Decisions, Decisions

Good news, Clearance Rack Fans! The Liz, she has decided on the outfit she will wear to the co-worker's  baby shower next Sunday. Unfortunately, due to a lack of batteries for the decent camera, no pictures are available. I can tell you that it involves the all-lace camisole mentioned in the "Loot" post, the grane jeans  semi-pictured in the post "Cuts Above", leopard print flats which have not been shown, as well as a grey shrug that has not been pictured either. I'm very excited about this outfit.

I'm also very excited about my outfit for lunch with the Mama and the Sister. The Lauren Conrad blazer will make another public appearance. Supporting cast members include dark skinny jeans, white tank, and black boots recently purchased from Rue 21 (on sale I might add for $15!).

Jewelry is on hold until the outfits are put together. I have a standing tradition of wearing the necklace that the So Super Wonderful BF gave me for Christmas. You know those Journey diamond necklaces at all the different jewelry stores? It's something along those lines:

Isn't it lovely? :)

He's such a great guy. I definitely lucked out. I wear it all day every day no matter what I'm wearing, so I would hate to bust that tradition. But I have a lot of other jewelry that doesn't get out much. Hmm... decisions, decisions.

This predicament overshadows my baby shower outfit as well. pictures will likely be on Facebook where the Facebook Gods could inform the BF that I didn't wear said necklace.

I don't think I'll get in trouble for not wearing it on these two occasions. If I do, all I have to say is, "Really?"

If my posts stop indefinitely, you'll know what happened.




I promise pictures of the outfits will surface, sooner rather than later. Sunday luncheon with the Mama and the Sister is an early birthday outing for the Mama. But tonight, I watch the Cadfael series and blog. Later, I will plunk away on the guitar while listening to the weather break loose around me. Be safe everyone, especially if you're in the southeast tonight.

Quiet Evening

Well, my friends, it is to be a quiet evening for me here at Clearance Rack Glam. The BF is (hopefully) putting the finishing touches on replacing his turbos on his Nissan 300z Fairlady. Thank goodness. I love that car, but I love him more. So hurry on up BF!

In the meantime, I sit at home and ponder what outfit I'll wear to my coworker's baby shower in March. This is the main topic of debate for the Sisters Mac (this is how I refer to me and my sister in the plural. Much more fun isn't it?) recently. The Mama has helped me as well. At first I thought, "Ooo! Professional!" And considered the Lauren Conrad blazer over the coral/black dress from Heritage 1981 with the Target heels (pictured left) I wore to my cousin's wedding nearly two years ago...and haven't worn since. Then The Mama, in her wisdom, said, "Liz, this is a baby shower, not a job interview. Think Spring, fun, color!" Then came my next three options.

First, this lovely turquoise jersey dress from Target ($18). Very comfy, very Spring, obviously has the color.

Next, the AH-dorable coral jersey dress I bought last week at Papaya ($18.99). Again, has the elements The Mama spoke of. It's also comfortable.

Last option, a blue/teal/white print halter dress purchased at H&M for the Bridesmaids' Luncheon for my cousin's wedding ($15 I believe). Slightly more risque than the above dress due to a thinner tie up top, although for the bridesmaids' luncheon I wore a white shrug over it and tasteful white slingbacks. I also wore it to a co-worker's wedding in September 2010. Continue the tradition of wearing it to coworker events? Or wear a new, fresh frock for the Season of Babies?

Amanda Seyfried! Is she not adorable?

I just cannot decide. This other great difficulty is that I don't have any shoes that will work any three of these dresses. I need to decide before my next payday, may I add the only one I have before the baby shower, so I can find appropriate shoes. For inspiration, I turn to my most favorite fashion magazine: Glamour!

And I turn to Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com). I am literally obsessed with this website. I have found so many outfit ideas it's not even funny as well as decor inspiration for my bedroom which I hope to finally remodel this summer. It has everything imaginable, and has helped me come up with new hairstyles to try. Not too soon either, since my Savannah vacation is eight and a half weeks away! I know, it sounds like forever, and maybe it is. But for this straight-hair-or-ponytail girl it's daunting. Vacations are for looking your best, feeling great, and trying new things. This is my opportunity to wear all those dresses I bought, but swore I'd never wear; to try all those hairstyles I never thought I'd get the hang of; and to wear the make-up I never thought I'd give enough attention to. Vacations are for being GLAM! Like I said, I love the BF dearly, but while he's working on the car, I'm working on the Glam.

Moving on from fashion. let's talk about music. I'm loving this Cajun-inspired music by band BeauSoleil! I don't speak French, but the up-beat fiddle tones make me very relaxed and are comforting in a way. It's the kind of music you catch yourself swaying to while you sip your coffee, rub your dog's ears, and slip deeper and deeper into the Spanish moss in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. 


