I have certain blogs I visit on the regular. Today, I’d like to send a shoutout to:
Not only does the writer have an amazing sense of style and color, she penned the following great post about walkable shoes, something we alllll worry about I’m sure… Click here to read!
Many of you are familiar with the entertaining stories of my work life with my boss. She is hilarious. Truly. And today, she has inspired me to become a bit of a coupon hoarder. Case in point: She just got a $40 originally priced necklace from Banana Republic for nearly two-frikkin-dollars. That’s right folks, $2. How’d she do it?
1. Start with a sale. The necklace was originally priced at $39.50 but marked down to $17.99
2. Toss in a promo discount – With the site offering 25% off any purchase, the necklace was reduced to 13.49
3. Add a frequent shopper coupon - which not only gave her free shipping BUT reduced the price to about 75% off.
This got me thinking… how in the word can I indulge on goodies and save tons of money too? I remembered the Krazy Coupon Lady and found this http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/
While I’m not sure I want to have a year’s worth of toothpaste, she does have some coupons I think I may just try out. Like, the Shoe Dazzle one for $14 (versus $40) the first month, or Children’s Place (which is a steal to begin with), Coach Factory stores and Victoria’s Secret. Ladies, I think this transformation just became more fun.
It all started with a trashcan, a laundry bag and a painfully boring Saturday afternoon. I had enough of stuffing my many, many hangers into my itty bitty closet. Enough storing shoes behind the door, under the bed, on TWO shoe racks and the living room closet. Enough being attacked by handbags, clutches and satchels that fall off their perch. I was done with the clutter.
Over the past ten years, when I first started working actually, the joy of getting my very own paycheck allowed me to buy all the things my frugal parents with their start-up business did not. After all, I went to Catholic school and was deprived of anything semi-fashionable for the trademark uniforms of 12 years of schooling. I bought frilly, fancy things with brands the magazines familiarized me with throughout high school. My closet was bursting with stuff , like the chick from “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” It’s not smart, isn’t fun but is definitely embarassing.
I’m still going through my closet transformation, but I’m thinking my essentials should follow the rules of the food pyramid. Presenting, the Fashion Pyramid:
The Show-stoppers (top): Read and Weep… I know, limiting huh? These should NOT take over most of the space in your closet.
The Staples (middle row): wool A-line skirt (neutral and black), charcoal gray trousers, black or navy shirtdress, tailored blazer and a sleek suit.
The Basics (bottom row): Black tank, a few jeans, a cardigan
(of any color really, but red pops and a neutral will last forever), a crisp white button down and a few pairs of black slacks.
Today, I came across the blog of a person I used to admire while I worked/hung out listening to Justin Timberlake in the closets of Redbook. She was tall, thin, gorgeous and doing what I wanted to do: writing articles and doing interviews at a major magazine. In the handful of years that have passed, I always remembered her swagga and thought, one day, I will be like her. LinkedIn thought I should remember her too and suggested I “connect.” And so, I find myself reading her blog and thinking… too many thoughts…
Aside from being born and raise where I went to college, I remember Penny less from “what” she said and more so from how she carried herself. She had, and still has, a low natural haircut, her face is ever-youthful and her style? Simple, but had a certain je ne sais quoi. Even 3 years later, as I click-through her blog, she is still one of my style inspirations. And still someone who is rocking the word-artistry that is publishing.
Do you have anyone you remember as a muse?
I apologize that I haven’t been able to write as often. I swear, this is the busiest I have been in my personal life and I feel as thought I haven’t even done anything! Between regular old work, my daughter starting ballet, formatting an ad book and trying to change my life, it’s been a heckuva few weeks. So let’s give you an update… shall we?
A few weeks ago, I crossed the border of my mid-twenties and ventured into “soon to be the old head in the club” status (yes, at 26 that’s what I’m gonna call it). With this semi-major event, I decided a semi-major change is necessary. I’m going back to basics… in more than one way. Peep the inspiration:
Clockwise from top:
1. Babushka’s Beauty Secrets… changed my life already!
2. My darling’s ballet class… nothing teaches you natural beauty like your child
3. Maxi dresses…. (as seen on Mary Kate Olsen) reminds me of Erykah Badu in all her beautiful, quirky glory
4. Springtime! Ahh how I love irises 
5. Mint tea with rose-water and a splash of orange… need I say more?
6. Distressed leather jacket… naturally, wonderfully (amazingly soft) rich
7. Solange… it’s no secret I have a mega lady-crush on her
TheUrbanati