365: Bargain Fashion Diva

One of my recent goals is to be more fashionable. Because duh, why not? I love fashion. It takes more effort on many fronts (time, thought, bargain hunting, etc.) but it's totally worth it. I feel better when I'm sassy and fashionable and it's fun!

I've been amassing new pieces here and there and trying to wear old things in new ways. This outfit is a perfect example.

The dress was a steal at Old Navy. On clearance for $13.99; it was missing a sash/belt or something. Being the fashion maven I am I knew if I inquired about it and acted all put out that it didn't have it (even though I could care less about it) I'd get a discount. I was banking on 10%, mayyyybe 20%, but BOOM! 50% off! Making it just over $6. Total bargain.

I thought I had a cute wide belt but I couldn't find it so I swapped out a black sash from a tunic-style shirt, threw on my cute suit jacket I bought for interviewing last year, dug out some cute Nine West wedges I bought at DSW ages ago, polished my tootsies and threw on some clearance earrings I got from Target a few years ago and VOILA! Fashionista was ready for work!

365: The B Team

My jewelry "reserves."

AKA the junk Ange won't let me keep on the dresser so I have to spread it all over the place when I'm looking for the perfect "something" to complement an outfit.

My A Team stuff comprises 4 small jewelry boxes on the dresser. But sometimes you gotta pull out a pizazz piece that isn't an everyday item. That was today. Ange just sighs so big when I pull out this stuff. No appreciation for my fashionista ways!

365: High Fashion

I decided on a whim Tuesday night that I was going to go all out for my fashion choices for this conference. Since I sick during MasQueerade I didn't get to wear my super sexy dress. I decided to pair it with a suit jacket to bring down from cocktail to high fashion business. I could have went safe with plain black tights but where's the fun in that? Fishnets and heels thank you very much. I got some funky cheap jewelry at Forever 21 to finish off the look. Based on the number of compliments I got today me thinks I should take more fashion risks on the regular. Rawr.

365: My Sparkly Hat!

I freaking love this hat. I could pretty much wear it all day every day. It's comfy, warm and down right snazzy. I bought it in July about 3 years ago. It was on clearance for $1.99. I think I was with one of my sisters or friends. She (whoever she was) thought I was a total weirdo for buying a winter hat in the middle of an Indiana summer. But duh, how else can you score deals like this??? I've worn it every day during gypsy trailer remodel and I think it's what's adding that extra bit of pizazz to this whole undertaking. **Jazz hands!**

365: Crazy Loon

Most days when I get dressed to go to work I try to be fashionable yet professional with just a little bit of flair.

Some days I wake up and my inner 5 year old wants to dress me. On these days imagine that I'm asking a 5 year old what a "professional business woman" should look like. Sparkles naturally. Whimsy of course. Princess like, yet professional. I whirl out of the closet and Ange looks at me and says "Oh, you're having a crazed loon day." Of course I think I look most fabulous so what does she know?

The funny thing is, on days that my inner 5 year old dresses me, I get about 5 times the amount of compliments on my outfit than I do when I'm dressed "normally." Ange thinks this is because Californians are mostly loons and they are just noticing one of their native species. I happen to think they admire someone who dresses like they WISH they could dress and are just giving me a bravo! with their compliment.

365: Rawr

Ange and I went to Sacramento for the day just for funsies. We had lunch, did some shopping, and poked around. My favorite purchase of the day were some new sexy tights! It's getting colder around here and I'm going to need something on my legs soon. These will be just perfect!

365: The Girl with the Flower in Her Hair

One of our new favorite bands this year is called Coyote Grace. The lead singer's name is Ingrid and she makes these lovely flower clips and wears them during their shows. They played Chico Pride this year and Ange bought me two pretty flower clips. I gotta be the new faculty member with the most style. It's pretty easy. Trust me.