Seasonal Shopping for the Budget Conscious

Every once in a while I do a post for the greater good...lol, whatever that means. So, as I get my fall wish list together, I thought I would share my process for seasonal shopping on a TIGHT budget. 

As a new mom priorities change but I still have the same taste and desire even more high quality (translation; higher priced) items as I find that they last the longest and offer more value for the price. Today's post is allllll about shopping on a budget when seasons change. Please share and subscribe and let me know what you think!!

- Set your budget for the season; make it a realistic one based on monthly bills, savings and what you truly know you can spare......or else!!

- Create a seasonal wish list with everything that your heart desires

- Split the wish list into a buy list and a fantasy list (fantasy list is for items you can't possibly afford)

- Separate the buy list by needs and wants (are your flat black boots done - that's a core item that has to be replaced)

- Eliminate duplicate or similar styles (choose your favorite regardless of cost)

- Check to see if the most expensive items are on a sale or likely to go on sale based on the store that sells them (end of season sales typically happen mid season when the items are still very wearable - its a retail thing)

- Eliminate based on previous step (if they're not going on sale and you can't afford them, take them off the buy list)

- Check your cost per wear ratio (if you are not getting the most value for your money, move it from the buy list for a birthday or special gift purchase)

- Check items left on buy list against your budget

- If list does it match budget, move non essential items to fantasy list piece by piece until budget is achieved

- Purchase based on budget, purchase basic essentials and best cost per wear pieces first

- Enjoy your new pieces!!!! Note; items do not have to be bought at the start of a season. If you can afford one item per month or week then purchase as you can...

Last day of summer blues!!

Well, its the last day of summer, my birthday has come and gone and its been generally a rough day, week, month, year.....I have my health, my beautiful baby boy and a ton of beautiful pics of my model and full figure style muse, so I share these to brighten your day and mine!! Her joy is evident and reminds me of peace and freedom!!

Shout out to my new fave staple; the t shirt dress!! Worn here as a simple shift but into fall I plan to layer, making it a 3 season staple, if not four!! See you guys in the fall.....and ask me about Project 2017!!

My camo obsession!!!

So I decided to try something new....pics first text after...lol!! Mainly because there is not much I have to say today, except I loooooove a camo print. Dressed up, dressed down, in between, I truly believe you can't go wrong with a camo outfit. Couple of summer time looks showing curvy style and mommy on the run style as well!! Thoughts?? Photos by MG Photography and make up by J Mornan Beauty as always!

Minimalist Style....according to the cool kid!!

My baby cousin (yes to me she is a baby) is in college.....have to stop aging myself in these posts! Anyway she is GORGEOUS and smart and a talented petite model to boot so I totally exploited her for my shoot..heh heh!! She's family, she couldn't say no. I used her own clothes and just picked pieces and accessories for her.....clean minimalist style, according to the cool kid!!

Make up by: Jojo Mornan and Photography by: MG Photography

Easy breezy weekend/resort style!! Caution - Curvy Warrior Princess ahead!!

So my new favorite model is the super talented make up artist of the family......you've seen her featured recently and its time to see her again. She brought so much joy to our shoot and really proved that style is not about size but about confidence and loving the skin you're in!! 

Got into this mixed print maxi look and dropped a camo jacket on top and let her go to town!!! SHE LOVED IT!!! Twirled, spun and enjoyed the pool......she could almost be on a cruise or at an exclusive high end resort right??

LOL.....photography of course by MG Photography and Jo's make up page on Facebook is Jmornanbeauty......look them up and book them! Trust me, you won't find better quality anywhere! Let me know thoughts on the outfit or just say hey in the comments!

She looks so fierce and her make up is EVERYTHING!!!! Oh!! Happy 4th of July weekend guys!!

Wrap it up!!

A few years ago..and I mean less than ten, African clothing was typically worn by people from African nations or people who considered themselves Afrocentric (I am trying to be PC here). Fast forward to today and African dressing is trending! If you don’t have at least one piece with some kind of African print, you ain’t popping!! LOL, yeah I said it…..popping, and yes I know it ages me. Age aside, I have hopped, wholeheartedly on to the band wagon and love the versatility of the new African and African inspired clothing.

Pencil skirts, maxi skirts, midi skirt, shorts, tops, the list goes on and on but my favorite item by far is the (head) wrap!! Honey it’s about to be a wrap summer……I am getting my wrap game up with online tutorials and multiple wrap purchases from the Wrap Life (https://thewrap.life/)! What I love the most about wraps is that you can wear them with just about anything! The look pictured here is easy breezy, mom on the go, mall hopping or lunch with the girls but add heels and it can also be a cute evening look. The stand out though is this wrap! It’s vibrant, it’s fun, it’s sexy and then you pair it with awesome make up and your whole look is taken to another level! I enjoyed this look and plan to enjoy it a ton more times this summer….Wrap, wrap, wrap….try it, I guarantee you will love it!!

Make up again: Jojo Mornan 
Photography: MG Photography