Day 33: Live Lace Love

In the past, I've seen dresses like this in gorgeous photos and always loved them. When I was walking through Ross and saw it, I had very little hope that it would be inexpensive, but lo and behold, it was within my price point. Lace is one of my favorite fabrics for its complexity and versatility in how it can be used, both as an accent and as an entire piece of clothing. Pearls were my jewelry of choice to accessorize the elegance of the high collar. A long pearl necklace is ideal so as not to detract from the neckline. The dress on its own is fairly plain so going all our with the jewelry is perfectly fine, hence why one of the rings has not only pearls, but a large blue stone to add a pop of color. Finally, I am using my blush flats for the tiniest hint of color that also manages to blend into the background. 

Dress: $ 10.17

Shoes :$2

Blue ring:$1

Pearl ring:$. 50

Necklace :$1

Bracelet:$.50

Outfit: $15.17

The terms comfy and cute don't have to be enemies. The only way to feel truly at home in a beautiful outfit is to also feel comfortable in it. 

Day 32: Swathed in a Sweater

Whenever I see something at Ross for less than a dollar, it's pretty much impossible to not buy. My motto is that I can make anything look great with the right accessories and complementary pieces. I'm not usually a fan of sweaters, but if the price is right, of course I'm going to buy them. I just got these earrings at a yard sale about a week ago, so I thought it would be nice to feature them. I used some of my other jewelry that I've previously established as a set to complete this outfit. As an extra little detail, I put on a green undershirt to tie in the jewelry to the ensemble. The boots were in Pink Passion, but this time around they have a toasty, cozy feeling. I love getting new jewelry and thinking, oh, this ring would go great with this bracelet and necklace. It's a neverending process. 

Sweater: $.42

Pants:$10.39

Boots: $ 4

Ring:$.50

Earrings :$. 50

Necklace:$. 50 

Outfit:$16.31

Your wardrobe is never complete. 

Day 31: A Plethora of Purple

Whenever I wear this, I feel like I should go to a tea party in a garden with lavender-infused air. It is an outfit that makes one feel fancy and proper but still a bit eccentric. This is one of my all time favorite necklaces because not only is it Mickey and purple, but the stones are alexandrite which means they change colors, going from a very light, almost clear, lavender, to a deep purple like that of the ring. There is something innately beautiful in leaving such lovely, large stones in a natural state and using unique placement to create jewelry. It's a garage sale day for my ensemble and considering the exquisite appearance and quality of these items, it was an amazing bargain. 

Dress: $ 3

Shoes :$2

Tights:$1

Necklace :$ 2

Ring:$5

Earrings:$2

Outfit:$15

A natural state is often the most magnificent, but a little bit of polishing never hurt anything. 

Day 30: Heavenly Harvest

It's the season of pumpkin spice and raking leaves, and in honor of that, I have chosen a subtle theme of autumn for today's outfit. Small pumpkin earrings, an orange necklace, and a ring that captures all the beauty of fall's colors come together for a lovely harvest set. The Ralph Lauren skirt contains a more understated feeling of fall with the light and dark browns and smidgens of red and green. The black camisole brings out the dark browns in the skirt while the jacket enhances the beige details. All aspects must be considered when choosing an outfit because if one falls flat, chances are it will come crumbling down. The jacket was a hand-me-down but other than that, the whole ensemble came from different yard sales. 

Jacket: 0

Camisole: $. 25

Skirt: $ 1

Earrings: $. 25

Necklace: $. 50

Ring: $. 50

Outfit:$2.50

People practically give away the top brands at yard sales because they either don't know the value, or they just don't care anymore. Never stop caring when you are on the hunt for a good bargain. 

Day 29:Straight Outta Storybrooke

A little red riding hood coat that can be worn on a daily basis is nothing to snub your nose at. Most people that grew up with fairytales can appreciate being able to incorporate a little bit of their childhood into their everyday lives. This is such a spectacular coat and I love that it came at such a low price at a yard sale. I adore red so there isn't ever a time when I think that it's too much. It is never enough. I photographed my new boots yesterday, but they needed to be featured again to properly portray their perfection. These tights have the same story as yesterday in regards to the Target gift cards. Not only were my coat and boots found at yard sales, but so were my dress and camisole. The necklace was a gift, but other than that and the tights,  it was mostly a yard sale type of outfit.

