Free is not Frivolous - Part Three

Here is my third (and I think final) "Free is not Frivolous" post: Good Society Jeans.  This is the "free" item that I am most excited about.  A few weeks ago, I blogged about Good Society over on my other blog Someone's Gotta Pay.  Good Society sells jeans that are made ethically -  organic denim, sustainable farming, fair trade, no sweatshops/child labor, & they give 25% of their profits to charity.  And I was really excited about finding this company... until I saw the price: these jeans don't come cheap.

But the next day, I received an email from my dad saying that he wanted to buy me a pair, so I could give a little report of what I thought of them.  {His email said, "I'll pay (somebody's gotta)" - which is clever considering the name of my blog - if you're really curious, you can see here about that}.  Anyway, I was totally surprised and excited, and now my jeans have arrived.  Another fabulous free, frivolous-less gift!

(If you're interested in my thoughts about the jeans - more than just I love 'em - I'll be posting a little review over on Someone's Gotta Pay soon!)

The End of Frivolous-less-ness?

OK, I am not frivolous-less. I just want to put it out there. I think I might have failed a little on this challenge because I like shopping too much. I did some major cheating this past week! I didn't mean to, it just happened. (I know, that's what they all say.) But really, last week was President's Day (yay, no school!) and I went down to the city to one of my new favorite brunch places, The Bongo Room. While I was waiting to eat these delicious banana Oreo pancakes...

...we went next door to a resale shop, The Buffalo Exchange. It's one of these places where you can bring your old stuff to sell, and then get a bunch of new (old) stuff for not a lot of money. I ended up snagging a cute little coat (I know, I have a coat problem) AND a pair of Banana Republic jeans. I have a hard time finding good jeans, because the "short" size is usually too short, and the "regular" size is usually too long. But these were the perfect length, so I had to get them!

So much for being frivolous-less. At least I held out for most of the month, right?

 

Free is not Frivolous - Part Two

Okay!  Here's my next installment of "Free is not Frivolous".....Giveaway Jewelry!

Since I've started blogging, I've become slightly obsessed with all the giveaways (speaking of which, we just might do some giveaways of our own come March).  This month (actually all within two days), to my surprise, I discovered that I had won not just one, two, or three, but FOUR giveaways!  These giveaways were hosted by Vintage Wanna Bee, A Few of My Favorite Things, Fl(h)air, and Night Owl Crafting (Check them out because I'm sure they'll have more giveaways soon.)  Anyway, here's what I won: a bracelet, headband, earrings, and a hair-tie.  So many fantastic new accessories!  And we all know how much I like accessories after our Six Item Challenge.

So, can I show them off - just a little?

First, a bracelet from My Bag in the Attic & a Vintage Wanna Bee headband (Combo Giveaway)













And second, from Aprikot Designs, these cute earrings & hair-tie.  (The earrings are probably my favorite giveaway item!  I think they are adorable!)

Third, from Fl(h)air, I received all these cute flower bobbi pins.

And finally, from Belle Rose Designs, a $25.00 credit to her shop, where I loaded up on a necklace, two rings, and two bookmarks (because her shop is SO affordable).  I haven't received the order yet, but here's a sneak peak of one of the rings:

image via etsy

So fun to receive all of this free stuff, especially in this frivolous-less (well kind of) month!

What I Wore Wednesday: Channeling My Inner "Gleek"

Well, last night's episode might not have been the best ever, but today I am rocking a little Rachel Berry (from Glee) inspiration. Anyone catch the episode a couple of weeks ago where they all wore sweaters with horses on them? Hopefully my outfit today isn't quite as, um, interesting as some of Rachel's are, but the pickings are getting a little slim here at the end of February's clean out the closet challenge. (More on that challenge here). But here I am, in my little bird sweater...

Sweater = Old Navy (long ago)

Skirt = Gap (long ago)

Tights = ???

Boots = Ugg (they are there, I promise!)

P.S. If anyone's interested in helping us choose a new name for the blog, leave us a suggestion or check out our ideas here. Thanks! 

Clean Out the Closet Update: Week #3

It's getting toward the end of the month - one more week! I'm starting to get down to the end of my closet. Although I will admit, I guess I have more clothes than I realized, because I haven't run out yet! (I am glad I decided to wear my jeans more than once, though.) I am slowly getting rid of some things as I go, and then I guess I'll have to try on everything else that I didn't wear at the end of the month. In the meantime, here's a peek at the outfits from this past week (just so you can be sure I'm not cheating on this challenge - unlike frivolous-less February!)

Stay tuned for the (unofficial) end of Frivolous-less February. 

I may or may not have some trouble finishing strong!

We Need a New Name... Suggestions? Votes? Help?

We interrupt our Frivolous-less February program, to bring to you this important message...

For the past month or so, Allison and I have been discussing some options for a name change to our little blog.  We're apparently not very good at coming up with names, so maybe you can help.

Here are the details: We decided our blog needed a change of name due to the fact that our 6 Item Challenge is over, so our name now has nothing to do with our blog plus it's not even that cute.  Eventually, we want to start an etsy shop too (of course I've been talking about that for years!), and we thought that whatever we named our blog could also be our etsy shop name.

So here's what we've got, but we're not sold on any of them:

1) Not Pink, But Purple (This little phrase has stuck with us from a family game of Taboo, in which the word was purple, and the clue-giver simply said, "Not pink, but...."  The other team could not believe how quickly we all guessed purple!)

2) A&A Partay (We've even got a plan for how this could be written.  pArtAy - something like that w/an ampersand over the "rt".)

3) Purple Sunshine (Random.  Yes.  But kind of fun, right?) or maybe A Little Purple Sunshine

4) Al & Aim (Cuz that's who we are. Plain, but true.)

Here's where you step in.  Do you like ANY of those names?  Which one is best?  Or are they all terrible?  Do you have any other suggestions?

Breakin' the Rules

I SHOULD NOT be allowed to go shopping. I mean, don't even let me set foot in a store. It's too dangerous! Here's what I mean...

Today I was shopping with my mom to find something for her to wear to a wedding we are going to this weekend {Congrats, Heidi!}. I just went along to keep her company beacause I was pretty sure I could find something in my own closet to wear. After all, isn't that the rule - nothing new?

But I was also pretty sure that I was going to buy one basic black t-shirt or sweater to wear with the dress that I already own. And I was ok with that, because basic black isn't too frivolous and I would surely wear it a lot, right?

Well, I found the shirt I was looking for, but I also found a coat. And I know I own too many coats already, but when you see how adorable it is, I hope you'll forgive me for being a little bit frivolous...

I just love all of the ruffles and the belt. I couldn't help it!

 But I should say that I did show some self-restraint while shopping today - there was another shirt I wanted, but did not buy. Also, I went to Charming Charlie for the first time, and let me tell you, it is a store full of temptations. If you haven't been, find one and go. Super fun, inexpensive accessories in every color you can imagine! But I was frivolous-less and didn't buy anthing. I'll wait and be frivolous there in March.

Oh, and one more thought about the coat - I'm thinking that, as a punishment for being frivolous, I should hang it in my closet and not be allowed to wear it until March. Seems appropriate, right?