Birthday Suit

I had a wonderful quiet birthday that ended in the Broadway tunnel. And this is my lazy day after post!

Plan on This

I don't know I think moleskin is a bit overrated and overpriced but when I saw this Weekly Planner (Amazon 13.99! Orginally 19.00) I was Obsessed and knew it would be perfect for my travels, especially the file pocket in the back and the extra page for noted next to each week because "to-do" lists are sort of my thing. I think a yearly planner is totally something you can splurge on because you have to look at every single day for an entire year and I think it makes a statement about yourself in many ways. Happy Christmas eve's eve and for your entertainment check out this link from the guy who does facehunter, he does an expose on Buenos Aires can we all agree we are jealous that this guy gets to travel to all these places?

It's Essential

The Essentials by purdythirty featuring rubber shoes

Bold Stripe Sweater, $20
Old Navy Womens Cropped Skinny Jeans, $30
Leatherette Zigzagging Oxford Flats, $30
Tan mini satchel, 25 GBP
Warm Ski Beanie, $3
Amazon.com: Casio Men's Dress watch #A168WG9: shopemco, $35
Maybelline Stiletto Mascara

So here is my "essentials" list for Fall/winter. I won't say much because the picture does most the talking but I will mention "Lash Stiletto Mascara" which my friend Jess introduced to me (she has a makeup artist buddy), I love it and it works wonders. I think these things can help build many-a-outfits, classic oxfords, check, nerdy cool watch, check. Also take note of my favorite jeans courtesy of Old Navy, super cheap and my favorite jeans I've has in a long time, I bought 2 in both colors when they were on sale for 15 dollars. What would be on your "essentials" list? Make a polyvore set and I'll share it on here :)

  
                                                        Leighton Meester Inspiration

Untitled by purdythirty featuring forever21 shoes

I've been getting a little into NYE wear. I can't exactly explain why, but NYE is so much more fun and eventful than Christmas especially this year since all my old gals pals are getting together for the last time in a while. Awwwww.


I'm not really into celebrity stylings, oh hell, I kind of am. This Leighton Meester look though is AMAZING she just looks perfect to me so here's my attempt to recreate it. The dress is ordered (f21 23.00) and on its way but the shoes are a dilemma! I wanted these ASOS wedges but shipping isn't guaranteed until the 7th! And if you aren't familiar of the date of NYE it's way before that! We'll see, we'll see but if you have any black wedge sightings under thirty let me please know please. I'm thinking black dress, black shoes, and those purple vintage hangy earrings from this post. I can already taste the champagne girls.

Keep Your Eye on The Time

Watch This by purdythirty featuring sport jewelry

Armitron NOW Women's 753885CHGPMG Swarovski Crystal Accented Gold-Tone..., $30
Skinny Brown Croc Watch, $28
Tortoise Bangle Watch, $20
Amazon.com: Timex Women's T2N256 Classic Cavatina Gold-Tone Case Brown..., $28
Carriage by Timex Women's C3C37630 Analog Gold Case Brown Leather..., $24
Women's watches | Designer, sport, digital watches | ASOS, 15 GBP

I really, really want a watch. Tell me if my new Polyvore obsession is getting annoying but I have a good post in store "Essentials for Under 30."

White Lies

                                                         White Lace Dress Macys $10.99

 

I know what your thinking, white in the winter! But just stop there, I think it can work and if it can't imagine its May and get over it because thats what I did. I bought this dress in 2 colors because it was so cheap and cute, but I have to be honest I think I may like the white one better. I imagine pairing it with brown shoes and a super simple gold necklace perfect for a BA balmy evening right? 

Sorry my posts have be sporadic I'm in a Holiday Haze, you know what I'm saying?

Swedophile-Polyvore

Swedeophile by purdythirty featuring forever21 shoes

Alice, $30
Matsuita, $20
Catherina, $15
Forever21.com - New Arrivals - Shoes - 2075548860, $27
swedish hasbeen jodhpur, $399
JULIUS by RED CIRCLE | BALLERINA FLAT | Love My Shoes, $25
Bowler, $18

Okej, okej the Swedish Hasbeens aren't under 30 but a girl can dream right?

