Wardrobe Challenge- Day 23

I've been saving this blouse since the start of the Challenge. It is a beautiful mix of all the elements I look for in my clothing. First, it's a nice dark shade of navy blue. The ruffle trim outlined in black and the neck tie give off such a chic vibe. If I could, I would wear this everyday.

You would think that with my hips I would be repealed by anything with pleats.  But just like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to the femininity that this look provides.I added a contemporary looking belt to draw the eye to my waist and away from my hips.

These shoes are darling. I've had them in my possession since '06 and can count on 1 hand the times I've worn them. I'm am terrified of scoffing the delicate clear heel or spilling wine on the fabric. Since I was doing a lot of sitting today, they were okay with seeing the outside world.  These tights may look pretty, but boy are they itchy! If I can find a similar replacement, these will be seeing the inside of my garbage.

Blouse: GO International, GW $2
Skirt: The Limited, GW  $2
Belt: New York and Co, TJMAXX  $7
Hosiery: Japanse Label, GW $.99
Shoes: Abaete' for Payless, $8

Wardrobe Challenge- Day 22

What comic strip character does this dress bring to your mind? Take a close look at the zigzag stripes and replace the purple background with yellow....are you still clueless? It's Charlie Brown! I came to this revelation this morning after staring at the familiar pattern. Since I really like Charlie Brown and the cast of characters that make up the Peanut gang, I am not at all ashamed.

To prevent the dress from becoming too silly, I added in a little "sexy" with the help of my black fishnets and buckle detail slingbacks. I wonder if I can become an honorary cast member...I already have the dance moves!

Dress: Mossimo for Target $10
Hosiery: Nordstrom, $10
Shoes: Via Spiega, Nordstrom $100 (worn on Day 14)

Wardrobe Challenge-Day 21: $2 GW SHOPPING DAY 2!!!

I searched through all of those racks!

Style took a back seat on this day.  Since I planned to spend most of my day in a fitting room, I decided to wear one of the two jeans that I own with a tee shirt. Very unimaginative and unchallenging. So much so that these clothes are not deserving of a picture. In truth,  I was so caught up in my fabulous finds that I forgot to take a picture.

 My search got off to a very late start due to some unforeseeable circumstances. Not one to be distracted from  my purpose, I accomplished my goal of a visit to 5 stores- I was determined to shop! My determination paid off because I scored some serious items:

Authetic Chanel wool skirt

TSE twill skirt with back kick-pleat

 

Vintage dress with cut-out back detail

Barney's New York silk blouse with tulle detail

Mossimo ruffle bib blouse

Aryn K iridescent blouse

The Limited sheer silk blouse

Merona ruffle satin blouse

BB Dakota knit jacket

Tucker for Target slip dress with ruffle back detail

Vintage-y print skirt

Holding true to the Challenge, I have identified the clothes that I am trading in for these gems. So that this blog post does not become a picture album, I will post those at a later date.

The follow items are not up for a trade agreement with anything in my wardrobe. Running clothes and casual tops for the Spring and Summer months are items that I need. I did not count these essentials towards the $40 budget.

Champion top and Nike running skirt

Lacoste polo

Mossimo top with ruffle detail

Merona  (BRAND NEW) double knit top

I also collect interesting handbags from GW.  I am delighted to add these to my collection:

This is reminiscent of my design

I love to host formal dinners and dress my table in fine linens. I am so excited to use this at my next occasion:

Table cloth and napkins

Coming in at $36 dollars I stayed under my shopping budget! Congratulations to me!

Wardrobe Challenge- Day 20: $2 GW SHOPPING DAY 1!!!

I broke from my normal 'digs to dress up in my GW uniform: leggings and a long sleeve top. Now, I have to disclose that I do not like leggings. In my opinion, they are not a substitute for pants and are inappropriate for formal public outings. I limit their wear to running, schlepping, and GW shopping.  For today's excursion, I deemed them okay- pairing it with my favorite thermal sheep shirt. This outfit was comfortable for the long day and made for an easy transition in the fitting room.  Make sure you enlarge the picture to see the cute little fleece-y guys on my shirt.

As previously stated, shopping at GW is a hit or a miss. For success, you must prepare for the challenge of the hunt. I fished out some good items that I am looking forward to intergrating into my wardrobe:

Although you can not see it, this is a navy blue velour pencil skirt by Sonia Rykiel. The fit sophisticates the fabric....

Heart patterned vintage blouse...

 This Barney's New York navy blue pencil skirt is too big. I brought it home with me because of the pristine conditon. If you are interested, it's a small size 8.....

Pin striped Max Studio skirt ...

