Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show

Welcome to my Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show.

For this week's Frugal Fashionista, I am giving you a "real life" look at what I wore each day.
As always, every single piece of clothing and accessories have been purchased second hand at yard sales or thrift stores. I purchased ALL of my outfits this week for a total cost of $28 for the entire wardrobe. This definitely "works for me."
I was at a home school conference Monday through Wednesday, so my choices needed to be a bit more dressy than sweats. :)

Monday - I dealt with my love of black dresses last week, and I should have just said that black pieces in general are my "go to" items for times I am in a hurry or indecisive. If I am rushed and have only minutes to get ready, I know that I can grab any variety of black pieces and it creates a classy look.

Total cost: $9.99
Sunglasses - $1 (yard sale)
Shirt - $1 (ys)
Necklace - $1 (ys)
Gab Shorts - $3 (thrift store)
Anne Taylor shoes - $3.99 (thrift store)

When I find shirts with a unique style twist to them, I snatch them up. I should have done a side shot because the fabric is cut longer around the hips and gives a unique look at the waist.

This is where you are thinking I'm trying to be "movie starish" with my sun glasses.
The truth? I had no make up on and didn't want to go apply some just for a picture. :)

A great pair of shoes elevates everything else in an outfit. For years, I didn't care a bit about shoes, so it's quite ironic that I now have quite a collection of them.
Five years ago, I rarely wore heels. Now I realize that the right shoe lengthens the leg, narrows the ankle, and slims the foot, or at least give that illusion (and isn't that what we care about)?
I still put comfort at a premium, so this heel is as high as I will ever go (and that's two inches higher than last year). ;) I will address choosing heels when Frugal Fashionista deals with shoes.
Tuesday - I love hues of green, and was thrilled when I found this silk shirt at the Salvation Army in Myrtle Beach (there is a total bedlam moment story with that purchase).

Total cost: $10.50
525 Shirt - $3.00 (thrift store)
9 and Company Capris - $4 (Junior League thrift store)
Hype brand shoes - $1 (yard sale)
Necklace - $0.50 (yard sale)
Earrings - $2

Ten hours earlier, this outfit looked much better...pardon the wrinkles. Again, another shirt with a unique twist. The sleeves are what got me. Look for those unique elements. This shirt was smooshed between a wrack of "trash," and I think I found a treasure from my hunt.
My day was just made when my youngest son pointed out that my feet looked like they were an 80 year old woman's. Ah...from the mouths of babes.
Over the course of two months, this entire outfit, with accessories, came together perfectly. Unfortunately, missing from the pictures was a fabulous blue/green bracelet that I wore for the day. This is a great example of the thrill of the hunt. I look for what I love and slowly outfits come together. The fact that I found so many things in the same color palette was just plain fun!

Wednesday - Am I going to say that this is the epitome of fashion?
No, but it's just fun, cute, and makes people happy when they see the pink. :)
My youngest daughter took this picture, and I probably should have checked it first. :) This spandex/nylon mix pink shirt is SO comfy, I could wear it every day. It's a style that looks great on every body size (even if you can't see it so well on this pic).

Total cost: $6

Shirt - $1 (yard sale)
Skirt - $1 (yard sale)
Croft and Barrow leather sandals
like new - yard sale $2
Jewelry - $2

Again, another fun, hot pink, casual look.
This dress is one I would wear around the house just because of it's comfort level.
And no, I would never wear the hat....it's actually in the Good Will box. ;)

Total Cost: $3
Dress - $2 (yard sale)
Flip flops - $1 (ys)

It completely matches my geraniums!
But shame, shame...this outfit is NOT complete without the necklace (which was left upstairs).
I forgot to get the picture in real time. :)

It has some beautiful bead work which makes it dressy enough for church if I throw a pair of nice shoes with it, but most of the time...
I wear it with these casual, flip flops. Now, is that a match or what? I found the sandals first, and then the dress. Yes, you can tell I wear these a lot.
Many people have remarked that their thrift stores are much higher in price than ours seem to be. I am thankful for the selection that we have, but I also don't buy things unless I feel that I am really getting a great deal, so that's what you are seeing. We have many thrift stores that mark items higher, but I have found the days when sales are offered or items are marked down, and only shop on those specified days. I can be much pickier at thrift stores because of the jack pots that I tend to hit at yard sales. That is where you will see your greatest values for any kind of items. When people have a lot of clothes to move, they will sell it to get rid of it, and then we can scoop it up and show it here. :) Thanks for letting me show my "scores."
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Posted at: Works for me Wednesday, Hooked on Houses...I'm hooked on frugal fashions. and
The Inspired Room\

I love seeing your Frugal Fashionista finds, but please follow these few "rules" so that everyone can join in.
1. Include your post showing us your Frugal Fashionista finds.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam in your post so everyone will know where to come to find all the other fashion fun.
Thanks for playing along. It's so fun to encourage everyone that Frugality can be Fun and Fabulous!

