Well hello!

It's been quite a while since I fired up PhotoShop and put together an outfit. Doesn't it suck when real life gets in the way of your hobbies? Argh. Please forgive my mixed fonts in the image. This is the inaugural (holy cow that's a hard word to spell!) post on my new iMac. I've moved off my little laptop PC and onto a formidable 24" screen. I LOVE it. Why the move? Thanks to this little ol' blog here I've learned that I love design, working with colors, and creating things on my computer. Thus I've made the decision to launch a new career path very soon. Exciting stuff! My summer is devoted to learning everything I possibly can about the Adobe Creative Suite. Luckily I have a teacher husband home from school to provide child care and an office where I can sequester myself and study, study, study. When I emerge in August I hope to have a working knowledge of all things design. Bring it on, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and InDesign. I love you PhotoShop, but I'm sure there's lots more to learn about you, too. Any advice as I widen my horizons and embark into this exciting new chapter?


The scoop: 
Nautical Earrings, Max & Chloe
Tank, Old Navy
Cardigan, Old Navy
Trouser Bermudas, Old Navy
Scarf, Old Navy
Sunglasses, Old Navy
Slingback Flats, Payless
Whale Tote, Etsy Via lalunedesigns

The Parental's

Those are my parent's. Aren't they cute? I have their permission to blog about them today (remember that Mom and Dad? Not sure if that was before or after the open bar). They were quite proud of their on the cheap wedding attire, so here's the scoop:
My dad got that tie either a. (mom's version) from an office supply store that was going out of business for 10 cents or b. (dad's version) he stole it from a box of them that a union was using to hang their signs. Either way, it's a pretty awesome tie, and he has a collection of them in other colors to boot. The mint green one is especially nice.
My mom's dress is vintage, and she bought it when I was seven, when it was over 30 years old. Doing the math makes it from the late 40's/early 50's. And knowing my mom she didn't pay more than $10. Her necklace was her mother's day present from yours truly, so I won't tell you how much it cost, suffice to say it was less than $10 and more than $5. Proud, Mom?
Some things I learned about my parents that night:
-Dad likes margaritas. A lot. He also likes to refresh his drink and chat up strangers when my mom decides it's time to go. He's a hoot.
-Mom hates nylons. She took them off and threw them in the trash. That's where I get my class. She also has a two beer limit. The volume of her voice is directly related to the number of beers she's consumed. That's what makes her fun.
Really though, my parents have been married for thirty years and are the most moral, upstanding, hard working people I know. They both have an amazing work ethic, and they truly enjoy each other. Without setting out to, they have taught my husband and I countless lessons on marriage and life. Love you guys.

Once upon a time I had this blog...

I made the image above for my friend Rebecca, who was married this past weekend in the most beautiful, loving, and fun-filled wedding I've ever been to. Becca, I hope it's ok I used your wedding images on my blog. And a side note: I totally jacked all those photos off Facebook and Flickr. So if you took them, please don't sue me. 


It's been a long month. Many times during the past 30 days I've considered ending the blog. No more. Kaput. But then, my dad (of all people) told me I shouldn't quit. Maybe, he said, just post once a week. (This was after I'd been introduced as "Tracy on the Cheap" to two different people at the aforementioned wedding...I guess there are people out there who read the blog after all!)
So, I'm back, and things are going to be different around here. I've got some new kettles on the stove to tend to, some exciting changes coming my way (and some other not so exciting ones), so there may be more snarky posting and less outfit putting together than in the past. Which reminds me, I'm sorry to all the people I promised outfits to. I'm fired. Seriously. I'm planning to get them out, slowly (although I understand that I totally dropped the ball on the events in May. Oops).
So there you have it. I'll post some more about the wedding later this week, including my parent's on the cheap wedding outfits and the dress I found at Ross that totally made my year.
And oh yes, I made a bet with my husband back at the beginning of April that I wouldn't buy any clothes until the end of August. I'll tell you all about that, too.

