Ah Vintage!

Have you ever seen a jumper, halter, bib or skort in a pattern like this?
Share your best "Who shot the couch?" story!

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Next Payday

I have a list that I created at this Black Friday website; http://www.black-friday.net/ It has all the things my family and friend might want. And since it's not how much you spend but how much you save, it's given me grandioso visions of a classic Christmas movie...

 Pan to me in a long cashmere jacket with fur trim, adorable hounds-tooth snowboots with my arms full of boxes of colorfully wrapped packages going high above my head. Close-up on rosy flushed cheeks and sparkly glossed lips with a warm, giving smile.  Ahhhh, sounds fab doesn't it?

But then I look at my bank account and it's a bummer. I check my lottery ticket, no luck. Wasn't there a sweepstakes I entered? A forgotten aunt's will leaving me an estate? I look at the magazines on the rack featuring "100s of gifts under $100" and in reality I need them under $10.



So here is MY list for great finds in a frugal economy that will make you feel great.

For friends that inspire you to be a good person!

Canned Foods. Ok, not so glamorous on the outside. Go to your local grocery store and spend $20 (or $5/friend) on canned foods, boxed meals, etc to donate to the local food bank. Once home, stack them in a beautiful arrangement and take a picture. Then create a festive little card with this picture as the front of the card. Write a heartfelt note to those friends that says you donated to the local food bank in their honor because their goodwill inspires you.



For friends that are moms and need a break!
A Thermos Add-A-Cup Beverage Bottle. It is insulated & has 2 cups attached. $9. But not just any Thermos; you will fill it with a bottle of wine.
Tie a bow, show up at their house (but not unexpected, that's the worst if your a busy mum) and take her & the kids to the local playground that's within walking distance. Surprise her with a glass of wine and good chatter while the kids play away.


For fashionista ladies...
A great accessory is a wonderful find; a cult-label accessory is even better. Check out this super cute Blooming headband from Vera Bradley. It's in their trendy Frill collection, $9 and comes in a wide array of colors. My favorite is "Makes Me Blush", a pep of color on a white snowy day.



For the guy friend...
This one is SO easy. Basketball season is just around the corner. Buy him the iphone HoopsGeek app for $4.99. It has real time game tracking, all sorts of stats, create your own stats, etc. Something he can really geek out on.




Lastly, the boyfriend. Only you know the things that make him swoon. If he's a vinyl lover, search the local shops for a rare vintage piece. For sports, tickets to the minor-league hockey team will find good seats at an affordable price. If he's a pig, just get yourself something from VS and be done with it.

Above all, RELAX. It's a season for peace and goodwill not major credit debt.

Movin' on up!

Moving, whether across town or across country can be exciting, stressful and in the summertime - sweaty. The worst part is having your wardrobe packed up for days maybe weeks before settling into your new closet with  limited access to do laundry.
I recently moved from the lovely South to the wholesome Midwest. To ease the transition I kept some great basic items in my luggage at all times so I could go from moving boxes to dining at a new restaurant without fretting over what to wear.
Here's how...

Lifting, moving, and packing:

A great pair of cargo shorts. You need a place to pocket a screw driver, keys, lip gloss and there is a pocket for everything here.

Cargos can be a little baggy; offset the silhouette with a body hugging solid tank or tee shirt. It's summer and 95 degrees, no need to be complex. I like this one from Old Nave, satin trim tank for $14.50.

Skip the earrings and opt for a colorful patterned head wrap. This adds a nice touch to an otherwise simple outfit and also keeps you cool in the summer heat.
Happy nesting!

The Ben Harper Shirt

With SXSW (South by Southwest) quickly approaching in Austin, I'm fashion inspired by arguably the worlds best stage for arts. My boyfriend is into "yallternative"; a style of music that is alternative country/blues/rock. Wilco, Drive by Truckers, etc when mixed with a fashion element provides me with a hotty, Austin style. I must say I dig it.


So the other night we were watching Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 when he remarked; " I want a Ben Harper shirt!" Wow, there's a name for that thing he's wearing? A cowboy shirt with floral pattern? A denim western that doesn't look like a redneck? I guess there really is no other term for these apparel concoctions.


The guidelines for what counts as a "Ben Harper shirt" are as follows...

• Must be a denim, gingham or plaid pattern & long sleeve. Patterns running across the shoulders such as flowers, birds/animals or stripes are a great find!
• Examples of tacky are any shirts with dice, skeletons, loud embroidery that cannot be covered by placing your 2 hands over it. Put it back on the hanger. No matter how cool you think you are, NO ONE should wear that.

• Pockets could either have a slight western curve or frosted pearl button closures
• Must be worn untucked.

After perusing the vintage stores and hipster boutiques, you found THE shirt. Now what? Put on some Wranglers? Hells no. Buy a 10 gallon hat? Only if you want to pick-up a woman at the truck stop on I-10.


Here is my guide to werkin the Ben Harper shirt. The goal here is to NOT look like a cowboy but more hipster with intrigue.


Accessorize. Yes even thought you're a guy you can do this! 

• 80's wristbands
• Native american print headband (okay, i'm stretching here)
• Knit beanie/ski cap (my friend AC knits some stellar ones, I can put you in touch)
• Fedora hat
• Crossbody Messenger bag
• Shell or wooden short necklace

Shoes! 

• Huraches, Vans, Toms or biker boots work well. 

Outerwear 

• Leather jacket, neutral windbreaker or corduroy blazer.

If you have a decent voice and a gentle soul you'll be an instant chick magnet. 
Warning! If you take this look to Austin you may not ever get out of your hotel room to see a band.*
*Notice: DressedOut is not responsible for any harrassment from the opposite sex.

