Perfect Summer Wedge Sandal

http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/product/fiddle_string/60690


Check out this summer wedge sandal!  They are perfect for pants, capris, skirts, and dresses, making them a very versatile, thrifty purchase.

To make them even more perfect, they are from a comfort line called "CLARKS" so they will be super comfortable. Check out the Clark's line.  You will have to wade through the "church lady looks" but there are some real gems in-between.

Premium Denim Jeans for plus size women

http://svobodastyle.com/ShopJeansNow.aspx
Check out the link!
I received a hot tip yesterday for my friends who have been asking me about premium denim jeans for full figured women.  These are quality 360 degree stretch denim jeans that have a beautiful fit for the full figure, and maintain their shape!  Don't let the retail prices scare you.   The sales and sale prices are wonderful which make them a very thrifty purchase!

Think You Can't Wear Heels-Part 3

http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=26805&pg=1024259

 Love the Leopard!  check these out!  I own these under another label.  (I will explain private labeling for another blog.)  Love them, and I can wear them all day!

Do I wear heels every day? NO!  Absolutely not!  I am realistic about it.

I alternate ballet flats and all types of sandals in between, and mix in my athletic shoes here and there.  You are setting yourself for orthopedic bills if you don't mix it up.  (I hear bunion surgery is NOT fun and definitely NOT a thrifty activity)  Those co-pays will kill you much worse than the bill for those heels you "didn't" need! LOL!  Just remember:

• With pointed toes you may have to go up ½ size, (I do) because your foot needs a little more room to fit into the front as it starts to narrow  

• These days, even with rounded toe styles, I find that I need to go a ½ size bigger in a heel so it doesn’t do the pinch and blister thing around the front where the curve meets your instep.   

The thing to remember is do not get stuck on a size # as all manufacturers are have different size templates.

 

Think You Can't Wear Heels? Part 2

http://www.famousfootwear.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=92122&pg=1025186
Ever heard the term “kitten heels?”  It is a term for little heels. 

Check out  this pair of boots!  They are fierce!   They have "kitten heels" but have the look and feel of the stilettos!  I own a black pair and a brown pair.  A very thrifty purchase at $35 each from Famous Footwear.  I wear them all day long  and my feet feel great.  I get so many compliments. Who cares if the heel is only 2 1/4 in. long.   They are a brand called "Nickels."  This brand is all over famous footwear, very affordable, very chic! Check out the link....

Think you can’t wear heels? Think again!

These still give the look of "heels" without the crippling effects!

I will be honest.  The last time I wore a real pair of stilettos was sometime around when disco died!  BUT... I still love my heels…

Heels can do marvelous things for the rest of your body and your mood.  They elongate the leg, make your legs look curvier, and help you look taller and slimmer.   I don’t know about you, but they also make me feel like I’ve still, “got it!” The trouble is: How do you wear the heels without being a cripple by the end of the day?

I am a believer that if your feet are otherwise healthy as mine are, you can still wear heels!  The answer is… comfort shoe lines.  Really!

Comfort shoe lines are not what they used to be.  These are not the orthopedic church lady shoes we fear and loathe.

My favorite comfort shoe line is SOFFT. (I can’t put the two dots above the “O” LOL!)  They are amazing!  These shoes are well made, fashionable, and most of all comfortable!  I have 2 pair of these shoes and I love them both.  I am a teacher and I can hang in these sandals all day.  Here is my foot in my favorite pair!  

The best place to find this line in person is Macy’s, but in my experience they don’t carry a variety of styles.

Honestly, the two pair I own, (1 black and 1 brown) I found on the sale shelves at “Marshalls” for quite a bit cheaper (approximately $40) than retail.  Again, I would rather have 2 pairs at $40 each than 6 pair of other shoes that won't be as comfy.  Both pair are a year old and still feel and look great due to the fact they are well made with quality materials.

You can see the entire line at zappos.com

Here is my favorite pair, and yes,  I worked in these ALL DAY!

My brown pair!

My black pair!

Joann Fabrics

During my childhood, it was cheaper to make your own clothing than to buy it.  Enter NAFTA and the continuing outsourcing of garment construction to foreign countries, and now times have changed.  In most instances, it is cheaper to buy your clothing than make it, especially if what you want to buy is heavily constructed.

