Fashionology: If the shoe fits...

Fashionology

2.8.11

If the shoe fits, you're still screwed if you can't afford it.

(yes, you can quote me on that.)

As I begin blogging more and more about outfits and my wardrobe, I should probably just lay this out there, because I'm always asked: I don't have simply two or three particular stores that I shop at exclusively. It will probably shock you where I actually find some of the items in my wardrobe. One day I will list all of my favorite stores and where I could shop if I could afford to, but for now just know that most of the places I shop at on a regular basis are not necessarily on my list of favorite stores. I use all of my favorite stores and their latest trends as inspiration, so I think it's a good idea to always keep up with what's going on with designers or clothing lines that you like... even if you can't afford them at that moment.

I don't care where it's from, as long as it's cute, and as long as it's a bargain. The main thing I look at when I'm shopping is the price, and that's my bottom line. Although I do enjoy "high end" fashion every now and then, I am still a pastor's wife... not a doctor's wife. Because of my love for clothes, fashion and the constant desire to create new looks, my husband is gracious enough to give me my very own "clothes" portion in our monthly budget. I am passionate about the fact that you don't have to make a ton of money or spend over $100 an item to have a great wardrobe. I do believe and know from experience that high-end fashion usually means higher quality and longer wear, but it's definitely not a necessity to creating a trendy look.

This might shock some, but if I spend over $12 on a shirt, you better believe that I:

A. LOVE the shirt

B. Really NEEDED the shirt, or

C. It just looked really stinkin' CUTE on me or was very FLATTERING

If shopping were an olympic event, I would definitely have a chance at participating in the games, but if BARGAIN shopping were an olympic event, I'd be up for the gold. It's all about knowing where to go, what department to shop in once you are there, and going often enough to catch the good stuff. If one singe piece of clothing is over $20, I ask myself if I love it enough to spend $100 on it. If the answer is no, it goes back on the rack. If the answer is yes, I'll walk around with it for a few minutes. I have found that walking around for a while, before heading up to the register is a great way to filter out some of the spontaneous shopping habits that grab ahold of some of us so tightly! (my hand is in the air!) When your budget is a major factor, or if you are just trying to stretch it a little and get more for your money, always weigh out the pro's and cons...

Is it too similar to something I already have?

Is it flattering on me?

What does my shopping budget look like?

Is there something else I want/need more?

Is it a want? If so, would I want it this bad if it cast $100?

Is it a need?

Can I find it somewhere at a better price?

If it is a lower-quality brand, how many times can it be washed before it falls apart or shrinks?

....just a few of the thoughts that runt through my head.

So with all of that being said, although I may not like 90% of the things that Old Navy comes out with... I can usually find something on their clearance rack that works well for me. So although it is not even close to being one of my favorite stores, I hit it up every now and then. In this case, I got an email about a clearance event they were having, clicked on a link and ended up finding three VERY cute shirts under $5 and two that were under $10. Here's one of them...

Shirt: Old Navy.com - clearance for $5.97

Cardigan: Banana Republic - $? - from approx. 2 years ago, it's still a staple in my closet

Belt: Thrift Store - $1

Jeans: Khol's $17.99 "SO super skinny jeans" (These I love because they do not lose their shape, they are long enough for me to wear with flats, the legs are not baggy on me at all, and they were a great price. You can find them in the jr. dept.)

Boots: Charlotte Russe $39.99 (boots are something that I didn't mind investing in when I lived up north and had to deal with snow all of the time, but this year I really struggled with spending more than $50 on something that I could only wear for a few short months. These were a great price and have held up perfectly so far this winter.)

I wore this outfit for a day of shopping with my little sister, mother-in-law and best friend. We hit up some thrift stores, Hobby Lobby, Pier One, and a few others before meeting up with our men for a delicious dinner at Chuy's. I love Chuy's because it's an "Austin original" restaurant that has now opened several locations in the Houston area.

Fashionology: it's a no make-up kind of day

No-make-up.

Messy hair.

New sweater.

New-ish coat.

Favorite, giant, over-sized, super warm scarf.

My favorite boots.

Coffee.

My books.

Productive work day.

I think I just showed this Tuesday who's boss.

2011

After just about a year long break, I am on my way back to the never ending inspiration, fresh creativity, laughter, support, shared passion and the beauty that never ends in the hearts of those who choose to go through this life searching for inspiration and daring to be brave enough to live creatively.

