Fall into COLOR!

It's so hard to believe that fall is almost here.  Another summer has come and gone so quickly!
Goodbye flip flops. :(  Goodbye tank tops. :(  Goodbye iced tea. :(  Goodbye sunburned nose. :(

I want so badly to embrace autumn and really appreciate it for the beautiful season that it is. 
-Lovely blue skies with white puffy clouds. 
-Warm apple cider to keep your hands warm.
-Oranges and yellows (two of my favorite colors!) in the trees.
-Pumpkins on front porches.
-Lots of delicious home made baked goods.
-Spooky hay rides with friends.

This fall I decided (with the help of a friend!;) that I needed to spruce things up a bit to kick of the season by choosing a signature color for myself!  Therefore preparing myself for the cold days to come!
Going shopping always seems to do the trick when I need a pick me up!  (what woman doesn't that work for!?)

I chose mustard for my signature color.
(it was time to take a break from all of my orange and green!)

So here's what I have collected over the past few weeks:

1. Thrifted cardigan $3.95
2. Owl necklace $2.80 (forever 21)
3. Seude shoes with acorns (anthropologie with a gift card from my birthday!)
4. Thrifted J. Crew satin belt with feathers and rhinestones $8.00

Don't worry friends!  I'm trying not to wear all 4 together every day.  I'm doing my best to be subtle and appreciate the small pops here and there as I move toward autumn! (sometimes I have a hard time being subtle!)

So go for it! Pick a signature color for your fall wardrobe! :)

Problem solved!

THE SITUATION
One of my favorite dresses....ruined by the moth holes.

THE PROBLEM
Tailor said mending the holes would draw more attention to them because it would pinch in the fabric. damn


THE SARCASTIC REMARK
I said, "What should I do? Buy a patch? (and by patch, I meant a Girls Scout badge, like the one I got for baking).  Tailor, with a serious face, said "yes".


THE GLIMMER OF HOPE
Off I went to the fabric store, praying that I wouldn't just find the patches that I used to sew on my denim vest back in the 80's a la Debbie Gibson.  I found these instead!

THE SOLUTION
I placed one patch strategically over the two holes and placed the other patch on the higher on the opposite side to bring some balance to the new visual interest on the back of my dress.

cue the choir of angels

ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

ELATION!
I love the fact that I don't have to say any tearful good-byes to my dress. And I love that it only cost me $6.99.  It was quite a simple fix.  It took 5 minutes to buy it at the store and 5 minutes to iron it on.  It probably took more time to take all the photos and write about it.

LESSON LEARNED
Instead of trashing something, try to think outside the box to salvage it.  It might end up better than it started.

I leave you with the front view so you have an idea of what I was trying to save.  Good luck to you all who want to put a little sweat equity into your favorite things!

Thrifty Girl!

I just got back from a fun trip to Greene Street Consignment in Princeton. I was so excited about the deal I got that I felt I needed to share it with you!

First off: I think it's fair to say I am modest with my spending. I rarely splurge and try to make smart choices. I am more likely to spend money at Home Depot on paint for the house than I am to spend $50 on a new piece of clothing for myself.

Up until just recently I would always wear very inexpensive jeans. I would find them on sale at Old Navy or Gap.

A few months back one of my very good friends 'handed down' a few pairs of designer jeans to me. I have to say that I had no idea what I was missing out on. They seem to fit better and just be such a better quality product. I feel more confident when I wear them and I just feel good!

Before I share a picture of my new 'Lucky' jeans I wanted to pull out some dresses that I have bought over the past year and a half at both consignment stores and thrift stores. It's amazing what a unique and vibrant wardrobe you can build without spending much! :) I bought a few of these for only $4.95 and the most expensive was maybe $15.00 at the high end!

This is the first and hopefully last time I post a picture of my butt on the blog!! I just had to share that great 'Lucky' tag that I snagged for a mere $18.00. (keep in mind folks that Lucky Brand jeans run from about $99 to $250 brand new!) I know I will be wearing these for a long time even if I am the second owner! :)

(ps. that's my dog, Jersey, and our friends dog, Archie, standing by my butt shot! I had never tried to take a picture of my own butt before. It wasn't easy!)