Get Smart

Guys, last week the unthinkable happened: My car died. (Don't worry, I'm getting to the part where this is related to style... I know, this is a style blog.) Thankfully, this occurred when I stopped by my parent's house to pick up some packages. Not so awesome: Finding out the following day that my transmission was kaput. Getting myself into a new car payment was the last thing I wanted to do but putting a lot of money into an older car that was bound to  have other issues come up later on sounded even worse to me.

As a result, you've seen very little to no posts from me as I didn't really think you'd like to see my "walking to work and back" fashions. I don't remember the last time I wore pants for one full week other than last week out of necessity. I would like to never walk down that road again. I'm a skirts and dresses girl through and through and last week proved it to me. Additionally, wind blown hair? Not very awesome.

All that being said, I am a firm believer that out of something bad there can come something good. The good part of all this: I finally had the chance to get the car I have dreamed of owning for over ten years. Long story short: In high school, I was lucky enough to go on two trips to Paris with my photography class. While over seas, I came across the cutest little car ever - if I remember correctly, it was brand new over there at the time... probably around 2000 or 2001. I dreamed of owning this little car but knew we had nothing like it in the states. Fast forward to 2008: Now my little car is being sold in Michigan! I even signed up for the early release email announcement/pass even though I knew I wouldn't be buying one... I had bought my little black car in 2003 and it was definitely in fine condition. I had no reason to get rid of it.

Well, my dream finally came true this past Saturday! Let's let the pictures do the talking, shall we? :)




A dream come true!


Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt, Thrifted, $6.99
Gingham Button Up: Blair, Thrifted, OLD
Puffy Vest: Land's End Canvas, FREE w/ gift card from giveaway
Rainboots: Hunter via Shopbop, FREE w/ gift card from giveaway
Bracelets: Clay bracelets made by me!
Glasses: SEE Eyewear


This is the first time I am showing these off on here! Not sure what has taken me so long - I wear them every weekend! I am SO thankful for the giveaway I won from The Looks for Less that allowed me to buy these! :)


You had to know that I was going to pick black and white, right? :)


In conclusion: I'm as happy as could be right now! I have my dream car - which also happens to be super affordable, fantastic on gas and good on oil changes (only necessary every 10,000 miles if you're interested) and I have the rain boots I dreamed of owning for ages (thanks to a gift card I won)!

What is new with you? I double dare you to tell me something great that happened to you this week! :)

Frugal Additions - January 2012

About one week ago, my best friend and I decided to make some time for a little shopping therapy. Granted, some may find delight in shopping the beautiful rack at Nordstrom but we like to get our kicks in at our favorite thrift store, Value World. We swear by this place as the mecca of all metro Detroit thrift stores. I seem to always be able to find at least one goodie each time I stop by AND their prices are the best, by far. I can't tell you how many times I have walked out of there paying just $0.80 for a shirt or $0.40 for a skirt - and that's not even on the days I walk in with a 50% off coupon!

Anyway, let's get down to the good stuff, shall we? MY FINDS! I always love to read Kara's posts (at Unusual Form) about her new thrift finds so I thought I would share mine this week too! Here's a few sneak peek type photos of the pieces I ended up buying. Don't worry, they'll be making their full debut on the blog in due time. :)




New York & Co houndstooth button up - $1.80
New York & Co tunic length blue button up - $1.40
Land's End burgandy ribbed cardigan - $1.60Natori II burgandy/gold palazzo pants - $1.30
J. Peterman Co tan button up jacket - $1.80
Styleworks blazer with floral cuff - $5.40
Franco Sarto suede boots - $4.20
Sofft black leather ankle boots - $6.20

All of this equals out to a grand total of $23.70. I don't think that is too shabby for a little shopping therapy with one's best friend... do you?

Speaking of money and shopping, I'll be back later this week to discuss my shopping, changes for the new year and more. Stay tuned!

EBEW: Black and White

A cool and easy black and white mix today. Quick separates, quick photos, long day. Sometimes that is just how it rolls, right? I'm sure you understand.

I convinced my boyfriend to snap a few quick photos of my outfit today... nevermind our super dim glow lighting. Ah, apartment life. :)



Dress: Leslie Fay, Thrifted, $1.80
Blouse: Old Navy, $7 (clearance)
Booties: Sofft, Thrifted, $6.20
Bracelets: Forever21, Old
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

This is probably the first and the last time I will wear this dress. I never tried it on when I bought it as I was at one of those thrift stores that doesn't have dressing rooms. Yeah, one of those. Anyway, I clearly misjudged it because it's rather large on my frame. The bottom is ok but I was swimming in the top without this blouse over it. It's too bad because I do love me a good vintage Leslie Fay dress. :)







As I mentioned yesterday, I'm dressing in black and white all week. I was inspired by today's Everybody, Everywear but it's also, hands down, my favorite color combination. It is so easy and always looks good!

Hopefully you'll stay tuned to see how I rock out with my black and white out the rest of the week... or, um, something like that. :-)

A Return to Black and White

Hi, guys! Long time no blog, right? Just slightly. :)

After being gone for so long, it was a little scary to jump back into this head on... It was kind of like the first day of school after the end of a long summer. What will I wear? Because isn't that always the first thing you think of at the beginning of the school year? I know I'm not the only one. Inspired by tomorrow's Everybody, Everywear and my already long standing love for black and white, I decided to keep it relatively simple with a week worth of black and white looks. Black and white mixes are always my fallback look. They're easy to put together, easy to wear, easy to accessorize and always look good. How can you not like that? French women come to mind when I think of black and white. Somehow French women could wear the same white tee and black jeans everyday and look absolutely effortless. I think there is, at least, a small part of every woman who craves to have that french effortless look down pat.

That being said, here are a few photo snippets of what I wore today. Granted, it's a bit more black and cream than white, but you get the idea. While I was away from the blog, I gained a new camera, a Nikon, so I'm still mastering the art of using it... I haven't had time to pair it with my tripod and new remote, so no full body photos for at least today. Maybe tomorrow as well. And maybe the rest of the week... I've been keeping up a pretty awesome gym routine after work that I'm not willing to end. I often forget how good I feel after working out (and doing so consistently) - I'm not letting myself forget this time. :)



Blazer: Saks Fifth Avenue A.S.A.P., Thrifted, $3.00
Dress: Apt 9, Hand Me Over *, FREE!
Socks: Nine West, Big Lots, $5 (for pack of 3 pairs)
Boots: Franco Fortini, eBay, OLD
Earrings: Phul Effect, Won in giveaway!
Necklace: Phul Effect, Won in giveaway!
Glasses: SEE Eyewear












My favorite way to wear my hair right now.

* Wondering what a Hand Me Over is? It's my new name for pieces of clothing that people have given me that were not in the form of a gift. For example, one of my favorite coworkers gave this dress (and more) to me because her daughter didn't wear it anymore. Would I like it? Well, yes, of course I would! There is always room in my humble abode for stray black and white pieces. :)