Closet update!!

You wanted shoes and shoes, my loves, I have provided! I listed a TON of new items to the Cute on the Cheap Closet and there are several pairs of shoes listed as well. I'll be putting up scarves and other accessories over the weekend and even have some fun, almost-vintage things too!

I'm shipping out items the same day as I receive payment, and I don't even charge extra for the hug I give each package before the mail lady takes them from me. You can't get service like that just anywhere... :)

Cardi: Old Navy

Ruffle shirt: Gap

Pants: Old Navy

shoes: Cole Haan












Nothing special or fabulous about today. Well, my shoes are awesome, but the rest is very pedestrian. My darling coworker will be back from maternity leave Monday, so maybe I'll have more time for morning pictures!

Pick-me-up bright colors!

Cardigan and Pants: A clothing label I'm not allowed to mention (per the label's request, so sorry, readers -- you'll have to take your best guess as to who I'm wearing for those 2 garments!)

Shirt: The Limited

Floral Shoes: Target


After a VERY long couple weeks at work, I decided I needed a pick me up. And I find it hard to not be happy when you are wearing fuchsia and lime green! The summer months are supposed to be less stressful with people on vacations but I tell you what, it has been anything BUT so for me! So alas, I used clothing as a mood enhancer -- again!

What is your favorite wardrobe pick-me-up? Is it a color or style? Or something totally different?

Rain rain go away!

Pants and Cami: The Limited

So tired of rain...seriously feels like it's been the rainiest summer ever. I wake up to eat, I look at it out my window all day....it's so gloomy! Plus my hair and makeup seem to sense the rain before I ever head out the door so I never even feel "cute" as a result on those days! And we all know, a girl certainly needs to feel "cute"! :)

Decided to punch the outfit up today with the red cami and shoes. If it's going to be dreary outside, I can at least have a pop of color inside!

Shop Ally's Closet

Remember when I mentioned I was cleaning out my closet? Well you can finally start shopping in it! I have about 20 items in the "shop" and have about 40 or 50 more to come. I'll be adding items this week so be sure to add the Cute on the Cheap Closet to your Google Reader/RSS feed reader.

If you need more info or a more detailed shot of anything, please don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll happily provide the info :)

Summer Chill

We've had a cold snap recently in the Ohio Valley-- temps in the 70s in July! I travelled to Minneapolis last weekend and it was about 10 degrees cooler than that! I'm used to getting up and throwing on an easy dress in the summer which obviously couldnt be done. Luckily, this jacket and pinstripe pants keep me warm -- but still looking at least some sense of summer!

I know some areas of the country, the "normal" summer temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. I'm curious if we have any readers in cooler summer climates --if so how do you dress and incorporate a summer wardrobe when the air still has a chill? Am I relatively close?

Ally -- Friday friday

It's been a long week and I still have to work tomorrow. Blah. We were lucky to enjoy some crazy cool temperatures last week and the weekend and things are still on the cool side (staying under 90 is cool for these parts in July). I always "run hot" so keeping it cool in layers of cotton is key. It's not always stylish, but it keeps me from sweating like a wh... nevermind. hahaha

Green/white print tank: Target

Cardi: Target

Pants: Old Navy

Flats: Sam Edelman











When I bought this green/white shirt I had no intentions of wearing it to work as it's pretty casual and mostly boring in its cut/style. However, under a cardi, it looks completely different and is much cuter.

What to wear in 104 degrees?

Green dress - Old Navy 2008
Gladiator style sandals - Coach 2009
Swing bag - Coach 2008
Sunglasses - Gucci via Off 5th Outlet
Sunscreen - Sheseido Face and Body lotion SPF 55












Do I look like I'm melting here? Because I felt like I was!
I was in Austin, TX this past weekend visiting my friend Karen. While my hometown of Louisville, KY was enjoying unseasonably cool temperatures of around 70 degrees, I was sweating it out down in good ol' Austin, TX! I decided if I lived down there that I would have a ton of these light weight t-shirt dresses for the summer. I stayed as cool as one possibly could in that sort of heat.

So, to my sisters who live in places where it's super hot in the summer, what do you wear to stay comfortable?

