Trendy Thrifted Tween

Hello Ladeebugs,

I have a little something different for you guys this post! My photographer decided to face the other end of the lens and show us what she is working with! My beautiful daughter has been taking my shots since the beginning of my blog and she does a great job. She is always stylish and I thought it would be great to give you guys a fresh look from someone that looks way better than I do. 

She is like the average twelve year old and the idea of thrifting didn't sound fun to her initially. I think she thought I was crazy. Now she loves the great finds but she still is not a fan of the "hunt". I drag her with me sometimes just to torture her (and I like spending time with her). I think she'll appreciate it more later. Lately she has gotten into finding vintage tees and cutting them up. Like mother, like daughter.

I think this look is young and cute. Mixing prints is very trendy now and, when done right, it really works. 

What she is wearing:

Top - Thrifted pin striped vest. 1.99 

            Basic white tee .50

Bottom - Thrifted multi-colored print mini skirt .99

Kicks - SO wedge sneakers on sale at Kohls for 24.99. For some reason they are more expensive online but you can find them here.

Entire look (without accessories) was 28.47!!

She adores the "nerd" glasses. 

Here's a closer look at her accessories...

My daughter has a love affair with this mouse!

The black bracelet says Dance. 

This is her first pair of shoes with a heel to them. I call her the Converse Kid because about 80% of her shoes are Converse or "Converse" style.

Just remember when mixing prints it is good to tie the prints together by a common color or pattern. But I always say if it makes you feel good, wear it! 

Keep it lovely ladees!

~LC

I'm Yours

Hey Ladeebugs!

I apologize for the long gap between posts but I have been very busy preparing for the next phase of my life which I am sure you guys will appreciate later. I have big things happening in my life right now and I am both grateful and exhausted. I have also had the blog updated with a new look and I hope you guys like it.

Because I have been so busy, casual chic has been my style for the last few weeks. I know there are a lot of busy women who can appreciate a cute but comfy look. What woman you know hasn't thrown on a hat and jeans and hit the ground running? But just because you are short on time doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style.

Today's look is brought to you by my favorite discount store, Tarjay (Target). The top and bottom are both from there. I bought the boyfriend jeans almost two years ago and they are my "go to" jeans when I want comfort and style. I have paired them with a cute blazer and sexy shoe for happy hour and I have worn them with a tank top for a run to the grocery store. They fit great and they are my favorite jeans right now. They have a little stretch in them so they bend and give when you need it. Perfect for any women on the go.

What I am wearing:

Top - Oversized lightweight sweater with floral printing from Target $8.98 on clearance.

Bottom - "Worn" boyfriend jeans from Target 11.98 on clearance.

Crown -  Flat cap is from the Gap's men section for only $7.00 on clearance.

Kicks - Purple patent leather Moda pumps from DSW for $20.00 on clearance.

 

The total look (without handbag and jewelry) was $47.96!

My purple patent leather belt was only 25 cents at a resale shop!

 

My Coach bag was purchased about six years ago from the Coach outlet. I love carrying it in the spring and summer.

The shoes are really comfortable.

 

Rocking my diamonds and pearls. :)

 

Thanks for taking a peek. I know it doesn't take much effort to put a look like this together but I like to inspire real women who have more on their plate than planning their outfits for the week. Some days we have to just get up and go. Why not do it in style?

Keep it lovely ladees!
~LC

A Checkered Past

Hello Ladeebugs!

Okay, so I went way back in the deep dark crevices of my closet and pulled out these great gaucho pants, some may refer to them as a cropped palazzo pant. I completely forgot that I found two pairs of these throwbacks at a thrift store a few years ago. I was excited when I found them but I wasn't sure what to pair them with until I put them on and saw how they looked a lot like a maxi skirt. So now the possibilities became endless.
Gauchos, named after the South American cowboy, has a history as far back as the '30s. I love the comfort of these wide-leg wonders and my other pair, which are denim, will be making an appearance on the blog...I am sure of it. I felt very reminiscent of Katherine Hepburn or Marlene Dietrich, who brought femininity and grace to menswear. The ones I am wearing in this post have a checkered print that may look a little busy in the images but the print is fun and flirty.

What I am wearing:
Top - Thrifted Black Vest $1.99
Pant - Thrifted Checkered Gauchos $4.99
Kicks - Gianni Bini Strappy Bootie via Dillards annual sale $26.99 (worn in previous post here. )
Entire outfit without accessories....................$33.97!!!

 

Here is a closer look at my accessories...

My black zipper clutch was purchased from a consignment shop named Clothes Mentor for $7.00. (Seen in a previous post here.)

Sunnies are a knock off that I got from a discount store for $5.00.

I have been told before that because I am so short that I couldn't pull off a wide leg pant but my rule of thumb is try it on first before turning it down. I never let anyone else dictate what makes me feel beautiful and confident. So show all those naysayers who they really dealing with. :-)

Until next time...

Keep it lovely ladees!
~LC

I'd Liked To Get Away...

Hello Ladeebugs!

This past weekend I tried an outfit that made me think of getting far away from my busy life. It was sunny and breezy out and I felt blessed to be alive. I imagined arriving in an island airport to begin a wonderful vacation. I didn't actually go on a vacation but it sure was fun pretending. One of these days, I will make my dream a reality but until then I will fake it until I make it.

