Lace and Leopard

After yesterday's little experiment in pajamas for work wear, I was happy to put something a little more fashion conservative on. I just really love this blazer. I didn't even realize that today was the day What I Wore's Fall Remix Challenge was going up...where I'm wearing this blazer. I'm not even sorry. I'm now stalking eBay for a camel version. I found one in my price range, but in the last hour of bidding, it doubled in price so that was a bummer. Are you a big eBay buyer or do you prefer to find your steals in person?

Blazer: J. Crew  {exact}
Top: Pitaya, old and altered
Necklace: Forever 21
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact and on sale!}
Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW  {exact}
Anchor Ring: H&M
Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone







Have a great weekend! I'll be volunteering and going to a hockey game with Chris :)

Night Time...Day Time!

When I'm thrifting, I try on anything that catches my attention while looking through the racks because you never know until you try it on! I grabbed this top and ended up really liking it...even though I'm unsure if it's originally a real top or a pajama top. Good news is that those in the know say that PJs as real clothes are totally fashionable right now so that makes me fashionable too, right?


All kidding aside, I do really like this top. It's soft, slightly oversized, and a color that isn't in my closet. I'm excited to try it with a blazer over it, or with a skirt like Tierney suggested.

Plus for $3.99, how could I say no?

All day today I had this stuck in my head: Night time.....day time!

Blouse: Thrifted
Necklace: Forever 21  {similar}
Pants: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Shoes: Tory Burch
Watch: Fossil
Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

Behind the Blog: Blue Paper Lanterns

Last week I featured Whitney from Along the Lines of Style for the first installment of Behind the Blog. This week I'm interviewing Kimmie who blogs at Blue Paper Lanterns. Kimmie and I met through a somewhat strange situation but am so glad we found each other. Kimmie is a smart working woman who also has two adorable kids. She also has a yearly budget of $600 for clothing, so her budgeting advice and experiences are such an inspiration.

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

A few years ago, my friend Tiffany sent me a link to her blog. From there, I discovered the world of fashion and personal style blogs, and was hooked. I was an avid reader, but had the notion that you had to have expensive clothes and look like a model to have a style blog. It was when Kendi Everyday opened up her 30 for 30 challenge and invited readers to participate, that I realized ANYONE could have a style blog. I found some of my favorite blogs from that initial list of 300 remixers and connected with a bunch of bloggers, but felt that conversation was very one-sided, as I knew so much about these bloggers but they knew nothing about me. So, I started my own blog in late 2010, and here I am today!

Which blogs do you read every day? 

I continue to read Kendi's blog everyday, as well as a ton of other style blogs. A few favorites are Extra Petite, Atlantic-Pacific, Lilly's Style, Putting Me Together, and Delusions of Grandeur. I also enjoy cooking blogs, humor blogs, and DIY/crafty blogs... and Get Off My Internets. I know it's snarky and sometimes comments do get out of hand, but generally the people on there are hilarious, intelligent and reasonable. I don't like to advertise that I'm a huge fan of GOMI on my blog because I know some of my blog friends have been hurt by the commentary from the site, but it's an everyday read for me.

Who takes your pictures? What cameras/lenses do you use? Have you ever been "caught in the act" of taking these pictures?

My husband has taken my pictures a handful of times, but for 99% of my blog pictures, they are self-timer shots that I take during my lunch break or after work. I wish I had a fancy camera with a remote, but no, I run back and forth with a self-timer, which makes for some pretty bad shots. And since I take them in public places, I've been "caught in the act" many, many times. It's always embarrassing, but whatever, they're strangers. I would DIE if someone I knew saw me taking pictures though.

What programs do you use to edit and upload your pictures? 

I use Photoshop to crop and apply some effects. 

Do people in real life know about your blog? What were their reactions when they found out about your blog?

Only a few of my close friends know about it, though my boss's wife (whom I'm friends with) emailed me one day and let me know that she found my blog. Then my boss decided to bring it up to another co-worker during a holiday party and I about died with embarrassment. It's strange that I feel comfortable sharing my life with random internet strangers, but feel awkward when someone I know reads it. 

