Being cheap

Hey, everyone! It's been a little while since the last post - I've started on somewhat a more normal schedule last week and at the moment - enjoying a long weekend at a beautiful summerhouse in the south of Denmark.

First I want to say thank you to everyone who reads and leaves delightful comments, it makes my day and I'm surprised by every new follower - that's really sweet. In connection to that I want to say, that I always check out your blogs and profiles and 99% of the time - I'm very impressed and find them lovely, but for those asking - generally I do not follow-me-I'll-follow-back - I'll gladly check out blogs and follow them, if I find them inspirational, helpful and interesting to read, however.

I'm struggling with the internet a bit at the moment - meaning - there isn't any down here. So this post will be a rather simple, yet talkative one. It's about shopping. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm GOOD at spending money. I can really spend. The "problem" has always been the lack of money to spend. I've never had much money and throughout the years, even now, when I'm doing better financially, this has taught me to avoid spending too much, especially on things, that are overpriced. Overall, I don't care, if a clothing item says a specific brand inside, if the material, design and quality satisfies my wishes just the same. Likewise, (at this point in my life anyway) I would not spend 3 times as much money on a brand nail polish, that will last on my nails for a few days and that I will struggle to use up, before it dries out, if the result ends up looking (in my opinion) the same. My clothes doesn't have to be new, if I find a good steal at a swap or second hand market (especially basic peaces and classics - jackets, blazers, everyday dresses and going out clothes for more seldom use) and my shoes doesn't have to be the newest model for the upcoming season. Call me cheap, but I love sales, discounts, affordable brands, simple, classic things, basics and offers. I'm not... obsessed, but it definitely makes my shopping experience more enjoyable and fun. I find it's easy to go into a shop and buy the first thing you like, but it's more fun to make some effort to try and find something equally as qualitative, good looking and stylish for less. Sometimes you can't. And sometimes you shouldn't. My mom has also taught me to never save on shoes (especially boots and everyday shoes) and to remember: "We're not rich, to buy cheap things", if you know, what I mean. But let me give you an example and see, what I mean.

I have a wedding to go to in a week's time. One of my old classmates from college is getting married and the wedding takes place in Bulgaria. The weather will be 35 + degrees C, humid and sunny. I have nothing light and thin, that's not black and nothing fancy enough, yet simple to make the bride stand out more. Here's what I came up with. My boyfriend volunteered to help me and one (hungover) Sunday we took a walk downtown. We started with the shoes. They were 99 DKK and something I've never owned before. Moreover, they were surprisingly comfortable which was a big must. I found the shape beautiful and the heel just high enough to still look good. I actually have a very hard time buying heels. My big toe is indeed bigger than the rest of my toes and I swear adds an extra size. Any closed toe heels hurt, any peep-toes makes my toes slip out in the front. Any wide shoes fall off and look like swimming fins and any narrow ones transform my feet into pointy irons. Platforms make me look massive, thin soled shoes - hurt the pillows of my feet. Hard life, I know, right? So, please, understand my satisfaction to have found a flattering, flirty pair of heels for a fraction of the expected price - even if they last a couple of times!

After, we went for the dress, but found a hat. I had been contemplating getting one, because the wedding takes place outside - in a garden of a restaurant. My hair is dark, as you might know and I wasn't really up for fainting. Yet, the hats we could find and like cost up to 500-600 DKK. After deciding to find the dress first and then return for one of the hats, we passed Accessories and spotted a similar one for 89 DKK. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased.

Next, we continued wandering the shops and the only one, that caught my eye was a grey, soft midi t-shirt dress for 149 DKK. I found it so easy and simple, I loved the toned down color and the idea of being able to wear it many times after the wedding and styling it with different pieces I already own. We decided to buy it anyway, even if I end up finding something else for the wedding.

Lastly, I returned to Accessories and picked up the earrings (49 DKK) and the necklace (99 DKK) - getting a student discount on both afterwards. Next I searched for a clutch bag, but the ones I liked priced 250 DKK up and I somehow found it silly to use more on the bag, than my dress (although that's sometimes a good trick) and after a lengthy search, bought a clutch bag for 149 DKK. Lastly, I took advantage of a 2 for 1 deal at MATAS and picked up two nail polishes (59 DKK) - a vibrant orange one for every day use and pretty coral one for the wedding, which are also pictured.

All in all I'm very satisfied with the outfit - I think it's very me and didn't set me back too much, moreover - all of the items are more than a one time thing - I know I'll be able to incorporate them in my wardrobe and wear them continuously. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I know I'll feel comfortable, which was the goal.

Let me know, if you've found this relatable and maybe even helpful. Have you shopped an entire outfit for an event? Do you go all out? What are your shopping habits?

I might do a seperate post on my wardrobe and good steals and finds - some tips maybe, if you're interested. If you'd like to see hauls, wardrobe essentials or any kinds of specific posts, feel free to request them. I'll try to get up a get-ready-with-me or the-face-of-the-day type of post soon, so watch out for that as well.

Hope you're having a wonderful week, talk to you soon!

Renate ❤