Holiday Nail Color, Jazz Up Your Tootsies..

I love nail color, almost as much as I love shoes and jeans.. The one great thing about nail color, you can change it as often as you want and it isn't expensive.. It fits into everyone's budget. I find myself leaning towards, deep, rich colors for the holidays.. There is nothing more glamorous and festive than red finger and toenails.. I love two brands of nail polish, Essie and OPI. My favorite right now is Scarlet O'Hara from Essie. It is perfect for the season.

Just Get this One Piece and Your Holiday Wardrobe is Good to Go!

All you need is this one sequined t-shirt from New York and Company.. It comes in the pale wheat and black. I found the black one in the store yesterday and fell in love with it.. I can wear it with my black pencil skirt, my long black chiffon skirt, jeans, trousers, cardigans, etc. Perfect for the holidays and you don't have to worry about finding something modest.. Which can be hard at the holidays. This was a very modest shirt. Flashy, but modest. We all know how I love flashy!

Sequined T-shirt 36.95

and if you hurry there is an online code for 30% off 3899

Some Excellent Finds at the Thrift Store

Guess which clothing item I bought brand new and for full price..

It is only two of these items in all the pictures..

Embellished Sweaters/Organza N Chiffon roses

Here are some of the finished embellished sweaters done with the chiffon/organza roses.

Which one is your favorite?

Most Fabulous Scarf!

Somehow I was out of the loop and just found out about Etsy.com. I decided to browse scarves, really because I needed a new one that was just plain different from everyone elses.. Well I found mine!!! From That Funky Boutique


Twilight. It is a felted navy rose scarf, made from recycled sweaters.. So many people have stopped me and asked where I had got it or they have made complimentary remarks about it.. It cost 35 bucks, I know a little high for me, but so worth it.. I hate to be too cheap when someone handmakes something. That time and effort has to cost something..

She makes new ones daily and they seem to sell out pretty fast.. Right now there is a beautiful gray one that would match almost any winter coat...Enjoy looking at her beautifully unique scarves..

Love to Cook as Much as Love to Garden and Shop

Come check out my new blog devoted to my trials, errors and successes in the kitchen.. I really love to cook as much as I love to shop and garden..!!

Homemaking Lady Bug

Chiffon Rose Embellishment On Thrift Store Finds

Embellished cardigans are big this fall and winter..

They can also be super pricey..

How can you be in style and not break your budget..

Create your own one of a kind cardigan!

We are doing chiffon roses for ours, ours being me and my 11year old and 9 year old daughters..

We find a cardigan we love and "jazz it up" to make it our own couture style.

I found a great DIY for these roses from Calamity Kim's blog .

What other ways can you think of to make your clothing one of a kind.??

Frosted Flower Cardigan from Downeast Basics.. Fall and Winter Must Have

I saw this and it was a Must Have as soon as I laid eyes on it..

This is a new cardigan from Downeast Basics.

It comes in 2 colors, Glacier Gray (shown) and Graphite Blue (which I ordered).

They are $34.99 and I have a feeling they will sell out super quick!!
I would have gotten both, but couldn't justify 70 bucks for two sweaters, being the cheap o that I am...

Vintage Purse! What a Find! One of a Kind!

For those of you who love one of a kind items.

This post is for you..

I love to own things that no one else has..

Today's find was like striking it rich..

This gorgeous blue glass beaded evening bag from the 40' or 50's..

It was made by K&G Charlet Paris and New York and I would bet my garden it has never been used..

It still had some tissue paper in the bottom and the condition is unbelievable..

How much would you think this cost?

It cost me TWELVE dollars..

So go out in your town or a neighboring town, hit some of your thrift or antique stores and take time looking, because you never know what wonderful one of a kind thing you may find..

Vintage Necklaces

Vintage Necklaces,

the kind our grandmothers wore back in the 1940's and 50's.

Since clothing can get expensive, a great way to change how an outfit looks and how you present yourself in it is by what type of accessories you wear.

Necklaces don't have to be matchy matchy.. (is that even a word ;) )

Pile a whole bunch on!

The more the merrier..

I found all three of these at Goodwill..

Great place to look for accessories like this..

Makes me wonder what ever happened to all of my grandma Bessies great necklaces, I used to play dress up with as a little girl..

Hip and Charitible

I am a sucker for anything poppies.

But when I saw this bag I knew I had to have it..

I really had to have it when the price is only 10$ and $6.24 of that ten goes to Breast Cancer research..

Go and Get yourself one!!!

