Bike Rack - Self Construction

So you've seen the talents of myself, my mom, and R. Now I would like to showcase M. He presently lives in a condo and needed an affordable efficient way to store his two bicycles. He found a DIY Bike Rack on Lifehacker. The total cost came to a mere $12 or $13. I have such amazing friends! 

*Tip: If you have the time and talent, or even a friend with the talent, find plans and make your own. Materials are much cheaper than paying for something already made.

Name Brands - Hospice Thrift Store

Mom and I got together last week and went shopping at the Hospice Thrift Store. I ended up getting five tops and four bottoms, along with a few other treasures.

Self Esteem 3/4 Brown Star top - $5.99

Rue 21 3/4 Teal top - $5.99

International Concepts Tan top - $5.99

A. Byer Black tank - $5.99

Aphrodite cap sleeve top - $4.99

Aeropostale Jeans - $7.99
J.Crew Khakis - $5.99
Old Navy Black Workout pants - $5.99
Denim Skirt - $5.99

*Tip: If you live in the Midwest like I do, you're still in winter. Perk up your winter basics with a few new items. Yesterday, I wore my new chinos with a sweater. Today I layered the tan tank.

Striped Sweater - H&M

So Mom and I aren't the only bargain shoppers around. My friend R is too! The sweater she is wearing today was originally $35 from H&M.

So cute! And on sale for $7. I love the tie that allows a little cinch at the waist without a belt.

Purple Day

Yesterday was Purple Day. I wore my cute Maurice's top.

My mom and coworkers also showed their support.

American Living Sweater - JCPenney

So today I am featuring a bargain not found by me. This was found by my mom. I definitely take after her. And once you read about this, you'll see what a a great role model I have!

This is an American Living sweater from JCPenneys that is originally priced at $54. My mom found it marked down 80% and then had a $10 off coupon. This brought her grand total to 81 cents! You heard right, 81 cents! 77 cents for the sweater and 4 cents in tax. I am in awe! This has to be some sort of record!

*Tip: Coupons that give discounts off any dollar amount are the best kind of coupon. These result in department store purchases under $1 as demonstrated by my mom.

She plans to wear this sweater for Purple Day. Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. I will be wearing purple in memory of my ex-boyfriend Dan, who died from a seizure at age 25. RIP. Please join me in wearing purple on March 26th!

Sewing Machine - Hand-Me-Down

While helping J's sister move, she asked if I wanted a sewing machine. Coincidentally, I was in the process of pricing sewing machines and had planned to buy one in the near future. What luck!

I took it in to get oiled and checked out overall. They also took the time to show me all the features and even threw in a few bonuses.

 

*Tip: Sometimes small-town locally owned businesses may cost a little more, but can be much more personable. As the owner typically works in the shop itself, they may be more flexible with things such as hours.

Flea Markets in Rockford

Awhile back I picked up a magazine called Flea Market Style. (Here is their blog.) I fell in love with the houses decorated in all flea market finds. Apparently I never stopped talking about it because J surprised me over the weekend and took me to two flea markets in Illinois. Here are the signs and my finds.

I am trying a new thing with my pictures. Basically the process went like this:
1) Insert pictures into Word document.
2) Crop and position.
3) Print screen and paste in GIMP.
4) Cut from GIMP and paste in Paint.
5) Save and insert into blog.
If anyone has a better method (preferably free and easy), please let me know.

*Tip: Share your interest with others. They may know of places and things you never knew existed.

Accessory Scarf - Target

Happy St. Patrick's Day! A new Target opened in my area. I found this cute scarf for only $2.50.

Spring Wreath - Etsy

Now that the weather is starting to warm up and we are already half way through the month of March, it was time for me to replace my winter wreath with a spring wreath. Nothing in the stores was what I was looking for. Then I ended up on etsy.com. For those of you that don't know, etsy is a website for people to buy and sell handmade items. I searched for a spring wreath and found this bright and spring-y wreath from Tiny Cottages Treasures.

I ordered it less than a week ago and it's already here! I got home from work and grocery shopping to discover a box by my mailbox. I was so excited, I hung up my new wreath and snapped a picture.

The best picture I could manage at night with a point-and-shoot.

*Tip: Etsy is a great place to find unique and one-of-a-kind items. It is like having several hundred boutiques at your fingertips.

Trouser Jeans - Old Navy

I have been on the lookout for dressy denim pants. I found this pair in clearance for $18.89 (30% off) at Old Navy. Keep in mind this picture was taken after a full day of work, hence the wrinkles.

