Thrifty Chic Challenge Day #13

Mustaches: Hot or Not?

As we head into Movember, mustaches will start popping up everywhere. There are usually two reactions, you really, really hate them OR you really really like them. I guess I ride the fence in this one. I mean, if it is a Tom Sellick, Wilford Brimley, Sam Elliott or Frank Zappa kind of stache, I can dig it. Even Danny Glover can hang in there. And well, Eric has recently become a strong contender. If you missed it, check out my post from Saturday to view his upper lipholstery, his face lace, his misplaced eyebrow, his mistachio, okay I will stop now.

Given Eric's new found love for facial hair, I am grabbing hold on to the handle bar (mustache, that is) and enjoying the ride! But, not before a few mustache pics of my own...

And some big lips, just for sh!*s and giggles.

I think mine gives Eric a run for his money, don't you? Thanks again to Adina for the great pics!

Bargain outfit if the day:

Jeans = $3.99

Shirt = $0.75

Earrings = $4.00

Shoes = $8.00 (not a thrift store purchase)

Total = $16.74.

The next three days I will be working with a great team to build a playground from the ground up. I am already tired just thinking about it and probably won't post pics of my dirty work clothes.  So, enjoy your All Hallows' Eve. Remember to practice safe hex, even if they are BOOtiful! Hehehe.

Thrifty Chic Challenge Day #12

My typical workday is a whirlwind of emotions and activity. Don't worry, I am done with the weather jokes. Working with families, advocating within the community and changing the world is tough business. Today's photos represent a few phases of a usual day in my world.

This is my "I am ready to take on the world" phase. It typically happens first thing in the morning.

This is my "What the h-e-double-hockey-sticks am I supposed to do with that?" phase. It usually happens at least once or twice a day. Also know as the "Let me put out this fire so I can get back to my normal job" phase. 

And last but not least, the "this is my crazy life and I love it" phase. This happens when I am stressed to the max and am reminded by my co-workers to Smile, Take a Deep Breath and Relax. Also known as STAR to all you Dr. Becky Bailey fans.

I am not sure what Adina did, but my legs look nice in the photos, huh? The deelio on the outfit...

Black tank top = $0.50
Polka Dot shirt = Free, from the work bargain box. I swear, you should start one at your work!
Orange capris = $0.75
Shoes = $1.75

Outfit grand total = $3.00 

My best yet!

Grammatical side note: After at least 15 minutes of staring at the last sentence in the first paragraph and wracking my brain for useless grammatical facts, I had to Google whether one should write "a usual" or "an usual." You grammar nerds probably already know this, but I am correct in using "a usual" and there is a phonetics rule. If a word starts with a vowel, but is pronounced with a consonant sound, it should be proceeded with an a, not an. University is the same, and so is united. Go figure. But if you were talking to a person from Uganda, would it be a Ugandan or an Ugandan? I guess it doesn't matter much for us southerners, most of our words run together anyway.  

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #11

It was 80 degrees today. And probably the last inkling of summer weather, especially since the European forecast model is predicting snow in the North Carolina mountains this weekend. SMH...most days, the forecast is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle. I mean, who other than meteorologists can screw up every day and not lose their jobs? I digress (a usual occurrence). What I meant to write was that it was 80 degrees today and I'm gonna soak up the sun. Gonna tell everyone to lighten up.

I also was able to let my inner-child play in the leaves for a few minutes. Allow yourself a few minutes every day to get wildly excited about something. It makes for a peaceful soul.

Today was a great thrift day. Searching through clothes this weekend, I found a few treasures. I also found a few things that would make a preacher cuss, but that is neither here nor there.

Mint green quarter length shirt (Land's End, I might add) = $2.24
Burgundy jacket = $3.74
Necklace = $1.29 (at the Kmart Going out of Business sale!)
Jeans = $1.25 (I KNOW, RIGHT?)
Shoes = $1.99, a re-wear from Day #1

Grand total = $10.51

Did you get the Cheryl Crow reference earlier? If so, you also know the lines:

I don't have digital

I don't have diddly squat

It's not having what you want

It's wanting what you've got. 