The whole Low Country culture is what draws me to facets of places like Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans. I've been to Savannah more times than I can count on both my hands (add my feet in and we're getting somewhere). I've been to Charleston once, and now I simply MUST go to New Orleans at some point. Savannah has the Voo-Doo and it's absolutely mesmerizing. Of course, that's the point isn't it? Charleston had the Gullah culture which was it's own brand of intriguing. New Orleans has the Cajun culture which I have yet to experience. But I want to so badly!

Well folks, I'm done gushing. Thank you for taking part in this rather long-winded update tonight. Sweet dreams to all, and I hope French music and fiddles play in your head tonight.

I Might Be A Little Addicted

     I am a broke college student living at home with my parents, sister, four cats, and two dogs. But, as my credit card statement and slowly dwindling savings accounts (yes, plural) will attest, I like shopping.

     No. Correction: I love shopping. I'm one of those weird people who sees empty hangers in the closet and thinks that means I have to go out and get things to put on them. I ask you, what's so wrong in that? I'm boosting our economy, I'm adding color to my life, and giving my mother an excuse to say, "Liz don't buy that. Why can't you wear that purple Rue 21 shirt that you haven't worn yet? Maybe pair it with those Dollhouse shoes you got at Marshall's and haven't worn because they're five inch heels?" Yes, I do have a pair of shoes fitting that description...

Dollhouse heels found at Marshall's for $19.99. Love the pattern!

     My mother is sometimes my stylist. When I was little, she was always making clothes for me and helping me put together outfits. I still defer to her about 20% of the time when shopping or composing outfits. Unless I'm out shopping with my best friend or my boyfriend's sister-in-law, the other 80% of the time I defer to my sister who immerses herself in her books, crafts, and her own fantastic take on glam down the hall from me.

     Let's get one thing clear right now: I don't like trends. I think they take away from a person's own brand of glam, style, what have you. I like hearing the phrase, "That's so you" so much more than "That's so in". Have you ever noticed how the latest trends usually cater to the insanely tall and skinny? What about the short and skinny, short and plump, tall and plump...whatever combination you can think of. I mean what average girl can wear those long, flowy maxi skirts with the t-shirt? Or the big floral prints with the chunky boho sandals? Maybe those trends are cool, but not everyone was made for them. I will laud the day fashion magazines say, "Hey, here's a way to find the styles that work best for your body, and here are the places you can find them at affordable prices." Until then, Liz is here.

    Again, I am not made of money. Don't be fooled by my massive truck (Chevy Silverado 2500), how well my dog is cared for (my Hamilton a.k.a. "Ham-Face", "Hamelot", "Ham", "Ham-Dog", "Hammy Shammy", "Boo Boo Bear"...pictures coming soon), or the clothes I wear. I think the most expensive piece of clothing I own is worth $70, I paid $50 for it because hey guess what? It was on clearance! A Lauren Conrad for Kohl's blazer...

Lauren Conrad for Kohl's. Orig. $70, I got it for $50!

    Kohl's always has items on sale. Most of the time, there are multiple racks ranging from 30- even 70% off! And to top it all off, for every $50 you spend, you receive $10 Kohl's Cash. It's like a gift certificate and, of course, it's only good for a certain amount of time. A brilliant method to keep people coming back. A $25 top for only $15? Yes please! Some other places I shop are:

• TJ Maxx/Marshall's: same company. I'm addicted to the cheap prices for major designers (i.e. my Dollhouse shoes)
• Target: MAJOR addiction. The clothes are excellent quality, reasonable prices, and quite often look like the designer's clothes 
• Goodwill: don't freak out! Super cheap, the clothes are already broken in, and I found Burberry and Gucci bags there, probably knock-offs, but who needs to know? Also, really examine the clothes before you buy them. I almost bought a skirt but then the Mama pointed out a tear in the seam as well as some kind of stain
• Rue 21: low prices, the quality is okay, don't buy the undies though. I think they run super duper small and they aren't the greatest material. The bras are cute and work well, I have four that I bought there
• H&M: reasonable prices, cute, good quality clothes they can be dressed up or down, plenty of basic tops!

     In closing, here's my advice: buy lots of "basics" like tank tops, scoop neck tees, v-necks, or whatever your preference is and buy them in lots of colors that work for you and that you like. The basics can be dressed up or down, they can go with just about anything and they are usually the most comfortable clothes you'll own. 

     Some other things everyone says you can't live without, and I know I can't: at least a black blazer, good dress pants, black pumps, a sturdy and flattering pair of jeans (skinny jean, flare, etc. doesn't matter as long as you're comfortable in them), a Little Black Dress, and a black skirt. I'm still looking for the LBD. Bottom line, if you can dress it up and down, it's worth the investment.

Liz