I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Lace-Up Sandals

My obsession with lace-up sandals started last spring. I think it might be full on ridiculous now. I'm kicking myself for missing a pair of black lace-up lower heel sandals that Zara had on their site. Now they are gone. Last spring I was in search of a lower heel pair and found these at Nordstrom Rack. Now that the weather is warm, they have become staple.

Recently I spotted a black pair and I might have squealed with glee. Until I realized that they were Jimmy Choos and cost,$995! They are on my lust list but I definitely won't be buying them (below, bottom middle).

Clockwise from Top Left  Aldo / DV by Dolce Vita / Tahari / Zara / Sole Society / Jimmy Choo / Candies via Kohl's / MIA

It was hard to decide which ones to include. I loved so many. These choices are a good balance of color and neutral, with high, low and mid heels.  Are you obsessed too?

Frugal Fashion Friday - Winter Essentials

Today's Frugal Fashion Friday isn't focusing on just the cost of the item but the cost per wear. There are items that are my go to items each winter and I've worn some of them for years. They are classic pieces that I know will never go out of style but they also fit my personal style.

Click on the photos for buying informaiton.

 

I own these or similar items and they are all my go tos for winter.

Wool Felt Fedora - I've owned this gray fedora for a few years. It's one of my favorite bad hair day toppers and it looks stylish too. The gray means it goes with everything. It's a classic style.

Leopard Coat - My mom gave me this leopard coat last year and I wore it all last winter into the early chilly days and nights of spring. It's a statement coat and I LOVE it.

Moisturizing Lip Balm - I love my colored lipsticks but they don't always moisturize. My lips always get so dry in the winter. I wear this lip balm under lipstick and on it's own.

Longer Leather Gloves - I have a pair of leather gloves that are longer than average. They go about a third of the way up my arm between the wrist and elbow. The longer length is great because they cover my wrists and go past the cuff of my coats. I scored mine at Target several years ago.

Great Sunglasses - Winter glare from snow and just direct sunlight can be wicked. I love a good pair of sunnies. I scored these by 3.1 Phillip Lim, over the holidays at Neiman Marcus Last Call.

Fur Collar - A stylish fur collar makes even the most basic coat amazing. If I'm not wearing my leopard coat, I add a fur collar (I have a few) to almost every other jacket and coat I own. My favorite way to wear it, is with my leather biker jacket.

Low Heel Black Boots - My boots came from Target's Dolce Vita collaboration. I wear them constantly in the winter and love them. They aren't leather and are on their last leg. I've ordered these beauties from Zara but I also love the ones above from DV Dolce Vita and these from Jessica Buurman. A great pair of black ankle boots look stylish, keep your feet warm and can be worn with pants or skirts and tights.

All of these items weren't the least expensive things I own. They were good buys because they get tons of wear from me. To me, that is the mark of good value. If you paid very little for an item but it sits in your closet, was it a good buy? I think not. Lots of wear, means an item was worth it, regardless of a discount or not. Look for those pieces that you know you'll wear over and over. Those are the best value for your money.

What are your winter go to items?

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Black & White and Read All Over

The classic combo of black and white can't be beat. A black pair of pants and a white shirt can make you look a bit like wait staff unless you jazz it up with accessories and a little color. Like this twist with a bit of an 80's feel.

Shirt - Coldwater Creek, Tank - Target, Jeans - Lane Bryant, Jacket - Target (outerwear not 30 for 30),
Boots - Dolce Vita for Target, Tie - thrifted, Necklace - Kohls, Ring - JewelMint, Earrings - gift

A simple black sweater gets some visual interest with a white bow tie blouse.  Well in this case it's a DIY collar.

Sweater - Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Collar - DIY,

Even plaid can play a part in black and white style.  Throw on a white top, a cropped faux leather jacket and some bright tights for a pop of color.

Jacket - Belk, Top - Coldwater Creek, Belt - Talbots Outlet, Skirt - Swap,
Boots - Silhouettes, Tights - We Love Colors, Necklace - Self made, Bracelet - JewelMint, Ring - JewelMint

This post is part of the Everybody, Everywear blogger challenge.  Check out all of the cool black and white outfits that the other bloggers are wearing.

