Thrifty Tuesday {Fashion Cents}

Today I'm taking a different approach to Thrifty Tuesday. I've decided to recreate an outfit that I'm obsessed with {and} I'll show you an affordable way to do it yourself!!
I saw this outfit in person the other day and I can't get it out of my head. I am in LOVE. It's also making me super antsy to get back to wearing normal outfits+shoes. 

via

I decided to use items from Forever 21 to recreate the outfit in order to keep the costs down as much as possible. Also, Forever 21 is easily accessible for most people. PLUS they usually have a few different versions of each item, so you'll have some freedom to find pieces that match your personality the best!  
Outfit #1 This outfit would be great for a girls night, business casual office, a weekend day date, or even church! You can create this whole look for under $85. Also, each of these items can be used again & again in your wardrobe!

Dress // Shirt // Tights // Boots

Outfit #2 Look two has it's own flair, with the gingham print shirt. This outfit would be great for work, date night, girls night or even tailgating!

Dress // Shirt // Tights // Boots

------- What do you think? I love that you can accessorize each of these looks in tons of ways! Which look do you like best?

Ain't No Thang, But a Chicken Wing

Wow, what a weekend! It seems like we were busy every second of it. 

 I'll admit that I was somewhat of a bad blogger this weekend. I didn't take a ton of pictures, but I did have a really great time not having my phone out every 5 seconds. It was especially nice on Friday night : ) Ryan and I went out to a small local restaurant close to our place that turned out to be amazing! The food, atmosphere, and service were above and beyond what we expected. The restaurant is located at the end of an unassuming shopping center (which is why our expectations weren't high). The reviews were great, so we gave it a shot. Now we can't wait to go back and take our friends!

--------------------------------

While I did give my phone a little break, I didn't completely forget to take pictures. 

Here's a recap of the rest of our weekend, [instagram] style!

 I started the weekend a little early with some lunch-break shopping.

I couldn't decide which I like more, the dress or the skirt, so I got neither. What do you think? Either would be great to pair with a pop of color (shirt with the skirt or sweater with the dress), but I can't make up my mind. Help!

I got a trim (FACT: I always have terrible luck with simple haircuts/trims. This one was an exception!), and decided to try some new products. I LOVE the 24 Hour Body Mousse--it makes my hair feel and smell so good (and it works too).

I know that this makes me a bad blogger, but this is the only picture that I got of us from the wedding. It makes me sad, especially because we were both dressed up and it would have been a good picture. But either way, this is what I've got! We had a great time seeing the beautiful couple and the wedding was amazing! Very sweet and you could just feel the love between the two of them.

After the wedding reception we went out to celebrate one of our other friends' birthday. Well, on the way we saw this truck with an ad on the tailgate that was for irrigation. He listed his phone number and his beeper number. Yes, the picture is bad and super dark, but it's proof. Someone out there is still carrying around a beeper! Ha I got the biggest kick out of that!

We've been silly busy today with a ton of stuff to catch up on around our place, including a shopping trip to grab a few things for around the house. Does anyone else feel like you're constantly buying stuff for around your house?  A lamp here, some pillows here, a rug there? Don't get me wrong, I love it. But it hit me today that we do it all of the time, and I'll admit that I felt a little overwhelmed (and like it's never quite over). I must just be in a mood today, because I usually love that type of shopping trip! Hmm. Maybe I'm getting sick? Haha

Speaking of being sick, I ate my weight in Ruffles and french onion dip today. It was so tasty, and a perfect snack while watching the first part of the game. Ryan also made some super delicious wings for the game. He's SO good at throwing things together in the kitchen. He doesn't even try most of the time, but it always turns out so well!

Are you watching the super bowl? We're not huge fans of either team, but we're still entertained by the game and the commercials.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Lust List [Madewell]

Alright ladies, I have to share something with you. I am not feeling like my usual, thrifty self these last few days. No-siree! I have been drooling over this new [to me] brand-Madewell. Everything they carry would fit perfectly into my fantasy closet!

