Frugal Fashion Friday - Outfit Crush for Friday's Fancies

My recent obsession with floral pants is well documented. I found and ordered floral pants from ASOS.  I got them for the bargain price of $35!  I was thrilled but my difficult to fit lower body doesn't always mean that my orders will work. I tried them on and YAAAY! they fit.  They were a little large in the waist, which always happens for me. If pants fits my hips and booty, then they are almost always too big in the waist. I just take them in a bit and they work well.  I know I'm not the only pants challenged girl out there.  We all have issues, shorter legs, longer torso, long legs, and on and on. We all know that pain. 

Today's challenge for Friday's Fancies was "Outfit Crush".  I decided to duplicate an outfit that I pinned to my "Style I Should Try" board on Pinterest, Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific's chic floral pants outfit.  I couldn't wait to try it using my two new bargain purchases, floral pants from ASOS and striped top from Talbots Outlet.

photo credit: Atlantic-Pacific

I have to confess that I have a huge style crush on Blair Eadie.  Plus, she's a Virginia girl (like me) who now lives in Cali (I wish).  What's not to love?  She's taken the polished style of lady like Virginia society and mixed it with the laid back cool of California.This outfit incorporates those elements, statement bag, crisp white jacket, chic updo and designer sunnies combined with the print mixing of stripes and floral with those amazing blue booties. I had to try my hand at recreating this amazing outfit.

Jacket - Target (similar), Top - Talbots Outlet (similar), Pants - ASOS (no longer available more here), Bag - DSW, Shoes - Nine West via DSW, Sunglasses - Chanel, Bracelets - c/o Stella & Dot, ASOS and Vintage, Watch - Timex (gift), Earrings - Target, Rings - DIY and Engagement

I'm sure you are wondering how this could possibly be a bargain outfit.  This is the breakdown. I purchased the pants for $35 on sale.  The top at the Talbots Outlet for $16 and the shoes at DSW with coupons and rewards for $20.  I have owned the jacket and the bag for many years, so I'm recycling.  The gorgeous Stella & Dot bracelets were a gift from my amazing stylist, Kristin Biggs. I made the ring myself when I took a metal casting class several years ago.  The watch, bangles and my engagement ring were gifts.  The only item I paid full price for was the sunglasses.  I've owned them for eight years and I wear them often so they've paid for themselves many times over (great cost per wear).  They are timeless.

Check out the Renegade Cluster Bracelet, Revival Bracelet, and Toujours Bracelet c/o Stella & Dot

Who is your style crush or outfit crush?  I'd love to hear about your inspiration.

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Frugal Fashison Friday - Date Night Edition

Last Friday's post for Friday's Fancies was so much fun that I decided to join again today.  The theme is Date Night and this one is perfect for today.  My Honey and I are having a date night tonight!  We attend the local Unitarian Universalist Congregation and tonight they are having a movie and sing along night to The Sound of Music! I know it sounds corny but I think it will be great.  The entry fee is food for the food pantry.  There will be a concession stand where we can buy snacks.  It's a very laid back place and dressing up or wearing super high heels isn't necessary so I picked an easy outfit that's worthy of date night but a little on the casual side.

Jacket - Newport News Boxy Tweed Jacket $69

Top - Old Navy Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top $14

Jeans - NYDJ Boyfriend Roll Up Cuff Jeans $88

Shoes - Nine West Punchy in Pewter $59.99

Bag -Target Xhilaration Neon Yellow/Green Clutch $19.99
Necklace and Bracelet - DIY Neon Yellow bead necklace and bracelet (from Goodwill)
Lipstick - Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Fuchsia Fever $7.49
Canned Goods for the Food Pantry - Find Your Local Food Pantry

I have a black tweed jacket that I added chain to.  It was a fun and easy DIY (details here).  Before I added the chain, I hardly ever wore the jacket. Now I wear it often. I love simple tees with interesting details, like this cowl neck. I have quite a few pairs of jeans. They are only two brands, Lane Bryant and Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ). I love NYDJ jeans because they fit my pear shaped body really well.  I never have to worry about them riding too low in the back. They have just enough stretch and they come in tons of styles.  They are more expensive than other brands but worth it because they retain their shape and color wash after wash. I just got these shoes at DSW. I wasn't able to find them on line in the pewter color but they are great shoes and I'd consider buying them in almost every color. I got them for less than $30 because of DSW certificates. Obviously I love this bag. I've featured it in two posts in a row. Guess that means I've made my decision about my clutch buy. The necklace and bracelets aren't in the collage above but you can see them here in my DIY post. They are a fun addition to the neon trend and were so easy and inexpensive to make. I've been wearing this lipstick constantly. The pink color is so much fun and a great spring alternative to red.

Did you know that one in six people in the United States go hungry every day?  With the economy in such a rough place, food banks need help more than ever. They are terribly depleted and need money and food.  They also need volunteers. Please consider helping out your local food back. 

I hope you all have a fun date night planned soon. A date night doesn't have to be a date with someone romantic, it can be a date night with your friends.  Have a great weekend.

HAPPY FRIDAY REAL GIRLS!