What I Wore: New Year's Eve

The inspiration (see more here)

My take (with my fab friend Lauren)

Blazer - Limited via Goodwill ($5)

Cuffed shorts - H&M ($25)

Black tank - Old Navy ($5)

Art deco stretch belt - ?? from Salvation Army eons ago ($2)

Faux suede pumps - Payless (manufacturer is Karma) ($25)

What did you wear?

New Year's Eve 2010 Attire

I'm often at a loss for what to wear on New Year's Eve. (As evidenced last year... I needed your help choosing my outfit!)

So I was excited to see some stylish New Year's Eve attire ideas on one of my favorite style blogs, FabSugar. The looks range from 70s glam and Brazilian bombshell to Mad Men chic and classic glam. I identified with Jennifer Connelly's updated, feminine tuxedo style.

As seen here on FabSugar.com.

I'm going to use Jennifer's look as inspiration, using items already in my closet. Will post pictures in the New Year*!

(Here's more coverage of Jennifer's look on Shopping the Trend.)

What are you wearing tonight? Everyone be safe and enjoy ringing in 2011!

Katy

*Speaking of the New Year, I'll have an exciting announcement (and some giveaways to accompany) in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Glamourai Inspired Sleeveless Coat

I've had a blog crush on The Glamourai since my friend Mb recommended her blog to me two months ago. She's glamorous (duh!), edgy and on-trend while still beating to her own drum beat.

When I saw her rock a neutral/light sleeveless trench over a dress, I thought, "Hey, I bet I could do that, and for relatively cheap."

The Glamourai (Kelly Frammel).

See more photos from her sleeveless trench coat post here.

So I set out to find a trench that I could have the sleeves cut off of. Like Kelly's, I wanted it to be neutral and simple. I visited Atlanta's Last Chance (Decatur location) and the Tucker, Dunwoody and Buford Highway Goodwills before I found something I thought would work.

Enter the $4 tweed 3/4 sleeve coat. While it had a simple neckline versus the trench look I was hoping, the fabric did have the versatility and neutrality I was looking for.

It was also important that I find a neutral dress. The thought of wearing pants with a sleeveless coat felt very 1990s power suit to me — or Hilary Clinton campaigning in the summertime. I got lucky and found a khaki linen-ish dress at Ross on clearance for $8.

This outfit:

• Coat (no label): $4 plus $10 alterations (to remove sleeves) — via Dunwoody, Georgia, Goodwill
• Dress: $8 (no one noteworthy) plus $4 to have the sleeves removed — via Dunwoody Ross Dress for Less
• Shoes: Steve Madden nude leather heels $4 — via Dunwoody Goodwill
• Necklace: $12 from Decatur antique vintage mega awesome store Kudzu (it's rose quartz, wood and faux gold)
• Ring: $10 (quartz and copper) — from Art Walk (walking street vendor market) in Santa Barbara, California
• Total: $52 (so freaking close to $50 or less)
• 
  

Also, take a good hard look at my straight hair — since it takes a while to straighten, I don't do it often. :)

Martha's Colors (and for $50 or less!)

Miz Martha Stewart (along with Miz Heather over at "We Met in a Bar") has been very fond of pairing grey with yellow.

I used to shy away from wearing yellow (thought it clashed with my hair), but lately I've been gravitating toward bright, cheerful hues like yellow a lot myself.

• Blouse: Banana Republic Outlet ($12 on sale)
• Wool vest: $4 at one of my local Goodwills (Tucker, I think)
• Skirt: Isaac Mizrahi for Target ($5 at Goodwill or Salvation Army)
• Shoes: Nine West via Ross ($25)
• Necklace: gifted by stepmother
  
• Ring: $2 at a thrift store in Santa Barbara
• Shoulder bag: $16 at Tucker Goodwill (and it's leather!)
  
• (Okay, it's only $50 or less when you don't count the purse...)
  
  

This necklace has really grown on me. When I opened it up circa Christmas 2008, I wasn't sure what to think. I thought it was too feminine or too busy or something. But I find myself wearing it all the time now. It's subtle with light colored tops -- and bold and interesting with colors like navy and black.




Happy Friday!

Follow Friday - New Dress a Day

Marisa from "New Dress A Day" started with this blah tuxedo blouse...

And turned blah to fab with a little blue and black Rit dye. (see the post here)


And here she turned a dreary formal dress...

Into something worthy of the Emmys' red carpet. (see the nipping and tucking details here.)

How can you find new life in a periwinkle 80s dress? (I think I saw this one on Will Ferrel ala Janet Reno on SNL)

By changing it into a fashion-forward, asymmetrically hemmed top, of course! (post here)

About a month ago, I posted about the awesomeness that is New Dress A Day.

Have you been following Marisa and her transformationalist blog? She's committed to only spending $365 this year on clothing. On top of being amazingly economical, she's showing the world how one can take a $1 too-big or lackluster thrift store find and turn it into something "wow"-worthy. Her tricks include dying, taking in, embellishing with lace (or sequins!) and hemming. And did I mention that she includes hilarious commentary in every post?

See above for a few recent transformations. I think I have a girl crush!

I, for one, can't wait to pick my sewing machine up from the repair shop so I can try my hand at a New Dress A Day-style makeover on a Goodwill treasure!

Christian Siriano for Payless

Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) has unveiled his new line of affordable shoes for Payless.

I don't know about you, but I want to snatch up this pair of "Coast Print" (slightly platform) pumps for $34.99. (These pumps are also available in a fiery red/orange coastal print.) The shoes are a great way for el cheapies like me to have a piece of the 2010 Christian Siriano collection without spending the big bucks. This print was a big part of his runway show (photos here).

