How to Dress Well on a Budget

If you’ve ever spent a short amount of time on Instagram, or dare I say, get sucked down the Pinterest rabbit hole, I am 100% sure you have come across a fashion blogger or even just a person with really good style. Most people I know think, I would never spend that amount of money on that bag, or those shoes. Which leave them asking the question…

“How can I dress well, without spending a lot of money?”

I have an answer for you, but first let me say those ladies you see on Instagram or Pinterest do in fact dress really well, but I want to ensure you there is a difference between dressing well and have really good style. Here are my tips to dressing well.

  1. Build up your basics if you have a crisp white tee shirt (Target has great ones) and a pair of great fitting jeans (American Eagle has affordable jeans that fit great), that is a great base to a really amazing outfit. The same thing happens if you have that perfect little black dress we all need in our closet (hello Old Navy or H&M), you will be all set for your fancy events as well.
  2. Add accessories now that you have your base outfit, it is time to accessorize. Let’s talk about the white tee shirt. If you put on a scarf or statement jewelry, you have a well put together look! I like to add a jacket because I am always cold, but it also completes your look. You can find fun jewelry from ANYWHERE, Target, Amazon, or even the thrift store.
  3. Focus on fit No. Matter. What. Your clothes have to fit well. There is no way of getting around it. You can have the most expensive pair of jeans but if they don’t fit well, why pay that much for jeans you don’t want to live in? They will be uncomfortable and will make your legs look horrible if the fit is off.
  4. Avoid trends. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good trend, but if you are working on having a great wardrobe add the trends after you have everything you need. Trendy accessories, bags, or shoes will help bring out your personality in your wardrobe. I just have an issue if a person buys a pair of wide-leg fuschia crop pants but you don’t own a pair of dark wash denim jeans or even a pair of black pants. So…. you plan on wearing your fuschia crop pants every day? That’s not going to work in a great wardrobe. So lets hold on the trendy items until we are ready.

I hope these tips help you at least get started in what you need to have a well put together wardrobe. Send me a message if you have any questions or if you need more help creating a wardrobe.

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Wearing All Black

I love jackets! They may be my favorite item of clothing. But this time of year when we are rushing the spring weather, I like to breakout my lighter jacket. I found this jacket back during the fall Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

When I saw this jacket I really loved it because it fit well with my style. Over the last couple of years I have really had a love for all black outfits. I love the way they make me feel. I love how an all black outfit is so chic and classy.

Of course, wearing the same color every day can get really boring really fast. One way I avoid boring black every day is by not wearing all black every single day. I love it but, a girl needs some variety. I also like to find that having items with embellishments helps keeps things from being so boring as well. These shoes again, some of my favorite this year helps makes the look more fun.

Sweatshirt: J.C. Penny similar here and here ~ Jacket: Nordstrom ~ Jeans: Old Navy ~ Shoes: Steve Madden

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Spring Layers

Once the weather starts to warm of I get really excited about wearing my layers. Putting away my big bulky coats is like a summers dream come true. It’s really hard for me to not rush into wearing light spring jackets but I am really looking forward to it.

When you are moving into the warmer weather it’s tough not to throw on shorts and sandals. Take this time to wear some of the layers you have been wearing all winter to keep you warm. Just do it in a spring-like way.

Pro-Tip: Layers are you best friend. Typically when spring comes around we go through a few seasons in one day. In the morning you will be warm with all your layers. Throughout the day you can take your layers off and when the sun goes down you still have something you can throw on when it starts to cool off.

Here are the links, to what I am wearing in this post. Check it out and send me or tag me in your best spring looks.

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Cozy Chilly Nights

Pajama set: Target similar here and here ~ Bralette: Target

Now that we are in the thick of winter I plan to spend a lot of time relaxing indoors watching TV. These types of evenings in my house call for cozy loungewear. I love love love pajama sets that make laying around the house feel luxurious.

I have a rule for myself (not really but we gonna go with it) I attempt to wear actual clothes even if I am lounging for the day. What happens if someone stops by for a visit or if you have to grab the mail.

If you are in the process of updating your wardrobe you can find affordable items at target you can mix and match or even buy a set like I did. Just remember you never have to look like you are having a low key day.

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Wearing a Cami

Cami: Express ~ Jeans: Old Navy ~ Cami: Target similar here and here ~ Shoes: Steve Madden

A cami is that perfect top that can be worn for layering under items of clothing. I would consider this is be a basic that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. Most people like to layer camis but you can also wear it on it’s own. I find them to go great with various looks. Under a cardigan, alone with jeans, or as a layering piece.

I like camis under cardigans or sweaters. In today’s post you see I am wearing my yellow cami under a camo cardigan. It adds some texture, plus it is something other than a plain tee. I recommend that if you are in the process of building your wardrobe start with a black and white cami. Of course you should always invest in your basics but there are so many places you can find basic camis. I found this yellow cami on sale here.

