How to Create a Digital Vision Board with PicMonkey

How to Create a Digital Vision Board with PicMonkey
I'm been rocking my 2013 digital board for the past two years. I skipped last year. Procrastination won. When I sat down to create one for 2015, I found my old favorite O Dream Board had disappeared so I created a version using PicMonkey.

Classic Christmas in Black Lace

Classic Christmas in Black Lace
Staying true to my frugal self, I shopped my closet and discovered something new to wear on Christmas. I pulled my recently thrifted lemon yellow J. Crew  sweater and a new lace pencil skirt that has aged 2 years in my closet. Plus, I swiftly removed tags on my new envelope clutch for a classic yet…

Best Thrift Style of 2014

Best Thrift Style of 2014
I really enjoyed going back in the time machine of my analytics to find the most popular thrift style posts this year. Some are my favorites too. Others? Ick. There are even 3 pieces making a second appearance in the annual round up. Can you guess which ones? Take a look.

{Thrift That Look} Sweatshirts + Slouchy Pants

{Thrift That Look} Sweatshirts + Slouchy Pants
Admit it. You didn't think I'd have the nerve to wear the ugly cowboy print slouchy pants again. They're back along with my 80s sweatshirt estate sale find. The Thrift That Look came from a Shopbop outfit that entered my Pinterest feed. The pants alone are $345. My thrift store creatio…

Stay Connected This Holiday Season with Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans

Stay Connected This Holiday Season with Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans
This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser Walmart Family Family which has the lowest priced unlimited plans. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidaysAreCalling This will be our first Christmas away from our family. My mom lives in Vegas. My sisters are in Chicago. Unfortuna…

{Independent Fashion Bloggers} Holiday Home Stretch

{Independent Fashion Bloggers} Holiday Home Stretch
I'm in this week's roundup of Links a la Mode with Independent Fashion Bloggers . I'm in good company with 19 other awesome fashion bloggers sharing holiday style tips, holiday gift guides, and random acts of fabulous. Check it out!

{Thrift Haul} Goodwill vs. Retail

{Thrift Haul} Goodwill vs. Retail
I'm really excited about this this thrift haul! It includes some of my favorite brands plus some new discoveries. The retail value is over $900. My price at Goodwill? Only $50. I am not a label whore. I look at quality first. I judge by how the fabric feels in my hands or on my body then move o…

Sequins Remixed

Sequins Remixed
Imagine my joy discovering this sequin top can be worn backwards! Add that to the list of ways to remix your closet . I snagged this lovely at an estate sale. At the time, I wasn't to enamored of the color combination and the 80s batwings. It looks so much better on the body though. Another sur…

{Thrifty Mom's Guide} Frugal & Fabulous Holiday Style

{Thrifty Mom's Guide} Frugal & Fabulous Holiday Style
Thanks to Dryel for choosing me as an official brand ambassador and sponsoring this frugally fabulous discussion. The holidays are in full swing and there are lots of parties and opportunities in general to make merry. Of course you can't wear the same dress to every event. Or can you? If you&…

{Before & After} Graphic Sweatshirt

{Before & After} Graphic Sweatshirt
I've had the  tiger iron-on in my craft stash for over a year now. It was one of the goodies I received from a Consumer Crafts partnership. It wasn't until I thrifted a grey Hanes pullover that realized these two would make an awesome and easy graphic sweatshirt.

