Frugal Fashion Focus Contributor!

Oh, happy day!

This morning we discovered the site Frugal Fashion Focus, via fellow Boston blogger TheBargainHunterExtraordinaire's page. Several of our favorite thrifty fashionistas are already contributors... It's basically a roundup of all of the posts by bloggers like us, who love style but refuse to pay retail price to achieve it!

We are thrilled and honored to have been accepted as a contributor. Please check out our FFF sidebar on the right with categories and topics, and have fun browsing the awesome featured blogs!

Our personal favorite feature is probably the "brands" category, because Etsy is there! (OK, so Etsy's not a brand per se, but check out the many posts where sellers are featured!

Happy reading :)

What We Wore Tuesday: Shawls-R-Us

Just a quick daily outfit post for you!
Wish we had more info on these pieces... sorry...



Teal ribbed sweater, most likely thrifted, ~$7
Black linen ruffle-bottom long skirt, TJMaxx, under $30
Turquoise butterfly-print scarf/shawl, Marshalls, $7.99
Unseen: Black pleather faux-Fryes by Mudd, Famous Footwear, ~$20
Barely visible: Teal flower hair clip, Claire's, $2.99 on clearance
Earrings by us- vintage jet glass (gift= free) and silver filigree balls. Cheep.

Evidently we felt pretty matchy-matchy, much like Monday. Sometimes a girl just wants to rock a theme, can you blame her? We were mostly excited about using the new handbag from the Target mini-spree... Here we have a terrible, terrible photo for you, with coat and purse, in which we look like a psychotic bag lady or something (but at least you can get a better sense of the awesome ruffle situation on the skirt)...


Coat: Brocade from Target, $29.99 several seasons ago- faux fur collar removed, buttons replaced with vintage from Etsy.
Bag: Faux leather from Target, $10.98

Let us know what you think!
Happy Day :D

Newport News Steals: Sweet and Girly and Rock-n-Roll-y

We don't often shop through any catalog except for Vicky's, but back in the 90s we definitely forked over a good bit of cash to Newport News. We think they're a great source for cheap jeans (especially if you like color!) and work basics at a good price; and sometimes their design sensibility intersects with our own when they produce lovely, frilly, romantic or Victorian gothic pieces...

Our first group of finds-- girly-girly cardigans:

Newport News - Thrifty Romance by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

Sage green crochet with flower detail and bell sleeves (also available in Raisin): $25
White long wrap-end cardigan (also available in 3 more colors): $17.99
Purple crochet (several more colors!) Misses $14.99, Plus $21.99

The wrap cardigan is pretty much identical to the ones that are everywhere this season, with a little bit of extra ruffle at the ends. Cute! Cheap! We need one. Shopping embargo= evil!

We were originally inspired to re-check out Newport News when Lucky featured this really adorable houndstooth pencil skirt, $29.00:



They recommended pairing it with a soft baby pink wrap-waist sweater, for a super-sexy retro bombshell look. We like, we like! We also think this silk shirt ($27.99) would be tremendous (available in sizes 4-18, only in the dusky plum):



If you're not in the mood for ruffles and lace, perhaps some of these harder-edged pieces will be more your style:

Newport News - Rock 'n' Roll by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

Leather flare jeans, 3 colors, 3 lengths, $27.99
2-pack jersey Tees, leopard print (and black, we think?), $11.99
Black velvet bias-cut skirt, $27.99
Velvet bootcut jeans, 3 colors, 2 lengths, $24.99
Leopard (cheetah?) ballet flats with cap toe and bow, $14.99

Have you shopped at Newport News lately? We will definitely be keeping our eyes out for awesome clearance items like these... Move quick, because some of the items we selected (and did not include) for this feature were gone within hours of finding them!

Happy shopping!

What We Wore: Aubergine Explosion

Outfit-planning for today began with our favorite poufy silk taffeta skirt with flouncy gusseting; taffeta isn't exactly a summer fabric, so it's been hanging up, awaiting a day when it could be released to rustle like the leaves as we walk. A delightful TJ Maxx score, under $30.

Then came the tights. Which tights?! We quickly decided on the aubergine/burgundy Givenchy patterned silky sweater tights (from Marshalls, $5 on clearance, down from jaw-dropping). They're so divinely cozy and soft... We bought three pairs even though they were only available in the one color!

