Luck o' the Irish

I'm having zero luck today, kittens. I forgot to put on my slip and I'm having some horrible static cling. UGH. I'm at work w/no hairspray or static spray. I tried rubbing lotion on my thighs but all that did was moisturize my tights. *sigh* Looks like I'm going to Kohl's during lunch!

Dress: Banana Republic

Cardi: gift from Mama

Necklace: Send the Trend

Tights: George via Walmart

Shoes: Kate Spade via Zappos/6pm.com outlet

Bracelets: Old Navy






















I feel a wee bit "costumey" today, but this is as excited as I get for a holiday. I don't get into Halloween or even get up early on Christmas morning (I was, and still am, an odd child), but a holiday involving excessive drinking and short folks? Sign me up!

Remember when I told you Al bought some tights for me? I'm finally wearing the patterned pair and I can't believe it took me so long to get into this. Of course, Spring is just around the corner so I probably won't get too many more wears out of them.

Pretty cute, huh?

Speaking of cute...

I love these shoes so dang much.

This necklace is also on my "favorite things" list!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! Be safe and have fun! Xoxo

Pants!

We are finally having some beautiful fall weather here in Kentucky!!

Cardi: Target
Tank: Banana Republic
Pants: Worthington ($17 @ JCP)
Heels: Cole Haan Fiona
Necklace: gift

Casual outfits

Did I mention I didn't wear pants for 5 months? You know how easy of a rut that is to slip into. The spring weather is so nice, dresses feel so springy/summery...then the next thing you know, the air has turned cool and not a single pair of your pants fit. If you don't weigh yourself regularly, you can always tell if you've put on 5 or so by how tight your clothes are. Struggle to button your pants one morning? That's your sign to eat better that week. But when you wear a dress all the time? Not so much. The dress won't hold you accountable for all that beer and those burgers.

The air had a nice nip to it last week and I wanted to wear jeans. The only problem was that NONE OF MY PANTS FIT. Like, not a single pair. I'd given away my "very fattest" jeans and even my "fat" jeans wouldn't fit. Damnit. So off to Old Navy we went. Al had a pair of flip flops to return so I planned to use the credit toward a pair of new jeans. I found a pair (a size bigger than before. Ugh) and ended up paying $5 for them. Sweet! So here they are. Don't get used to them b/c they're going to be falling off of me soon!



Cardi: Target
Tank: Banana Republic
Jeans: Old Navy
Flats: Sam Edelman



I'm not very daring with the pattern mixing, but I know Kimberly would be proud of this!

I snagged this cute plaid dress off the clearance rack at Target for $5-something. It's so comfortable!



Dress: Converse/Target
Cardi: J. Crew
Flats: Liz Claiborne



I love the ruffle on this cardi and how it goes w/the ruffles on the dress. Little details like this always make an outfit come together I think.

Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic Friends & Family 30% off

If you didn't receive an email w/this 30% off coupon or haven't received an email from a friend yet, email me at cuteonthecheap at gmail dot com and I'll send one your way.

This is good in-store only and November 12-15, 2009 but you can use the same coupon as many times as you like so hang on to it after you use it!

You can use it at Gap, Gap Outlet, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Banana Republic Factory Store.

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!

Word of the Day

Let's play a word game. Here are your clues:

8 letters

4 vowels

If you do the standard "R, S, T, L, N, E" there is one "T" and one "N"

It's a "holiday" all right

.

.

.

Did you guess? The word of the day is VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's hope I am not nearly as sick as I was last year on vacation where I laid under the umbrella knocked up on narcotics for a week.

That's right folks, in 24 hours yours truly will be en route to Hilton Head for the yearly pilgramage to the beach, bubbly pool, fried food, 8 calorie ice cream and outlet malls. I absolutely cannot wait. I need to get away and have a change of scenery for a few days in a desperate sort of way.

If I have anything semi fashionable at all to show during vacation, I will take a picture and post later. But in the interim, I have back dated a few posts so you will still have entries to read while I am out of commission.

Ally - Cole Haan Low Air Fiona & Zappos outlet sale!

Today's outfit is simple and comfortable. My coworker is out on maternity leave, so it's been super hectic in the office. I'm doubling up on work and hoping I don't break soon!

Silk top: Banana Republic

Pants: Old Navy

Necklace: Sarah Balmer via Scout

Shoes: Cole Haan











I still love these shoes to bits and if I had more disposable income, I'd buy more at retail. They're so so comfortable and are wearing great. The leather is still shiny and the sole looks good too. A+ Cole Haan!

Zappos.com is having a HUGE SALE at their outlet in Shepherdsville, KY starting this Friday June 19th thru Sunday July 5th. The last few times I've been I've gotten some AMAZING deals. My advice is to go up and down the aisles in you size and the half size above and below that. Grab all the high end (Weitzman, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Cole Haan etc.) shoes you even remotely find attractive. Take your finds to one of the couches and take your time trying them on. I've had much better luck when I'm not rushed or teeter-tottering on one leg in the aisle.

