Wedding Dress for Short Compact Bride! Complete Ensemble Less than $100!

How can a short, compact, okay just say it, "over-weight" bride who has a very, very limited budget find something beautiful to wear for her second wedding and still manage to be the belle of the ball??

Here's our solution:

We decided to break from tradition, and move to the opposite end of the color wheel and choose a deep purple, high-low mesh dress with a rhinestone one-shoulder.  The dress has a very forgiving ruche bodice. The dress was purchased at the Deb Shops during prom season. The Deb Shops have a good selection of dresses in plus-sizes.  We found that their sizing to be very generous. The dress cost $92.00 with tax.

Sparkle, gems and bling was the order of the day! We added bling, all along the way.

For example, the bride wore her shoes at her sister's wedding several years ago. We added gems to the heels to update date them and make them "sing": New, new, new!

The veil was purchased at the ARC, a non-profit for $.99, yes that's right: Ninety-nine cents!
We sewed purple ribbon around the edge of the white veil to connect the dots to the dress. Making the dress and veil a complete ensemble.

The bridal bouquet and the groom's botoneire were featured in a previous post, May 23, 2014 http://wwwhome-wherestorybegins.blogspot.com/2014/05/five-dollar-wedding-bouquet-and-grooms.html. The bridal bouquet, the groom's botoneire and toss-bouquest, all three were under $5.00, total.

How did we do?

What did you do?

Please send us your pics and we will add them to this post!

Casual Summer Reversible Wardrobe

The Wardrobe Mistress and I have been participating in the dressing challenges from 40 + Style and realized that all our entries featured the reversible wardrobe pieces we love. Reversible pieces are trip and travel worthy wardrobe, adding hundreds of options with just a few pieces.

The jacket featured below was submitted for the Mini Dressing Challenge #2:  Casual Outfit, Jeans with basic t-shirt and jacket.

The reversible jacket is paired with jeans by New York & Company and sleeveless white T-tank. Accessorized with a Ta Prohm recycled rice bag purse from Cambodia, contrasting scarfs (one handcrafted and beaded) bracelets and nude flats.

Enjoy!

Mini-Dressing Challenge #3: Casual Outfit, Printed Jeans with Plain or Printed top 

Have you seen reversible jeans? These "Flip-Side" jeans are so fun, purchased from target, floral on one side, plain on the other. Shown here with a lipstick-red vintage top, accessorized with a hat from Wild Bills Emporium (Vail Colorado), Dexter navy flats, Indian fabric purse and miscellaneous jewelry.

Plain side of the Flip-Side jeans are paired with printed long sleeve shirt and accessorized with  National Western Stock Show purse.

Mini-Dressing Challenge #5: Casual Outfit, Skirt with Loose Top

Wrinkle free reversible tulip skirt shown with Cabi lavender jacket, Investment white blouse and Victoria Secret promotional make-up bag repurposed as a purse.

Skirt reversed

Mini-Dressing Challenge #7: Casual Outfit, Knee High Pants with Jacket

Reversible plush jacket is worn with white Briggs New York capri pants, Lily no-wrinkle spandex-blend short sun dress and lace tank tee, Dex-Flex and Sam and Libby shoes, purse and misc. jewelry.

Note:

All items, except the flip-side jeans from Target, handcrafted scarf and featured hat were purchased from thrift stores including accessories and shoes! The two reversible jackets were reclaimed from the Goodwill Outlet Store, one step above dumpster diving! Items sold by the pound.

Do you have a reversible item you can't live without? Or a dynamite thrift store fashion find?
Send us a picture!

The Wardrobe Mistress Shops Rite-Aid for Summer Fashion!

Can the Wardrobe Mistress and you find a trendy summer outfit in your local Rite Aid drugstore? 

Yes, she can!

Sun Dress, $10.00 Regular Price, Not on Sale!

Travel ready, wrinkle free!

Shown here with a lavender Cabi denim jacket, purchased at a thrift store and a repurposed Victoria Secret make-up bag as a purse, nude flats and misc. jewelry.

Also, check out their shoes! Knock off Tom's are often deeply discounted to $2.75.

Comment, please!