The Texas State Capitol was amazing!
One of the things I loved about Texas was the sense of pride that you can see built all around. There are stars everywhere! My favorite was the dome. You can't really see it, but "Texas" was written around the star in the top of the dome.














































The stars weren't only all over the capitol, they were also all over the city.
Another thing I loved about Texas was that the people are awesome! So friendly! Thanks, Texas... my t-shirt dresses and I will be back!

A total girls day!

Took a day off work this week to have a "girls day" with my mom and sister. Our main purpose was wedding dress shopping for my younger sister's wedding next summer. What a fun experience! We just sat in chairs and relaxed and Ashley and the girl helping her did all the work! We did have success though and found "the dress!" Follow that up with a pizza lunch at Wicks and then trying on some other clothes later that evening and it was just an all around great day!

I try to wear the fun items in my closet I cant wear to work on weekdays I'm not working and weekends. This foiled tee with the intricate beading details and white bermuda shorts did the trick!

Not overthinking things

Outfit from The Limited

Sometimes it just pays not to overthink things. I wake up some mornings and just stand in my closet, not wanting to wear a combination I've ever worn before but at the same time, trying not to run late. Then there are those other mornings where it just pays not to overthink and just grab something simple and put it on. This was one of those mornings. A black and white knit tee is basic -- but adds punch with the tuxedo ruffles. A black pencil skirt is classic and always works--but has some visual interest when you have kickpleats in the back. It was simple, I didn't overthink...and I'm still happy with the result!

After playing keep or giveaway

I was evaluating this skirt a while back and determining whether to keep or giveaway. I was feeling bored with it and was thinking it was going to be on its merry little way to a consignment shop somewhere, but the overwhelming result of the post was to keep the skirt, so I decided to.

One of our readers suggested wearing it with the lime color I have been incorporating into my wardrobe this spring and summer. I really thought the skirt was more yellow but imagine my surprise and excitement that the lime color actually matched perfect! I'm pleased with the match -- wearing black always felt more formal but the lime tee takes the skirt and makes it more summer casual.

Thanks for all the ideas...and saving a worthwhile wardrobe item!

Wardrobe replacement stress

I dont care that it's the heat of summer. My office is cold so I put on my favorite long sleeve wrap tee today and felt blissfully comfortable! While I have a short sleeve version in white and lime, they just arent the same as the long sleeve and how utterly comfy and warm I feel in them. I cant wait to grab the new dark fall colors this fall at my favorite home clothing party!

You know those items in your closet that you begin to stress out about them wearing out because you don't know how you'll survive without them? (Well, I do this but I stress out about a lot of "what if's" in life and my closet is no exception!) This tee is one of those as well as this J Crew khaki pencil skirt. I bought the skirt a few years ago when I needed a tan color skirt for an event (it was that or shorts and you all know how often you see me in shorts --other than cotton workout shorts, I own one pair -- and I just got those on vacation!) so I just grabbed the skirt for the event with no long-term plans. It quickly turned into a 3-season wardrobe staple. It fits great and goes with everything. When I dropped grease on it a couple months ago, I stood at the sink scrubbing for several minutes -- because there was no way I was going to lose this skirt! I think it has another year in it if I'm lucky -- It's starting to feel worn -- so Im on the lookout already for a replacement!

What item in your closet are you already worrying about having to try to replace one day?

Great shoes

I'm fortunate to live only 20 minutes from the Zappos outlet -- it's a great place to go and check for shoes anytime, but especially when they have their 50% off sale and you get an additional 50-off the already discounted shoes!

These shoes were from that latest haul -- they are Guess, satin and have a big ol' flower at the peep toe. They are slightly over-the-top but that's what I love about them. I refuse to spend a large sum of money on "outfit shoes" such as these -- but when you can get them for $27.50, well, that makes it all acceptable!

The prodigal blogger returns...

Looks like I just took a three week vacation, huh? Whoops! My computer is still acting up. The battery is pretty much shot (has about a 7 minute life) and while that's manageable, the outlet for the plug is loose so it's a miracle to get the battery charging cable to make contact. I don't have the patience for it most nights and have been borrowing Al's when he's not looking.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

In other news, I've not felt cute so I've not taken a single outfit pic in two weeks. You know what is cute? The shoes I wore in the last pic I snapped:
Cardi: NY&Co.

Orange cami: Target

Pencil skirt: NY&Co.

Necklace: Target (I think)

Leopard flats: Stuart Weitzman










Aren't these smack-your-mama-good???!!