From the email I received:

Receive 50% off the lowest marked price of almost every item in the store!*

In Addition: All Robert Clergie, Stuart Weitzman, and Sigerson Morrison merchandise is 70% off!

(GASP!) Pink & Green!

Scarf: Old Navy

Floral Shirt: Old Navy

Ruffle Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic Factory Outlet

Camel Pumps: Charles David

It was a chilly morning, hence the scarf. But really my only point in this post is to show that I actually got over my issues and wore pink and green together. I know you're all in shock and frankly, I can hardly believe it myself. It just looks so cute and springy so I had to.

Hopefully my lifetime membership to DG is not revoked now and my sorority sisters don't think any less of me :)

Tracey - Birds of a feather

Teal Cardi - Target Merona

Black Wide Leg Trousers - Gap

Belt - So old that I can't remember where I bought it!

Peacock Feather Necklace - Kenneth Jay Lane for QVC

Shoes - Impo via Marshall's. $10 clearance.

Silver cuff bracelet - Banana Republic

Tank - Old Navy

I am so glad it has been sunny and warm the last few days so I can take pictures outside!

So, anyone that knows me, knows that I am completely drawn to anything sparkly. When I first saw this peacock necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane I just knew I had to have it. #1 I love KJL #2 I love peacock feathers, and #3 I'm totally digging the trend of the longer pendant necklaces. It was a bit of a splurge, but I can honestly say that I've worn it a lot so far this spring. I often wear it with this cardi, but it also looks fabulous with a black t-shirt, jeans and flats or heels.

I tried to capture the sparkle in the pendant, but nothing I did was doing it any justice.

Weekend -- Ally

The weather is dreary today, so I decided to wear a little color to help in perking up my day. I really wish I had a cardi with a small pattern (maybe a polka dot?) because it'd be so cute with this top.

Cardi: NY&Co.

Top: Banana Republic

Pants: Old Navy

Flats: Liz Claiborne

I walked out of the house and forgot all my jewelry. I hate when I do that. I've gotten so used to wearing my engagement rings (yes, that's plural on purpose) that I feel totally naked without them. However, lack of rings doesn't change the fact that we're getting married in four months!!! I'm pretty excited, y'all :)

Stay tuned this weekend, ladies. I have it on good authority we're having a flashback tomorrow :)

Great minds dress alike...

Dragonfly Sweater: Old Navy

Floral Shirt: Old Navy

Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic

Patent Sandals: Boutique 58 (part of my recent Zappos haul)

Bought these two items on the same trip to Old Navy but never saw them together until they happened to wind up next to each other in my closet. Don't you love it when that happens and you put something together you wouldn't have thought of otherwise just by happenstance on where they hang in the closet?

Funny thing today, I hear this voice right after I get in my office that says "Rumor has it I'm dressed like my boss today!" and my co-worker rounds the corner in an Old Navy cardigan the EXACT color of this sweater. And we had meetings together. And everyone commented on it. We have a bad habit of coordinating outfits--often times because we shop at the same places! We even have the exact same dress from Target that was bought before I even worked for the organization so I'll text with warning if I am going to wear it to work the next day! Wearing a cardigan and sweater the same color is one thing--but the exact same dress? Better not let that happen!

Easy Mixing of Black and Brown

Black Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Black Tank: Merona

Brown Cuffed Pants: Banana Republic

Black Pumps: Pleaser

Neckerchief: Stolen from my grandmother

I've seen several people mix black and brown with great style. It's a color combo that used to be "off-limits" but now looks sophisticated and chic. However, because it was taboo for so long, I've never been able to quite get comfortable with it.

I've found that for me, the easiest way to mix the colors on my own is with a touch of leopard print. It ties the colors together and makes it obvious that the combination of colors was desired and not a mistake. I think that's the key when mixing colors like black and brown; black and navy; pink and orange--that you make it clear you meant to put the two together!

What "taboo" color combo do you like to try from time to time?

April layers

Wrap Tee: CAbi

Button Down: Bitten

Scarf: Limited

Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic

Pumps: Charles David

April is such a weird month. The weather is so up and down that you can't always wear your spring clothes but yet it IS April so you don't want to be wearing wool.

This outfit seemed perfect for the cold snap. A teal tee, lined light gray pants and a bright colored scarf kept me warm--but still feeling seasonably approrpriate!

An extra SPRING in my step!

Floral Top: Old Navy

Green Sweater: The Limited

Fuschia Scarf: Old Navy

Gray Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic Factory Outlet

Pumps: Charles by Charles David

Now it really feels like spring to me! I just feel an extra bounce in my step wearing bright color florals, spring green and bright pink!

I know most people most look forward to sandals but Im really in many ways a pointy toe pump girl year round. I look forward to the bright colors that I get to interject into my wardrobe.

What is your favorite clothing part about moving into spring?

No jacket this morning!

Blouse: CAbi

Sweater Vest: The Limited

Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic Factory Outlet

Pumps: Pleaser

Can I even express how good it feels to walk outside to my car at 7:00 a.m.--without a jacket on??? And this comes from the girl who adores outerwear. I'm so glad to see the seasons starting to change. If it could stay eternally at a high of 70 and low in the mid-50's, I would be so happy. That is my favorite time of the year in spring and fall--when I can walk outside in pants and a shirt with no jacket and it feels absolutely wonderful. I got home from work yesterday and just went outside and walked for close to an hour--just because I could and not have to be bundled up. Does it get any better? I don't think so!

