Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

How to Take a Basic Outfit from Day to Night

by Katie Haller

Day to night outfit
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always felt that there are 2 different ways to dress for the day and night.  I’ve also been known to overthink them both, that’s why today I’m sharing 2 looks, wearing the same exact base outfit.  This base outfit is so simple, it’s just a black tank top, jeans with a necklace and earrings.  All I did was switch out my shoes and purse to take this look from day to night.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link will result in a commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support! 

Day Look

During the day I like to stay casual and comfortable.  I typically wear flat shoes and carry a large tote purse to keep all my toddler gear in.  I love wearing simple tank tops and t-shirts because you can always change them up by the way you style them.  For this day look, I knotted my top at the bottom. 
Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

 Shop my look

Jeans- Old Navy (exact)
Top- Target (exact)
Shoes- Kohls (exact)
Necklace- Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings- Esty (exact)
Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar)

Night Look

I always feel like the night has a dressier feel.  I like to put on a pair of heels or wedge shoes.  I’m 5’1 so I always like to add a little height when I can.  I also like to ditch my big mom purse whenever I have the chance to get out without my little guy.  My go-to, kid-free purse is my leopard clutch.  Leopard is always a great statement accessory. 
Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

Day to night outfit

Shop my look

Jeans- Old Navy (exact)
Top- Target (exact)
Shoes- Target (similar)
Necklace- Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings- Esty (exact)
Purse- ThredUp- H&M (similar)

3 Ways to Style a Yellow T-Shirt

by Katie Haller

Now that it’s March, I’m looking ahead to spring.  I’m ready to get out of my winter neutrals and add a little color to my wardrobe.  It’s not that neutrals are bad, but sometimes I just get bored with them.  I’m looking to just add a little pop of color just to brighten up my wardrobe a bit.  One easy way to do this is by adding a bright colored t-shirt into your wardrobe.  
Last fall I bought this BP mustard yellow shirt at Nordstrom (HERE– this exact color is currently sold out, but I did link some similar tops below.) It’s a great yellow for fall, but I think that this color can also work all year round.  Today I’ve styled it 3 ways.  Typically, I would have picked out a neutral-colored shirt to wear with these outfits, but when you style them with the yellow, it just adds a little pop of color and makes the outfit more fun for spring.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link will result in a commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support!

Outfit #1 Yellow and Turquoise

I’ve always loved accessorizing with the color turquoise.  I love how it looks when you pair it with another bright color.  This is just a simple way to add some extra color to simple jeans and t-shirt outfit. 

Shop my Outfit

Jeans- Abercrombie (similar) 
Shirt- Nordstrom (exact– the color is sold out, similar, similar)
Shoes- ThredUP- Madden Girls (similar)
Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar) 
Necklace- Nordstrom Rack (similar) 

Outfit #2 Yellow with a striped skirt

I always feel like a bumblebee when I wear yellow and striped together, but I actually do really love the combination.  I always like to add my denim jacket with an outfit like this.  

Shop my outfit

Top- Nordstrom (exact, similar, similar)
Jacket- Old Navy (exact) 
Skirt- ThredUP (similar)
Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar)
Shoes- Target (similar)
Scarf- Walmart (similar)

Outfit # 3 Yellow and Navy

I can’t help but think of the University of Michigan colors of maize and blue when ever I wear my yellow shirt and navy blazer together, but I do really love this color combination.  For spring, I paired it with my white jeans.  I personally I think white jeans can be worn year round, but I really love my white jeans during the spring.  

Shop my outfit

Top- Nordstrom (exact, similar, similar)
Blazer- Target (similar)
Jeans- Target (similar)
Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar)
Shoes- ThredUP- Madden Girl (similar)

3 Ways to Wear a Corduroy Skirt

by Katie Haller

3 Ways to Wear a Corduroy Skirt
I love it when I find a great versatile piece of clothing.  I love it, even more, when I find it for a great price!  Last month right before Christmas I got a notification on my phone that ThredUP was doing 24 hours of free shipping.  I had been waiting for this for a while because I only had a little over $2 left in my ThredUP account.  I love shopping at their online thrift store, but my biggest complaint is that you need to spend over $79 to get free shipping.  I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time spending that much money at a thrift store.  That’s why I was waiting for free shipping.  I ended up buying this super cute Old Navy corduroy skirt for $.99 plus an Old Navy tunic top (HERE), also for $.99.  I was pretty excited about my finds and I still have some change leftover in my account for my next ThredUp shopping trip.