Dress: $1

Boots: $ 3

Coat: $ 3

Camisole:$. 25

Tights: 0 

Outfit: $ 7.25

You're never too old to wear something beautiful. 

Day 28: Allusion to Alice (Liddell)

I love my Alice in Wonderland inspired jewelry. The mushroom earrings with a little butterfly (the final form of the caterpillar)and the teapot and teacup necklace came to me separately but fit together perfectly. The jacket is particularly colorful, just like Wonderland and underneath is a pure white, lace dress for Alice's innocence and naivety when she fell down the rabbit hole. My jacket, boots, and necklace were found at yard sales while my dress was bought at Ross. The tights can technically be considered free since I bought them at target using the $5 gift cards that target gives for certain types of purchases. This outfit has taken years to compile but it is all worth it when I can see such an amazing end product. 

Jacket: $3

Boots: $ 3

Earrings:gift

Necklace:$. 50

Tights: 0

Dress: $4.24

Outfit:$10.74

Beauty fades. Style is everlasting. 

Day 27: Apples and Aviators

Go from adordable to aloof in a few seconds, just add boots. This outfit is reminiscent of a time of aviators and jumpsuits. This version is modern and has a feminine air about it with the help of shorts, flowers on the aviators and an apple at the end of the chain, instead of dog tags. To go along with the idea that aviators had to be more practical, I had my hair in a side braid and added a sweet apple touch at the end to complement the necklace. For a more casual and cute look, I also photographed the outfit with some sneakers. The combat boots are on the military side and give a feeling of being calm, cool, and cutthroat. Both pairs of shoes were gifts so the prices are unknown. Other than the sunglasses,which are one of my favorite Ross finds, all pieces of this outfit are from yard sales. 

Romper: $ 3.18

Necklace: $ 1 

Hair clip: $. 50

Aviator glasses: $ 3.99

Outfit: $ 8.67

A little bit of haggling can go a long way. The worst someone can say is no. 

Day 26: Exotic Effervescence

Based on what this outfit actually consists of, it is very simple and easy to create. That is the advantage of finding a unique and beautiful dress (like this one I found at a garage sale), it hardly needs anything to make it look like you expended a huge amount of energy assembling the outfit. Effortless beauty is the way to deal with life sometimes. It's such a weight off the shoulders to throw on a dress, a jewelry set (like the bracelet and earrings that I received as a gift) and some sandals. I added a ring from a yard sale too that fit with the set, and I took my hair into two pieces and twisted them around each other for an easy, quick style which just so happened to match my ensemble. It was simply too easy to look really well put together and at little to no expense to my energy level, leaving my mind to make more important decisions later in the day. Caring about what you wear is important, but it shouldn't be a stressful, unhappy time. It can be such a fun and exciting activity to take some you - time  and pick out something you will take pride in wearing. 

Dress: $3

Ring: $.50

Outfit: $3.50

Clothes are one of the first things people notice about you, make sure that is a good thing. 

Day 25: Ethereal Enigma

This is my go-to dress and has been for years. It has been with me through thick and thin and has never failed to make me feel beautiful. When you find a piece of clothing like that, it's pretty much impossible to ever say goodbye. To be able to basically buy that feeling from a yard sale for a few pieces of paper makes wearing it all the sweeter. This lovely ring is also a favorite and was featured before in Breezy Blue. As a little reminder, it was from a yard sale, as was the necklace. I incorporate various items that I've used before for a couple reasons. One, it's smart shopping to have accessories that can be worn with a multitude of outfits and two, I like to show that even though the item does not change, the feeling it gives off when paired with different clothes can be entirely different. Take, for example, these gladiator sandals. They have been worn in three outfits, thus far, and yet they went from a tribal sandal theme, to a typical outfit of today's youth, to a woodsy, otherworldly look. I'm sure I'll come up with other uses for them in the future too, because they are just that awesome. 

