Jacket: CAbi (Spring 2008)
Wrap Tee: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Necklace: Just Jewelry
Skirt: Express
Pumps: Rampage
If I look a little less put together than normal, it's for good reason. I had a 7 a.m. meeting which means I have to leave home at 6:30 to be there on time. Well, miracles do happen and at 6:25 I was running early and putting my necklace over my head when I felt the Ohio Valley allergies I had been fighting all morning start to take over. I let out a massive sneeze I had been holding in since the moment my feet hit the ground....and when I did my burglar alarm went off.
Yeah, seriously. So I run and turn it off and it is flashing a #4 which means "master bedroom glass break." Well glass breaks are actually triggered by a change in the airwaves of a room, not by the actual shattering of glass. So in other words, my sneeze was so massive that it changed the airwaves and triggered as a glass break.
So much for being early. I then had to wait almost 10 minutes for the company to call and ask if I was ok and if I needed a police officer sent. No thank you, I just need Allegra.
I took my photo while I was waiting on the phone to ring so if I look a little glassy eyed and less put together it may have something to do with the fact that it was 6:30 a.m. and I had managed to set off an alarm with my sneezing fit and undoubtedly make my neighbors very pleased with me.
Trench: CAbi (Spring 2009)Cami (not seen): Old Navy
Skirt: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Shoes: RSVP via Zappos
Necklace: Just JewelryLast time I wore this skirt with a cardigan, the color combination of the lime and blue was a huge hit, so I went with a similar look today wearing my latest "outfit coat" (meaning that it's worn all day as opposed to for outside warmth) with the skirt. I also put on my new necklace-- It is from Just Jewelry. If you've never been to a party they are great fun--all the earrings are $10 and necklaces $20 so you can get some cute, trendy jewelry at an affordable price. I wore this necklace last Sunday with all black and turquoise earrings and it really added a nice pop of color!
Jacket: CAbi (Spring 2008)
Cami: Old Navy
Pindot Pants: The Limited
Leopard Peep Toe Pumps: Nine West via Marshalls
I'm seriously so tired of rain. Had this cute outfit picked out to wear and wake up to thunderstorms. And I don't wear breezy skirts in the rain for obvious reasons so I just grabbed pants and a jacket to get through the day. The leopard pumps made my "boring" outfit feel less boring though.
Isn't the phrase "April showers bring May flowers?" Well, I don't see any flowers and I'm seriously tired of MAY SHOWERS!
Denim Jacket: Gap
White Wrap Tee: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Chino Skirt: J Crew
Pumps: MIA
We always say how taking a picture makes you see an outfit differently. I felt so cute and sassy in my stripe pumps getting ready today. But when I looked at the picture, I don't like the outfit. I'm not sure what it is. I think maybe the proportion is wrong on the denim jacket? Not sure. I just know I'm not a fan of today's picture but don't know why. I like all the pieces individually--I'm just not liking them together for whatever reason. Don't ya hate it when that happens??
Cardigan: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Skirt: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Cami: Old Navy
Belt: The Limited
Shoes: Boutique 58 via Zappos
Don't even ask how in the world it happened but I didn't take any pictures at Oaks. I know...I can't talk about it. But I can tell you the fashion trend of the year was the headband as a hairpiece as opposed to the always classic and chic hat. It was so fun to see the tall feathered headbands all over Churchill Downs. You know me and my love of feathered headbands--a trend I'm excited to see continue! I love a great hat but because of my hair length it's hard to wear one and not look like a boy. Plus I can't just take off after the races and put my hair in a ponytail like women with longer hair--a hat literally makes me a conehead the rest of the day. So, for me, a feathered headband is a fabulous alternative to the hat!
While I didn't take any pictures at Oaks, I can tell you that this was the outfit I wore (plus a Forever 21 feathered headband). I wasn't in the grandstand so didn't have the need for a really great hat or headpiece this year. I mainly hung out around the paddock most of the day checking out the horses. For I think the first time ever I didn't cash a single ticket all day (it was bad enough that I bet $2 across the board on the 2-1 favorite in the 10th race--just so I could cash a ticket--and the horse didn't come in the money at all. Yeah). However, as always I still had a great time!