5 Colors to Pair With Orange

5 Colors to Pair With Orange
I believe I've mentioned it before but I'll say it again. Orange is my color. It does amazing things to my skin. I don't normally notice how colors look with my skin. I've never noticed a difference except when I wear orange. Instant glow. This is my first time wearing the orange b…

Ankara and Chambray

Ankara and Chambray
I try so hard to avoid wearing my chambray shirt all the time. I wear it a lot. It's probably my most worn thrifted piece. I'm afraid of wearing it out before I can thrift another one. It really lives up to its perfect shirt name. So easy to wear. Nicely broken in and goes with everything.…

{SAHM Style} Chunky Sweater + Stretchy Pants

{SAHM Style} Chunky Sweater + Stretchy Pants
First of all let me just say, I am boiling in the outfit. It's a hot December day and I decided to wear a vintage chunky knit sweater. An ugly one. It's the cute ugly I adore. It reminds me of an old cozy bathrobe. It has a knobby texture and it's sufficiently broken in as it is 80s vi…

9th & Elm Style Advocate + Giveaway

9th & Elm Style Advocate + Giveaway
Woman does not live by thrifting alone which is why I'm excited to announce my role as a Style Advocate for the handmade and independent designers of 9th & elm. They represent my unique style perfectly be it sequins and ankara or mixing florals with animal print.

Capital One 360 Black Friday Deals

Capital One 360 Black Friday Deals
Now that Thanksgiving celebrations are winding down and Cyber Monday is approaching, don't forget to add  Capital One 360's Black Friday Sale  to your shopping list. Give yourself the lasting gift of financial peace of mind by taking advantage of banking, brokerage and mortgage deals.

Black White and Striped All Over

Black White and Striped All Over
When people say fashion should be fun, this is what I envision. Zebra on sweater. Zebra"ish" striped maxi skirt and a layer of bright accessories added to the mix. Every time I try to stick with black and white, this is what happens.

Cauliflower + Carrot Chowder

Cauliflower + Carrot Chowder
Once in a while I surprise myself with my cooking skills. I did something really special here with the Cauliflower and Carrot Chowder. It's hearty and flavorful. Slightly sweet and savory. It can be vegetarian or not. Best part. It was easy to make in my slow cooker.

{Before + After} Vintage Floral Dress

{Before + After} Vintage Floral Dress
I loved this vintage floral dress before the chop. I love it even more after surgery. I found the dress at one of the grimier thrift stores.  I really liked the Hawaiian floral print. It's purple and it has suede cutouts. It fits me very well. No rips or stains. I heard the thrift angels singi…

{SAHM Style} Fall Cozy

{SAHM Style} Fall Cozy
I miss Chicago thrift stores very much. I haven't found my thrifting sweet spot so I was surprised to have lucked up on a few cozy tops perfect for layering. I almost never find tops when thrifting. In fact, slim pickings in general lately. So slim that I didn't even bother with a cart on …

COVERGIRL Girls Can Mascara + Giveaway

COVERGIRL Girls Can Mascara + Giveaway
Walmart gift cards, product, and information have been provided by COVERGIRL. All opinions are my own. COVERGIRL knows that #GirlsCan and is promoting the empowerment of women by encouraging them to break down barriers and turn "can't" into "can".  For the month of November,…

Autumn Casual in Vintage Burgundy Boots

Autumn Casual in Vintage Burgundy Boots
I'm still learning to dress for Atlanta weather.  It's not cold or hot. This outfit turned out to be exactly what's needed for a sunny and mild autumn day. I'm wearing the fall weather staples -- jacket and boots but totally not necessary. A sweatshirt and ballet flats would have b…

12 Ways to Casually Style a Sequin Skirt

12 Ways to Casually Style a Sequin Skirt
You know how I feel about sequins. They are always a good idea. There was a time when I never wore sequins. I thought they were for grandmas at weddings and holiday parties. It wasn't until I put on my first vintage sequin top that I saw the light shine.

{SAHM Style} Timeless Vintage Polka Dot Shirtdress

{SAHM Style} Timeless Vintage Polka Dot Shirtdress
Of course Saks Fifth Avenue would create a shirtdress that looks great 40 years later. It has a  super fly collar that I covered up this time around. Otherwise, it's pretty timeless. That's my favorite kind of vintage to thrift.