Dress:$3

Ring:$6

Necklace:$. 50

Outfit: $9.50

Versatility is important when deciding what to add to your wardrobe. Choose wisely. 

Day 24: Ridged Radiance

I've been eyeing this dress at Ross for awhile, and since nobody bought it, I figured it was a sign that the next time the price is reduced, I should buy it. The dress is actually very similar to my skin tone which can be a bit of a problem, since it blends into a blob. Thus, this jewel toned scarf (a recent yard sale discovery) comes in handy as a focal point since it is basically draped over a blank canvas. The belt (from Country Charisma outfit) is there to pull everything together and break up the monochrome dress. Colorful jewelry in rich tones is ideal to tie in with the scarf and give an aura of fall. My necklace was a gift and my earrings were from a yard sale. Some cute brown booties or flats could be great with this outfit too( I just don't own any...yet). It's easy to dress up a piece of clothing with one neutral color and is one of the best excuses to wear a bunch of colorful accessories. 

Dress: $ 8.79

Earrings: $. 50

Belt: reused

Scarf: $ 1.50 

Outfit: $ 10.79

Clothes are open to interpretation, that is how style is born. 

Day 23: Sleek and Stark

Clearance items at Ross are the best. This Ralph Lauren dress was originally 49.99, but the price was reduced so much that after a long time, it got down to 42 cents. There is no beating that anywhere. The theme for today was a stark, black and white style that appears sleek and manicured, hence why I have my hair slicked back into a high ponytail. The necklace and earrings set was a beautiful gift and the ring was from a yard sale. Even though they came from different places, they look so great together it doesn't even matter and they will always be paired together in the future. The cherry on top of the outfit is the rhinestone headband (yard sale) to add an extra bit of pizazz. The belt came with the polka dot dress from Vintage Vibe, so I'm just recycling, a smart choice for a girl on a budget. Looking classy and sophisticated is possible even for those with little money to spare. As a last thought, wear the shoes that make you happy with this kind of outfit, it'll work with most stylish, classy shoes, whether they be heels, flats, wedges, etc.

Dress: $. 42

Ring:$. 50

Headband:$3

Outfit: $ 3.92

Low cost is not necessarily low class. Keep an open mind in order to let beautiful clothing, regardless of where it was bought or how much it was, into your heart. 

Day 22: Pinstripes and Peonies

Can I just say that I love Michael Kors clothing? This vest is Michael Kors and it is absolutely fantastic. I wore a very cutesy shirt underneath with round, puffy sleeves to contrast the tweed color and coarse fabric of the vest. I chose a pair of dark denim shorts to add another dimension to the color scheme and theme which allowed for the navy blue and white Keds I had on. The Keds were a nice touch for they keep the outfit from being too girly or impractical. This necklace is making another appearance because it's one of my favorites and it looks lovely with this pinstripe shirt and silver/white bead bracelet. The jewelry is a great addition; it stands out but is still fairly simple. For this outfit, that's all it should do. Some plain outfits can use statement pieces to take them to the next level and they can then be worn to fancier social settings. The shirt, vest, necklace, and bracelet were all yard sale finds, spectacular ones, if I may say so. The shorts came from TJ Maxx so many years ago it's not even funny. The shoes were a gift, so price-wise, who knows. 

Vest:$3

Shirt:$.50

Shorts: $8.99

Necklace:$1

Bracelet:$.25

Outfit: $13.74

Pretty and practical don't have to be separate entities. They can coexist if you can put in the effort.

Day 21: Pink Passion

There is a certain satisfaction in dressing up an item that you were skeptical of and making it your own. The dress seemed a little iffy in regards to what I could wear with it and try not to look too dated. I thought I did a fairly good job at accessorizing it so it would have a youthful and stylish atmosphere to it. The boots were a big help in this case since they are just so gorgeous. The necklace could not have matched any better with this pink and added just a hint of black to the outfit to go with the boots. The single ring on my right hand and the ring with a stone on my left were gifts, while the last ring that has what looks to be twisted metal was from a yard sale. The dress, necklace, and boots were also yard sale items, though I've had these boots for who knows how many years. Oftentimes, placing one older item into an array of new pieces can give a nice, unique edge unlike any other. 