Kraft First Taste Program

I posted about this a few weeks ago, but the offer was gone quickly. If you didn't get a chance to sign up to be a Kraft Taste Tester last time, try again. This gives you access to their Taste Tester site and you will receive coupons to try free Kraft products and then give your feedback.
Considering that I have printed a TON of coupons from Kraft and am taking advantage of all this free cheese, I must say....I LOVE KRAFT! Click banner below.
Sorry for the goofy spacing. I can't figure it out.

Glidden Paint - FREE National Paint Giveaway

Decisions like this KILL ME!
How can I pick out just one color of paint when there are SO many great ones on their palette?
Well, I had to make this decision quickly because Glidden is giving away a free quart of paint to YOU!
The page is loading VERY slowly because so many are taking advantage of their generous offer, but patience is a virtue...hurry, while supplies last through July 2. ;)

I chose turquoise. I am going to paint a $5 yard sale bench and put it under a shade tree.....yipee!

They're watching....

Reminder - Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show tomorrow -

Friday, June 26

mod·el·ing (mdl-ng)
1. The act or art of sculpturing or forming in a pliable material

It's amazing how my daughter watches me in the little things...
things I don't realize...things that pass me by without pause, but she notices.

She watches, she listens, she repeats...William Bennet stated, "there is nothing more influential, more determinant in a child's life than the moral power of a quiet example."
These precious pictures are a reminder of the power that I hold in the shaping of my childrens' lives. Whew- I don't take that lightly.

When I was looking through my camera card, I came across these two pictures that my daughter took of her favorite sandals.

My sweet Kindergartner wanted to be like her mommy.
She watched, listened and repeated.
She watched the little things, like her mommy taking pictures of silly feet for her blog, and she repeated what I modeled for her.
What else am I modeling, and I don't even know it?

mod·el·ing (mdl-ng)n.
3. The act or profession of being a model.

So on a very literal note, I do think we have just met the newest generation of Frugal Fashionistas.

Do you think I should pop her bubble by telling her that her most beloved sandals have seen their better days, and I was planning on throwing the ratty things away before I saw these pictures?
Are you kidding? If she thinks these close ups are worth a Frugal Fashionista blog post, so do I...
I desire to look through the "lens" of my daughter to always peel away the layers of bedlam and see the beauty.
Don't you want to be here in the morning when she sees her shoes are now "famous."
Oh, it's going to be priceless.
Posted at: Chatting at the Sky

How's that for a reminder to come join us tomorrow for our Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show?
Come link up and show off what great frugal finds you've found in the world of fashion.
I'll try and have the post up by midnight, so feel free to link up early. :)
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Enjoy these summer recipe inspirations....I LOVE this newsletter. :)

The Best Salad Ever - Asian Citrus Salad

As much as I love salad, I find that I stick to my favorite stand byes and don't venture out with interesting flavors nearly enough.
I am so glad that I broke loose with this Asian Citrus Salad. I would never have guessed that this blend of flavors would be so delicious. Now, the best salad ever? Yes, I know it's a matter of opinion, but I'm just saying - you won't be disappointed.
This has been a family favorite for years now and I literally can't make enough of it.
No matter how large I make the salad, it's gone....every time.

Now I wish that I could tell you exact amounts, but I have been making this salad for so long, I don't even know the original recipe. Add the ingredients to taste.
*Romaine lettuce
*radishes
*red onion
*grilled chicken (I add a bit of soy sauce on it).
*orange segments (typically I use drained mandarin oranges for ease)
*slivered, toasted almonds (I tend to omit due to cost, but they really add a great touch)
*Chow Mein noodles sprinkled on top



Tossing the salad in this home made Asian dressing is the ingredient that puts this salad in a category of its own. The beauty is that it only takes a few minutes to whip together. Why pay $10.99 for this at a restaurant when it will match any gourmet salad hands down? :)

My children will eat plates and plates of salad as long as this dressing is drizzled on top. I was first introduced to this recipe from the side of my PC dressing carafe. I could never share the recipe with any one since the exact amounts are not given, so I finally measured them out after years of being asked.

ASIAN DRESSING
Add the following ingredients and mix when finished:
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 Pressed garlic clove
2 tsp. Sugar
1 cup Vegetable Oil (I use canola)

Give this a try...your kids will even eat radishes with this dressing, and that's quite a feat for any mom.
I told you I could never make enough. They literally took pieces of lettuce to get the last of the dressing.
What do you have to share for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods?

As always, please follow the simple guidelines or post will be deleted.
1. Include your post showing us your Tasty Tuesday recipe or ideas.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.