Winning Combo: Leopard + Red

There is no denying that leopard and red is a one winning combination. It adds a pop of spice to all sorts of outfits. Payless got the memo also because they released three pairs of shoes in this combo. I love that they did it in a flat, a wedge and a whoa-mama heel.

Also, now is the time to stock up at Payless because they are offering their fab BOGO promotion.

September Outfit Inspiration Calendar

September can be such a tease of a month. The stores and magazines are showing nothing but fall fashion, but the temps for most of the country are still too warm to indulge in all the layering and thicker fabrics. Hopefully this month's inspiration calendar will keep you inspired during this transitional time.

Thanks to everyone that submitted photos of themselves or ones they have come across to use for this month's calendar!




Thursday, 9/1 - Skinny Black Pants with Neutrals (via Pinterest)
Friday, 9/2 - Graphic Tee Combo (A Little Bit of This)
Saturday, 9/3 - Bright Yellow and Denim(via Pinterest)






Monday, 9/5 - Gingham and Red (Daily Jo Haiku)
Tuesday, 9/6 - Neon, Pink and Teal (via Pinterest)
Wednesday, 9/7 - Lace! (via Pinterest)
Thursday, 9/8 - Orange and Navy Mix (Ashley of A Fashion Fixation submitted it)
Friday, 9/9 - Denim Shirt over a Maxi Dress (via Pinterest)
Saturday, 9/10 - Go Casual in Plaid and Leggings (Daily Dose of Dana)






Monday, 9/12 - Belt a Blazer (via Pinterest)
Tuesday, 9/13 - Mix Green and Turquoise (AnyEveryNothing)
Wednesday, 9/14 - Add Pops of Color to a Light Base (via Pinterest)
Thursday, 9/15 - Add a Touch of Masculine (Buildeth Her House)
Friday, 9/16 - Go for Plaid (Defying My Closet)
Saturday, 9/17 - Mix Polished and Casual (Melange 4D)






Monday, 9/19 - Polka Dots and a Pencil Skirt (via Pinterest)
Tuesday, 9/20 - Ground a Pattern with Black (via Bombshell Beauty)
Wednesday, 9/21 - Belt a Cardigan (this girl's life)
Thursday, 9/22 - Orange and Gray Mix (via Pinterest)
Friday, 9/23 - Casual Fall Layers (Ashley of A Fashion Fixation submitted it)
Saturday, 9/24 - Denim with a Trench and Leopard (via Pinterest)






Monday, 9/26 - Yellow and Gray Mix (via Pinterest)
Tuesday, 9/27 - Ruffle Top and a Skirt (via Pinterest)
Wednesday, 9/28 - Layer Green over Lace (via Pinterest)
Thursday, 9/29 - Striped Cardigan with Dress Pants (Ladyloo Land submitted this look via Avenue)
Friday, 9/30 - Dress up Denim with a Blazer (Bella Remixes)


Sync up with the Outfit Inspiration Calendar, so you can have inspiration at your fingertips on your Google Calendar or phone. You can also print the calendar by clicking on the Print Icon below.

Daily Outfit - 8/29/11

A couple of weeks ago I received a $10 off any purchase coupon from Kohl's.  I stuck it in my purse just in case.  Dave and I happened to grab brunch on Saturday right across the street from a Kohl's, so I decided to stop in and see if anything caught my eye. I'm glad I went because I ended up getting 2 tops off of the 80% off rack, so I only spent $10.91 out of pocket (saved $72!). So not only was I excited about my bargain finds, but it made deciding what to wear today an easy one by just grabbing one of the new tops.





Printed Tee - Simply Vera Vera Wang via Kohl's, sale + coupon for $5 (August 2011)
Blue Cardi - NY and Co, $20-ish (2009)
Gray Pants - Goodwill (happen to be a Kohl's brand also), $2.15 (August 2011)
Necklace - Avon, $10 (2009)
Navy Slingback Heels - Avenue, clearance for $9 (Jan. 2011)

Daily Outfit - 8/26/11

Back when I worked for a company that didn't have casual Fridays I didn't necessarily miss them, but I sure do enjoy being able to wear jeans every Friday currently. It just seems to make getting dresses so much easier and quicker.




