The Price to be a Princess? Affordable After All!

          Everybody knows that seeing the color green push through melting snow, or burst from branches after a long season of dead or seemingly dormant existence, is the most refreshing sight.  It's like taking a deep breath after realizing you've been holding it.  And that's what I thought when I saw this lovely green dress in the midst of rows of agonizing colors and mis-schemes haphazardly molded into what some people call fashion.  Yet, it is man's gift to be creative.  It is what makes us human...... the ability to create, think, and function outside of any limitation that we seem to conjure up.  Now off that bunny trail..........
         So, the color green.  Refreshing, life giving, vibrant, like emerald tears of the heavens.
I found myself captivated by it's beauty.  So I took it, tried it on, as is always my policy, and it was more than I had ever dreamed or imagined.  I with my tendencies to despise my size and structure, had finally felt beautiful, truly beautiful in my own skin.  And I did not feel ashamed, or want to hide at all.  It was made just for me!!!! But not just in color and make, but with the blood that runs through me to be spend thrifty, it fit my budget at just $17.00.  Yes, I said it!!!!  SEVENTEEN DOLLARS!   Another high-five to thrift store shopping!  YES YES.... And if you want to see it, here it is.

f.y.i.  This dress, I'm sure was a prom dress or some extravagant evening gown.  I had no where to wear it, but for the purpose of looking like a princess for a day and taking note for all of you searching for great bargains at a discount price.  I am proud to say, that I look like I spent a few extra greens on this one, but I didn't.  And that's what makes this Fab Your Image 4 Less.  

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Leopard Print shoes and more

     It's been so long.  I have almost forgotten the thrill of placing new words on paper.  I've almost forgotten how excited I was at finding something new and then telling it to you.  Like a breath of fresh air when I would put on a hat, scarf, necklace, shoes, skirt, shirt...... you get the point.  Now I feel lost in time hoping to be redeemed with a fresh spark and new attitude.  Not the bad, nasty attitude that people adopt over time and trial.  I mean, "Look".  A new flare.  New Hair.  New style.  This will be kinda difficult because I can't say that I have a set style.  I just wear what feels right.  That can be anything depending on the day.
But I'm looking for something new, something bold, .........maybe even something blue.  You know the old rhyme.  And if you don't....well, you'll catch on one day.

     So what do you think?  I've played it safe most of my life.  I'm considering a blazing red hair-do like Rihanna or short and cute like old school Toni Braxton.  I haven't decided yet, and I'm afraid I'll chicken out.  But for the moment while I get my creative plans finalized, I've started the process by selecting a new type of shoe for me.  Leopard Print!  "Holla!"  I've said it before that I hate to wear flats because they make my feet look huge but these babies had to come home with me.  Who knows, maybe I was just feeling Big-Cat- Frisky that day, either way, here I am and it's time for some fashion play.

     It started with the shoes, of course, and easily went to the leopard print dress that I  maybe have worn twice, neither time in public.  I knew I needed something almost as long as the dress for a shaping affect and warm enough to wear during the winter.  This brown sweater, that I've almost gotten rid of several times, has finally made a come-back.  Twice in my blog, and has made it's way out of the danger zone.  It was a match made in wardrobe heaven.  The brown belt seemed like a practical fit, but when I looked in the mirror, I still felt Blah.  Who feels blah wearing leopard print?!  I certainly wasn't expecting that kind of result. I felt as common as a big man wearing skinny jeans.  "Yep .... they're everywhere. And we are powerless to stop them."   So what's the remedy for such a thing?  My Blahzay leopard print, not the skinny jean epidemic.  What do you do with an outfit that's already flashy?  This kind of deal can go wrong easily.  So many people over do it and it takes away from the point of interest.  It's like technicolor cotton vomit.  And like I always say, there is freedom in fashion but some caution is necessary.  The wrong touch could ruin the whole thing.  And aside from all that, I had ten minutes left of my schedule to pull it all together.  Well, I pulled out a pair of red earrings but that wasn't enough.  I had a giant red belt, a red scarf, or a red flower pendant to utilize.  To be honest, nothing felt like perfection, but I took my chances..........  Sometimes, we have to do that.  AND....What do you know?  It worked.  I liked it a little bit better after about a half hour.  What can I say.  Sometimes satisfaction isn't instantaneous, but it should be pretty close ........when it comes to clothes.

So F.Y.I.  1)  Just because it's flashy doesn't mean it's finished
                 2)  Flats can be flattering even if you have big feet like me
                 3)  Relax ....... and add a little RED

$15.00 Leopard print shoes from Target

 

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Your Best You

     Today, I don't mind being so tall.  I feel at ease.  I'm comfortable with me.  I accept who I am.  I think I'm beautiful.  And if you ever knew the "me" behind closed doors you know that I find it hard to compliment myself and way too easy to complain about myself.  But today, I am Beautiful.  There are certain clothes that make you feel that way.  You know it for yourself.  Nobody has to tell you anything.  It's that feeling of being your best you.  I don't know.  Between the brown of the ground and the blue of the skies, I feel Alive.  And it's not like I tried hard to put this together.  I just woke up and knew that I wanted the brown and blue.  I knew the jewelry. I knew the make-up.  I knew the shoes.  It was all fashionably easy.

