Frugal Fashion Friday: Affordable Accessories

On a vacation to Dallas one year, I discovered Sam Moon... a ginormous accessory store. Many of you are already aware of Sam Moon and, perhaps, have known about it for years. Lucky you. I'm pretty sure there are still only four stores and they are all in Texas- Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth and Houston. For those of you who live outside of those areas and haven't been to one of their stores ... they also have an online store. Lucky you. ;) It is like walking into accessory heaven... and the fun part is, you leave with a bunch of fun costume jewelry because they are so affordable!! I will give you a little sample of what you will find when you visit...

Earrings:

$2.95

$3.50

$3.95

$3.95

$4.95

Sterling Silver Earrings:

$6.50

$7.50

Necklaces and Sets:

$3.95

$4.50

$4.95

$4.95

$4.95

$5.50

$5.50

$5.95

$5.95

$5.95

$6.50

$6.95

Hair Accessories:

$8.95

$8.95

Handbags:

$25.95

$25.95

$28.95

Carry-on/Weekend Luggage:

$25.95

Luggage Sets:

$119.95

$119.95

$119.95

$119.95

This is just a small sample of what you will find at Sam Moon Online. I'm personally eying that peacock necklace and that yellow ruffle purse (although it comes in a few different colors. I just can't get enough ruffle right now! ha!) It is always fun to get a few accessory statement pieces that finish an outfit. It is even more fun to load up your cart with accessory pieces because they are so cotton pickin' affordable. I like nice jewelry, but I also like trendy pieces... and I'm not about to spend a load of money on something that I might not be wearing in 5 years. This is the perfect solution. Now go to Sam Moon and see what treasures you can find! ;) Happy Friday y'all!

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Frugal Fashion Friday: Pretty Up Your Tanks and Tees

We all have those plain tanks and tees in our closet that could use a little bit of pretty. And by pretty, I mean the options are endless. By using fabric remnants and fusible "iron on" webbing... you can create words, pictures, designs... whatever your imagination can think of.
It really is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Step 1... Draw on the fabric to create a design or picture... stencils work well for monograms.

Step 2... Cut out design (making sure to cut on the INSIDE of your drawing lines).

Step 3... Iron them on your shirt.

I'll give you pictorial instructions for you visual learners (I certainly am one!).
For this project, I created a tank top for my sister, Emily (aka the Fashionista from Le Quaintrelle). She is into being "green" (i.e. tries to use earth friendly products and eat organic food, etc). I decided to make her an "eco-friendly shirt" by using my fabric remnants (kind of like a form of recycling, right? ;) ). Here is how the shirt was created:

Started with a hot pink tank.

I cut out letters from the material, along with a make-shift Earth.

I then took my individual cut-outs and pinned them onto fusible webbing.
I cut the webbing to fit the shapes.

In case y'all were wondering what fusible webbing looks like in the package... this is what I use. (It seems to work quite well. After several washes there is virtually no lift from the fused fabric.)
I purchased this at JoAnn Fabrics.

Next, I laid out the pieces the way I wanted them, pinned them in place and ironed away! You can make it as simple or extravagant as you would like.
Here is the finished product:

Remember how I mentioned that I have a bad, bad habit of giving gifts that are themed, right?
Yeah. So I made this bag for her, too. You can find these panels in different colors at JoAnn Fabrics as well. I thought this would be a great way to be eco-friendly. She can take this bag thrifting, shopping or when she goes to flea markets and use it for purchases instead of plastic bags.
Nope. Didn't stop there either. I made a matching felt clip, too. ha! All you need is a sheet (or two) of felt, some embroidery floss and a snap clip!

That completed my "eco-friendly" themed gift for Emily... I sent the package off to her... and she sent me back some pictures of her new goodies! Here she is modeling them:

I'm 83% sure that the clip is upside down in this picture...or at least on its side. But then again, my felt continents weren't exactly to scale. In fact, their shape was more than likely unrecognizable to anyone but me. haha You're off the hook on this one, Emily. ;)

I did a similar DIY iron on project (and posted it a while ago) by cutting out fabric that had big design pieces...

Check out this project here.

Hope y'all have fun with creating unique designs for your plain tees and tanks!
It is officially the weekend now!! Go play. :)

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Metamorphosis Monday: Thrift Store Skirt

Its Met Monday!! I have been planning many metamorphoses, however, it was such a busy weekend with the ball and all...that I didn't undertake anything major. If you recall, I had a guest writer, Emily from Le Quaintrelle, on my blog for Frugal Fashion Friday this past week. She gave tips on how to successfully thrift store shop for clothes (in case you missed it, you can find it here). I took on the challenge and headed to the Goodwill on Friday afternoon, keeping all of my newly learned tips in mind. :) I found a brown skirt and a braided suede belt... My metamorphosis this week is transforming my skirt (that cost $4.50) into several different outfits. Wish me luck!

Following Emily's unconventional advice... I turned this brown elastic-waisted skirt into a strapless dress. I pair it with some gold and tan wedges and an antique locket.

This locket is one of my favorites... as it holds old pictures of both of my late Grandmothers. It is very special to me... just as they will always be.

Next, I am still wearing the skirt as a strapless dress... and now pairing it with the braided belt (also purchased at the Goodwill for $1.50) and some copper flat sandals.

The skirt can be dressed up a bit more... with a flowy cream colored shirt and cinched with the same braided belt. I paired this outfit with brown sandal heels...

Here is a more casual look... the skirt is paired with a cream tank top and an orange tank top... both with a pair of leather flip flops. This is "California" me... a more casual, beachy look. ;)

But who am I kidding... I'm a Texas girl now! ;)

Saving the best for last... I added a little bit of "Prairie Girl" style... with vintage stacked cowgirl boots and a buckled fashion belt worn a little lower than the braided belt. Now I feel right at home in the Lone Star State. ;)

So... for $4.50 (and a few items I already had in my closet) I was able to make 6 different outfits... (and probably more, but I was getting the hunch that poor hubby was tired of taking pictures of me. haha) I think my biggest lesson in thrifting this week is not to purchase something unless you have a vision for it. If you can't pair it with something you already have... then, as Emily says, you're flushing your money right down the toilet. ;)

For more fabulous metamorphoses... check out Susan's Between Naps on the Porch blog!

Happy Monday Y'all!


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