Carina Artista

Monday, May 27, 2013

Purple Peplum

Everything except for this necklace is from American Eagle. I'm really excited that A.E. is offering crops (capris) in my favorite fit, The Artist. It is the most comfortable fit for me. These crops came with an employee discount of 60% off (shhh!)

I also am excited that this peplum shirt and I got along so well. The last time I tried on peplum didn't work out for me, so I have been holding a grudge. I guess in the future I MIGHT try on some more peplum (wink).

What styles have you given a second chance recently?

My First Michael Kors Bag

I'm showing off some awesome finds with this outfit. Let's start with the least expensive: the belt I got from Goodwill for $3 (or less?). My top is Express brand, but I snagged it from Rugged Wearhouse for less than $15. It's not silk; it's polyester, but I prefer that because I can throw it in the washing machine, which saves me even more money. The shoes I got from Plato's Closet a while ago. I'm guessing they were anywhere between $8 and $16.

And the crowning jewel of this outfit: my new Michael Kors purse, which I got from a fellow blogger who was selling used clothes and other pieces. The price? $30.

You really can't beat a MK purse for over 90% off retail.

So my deal-finding tip of the day is: A great way to get quality clothes, purses, and other items cheap is to find out where your favorite fashion bloggers sell their clothes (Ebay, personal blog, Threadflip, etc) and keep a constant watch on what they sell.

Mixed Gold and Silver, Plus Comfort

Shorts: American Eagle

I didn't feel well one day, and needed something comfortable to wear to work. I ended up wearing this outfit, but tried to add interest by wearing mixed gold and silver jewelry.

What do you like to wear when your body craves comfort?

Watch: Invicta Necklace:Tatiana's Fashions Bracelet: A.E.

Someone Else's Favorite Skirt

Skirt: Loft Shoes: American Eagle Top: Kohls Belt: Plato's Closet Bracelets: A.E. and Belk

This is definitely not my favorite skirt. For one thing, I think it looks too big and frumpy on me and I feel like an old lady when I wear it. Also, it shows off way too much of my thighs when I bend over. BUT whenever I wear this skirt, I get TONS of compliments on it. So I keep wearing it.

What is a less-favorite item of yours that you keep wearing because other people like it?

On the other hand, I do love the flower details on this skirt.

Very Comfy Maxi Dress

Dress: Rue 21 Shoes: A.E. Jacket: A.E.

I love this maxi dress that I found at Rue 21! The brown and black on it remind me of cave paintings. I wore it the first day it was warm enough to wear a dress, which was very early in the year in N.C.

The jacket I got for about $15 at Plato's Closet -- a great price for the quality of American Eagle denim!

Friday, May 24, 2013

My Easter Egg Skirt

Skirt: ETCETERA Top: Marshalls Shoes: Aldo

This skirt reminds me of an easter egg. I got it at Plato's Closet or Uptown Cheapskate for about $13. When I looked on the ETCETERA website, I was pleased to see their skirts run for about $200. Who can beat 94% off??

I had a hard time deciding which bracelet(s) to wear when I wore this to work. Which one(s) would you wear? Or would you wear all of them?

Bracelet: Uptown Cheapskate

Left Bracelet: I found this at a college pool! Right bracelet: I made this for FREE :)

Shout Out to Tatiana's Fashions

Top: American Eagle Pants: American Eagle Shoes: Sperry

This is not my most creative outfit ever, but it was so comfortable. This outfit is so "me" that I felt very relaxed wearing it.

The highlight of the outfit is my necklace, which I got for about $9 at Tatiana's Fashions in Raleigh (NC). I am so excited about finding this consignment store. The owner buys a lot of great jewelry. What's a locally owned store that you've fallen in love with lately?

Necklace: Tatiana's Fashions

Dark and Light: Denim and Pearls

I wore this outfit to church last month. The tank top is from The Limited, but I got it at Uptown Cheapskate for $12. This off-white skirt is a staple in my wardrobe. You'll see it a lot.

earrings: family gift

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Pink and Leopard

I don't usually wear animal print OR pointed toes, but here I am wearing leopard AND pointed-toe shoes. Goodness.

Ralph Lauren cardigan that I got FREE when a friend cleaned out her closet.

Goodwill shoes!

Glad I Kept It: Oversized Coat

I got these boots at Uptown Cheapskate for $12

I wore this to work in March. When we went up to the mountains later that day, I needed a jacket. I picked this coat that I probably got for $3 at Goodwill. I never wear this coat, but it went so well with this outfit that I was glad I never got rid of it.

What's an item that you've worn recently that you're glad you kept?

DIY Cheap Scarf Holder

A Non-Damage Scarf Holder
That will hold lots of scarves!

I have no idea if anyone has thought of this before. I know I've seen people use shower curtain rings to hang scarves, but I've never seen this exact idea. I needed a method to hang my scarves without damaging the walls, but I didn't want to use 20 command strips--one for each scarf. So I came up with this solution!

I used 2 large command strips, which cost me $5.88 for a 4-pack.

This tension rod was $2.17. I got it from the curtain section of Walmart.

I couldn't find any of these in the bath section.

I used shower curtain rings that wouldn't mark up my white wall, $2.96 for a dozen.

I love this solution, because if I buy more scarves, I can just extend the tension rod!

Update

I adapted this idea to hold my small, but quickly growing, necklace collection. I had to search around about 5 different stores to get a curtain hooks that matched better.

Welcome to My Blog!

Hello Readers!

Here I am, starting a blog. Let's start out with a scenic outfit post, rather than one I took in my bedroom :)

My husband and I chaperoned at a youth dance with our church, in April. The dance was on the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. My husband picked this outfit for me--except for the belt. I ended up wishing he hadn't picked a skirt! It was very windy and I kept feeling like Marilyn Monroe. Next time: functionality over beauty.

The theme was "patriotic."

Can you tell that we are wearing matching stripes?