Dress:$1

Boots:$4

Twisted ring: $. 50

Necklace: $ 1

Outfit : $ 6.50

Listen to the voices that tell you you're beautiful and ignore the ones that try to bring you down. 

Day 20: Yellow Youth

I was skeptical about how this would look on me, but the moment I tried it on I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked how it fits. To give it more of a gold appearance rather than yellow, I adorned it with gold jewelry and gold shoes. The pattern was reminiscent of a mix of Egyptian hieroglyphics and tribal patterns,  so on top of the gold, I made sure the accessories had some influence of faraway places in their shapes, materials, and designs. Other than the sandals (a gift, as previously mentioned) all of these items were found at yard sales. I love when people sell bags of jewelry for a set price because you can find so many goodies,  like this necklace and the hoop earrings. Another perspective on this outfit would be to wear contrasting accessories, but I thought the gold fit with the idea I was going for better. Overall, it is a light and bright outfit that is reliant on its details. 

Dress: $1.50

Necklace: < 10 cents 

Earrings: < 10 cents 

Bracelet: 25 cents

Outfit: $1.89

The appearance on the hanger is not its appearance on you. Try it on before you disregard your ability to wear it. 

Day 19: Matching Mania

I was walking through Ross yesterday, saw this shirt, found my size, and immediately bought it. The flowers were so stark and clear that I couldn't just pass it up. I came home and immediately matched it with the lace shorts (also from Ross), because I wanted the bottom layer to be neutral to keep the shawl as the centerpiece. The jewelry is the same green as on the shirt and it is themed with little flowers and bugs, so what could be more perfect. I experimented a bit with which shoes to wear. I even had a pair that matched perfectly with the green and blue and it had flowers along the straps, but this outfit is not one that looks good with a light-colored shoe, so I'm using the sandals of a couple days ago. I don't know the price of the necklace and bracelet, as they were gifts, but the ring was from a yard sale. The shirt actually came with a necklace, but I'm not a fan of having my jewelry chosen for my outfits so I took it off. It would have looked just fine though had I left it, and it is a good choice for those who are cost conscious. Random yard sale tip: movers often have super low prices because they are desperate to get rid of their stuff and as the days of their yard sales go on, the prices get even cheaper. (Once it a blue moon you'll find a crazy person who is basically just doing a yard sale for show and doesn't actually want to sell anything, so they give ridiculous prices )

Shirt: $7.99

Shorts:$6.99

Gladiators:? (Too long ago)

Ring: $.50

Outfit:$15.48

If something makes you feel beautiful, don't be afraid to buy it. 

Day 18: Vivacious in Velvet

Taking something old and giving it new life in our modern era is a sensation like no other. A brown, velvet jacket with ruffles and squared off shoulders may seem like it has no place nowadays, but given the right enhancements, it can become a stylish addition to your wardrobe. My outfit is all yard sales today. The simple monochrome dress with a muted pattern is a great under layer to keep the outfit from getting too brown and dark. I added pops of color like the blush shoes and turquoise ring that still go with the scheme. The pink is soft enough that it  melds into the outfit and the brown etchings in the ring keep it relevant. The necklace blends very well with the dress and make it so the jewelry of the inner part of the outfit matches the innermost layer, and almost like a different entity, the jewelry of the outer layer coincides with the jacket. In all though, they make one cohesive ensemble. 

Jacket:$1

Dress:$. 50

Leggings (part of my Neverending Bag): < 10 cents 

Shoes:$2

Ring:$. 50

Necklace:$1

Outfit:$5.07

Your clothes can only go out of style if you let them. If you stay fashionable, they will too.

