Spartan Bold, Blue & Gold Challenge, Day 2

Ann Taylor Silk Blouse-Goodwill [$3.75]

Casual Corner Cardigan-Goodwill [$3.75]

The Limited (Drew Fit) Pants-Carolina Thrift

AVON Navy Wedge Sandal [$16.99]

It's Day 2 of my Spartan Bold, Blue & Gold Challenge. I really struggled putting this outfit together on Monday, probably because it was a Monday! I knew that I really wanted to wear my new shoes from AVON because they are so comfy, so the outfit came together around my shoes. Spartan Spirit!!

What's missing . . .Accessories!?!

NY&CO Jersey Wrap Shirt-Goodwill [$3.75]

Self Expressions Light Control Tank-Target [$16.99)

The Limited Pants, Bandolino Flat Sandals, Vintage Earrings

I love this outfit, but looking back at the pictures I feel like it's missing something, a scarf, a necklace, some bangles, just something extra. I don't even remember why I left the house looking so plain. Maybe it was because I was so excited about wearing the vintage earrings I purchased last week and thought they were just enough by themselves. Or maybe it was the NY&CO shirt, I gave away the exact same shirt a few years ago because it was too small (before I discovered shapewear), so when I saw this one during an impromptu lunch visit to Goodwill on High Point Road, of course I purchased it along with a few other great shirts to add to my wardrobe.

Ann Taylor Loft Blouse-Goodwill [$3.75]

Gap Polo Shirt-Goodwill [$3.75]

Red, White, and Blue

Ann Taylor Loft Blouse-Goodwill [$3.75]

Red Leather Belt-Nu Fashion Beauty Supply [$2.99]

NY&CO Knit Boot-Cut Pants

Independence Day is next month, but I've been wearing a lot of red, white, and blue or just blue and white lately. The Ann Taylor Blouse above and the Merona (Target) Tank are some of the fabulous finds from my best Goodwill Shopping Trip video. I had been searching and searching for a skinny red belt and finally found this one in the beauty supply store (or just "hair store" if you're country).

Now to these Banana Republic Pants, white pants have been on my thrift wish list for quite some time. Last week, one of my girls called me to meet her at my favorite Triad Goodwill location to help her decide on a few things she had picked out. We joke because my number 1 goal for her this year is to stop wearing juniors clothes all the time! After leaving the dressing room and with 15 minutes before the store closed, I headed to the pants and right there in front of me where these pants! I didn't even try them on before I purchased them. They are a perfect fit and are fully lined.

Now isn't that what IMPR(4L)ess is all about, finding quality name brand staple items at thrift and consignment price.

Merona (Target) Tank-Goodwill [$3.75]

George (Walmart) Cardigan [$12]

Banana Republic Trousers-Goodwill [$3.75]

I've worn this cardigan a few times this spring, each time has been different. What's your favorite look?

Goodwill Shopping Trip

I just had to share with you all my fabulous finds during one of my best Goodwill shopping trips to date. I had some extra time on Friday before I had to pick Camden up from after school, so I stopped by Goodwill on N. Elm to see if I could find a few items on my wish list. I don't know who donated so much Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft in my size, but THANK YOU!

Enjoy my very first video and look for more to come . . .

Green with Envy

Ann Taylor Loft Tank - Goodwill [$3.75]

Ratio by Liz Claiborne Skirt - Goodwill [$3.75]

George (Walmart) Cardigan

Apostrophe (Sears) Belt

Worthington (JC Penny Sandal

This is the very first time that I've purchased an outfit during a Goodwill visit. I didn't even realize this tank and skirt matched until I tried them on in the dressing room. I will usually make my purchase and later at home figure out what I am going to pair it with. I forgot to mention in my Sunday Best post that the skirt was from the new Goodwill at 3519 N. Elm that just opened last week. I absolutely love this new store, not only because it's about 5 minutes from my house, but it's really nice. The store has a lot of Target new stock, especially household items. I saw everything from lamps and picture frames to air mattresses and cookware sets. The store also had some new clothing items from Target, but it was mainly items that were on clearance after the holiday that I didn't really like anyway. But I did purchase a 3-pack of Hanes boy shorts for me and Camden a 3-pack of boxers for only $2.99.

Today is the last day of the spring semester at UNCG. While I was taking pictures some students were literally HANGING OUT in Foust Park. Amazingly, I think they were actually studying (or so it seemed from their conversation).

Spring Is Here!

The weather has been so nice this past week in NC (with the exception of a few crazy storms), let's just hope that spring is here to stay. I'm finally getting the opportunity to wander around campus and take some pictures outside. One of the things that I absolutely love about UNC Greensboro's campus is all of the green spaces. One thing that I've learned about taking pictures on a college campus is to take them in the morning before students are out and about or in the late afternoon when students are returning to their dorm rooms or leaving campus.

NY&CO Cardigan

Ann Taylor Loft Blouse - Goodwill [$3.75]

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

Earrings - Charlotte Russe [2 for $8]

George (Walmart) Thong Sandals



Then and Now

 I am all about purchasing quality staple items and adding trends year after after for a complete wardrobe. I purchased these knit navy bootcut pants from NY&Co years ago. Last year I added this cardigan and wore it with a white button up shirt, a white tank, a white bow-tie shirt, and a white ruffle front blouse (pictured below). I know, I kept it pretty basic. This year, I wanted to switch it up with color and added this pink blouse and I must say that I like how the colors compliment each other.

THEN: SPRING 2010

George (Walmart) Print Cardigan [$12]

Ann Taylor Loft Blouse - Goodwill [$3.75]

NY&Co Navy Bootcut Knit Pants

Brown Belt - Forever21

Nine West Earrings (Belk)

Monogrammed Silver Necklace - The Silver Gallery

NOW: SPRING 2011

George (Walmart) Print Cardigan [$12]

Ann Taylor Loft Blouse - Goodwill [$3.75]

NY&Co Navy Bootcut Knit Pants

Robert Louis Trench - Burlington Coat Factory [$19.99]

So it's no secret that I really love my new trench. I've been like a new kid, wearing it almost everyday.

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.

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