6 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Closet -- and how to maintain it!

It was 72 degrees outside today! That is madness for February. Spring is coming, so why not check out this article I wrote last year and get started on your own spring clean-up!

6 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Closet -- and how to maintain it!.

Thrifty Finds: How much is $1 worth?

A ring! I apologize in advance for the webcam pics. My real camera won't turn on (eeeek!), and updates are needed!

Thrifty alert!! Michael's (the craft store) has these cool floral roses in several varieties for only $1 each. I bought two. Here's the one I wore today:





I also got three clip in fabric hair flowers for $1 each. (My hair is getting so long that I've been lazy with it, so I am trying to spice it up a bit. Seriously, my hair is only an inch or two from my butt. I love it but it gets sooo knotty. I am considering getting it layered to make it more manageable but I have bad luck with hair stylists.)

Last week, my boyfriend and I decided to go to the big antique store near his house. When I say big, I mean five buildings big. We only went into two, but here's what I found:



It was only $2! The stone is actually a thin hollow piece of celluloid, so it's fragile, but cool nonetheless. It was falling off, so I used my super glue pen and fixed it. It's a very cool, dramatic piece with a chunky chain. (Alliteration!)

A dollar can go a long way if you know where to look!

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Street style round-up: Harajuku, Leopard print, Marie Antoinette, High-waisted shorts and more!

As always, I share with you some looks I thought were neat. Let's see why these looks work so we can try them ourselves!

From Lookbook.nu:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="563" caption="A lot of people make Japanese fashion trends look tacky, but this girl wears it well. I think it's a very cool idea to take a shirt-dress, like the pink and white plaid one she's wearing, and wear is as an open jacket. Especially good if you aren't quite ready to wear a tight fitting dress on its own."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576" caption="There are a lot of things I like going on in this photo: silky button up blouse, cardigan sweater, side braid, and simple make-up. This outfit looks effortless and not overdone, which is a feat, considering that leopard print jeans had their run of popularity and run the risk of looking tacky. I've had my eye on a pair for awhile, but never made the purchase. I have a pair of red and black ones (the ones from the Miley Cyrus/Max Azria collection) and have yet to let them see the sunlight. This look inspires me, though. The loose fit and Buddy Holly-ness of the cardigan balance balance out the leopard pants. Likewise, she's kept her hair and makeup simple."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="433" caption="So, this isn't an outfit you'd wear to the grocery store or to work, but it has some pretty cool elements. If only we could always dress so fun! This outfit is Marie Antoinette inspired, with a high piled updo and pastel colors. Again, we see a sweater over a button up blouse. The top half is simple, so she's chosen a more dramatic hosiery... Or maybe those hearts are just glued on? Either way, so good."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550" caption="I really love those tights."][/caption]

So, I am getting bored with Lookbook.nu. Creative looks are few and far between and mostly everyone must be rich to afford a zillion pairs of Jeffrey Cambell shoes. Those things can be like $500.

If you like this post, comment, digg it, tweet it, whatever floats your boat -- anything helps get the word out about my blog!

Dreams do come true...

A girl from my area was featured in the newspaper for being chosen to attend NY Fashion Week! Here's the link to the article.

She worked hard, got a blogging gig with Chictopia's "Everyone is Ugly" blog, and clearly made an impression, seeing as how she was chosen to go to Fashion Week. This is a very prestigious honor. Fashion week is invite only.

This inspires me to start working much harder, because I'd love to make this fashion blogging thing serious. If you work hard enough, you can get where you want to go. And baby, I wanna go! I'm a college graduate who is currently going... nowhere. (Except crazy. I work at Dollar Tree, come 'on people.)

Let's all make a belated New Year's resolution: Stop trying to please others, because that's a game you can't win. It may sound self-serving, but strive to please yourself. Work toward the goals YOU want to achieve. It won't be easy, but we'll all be a lot happier if we do what we love, not just what we have to do. Now, I'm not going to quit my Dollar Tree "gig" (ick, sounds gross just typing that) but I am going to focus less effort on stressing myself out about the entire weight of the world, and transfer that energy into this blog, and all of my other writing. Buying, selling, and sharing fashion is something I love, and I know I am not alone. Let's make this work!

