During the holiday shopping season, we already get our shopping lists out for family members and friends and forget about ourselves. On the heels of my last post, Wardrobe Revamp, I started thinking about how I should shop for myself when I have a limited budget. When I was organizing my clothes into different outfits and looking at what was in style this season, I would tell myself “oh I need this and I just need one of those” to add to my wardrobe. I also don’t want to buy things that I don’t wear or later regret purchasing. Then it came to me, a shopping list. How silly did I feel when I realized it was so simple. Something we do all the time when we go grocery shopping or to Target for house items. Why not apply that to clothing shopping for myself. With Black Friday deals having you wanting to spend every dime to your name, one has to have a focus (and a budget). Now I am prepared with my shopping list armor. No gravitating to all the pretty signs with low numbers hysterically picking out whatever has the lowest price looks kind of cute. No more trying on random items and trying to figure out which one I should pick. I am totally focused. I now know I need some blazers, a pair of black pleather (or faux leather) pants, and a pair of bright colored pants. Ooh and some red pumps. These items will enhance what I already have in my wardrobe and even create new outfits without actually having to buy a whole new outfit. I cannot wait until tomorrow. Happy Shopping!!!
Monthly Archives: November 2012
Free Getaway Right Under My Nose
Initially the cabin-like home in Lake Arrowhead was where my in-laws lived, where I was forced to be on my best behavior for a full weekend which for me is a lot of work. Then, during the winter months, it was a place to sleep and hang out with friends when we go snowboarding. Over the years it had become a place for my husband and I to get away from the city (of Los Angeles). Now, after marriage, having a son, and 9 years of visiting, it has become so much more. If I am outside in the backyard I can take a breath of fresh air, something rare when one lives so close to a metropolitan area. I just stare at the gorgeous trees in awe or at the birds that come to rest in the bird houses or to feed on the bird feeders scattered around the backyard or even to bathe in the beautiful bird bath located centrally in the back yard. I even had the pleasure of taking in the aforementioned scenery while drinking a relaxing glass of white wine one day since my two year old was taking a walk with oma and opa (German for grandma and grandpa). It was a very surreal moment which I probably why I remember it so well (parent know what I am talking about). The inside of the house, for me, has become a museum of sorts. My mother-in law has a masterful eye for finding jewels in thrift stores. When you look at some of her finds, you immediately want her to go with her on one of those treasure hunts. The house itself has the most unique features mostly added by the original owner some time ago (I apologize for not having added any history to this piece). Combine that with my mother-in law’s style (I would say southern meets country) and years and years and years of shopping and you will find yourself just touring the house finding something new and interesting in every corner.
As soon as we arrive to their home, my son runs amuck. First to find “puppy”, then to play with the new vintage toys oma bought (we have now realize she has a problem containing herself from buying toys for him). Then, especially if it is a holiday season, I peruse all of the decorations to which there is no limit. Since we have a mischievous toddler, our sleeping quarters have been relocated to the downstairs master bedroom. I have to admit, I love it. It’s very spacious and the master bedroom is, well, masterful. A white bedspread on a wooden frame with two pictures of what I, knowing nothing about materials or sewing, would call quilt cutouts in matching frames greets you as you walk through the sliding wooden door. Nestled in the corner is an arm chair with a white cover complete with a matching footrest. In the master bath, there is an over-sized pedestal tub with a unique gold faucet. The sink is accented by a gorgeous gold framed mirror that can only be out shined by the wall sculpture that hangs above. But just when you think there are no more surprises, you see the shower. It is a quirky little piece that looks like a maze. It’s funny; you walk a few steps forward in this tile hallway and then turn left to get to the actual shower heads. I love it. Between the towels laid out ready for us in the bathroom and the mood of the master bedroom, one can only feel like they are at a Bed and Breakfast.
I always feel so fortunate to have such wonderful in-laws who also happen to have to a wonderful home where we are always welcome to visit and the only cost is time with their grandson. We always have sit down meals and play family games, it’s totally cliché and I love it!
