RetailMeNot Best of Fall Fashion

As you well know, I am all about fashion on a limited budget, and making the most out of all the money saving resources I have. Before making any purchases online, I always visit RetailMeNot.com, the very best site for coupon codes. I've saved so much money over the years by making sure I never missed out on free shipping or an extra discount with the help of RetailMeNot.

So of course I was very excited when RetailMeNot invited me to take part in their Fall Fashion Challenge! Several other bloggers and I were given $150 to shop a fall trend and put together three looks, incorporating it into work, evening and casual wear. You can see how everyone styled their trends at RetailMeNot's blog The Real Deal, How to Wear: Best of Fall Fashion.

The Fall trend I'm styling is a classic that is always huge - denim. 

A well fitting, versatile pair of jeans is worth spending a little bit of money on, and since purchasing denim can be a challenge when you can try on a whole stores worth, I was feeling even more intimidated by the idea of buying online. I decided to check out Lucky Brand, since it was Labor Day weekend when I did the bulk of my shopping and RetailMeNot had them listed as having an extra 40% off sale items.

Lucky Brand lets you choose jeans by body type, and once I determined I was slightly curvy, I selected this pair of dark skinnies and crossed my fingers. Thankfully, aside from obvious length issues, they fit perfectly! I ended up getting the jeans for half off the list price, and I'm hoping I'll be able to wear them until the cost per wear gets down to pennies. 

For my causal look, I picked up this cute tee from Target's FEED collaboration. For some reason this line had not yet been put on clearance online, even though it had in the store, so it was still full price at $18. Fortunately I was able to take advantage of a 20% Labor Day off promotion and get it for $14.40. 

My other purchase for this look was the leopard fold over clutch from the Gap. This clutch sold out ridiculously fast. I actually missed out getting it during the Labor Day promotion, and then obsessively checked their site all day the following Tuesday until the blessed thing came back in stock. There was a new promotion going on for 30%, so I was able to get it for $35, which worked out to only be a few dollars more than it would have been over the weekend.

Chambray, or as it should be know, the jeans of tops, is my office wear star. I'd had my eye on this Target chambray blazer for a while, and since I was able to get it for $17, nearly half off the list price, I decided it would be a good choice. I love the idea of a casual fabric in a structured pice. It's a really great way to incorporate the denim trend into work wear, especially if you work somewhere that has a more strict dress code.

Finally, in my going out look, I've taken the same jeans and added sequins, glitter, and leather. The nights start to get freezing in the Fall, and I'm more likely to trade in my dresses for denim. The jeans, un-cuffed and with heels take on a whole new look, and of course the leather moto jacket pulls it all together.

Lucky Brand Lola Skinny Jeans Originally $120 on sale for $100 plus an extra 40% off clearance = $60

Target Chambray Blazer Originally $35 on sale for $21 plus an extra 20% off = $16.80

Target FEED Tee Originally $18 with an extra 20% off = $14.40

Gap Leopard Foldover Clutch Originally $49.95 with 30% off using code GAPSAVE = $34.97
(sold out, but this one at The Limited looks just as nice!)

Total before tax and shipping = $126.17

Final total with tax and shipping = $148.62

This post is sponsored by RetailMeNot who provided me with $150 to shop for the items featured here. My views, opinions and sartorial choices are my own. 

London Times Day to Evening Challenge

Today I am participating in the Day to Evening "Savvy Style Challenge" sponsored by London Times.

The challenge at hand is to take this stunning metallic stripe dress from day to night on a budget of $100.

Several bloggers are participating in this challenge, and you get to vote for your favorite blogger on Facebook. Once you vote, you will be automatically entered to win:
A $150 Giftcard to London Times
And a $100 Amex Card to complete your own savvy look.

The Fan and Blogger winner will be announced on Monday, October 8th.

---

I actually did quite well with my budget - I managed to only spend $95 (including sales tax) and got some pretty great deals. The temptation to go to Forever 21 and accessorize the heck out of this dress was definitely there (isn't every piece of jewelry in that store $5.80?) However you know my focus is on quality over quantity, so I did all my shopping at TJ Maxx.

Side by Side... To me, transitioning from day to evening means shedding some layers, adding some sparkle, some height, and letting your hair down.

A closer look at day... A sweatshirt blazer is an easy, comfortable way to make a dress causal while still being polished. The studded boots add a little bit of an edge to the look. I would definitely wear this look to work on a Friday, or even for some errand running on a Saturday.

The Rundown
Dress c/o London Times Metallic Stripe $88
Sweatshirt Blazer Olive and Oak $25
Studded Boots Toi et Moi $18

A closer look at evening... The spiked necklace was a bit of a splurge at $20 considering the budget restraints, but I had to have it, and more than made up for it in savings on the shoes - these little BCBG peep toes were on clearance for $26!
As any evening look would require, I amped up the makeup with a bright lip, some shimmery shadow and a few coats of mascara.

The Rundown
Dress c/o London Times Metallic Stripe $88

Spike Necklace Natasha $20

Snake & Nude Pumps BCBG $26

Nail Color Butter London Wallis

Now go vote for your favorite Blogger! 