 1.Dawnlight Silk Dress $158 / 2.The Suede Passenger Clutch $78 / 3.Golden Braid Bracelet $25 / 4.Minnetonka® Kilty Suede Moccasins $40 / 5.Clover Shorts $88  / 6.High Riser Colorpop Jeans $125 / 7.Striped Transmission Tee $48 / 8.Colorband Twirl Skirt $98 / 9.The Leopard-Print Sidewalk Skimmer $118 / 10.The Leather Transport Tote $168 / 11.Silk Intermission Top $88

--------------------------

I know I can't be the only one lusting after things I can't allow myself to spend $$ on!

What have you had your eye on lately??

Weekend Recap

Monday, is that you? Already? Am I the only one that thought this past weekend just flew by?! I feel like the weekend officially started on Thursday night when we met up with some of our friends at another friend's house. We ate, drank, and were merry, and played funny games until we laughed so hard we cried!

Naturally, a fun night involves some of this yummy stuff!

I wasn't sure I would make it a full day in the office on Friday (it had been a loooong week). Thankfully the rest of the sales team felt the same, so we enjoyed a small group lunch at our favorite local spot-right across the street! We had a good time and it helped us ease into the weekend!

Ryan took over the kitchen on Friday and made a yummy dinner. He continued to spoil me by agreeing to go on a little browsing/shopping trip to Target, Best Buy, and World Market. It was fun to catch up on all of the fun new clothing at Target (while Ryan was in Best Buy...I hadn't browsed unsupervised in a while Hah!). I picked up a cute pair of black flats (these) while I was there. They are pretty comfy and are a nice step up from my normal flats (they also have cute nude and sassy animal print ones too).

New shoes, new jeans, and new sweater. Feeling good today :)

I never realized how many spices World Market had until this weekend!

On Saturday I had a few hours to myself, so naturally I went thrifting! I found some great items on the cheap (will share later this week!).

While I was shopping I found this vintage Lilly shirt. I had no idea that the
brand had been around that long! Read about it here. No, I didn't buy it..

After getting together at our friend's house on Thursday, I realized
that I was in need of a set of large wine glasses. For obvious reasons!

On Saturday night we meet up with a bunch of friends at Dave & Buster's. Have you ever been? I hadn't until Saturday. It's awesome! The local one recently opened so it definitely looks great and was really fun! We had drinks, dinner, played games and even bowled while we were there. It's a really great place to get a bunch of friends together for a fun evening.

Saturday night, before going out. One of my thrifted shirts!

Watching the UofL game at the bar. We won!

Ryan playing Skee-ball.

One more drink before heading home. It was a long night!

On Sunday the boy and I slept waaaay in and caught up on housework and the dreaded laundry. We had dinner with his parents and then ended the day with a few episodes of Breaking Bad. That show is soooo good!

What did you do this weekend? Did you try any new restaurants or go anywhere new?

A [Sweet] 2011 Christmas Gift Guide

With Thanksgiving fastly approaching, I'm getting quite antsy to get my Christmas shopping taken care of.   I LOVE to shop, so I usually want to start as early as possible. BUT, the last few years I've tried to be as budget conscious as possible, so each year I shop later and later into the season in order to get the best deals. To do this I usually have a list created well before Thanksgiving and then I price watch.  No, it's not the most fun, but until I am a millionaire (someday!!) I will keep up my thrifty habits. Besides, it makes the season even better if I can buy what I'd like for my favorite people and not be broke by January 1st!

Other than trying to find the best deals I also try to make sure what I buy someone is something they'll really use like. I love to put time into coming up with present ideas and I always get overly excited when someone REALLY likes what they get : )

So, today I'm listing some cute gift ideas--for both girls and guys. Some things are unique and some are just trusty gift ideas that anyone would love. 