I like these silk texture camis as an alternative to wearing t-shirts when I have a casual outfit. I am such a jeans and t-shirt type of girl but it can get boring really quick. I encourage you to find different ways to create looks that still make you feel comfortable.

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Date Night Ideas

  1. Dream out the future. Take a walk through model homes imagining about what your future will be like.
  2. Go sightseeing in your city. We always tend to take advantage of the sites we have in our own backyard.
  3. Have an indoor picnic. I’ve always wanted to have an indoor picnic, but we usually just eat on the couch and that turns into our picnic.
  4. Turn your dining room into a highend restaurant. Most of the time when we think of date night it usually has food involved. It would be so cool if we used the good plates. Light a candle and have a dinner worthy of white tablecloths and napkins.
  5. Go Exploring. Hands down one of my favorite things to do. It’s always fun to explore in new locations just to see what they may have to offer.

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Valentine’s Day Outfit Roundup

It’s Love Week! Today I’m sharing with you a few looks that would be perfect for date night. This is typically one of the most busiest for Frank and I because we assist with our churches Couples Ministry. We are having a dance, but we are making time to go to a comedy show that I am so excited about. Make sure you are following me on Instagram. I don’t know what I’m wearing but I will most likely share it there.

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Perfect Spring Jacket

Jacket: Nordstrom Rack ~ Shirt: Target ~ Pants: TRUNK CLUB ~ shoes: T.J. Maxx

We had a few days of really comfortable weather this week and now I ’m excited about spring. If you are new around here spring is my favorite time of year. There is something about being able to spend time outside with it not being too hot or too cold. Don’t even get me thinking out the spring runs and outdoor workouts.

I am starting to round out my spring basic wardrobe so you can have quick outfits that will always work when you are in a pinch. HInt jackets will be involved.

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My True Feelings About Valentine’s Day

Coat: T.J. Maxx similar here ~ Dress: T.J. Maxx similar here ~ Shoes: Old Similar here

With Valentine’s Day slowly creeping up on us. I thought today would be a great day to tell you all about my crazy feelings about Valentine’s Day. Hold on tight because it’s a bumpy ride. First, I really want to care, honestly, I do, but I just don’t think I am a fan. I think a lot of people assume that because I’m married (and we are happy) I should care a lot about this “holiday.” The expectations I put on myself and Frank takes all the fun out of it and I all I really want to do is just hang out and relax.

After thinking about it, when I was single I would watch all my friends getting dressed up to go out on dates, only for me to stay home and just hang out by myself on Valentine’s Day. Of course, I was so dramatic about it. I would lay in my bed with all the light out as if I was in mourning. If that were today, I would have made a fun evening out of it, got some amazing take out and put on my favorite movie and have a good time alone or with other singles.

After a while, I was in a relationship and I thought to myself, you know what I think I should care about Valentine’s Day. So I would do all the fun things like find a new outfit, look up really fancy restaurants that had the perfect ambiance. Only to be let down every time, because I had unrealistic expectations. My husband (then boyfriend) is a cheeseburger and fries type of guy. For me to expect something else and for it to be amazing is unrealistic. He would have to stretch himself so far out of his comfort zone for something that isn’t that serious. Don’g get me wrong he tries, but when you have the type of expectations I have, failure is ineveitable.

Moving on today, we celebrate but in a way that works for us. One of my new year’s resolutions was to remove my expectations for things that really don’t matter. If Frank and I want to sit back and relax, watch a movie at home with Chinese food on Valentine’s Day, we can, and no one should tell us that we should be going out if that is not what brings us joy.

Moral of the story, be you and enjoy yourself. If you like to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day DO IT and have fun with it. I do enjoy sending out cards to my friends and family, telling them how much I love them. I promise I am not a Valentine’s Day Grinch 🙂 Keep an eye out on the blog because you will be seeing a few posts coming up for inspiration.

*I styled this look in the summer, check it out here.

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How to Find Deals

I purchased this amazing coat back in August. I have been waiting and waiting for the weather to get cold enough to wear this coat. Fun story about this coat, I found it at T.J. Maxx but I was planning to purchase a jacket just like this from Nordstrom. I got this one for much less of course. Today I want to share with you how to find deals on clothes.

  1. Shop around. If you are shopping department stores make sure you know where the sales are. I find that many department stores carry the same lines, so if one store is having a sale shop there of course.
  2. Wait – If you wait most likely the item you have been looking for will go on sale or promotion. For example, I love J-Crew and the Gap but their clothes are expensive full price. Every other week they have a 40% off sale. That is when I attack!
  3. Use your points – Many stores offer reward points… USE Them eventually you will get a coupon or your points will add up and you could get a dollar off coupon.
  4. Think second hand – currently, I am thinking and planning to purchase a luxury bag. My current plan is to find a really good used one. I also do the same thing with coats. Make sure they are gently used.

Happy Hunting!

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