What I Want - Fall 2014

For the last few seasons I've created a board on Pinterest and saved my must have items for the seasons. These are the items I really want and are on the top of my list. They will be the first items to get my fashion budget.



Click on the photos above for buying information.

Matte Wine Lipstick - I'm loving matte lips right now and as you know I'm a huge fan of the Maybelline Color Sensational line. They just came out with some of the colors in a matte finish and I love the wine shade, Divine Wine.

Tweed Moto Jacket - Moto jackets are so versatile. I have traditional leather options. This tweed version adds a polished twist to the tough moto silhouette.

Fun Graphic Tees - Graphic t-shirts with cool sayings and phrases are on my must have list. When I spied this t-shirt, I had to have it. A shirt that says, I EAT GLITTER FOR BREAKFAST is so me.

Pointed Toe Loafers - Heels are great but I constantly find myself gravitating toward my flats and low heel options. The pointed toes bring more sophistication to these loafers.

Leopard Clutch - Leopard is a fall trend but I've had an oversize statement clutch on my must list for several seasons and haven't found one that's perfect. This one from etsy is fantastic.

Faux Leather Midi - I've been hunting for a midi length leather or faux leather skirt for a while now. Short skater skirts are easy to find but those don't work for me. This length is perfect. It's on the top of my list.

Virtual Shopping - French and Fashion Tees

I've been loving all of the fun graphic tees available lately. The shirts with French phrases or fashion nods have been the ones I am draw to. Somehow it's super easy to dress up a t-shirt when France or fashion is involved.

Click on the items above to view buying information.

Just add heels and a statement necklace and your fun t-shirt is ready to play dress up.



Click items above for buying information.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Graphic Tees

It wasn't intentional but I guess there is a running theme this week.  It may have been my visit to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame but I can't get enough of graphic tees paired with all sorts of bottoms.  Of course you can wear them with your favorite jeans or shorts but I'm loving them with unexpected choices like pretty skirts or tuxedo jackets and printed pants. Lately I've been searching for lots of different graphic tees.  My jaw hit the floor when I was searching and I saw a tee for over $1500!  I don't care if it's a Lanvin t-shirt. $1500?! That's nuts.  There were lots that were in the $300 range.  How can anyone justify paying $300 and up for a t-shirt?  I couldn't even pay over $50 for a t-shirt.  That just doesn't work for my budget. There are so many fun options that are $35 and under.  Even $35 is pushing it for me because I know there are fun options that are under $20. For a t-shirt that you'll wear occasionally, $35 is my max.  Check out all of these fun tees!

Click the photos above for details.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own graphic tee with just three simple items. Your DIY shirt will be uniquely yours. Click here to follow my tutorial. 

Happy Friday Real Girls!

 

DIY - Some of my favorites

I've spent the last few days getting things ready for our big wedding DIY weekend. I realized late last night that I didn't have a blog post for today.  Instead of not posting, I decided to give you all a post showing you some of my personal favorite DIY projects. 

Chain Detail Jacket - I love that just some craft store chain can elevate a jacket.  It was one of my early DIY projects and one of my favorites. I wear this jacket often.

Duck Tape Clutch - The reason I love this DIY is because you can use any color or style of duct tape you like.  You can make it your own.

Rock Lyric Tee - Inexpensive t-shirt, stick on letters, spray paint, and your favorite rock lyric are all you need to create this t-shirt. It's a fun and cool addition to your casual wardrobe.

Silver Oxfords - If you have a pair of old oxfords or can grab a pair at the thrift store, you can create these shoes in just a few hours. I used silver but you could use any color you like. Neon pink would be fantastic.

Minty Shades - Nail polish as paint? Yes! The mint green polish elevated these shades from boring to wow and this entire project was finished in about an hour.

Safety Pin Necklace - I love DIY because I can create a designer style necklace for $900 less than the original.  Maybe it's my life long love of punk rock looks but safety pins as jewelry are fantastic.

Metallic Skull - Home decor DIYs are the best.  I get bored easily and love changing up the accents in our home.  A $1 plastic Halloween skull becomes a cool home accent with a little spray paint.

I hope these favorites of mine inspire you to get creative.  I'd love to hear about any projects you create.

Inspiration - T-Shirts and Fancy Skirts

Lately, I've been loving the combo of a t-shirt and a fancy skirt.  I'm especially loving graphic tees with a fashion related or French saying.  Many of the blog popular shirts are crazy expensive.  Try $225 for one t-shirt!  I know, INSANE.  I created a board on Pinterest titled "Style I Should Try".  I pin photos there of outfits I love and want to emulate.  My love of this fancy casual outfit has made me want to expand my skirt and t-shirt wardrobe.  I've been looking for some great skirts and I just made a run to Old Navy for some new tees. These ladies are my inspiration.

Check out the links to these ladies by clicking the photo above. 

