Summer's Must Haves That Transition into Fall

Your are never too old to babysit! Yes ... you really are. I just try to tell myself that because I'm 26 and still babysitting. Unfortunately, it's not even a relative's kid it's a stranger's kids. No, I'm not one of those spinster women who babysits other people's kids because she wants one so bad but can't have any. Really we are just poor for a little bit (21 more months to be exact), so I babysit for shopping money. Life would be so much easier if they paid in giftcards.


Side Note: I should probably feel guilty for not having a child right now because everyone else is having one and I like kids, but I don't. We (or really just me) wants to travel before getting knocked up. Our deal was we had to go to Italy first, we went so now we are just that couple ... that poor couple who would have to breast feed their kid for forever because they couldn't afford real food. If I had my own real kids, then I probably wouldn't have time to babysit and then I probably wouldn't get extra shopping money. So right now babysitting is a win-win situation. 

Since I have had limited funds, I have been very selective in my summer purchases by only purchasing things that will transition into Autumn. - This my friend is Smart Savvy Shopping.

Left: J. Crew inspired boutique necklace, Ann Taylor Loft sheer white billowy top (great summer to fall transition), and high wasted leopard print shorts.

Right: Anthropology inspired pony tale holders that you can rock on your wrist. Seasonal!
Note: Designer inspired ... indicates that it is equally as fab, yet considerably less expensive!

Warby Parker glasses. For every pair you buy, you give a pair to someone in need. So of course I am buying Rx sunglasses and regular everyday glasses.

One of my favorite summer buys is this GB hot pink blazer with a sheer back. I like to refer to it as the mullet of blazers ... business in the front sexy in the back. It will easily transition into Autumn. Pink Blazers are "in" this summer and are featured in this month's Glamour magazine.

   My last two purchases are from one of my all time favorite stores Ann Taylor Loft, where quality meets my favorite word SALE. I do not think that I have ever walked into this store and paid full price for anything. I am definitely a couponista in this store, and it doesn't help that my gas card is the Loft Master Card. Actually this was my brilliant idea, you always need gas; therefore, you are always guaranteed to get giftcards in the mail. Every time I am in line to check out, I share my idea and women act like this is the best news ever. I just think that any resourceful woman has probably thought of this and plenty of other great shopping techniques.

Both of these pieces will easily layer and totally transition into fall. When you are poor it is crucial to have a seasonal wardrobe that can be accessorized to fit any season.

I would like to point out that all of these purchases with the exception of the Loft pieces were paid with babysitting cash and smuggled into my closet. Wait! Terrible and Embarrassing Confession: the J Crew inspired necklace and Anthropology inspired pony tale holders were purchases with my mom's cash and I handed her a babysitting check, which she endorsed and deposited into her account. (My dad would have just bought it for me ... that's the difference between moms and dads.) I became really good at shopping and sneaking when I was in college. It isn't because my roommate would have wanted me to share my clothes with her ... no that would have been normal. No, she actually got on to me because I shopped too much. I worked a boutique this is what happens when you watch other people try clothes on all day ... you buy them at the end of the day because you looked way better than the chick that bought it earlier. Or in my case, you hid what you really liked so no one else would buy it. Tricks of the trade.

Since I babysat today, I have some cash in my pocket, which reduces me to a 16 year old who can't let the money burn a hole in her pocket. I am going to round out my summer wardrobe with a pair of bright GB loafers that of course will totally transition into fall. If color is not in this fall, which it totally will be, but IF it isn't .... I am totally screwed!