Wow... What a week

Should have kept up with my posts through the last week but work ended up being INSANE. I will have to be at work tomorrow (Sunday) and next week I am prepared for insanity but I really thought this past week would be quiet. I was wrong. Alas, I was not able to keep up with daily posts and I only remembered to take outfit shots 4 days. 

I did get some stuff put on ebay after I cleaned out my jeans drawers this past weekend. I have almost 30 (!?!) pairs of jeans. I weeded through that and was able to pull about 7 pair to put on ebay since (naturally) all the jeans that don't fit anymore are my high end jeans. Thusfar, the True Religions have sold and the others have watchers so we'll see! This round of ebaying had gone pretty well- made a little money with little to no effort so I can't complain! 

Also, I started waking up at 5 am to workout every day this week. Got through that and am very happy that I did. Waking up early is no picnic but getting a workout finished before 6 am and knowing I'm then done for the day is an AMAZING feeling so I'm going to focus on the results and try to keep it up :) 

Outfits last week: 

The last quiet week

Sweaters in August

Jeans on Monday

How Little Can I Spend?

So this past weekend was a treasure trove of deals... somewhat inadvertent

Plates: $ 0.09 each for 4...

How you ask? Well, I was wandering through Kohl's and found myself in the back corner in kitchen stuff. Wandering, you see...

And I happened upon these beauties. They are heavy, food network plates. There were 4 of them, randomly on a clearance rack, marked individually for $2.49 each... no damage, no problems.

So I was pumped at getting them for $2.49 (plus my 20% off coupon, of course) but when I got to the register, the lady asked me if I also had the $10 off home goods coupon. I did but the coupon said $10 off of $30, so I thought my purchase wouldn't qualify. It shouldn't have. But the clerk said, "let's scan it anyway" and she did and it took $10 off... so the final price of the plates ended up being 0.09 each.

I walked out feeling like a thief... but a good thief. :) 

So on to Penny's I went, armed with 2 coupons to use there: $10 off a $10 purchase (duh, free money) and $10 off $25.

When I arrived (did I mention this was also a state sales tax free holiday!) I set to work on the clearance racks in the Misses department, looking for some new work options. I found a pair of loose fit soft pants, a blazer and about 10 other things. After some time in the dressing room, I decided on the loose fit pants and the blazer and to call it a day. It would work, as the pants were on clearance for $12.99  and the blazer was on sale for 50% as a doorbuster. It was $50 originally, so it should have rung up right at $25 so I could use the other coupon.

Lo and behold... the pants? $13.92 - $10 off coupon : $3.92 I actually paid for a pair of pants with a $5 bill and got back change!

Skip to the ring up of the blazer- it's on sale for $18.99... um, okay... so I took it and went on the hunt for something for about $7.... found a really cute flower pendant necklace that fit the bill and proceeded to another (extremely long) checkout line.

Get to the reigster and the girl asks for my rewards numer (so did the other clerk but there was no further discussion about it at her register) so checkout girl #2 puts my info in and then says, "Did you know you have a $10 reward in your account?"

Me: "No- but I have this other coupon to use and I doubt you can use them both in one transaction."
Her: "Oh, these you can stack."
Me: "Whaaaaaaaaa? Um, then yes, use that sucker!"

Result:  Fantastic black sateen blazer and necklace for $12....

To say I practically skipped home is an understatement. 

Total Haul for $31:

Kohls: Skirt, Sweatshirt, 4 plates
JCPenny: Pants, Blazer, Necklace

4 day week in review

Tuesday was my first day back this week- decided on something comfortable, since I never know what awaits after a few days off. I chose a dress I bought at the most recent NY&Co BIG Sale. I believe it ended up being 12.99. It's a great one, too, because it is just a heavy cotton/knit but it didn't lose its shape after a few hours like so many of these dresses tend to do.

Dress: NY&Co, $12.99
Jacket: JCP, Worthington, Clearance, some time ago
Shoes: Forever 21, clearance in store, $12.99

Wednesday I had a breakfast with incoming students and several meetings throughout the day. I've had this dress for awhile now and haven't worn it. It is very fitted which I usually stay away from at work (for reasons of comfort and vanity) but since it is knee length and I planned to wear it with flats, I figured it was de-hussied enough to warrant a work wear. I will wear it again but I was conscious of its body-hugging-ness throughout the day. :)

The shoes are funny- I bought them to go with a "retro" look I'd put together for the LA Derby in 2013; didn't LOVE them then, but they worked with the outfit at the time. Hadn't worn them since. Decided to give them a shot with this dress and I decided I like them- they are not something I'd wear away from the office, but they are a cute flat option when a sandal feels to casual.

Dress: H&M, $12.99
Shoes: JCP; $20
Cardi: JCP, Worthington, $12

Thursday was my "Is it Friday yet?" day, and I'd only been at work for 3 days! Went to Happy Hour Wednesday after work with an out-of-town friend and a few drinks turned into dinner and being out later than I like to be on weekday.
Even with the later night the night before, some weeks feel long no matter what happens, I suppose. I just didn't want to deal with Thursday from the moment I woke up. Went with one of my "this may as well be pj's" standards, the cotton maxi skirt. Originally picked out a hot pink blouse to wear with it but decided that I wanted to go even more casual with a full cotton outfit. Bought this tee probably a year or so ago and wore it for the first time today.

Skirt: Ebay, $5
Top: Love Culture, $8.99

FRIDAY!! Oh sweet Friday, you never disappoint! Today is going to be a great day, if for no other reason than it is Friday and I like my outfit. (that ALWAYS helps) I am showing a close up of my bracelet (and my oil burns from cooking this past weekend!) to show the detail of this shirt- so neat... it's linen with specks of every color of the rainbow subtly running throughout. Love it.

