Going green with a girlfriend - and in style!

I promised myself. Now that I'm quitting the job (yeah!), I'm not going clothes shopping (boo!). Thing is, if I want to be brutally honest with myself, I don't need new clothes when my primary wardrobe will be sweats or shorts and sports bra and t-shirt. (I just have to remind myself before I hit the cheap stores here in Cincinnati!)

My creative girlfriend DEBRA QUARTERMAIN has taken a vow of sans shopping for the year (aside from essentials like food and cleaning supplies). She has the advantage that she's a self-professed 'stitch chick' and can whip up a new outfit faster than I can try on cheap shoes and run to the check out.

For example (and inspiration), Debra took a broomstick handle skirt (that felt a little too snug) and disasembled it. She then created a jacket with the skirt fabric as well as a sweatshirt for the base of it. As you can see in this photo, she looks fabulous and all it took was a little creativity, a sweatshirt and a sewing machine.

Not all of us are quite so handy with the old needle and thread, but that doesn't mean we can't find ways of repurposing clothing and/or decorating it. Try something new - with something old. Or, grab a girlfriend and trade your 'gently used' clothing. Create a new wardrobe or just make a nice girlfriend gift. Create. Give. Have a blast!