Daily Outfit - 11/11/09

The Outfit Inspiration Calendar called for "Pair plaid with a feminine floral touch" today. The plaid shirt I originally had in mind must still be stored away with my winter clothes I haven't pulled out yet. So today I opted to just add a floral touch with a dress that I've had a while.

Also, dresses with attached tie belts usually bug me. They are hard to tie and make pretty in the back, if you layer over the dress you can end up with a tail sticking out, etc. A great solution I've found (along with many other bloggers and Flickr Wardrobe Remix gals) is to bring the ties to the front first and twist them a bit and then tie them in a simple square knot in the back over their layering piece.

Dress - Fashion Bug, w/ promo code for $30 (Late Winter 2008)
Purple Open Front Cardi - Avenue, super clearance for $6 (Summer 2009)
Necklace - For Love/Forever 21, $9 (Summer 2009)
Booties - Kmart, $30 (Jan. 2009) with Custom Made Flowers by PresumptuousMe, $16 (Oct. 2009)
Black Ring - won from ShopKim

Monday Sh0e P0rn!

Looking at (and maybe buying!) pretty shoes makes every day better, especially Mondays. Here are a few that caught my eye while doing some virtonline browsing over lunch!

Top Row Available at flyJane.net

Middle Row is available at Payless BOGO where everything is currently Buy One Get One Half Off Everything.

Bottom Row available at Gotham City Online

Daily Outfit - 11/09/09

I didn't really think when I put "Add a chunky cardi with a button-up shirt and pencil skirt" on the Inspiration Calendar that it would be 70 degrees even in the midwest!! However, this one is a nice lightweight cotton blend so I can stick to the calendar without breaking a sweat.

White Button-Up Blouse - Dots, clearance for $9 (Aug. 2009)
Cardi - Dots, $19 (Nov. 2009)
Black Belt - mark/avon, $8 (2007)
Black Pencil Skirt - Thrifted, $4 (Jan. 2009)
Gray Tie Heels - November Shoedazzle Selection, Felicity, $39 (they recently raised their prices to $39.95 for new members) (Nov. 2009)
Necklace - Dots, $7 (Nov. 2009)

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I officially started my Holiday Shopping and bought 6 gifts!! I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Reader Question - Plus Size Footless Tights

As you know I'm a big fan of your blog, and I count on you to make me brave enough to try new things. :)

I've lost about 56 pounds since April which means I can comfortably wear tights again. Yay! A few weeks ago, I bought a pair of gray, footless tights on a whim, and now I have no idea what to wear with them.

I'm still too heavy to feel comfortable wearing them so do you have any ideas?

Thanks in advance....
Your loyal reader,
Kenz

Kenz, first let me say CONGRATS!! 56 pounds is a huge accomplishment and your blog is truly inspiring. Now for the fashion question at hand . . . footless tights!

A couple of tips I have in creating a flattering look is to go for footless thights that hit at the top of your natural ankle and also the skinniest part of your leg. This will flatter your legs much better than capri length tights and also be more seasonally appropriate.

Also, go for a dress that is the same color of the tights and falls at the top of your knee cap to help lengthen your legs since footless tights can "shorten" a gal if the proportions are off.

Since footless tights tend to be a casual look I think its best to pair them with flats or a mini-wedge this time of year.

Here's a great look to try for a weekend out shopping with friends or Casual Friday. Since I picked a gray dress to go with the gray tights I left it neutral on top by adding the black tee and gray/black scarf, but added a couple pops of purple with the shoes and purse.

Sleeveless Sweater Dress - OneStopPlus.com, $39.99
Perfect Crew Neck Tee - OneStopPlus.com, $9.99
Alexis Paisley Pashmina - AffordableScarves.com, $12.95 (Free Shipping on All Orders Over $30 at Affordable Scarves)
Buckle Wedges - OneStopPlus.com, $29.99
Nellie Convertible Satchel - HandbagHeaven.com, on sale for $52.66 (15% Off Sitewide Sale at Handbag Heaven)

Most importanly, wear them with confidence and you will look great!!

