A Bit Of Charming

Inexpensive costume jewelry is a big part of my wardrobe.  Jewelry can change a whole outfit, just adding a bold necklace, big earrings or a chunky bracelet to your outfit finishes it off like icing on a cake.  Shoes and handbags are also like jewelry.  I browsed one of my favorite costume jewelry stores over the weekend, Charming Charlie's.  They always have great things on clearance, as well as, regularly priced items.  I picked up a few things, blue is really big this summer!

Navy, multi strand, twisted bead necklace and earrings - $13.00

 Multi color stone and gold earrings - $3.99

 Shimmery cobalt blue and silver earrings - $3.99

 Red, blue and silver paisley earrings - $2.99

 This navy and iridescent bead necklace and earring set at Dressbarn - $19.00 (used coupons)

Dark grey handbag converts from cross body or clutch bag - Charming Charlie's on sale for $12.99

Clear Out Of The Way, There's a Clearance Rack!

Checked out the jewelry clearance rack at Kohl's this past weekend.  Lot's of good things on those racks, and inexpensive too.  Dig deep, spend some time there, you never know what you will find.  I used my Kohl's cash, I had $30 worth, a 20% off coupon for my entire purchase, and some items were discounted more at the register.  Gotta love a sale at Kohl's.

Two pair of Vera Wang earrings (love her jewelry!).  Both originally $18.00 each, marked down to $5.40 each, I paid $4.05 for each pair.

Turquoise Mixed Media Bracelet, originally $20.00, got it  for $13.00.

The signet necklace was originally $50.00, on sale for $5.00 and 20% off of that, got it for $4.00!

 Western Silver Metal Cabochon necklace, original price $38.00, on sale for $7.60, I got it for $5.70.

The silver disk earrings, original price $20.00, on sale for $6.00, I got them for $4.50.

All tallied up, this jewelry would have cost, at the original prices, $164.00.  I purchased it for $35.30!  Ladies, never pay full price.  If you see something you like, wait for it to go on sale, get coupons and discounts, then buy it.

Fashion Jewelry

I really have to get dressed up more when I go out.  I found a lot of jewelry in my closet that I have never worn.  Some of the pieces were gifts, some I purchased.  They got lost in the shuffle of all the things I have in there.  These are some of the pieces I have never worn and I know there are still some in there that I haven't found!  I know, it's embarrassing.

Purple flower necklace and earring set. 

Coral crackle bead necklace and earring set.

Red and white stripe retro hoop earrings.

Silver and bronze bead hoop earrings.

 Silver curl drop earrings.

Silver and lime enameled flower earrings.

These flower earrings are enameled with rhinestones and beads.

Bright Spring Colors

I got bored with myself the other day, so I went through my closet and put together a few Spring outfits. A girls gotta look good when she goes out in public!  I paired all of  my outfits with white skinny jeans and colorful accessories.  

Yellow knit blazer with white trim, grey t-shirt, hot pink bubble necklace, hot pink rhinestone studded flats

Navy military style jacket with ruched sleeves, orange knit top with chiffon neckline, turquoise bubble necklace and orange open toe wedges.

Coral lace peplum blouse with nude cami, white chain link necklace, coral rhinestone studded flats.

Three Easy Pieces

I like to have easy outfits on hand, for when I have to leave the house for anything, but I want to look put together.  I always have an outfit ready to wear hanging in the closet, I know call me crazy. I am NOT a sweats and t-shirt kind of girl when it comes to going out, even just to the grocery store.  I always want to look my best.  Jeez, you never know who you are going to see!  Don't want anyone talking about how I looked sloppy behind my back.  What annoys me most is when I see people, women mostly, going out in public in their PJ's.  Got that picture in your head? They were made for home lounging not going out in public!  For Pete's sake people, put some clothes on please! Now you see why I always get dressed.  OK, I vented, and I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE THAT THINKS LIKE THIS!

What brought some of this on, it's time to clean my closet out again, it's quite a job.  I never want to get rid of anything. And why is that?  I haven't worn some things in a while, so why not give someone else a chance to enjoy my taste in fashion, that's how I look at it.  I will clean out the closet and donate to my local thrift store, the profits go to charity, so double good for me.  So, while I was in the closet pondering about the cleaning out, I put together a few outfits to run errands in, with three easy pieces of clothing, a pair of shoes and jewelry, it's as simple as that.

Dark Green Leather Jacket, Floral Silk Top, Dark Skinny Jeans, Plum Rhinestone Flats, Silver Triple Strand Necklace and Silver and Green Bead Earrings

Maroon Leather Jacket, Leopard Print Button Down Top, Dark Skinny Jeans, Maroon Bow Flats, Gold Coin Necklace, Gold Rhinestone Bracelet and Gold Coin Earrings

 Blue, Gray and Black Leopard Print Band Top, Dark Skinny Jeans, Royal Blue and Teal Bow Flats, Silver Triple Strand Necklace, Silver and Gold Bracelet and Shades of Blue Drop Earrings

Meet Maddy!