We could have color-mixed, it's true, but we went totally matchy-matchy. We do love purple more than anything, after all. Top: sequined aubergine mesh, $14.99, Filene's Basement (~5 years ago?); eggplant sequined mohair-blend sweater, no clue (?) but probably Marshall's~ under $15. We like how this makes a twinset-- a flashy one, which keeps it out of the preppy-soccer-mom arena-- even though the pieces were purchased totaly separately.



We made a couple of changes to the outfit, both as pictured and as originally envisioned... we had planned to wear the new teal trench coat, but discovered upon donning it that with the poufy skirt we just looked... um... big. Ack. Observe:



Wethinks (teehee) the trench will work better over trouser jeans or a slimmer skirt-- there is just too much volume going on!

Much improved, with shorter leather jacket (if you missed its story, read this!) instead:


These faux-patent buckle boots (Famous Footwear, Etienne Angier, ended up being $8 with BOGO half off plus $10 customer rewards!) thoroughly cut us off in the leg, making us look stumpy and linebacker-calved, so as soon as we got to work we switched them out for our Hot Kiss peeptoe slingbacks (thoughts on tights showing through peeptoes or even *gasp* sandals? It's all over the magazines. We remain somewhat skeptical). Doesn't this work much better?



Jewelry: All gifts (and therefore free); Amethyst handmade beaded necklace from mom; the ubiquitous David Anderson leaf bracelet, and moonstone/amethyst earrings from the bro (traded for at barter fair at the Oregon Country Fair).

Handbag: FREE faux leather plain black tote from Lucky magazine for subscribing :D
We love free. This isn't the best bag-- nary a pocket-- but its lovely streamlined shape and plain color are perfect for toning down an outfit with a lot of elements already!

Hope you like it... let us know what you'd do differently!

Happy tweaking-until-it's-perfect!

What We Bought: Target Finds in Teal

Ah, the excitement of scouring the clearance racks on a "quick" trip to Target for toiletries. (We're loving the letter T today, apparently.)

We put back a couple of practically irresistible tops that were under $5 each, but as the man pointed out were neither on our list nor actually needed. Oooh it hurts to have someone acting as your shopping conscience whose finances are actually about to be intrinsically connected with your own.

We had no luck in the tights department (we still need more patterned ones, and a few more colors) but we did find some lovely, fairly supple leather gloves in a cranberry-pinkish color, with wee buttons like old kid gloves (Victorian detailing will sell us every time) for only $17.99, a matte satin belted trench coat in teal for $27.99 (listed online for $39.99! Our store also had purple (we amazed ourselves by resisting) and red, and perhaps one other color? And we also snagged a teal hangbag (it really was on the list!) for $10.98 on clearance. It's absolutely comically huge, but will no doubt fit the lunchbox cooler we also purchased, and even our work laptop, if need be. We would rather carry one huge bag than be that lady with way too many small bags. Here is our autumn collage for you :D

Autumn Target Buys by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

The man was highly skeptical that we actually needed any of these items, but truly, a girl has to have a fine pair of gloves that she really doesn't want to lose (but that aren't too horribly expensive), and we've not got a handbag in teal (and for goodness sake, $11! It'd be a crime not to buy it). And the trench-- a fall coat is of course necessary, yes? And teal is so goooorgeous, darlings. And under $30! Impossible to pass up. Right?

The first thing we're planning to do is to replace the buttons with something vintage so it looks more distinctive and not so mass-produced (shudder. Our conscience/wallet dilemma again...)

When we want vintage buttons, we turn to Etsy. We'll either buy a set or perhaps several different buttons altogether... check out these lovelies we found (our favorites here have the actual listings):


Should we swap out the belt for something contrasting, too? Hmmm... Maybe a little bit of trim somewhere? Ideas...

Did you buy a new coat for fall? Do you own a really nice pair of gloves, or a bag in your second favorite color? (We had at least 3 purple handbags but nary a single teal!) If not, perhaps you should consider buying cheap this time around... and then putting your own spin on it. We find that coat buttons are hard to change well oneself, so we are entrusting ours to the lovely seamstress 'round the corner who repaired our down parka zipper so beautifully last year. (John's on Mt. Auburn in Watertown, if you're local!)

