What We Bought: AmiClubWear

We have been singularly obsessed with finding a pair of grey boots lately, with no luck whatsoever in the shops. Lots and lots of tan (ew) and plenty of black (which we would usually love-- we used to think that there was no point in grey when black existed!)... but no grey.

Remembering that AmiClubWear, featured a few times in Lucky mag, has a great selection of super-cheap boots (mostly incredibly slutty, which is somewhat disturbing given that the site's tag line is "The Positive Place for Girls!"), we headed over to check out their clearance selection. And indeed, we found just what we were looking for! Amid the towering platform clubbing options were these two pairs of high-shaft flat boots, $10 each (click pics for listings):


We went with the suede. We were digging the kind of pirate thing going on with the cuffs. At $10 we doubt that these will be frequently worn or last particularly long, but boot season will be over before we know it, anyway, and we're sure we'll get some good use out of them before then. Certainly ten bucks' worth!

We also stocked up on more tights-- they carry a terrific selection of colored, printed and fishnet stockings, most from Leg Avenue, and many at super-clearance prices. We picked up bright nylon tights in kelly green and fuchsia for $2.99! (Available in eleven colors!!)




We disagree with whoever said that the printed stocking trend makes people look like they have "some sort of skin rash." We love it. So we grabbed these unusual flower-printed ones for $4.99:


Who knows if they'll work or just look bizarre, but we kind of love them.

They have a terrific selection of fairly-inexpensive lingerie, just as cute and trashy as Frederick's for about a quarter of the price. We picked up a cute little punk bra-and-mini set for $12.99:

As you may well know if you've been reading (or if you know us!), we were bitten hard by the floral/feather hair-accessory bug. We've been making our own after picking some up on clearance at Claire's and some on Etsy, but the selection and prices at AmiClubWear are pretty incredible. We scored this lovely grey feather version for just $10.99:

They have so many colors & sizes; floral and fascinators and feathers... 120 gorgeous options all under $25!

The last item we have been fixated upon finding for ages-- powdered facial blotting papers. We have combination skin which is dry in the morning and shiny in the evening-- adding pressed powder to try to combat the shine just exacerbates the dryness and makes us look flaky. Uncool. We had previously tried the blue plastic Clean & Clear version-- which does work but not quite as well as the powdered rice paper-- but the Burt's Bees Wings of Love that we once found and loved have proven nearly impossible to find. We located a great version on Amazon the other day for only $2.99, but they wanted $5 shipping for EACH ONE! No way. AmiClubWear to the rescue! NYX 50-packs of genuine paper pulp blotters are $2.99:


The best part about this order was that they are offering free shipping right now if you spend $50. Shipping would have been $29.95 or something ridiculous (watch out for that) but with the code given on the front page (AMISHIPPED) entered at checkout, UPS ground was FREE!

We are well aware that we shouldn't be shopping at all, but $10 shoes and staples like tights are things we feel we can sneak in without too much damage. And surely no boyfriend would complain about the punk schoolgirl outfit?

Have you ever bought anything from AmiClubWear? If so, tell us about it... we suspect the quality isn't terrific, but the prices belie that...

Happy shopping and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Suggestions for Styling Blue Shoes & Choosing Colors

Inspired by Struggler's recent post about getting rid of her new blue shoes for lack of ideas for styling them (don't do it, darling!), we decided to mock up a few outfits that we think would be perfect. Polyvore to the rescue, as usual. This time we decided to create with a starting point rather than just searching until we found something we liked, so we turned to one of our favorite websites, ColorSchemer, where you are able to buy fabulous color design software, but you can also search the member-curated color galleries for free to find a scheme you particularly like.

We looked through many pages looking for a nice rich blue hue and a lovely palette. There are some combinations that we would never use, of course, but generally speaking they are inspired and quite attractive.

(Another color site we absolutely adore, especially for our design business, is Name That Color. We were searching for a sort-of-royal, sort-of-slate-y blue, perhaps something like "Biscay" (#1D3967). Play with the color wheel tool- you will adore it and improve your color vocabulary drastically. No more "ish" and "-y" in your descriptions ;) )

First, we chose a theme called "Not Your Average Wedding," featuring orchid, peach and charcoal grey.

Styling Blue Shoes by ThriftyStylist featuring Dorothy Perkins bags

A couple of cute work looks, with the commonality of color and patterned tights and a feminine, flirty silhouette. We focused on the look here, not the price, so some of these items are a bit on the astronomical side and we advocate you look for suitable budget-friendly replacements if you enjoy the styling.

The second group of colors we chose was a bit too broad in range, so we picked just four of the colors out of it (besides the existing blue of the shoes we chose). It's called "Lady Liberty" and our selections were blue-green, eggplant purple, peachy-pink and navy blue:

Styling Blue Shoes II by ThriftyStylist featuring Pixie

These looks would probably be fine for work but might be better on the weekend or going out as they're a bit on the fancier side, but whatever works for you!