Shirt - Ralph Lauren via Goodwill, $2.15 (August 2011)
Necklace - H & M, $13 (August 2011)
Jeans - NY & Co, $35 (2007)
Belt - Target New Stock via Goodwill, $1 (Spring 2011)
Gold Watch - Timex, gift from my mom (Christmas 2009)
Gold Sandals - Payless, BOBO for $16 (June 2011)

Do you have casual/jeans day where you work? Do you think it is easier or harder to dress casuall?

Reader Question - Michigan Weekend

Let me first say how much I enjoy Fab Finds Under $50! You have given my so many styling ideas :)
I will be heading to Mackinac Island, MI for Labor Day vacation. From what I have learned, the weather is more fall- like (60s-70s) there this time of year. I will be shopping, biking, and exploring the island and would appreciate any ideas you have for casual outfits that are comfy but still stylish.


Thanks in advance!
Heather

Heather, thanks so much. I am so happy to read you are enjoying FFUF and getting ideas for your own wardrobe!

First up, I hope you have a fabulous time over the long weekend. It sounds like a great getaway.

Here are a couple of ideas that I have for you:

Left - I think jeggings and a drapey top would be a great combo. The jeggings will be comfy for walking and riding around plus they are a little cooler than your normal jeans. By pairing them with a patterned top and a bright pair of flats you will look chic yet casual.

Center - I think this casual t-shirt dress paired with capri leggings would be a great outfit that will look pulled together yet super comfy. The leggings will keep you rated G while riding your bike and the scarf will be a nice addition if it gets a little chilly.

Right - A fun maxi dress paired with an open front cardi will be perfect for dinner out or a day of shopping.

Be sure to take a couple of pieces to layer for the cooler evenings and if the temps end up being more in the 60s vs. 70s. Also, you will be sure to want to take a lightweight cross-body bag that won't get in the way while shopping and biking. And lastly, don't forget your shades! I love a classic pair of aviator sunglasses.

For a few more outfit combos that I think will work great for this trip, check out this post.

Have fun, Heather!

Daily Outfit - 8/25/11

The Outfit Inspiration Calendar called for a mix of textures for today's outfit. With that I decided to pair this light, airy top with a snakeskin belt and heels. I love the girliness of the top with the black and snakeskin.




Top - Old Navy, clearance for less than $10 (Jan. 2011)
Grey Snakeskin Belt - NY and Co, on sale for $10 (Spring 2011)
Black Cigarette Pants - Macy's, on clearance for $35 (May 2009)
Heels - Nine West, $45 (2008)

Thank you so much for all of the supportive words in regards to my post on Weight Watchers. A few of you stated you would like if I shared tips and ideas that relate to WW and loosing weight from time to time. So today I thought I would share a picture of what we had for dinner last night.




2/3 cup of whole wheat pasta
Sauce consisted of sauteed banana peppers, onions, ground pork (left over from stuffed peppers earlier in the week), diced tomatoes, italian seasoning, garlic, fresh spinach leaves and 8 oz of tomato sauce topped off with a dash of parmesan cheese

Super yummy, quick (20 minutes including chopping time) and 10 P+

Also, my favorite site for recipe ideas is Skinny Taste. She makes so much great stuff, includes points value and her pictures of the food are gorgeous!

Style Challenge: Ashley Stewart Leather Vest

This past June while Tina, of T Minus T Plus, and I were in NYC for FFF Week we spied this fabulous leather vest from Ashley Stewart.

(image via AlecTurner.com)

It was seriously the one piece that I knew I would own once I saw it. Well, Tina was feeling the same way and as we walked back to our hotel (complete in semi-formal wear and eating hot dogs) we talked about "the vest" and all the ways we could wear it.

So, when Ashley Stewart offered to send us the vest for a little "style challenge" we jumped at the chance. To make it extra fun we grabbed our girls Sara of Bombshell Beauty and Maddy of Plus Model Magazine to join in the vest fun.

Check out the looks:



Tina opted for a corporate chic look by layering over a printed blouse and pairing with a pencil skirt.



Sara stayed true to her Bombshell Beauty name and paired it with pretty pink and animal print.



Since I knew the gals had the skirt combos down pat I opted to do a "night out" look by layering it over a sequined tee and pairing it with jeans and fun heels (closer look here)

Poor Maddy is sick, so we will just have to keep guessing how she is going to wear it until she is feeling better.

