When it comes to picking out home stuff, I’m all about it ’bout it, but when it comes to picking out fashion stuff- I’m out of my league. I only shop for new clothes a couple of times a year, and you could fit all of my jewelry into small, metal-lidded mason jar. (See- I told you. #HomeStuff) 😉
My friend, Katy, on the other hand- she’s reeeeeally good at pulling together outfits….and on the cheap, too. I met her at TJ Maxx recently, and man it was fun to watch her in action! The goal that day: help me find a fun, dressy-casual outfit.
She ended up centering my outfit around a $35 (Nine West) blushy champagne-colored blazer. (It was originally priced at $119) It’s not something that I would have ever picked out myself, but I was open to trying on anything she handed me that day. I really just wanted to have fun with my friend, and I had no doubt she’d pick me a winner! 🙂
Once she had picked out the blazer, Katy went on the hunt for a top for me to wear underneath it. A few minutes later, she handed me a $10 striped tank that, again, I would have never picked up on my own, but once I tried it on with the blazer I was sold! (It was originally priced at $18)
We hit the shoe aisle next, in search of the perfect pretty shoes to go with my two new tops. I’m a tennie/sandal girl all the way, but once again, Katy handed me a $30 pair a high-ish heels (originally priced at $79.99) that went perfect with the blazer and tank top. And the best part, they were SUPER comfortable. (Which I never would have known because I wouldn’t have even tried them on- ha!)
Katy suggested pairing my new duds with a pair of my skinny jeans and a big ol’ strand of (faux) pearls, and here’s how it all ended up looking together:
Pretty fun, huh? When it comes to Fall clothing, I’m such a jeans and long-sleeve t-shirt or plaid button-up over a tank top kinda girl most of the time, but I needed something professional-meets-peppy, and I feel really smiley in the those pieces that I normally would have blasted past on my way to the home goods section- LOL!
Katy put together a blazer-inspired outfit for herself that day too, and would you believe the whole thing only cost $52!
Yep. $6 shoes, $8 jeans, $8 tank top, $20 blazer, $2 earrings and an $8 necklace. Every time I see her I make her give me the cost breakdown on what she’s wearing. It’s so intriguing to me! She really has a gift for finding great outfits at great bargains. Her favorite go-to shops are TJ Maxx, Plato’s Closet (a consignment store) and Cato, and I will definitely be tagging along with her the next time she feels like playing dress up! 😀
Katy leads worship with her boyfriend Matt at our church’s Pike Road location, so one of these days I’m hoping to share a video featuring another one of her Gifts, too. She’s such an inspiring gal, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to e-introduce you to her here today! (She blogged about blazers today too, if you’d like to swing by her place for a visit! KatyBlogs.com)
As for me, I’m officially obsessed with purchasing a few more bargain-priced blazers now because I like how versatile and arm cover-uppy they are. This is the first one I’ve ever owned, but I’m thinking I “need” a gray one now. What about you? Are you a blazer girl? If so, what are some of your favorite colors to wear and pair?
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You should check out http://www.thepocketpoppet.com for a genuinely versatile/packable/dressy or casual/ sweater, in several different colors and 2 different material combos. My sister & her business partner invented this !!
Sorry, I meant to tell you that your friend did a great job on both outfits. You look great in it!!
Layla – you look adorable in that outfit and your hair looks so cute styled that way too! I love TJ Maax (wishing we had a nearby HOme Goods too…) and what a great job your friend did for you. She also looks pretty cute in her own blazer and bargain outfit! I bought a green and blue plaid blazer from Target last year that reminded me of the Ralph Lauren I can’t afford : ) I love it with jeans and boots.
Hi Layla, love the outfit, great combo…My favorite is a jean jacket or blazer with pearls…..
I seriously need a friend like that! There is nothing more stressful and miserable for me than clothes shopping. I’m clueless, and hard to fit. I really need somebody to just throw things at me that will look fabulous all put together- maybe I’d actually be stylish!!!
You look so pretty! I wish I knew how to do what your friend does 🙂
Great combo!
Thanks, Kristin! I had so much fun in those fancy-for-me threads! 😀
Layla, you look gorgeous, Beautiful outfit on you and the colors are so perfect with your coloring. You have the prettiest creamy skin. You and Katy did a fabulous job with the outfit. I need to find a couple blazers after seeing you! I’m in love with your shoes. Do you know the brand of those? Pretty lipstick, too!
Thank you, Allison! 😀 You are so sweet! The shoes are Nine West, and they had black ones there too!
Layla – I hardly recognized you in those shoes! 😀
The total do-over… It’s a great look for you.
The new duds suit you to a T. Perfect colors for you. Your eyes just pop!!!!
Now, $8 jeans????? Really…..
Another place to try? Dillards, when they are having a mega sale!!!! They offer 75 percent off!!!!!
What a fun day! You’ve got a fabulous outfit.
I’m hopeless with fashion and decorating.
So adorable of both of you. It is the ‘you’ that has been hiding! Love TJMaxx but find the best pickins when I’m not really looking for anything specific 🙂 then I find ALL SORTS of stuff.
The two of you are so adorable!!! I think you look fantastic 🙂
Now I’m going to tjmaxx [i usually just go for clothes]– ive been looking for an affordable blazer for awhile now! perfect for fall
I don’t have a blazer, but I love the look of them! I definitely “need” to add one to my wardrobe too!
Oh my gosh = you guys look like models!
Super cute and very feminine. I love the shoes.
You look so pretty! You always do, but that great outfit is the icing on the cake! 🙂 I, too, only shop for clothes *maybe* twice a year, but my very best friend is a total fashionista!
OMG I love it! You’d look awesome in a burlap sack (yay, burlap!), but Katy’s got some mad skills. 🙂 I’ve gotta say that after I had my baby and returned to work, I had all these oddly-fitting clothes – until I discovered the almighty blazer. I’ve gotta find more (since my weight shifted yet again, oye) but I currently have one that passes as coral/red/orange and it’s just so much fun. I could seriously wear it everyday. I LOVE the champagne one!! It’s the perfect neutral without being boring.
I am the exact same way- can totally decorate, but dressing myself? Jeans, t-shirts and ballet flats all the way! I do have few blazers and denim jackets to dress up jeans and black pants 😉 You look lovely in your new outfit!!
Love the combo you came up with. I am a “garb” girl around the house and generally slacks and decent but comfy top when going out. In the cooler months I like to dress up my slacks with a blazer of some sort. “garb” means not meant for public 😉
You look GORGEOUS! I am also horrible at picking out fun clothes like that…TJ Maxx overwhelms me! However, I have the same hair (color and cut) as you and just about the same build….I am off to TJMaxx to replicate that outfit! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great pics – you look beautiful! I love love love blazers — casual blazers and cardigans are my fall/winter staples 🙂
You look wonderful in that outfit and how lucky to have a friend to help shop!
Simply adorable!! I love your new look, very stylish! Makes me want to go shopping!
Thank you, Mindy! 😀
You could have been talking about me with this post. I’m so fashion challenged it’s not even funny. I’m a jeans and sweatshirt kind of girl in the fall. I have recently started following a couple of fashion blogs that raved about the need for a blazer or jacket. I’m sure this is common knowledge for most but I would rather skip to the home section to shop, too. So, I jumped on the bandwagon and must admit I was happy with th result. Who knew?!?
Layla,
You look absolutely adorable in your new outfit! 🙂 I’ve gone to TJ Maxx a few times but I have not ever found in clothes! It is a little overwhelming to me. I usually settle for the home dept too.
Jen Jen