But... what if you love to sew and have some design/creative skills?  It can pay off!
If you can carve out a little time, you can save money!  In my area, the only readily available source for fabric and sewing supplies is Joann Fabrics.  Here is my guide to save money:

• Go to your nearest Joann Fabric and ask an employee to help you sign up for the coupon mailers
• Every month you will get valuable coupons that will save you tons of money.
• Pay attention to the dates and time your purchases accordingly
• If you are a teacher you can sign up for a teacher discount of 15% IN ADDITION TO YOUR COUPONS
• Stop in periodically for quick 10 minute glimpses through the store to eye up in store sales that you may have missed or were not featured in the mailers.
• Also ask about signing up for Joann to Go! An employee can give you the text code to get started and you can receive additional coupons by text message!  
• Students can save 10% every day!
  

Thrift Shop Finds/Sew Easy!

Before

Several of my teacher friends are into thrift
shop finds.  I became interested.  With my sewing
and design skills this could be a cheap way to keep fashionable... here was my first "find."  Basically, a too large T that had no wear and tear and appeared to be as yet unworn.  I liked the print, but it was basically an old lady T-shirt as is.

Step 1: cut off the sleeves at the seam

  

Step 2: shape and pin the changes you want to make to fit to your body

Step 3: Shape and baste changes to the armhole

Pinned, basted, and ready for sewing!

l

Cover Girl Simply Ageless Foundation

http://www.covergirl.com/collections/simplyageless

As a fifty something,  fashion conscious,  woman , I am also concerned about my skin.  Who isn't at any age?  I have tried it all.  High end base make-up, and drugstore versions.  The best and most price conscious drugstore make-up I have found is:  Covergirl "Simply Ageless Foundation."  If you are getting your first wrinkles, (my 30 something friends) or your first age spots, (my 40 to 50 something friends)  this is your go to product.  It does exactly what they advertise.  It covers the spots and doesn't cake into fine lines and wrinkles.  When you put it on you must be careful to dab and push the sponge, not rub... and the result is beautiful.   People are always commenting on my good complexion.  Of course I always use a good sunscreen... (more on that later) and I am always careful to wear a hat or use a parasol in the sun.  I know it sounds weird but I really have one!   My skin thanks me every day when I use my Covergirl.  Try it you'll see:)

Not Your Daughter's Jeans

                                       No muffin top here!  And believe me I have the few extra pounds
                                       and the "mommy jiggle tummy" as most of us do. I am wearing my black
                                       straight legs here.


nydj.com



Are you out of your skinny mini 20's?  Hate muffin tops? Well, I have the perfect Jean for you.  They are called "Not Your daughters Jeans."  They are available at Nordstroms and some Macy's stores.  They are also available online but you have to try them on to believe them.

First of all,  they have a lift/tuck technology.  The jeans deliver on their promise to make you look a size smaller and much trimmer.  Next, the rise is cut higher so those of you with a few extra pounds or the " I have had a baby jiggle" around the midsection, will not experience the dreaded muffin top.  These are most certainly NOT your mom jeans.  They have modern details, stitching, and most importantly hold their shape during the entire day.  I can't say that about any other stretch denim jean as most start drooping by mid-day.  Not a good thing but you won't experience that here.

The price point is not cheap.  They run anywhere from $80 to $120 lately BUT....I still consider them a thrifty purchase.  I would rather have 1 pair of these jeans than 4 $30 pairs....They are that good.  The 3 pair I own are already 2 to 3 years old, still look great, and I expect to wear them for years to come.  I am already saving up for my next pair:)

More time than money to be Fashionable?

Let me clarify when I say "for the fashionista with more time than money."  I have precious little of both.  Like most women, I have a full time job, kids, do all my own housework, and cook most every day.  I even try to get in exercise 2 to 3 times a week.  I struggle every day to keep it all afloat, and I am still learning how to balance.  It is a never ending struggle to keep it all going without letting something  (or someone) down.

Very simply, how do we indulge our passions with very little time and money?  I have had to be very creative with that one....... and since it is time for me to get dinner and do some more laundry, I have to go.

Later!

Shorten Jeans and Keep the ORIGINAL Hems!

shorten your jeans using the original hems 



One of my many side jobs in this recession is doing alterations.  Recently did this one for a friend of mine!  Doing my own tailoring and using my skills to tailor for others has given me a few more bucks in the pocket.

My purpose

This is a test of my first blog posting.   There is a lot about this I do not know yet but I learn quickly.
All I know is that I am a fashionista on a serious budget.  I am all about a look for less, repurposing thrift shop purchases and trying to look pulled together from day to day!  Recession be damned!  I will survive and look good doing it!