Day 17: Tribal Tribute

My new dress is so comfortable and free. I got it quite cheap at Ross and adorned it with some jewelry from various yard sales that I thought fit the theme and the color scheme. The necklace has a dream catcher quality to it that goes with the gown's flow. I've always thought these earrings were interesting since they're made of tiny little pebbles glued into the center of a curly metal backing. One out of the ordinary find was this bracelet that has real bird feathers preserved inside of it. In all, the jewelry has a natural and unique atmosphere to it that pairs well with this dress that has aspects of many societies. My black strappy gladiator sandals were the most appropriate of my shoes for this outfit as they were the most reminiscent of days past. 

Dress:$5.99

Bracelet:$.50

Earrings:$1

Necklace:$1

Shoes:? I've had them for so many years I don't even know. 

Outfit:$8.49

You'll never know if a style suits you until you try it. Don't be afraid to try. 

Day 16: Floral Fire

My new bracelet came to me first from a yard sale. As I was browsing the dresses at Ross, this one jumped out at me and screamed, "You need me for that bracelet." The rest is history and I'm one dress richer, or poorer depending on how you look at the situation. It has a high neck on it and I didn't want to detract from the design, so I stuck to the bracelet and a costume ring (also from a yard sale) that blend into the look. I'm incorporating my wedges again (even if I don't know their price) just because I like the feeling of wearing them, but any black flat, other black booties, or a nice shoe that matches the colors in the dress could also work. The dress is a bit clingy but still classy which can be a tough line to straddle. I adore the fiery fall spirit in this dress and would love to go walking through a path of deciduous trees during autumn sometime. One item is often enough to start an entire look, so long as you keep your eyes peeled for the other pieces of the puzzle.

Dress: $ 8.99

Ring:$. 50

Bracelet:$. 50

Outfit:$9.99

Take advantage of the privilege to dress how you want, and boldly take your fashion where no one has gone before. 

Day 15: Tropical Transcendence

This dress was such a great find at Ross with its short slip and long overlay. The whole outfit makes me feel like I'm on vacation. Blue and gold were the leading colors for the accessories here (earrings, belt, sandals) with a necklace that includes every color of the outfit. This is actually the dress that the belt came with, even though I've used it before in a couple of my posts. This belt gets passed through my wardrobe quite a bit and the versatility is astounding, from the elegant Breezy Blue to the loud Flower Power and now this Tropical Transcendence. With such a colorful and eye-catching dress, confidence is the most important accessory so you don't drown its brightness. The earrings and necklace were from yard sales, but I just got the necklace a couple days ago and decided it fit with this outfit the best. The sandals were a gift so the price is unknown. When it comes to yard sales there are a few pointers to give out. Even if the place looks a bit run down, you never know what you will find. A relative could have given a beautiful present and the seller had no idea of its worth so they sell it for a dollar. In the ritzy neighborhoods, there is a cross between people knowing its worth and wanting that price for it and the people who have a lot of money and don't particularly care how much they sell it for, as long as they get rid of it. Of course there are other people (like movers) but these are just a few. 

Dress:$4.19

Earrings:$1

Necklace:$1

Outfit:$6.19

Do not equate quality and beauty with price. Yard sales and discount/second hand stores are free-for-alls where no such rules apply. 

Day 14: ( Jackie) Onassis Opulence

This is a Jackie O. inspired outfit on the left and a flight attendant style on the right. I built the outfits around the scarf that I got as a gift. Sometimes, two ways of wearing something are too wonderful to choose just one, so I had to display both. Jackie O's signature style of a scarf tied under the chin and large sunglasses needed to be paired with a nice set of pearls (even if they are costume) and vintage heels. For the other outfit, I decided on simpler jewelry that matched the roses on the shoes since a necklace would get lost under the scarf. My Ann Taylor Loft dress, heels, pearls, ring and earrings have all come from yard sales over the years. 

Dress:$2 

Necklace:$1

Bracelet:$. 50 

Earrings : $. 50

Ring: $. 50

Heels:$2

Left outfit:$5.50

Right outfit:$5

Cheap chic is the best kind there is.

