Starting a new wardrobe on just a few $$ at a time. Tips on how to find amazing clothes for amazing deals!

Did you ever look at what's trending in fashion only to notice an outrageous price tag to come along with it??! 

I love the idea of being that on trend mom, however it's hard to bring myself to spend sooo much money on just one item such as a cute new dress that is going to face sticky hands and lots of "mommy I need you" tugging moments. Let's face it, there is a reason yoga pants and t-shirts are the primary choice for us moms. 

I've come to the realization that 30 is fast approaching and everything I own has been around since before kids. I imagined my 20s style being something ripped from a vogue magazine only for it to become a sea of knit and cozy. I decided about a year and half ago it was time to start working on a new wardrobe one piece at a time. I hit two road blocks when I started, first having no self confidence. Having two kids I packed on the pounds and thought I didn't deserve to wear new beautiful clothes. I ditched that thought only to fall in love with every curve and loving who I've become. Second, being a stay at home mom funds are kinda of low. I didn't have the capability of going out and replacing everything I owned so I had to get creative and be patient.

Tip 1:

Clearance, clearance, clearance, and coupons!! 

Every time I go shopping for clothes, shoes, accessories, etc I refuse to pay full price for something. If it's not on sale, it's not happening. If I go shopping it's usually for something I really need, but sometimes I look around for something new and exciting. I've learned to shop at the end of seasons for the best deals. I also sign up for coupons through my email to get the best coupons I can get. 

Tip 2:

Thrift stores or consignment shops.

I know what your thinking, "oh my god NO". I say why not? Your recycling something and giving it a new life. Your getting items at a fraction of the cost. Not to mention some places get close outs from local stores. The one thrift shop  near me gets target close outs. Can you say jackpot?! 

Tip 3:

Yard Sales and Flea markets

This is one of the best places for amazing deals on everything from clothes to accessories. People want it gone so they mark it cheap to get rid of it fast. I've found more name brand clothes with tags still attached in my size under a $1. I can't even make clothes for that price and yes the stuff is in style. 

Tip 4:

Sew it!

If I can't buy it, I alter something to fit what I'm looking for. There is also a ton of free tutorials online on how to make your own clothes or how to alter clothes to fit just right. 

Just remember to look for clothes that compliment you and make you feel beautiful. That is the most important tip of all. 

Love yourself. <3

-Liz

 

Not your average pencil box....with tutorial!!!

School time is almost here, for many it's the first day of school of a new year but for my oldest daughter Rylee it's the first day ever of school! It's new and exciting for her and it just means it's one step closer to my little girl growing up :( but, no more sappiness! On to the good stuff!

I was out shopping for school supplies and I wanted to keep it budget friendly. We got everything on the list including a plastic pencil box which costed a whooping .50. Rylee picked out a blue one. I wanted to give rylee a chance to spruce it up. I brainstormed a few ideas and decided mod podge and glitter it would be. Then I realized I was out of mod podge... After my oh  **** moment I had to think on my feet. Then it hit me, I use to cover wipe cases with fabric and realized that would work perfectly! I took to my fabric stash and dug out some aqua chevron (rylees favorite print and color) and I dug out some glitter ribbon.

After a little cutting, hot glueing and accessorizing here it is!!

 

She loved it!!

We filled it with school goodies!

Wanna make one??

Here are the steps:

Supplies:

You need a fat quarter of cotton fabric.

A piece of cotton batting or white felt.

Scissors

Hot glue

Ribbon

Cotton, thread, needle for rosette (optional)

Appliqué name (optional) I created mine on my brother embroidery machine with felt and blue thread.

First I cut a piece of fabric the size of the top of the box.

Next I cut a piece of quilting batting to fit the top of the box and hot glued it on. (This covers those raised square areas on the box and makes the top soft)

After glueing the batting down I started glueing down the chevron a little at a time making sure that the glue was hot. I had extra fabric hanging off the front so I folded it under and glued it down instead of trying to cut the extra off. I wanted to keep the chevron pattern nice and even. I finished by glueing the corners down last.

This was a great project to do with my baby girl. <3

 

It should look rough but don't worry thats why I used ribbon!

Glittery pink ribbon!

