Brand New Shoes... For Free!

Like most people, I get a lot of "junk" emails. Newsletters, promos, daily deals, LinkedIn network updates, etc etc. I usually scroll through them half-heartedly, occasionally clicking a link if I see something I like - but am usually turned off by the price, even when on sale.

I'm not sure how I got on the ShoeMint email list -- most likely from entering a giveaway, as is the case with most of my subscriptions. In a recent email from them, I clicked on a pair of flats that I liked, and was happy to find them also available in nude, as nude flats are at the very top of my list. Unfortunately, the $80 price tag made them a no deal.

Then I remembered I'd been getting emails from the same company regarding "credit about to expire" and figured I'd see how much of this credit I actually had. Turns out, I somehow had credit that equaled the exact price of these shoes, and shipping was free! I didn't even have to input my card information, and I got a gorgeous pair of brand new shoes for free.

Classic Pointed Flat $79.98

TV - Inspired look

I've been watching a lot of old 'Community' lately, and I was a little too excited to see Annie wearing a dress that I own. Her style is not too different from mine (when I wear a dress or skirt, that is!) but I figured it would be fun to recreate her look.

Inspiration:

Unfortunately, there were no full length shots of her in this outfit, but I think it's safe to assume the bottom half was black tights and flats.

Aside from the obvious differences in photography and scenery, can you tell us apart?

Dress: Forever 21 (Goodwill outlet)

Cardigan: BP (Goodwill Outlet)
Flats: BP (Value Village, $4)

Completion

I wore this outfit without jewelry, but that day, the bubble necklace I had ordered arrived in the mail to my office. It was so perfect for my outfit that I was tempted to put in on right away - but I thought that was kind of dorky/awkward, so I opted not to. I did put it on for pictures at home!

Originally, Sans Jewelry:

Same outfit, completed:

Dress: H&M / Goodwill Outlet

Cardigan: Mossimo / Goodwill Outlet

Tights: HUE

Boots: Target? / Buffalo Exchange / $20

Necklace: Urban Peach Boutique / $9

Layering + Sleeve Tutorial

When pairing buttoned shirts with sweaters, I struggle every time with the sleeves. They never seem to align well, and usually the sweater sleeve has excessive length, resulting in bulk. Most of the time I have to try several sweaters until it feels acceptable, and more often than not I just give up on this type of pairing. For once, I was lucky enough to get it looking right & without bulk on the first try, and it stayed in place all day with no fuss.

Sweater: H&M / Goodwill Outlet

Shirt: H&M / Goodwill Outlet

Jeans: Express / Buffalo Exchange / $20 (?)

Wedges: Nine West / Value Village / $8

 

1        1. Start with sweater sleeve pushed up or folded over so that it reaches just past the cuff of the shirt.

2       2. Flip shirt cuff back over and around the sweater.

3       3. Roll both shirt & sweater together until you've reached your desired length on arm. (This was just once for me)

With the shirt cuff unbuttoned, it’ll be able to fit around your upper forearm, and you’ll have freedom of movement. The elasticity of the sweater will hold the pair in place nicely, with just a small gap visible on the underside of your arm. (4)

Go Hawks!!

This is what I wore for the Seahawks first playoff game.

Tee: NFL / Value Village / $2.50
Cardigan: Express / Goodwill Outlet
Pants: Goodwill / $4

I repeated the basics of the outfit with some variation for "Blue Friday" in Seattle (The last weekday before the 2nd playoff game).

Tee: BDG / Goodwill outlet
Cardigan: Express / Goodwill Outlet
Skirt: Forever 21 / Goodwill / $? (old) <-- br="" cobalt="" in="" more="" pictures.="" shown="" than="" these="">
Boots: Buffalo Exchange / $20

Too bold and bright?

Of course, that weekend I got food poisoning and watched the Seahawks/ Niners game in bed in pjs... so no gameday outfit pics!

This Sunday I will likely be sporting a jersey - just haven't decided whether it it will be my old school Matt Hasslebeck, or investing in a new one. Luckily I am approx a youth medium in jerseys!

Layers and Struggles

I have a really difficult time layering sweaters and collared shirts. For some reason the neckline never seems to look right - particularly with V-neck sweaters, and the sleeves don't match up and roll right either. Sweater sleeves tend to be long on me to begin with, so when I want to layer with a shirt I usually have to fold up the sweater sleeves several inches.

Those great layered looks seem to be cute for photos but awkward for daily wear.

After trying several sweaters, I managed to find a pairing that worked well enough.

Shirt: Goodwill / $4
Sweater: Sparrow / Goodwill outlet
Necklace: Urban Peach / $9
Jeans: Vigoss / found
Boots: Consignment store / $12

Obligatory End of Year / New Year Post

Alas, the turn of a year cannot occur without some reflection and thought for the new beginning. I don't have too much to say about 2013 - it came and went awfully quickly and I feel like I didn't do very much over the course of the year. I certainly fell short when it came to consistent blogging!

I will say the highlights were getting a cat, moving into a new place in a much more residential neighborhood, deepening and strengthening my relationship (after quite a bit of struggle) and repairing things with my sister.

On the purchases front, being a very frugal person, I tend to refrain from purchases whenever possible, often opting to go without things or services. In the later months of the year I finally went ahead and both joined a gym and bought a TV. I am very happy with both! Next on the list is internet - though I am on the web all day at work so I really don't need it at home.

I've always felt that where you are on NYE sets the tone for the upcoming year. The last couple of years I've stayed in on New Years and then (coincidentally or not), found that I generally stay in for most of the year. I really wanted to make an effort to break that pattern, and was able to convince my boyfriend to come out for the night. Neither of us are big drinkers or partiers, but we went out for sushi dinner and then found this amazing bar that had been a library in a previous life. We ended the night writing our resolutions together at home at 2am!

The following are some of my relevant 2014 goals:

Take more Pictures
As apparent from my barren Facebook page, apartment walls and overall lack of photos taken period. I'll have to find my camera, or buy a new one, and actually try to take decent photos even if it means stopping things to do so and/or asking a stranger.

Pare Down my Closet
I know I say this over and over but I've finally had enough of rummaging through dressers and closets full of clothing that I don't wear. I've got a serious clothing hoarding problem but I'm sure I will be much more satisfied with my wardrobe if its better organized and reduced to only the items I feel good wearing.

Make an Effort, Step out of my Comfort Zone
It's easy to be detached and take the lazy path, staying home rather than doing things or spending money. But at the end of the day (or in this case, year) I'd rather be busy and feel fulfilled than reclusive and regretful for not doing when I could have. I want to make more of an effort to reach out to and spend time with friends, try new things, etc.