Happy Shopping!

The Return of Grunge

We're sure you haven't missed the destroyed jeans, stud detailing and plaid showing up everywhere in the magazines and blogs lately... it is evident that the 90s grunge look has returned, quite bit before the "traditional" 20-year mark for trends to come back into vogue; but, as we were firmly entrenched in the plaid religion last time around, we're certainly not displeased.

The interpretations showing up on the runways over the past year (for the upcoming seasons) are more grunge-inspired than literally scrubby: as Focus on Style puts, it, "[t]hink of the essence of a downtown rocker with a northwest casual vibe with an eye for off-handed irreverent style. It’s wholesome yet urban at the same time-- grunge but not grungy."

Start your grunge style off with an updated flannel shirt. No need to borrow your dad's or brother's like we did in 1992-- there are plenty of adorable, updated versions that are actually cut for women, like these cute little options with princess seam detailing and contrasting/reversible rolled sleeves, from Dollhouse.com, $18.99:




(Try to ignore the fact that the model looks to be about fourteen years old; when you're a bargain-hunter, you often have to venture into the geared-toward-juniors market, as we're sure you have experienced and noticed here... one problem, though, which Dollhouse acknowledges in the listing, is that things run tiny, so you often have to order up, and XL is often as high as it goes. Boo to excluding a good half of the population, designers!)

Or perhaps instead of seeking out a button-down, you would prefer to have your pop of plaid appear in a girly, sexy, updated manner, like these gorgeous tops and dresses (Via Polyvore (so right click the picture and open up the tab for your prices, brands and links!)

Thrifty Sexy Plaid by ThriftyStylist featuring Forever21

Next up on your list-- maybe only for the weekends, for those of us who can only get away with trouser jeans (or even only jeans on Fridays) at work-- will be a destroyed jean. You can of course DIY with your existing jeans and some sandpaper, or maybe if you're OK with your dryer getting a little dinged up, throw some rocks in there ;) -- but we found thrifty options for multiple body types.

Thrifty Destroyed Skinny Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

Thrifty Destroyed Flare Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

The next item up is a pair of big black boots. Although we did take out our Doc Martens yesterday to wear with the jeans/dress combo, you don't have to be so literal and go combat or Doc... Some intricate stud detailing and fabulous lines will update and sexify that 13-year-old-you (or was that just us?) look-- and don't stop at boots if you don't want to; go for Mary Janes or fabulous booties, t-straps, sandals, whatever works for you and your fall climate! We're willing to bypass the $30 price point for a really nice pair of shoes so here are some fairly thrifty finds:

Thrifty Studded Shoes by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

As far as accessories go... if you want to be authentic, get your handbag at your local Army Surplus store and wear a thick beige rubber band or two as bracelets ;) Otherwise, we think whatever you choose will work, since this is about updating the look, and personal style is always in fashion.

Happy grunging out!

Fall Footwear Trends We Love: Jeweled Flats

We're excited that jeweled flats are one of the hot shoes for fall, chiefly because we already own some-- purple satin, Rampage brand, with purple faceted crystals (sadly, shopping for new items is not an option for us right at the moment!)

We found some cute cheap versions on the interwebs, so here's a Polyvore set for your clicking pleasure:

Jeweled Flats by ThriftyStylist featuring Presence flats

Studs are definitely the embellishment of the moment, so if you prefer metal to glittery sequin-y sparkles, you're in luck!

To be honest, we're not really sure what we're going to pair these with. We tend to shy away from flats, being hella short, and we also concede that ballet flats and skinny jeans are the best combination, yet refuse to try to squeeze our Spanish hips into tapered pants... so... we seek suggestions from our readership! They will probably look cute with knee-length skirts and opaque or modestly patterned tights, we think (perhaps a loud print or lace pattern would compete too much with the embellishment), but we're not sure how to branch out of matching with a purple top... Of course, opposites are always perfect, so a yellow top like this gorgeous Anne Klein chiffon version (on sale for $29.70!) would be divine, except that we don't wear yellow. Maybe we should start.


Here's to your thoughts and new experiments!

Happy comfortable walking ;)