A round of applause to those of you that just sang the lyrics out loud while reading this and had your family stare at you like you are insane. Let them think you are crazy. Maybe you will get a few extra minutes of alone time. 

It is a catchy tune. More so than that, a great end to today's blog and the last two lines are a mantra that each of us should continue to strive towards. We are all works in progress. Some of us further along than others. 

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #10 (Party People)

I know I skipped #9. I will come back to it.

Waking up this morning, I have a slight headache and I feel really old. I just can't stay out late anymore. I think hangovers are natures way of grounding you as an adult. But, it was well worth it - the Halloween festivities were fun thanks to the BUNCO Queen (aka Tracy). I have to say, Eric and I looked pretty snazzy in our costumes, which were made ALL from thrift store finds. It is weird I think Eric looked really sexy even though he was going for the 1970s sleazy used car salesman look? You like what you like I guess!

We broke the bank, spending a grand total of $21.17.

You can't event get a Walmart costume for that! Here is the DL on both of our costumes:

Eric's Costume - Used Car Salesman. 

Pants = $0.99

Jacket = $1.99

Tie = $0.50

Glasses = $0.49

Hat = $0.99

My costume. If you had any doubt, I was the crazy cat lady. Pasha was not impressed and continually tried to attach the cats as I was making the costume. 

Shoes = $3.99

Pants = $0.99

Shirt = $1.99

Hat = $0.99

Scarf = $0.25

Cats (6 in all) = $8.00 (I know right? Damn cats were the most expensive part!!!)

I gotta go. I am craving some strong coffee and chicken nuggets.

For those of you reading this still looking for love, there is someone out there for everyone. Your someone might just be 5 cats.  

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #9 (I Almost Had Maroon 5!)

For those of you checking out the blog from Facebook, be honest, did you only click on the link because you thought I had magically corralled Maroon 5 into participating in my blog? Ha! Gotcha! Adam Levine is a looker though, huh? Sorry Eric! For those of you who are not "hip" to popular culture (mainly my 70+ age bracket readers), I will include a little eye candy, aka Adam Levine. Whew!

I did almost have Maroon five, but not in the band sense of the term. I had originally planned to wear an outfit with 5 maroon colored items. However, looking at myself in the mirror, I came to the conclusion that it was a bit much. Okay, a lot much. Even this guy was appalled.

Our resident photographer was not around this morning, so today's photo credits go to two of my other co-workers, Daphne and Wendy.

For those of you who do not think I work, the second picture is for you. See all that stuff on my desk?! You know who you are...

Today's outfit cost $17.49

Jeans = Make Do and Mend Project (I think from Day #1)
Maroon top = $3.00
Jacket = $2.50
Earrings = $4.00 from Kohl's (maybe Black Friday shopping trip?)
Boots = $7.99 a SUPER great Belk's find!

Happy Friday's Eve Everyone!

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #8

Adina will do anything for a good picture. I mean anything. At 9:00 am this morning - grass still wet, roosters crowing, and my coffee not yet kicked in - we were tromping around the property at work looking for an ideal location. Did I mention it was 40 something degrees? I mean, why is it this cold already? Last year at this time, we were still lounging by the pool.

We found a really cool old barn on our work's property. And yes, we scoped it out for creepers. Here are the shots. Did I mention these were on my iPhone because neither of us remembered the camera? I know right!

What is really exciting about today's outfit is that it is all name brand items. To all of you neigh-sayers, you can find some great stuff! My friend Tracy recently scored some Banana Republic gear, new shoes with tags, and her Halloween ballgown. Can't wait to see it! Here is the skinny on the outfit:

New York & Company tank = $0.99
Coldwater Creek shirt = $3.99
Coldwater Creek jeans = $2.99
Covington jacket = $2.99
Fabulare shoes = $2.99
New York & Company necklace = $3.00

Grand total = $16.95.

A little higher than I would have liked, but imagine what I would have paid if I bought it all in the store off the rack!

Adina will hopefully be using this location for her Christmas mini-photo shoots! Maybe me and Pasha will have to do one. She would make a good elf, right? Hehehe...

