$30 Project

There’s more than one way to wear a ($30!) chambray shirt. 

Previously: 

There’s more than one way to wear a little print dress. 

There’s more than one way to wear a navy pleated skirt. 

 There’s more than one way to wear a denim skirt. 

There’s more than one way to wear a pair of denim shorts. 

There’s more than one way to wear a yellow maxi skirt. 

There’s more than one way to wear a little denim dress. 

Flannel: Target $16, Vest: 2010 Christmas present from GAP, Legging Pants: Uniqlo $40, Boots: Rubberduck Snowjoggers previously owned for 3 years, Snake Ring: Charlotte Russe $4, Bracelets: mixture of vintage, gifts, and previously owned

All my friends died laughing when I bought these boots. And you can laugh all you want, go ahead. Laugh it up.

They are the most comfortable snow boots in the world and I love them. Do you know many people who can rock all three primaries on one shoe? NO. NO, YOU DON’T. 

Total cost of the outfit = $161.98

Remaining budget for 2012 = $1,131.97

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest. 

TREND WATCH 2012 - NEON

As you can tell from my outfit the other day, I’ve got a slight obsession with neon as an accent. (I’m pretty sure that it has something to do with growing up in the 80s?) Basically, it saves any outfit from crossing the line into boring. 

If you can’t afford this or this, then perhaps you can afford these - 10 Neon Accents for Under $50:

1. Neon Teardrop Earrings from Rocks Paper Metal - $12.50

2. Neon Ankle Socks from Urban Outfitters - $12

3. Hot Pink Backpack from Baggu - $34

4. Neon Rhino from A Strange Planet - $32

5. Generation Tee Top from Modcloth - $40

6. Bone to Be Wild Earrings from Modcloth - $10

7. Neon Striped V-Neck Pocket Tee from Madewell - $30

8. Tribal Mosaic Necklace from Bauble Bar - $38

9. Frosted Perspective Clutch from Asos - $28

10. Atari Flow Cuff from Bauble Bar - $36

Glasses: Beckett from Warby Parker received as a bday gift from mom & dad, Blazer: free in a Rachel Red Lips give-away, Dress: Tracy Reese previously owned for over 3 years, Booties: J.Crew $45 (phenomenal price capable with a bday gift card from Jenny!), Tights: GAP $8, Cowl Scarf: Yes Jess $42.50, Leather Pouch: Baggu Christmas present from the folks, Locket: The Market NYC $30, Bracelets: mixture of vintage & gifts

I took advantage of the warmer weather to sneak a lighter fabric into the rotation. Even though this is technically a “summer” dress, it was cozy enough for 50 degrees with a blazer and tights. 

Total cost of the outfit = $125.50

Remaining budget for 2012 = $1,131.97

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest. 

Oversized Sweater: Uniqlo $40, Maxi Skirt: Shop Ruche $40, Booties: J.Crew $45 (phenomenal price capable with a bday gift card from Jenny!), Tights: GAP $8, Snake Ring: Charlotte Russe $4, Agate Necklace: stone & honey special bday present, Neon Bag: special holiday Baggu present, Bracelets: mixture of vintage, gifts, and previously owned

Neon. That is all. 

Total cost of the outfit = $137

Remaining budget for 2012 = $1,131.97

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest. 

Or, you could like, listen closer and think. It’s not that hard. I like Klosterman, but no music writer is ever anywhere near good when s/he tries to parse why others like an artist without doing the actual messy ethnographic work, or (much worse) to be a sportswriter/political wonk and predict an artist’s legacy. (via marathonpacks)

I have no idea how I am supposed to take a piece seriously when it contains the sentence, “I’m not really in a position to argue for (or against) the merits of tUnE-yArDs, simply because I’ve barely listened to w h o k i l l.”

Glasses: Beckett from Warby Parker received as a bday gift from mom & dad, Sweater: Christmas present from J.Crew, Striped Tee: Old Navy $10 on sale, Legging Pants: Uniqlo $40, Booties: J.Crew $45 (phenomenal price capable with a bday gift card from Jenny!), Hat: Yes Jess $24, Bag: childhood gift from my great-aunt!, Brooch: House of Ismay $11

I wore this over the weekend during the first snowfall that NYC has seen all winter. I wanted to be slouchy and cozy while I was out and about running errands and such. 

Typically, casual outfits always have a higher cost per ensemble. I know that this sounds a bit off, but I usually include more accessories in a casual outfit (to make it more interesting) and that drives up the cost. 

But I love this one because it is a great combo of comfort, gifts, and handmade items from Etsy.

Total cost of the outfit = $130

Remaining budget for 2012 = $1,131.97

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest. 

Hi all. I really did mean to have an outfit post today, but it’s been a tough week with a lot of late nights. I’ve felt really out of balance this month, as if I can’t make all the pieces of my life fit together cohesively, and I’m hoping that the move to a new apartment (a space that is really mine again) will help alleviate some of the stress that I’ve been feeling. I’m so looking forward to a new place that I’m not even all that stressed about finding one. YET. (Check back in the middle of February when I want to punch a realtor.) 

Dreams of a different apartment (a nicely-decorated, all to myself, CLEAN apartment!) are what eventually led me to Pinterest. I had an invite kicking around for a while that I never acted upon. But I started gathering some decorating ideas together as I way to keep myself entertained. (And sane!) Saving links in a gmail draft just felt messy, so I checked Pinterest out. 

A few thoughts. 

I really like creating boards. They are a great organizational tool. I now have a space to store recipes, clothing and decor ideas/inspiration, and potential product purchases in one place. Not to mention my own outfit posts. And, in the same way that I do on this Tumblr, I absolutely will not pin anything that doesn’t have a proper photo credit. If I can’t trace it back to the original source, then it ain’t going up. 

I don’t think that the use of sites, such as the one you are currently viewing and/or Pinterest, should be an excuse for laziness. Someone took the trouble to take a photo. The least that you can do is take a minute to honor their work. If I wrote a piece and someone stole my words and reposted them as their own, I would go ape-shit. Photography is no different. 

Anywhoo, now that the self-righteous is out of the way… you can follow my Pinterest account, username 30dollarproject.

Cardigan: present from Jenny, Tee: Banana Republic via the Goodwill $1, Skirt: Free People via Gilt $30, Oxfords: Target $18, Vintage 70s Purse: $50, Tights: GAP $8, Elephant Necklace: purchased 4 years ago at a boutique in LI, Bracelets: Vintage via my mom

I wanted to put together an outfit that was a little easy on the eyes, in terms of color, without relying on the sole use of neutrals like beige. I think that the soft pink of this skirt helps to blend the whole palette together and give it a bit of extra “oomph.” 

A navy skirt would have worked as well, but it would have been too predictable.

Total cost of the outfit = $107

Remaining budget for 2012 = $1,131.97

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest. 

Pictured: The High Line

It’s been a little quiet around here. (I blame January.)

I’ve been discovered some new sources of inspiration as of late and wanted to share with you: 

Two Happy Hearts

Old Brand New 

The Dainty Squid

Delightfully Tacky

Kendi Everyday

Kitsune-Kun

District of Chic

Follow the $30 Project on Twitter and Pinterest.