Day 13: Sweet and Simple

Another treat from my Neverending Bag of Clothes has made an appearance.  You can never go wrong with a nice plain t-shirt. Mine has a sequin pocket and stripes on the shoulders, but they are minor embellishments that add just a hint of pizazz. I always get so many compliments when I put this bow clip in my hair since it blends so well with my natural color. It's amazing how something so minor as a clip from a yard sale can add a wow factor to a style and make everyone comment on it. Not to mention, I have this necklace from an entirely different garage sale that goes perfectly with the stones on the bow. An important tip is to try and remember what you already have and what you can add on to, such making a jewelry set with assorted pieces or adding a new item to a favorite outfit. 

I adored these shorts when I first saw them at Ross because of the fine details like a lace made of circles, lining the pockets and the strategically placed tear marks. Lastly, I have my trusty Ralph Lauren white flats that I love incorporating into my outfits. 

Shirt: < 10 cents 

Shorts: $13.76

Hair bow: $1

Shoes:$2(should I even include this price anymore)

Outfit price: $16.83

Details make an outfit special. They are what take a boring set of clothes to the next level of envy and glory. 

Day 12: Country Charisma

The country flare is always a nice change. It had a nice innocence in its sweet style, colors, and pattern that most other outfits can't replicate. The lighting added a beautiful golden atmosphere to the photo. I found this dress at Ross for super cheap and it came with the belt, which I love, since I can add it to my collection. The double flower ring and mint butterfly bracelet were yardsale items and match the colors of the dress perfectly. 

The short boots definitely completed the outfit in that there was no more room to question if it was meant to be country-style or not. I have used these boots before in my Southern Sass ensemble and the feeling these two outfits give off could not be more different.

Dress: $10.19

Boots: $2

Bracelet: $1

Ring: $.50

Outfit: $13.69

How you want to portray yourself is important to how others perceive you. 

Day 11: Industrial Impact

Today's outfit has a nice balance of girly and practical, between the low-cut dress and the combat boots. It's always nice to make a feminine outfit wearable in most any context. It gives a bold and strong feeling to wear such an ensemble, and for it to be low-cost to boot is the icing on the cake. The dress and jeggings came from yardsales, as did the earrings. However, the necklace and boots were gifts. I just thought they went so well with the outfit, it would be a shame not to include them. 

Dress price:$1

Leggings price:$. 50

Earrings price:$. 50

Outfit price:$2

Skirting the line of society's standards of beauty can be fun; try it sometime with an outfit you find bold, daring,and out of the norm. 

Day 10: Beach Bound

Comfy and cute, this outfit is a Macy's clearance discovery. It was made by American Rag and is definitely beach casual since it's so light and breathable. The red, five-petal earrings had to be a part of it and I'm reusing this necklace in a very casual manner in contrast to the more formal and classy Breezy Blue outfit. My jewelry is from yard sales today and the navy sandals were a gift, so price-wise, I'm not sure. Overall, it is a fun, carefree ensemble that I would usually wear on a hot day at the beach.

Top/bottom (sold as separates but bought together):$17.79

Necklace: $ 1

Earrings:$. 25

Outfit:$19.04

Comfort and confidence are key. If you don't feel confident in an outfit or it hurts to wear, sometimes it is a sign to leave it. 

Day 9: Bows on Black

This outfit is all Ross today, with a few accessories from yard sales to give it a nice flare from the norm. This shirt is lovely with its cute bows and elegant collar. The shorts seem like a fairly bland choice since they are white but there is actually a pattern of diamonds covering them. The cameo necklace was a nice vintage touch to a very modern outfit that gives it a classier feel and makes it stray away from just a 'cute' outfit. I love that the bracelet includes many different elements such as pearls, gold, silver, rhinestones, and black bows since usefulness increases when there are more components (within reason,too many and the item can get gaudy).

Shirt price:$7.19

Shorts price:$7.79

Necklace price:$1 

Bracelet price:? Gift

Outfit price: $15.98

Mix the past with the present and you'll discover a new way of perception.