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #7 (TBT)

I know it is not Thursday, but today TBT means Throwback Thrifty. Eric and I are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary today! What does that have to do with today's blog? Well, to honor our special day and even our thriftiness back then, today's photo and blog topic is about my wedding dress. 

Thinking back on that day and that time in our lives, we were dirt broke. I don't think either of us was making over $23,000 at the time and with the onslaught of student loan payments, the high cost of living in Seattle, car payments and just life happening, we were lucky to have $5.00 in our bank account at the end of every month. Given that, we had to figure out a way to pay for our wedding. Kudos to our parents for helping out TREMENDOUSLY, but we still wanted to be as frugal as possible. This is where my dress comes in...

I loved that dress! The main reason you are getting the photos is that I tried it on this morning and couldn't get it to zip. Let's just say I am a little more fluffy than 8 years ago. Not by much, but a little. :)

We were in Charlotte and weren't even looking for a dress, but found it at a little store at the mall for super cheap. It was $120.00!!! What a score. So, that is my TBT. 

I am keeping it short, because we are having a few hours of "us" time this morning before I have to head to work, but I also wanted to share a few of my favorites from over the years...

Thrifty Chic Challenge, Day #6

Anyone else feeling a bit off today? Having a case of the Mondays? After working ALL weekend and staying up too late to watch Walking Dead, and putting off chores until the very last minute, I am exhausted and wouldn't be surprised if I got a casting call TODAY for the Walking Dead to play one of the dreadful walkers. Look out! 

Enough pessimism, today is turning out to be a great day. I had enough coffee to power a truck and am now settling in to a lunch of bagel bites and nerds. No judging, I can feel you health nuts having anxiety issues over my lunch choice!

My outfit today is a mix of "office sharing," thrift store finds, and gifts. Many people have said to me that they don't like thrift stores because they can't get past the idea of wearing people's clothes that they don't know. I get it. Well, actually I don't - ever hear of bleach and laundry detergent?-, but for the sake of today, let's just say I do. So in light of that attitude, I am posing an alternative. Our office has sort of an unspoken clothing policy. When you have clothes that you no longer want or need, you bring them in and place them in the bathroom in a cute little tote bag, washed and neatly folded. From there on out, they are fair game! I have scored some awesome finds! Today I am wearing a pair of jeans, cardigan, earrings and bag (not pictured) thanks to my office mates. So, if you are in an office, maybe try it out. You know your office mates, maybe even a little more than you care to, and who knows what you will find!

The scarf is a gift from my mother-in-law with incredible taste. Thanks Lori!

I only purchased two items. They first is a cute cream top with buttons down the left side of the neck and shoulder. It was $0.49. The shoes I purchased over 10 YEARS AGO when I first moved out to Seattle. I believe they were a Target super special red tag discount, but can't be sure. Again, it is Monday and I am barely making it. We will write them off as well exceeding their expected wear-and-tear. So that leaves me at $0.49. Is that cheating or could this possibly be the best, cheapest, outfit ever?

For those of you looking for Adina's awesome photos (remember you can find her at Created by God, Captured by Adina), she will be back Wednesday, so you are stuck with my photo interpretations until then. :)

Thrifty Chic Challenge: Day #5

I heart yoga! There is something about the calmness, the awakening of the inner self, and acute awareness of the current, present moment - the only place where life exists. Think about it...life is not happening in the past or future. It is the now, in every moment, in ever breath life passes from the present to the past. 

For those of you wondering, yes, I am waxing poetically because I have a glass of wine in my hand. I also have Thai peanut noodles, YUM! But, in all honesty, yoga is absolutely, hands down, my most favorite form of exercise. However, doing yoga at home or in a studio is very different than in the middle of an open field in chilly temperatures with people watching. It was a teeny bit awkward, but I made it through, even though my yoga instructor may yell at me that my form was hideous (in that State Farm commercial wife voice). 

Today was a extremely CHEAP day:

Shirt - $0.25

Tank - $0.99

Pants - $0.00, one Christmas I asked for yoga pants. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E got me yoga pants, enough to survive the Zombie Apocalypse (we are in the middle of a Walking Dead episode, hince the "Walker" reference).

