We’re in the home stretch for Christmas and today was our office party. Beside the food and merriment we had a Ugly Christmas Sweater contest. I’m not one to buy the festive fashion piece, but I do have the Christmas colors in my closet.

I wore a kelly green sweater over a ribbed turtleneck. I also wore my new skinny jeans. I got them this past weekend at Fashion Bug, along with another pair. I had a coupon for $10 of a purchase of $25 or more and when I walked into the store it was 50 percent off everything in the store. So I was able to get two pair of jeans for $30, more than $60 off.  I also wore my rain boots, which I found this past fall at a yard sale for $3 and they were new.

I love it when we celebrate  Christmas  at work. We go from floor to floor trying each department’s food, we exchange gifts and we also vote on the ugliest sweater.  Many of us got into it this year too. It’s probably the only time some of us see one other.

There is someone representing each department – advertising, classifieds, composing, business, circulation and of course  editorial (me.)

Anyway those of us at The Telegraph wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ugly Christmas sweaters are the sweetest is a post from: Original Cyn

It was such a gloomy day. I wore something bright to make it better.

I thrifted this coral dress for $4.50.  I just love the color and it reminds me of the beach, but since it’s December I figured I better pair it will something a little more warm like my boyfriend jacket (recently thrifted) and my boots. I accessorized with a belt, multi-strand necklace and gray tights.

Although I think the black goes well, I’m looking forward to wearing this dress in warmer weather. I’m ready to pair it with a gold belt, gold sandals and other gold accessories.

Is there any clothing you miss wearing in the winter? Do you wear an outfit because it inspires you of another season or place you would rather be?

Color me coral is a post from: Original Cyn

Earlier this week I showed you my newly purchased faux fur vest. Well today I wore it as part of my casual Friday look.

I paired this fuzzy fashion piece with jeans, moccasin boots and a peasant style top that I’ve had since before the birth of my son more than 18 years ago. I accessorized with a suede hat and large earrings. It’s definitely a Boho look.

I believe this vest is going to be my favorite winter piece. A faux fur vest can be worn a variety of ways. I recently came across an article on the site You Look Fab -Five Ways to Wear a Faux Fur Vest.

So far I’ve worn mine two ways. I intend to find more looks for it to go with too.

Do you have a favorite clothing piece that you wear multiple ways?

The faux fur vest was on my list of “wants,” which makes me happy that I found it and at a price that didn’t puncture my pocket book. Instead I get the “Boho” rather than boohoo

Boho not boohoo is a post from: Original Cyn

 It’s that time of year when you get to wear all that holiday gear. It doesn’t need to be red or green to be festive. Just look at what I wore to my Rotary Christmas party.

I love this skirt. I purchased it two years ago for on clearance for $2.98  at JcPenney’s. I wear it all year and the colors allow me to change it up for so many different looks. Since it was a holiday party I decided to go festive with my layered pearls.

Holiday attire doesn’t have to be all red and green. It’s simply a matter of putting together an outfit that has some extra pizazz. I love the look of layered pearls, don’t you?

Putting on the pizazz is a post from: Original Cyn

This outfit isn’t anything special. It’s just something I pulled out of my closet, however I like the little color detail of the flowers in the top and it seems appropriate during the holiday season.

The outfit is accessorized with some simple silver earrings and a ribbon tied in my hair.

I like wearing capris with boots during the fall and winter season. It allows me to extend my wardrobe.

Simple style is a post from: Original Cyn

This past weekend I purchased two items that were on my list of things I wanted.  This first I found thrifting of course and the second I purchased on clearance.

I found this peasant maxi dress for $4.50 I then paired it with a faux fur vest I got at Cato for $24.

The outfit reminds me of Rachel Zoe. I love so many of her looks, and although she’s a tiny thing, I feel I pulled off the essence of her style. What do you think?

Although I think of this dress as a winter maxi, I will also be able to wear it off the shoulder too with a fedora and great pair of sandals next spring.

The next outfit I just pulled from my closet, but wow it’s eerily similar to Kate Middleton‘s red tartan look.

 How do I look? I mean I go from dressing like a “peasant” to putting on some “royal” attire.

Peasantly pretty to royally radiating is a post from: Original Cyn

Sometimes I get bored wearing skirts all the time and I don’t want to wear pants. Don’t worry I still put on clothes.

I paired a long floral shirt with navy shorts, tights and a tee. I wore my taupe wedges I found on clearance at Target ($4) and some silver jewelry.

I like the idea of wearing  seasonal pieces even if it’s unseasonal. There’s no reason to ditch shorts in the winter, especially if the fabric is something that you would wear in a pant. You don’t have to sacrifice warmth and style to go with this look either.