Caramel Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Caramel Banana Pudding Cheesecake
This  Walmart  #TasteTheSeason shop has been compensated by #Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. I'll be sharing the banana pudding cheesecake with friends though! I am absolutely looking forward to the holiday season. We spend every Thanksgiving with an ever ex…

{Before + After} Buck Fifty Blouse

{Before + After} Buck Fifty Blouse
I scored a silk blouse with the most gorgeous embroidered sleeves for a buck fifty. The sleeves looked horrible so I had to remove them along with the high, tight neckline.

{SAHM Style} Fall into Real Clothes

{SAHM Style} Fall into Real Clothes
Sometimes it's really hard to put on "real" clothes when you work at home and school drop off is your only time away from the house. I've discussed motivation to dress as a SAHM before but something about this season change is making it tres difficile to keep up appearances.

Neon Skirt + Electric Blue Shirt

Neon Skirt + Electric Blue Shirt
It's round 3 for the neon green skater skirt. I wore it with denim and with black . I've finally gotten around to a less basic color - electric blue. I was a little nervous about the vibrant on vibrant pairing but it absolutely works. Blue and green look great together!

{Thrift Haul} Double Trouble

{Thrift Haul} Double Trouble
I'm still touring thrift stores in my neighborhood. One of my recent thrift haul journeys took me to Riverdale, GA where there's an America's Thrift Store and a Value Village next door to each other in the same strip mall. The stores were very different though and so were the treasures…

Vintage Dresses and New Tresses

Vintage Dresses and New Tresses
A fresh curl and color on my locs does something magical to me. Self care is so important. I feel shiny new yet old soul. The curl pattern reminds me of a 40s hairdo. That's why I opted to wear my vintage thrift store dress. The one that was only $1.50 at the dingiest Salvation Army I had ever…

8 Ways to Rock Your Princess Halloween Costumes

8 Ways to Rock Your Princess Halloween Costumes
This #DisneyBeauties shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine (and Violet's) alone. Halloween is fast approaching and I know there will be a lot of beautiful princesses out and about. Princess costumes are classic and always fashionable. As a first…

Thrifty Mom's Guide to Spa Day at Home

Thrifty Mom's Guide to Spa Day at Home
Thank you to Madison Reed for the opportunity to discover a healthier and convenient alternative to at-home hair color. You may be in need of a spa day if you arrive at school drop and realize you still have your slippers on. You may need a spa day if you're wearing your spare glasses and your …

Fall Fashionista Event + Henri Bendel Giveaway

Fall Fashionista Event + Henri Bendel Giveaway
I'm excited to participate in this year's Fall Fashionista Event. It's a small token of my appreciation for your support of me and this blog over the years. Keep scrolling to see the fabulous Henri Bendel baubles I'm giving away.

Fall for Fun with Walmart Best Plans

Fall for Fun with Walmart Best Plans
This Walmart Best Plans  shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and it's advertisers. All opinions are mine alone. There's a lot of fun and exciting change happening right now for our family. We moved from Chicago to Atlanta. Summer has become Fall. Violet became a full time student. …

How Fabric Softener Brought Mojo Back

How Fabric Softener Brought Mojo Back
This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. Suavitel #FastDrySaveTime opinions are mine alone. Thanks to Suavitel's new fabric softener , I got my sewing mojo back! You already know of my struggle to get back to sewing. There never seems to be enough time to squeeze in …

Sleeping Beauty DVD Release + Disney Princess Party

Sleeping Beauty DVD Release + Disney Princess Party
This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Get ready! It's Princess season and I'm excited to bring you news of the October 7 release of the  Sleeping Beauty Blue-Ray  Diamond edition and a very special Walmart event happening October 11…

Meal Planning Made Simple with Intel Tablets

Meal Planning Made Simple with Intel Tablets
#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel. This could include the Intel Corporation providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment. What I love about  Intel Tablets  is having a space for all of my recipes. I can search recipes online or snap pho…

