Thursday, April 12, 2012

Simplicity Goes A Long Way




I thrifted this strapless dress months ago for $9.00 and I have probably worn it more than any dress that I have hanging in my closet.  It is one of those pieces that has endless possibilities and is timeless.  A true wardrobe staple.


You can take a simple, plain Jane dress and make it pop with just a few accessories.

 Add a bold pair of heels, a piece of statement jewelry, an over sized belt, a bright blazer or colorful scarf. 

Don't be afraid to play a little dress up.  I think you will be surprised at how many different looks you can come up with by using what you already have in your closet. 

Dress:Thrifted | Belt:Francesca's | Shoes:Urban Outfitters | Jewelry:Forever 21

Speaking of what we already have in our closets...I need your help.  

I am officially on a shopping FREEZE...gasp...no, that was not a typo...I said it...SHOPPING FREEZE!  

Ross and I need to refocus our finances and I am finally admitting, out loud, that I absolutely DO NOT need to purchase anything that relates to clothes.  This isn't going to be easy, in fact I will probably suffer from some nasty withdrawals.  I think I am already getting the shakes.  So, I am counting on all of you for support and to help me stay accountable.  Are you with me?   Okay, good!  I knew you ladies wouldn't let me down.  

All future outfit posts will be mixing and matching what I already own.  I know I can do it and I am looking forward to the challenge {not really looking forward to it...just trying to psych myself up}.  

Anyone else want to join me on my journey?  I could sure use a friend or two!  

Cheers to simplicity and ending freezing my relationship with shopping.




40 comments:

Andi said...

Good luck on your shopping freeze! Today marks the end of my 3 months without shopping. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Michelle said...

Cute dress! Love your shoes

★ JASMINE ★ said...

gorgeous!
loving the dress!
xxx

TheTinyHeart said...

That dress is so cute and I love all your orange accessories! I'm with you on the shopping freeze...I've been on one for a while now thanks to money being tight. We can do it!

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart

Unknown said...

lookin great!

Emma said...

That is the cutest belt! Goes perfect with that dress. And the bold orange accessories/shoes, love it! I wish I could step out of my comfort zone and buy bolder things like that. I stick to the basics when it comes to shoes. I always think, "hmmm, how many outfits can I get away with wearing this with!?" Lol

*Chanting* You can do it! You can do it! If I did outfit posts, I would totally be with you on this, but unfortunately I don't. I am sure all your outfits will be great and can't wait to keep up with them :)

Head to Toe Chic said...

I love this!! The dress looks amazing with the belt and I love those shoes!! I've tried putting myself on a shopping freeze so many times before and I've failed miserably. Maybe I just needed support, not sure but i do have a major shopping problem. Good luck, I know you can do it!!! :)

Xo,
Angela
Headtotoechic.blogspot.com

Karen said...

I'm in! I will try not shopping too (but it has to be after tomorrow). There is a mint skirt at H&M screaming my name.

Amy {Fresh and Fancy} said...

Love your dress - you look so pretty!

Always Maylee said...

You look so pretty! I love the orange heels and ring, such a great pop of color! Good luck on your freeze!

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Amy in Austin said...

You need to invite Holly over for the afternoon. She always comes and helps me "wardrobe" my closet. But I have to take pictures and keep them on my phone for the days that I can't remember what goes together. She's awesome!

Unknown said...

Good for you! I definitely need to go on a shopping freeze soon as well...

Your thrifted dress is so cute, and I love the belt with it. Also, your shoes. i LOVE them.

xoxo, morgan

Anonymous said...

Love that fun pop of color through your shoes!! Looks like you got some sun lately! Lucky!

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

Love the simplicity of it all...and then bam...the touch of color with your shoes! :) Awesome!

Katie said...

what a great thrift store find!! and good job for deciding to not spend money - it is definitely hard but you can do it!!!!

Sugarr2518 said...

A shopping freeze would be hard, but you can do it:) The dress is cute, especially for $9...what!?!?! Love the pops of coral:)

Katie @ My Darling Days said...

