Hmmm, Target...

Whoever thinks Target doesn't have cute clothes needs to check out UNIFORM Studio's daily target Flickr set. She made me a born-again Target shopper with these looks. Since I can't afford her designs (which I wrote about here) maybe I can afford these.

After seeing this Target cardigan on Wiksten I was already going there this weekend but after looking at this set I just had to let my eyes wander from the sweater area a bit...

I went yesterday evening and tried on a few things, unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. These are four possibilities but I didn't buy anything at the time. I'm going back today (with camera) to record and then mull over them before I commit to any money changing hands.

"Wiksten" cardigan, $35
Ombre sweater dress, $28

Converse Denim Blazer, $35
Orange Argyle, $18 (actually cheaper online)

Liza Rietz, designer

Wool cloche

You may have noticed her cloches in my Etsy recommendations, but you should check out her other wares at her website, Liza Rietz.

Ruffle dress

Cross back Jumper and Balloon sleeve top

Pocket dress

Images from Lizarietz.com

Oooh, fascinate me!

In the last few months I have seen that there are fascinators and then, obviously, there are FASCINATORS. Oh my! Now somebody tell me, how am I supposed to live without this little stunner?

Giant Dwarf

Sorry, I didn't record how much it was before this one sold out a few hours after I put it up in my Etsy Recommendations. Hmm... However, she is willing to do custom orders for this item.

If she had had it available in red or orange, I would have been a goner, for sure!

I don't know what it is...but I am being bombarded by inspiration everywhere. I already have; in draft form, enough posts for a week and that doesn't even count the next few I want to write about that yard sale. Everywhere I look there is something great that has to do with clothes or jewelry. What is going on?

Monopoly, anyone?

I've decided in these dark financial days that the only treats I will buy myself are going to come from my advertising revenue from these two sites. I need every other penny to go toward credit cards or savings.

Currently, I make only around $7-$15 per month between An Examined Life and SHELTERhome and am about two and a half months away from my next $100 check from Google. I'm considering changing up and trying the BlogHer advertising program. Since you are the ones who do the clicking, does anyone have suggestions as to which one is better? What kind of ads would you like to see here? I'd really appreciate your feedback.

To clarify, my goal isn't big bucks (Though I wouldn't send it back!) since treats for me are simple: jewelry (currently have no earrings or a working watch), makeup (I want a new lipstick but I have several in the "still can scrape it out of the tube" stage), a professional haircut (been cutting my own since 2002), and new sheets and towels (mine are six years old or older).

Yes, those are the kind of things I deprive myself of when times are lean. As you can see, I'm not even talking trips, shoes, or clothing. That kind of money has to be secured ahead of time before I even think about those things.

In the future, the things you will see me make or sew on these blogs will be from materials I already have in-house.* Almost my entire fabric stash send me pangs of guilt each time I see it because the many unfinished projects represent money I could still have. So I won't buy new things until I finish the old* or secure the money elsewhere (via Lowe's gift certificates, selling something on eBay, trade, etc.)

By the way, I was raised that you don't look complete if you don't have earrings on, so the purchase of earrings was first. (I just ordered two very affordable pairs from this Etsy seller.)

*With a few exceptions: a cardigan or winter jacket and a warm knit or corduroy dress/jumper for my climate-controlled office.

Jewelry from your jewel box dregs

I gave away a lot of jewelry at the yard sale. I didn't even bother putting prices on the pieces I gave up. Almost all of the items were things I had been given for free, other people's leftovers, so I felt fine with it. However, if you look around there are so many people creating businesses out of assembling old jewelry leftovers into new pieces.

Maybe I can inspire you to make some magic happen in your jewelry box before you become thoroughly fed up with everything you have.

This is a necklace clipping I've had in my scrapbooks for years. Unfortunately, I can't remember where it was from or how much the maker wanted for it. However, you see this necklace is just a grosgrain ribbon with D-ring belt attachments, like these, looped through it. Yes, the same kind of ribbon and buckles you can get at your local fabric store. I keep meaning to make one in silver but forget all about when I'm actually in the fabric store. Let me know if you make one though, ok?

Then there's this article by Justina Blakeney at Venus Zine, on making a necklace from excess jewelry that you have, the one earring from a set you keep holding on to, that broken necklace pendent, and those loose beads from that split bracelet. By the way, Venus Zine has a great DIY project section, you should check it out.

Other jewelry that shares this hod-podge aesthetic:



Images: Life is Examined, Venus Zine, Glamour, and SELF magazines.