Hi there!

My name is Karen and I am a total bargain-ista!  I am a graphic designer and I love style, decorating, gardening, diy (and more) all on a budget.  Beyond fashionista, past recessionista onto bargain-ista. I learned about style from my aunt Susie who would put together fantastic outfits purchased from an eclectic mix of stores. Outfit: neighborhood boutique + belt: Rodeo Drive + shoes: K-Mart = fabulous.  Style has nothing to do with the price tag.

I also love a challenge (every once in a while), and after a good friend gave me a ton of hand-me-down clothes, I decided to go on a year-long clothes diet.  That’s right – a whole year without buying any clothes! Starting on Black Friday, November 25, 2011 I am spending the next year not buying clothes and bargain hunting for everything else I need and blogging about it! Update 11-29-12: I did it! I went a whole year without buying clothes!!!

But guess what? I am not stopping there! After a brief visit to the 10 Dollar Mall on Cyber Monday I am going to do another year. Only this time, I am going to stick to thrifted threads (not shoes), via thrift stores, yard sales, and ebay. I want to try my hand at refashioning and I think it is time that this girl learned to sew! I am also gonna try to go cash-only and save some money. Looking forward to another year. Bargain-ista style!