Belted Cardigan

In participating in the 30 for 30, I got some new outfit ideas from other bloggers. I think the belted cardigan look is really cute. I got my inspiration from Amy (Amy Fashion) and Tania (What Would a Nerd Wear). Here is my version:

I admit it's a little rough but I tried. I also didn't have the best cardigan...it's only long in the front, not the back. Ah well, I was glad to find a skinny belt to wear around my waist. My pants' belts are too big for my waist. This cute one is a really deep maroonish purple. I found it in the clearance area at Old Navy for $4.19.

Now that 30 for 30 is over and once work calms down, I will get back to my usual blogging. I found some great treasures over the past week that I can't wait to share with you.

30 for 30 - Day 25

I can't wait for the weekend to start! And it's a long weekend at that :) I have Monday off, which means an extra day with J. Not to mention I get to leave work 30 minutes early today because I worked late last night. (My meeting ran over.) So I'm pretty upbeat today despite being tired. Plus I tried something new today: jeans tucked into boots. I know why I've never tried this before. I have big feet and I like to hide them under pant legs. What do you think?

Green Sweater - Kohls
Cream Tank (underneath) - Kohls
Jeans - H&M
Black Boots - JCPenney

30 for 30 - Day 24

So my original plan for this outfit wasn't going to happen. I was going to wear a belt with it, but it turns out the belts that hold up my pants are too big for around my waist. Therefore this outfit is pretty plain. Oh well...

Pink Shirt - Target
Black Cardigan - Boston Store
Black Pants - Thrift Store
Black Boots - JCPenney

30 for 30 - Day 23

Only a few more outfits left, but here is Wednesday's!

Pink Cardigan - Target
White Button Down - Shopko
Grey Pants - New York & Co.
Black Flats - Payless




I got sick of wearing cardigans so I had to figure out how to wear a cardigan more as a sweater. I think this outfit is pretty cute.

30 for 30 - Day 22

So you have probably noticed that I am missed a few days of 30 for 30. This is because, through this process, I have determined that I am not a fashion blogger. I simply do not have an eye for style like many of you others do. I am also significantly lacking in the accessories department. Therefore, I have made a few adjustments to 30 for 30 for my personal sanity. First, I decided to not count camisoles in my 30 for 30 and therefore have many more layering options. And secondly, I will only remix my weekday outfits. I am in desperate need of some variety. And since I chose my pieces primarily for work, I will have the opportunity to be a little more casual the other 2 days. Thanks for your understanding and on to today's outfit!

White Cardigan - Vanity
Green Tank - Kohls
Pinstripe Pants - Kohls
Black Heels - Kohls

Happy Birthday, J!

Today is J's birthday! To celebrate, we made steak for dinner and watched Jacked.

Bacon-wrapped steak, stuffing, and carrots. Yum!

Jacked is my new favorite tv show. It's even better than Cops. I'm trying to teach myself the phonetic alphabet in hopes of sounding more intelligent. Do you ever find yourself saying "M as in...uh..." when you know full well that Mary starts with M but you forget when put on the spot? Well no more.

30 for 30 - Day 18

It's finally Friday! Sorry for the short, unchatty posts. I'm still not back 100% from being sick. Hopefully getting more sleep this weekend will help.

Turquoise Shirt - Aeropostale
Black Cardigan - Marshall Fields
Khakis - Target
Black Flats - Payless

30 for 30 - Day 17

Today's high is going to be 54! Heat wave! So I went for bright spring colors. I have never wore this combination before but am happy with how it turned out. I think subconsciously I remembered a similar look on Rose (from Sneakers to Stilettos). Thanks for the inspiration!

Green Shirt - Plato's Closet
Pink Cardigan - Target
Black Pants - Thrift Store
Black Flats - Payless

30 for 30 - Day 16

Still coughing and sneezing, but I have more energy, so it's off to work I go! Here is today's outfit:

Yellow Striped Shirt - Shopko
Turquoise Hooded Cardigan - Aeropostale
Black Pants - Thrift Store
Black Boots - JCPenney

30 for 30 - Day 14

Yes I know I'm missing days 13 & 15. I haven't been feeling well. Yesterday, I only lasted half the work day. Here is my Valentine's Day outfit. The other two days were spent in pjs.

Pink Ruffle Cardigan - TJ Maxx
Grey Pants - New York & Co.
Black Flats - Shopko