This month we are going a bit “artsy” in our fashion pics.  Hopefully you won’t miss the mirror self shots too much, though I do still have some of those.  :)

I was inspired by Mandy’s amazing fashion shots that are always in different locations and really must be so inconvenient and take forever.  I don’t know how she manages, but while we were kidless on vacation, I enlisted Chris to be the fashion photog.

So be impressed that I actually have SOME mirror-LESS pics!

Top:  Xhilaration, Cardigan: Mossimo, Jeans: Express Skyscraper, Boots: Carini

Top: Mod Int’l via Goodwill, Tee: Target Jeans: Express Skyscraper, Boots: Sketchers

Top: Gap via GW, Cardigan: NY&CO via GW, Jeans: Express Stella Flare, Shoes: Gap

We had great weather on our trip, but it was definitely chilly in the mornings and evenings.  Somehow I forgot to grab my favorite cozy sweater, so most of the week I was donning that brown long sleeve cardigan tee above. :)

Top: Old Navy via GW, Cardigan: Mossimo via GW, Jeans: Express Stella Flare, Shoes: Gap

These are my new absolute favorite jeans!  I got them the same shopping trip where I got the Express Skyscraper skinny jeans in the first two pics, but they were ridiculously long.  And I’m no shortie.  I think they were purposely made super duper long for you to hem them to your liking.

Problem is I’m not a sewer.  As in, I don’t even sew on buttons.  I know.  Sad.  It’s definitely on my list of things I intend to learn one day soon-ish.

I bought them even though I knew of my propensity for NEVER taking things that needed to be hemmed because I loved them that much.  They have the perfect amount of stretch and fading to make you look extra skinny, AND they are comfy!  Trust me!!  You should check some out next time you are jean shopping.  They aren’t cheap, but I got these on clearance for around $30 or so, which is reasonable for nice jeans.

Thankfully for me and my procrastinating ways, my uncle and aunt just moved a few blocks away from me, and she whipped these bad boys right up just in time for our trip! Woot!  I have worn them a TON since then, because I love them so!

By the way, I worked on designing some biz cards for her, and I know she would love the business if you wanna check her out.  One of her favorite projects is her handmade American Girl clothes!

Here is an preliminary version of them…

Maybe she can teach me to sew!!  :)

Top: Merona via GW, Cardigan: NY&CO via GW, Capris: NY&CO via Thrift Store, Shoes: Gap

I was thrilled that Chris agreed to go thrifting with me while we were away.  I hadn’t been inside Goodwill since the middle of January due to our budget cuts, so it was definitely a fun shopping event.

The first Goodwill we went into was not in the greatest area, and I was SHOCKED at the outrageously HIGH prices.  I think this is the type of GW my friend Christina is always talking about.

There was a used toaster oven for $60.  $60!  It WAS Cuisinart brand, but really.  Come on! Who is going to pay $60 for a used toaster oven?  How do you even know if it works?  I shared this pic on facebook of a box of Target plates for $9!

I mean, we are talking plates from Target!  How much could a four pack of plates be new at Target? Not much more than that, surely.

Later we hit the jackpot at a thrift store I had spotted on our way home the night before called DAV {Disabled American Veterans} thrift store.  I need to look it up and see if there are any around here.  They had LOTS of great stuff, and their prices were CHEAP!! Lots of clothes marked $1.98 or $2.98, and they had a 99¢ section of clothes too.

PLUS… another super awesome completely UN-thrift store-like fact… their clothes were all tagged WITH the size, AND they were SORTED BY SIZE!!!  That meant, you could just dig through your size section, and you could check the price tag for what size it was instead of having to peel back inside to look for the tag on the actual item.

My un-thrift-loving hubby even LOOKED through the clothes, TRIED SOME ON, and BOUGHT a few!!!  This is SO not like him, so I was shocked! He found 1969 GAP pants for around $5-ish I think.  They don’t even sell that type in the GAP outlet, so it was an extra great steal.

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet,   Shoes: Gap

Another day we went to the Outlets just for a bit, and I was excited to find this comfy tee dress 50% off at Banana Republic Outlet.  I love that it is summery and casual but ISN’T spaghetti straps.  A hard combo to find so I was happy that I’ll have it wear this summer.

Dress: Faded Glory, Cardigan: Mossimo, Tank: Gap, Shoes: Xhilaration via GW

I wore this to church the other week and got tons of comments.  Probably because all winter I’ve been wearing dress pants outfits like the one below.  :)

I picked up these super cute shoes at Goodwill forever and ever ago, and this is the first time I’ve had a great outfit to wear them with.  I had thought about spray painting them another more neutral color so I’ll have more chances to wear them. :)

They are so cute, but oh my, let me tell you, they are KILLER on my poor old feet.  You would think I could survive a morning at church in them, but I was unstrapping these babies and giving my tootsies some relief the moment I sat down from choir.

Top: Banana Republic, Shrug: Kohls, Pants: Express via GW, Shoes: No Boundaries

This top was another purchase at the Banana Republic Outlet on Vacay, and I love the flouncy neckline and the billowy waist that hides a multitude of things.  :)

Did you notice my hair in ALL these pics?  Yep.  Been wearing it straight since around the beginning of February.  Not one curly day since then, believe it or not.  I think it must the longest non-curly run I’ve ever had, and hubby is loving it.  :)

Another fun fact?  This month marks the official transition to full fledged FLIP FLOP season!  Woot!  You can see that I started out wearing boots in the first two pics, but then it was all flip flops baby!

Have you had any great deals or steals lately? Are you as happy as I am about the beginning of flip flop donning?

Linking up at Pleated Poppy, Stepping out, Real Momma Real Style, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Fingerprints on the Fridge,Tatertots and Jello, Weekend Bloggy Link up, Bowl Full of Lemons, Somewhat Simple, the 36th Avenue, Five Days Five Ways, and Someday Crafts.