Miss Tina for Walmart

Miss Tina LBD - Walmart [$18]

Jeweled Necklace and Earring Set - Charming Charlies [$15]

NY&CO Jeweled Pin (purchased with a t-shirt)

Jeweled Hair Accessory - H&M

I've been stalking my local Walmart every since my February issue of Essence magazine arrived a few weeks ago with a preview of Miss Tina's spring fashions. Tina Knowles relaunched her clothing line in Walmart last fall and while I thought some of the fashions were a bit outdated (sequins and rhinestones, just not my thing) for the most part the line offers quality clothes for a great price. I purchased a Miss Tina LBD (Little Black Dress) that fit like a glove for only $18. It was snug in all the right places and had just enough ruching to hide my problem areas. I wore it for NC A&T State University's Homecoming, "The Greatest Homecoming on Earth" and a few weeks later I remixed it for East Carolina University's Homecoming. Here are some of the items I'm on the lookout for the spring all for just $18:

Picture 1:

Jacket and Khaki Jeans

Picture 2:

Black Jumpsuit

Printed Knit Dress

Picture 3:

Black and White Knit Dress

http://www.essence.com/fashion_beauty/hot_topics_1/miss_tina_toccara_tina_knowles_walmart_line.php

Brown Leggings

Picture 1:
Calvin Klein Turqouise Tunic with Belt - Belk [$9]
Faded Glory Brown Leggings - Walmart [$5.50]
Brown Sweater Shrug - Walmart [few years ago]
Simply Vera, Vera Wang Booties (Kohl's) - Goodwill [$4]

Picture 2:
a.n.a Cowlneck Sweater - JC Penny
Faded Glory Brown Leggings
Simply Vera, Vera Wang Booties

Business Professional

east 5th 4-PC Wardrobe Suit (Jacket, Skirt, Pants, & Scarf-not shown) - JCPenny.com [$79.99]

Ann Taylor White Ruffle Sleeveless Shirt - Goodwill [$3.75]

Nine West Roundtoe Pumps - Steinmart [$40]

Nine West Classic Pump - Nine West Outlet [$15]

Last week I was invited to attend UNC Greensboro's Black Business Student's Association "Dress for Success Fashion Show Extravaganza". I was so impressed by the hard work and talent of these young people. The fashion show included four segments: Business Professional, Business Casual, Picnic Casual, and Evening Wear After 5. After each segment a panel of critics offered a critique of the models and answered questions for the audience. In between each segment sponsors were recognized and the audience were shown style videos. Suggestions for next year would be to include a female on the panel of critics. Some of the outfits the young ladies were a little questionable even for after 5 pm, more like after 10 pm, but all in all, the show was great.

BOOTS!!

Just a few of my boots that are in heavy rotation:

Nine West Brown Suede Flat Boot - Nine West Outlet [$19.99]
Black Suede Cut-Out Boot - Shoe Trend [$9.99]
Simply Vera, Vera Wang Platform Bootie - Goodwill [$4]
Bandolino Black Knee Length Flat Boot - Bandolino [Last year $40]
Bronx Mid-Calf Brown Boot - http://www.amazon.com/ [few years ago]

Wardrobe Remix: Jenny B

Jenny B, one of my colleagues at UNC Greensboro, is one of the people who encouraged me to start IMPR(4L)ess and signed up to be one of my first clients after I launched my original site. We spent about three hours in home one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. Her husband Mike (pictured above) entertained their beautiful baby girl Brooke, their dog Hank, and my son Camden. We started out with a questionnaire about Jenny's personal and professional style (Mike provided some input with his favorite outfits and items). Then we headed to the closet to go through her all of her shoes and clothes, deciding whether to keep, donate, or alterate (is that a word? it sounds good though). At the end of the day, we filled a laundry basket of items to donate, created a small pile of items to get altered, and put together a few outfits pictured above.

The following week I provided Jenny with a Style Calendar of 15 outfits from items we discovered in her closet:

 

Thanks Jenny and Mike for making me feel so welcome in your home, at some point during the consultation I realized that I had taken my shoes off, talk about being in my comfort zone. I really had a good time (and so did Camden). I can't wait to come back for your Spring/Summer consultation.

Brown Turtleneck T-Shirt

Merona (Target) Brown Turtleneck T-shirt - Target [$8]

Ann Taylor Loft Herringbone Trousers - Goodwill [$3.75]

Old Navy (Diva Fit) Dark Denim Jeans - Plato's Closet [$9.99]

Simply Vera, Vera Wang Platform Bootie - Goodwill [$4]

Accessories - NY&CO and Forever 21

Wideleg Trouser Pants

The Limited (Cassidy Fit) Brown Wideleg Pants , Uptown Cheapskate [$14.99]

NY&CO Short Sleeve Button-up Shirt - Goodwill [$3.75]

Merona (Target) Gold Cardigan - Target [$15]

Nine West Multi-Colored Pumps - Nine West Outlet [$15]

Accessories- Forever 21 and NY&CO

Wideleg Trouser Pants

The Limited (Cassidy Fit) Black and White Herringbone Wideleg Pants , Uptown Cheapskate [$14.99]

Picture 1:

Mossimo Black (Target) Black Elbow-Sleeve Tee Shirt - Plato's Closet [$3]

Nine West Black Roundtoe Platform Pumps - Steinmart [$45]

Nine West Black Purse -Goodwill [$3]

Express Red Multi-strand Beaded Necklace - Plato's Closet [$3]

Picture 2:

Old Navy White Sleeveless Cotton Shirt - Goodwill [$3.75]

George 3/4 Sleeve Black Cardigan - Goodwill [$3.75]

Nine West Patent Peeptoe - Fifi's Fine Resale Apparel [Gift from Mom]

Brown T-Shirt

H&M Brown T-Shirt, Goodwill [$3.75]

NY&CO Fall Print Pencil Skirt

Jewelry, Charlotte Russe [2 for $8]

Brown Cable-knit Sweater

GAP Brown Cable-knit Sweater, Goodwill [$3.75]

NY&CO Denim Trousers

Madison Studio Fall Print Shirtdress, Belk

Fall/Winter Fashions Under $150

How many times have you opened your closet when the season changes and realized you have nothing to wear?  When the weather first started turning chilly back in September 2010 I tried on every pair of pants in my closet only to discover I had like three pair that still fit. I started window shopping at two of my favorite stores, New York and Company and The Limited. I can’t believe I used to spend that much money on pants! Even with sales and/or coupons I was looking at spending at least $50 for two pair of pants in NY&CO and at least $80 for two pair of pants in The Limited! So I began my search in thrift and consignment stores. Along the way I picked up a few additional must haves (I just couldn’t resist those black pumps!) to complete my fall/winter wardrobe. When I added it all up, I purchased 15 name brand items (Yes, George from Wal-Mart is name brand) for less than $150. Don’t believe me? Check out the breakdown:

 

GAP Brown Cable-knit Sweater	3.75
H&M Brown T-Shirt	3.75
Old Navy White Shirt	3.75
George Ivory Print Cardigan	14.00
Banana Republic Ivory Pant	3.75
The Limited Herringbone Pant	14.99
Banana Republic Black Trouser	14.00
George Ivory Cardigan	12.00
Banana Republic Brown Trouser	2.99
The Limited Black 3/4 Sleeve V-neck	3.75
George Black Ponte Knit Sheath	9.00
The Limited Ivory/Black Print Skirt	7.99
Liz Claiborne Framed Satchel Purse	5.00
The Limited Khaki Pants	1.99
Nine West Black Round Toe Pumps	48.00
		Total 148.71