Denim Jacket: Gap Outlet
Swirl Tee: CAbi (Spring 2008)
Ankle Pants: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Pumps: Chinese Laundry
I actually debated back and forth today about whether to wear flesh tone pumps or black pumps. I tend to gravitate towards the black (that old adage of wearing the color at the base of your outfit) but as I was getting dressed today I thought wearing a camel pump may lengthen my legs and pull out the camel in the shirt. Reese Witherspoon did a similar thing recently wearing nude wedges with black ankle pants so I decided if Reese could do it I could too!
Some of those old fashioned "rules" like wearing the color shoes of the bottom of your outfit, no white before Derby Day, etc are so hard to overcome mentally but I'm working on them all. I've made a vow to break all those "old-fashioned" rules this year. I started wearing my white jeans early and I'm going to wear them into fall, have been changing up the shoes, etc. What other old-fashioned rules do you find it hard to overcome?
Scarf: Macy's (it has shoes on it, hehe!!)
White Wrap Tee: CAbi (Spring 2009--I love these thin wrap tees and seriously always purchase every color because they are my go-to tee because they hide oh-so-much on this apple shaped gal)
Black Ankle Pants: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Denim Jacket: Gap (Bought for $10 at the outlet on vacation 2 years ago!)
Pumps: Pleaser
I've been asked before about my CAbi clothes and how I consider them "cheap" as in the name of our blog. I wanted to take a moment to answer your questions.
CAbi clothes are by no means "cheap" -- many of them are more investment pieces that may cost a bit more than a regular store (I would estimate CAbi to be in the Ann Taylor price demographic--but will say the Spring 09 season, 90% of the items were under $100 which made this gal quite pleased) but have great fit and quality so for me, end up being worth it. As we've said before, I tend to invest more in clothing basics as opposed to accessories--just my personal style. However, I have a good friend who always thought I was insane (to put it mildly) to spend a little more on clothing but joined me for a party once and ended up buying a wrap tee and jeans. She told me later it was totally worth it-- she had other black shirts and jeans in her closet but she never wore them anymore and was getting rid of them because they just didn't compare. She's now a regular every season and it is really her main shopping of the year! For basics that you'll wear for years and with everything, I think it can be worth it if you find a great fit/cut/fabric.
So back to the original question of how I get the clothing at a "cheap" price.....understand what we consider "cheap" is always relative to each individual, but I will say I didnt pay full price for all the items I own. I have for some great pieces and will continue to on occasion, but I absolutely have more items than I would otherwise because of their great hostess benefits. Depending on the amount sold at your show, you can get a select number of items at half price and even cash off in some instances! In addition, each consultant sells their sample line at the end of the season (first dibs to hostesses, then attendees) at a significant discount so I have put some items aside for the end of the season before (sort of like layaway!). I've been hosting shows and attending for several years so have built up quite the collection. You'll notice that I've started marking the collection date when I can remember so you all dont think it all came from a recent season. Many items are several years old now but they just build year after year.
I hope that explains and makes more sense to you. If you've never been to a party, I would encourage you to attend one or host one just to check the clothes out. Many times at home parties I know you are pressured to buy but CAbi is completely not like that--great if you see something you like (you probably will!) and ok if you don't--I've had people attend and not buy and it's always ok. But it's a great way to shop with friends and get new ideas on how to mix and match what you may already have in your closet--that's my personal favorite part.
We always love reader questions at Cute on the Cheap about our clothes, style, advice, etc. Feel free to email us and we'll respond with either a private or public answer--whatever you prefer!
Pinstripe Jacket: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Perfume Bottle Ruffle Shirt: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Pants: CAbi (Spring 2008)
Skinny Belt: Old Navy
Pumps: Rampage
This outfit was one of those ones where I literally changed all day long. The belt was the item of change for this particular outfit. Most of the day I wore it underneath to breakup the light colors under the jacket. But for a while I buttoned the jacket and put it on top...then I didnt button the jacket but still put the belt on top. It was all over the place today!
I rarely wear a jacket and pant .... mixing and matching is more my style and this worked perfect. These trousers were the exact color of the pinstripe so gave me the needed "pants and jacket" look for a day of meetings...but in a less "suity" way.
