black and orange and humble budget all over

Orange Tank: Forever Twenty-One (garage sale)
Black Cardigan: JC Penney
Skinny Jeans (not pictured): Hollister (Plato's Closet)
Black/White ballet shoes (not pictured): Payless

(Please excuse the lovely hairstyle I'm sporting.  I was pretty lazy this morning and just used the straightener and nothing more.)  This tank top is by far my favorite.  If you can't tell, it's super stretchy at the top, and flowy from there, which makes it wonderful for when I eat just a little too many chocolate chip cookies.  And, just in case, it's not my pre-Halloween get-up, rather I was watching a certain football game earlier today and I wanted to make sure I was somewhat appropriate.  

Another favorite thing of mine is this season.  I love the crisp Autumn air that isn't quite ridiculously cold, but just cool enough for me to justify wearing scarves and boots.  What makes it even better is that Plato's is practically stuffed with all things cool weather, and I was able to snag up some steals (pictures to come soon!).   

Being on a budget has definitely been a challenge.  I didn't understand it at all when I was in high school or college - it was more of mentality of trying to not have a comma in the monthly statement - and it kind of went into perspective in grad school, but I lost the mindset of being thrifty and went crazy.  Oops.  I know this sounds crazy (or maybe even silly), but I hadn't fully understood it until I started working a received my first paycheck, and then not thirty days later, received a not-so-friendly notice about student loans kicking in.  You want me to pay you what?  Without how much interest? And for how long?  You're crazy!  I guess I was crazy to think that it wouldn't have been like this.  If any of you have a suggestion on a free budget app for iphone or ipad, that would be wonderfully appreciated!

Happy Saturday, Go Pokes, and Happy Fall!

  

   

Fabulous and Fashionable

...and aFfordable!  (Like that alliteration?  Yeah, the cheese-factor mixed in with sleepiness is kicking in.)

The purpose of this post is to talk about being fashionable on a budget.  Please keep in mind that I don't have interest in purchasing the very high-end fashion pieces that are seen on the runway.  I appreciate those pieces for what they are and how beautiful they are, and they can stay in those high-end, high-priced boutiques.

Here are few simple rules I follow:

Thou shalt not buy at full price.

Thou shalt try on before you purchase.

Thou shalt be patient.   

If you don't love it in the store, you won't wear it.

Here are some of my favorite treasures I have found.  Please excuse the camera quality.  Below each picture, you will find this system: original brand and then place of purchase.   

Hollister Skinny Jeans (Plato's Closet)

Nine West Sandals (Nine West Outlet)

Express Sequin Dress (Express)

American Eagle Lace Dress (American Eagle)

Mine (Plato's Closet)

Blue Bird (Plato's Closet)

Kitty Dress (Plato's Closet)

Candy Rain (TJ Maxx)

White House Black Market (Consigning Sisters)

French Couture (Consigning Sisters)

Avid (TJ Maxx)

Predictions (Payless)

Pepper (Daisy Exchange)

Baker's (Anne's Resale)

Nicolle (Consigning Sisters)

Old Navy (Consigning Sisters)

Ann Taylor Loft (Ann Taylor Loft)

Unknown (Consigning Sisters)

French (Goodwill)

Unknown (Goodwill)

Ralph Lauren (Plato's Closet)

Princess by Marc Echo (Plato's Closet)

From what I remember...
Each pair of jeans were in between $10-14.
Sandals/flip flops/ballet flats were around $10.
Dresses were in between $5-15.
Tops were in between $3-7. 


Can I get an "amen" and a commence the "hallelujah" chorus?

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me: overflowedwithmercy@yahoo.com