Monday, January 7, 2013

Cheap Tricks

Top: Forever 21 (similar) | Skirt: J.Crew (similar) (similar)| Scarf: Target (similar) | Boots: DSW (similar)

Let me start by saying that I'm actually wearing something from J.Crew. 

Yep, if ya know me this comes as quite a shocker. 

Don't get me wrong. I love this store, their selection and their styles. I just don't love their prices. In fact, it kinda makes me dizzy thinking about buying a skirt for $100. I typically don't spend more than $40 on any single piece of clothing besides shoes, bags and jackets. It's how I am programmed. I would rather pick up four things from H&M, Target, Old Navy and of course Forever 21 than just one higher priced item at another retailer. 

You guys know I shop. More than I should. And because of my extracurricular activities, I'd like to believe I have some sorta clue about "what's out there". And, I just don't see that huge of a difference in quality between the more expensive pieces versus more affordable ones. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm just cheap.

Anyway, ramble over. My point being, I randomly hit up J.Crew and at the perfect time. This skirt was on clearance with an additional 30% off last week. I thought it was a great transitional piece that could be worn all year. It was a little more than my typical $19.80 skirt from Forever 21, but I couldn't pass it up. I am trying to be smarter about my purchases lately. I am leaning toward more things that I can remix and wear different ways. So, viola, this little number came home with me.

Annnnnnd, for your viewing pleasure, I conjured up a way to take a regular, very THICK scarf and turn it into an infinity one. Normally, I can tie the ends together to a scarf made of lighter material and be just fine. Not so much with a heavier one. I tried tying the ends of this red one together and it left me with a big bulky mess in the back. 

So, I came up with this little cheap trick. 

Grab a hair tie.
Wrap it around the ends of the scarf. 
1-2-3. 
Poof. 
An infinity scarf was born without the junk in the trunk. 
So, magical.


I sure do love me some simple, easy peasy tricks of the trade. Don't you? 

Got any of your own? Do share! 

**Linking up with Molly & Carly
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67 comments:

Erin said...

I have the same problems with my chunky ones! I tie every other one together. Never thought of this little trick, thanks!

Elegance and Mommyhood said...

Hi there. Happy Monday and a Good Week Ahead!!

I love this outfit. The bright scarf definitely pops. What a lovely Plaid skirt, too. I have created an infinity scarf by tying the ends of it before, but this is a better idea so I will use a hair band, instead. ;-)

I featured you on my Special Sunday Post. Here it is: http://elegancepersonification.blogspot.com/2013/01/weeks-best-looks-january-6th-2013.html
Check it Out.

Thanks, Ada. =)

Kathrin@shopschoolsleep said...

I knew I recognized that skirt!! Looks great!!

Unknown said...

I love your scarf trick! That is so neat. And I agree, I can't stand thinking about spending so much money on one item of clothing. I would much rather have 2-3 choices instead :)

Anonymous said...

What a great scarf trick! Love the J Crew skirt on you... their sales are the best!

Ali W. said...

Love this idea for the scarf! I always tie mine in a knot and then it's so hard to get undone. You are so darling, btw. I LOVE that skirt! And I totally agree with you about J. Crew. I LOVE their stuff, but they are sooo expensive. I never buy anything there either.

Helene said...

Oh how I adore that skirt! But yes, I agree with you about the prices. I normally hit up j crew when they have a major sale or I avoid it at all costs, since I know I would fall in love!

And great trick! I am so going to do that today!

Annie said...

Love love love that skirt Shanna! It's perfect with the chambray and chunky red scarf...and so awesome that you got it on sale :)

Annie
The Other Side of Gray

Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} said...

"without the junk in the trunk". Hilarious!

Danavee said...

OHHHH good trick!!!!!!!! I'll be using that one!

Heather said...

Oh that skirt is such a great piece - love the colors of the plaid! I'm like you with shopping - I hate spending more than I think I need to - great find girl!

XO
Pearls & Paws

Sheena Rae said...

I tie my scarves together if they are an awkward length...the infinity is perfect for that! Gotcha on only buying shoes, jewelry, and jackets for more than $40. I'm the same way...except for dresses. A good dress is worth it! :D

Katie said...

i love that skirt! and what a great idea to tie the scarf!

Sarah Tucker said...

I usually look at J. Crew and then go somewhere cheaper in search of a knock-off! That skirt is a total score!! Adorable!

Priscila@mommode said...