Twenty Five to Midnight

This is definitely one of my favorite 30 for 30 outfits. It came about quite organically. I knew I wanted to wear the skirt and jacket.  The rest was added piece by piece. I'm really pleased with the quirky touch that the tights and fur collar bring. I wish I could have taken pictures before work. My hair looked much better at that time and some daylight would have added a better quality.

Jacket - Torrid, Sweater - Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Skirt - thrifted, Boots - Dolce Vita for Target,
Collar - gift (QVC), Sash - Marshalls, Tights - avenue, Bracelets - F21, thrifted and Target,
Watch - Loehmann's, Earrings - gift, Lipstick - Revlon Candy Pink

My sister teases me when I wear this collar. She says I should not be wearing muppet fur that it's cruel. I don't think PETA has a muppet division and that always makes me laugh. I can't help it. I fell in love with this collar the first time I saw it online. I even mentioned it in a wish list post several months ago. Lucky for me, my Mom got it for me for my birthday.

My Honey and I were being silly and kept trying to take picture of me balancing on one leg. She took about 6 pictures because I have no balance at all and my leg kept dropping as the picture snapped.  In my defense the shutter speed on the camera is painfully slow. This one is for you Honey.

Twenty Four Hours

It finallly warmed up Monday but mother nature played a cruel trick on us and decided to make it rain. It made for some interesting pictures. They are a little hazy due to the fog and rain. The rainy weather also does, great things for my hair, NOT. Notice the beautiful flatness. It's hard to believe that I had volume before I left home.

I couldn't resist taking pictures by the creek today because I'm wearing my new necklace from Nautical Wheeler. The necklace is a little silver branch and reminds me of  Pooh Sticks.  I've always loved Winnie the Pooh. In the story, The House at Pooh Corner, Pooh invents the game Pooh Sticks. He drops sticks and fir cones into the water on one side of the bridge and watches them come through on the other side.

Sweater - Ralph Lauren thrifted, Pants - Lane Bryant, Boots - Dolce Vita for Target,
Belt - Target, Scarf - street vendor in Paris, Bracelet - gift, Necklace - Nautical Wheeler

A little music happiness for a rainy day.

Fifteen Beers

The title for this post came about completely by accident but it's incredibly appropriate. This was my going out outfit last night to hear a band play. And have some drinnks but not 15 beers. I don't think I've had that much beer since college. When I started 30 for 30 I decided to use song titles as my post titles for all 30 entries. Some post titles were easy to come by but others have been a challenge. Music is an important part of my life and this was a way to also incorporate it into my blog. At the end, I'll post a playlist of the songs with the title and artist.

We had a blast of cold again last night and I was not feeling a skirt. I decided to throw together this nod to the 80's outfit. My sister, my Honey and I went out for dinner, drinks and to hear a great Virginia band, William Walter & Co. play at Whitlows (one of my favorite places for local music). Check out some of their original music here - William Walter & Co.

Shirt - Coldwater Creek, Tank - Target, Jeans - Lane Bryant, Jacket - Target (outerwear not 30 for 30),
Boots - Dolce Vita for Target, Tie - thrifted, Necklace - Kohls, Ring - JewelMint, Earrings - gift

I wore an outfit during the day yesterday and took photos. I apologize but I just couldn't bring myself to post them. I hated the outfit and how it looked.  Later during 30 for 30 I'll restyle the outfit and wear it again. I promise.

I hope you are all having a great weekend.



Nine in the Afternoon

30 for 30 is really teaching me some things.  I should have given a little more thought to some of my outfit combinations before picking my 30 items. I have to confess this is my least favorite outfit combo so far and the pictures aren't my faves.  At least my little gnome friend lends a little laughter to the picture. I bought that little guy as a gift for my Honey because he was so cute.

That look on my face is saying, "Honey, please take the picture already." It looks a little like I smelled something bad.


Sweater - Ralph Lauren thrifted, Shirt - Converse One for Target, Pants - Lane Bryant,
Boots - Dolce Vita for Target, Ring - craft fair, Bracelets - Saks off 5th and Target, Nails - Revlon and OPI



This pearl bracelet was originally sold as a necklace. I wear it both ways. Items that can do double duty are favorites for me.

