Spring Wardrobe Extravaganza! #shame

In the past few weeks, I have done some major clothes shopping damage.  According to my mister, the last thing I need is more clothing...this is true.  BUT, in my twisted mind, I felt a bit lacking in some spring basics, outside of stuff I wear to work.  I opted to not teach summer school this summer; instead, I will be chilling with my dogs and doing a lot of traveling around the U.S., so I wanted some more comfortable clothing.  I feel like, during summer especially, I live in the same two dresses and Nike gear.

While I am a huge proponent of quality over quantity, I was looking for good bits, but a lot of them.  My budget was too small to just get a few Modcloth dress...ya know?

What surprised me was finding a lot of things in stores that I rarely ever shop at!  That was kind of cool.  I also found lots of bits that can be paired with different things to make them work appropriate, which is nice, too.  Being a teacher gives me more freedom than some, but still, of course, needing to look professional...without looking dowdy and keeping with my own style ;)

So, yes, I did spend a good little chunk of change, but have been planning this out for a while.  Grabbed a couple friends and made a few shopping trips.  I ended up getting really good bargains, and I feel like, coupled with what I already have, I am set for work AND play for a long time.

I got rid of tags and such, but I will try to post links directly to items if I purchased them online or if they are available online.  Warning that this post is massively picture heavy....on to the clothes!

Dresses

I love a good dress.  I probably wear more dresses/skirts than pants.  I wear the metaphorical pants, though.  Several of these dresses attracted me because of the bold colors.  Very appealing that that has become readily available this season.

These first two dresses I purchased at a thrift store.  Both together were $15.  The top one is jersey knit, and it has really deep pockets and a slimming waist band.  The bottom one is from a local boutique, and it was brand new.  I've always admired that boutique, but the prices were always a bit steep for me.  Think J. Crew prices for Gap material, you know? I was glad to get it at a bargain!  And, for brand new at that.

Above burnt orange-y dress is a sleeveless, Grecian-style knit dress by the brand Luxe.  $19.99 at Nordstrom Rack.  Multiple colors available.

Bright coral knit dress...a bit too babydoll for me.  I usually stay away from empire waisted stuff because I have bigger hips.   BUT it was $7 at Ross.  Come on.

These two dresses are from American Eagle.  AE is my favorite place to buy jeans.  I'm only 5'1" (on a good day), so when I find good fitting jeans, I stick with them!  I spotted these two dresses and had to have them.  You can find them HERE and HERE.  I got them both for $30.  Use a coupon code or wait for a sale, always!  I love the first one.  I have a love/hate with the second one.  I just hate that dresses like this INSIST on putting slips made of similar fabric underneath.  This creates so much static!  I will be wearing a cotton one instead.

Bright mustard yellow dress from Old Navy.  Crazy awesome color.  Orig. $37ish.

Maxi dress that actually fits me!  I never thought little old short me would be wearing a maxi dress, but this is super flattering.  Another thrift store find.  $10.

This is from Forever 21.  A place that I never ever shop for a variety of reasons.  But, I went in there and found a couple things.  This among them.  A black-and-white striped dress with a sort of sweetheart neckline.  Surprisingly thick material.  Best part?  $7 on clearance.

This dress was actually a gift from my mother.  I really like it, and it will work well for both work and running around.  This is Merona brand from Target, $25.

Skirts/Pants

Two pairs of colored skinny jeans from American Eagle.  Pale pink and a taupe-y brown.  You can find them HERE.

$5 knit pleated skirt from Nordstrom Rack.  SCORE.  So comfortable, too.  Will look amazing with a seafoam green tank top.

Clearance mini skirt from American Eagle.  Really a simple design, but I loved the print and the price was so good.  AE's clearance is often very very good!

This piece is an emerald green mid calf skirt that is $19.80.  From Forever 21.  I love the color, and it's such a comfortable, BUT it is a odd length for a short girl like me, so I will be hemming it to about knee length.

A whitish gray pair of jeggings.  (FML, jeggings.) From American Eagle.  Go HERE.

Tops!

A flowy polka dot top from H&M.  Only $13.  Is available in tan with black (or maybe navy?) dots, too.

Old Navy button down rayon flowy tank top.  $18 ish.  Make sure to buy one size up.  ON's sizing is majorly hit or miss.

Taupe lace short sleeve top.  Very loose fitting...almost the beginnings of a dolman sleeve.  $5 at thrift store.

Flowy tank top of the same material as dress above.  I loved the fabric so, so much; can you tell?  Yellow looks really nice on me, and yet, I don't buy it enough.  From Old Navy.  $17.50.  Buy a size up.

Two striped cardigans from H&M.  $15 each.  I love me a good cardigan and some stripes, so it's a win-win.  H&M always has super comfy, affordable sweaters/cardigans, too.

Knit gathered peasant top from American Eagle.  $20 ish.  I got one in white too.  They have more colors available in the store than online.

Lauren Conrad top from Kohls.  I got this for around $20 because one never shops there sans coupon.  I like this a lot, but it is huge!  I mostly got it to wear tucked into a pencil skirt.  And, the back is pretty cool, too.

I got a few of these flowy tank tops from H&M.  Super comfy and $7.  Can't go wrong.

H&M, as you can probably tell, is my favorite place to get basics.  You know, the stuff you go through and totally wear out...tanks and Ts, mostly.  I like H&M's T-shirts too because they're not slim fit. I like looser fitting Ts most of the time.  These were all $5-6 each.

SHOES, OH YES

My precious.  Seychelles is one of my favorite shoe brands.  Got these bad boys from DSW HERE.

American Eagle flip flops.  I seem to go through a pair like this once a year.  $24.50.  Go HERE.

Born shoes.  If you've never tried Born, you must.  You must.  These are 4 inch platforms, and they are killer comfortable. Got these from 6pm.com HERE.

DIY

I have some fabric that's been sitting in my closet forever that I am going to finally do something with.  I showed you last week or so some patterns that I got on the cheap, so I need to buckle down and make the time!

Here's one simple skirt I've been working on this week.  It's almost done and needs to be very much pressed.

This post has seriously been the most time consuming one I've ever done....so long, so much crap.  But it was fun.  I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my closet.