Resolutions

As 2011 draws to a close, we are faced with the need create resolutions for the new year. This year, my resolution is to "shop smarter". Inspired by the blog Operation Simplicity (whose creator started the blog to, "End the year with less stuff than I started it with. Only purchase things I know I will have for at least five years."), I have decided to set a $100 budget for myself each month. This money can be spent on whatever I choose, but my goal is to save it for something I really want. This year I am going to save for a Dream Collective Bracelet, a Lizzie Fortunato necklace, and a Kelly Wearstler cocktail ring. The credit cards will stay at home and I will be forced to think about each purchase. Am I willing to give up the item I really want for this? I will track my progress on the blog (via the "fundraising thermometer" to the right) to keep myself accountable. This month I am starting off with $55 because I purchased two pieces of jewelry already... a vintage bracelet from Etsy ($9) and a Dream Collective necklace from Shopbop ($36)




What are your resolutions?

New Year's + A Giveaway!

Comfy New Year's Eve by briannelee featuring crewneck sweaters

This week's Friday's Fancies is about New Year's. I am not a huge fan of going out on New Year's. I feel like everything always costs way too much money and is also always a let down. This year I think I am going to stay home and relax with my husband... maybe go out for a casual dinner. So I am going to be wearing something comfy... jeans, a sweater, and some fun jewelry.



Speaking of jewelry, I have a very exciting giveaway for you! Michelle Chang, a New York artist, is offering one lucky reader this Baby Skull Necklace from her Etsy shop. I have been a long time fan of her work and design philosophy. To her, "jewelry making is drawing, design, sculpture, and craft. All embodied in a tiny object that can be worn and which I hope will provide meaning and value to the wearer."

In order to enter the giveaway, please:

1. Be a follower of the blog
2. Visit her Etsy shop and leave a comment with your favorite item and your email address.

Extra Entry:

1. Post about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.

This is open to International readers as well. I will choose a winner next Thursday. Good luck and Happy New Year!!!!

Shopping The Sales for Next Season

The sales around this time of year are a great way to get deals on in season clothing, but they are also a better way to start stocking up for next Spring and Summer. Merchants do not want last year's items hanging around when they start putting out the new Spring merchandise so you can find deep discounts on items that will still be fashionable this time around. I have been collecting items and putting them away in dribs and drabs. Here is what I have snagged so far.

Yesterday Macy's was having a great sale and I picked up this French Connection dress and these French Connection shorts for 80% off.




I found these two cotton dresses at Old Navy for less than $10.




I found a drapey top that is perfect for a night out on the town on clearance at Nordstrom Rack.



And I found this vintage dress at an estate sale this fall for $3. I think I will wear it to my sister in law's wedding shower in May.



The key is to know what you already have and what you might need so you don't waste your money. Take a look through last summer's items and make a list of vacations, events, etc that you have coming up and what you want to wear to them. You and your wallet will be excited to start the new season out with fashionable and thrifty finds ;)

New Jewels

Before I sign off for the holidays, I just want to share some reptile themed jewelry I have purchased recently. A vintage snake poison ring, a vintage two headed bangle, and a vintage fish scale choker.

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a fun and safe holiday!!!!!

Three Things...

Ok, this is going to be a three-part post :)

Plain White Tee Christmas by briannelee featuring boot cut jeans

This week's Friday's Fancies is "White Christmas". I am probably the only person who does not care if we have a snow on the ground or not for Christmas... less shoveling for me! So my outfit this week is "A White Tee Christmas". I would dress up my tee with lots of Kelly Wearstler jewelry, a cardi, and some leopard flats. Perfect for opening gifts on Christmas morning!

Second, here is how I dressed up my tee today:




J Crew cashmere tee, J Crew skinny cords, brown boots, and my vintage African beaded necklace.

Lastly, the winner of the Shabby Apple jewelry giveaway is numero 21, Sugario! I will be contacting you shortly. Congrats!

(And I am an idiot... I just realized its Wednesday and not Thursday so my "Friday Fancies" is extra premature. Hahahahaha, oh well)

Tom Binns Inspired Necklace

Source: kirnazabete.com via Brianne on Pinterest

I love Tom Bins jewelry, but when I saw these earrings for $230, I got a little annoyed. Basically they are rhinestone earrings with safety pins... nothing too crazy. So I decided to try and make my own inspired DIY necklace. I purchased a really pretty rhinestone necklace from the antique mall for $20, a box of safety pins for $2, and used the same spray paint as last week.





I might add more safety pins, but right now I like the subtle pop of color.

It's Hard

The reason I usually never post pictures of myself on my blog is:

1. Neither my husband nor I are very good at taking pictures (he took the picture above... bad)
2. I am really self conscious about how unphotogenic I am (not fishing for compliments... I just know its true) I always cringe when I see pictures of myself so I don't like to put myself through that torture on a daily basis.

Anyways, I would like to start posting more outfit pictures on my blog so I need to get over my fears and also figure out a way for me to take the pictures. Today I decided to try my tripod and self timer. Not the greatest, but here is what I am wearing...





Blazer and sweater - Old Navy
Necklace - Kelly Wearstler (Christmas gift to myself)
Jeans - From a clothing swap
Boots - Target

Also here is a picture of me looking like a ghost ;)

Saturday Thrift Store Finds

Yesterday I found an antique wood table with glass ball and claw feet. I LOVE furniture with these type of feet and always look for them at antique stores. I also found this vintage Pendleton pea coat for only $12!

Sparkle + Shine

Santa, Please Bring Me... by briannelee featuring dannijo jewelry

Dannijo jewelry
$420 - dannijo.com

Kelly Wearstler brass chain jewelry
$550 - net-a-porter.com

Kara Ross chain jewelry
$352 - charmandchain.com

Lizzie Fortunato vintage jewelry
$380 - editnewyork.com

Lizzie Fortunato necklace
$230 - beklina.com

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl this year. Can you please leave one of these under my tree?

Thank you,

Bri

If you also want some jewelry this holiday season, don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway!!!!

Shabby Apple Jewelry Giveaway

Just in time for the holiday season, here is a way to deck yourself out in some fun jewelry for free!

Shabby Apple is graciously giving one reader the opportunity to win both the Brooklyn Cuff and the Gold Long Circle Necklace.

To enter (these steps equal one entry only):

1. Be a follower of BrianneLee
2. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook
3. Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.

The contest will run until next Wednesday and is open to US readers. Good luck!

DIY Neon

Source: isuwannee.com via Brianne on Pinterest

Statement jewelry in fun colors are huge right now. Instead of investing a huge chunk of change and purchasing one, I decided to try making one myself.

I used a white howlite necklace I had purchased on Ebay a few years ago. I really liked the shape of the necklace, but the white color was a little ho hum and therefore I hardly ever wore it. I purchased two cans of spray paint; one neon pink and one clear coat. I sprayed each side and let each dry for about one hour. Then I sprayed a clear coat to seal and protect. Viola! A new necklace for less than $10 (paired with a thrifted striped top).

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

Holiday Party by briannelee featuring opaque stockings

This week's Friday's Fancies is all about the holiday party. Very apropos since John and I are hosting a housewarming/holiday party in our new house this weekend. I am deciding between a sequin mini skirt and a skirt I picked up at J Crew this weekend, but the rest of the outfit is going to be pretty similar. I will probably start the night off in heels and then change to flats as the night wears on.

Continuing with the metallic theme, I found this vintage metallic woven clutch this week at my fav antique store. The tassel is a fun touch... even though it has seen better days. I think I will have to pick up a replacement for it.