I’ve had really good luck with thrifting my skirts.  You can usually find a lot of great basic skirts from thrift stores.  I like the light khaki color of this skirt.  I also think that corduroy is a great material for fall and winter.  This skirt would make the perfect classroom skirt if your a teacher or for any office job.  It’s also a perfect way to dress up a little bit more.  Today I’ve styled it 3 ways to show you how easy it can be to add a corduroy skirt into your wardrobe.   

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will earn a commission for this blog at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support!

Look #1- This look includes all my favorite things.  A chambray top and a pop of leopard.  This look is perfect for work.  It’s really a simple look to pull off. 
3 Ways to Wear a Corduroy Skirt
Skirt– ThredUp-Old Navy (Similar, Similar) || Top- Target (Similar) || Booties- ThredUP- Target (Similar, Similar) || Belt- Hand me down from my mom (Similar, Similar)  || Necklace- Nordstrom (Exact)

Look #2- I love to layer my button-down shirts with a cardigan.  I love how it has a classic and preppy feel to it.  The key is to cuff the sleeves.  This shows off the blouse a little more and hides any imperfections and bumpiness you might get in your sleeves. 

3 Ways to Wear a Corduroy Skirt
Top- ThredUP- J.Crew (Similar, Similar) || Cardigan- Target (Similar) || Shoes- ThredUp- Madden Girls (Similar) || Necklace- Nordstrom (Exact)

Look #3- Sweaters tucked in are such a trend right now.  I never thought that would be a thing, but it looks so polished when you tuck your sweater.  Wearing a sweater with a skirt can be the perfect combination in the winter. 

3 Ways to Wear a Corduroy Skirt
Sweater- Target (Exact) || Booties– Zappos (Exact, Similar)

For more styling ideas to make the most of your wardrobe check out my other posts HERE!!

Shop my closet

Traveling Light for the Holidays

by Katie Haller

Next week I’m going to be making another trip home to Michigan for my Christmas break.  I’m excited, but of course, overwhelmed thinking about it all.  It’s always stressful traveling around the holidays.  My husband is going to be flying our flight, which I’m very excited about, but it also means that I’m on my own with our crazy 2-year-old.  The hardest part about traveling by myself with a toddler is the amount of stuff we have to bring.  His car seat, stroller, luggage, toys to entertain him… it’s a lot.  I haven’t really mastered how to travel with a kid and look like one of those cool put together moms I see on Instagram.  I’m always an over-packer because I hate leaving my wardrobe behind.  The last time I traveled home, I learned my lesson that less is more.  That’s why on this trip home, I’m going to try and travel light.  As light as I possibly can.  That’s why I started planning what I was going to pack for my trip weeks ago.  I’m hoping this will help me when the actual travel day comes along.

Today I want to share what’s in my suitcase this December.  I’m trying to keep it simple, casual, versatile and most importantly warm.  Our only plans are to visit with family and we have lots of family to see. 

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase from a link, I will earn a small commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support!

Read more

3 Must Have Scarves

by Katie Haller

I’ve always loved wearing scarves during the fall and winter, but after moving to a warmer climate, I find myself wearing scarves less than I used to.  I recently gave a bunch of scarves away on my last closet cleanout, but there are some scarves that are always worth keeping no matter what kind of climate you live in.  Believe it or not, it does get chilly in the wintertime in Las Vegas.  Scarves can offer the perfect amount of warmth sometimes.  It all depends on how you layer them.

 Today I want to share 3 types of scarves that are perfect no matter what kind of climate you live in.  These are the scarves that you will want to hold on to and not add to the cleanout bag.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and making a purchase through a link will result in a commission for this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support!