 This eyelet Gap dress will be perfect for Summer....

Does this look familiar? This is the EXACT skirt that I wore on Day 19!  Finding the exact skirt in this beautiful red was ironic.


I am hitting 4 more stores tomorrow to hunt out some more finds. Wish me luck! 


Shirt: Primp, Nordstom Rack $14
Leggings: Marshall's $3

Wardrobe Challenge Day 19 *

*  When I am not posting pics of my outfits, that means that I schlepped around the house on that day. I draw the line at showing you what I look like in my pjs' and no face paint. 

 I felt really feminine and pretty in this outfit. In fact, this combination lifted my mood. The beautiful rosette embellishment on the sweater put a smile on my face. It's so pretty! I layered the sweater with a thin, ruffle detailed ,button down blouse to play up the embellished thing I had going on.

The bright pink, raw silk skirt was purchased on sale at Banana Republic 6 years ago with the explicit intent to match my then boyfriend. I purchased a  shirt and tie for him that matched the skirt! Weren't we the cutest little couple? All dressed up looking like a Black Barbie and Ken. His zealous agreement to dress like that, in pink should have been a clear indication....  Unlike the relationship, the rich color of this skirt made it  indispensable.

Since the skirt's full pleats fall below my knee, the hosiery and shoe selection were crucial in preventing this look from becoming too sweet and matronly. I teamed it up with my textured striped, gray pantyhose and faux python slingbacks. You will never guess how much I paid for those shoes! Only $7 bucks at Marshall's!

Sweater: Merona, Target (Christmas gift from my Mommy)
Blouse: American Living (Ralph Lauren private label for JC Penny's ), GW $2
Skirt: Banana Republic $40
Hosiery: Nordstrom Rack $3.90
Shoes: Calvin Klein, Marshall's $7

I am breaking a Wardrobe Challege rule and creating a new one: GW IS HAVING A SALE!

Although I made a commitment not to shop during the Challenge, I have to make this one exception. This Sale of all Sales only happens once every 6 months!  To make up for my indiscretion, I will extend the Wardrobe Challenge by however many items I purchase during this monumental event. So for example: if I purchase 6 skirts, I will extend the Challenge by 6 additional days. I will also donate 6 items out of my wardrobe to make space for the new purchases. To maintain financial responsibility and prevent myself from becoming a hoarder, I have established a budget of $40 dollars. You see? I am being frugal and responsible! That's a challenge!

Wardrobe Challenge- Day 18

This  lovely Trina Turk dress was a surprise find at GW. I found it mangled on the floor in a ball amidst some horrible dresses. Just as I was going to place it back on the rack, I noticed the ruffle detail and knew that I had to try this on.

The fact that it's a Trina Turk dress for only $7.99  was added bonus. This classic shirt dress is form fitting through the hips and thighs with a deep slit in the middle.  I matched it up with my Tan Via Spiga's from Day 3 and my go-to tan fishnets.

Dress: Trina Turk, GW $7.99
Hosiery: Vera Wang, Kohls $7
Shoes: Via Spiga,  Macy's $198

Wardrobe Challenge- Day 17

This is one of my favorite dresses. I scored this vintage St. John's Knit at a vintage shop over 8 years ago. This ecstatic find actually was the start of my love affair with vintage shops.  Because of the impeccable quality and faceted rhinestone buttons I am very selective on where I were this beautiful dress. I made the mistake of  wearing it to work once and as a result lost one of the buttons. Since this dress speaks for it's self, I like to coordinate it with a classic white poplin shirt.  

I finished off my Sunday look with my favorite thigh highs and leopard print shoes. I can't wait to wear this outfit again!

Dress: St. John Knits, Vintage Shop $40
Shirt: Tart, Marahalls $15
Hoisery: Thigh Highs, Nordstrom $5.90 ( See my post on why I love these!)
Shoes:  Unisa, Marshall's $15 ( worn on Day 6) 

Wardrobe Challenge- Day 16.2

This is a cute dress that I really want to show you. It has a cool abstract floral design in light gray and purple. But thanks to the camera on my phone, I can only show you a blurry mess. Dang camera phone! I selected this dress to wear on a 1st date at a nice restaurant. I wanted to dress a little more trendy and less conservative so my date did not know that I am really an uptight prude. I think my disguise worked.. Despite all that, my date took great pleasure in being my photographer for the evening.

Dress: Richard Chai for Target, GW $7.99
Necklace: Dominique Cohen for Target $14.00
Tights: Spanx, Ruelala.com $9
Shoes: Mossimo, Target $14 (from day 13)  *

*These shoes are sitting down only