      I'll be the first to admit.  Women can make getting dressed very complicated.  We can turn a whole day into a "What to Wear" Nightmare.  And the men of our lives would much rather prefer that we walk around in as little clothes as possible.........At the very least, it would save time.  But we can't all walk around in our beach clothes or birthday suite.   It might be fun, but unproductive...........okay, maybe it would be reproductive, but since we're not in the garden of Eden we have to work and labor and wear clothes.  Thank goodness we've come a long way from leaf coverings and animal skin.  Most people aren't comfortable in their own skin , let alone something elses'.   There's something to be said about that too.  If you are not comfortable in what you're wearing, why wear it?  My husband hates suites but he sure looks handsome in them.  He has to wear them on occasion.  There are times to bend our rules and compromise for the sake of those around us, like at a wedding.  Though it may be uncomfortable to your taste or preference, it shouldn't be uncomfortable to your body.

      Now, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen those lovely characters in society that wear there pajamas out and about.  It's obvious that they are quite comfortable.........too comfortable.  These people would be the extreme of what I'm encouraging.  And sure, it's "decent", their body parts aren't being exposed.  You'll see them with hoodie sweaters, fuzzy cartoon pajama pants and fuzzy slippers, even.  I've seen this on grown men,  which means that either their job is testing the quality of potato chips and video games or they're in college.  Of course, women and youth do this too.  It all comes back to Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.  It is their liberty to be comfortable.  And it is that level of comfort that makes the rest of us look even better.............without trying.

So F.Y.I.. ask yourself....
1.  What makes you feel like your best you?
2.  Are there certain colors that make you feel Alive?
3.  Does your fashion show a lack of care for the sake of comfort?
4.  Is it time to compromise for the sake of those around you?
     (you can be comfortable in that compromise)

Whatever the answers are to those questions, 

Life is Complicated enough....Keep your fashion Easy.

Jean Jacket $1.00 from Salvation Army
Brown high heeled boots $10.00 at discount store

Sweater dress $5.00 from Biulding 19

$5.00 blue jean leggings from Walmart

Necklace and earring set $2.00 from
family discount store

Me, Letriah Masters

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Save the Scary for Halloween

     I wanted to dress up for Halloween as a Native American.  I'm not even sure if that's acceptable these days.  But at the very least, I know that it's in my blood line and it would be more like me honoring that heritage than mocking it.  When I tried on the costume, I felt beautiful.  I was so excited to wear it but I wasn't able to make the Halloween concert that my job was hosting and now it'll be, once again, in the closet for another year, or I'll donate it.  Never-the-less, this beautiful sweater was gifted to me and it features that Native Inspiration in its design and color palate.  At first I found it a little of a challenge to find the right bottoms to.  My first attempt was a fail.  I'm not even sure what I did.  My mind must've blocked it out.

     But I knew I could "work it".  So I tried again.  I actually placed it in my closet and saw that a skirt hanging near by was the same color and "botta-bing" it clicked.  Then, I picked a pair of wooden earrings and a dragonfly necklace and I was set to go.  I wore little make-up, really just eye liner and brown lipstick and smoothed my hair back and I was satisfied with the result.  When you have a showy kind of shirt, simplicity is the key.  When you have any article of clothing that is very nice, don't try to outshine it with something else extravagant.   Let people feel amazed without feeling overwhelmed.  Excess can be stressful to the eyes.

     Come on, we all know those people that overdue everything.  You see them coming near you and sometimes it's like ......."What the heck am I looking at? I feel so confused."  You're around them and leave with a headache and you don't even know why.  Your eyes are too busy trying to catch up with all the details.  I know men that are that excessive with cologne.  The smell meets you a few minutes before they arrive and remains strong after they leave.  And then, people that weren't there before are trying to figure out what that mystery smell is.  I know that was a side comment but, it's true.  Being in excess with anything we wear can be scary.  That's why all the drag-queen make up comes out for Halloween.  And hooray for one day a year when you can go a little overboard.  But PLEASE, don't be one of those people who look like you're dressed for Halloween all year round.

So F.Y.I.  1.   "Sometimes LESS Is FABULOUS".  
                2.  Save the scary for Halloween


And for me, at least I have one thing I can wear year-round that makes me feel like a "little Indian Girl".

orange shirt form wet seal @ $5.00
Sweater - a gift

Skirt for $1.50 at the Salvation Army

Dragonfly necklace for $5.00 at Walmart

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Halloween Native American Child Costume (Google Affiliate Ad)Halloween Native American Womens Plus Size Costume (Google Affiliate Ad)

