Puffy Pirate Shirt

Wore this for a night out downtown with friends. I really like this puffy shirt, but I'm never quite sure what to wear it with. It looks really cute when it's hung up, but then once you put it on the huge sleeves become slightly intimidating. I think the vest helps to tone it down a bit a make it more streamlined.

The argyle tights are really warm and perfect for winter. With a longer skirt like this I usually prefer to wear a heel, but this weather + walking around downtown all night makes flat boots a much wiser choice.



The Breakdown:

Make-up:
-Maybelline matte mouse foundation (porceline ivory)
-Champagne eyeshadow (Very Sexy - Victoria's Secret)
-Gold Eye Shadow on lid (Cover Girl - "Golden Sunrise")
-Dark brown in crease and under eye ("Beloved" Victoria's Secret)
-Gold eye liner on bottom lid (label is worn off)
-Brown eyeliner on top lid, smudged out (label is worn off)
-Brown-black mascara (Covergirl "Lash Blast")
-Peach Blush (Maybelline - "Rose Silk")
-Lipstick (Estee Lauder "Tiger Eye")

Outfit:
Puffy/PIrate shirt : Thrift Store (Given to by a friend - $0)
Vest: Isaac Mizrahi for Target (Thrift store find, given to by a friend - $0)
Skirt: Apostrophe (approx. $20)
Tights: I think they are from DSW, but I can't seem to remember!
Leg Warmers: I think they are from H&M, can't remember.
Boots: Victoria's Secret ($80)

Accessories:
Belt: Sears (approx. $15)
Gold Bracelet: H&M (approx. $4)
Flowery Bracelet: Gift ($0)
Gold Sunflower Brooch: Gift ($0)
Brown Purse: Thrift Store ($3)

One week until Christmas!!! I told my husband that I want these shoes from ModCloth.com:



(http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Last+Dance+with+Mary+Janes)



I've been telling him how much I want them for about a month and they are all sold out now. So, one of those sold out pairs had better be hiding in my apartment somewhere!!

Projectionist

I work at an indie movie theatre in Chicago. This is what I wore to work today for a projection shift. I like the fact that the outfit is simple. Although, I would normally wear some jewelry with it. I couldn't wear any today b/c I can't wear jewelry when I'm in the booth as it could get caught in the machinery and then I'm sure something rather gruesome would happen. This shirt-dress is sooooo comfy! I love it! The bows on the socks are pretty rock'n also.




The Breakdown -

Hair: Low pig-tails

Make-up: Maybeline matte mouse foundation (porceline ivory), champaigne eyeshadow (Very Sexy - Victoria's Secret), metallic pink above crease (Maybeline), dark brown in crease and under eye ("Beloved" Victoria's Secret, gold eye liner on bottom lid (label is worn off and I don't remember what brand it is), brown eyeliner on top lid, smudged out (label is worn off), brown-black mascara (Covergirl Lash Blast), Peach Blush (Very Sexy, Victoria's Secret)

Outfit:

Hat - Thrift Store ($2)
Shirt-dress - Derek Heart ($15)
Leggings - Victoria's Secret ($15)
Socks - Juicy Couture ($4)
Boots - Victoria's Secret ($80)



Also, on the way home from seeing a movie at the music box last night I past two of my favorite 'window shopping' stores:


At store #1 I saw this adorable dress:




At store #2 they always have the best 'shiny things' on display:







And finally, I'll leave you with some super cuteness:

First Blog - Navy & Black

If you are reading this, that means that you are reading my first blog post ever! Whooo! #1!!! Well, I'm new at this, so my page might not look too hip yet, but just you wait!! Once I learn some HTML basics, my site will be looking fly in no time.

So, a bit about my blog....I'm here to bring you real fashion from the midwest. Yes, the farmer's daughters can look chic too! Most of my clothes are bought on sale or from a resale shop, so I'll also be showing you cool ideas for a lady on a budget. Here in Chicago, we have a free newspaper called, 'The Red Eye.'




They had an article a while back about dressing well on a budget. Except, all of their items (separate items, not the outfit as a whole) were between $50-$100! That is NOT on a budget! That comes to about $300 or more when you add up the whole outfit. (I tried to find a copy of the article online so I could post a link, but unfortunately no such luck.) Very rarely will I spend more than $50 on a single item. The most expensive item I own is a $300 Anna Sui dress that I actually got for free.

Don't get me wrong, if you have the money and you want to buy a $4,000 one-of-a-kind designer evening gown, that is awesome. Go for it. Support the designers. Cool, I get it. What I don't get is people who pay $100 for a cotton t-shirt that is no different from a $10 cotton t-shirt at Target.








I'll leave my rant there and get to my first outfit:




I wanted to try the black and navy mix that I've been seeing lately. There was an article in Lucky Magazine about it that caught my eye. (You can view the how-to's here: http://www.luckymag.com/style/howto/styling/2010/01/mixing_navy_black)

This was their final result:






I didn't do the brown in my outfit, but I like the way it looks with a bit of purple sticking out. The brown is a bit more classy and chic. I think the purple makes the outfit a bit more playful. Before reading this article, I certainly wouldn't have thought to mix black and navy. It's a fashion no-no, right? However, I'm happy I gave it a chance.

I wore this for a casual get-together with friends from out-of-town.


The breakdown:

Hair: Low, side ponytail

Make-up: Light tan eyeshadow with a light application of metallic pink above crease and darker brown to accent and add depth, liquid eye-liner (black) for cat's-eye effect, brown-black mascara, peach blush, and flesh-toned lipstick for pale lips.

Clothes:
White blouse with ruffle collar and black trim (Forever 21, approx. $15)
Black and White Sweater (Sears, approx. $20)
Navy Blazer (H&M - $30)
Purple Tank Top (Urban OUtfitters - $5)
Black Leggings (Given to me by a friend - $0)
Purple Argyle Socks (Target- $4)

Shoes:
Black Boots (Payless - $15)

Accessories:
Black Bead Drop Earrings (JC Penny - $7)


I admit that I should have taken some more detailed photos (you can't even see the earrings!), oh well. Next time.

Hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned!