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Sorry to be MIA, had a family emergency and was not in town, no internet access. New posts coming soon.

Sweaters...the perfect alternative to a blazer

I don't wear a blazer often or a suit often much, this is more due to the fact that I don't have many properly fitting suits. In addition, I just prefer the versatility of a sweater, being able to put it over a shirt or shirt and tie, etc. It is also a nice way to dress up your jeans.

Recently, I found 2 very nice Oscar De La Renta sweaters at Macy's for a grand total of $12.15...for both! Check the clearance racks at Macy's you'd be surprised at the finds. I paid $0 as I had a gift card...retail per sweater $64.99.

Oscar DeLaRenta Blue Crewneck, XXL ($6.07)

Oscar DeLaRenta Gray Windowpane Cardigan, XL ($6.08)

Total:

$12.15

What Did I Wear Today...3/16/12

Yesterday, was the first time in well since the beginning of the school year that I wear sneakers on a casual friday. Usually I dress up my outfit with dress shoes but was just in the sneaker mood yesterday. Excuse the terrible iPhone quality pictures. Outfit ran no more than $30 thanks to gifts.

Shirt: Stafford Oxford, Size XL ($10), Sweater: 1/4 Zip Navy, Size XL (Gift)

Jeans: American Rag, Size 36 ($7), Shoes: Nike SB Dunk "Knicks" Size 12 (Gift)

Breakdown

Shirt: Stafford Checkered Broadcloth Oxford via JC Penny-$10

Sweater: Banana Republic 1/4 Zip via my sister-in-law-Gift!

Pants: American Rag via Macy's Clearance Rack-$7

Socks: Striped socks via H&M-$3

Shoes: Nike SB Dunk "Knicks" via my friend Alan-Gift!

Total: $20

What Did I Wear Today...3/14/12

Took a quick snap shot of what I wore on Wednesday the 14th. Usually Wednesday's at work because it's the middle of the week and it's the day we see all our students (yes I'm a teacher) most of us straddle the line between dressy and casual at work. Usually we teach block scheduling so Wednesday's become our down days and review days with our kids. Nonetheless, this blog is about affordable style. The following outfit I'm posting cost no more than $65 (not counting the watch). For details of what is what and where I got it scroll down.

Shirt: Banana Republic Size XL ($10), Guess Shawl Sweater Size XL ($10)

Pants: Banana Republic Corduroy's Size 36 ($15), Shoes: Mike Konos Size 10.5 ($27)

Breakdown:

Shirt: Striped Banana Republic Shirt via eBay NWOT-$10

Sweater: Guess Olive Green Shawl Sweater via Guess Outlet-$10

Pants: Brown Corduroy Pants via Banana Republic Outlet-$15

Socks: Striped H&M Socks-$3 (not pictured)

Shoes: Mike Konos Brown Suede via DSW-$27

Total: $65

Magnanni Pinto Dress Boots

They are not for everyone and they seem to definitely not be popular on the West Coast but now that I live in the East Coast, I think these are great to wear on the cold winter days. Well NYC has had a mild winter so far and I still haven't had a chance to wear them.

These boots are Made in Spain, calf leather, buttery smooth leather. Finding a wingtip dress boots that is this sleek is difficult. What makes these great for the winter are the soles, rubber soles. Thankfully they are goodyear welted so I can replace the sole when they become worn out.

I got these at the Nordstrom Rack, for $180, retail was $330. Honestly, the first time I saw them I fell in love with them and knew I wanted them but didn't feel like spending $180 so I put them back. Went back 2 weeks later, they were 1 of 3 pairs left (11, 11.5, 12) and couldn't pass them up (11). Yes this is usually more than I spend on shoes but for the price and quality I couldn't say no.

How to Pack for a Week...

With a only a carry-on...

So first thing first, I know it is extremely difficult to pack all things into one carry one for a week's worth of travel but it can be done! It's all about ESSENTIALS!!! With airlines today charging for checking a bag, this will not only save you money by avoiding this fee but hopefully save you some money when it comes to what things you should fill your wardrobe with.

1. Without saying: undershirt and underwear are obvious essentials. Instead of folding them try rolling them into the width of a soda can. They'll take up less space this way. The underwear try stuffing it between the shirts or any of the front compartments of the suitcase.

2. Socks: I packed about 4 dress socks & 1 athletic pair. My carry on had a pocket on other side of the top closure, I put them there no space

3. Shirts: Take colors that you can wear with different types of colored bottoms: In my case I took a white/blue check shirt (Bespoke-worn on plane)), a white/purple check shirt, a beige with light blue striped shirt, a white/blue striped shirt, linen blue shirt and a plain white shirt...all of them button down and long sleeve with the exception of the white blue striped shirt and the linen blue shirt which were short sleeved.

4. Pants: For a weeks worth of travel I only took 3 pants. One khaki chino, one navy chino and dark blue jeans. Essentially I only packed 2 since I wore 1 on the plane. The colors were deliberated since I could literally pair my shirts with any of the pants and vice versa.

5: Blazer/Sweater: Going to Southern CA I only took 1 blazer and 1 light sweater. Blazer, naturally a navy blue one, as I could wear it with the jeans and khaki (the navy pants I took weren't the matching one with the pants). Wearing the blazer on the plane avoided having to pack it.

6: Shoes: lastly the shoes: I took only 3 pairs...which for me is RARE as shoe-head. I wore my cognac wingtips on the plane and packed my Black Gucci Loafers and Brown Suede Captoes from Mike Konos. Put the shoe trees in! These will avoid them being crushed by everything else around and a top of it.

Pictures provided below are the items I took; well some of it, other items are not pictured yet.