All of the ladies above have such great style. Their basic idea was the same, a t-shirt and a fancy skirt but they all have an amazingly different take on the concept.  Everything from the fantastic, over the top, feather skirt and cool graphic tee of Blair from Atlantic - Pacific to the sweet, flowy maxi and simple gray tee of Allie from Wardrobe Oxygen.  I love that each of them took the same basic idea and gave it her own twist. A couple weeks ago I went to a beauty event at Nordstrom and wore one of my favorite sparkly skirts and my vintage AC/DC t-shirt. I got lots of compliments and it was a chic but comfy outfit for a busy day. My sequin skirt is begging for the same treatment.

Old Navy is the best place for basics, like t-shirts.  They're inexpensive and the perfect canvas for a graphic t-shirt DIY.  My DIY is in the works.  I can't wait to show you the final results.

Over the weekend I visited one of my favorite stores for bargains, Talbots Outlet.  The entire store was $17.99 or less!  I got an amazing black and bronze, brocade skirt for only $17.99. I can't wait to pair it with my DIY t-shirt. 

What do you think of  pairing a fancy skirt and t-shirt?
 

Inspiration - Summer Evenings at the Ballpark

My Uncle Tommy loved baseball.  He loved it so much that he took his vacation every year during the World Series.  He wanted to have time to devote to the watching the games.  My Dad had fond memories of traveling to Washington, DC with Uncle Tommy to attend Washington Senators baseball games.  The Senators are no longer an MLB team but now we have the Washington Nationals.  I occasionally catch part of a televised game if {msL}or my soon to be brother in-law are watching but I don't watch games on my own.  When I was in college I attended my first major league game at the ball park and was hooked. I love watching sports live.  I'm not a true fan, I don't know stats or even the name of every player.  I understand most sports and love the excitement of watching a game live.  Being at the ballpark is like nothing else.  We love attending Nationals games and I was inspired to pick some of my favorite ballpark attire.

1) Stella & Dot Heiress Hoops, $44
2) Stella & Dot Moondance bracelet, $39
2) Stella & Dot Nugget Wrap bracelet, $31
3) Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses, $97
4) Washington Nationals Hubris MVP Adjustable Cap, $19
5) Baseball Manicure via Pinterest
6) Washington Nationals Women's Practice T-Shirt, $28
7) Converse winter white shoes, $50

There is nothing like a summer evening at the ballpark.  The weather is always warm. A cool comfortable outfit is a must.  I always go casual to the ballpark.  I wear jeans or capri pants, tennis shoes or flat sandals, simple but stand out jewelry, and great sunnies. I already own a Nats ball cap and awesome silver Ray-Ban Aviators but I'd love to get a Nats t-shirt.White Converse are also on my list. When I spied this baseball manicure on Pinterest, I was truly inspired.

If you've never been to a pro baseball game, I highly recommend it.  Even if you don't have a MLB team close by, you could catch a minor league game.  They are so much fun!

Fashion and Style Quote of the Day (#9)

I've always thought of the T-shirt as the Alpha and Omega of the fashion alphabet.

- Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani is known for his amazing dresses, gowns and beautifully tailored suits.  His personal daily uniform usually consists of black pants and a t-shirt.  I have to agree with Mr. Armani. I love all sorts of fashion but I adore a soft easy t-shirt.  It is a great base for a fantastic outfit.  There is always the choice of a basic v-neck or crew neck t-shirt (which are my favorites) or you can grab one with a little visual interest like runching or a peplum. I never pay more than $20 for a t-shirt, in fact most of my t-shirts cost less than $10.  I personally don't see the point in spending a ton for a basic shirt.  Many fashionistas sing the praises of  James Pearse.  His basic cotton t-shirts sell for about $65.  That's not practical for me.  Especially when I can get one at Old Navy for $5 or less, on sale.  Some of my go to t-shirts are from Old Navy.

My favorite t-shirt is made of Lyocell.  I got it at Target years ago.  They don't make that style any longer and I'm constantly on the hunt for one that is similar.  It's the perfect heather gray, it's soft, stretchy and has retained it's shape over the years and hasn't shrunk.  I don't have any other t-shirts in my wardrobe that have lasted so long.  It's amazing. Hopefully, I'll find a similar shirt sometime soon.

There are so many styles and fabric options available, there is a shirt for every style and budget.

The Perfect T-Shirt by Real Girl Runway

Peplum T-shirt, $17
Pure Body T | Gap, $17
Women's Fitted Scoop-Neck Tees | Old Navy, $9.50
Women's Vintage-Style V-Neck Tees | Old Navy, $8.50

A great t-shirt can show off your favorite jeans or dress down your fanciest skirt. You can wear one to the beach with shorts or to the office with a skirt.  T-shirts are truly one of my favorite wardrobe staples.

Rock n' Roll Saturday Night

We went out to dinner on Saturday night and I had to sport my new t-shirt. It was a fun outfit to wear and comfy too. These pictures make it hard to read the wording on the t-shirt.  Make sure to check out yesterday's post for all of the DIY details.

