Sometimes I feel a bit like Carrie, although I never dress nearly as well or crazy as her. I just mean that sometimes I feel like I’m wearing little outfits - she does rocker one day, peasant the next, etc. I’ve been trying to do this as well. Not so much trying to make characters out of myself but really step outside my comfort zones for clothes, be open-minded/brave and wear things I wouldn’t necessarily say are ‘me’.

This skirt is the perfect example – hadn’t worn it till yesterday because I wasn’t sure how really. (Elia was so kind to take my pictures for me yesterday at our bloggers’ lunch – thanks girl!) And please ignore the hair – I got lazy!

The skirt is from the 80′s maybe? It was $1.99 at a resale shop; Top is actually a dress from Old Navy bought way back when; Necklace was $2 at a garage sale, Shoes were about the same at a thrift store; Belt (which is dark brown and gold) was mere cents at Goodwill.

Another example of my rebellion (that you can’t really tell from the pictures) is that I’m wearing this color on my hands. I never wear crazy colors on my hands, usually reserve them for the toesies. But I love it! It’s called “My Chihuahua Bites” from OPI.

This weekend will be full of usual but with the exciting task of getting ready to bring home the newest member of our family – Trigger! Our long-haired German Shepherd Dog puppy will hopefully come home with us next week!! Will keep you all updated and of course will inundate you with pictures.

Have a blessed weekend!

Ok, I caved. But before I tell you about that, here are some pictures from the weekend. We spent the weekend doing some errands, trying out Chedd’s and Taco More, dog training, partying on 6th for a friend’s birthday and at my parents’ for Sunday Dinner:

Training at Town Lake:

Sunglasses, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $98

Took these pictures outside Flower Child, where I’m doing some marketing and image consulting. Love the mural!

Whole outfit cost $6.00! This romper was $2.00. Yes, $2.00. I bought this last week prior to the ban (see what I mean about having clothes I haven’t worn?). It’s from Kohl’s where it was on sale for $7, then I used a $5 off anything coupon (which Bear discovered we could get for signing up on the email list). Then my mom used a 20% coupon as well. Course then she paid for it with so technically it was a gift but whatevs. $2.00! I’ve been wanting one all summer. The frog belt was a buck at a garage sale and shoes were $3 at another garage sale. Whoo!

I know I recently wore the top (OK, earlier this week, don’t judge); Shorts from Old Navy; Shoes were from a Savers-like-but-cheaper store in Houston called the Sand Dollar and only $2; Clutch is old-school Charlotte Russe; Bracelets $5 a piece from Le Tigre Outlet; Rings from Aldo (never buy gold jewelry from there, never stays gold).

(And yes, I know my eye looks weird – it’s my bionic eye. No seriously, that’s a fake lens you’re seeing. Maybe one day I’ll regale you with the stories of my many eye surgeries. Maybe. Maybe not.)

Now for my Necessary Purchase #1:

I texted Elia frantically about a $1.00 resale store sale I was trying to resist (and did, huzzah!) but then later I realized I was wearing heels and I had to go train doggies. But then I thought, tax-free weekend! And I could really go for some red Tom’s which I have been craving forever and are obviously never on sale. Elia gave me the green light. It was just meant to be.

4 more left!

Went to another fashion bloggers lunch at La Sombra yesterday:

< top – $17.50 at F21; gold silk shorts – $10 at Express outlet. Please ignore my tank top tanline. Comes with the dogwalking business. >

< These only $2.50 or so at the Salvation Army! >

< Bangles – about $5-10 bucks apiece at Le Tigre Outlet, which I think is now closed in San Marcos; Ring - theclaspofisis Etsy shop >

All these pictures were taken by my fabulous new friend and blogger: Katie of Her Side Project. She and her work are beautiful! Thanks so much Katie!

…..

So, y’all.

I have too many clothes. And quite possibly a shopping addiction. With an upwards of 50 shoes, I can’t stop. I can’t tell you how many things in my closet I have not yet even worn! And Bear doesn’t help because we go garage sale-ing and buy things for the house/knick-knacks. Oops.

Granted, everything I buy is inexpensive since I rarely shop at the mall or buy things not on sale. But I did just that this week. The top I’m wearing above was not on sale and it was from F21. Boo. But it was what I call a Necessary Purchase. As in, it was necessary for me to purchase it to complete either a look and round out my wardrobe or get me ready for the next season or make me happy.

My girl Elia (how cute is she??):

Yesterday I discovered she also has a problem. Here’s her proof: her inventory. I don’t have patience (or a clean enough closet) to do all that right now so you’ll have to trust me when I say I’m just as bad.

So we decided that we need to go on a Shopping Ban!

Here are our rules:

1) You may use giftcards.

2) You may accept gifts.

3) NO frivolous shopping/purchases.

4) 1 month

5) Things on your Necessary Purchases list (5 max) are allowed.

Here’s my Necessary Purchases list:

Nude Pumps

(found courtesy of my girl Sydney, Wardrobe Consultant Extraordinaire!)

Chambray Shirt (I’m thinking a lighter color)

Maxi Dress (not entirely sure about this one)

And I can’t think of 2 other things just now (possibly some more cardigans? I’m sure some unique shoes will also be found necessary at some point – maybe booties!) so I’ll leave them open. Cheating? Yeah but it will still only be the 2 items and only if they are deemed necessary.

Wish us luck!

Sorry for being so MIA. My uncle passed away last week and we’ve had lots of things to take care of. As a family, we have come to terms with the great loss but have tried to spend time honoring him and celebrating his life. I appreciate all the support, y’all.

I did, however, make it out today for the Denim and Lace event at Hem Jeans here in Austin for Austin Fashion Week as a guest blogger for my friend Joanna of Keep Austin Stylish. Here’s what I wore:

Finally wore my gold sequined skirt from Michael Kors, my new favorite white t-shirt, and some garage sale shoes I picked up for $3.

So go check it out here and I promise to be back soon.

Hugs!

The winner is….

Congrats, TARA!!

The best part of being back in Austin is that I am home. Which means everywhere I go, I am on the lookout for someone I know from my childhood or college. Beau is a friend I have known since middle school and he recently opened a flower shop, Flower Child. We saw an opportunity for me to use my Marketing degree to help business. I LOVE IT. They are really letting me go to town updating their image and I get paid in flowers. This gig will look excellent in my bag of tricks if I decide to continue doing image and marketing consulting for small businesses – which I think I just might have to.

Another fun perk is that I got to do my first photo shoot and be a model for a print featuring the flowers to go up in the store. The photographer, Josh Baker of Azulox, is super fun to work with and made my first time a breeze.

Here are my favorite shots:

Tomorrow marks the two-year anniversary of Bear and I’s first date. We went to ZuZu’z Handmade Mexican in St. Louis (because that’s where our travels allowed us to meet up). But we celebrated a little earlier this week because tomorrow is also Papa Bear’s 60th Birthday and we are throwing him a big surprise party, complete with a new Wii.

Bear surprised me by finding the exact same restaurant in Austin (we didn’t know there were any others and improvised with Mission Burrito last year)! How sweet is he?

Another pleasant surprise – I found the most perfect white tee at H&M while I was in D.C.

Shirt was only about $8 at H&M, shorts, shoes and necklace I can’t remember but I think the shorts are Old Navy. Help me decide – yay or nay on the red lipstick? Bear hates it.

Of course all good dates involve dessert. We finished off the night with cupcakes and ice cream from Lick it, Bite it or Both!

Have a memorable weekend!