1. Spend time with your wardrobe and with your clothes. Try everything on. Record–seriously, write it down–what looks good, what combinations look good. Stick to those combinations–and colors. Variety in a wardrobe is for suckers. (Look at the really well-dressed icons. Are they known for a variety of looks? Heck, no. Jackie O is known for her suits, Audrey Hepburn is known for her little black dresses. You will become an icon yourself if you find what looks good on you and STICK WITH IT.)

2. Visualize. Visualize what you’re missing out of your wardrobe, keep it in mind as you shop, and buy only that.

3. Buy basics in bulk. I have a lot of button down shirts, which look good on me and which I need for work. I also have a lot of fitted tee-shirts, which also look good on me.

4. Buy one coat, one bag, and a few pairs of shoes. I agree with Crystal on this one. Despite all the fuss about shoes, are the great style icons known for their shoe choices? No. No one really cares what shoes you wear, what bag you carry, or what coat you put on.

5. DON’T GO INTO THE MALL!

Thanks, Crystal, for letting me rant. Hope this helps.

Now bras, that is a different story…I badly need a new bra. That is something I have had a hard time since losing weight.

I have learned through 16 years of marriage and seeing my mom and dad throughout their marriage to just be content. It is hard sometimes, I won’t lie. But, to me, I’d rather feed us well and enjoy the occasional day with them. DH and I are very simple. He is happy to get a “new” pair of jeans from the thrift store from time to time. It is all about being happy and satisfied with what God has given you, isn’t that what we tell our kids all the time too…:)

Two weeks ago, I tried making my own bread for the first time. I LOVE it; the taste doesn’t compare to store bought. And the price! I can bake three loaves for the about half the cost of “good” store bought bread.
Now I wonder why I was so afraid to make it myself before.
(Okay, I used a breadmaker for the hard part, and baked it in the oven. BUT, I received it for a gift years ago, and have bad shoulders, so hand kneading is out.)
I have also found buying fresh produce and shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, we eat well, for a lot less than preservative/filler laden foods that has no nutritional value. I bake our own cookies, cakes etc. (and now breads!) and I always make a list before I go to the store. I try to stick to the list only, unless it is truly a great deal-then I stock up. I usually use coupons, but only on items I know I normally buy.
Recently, I have started making my own Laundry Detergent as well. I use that, along with vinegar for softening and line dry outside when weather permits.

Love the boots you picked out too! For shoes, Other than the one pair of black “dressy” pumps, I usually wear Doc Martens. My feet hurt if I wear anything else.
They are a great investment, because they wear like iron. They are also very comfy, but can be a tad “ugly” or plain in appearance. I don’t care, I figure life is too short to have sore feet.
I usually buy mine on Ebay. I have purchased four pairs at 70-80% off for myself and daughter. They had been worn once or twice. Usually the seller didn’t care for them, or in one case they were brand new!
So don’t overlook Ebay for deals!

Sherrie

I do have another wardrobe question for you. What do you keep on hand for dressier events. My husband’s job has a semi-formal event every year. Just curious. Thanks.

I haven’t shopped in a mall for years. Business must be bad. I went a couple of months ago to make a return to Sears. I had foolishly allowed them to sign me up for a credit card because DH needed some jeans right quick, and it gave me $15 off. I ended up returning the jeans and canceling the card. Well, after returning them, I took a hike through the mall and was set upon by a photographer from the portrait place, offering a free 11x if I let them take pictures of the baby. Of course, all the pictures were adorable, and of course, I wanted to buy them all, but with heroic sales resistance (and also because I couldn’t afford it anyway), I left with only the freebie. LOL! It’s awful cute.

After that, I was set upon by one of those cart salesman, who lathered me with Israeli hand lotion and buffed my nails. I practiced sales resistance there, too.

Recently, I had to go to Sears to get some pellets for our water softener. I didn’t take any detours through the mall in that case.

I have been happy to find however, that some food items we use are available at Amazon.com…for a more reasonable price than we can get them here…you just need to purchase at least $25 worth and the shipping is FREE!! That is one way I save gas, time and money. They seem to continue adding to their selection. They are pretty quick to get it here too, within a week or less usually.