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Vintage Inspiration: Golden Girls!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="340" caption="Reminds you of Kiera Knightly, right?"][/caption]

Rue McClanahan (yeah, Blanche on the Golden Girls) looking absolutely gorgeous. You can understand why her GG character was so conceited. She was a true beauty! She is pictured wearing a lacy bustier.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448" caption="She rocked those dimples."][/caption]

Betty White, who happens to be very popular right now, in her youth. She really was gorgeous.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Just a girl here..."][/caption]

Bea Arthur looks great as well! She really was a pretty woman! I love her hair here.

[caption id="attachment_314" align="alignnone" width="490" caption="Posing in a swimsuit."][/caption]

This is Estelle Getty, who portrayed Sophia on the GG. A great vintage swimsuit!

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Amy Winehouse, healthy again!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="468" caption="Pretty gingham print pin-up dress that really gives her some nice curves. Her skin tone looks amazing in pink."][/caption]

One of my favorite hot messes... I am glad to see she is on the mend, however, and looking hot. She is one of the most talented singers around today, but her personal problems have taken over her life for several years now. I am dying for the release of her new album.



She just launched a clothing line with Fred Perry, and recently released a song for the Quincy Jones tribute album. And, to top it off, she performed in Brazil without any falling or slurring. She's even put on some much needed weight.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Showing off some of her designs for Fred Perry. Classic Amy style."][/caption]

So here's to you, Amy! I hope to see you continue your comeback.

Happy Holidays!

This should bring some cheer!

Street Style Round-up: Combat boots, Doc Martens, Dread-falls, and Velvet

These are from the Easy Fashion of Paris blog. This is one of my favorite street style blogs, ever. Those Parisians really know how to dress.

I post these because they have inspired me, and hope they can do the same for you.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="The drape-y dress looks like she rouched it up herself. Looks great with the Doc boots. Also, those sunglasses -- I got ones that look IDENTICAL at a $0.99 store in Vegas."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="That coat is to die for. Looks vintage. I love the dark wash jeans with the white Doc boots. I want to try and do a look like this with my faux fur leopard vest."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="What's not to love here? When you have a brightly dyed hair color, you can get crazier with hair accessories. They purple headband looks great with her dreadlocks poking out behind! You can find similar headbands at dollar stores, or could easily attach a large bow to a headband you already own. I love the colored chain link choker as well - it would be very inexpensive to recreate. Also, this girl is gorgeous!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="This a very classic look that appears to have been inspired by Anne Bancroft's character in The Graduate. I love chiffon tops and dresses, especially in animal print. I have a chiffon night gown by New York & Company that I got for a couple bucks at a thrift store. I wear it as a tunic or a dress. I can belt it at the empire waist or tie a knot in the side and let it be a flowy peasant blouse. This woman has belted hers with a cord or rope, which looks like the kind they sell as curtain tie backs. (You could use that to make your own belt!)"][/caption]

This last one is from Lookbook.nu:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="476" caption="I post this girl's looks a lot! I love velvet, and I love lace. Both are readily available in thrift stores, especially since they were both so popular in the 90s. Forever 21 also has (or at least had) velvet skirts like this one for only about $12-13. I know, because I bought one. I am also a fan of this girl's hair."][/caption]

Cultural Inspiration: Tibet, Traditional Tibetan Clothing

The people of Tibet have one of the most beautiful cultures in the whole world.  It's very tragic that they are being displaced and oppressed by the Chinese government, not only because they are losing the land they've inhabited for centuries but because they are in risk of losing their culture and traditions, as the people are forced to spread out across Asia and the rest of the world as refugees. Sadly, this has been going on for decades.

Here are some photos of Tibetans in their traditional apparel. Let these photos inspire you in your own looks.













Their culture is so rich and so vibrant... it would be a shame to see it fade away.

3 Tips for Building Your Thrifty Wardrobe

I'm having some issues with my computer's SD card port, so I can't upload photos of recent finds! It seems the universe doesn't want me to share such thriftiness.