Jeans: SO brand, KOHLS, $14
Top: J Crew Factory, $24
Shoes: Nine West

Long Weekend Adventures

This past weekend, I took off Friday and Monday and had my Mom in town for a long weekend. It was a last hurrah of sorts, as work will be ramping up soon and time off will be non-existent. So, we planned several "events" throughout the weekend and ended up having a blast.

Friday we got up early and walked the LSU lakes, went home for a quick bite to eat for lunch and then headed to L'Auberge casino and hotel where (thanks to a friend's connections) we were able to hang out poolside for a couple of hours. So nice. From there, back home, early dinner and then to campus, for a show at Swine Palace called The School for Lies. Really funny show and given that G & I know most of the cast, it was a blast.

Saturday morning we got an early start and headed to New Orleans. We visited the D-Day Museum, had lunch in the Quarter, wandered a bit, checked out the Market (bought some nice pencil art) and had a drink here or there as we were dodging the requisite South LA afternoon summer showers.

Sunday was Church and BBQ day. Mostly relaxing and just enjoying the day.

Monday was the real catch-up day, reserved for a few chores, a run to Trader Joes and not much else.

All in all, quite the successful long weekend!

Gotta wear some new stuff!

Today's outfit was driven by my desire to wear some new things. This skirt is one I found at Kohls a week ago, clearance, about $7. I've worn this shirt only once before and the heels I've had for well over a year and only worn twice now. In fact, I hadn't worn them since I bought them and threw them on for something earlier this summer and was shocked at how comfortable they are (probably the reason I bought them in the first place!) They really elongate the leg nicely.

Birthday Weekend

There are basically no surviving pictures from this past weekend, other than an outfit pic I snapped on my way to dinner Thursday night. The lack of pictures should indicate wild and crazy times, but mostly it just indicates that I didn't take any pictures. It was a laid back couple of days. Seems like I got a lot done but I really didn't.

The main thing I did was a big "oops" as far as my not shopping plan... BUT this was legit... there were sales... and coupons! (Several stores sent me birthday coupons) Oddly enough, I think I only used one of said coupons. I had a Kohl's cash I needed to use, as well as a 30% off coupon that hadn't yet expired, so I HAD to use that.... I also had to satisfy my outlet mall bug that I'd had for awhile.

I was thinking I'd just window shop, but I started at the Loft Outlet and it was game over. Pretty much went straight to the back clearance area- the clearance items were an additional 40% off. I ended up getting a blousy b/w top, two pencil skirts (critical need area), an open front khaki blazer, a navy ribbed knit blazer and a necklace, for $70. I then made a bee-line for my car, got in and drove away, as I knew there were deals to be had everywhere that I didn't really need to see. :)

The next day, I went to World Market to use my b-day coupon and got a really cute bright blue and yellow scarf (and some wine, because really, how do you go to World Market and NOT buy wine?) Then I headed to Kohls. I'd just been to Kohls the weekend before, so I had an idea of what I was looking for- some pants that I tried on the week before that weren't on sale at the time and a clearance rack I didn't really get to pick through before. I bought the chevron print soft pants (they will be fun to wear this fall) a really nice fit and flare dress and a casual sweatshirt. 

I also went by the mall with about 4 more coupons in tow, but ended up only going to Forever 21... they had an additional 30% off their markdowns and I found a teal pencil skirt, a versatile mustard yellow dress, and a necklace for $30.

As far as I am concerned, I did really freaking well for $130, averaging about $10 an item. Of course, when you say you aren't going to shop at all and then you do, any money spent is bad, but it was my birthday!!!

PS- LOVE these shoes that I wore Thursday night. I also wore them Saturday night- such a random, great find a few weeks ago. They are still online for around $150. Somehow, I found them a few weeks ago directly from a store in NYC for $50!!

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Vince-Camuto-Signature-BARBARAA-BLK-VACHETTA/prod173140247/p.prod

ShoeBox for $49.99

Thursday night dinner: I threw a black blazer on over this (dark blue jeans) 

The best part of Saturday night:

New Necklace

A new necklace is sometimes where an outfit starts. I wanted to wear a necklace I'd bought recently (NY&Co BIG sale) so I built an outfit around it. Inspiration comes from everywhere and it is not unusual for me to build an outfit around a pair of shoes, a scarf, etc...

Sometimes you have to think accessories first!

 Top: Loft, $14
Pants: H&M, $15
Necklace: NY&Co, $8
Shoes: Forever 21 (old)

All in the Family!

I always see crazy bright color combo's on bloggers and I think "I'd never have thought to do that." Well, today I'm doing it... although in my own, subdued way.

I wanted a super casual look for work today, as pretty much everyone is out of the office and things are very quiet. Pulled this teal shirt out to wear with jeans and decided on the lighter cropped jeans. While actually reaching for a different scarf, this little guy fell out of the scarf stack. I'd, of course, forgotten about it. I bought this one and a similar pink scarf during the winter on clearance at Kohls. They are a very wispy linen material and perfect for summer. When I held this up to my teal shirt, I thought, well it "goes" but it certainly doesn't match...

And then my inner fashion rebel said, "Who cares?! Go for it!" because, really, no one will likely see me today anyway! The more I see these two same color family pieces together the more I like it.

Similar, yet different.

I found these shoes on my last shopping adventure. They are Forever21. Totally out of my normal "look" but I really love them. They are comfortable and give off a Boho vibe without being too casual.  They were on clearance in the store, but still available online!

Jeans: JCP "Skinny Ankle" $16
Top: NY&Co "Popover Shirt" (outlet) $12
Scarf: Kohls $4 Clearance
Shoes: F21 $15.99 + additional 30% off Clearance
Watch: MK