Day 72- Black Beach Dress

Summer is finally upon us, which is great because I have the perfect outfits for summer! I purchased this v-neck black dress several years ago from Old Navy for $4.00 on clearance at the end of the season. I am so glad I did, because I wear it all the time. It features a lightweight cotton blend so it is very comfortable to wear even on hot days. The straps are a bit thicker, so I am able to wear it to work. I wore a teal tank underneath to accent my homemade herringbone that is actually featured on my etsy site : https://www.etsy.com/listing/167144186/herringbone-fashion-scarf?.  The adorable teal bow earrings were a gift from my lovely sister and the sandals are from Payless for $6.00. The bangle is from Charlotte Russe for $2.00, for a total of $12.00.

Day 71- Navy Pleated Contrast Dress

Hello Everyone! Today I have a lovely dress featured on my blog. I originally found it at a closeout store, but it's from Target ($4.00). It features a pleated skirt and is shorter in the front and longer in the back for maximum trendiness.  The sandals are my fave from Banana Republic ($5.00) and the navy braided charm bracelet was a gift from my mom-in-law that she purchased at the Vera Bradley Outlet sale. Total Cost = $ 9.00

Day 70- Light Gray Professional Skirt

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd we are back! Our trip to Europe was amazing in every way, and I will have you know that I did wear a dress on one day that we were gone. We did a TON of hiking and traveling so wearing a dress would not have been practical, although it would have been fabulous.

Now that I am back in the swing of things, I have an adorable light gray pencil skirt which was originally from Target, but I snagged it at the thrift store for $3.00. It is one size too large on me, but still manages to work out alright. I went with my trusty Banana Republic Sandals for $5.00 and completed the outfit with my pearl studs (which were a gift from the hubs) and a Banana Republic shirt that was given to me. Total Cost = $8.00

Day 69- Sweetheart Polka Dot Dress

This dress is another Target find ($3.99). I love love love the sweetheart neckline, which is so feminine! The waistline sits at one's natural waist, so it is flattering to all shapes and sizes. I went with a white cardi for work (Gabriel Brother's-$3.00) and my trusty back up Banana sandals for $5.00. I accessorized with some basic pearl earrings for a total cost of $12.00. Also, I got a haircut! Did you notice?


On another note, Cory and I leave for Europe tomorrow. I thought initially that I would be able to continue my challenge through vacation (and may be able to here and there), but alas, wearing a pencil skirt while hiking up cliffs in Ireland is not easy to do. I will return in just a few short weeks!


Likewise, for those of you interested in listening to my radio interview from last week, I have posted the link here (fast forward to 20 minutes in to listen to my part):  http://www.malone.edu/pioneer-radio/2014-06-05-pioneer-radio-malone-university.mp3

Day 68- Ruffle Gray Pencil Skirt

This is one of those outfits that I wish still fit me. My mom gave me the skirt that I fell in love with, but since it was given to me I have lost weight. I believe it's from Kohl's, but has adorable features. The back part has a ruffle (but Cory wouldn't take a picture of my backside) which is super cute. The top is from NY & Co. for $3.00, the scarf is from Aerie, but I borrowed it from my sister and the shoes are from Payless for $7.00. Total Cost = $10.00

Day 67- Coral Pleated Skirt

Good morning! Today my blog is featuring one of my pleated skirts. If you haven't noticed by now, I love pleats because they are so feminine and and adorable! This skirt was found at Forever 21 during their semi-annual clearance sale. This is typically when they reduce clearance items to 50% off of the reduced prices. It's really worth checking out since I got this skirt for $4.00. The top also features several pleats and is a light weight cotton so it lays nicely. I believe the top is from Old Navy for $3.00 on clearance and the shoes were from Gabriel Brother's for $7.00.  The cascade pearl necklace is also from Forever 21 for $5.00 and the gold bangle is from my great grandmother's dress shop. Total Cost = $19.00

Day 66- I am doing a radio interview about my awesome blog today dress

So.....my small following is growing and the word is spreading about my challenge. I was contacted by a local radio station earlier in the week who said they saw me on Fox 8 and wanted to interview me about my blog. So naturally, I had to pick out the perfect outfit, even though it was over the phone :). This dress is perfect. It was cheap (Banana Republic, Mad Men Collection for $6.00), is covered in lace, has a high waist and can be dressed up or down. I wore this dress ALL the time last summer, and plan to do it again when this challenge is over :). The shoes and necklace are both from Gabriel Brothers for a combined total of $10.00. The gold bangle is from Banana for $3.00. I have worn this dress with sandals, boots, cardigans, lots of jewelry or no jewelry at all. Did I mention it is from the Mad Men collection which is among my most favorite things in all the world??? Total Cost = 19.00

Look out world, Here I come!

