OOTD: Cobalt Blue and Black

This falls into my favorite outfit category.  I loved the colors, the fabric and length of the top, and the "just dressy enough for me" feel while being totally comfortable.

top $4.19 Susan Graver
pants $8.99 Anne Klein
cobalt/black necklace $2.29
black/gold hoop earrings .69 cents
~ ~ ~
purse $14.99 Koltov Collection via Ross
sandals $20 via Marshall's

Fringed Top

 ...and a black and white outfit.

Fringed Top Outfit:
white jeans $4.19 Gloria Vanderbilt
fringed top $4.80 St. Joanne Jeans
necklace $1.78
earrings .49 cents
purse $7.99
backless wedge shoes $7.19 Liz Claiborne

Black/White Outfit:
black pants $4.89 J.Crew
brush stroke patterned top $4.20 JM Collection
cardigan $6.40 Lane Bryant
necklace $4.80
sandals $6.99 Naturalizer
~ ~ ~
purse $14.99 Koltov Collection via Marshall's

Back to the Black Ponte Pants

Well, it's back on the diet wagon for me after a whopping 15 pound! weight gain over the last couple of months or so.  Oh, yes....I'm not supposed to think of it as a diet.  It's a healthy forever lifestyle change.  Another of my New Year's resolutions is to NOT let this happen again this year.  I've yo yo'd with my weight all my life.  At least I continue to try.  But, seriously....I've got to get a grip and get this weight off.  Even where I was, 15 lbs ago, I was overweight, but I could live with being that size and was sooooo much happier.  I'll get there again.  It just really takes daily effort to make a plan (easy part) and stick with it (hard part-ha).  

I thrifted these pants maybe 3 weeks ago and have been wearing them like crazy.  I was calling them stretch pants because they have no waist closure, just pull on...and they are a nice stretchy fabric that just seems to fit so well.  
I had been seeing a word floating around "ponte" so today I googled it.  Lo and behold that's what these pants are!  I actually also have another pair from Black House White Market that I thrifted a couple of years or so ago, but have not been able to wear for a while because they're in a smaller size.  They do have a zipper and snap closure.
Ponte is a combination of rayon, polyester, and spandex.  Do you own ponte fabric clothing and do you like it?  I'm loving it.

These don't really fit me the way I like best, but they do give me another pant silhouette.  I prefer them to be more fitted through the leg and ankle and will keep my eye out for ones of that style for the future.

Black Ponte Pants $4.90 Sag Harbor
Gray Long Sleeved Tee $4.80 Lea Nicole
Sweater $7.24 Tommy Hilfiger
Purse $12.99 Bueno
Black Ankle Boots
~ ~ ~
Scarf $12.99 via Marshall's
Bracelet $10.80 via Forever 21

Fur Vest

This faux fur knit vest is going to get worn  with just about every bottom piece in my closet....eventually.   :)

Tee $3 Jones New York
Fur Vest $5.99 H&M
Hammered Gold Bangle $1.52
Multi Hoop Earrings $1.78
Purse $12.99 Bueno
Taupe Ankle Boots $12.97 ecote'
~ ~ ~
Skirt $15 via Marshall's
Necklace $1.26 ebay

Remixing My Wardrobe Pieces And My Process For Doing It

None of these pieces are new.  I've worn this all before...but not in this combination.  It's fun to remix your wardrobe pieces and come up with new outfits.

I'm forever being inspired by other bloggers.  I get ideas from what I see (it may be from a color combination, a particular clothing item, etc.), I realize I have similar pieces in my closet, then I pull out the items and put together an outfit.  I'll photograph it for future reference.  I even make up folders by month and then drop these photos into the monthly folder in which I think I might like to wear that particular outfit.

I'm always tweaking and adjusting these folders...moving things around.  I have outfits planned for up to mid year 2015! ha  I think the planning and putting together of outfits is the most fun part of this little hobby of mine (besides the actual bargain hunting part).
I have a master folder that contains 0ver 900 outfits I've put together and photographed.  Yikes!  I try to discard some of my least favorites from time to time or ones which contain pieces I no longer own.  Many of the outfit combinations I have put together I've never even worn.  Some are planned for a future date and the others I always think I may get to.... someday.
You can create a ton of different outfits starting with just a single scarf.  And I have a multitude of those!   :)

Sweater $3.88 Old Navy
Scarf $2.91
Necklace $2.99
Black Boots $6.99
~ ~ ~
Maxi Skirt $15 via Marshall's
Black Cardigan $9.99 JKLA via Ross
Purse $14.99 Koltov Collection

Another Day, Another Way

 Another way to wear this maxi skirt.

 

Cardigan $1.29 Chico's
Scarf $1.40
Purse $6 St. John's Bay
Bangle .91 cents
~ ~ ~
Skirt $15 via Marshall's
Sandals $20 via Marshall's

OOTD: Animal Print Blouse + New Accessories

The silver necklace I purchased from ebay and the black/silver one I picked up while thrifting.  I'm very happy with them both.
Actually, the silver one is meant to be worn on the other side where it's shinier and has rhinestones.  I chose to wear it with the back side facing forward this day.  It's a duller finish and no rhinestones.

There is one thing that bugged me about the black/silver necklace.  It's intentionally not symmetrical.  All day I was adjusting to at least keep these three bottom pieces in this position.  I really don't know why I bothered. haha

Black Jeans $2.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
Blouse $1.50 Le Caviar
Black/Silver Necklace 2.63
~ ~ ~
Silver Necklace $1.87 ebay
Purse $14.99 Koltov Collection = Ross
Sandals $20 Marshall's