This entire outfit cost $18

Gingham top: vintage, thrifted; 

White blouse (underneath): Ann Taylor, thrifted;

Leather skirt: Old Navy, thrifted;

Tights: Hue;

Shoes: Ipanema, thrifted;

Coat: Club Monaco, thrifted.

 Shop similar: white blouse, skirt, coat.

This outfit cost me less than a tank of gas, because it's 83% thrifted (the tights were the bought-new items). The shoes and the leather skirt were the most expensive items at $5 each. The coat (which still had its tags when purchased) was $3, and I wear it all the time. I believe in the magical powers of dry cleaning and sale days at thrift stores.

One of the most difficult things for me in this Remix Challenge was being able to combine my vintage pieces with some of the more modern items. I usually don't do that too much -- it's either all modern or all vintage/costume-y. I liked being able to frankenstein the two styles during this challenge to create my own spin.

This is Outfit 29, which means it's final countdown time. Stay tuned for the finale ... tomorrow!

Seventeen

Sweater: LOFT;

Top: BR, gift from Marilou;

Leather skirt: Old Navy, thrifted;

Tights: Hue;

Carpet saddle bag: thrifted;

Boots: Target.
Photos of me by Jeremiah.

 After the whirlwind Thanksgiving week Jeremiah and I had, Sunday called for some downtime.  We walked around downtown and snapped some photos of our favorite haunts while I happily sipped on some Coke Zero (which actually matched my outfit). Having a blog has made me more fearless with taking photos in public places. I've had this mural behind a restaurant in my mind for outfit shots, and this is the first time I've actually incorporated it.

I've gotten quite a bit of wear out of this leather skirt in the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge. It's become a staple in my closet for sure.

Any surprise closet staples come out of the Remix Challenge for you?

Sixteen

Dress (as top): LOFT;

Belt: LOFT;

Sweater: Faded Glory;

Leather skirt: Old Navy (thrifted);

Tights: Hue;
Carpet saddle bag: thrifted;

Boots: Target.

I spent the last few days with Jeremiah's family for the Thanksgiving holidays, and didn't do very much. No photo-taking, no Internet, no blog-related stuff. It was so very relaxing. Though it kind of sucks because I wore so many outfits based on items in the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge, and now I'll have to just rewear them again! Jeremiah and I just spent a lot of time watching movies, eating and hanging out with family. We originally had plans to go Black Friday shopping (which I'm usually down for), but we ended up making tons of food for our football tailgate instead. It's going to be hard to get back into a normal routine after this week...

Being back near our old home turf meant that I had time for two things: the farm park and the Salvation Army. I actually broke my shopping ban and bought some vintage stuff for myself. I don't feel that bad about it, actually: I've been conservative about shopping the last few months, and I get few opportunities to go to my favorite (cheap!) vintage haunts anyways, so I considered this a big enough deal to break the 30 for 30 shopping ban. I got three vintage dresses, one Ann Taylor blouse and some Bongo gladiator wedges, all for $17 total! Sometimes I have my awesome Mozart moments when it comes to thrift shopping.

I did get some time to visit the farm park. It was so strange to see the trees already barren and the fields empty. I took the opportunity to take photos near my favorite spots -- the fence by the cabin and under the long bridge. I got a chance to wear my 16th outfit for the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge, and really liked the mix of reds and florals with the leather skirt. My Hue tights have been one of the best buys I've gotten in a long time -- they were $2 a pair over the summer at the mall, and I've worn them almost nonstop since the weather turned.

I did make a friend at the farm park:

This wild stag snuck up on me while I was walking to the cabin! We both stared at each other for a second, and then I backed up to the field and started snapping photos. He took a turn around the cabin and then jumped a few fences into the forest, where he chased a doe. I later saw them walking together slowly in the woods. I was the only one around to witness it too, so it made for a very surreal and beautiful time there.

How was your weekend?

Marooned

Dress, sweater, belt: LOFT;
Coat: Club Monaco;
Tights: Hue;
Carpet saddle bag: thrifted;
Moccasins: Minnetonka, gift.

It's hard to believe that merely a week ago I was sporting short sleeves. I'm looking at JoAnn of last week and I'm totally jealous of her complete disregard (or need) of layering. Yesterday was a gross, wet day, the kind of day that needs maroon tights and comfort clothes to get through it. 

It's getting so cold, I'm hoping that I can keep up my momentum of taking my photos by myself. I started doing so since June (Jeremiah helps out occasionally, and I usually mark which sets he takes), but now that it's getting realllly cold in the mornings by the lake, I'll have to motivate myself to keep doing so.

What are your weekend plans? I'm looking forward to hot cocoa and Brunswick stew at our family tailgate tomorrow during tomorrow's football game!

Making a list and checking it thrice

Dress: Donna Ricco, thrifted;

Boots: Target;

Bag: H&M;

Tights: HUE;

Scarf: thrifted.
How I've worn the dress before: here.

It feels like I've worn this exact outfit before, but I actually haven't, though almost all the pieces are in heavy rotation in my closet. The scarf has been strictly an autumn accessory -- it has a little pattern of leaves on it. 

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and feedback on my graduate school questions. Some of you brought up points that helped boost my understanding of what to expect. I've made a laundry list of considerations, and I'm meeting with the graduate advisor of one program this afternoon to discuss admissions and coursework -- wish me luck!