Red, Black, Grey, White & Blue All Over

Sometimes I find that I can buy an amazing piece of clothing and only manage to wear it once or twice due to the fact that I struggle to style it. This is what I came across with this chevron patterned button-up I purchased at American Eagle about 6 months ago. I LOVED the pattern of this shirt, which is why I bought it, but I found it a little difficult to work with since it is can be a little dizzy and the cut of the shirt is a little boxy. Due to the nature of this blog, I decided to try to restyle this shirt and bring it new life in my wardrobe. This is what I came up with...  

1. What are you wearing? How long have you owned these items? 
·                     American Eagle Outfitters Chevron Button-Up
·                     Levi's Red Cardgian
·                     PacSun Grey Infinity Scarf
·                     Levi's Women's Cropped 501's
·                     Black Target Loafers
I have owned everything in this outfit for over 3 months excluding the 501's which I purchased last week for $25. 

2. Where are you going today?
I went to a movie with some friends!

3. What was your outfit inspiration? What were you trying to say?My inspiration or goal in this case was to recreate this top. This whole blog is about recreation and budgeting and I think that I've learned a lot about myself by doing this as well as achieved success in being innovative with my closet. 

4. How does this outfit/item make you feel? I always feel good about myself when I am able to be excited about what I am wearing and I was really excited to wear this particular top again in a new way. 

5. What comments or reactions if any have you gotten?I got a lot of compliments on this shirt and a lot of people couldn't believe it when I said it came from American Eagle Outfitters. Not only did I surprise myself with my outfit, but others around me as well. Fashion is all about surprises. :)

Splurge

Sometimes people deserve to spend a little bit of money on themselves. If I have learned one thing about myself throughout the course of making this blog it is that I can in fact, make great outfits from clothing that I have owned and remake them into something new. This was something that I wanted to learn about myself and I did. It was a challenge but I figured that I deserved a reward, and that reward was a $76 Topshop sweater.

1. What are you wearing? How long have you owned these items?

·                     Topshop Sweater

·                     Levi's Brown High Rise Skinny Jeans

·                     PacSun Floral Scarf

·                     Teal Converse

I have owned everything except for my Topshop sweater for over 3 months. The sweater, though it wasn't a huge splurge made me feel good. I love the brand and have always wanted to own a piece from them so I figured that my hard work deserved a little reward. ; )

2. Where are you going today?

I went to Ikea and Target to grab a few things.

3. What was your outfit inspiration? What were you trying to say?

Since I am always on the move I wanted to feel comfortable and most of all warm since it has been getting colder lately. What is better than a warm sweater in the fall?

4. How does this outfit/item make you feel? 

My splurge was totally worth it because I love this sweater. It is just want I needed for this season and the fact that is Topshop makes it so much better!

5. What comments or reactions if any have you gotten?

I didn't get any comments on it today, however when I bought it I definitely got some great compliments. It's such a great sweater for the season and I absolutely love it. It was worth every penny! 

Double Life

When you're working and a student sometimes it feels like you live a double life (especially when you have to go from work to school or vise versa) and sometimes dressing for both can be a little tricky. At school I always want to be comfortable, but when you work in a retail environment, you can't really just show up to work in sweatpants. Keeping this in mind I looked to pick out something that was cute, comfortable and work appropriate for this week's outfit.

1. What are you wearing? How long have you owned these items?

·                     PacSun Nollie Cardigan

·                     Levi's White Flowly Button-Up

·                     Levi's Tribal Print Denim Legging

·                     Forever 21 Collar Necklace

·                     Toms Desert Wedge

I have owned all of these items for at least 9 months (I have owned the cardigan for 3 years!).

2. Where are you going today?

I went to work and then to school. You can definitely say I had a busy day.

3. What was your outfit inspiration? What were you trying to say?

Like I previously mentioned, for this outfit I was looking mostly for versatility. When it comes to this pair of tribal leggings I definitely get that. Not only are they comfortable, they are SO cute.

4. How does this outfit/item make you feel? 

This outfit is so easy and trendy that it really makes me feel like I hardly had to try to look put together. I usually have to run out of the house with my breakfast in hand in order to make it to class or work on time so knowing that making an outfit can be easy and quick feels great.

5. What comments or reactions if any have you gotten?

Whenever I wear these pants I get complimented on them. People can hardly believe it when I tell them they are Levi's either!

Girl On Fire

This Halloween I didn't really have the time or money to buy a costume so I decided to see what I could come up with out of my own closet. After looking around I ended up on finding a great Katniss Everdeen costume that cost me almost nothing!

1. What are you wearing? How long have you owned these items?

· Levi's Blue Peasant Top
· Vintage Army Jacket

· The Hunger Games movie 'Mockingjay Pin'

· Levi's Black Leggings

· Reflection Black Boots

· Target Bow & Arrow Set

The only items that I didn't already own for this costume were the bow and arrow which I purchased at Target for $10. Every other part of my outfit came from my closet and I have owned them all for at least 6 months.

2. Where are you going today?

I went to work!

3. What was your outfit inspiration? What were you trying to say?

My inspiration was The Hunger Games' main character 'Katniss Everdeen' who I was portraying in my costume. I wanted to have something fun to wear for Halloween that I could still wear to work and this costume totally worked for both!

4. How does this outfit/item make you feel? 

It made me feel great to know that I didn't have to spend over $100 to get a great costume for Halloween. I have spent so much money in the past on an outfit I would only wear once and the fact that I pulled 99% of my costume out of my closet from items I wear everyday is just awesome!

5. What comments or reactions if any have you gotten?

I got a few comments on my costume actually so it is clear that it was definitely worth the whole $10 I spent on it! :)

I even learned how to braid my hair the way they braid it in the movie. Talk about authentic! ;)