A major point of your blog is staying within your $600 a year budget. What lead you to this budget, and how do you hold yourself accountable to it? What tips do you have for those of us trying to stay within our own budgets?

My husband and I implemented a $600/year clothing budget a few years ago. I never thought much of it until I casually mentioned it in my blog and a lot of people were really interested in how I did it, so now I track my purchases on my blog and try to do monthly spending recaps.

I'm a bargain hunter by nature, and I love a good deal and a good challenge, so it's been fun trying to stretch my budget as much as I can with sales and thrifting. Though the first year of having my blog, I succumbed to the "OMG EVERYONE IS WEARING THOSE SHOES I NEED THEM TOO" mentality that resulted in a lot of purchases that I now regret. Now I try to spend more wisely. I have a list of items I think I need, and try to imagine how they'll be worked into my closet. Since I don't have very much of my budget left for the rest of the year, I have to triple-think every single purchase, and ask myself, "do I really need this?" instead of buying it just because it's a great deal.

Many fashion bloggers hop from one trend to the next. How do you try to stay on trend while working within your budget and closet?

Eh, I don't really care for trends that much. I bought a peplum shirt that I really like, but other than that, I've told myself that I really don't need the new "IT" item/color of the season. As someone who does not have extra money to throw around on clothes, I would rather not buy something that will look outdated in a few months time, and buy something that I can wear for years ahead. My goal is not to be "trendy" but rather to have develop my style no matter what the trends are.

Putting yourself on the internet comes with the expectation that not everyone will always love what you are wearing and writing. Have you encountered any of these criticisms, and if so, how do you handle it?

Thankfully I have not gotten any nasty comments... yet. Once in awhile I get some constructive criticism, and at first I always feel indignant and defensive, but I think about it for a bit and realize that hey, they do have a point. I would rather have one not-so-nice but helpful comment than 100 "love your outfit! follow me back!" comments any day.

What has been the best thing to come out of blogging? 

Of course the friendships I've formed online and in real life from blogging are awesome. I've also had a better appreciation of clothing and fit. Taking pictures of my outfits makes me see what looks good on my body type, and what doesn't. Also, having a blog makes me put a lot more effort into looking presentable, so when I have a good hair day and love my outfit, it totally boosts my self esteem.

When it comes to promotion of your blog, what methods do you use? Do you spend a lot of time commenting on other blogs, pinning your looks, doing link ups?

Oh, I'm pretty terrible at self-promotion. I only comment on blogs that I read regularly if I have something meaningful to say, and I don't like using other people's comment sections as a place to advertise my own blog. I actually hate it when people pin their own looks on Pinterest, so yeah, I don't do that. Doing link ups is great, though I always forget, so I've only participated in a handful of them. I guess I could put more effort into promoting my blog, but at the end of the day, I'm just blogging for fun, not for the numbers in my stats. 

What tips or suggestions do you have for your fellow bloggers? 

It took me a long time to realize that you don't NEED to have what other bloggers have, whether it's a polka-dot chambray shirt, J.Crew pencil skirt, or a Chanel bag. There's always going to be someone with more clothes, more money, more followers, and better photography than you, so just enjoy blogging. Once it starts to stress you out, take a break. Blogging shouldn't be a race for numbers and sponsors, it should be fun. :)

Thank you so much for allowing me to feature you Kimmie! Next week we have Tierney from The Preppy Leopard!

Belted Vest

Thank you so much for all of your words of advice and tricks on yesterday's post about struggling with layering. You guys had some great ideas, including lots of belting. I've wanted to belt this vest since I saw Audrey's post so that's what I did this morning. I really like the way this came together, even if I kind of look like I'm ready for a picnic.

I really like the idea of wearing more vests because like Elissa said, they add a layer without adding bulk to arms, which is something I try to avoid, so I'm going to be on the look out for more vests. Bri had a great tip of wearing a tighter tank over a button down, but under the sweater, which helps give you more shape. I can't wait to try that out! You ladies are so smart.