(which is Me, right?)

This post was sponsored by London Times, who provided me with the dress and a $100 Amex gift card.

A little bit of Vogue goes a long way

While searching my inspiration photos for this month's calendar of looks, I dug deep, and pulled out this image from a Vogue spread that has to be at least five years old.

I've had a cropped bouclé blazer for just as long as I've had this image hanging around my hard drive, and I almost decided to donate it since I haven't worn it in a year. But I'm glad I didn't, because this look surprised me. I felt so long and lean in my wide legged black pants, flowy silk top and little jacket!
While I easily could have been true to the inspiration and worn a pair of low top Chucks, I was feeling like I wanted the three extra inches and the pop of color granted by the turquoise pumps.

I also feel like this outfit is a fabulous representation of what my blog is all about -- can you guess what the most expensive item is that I'm wearing?

The Rundown

Top Premise from Cocos on the Green ($5) - Blazer Kohls ($10) - Pants NY&Co. ($10) - Shoes Thrifted Karen Scott ($3) - Earrings The Cavernous Jewelry Box (Gift) - Bracelet Etsy by Arterhaar ($15)

$43 for this very vogue outfit is not too shabby!

Today I also got my yearly hair cut. Yeah, I know. I tend to look forward to getting a hair cut with the same relish that I do for the dentist (ick, have to go this month!). But this time I found a way that was actually, quite enjoyable. 

I had a newly licensed, currently unemployed hairdresser come to my home and cut and style it tonight. It was comfortable, affordable, and enjoyable. Maybe I could even make my hair cuts semi-annual now.

I kept it pretty long this time. But I had her put in lots of layers and angle it. Sometimes I wonder if I should go short.

Sorry for this photo - you know how I hate the combination of on camera flash with my oily face that hasn't been freshened up since 7 am...

PS. I'm the November featured blogger at Miss Vinyl Ahoy - you should go check it out!

Forty One

Last night I decided to go through my closet and pull out all my unworn items -- anything that hasn't been on the blog or wardrobe remix came out. Of course I I do not have a photo of every outfit I've worn since I started the blog, but this seemed like the simplest approach.

I decided that everything needed to go out in plain sight and easy reach, so they are all on the bookshelf. All forty one pieces (this is including new things I have yet to wear). Seven of my items are empire waist tops. Other than skinny jeans, what does one wear with an empire waist top? As I've mentioned, jeans went from being worn several times a week to a couple times a month, making the need for the empire waist tops much less.
On some level I still really like them. What makes it hard to just get rid of them? I remember how much I used to love wearing them.

Today in my world of Wardrobe Remix, simply throwing on a top over a pair of jeans feels like not even trying, so how will I make these tops part of my daily rotation again, or is it even possible?

I also had a really tough time picking out an outfit for today. It took me over two hours, and normally I spend 10 to 20 minutes putting a look together. I'm sorry for not getting much blog reading done, I just wasted so much time stressing over what to wear!

The Rundown

Dress Avon -Vest TJMaxx - Sandals Onex - Lion Belt Ebay - Earrings Arabella

Ultimately I ended up choosing a simple black vest from my unworn pile, just because it seemed the easiest. I threw it over this satin print dress that I've actually worn quite a bit, with my black sandals I wear constantly, and my new earrings that I've not yet worn.

Yesterday I chose the yellow cropped cardigan from my unworn pile and wore it with the poppy dress, now making it's third appearance. I guess I really have to thank Ali for putting the poppy dress in my head, it's clearly become a favorite.

The Rundown

Dress Kohls - Cardigan F21 - Sandals Onex - Earrings So Good Jewerly - Bracelet Thrifted

I think I need to take half of those 41 items and just get rid of them. Even with all those things out of the closet, it doesn't look any less full.

I promise I'll get to all your blogs soon, and Miss Vinyl Ahoy, MarchMusings and MeredithW, I haven't forgotten -- Thank you all so much for the lovely awards!

For two of them, I'm supposed to say seven things about myself, sooo...
(what don't you know yet?)
I don't chew gum.
I get anxieties about traveling alone, but I still like to travel.
I want to be a better photographer.
I didn't finish college.
I have listened to "If I Ever Feel Better" by Phoenix 120 times, and it's my most played song.
I can't count.

Have you entered the 200 Followers Giveaway yet?

Call it luck, Call it OCD

Sometimes I have trouble letting things go. Like a certain pair of sandals. As soon as I got it into my head that I wanted those Jeffrey Campbell Splendid sandals, I was on a mission.
Of course at $120 they were out of my price range, and I then spent hours and hours trying to find the cheaper alternative. Nothing would quite measure up.

Nordstrom has them for half off - $60, however they only had sizes 10 and 11. Still, out of stock doesn’t mean forever and so I began checking the Nordstrom page daily and wishing for my size 8 to appear.

I also went for my old standby, the ebay saved search. Yesterday morning when I heard the lovely little ping of the email, I saw an auction for the Splendid. Buy it now of $74, opening bid of $50, $10 shipping. Normally I like to wait until the final seconds to bid, but I was worried someone might want to use buy it now, so I bid.

