Monday, December 31, 2012

Shopping Smart - Tips for Ladies on a Major Big-Time Budget

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Hey all.  Hope you are having quite the wonderful evenings.  In this post I thought I would share with you my tips for saving large when on a strict budget.  Since my shopping budget is about to become even stricter, I will indeed be taking heed to these handy suggestions, so here is what I have done in the past to save a bit of cash when shopping:

1.) Shop the Sale Section – Many a times you can find a diamond in the rough amongst this section in the very back of the store or online. Additionally, alot of times you can find your basics here/ layering pieces, etc. Do not buy these items at full price EVER. Look here first! But this takes me to my next tip!!:


2.) Quality over Quantity – Do not just randomly buy because its not expensive. A lot of your last minute/ cheap/ spur of the moment buys unravel or fade after one washing. How lame is that? Save your cash and spend it on something that is of good quality, will last, and that won't be going out of style in 5 seconds.

3.) Splurge on Musts Only – Since you don’t have a lot of cash anyhow :-D, splurge only on killer pieces, those that you won’t find anywhere else and that will last you a long time. As previously mentioned, you want quality over quantity. These splurges must last you many many wears for years to come. Most of my splurges have been shoes, but I have had a few clothing purchases – vintage and new – that are statement pieces that are unmatched in quality and detail to any other reproduction.

4.) Compare and Save – Always Always Always compare your wants on multiple sites and stores. Look on ebay as well. You may be able to find your item for way less money. Also, look for sites that offer free shipping.  This will save you a good $10 alot of times.

5.) Wait on Sales – This is tough, but it will save you a lot of cash. Wait for holiday sales and out of season sales. I buy my coats around March and have saved up to 75% on good quality, really cute coats.

6.) Coupons!!! – Sign up on your favorite websites to receive emails and get coupons and sale alerts as soon as they become available. Twitter and facebook also provides alerts when coupons become available. You can also do searches online to find available coupons and discount codes.

7.) The Vintage Rule – Here is my rule on vintage. AGAIN, splurge only on unique, quality pieces. Go to your local thrift store for basics and common pieces such as T-shirts and pearl snap button ups. Most actual vintage stores you walk into are usually over-priced and mediocre. Find your quality pieces online – such as on Etsy and Ebay. Be sure to check measurements, however.

8.) Buy Second Hand – This applies to vintage and more modern clothing as well. Check ebay for those expensive One Teaspoon shorts you want for $100. Find them for half the price or less on ebay – used (sometimes new). Go to your thrift stores for all your basics. You will find killer pieces at thrift stores all the time as well for under $10. It’s pretty incredible

9.) DIY It – If you are at all crafty, this is going to save you gobs and gobs of loot. Buy those studs, amazing fabrics, etc. and do it yourself. There is a crap-load of tutorials online (ie YouTube) on how to do pretty much everything. Not only will you save cash, but you can design your piece however you please – many times better than what they are selling at the store!

10.) Trade and Sell What you are Sick Of – Load up all the stuff you don’t want anymore and take it to Buffalo Exchange/ Plato’s Closet/ or any consignment store and trade them out or get cash. Buffalo Exchange gives you 50% credit or 35% cash back for stuff you don’t even want. Only thing is, they want quality – vintage or modern stuff.

11.) If You Don't Have the Money, Wait 'Til You Do! - Don't get in debt over a piece of clothing or shoes. Save a bit each paycheck until you have the money. It'll be more expensive in the long run if you charge it. It's just not worth being in debt.

12.). Sell your Eggs for Shopping Loot – Just joshin. Although, have you seen how much cash you can get for those babies? Sheeeeesh!

Hope these tips help you out. If you know of others, by all means, SHARE YOUR WEALTH OF INFO!!!!


Thursday, December 27, 2012

CRAFT OR DIE!

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Adding some pretty accents to some of the cool vintage items I found at the thrift!  Yippee!
This is what I wore today.

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Outfit Details
Dress: Old Navy
Long Sleeve Shirt: Thrifted
Leggings: Wal Mart
Boots: Free People Johnny Tall Boots
Necklace: Earthbound

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Ombre And Beading Galore

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I did my research and discovered that these lovely India dresses are called kurtas.  I found a few a the local thrift and picked the most colorful beaded ones.  This is the one I wore today with pleather leggings.