Summer Fashion with Fall Expression

     I feel winter coming.  The fallen leaves are just a symbol..  We know it by the chill of the breeze, the frost on the windows, the crunch of the leaves, the stillness.......  The skies are not as clear.  But I'm a rebel.  Every year when the day-light savings time arrives, I revolt and don't change my clock and of course, after a month, I just seem more like an idiot who can't remember what time it really is.  And I'm the same way with fashion.  I'm getting the "oh no, it's winter time" itch and I still want to wear my summer dresses.  But it's not quite summer time anymore.  So I adapt them by creating add-ons.  Which simply means that I add a little of this, a little of that to create weather worthy attire that keeps hope alive.  And what I mean by "hope" is that summer feel during the fall chill.
     Saturday, I wore my new soft yellow summer dress with a brown sweater, a brown belt, brown wooden ear-rings with a yellow design on them, and Brown knee-high boots.  Really, it's all about layers.  You can do this all year round.  I believe you can take an item from any time of year and  reinvent the look.  Don't let the seasons be the reason your favorite shirt, skirt, suite, pants, etc go into hiding like they're in the witness protection program.  Sometimes we really need a reminder that things don't stay the same.  Perhaps hope can come in the form of an article of clothing that's worn "after its time".  Now I'm not  talking about those outdated items that need to be burned in a fire, deep in the woods, and buried six feet deep never to be seen again OR end up in a museum hundreds of years later.   For example, I've seen men wear a favorite t-shirt to it's death like an Apocalypse happened and disintegrated all the clothing stores .  They wear that same shirt like Linus lives in his blanket from Charlie Brown.  And ladies, if your husband has one of those, you have my permission to permanently misplace it.  And if that's too risky for you, Make it into a pillow.
     But that's not the insanity that I speak of.  I mean, "though an item may be out of season, it doesn't make it out of reason".  I challenge you, to experiment.  In today's economy, people can't go and replace their entire wardrobe just because the weather said they should.  A lack of cash can develop creativity, fast. Don't leave all the thinking up to the fashion magazines and super wealthy gurus.  Work with what you have.  Add a scarf, or jacket to a nice summer shirt.  Wear boots with a summer dress and a long sweater.  Though I've never tried this one, wearing stockings with shorts, high heels or boots, and a shirt and fashion jacket can be tasteful and chic.  Whatever you do, make sure that you're comfortable, cozy AND.......classy.  Anything we wear can become tacky without discretion.

So F.Y.I  when taking the seasons with you
          1)  Work your wardrobe. You don't have to replace it.
          2)  Layer up with scarves, jackets, warmer shoes, and seasonal accessories
          3)  Be cozy comfortable and classy

yellow dress - gift
brown sweater - salvation army thrift store
brown belt - $1.00 from salvation army

brown Knee high boots
$10.00 from a local discount store

wooden earrings

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I'm a shining star

I have no words to say.  This is me on a regular day.  

I'm wearing a jean jacket purchased at $2.00, 

a black t-shirt under an "urbanvibe" sequined tank top/dress that cost $1.00

(I'm tall so it's a shirt for me)

A pair of grey leggings of the Alfred Sung PURE brand purchased at $5.00

And Blue wedge sandals

(Every item but the shoes was purchased at the Salvation Army)

My future's so bright I gotta wear shades

I'm a shining star, thanks to sequins 

Reaching for the sky
 just got easier in these stacks

Resting in the sun

This is how I   F.Y.I 4 Less.  My identity doesn't come from wearing name brand items.  It comes from first "knowing who I am" and next, from wearing what is comfortable and makes me feel confident.  If it cost $1.00 or $100.00 dollars, it shouldn't matter.  Fashion is what you do with what you have.

How do you F.Y.I4Less ?  If you have a Fabulous story to tell.  Leave a comment and share your fab find.  

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Fall Day Fab

       For some time I've been considering logging my outfits everyday.  In the last week, I've worn some outfits I really love.  And this is one of them.  To be honest with you.  The orange sweater looked a little weird.  I loved the color but wasn't so sure about the shape. I don't have anything in my wardrobe like it.  But I said "hey!, it's worth a shot".  I can try something new.  Sure enough, I loved it.  It's not my typical.  As a matter of fact, I don't even think I have a typical way to dress.  I just try to be me.  But I'm about as sporadic as the weather in New England.  One day you'll find me in a dress and the next, I'll have on jeans with a suite jacket.........Now that's something I haven't featured yet.  

      But Change is good. It happens with or without you. Trying new things is even better.   However, that's no guarantee   It's about as scary as a grandma wearing fish-net stockings.  And if you happen to be one of those, well.....good luck with that.  But hey, fashion is all about self expression.  There are no limitations, but there should be.  I think there really should be a fashion cop,  Pleeaaase, somebody write some tickets for the wrong people wearing spandex, or wearing stockings like they're leggings.  But what's the use of freedom if you can't be FREE.  One of the world's most famous books says "It is for freedom that we were made free"  That's GOOD NEWS!  But it should've came with a caution...."Some people might take this to an extreme. I've also heard that "there's a reason for everything.  Perhaps we need those people because how would we know what normal is without them?  Then, once we find what normal is, we reinvent it.  So, Here's to Freedom, Being normal, Being weird, and ........just being Who We Are!   

Grey t-shirt $0.99
Orange vest - gift from a friend
blue jean skirt $5.00 or less
white leather ALDO boots - $60.00 Christmas gift at half price
Sunglasses - $5.00

earrings $2.00
necklace $1.00

leafy shadows - FREE
Sunlight - FREE

Height - good ol' fashioned  DNA

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