Hideously Beautiful Birthday Gifts, and other Musings

1. Last Saturday was my birthday, and after an amazing spa day, we went to my parents for dinner, where I opened this gift: 

At first glance, you may think what I thought..."That is the most hideous purse I have ever seen." But then it grew on me. Seriously grew on me. And now? I LOVE it. The huge tacky flowers. The seaweed like tentacles. The glitter. Turns out it's a Mary Frances purse (I'd never heard of her, but now I'm a big fan) and it still had it's $160 price tag. What'd my momma pay? Twenty bucks! I wore it to Trader Joe's and out to dinner yesterday and fully enjoyed all the "Oh my god look at that ugly purse!" looks it received. What do you think? Would you rock the tacky flower seaweed monstrosity?

2. I've got lots of requests to get to. This week I did my "real" job...doesn't it suck when real life gets in the way of your blogging life? So please be patient with me, I'm looking forward to some fun Photoshop action next week. 

3. I'm hoping you guys can help me make a decision (not a big, important decision, but a cheap fashion decision). I've got a wedding to go to in May, and I've made a bet with my cheap husband that I wouldn't buy any new clothes until the end of August. AUGUST! So I'm left with what I've got (or what I can borrow). I bought this Sue Wong dress over 10 years ago for $40 (with the $250 price tag still on it...what up!). I've worn it to almost every important event I've attended since then, but now it doesn't fit anymore (amazing what more lunges and less tater tots will do for a gal). I need to get it altered down, but I' wondering if it's worth it. Has anyone ever altered an expensive dress? It's got some complicated embroidery and pleating, do you think it's possible? Or, should I cash in some Ross gift cards and just get a new dress?

4. And finally, a shout out to my buddy Sharlene, who had a Tracy on the Cheap moment last week when she scored last minute tickets to a Black Eyed Pea's Concert. All she had was her conservative work suit, so she walked down to the mall and scored herself a top, leggings, belt and accessories for $70. Score! Go Sharlene! 

Roaring 20's...on the cheap!

Today I'm killing three birds with one outfit. Or something like that. 
1. Tiffani wrote recently and said, "So I saw the fabulous job you did for Jane of I Really Suck At This and her maternity-chic outfit, and I could really use some help. I am graduating (Bachelor's) in May and I really want to have a sophisticated, but sexy and  adult party-like outfit. My friends suggested doing a 'flapper' themed party, but I took a look on the internet...anything I found reminded me of cheap hookers or was really unflattering, which I figured out was the actual style of the 20's LOL. But I like the idea of having something vintage, and 1920/30/40's are good eras for 'chic' and 'sophisticated' ."
2. And then my friend Anna said, "I've got a Tracy on the Cheap assignment for you. My cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks and her wedding is "roaring 20s" theme. I'm at a total loss of what to wear. I don't want to spend money on something I'll never wear again so I'm hoping to do modern twist on the 20s. Help!"
3. And have I mentioned that I'm going to my friend Becca's Art Deco themed wedding in May, and have yet to find an outfit? (Check out the deco look I did for Becca's gorgeous mom Diana, here!)
Tiffani, I hope this look doesn't remind you of cheap hookers. And if it does, then stay tuned for next week, because I'm planning on working up a 40's/50's look for you, too! Anna, I think the accessories (and possibly the dress) can all be worn again, and for only $85, it's a steal!
And did I mention that everything comes from Forever 21? That store constantly amazes me with it's repertoire of chameleon-like fashion finds. 


The scoop: 
Fringed Flapper Dress
Flapper Dreamer Headband
Cut Out Rhinestone Bracelet
Jeweled Cobra Chain
Rhinestone Drop Dangle Earrings
Crackled Metallic Heels

Of bridal wear, apple pie, and psychological thrillers....

This is, hands down, the BEST WEBSITE EVER. Make sure your volume is turned on.
I'm already planning a trip to Panama City.

Full of Glee!

One of my favorite blogs of the moment is What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? (As in Emma from the show "Glee". Love it!) There's hours of clicking pleasure over there, with outfit after outfit of tightly wound 50's inspired guidance counselor goodness. One of the sets from today used this Modcloth top with some uber expensive items, so I decided to cheap it down a bit with some pattern mixing thrown in to boot. This is one I would most definitely wear! What about you? Is it your cup of tea?