Happy confident and creative blue-shoe-sporting!

What We Wore: Asymmetry in Silk

Another one of our favorite pieces, this deep aubergine distressed silk skirt came from the Victoria's Secret catalog clearance, under $30 of course. It has multiple layers and an asymmetrical hem, with covered button detailing at the waist and a flyaway side (hence why we're wearing a second skirt beneath, a black chiffon pointy-hem dance skirt from Discount Dance Supply, as seen in Lucky, about $17). The black top with velvet faux-corset trim is also from Vicky's, about $15 (we also bought this one in lavender. Help us!). We'd like to take this moment to briefly thank you all for putting up with our terrible cell phone photos and promise once again to find a solution soon!



We were horrified to find that all of our black tights are at the man's house, so we ended up with grey (from a 2-pack at Marshalls for $5); and actually we're pretty pleased, because rather than disappearing into the tights, the black underlayer actually shows a bit (not that you can tell here). We like grey with purple, in general, although we own almost none.

Boots are the flat elven western ones, $30 (lurve).



Accessories: Large purple rose/peacock fascinator from SweetXcessories @ Etsy, $7
Beaded choker with drop- gift from friend c. 2001? Free
Earrings by us (like these, only purple), retail price $13

You can kind of see the corset detailing in the shirt here, and the square neckline which is flattering but not revealing (we've decided to nix the excessive cleavage at work).

Happy Hump Day!

What You Need: Patterned Tights

The most exciting thing about fall, in our opinion, is the opportunity for tights (and boots). We pored over Marshalls and Filene's Basement this summer looking for bright colors and fun patterns to supplement our tights arsenal. The sad thing about stockings is that you cannot expect them to hold up for very long, even with careful wear and washing, so you always have to be on the prowl for more! (OK, so that's not the worst thing on Earth...)

Patterned tights are all over the magazines and runways. Some have the distinct magical properties of making legs appear longer and thinner (see fishnets!) and others just add fun or color to an outfit. We rounded up our favorites $25 and under (we don't particularly like to pay more than $5, but we'll make an exception occasionally-- perhaps for Betsey ;) )
Here's a set via Polyvore featuring chiefly Tilly's (right-click the pic to open in a new window for the links!)

Patterned Tights by ThriftyStylist featuring Betsey Johnson accessories

We don't normally go in for orange (or leggings!), but how fabulous are those zebra leggings? We had to include them. We love a little bit of animal print! (Or a lot, as the case may be).

If you're feeling a little bit more adventurous, or perhaps just a bit poorer, here are options from Yandy.com, via Polyvore, under $9. Technically these are costume accessories, but when you are a bit eccentric, that's a great place to seek out unusual things!

Funky Patterned Tights by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

We're most enthused about the triple-diamond-patterned ones- they'd look divine on anyone, we think, and are ridiculously sexy but still professional enough to pull off for work! And the tattoo pattern ones are pretty freakin' awesome, too. Hoisery doesn't count for the shopping embargo, because it has to be replaced, right?? (Self-justification process commence!)

Happy tights shopping :D

What We Wore Today: Funked-Up Black

We felt a little bit funky today (OK, we feel a little bit funky every day, and we don't mean stanky; but today, especially so). This is probably due to a combination of factors, not the least of which was attending a Nashville Pussy/Motorhead show on Sunday night, where the entire House of Blues was awash in a sea of black. Folks after our own heart, awww.

Outfit 9-8-09 by ThriftyStylist featuring Franco Sarto shoes

We love the Tarina Tarantino feather earrings shown in this set, which are way out of our price range. We snagged ours at the barter fair at Oregon Country Fair over the summer for $15.

The rest:

"Lux" brand asymmetrical flouncy layered skirt, TJ Maxx, $15
Rampage square-neck short-sleeved sweater, $10
Marshalls Purple lace-trim cami, $7
Mudd Fake Fryes, Famous Footwear, $20
Glitter tights, CVS? $5? Honestly no clue where we got these, and we've only worn them twice. They're awfully sparkly. Not a terrible thing, but not the most flattering, either.

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend! We may be mourning summer with this outfit today, hmmm...

What We Wore: Tights and Boots and Blue

Fall is definitely in the air in Boston today! It's going to get up to the mid-seventies later, but the morning was certainly crisp. We have been stocking up (haha, we love that pun every time) on tights for the cooler weather and had also scored a couple of pairs of gorgeous boots on clearance over the summer, so we possibly jumped the gun-- it still being technically August-- on the autumn thing.