Tuxedo Jacket - Gianfranco Ferre via Saks Off 5th, T-shirt - DIY, Jeans - NYDJ via Nordstrom Rack, Shoes - Taryn Rose via Nordstrom Rack, Bracelets - vintage and Premier Jewelry, Ring - DIY, Watch - gift, Earrings - Shecky's Girl Night Out, Lipstick - Maybelline Fifth Ave. Fuchsia, Nails - Revlon ColorStay in Rich Raspberry

DIY - Rock Graphic Tee

There are lots of great rock tees available but I'm always looking for the ones that speak to me personally. What if you could take your favorite lyric and turn it into a one of a kind shirt?  All you need are just four simple supplies and a song lyric you love.

Just a few simple supplies were needed.

SUPPLIES
t-shirt.                      $7
spray paint               $4 already owned (from my neon jewelry DIY)
stick on letters          $3 already owned       .
newspaper               ______________
                                $7 (not counting the items I already owned)            

I chose a few lines from a song I love and one I could turn into a great design. The line is from "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band. "Sweet like candy to my soul. Sweet you rock and Sweet you roll.". Because sweet comes before each line I could create a design with that single word.

I stretched the shirt over the newspaper. Then applied the stick on letters. I didn't worry about them being straight and even. Imperfection would add to the cool rock vibe. 

Then I sprayed the paint across the letters in a swash. I wanted it to look accidental.

I let the paint dry completely. Then I removed the letters. The best part of this DIY is that it is completely customizable. Choose any song lyric, t-shirt, color of spray paint, and letter style to make it your own.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Easy Holiday Party Staples

It's really hard for me to believe that next week is Thanksgiving.  The year seems to have flown by and the Holidays are upon us.  That means Holiday parties and events for work, family and friends. There is a party or event happening almost every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Years.  I love Holiday parties, getting together with friends and dressing up.  At lots of these occasions I will see the same faces.  It sounds a bit Hollywood but I don't want to show up in the same outfit twice. Even more important, I want to feel stylish, confident, and at ease. There are also those impromtu and last minute events where I'll need a quick outfit that will look great.

Over the years I've come up with some strategies for these events. I've bought some stand by items that have served me well and they are my go to party items. I feel polished and confident in them and they are easy to mix and match with great tops and accessories to create an easy to throw together party outfit.

My Go To Party Items

• Tuxedo Jacket - They are available in all sizes, styles and price points. You can wear it with a skirt or a pair of jeans and look polished.
• White Dress Shirt - Pair it with your tuxedo jacke or your satin skirt, ala Sharon Stone (see below).
• Great Tee - A simple, well fitting t shirt in a neutral color can dress down your maxi skirt or be a blank canvas for your tuxedo jacket and statement necklace.
• Stand Out Shoes - Choose a pair that fit your personal style, taste and comfort level. I have a pair of heels and a pair of flats, I choose based on my mood and need for comfort.
• Statement Necklaces - I have several but if you only want one, pick a version that suits your personality.  You can wear it to a party or to dress up your jeans and tee.
• Satin Maxi Skirt - I love my satin maxi skirt. I have worn it so many times to different events and it's my go to for evening weddings. If satin isn't your style, try chiffon, or silk.

I found all of the items listed above at a bargain.  By checking department store outlets like Saks Off 5th and Nordstrom Rack, I scored the satin skirt ($40) and tuxedo jacket (Gianfranco Ferre, $60) for a steal. I also own a men's tuxedo jacket that I bought at Goodwill for $6. My white dress shirt is a no iron shirt. It makes it easy to wash and care for. A t shirt with stretch in a fabric like Tencel or Modal will keep its shape and drape beautifully.  I used to select party shoes just for their looks but after suffering through many parties in pain, I've changed my way of thinking.  I now own a few pairs that look great but feel great as well. I even own a pair of party shoes that are flats. Statement Necklaces can be found in every price point.  Check out discount retailers like Target and Kohl's for amazing bargains.  A satin or dressy maxi skirt can be your go to for many fancy events and parties.  I've worn my to fundraising dinners as well as evening weddings.  It's a simple palette that can be dressed up or down. In searching the web I found them in every color (mine is black) at bridal retailers for less than $50!

I mix and match my tuxedo jacket with jeans, skinny pants, and skirts.  I've worn the skirt with a white dress shirt, t shirt, chiffon blouse and more.  Pairing them with a statement necklace, stand out shoes and a fun bag can take these basic staples to the next level.

Many celebs have mastered the art of amazing party outfits.  My favorites are those that mix the fancy with the simple. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sharon Stone in her GAP t shirt
at the 1996 Academy Awards

Sharon Stone wearing
her husband's white dress shirt and a Vera Wang skirt
at the 1998 Academy Awards 

Olivia Palermo wearing a tuxedo jacket, flats and cigarette pants

Basic go to pieces are the key for me when dressing for parties.  It takes the stress out of deciding what to wear or buying a new outfit every time.  New outfits are fun but my budget doesn't always allow for that extra purchase, especially during the holidays.

Tuxedo Jacket, $10 Sequin Skirt, Bargain Stand Out Shoes (Details Here)

T Shirt and Statement Necklace
(also wearing my satin maxi skirt, not pictured)

What's your go to party ensemble?