At 1 pm my iphone chirped and a message from ebay told me I’d been outbid. I was a little crushed, there was no way I’d be getting into a bidding war with some dumb person who doesn’t know to wait until the end of an auction to bid.

So, for the third time in 12 hours, I checked Nordstrom.
There they were. Size 8. Size 8! I had a mini heart attack and dove for my credit card. (why haven’t I memorized that number yet?) I imagine those were only in stock for a grand total of 30 seconds.

I’ll admit the shoes are still a bit pricey, even at half off – especially after sales tax and shipping, but sometimes I’d rather spend a little extra to get what I want than to settle and always be a tiny bit regretful.

The estimated arrival date is August 10th, so until then, I’ve got some other shoes I need to be wearing, like these printed flats.

I had thought that it might be cool to pair them with a black and white printed top, but sometimes the obvious choice is the correct one, and I ended up wearing white, peach, and orange.

I wasn't feeling very photogenic today, so I took my accessories off to photograph them.

The Rundown

Top Avon - Skirt Gap - Belt NY&Co. - Shoes Old Navy - Earrings Taken for Granite - Bracelet Kohls

And now, for what you all really wanted to know: the winner of the $60 CSN Stores Giveaway is AKing! Congratulations!

I felt a hush fall quietly from my spark

There was quite a lighting storm last night; huge bolts every ten seconds for several minutes. It was very late and I was trying to keep awake to see it. Thunder frightened Chloe, and she tried to find refuge under the covers, but I suspect she found it far too hot and left abruptly.

Friday I wanted to wear shorts to work in the worst way. I even put them (the tweed, very trouser like ones) on, and contemplated it. I think it probably would have been okay, but I didn't really feel like enduring any sort of commentary from anyone.

The Rundown

Top TJMaxx - Pants Gap - Shoes Kohls - Necklace Macys - Earrings Kohls

I went with my pinstriped pants instead and wore my brown flats from my challenge. The verdict is in. They are not comfortable and they are going. There is no point in keeping a flat that hurts your foot.

To satisfy my shorts craving, I wore them all weekend.

The Rundown

Top J.Crew - Shorts Gap - Sandals Naturalizer - Bracelet Gift

Forever 21 is offering a free shipping code. This is one of my greatest weaknesses as I hate shopping at the B&M locations -they are always such an unruly mess- and I hate paying for shipping.
In the past, I've gone overboard, and regretted my purchases. This time, I had such excellent self restraint. I put 20 things in my cart and then kept deleting until I setted on the one I wanted most, this bird print top:

Today had more stormy skies, and I held out, hoping the rain would stop and I could get a photo with some nice rim light.
Not so much. But at least the rain stopped.

But I did wear this new top. I loved it on the hanger, but now that I see it on, I'm not so sure. You can totally see my bra though the lace. Either I need a really gorgeous racerback bra, or something that would work layered.

The Rundown

Top TJMaxx - Shorts Made by Me - Sandals Onex - Earrings Taken for Granite

Have you entered to win a $60 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores yet?

Shoe Style Challenge

In part due to my recent obsession with finding the perfect pair of platform sandals, I got to thinking about all those boxes littered throughout my closet and room, of shoes. Shoes I'm not necessarily wearing. And I couldn't help but to feel a bit guilty about needing to bring more into an already crowded space.

Some are old, and were well worn during their heyday, but have never once been on this blog in the nearly two years I've been at it. Others have been worn once or twice and are in need of more love.

I have to do right by my shoes. Even the flats that I adored at the time, but am now ignoring in favor of heels. They need some lovin'.

Here are the players who have never seen the pages of the blog before:

Navy Fortune Cookie flats by Sugar (a B-Day gift from my Mom in '09)

 Pink and Orange print flats from Old Navy (a tiny bit narrow for me, hence lack of wearing)

Brown flats from Kohls (My sister bought these, but then decided they hurt her feet, so I took them. They aren't terribly comfortable.)

Floral sandals by Chinese Laundry (I adore the print, but I have trouble creating outfits that won't compete with a printed shoe)

Yellow fringe sandals from Target (These were $5 and a means to a free shipping qualification end, it wasn't love, it was convenience)

Navy eyelet flats from the Gap (They were really cheap?)

Olive lace flats by Rocket Dog (my very first pair of ballet flats, and very well loved once, but not so much anymore. I loved them so much I got a second pair in cream, but then didn't really wear them.)

I'm not going to give myself a specific time line, just to get them worn. Today, the floral sandals:

What to wear with pink, but pink of course!

Throw in some green, some yellow, and a second floral accessory...

My little blazer that hasn't gotten much wear yet this summer works as both a second pattern and a neutral and is perfect for the office (which has been surprisingly less chilly lately)

The Rundown

Dress TJMaxx - Blazer Macy's - Earrings and Bracelet Made by Me - Ring Kohls - Sandals Chinese Laundry

Have you entered to win a $60 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores yet?