The Agony and the Ecstasy

Valentines Day is looming. Never has a holiday invoked so many different emotions. For some, it's a romantic adventure. For others, it's pure torture. 

Maybe that's a bit dramatic...

A special thank you to Krystle of Fly Vintage for being super awesome- as seen below.

coat - Alphani @ Macy's, belt - Ann Taylor, boots - J. Aldridge for Sea of Shoes

Vintage dress, Heart cuff - modcloth.com, boots - alice+olivia for Payless

Vintage skirt, top - The Limited

Vintage velvet dress, shoes - Coconuts @DSW

Vintage blouse

Sweater - H&M

Red gown -Vera Wang (on sale for $77!), vintage pearl necklace

Wearing my mom's vintage fur coat, her own sweatshirt and tights, and plaid wellies from Target

P.S. I did the hair in this post. Just had to brag for a second.

Listomania!

I love a good list. There’s nothing better than seeing everything you have to do all in one spot and crossing it off when you’re done. Ah, sweet satisfaction.

Making a list is also a great way to take inventory and budget for your wardrobe needs! I know you want to know how, and OBVIOUSLY I’m gonna tell you.

List Making 101

1.) Start by writing down some of the things you “have to have.” Slouchy boots? Espadrilles? Black Cardigan?

2.) Now go through what you already have. Do you have anything that would eliminate one of your needs that you maybe forgot about? Or even something similar? Cross off what you can. While you’re looking, you may actually add some things to your list. Think about basics – black boots, brown boots, cardigans, oxford shirt, layering pieces, basic tees/tanks, jeans, flats. Are you missing any good solid staples? Add them to your list.

3.) Look over your revised list and divide it into seasonal items. Make Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter column headings, and place each item wherever it belongs. This will help you determine not only when you need to purchase it, but how versatile it is. Something you can wear from fall through spring should be a higher priority – which leads me to #4

4.) Prioritize! Life is all about priorities – why should your wardrobe be any different? Look at your seasonal list. Pick out items that are in 2 or more columns. Now pick out those in 3 or 4 columns. Bingo – these are your top buys!

5.) Budget! Are you sick of me saying that yet? Look at your bottom line. Realistically. Got a car payment coming up? Medical bill? Vacation? Do NOT buy during these times. Wait until a pay period that is less of a strain (ha, right) and buy then. Write down the dates you plan to purchase.

6.) Now that you have your prioritized list and dates in hand, it’s time to Excel that puppy into a respectable, fridge-worthy document.

Make it. Check it twice. It’s NICE!

Shoppin' Your Closet - North Carolina Style

Greetings! I just visited my good friend Kim that moved to North Carolina this past summer. However, she also stays in Chicago for her job part of the time. So you can imagine she has quite the array of clothing to suit both areas. 

Kim decided that it's time for her to cut back on shopping for a while. She's also begun organizing her walk-in closet in NC, so she's taking the time to look through her clothing and decide what works for her.

I thought I'd help her put together her beautiful pieces in new and fresh ways, to help her avoid the urge to shop. Kim said that she had a few pieces she just couldn't make work or hadn't thought about them in a while, so we focused on those. With so many awesome options, I knew we would have fun with it.

This black sweater dress was only $10 at Target! Kim hadn't worn it yet, so it made its debut with a flowing gray vest, a wide belt and black boots. A silver cuff and earrings pull it together.

To help Kim change up her work style, I put 2 patterns together in this very Michelle Obama look. Gladiator sandals and a Lucite necklace add essential details. The color of Kim's trench flatters her, no doubt!

"What about some looks with jeans?" was a request Kim had. Here you'll see a subtle reference to the spring 2010 lingerie trend with layered lace tops. The cream top under that black actually has a beautiful sheen that shines through - my camera just didn't capture it. The best part was that Kim hadn't worn these tops in a while, and we made them new again!

Another denim look but a little more casual. An open-front short sleeved sweater over an animal print top will make a statement on a dinner date. I loved the gorgeous suede pumps!

P.S. Kim's costar is her adorable dog, Rigby. She loves the spotlight!