{Thrift That Look} Tees + Sequins

{Thrift That Look} Tees + Sequins
As one who is a big fan of sequins and logo tees, I was uber excited to have this casual fancy look on  Peony Lim enter my Pinterest feed. I try to get some use out of my pins because otherwise it just becomes a virtual junk drawer. My goal is to do more with the outfits, recipes and DIYs that insp…

Embroidered Blazer + Slim Crop Jeans

Embroidered Blazer + Slim Crop Jeans
I try to stop myself from buying blazers. I own too many and I rarely wear them. They don't really fit with my lifestyle. However, it's not everyday that you find a cute little embroidered blazer at the thrift store.

10 Ways to Style a Red Full Skirt

10 Ways to Style a Red Full Skirt
Whether midi, maxi or skater length, there's a full skirt to suit your style. It accentuates the waist and flows away from hips and thighs which gives a very flattering hourglass illusion. A vibrant red color automatically turn up the look be it casual daytime or a night on the town.

{DIY} Refashioned Thrift Belt to Necklace

{DIY} Refashioned Thrift Belt to Necklace
Refashioning a thrift store find doesn't have to be all that involved. It can be quite simple and the perfect diy if you're short on time and supplies. In fact, I think it's easier to start from thrift than starting a project on something brand new like sewing a dress or making a neckl…

Candy Stripes + Wax Print

Candy Stripes + Wax Print
Off to lunch I go in a candy striped shirt and wax print pencil skirt. Mixing the two prints was easy as I'm dealing with shades of pink. Can't go wrong with pink, right?  I get the feeling my $2 thrifted shirt from the  Graceland thrift haul  will be worn a lot. It is so soft and broken in.…

Identity Theft Protection with LifeLock

Identity Theft Protection with LifeLock
Thanks to  LifeLock®  for sponsoring this #BreachWatch discussion. All opinions are mine alone. I don't know about you but I have been effected by a number of data breaches this year. The recent ones with Home Depot, Michael's, and Goodwill had me scared. I'm gearing up for some major DIY…

{SAHM Style} Left of Center

{SAHM Style} Left of Center
My SAHM style involved this Left of Center tee all summer long. I'm just now realizing it's thrifted Anthropologie . I bought it during one of my never ending quest for tops. Much like the floral blouse , I picked it because it had a little something different.

I Like Big Florals and I Cannot Lie

I Like Big Florals and I Cannot Lie
My closet never has enough tops. I buy tons of skirts in funky prints from yesteryear but never quite get around to filling up on shirts. I have a substantial tee and blazer selection too but blouses are lacking which is how I came to thrift this floral shirt.

Sickbed Chic in Kimono

Sickbed Chic in Kimono
I'm glad kimonos are trending. I love all the great colors they come in. It's kinda like  ankara  with the fabric itself exploding with great style ideas. Unlike ankara, I spy kimonos in thrift stores all the time. I remember  Ragstock  in Chicago used to have a huge selection.

{SAHM Style} How to Stay Motivated to Dress Up

{SAHM Style} How to Stay Motivated to Dress Up
As a stay at home mom, it's hard to stay motivated to dress up when you're really not going anywhere. Now that V is in school a full day, I spend more time on housework and blogging with an occasional trip to the grocery store.  I'm not getting out of the house as much. My morning brai…

Happy Leopard Print Romper Day

Happy Leopard Print Romper Day
I only bring out the DIY romper once a year on very hot days. Last year, I let the leopard print be the show. This year, I added red and blue. This romper is one of my favorite Goodwill finds. It was love at first sight when I found it on my birthday. I used my birthday coupon too which makes find…

{Thrift Haul} Graceland

{Thrift Haul} Graceland
I slowed down the shopping during my transition but I finally made it into a store after a 2 week hiatus. I had a very modest and on budget thrift haul. That's rare for me. I stayed within my budget and only spent $20 at Graceland Thrift Store . This was my first time in the store and I found i…