Watching My Budget Shrink!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I made another Anthropologie purchase:

anadyomene malliot, org. $148 by pez d'or

I had to buy this. It was waaaay marked down and I shelled out a mere $20 and change for it. It has a sweet 1950's style with a halter strap, gathered mid-section and low cut leg holes. I have a slew of teeny bikinis, but as I enter my 30's I just don't feel like prancing around the beach nearly naked anymore. 

So that leaves me with about $21 and change to play with for the rest of the month and its only the 6th!!! Its gonna be tough, but I can handle this!

Yesterday's outfit was chosen for thrift shopping. I always try to wear leggings so I can try on skirts and pants without too much trouble and I just love this little fish chemise. It was a beautiful, warm day so a light cardigan was all I needed. 

Deets:

Chemise- Lilka, Anthropologie summer 2010

Cardigan- Splendid, Anthropologie 2009

Leggings- BDG, Urban Outfitters 2009

Boots- Steve Madden 2008

Boot Cuffs- KittyDune on Etsy, current

A note on the boots, I've had these re-soled twice in the past few years. If you spend a lot of money on shoes and happen to wear the soles out, invest in shoe repair. Its about $30 depending on where you go to have new soles put on. These boots had a slick sole on them and the shoe repair replaced them with hard rubber soles with tread. No more slipping on slick surfaces! My advice is not to try and take all of your shoes at once. Shoe repair costs add up so take them in as they wear down.

KittyDune is an Etsy seller I found while searching for something to spice up my legwear collection. The boot cuffs are about 6" high so you won't experience excess bulk or overheat in your boots. I also bought them in plum!

Etsy is a fantastic site for finding great handmade goods for fair prices. Most sellers will fulfill custom orders as well, so if you have something specific in mind, find a reputable seller and make a request or try posting your idea on the Alchemy where sellers will bid on the job! I love searching through the  Treasury and other seller's favorites to find new and unique hand made items perfect for gift giving! There's also a ton of vintage clothing for sale on Etsy!

Today's outfit is boring loungewear, so I won't be posting it :)

Cheers!

Butterbean Butt Badge

Its been a few days, but I haven't fallen off the wagon yet!

I fell asleep early on Monday and didn't get a chance to post my OOTD, so here it is!

I love high-waist, wide leg pants. I love them even more if they're vintage! These pants are so long I have to wear platforms so they don't drag. I'm 5' 7.5" and I have really long legs, with platforms I'm all legs in these jeans!

Deets:

Blouse- Weston Wear, Anthropologie 2008

Vest- Only Hearts, Anthropologie 2005

Jeans- Chemin De Fer, vintage

Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell, purchased second-hand 

Ring- Miss November Studio (scroll down for close up)

Watch- Michael Kors, current

I had Blake take my photos for this outfit. He becomes really exasperated and takes rapid-fire photos to get it over with, and he hates this photo. I like it!

I am a huge dork, this is me clowning around and showing off my booty. These pants give me lima bean butt. I don't mind though...before he passed, Blake's Grandpa nicknamed me Butterbean Butt. I wear my butt proudly, like a badge...a butt badge. Hah!

I made this ring from a vintage sterling pin. I have a weird fascination with Llamas (I really want one!)

Blake made a jig from a piece of pipe so I can make rings that fit knuckle to knuckle and wrap around the finger. Its pretty dramatic looking, but its an illusion...

I made it like a shield, the front covers the entire front portion of your finger wrapping around the sides but the small band in back ensures full range of motion and complete comfort. I have made a few rings this way and it always surprises people to see that the ring isn't just a tube.

My Big Fat New Year's Resolution

Last night I was attempting to wedge several newer items in my closet when a hanger snapped in half. I smooshed, shoved, pushed, and used my shoulder to hold clothes aside as I crammed another sweater in. As I stood back and looked at the clothes I had hoarded and amassed during 2010 a pang of a years worth of shopper's remorse struck me dead in the guts like a bolt of lightning.

My closet is at CAPACITY. I cannot fit one more article of clothing in it, not one more hanger will fit on the bar. I use the skinny space saving hangers.

<<I have an "outer-closet" as well as a mini walk in closet. Both bars are exploding with apparel, most I haven't worn in years but love them too much to  give away or sell. I also have a huge dresser and the top two drawers in my husband's dresser. Almost all of his clothes fit on the back of this rack and in a small dresser. He hates shopping and gets outfitted for the year at Christmas.

I work at Anthropologie. Anyone who has been in a store knows what its like to be trapped in the sale room surrounded by all of those attractive clothes. Once you have fought your way out, you find your arm is loaded with a plethora of fabrics and patterns, and before you can blink all of those goodies are wrapped in tissue and shoveled into a bag to be hidden in the depths of your closet so hubby doesn't notice.

My mini walk in houses my dresses, sweaters, jackets, scarves, handbags, hats and a portion of my shoe collection. The "outer-closet" holds skirts, tops, vests and the majority of my shoes. My dresser hides everything else, including more hats. I have enough accessories to open a store.>>

Its pretty much the only place I shop, aside from the occasional thrift store, vintage clothing or second hand shop.

Anthropologie is my weakness.

I have never been one to make resolutions, in fact when I tell myself to cut back on something I do the opposite. This year will be different...
I will perservere.
I will find willpower.
I will stop shopping.

So here is my project for 2011...My closet is at capacity, so I will shop my closet.
I will only purchase thrift store finds and I will have a monthly "Anthro Budget" of only $50 (yikes!)

I have this little blog here to keep me honest, so every bit of encouragement is appreciated. I hope my project, as challenging as it will become, will inspire others to look at that 70% of clothes in their closets whisked aside each day and finally find the motivation wear it!