I do not like to lay out distinct resolutions at the beginning of each year. I take each new year as an opportunity to evaluate where my priorities have been the past year, and if any adjustments need to be made, I make them. (which is always the case, by the way.) This year has been a doozie! After many life altering moments and circumstances, I can honestly say that I love 2010 for all of the challenges, amazing memories, and fun times, but I was more than ready to welcome 2011 in. Upon my reflecting, It was quite obvious that there's just something that isn't the same as far as my creative outlets go. I design now for a living, but something was still definitely missing. I don't think that the one thing missing can be narrowed down to a blog, but I do think that it has been my long lost presence in the creativity realm. The past year has been so busy and so full of earth shaking... and some earth-shattering circumstances, that my energy levels have been completely focused on our new life in texas, my husband, my son, and my overall health. Sometimes you just have to put everything aside (even the "good" things that you like) so that you can focus on the things that matter most in life. I hope that as time progresses and I continue to find freedom and peace, I will have stories of triumph and personal victories to share, but for now I am just happy to be easing myself back into the mindset of aiming to inspire. I am not too sure exactly what it will look like, or how it will all play out, but I am sure that I am so ready to dive back into this world of unbelievable beauty that you all have helped create here on the world wide web.

My priorities for 2011 are quite simple, but all carry deep significance for me.

1. Maximize mornings.

This is something that I am not good at, have never been good at, and although I will probably never achieve to be a morning person, I can at least make the best of them. Here is just a little taste of what mornings look like for me...

...not so pretty, eh?!

2. Blog regularly. Find healthy creative outlets.

...workin' on it!

3. Focus on having a healthier view of food and eating.

This is something that can consume me if I let it. It's a struggle to have a healthy balance.

4. Purge the house. Get organized. Everything has to have a place.

Even if it looks like this... I'm totally OK with that!

5. Make a workspace in the new house and make things!

...this goes hand in hand with #2, but it's important enough for me to make it a stand alone priority. Maybe a future Etsy shop is on the horizon?!

6. Wear/buy brighter colors

I've had many requests lately to do a blog about my outfits and wardrobe. I'm loving the idea... but I've got to get out of the black and gray rut! As you can see I've already started working on it.... and future pictures will not just be of my shoes, by the way! =)

7. Settle into who I am and aspire to be and more importantly who God wants me to be, so I can stop worrying so much about my own aspirations. (Don't you just love how that works hand in hand?)

Happy 2011 everyone!

I will be seeing you on here much more often.

PAPER ROUTE

If you are a music lover, listen up...

If you are a lover of good quality music, that has the ability to captivate your spirit, and really move your heart, then you need to check out the band Paper Route.

I have been to more shows and concerts than I can even count, and I think after last night I finally decided that they are now at the top of my favorite "live" show list.

Go check out their tour dates on facebook or myspace... or their website and DO WHAT YOU CAN to get there!

I PROMISE you their music is just as amazing... if not better live than it is on their albums. (In my opinion, not many bands can say that.)

I have had the chance to meet and hang out with the band and on top of incredible talent, these guys all have amazing hearts and pursue all the right things in life. Their inspiration carries well beyond their music.

Before I ever moved to Illinois and before me and Seth were ever an "item" I met his best friend Josh when he came to visit Seth in Austin. Josh came with Seth to pick me up from the airport when I moved up here and now has grown to be one of my closest friends. Him and my husband together can make me laugh for days. He is a touring member of the band and plays the guitar, drums, accordion and some other lovely things. We got to spend some much needed time with him last night... so anyways. You've heard enough details, GO CHECK THEM OUT!

(sorry that most of the pictures are of Josh, I took them for his mama!)

Of course me and my love...


Me and my brother-in-law... who just happens to be a world class tattoo artist in St. Louis at Iron Age Studios. Go look him up too!

The three amigos.

Me and Sean, representing.

I LOOOOOOVE the city!!! Love, love, love it.

New Hair!

Well, it's not NEW. It's MY hair... it's just been updated with a color brightening and a little bit of shaping.

I LOVE.... let me say it again, L-O-V-E having long hair! I'm glad I went through all of the agonizing stages of growing it out.

I don't really change it too much now that it's long, but this time I did go a little brighter on top, trying to go back a little more towards my natural red color. Annie did a remarkable job, as always.

and this happens to by my new favorite necklace...