Final wearing of the season

Blazer: CAbi

Tee: Banana Republic

Red Patent Belt: The Limited

Pants: Ann Taylor

Heels: Pleaser

Trying to give all my wool pants a last wearing of the season in the next week or so. I think the weather may finally start to turn for good, which means the wool pants and blazers go into seasonal retirement.

I'm the type that doesn't buy anything that can't be worn across 3 seasons. Whether is fall, winter, early spring or spring, summer, early fall, I try to spend my money on items that will layer and move through the year with little ease. What can I say, it just seems easier to rationalize that way. That's one of the main reasons I dont own any shorts or capris (besides the vain fact that I dont like them on me). It's always either skirts or dresses that can layer across seasons or pants that are often seasonless.

What about you? Do you change your wardrobe a great deal through the seasons or stay relatively consistent?

Getting at least one wearing in this season...

Winter White Jacket: Banana Republic

Black Turtleneck: The Limited

Black Pants: Harold's

Giraffe Print Pumps: Nine West

I rarely wear this jacket because it has a wonderful suit skirt that is stunning and looks great with a black turtleneck and tall black boots...but about 15 lbs ago. It depresses me to not be able to wear the suit so I just don't wear the jacket too. However, there I stood in my closet on a rainy morning in all black and needed something to punch it up. I considered going the route of the red heels and denim jacket again but then saw this jacket and my giraffe shoes and decided I'd get a wearing in of this jacket before spring officially came. Truly, I need to consign the suit and make some money on it. It's in great condition and gorgeous. I just can't seem to make myself do it because what if I get the flu, lose 10 lbs and fit back into it? I would really miss it then.

Side note--how is it that your hair KNOWS it's raining and refuses to coorperate--before you ever even walk outside for the day??? I just don't understand.

Preppy Jackets and Skanky Boots

Yellow Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft

Blue Shirt: Banana Republic

Pencil Skirt: CAbi

Belt: The Limited

Boots: Maripa

I love this jacket. I don't think it's necessarily the most flattering jacket I own but I just love the trim, the preppiness and the bold color. As I've said before, I feel very "Blair Waldorf in it." :-)

I debated all day long between wearing the jacket buttoned or open. Since I alternated back and forth all day, I figured it was only fair to have pictures of both looks! Which way do you prefer? Buttoned or unbuttoned?

Rocking the tall boots and skirts for a while longer...I wear tall boots with skirts nonstop in the fall and winter. It's a favorite look of mine (I remember coming home at Christmas with tall black wedge boots and a short--well for me at least--skirt my freshman year of college...this was before tall boots had really become popular again about 10 years ago. I think my parents were scared I had gone skanky in my semester away. Then they came back into common fashion. And I was saved from skankiness) and a trend and look I really do miss in the spring and summer. So I'm going to push it just a small while longer!

Layering without bulk

Red Cord Jacket: Mossimo (appox $20)

Black Wrap Tee: CAbi ($54)

White Shirt: Banana Republic (approx $20)

Camel Pants: Ann Taylor (approx $80)

Boots: Payless (approx $15)

It's hard to layer without looking bulky but it's a necessity when it's bitter cold! Today was a perfect example. I hate being cold in my office and my space heater has died a slow death so I wear as much as possible. Two shirts and a jacket with wool pants keep me very comfortable! (I even had a zebra print scarf to wrap around my neck when needed--I am cold natured!) The hardest part is finding a piece of outerwear to wear overtop of all this!

This outfit does a good job of slim layering though because all the layers are so very thin. The white shirt is basic, the black tee is a hanky tee meaning it's very thin and the wrap feature gives some shape to the shirts under the jacket and the jacket has some shape to it and is cropped. All in all, I think the effect is one of extreme warmth all while staying chic!

Pricing it out

Tie neck blouse: The Limited

Cashmere Sweater: Brooks Brothers

Black and Camel Pinstripe Pants: Banana Republic

Boots: Chinese Laundry

I was asked to start posting the price of some of my items because not all of them are "cheap" per say (i.e. Banana Republic). The issue with that is that some of my items are so many years old, I have no clue what I paid for them, except that I never shop at places like Banana except on the clearance rack.

I really buy a lot of investment pieces that last for years. Take this sweater, my first piece of cashmere which my parents got for me for Christmas 7 years ago. It still looks literally like it did the day it came out of the box. I don't think it was on sale when they bought it--but whatever the price, after 7 years, it's been worth it!

These pants were a day after Christmas bargain either 3 or 4 years ago. If I am remembering right, they were $19.99. But they are basic and never go out of style--and I like them even more because they cost less than the price to get dinner and a movie!

I will make an effort to put prices on more expensive brand items as we go forward if I remember them just to give you an idea--but remember, price isn't everything. This sweater is a perfect example of that!