The scoop: 
Coca Cafe Top, Modcloth
Ribbed Fitted Skirt, Forever 21
Sequin Polka Dot Handbag, Tillys
Myrtle Pump, Endless
Silk Bow Headband, Forever 21
Darling Earring Set, Forever 21

And I'm back!

I'm back to blogging after a great trip to Texas to visit the in-laws. This is what we did a lot of:

Yep, that's me, eating. (Why did I choose such an unflattering picture as my first appearance on my own blog? Good question.) Taco Cabana, Sonic, BBQ, Velveeta & Rotel, fried Allsup's Burritos....you name it, we ate it. My husband and I both missed Texas food (but our waistbands are quite glad we live in California). 

Onward! Check out my guest post on Urban Darling from last week, where I take on BCBG and restyle an $800 outfit. I've got loads of reader requests coming up, including a look for an Anthropologie dress scored on eBay, a vintage themed graduation party outfit, and attire for a Swedish wedding. 

Do you have a reader request? Let me know, I'm always up for a fun fashion challenge! 

Tracy gets Twisted

While in college I worked at a swanky jewelry store. As employees, we got to wear anything we wanted on our shift....$5,000 cocktail rings, $1,000 strings of pearls, $10,000 chandelier earrings, tennis bracelets and Rolex watches. It was every girl's dream.
I hated it. 
You put "real" jewelry on me and I don't feel ritzy and chic, I feel like a nervous imposter. One day I left for an errand wearing those crazy chandelier earrings and nearly had a heart attack. Give me Target baubles any day. (But I did score a great employee discount on our wedding bands, so that was a bonus!)
Which brings me to my point. The other day I discovered Twisted Silver, a store full of beautiful, yet affordable, jewelry. Rarely do I click over to a site and love every single thing they have for sale, but that's the case here. Love love love! So, I decided to use them in a post (along with my cha cha shoes that I went back and bought at Burlington Coat Factory with a $10 off coupon!) Click on over to their site and let me know what your favorite thing is! (These are my favorite!)


The scoop:
Hepburn Earrings, Twisted Silver
Retro Bracelet, Twisted Silver
Metal Bead Skinny Belt, Forever 21
Paisley Floral Skirt, Forever 21
Slouchey Leatherette Tote, Forever 21
Thekkady Vest, Modcloth
Crochet Lace Trim Shirt, Old Navy
Wedges, Burlington Coat Factory

(And no, Twisted Silver did not sponsor me to do this post, I just love their stuff!)

Give me Liberty!

Head on over to Urban Darling  to check out how I recreated this outfit featuring Target's Liberty of London line worn by Naomi Watts, on the cheap. (And bonus nerd points if you can tell me the significance of "Give me Liberty!" on this day, March 23rd!)

Jenni's Blue Leather Jacket

Jenni's screen shot...she's serious about finding this jacket! 

The other day Jenni, my daughter's godmother, law student extraordinaire, stylish gal and wonderful friend said, "I think I remember you saying you watch the Good Wife, and I remember you did an outfit based on the show for your blog...well if you watched last week and need an idea sometime for Tracy on the Cheap, Kalinda was wearing this awsome deep blue leather jacket and I would love to find an affordable version of it!"
First off, I'm so honored that Jenni asked for my help. She is always dressed to the nines, and I often steal ideas from her to use on the blog (thanks Jen!). She sent me some screen shots of the jacket since I haven't stayed up past 10 pm in, oh, almost forever. Here's the options I found for the the blue leather jacket, both under $100. Hope you like them, Jenni! 

The scoop: 
Ruched Trim Crop Jacket, Arden B $68
Jolene Leatherette Jacket, Forever 21 $32.50

Guest Post on Urban Darling!

Remember back in the day when I'd take a designer outfit and make it over so us regular people could actually afford it? Click on over to Urban Darling to find out how I cheaped down this look from Dolce & Gabbana...for under $100!