Dec 7, 2012
Welcome to week two of BYOB – Build Your Outfit Basics.
Each Friday in December I’ll be featuring a different outfit builder from my Five Wardrobe Basics for Real Moms post. If you missed week one’s BYOB it was all about skinny jeans, you can find it HERE. Follow along every week and build your own wardrobe or update some of your old favorites.
This week’s outfit builder is one of my favorites…FLATS! Two years ago, the only pair of flats I owned was my running shoes. Holy moly! Then I started working from home full-time and my whole wardrobe shifted, especially my footwear. Now I have a pair of flats in almost every color and style imagineable and I don’t know what I’d do without them. Heels be damned, I’m a flats girl now!
You asked and I’m listening. Going forward, there will be three different price points for Payday Pretty inspiration – $20 and under, $50 and under and $100 and under. It’s all up to you what you want to take out of the budget for your Payday Pretty. Like me, many of you like to mix high with low so I’m going to offer you options to do the same!
Here are this week’s picks for my favorite flats.
[From L to R: Leopard Smoking Flats – $19.97/Pyton Pointed Toe Flats – $40/Zebra Ballet Flats – $98]
$20 and Under
[American Rag Color Block Flats]
$50 and Under
[Elle Ballet Flats]
$100 and Under
[Steven by Steve Madden]
PAYDAY PRETTY CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY
I’m so inspired by all of you Payday Pretty challengers. You are finding AH-MAZING buys! If you haven’t participated in Payday Pretty yet, now’s the perfect time. I’m giving away a $20 Target gift card every Friday for the next five weeks. All you have to do is take $20, $50 or $100 out of the weekly budget, do something pretty for yourself and then show me what you got! Here are the ways you can enter:
1. If you’re a blogger, write about Payday Pretty in a post and link back to me.
2. Post a photo to the GYPO Facebook page showing me what you got.
3. Tweet about the Payday Pretty Challenge Giveaway.
4. Leave me a blog post comment telling me what you got.
Happy shopping and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Drum roll, please…
Week One’s Payday Pretty Challenge winner is
Bobbie B.!
Congratulations Bobbie! Your $20 Target gift card is on it’s way. I hope you do something pretty for yourself with it!
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Dec 6, 2012
It’s time for Ask Alison, my weekly feature where I answer reader submitted questions about style challenges. Here’s this week’s dilemma:
Hi Alison! I took part in my first Payday Pretty this week and got a great statement necklace for $16. Problem is, I’m not quite sure how to wear it. Can you show me some ways? – Kelly
Hey Kelly! Woo hoo, a Payday Pretty virgin! Wait, that doesn’t sound right. How about first timer? That’s better. So glad you played along and got yourself this pretty sparkler for a steal. I’d be happy to show you a couple of options.
LOOK ONE: K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Sweetie! Let your sparkler be the star by displaying it against the backdrop of a short sleeved black sweater. Pair it up with colored denim and add a dash of leopard for a simple pulled together look.
LOOK TWO: Casual Glam – Wear your statement necklace over a plaid button down to glam up a casual look. Pair it with boyfriend jeans and a rugged heeled ankle boot.
SHOP THESE LOOKS!
The Necklace
Do you have a style question for Ask Alison? Submit it HERE and you could see it answered on the blog.
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Dec 5, 2012
I’m so excited, ya’ll! My very first Birchbox arrived last week. Yes, I realize that I’m late to the game but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for like, foreva.
If you’re not familiar with Birchbox, it’s this little box of happiness that arrives once a month filled up with a curated mix of luxe beauty product samples. Best part, it’s only $10 a month! Totally Payday Pretty approved.
Here are the little luxuries I got in my first box:
November 2012 Birchbox: Stila highlighter, Color Club nail polish in Put a Pin in It, Sheaterra Organics Bananas & Baobabs Whipped Shea Butter body moisture cream, John Varvatos Artisan eau de toilette,Keras tase Chroma Riche conditioning packets, a cute hair tie and a coupon for $15 off a purchase at Chromatic.
Do you know a woman who could use a little luxury in her life? Maybe it’s you! A Birchbox subscription makes a great gift. You can purchase one month for $10, three months for $30, six months for $60 or a year for $110. There’s something at every price point, depending on how much you want to spend. (Psst, don’t tell the women on my Christmas list but they’ll be getting these this year!)
OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Today’s outfit is another “pin-spired” look that I re-created last week for Pinterest Told Me To. I really, really love this outfit and even wore it to church last Sunday.
Inspiration look:
[Via]
My Interpretation:
[Denim Shirt: H&M/Cardigan: Target/Belt: Target/Jeans: Target/Boots: Loft (Similar)/Watch: New York & Co. (Similar)/Bracelets, Necklace and Earrings: Target]
SHOP THIS LOOK
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Dec 4, 2012
Even though I go to a few holiday parties each year, I REALLY resent buying dress-up clothes that can only be worn a time or two. But when my hubby sprang the news that his company holiday party is THIS weekend (thanks for the warning!), I had to run out and find something to wear. What a perfect opportunity to take the Payday Pretty challenge to create a $20 holiday look. Thanks hubs!