Love the scarf trick. I'm gonna have to try it. The skirt is so adorable!!

Jenn @ WLB said...

I hate spending too much money on one item! I mean, the best things tend to pop up for a cheaper price all over the place anyway!
Lately I've been trying to make an effort to buy more work related pieces at more quality stores (though never at full price)... hopefully they last!
The skirt is super cute!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I just instagramed a request on how you tie your scarves. That is too funny! I just read this and think your outfit (LIKE ALWAYS) is adobs and loving the scarf trick idea.

P.S. I have a very hard time purchasing over priced items.... I love the idea getting more for my money. I guess that is why I have discovered consignment stores lately. Of course I would never give up my fun stores but every now and again I will hit up consigment for some fun pieces.

Have a great day!
XOXO

Kayla Peveler said...

I seriously am envious of your wardrobe, come help me!! LOL ;)

I love the infinity scarf trick, so easy and cute! I am with you on J Crew, or anywhere like Madewell. So stinking cute just waaayyy too pricey! I love me some H&M and F21!

Rach said...

Love your infinity scarf how-to! Brilliant! Very cute outfit! Glad you found such a good deal at J Crew!

Unknown said...

WHAT a good idea! I am in love with this outfit as usual. That skirt is amazing - maybe I need to find it! I know what you mean about J.Crew. I LOVE every single thing they make, but can't afford to buy it. J.Crew Factory is a little better price-wise but I wait until there's a major sale to get anything.

Alissa
FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

Rachel @ front row seat said...

Ummm...thanks for the genius infinity tutorial! I will definitely be trying this out!

Niki {Glossy Blonde} said...

Awesome! I love J.Crew and that's even better that you got such a great deal on it! That skirt is definitely a year-round piece! And I love what you did with the scarf!

Jessica @ City Sequins said...

I LOVE this outfit! You always put together the cutest things. And great idea with the scarf...I have struggled with this exact same thing so many times!

Jessica
citysequins.blogspot.com

Melanie Montgomery said...

I love your collection of denim shirts, and seeing all the different ways you wear them!

Andrea said...

What a great outfit! I love how you always find such great deals! I also love the infinity scarf creation! I tied a knot in one of my scarves but agree with having to much in the back! I am definitely going to try your trick my friend!

Ladies in Navy said...

this is so cute and i adore your boots!
kw, Ladies in Navy

Jamie said...

Soo jealous you scooped up this skirt! By the time is got to the sale rack at my JCrew, they didn't have my size. Love the way you styled it! GREAT idea about the hair tie!

Jamie
forevereightyone.blogspot.com

still being [molly] said...

i can TOTALLY see why you snagged up that jcrew skirt. it's PERFECT and so gorgeous! i am the SAME way - i have a lot of stuff from jcrew but i have NEVER paid full price - i ALWAYS get their stuff on major sale. and seriously? SUCH a genius idea with the infinity scarf. GENIUS i tell you.

Darby Hawley said...

Great tip! Love love love that outfit!

Tashia said...

Your hair tie trick is genious! I'll be trying that with some of my scarves. There are some stores that I only shop sale and clearance items- Jcrew, Gap, Bannana Republic, and Anne Taylor to name a few. Like you, I just can't justify $100 for one item, unless it's a coat or boots.

Always Maylee said...

I feel the same way as you about certain name brand stores. Sales and outlets are my best friends when it comes to these places! Love the skirt you got, so cute! :)

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Sarah said...

Giiiirl, you are so smart!! Love it!! I have also been wanting to try the trick where you sew 2 ends together of cute fabric and make a scarf out of it. Just add that one to my never ending DIY list...

Sarah said...

Holy Crap! I always wondered how people made a regular scarf into an infinity one...must do this this week at work...holy crap, yep I said it twice, my mind is being blown...okay exaggeration, but still, good tip :)

Shea Lennon said...

I'm LOVING plaid right now, so of course I think that skirt rocks. And your scarf-tying trick is awesome, thanks!

Ginny said...

Great idea on the scarf, I usually tie them too, so didn't even try a chunkier scarf. I totally will now. I'm with you on JCrew. I love everything a out them but the prices. This skirt is so cute Nd glad you got it at a price you can handle!
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

Shannon @ Bungalow960 said...

That is an awesome quick fix. I'm going to have to try it on my new leopard scarf. Yes, I said leopard scarf. It's okay. You can be jealous.

Unknown said...

what a great trick! I try to avoid J Crew unless I recently got my paycheck .... to dangerous!