Have a great one, yall.

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Outfit Details:
Beaded and Ombre Kurta - thrifted
Burgundy Leggings - Ebay
Boots - Steve Madden forever ago

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Match in the Gas Tank. Boom Boom!

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Just watched Gilbert Grape on Netflix.  Ha.  Good movie.
This is what I wore today. Thermal and velvet overalls by Free People!  My obsession.

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Outfit Details:
Thermal - Free People
Velvet Wide Leg Overalls - Free People
Necklaces - Ca trip & Buffalo Exchange

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Special in Tye Dye


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How brilliant is this dress?  The tye dye, the trapeze cut and the uneven hem.  Sigh!  It will eventually go up after a few more wears on the Etsy store.  Isn't it just a dream?
Oh, I finally got a trim and re-dye today.   Much needed, but I think they went a few inches too mucho on the chopping off.  It'll grow back I suppose.  Enjoy your night.  :-D
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Outfit Details
Tye Dye Hippie Mama Dress: Will be on FreeBird Vintage on Etsy soon
Boots: Dolce Vita via Free People
Necklace: Urban Oufitters
Bright Pink Lipstick: Elizabeth Arden Pink Vibrations!!!!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

House Tour and Beginning DIY Portfolio

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Ok, this post is going to be extremely photo heavy.  I took some detailed pictures of some of the furniture I've painted and such.  I will probably use these as a start to a portfolio.  I may unclutter a bit and retake.  Unsure.  Either way, this is my humble abode.  I love love this place, as everyone should love their home.  I want to come home and spend time in every room.  Its my passion, setting up a place and putting colors together, and textures and fabrics.  I spent all weekend doing a deep cleaning of every room, except mine, Seb's and the laundry room.  That will be a task to work on this week.  So for now, this is the kitchen, dining, living, and the main bathroom.  I do understand its cluttered, but thats kind of my thing.  I love clutter (organized clutter I call it), it makes me feel comfortable.
Living Room:
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I painted the hutch cabinet about 4 or 5 years ago.  Its a bold jeweltone blue with gold accents.  The gold has faded a bit.  Its moved around with me from house to house, so it has scratches and what not all over.  Its one of my favorite pieces.  i just display random kitchy collectibles in there.

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Work Space
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This will be our sewing area/ work space for our Etsy stuff.  Its very small, but will have to do for now.

Dining Room
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I found this dining room set at the thrift store in Arlington for next to nothing (drove from Dallas to Arlington on my lunch break to make sure no one else snagged it before I did) and knew I had to paint it an amazing color combo.  I decided on a cerulean blue and olive green, with gold accents.  I recovered the seat cushions in a mustardy-olive moroccan window pattern.  At first I thought it clashed with the southwestern theme of the table and chairs, but it grew on me.  I took lots of pictures to show detail.  I love that it goes well with the hanging light fixtures.

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Painted this as well from a boring old 80s particle board bookcase to a fun colorful piece leaving the inside of the shelves the wood grain look it originally came with.  I thought the combo looked cool and modern.  I house my records and pictures/ artwork here.  Hoping my record collection will someday fill all the shelves.  Yeah!

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Record Player 1 & 2.  I worked on this record player about 4 years ago as well, but since then the sound is not as wonderful.  I called around DFW area looking for anyone who works on these but apparently there is no one.  I found someone in Austin that would repair it for around $80, which would be worth it, but really don't have a way to haul it over, unless I load it in the back of my tiny car.  I've fit larger in there...so possibly one day.  Anywho, I painted this a robin's egg blue and went with a bird motif.  Put a bird on it!  On the lid, I wrote Ryan Adam lyrics from "English Girls".  Love those words.  The speakers used to be intact, but the darn kids at our old apartment had a hayday with them and punched a few holes in them.  I was not the happiest of campers when I finally noticed.

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Kitchen
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Bathroom
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Hallway
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Painted this chair as well.  Im thinking about crocheting some flowers (once I learn how to crochet) and attaching them to the back - front and back of the chair....just an idea.

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That covers it for now.  Have a great nite.