Staying Warm

New, never worn, still has tags!  Patagonia synchilla for Boo - retails for $69.  Look at the tags - got it for $7.50!!

Ann Taylor tie-knot shirt - retails for $54, got it for $3.50!  I'm thinking it would look great with a basic cardi like this:

and Ann Taylor trousers like these:

A good day for blackbelt!

Fashion Friday: Making My Own Skinny Jeans

I took this pair of bootleg jeans....

 and made meself some skinny jeans!!

If you want to know how I did it, then read on.

So I've been looking for some skinny jeans that are appropriate for me: 50, chubby, 5'3", muffinable, Korean proportioned me.   Oh, and cheap.  Blackbelt shopping cheap.

I went to Chicos because their jeans will keep the muffin from overflowing.  But at $79-89?? and literally needing to cut 8" off the bottom??  Every other pair I looked at had the additional problem of being low-rise.

This past week, I opened up my winter pants drawer and found a pair of jeans I'd forgotten about.  They have a touch a Lycra, a deep rise and are a dark wash boot leg jeans.  They were the perfect length and the perfect price: $7.  Seven dollar jeans??  Yes! at the thrift store.  (Check back for my post on shopping thrift stores.)

1. Make sure they fit well at your waist and hiney.
2. Make sure they have Lycra.
3. Check all seams along the legs to make sure they are single stitched like this:

not double top stitched like a lot of jeans:

4.  You know they can't have pleats, right?  Right??
5.  They should be black, dark denim or white, without any bling.
6. Flip them inside-out, start pinching and pinning to what you are comfortable with.
7. Keeping the stitch length as long as your machine will allow, sew.
8.  Flip them back right-side-in and try them on.  Do this as often as you need to get it right before making your final stitching run.

Voila!

Fashion Friday, or Blackbelt Strikes Again

Blackbelt, dressed as an ordinary mom, stealthily by day or night, frequents thrifts stores and yard sales...all in the name of fashion justice.

Just last week, she found and rescued these fashion basics, bringing them to a warm, loving home, where they will be washed inside out with mild detergent and hung on satin hangers.

Black cotton jersey.  From H&;M.

Worn with a tank under, a bit like this?

I am always warm.  So even in the winter, I am wearing short sleeves.  I've got plenty of V-necks because that's more flattering on me.  But I needed some scoop-necks to wear under denim jackets or cardis.  It's hard to find good basics, I found this deep scoop neck is more flattering on me than a more modest one.

By Ideology.

I was scanning the internet for the right look, and I found one at my friend Jo-Lynne's blog:

From Francesca's Collection

What do you think? Pretty close, huh?

This one, too, but a longer silhouette that I can wear over leggings:

It's brand new!  It's organic!  and it's actually a grey-purple.  By Toggery.

And look at this beautiful silky top! I want to find a pair of straight jeans in an unusual color to wear with this:

In 2 shades of gray by cdr

Closest I could get but not this tent-ish.

I've been looking for a sporty winter something:

Eddie Bauer down vest

I'm not the outdoorsy type but here's an outdoorsy look that'll help me pretend!

And last but not least, this black, silk top from my favorite store - TJMaxx:

On clearance for $7

I'm thinking something like this - with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.  (I wish I could belt it but that's not the style for me at this point):

Not perfect, but really wanted to show you!

All six items for a grand total of $26.00.  SCOooRE!!!

*Thanks to Eddie Bauer and Ann Taylor, my stylists.  ;-)

Gone Fishin'

That last post was about six different posts smooshed into one.  I'm "going fishin" this weekend but I'LL BE BACK.

In the meantime, enjoy my recent Blackbelt activities:

I've always loved gold, but it's very in fashion now.  Recent purchases, not on sale but all inexpensive at NY&Co.

I love this silky tunic top!  I'm on the prowl for white capri leggins to finish it off.  Top, by NY&Co. for 50 cents at a yard sale, Talbot's espadrilles bought at the end of last summer for under $25:

(The gold bracelet, I actually paid real money for at the Smithsonian Institute.  Every once in awhile, I am forced to do that!)

And finally, a brand new pair of Born, black patent flip-flops for $3 at a local thrift store  Liberty Thrift:

See you soon!
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Helllo Luvvah!

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I want to sleep with you; hold your round smooth warmness against me.  I want to be with you everyday, washing brown rice or jasmine rice or short grain rice...steaming pork buns...making porridge together.  I know others will say you're too fussy, that you have expensive tastes.  But.  They don't understand.  They don't know what it's like to be.  To be.  East Asian.