Ready for Combat

 

                                                         Dolce Vita for Target $27.99

                                                            

                                                        

                                                         

                                                  

Have you been informed of Dolce Vita designing for Target? I think they were released in the Fall so I suppose I'm a little late on this one but this normally pretty pricey brand designed a few AMAZING shoes like these tall combat boots and also a pair of studded oxfords. Almost all under 40 bucks which is quite good for a well designed shoe. My friend has a pair, the picture above and the photo on the Target website cannot do them justice, she pairs them with some skinny jeans and a tunic and viola, instant chic with an edge. 

In big blog news, my sister Emma and I are starting an Etsy shop that should be up and running by next Monday. We are going to design Vintage reworked clothing, making them contemporary and unique. Emma is sewing away as I type and I think you will love all the pieces which should all be under 30, more to come when the store opens.


Also you may have noticed my new lookbook.nu widget, I am now a lookbooker which is exciting, I believe you usually have to be invited but some glitch of a system allowed me woo! I'll be posting a look asap as possible and will let you know when I do. 

Black is the Black

                                                                  Street Style Via Sartorialist

Street Style Via All The Pretty Birds

Under Thirty

There is something very effortless about black nevermind that is supposed to be so slimming. I suppose i own a lot of black but i hardly ever wear entire black outfits, especially during the day but once I saw these street style pictures I was in love. I love that these women pair pretty simple black pieces with brown shoes to break up the black. Its dark but it has a limit to the darkness. This is one of my favorite pairs of dress up pants, part Harem part dressy, I bought them on sale at Ambiance in Noe Valley for 2 dollars! When i found them, I loved them and then I looked at the tag and was shocked, best buy I've had in years. My Blazer is from this small local chain called Walmart, and my top is an inside out Vera Wang for Kohls shirt that I wear constantly. My shoes are my go to Bass shoes that I adore and that sadly cost twice the 30 thirty dollar limit. Happy Weekend, how many Christmas Parties do you have this weekend?

Better than Wool Socks

                                                               Cowl Via Nasty Gal $28.00

I'm trying to not get too attached to winter clothes because when I move in January it will be summer in South America but  I was thinking my one new "winter only" buy would be a nice cowl neck scarf.  Plus, it will be Winter forever in San Francisco. I think a bold neutral scarf can really change the effectiveness of an outfit plus it keeps you warm. The first picture is of my friends version of her cowl neck scarf she bought at the Gap, the quality is super good and it pumps up the edginess of her outfit she found it on sale for $20.00 I couldn't find it online though. The second picture is a cowl I found on Nasty Gal, I like this burnt orange one but there is also Black or Grey one. It's probably a bit pricey but it seems worth it plus shoes are buy one get one 40% off and 5 dollar shipping, win win. Right?

Give me some Skin

It's a bit difficult to see the details of this shirt but its something I've restructured with the help of my sister. I bought this silk blue shirt second hand a few years for about 3 dollars. I wanted to try something I've been day dreaming about, cutting the back out of an old boring shirt and adding a chain (which is hard to see). This was my first stab at this kind of shirt and I think I cut it too low and should have probably used a cotton shirt but try this especially with a shirt that is super boring, if you can't sew I can help because I'm close to mediocre at sewing. 
I took these pictures at Mix Canyon my favorite place in my hometown, at sunset and the colors are completely real. 

Tis' The Spirit

                                                                           Euro Style

Future School Teacher

                                                                              Nice Vest

This is my lazy Tuesday post but I can't really help but get in the spirit these days. Driving around the city trying to find mistletoe for my friend Liz's party, picking up some Goldschläger for cider, attempting to buy a fruitcake (alas none was to be found!) and of course my favorite themed Christmas Party the Ugly Sweater Party. I arrived too late to enjoy spiked cider but a lively game of charades was held until 4am, Dweeb alert. Anyway, whats under thirty? Well for one, the fun of buying an ugly sweater like Stephanie's cute little green number (6.99 Goodwill) oh and also look at this Thrifty Guide for gifts on Kansas Couture!  Mary Christmas. This week: NYE wear, gift ideas, and some DIY things I'm working on. 

Bottoms Up

                                                           

                                                              Printed F21 Harem Pants

                                                Street Style Harem via Material Girl

I like Harem pants to an extent, and these printed ones are my favorite I think. I've been trying to find a pair at a second hand store but I think I am going to have to buy a more modern new pair, because Vintage ones are a bit well too vintage. I love these F21 ones, I'd pair them with a silky tank and a jean jacket. The street style versions are perfect, and all three pictures above share one thing in common: ugly hats. 