Who doesn't love stationary? Especially personalized stationary?
$15.00 via OH Louise!/Etsy

Here's an option from Target (so you can skip the shipping!)
$6.99 via Target

Jewelry Tree
$20.00 via Umbra
$20

OPI Glimmer Wonderland Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set
$48.00 via Sephora

Multi Color Eyeshadow Palette
$9.95 via H&M

Khaki & Ivory Double Folded Rose Headband
$15.00 via Ruffles and Fringe

Ripple Effects Scarf
$24.99 via ModCloth

Women's Blog a Lot Shirt
$19.00 via Raygun

Mossimo Plaid Top
$16.00 via Target

Happy Feet Spa Set
$20.00 via Uncommon Goods

Any wine! You could give someone something different
or give them their favorite!
via Google Images

Boom Hive Wine Rack
$32.00 via Kitchen by Karen

Owl Measuring Cups
$19.00 via West Elm

Monogram Cutting Board
$38.00 via Layla Grayce

The Recipe Rock
$9.95 via Breadtopia

Who doesn't love a good food fight? Try out the Foodie Fight Game!
$13.00 via Uncommon Goods

Know someone with a sweet tooth? (In my group of friends, I'm that person!)
Get them the best candy bowl--Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag
$20.00 via Uncommon Goods

iPhone Alarm Dock-Perfect for a guy or girl!
$39.50 via Uncommon Goods

The best shirt for winter...Flannel!
$29.99 via Cabela's

Another great gift for a guy OR girl. 11/22/63-Stephen King's newest book
about JFK and the assassination.
$19.25 via Barnes & Noble

Any guy who isn't watching or hasn't watched this series
would love to see it, I promise!
The Walking Dead-Season 1
$14.99 via Target

What guy doesn't want to make his own batch of beer? (Beer kit)
$15-$40 via Uncommon Goods

Boys will be boys, right? Here's their guide!
$10.00 via Uncommon Goods

Do you have any great gift ideas for this season? Share with us!

Update: I'm linking up with Casey at The Wiegands for a Christmas themed follower fest! Check it out!

Thrifty Tuesday ~ Fall Boots

Another Thrifty Tuesday here!

While out on our window shopping spree this past weekend, I tried on a pair of outrageously expensive and equally beautiful boots at Bink's Outfitters. 

[Enter butterflies in the stomach here]

I feel in love. 

 These boots were so comfy and fit so well 

(I fit into a 9.5 instead of a 10, which MADE my day). 

Leather Ugg Channing Boot in Chocolate
Found Here for $295

They also had these, which were very similar, but not quite as fitted through the calf. They were very pretty, but not quite as perfect as the others :)

Leather Ugg Amberlee Boot in Espresso
Found here for $295

Okay, okay--enough about the expensive, gorgeous boots. Onto my thrifty finds of the week!

Merona Manette Double Buckle Tall Boots in Brown
Found here for $39.99

Merona Magaska Comfort Riding Boot in Brown
Found here for $39.99

Women's Zippy Riding Boots in Brown
Found here for $39.99

Mossimo Supply Kachiri Leather Americana Boots in Taupe
Found here for $49.99

Mossimo Supply Kayanna Riding Boots in Brown
Found here for $32.00 (sale!)

Buckle Fold-Over Heel Boot in Brown
Found here for $50.00

I found these cuties the other day and I was surprised by how much I like them...naturally I found a comparable identical pair on the Target website!

Very Volatile Twain Boot in Black
Found here on the Piperlime website for $59.50

MkLuk Kloe Wedge in Black
Found here on the Target website for $29.99

Great deals, right??
Here's to happy shopping and finding some great deals!

P.s. Get prepared for an itty bitty rant. Does anyone else get frustrated when they look at websites and they see a "Girl on a Budget" section and all of the pieces listed are priced well over $100? I mean, yes, I love to browse the expensive sites and even buy a really nice piece every now and then but over $100 for each item?? Consider me confused. Hopefully I'm not the only one out there trying to shop like a normal person, with a normal budget! Anyway, this is my main inspiration behind my Thrifty Tuesday posts...affordable items for real people! :)