Holly said...

Seriously, are we the same person? I hate spending more than $40-50 on any piece of clothing and I typically try to stay in the $30 and under range. I can't remember the last time I set foot in J.Crew. But you look adorable and you can't beat a sale on top of clearance! And fab trick with the scarf, doll!

Amy Shaughnessy said...

I think you are the queen of scarves. How many do you have? I'm so curious!! I totally agree with you on prices. If I can get it for less money (hello F21!) then you know I will!

Amy

Fashion and Beauty Finds

TheTinyHeart said...

Love the scarf trick! Normally I go into J Crew and then get sad because I can't afford a single thing in there!

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart

Debra said...

Love it! I am def trying this! Thnx doll! :)
Oh...and great skirt too!

Debra@stylewisebydebra.blogspot.com

Courtney said...

I love it Shanna!! I was in love with that skirt--looks fabulous on you! I wish now that i had gotten it, boo!!

Ashlyn | Let It Be Beautiful said...

cute look deary! you always have the best clothes, can you ship me your closet already? ha :] x

Lindsay said...

Hello, gorgeous!!! Could you clean out your closet and send me everything you don't want please?! xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a great idea with the scarf! And I love that skirt! I love good deals too, so I just stalk items til they are marked down enough for me to pull the trigger:) I hope you have a fantastic 2013!
xoAmy
www.dreamingincashmere.com

Nicole said...

That skirt looks amazing on you and I love how you added the red infinity scarf to highlight the color in the skirt and add a pop to your outfit.

Nicole
sequinedpatterns.blogspot.com

Cassandra said...

GREAT idea! I love J Crew too, but rarely even go into the store, because I don't want to fall into the pricey temptation. Great outfit!

Jeans and a Teacup said...

I know...I love J.Crew and I'm always thinking that I'm going to buckle down and buy something from there but I just can't do it!! So expensive! I do shop at J.Crew Factory when they have mega sales. Love the scarf trick! I might be trying that soon!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup

THE TAYLOR DIARY said...

I love the scarf idea! Cute outfit!

Cody Doll said...

I love your skirt. I also love that idea with the scarf. I was wondering how I could do that.

Thanks for sharing,
Cody
solemnsound.blogspot.com

FitTravelerAJ said...

Love the school girl look! I know how you feel about J.Crew...but they do have good quality stuff. I have 3 pencil skirts from there and I love them for work.

Awesome idea on the scarf! I actually did that with a scarf a few weeks ago and it did the trick!

(ps...thanks for the welcome back!)

-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I don't own anything from J. Crew either because their prices are just too high for me. I am love that skirt though!

www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
www.daisyraeboutique.com

kimmie said...

Such a good idea! I'll have to use this trick next time :)

pretty little things said...

adorable -- love the skirt and scarf combo! xo

http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

TaraMixandMatch said...

Love the skirt, you styled it perfectly!

Girls Love Fried Pickles said...

You know this scarf is multi functional. If you get attacked by a crazy honey badger and your shirt gets ripped it can double as a tube top. Ok bye! Love you

Unknown said...

Love seeing an alternative to putting a knot in my scarves. I think I'll use a tiny clear band next time!

My-cliffnotes said...

I want your top stat!

Head to Toe Chic said...

That scarf tip is amazing!! I've always just tied the ends which doesn't always work. Gorgeous skirt too!!! You can wear it so many different ways.

xo,
Angela

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

When I was in college many moons (or 15 years) ago, you could get two JCrew sweaters for $50 - they regularly ran free shipping and $25 off $75 specials. Now you can't touch anything there for that.

I'm not sure who they think they are, but I can't buy anything from there anymore unless it's on sale. I do still have a weakness for their flip flops.

Unknown said...

LOVE this look!!! The colors are perfection.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

omg how am i just now finding your amazing blog!? This outfit is perfection. you look like you just walked out of a j.crew magazine.
I'm your newest follower!

Just Another Shopaholic said...

That skirt is an amazing find, I love it!!

Anonymous said...

Love the look! For lots of good items during the J Crew 30% off sale!!
www.walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com

Anestazia said...

I do this all the time with my scarves! It just makes so much more sense that buying separate infinity scarves. But I do think your skirt was an awesome find! Love it!

Anestazia @ Eccentric Delirium

Kelly { MessyDirtyHair } said...

What a great skirt! The colors really brighten you up.

Kiki said...

Love this trick!! i am trying it!!
XOXO

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