Finally, we put a look together for spring (or one of those 65 -degrees-in-winter days in NC). A lightweight long gray cardigan pairs quite well with Kim's tie-dye dress. We kept it monochromatic with silver sandals and the same Lucite necklace from the first look.

Bringing in a stylist can provide a more affordable alternative than continuously shopping. Their outside perspective and first looks at your clothing can lead to new ideas you may not have thought about. Everyone can benefit from shopping in their closet!

For more information on how Fauxshionable can work for you, email me! fauxshionable@gmail.com

Kiddin' Around!

Sometimes it's just nice to be a kid. Check out Fly Vintage's latest post for some super fun pics you won't want to miss - styled by Krystle herself. 

Oh, and all of her vintage items were under $5!

Click Here!

Get the Fur Trend for Less!

Seems everywhere we look these days, people are wearing fur. Be it faux or real, it's a major statement. It is also a major investment to buy new. Even quality-looking faux fur coats and vests are hundreds of dollars. So, how do you participate in the coziest trend around for less? I have the secrets!

Thrift Stores

I'm a broken record, but your local thrift store probably has a nice selection of furs at $50 or less. Use a discriminating eye to discover rips or tears in the fur, or any heavy wear or matting. I found this mink (I think) coat at a thrift store for $20, and the sable (I think) stole for $5. Both are in amazing shape! I Febreezed them on the inside and combed out the fur the make them shine.

**Bonus - you might find an old fur with initials embroidered inside. It gives the piece such character!

Yard Sales/Garage Sales

Fur coats are a staple at sales, I swear. When the weather warms and sales start springing up in your neighborhood, make it a point to stop by. You've seen my $10 yard sale faux fur in several posts - my favorite being Gaga for Gaga.

Mom or Grandma

Since fur was more popular (and might I add socially acceptable) in our parents' and grandparents' era, your relatives might be able to lend you a fur. I got my patchy crazy fur from my mom. She wasn't using it, so I decided to give it a second life. My fur headband (seen above)/collar was my late grandmother's. Just keepin' it in the family!

I might add that salvaging a used fur is not only green, but it spares an animal from losing its life. Yes, you may always go faux, but if you want the luxury of real fur, this is the most nobel way of doing it.

Pair your furs with lots of sparkles and an attitude like Zsa Zsa Gabor. No one will know you paid next to nothing!

Shoppin' Your Closet - Annie Get Your Layers

Another closet shop post, comin' atcha. This one is featuring the lovely and hilarious Annie - a Chicago mother of two with a penchant for fabulous sweaters. 

As a stay at home mom, mover, and shaker, Annie was looking for a new way to work her collection of cozy knits AND try a new thing or two. First off, I must say that Annie has great taste - I mean, she was a Vera Wang bride! We can all use a few wardrobe tweaks here and there, though.

We decided to go for layers, layers, layers. Sweaters over long sleeve patterned and solid tops would be our base. We even threw in a cute swing jacket instead of a sweater in one look. The layered looks will work well for this mommy because she can take off a layer, put it back on, or add another piece depending on her activities. Adding gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings provided the extra cliche "pop" to make the looks stand out.

(Diggin' the charms with her daughters' names and bdays on them? Click here.)

Can we talk about Annie's boot collection for a second? Over-the-

knee, western, moon boots...drooooool. They worked perfectly with her also drool worthy denim selection. And seriously, I was ready to run away with her vintage Gucci.

We ended up with 7 outfits from our closet shop! I had so much fun with Annie. She cracked me up the whole time. I'm spoiled with such great clients! She even wrote the nicest things about Fauxshionable on her blog. Check back often - it's in my blog list.

Need help in your closet? Email me today! fauxshionable@gmail.com

Fauxshionable Mention

Just a quick post to thank Tongue in Chic for adding me to their Trend Talk Tuesdays post on bodysuits! I was extremely flattered to see my interpretation of Lady Gaga on their blog.

Check out the post here and be sure to sign up for their stylish email list.

Top photo, from left: Emily Amelia Inglis, ME!!!, Sea of Shoes, Jayne T.
Bottom photo, from left: Blackburn and Sweetzner, The Sartorialist, Childhood Flames, Garcone Dore

Photos courtesy of Tongue in Chic.