Vest: Old Navy
Shirt: Gap  {similar}
Belt: H&M  {similar}
Jeans: Gap  {very similar}
Boots: Frye  {exact}
Watch: Fossil  {very similar}
Nails: OPI My Throne for a Cranberry Scone

In other news, I went to Goodwill today for a little sweater shopping. I found a few finds, and then experienced the biggest thrifting disappointment - I found a grey J. Crew schoolboy blazer in pretty much perfect condition....for $7.99....in a size 4. I am not a size four. Dang it. I'm pretty disappointed :(











Linking up with Marionberry's Trend of the Month,  wiww and Everybody, Everywear.

Have you linked up with October's Budgeting Bloggers yet?

On Layering

Fall means for most of us cooler regions means dropping temperatures, and dropping temperatures means more clothes. We're all about the layering. I look to other women out there and  see the way they layer and I say to myself "Self, you have those pieces in your closet - do that!". So then I pin all of these pictures and tell myself I'm going to recreate them.

And then every morning when I'm trying to figure out what to wear, I think today's the day I'm going to be one of those people that effortlessly layer...and it never turns out right. I know my expectations of what I want it to look like are too high - my body is not like Lilly's, so why would the clothes look like that on me? The layers end up bulky and instead of defining anything, my boobs just become a blob with my waist, making me look heavier and flabbier than I am. So then I go back to boring shirts and scarves because that's what I kind of know how to do.

And then I'm upset all over again for falling into the trap I started this blog to avoid. My outfits become repetitious and bore me, so I'm sure they are boring you. How does one break out of this trap? How do I prevent looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy when trying to layer? Help me internet.

Shirt: H&M

Scarf: Present from my sister

Belt: Madewell  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Tory Burch  {exact}
Watch: Target  {only in stores}
Bracelet: DIY

Tailgating

Yesterday was the first time Chris and I actually tailgated before a Badger game...even though we've been to dozens of games (shockingly, you're not allowed to drink if you're in the marching band). It was also the Halloween game (and Homecoming) so there were lots of costumes out and about. Chris's friend Mike went as Santa, and Chris was...a Wisconsin gangster? Yeah, no idea. I'm not a big Halloween person so I did not dress up. Not sorry.

Sweatshirt: University Bookstore
Vest: The North Face
Scarf: DIY
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Frye
Sunglasses: Color Me Rad Souvenir

This month's Budgeting Bloggers is up and can be found here!






Linking up with Modern Modest Beauty.

October Budget

1. Laundry by Design Jacket via Savers: $20  {seen on Instagram}
2. Gap Sweater: $49.95 + 30% off + exchanged for returned sweater from last month = $0   {seen here}
3. Old Navy Black Cardigan: $19.95 + 30% off = $14  {seen here, here}
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Shoes: $199 at DSW + 50% off + $5 coupon = $95  {seen here, here}
5. Forever 21 Polka Dot Blouse: $19.80 + $12 return credit = $8   {seen here, here}
6. Forever 21 Maroon Sweater: $19.80  {seen here, here}
7. Thrifted Sweater via Goodwill: $5  {alteration seen here}

October Budget = $162

I did go a little above my $150 budget, but I'm very happy with the purchases I made. My new winter jacket is a style I've been looking for a while now, but most new jackets are $100+, so I was thrilled when I found this jacket at Savers. I could have waited 2 days to get 25% off on Monday (a special they have every week) but I was scared it would be gone by then so I bought it for the full Savers price. I bought a couple new sweaters that I've already worn several times now with the dropping temperatures. My Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes, found in the clearance section, are another style I've been looking for for a while, and the Forever 21 blouse is my favorite F21 purchase of all time.

In November I'm hoping to find a great pair of dark wash skinny jeans, and a patterned sweater like this or this one. I'm also going to Germany for a week in the middle of the month, so who knows what I'll find over there. I do have several hundred euros stashed away so I may just leave those purchases out of next months budget ;)

How did you do this month? Link up below - please make sure you link back so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers!

ETA: I purchased the bare Minerals concealer as well after I made this list. It is around $30. I finally scraped the last of my Boi-ing concealer out, and was itching to try something new.