I've owned this simple silver ring for many years. My good friend Kate has set her sights on it and made me promise that I'll give it to her if I'm ever tired of it. The nail polish is a new addition. I used Revlon Silver Screen as the base and OPI Shatter over top.  OPI Shatter is a new product and I'm sure I'll be using it often. I've heard that it's sold out in lots of stores. Lots of online companies are jacking up the price. I found it for $7.99 here. If you're adventurous with your polish it's a great addition. You get this cool effect in one simple step.

Seven Nation Army

The beauty of 30 for 30 is the joy in finding new combinations. I don't know if I'd ever have put these items together if it weren't for this challenge. My apologies for the quality of the photos. I didn't get a chance to take photos outside today so I was forced to take them indoors.



Jacket - Torrid, Sweater - Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Shirt - Target, Jeans - Lane Bryant,
Boots - Dolce Vita for Target, Sash - men's tie: thrifted, Pin - gift, Cowl - self made with the Knifty Knitter 



Yes that's my kitty, Hemingway, under my left leg. Too bad you can't see her cute face. That's one of the  hazards of indoor shots.

Four Kicks

It's HAPPY FRIDAY, people! My Mom is visiting for two weeks and she's going to give me sewing lessons. I'm so excited. I can do minimal sewing but my Mom is a master. Can you tell by my expression how happy I am today?

I'm sure I have too many items on my "to make" list. There are a few skirts in my future. I got patterns for Christmas, now I just have to pick the fabric. I might have to swap out one of my unworn items for a new skirt. I wonder if that's considered cheating in 30 for 30 land.


Sweater - Ralph Lauren cashmere: thrifted, Jeans - Lane Bryant, Boots - Dolce Vita for Target,
Sash - Old Navy, Earrings - gift, Necklace - self made, Bracelets - Forever 21 and thrifted

 



Have a great weekend!

Power of Two

Thanks to everyone for sending lots of positive comments and love to me. You guys are great for my ego. 30 for 30 is off to a great start!

I love maxi skirts. However, there is a fine line with a maxi. Stylish or religious cult... It's a precarious balance, my friends. Pair this skirt with a high collar ruffle blouse and I could fit in well on any compound. That's why I decided to take the demure maxi and rough it up with some rocker chick cool.



Pleather Jacket - Torrid, Shirt - Target, Skirt - thrifted, Boots - Dolce Vita for Target,
Over the Knee Socks - Target, Bracelets - gift (thanks Aunt Nancy) and vintage bangles (Thanks Mom),
Earrings - self made on DIY day with my sis (thanks for the tassels Sis)

 I realized after taking my pics that you couldn't really see my boot or accessories. I thought I'd include a few close ups for your viewing pleasure.

My sister, who claims not to be creative, came up with the idea to make earrings using tassels. I added some silver beads that I already had in my stash.

I paired this chunky cuff, a Christmas gift from my Aunt and Uncle, with some delicate bangles that my Mom gave me. She's worn these bangles since she was a young woman. I love vintage but even more when it belonged to someone I love.

Don't you love these boots!? They are so 80's and really comfy. The buckles give them a great edge. Thanks to the amazing Target clearance racks, I got them for only $17! I checked and if you want to snag them, they are only $12.24 online!

I just did a quick tally. My entire outfit, including jewelry (because it was a gift or self made with items I already owned) cost only $48! Not bad, huh?

Borrowed from the Boys

I confess, I have been borrowing guys clothes since the 80's when my sister and I raided some of our dad's old clothes for oversized blazers. Now the term is the boyfriend jacket. Recently, we've both become obsessed with oxfords and brogues. These comfy lace up shoes are stylish, come in lots of colors and styles and look great with a boyfriend jacket or just your favorite pair jeans or pants. I even like the look with a skirt.

Traditional colors are great. I have a pair in gray and one in black. However, I like the idea of the traditional shoe in an unexpected color.

Try teal...

Asos Mallory at Asos

or olive...

Steven by Steve Madden at Zappos

As usual Target has some great bargains...

Dolce Vita for Target with a studded toe

and this black and white version.