The key to wearing shorts is wearing tights. I mean it’s no different that wearing a skirt with tights and depending on where you’re going it can be more comfortable too. There is no fear of panty exposure either.

Remember shorts aren’t just for summer anymore. Last year I had a pair of pants that were too short, so I had them turned into a pair of shorts. I have a feeling I’m going to be doing this a lot more with pants I like, but don’t wear as often.

Do you ever wear shorts in the winter? If you don’t would you?

It’s going to be a short winter is a post from: Original Cyn

I have a confession. I may have a shopping addiction. Yes, I know there are thousands of women with this problem, but mine isn’t so much about spending money. It’s basically the exact opposite. I enjoy going and seeing what great deals I can get with spending the least amount of money.

I guess you could call me frugal fashionista. I enjoy shopping, but the reality is I don’t want to be in debt because of it. I never charge anything. Yes, that’s right if I can’t pay in cash  I feel I don’t need it and if I want it bad enough I save or better yet I go thrifting. I enjoy  the hunt in it. I don’t know why, but I do. I know there are people out there who would never wear something once owned by someone else. Me, I’m all for saving money, so if I can get something for a fraction of the cost – well I will.

I mean I live my life by the five F principle – fashion, family, friends, food and fun. These are the things and people I enjoy most and they can mix and match too. I know it sounds a little crazy, but really “what girl doesn’t like to get dressed up and go out – with her girlfriends, for a dinner date?”

Anyway whenever I’m feeling a little stressed, I like to shop. I especially like to thrift. I may not buy anything at all. Sometimes it’s simply the time it takes me to look through it all.

Here are a few of my recent thrifted finds.

No. 1  – I wore a leopard cardigan (thrifted $3) atop a  Old Navy dress (thrifted, NWT $4.) I used a black grosgrain ribbon as a belt and accessorized with layered necklaces and my leopard Mary Jane heels (Payless, clearance, $9)

No. 2 – I thrifted both the top and skirt for $3 each. I accessorized with Dana Buchman boots (clearance, Kohls) and long necklaces.

No. 3 – I paired this recently thrifted Land’s End cable knit sweater ($3 ) with a black turtleneck and black and white checked pants. I accessorized with some silver earrings and leather and silver necklace.

I’ve been proud of myself lately because even though I have this shopping “addiction” I’ve spent less than $30 on purchases during the past two months. I think  that’s a good thing.

Do you like to shop? Do you go thrifting? What’s the best fashionable item that you ever found?

Frugal Fashionista is a post from: Original Cyn

I went thrifting earlier this week and found two things. I already showed you my vintage dress. Today I wore my other purchase — the boyfriend jacket.

I’ve been wanting a lightweight one I can wear with a belt around my waist and it not feel too bulky. Well I found one for $4. Looks great (I think) and can’t beat the price.

I paired it with a sleeveless dress, bright blue tights and peep-toe booties. How does it look?

I plan to wear this jacket with several looks. I could have worn jeans to the office today, however I went ahead opted for a dress instead.

I’ve wanted a boyfriend jacket because they are versatile. You can wear them all year round and with many different looks. They come in a variety of colors too. I was lucky and happened to find one that’s black.

I can’t wait to pair it with a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt and a really great statement necklace.

I guess you could say the boyfriend’s back on the fashion scene. So many women are wearing them these days. The key to a good one is a little oversize and slouchy, but not to big that you get lost in it.

Do you ever wear one? Of so, do you have a favorite look that you like to pair with it?

The boyfriend’s back is a post from: Original Cyn

I love when I come across something great, especially when I wasn’t even looking. I went thrifting yesterday and found a few items.

I really wasn’t looking for anything specific, but then I came across this vintage dress and I knew I wasn’t leaving without it. Really at $4.50 would you pass it up.

I paired it with black and white heels, Unlisted by Kenneth Cole, thrifted $3.  I added a pair of red tights for a pop of color and accessorized with silver jewelry.

I couldn’t believe how great the shoes go with the dress? Not that I will only wear these shoes with this garment, but WOW!

I love the style of the dress. It’s not only vintage, but mod. It’s a throwback to a 1960s subculture where the fashion included bold prints, geometric patterns and bright colors ruled. It also reminds me of Missoni, which we all know is more popular than ever thanks to Target.

Usually I can never find anything vintage that fits. The clothes from back then are usually made for thinner women, which I’m not, and well there are just never any good items out there.

I’m happy with the woman I am. I may not look like I did 20 years ago, but at least I can wear the fashion from the same decade in which I was born.

Do you have any vintage in your closet? What is it? If you don’t, would you wear it?

Mad for mod is a post from: Original Cyn