From the category archives:

Frugal Fashionista

Help Me, Help You…Frugal Fashionista

March 13, 2010

Welcome! If you’re new to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, you may like to subscribe for free updates. Subscribe via RSS to read updates in your favorite feed reader, or via email to have new posts delivered directly to your inbox. Thanks for visiting!
It’s hard for me to believe that I am coming up on the [...]

Read the full article →

Designer Outfits -Frugal Fashionista Highlights

March 5, 2010

There is nothing I love more than celebrating with my Frugal Fashionista friends. Embracing the beauty and style that can come for pennies on the dollar is what my Frugal Fashionista series is all about, and this sweet reader exhibits it all.
When Natalie linked up her Flicker Account to my recent Fashion Show, I was [...]

Read the full article →

How Do I Get Odors Out of Clothing and Linens?

February 22, 2010

If you remember my post about “How to navigate a thrift store,” you know that I am intimately acquainted with the Goodwill/thrift store smell. To me, it represents not just potential, but “choice” and I embrace it.
Yet, I know that it’s not the case for many of you.
After my Frugal Fashionista articles, where I share [...]

Read the full article →

Business Casual – Dress for Less

February 19, 2010

Frugal Fashionista
(No camera lenses were shattered in the taking of these photographs. If it appears blurry, it’s not your eyes. It’s called forgetting to take pictures of my outfits before midnight and then relying on hotel room lighting.)

When invitations state “business casual,” various images and mixed opinions are shared from different people.
Especially when a blogging [...]

Read the full article →

Scarves – How do I tie a scarf?

February 2, 2010

Months ago, I shared my new found love for scarves as one of the best ways to spice up a Frugal Fashionista outfit.
Many of you shared that a picture isn’t enough for you “visual learners,” and that you need me to demonstrate how to tie a scarf. Here is the first of two videos that [...]

Read the full article →

Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show

January 29, 2010

Welcome to our Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show.
If you’re curious on how I shop thrift, check out yesterday’s VLOG featuring my latest trip to Goodwill

Last week I shared that it’s crucial to buy clothes out of season to really maximize on your savings. I shared my JCrew pea coat find, but forgot to show you this [...]

Read the full article →

Finding Great Clothes at a Thrift Store

January 29, 2010

Thrifting just runs in my blood. I think it’s an additional gene I was given in the womb. My mind thinks in second hand images, so I thought I would take you along for a sneak peak into one of my latest visits to Goodwill. I have the best friends who agreed to model for [...]

Read the full article →

Buy Clothing Out of Season

January 23, 2010

** Next Friday, Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show is back. Link up your thrift store fashion treasures.
(Remember, your post should not be just a “good deal” retail outfit (although we love those too). We are specifically sharing our treasure finds that we have been scored second hand…thrift stores or yard sales. My goal is to encourage [...]

Read the full article →

Dress for Less – Holiday Edition

December 23, 2009

If you’re new to my Frugal Fashionista posts, go back to the beginning of the series and see my challenge to dress for less..second hand.

Every outfit that I put together never exceeds $15 (including accessories and footwear).

Looking at the pieces below, I’m maxing out this post at a total cost of $7 (I know, I know…you never find deals like that ) .

Showing you the possibilities that are out there for fun, festive holiday attire may encourage you to finally throw away that stenciled Christmas tree sweatshirt that Grandma gave you back in the 90’s. Yes, I admit, I had a growing wardrobe of outdated Christmas clothes that I just couldn’t part with since I thought…”well, they’re festive.”

I GOT RID OF THEM!! Yes, I did and now I am free to dress without the small voice in my head whispering that I must wear it so I don’t hurt momma’s feelings.

Read the full article →

Lovin’ Leather at Frugal Fashionista Prices

December 5, 2009

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

(Hum it with me while I sing) “There are thrift stores to discover, frugal finds to uncover and scarves just waiting to be tied…”

Oh, excuse me, I’m getting carried away because I am about to disclose two of my newest Frugal Fashionista finds, and they just happen to have made my “Top Ten” list.

For many, a timeless leather jacket is an investment that is worth the splurge because of it’s versatility, wearability and basically, just the sheer classy lady factor. For me, as much as I can appreciate doing the math on a “cost per wear” basis, I just haven’t felt called to take the leather jacket plunge… until now.