An Introduction

This is it. My first post on my new blog! I'm so excited! Welcome to Teaching Chic and Cheap, a place where the fashion is classy, fun, and always budget-friendly.

While fashion blogging is a new venture for me, it is not my first foray into the world of Internet journaling. I first cut my teeth on the beauty blogging circuit back in early 2011. My first blog (Made Up in Boston) was a place for me to share my love for all things beauty-related, and it was a really great experience. I enjoyed sharing beauty tips, tutorials, product recommendations, and chatting with my readers about their favorite, must-have products.

It wasn't too long after I started blogging that I began reading fashion blogs. I have always been a major clothes horse and fashion has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, but I have never been in the position to just buy whatever I want, thanks to a middle-class lifestyle and payscale (I am a high school history teacher), many thousand of dollars worth of student debt, and a killer sense of buyer's remorse. Spending lots of money on expensive clothing or accessories on an habitual basis is just not an option for me.

So in short, I was living vicariously through these amazing fashion blogs, picking up helpful tips and a healthy dose of inspiration. Then one day, it occurred to me that despite my very un-Paris Hilton budget, I still dress well, and feel great about how I look, all while receiving compliments for my sartorial choices and not breaking the bank or going into debt to achieve the latest style. As much as I would love an unrestricted shopping spree at Bloomingdale's, I am just a teacher. After I have paid for all my big-kid monthly responsibilities, I only have so much money left over to enjoy. My love for fashion isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so the only choice I have is to make do with what I can afford and transform into unique outfits.

Which is why I have decided to write a budget-friendly fashion blog. I want to show women that fashion doesn't have to be expensive to look good, and that you can still dress and feel amazing without accruing debt or skipping this month's rent. If you're like me and trying to live on a budget, then you understand how great advice and fashion tips can be. I love me a good sale, and I firmly believe that cheap doesn't have to equal tacky!

Periodically, however, you will see designer accessories featured on this blog. I am a very lucky wife to have a husband who occasionally spoils me. He appreciates my love for the nicer things in life, even if he doesn't always understand it! Nine times out of ten, if something is very expensive, it has been a birthday or anniversary gift. Again, I am very lucky! :)

I hope you'll enjoy my sartorial journey as interesting as I do.