Not that anyone asked ...

I love to read. This is not news. If your literary tastes are anything like mine, here's a list of books you may enjoy:

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. She's an Omaha columnist and basically is awesome. If you're a 20-something female journalist from Northeast Nebraska, this will absolutely be your favorite book.

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Pretty much anything by Ken Follett is worth reading. He's working a new series now that covers multiple generations during the 20th century. Fall of Giants is the first installment - it's a huge book but a surprisingly fast read.

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is another multi-generational, cross-Atlantic, cross-century epic. If you're looking for something to sink your teeth into, this is it. (FYI: I'd rate this series PG-13, at least.)

And finally, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede is lovely. It's the story of a "princess who refuses to be proper." Yes, please!

Why women shop in pairs

I was casually flipping through the clothing racks at my favorite thrift store for an Easter outfit when I saw it: The perfect dress.

It was love at first sight, and for only $12, I almost took it straight from the rack to the cashier. I was responsible, though, and went to try it on.

Oh, it fit like a dream. It was kind of dress that makes your waist look tiny, your legs appear slim and long and your skin glow. I couldn't stop smiling as I swished and turned in front of the mirror. "I Feel Pretty" may or may not have been running through my head.

Enraptured with my treasure, I unzipped the dress, eager to make it my own. But, alas, victory was not mine.

You see, I'd neglected the "P" behind the dress size. Getting the dress on had been fine. Getting it off ... not so much.

As it turns out, my rib cage is not a "P." As I wriggled and writhed my way out of the dress, I wondered if I'd be wearing it for the rest of my life. There was a moment, encased in apple-green taffeta, when I believed I'd never get it off.

This, friends, is why women go shopping in pairs.

Needless to say, the dress is still on the rack. The hunt continues for an Easter dress, but that's the joy of thrifting: There's always something better out there.

Blau und gelb

Sometimes I put outfits together and I don't quite realize why it appeals to me. Today's, for example, is a medley of blue and goldenrod yellow, two colors I wouldn't normally wear together. As I was taking the photo, though, I figured out why I liked this combination: They're the colors of my high school, blue and gold. And while I completely love high school, I guess it couldn't have been all bad! :)

Navy long-sleeved T-shirt - $5 (purchased retail in college at a 2/$10 sale)

Gold sweater - $5

Navy wide-legged pants - $6.50

Docs - $2

Yellow bracelet - $1

Outfit cost - $19.50

I love this necklace ...

... but I haven't found a place to wear it yet. Necklace cost - $3. Black turtleneck - $3.

Some of my favorite finds

These are some of my favorite finds from the past year. I wonder if you can guess my favorite color?

This works well with slim-fit jeans and my black boots. Shirt cost - $3.

Not the world's most flattering, but it can't be beat for coziness! Sweater cost - $5 (with tags still on!)

This dress is super versatile: With a sweater, it's great for fall. With a camisole underneath, it's perfect for summer. Dress cost - $5. Necklace - $1.

Temperate Tuesday

Dress shirt - $1

Jacket - $3

Black pants - $4

Boots - $25

Outfit total - $33

Money-saving Monday

White jacket - $3

Teal T-shirt - $2

Navy wide-leg pants - $6.50

Docs - $2

Necklace - Gift from my mother

Outfit total - $13.50

Savvy Sunday

Jacket - $3

Embellished T-shirt - $4

Skirt - $9 (purchased on clearance a few years ago, it's one of the best clothing investments I've made)

Black heels - $3

Outfit cost - $19

I found a blog a few years ago that showed how you can embellish plain T-shirts like this. I love the concept but I'm not skilled in the fabric arts, so I settle for buying my second-hand.

Community garage sales

In two weeks, there's a semi-annual community garage sale. Does anyone have tips for making the most of the opportunity, particularly with a six-month-old in tow?

Spend less Saturday

Pink long-sleeved T-shirt - $1

Navy long cardigan - $5

Jeans - $4

Scarf - $3

Docs - $2

Outfit total - $15

Frugal Friday

Blue T-shirt - $1

Khaki jacket - $5

Jeans - $8

Boots - $3

Necklace - $0 (hostess gift)

Outfit cost - $17

Waste not, want not Wednesday

Gray T-shirt - $1

Leather jacket - $7.50

Black pants - $4

Boots - $25 (bought these retail because do you know how hard it is to find boots that fit athletic calves? Very.)

Necklace - $0 (hostess gift from hosting a jewelry party)

Outfit cost - $37.50

Thrifty Thursday

White jacket - $3

Purple long-sleeved T-shirt - $1

Jeans - $5

Doc Martens - $2

Necklace - $3

Outfit cost - $14

Considering the T-shirt alone would have cost around $12 new, I'm pretty proud of this ensemble.

Here we go again ...

It's been quite a while since I've written anything on this blog, though I haven't taken a complete hiatus from the written word. Babies, you know, take quite a lot of time.

Add to that my job, volunteer work, church activities, housekeeping (frankly, a full-time job in and of itself), maintaining friendships and, oh yes, spending time with the Captain (not Morgan, though that would be OK, too), and I have a full plate.

So ... I decided to take this blog in a different direction and it's a gratuitous one. Minds out of the gutter, please!

I love finding a good deal, and living on a teacher's salary means it's not just a hobby - it's a must. So I've applied that passion to my wardrobe and can count on one hand the number of retail clothing items I've paid for in the past year.

My philosophy of fashion is that clothes should fit well, cost little and be true to you.

I'd like to share my forays into thrifty dressing through this blog. It's just for fun, but maybe someone will get inspired to join the hunt themselves. I'm always looking for new shopping buddies!