So naturally I set out to my favorite inexpensive dress store, Ross. They always have a great selection and it’s pretty easy to find something under $20 that doesn’t look cheap or sleezy. Of which I’d prefer to look neither. But if I had to pick one, it would be cheap…I think. 🙂
I wasn’t too far into the dress rack when I stumbled across this awesome LBD for just $19.99. And who couldn’t use another LBD? I tried it on and it fit like a glove. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
This sweet bow back detail is what really sealed the deal!
[Dress: Ross – $19.99 (Similar)]
Usually I post my Payday Pretty outfit pics on Wednesday but this week I’m going to hold off until next Monday. Then I can post pics taken before the actual event on Saturday.
And here’s some affordable LBD inspiration!
Walter Baker LBD – $19.43
1. Motel Black Velvet Dress – $18/2. ModCloth A Little Reflect – $45.99/3. ModCloth You’ve Got Sultry – $21.99/4. Avenue Plus Size Knot Detail – $39.96/5. Milanoo Black Floral LBD – $35.99
Have you entered the Payday Pretty Challenge Giveaway yet?
I’m giving away $100 in Target gift cards – $20 each Friday for the next five weeks! All you have to do is take $20 out of the weekly budget to do something pretty for yourself and then show me what you got. Sound like fun? Oh, it is!
You can enter every week. Here’s how:
1. If you’re a blogger, write about Payday Pretty and link back to me in your post = 5 Entries
2. Post a picture of what you got on my Facebook page = 3 Entries
3. Post a comment on this post and tell me what you got = 2 Entries
Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you get!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link Party Tomorrow!
Tomorrow I’ll be co-hosting a weekly link party with Alisa at All Things Alisa to bring you Diaries of a Bargainista!
Join in the fun and link up your outfit or shopping post. Show us what you got!
Dec 2, 2012
Can I tell you a secret? My hubby has an unflattering nickname for me. It’s T.W.
Now that could stand for a lot of great things like Terrific Wife or Tenacious Worker or Tidy Woman (which I am all of these, of course). But no, it doesn’t stand for any of them.
It stands for…
TIGHTWAD!
Yes, he calls me a tightwad. All in good fun, of course, but still. Tightwad?
OK, maybe it’s true. But why couldn’t he call me “frugal-ista” or “bargain babe” or something a little more cool sounding than tightwad! Tightwad conjures up images of crotchety old men who pinch pennies and steal toilet paper from public restrooms. (I do NOT do that, for the record).
But I guess if I own the title then I have to wear it. I am pretty much a T.W.
We start saving in August to ensure that we have a great Christmas and it’s 100% paid for. No credit card debt in this house. No, no, no. Credit cards are for earning cash rewards only. (Helpful insight: I’m a financial analyst by trade. My tightwady-ness is hardwired.)
BUT, Christmas is the ONE time of the year that I don’t own up to my T.W. name. It’s a festival of splurge-worthiness! Most of my investment pieces through the years have been Christmas presents. So this is the only time that I get to indulge myself and not feel a smidge of guilt.
I’ve been thinking about my Christmas list for almost as long as I’ve been saving up for it. It’s not quite finalized yet, but here are some of this year’s definite maybe’s!
1. Anthropologie Ruffled Trench Coat/2. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Honey/3. Gorjana Alphabet Coin Bracelet/4. Madewell Perfect Chambray Shirt/5. Michael Kors Women’s Gramercy Gold Watch/6. Just the Fox Ma’am Sweater/7. Frye Melissa Button Boot in Cognac/8. Cashmere Pop Top Mittens/9. Madewell Faux Fur Vest
Lipstick on my Christmas list? Yes! It makes a great stocking stuffer and that is my absolute fave color EVER.
I have a special tightwad outfit for you today. Last week, my friend Sheaffer at Pinterest Told Me To asked me to re-create some outfits from Pinterest. Here’s one that I did where almost every piece was under $20! Totally Payday Pretty approved.
Here’s the Pin-spiration look.
[Via]
My Interpretation!
[Chambray Shirt: H&M/Tank: Forever 21/Leggings: Ross (Similar)/Scarf: Old (Similar)/Boots: Target (Similar)/Gold Watch: New York & Co. (Similar)]
This has become one of my new favorite outfits to kick around in on weekends. It’s super comfortable yet looks totally put together. And did I mention most of it was $20 and under? Speaking of…
Have you entered the Payday Pretty Challenge Giveaway yet?
Peggy did. Check out this fabulous leopard print dress she got!
[Via]
I’m giving away $100 in Target gift cards – $20 each Friday for the next five weeks! All you have to do is take $20 out of the weekly budget to do something pretty for yourself and then show me what you got. Sound like fun? Oh, it is!
You can enter every week. Here’s how:
1. If you’re a blogger, write about Payday Pretty and link back to me in your post = 5 Entries
2. Post a picture of what you got on my Facebook page = 3 Entries
3. Post a comment on this post and tell me what you got = 2 Entries
Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you get!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Linking up with: Visible Monday, YOLO Mondays, Monday Mingle, Real Girl Style