So, to make up for it, I'm starting a new series of posts to offer you ways to be stylish but cheap... err, not cheap, thrifty! More money saved equals more money for cool stuff!

Tip #1: Knee high stockings/hosiery.




Knee-high and over-the-knee stockings and socks seem to be pretty "in" right now, based off of my constant Lookbook trolling.  (It's a problem, I admit, but it gives me lots of ideas for my own outfits. I don't need rehab!)

A lot of young people (like me) seem to have forgotten or perhaps never knew of cheap pantyhose. I'm talking about the kind that comes in the plastic bubble gum machine eggs.



That photo above is basically what they look like. They cram the stockings into those little bubbles. I imagine these don't sell as fast as they used to back in 40s, 50s, and 60s when women wore hosiery almost all the time. These would have been cheap enough that a woman could buy a new pair each week.

You can find this hosiery-filled bubbles in the underwear or intimates section of department stores like Target, Wal-mart, K-Mart, and so on. These things are CHEAP! I got a pair for $0.34!  And, believe it or not, they're decent. If they rip, just buy more. They come in tan, black, and navy. You don't have to splurge on price-inflated stockings from places like American Apparel if you don't want to. One warning -- the pair I bought is slightly sheer. So if you want that opaque look then socks are your best bet.

Tip # 2: Vintage slips.



There's always a rack of slips and silky nightgowns in every thrift store. They are never all that expensive. If your not creeped out by the thought of wearing someone else's slips, these can be pretty neat. I mean, they're not panties or anything. I got mine for around $1.50!

I have three slips. Two are the gown kind that you wear beneath a dress and the other is just a skirt slip. These are good for dresses and skirts that are a little see through, but they also serve as a cheap alternative to a petticoat. While they won't help with that full, poofy skirt effect, they will add a more feminine touch if the bottom peeks out a bit, showing off the lace. If you have a skirt that's just a smidge too short for you to wear out anD about, wear a slip underneath it!

Tip # 3:  Thigh high hosiery.




This tip is less about saving money but more about appearance. If you're like me, you might have a little bit of pudge around your tummy. Now, don't get me wrong, I love pantyhose, but I hate that no matter what size you buy the top of it always cuts you off strangely. Even if you have very little pudge, it will still create a muffin top effect. So, your left to either just deal with it and have a lumpy looking stomach under your dress or scrunch it down around your pelvis, and then that looks bulky. You really can't win. I see women who seem to have mastered wearing pantyhose without these afflictions, but I haven't quite figured it out yet.

For years I avoided wearing pantyhose with dresses and only ventured to wear them with high waisted skirts because I didn't like how the pantyhose maid my stomach look. Then, while in Las Vegas this past summer, I found a part of vertical striped black thigh-high nylons. I wanted them so badly, so I got them. I realized that these solved my problem completely!  So, if you have the same problem, why not give thigh-highs a try?

Okay, that's all for now! Happy thrifting!

Street Fashion Round-up: Plaid, Lace, Velvet, Cream fabrics...

Win a SWEET bag!

Follow the link below to enter to win a Picard bag!

http://cruel-kid.blogspot.com/2010/09/win-picard-bag.html



The blog itself is lovely. The writer has great fashion sense and I love how she's decorated her home.

The Ramones: And every time I eat vegetables, it makes me think of you.

One of my ALL TIME favorite bands, The Ramones...










They were the primary influence on my high school fashion sense. In those days, I wore mostly faded jeans, tight-fitting band shirts, often with the sleeves but off, and converse. I know, pretty overdone and cliche, but I thought I looked pretty rockin'.

New favorite outfit...

The big, bold polka dot bolero is from a church thrift store, where you can fill a paper grocery bag full of stuff for only $2! I love that place.

Zebra cropped cardigan was from Ross (discount store) -- I think it was something like $5 because it had a tear that I eventually mended. The purple top was originally a dress but it shrunk in the wash, so now it's a shirt! It is from Susie's Deals, a store I came across in Las Vegas where everything is $5.99 and up, but nothing was really over $10. This was $9.99.  Shorts are old and from Old Navy a few years ago, and the sandals are Mossimo from Target.








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