In This Economic Crisis..Every Penny Counts

Those who follow my blog, know I like to find a deal.. Today's deal was at Goodwill, where I hunt down designer bags, brand new clothing and other various items.. I was bored and headed there today, just trying to find something "interesting".. Well I found it.. A new holiday skirt and new holiday cardigan sweater.. Not to wear together, because too much sequin can be a bad thing.. So 80's Knots Landing you know..

Skirt $3.69 plus Sweater $4.59= $8.28 plus tax.

How do you pinch your pennies, when it comes to clothing?

Fall's Must Have....

This autumn as I scour through the fashion magazines, one things stands out besides the skinny jeans (that only a select few can pull off) is the cardigan!!!

I started digging around in my closet to see how many I had.. To my horror I had a couple and in non basic colors and a couple in basic colors.. Don't get me wrong I LOVE the sky blue and hot pink ones I have, but it is always good to have your neutrals to match everything..

I am all about all diffrent types of cardigans, so I am giving examples of what to be on the lookout for. Long, short, bell sleeved, cashmere, polyester I love them all!

I have highlighted a few of my favs from (in order) DownEast Basics, Metrostyle and Newport News.

(click on the pic to take you to their website to look at further and for pricing)

A Few Favorite Finds for the Summer!!

Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful legs.. Great for those of us who the sun seems to just burn and those who are consciencious of the sun. It gives me a nice slightly tan leg without that icky DHA smell. It claims to decrease hair growth so you don'thave to shave as much. I haven't noticed a difference, because I wax my legs.. :) YOu can get it at most mass retailers for about $8.00..

Boots Mint,Melon & Sugar scrub.. It smells so great and cools you off after a hot day in the sun!! Only $9.99 at Target! I love the boots label, they have a lot of fun things to offer!!!

Vintage Hem Giveaway!

Hurry on over to Vintage Hem's Blog!
They are giving away one of their new spring slips

called Effie's Dessert, Lady Vanilla.
You have to tell them I sent you!!:)
I hope you win!!!

Fabulousity!!!!

Some of my favorite perfumes. They are made by eco friendly Pacifica. They are divine and come in many different forms. I really like the little solid perfume in tins, and also the spray. My current two favorites are Malibu Lemon Blossom for the spring and summer and Tuscan Blood Orange for autumn and winter. Check them out!

My favorite find from late last month, was this Liz Claiborne bubblegum pink purse I picked up at Ross for 16.99, retailing for 74.00! I saw it and had to have it.. I knew instantly it would be an awesome accessory to all of my black and white clothing!!! Too bad I couldn't find a pair of heels to match!

What fun things have you found lately?

Little Miss Modest Maven and her Locks of Love donation

My 8 year old daughter has been so anxious for the day to cut her hair and donate to Locks of Love.

Today was the day!
She had 12 inches cut off and an asymetrical style after to boot..
Like mom like daughter.

Here is My $25 outfit..

I found this outfit for twenty three dollars and some change. The blue silk shirt is from Banana Republic, the grey dress pants are Tracey Evans Limited, Shoes are Liz Claiborne, belt is real leather, the necklace is oblong beads and best of all the Kate Spade bag was only three dollars. It was all new to me and I didn't use a staple from my already large wardrobe.. It can be done. What were you able to find for $25...??

The $25 Wardrobe Challenge

I want to see how creative and thrifty you all can be.

The goal here is to only spend twenty five dollars on a complete outfit.

Yes $25 and that is it..

Here are the rules

A complete outfit consists of:

Shoes

Top

Bottom

Accessories (belt, necklace, handbag)

And if you are feeling super thrifty a jacket.

You may use one item from your already owned clothing to finish the look if you are having a hard time with finding all these items on the cheap..

Where can I get these things for that cheap??

Hit your thrift store,

Deseret Industries, Goodwill, Salvation Army to name a few

Scour the clearance racks at Macy's, Target, JCPenney etc.

Try Ross, TJ Maxx and others

Have a clothing swap with friends (get rid of stuff you and they don't want)

Look online Ebay has some great deals, as well as some of the places I blog about.

I want you to blog about it on your own blog and then tell us about it and send us a link to check it out!!

You may find how easy it is to have a new outfit, for not that much.

Think of how much Mother Earth will thank you for reusing items..

Think about how much your spouse will be shocked at how much money you DIDN'T spend.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

Another Freebie. Subscription to Elle

Free Subscription to Elle from Mercury Magazines..
Click on Mag pic and fill out their stuff.
They will ask you your business and if you hit other a few times homemaker will come up to choose from..

I love FREE stuff!!

Who else loves free stuff, let me hear you HOLLA...

Top on My Wish List

Women's Regular SunShower Coat from Land's End.
My choice in the Orange Salsa Floral.