I was having trouble finding a mannequin to display my outfits so my very kind and wonderful sister jumped into action (as she always does, bless her heart) and bought this one for me.  Her name is Maddy and she will be featured many times throughout the week on this blog.  Today Maddy is wearing:

Tropical Print Green and Navy Dress - KMart, $29.99

White Denim Jacket - Avenue, $24.99

                 Silver Necklaces - Gabriel's, $5.00 each                                   

Scarf Print Dress in Blue, Orange and White - Ross, $7.99 

Necklace (also came with earrings) - Gabriel's, $5.99

  

        This is the orange necklace and earring set

        from Gabriel's for $5.99 - good price and quality is very nice

      

          Pink Necklace and earring set from            

            Charming Charlie's - $10.00                       

           

        This little number I found in the clearance bin

                  at Avenue for .99 cents.  Always check clearance!

  

       I had to have these shoes! So cute and on sale,       

       couldn't pass them up - Red and Navy Chaps by      

       RL Shoes - Kohl's, $19.99

Silver Studded Shoes -KMart, $9.99

I was looking for a green handbag, that is one color I do not have, and found this one at TJ Maxx for $20.00.  It has an adjustable handle so you can carry it crossbody or short and over the shoulder.

Fashion Forward with Coupons!

Lets talk about fashion.  I never believed that fashion is what is in style. What I believe is, fashion is what looks good on you.  If a mini skirt looks good on my 18 year old, it certainly will not look good on me.  I try to pick pieces that will hold on for awhile, not trendy, or pieces that I can  pair with something else later as fashion changes. As I have said before, shop with coupons, don't be afraid to use them or embarrassed to use them, you will save money and lots of it.  Most stores that I shop email or mail me coupons to use. 

Yellow Blazer with White Piping- Izaac Mizrahi (QVC) - $46.64 (got a discount was originally $66.00)

Blue and White Embellished Tank - Ross - $7.99

White Skinny Jeans - WalMart - $18.99

Blue and White Italian Leather Sandals - Marshalls - $24.99

Bracelets - Green Dragon Flea Market - $4.00

Yellow Earrings - Gabriel Brothers - $3.99

Ruffled Skirt - Lane Bryant - $19.99 (sale item)

Blouse - Avenue - $14.99 (used a coupon)

Silver Rhinestone Gladiator Sandals - Marshalls - $19.99

Flower Necklace and Bracelet - Fashion Bug - $24.00 (buy 1 get 1 50% off deal)

Blouse - Ross - $8.99

White Skinny Jean - WalMart - $18.99

Black Patent Leather Wedge by Sam and Libby - Ross - $22.99

Bracelet and Earrings - Kohl's - $17.99 (used 20% off coupon)

Grey Striped Jacket- Target - $14.99 (waited forever to go on sale but I got it. It was orginally $29.99)

Coral Tank - Avenue - $9.99 (used coupon)

Skinny Jeans - Kohl's - $14.99 (used $30% off coupon)

Silver Peep Toe Flats - Payless - $14.99 (used 20% off coupon)

Elephant Charm Necklace - Charming Charlie - $14.99

Coral and Rhinestone Bracelet - Avenue - $5.00

Coral Earrings - KMart - $6.99 (50% off)

The Fashion Plate

Yes that's me!  I must have been about 4 or 5 years old in this picture and it is the very early 1960's.  As you can see, I was fashionable back then.  I have my beret on, heels and my clutch bag which were very popular then.  If you look closely I even have my gloves in my clutch.  Every classy lady wore her gloves back in those days.  Oh yeah, I was a fashion plate!  And, I still love clothes.....

I put this outfit together to wear to dinner and a movie:

Navy blue and white polka dot top w/navy cami $34.99 - Avenue

White skinny jeans $18.99 - WalMart

Navy and white sandals $24.99 - Marshalls

Handbag $14.99 - Dress Barn

Necklace and earring set $5.99 - Gabriel Brothers

Bracelet $7.50 - Avenue

I love, love, love animal prints they never go out of style.

 I picked this raincoat up at KMart for $10.00!  It was on a clearance rack and originally priced at $49.99.  Always, always check clearance racks first, the best bargains are there.  I never pay full price for anything.  The scarf was brand new, still in the package, and I paid $5.00 for it at Rice's Flea Market.

I put this outfit together to go to the grocery store.  

White Jean Jacket $24.99 - Avenue

Purple print embellished neck bubble top $3.00 - WalMart (that's right 3 bucks!)

Denim skinny jeans $8.00 - WalMart

Black patent t-strap wedgies $24.99 - Marshalls

Purple beaded earrings and bracelet  $19.00 - Kohl's 

As I said before, I never pay full price for anything.  Whether it be items for the house, the car, clothing or whatever has to be purchased.  Check clearance first.  All stores have clearance racks.  If you find anything minor wrong with your items always ask for more of a discount.  Here is a famous quote from my mother "you don't get what you don't ask for".