I started in the front with the ribbon and carefully glued it down. I paid special attention to the corners as I worked my way around the box. Tip: make sure to glue part of the ribbon to the plastic and the other part the fabric creating a nice clean edge.

After working around the whole box I cut a piece that is half the width of the ribbon and glue it above the tab.

Now you I have a blank canvas!

I added an appliqué on the top by just hot glueing it on. I also added the hand sewn flower detail by simply stitching it on. There are so many ideas or things you can add the this box to make it special!

Total cost of project: Under $5

-Lizzy Sue

Make a box??? Post a picture with hashtag: #lizzysues

Vintage Dining Chair Makeover!

I have been obsessed with refinishing things lately. I've been eyeing up a vintage dining room chair my mom has had forever. I decided it was time for a new sewing chair and thought it would be perfect! My mom was about to throw it out before I saved it from the trash. After a little paint and fabric it gave the chair a whole new life....

The original chair was covered in finger paint, thanks to my little artists. It was also a little rough around the edges.

It's pretty sad looking...

Supplies:

Sand paper

Spray paint

Stapler

Screw driver

1/2 yd home decor fabric

First, take the seat part off the chair and carefully sand down all the rough spots. You don't have to sand if you are using a paint and primer in one, but I wanted a nice finish so I decided to sand. :)

After sanding it's my favorite part painting!! I wiped down the chair to ensure there wasn't any dust. I then sprayed the white on in thin layers. 

*Tip* What makes spray painting really easy is a spray can holder that attaches to the can. It helps control your paint flow and your hand doesn't get tired. I found one at my craft store. :)

Now it time for the seat....

I lined my fabric up with top part of the seat so the pattern on the fabric was even. I then started stapling the fabric on to the back of the seat.

I gently pulled the fabric as I stapled so it's was nice and tight.

After stapling I just screwed the orignal screws back in and tightened all the other screws making the chair nice and sturdy and voila!! 

All finished!

It turned out gorgeous!

-Elizabeth

DIY kids table makeover!

I found this really cute princess table a few years ago for my daughter. Scored it for $10 on a black friday sale and I knew my rylee jane would love it. Well...her and her sister loved it to pieces...literally! I started looking around for something to replace the table and then one day it just hit me, I was going to make over the table!

It was pretty sad looking...

The total for supplies: under ten bucks!

Supplies:

Wash cloth

Spray paint (2 cans is what it took me)

Fleeced back table cloth (1 yd)

Quilting batting or a thin layer of foam

Staple gun + 1/4 6mm staples

Screw driver

Step one

Clean the whole table down, then flip it over carefully and remove all the screws from the top part of the table. 

Repeat this step for the chairs. I put all my screws in a Baggie and stashed them some where safe. (I have a habit of losing things.) Once you take all the screws out you will be left with metal frames.

Love my drop cloths! :)

Step 2

Time for some painting! I'm no master at spray painting, but I carefully put two-three thin coats of paint on the table then the chairs. I used valspar paint and primer in one in glossy black. 

Step 3 

Take the top of your table and lay it on the back side of your table cloth. For the table cloth I found this beautiful black and white damask at my local store. It was sold by the yard for 2.98. One yard worked nicely for the whole project.

Carefully cut around the table and leave about 1-2 inches extra to wrap up the side of your table.*note* I left the original princess table cover on. It added a little extra padding and prevented any staples poking through the new table cloth. 

Once you have your new table cloth cut out, wrap it up the side of the table and staple it down. Make sure your pattern is even so it doesn't come out crooked. I stapled around the sides first and left the corners till the end. Make sure to pull the table cloth tight while stapling. Once you've stapled the sides down carefully pull the corners tight and staple down. 

Repeat for the chairs, I added a layer of light quilting batting between the table cloth and chair to to just to add a little extra padding. 

*Tip* If any on you staples feel like they are poking through just lightly hammer them down.

Step 4

It's time to attach the tops back to the metal frames. Line the table up and put all your screws back in. Do the same with the chairs.

*Note* The chairs do have backs to them. They glue on. I have one of the backs but I stashed the other back and currently can not locate it. Once I do find it I will add the additional step on how to cover and reattach them. :)

That's it! All finished!!

It's time for a little dress up! They loved it more then the original princess table!

The cat had to photo bomb of course!

Check back for more fun budget friendly projects.

-Elizabeth