invest in it? Wouldn't you feel better knowing that the beautiful bag slung over your shoulder is 100%  yours and doesn't come with a monthly payment. I couldn't even imagine what SSF would say about that! Imagine his surprise seeing "bag rental" in between BG&E and Sallie Mae.

On the other hand, renting gives you the ability to change your mind without the risk of buying into a bag that you don't use as often as you thought you would. It also gives access to bags that I couldn't afford in my wildest dreams (ahem, this one)

I still think SSF would kill me though.

 What's your take?

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 

  

Smart Fashion: Cheetah Print

Full disclosure: I was in my pj's until at least 2 on Saturday. The end of my semester is quickly approaching (yay!) so I spent the morning finishing up some papers and powerpoints. I threw this one to run some errands with SSF. I've been plotting this outfit in my head all week so I couldn't resist the opportunity to wear it. Even if it meant wear it for a trip to Harris Teeter to pick up a pizza and a redbox (sidenote: Bad Teacher was kind of hilarious, I don't care what you say).

This is one of the shirts from Goodwill I bragged about. Not to shabby, eh?.
I would wear this shirt everyday, but I think people would catch on. I mean cheetah print isn't exactly inconspicuous.

How was your weekend?

Ps. I moved my outfits deets to the bottom there so I could include some prices. It's something I've always wanted to do, you know, just to keep myself in check. Let me know if you love it or hate it.

Outfit by the Numbers: 

Shirt (Goodwill): $4

Sweater (Old Navy): $15*

Jeans (Gap): $26

 Shoes (Aldo): $60

Total: $105

*now $10.49 in store

**Accessories not included

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).

Cheap Thrills

It's Friday! Woooooo!
I just wanted to share some of the (cheap) things that have got me all excited over the last couple weeks.

Have a great weekend!

Making my closet feel more J.Crew than T.J. Maxx

Cost: $14 for the vase and fish bowl (Hobby Lobby)

Who says you can't merchandise your closet? 

Personal finance books on clearance at Border's "going out of buisiness sale".

Cost: $9.. total.

A hot topic for SSF I these days has been retirement savings, hopefully that bottom book should help. 

The most perfect pair of "end of summer beginning of fall shoes" at 70% off.

Cost: $35 at DSW

I've been wearing these things everywhere, all the time. 

Breathing new life into thrifted skirts.

Cost: Free! Already owned both skirts and I used the leftover stitch witchery from my roman shade project.

I can't wait for some serious fall weather to rock these with boots and tights, but first I need new tights. 

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....