"Pretty" Graphic Tees!

Several of you are lovin' on my "pretty" graphic tee today. So I thought I would pull together a couple of great options for you if you want to try the trend over a button-up shirt or under a cardigan.

Items in this set:
Old Navy t shirt, $17
Old Navy t shirt, $15
Target.com top, $11
Women's Clothing: Women's..., $28
Pure Energy Plus Necklace..., $17

click through the set for additional links!
(Tees marked with P are available in Plus Sizes.)

Also, right now Ebates is offering a 10% (regularly 2%) rebate on all Old Navy (plus check out the info section on the blog for a promo code for free shipping on orders $50+) and Gap purchases. Not an Ebates member, sign-up today. Ebates is a great way to shop on-line and make money!!! In not quite two years I have made almost $200 in FREE MONEY buying things I would have normally purchased anyway. :-)

Daily Outfit - 11/06/09

The FFUF Outfit Inspiration Calendar called for "Layer a pretty graphic tee over a button-up shirt" based on some looks J.Crew has featured lately. I have to say I'm a big fan of the look as it is a great way to make fun tees more work appropriate. I headed to Old Navy this past weekend to score another one of their "pretty" graphic tees and along with the one I went for found this "jellyfish" tee on super clearance. I have always been a sucker purple and green together so it was a necessary purchase!

White Button Up - Diaglogue (QVC Brand) NWT from Selective Seconds Consignment Store, clearance for $3 (Oct. 2009)
Tee - Old Navy, super clearance for $4.50 (Oct. 2009)
Cardi - NY & Co, sale + coupon for $17 (Dec. 2008)
Wide-leg Jeans - Lane Bryant, super clearance for $16 (May 2008)
Black Wedge Shoes - Bass/6pm.com, sale for $15 (Oct. 2009)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Daily Outfit - 11/05/09

The Outfit Inspiration Calendar called for a mix of black and florals today, and I was more than happy to pull out this skirt that for some reason I have only worn once in the past 6 months I have owned it.

Black Tee - Walmart, $8 (Jan. 2009)
Black Sweater Coat - gifted
Floral Skirt - Kmart, clearance for $12 (May 2009)
Black Belt - thrifted, 90 cents (Summer 2009)
Black Boots - Target, $38 (2005)
Green Necklace - Macy's, super clearance for $4 (2006)

Also, Fab Finds Under $50 has undergone a bit of a face lift. I invite you to come check it out if you normally see it through a Reader, etc. I've decided to go with a 3-column format and also added a section right under the header to showcase links to fun stuff I have found, a quick tip, etc. that I will update often.

Have a great day, everyone!

Reader Question - What to wear with these shoes?

First of all, I just wanted to say that I LOVE your blog. It's always the first blog that I read. I love your cool outfits and great accessories, especially because they are so unique and used in interesting ways, but easily adaptable. I like that you successfully wear items/trends that many people might think they can not pull off, and all of that without breaking the bank! WOE!

Here's the deal: I'm a classic-conservative dresser who got snagged by this really crazy-cool pair of shoes. And at $5 at my local thrift store, I just had to have them! My husband is skeptical that I'll ever wear them, so I vowed to do so before the end of the year, and I even have three occasions where I could wear them!

First, a Straight No Chaser concert, then our son's baptism and lastly, my hubby's 20th high school reunion. (Not to discount Christmas and New Year's Eve). I'm a hourglass with a post-pregnancy pouch, 5' 5" and size 14/XL. I'm in my early 30's. I tend to shy away from prints, but love color. I'm a bit clueless as to how to wear accessories, but would love to try it. What do you think? Might you be able to work some of your magic for me and allow me to win over my hubby's skepticism? ;)

Many thanks for you consideration and keep up the great fashion!

