Denim Love

I'm not a big denim jean wearer but if I could find someone who could jazz up my jeans like this then I think I'd make an exception.  

I am more than willing to pay someone to get artsy with my jeans.  I specifically want heart print jeans and the ones with the flower on the back pocket (and possibly elsewhere on the jeans).  If you think you're that person, let me know!

-C

Uptown Cheapskate Haul

Like I had promised I'm going to post about my other thrift finds.

I've mentioned before that I LOVE Uptown Cheapskate!  There's only one location in San Antonio and luckily I live in walking distance of it (and it's right next to one of my favorite bars).  The quality and style of the merchandise that they sell is probably the best that I've seen in a consignment shop.  Not to mention the prices are insanely low.  Here are a few of my finds along with some classy and sassy mirror pictures:

I went a little sequin crazy here.  The white with sequin black bow blouse was $4.99, the purple was $5.99, and the jacket was a total steal at $9.99!

I'm absolutely in love with the jacket!  It's Jessica Simpson and totally totally totally cute!  I don't have anywhere to wear it to yet (story of my life) but for $10 I couldn't pass it up.  I know, I know, I know that in one of my previous posts I talked about my shopping addiction and how sometimes I couldn't pass up a good deal BUT this is different, I SWEAR!

The jeans are Celebrity Pink (which I've mentioned on my blog before.  All of my colored pants are this brand due to it's quality) and they were only $5.99!  Score!  The pink peplum was $5.99 from Forever21 and the black peplum was $4.99.  I used to think peplums were ugly but after I finally caved and bought one I fell in love!  For my figure they're quite flattering.  I'm a true pear-shape so my chest is small, waist is small, but boy do I have hips and peplums help to accentuate my svelteness while balancing out my hips.

I'm wearing the Celebrity Pink jeans in these pictures.

I spent about $50 for everything so I'm pretty sure I got the best deal here.  I whole heartedly love clothes, style, fashion, etc. and I do like to have a closet healthy of colors, prints, styles, and patterns but I'm def. on a budget.  Isaac and I have some debt to pay off (word to the wise: do NOT buy two new cars within weeks of each other!) and an upcoming trip to New Mexico but I still need my shopping fix!  I'm just a girl on a budget who wants to look cute.  Is that too much to ask for?

Hope y'all enjoyed this post and if you're in San Antonio or just passing by stop by Uptown Cheapskate!  You'll definitely find something!

Be sure to follow my instagram or snapchat to follow my shenanigans and check out my eBay!

Valley Weddings

Hi All!

I haven't been able to blog about my thrifting finds lately because I've been swamped with work, packing for my move, and heading to my hometown for my cousin's wedding.

Dressing up for a wedding is so fun!  I love the thrill of finding the right dress, right shoes, thinking about how you'll wear your hair..and that's because I'm not the bride anymore!  But seriously, I love any excuse to get dolled up.

My dress was a total steal at a whopping $14 from a store called Love Culture.  It can be perceived as risqué because of how open the chest is but since I'm have a small bust I knew it wouldn't be offensive.  Plus it has two slits int he front that give it an extra oomph.

This dress is proof of how alterations make a HUGE difference in how a dress looks and feels.  Again, going back to my having a smaller chest I had to get the dress altered.  If I hadn't I would have been self conscious all night.  The collage above shows the impact it makes to have your dresses (skirts, suits, pants, anything) customized to your body.

I received a few compliments on the dress (which let's face it, it's what all of us fashion bloggers are going for) and I loved being able to tell people I snagged it for less than $15!

Here are a  few pics from the wedding!  Be sure to follow me on instagram (CynthiaEdee) and check out my eBay for new finds!

-C

The left is pre-alterations and right is post-alterations. BIG difference!

Out of the 50 pictures I took this was the only one I could stomach

Learning

After donating over 4 trash bags full of my clothes I realized a few things:

• I wasted A LOT of money (I mean thousands of dollars) over the past few years making impulse purchases.

I'll admit it-I do have an addiction to shopping.  It's difficult for me to walk in to a store, any store, and walk out empty handed.  It gives me a rush to make a purchase, even if it's just a pack of gum.  I've known this about myself for a long time but didn't really see the impact it's made on my wallet until those 4 trash bags.  That moment was eye-opening as to how I figuratively have thrown thousands of dollars away on clothes!  Instead of forking that money over to retailers I could and should have been saving OR putting that money towards experiences.  

• A lot of the items in my closet were identical styles, colors, fabrics.

White sheer tops, striped shirts, fit and flare dresses.  I must have had at least a minimum of three of each of these styles in my closet and out of those three I would only wear one of each.  Why? Because that one was my favorite.  Now when I'm out shopping or online window browsing I'm asking myself "Do I already own something like this?"  and you know what, it's been working!  I catch myself gravitating towards the sheer tops, stripes, and dresses constantly and after I ask myself that question I immediately (and reluctantly) put the items back.

• I was purchasing certain things bc of the price.  For example I had a a few dresses and blouses that I only bought because I thought the price was a steal.

Working in retail it's easy to be lured in by the deals and steals.  Especially when you're the first one to know that an item you're kind of in to has gone on mega clearance.  I'm having to train myself that just because something seems like a good price doesn't mean that it will add value in to my closet.  Case in point: today at Plato's Closet there was a red dress that had bicycles printed on it.  It was adorable and only $6.  When I tried it on it wasn't very flattering but hey, it was only $6!  As I started rationalizing with myself over it that's when I decided to put it back.  The items in my closet should make me excited to wear them, not convinced. 

• I was buying things that weren't 100% my style.

One word: scarves.  As cute and fun as I think they are scarves are not my style.  I must have easily spent close to $100 on purchasing scarves that literally just sat in a drawer.  Again-see my first bullet point detailing what I should have been doing with that money.

• Most of the stuff I was giving away were items I hadn't worn in a long time.

That classic rule of "if you haven't worn it in a year get rid of it" is TRUE!  Within one year you have gone through YOUR closet.  And by YOUR closet I mean your real closet like the clothes that you actually wear.  This ties in to my second bullet point of saying that I was making repeat purchases.  Example: I had at least six striped shirts and out of those six I've only been wearing ONE!  So the other five were a waste of money and closet space.  I've gotten rid of the other five and you know what, I don' even miss them.  

As difficult and anxiety-filled as it was to part with my collection of clothes I definitely feel the benefits of it.  I love my closet now.  I love the clothes that are in there and making an outfit is a lot easier.  Plus I have space to actually see my clothes instead of only getting a small glimpse of them.  

I'm getting better about not throwing money away on clothes and my bank account is thanking me for it.  Now don't go thinking I haven't bought anything lately.  I just purchased a pair of heart printed jeans online (if they don't fit I'll put them on my eBay).  However before I make my purchases I ask myself these questions:

1. Do I already own something like this?
2. Will this add value in to my wardrobe?
3. Is this 100% my style?

If I answer no to question 1 and yes to the other two then I make my purchase.  If I can't do that then no matter how badly I want the item I put it back.

Hope y'all enjoyed this long blog and be sure to check out my instagram (cynthiaedee) and eBay on the link below!

my eBay