Wednesday, November 10, 2010

It's Personal...

There seems to be a common theme amongs blogs I'm drawn to....Creativity. I love to see how someone can take something vintage or something thrifted and create a fabulous look! I think it speaks to the notion that personal style knows no budget. If a woman has only $5 a week to spend on clothes, she could dig through thrift stores and yard sales and still put together amazing looks. And the great thing is it would truly reflect her and her creativity. Being new to fashion blogging, I visit TONS of blogs and have a blast doing it. I was confused when some bloggers would list the source of their clothing and I would see "c/o Coach" or "c/o Modcloth". Then I realized that it meant that these were comped items. How great is that to get free clothes in the mail, eh? But then I see where 4 out of 5 outfit items are comped. It makes that blog less attractive to me because it no longer highlights the bloggers' creativity, but rather that garment (or an entire outfit made up of comped garments). There's just not alot of effort required to look good in new or expensive pieces; but to look good on a few dollars? Now THAT meets me right where I live. It makes that blogger real to me, like a best girlfriend and we're sitting around chatting about our favorite clothes. When most of an outfit is comped, I'm basically just looking at a magazine of high priced clothes that I can't afford. Gorgeous to look at certainly, but impersonal. And what is blogging, if not very very personal?




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My fabulous friend, Mandy, gave me this skirt yesterday. She picked it up at a yard sale over the weekend and thought it looked like me. When I saw it, I honestly wasn't feeling it. I brought it home and showed my daughter and she said, "Oh Mom, you can work with that!" So I slipped it on and immediately pulled it up like a strapless dress. It was really long so I lopped off about 6 inches and then it was pure LOVE! I got so many compliments on my outfit today and come Summer time, I'll be wearing this sans jacket and a little pair of flat sandals. Just goes to show you, sometimes your friends know you better than you know yourself! Thanks Mandy!





Dress......Gift via Yard Sale

Jacket, Shoes and Necklace...... Thrifted

Belt......Michael Kors via TJ Maxx



My new favorite song, I Will Love You Monday! I love her style!

10 comments:

  1. Just found your blog and I am your newest follower! I love this outfit!

    http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com

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  2. I whole-heartedly agree with your thoughts that it allows one's style to come thru if their clothes are things they actually pick out (whether thrifted; gifted; or purchased)! Keep up the great work. Love your blog!

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  3. I agree with your comped/courtesy-of treatise. I think it's lovely to see such expensive items paired well, but it's just out of my budget reach! I like a gal who can stretch a dollar to make herself look fabulous! (And in this dress, you do!)

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  4. I agree, nontheless, some people don't know how to put together EXPENSIVE clothes either! So style is innate almost, regardless of pocketbook or comps!
    Your talents outshine them all anyway, gf!

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  5. Thanks for your comments girlies! I love looking at all kinds of blogs, but when almost an entire outfit is comped, I just can't relate. It doesn't stop me from visiting their blogs, but they're just not my absolute favorites. Hugs to you all!! ~Serene

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  6. Just found your blog! And I love your shoes! I totally agree with your thoughts about comped clothing, I think half the fun of styling an outfit is finding something totally cheap and unique and creating something awesome out of it.

    www.candidclassic.blogspot.com

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  7. I tend to agree about the comp items.

    I didn't realize this was a skirt until I read the explanation and I love how the skirt of it swings!!

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  8. Love what you did with the skirt, Its something I would do too! You and I are attracted to similar types of blogs my friend.

    I was dying when you used the word 'eh' in your post, are you Canadian???

    Ahhh comped items, I've seen a few on blogs and for the most part the comped item the blogger is wearing seems to align with their personal style. BUT if I see a blogger and everything they have is comped... a lot of times I get bored and move on, because your right, where the creativity. It might as well be a fashion shoot. There are some exceptions though (off the top of my head Tavi from the style rookie) who get a lot of comped pieces but they make it completely their own.

    !Em K

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  9. I could´nt agree more with you. I love the way you look. So wonderful!!!
    Un abrazo from Spain.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  10. very well put. it's the same as reading fashion mags, vogues, etc. except it's free, which is a consideration. but.

    like you said, i can't relate.....'oh, i'm So Happy to see that! i've been in a tizzy all week wondering how to style my comped Prada belt, comped St. Laurent smoking jacket, and comped Vena Cava slip dress.....but thanks to 'Bought and Paid For Blogger', my problem is Solved!'

    *snore*....i'm a big believer in restrictions fostering creative solutions. like your gorgeous strapless dress there! and i love the 'action' shot - well done! keep it up, i look forward to your posts. steph

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! ~Serene