(although there are many different colors to choose from)
$79.99

a little high,

BUT it doesn't wrinkle, is machine washable and is waterproof!!!.

Zig Zag Jacket from Forever 21

I am in love with this jacket.

$15.50!!

The fact that it comes in SEVEN colors makes it even more fantastic.. I am a huge jacket wearer (thanks to What Not to Wear) and saw this one and drooled. You could wear it with almostanything. Wear it with a skirt, wear it with jeans, wear it with dress pants. You could put a ruffled shirt under it, a downeastbasics/shade/layers tee under as well. This is perfect for three of the four seasons in most of the country. I think I might could get away with this in the winter time.

At this price I can get more than one and expand my ever growing wardrobe. I do know Navy blue is first on the list. What color would you get?

Great Giveaway from The Little Window Shoppe

From The Little Window Shoppe

Prize: The winner will receive a 1 Year Subscription to Eliza Magazine

Prize: The winner will receive this cute Chic Covers Olivia Handbag

Prize: The winner will receive your very own Invitation Jane Custom Stamp and Gift Tag Set

Prize: The winner will receive a set of three DVDs from Laugh and Learn

Prize: The winner will receive a Cutie and Patootie Baby Onesie or Toddler T-shirt (your choice)!

One VERY Lucky Winner with win ALL FIVE of these Prizes!! Woo!
To Enter:
Please visit these FIVE awesome sites and then leave a comment over at the Little Window Shoppe letting us know that you want to win. This giveaway ends on Sunday, March 8th at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced at this post Monday, March 9th. Good luck, everyone!! (Please feel free to read our contest rules for additional details)
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Spice It Up!

Spice it up!

Your look that is!!

Spring and summer are just around the corner, which means bare legs.

No more constricting tights ( personally never wear pantyhose, they are so stress inducing!)

What better than to hide the flaws and use light to your advantage, than to use a shimmer lotion..

One of my favorites is By Soap and Glory (which is found at your friendly neighborhood Target)

The Soap and Glory Glow Lotion

is great for all skin colors and types and only runs $9.99. I bought some last spring and is still 3/4 full and I use it liberally!!

This is great for us gals that prefer to be free from the tyranny of pantyhose!

Free subscription to Woman's Day

Free Subscription to Woman's Day from Mercury Magazines..

Click on Mag pic and fill out their stuff.

They will ask you your business and if you hit other a few times homemaker will come up to choose from.

Also I got Metropolitan Home and Harpers Bazaar free as well. Let us know what you get!!!

Cute Shoes from Payless

$19.99 for Mary Janes with a low heel from Payless.

These really match anything. You could wear bare legged, with tights, even knee high socks for a funky look.

A red plaid wool skirt, with turtleneck in black and these with black tights would be adorable..

$24.99 from Payless.

How cute, they would match any style of jeans.

Or khakis paired with a white blouse and a jean jacket..

Navy pretty much matches anything..

$27.99 from Payless.

Some really great Retro Navy Blue Dot Peeptoes..

Just think of all the skirts, trousers and dresses you could wear these with.

A cute white dress with a blue cardigan, heck even a red one would be fun!

Favorite Body Lotion!! C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion, Lemon Sugar

I just love this lotion!

It smells so yummy, yet fresh and clean.

I bought me a bottle of it over a year ago, use it almost nightly and still have half of it left.

So in my mind this is a bargain!

$9.99 for 32 ounces of lotion.

The ingredients are the following.

A potent combo of alpha hydroxy acids works tirelessly to ditch dead skin cells and even out skin tones so even sun-damaged areas look healthy and happy.
Sweet almond, apricot kernel and shea butter oils work in perfect harmony to hydrate needy skin.
Vitamins and minerals perform like superheroes, valiantly fighting off the dastardly deeds of the harsh environmental forces that threaten our skin.
Caffeine firms and tones less-than-taut skin, making it feel youthful, revitalized and wide awake.

New Clothes for Any Budget from Chadwicks..

Asymmetric Pleat Blouse $9.99.

Comes in White only.

It would match just about everything.

Add some great accessories to spice it up..

Sheer Tuxedo Shirt$9.99.

Colors are in Ivory, Blush, Purple and Black.

Black and Ivory have the most sizes to choose from.

Put a Downeastbasics tee under it for more cover..

Pleated Tulip Skirt for $6.99.

Colors available Storm, Grey and French Pink.

Put a vintage hem under it and add a little flair..

Rose Pin Tee for $4.99.

Available in Grey, White, Pale Violet and Taupe.

Just in time for spring and summer.