My oh my look at your beautiful sun-kissed tan ;) Love your lil black dress; I totally agree on it being a wardrobe staple you can dress up or down. Good luck on your shopping freeze, you can do it! Let other style bloggers and Pinterest inspire what you can remix in your closet, I know you'll do great!

Alexa said...

Such a great look...simple is often best!

Penniless Socialite said...

I can go on a shopping freeze right after this weekend. I have a $25 gift card to The Limited and they have some mint jeans I really want...haha.
Good luck!

Tara
Penniless Socialite

Kristen said...

I NEED to join you on your shopping freeze, I just don't know if I can do it! And I absolutely love your orange pumps, so adorable!

ms.composure said...

in LOVE with those shoes!!!!

http://infinitelifefitness.com
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

TaraMixandMatch said...

Good luck with your ban...I will try not to be an enabler lol...you are right, that dress is perfect on you and will work for so much!!

Simply Sarah said...

so 1) I'm proud of you for that thrift store find, and 2) I've been debating a shopping freeze for awhile...I could definitely use it!!! You're inspiring me. I've also thought about doing "B1T1 - Buy 1 Throw 1", and since I never want to throw away clothes it stops me from buying!

Ashlyn | Let It Be Beautiful said...

BS you look SO cute!
& I am on a SHOPPING FREEZE toooo! this is going to be hard especially since a new season is coming up!

lets do this together!
love you, LS.

chat please STAT!

Giovanna said...

Cute look! Love your pumps! I've been on a mini spending freeze! It's hard but you can do it!

xx
Giovanna
www.oliveandanarrow.com
ShabbyApple Gift Card Giveaway!

Meghan @ More from Meg said...

Adorable as always!! Maybe you could be my stylist! :) The belt is my favorite!!

Tami said...

What a pretty dress and i love the coral and black!
XO Tami

The Sweet Life said...

Love this look a s I can only imagine the endless possibilities with this dress. I love those shoes, by the way. Such a great color. You always look so cute and stylish so I know you can afford to have a shopping freeze. I need to take one, but not just yet. I need a few spring staples first, but I'll def cheer you on!!!! What are friends for, right?? Good luck lovely!

Unknown said...

love the pops of color!

xxx
www.ladyalamode.com

JMc said...

Love this look! I gave up clothes shopping for lent and whew was it hard! But by the end I started seeing my closet differently. I was able to mix and match better than I ever had before. And now I have a better idea of specific pieces I need instead of just "oh that's pretty, I must buy it". Good luck! You can do it!

Emma Litton said...

Love those shoes! Super great color and style to them. You're super adorable. Great blog.

xo,
Em

tres chic chica said...

So pretty, love this dress and the shoes look great with it! Awesome thrift find.

Thanks for stopping by doll, hope your having a good day :)
http://nyorkeratheart.blogspot.com

Amy Shaughnessy said...

9$? What a steal!! I'm on a shopping freeze too. Boo.

Amy

fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

tara said...

such a cute dress! love those shoes too!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

Cute dress! And trust me, once the freeze is over, you will question every purchase you make. I gave up shopping for lent a few years ago and my shopping habits were never the same! Good Luck!

Karen said...

I love how you added pops of color to this outfit- gotta love a good LBD! You are so inspiring- I think it would be good for me to get more creative with the clothes I already have by remixing them- and bonus: save money! :)

<3 Karen from Simply Lovely
simplylovethisblog.blogspot.com

katie said...

First off, congrats and good luck on your shopping freeze! (I know how hard those are, I've been working very hard to be a good girl this year.) Second, I love your pretty going-out outfit, those heels really pop out!

Heather said...

Under ten bucks for that dress - NO WAY! It's the perfect LBD - and I love the pops of color you incorporated!

XO
www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com

Erica said...

i will join you! we're moving in a few weeks and I just downsized our closet and got rid of a lot of things. but i've been itching to pick up new things for summer and i can't!! operation spending freeze in full effect.

Object of Maya*ffection said...

What a FAB dress! I LOVE when you find a great deal that you can re-style a hundred different ways!!

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