14 Weeks

There are only 14 weeks left until June, which means it's time to start thinking about summer clothes. Bikinis. Shorts. Sun dresses. Tank tops. Short Skirts.

Basically, it's time to get in shape for the "less is more" season. So I have 14 weeks to lose...oh...around 20-25 pounds. That sounds like a lot, right? It is. So basically this plan includes dieting and exercise; I am currently hunting for cheap gyms near me or a good deal on a stationary bike.

My reward? This amazing bathing suit I fell in love with from Victoria's Secret. I love zebra print, I find it amazing for everything, including clothing, shoes and home goods. I also love that the bottoms tie (keeps any muffin topping from a too-tight bottom at bay) and the hardware is adorable. I am totally rewarding myself with this when I get fit, and the best part: it's only $49 for both pieces!

Another one I love: this pink polka dot one. It screams "precious." And it's only $39.50 for both pieces! The only thing here is that I like string bottoms usually, and the string bottoms aren't as cute...on second thought- does this look too much like lingerie?

You can find these and other great bathing suits on the Victoria's Secret website and some items are even in select stores! The hunt for the perfect bikini may be a few months off, but there's no time to waste in getting rid of that extra winter jiggle ;)

Pain Makes Shopping Hard

So last Friday my gums near my coming-in-sideways wisdom tooth decided to flare up in swelling and pain. I thought maybe it would go away. Nope. Good thing I was still in continuation with my dental insurance. Phew!

So now I am stuck taking antibiotics 4 times a day to get rid of an infection plus I have to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed probably next week. Joy. Hopefully my face will not swell up and make me look like a hamster hording food.

So, as you can imagine, this, plus the imminent $0 balance that will soon be in my bank account, thank you economy, leads to no finds, and no venturing out of the house unless it's to see a doctor. What have I been loving lately though? Dexter, and Rita's clothing on the show. Rita is Dexter's girlfriend (no spoilers) and she wears the most adorable, feminine outfits. I am in love. She wears adorable sundresses and just looks like a cupcake in the middle of a flower-filled garden with the sun shining down on her. Her clothes are so happy, and I am definitely going to invest in some great sundresses this summer, especially ones with a bit more structure.

 

  

 

Fabulous Finds

It's been snowing a lot this winter. Being in Jersey and not the city this winter really lets me enjoy it. Last week it snowed so much that Wednesday was a snow day for everyone and my mom and I went for a walk trudging through the snow, it was really nice.

This is the little creek near my townhouse complex, so pretty all snowed in.

On Valentine's Day, for lack of a boyfriend, I went shopping with my mom. We went to the Franklin Mills outlet mall in PA. The stores there were decent, but the only really good outlets there are the Polo Ralph Lauren outlet and the Saks 5th Avenue Off 5th store. They had some great stuff!

But as per usual, my mom and I ended up in the Marshall's/Home Goods attached to the store. It is huge! The home section there is amazing and I would definitely go back if just for that, though the T.J. Maxx/Home Goods in Bridgewater, NJ is great as well. I love finding unique furniture there for a good price, like this great little bright yellow metal outdoor table and chair set for only $129! It is adorable for a small patio or deck.

And I love the little cutouts!

There was also this great shruggy light salmon-colored knit cardigan for only $14.99 but I didn't get it.

What I did end up with was a cute little gray jersey dress that is smocked at the waist for $19.99 and another great Cocoa zip-up hoodie for $24.99. These are lined with fur (I already have 2 others in green and blue) and the fur in this one is light, and extra soft and the bright color is perfect for spring.

My mom ended up with this great Calvin Klein shirt dress for only $49.99, it's slimming and the details are great.

In other news, today was Mardi Gras and my mom, sister and I celebrated by making brownies and eating them with ice cream and cold milk. So good. Tomorrow Lent starts and even though I am not religious, I can use it as motivation and plan to give up chocolate and snacking on anything unhealthy, and plan on going on my Wii Fit every day, even if just to do the body test. Once I get on, maybe I will be more likely to do some training on it. Hopefully I can find a job soon!!! Then I can find a lovely apartment and lovely cheap finds to decorate it! Keep your fingers crossed, I know I am.

Shopping Without Money

So, as the job hunt continues, the buying dwindles. To nothing. I had to return those gorgeous Steve Madden heels from the last post, but I felt sort of proud, like I was doing the responsible thing.

That being said, when I can't shop or find bargains for lack of any money at all, I shop my mother's closet. OK, so maybe it doesn't consist of the most stylish pieces but I find some fun things. Over-sized floral blouses paired with colorful shorts and gladiator sandals (in summer of course), dresses that I chop to above-knee length and then belt, vests that are over-sized on me in a variety of fabrics and prints over long-sleeved, solid tunic tops. Colorful belts are something amazing I am always stealing from my mom, as are the over-sized vests. Her closet is also great for stoles and wraps, which come in handy in the summer for going out to dinner or at weddings and other formal occasions.

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All in all, it's a great hunting ground, you just have to be more creative. This isn't where you look at a shirt as a shirt, it's where you envision how it will look with a thin waist belt with black leggings and booties. AND you can also I am sure find great fun prints in those over-sized 80s and 90s blouses that can be used to make fun pillowcases.

The one thing you can take as-is: clothing that was her's back in the day and jewelry and purses. Jewelry is jewelry and bags are bags, so borrow some to spice up an outfit (this can be done with sisters' and friends' closets as well if they are willing).

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But clothing that was once your mom's can be a great thing. my mother has this silk, sheer, baby-pink dress that drapes open to the waist in the back. It looks like a Greek goddess gown. So, to fix it up we hemmed it to above my knee and now I can wear it in the summer with dainty sandals or in the winter over a black turtleneck, tights and with heels or booties. You can really be inventive with this stuff. And the best part is, that it's free and since your mother probably will only offer you things she no longer wears to make space in her closet, it's a win-win.

Happy hunting.