Does anyone else feel like doing laundry is like going shopping all over again? We finished five loads yesterday and in one of the black loads (we did an all purple/pink load, an all teal/blue load, two black and one white. Ha!), we found this cute, cute little smocked-elastic-waist v-neck cotton dress that we had completely forgotten about picking up (at Marshalls, probably?) recently. We were like "what the heck is this?" But we're thrilled we decided to be super-productive and plunder the depths of the hamper, because it is magnificent with the bright tights, boots, and new-by-us statement piece (OK so it's not huge or anything, but still, multiple strands are a stretch for us). We know the whole thing is pretty matchy-matchy, and frankly, we like it that way.


Earrings and necklace with vintage jet faceted glass, a gift from our dear friend IVStuffs and IVJools at etsy aka InspiredVintageJewelry- check out her blog!

Left hand: our David Anderson leaf antique bracelet, plus a luscious "end-of-day" charm bracelet in blues by us. Filigree ring from MetroStyle and pretty lilac sapphire engagement ring by JewelsCurnow at Etsy.


Right hand: Awesome new double-serpent crystal ball ring from the Oregon Country Fair, and studded faux leather cuff, totally pilfered from our just-about-teenage son (someone should really talk to us about this...)


We're terribly excited about our new faux-snakeskin scrunchy boots from Famous Footwear, complete with almost- perfectly reasonable walking heel. Oh, yes.


Are you apprehensive or pleased about the impending change of seasons? Are you feeling it yet where you are? Summer is our absolute favorite season of all, but boots are our absolute favorite footwear of all, so we're kind of OK with it.

Charlotte Russe $10 and Under, with Free Shipping!

We were alerted to a special free shipping offer on Charlotte Russe by a savings email we get now and then (we kind of forget how we signed up for it but it's called FindSavings). Use coupon code AFFFS when you check out! (We hope they don't mind us sharing the secret). You can also get 10% off just by joining their e-mail list! We also just noticed that a lot of the items on the site are ALREADY on a free shipping promo so maybe you won't need the code at all.

Here are some of our finds from CR today (click pics to go to listing- but come back please :) )

WARNING: The end of the post gets rather shoe-heavy, and they're ridiculously affordable, so before you read any further we want to state that we are not responsible for any crankiness or Imelda-calling by your boyfriend or husband due to your inability to resist!

Carry on.

Soak up the last half of summer with these- not quite right for us, but totally adorable- pink striped short shorts, $9.99:

A great take on a basic cami, this ruffle-top tank with bow-tie shoulder detailing and a nice flowy silhouette is only $6.99 and comes in either royal or heather grey.


While we're at it, another super-cute ruffled-neck top; this one available in hot pink as shown and also a maize-y "lemongrass," $5.00! We're loving the longer length, too.



...and while we're not normally that "into" plaid, madras or pastels, how adorable is this corset-style a-line double-layer cami for $9.99?


While it's only halfway through summer for most of us, we can't resist a cute pair of tights (stocking up! Hahahaha. OK sorry), as you should know by now. These pink pointelle ones, also available in grey, are at an awesome clearance price of $3.49 (one size only though, boo).

Or, if you're a little more daring and enjoying the neon trend of late, you can have hot pink or yellow tights, too, for $2.49!


We are totally going to score this awesome tie-dye scarf in our personal favorite colors, $4.49


We've been looking for bright blue heels for ages, but aren't these flats too fantastic for $9.49 as well??
We don't go out and about on the town much but would surely be seeking an occasion to rock this fabulous iridescent metal mesh mini-handbag with a removable strap to make it a clutch or shoulder bag! ($8.49):



That's definitely the cutest stuff we found for our taste, but you can find more items listed under $10 (at least 200 of them!) here.

Despite the title of the post, we did have to check out what's available for just over $10. You'll be pleased we did. Have a drool over this chiffon and satin blouse with corset styling and layered-look sleeves... EEK! $10.99! Do.Need.



Perhaps paired with these fabulous studded ankle-strap stilettos? $14.99! How fabulously rock-chic.


Look, look, look! We found our blue heels! Well, OK maybe not ours - we're not sure the cage trend is so good for us stubby-legged girls- but great color and surely someone requires these for only $11.49, no? (They're also available in red, and we all need more red shoes.



Pardon if you heard the echo of the thump as we fell off of our chair for the next ones. O.M.G. Are there really any words? Besides purple, shiny, platform, rosette? Augh. $14.99. Available in black or red, too. These people are trying to kill us and our poor, poor budget with all of this dear-god-I-must-own-that!



Ditto. $11.49. Oh, the preciousity. (We're coining the word).


Darn that "if you like, you'd probably love..." feature! ACK! How dare they tempt us with these incredible python-print pumps that have ventured up past the $20 range? Evil! ($22.99)


Oh, Charlotte Russe, you will be the death of our attempt-to-not-shop-too-much. Who could resist you?

For more finds $10-$25, click here.

If you've shopped CR before (eednic?) please let us know how you feel about the quality, customer service, shipping, etc. before we take the plunge!

Happy Shopping :D