My body is wholly unremarkable. When young, this seemed a great hardship. I never grew taller than 5’ 4”. I never developed svelte little muscles to replace my baby fat. And even if I did, I never could develop a tan, so the poor, hard-working dears would be lost in a blinding glare of white. Nevertheless, I somehow look good, almost everyday. There’s a bros-tale passed around by perplexed men: “Women dress for each other, not for us.” Though so simple to be supposed true, their theory sideswipes the main point. People dress to feel good. Nothing changes the way you walk, the way you carry yourself, they way you interact with strangers and others, more than the choices you make in the closet. But don’t fear. Fashion is not serious like calculus. It is frivolous and playful. Big-ticket fashion—in which you pay the actual prices listed in captions to photo shoots—must be a ball. If you can fork over $550 for a brocaded tank top, and you have taste, of course you’ll look good. …

Just in time for dieting, resolutions and self-improvement projects, Story Story Night held HOOKED: Stories of Cravings and Compulsions on Jan. 31, 2011, with three incredible featured storytellers (including the inimitable Al Blank) followed by an open story slam. For Story Story Night (I’m the co-founder, host, copywriter and marketing director of this wildly popular monthly live storytelling program), I try to dress to fit (however obliquely) the theme. I also always try to photograph my outfit for Cheep right before, but never fail to run completely out of time. Fortunately, our photographer Will Jones snapped some stellar stage shots of this stellar dress. Because my dieting, resolutions and self-improvement projects fizzled out, I did not wear the amazing blue sequin mini-dress I bought at The Youth Ranch for $6.50. Maybe in 20 pounds. Instead, I wore one of my most fabulous Cheep deals. Outfit Breakdown: Red Calvin Klein dress: $22, original MSRP $200 (new from LUX) Accessories Breakdown: Necklace: $7.50 (from Antique World Mall) Armor Bijoux bracelet: Gift (from Bethany Walter, designer and jewelry diva) RipCurl …

My fashion interpretation of a quirky and optimistic Sunday. Bright, hip and comfortable–with glasses. Outfit Breakdown: JohnPaulRichard shirt: $10 (MSRP $38 from Macy’s) [Blank] stretch jeans: $5 (from LUX) Outfit Total: $15 Accessories Breakdown: Gold bird necklace: $22.50 (from Antique World Mall) Steel earrings: $3.25 (from downtown Idaho Youth Ranch) Vintage costume bracelet: $1 (from Antique World Mall) Gold/copper/silver bracelet: permanently borrowed from sister Merrell fleece-lined boots: $15 (MSRP $80, from REI garage sale) Accessories Total: $41.75 Total: $56.75 In a life lived well, time is of the essence. The Cheep life might seem like it takes an inordinate amount of time. But it doesn’t have to. Part of being successful in Cheep is planning ahead and preparing. So keep tabs on your closet weak points and know your Cheep hot spots. Examples: The “50-75% off the lowest marked sale price” racks at Macy’s, or the half off rack outside of LUX downtown. When you have an errand to run, park strategically so that you can pass by the Cheep hot spots. Then do a quick skim for the screamingest …

I think on New Years Eve, you should pick an outfit like you do for a bride. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Because that, in essence, is life. Your outfit should represent what you loved about the past year, and what you want to project going forward. Outfit Breakdown: Mac & Jac silk dress: $12 (MSRP: $100, from Macy’s) Nylons: $1 (from Grocery Outlet) Leg Warmers: $2 (from Grocery Outlet) Accessories Breakdown: Kenneth Cole Reaction circle necklace: $5 (from Antique World Mall) Gold chain: $1 (from Antique World Mall) Terner watch: $2.50 (from downtown Idaho Youth Ranch) Peacock bracelet: $5 (from Albuquerque Buffalo Exchange) Gold/copper/silver bracelet (borrowed semi-permanently from Julia Holmes) Frye Boots black clogs: $22 (MSRP: $160+,from LUX) Total Cost: $50.50 For good Cheep finds at Macy’s, look for the signs that say “50%-75% off the lowest marketed sale price”. These racks contain steals. This dress is silk, and quirky, and one of my favorite Cheep finds of 2010. Cheers to you, something old. I also tip my hat to my birth decade, the 80s, …

Today, I thought I’d showcase another look from Re-Style (the department thrift store run by Northwest Animal Companions) that would work well for work. It’s business/casual, baby. Outfit Breakdown: Liz Clairborne top: $2.50 (from Re-Style) Maxime pants: $10 (from LUX) Alfani jacket (picture 2): $6.99 (from Re-Style) Accessories Breakdown: Necklace: $7.50 (from Antique World Mall) Frye Boots black clogs: $22 (original MSRP $160+, from LUX) Total Cost: $48.99. Cheep! I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again, it is no easy task locating the Cheep finds in warehouse-sized thrift stores like Re-Style. That’s why I have 5 quick rules, almost like a Cheep checklist, that keeps me on the fast path. 1. Fabric. If it’s faded, or fugly, or polyester (for the most part), it’s dead to you. Nothing will save bad fabric. If you wear something faded, you look faded. Veto. I prefer cotton, wool, silk and other natural fibers. 2. Style. Is it fashionable? At least in some fashion? Does it fit your fashion word? (For the uninitiated, chose a word to sum up your own personal …

Happy birthday Amanda Mae. Tonight: a casual evening out with friends, pizza and beer, as we celebrate the  waning days of one person’s 20s, and the waxing waistline of my own 30s. This sweater is totally rad. (Yes, I was born in the 80s.) I bought it at Re-Style, a thrift department store run by Northwest Animal Companions. It took me awhile to sort the wheat from the chaff here, but the Cheep fashion finds were totally worth it. DKNY pants. Liz Clairborne jacket. A vintage navy blue polyester jumpsuit. Yes, please. I bought this sweater because of an episode on Project Runway. One designer, Andy, did this fabric detail on the shoulder and arms of a dress that looked all warrior and hot. Fashion ideas comes from everywhere, see. Even reality TV. The jeans have two zippers that angle down the pocket lines in the front. They have a 70s feel, and serve to hold in this gut that will need to be addressed as soon as the leftovers are gone. The belt is …