Wardrobe Revamp
About a week ago I went into my closet and stood there silently cursing out my wardrobe. I hated it. I felt like all of the clothes were outdated, limited, and just plain…well crappy. First thought, go shopping and replace the whole the thing. The second thought, was “wake up, wake up, you’re not rich”. What is a girl to do? Well in true V.Q. (my mother’s initials) fashion I snapped myself out of the pity party that was going on in my head, accepted my financial situation, realized that I had nothing to complain about, and came up with an idea. What started out as another one of my hair brain schemes turned into something pretty awesome. I decided to use what I had and make something out of it. O.k. that last one was real V.Q. I took every item of clothing out of my closest and separated them into several piles.
Pile #1 was clothes that I like just as they are. As you can imagine that was the smallest pile ever. Pile #2 was clothes that I like and just can’t figure out how to wear and also clothes that I wanted to give one more chance. I even had clothes in that pile that I had never worn because I didn’t know how (I know sounds silly). Pile #3 was clothes to donate and finally pile #4 was function change clothes. Right out of the gate pile #4 gave immediate gratification. Months or maybe even years ago, I fooled myself into thinking I was going to pull off that “I am doing super casual but in style” look. You know the one that celebrities wear when they are trying to go incognito. Like I look like a bum….or do I. Well, on me it was more like a half-ass attempt to get dressed. I always felt homely when I paired these colorful or patterned t-shirts with jeans. Those shirts went into pile #4 which turned them into work out shirts or lounge around the house shirts. The result, I actually feel cute lying around the house or working out. A far cry from my usual please-no-one-come-to-the-door-or-you-may-be-frightened look. This then allowed me to give away my cotton t-shirts, collected from various events over the years that are now too small.
Pile #2, the largest, was heavy duty work. I decided to go online and look up Fall/Winter 2012 fashion trends to help me figure out how to wear this stuff so I can start smiling when I walk into my closet. It took a lot longer than I thought , but it was so fun. O.k., I will come clean, there were moments where I was like “what did I get myself into” but that may mostly be due to the fact that I am a mother of a wild 2 year old boy. Needless to say, I came out with some awesome new clothes and I really surprised myself. I actually tried on different pieces and paired them in ways I never would have thought of before being inspired by this year’s fashions. I jotted the styling on a sticky note and attached it to the hanger. I am not exaggerating when I say I really feel like I have a whole new wardrobe. I was also humbled a.k.a felt ungrateful when I realized how much clothing I actually had.
Dress I would just throw on during warmer weather months. Now something I can wear in the fall (a look I found online).
I have had this blazer for over 3 years and rarely wear it. Bought the blouse months ago and never wore it because I ordered it online and it was too big.
Adding a belt and jeans to this dress that I was getting bored of turned it in to something that makes me feel stylish
This one, to me, is a gem. I had to show the before and after and, although embarrassing, I felt I actually had to take the picture wearing it. It was an impulse buy from a sale rack and turns out, not really fitting for a post baby, post breastfeeding body. If you get my drift. Well I was just thinking convert to a scarf when I realized I could just tuck it in at the elastic. I paired it with my black blazer that I rarely wear and some black jeans and black pumps. Bam, a new outfit!
A few extra tips and things learned:
I thought of this when I was almost done for the day, but you could take a picture of yourself in the outfit instead of the sticky notes and keep an electronic catalog.
You can share this with a friend and mix and match using each other’s clothing. Although, that might be a disaster when you start seeing your reject clothing in a new light.
One more benefit that this whole ordeal had besides me now feeling like I have an awesome wardrobe after having shopped right in my very own home, was efficiency. Now, if I am rushing to get dressed, I just pick a top and right there on the tag will tell me how to wear it. No more grabbing something that looks drab when I’m in a hurry!
Waste Not, Want Not
After a constant barrage of recipes containing fall vegetables and frequently passing by the sugar baby pumpkin my son decorated for Halloween on the shelf, I had a thought. Why don’t I cook this instead of throwing it away….duh!
Here is the cutie little pumpkin that my son and I decorated, although he gets most of the credit:
And thanks to the website Chow, this was the pumpkin last night:
shallowpocketdesigns 