You were good to me, but I've got to move on. I have brown rice and porridge to consider now.  Take care, and have a nice life.  I know you'll make someone else as happy as you made me.
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Blackbelt in Silk

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I haven't shown my blackbelt prowess recently. I know. You've been disappointed. How about this ultracoolhipsoftsilk card holder??



So. Cool. I can'tstandit!
Now I have to get some cards.

Blackbelt in Black

One of those wrinkle-free, throw in the washer, shake it and wear it dresses from GAP: $3.50.

happy happy!

Blackbelt Poops Out

That Boden skirt looks aweful on me. I know. The first rule of shopping is: "always try things on." Anyway, it makes me look like I should braid my hair and go yodeling.

Poop!

Blackbelt Strikes Again

I had an awesome day yesterday. After weeks of the doldrums and despair, I had me a good one! Woohoo!

I started off meeting this adorable blogger mom for lunch, who shall remain nameless. It was our first time meeting face-to-face. Was it wierd, you ask? Oh yeah. It was also great and exciting and funny, too! The parking ticket? Not so funny. Hmph! We met in Chinatown. She told me she was wearing a big navy coat with an orange scarf. I was going to tell her I am East Asian, which is usually what I tell people. Decided against it this time. Ha! We ate VIETNAMESE food. She treated me for my birthday! Yeah! Thanks, Lora! Oops! Let the cat out of the bag! ;-)







On my way home, I had about 20 minutes, and we can't let that go to waste, now, can we? I stopped at my friendly neighborhood Goodwill store and scored on these:

This Boden summer skirt:















How cute would that be with strappy kitten-heels, bangle bracelets and a tank top? Love the button details.



And this LOFT fleece top in pale mint. I wish you could feel how soft it is, and how warm it's going to be in bed! Each for $3.50!

Kickin' My Heels

Nothin' like a new pair of shoes to lift my spirits!!

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Blackbelt Strikes Again

Please note this ad for a lined jean jacket from a famous chain store:


Please notice the retail price of $39.50.

Now please note this almost identical lined jean jacket from the same famous chain store:




Please note that the yard sale price was $1. One dahlah! as my Italian friend Fracesca says.


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How Dry I Am! How Hot I Am!

I'm not feeling too profound lately. I'm just not feelin it. But I did do some great shopping!

Check this stuff out for Boo:




Didja catch the labels?? OK, not that I am necessarily a label-hound. It's just that these brands tend to have good fabric and nice designs. If you don't know greendog, it's sold at major department store and just a good, reliable brand.

{{Added}} Oh my - I sound like I need ESL. What I meant was, "It's just that these brands tend to have good fabrics and nice designs. If you don't know greendog, it's sold at major department stores and is just a good, reliable brand."

A whopping $8.48:

If new and not on sale:
Blue oxford shirt: about 24.50
Striped dress shirt: about 42.00
New with label linen pants: about 32.00

HA!

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Converted

In our circles, we talk about life-style converting. Don't talk too much, don't brag. Just show people how your life has changed. And they may see the better way because of your conviction.

Today is Friday. If it isn't your thing, you may not realize that it starts on Fridays. Sometimes even Thursdays. The official day is Saturday of course, but I'm sad to say I see more and more on Sundays.

Today, my 6 year old son made his professioin to me, unprompted:

"I love going to yard sales with my mom!"


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Just so you know, Blackbelt strikes again. This is a brand new cotton sweater from Nordstrom I got at a thrift store yesterday. For $3.85. The Ralph Lauren shirt (for $1.75) and khakis are from thrifts stores, too. You know, cuz spending $50 on kids' clothes is SO worth it, when they wear it 3 times or get a juice stain on it, or have a growth spurt. Ok, you can roll your eyes back to the front of your head now. Won't my Boo look adorable going to church in this?? Check it out:







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The Blackbelt Strikes

I know you've been wondering what kind of shopper I really am...that I call myself "Blackbelt."


"Show us your stuff," you've been saying. OK. Well, today, was a yard sale coup. I definitely lower my average with this:



If you know what that behemoth is, you'll know that a new one costs close to 2K, and a reburbished one a grand. I got this recent model at a yard sale today for about the price of, like, a Dirt Devil. Which I also own. And they threw in a fertilizer spreader and a bike helmet, too.


Hmmm, I guess I'd better start vacuuming my house once in awhile ;-)

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