The post I've been putting off writing...

Well readers, this is officially the post I've been putting off writing for a few weeks now...but I think I've put off all I can.

This will be my last post as a "Cute on the Cheap" blogger.

In the last month, you've noticed that there is a line of clothing I wear a great deal that I can no longer say the name of. While I don't agree with the reasons, it's neither here nor there at this point, it just is what it is. And, for reasons many of you can probably guess or suspect, my wardrobe is going to be even more heavy on such clothing line heading into the fall.

This blog was founded not only to try to give ideas on how to wear affordable clothing items, but also to tell you where to find such items. Since I can no longer do the second half much of the time, it doesn't seem fair to each of you who loyally read to not fulfill the "mission" of our blog. As such, I'm going to bow out and leave the posting to our other capable writers!

It's been a fun ride the last 14 months...I've been able to interact with some great women and have been inspired -- and challenged!-- by many of them. While I can't say my "style" as a whole as changed, I will say that I look at what I have hanging in my closet in a different way and for that I am grateful.

I've become a bit addicted to blogging, I must admit. There's just something interesting about the comments and insight you get from people who don't know you on a personal or every day basis that is enlightening. That said, don't be surprised if I forge into my own personal blog about fashion and life in general in the upcoming weeks--without singling out any brands of course! I've become a bit addicted to the dialogue that comes with a blog and think I'll want to continue it at some point. If that happens, I'll ask Ally to let you all know--it may not be about my outfits, but hopefully some of our readers may get a kick out of my random musings!

So there you go -- it's been real. Thanks for reading. When we started this, I don't know about the others, but I really never expected it to go beyond our small circle of contacts -- and it has done that and so much more! It's been exciting to be a part of for sure.

Happy shopping and styling to you all,
Leslie

In search of a new statement belt

Skirt: J Crew

Pumps: Diba at Meijer

I'm in search of another statement belt.

Before I bought this belt with the large rodeo clip, I had never spent more than $20 on a belt or similar type accessory. Just seemed to be extravagant--and it's just a belt, right? But after purchasing this one, I'm a firm believer that sometimes, it can be worth it. Every time I wear this belt, whether it's with jeans or a skirt or anything, it completely changes the entire look of the outfit.

There's one I have my eye on that is a black belt with a gold crown buckle...that could be fun. But what I love about this one are all the colors in the buckle that I can bring out.

As much as I love this piece, I'm ready for a new statement belt. Anyone have any great places they love to shop for fun belts?

Accessory Inspiration

Lace Cami: The Limited

Shoes: Charles by Charles David via Zappos

Necklace: Just Jewelry

I found this necklace at a Just Jewelry party earlier this spring and am so glad I came across it. The colors together have sparked so many new color combination ideas in my wardrobe that I just would not have thought of otherwise. Typically I buy accessories to match outfits but this is one time it worked in the opposite fashion!

Fall Colors and Fall Hair

Necklace: Just Jewelry

Shoes: Charles by Charles David via Zappos

(Sorry for the blurry photo ... didnt see it was blurry til I cropped today and this is the only image I have...)

Still trying to keep wearing my spring/summer items while introducing some fall. As you remember, I've been wearing this skirt all summer mainly with a lime-ish color which I loved. I thought adding a jewel tone may help give me a couple more wearings of the skirt but start moving into fall with the deeper colors.

And onto other matters, I know some readers of this blog will be dismayed to hear but but I'm getting antsy to darken my hair again as we head out of the summer months. I've liked the change and think it looks good but the deep chestnut just seems to feel more like me. But maybe I'm wrong. I can't decide. What do you all think? Keep the color now or go back to the darker shade (accurate color photo in link) or a slight reddish tent (another link)? Weigh in.

Will they make it?

Khaki Pencil Skirt: J Crew

Leopard Print Peep Toe Pumps: Nine West via Marshalls

My leopard print pumps may be forced to make their way into mush and grime for a media story from flooding this afternoon. No other spare shoes on site to change into. Peep toe means grime not only ruins shoes but hits bare feet. This could be bad folks. Update coming on whether the leopard pumps survived in my next post. Cross your fingers for them--and my feet!

Bless You Hollywood Fashion Tape

Outfit: Yep, still not happening

Belt: The Limited

Pumps: Nine West

Bless Hollywood Fashion Tape. I had always meant to order some but never got around to it so imagine my delight when I saw a box at Targetlast week. I tossed it in the cart and forgot about it.

As I'm running out the door at 6:30 a.m. this morning (yeah...still crazy at work....) I notice my fuchsia top is gaping badly between the first 2 buttons and I didn't wear a camisole. I grabbed a strip of tape, headed for the door and hoped for the best.

I'm quite pleased to say that it is fabulous! Held the fabric together perfectly all day for no-gaping! This is going to be a wardrobe must-keep-on-hand for sure. Love it for buttons, holding a scarf in place, "hemming" a pair of pants for the day...the possibilities are going to be endless! Who needs a needle and thread when you can smack fashion tape on it? Not this girl!

Intro to Fall

Scarf: (**shakes head no**)

Top: The Limited

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Payless

I love fall clothes. It's my favorite time of the year so I get antsy to start introducing new items and colors to the wardrobe. This scarf seemed like a perfect way to make a start into fall because it has oranges and browns which are traditional fall colors --- but all mixed in with hot pink! I started the day with it looped like this but after 10 minutes in an un-air-conditioned building, it became a sarong around my waist!

Not much time to post

Outfit: If I told you, I'd have to kill you

Pumps: Chinese Laundry

All you-know-what has broken loose at work.

Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking getting into the marketing and communications field.

Ah, who am I kidding? As stressful as it may be at times, I especially love the crisis times when its fast-paced and constantly moving.

I'm just glad I was dressed comfortably for the day that lied ahead little to my knowledge when I got dressed that day!

You can't stop the beat!

Tunic: On clearance at a store in Hilton Head

Leggings: Can't tell you

New platform peep toe's (after my Steve Madden's died): Nine West

Went to see "Hairspray" at Music Theatre Louisville recently. My mom, sister, friend and her mom all went and we had a great time! What was perhaps the most fun was that my hairdresser Jill was in the performance playing Velma! She was awesome--multi-talented I tell you!

This tunic and leggings just seemed appropriate for a fun show like "Hairspray." I'm still bouncing around singing "You can't stop the beat!"

It may not be flashy...

Denim Jacket: Gap Outlet

Belt: The Limited

Dress: Can't tell you

Leopard Pumps: Nine West via Marshall's

Sometimes I try to put together these flashy outfits and while I think they can be cute, I don't know that they are always "me" and I think it shows. However, this outfit just feels quintessentially "Leslie." It may not be exciting-- but it's how I am the most comfortable! At the core, I'm still a classic dresser at heart.

Random note : this dress looks terrible belted with the jacket off on me. However, I've found that as long as I keep a jacket on, belts add a lot to the look of this dress and add color and dimension. So I'm going to stick with it!

Accessory Change

At a conference a few weeks ago, I saw someone wearing this exact same jacket I am wearing (and was wearing that day as well). What was interesting was how different hers looked than mine. Mine was just tied around the waist and while it was cute and fun, it didn't say WOW. However, this lady had taken the given canvas belt out and put in a black studded belt in it's place. It totally made the jacket and her outfit pop.

Accessories can sometimes easily be overlooked but I dont think it can be underestimated the difference changing up accessories can be. It can take an outfit you've worn before and make it feel brand new again! I cant wait to try some of my other belts with this jacket heading into fall. While it may be a light summer weight, with the right colors and belts, it will be a fall jacket for me for sure!

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!

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?

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!

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.