Blanket Scarves are great!  They are still very popular and are perfect to layer over a t-shirt, sweater or cardigan.  I bought my blanket scarf I’m wearing above from ilymix, which they don’t have this particular scarf any more, but you can still find it on Amazon (HERE).

I love plaid!  There is nothing better than a plaid scarf around the holidays.  Whether it’s a blanket scarf or infinity scarf, the pattern always looks nice.  I found this grey plaid scarf at Banana Republic Factory a couple years ago on clearance for $6.  I love that you can find plaid in all kinds of colors to match whatever season it is.

Of course I was going to mention leopard.  I love to accessorize with leopard print.  A leopard scarf is the perfect way to add a little bit of print to your outfit.  I found my leopard scarf last fall at Old Navy.  Unfortunately, I can’t find it this year, but luckily Nordstrom has the almost exact scarf for the same price (HERE).

 Those are my favorite types are scarves.  Are you a scarf person?

Shop my post

3 Ways to Wear a Green Cardigan with PinkBlush

by Katie Haller

I feel like everywhere I look on Instagram, all I see are fall clothes.  Sweaters, cardigans, jeans, booties…all my favorite things.  The only thing that I’m wondering is how is everyone wearing all their fall clothes so early?  Is it really that cool in the rest of the country?  I don’t think so.  In Las Vegas, our summer last FOREVER.  Fall is a really hard season for me because I want to wear all my favorite fall clothes, but it doesn’t cool down until at least November.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t force myself to wear a sweater when it’s 100 degrees outside.  One thing that always helps me get through the warm falls is to transition into my fall clothes.  I love to mix my fall clothes with my summer clothes to create transitional fall looks that are still comfortable to wear when it is warm out. 

*This post is part of a collaboration with PinkBlush.  It contains affiliate links, which means by making a purchase through a link, I will make a commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support! 
For today’s post, I want to share 3 transitional fall look with my new olive green cardigan from PinkBlush.  There are so many things that I love about this cardigan.  First of all, I love the color.  Olive green is the perfect fall color.  I also love the detail of the brown quilted elbow patch.  They make me feel like I’m ready to go riding or something.  I also love the material of this cardigan.  It’s not a sweater knit, it feels more like a sweatshirt.  It’s actually quite warm. 

Cardigan (Exact) || Jeans (Similar) || Top (Exact) || Watch (Similar) || Purse (Similar) || Shoes (Exact) 
Look 1: Distressed jeans and flip flops
For my first look, I wore my favorite pair of cuffed distressed jeans and a black tank.  For shoes, I kept it super casual with my leopard print flip-flops.  I felt like flip-flops help keep that laid back warm-weather feel. 

Cardigan (Exact) || Skirt (Similar) || Top (Exact) || Necklace (Similar) || Shoes (Similar) 
Look 2: Denim Skirt and knotted tank
For this look, I wanted to wear my denim skirt.  I’ve been loving this jean skirt all summer long and I plan on wearing it through out the fall.  I styled it with my white tank top that I knotted, because I’ve been knotting all my tops lately.  For shoes, I dressed it up with my strappy sandals.
PinkBlush 

Cardigan (Exact) || Shorts (Exact) || Top (Similar) || Necklace (Similar) || Shoes (Similar) 
Look 3: Shorts and Stripes
It’s hard for me to style something 3 ways without styling it with stripes.  I love all of my striped t-shirts and this one looks great with the green.  I wore it with my favorite jean shorts and wedges from the summer.

I can’t wait to wear this cardigan throughout the fall and winter.  I’m sure I’ll have lots of new ways to style it.  I also have some exciting news on how you can easily shop all my favorite PinkBlush clothes.  You can always shop through my posts, but now you can also follow me, thriftywifehappylife, on the LIKEtoKNOW.it App (HERE)  You will find all my outfits from my Instagram linked for your shopping convivence.  Look for this cardigan and my other PinkBlush favorites!

Follow

@thriftywifehappylife