Hola Buenos Aires

                                                              Buenos Aires Street Style 

                                        Vintage Trench $4, Vintage dots $2, really old found scarf

                                                       Velvet Leggings and Bass Shoes

Is this where I announce that I'm moving to Buenos Aires in January (if all goes as planned, that is). I've been checking in on the streetstyle in BA, or the so called "Paris" of South America. All in all not too shabby I must say especially this picture of Valentina, an Architect. I would kill for some navy blue velvet trousers but I went ahead and settled for my black velvet leggings, that I bought on sale at Kohl's, a polk a dot vintage blouse and my go to Bass shoes. My Bass shoes are over thirty but there will be a post about all the things in life that unfortunately cost over thirty bucks. More to come on my adventures to BA...

Lacey Goods

                                                                Kohl's Apt. 9 Lace Top

I'm so into this lace trend and this shirt is near to perfect for me. It is so comfortable and its white so its a good day time look which is sometimes hard to pull off with lace. I got this shirt on major sale at Kohl's but it's 19.99 now but I'm sure at the store it is even cheaper. Did I mention Kohl's is my go to place? Because it is. 

Ya heard?

                             Earrings 50 cents (second hand) and hand me down purple gems

                                 

                                                       Nasty Gal Spike Earrings $18.00

                                                          Etsy Chain Earring $14.40

                    

Oh, Robyn how you've inspired me. Mostly because her earrings are so amazing and outlandish (I mean, an earring that goes from the top of your ear to your chest?!) . I've sort of adapted her style into everyday or at least I try to. I bought a single clip on  chain earring, the one on the top of my ear at a second hand store for fifty cents. I was wanting to pierce my cartilage but I've lost all my fearlessness in piercing. The one towards the bottom of my ear is surprisingly my Great Grandma's old set of earrings, also clip on. I can't believe how comtemporary these are, considering they are probably from the 40's or 50's.  But alas, keep your eyes out for clip on's at second hand stores and until then enjoy this Etsy pair I found are super cute and the store owner BrassRoots has some pretty cute stuff and free shipping too! As well as the Nasty Gal spike earrings I love, love. I have similar ones and everyone always comments on how intense they are but thats why I love them.

Meow

                                                               French Chic Via Sartorialist                                           

Zara Lookbok

                                                               Under Thirty Solution ASOS

Oh leopard print. My friend Liz told me that there is no possible way I can sell her leopard (although I do remember she stole a leopard shirt dress from me, once ah hem). Its ugly, thats why its hard to sell because its ugly and outdated and can go from funky to skanky QUICK. 

However, when I saw the lookbook pictures from Zara, they got me "ohhing and ahhhiinng" and then came the Sartorialist picture of that lovely French woman and I thought, now that is a look I can go for. I think the thing with leopard is that you sort of have to dilute it, layer it, and make it a highlight rather than the whole show. I also like this Vintage look from Etsy, minus the styling, sorry. I see the ASOS sweater paired with maybe a denim shirt on the outside and some skinny black jeans. You into that?

P.S. I'm going to lay off the ASOS because I can't use the same site all the time. Expect some streetstyle stuff next week, entire looks under thirty and mad jewelry.  Maybe some beauty swag? 


Also, you know what's under thirty bucks? The new Nicki Minaj CD, which is insane. 

Band of Horses

                                                                
                                                                 Inspiration Via Zara 

                         Under Thirty Solution Via Urban Outfitters $24.99

I think the Black Blazer is coming to an end. I'm sorry, it was fun while it lasted but nothing ever does. I had to part ways with mine when I leaned against a freshly painted white wall on Valencia a few months ago. I tried to pull off the starving artist look for a while but got sick of people trying to brush off the white from my shoulder. This little number is just perfect though, a riding jacket that isn't trying too hard to look exactly like you could at any point hop on a horse. I see it paired with skinny black pants just like the Zara look and to be honest this UO version is probably fifty dollars cheaper (marked down from $88) and fifty percent better quality. I love, love Zara but I think they have serious quality issues. I got this Zara lookbook picture from one of my favorite bloggers, a dazzling girl from Spain: My Daily Style, she has amazing posts on childrens' clothes that make me excited to one day dress one myself. 

