Cold Hearts & RAWartists Art Show

Sunglasses: Claire's

Necklace: Rue21

Purse: Stage

Top: American Eagle

Capris: Walmart

Sandals: Walmart

This top was a gift from my boyfriend's grandma and mom, they buy me such awesome things! And I really love it! It's just so comfy and cute. Actually, the bag was a gift from his grandma as well and my pants were a Christmas gift from my mom. :)

So I have my first real gallery showing coming up! I'm so excited, but stressed out at the same time. There's so much I need to get done. *sigh* I was invited to do a show with RAWartists Tulsa's show, Transitions, on Friday, September 27 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Vanguard. I would love your support and would love to see you there! Please come and show your support for other local artists as well!

You can find the facebook event here for some information: https://www.facebook.com/events/523200081081707/
Or you can visit my RAWartists profile directly: http://www.rawartists.org/leneapatterson

Please tell all your friends and I hope to see you there! :D

Threads Thursday: Flirty Fifties

Yellow quarter length shirt - Thrifted

Blue with white polka dots gored skirt - Thrifted

Red belt - Thrifted

Red heels - Payless

Red Heart Glasses - Claire's

I have to say I'm always proud of myself when I manage to throw outfits like this together when the majority of the outfit is thrifted, and I didn't pay much for it. I admit I get frustrated with some of the fashion blogs I follow where they only incorporate a couple of thrifted items but rarely wear a cheap mostly thrifted outfit.

I bought the yellow top at a Goodwill in Kentucky a couple of years ago and paid maybe $3, the skirt I picked up at a local thrift shop here in Tahlequah for $3, the belt I bought at another Goodwill in Kentucky for $1.50, my heels were a needed item for sorority recruitment so I probably spend about $20 on them, and the glasses were an absolute must for $6. So in total, I spend under $35 for the entire outfit and under $15 if you exclude the shoes. :)

I try to be frugal with my money and only spend big when I really have to. The most I've spent on shoes was $85 for some Nike's with great arch supports, otherwise the most I've spend it $30 for a pair of knee high converse. Other than souvenir clothing, I've never spent more than $25 on a piece of clothing. I'm sure some people think this is crazy, but it was how I was raised to shop and it's worked wonderfully. :)

Really, it's just best to keep an eye out for sales instead of jumping at every chance to buy a brand new piece of clothing on the rack at a store. Almost every time I go shopping, when I enter a store, I skip every rack and go straight for the clearance. You may not always find what you want or even in the size you need but it takes persistence and luck sometimes. For the times you actually find something it's usually pretty awesome and a great purchase for cheap. For me, this is what makes shopping so thrilling. < 3

Smith Wedding

I originally bought this dress from Charlotte Russe, but it got damaged when I tried to iron it. :(  Thankfully, my mom's a great seamstress and made a pattern from the original dress and sewed this one for me! :D

Earings and bracelets from Rue21
Shoes thrifted from a Goodwill in Arkansas

About a week and a half ago one of my niece's got married! I feel so old now. lol. Well, I sort of got asked last minute to be the photographer. I love opportunities to photograph events, but it's not exactly wonderful when you're not entirely prepared for what all you need to do. It was a ton of fun, frustrating that I was in a dress and heels, and painful after kneeling in rocks and not having the chance to really sit down for 5 1/2 hours. I did get some really great photos out of it and I hope my niece loves them, too. :)

Here's a preview. You can see more on my facebook page. :)