But wait, there's more . . . (I kind of feel like I am doing an "as seen on tv" commercial right now). I couldn't stop at just one look since I love this vest so much.




On the left I decided to pop some bright red with the vest and a pair of skinny, cropped black pants that could be worn out to drinks with the girls or a business casual look. On the right, since I was talking about wearing white jeans into fall and winter I thought I would try a look pairing the vest with a turtleneck sweater, scarf and boots also.

The vest comes in grey or dark brown in sizes 10/12 up to 26 and of course is a fab finds under $50 ($44.50). Grab one now before they sell out!

I have a ton more ideas of ways to wear this vest too.  How about you?  Can you see this vest becoming part of your wardrobe?

Tina contacted Ashley Stewart to see how we could get these vests since they weren't available at the time, and Ashley Stewart offered to send them to us so we could do this project.  Thanks so much to Ashley Stewart for their generosity!

Daily Outfit - 8/24/11

It was another above 90 degree day here in Indiana (which I know is nothing compared to Texas and other states), so I opted to go with this light skirt and eyelet blouse. Also, I picked up this necklace at H&M over the weekend (I love the style - I have a similar one in coral and another H&M one in teal), so I decided to put a little Americana twist on the outfit with the Red, White & Blue.





White Eyelet Top - Talbots via Goodwill, $2.15 (August 2011)
Necklace - H&M, $13 (August 2011)
Polka Dot Skirt - Goodwill, $4 (2010)
Heels - Pour la Victoire/TJ Maxx, clearance for $41 (May 2010) (I actually wore these in the detail picture vs. the one in the full-length shot. The bow ones slipped off my heels too much to deal with all day long. I need to get some of those rubber heel grippers!)

Off Topic: Weightloss

Okay, ladies, I am taking a quick detour from the usual posts here . . .

I have received a lot of tweets, comments, emails, etc. lately about my weight, or to be more exact asking if I have lost weight or commenting that they can tell I am (which have all been ridiculously sweet, so thank you!).

I was on the fence if I should even share on this topic because a) it is deeply personal, 2) I don't get very personal on here and 3) it doesn't have anything to do with fab finds! However, I know that a lot of you, my dear readers, have your own issues with weight, so I decided to share a little bit about mine.

To be honest, I have been overweight all my life. I remember doing my first "diet" in the 5th grade. I have done old Weight Watchers plans, Atkins, South Beach Diet, and sprinkled Sensa on my food at various points over the past 10 + years. I would loose at most 15 pounds, stall out, give up, and slide right back into my bad habits.




This past February, at my heaviest weight ever, I made the decision to join Weight Watchers and actively attend the meetings every Wednesday evening (something I had failed to make a priority with past attempts). I invited my boyfriend to join me (he was also at his heaviest weight ever) and he did.

Six months later (almost to the day) I am down 42 pounds and have truly made Weight Watchers and the Points Plus program a way of life. Before with other plans/diets I have felt deprived, like I couldn't go out and if I splurged with a candy bar it was all over. With the WW P+ program I haven't felt that way ONCE. It is truly all about moderation.

I don't have any big secrets and I definitely haven't mastered my weight issues, but I am the most positive I have ever been about my weight and the direction it is headed.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them below or email me. I am more than happy to share more with anyone that is interested or is a Weight Watcher themselves.

Daily Outfit - 8/23/11

The temps definitely feel like summer outside, but it can be down right frigid in my office. Since this dress is on the shorter side of things (for me) I decided to toss these leggings on underneath.





Pink Shirt Dress - hand me down from fab reader, Jocelyn (originally from Lane Bryant)
Gray Floral Cardi - NY and Co, on sale for $20 (Early Spring 2011)
Black Belt - came with a vest/Ashely Stewart
Leggings - compliments of Just My Size
Heels - Coach (Spring 2010)

Now & Later - eShakti Must Haves

It is still definitely summer where I am at, but this time of year I am thinking of Fall Fashion. When shopping I love to get pieces that will not only work now (because I love to wear new stuff) but will transition right on into fall!

Since eShakti is offering a fabulous $20 off any order now through 9/15/11 with promo code FFUF0811 I thought I would pull a couple of items from their new arrivals to showcase. For each of the three items I pull together an outfit for now and later on in the fall/winter. Hope you like the combos!