Colored Tights Outfit Decoded

I posted the above photo of my colored tights to Style Me Thrifty’s Facebook page this morning and have been inundated with questions about the origin of the items I’m wearing (I have such nosy friends and family!). ;-)

For all you curious ladies, see below. I also wanted to take a sec and explain why this photo is um, missing a torso and head. The truth is: the main goal of my blog is to help my readers lead more stylish lives on a budget — NOT to promote how fashionable I am on a daily basis (trust me, I average at least one frumpy outfit a week!). I share occasional photos of myself as examples of how to to style pieces. And well, I chop off my head because I want you to picture yourself in that item — not me (and my big forehead)! In fact, the first thing I always tell my photographer/bf is, “Don’t get my face in it!” Hence the headless photos.

So I’d like to dedicate this blog post to all those days you feel frumpy! Cheers!

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Boots: Aldo (similar here and here)
Watercolor dress: Nordstorm junior’s dept circa 2008, Lush is the brand
(kind of similar here, here and here)
Tights: Spanx Tight-End in Bistro Green (c/o)
Cardi: LOFT (similar here and here)
*Tip* – Before you go shopping, check your closet for any navy items you already own. It’s the perfect color combo for green tights (or really, any color!).

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You might also like: How to Wear Colored Tights

LOFT Georgetown Grand Opening

A Saturday in Georgetown goes a little something like this:

Nice weather  + shopping + tourists = mass hysteria!

Perhaps a sane person would learn this formula and try to avoid Georgetown on a sunny Saturday, but what can I say, I love a chaotic outdoor shopping experience.

My best friend, Robin, and I decided to head to the grand opening event of LOFT Georgetown, one of my fav thrifty stores. I’m a member of the Capital Area Fashion and Beauty Blogger group (CapFABB) and got wind that our co-founder Lacey, from A Lacey Perspective, was hosting the grand opening event. Fun, right?! (ps – how do I get thaat gig??). The store had champagne and Georgetown cupcakes on hand, and Lacey teamed up with Lucky magazine stylists to help us in the dressing room.

I picked up a really cute red blouse for 30% off. Love a pop of color during the fall and winter months. Plus, red goes with my cheapo cheetah print flats from Target perfectly!

It was hard to settle on just one new piece from LOFT, so here are my favorite items from their fall collection:

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When in Doubt, Add a Belt

Ever have one of those mornings when you open your closet and cannot find a single solitary item to wear?

The women in my family have a coined a phrase for this: clothes crisis. Tops look blah, pants are wrinkled, nothing fits. Before you know it, your closet has exploded into a crumpled mess on the floor and you’re late for work.

Guess what? I have experienced enough of these frustrating clothes crises that I have come up a trick that I wanted to share: when all else fails, add a belt!

A belt that cinches your waist can instantly raise the bar and tie an outfit together. This morning I assembled a pretty basic outfit – a cardigan, loose tank top, and grey capris. Snooze city. Nothing special. See:

I thought, what can I do to make this ordinary outfit special? Then I remembered the fun elastic waist belt hiding in my closet. Just like that, a basic outfit was upgraded to an actual outfit that made a statement. Clothing crisis averted!

I’m especially digging elastic belts that fasten in the back, like the one I’m wearing (found it for $6.99 on the clearance rack of New York and Company!). Love a good embellishment, too. Here are a few other ideas:

Where to shop:  Express Stretch Belt  ($29.90); Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Floral Filigree Stretch Belt ($24); Charlotte Russe Lurex-Front Stretch Belt ($9.50).

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Savvy Traveler: What to Wear for Airline Travel

In my mom’s generation, ladies used to get dressed up for airline travel. Pantyhose, suits, girdles, hat and gloves, pearls, lipstick. Can you imagine?

Luckily, today’s modern woman no longer has to worry about these silly traditions. But does that mean we should abandon all fashion sense in favor of comfort and wear sweatpants when traveling? Heck no!

I believe that if you look good, you’ll feel good, and good things happen to stylish people. In fact, I was reading a travel magazine recently and it said that well-dressed travelers are more likely to be upgraded or have your problem solved.

So the next time you’re taking a flight, check out Style Me Thrifty’s savvy traveler tips for airline travel:

1) Layer, Layer, and Layer Some More
I left chilly DC on Monday for a work retreat and arrived a few hours later in blazing hot Orlando, FL. It’s tricky to know which temperature to dress for when you’re going from one extreme to another, so my advice is simple: dress in layers. My go-to travel companions are a cardigan and scarf. Both will keep you warm on the plane but also easily fold up into your purse when the temp starts to rise. Ann Taylor Loft has some great cardis (and they’re offering 40% your entire purchase right now!).

2) Sock It To Me
I believe in wearing socks when traveling for two specific reasons. First, standing barefoot at security checkpoint gives me the uggies. Secondly, I wear socks to avoid the inevitable “cold feet syndrome” when on a flight. I hate nothing more than when A.C. blasts out of the floorboards and turns my toes into icicles. I realize socks and some travel destinations seem like a strange pairing (e.g. coming home from the beach), so if you insist on wearing sandals, pack a pair of socks in your carry on to slip on your feet when in-flight. Your toesies will thank me.

3) It’s Time for a Watch
Your time is valuable. Keep an eye on it by wearing a watch when you travel. One of the first things the flight attendants ask passengers to do before takeoff is to turn off electronic devices. If you’re an anxious flyer, how are you going to know what time it is? Plus, there are so many cute, affordable watches out there, this tip gives you an excuse to go shopping.

4) Pick the Perfect Carry On
Confession: I own a lot of bags. I usually purchase bags and purses because they’re either (a) cute or (b) affordable. But have you ever bought a bag because it’s comfortable?? Yeah, me either! Traveling requires hauling heavy things, and so, a comfy bag is essential. I recommend picking a bag that is lightweight, durable, and has soft straps. And choose a bag with everyone’s fav feature: pockets! That way you’re not wasting time digging around for your ticket, ear buds, party mix, whatever.

5) Wear Your Hair Down, Rapunzel
Ponytails and airplane seat headrests don’t mix. I hate not being able to put my head back on a flight because my ponytail is jabbing me in the back of the head. Avoid this problem by wearing your hair down. Plus, you’ll have pretty blown out hair for the first day (or two!) of your trip.

Have a safe flight!