Business in the Front

Blouse $24.14 ASOS



I was drawn to the print and the beige/pinkish color of this blouse, perfect for work or for a dinner, just be careful when you take your sweater off. Sexy, alert though. My sister says I'm getting to obsessed with back exposing blouses they are so much sexier and more classy than cleavage to me. This shirt is from ASOS, a British Macy's kind of store, a bit more hip and brand based though. It will set you back 24 bucks but Free Shipping right now! Also, ASOS Curve is an excellent site for plus sized clothes, and they don't forfeit style and trends like some plus sized clothing brands do. 

Oh Hey Hi!

Well hello, hey, hi. Wasn't this a long time coming friends? Most of you, friends are probably pretty sick of me talking about me starting my very own blog but not actually doing it but here I am making the first move. So let me tell you the deal with this silly blog. 

I read, look at, admire, loathe numerous blogs everyday and have for going on two years but I find something well, off about the lifestyle and fashion blogs I frequent. I noticed that they have a plethora of inspirational clothes, food, gadgets, shoes, bags, etc. but most of them are a bit too expensive for a straight out of college gal like myself or my friends. Truth is, this is a dead beat economy and the truth is, trends shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. In fact I truly think you can find fantastic pieces for your wardrobe, things to eat, things to drink, and to play with for under 30 bucks. So nothing on this blog will be over 30 bucks and if it is I will tell you why its worth it (like my $70.00 Bass Oxfords, which I'm still paying for, yay credit cards!). 

I want to try away from super trends and also from too many Thrift Store finds because most of the time those are rare. If I have a good find at a Thrift store I might gloat a bit but I want to try and stick to second hand pieces that are easily found at thrift stores for everyone or something you might even be able to find in your Mom's closet. 

So that's it! Please "follow me" and I will try to update at least 4 times a week and I hope even more. Feel free to email with suggestions, questions or anything else. Happy Winter!

P.S. This picture was taken last weekend outside of the Randall Museum in Buena Vista Heights in San Francisco, home of one of the biggest Chert outcrops in California. (Did I mention I love geology)

Things are Black and White

                                                           


                                         Macy's Sweater 11.99 marked down from $60.00

One word: Sale. 

           I started buying into the whole drapey sweater thing when I lived in Europe and the girls there had been wearing them for months which was almost 2 years ago. I'm still into it though, they can dress up a look, layer it up or dress it down. This one is definitely not for weak of heart. It is incredibly warm and soft and the quality is quite surprising. The print is bold to say the least and you are better pairing this off with neutrals and simple cuts. 

            I tried to find this look on the Macys website but it was no where to be found its by a brand called "John Paul Mitchell." There was a similar style on the web site but it was $35.00 and alas does not fit into my rules!  I'm not usually a big Macy's shopper but the Women's section has been spot on these days and the huge sale helps too.  Did I mention super cute Christmas Party perfect lace dresses from INC were almost all marked down 50 percent. Not too shabby.

Trend: Velvet

                                                    

                                                             Velvet Under $30
                                                             Goodwill Dress $5.99

              

The Inspiration

Via Stockholm Streetstyle

I'm trying to stay away from trends and rare finds from second hand stores but what can I say? Velvet is just my weakness. It's warm, its elegant, its casual, you know what? Its like 2 buck chuck, its dirt cheap and you feel kind of guilty buying it but it sure does go down easy (that's what she said).

The inspiration, Amelie from Stockholm Streetstyle pairs the darkness of Navy Velvet and the warmth of a brown leather belt perfectly. Its fancy without looking too night time. I decided to pair my thrifted look with a simple necklace I made from a handmade brass bracelet on a gold chain bought it Mexico City last winter, I wear this "necklace" almost everyday but its pretty simple and reminds me of Mexico City. 

The whole look is definitely under 10 bucks and like I said before I really want to stay away from thrift store finds because Second Hand store luck differs from person to person but I feel like velvet is so 90's that almost anyone can find something cute (if you're into that sort of thing) and velvet at Goodwill or Salvation Army. I've recently purchased some velvet leggings from Kohls which I will share in a later post...