In this post I am wearing a cute short summer dress from Target that was clearanced for $7.00. I got it last summer and I fell in love with the stripes and pockets. I paired it with a thrifted denim sleeveless shirt that I got for 2.99. I have had the straw fedora for a while and I can't remember where I purchased it but you can get one like it here. My shoes were also from Target from several years ago for $10.00.

The total cost of my outfit...$20.00!!!

Here's a closer look at the accessories...

These are my favorite sunnies right now. I got them at a Banana Republic outlet for only $5.00!

The handbag was given to me by a great friend who sold handbags. It is always good to have good friends in the fashion industry.

Thanks for taking a look and I hope this inspires you to find your cute "get away" outfit.

What article of clothing is a must have when you are on vacation? Leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Keep it lovely Ladees!
~LC

5 Money-Saving Makeup Tips for Today's Woman

Hello Ladeebugs!
In today's social media climate, we are inundated with posts and videos of makeup artist who are giving us play by play on how to achieve the look of someone straight out of Elle magazine. They talk about different brush numbers, how to use the latest and greatest products, and they are even gracious enough to show us tricks they've learned along the way. I must admit, I too spend countless hours viewing and learning from these great MUAs of today. I think they are very talented professionals and it takes a true artist to pull off some of the amazing looks they demonstrate.
Even though I love practicing these techniques, in my day to day living I really don't have the time nor the budget to pull off such feats. I am an accountant in my regular 9-5 and going to work with a full beat down face (that is a term MUAs use for a complete and gorgeous makeup job on a face) usually doesn't happen. I have also done the research and some of the brushes and makeup that are used today are simply too costly for me. I believe in the philosophy of 'being smart today can pay off tomorrow'. So I want to share some of my tips for achieving a beautiful face without spending hours in front of the mirror (because lets face it, time is money) and depleting your discretionary funds when they could be better utilized somewhere else.

Tip 1:
To make room in your budget for some great products, take a close look at where your "play money" goes. A lot of us don't realize how many times we stop at Starbucks or buy lunch everyday. Try making your coffee at home or better yet use the free coffee that is supplied on most jobs and use that $3 or $4 towards your next beauty product. Also, pack your lunch for the day and you will be surprised how much you save at the end of the week. This not only works for having available funds for your makeup splurges but you can also use this to grow a bigger nest egg (sorry that is the accountant in my coming out).

Tip 2:
Go with a cheaper brand of brushes and makeup. There is nothing wrong with heading to your local Target or Walmart for brushes and makeup. E.L.F. makes good inexpensive brushes that could work for your daily usage. I like to use Sonia Kashuk brushes that are exclusively at Target. It beats paying $20-60 per brush for the designer brands. I also like trying out other makeup lines whose prices do not shock my wallet. Maybelline, Covergirl, and Revlon all a part of my products that I use on a regular basis and looks just as good as the higher designer lines.

Tip 3:
I do splurge on the higher lines when my budget permits but keep your eyes open for budget-saving opportunities. For example, MAC has a "Back to MAC program" where you can turn in six empty MAC containers for a free lipstick. Try signing up with different lines on Facebook. They offer deals and freebies from time to time.

Tip 4:
Just like with apparel, when the seasons change there is a new line of makeup and nail polishes. Head to your favorite discount store and check out what they have in their clearance section. You will be surprised how many great products you get for minimum cost. Make sure you check out this section right at the turn of the season for first pick of the sale items. I'll probably see you there.

Tip 5:
Last but not least, search the internet for coupons. There are plenty of sites that link you to great savings and discount coupons. You can even sign up on the actual line's website like Maybelline and Sephora for great savings sent straight to your email.

I hope these tips help you budget for some great products. If you can offer more tips to help the readers, please leave it in a comment below. I would love to hear your suggestions.

Keep it lovely ladees!
~LC

Spring has sprung!!

Hello Ladeebugs!

As you can see, it has a been a while since my last post. A lot of great things has happened to me since then but now it is spring and I couldn't be more excited! I am not really a fan of cold weather. Now that things are warming up, I am ready to get back to bringing you more great style and budget advice. When I think of spring, I think of lots of fun colors. This post is full of color and fun that won't hurt your budget.

Because the weather can be a little unpredictable in spring, layering is ideal. In this post, I am wearing a white Banana Republic blazer that was thrifted for 5.99 (worn in a previous post), a periwinkle tank top from Target for 6.00, a multi-colored maxi skirt thrifted for 1.99, and black/white/gold Vinta ankle strap heels from Target on sale for 24.99 (find here). The total outfit...$38.97!!

I picked one of the windiest days to shoot these photos but the colors in this skirt made bearing the wind worth it. 

I copped these sunnies at Banana Republic outlet for only $5.00! The hot pink snakeskin clutch is from Sam Moon for $11.99 (find here).

Here's a closer look at my accessories...

Gold accessories to match the gold accent on the shoes. Remember your makeup and nail polish color are accessories too. You can add a little pop of color there to brighten up any outfit. 

I absolutely love these heels! The white strap has a snakeskin detail and they are super comfortable.

Layering is great because if the weather shifts and gets hotter just remove the blazer. You are ready for whatever spring has coming.

As usual, I had fun shooting these photos for you guys. I hope you like them and you find some sort of style inspiration.

Keep it lovely ladees!
~LC