Vroom Vroom!

I'm currently in the market for a car and have my heart set on exactly what I want. Most of my decision is based on sitting in front of a monitor and surfing endless websites. Alas, I've finally decided to take the plunge and go into the dealership. I don't have much free time so the last thing I want to do is hang out at a dealership for hours. Plus, it's overcast, blisteringly cold and a dealer's lot is an outdoor event. Time to break out the long sweater dress! 

I take inspiration from Angelina Jolie as best ways to wear a sweater dress...

• Dark colors
• Simple, body grazing silhouette; no slits, cut-outs, ruffles - just plain
• Neckline, either crew or boatneck
• Edgy accessories; all in the same dark colors - aviator sunglasses, tough boots, leather & metal belt
• Only 1 Feminine accent, either flowy hair styling or a light colored scarf.

A look like this will give off the "sell me a lemon and i'll kick your a$$" vibe which is perfect for car shopping. The scarf gives off just the "but I'm a female so you will play up to me big time" complimentary drift.

When checking out the details of the vehicle be mindful that you should not be climbing up high or in the backseat wearing a sweater dress. Stick to jeans if you're looking for a big ol Ram or Hummer.

Ugh Uggs!

While waiting on hold to dispute a credit card charge,(don't you just hate being double charged and then having to fax and provide your grandmother's life story for verification!), I started to peruse some winter boots online. Fleece lined? Sweater fabrication? With pom-poms? Water proof?...Dilemma! 


2 years ago I thought I was so over the leggings and tunic trend. Now I can't help but be in love with what is now a simple solstice classic rather than a pushy trend to find more ways to wear Uggs. Instead leggings have become a staple. Tunics, long wraps and soft sweaters are the perfect fireside chat attire. But that exclamation point to make this look work is the great pair of boots you are working. 


Being a girlie girl on a shoestring budget I like to sort by <$50 price category. So first off, there is no need to pay Vegas call-girl prices for boots! Charlotte Russe, DSW and even Macy's have a great assortment in my range. Ugg knock-offs can start as low as $19.99. 




Patterns
If you want to keep this look cool and casual don't get the boots in animal print, it's tacky! You'll look like Peg Bundy went to Payless. Keep leopard prints to minidresses and evening accents. To mix a non-solid boot with other patterns, stay in the same color family. For instance; Burgundy plaid boots paired with a white floral hobo and you're in patterned bootie bliss. 


Leggings
The best way to wear furry winter boots is with textured leggings. My favorite is a suede-cloth legging; it's got texture but isn't an eyesore. Also the distressed leggings now look very haute not head banger. 
I also adore capri leggings with over-the-knee socks and then comfy boots. 
Stay away from the lace textured leggings. These are too delicate for bulky winter boots. (People around the fire will think you must be really cold because you left your jeans at home.) 
Fit is another consideration; if the leggings are creeping up your lady parts, go up a size please!

Tops & Tunics
Length - Just below the waist to mid thigh.
A tee below the waist pairs up nicely with a blazer or cropped jacket. 

A mid thigh tunic especially sweater fabrics such as mohair or cashmere invite hugs. 
A sleeveless tunic is lovely with a pashmina wrap. There are so many sweater sales after the holidays it's the perfect time to stock up!


Dressed and done...You're ready to work those boots and look hotter than the toddy being served by the flaming logs. 
Happy holidays!

If we took holiday, oh yeah oh yeah....

I love this time of year. Who can be upset when there is goodwill toward man, fresh baked goodness in the air and eggnog (whoever invented that beverage deserves sainthood!) But what I really love about December is that holiday parties are in abundance! Whether it's the "ugly sweater party" or your company's "formal attire required" party there's a good time to be found. I conveniently started a new job just in time for the holiday party and I expect to learn more than I need to about my new co-workers as it's an open bar. 

Cocktail dresses! 

• Strapless or a silhouette that does not accomodate a standard bra needs to have special arrangements. This increases the cost of the dress because arrangeable undergarments, shapewear, Hollywood tape or nipple covers can be draining on the budget. 

• If you can go commando and leave the bra at home, just get the simple chicken cutlet covers and go forth. Otherwise, make your life easy and pick a sheath or sleeved style of dress.

Ugly Sweater Parties
Can you say resale shopping? No need to go to Wal-Mart where they are certain to have tons of ugly sweaters representative of my 3rd grade teacher Ms. Ball. Instead spend $5 and go to your local Goodwill, wash and get your freak on. Bonus points if you pair your ugly sweater with a denim skirt (red stiched pockets perhaps?), a pair of jingle bell earrings and a necklace w/ some sort of flashing holiday icon (santa, rudolph, menorah).


Undefined Attire - Not Casual but not Formal either?
This would be called Festive. Beware, festive does not mean ugly sweater! This look is a fun, throw-your-hands-up-and-dance ensemble. Comfort, a little glitter and a bit of edge works well here. 

Think sequined skirt, thigh-high tights (Charming Charlie has a great selection!), short booties and a soft, "touch me" sweater - Boucle is a great choice. Another option is sleek, black pants with a nice sheen, same sweater but with a punch of color and those little booties again. Voila, not over or under dressed - just ready for whatever the evening holds.

#1 Company Party Rule 

At company parties serving alcohol, use the buddy system. Get one of your buddies or your date to put in place the 3 drink maximum rule. No more than 3 drinks around your co-workers, no one needs to know about the time when you entered a banana eating contest in college as a dare. So team up and keep eachother in check!