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

Day 60- Gray and Yellow

Another lovely color combo for the spring! Gray  is also a wonderful neutral to pair most colors with. If you are sick and tired of brown (like I am ), purchase a few essential tops in gray and you will use them like crazy. The gray v-neck top is from NY & Co. and I got it for $2.00! The scarf is my sister's and was taken without permission (sorry alex) and the skirt is actually from Talbots. Let me explain before you judge me....Yes, Talbots is an old lady store, but sometimes they have ridiculous deals on their clearance items. Maybe I am crazy, but the label isn't so much important to me as the fabulousness of the piece. The shoes are from Journey's for $5.00 and the earrings are Forever 21 for $2.00. Total Cost = $ 9.00

Day 59- Pinstripe Skirt

I can't believe that I am almost to Day 60, and I am so grateful that we have had consistently warm weather over the last week or two! This skirt is a staple that every girl should have in their wardrobe. While it is a pinstripe, which are typically pretty fancy, this skirt is made out of a cotton material which makes it versatile for a casual or more formal occasion. I purcahsed this from Gap on the clearance rack for $6.00, and the linen ruffle tank from for $2.00 which is another Gap piece. The sandals are Banana Republic for $5.00.I am not sure where the gray and blue necklace is from, but it was a gift from my step-mom several Christmases ago. Total cost = 13.00

Day 58 - Take me out to the ball game dress

Tonight our church went to a baseball game and the weather was PERFECT. Several of my youth group girls made fun of me for wearing a dress to a sports event (apparently people don't do that?). However, I found ONE other woman wearing a skirt, although she was in her 60's, still counts! The dress is actually from a garage sale, but originally H & M for $2.00. The shoes are a steal from Gap for $3.00 and match my magenta scarf that was $2.00. The braided belt from Forever 21 was $3.00 and the earrings are from Charming Charley's for 3.00. Lastly, my mom in law gave me a Vera Bradley braided charm bracelet which I am in love with that matched perfectly. Total cost = $ 13.00.

Day 57- Teal Crochet Skirt

So..... while I am in love with this skirt, It wasn't my most affordable purchase, but it's still wonderful and I am glad I bought it. The skirt is from TJ Maxx, but I am not familiar with the designer (13.99). The shirt is from Forever 21 and was $2.00--Forever 21 is a good place to get your basic cami's and tees as they are usually dirt cheap.  The shoes are from Gabriel Brothers for $7.00 as well as the necklace for $3.00 on clearance. The gold bangle is from Banana for $3.00. Total cost for my MOST expensive outfit yet = 28.99!!!

** Also, you can thank Cory for the picture of Batman, he really wanted to include it on my blog due to his stylish fashion sense.