(And no, I'd never smack my mama b/c she'd put me in the ground and that's no way for a good daughter to behave.)

I scored these for...are you ready for it? $45. Forty freaking five dollars. I <3 the Zappos sale!!

They're pony hair and soft and absolute perfection.

Professional in Pink

I always feel a bit like Elle Woods when I wear this jacket.

That's ok though because Elle Woods kicked butt.

That's all.

Playing favorites

Ruffle Shirt: The Limited

Khaki Skirt: J Crew

Floral Pumps: Target

These floral pumps from Target and this ruffle wrap shirt are some of my favorite wardrobe items. When I bought them each a year ago, I didnt think they would turn out to be in favorite status the way they have been. The ruffles on the shirt are always a bit out of control -- but I've come to like that about it! And the shoes....well, wearing them always makes me smile! In fact, I showed them to a friend last year and she ended up having her bridesmaids wear these shoes with turquoise dresses/brown sash earlier this spring and they were adorable! Multi-versatile, I tell you--they work all the way down to jeans and up to bridesmaid dresses!

They always say blondes have more fun...

Blonde Hair and Bangs: The Chopping Block

Madras Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Cami: Old Navy

Skirt: The Limited

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Steve Madden

I've been feeling in a rut, which I usually address with my favorite mood enhancing drug of choice -- the salon! I went in wanting change and left with it!

Most people who read this blog probably have no clue that, up until about 3 years ago, I had heavy blonde highlights (from about the time I was 12 til I was 25). I was wanting change then, went to a new colorist and we took my hair to a warm chestnut brown where it has stayed, give or take a couple shades, for the past 3 years (my natural color is an ashy brown).

Well, my hair fades horribly in the sun and I wanted a change so I decided to just go back to the blonde just for the summer months (as well as add some pixie like bangs across my forehead as opposed to side swiping them like I always have--which is making me crazy, just for the record).

Reaction has been mixed -- some of my family members have always hated my hair dark (I always loved it so I told them I didnt care!) so they were overjoyed with the return to blondeness. But some people have told me that, while change is always good, they prefer me as a brunette. I have to say, I lean towards agreeing with the latter. I just feel warmer and more "me" with chesnut hair.

Below is another picture taken the next day at Churchill Downs in natural light so you can see the color better--and see that Im already trying to shove the bangs to the side!

But that said...some of my most fun times in life have been as a blonde...so it cant be all that bad!

What do you think? Blonde or brunette?

First and Last

Dress - Merona Target

Navy cardigan - Gap

Gold Peep Toe Kitten Heels - AK Anne Klein via Zappos Outlet

Owl Necklace - Forever 21














So, When I left this morning I felt kinda great. All cury, and bangin' and fabulous.. THEN I looked at this picture and OMG. I hate what this dress does to my thighs. It shows every little lump, bump, and crevice. I'm even wearing Spanx. This will probably be the 1st and last time that I wear this. Darn it!


























Ally has shown you her cute owl knecklace from Forever21 and here is mine! Mine is a little blinged out. I'm not sure you can tell from the pic, but he has little rhinestones around his eyes. He's so cute!

I got these great little gold peep toes from the Zappos outlet when Ally and I went a few weeks ago. They are having another big sale!! After all discounts they were $25. A great deal!

Sunday afternoon bridal shower

(Still on vacation so backdating a few posts to keep you gals occupied for the week!)

Had a Sunday afternoon bridal shower and decided to put on my white jeans. I know some people think jeans are inappropriate for a shower but A) I think white denim is different and looks crisper and B) I don't get to wear them during the week so I like to try to a lot on the weekend. So I put on a cute blazer and bright colors and decided I thought that combination was shower appropriate. What do you think? Yea or nay?

And in classic Leslie fashion, I changed the pants into my grey ones and wore the same thing to work on Monday morning!

3 season wardrobe items

I really like to buy "3-season" items for my wardrobe to maximize it -- items that can typically be worn most seasons except either the heat of summer or dead of winter. This shirt is a great example--I bought it in December off the fall clearance rack but have worn it across multiple seasons -- with black in the winter, gray in the spring and I plan to with white jeans for the summer!

I like living in an area that truly has 4 seasons because I have the chance to wear a lot of different types of clothing. I have friends who live in all cold climates or warm climates and while that would certainly simplify the wardrobe, I don't think the clothes horse in me would like it!