Scarf - $0.00, a gift from my friend Nita.

Earrings - $0.00, a gift from my friend Violet.

Grand total = $1.24, Woohoo!

Adina took a few more photos that looked great from her end, but I wasn't impressed with myself. But still, to show you her skill, I will post them. 

This one shows my boogers. Should have blown my nose this morning. 

My double chin makes an appearance in this one. And what is happening with my face?

I love the outside photos and Adina's positioning. I will make sure to carry Kleenex and smile from here on out!

So long until Monday. I will be in work uniform (agency t-shirts) on Saturday and Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Thrifty Chic Challenge: Day #4

I mentioned yesterday that I had a new plan for my photos, because let's face it, they were looking a little scraggly. Well today, my AWESOME co-worker, Adina Tomkins, did them for me and they look great! Adina is an up-and-coming photographer with a great sense of style, an artistic eye, and is VERY patient and calm (a good skill to have when taking photos of children, hint, hint). She has a Facebook page that I highly encourage you to check out and she is still booking photos for the fall and holiday season! You can find her on Facebook at "Created by God, Captured by Adina."  <------Look, if you click on it, I have created the link for you that will take you right to her page. How nice of me to do that for you. :)

Here are two of her photos from this morning.

I really, REALLY love the photos and the shirt, which I think was an incredible steal! Here is the breakdown:

Shirt = $3.99 from Freedom Thrift (Greensboro, NC)
Jeans = A "Make Due and Mend Project" which is currently coming unmended as the day progresses. Let's just say I will have some free air-conditioning in my derriere region pretty soon.
Purse = $3.99
Glasses and bracelets = $2.00 at the Wilmington Flea-Market (Wilmington, NC)
Necklace, earrings and Birkenstocks = Gifts from my niece Berkley and dear friend Brenn.

Grand total = $9.98 

Be sure to tune in tomorrow. Adina and I will be doing a fun yoga session photo shoot!

Thrifty chic challenge: Day #3

Okay, I have about ten minutes from just getting home from work to Eric picking me up to go to dinner, so here goes nothing...

First off, I had a really hard time getting my photo right this morning, so kudos to my AWESOME husband for hearing my cursing, getting out of bed, and taking my photo. Neither of us are budding photographers, but that is okay because starting tomorrow, my blog has a legit photographer. Her name is Adina and she is AMAZING! More info about that tomorrow, but I can hardly contain myself I am so excited!!!

I digress...

You can't tell from this pic, but the top is a lace pattern, super cute. Here is a close up of the girls, for the purpose of the pattern display of course. Please no one flag my page as "explicit." Jeez.

So, here is the scoop.

Jeans = $2.99

Top = $0.50

Blue tank (underneath) = FREE, courtesy of Joy Venable.

Purse = FREE, courtesy of mom (I told you she would appear a lot!)

Earrings = FREE, the GO of a BOGO set. 

Boots = I think mom bought them for me the year Eric and I moved back to NC from Washington. If not, they are 5+ years and I am lucky they still have soles. 

Grand total = $3.49

And, with one minute to spare, gotta go. Well wishes until tomorrow! 

Thrifty chic challenge: Day #2

Today's post is going to be pretty quick, but I figured no one would mind! Plus, I got better things to do, like shop for a certain little person's 8th birthday! What? I never said I couldn't shop for others!!! If you have never been to The Cat's Meow in Reidsville, you should go. Not to be confused with The Cat's Cradle, a great spot, but for altogether other reasons. Before I start having college flashbacks, here is today's deal...

Yes, my "two" lip syncing looks a lot like a duck face, but I was already late for work, so shoot me. 

Dress = $3.74

Jeggings = $0.00, I don't remember purchasing these, so if I borrowed them from you and never gave them back, please let me know in the comments section.

Scarves = $0.00, mom gave me the blue one and the yellow I won at a charity silent auction for $3.00, but that was a DONATION for "the kids" as my friend Amber would say. 

Boots = this is where things get tricky. I paid $18.99 for these boots three years ago. Applying some basic accounting depreciation principles, I say they are worth $4.10. 