Cecilia

Cecilia, you are too kind!! Thanks for the sweet words and I'm glad you are enjoying Fab Finds Under $50.

Now on to the shoes - those are some serious shoes, lady! I love them. I pulled together a couple of looks that I think you could use the shoes with for the various events you mentioned. Since the shoes are so dramatic I kept the color palette fairly neutral so as to compliment and not fight with the sparkly dazzlers on your feet.

For the concert, a pair of dark denim and a slouchy cowl neck sweater would be great and the gold necklace will add a lot of bling in addition to your shoes.

Tan Cowl Neck Sweater – Windsor, $36.90
Croft & Barrow® Straight-Leg Jeans – Kohl’s, on sale for $17.99
Faceted Bead Bib Necklace – Forever 21, $5.80
Sexy Basic Scoop-Neck Tank – Express, $9.99
Dream Slim Clutch Wallet – Guess, on sale for $25.46

Now, I have to say these are some pretty va-va-voom shoes for a baptism, but I think paired with a simple dress in a chocolate shade or muted patterned and embellished with a gold belt and simple gold necklace they would work.

Button-front jersey shirtdress – Victoria’s Secret, $49 or
Paisley Empire Peasant Dress - NY & Co, on sale for $24.94
City Style Gold Metallic Belt – NY & Co, $11.86
Long Hammered Ring Necklace – Arden B, $18

And lastly, you will be turning heads left and right at your hubby's reunion in this "lady in red" dress with gold and camel accents.

Chaps Surplice Dress – Kohl’s, on sale for $39.99
Croft & Barrow® Ribbed Ruana Wrap – Kohl’s, on sale for $20
Necklace and clutch are same as showcased in the "Concert" set

Have marvelous times, Cecilia, in your awesome shoes. So glad to see you shake up your "classic-conservative" ways! :-)

Daily Outfit - 11/04/09

Today the Inspiration Calendar called for "Layer a patterned blazer over a simple dress". I wish I had a more "fun patterned" blazer, but I'm kind of lacking in blazers so a simple houndstooth it is. Since I went with black on black accessories with the necklace and belt I opted to toss on some berry colored tights to add a bit of color. I would have prefered a different shoe, but my menswear inspired pumps need some insoles as they are a bit big, and these were easy to grab along with being comfortable. Sometimes you just have to go with what is easy!

Black Dress - Target, clearance for $12.50 (Jan. 2009)
Houndstooth Jacket - Marshalls, $40 (2008)
Black Necklace - For Love/Forever 21, $6 (Summer 2009)
Black Belt - mark/Avon, $8 (2007)
Berry Tights - Avenue, on sale for $5 (Fall 2008)
Shoes - Same as yesterday

Traveling Scarf #1 - Stop #7

This scarf went MIA for almost 4 months with one reader who was in the middle of a major life change. Hopefully now that it is back in the US we can bust through some fashionistas so everyone gets their chance with the Traveling Scarf.

Melissa in NY wore the scarf this past week and in her words:
I was just getting over the flu and not in the mood to dress up much, but also wanted to keep my throat covered! This outfit proves that a stylish piece can really punch up some plain basics and help keep my healthy! I didn't want my pics to be this dull, so I added a brooch to the scarf from an old party top that I had.

Scarf: Traveling Scarf
Brooch: Stolen from an old top
Black scoop neck tee: Old Navy ($10)
Ann Taylor Loft Petite Khakis: Ann Taylor Loft Outlet ($25.99)
Kenneth Cole Slip Ons: Marshall's ($27)

Thank you, Kimberly, for allowing me to participate in this awesome "experiment" of fashion!

Melissa, thanks for participating! You look fab (especially considering you were just getting over a case of the yuckies!). Also, Kenneth Cole shoes for $27 - what a fab find!!

To see all the other fab ways this scarf and the other Traveling Scarf have been worn, click here.