First Lady of Frugal

There are designers throwing themselves at the White House right and left, dying to get a chance to dress First Lady Michelle Obama. She definitely wears her share of designer duds but she also knows how to find great items that are affordable for the average woman.

GAP Dress as a Tunic $29.99

H & M Dress

Converse Sneakers

White House Black Market Dress

She could also make sure that she is never seen in the same item twice but that's not her style.  She knows what flatters her body and sticks with what she likes and what looks good. Remixing is a key foundation of her wardrobe.

Dress with a cardigan and without

Belt with two different cardigans - Dressed Up and Down

One sweater two outfits

One sweater two ways - Reversed

Another key to her style is simplicity with the addition of great accessories. She loves basic cardigans paired with an interesting belt. She knows that pins and jewelry can liven up any outfit.

For someone with any and all fashion at her disposal, it's refreshing that Mrs. Obama chooses to mix high and low together.  She's had negative comments on everything from her bare arms to wearing shorts on a family vacation to the Grand Canyon.  She takes it all in stride, knows what flatters her figure, and stays true to her own personal style. We could all take that lesson.

Spring Picks for the Budget Girl - The Mix

The beauty of the Spring Picks list is that you can mix and match these items to create outfits for all occasions. The March cover of Elle showed Katy Perry wearing some of the items on the list. If this outfit is too much of a mix of colors for you, try just one brightly colored piece.

Bold Colors, Obi Belt

Take a few classic pieces but give them a modern twist by adding a funky bangle and neutral booties.

White skirt, Breton Striped Top, Bangle, Cat Eye Sunglasses,
Lady Like Bag, Neutral Booties 

Keep your outfit from looking dated or like a costume by mixing eras. Your bohemian 70's inspired peasant top becomes edgy by adding some big metal bangles and wedge booties.

70's Inspired Top, Wide Leg Jeans, Biker Jacket, Bangles, Neutral Booties

Neutrals like a shirt dress, pants or skirt can take you anywhere. Your shirt dress can be summer office appropriate but dressed down for a backyard BBQ by adding flat sandals and tying the scarf at your waist.

Neutral shirt dress, Bright Scarf, Rose Gold Watch, Lady Like Bag, Bangles, Neutral Booties

A sheer sweater can take a short sleeve or sleeveless dress (or top) from day to evening. By adding an obi belt or sash, it can look intentional instead of like you are just cold.

Bright dress, Sheer Sweater, Rose Gold Earrings and Bracelet, Neutral Booties

By adding a biker jacket to this flowy maxi, it went from "sweet and girly" to a "tough and rocker".  The contrast lends a sense of modern cool to a sophisticated skirt.

Biker Jacket, Maxi Skirt, Neutral Tee, Scarf, Lady Like Bag

With just ten basic pieces and some inexpensive accessories, you can have a spring and summer of mix and match outfits. One of the things 30 for 30 reinforced for me was to be more adventurous. Try new combinations and test your style limits.

At Seventeen

The addition of my new collar seems to have helped me over my 30 for 30 slump. I really love this outfit. Who knew a little collar could inspire so much.

Sweater - Target, Pants - Lane Bryant, Shoes - Target, Belt - Talbots Outlet,
Collar - thrifted DIY, Bag - vintage Louis Vuitton via flea market, Bracelets - vintage, gift, Self Made Beaux Bijoux

I love the way this collar turned out. It adds color and polish without bulk. I can't wait to try it with other tops and sweaters. The options are endless.



This Louis Vuitton bag is really a portfolio. I use it as a large day clutch. It was a great find at a local flea market. The bag isn't in tip top shape (a rip inside, a few stains on the leather) but after a little bargaining I got it for only $20! I couldn't pass it up.



Two of my accessories in this post have evolved a bit from their original intentions, my collar and my bag. Seeing beyond the form of an item and looking at the possibilities can bring so many options. It's the key to remixing your accessories and your wardrobe.

30 for 30 in less than 24!

As promised, tomorrow I begin the 30 for 30 challenge.

Remixing is a challenge because I'm an emotional dresser. I don't plan my daily outfits. I wear what feels good when I open my closet in the morning. The biggest challenge for me is posting pictures of my daily outfits. Even though I've been asked, I haven't posted personal style photos on this blog. I promised myself that 2011 would be my year for challenges. This is a big one. I could use some blog love encouragement as I embark on this journey.

Thanks to Kendi (of Kendi Everday) for sending out this challenge.

 

I'm still debating on my final pieces. It's the emotional dresser in me panicking that I'll only be able to wear 30 items for 30 days. Here are the first 15.

1. black thin Isaac Mizrahi sweater (Target)
2. gray maxi skirt (thrifted)
3. silver tank (Target)
4. blue Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater (thrifted)
5. fuschia suede oxfords (asos) 
6. Coldwater Creek Essential no-iron shirt, white (half price sale)
7. Doc Martens Darcie boots, cherry red rub off (thrifted)
8. blue gray swing skirt, Susan Graver (thrifted)
9. ponti contrast pencil skirt dress (asos on sale)
10. trouser style jeans (Old Navy on sale)
11. dress pants, black (Lane Bryant)
12. Coldwater Creek red cap sleeve jacket (half price sale)
13. leopard wedges (Target)
14. blue pinstripe men's blazer (thrifted)
15. gray Isaac Mizrahi t-shirt (Target)

I hope all of you, my friends out there in blog land, will join me for this challenge. It's a great test of your own creativity. If you'd like to send me some of your outfit pictures from the challenge, I'd love to have partners in crime. I'll only post pictures if you give me your permission. Just shoot me an email at: realgirlrunway@live.com

30 for 30 - A new adventure

As you know, I have not really ventured into the realm of personal style pictures. I've had readers ask me about my outfits and ask for pictures but I haven't had the guts to post any yet.  In an effort to please my readers and gain some personal courage, I'm going to embark on the 30 for 30 Remix challenge. 

Fellow blogger Kendi of Kendi Everyday has a great blog and is a champion of remixing.  She came up with the idea of the 30 for 30 Remix.  You pick 30 items, including shoes but not including jewelry and accessories and wear only those items for 30 days.  The idea is to mix and match the items into different outfits. Oh, did I mention that you also aren't allowed to shop during the 30 days either!  That's a challenge in and of itself. There is a theory that we wear only 20% of our closet 80% of the time.  I'm a big proponent of remixing your wardrobe.  I've never been one who only buys outfits. Thanks to my Mom I purchase items I love with the idea of mixing them with other items in my closet. That's the foundation of 30 for 30. 

I've signed up to be a remixer. 30 for 30 begins February 1st. Cheers to 2011, new challenges, courage and adventures.