Want to see the math? Based on a 5-year asset life, 100%/5 = 20% therefore 20% x 2 = 40% annual depreciation rate. Year 1 = $18.99 x 40% = $7.60. $18.99 - $7.60 = $11.39.

Year 2 = $11.39 x 40% = $4.56. $11.39 - $4.56 = $6.83.

Year 3 = $6.83 x 40% = $2.73. $6.83 - $2.73 = $4.10. 

Grand total = $7.84

I am not sure if my dad reads my blog, but he would be proud of my math skills. Someone tell him I am putting my MBA to use, please. 

Yes, I did all this, shopped for a birthday gift and stopped to get a coke and cheese stuffed pretzel on my lunch break. Boom. 

Thrifty Chic Challenge: Day #1

Whew! Pulling this off may be a little more of a task than even I, the Bargain Queen, bargained for. This morning's chaos brought me to the realization that 1) I have to take a picture of myself everyday for the next 30 days (a body confidence challenge in itself) and 2) my whole wardrobe will be on blast for all of you to see, meaning I can't get lazy - there has to be a new outfit every day. I can hear the collective sigh from you now. No, I am not giving up, it is only day #1!!!

Before delving into today's outfit description - what, you were expecting me to be short winded? Pshhhhh...Once I noticed I was at home alone this morning and had to take photos of myself, I downloaded a pretty cool photo timer app on my iPhone, TimerCam, that allowed me to set the iphone up and have 5 seconds to get ready. Yes, I was tired of running back and forth with the TONS of photos I took, but this was MUCH easier than the full body, arm over your head, side-angled duck face shot that gives me the fat cramp. And, it will be nice to use with the fam. So, there is some free advertising for you, TimerCam developer man.

Okay, drum roll please...finally outfit #1...

Bracelets = FREE! A gift from Eric a few years ago from his trip to see Chevelle in Arizona.

Scarf = FREE! A gift from mom from a trade show she went to last year. You will soon notice that mom shows up a lot in my wardrobe! I did learn how to tie the Fancy Scarf Braid from In the Loop Blog. 

Top = $3.99 from Carolina Thrift

Jeans = $0.00. Let me explain. Normally, when I rip or tear jeans, I throw them away. But, taking a cue from fellow blogger and knitter, Brenda Dane, and her Cast On "Make Due and Mend" episode, I kept them, whipped out some needle and thread, and went to town. Some of you may question me on this and think that it is a cop-out, but seriously, sewing jeans is a pain in the butt that no one WANTS to do. Throw me some slack here.

Shoes = $1.99

Purse = FREE (Fabulous Gift from Lori Farr!) 

So the grand total? 

$5.98

Tune in tomorrow for another thrifty look! 

Chic fashionista minus the materialism - a 30 day thrift challenge!

I could possibly be the worst blogger in the history of bloggers. Forgive me, my last confession, I mean post, was over a year ago. I will skip the "Hail Mary's" and get straight to the point. I need to get my online self together. I am never going to be able to quit work and stay at home to blog and be famous if I never post. So, I had an epiphany today as I was browsing the aisles at Carolina Thrift, my go-to thrift haven. They have EVERYTHING a penny pinching diva could need! Anywho...I got to thinking about our cultures obsession with shiny, new and expensive clothing. I believe Madonna's "Material Girl" over the loud speaker may have triggered my subconscious to begin this inner dialogue but I can't be certain. I often have short term memory loss when I am surrounded by thousands of garments under $3.00! One idea did survive the insanity and I am super stoked to bring it to my blog. I am challenging myself to not enter any department or retail establishment this month. That is right, all my clothing this month will be either from a thrift store, consignment sale, gifted to me, stolen from a dumpster, you get the point. I want to show everyone that you can have style and fashion without breaking the bank. Or even going to the bank for that matter. Every day for the next month, starting tomorrow because today is FOOTBALL!,  I will post a photo of my outfit, brief description and total cost. This should be a fun experiment and a way to get me blogging again. Here goes nothing! Toodles until tomorrow! Oh and before I forget...today is Pasha's 8th birthday!!!