New Christian Siriano for Payless pumps.

Inspired by his 2010 Spring collection.
(Photo from ProjectRungay via firstVIEW.com)

Not feeling the heels? Check out his flats ($29.99).

Check out his entire line of spring handbags, clutches, heels, flats and sneakers on the Payless Web site.

Locate the Payless store closest to you here.

Hurs: Fab Place for Jewelry and Accessories

I wish I could remember who originally pointed me to Hurs Wholesale Mart (5316 Buford Highway NE; Atlanta)... because I need to thank them.

Hurs is a megastore of jewelry (costume and sterling), brooches, hats, scarves, handbags and other fun accessories. While you have to peruse the aisles rather carefully to sort out the kitsch from the fashionable, Hurs is a place you shouldn't pass up. Their offerings are perfect for birthday treats, Christmas gifts, bridesmaid "thank yous"... and of course, beefing up your own accessories collection.

First off, almost everything in the just ITP store is under $10 (save the sterling jewelry, tiaras, scepters and oversized bags, which really aren't my thing anyway). And the variety is incredible! If your style is retro, funky, conservative, preppy, trendy, punk rock or whatever, this place has something for you.

Some photos from our visit (note: I took more photos of the funky items, but there were plenty of fashion-forward and conservative items, too).

One of the first things I spotted - a red, leather purse IDENTICAL to mine (except $18 less expensive).

Wall to wall costume jewelry and other goodies.

More.

Those bib necklaces that are all the rage (I think these were $10/each).

Awesome or sketch? You decide.

Hair accessories.

Felt hats: $20.

Yeah, I'm not sure either...

These necklaces have wacky grandma or freaky kindergarten teacher (or Julia?) written all over them.

All in all, I spent a grand total of $103 but came home with the following:

• Vintage-y looking brooch for my potential New Year's Eve outfit
• Two pairs of knit gloves (gifts)
• An owl pendant necklace (gift)
• Two knit headbands with fun knit flowers sewn on (one for me, one for a gift); I'll have to post an outfit wearing this later -- it's so fun!
• A jeweled evening bag/small purse (gift)
• Two scarves (gifts)
• Two white elephant gifts for a holiday party (guests of Ben and Becca's annual Ugly Sweater Party, watch out)
• A holly berry scarf to don for aforementioned holiday party
• A colorful costume necklace (gift)

Not bad, eh?

Now that you all know where you're going for your Atlanta costume jewelry and affordable fashion accessory needs, I know we can all sleep better tonight. :)

- Katy

Thank you, Miz Megan, for joining me for this field trip. I hope Mike likes his dapper gift.

Loving The Look for Less' Fab Holiday Finds Under $100

Still need to buy a few more holiday gifts for friends or family? Look into these great suggestions from The Look for Less (click to enlarge).

You really ought to check out The Look for Less' Fab Holiday Finds Under $100. I have done most of my holiday shopping but may have to snag a few of these great ideas for birthday gifts or for a few remaining friend gifts I need to get.

Your Favorite Items Under $20

Not a bad response for the first "Audience Participation Friday." And would you believe that some dudes even responded? Awesome. I'm also impressed that many of your items were even under $10. I asked what your favorite items under $20 were — and here's what you had to share:

Miz Mb sent in a casual dress she picked up from the GAP for $20. She even shows how to wear her piece more than one way. "I love it because it’s a light soft fabric that can blend well into any season. It has a comfortable neckline and cinched waist that makes it flirty, and is something I can dress up or down." — Mira (D.C.)

(Mira continued): "I can wear is bare-legged with flip flops or with tights, boots, and a matching scarf. It’s easy to dress this wardrobe staple down or up. Last night I wore this dress with green tights and a grey cardigan before going to [my boyfriend's] to watch TV. Before leaving, I ditched the cardigan for my black fall jacket since it was chilly." (Loving the fun tights, girl)

"Totally an old navy baseball-style shirt. $5 and really comfy." — Greg (Atlanta)

"It is definitely the black/white check sleeveless shirt that I bought with you at a thrift store ... I wear it about once a week - summer, winter, spring, fall ... in colder weather I wear it under a cardigan. And it cost less than $5!" — Lou a.k.a. my mom (Columbus)

"It has to be my new Levi's from Urban Outfitters. They are button-fly and boyfriend baggy style. I found them on the sale rack and they just happened to be my size! I was very pleased to pay $19 for them. I think they're reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston's causal style you'll often see in People magazine." — Anna (Dahlonega)

"my game day jersey... i got it on ebay and i wont leave the house on a notre dame saturday without it. $5!!!" — Alan (Warner Robbins)

Alan enjoys dinner in his $5 Notre Dame Jersey from eBay (a great place to find sports items for cheap!)

Budget friendly fashion diva Olivia had a tough time picking which <$20 item was her favorite so she sent three.

Oooh! I love these Nine West booties O. picked up for $19.99.

Olivia's Barclay square velvet jacket (thrifted in Nashville for $6)

This item wasn't just under $20, it was free! Olivia gets a lot of use out of this fabulous leather jacket her mom wore in high school.

For me, I would say the Armani Exchange jacket/blazer I picked up at Goodwill a few months back. It seems to be so versatile (works with jeans, slacks, dresses, etc.). I also feel like the fabric is rather season neutral. And it was $5.59!

For next week: What's your idea of a fun date night (or daytime activity) that costs less than $25? (Yes, I realize that photos may be tougher for this one — but try away!). Send your submissions to lifefulfilledatl@gmail.com by Wednesday, November 4.

Cheers!

Katy