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)

If the Shoe Fits......

Everyone who knows me, knows I love shoes.  I can't help myself, it's and addiction people! When out shopping I always look for a pair.  Sometimes I come home with no less than 2 pair, sometimes more, on any given weekend (I know, it's sick, right).  The only good news is that they will always be on sale, never full price, and who can give that up.  I am sure I have over 200 pair of shoes. I know, it's disgraceful, shame on me, but I am addicted.  My friend bought me this sign because she is bad but not as bad as me.  I even have a problem cleaning them out, if they go out of style, for fear they will come back in style.  When my husband and I got married I had a whole box of platform shoes from the mid 1970's that I was saving.  He threw them out! Without my knowledge they went right into a dumpster.  What's in style for the last 10 years - platform shoes!   I think shoes can make or break an outfit.  Handbags and scarves are a whole other issue for me and jewelry falls into that catagory too.  I like to be dressed up when I go out, you never know who you will bump into and you want to look good.

This is an extra closet that my husband put together at Ikea for me.  It holds 64 pair of shoes on the pull out racks and more in the pull out drawer.  Hey! Look at that, on the very bottom there is a space under the drawer for more shoes.  I keep the shoes color coordinated, so just by looking you know what rack to pull out.  I also have shoe shelves in my clothes closet.  More on that later...

This is the scarf/jewelry storage in my closet.  I have too many of both and did not have storage for them.  So, between my husband and I, we came up with this idea.  There is a big decorative window in my closet between two shelves. To hold that amount of weight we opted for 3 tension shower curtain rods  I chose a bronze color because the cabinets in the closet are cherry wood and it kind of blends with it.  I hung the scarves  on the top bar and the jewelry is organized by color on the bottom two bars. 

This little guy is my new best friend.  No more carrying the heavy Dyson upstairs.  Whether dusting, making the bed or taking a shower, I push his buttons and let him roll! It's great to have something else to do the vacuuming for you. He is always charged up and ready to go.

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".