Jacket: CAbi (Spring 2008)Cami: CAbi (Spring 2008)
Knit Dress: CAbi (Spring 2007)
Skinny Belt: Old Navy
Pumps: Pleaser
It's the Friday before the first Saturday in May which means it's my favorite Louisville holiday-- The Kentucky Oaks! For those of you not from the area, the Oaks is the second biggest day of racing behind the Kentucky Derby. The Oaks is the race for the top 3 year old fillies only and is really "Louisville's Day at the Downs." The Derby is fabulous -- yours truly was a Kentucky Derby Festival Princess in 2001 but that's a whole other post and story-- but it is full of out of towners. The Oaks just feels more local. You, your cutest hat and outfit, and 100,000 of your closest Louisvillian friends.
This is NOT my Oaks outfit. I actually wore this to work earlier in the week but backdated posts so you would have one today since I wont be able to post. I will be attending the Oaks and promise to take pictures though! Hopefully the weather will cooperate better than last year! In 2008 (pictured below), Ally, Jamie and I, along with our friend Kim, attended and had great grandstand seats, 3 rows from the track, halfway down the stretch. Unfortuately, we only saw one race before the skies opened and it stormed for 4 straight hours while we hid under cover and then just gave up and left to watch on tv. The weathermen lied and said scattered thunderstorms. Still not quite over it.
Crossing my fingers for clear skies for Oaks 2009! I wont be in the grandstand this year so won't be quite as glammed up but will be in the new Infield Club which is being compared to a more casual private sports bar atmosphere. I promise a full report back--and Oaks/Derby fashion analysis of course!
Jacket: CAbi (Fall 2008)
Leopard Tank: The Limited
Red Pants: Express
Pumps: Pleaser
Does wearing animal print make anyone else feel as sassy as it does me? I swear, I wear animal print and I just walk a little taller and swing my hips a little more! Pair it with power red and I just feel like the woman in charge. Even if I'm not!
Wrap Tee: CAbi (Spring 2009)
White Jeans: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Bronze Heels: Via Spiga
Trench: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Multicolored Necklace: Forever 21
I can hardly believe it but I bought white jeans. And I love them. Feel like I'm getting back in touch with my 80's side :-) Now all I need are some bright colored denim. Yeah, maybe not. I'll stick with white! I have a feeling these are going to become my summer staple.
(And side note...you can also tell that this loquat color is going to be my new favorite color of the season. I've seen it all over and am a big fan--a color I had previously not had in my closet at all!)
The weather is finally starting to cooperate and feel like a week before Derby! (As you can see in the background, hello sunlight!) It's a nice warm day and while it was brisk in the morning, it was warm in the afternoon. As opposed to taking 2 pictures, one with the jacket on and one with it off, I decided to just hold it open so you can see what's on underneath for when it gets warm!
Trench: CAbi (Spring 2009)
Black Wrap Tee: CAbi (Fall 2008)
Charcoal Cigarette Pants: CAbi (Fall 2008)
Zebra Scarf: Boutique in the Mount
Pumps: Pleaser
I got this new trench a couple weeks ago and had been trying to wait until it was warm enough to wear short sleeves to wear it. I finally gave up today--decided I was tired of waiting so decided to layer!
I love the color--it's just different than anything else in my closet (same color as the wrap tee I wore a couple weeks ago with the travelling scarf) and the cut is very slimming, especially in the back with the gathers. My sales rep said many girls are buttoning the coat and wearing it as a dress. We'll have to see if I am that brave. I need outerwear like a hole in my head, so if the outerwear was a dress, it would allow me to rationalize some more!
Green Sweater: Old Navy
White Tee: CAbi
Scarf: The Limited
Navy Pants: CAbi
Camel Boots: Payless
I'm behind in posting but last week, we had a major cold snap in the Ohio Valley. As in from 75 degreees one day to in the 30s the next (sinus infection here I come...). When I woke up and the wind chill was below freezing, I had no clue what to wear. I wanted to still feel like spring but obviously wanted to stay warm. My office is floor to ceiling windows so it's warm on warm days with the sun coming in and freezing on cold, dreary days.
I love the combination of kelly green and navy--it just feels so preppy and bright and seemed like the solution to countering dressing for the cold snap. A scarf is needed in temps like those but this scarf was at least bright bold colors. It may not have felt like April outside--but I felt like April when I looked in the mirror!
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!
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