Earth Tones

It is a cool, rainy day in Georgia today, and this outfit just feels right.  I love the green and brown fabrics and the pink and green in the unakite and rose gold necklace and earrings.

 

Dress, George, Walmart; sweater, Express, thrifted; belt, thrifted; shoes, 5th Avenue, Rack Room Shoes; necklace and earrings, handmade by me.

 

To follow up on yesterday's post about making the most of my fashion dollars, the total cost of my dress, sweater, belt, and shoes was $17.  Yep.  There really is a lot to be said for shopping thrift stores and clearance sections.  The low, low cost just makes me like the outfit that much more.

Shoe Quickie: Dangerous Curves

Bumper Curved Heel Strappy Wedge 
Image Credit: ZooShoo

I have been thinking a lot about getting the most bang for me sartorial buck, but these shoes are almost weird/amazing enough to be worth $49.  Almost.  

May Recap & Friday Duds

Last week was intense, and I needed the weekend to recover before I was prepared to post again.  As you can probably see in the photos below, I was bedraggled and makeup-less by Friday.  

 

Dress, Dare to Dress, thrifted; shrug, Moda International, Victoria's Secret; belt, thrifted; sandals, Merona, Target; earrings and bracelet, handmade by me; necklace, Fire Mountain Gems.

My in-laws were in town for the weekend, and it was great to see them.  As proof that I am a terrible influence, my mother-in-law got her ears pierced this weekend.  She had a second piercing done on each ear lobe.  Of course in March my mom got a cartilage piercing when I got my tragus pierced.

 

The month on the whole went much better than last week.  I lost just over six pounds, and I'm feeling somewhat better physically than I did at the beginning of the month.  

I've been walking a lot, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and mostly steering clear of foods with which I have problems with moderation.  I'm still more or less following the South Beach style of eating, but I'm consciously trying not to be rigid or punitive.  

I also took steps to check things off my to-do list that have been lingering for far too long.  I am going to continue my I'm Worth It Challenge into June, and I will see if I can end the month even healthier physically and mentally than I am today.  

Un-Limited

Let me say up front that I have no problem whatsoever with The Limited or similar mall stores.  I think they have lovely clothes, but their lovely clothes are just not quite right for me.   I stopped by the store over the weekend with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and my first reaction was that I wanted everything in the store... Then I realized that I have a lot of clothes that are very similar to styles found in the store, but mine cost a tiny fraction of theirs.

Striped Cardigan: $38.43
Image Credit: The Limited

This cardigan was the first item that caught my eye.  It has sequins (!), but I actually like the one I am wearing today better.  I think the progressively larger navy stripes in my version are slimming and add visual interest.

Cardigan, George, Walmart; tank, Oscar de la Renta; jeans, Miss Tina, Walmart; belt, Claire's; sandals, Born, Younkers; earrings, So & So, etsy; necklace, handmade by me.

My cardigan: $8 on clearance at Walmart.

 

 

The belt was a find from this weekend.  It was only $1 at Claire's.

This wasn't the only doppelganger I encountered at The Limited:

A pretty floral dress: $62.93
Image Credit: The Limited

My similar shirt:

$6 on clearance at Target

A pretty cutout dress: $62.93
Image Credit: The Limited

My cutout dress (not yet worn): $24.99
I had a 10% off coupon,
so I actually paid $22.49.

Image Credit: Target

Are the more expensive clothes better quality?  Probably, but I know that my clothes are more likely to die from coffee spills or be exiled due to boredom than they are to wear out over years of wear.  I also like a lot of variety in my wardrobe, and I can afford to buy more pieces at discount and thrift stores.  For someone who has just a few key wardrobe pieces, mall stores may be perfect for you, but I think I'll stick to being unlimited.

Today is Visible Monday, and I feel both visible and fashionable beyond my means.  Check out what makes other bloggers feel visible at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style blog.