Frugal Fiend Creates Sporty Luxe

The before pics of the top and sweat pants.

So over the weekend I came across these really cute sweat shorts while I was out and about the city. I loved them and contemplated getting them. I however have these rules for myself where I see an item and then decide whether it's worth paying the asking price. Most of the time the answer is no. I mean, the shorts were only $42.95. Now you're probably wondering why I even had to mull that over considering I can pay through the nose for designer shoes and bags. Those are different, they are pieces, for me anyways, worth investing in. When it comes to clothes, I have set prices in my head of how much I'm willing to pay. $42.95 is a hefty amount to pay for a pair of sweat shorts for me, so my mind went into over drive and thought about buying the material and just making it from scratch. I decided to make it less painful for myself and just buy the sweat and alter it instead.

This is where K-Mart comes to mind. That place is a treasure trove for frugal fiends like me. I see a lot of clothing items there that are amazing on their own or can become amazing with a little alteration or an addition of a button. The top cost me $5.50 and the sweat pants were $8.50. Did a little snip and tuck and voila! I have myself a sporty luxe outfit that probably cost less than the petrol I used to obtain the items. 

These are the types of outfits I love, they can look great whether dressed up or down. Also great for lazy dressers like me.

Top & Shorts: K-Mart (altered) / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Sunglasses: Oakley / Watch: Roxy / Rings: YSL & Etsy / Bangle: Withlovekirsten

Instagramification

  

I cannot I believe this perspex goodie was only $14.95!

Sunday was spent trawling the city for bargain buys in my new Chanel espadrilles. The lambskin is butter on your feet, highly recommended if you have the chance to snap one up. Finding your size in the colour & material combo you want is ridiculous!

  

I got this biker leather jacket custom made and I was able to pick out the colour I wanted it in. This is inspired from a Balmain jacket I've been eyeing but could not and will not ever afford, pretty happy with the way its turned out and the colour is more amazing in person. It was such a steal too!

  

 My new phone cover! I'm not even ashamed to admit how much I freaking love this cover. I feel like I'll need to explain that I'm not in-fact an 8 year old girl every time I pull my phone out of my bag. I love that its huge, doesn't slip out of my hand, so its ergonomically great and there's no chance of dropping it on my face when I'm going through on my phone lying down. Even if I do drop it on my face again, it wouldn't be so hard this time.

Doing what I do best *sigh*

My fave outfit combo so far, stress-free dressing is where its at! And by stress-free, I mean lazy.

A Chanel experience. 

This is the best sneak shot I could get when I was inside the boutique. I didn't even bother asking if I was allowed to. I find it strange that in Australia you are not allowed to take photos of merchandise in stores. When I was in the US, I thought they would be the same, but no one ever stopped me.

More antigona love! I cannot get over this bag, considering it was an impulse purchase and didn't think I would even like it. I only really bought it cos it was such a steal! Which only proves that sometimes a crazy non-thought-out purchases can work in your favour. A shopaholics excuse if I ever heard one.

Lusting after some lace up heels and these Aquazzura pythons and Schutz eyelet heels are my picks.

Decisions, decisions!

  

I certainly love me some ice cream cookie sangas!

Doing more of what I also do best.

I love Instagram! Such a fun and easy program to use. Instant picture sharing without bulky cameras.

I especially love it when I'm lusting after an item and google images doesn't give me sufficient pictures, Instagram does! For example, Isabel Marant Bayleys were on my mind. But only having seen it on people like Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio and Gisele, I kept putting it in the back of my mind. It looks great on them, but what does that mean for me?

Then came all the pics of people in their IM Bayley's, girlies and some lads, in all shapes and sizes and they all looked amazing. It was a no brainer after that! Ok, it might sound like IG is a shop-a-holics enabler, I'm not going to deny it isn't, but it's such a handy little tool.

You also come across some really friendly and helpful strangers who share your interest. After all, people find you from what it is you tag, so you will always find like-minded shop-a-holics in my case. Nothing fuels a (now poor) shop-a-holic like seeing other peoples purchases and sharing in their joy, even if it is vicariously.

Toodles for now!  
 Find me on Instagram @4theloveofpancakes

Maxi Warrior

I'm in-love with the colours and details of this maxi dress. The bodice makes a huge statement and all you need are chunky bangles and rings. I've had these gladiator sandals for years and thought it about time to let them see the day of light again. 

Hope everyones having a great weekend!

Dress: eBay / Gladiator: Urban Originals /  Watch: Roxy / Rings: YSL 

See My Vest

Putting some tweaks on the pattern

Zippers and layers of material

Making up the pattern in calico to test out the fit

Testing how the fabric paint will look on the fabric

My chosen colours

Painting the fabric for the pocket opening first incase of any mistakes

Starting on the actual material. It was definitely but, but labour intensive

I also made it up in white, using different strokes with the brush. The white vest I made up with wadding so it's a lot thicker and would be great for the much colder months.

This is how the skirt originally looked

I've been eyeing a Josh Goot hooded bomber vest for ages, but at $1200+ a pop and my unemployment status, it's an unlikely match to ever acquiring one.

So I thought it time to be innovative. Since im in the midst of millions of assignments that require me to make up patterns with my personal measurements and truckloads of garment assembly, why not apply what I've learnt so far to a piece of garment I really want but cannot afford.

There was no way I was going to ever find the exact same fabric. The vest itself is made of 100% silk, hence the price tag. I also assume the print is only developed for the designer himself, so looking for an exact print that may or may not exist for the public sounded too daunting. I scoured most fabric stores available to me (and also within my budget) and found nothing close to it. Then came the thought of recreating the fabric myself, I knew it wasn't going to look exactly the same, or close to it, but it would be good enough as long as the colourway was similar. After all, fabric paint exists for a reason.

Im pretty proud of how it's turned out. I usually go on this innovative creative journeys only to hate what i've ended up with. I'm glad this one worked out as the painting alone was really intense. Im still undecided wether I should do the hood or just leave it black, but I think either way looks fine.

The skirt im wearing is a $15 K-Mart purchase. It was a simple pencil skirt, but I loved the faux-leather panel in the middle. I decided to re-construct the hem to make it a little more visually interesting.

Vest: DIY / Tank: ASOS / Skirt: K-Mart (with DIY reconstructed hem) / Heels: Diavolina / Necklace: House of Harlow / Watch: Roxy / Sunglasses: Oakley