Day 65- Brown Maxi Dress

I want more maxi dresses, There, I said it. I know that I have entirely too many dresses and skirts but I really want more long dresses. Cory and I are getting ready to go to Europe NEXT week and I feel like they would be JUST PERFECT, he disagrees. Also, why am I not looking at the camera in these pictures? You think I would have this down by now..I purchased this dress from Gabriel Brothers for $8.00, but it was originally from NY & Co. I bought this dress several years ago before maxi dresses were cool, and was even made fun of as being a "mormon" by some friends. What did they know? I was just ahead of the times.  It's really hard to see the pretty brown sparkly necklace, but Cory got that for me in college, like circa 2006 or something awesome like that. I am wearing a taupe Banana Republic tank underneath that was $2.00 and the braided belt was from Forever 21 for $3.00. The cardigan makes the outfit more work appropriate from Kohls for $3.00. The shoes are Banana Republic for $4.00. Total cost = $20.00

Day 64- Gray Pocket Skirt

I was feeling very tired the morning that I chose this outfit. I wanted something comfortable as it was pretty hot here yesterday. This skirt is a lightweight jersey fabric and pretty much feels like you are wearing nothing, which is both awesome and awkward at the same time. It also has pockets which make it a little bit more wonderful. I found it at Forever 21 for $4.00 and wish now that I would have picked it up in black as well. The top is from Target and features cuffed sleeves and pleats in the front ($3.00). The shoes are from Payless and are super comfortable for only $8.00! I paired the outfit with a necklace which was a gift. Total Cost = $15.00

Day 63- Green White and Blue Flower Dress

Today is the last day of school so it is very bittersweet! I work as a counselor in the school during the school year and then have home visits all summer with my clients. I love being in school so it's kinda sad. Anyhow, onto the clothes..I purchased this dress back in college when the store Steve and Barry's was around. Does anyone remember that store? Well, Sarah Jessica Parker had a line there and her stuff was wonderful and ridiculously priced. This dress was $7.00 full retail price and has served me well over the last several years. The cardigan was $5.00 from Old Navy and the green bangle and sandals are both from Banana for $6.00 total. I forgot to put earrings in so I have naked earlobes. Total cost = $ 18.00

Day 62- Mint Eyelet Dress

Good morning! If you are not one of the "hip" kids or hang around with the "hip kids" the new thing are keds/vans. Crazy right? Because they used to be super lame. Anyhow, I picked up these fancy gray shoes for Europe, so I figured I would break them in ($14.00). My whole outfit today is from Target, with the cardi being a gift and the dress and belt were $5.00 combined. The dress is actually super cute and has buttons up the front as well as a flattering waistline and an eyelet hem. Total cost =  $19.00

Day 61- I am going on the news and want to look professional pencil skirt.

So big news everybody. The local news station contacted me earlier in the week and asked me for an interview regarding my blog. It was one of the most fun days I have ever had in my life, and I am seriously re-thinking my career as a counselor.  Cory and I had so much fun at the studio. I was really nervous on the way into Cleveland. Without going into too much detail (which would not be lady-like) you can imagine the state of my stomach before my big debut.

We entered the studio through two security gates and a producer met us outside. I brought along about twelve million outfits, as I could not pick which ones I wanted to showcase. Also, thank you to my sister Emily and bro in law, Justin who skyped with me the night before and helped me pick everything out! They brought us into the green room which was totally upscale and wonderful in every way. After several minutes one of the crewmen came in and asked if I wanted some mannequins to display my outfits. He told us to wait a couple of mintues and then came back in asking us to follow him.

He wallked us into the studio while Mark Zinni was already on-air doing the news. I was super nervous that my heels were making too much noise while he was talking so I moved real slowly. I heard him say "Coming up next, a local woman and her challenge to fashion on a budget." At that point I was saying in my head "Ok Jeni. This is happening, don't be an idiot!" (as I often say to myself).

We were then told to take a seat on the couch and interacted with the crew a bit who were making jokes and being super hilarious in between commercial breaks. I was then told to stand by my mannequins to get ready for the interview. Mark knew  a little of the background about my blog, but said he didn't like to know too much before the interviews. Cory was being silly on the couch off camera and we were being silly while waiting to go on air. I remember Mark warning me that 3 minutes goes by super fast and then we were live!

I don't remember a whole lot, but I do remember feeling very calm. After it was over, I was worried I said something stupid, but Cory gave me the thumbs up. We then talked to Mark and the crew for several minutes and took some more pictures. They gave us a tour around the studio which was totally legit and then we gathered our things and left. It really was one of the best experiences of my life and felt very natural to me.


You can watch my interview here : http://fox8.com/2014/05/31/watch-fashion-on-a-budget/.


The black pencil skirt is from Gap for $4.00, shoes are Forever 21 for $7.00 as well as the necklace for $5.00 and the ballet pink blouse is a thrift store find for $2.00. I wore pearl studded earrings to go for the classy look. Total cost = 18.00