Ballin' on a budget: Day 10

Beanie: Sounders ($30)

Jacket: Sounders ($50)

Scarf: Sounder at Heart ($15)

Shirt: Ben Sherman via Nordstrom Rack ($25)

Bow-tie: the Tie Bar, but actually a groomsmen's gift from Bridget and Robbie Park's wedding ($15)

Jeans: Levis via Macy's ($40)

Shoes: I honestly can't read or remember the brand, but they're from Nordstrom Rack ($15)

As you can probably guess from the outfit, I was at another Sounders game tonight. This one was the Sounders reserves playing the Portland Timbers reserves. The result wasn't what I expected or hoped for (a 2-0 loss), but I did manage to bring both my camera AND an SD card, so I'll have pictures to post tomorrow.

In the meantime, thanks for reading. If you're enjoying things so far and plan to continue with me, feel free to follow and share with your friends.

Ballin' on a budget: Day...9?

Okay, technically I missed Monday. Today is day 10 of this project, but this post is to reflect on what was day 9. First and (as far as this post is concerned) foremost, the subject of this project and post:

Jacket: Forever21 ($20)

Shirt: Brooks Brothers via Good Will ($7)

Pants: Dockers via Macy's tailored by my mom ($20)

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's via Famous Footwear ($20) [previously featured on day five]

Beyond dressing well and editing photos, today I also watched the newest episode of Mad Men and watched the Sounders Women play against Seattle Pacific University. I had heard about the game previously, but not until this afternoon did I realize that players like Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and Sydney Leroux would be featured. Really, the only absence from the team was Megan Rapinoe.

Anyways, I was pretty excited at the opportunity to not only watch these top-tier athletes, but also photograph the occasion. Unfortunately, while I remembered my camera, I forgot to pull my SD card out of my lap top before leaving the house. As a result, my camera hung useless from my neck for the entire match. I did manage to snap a few photos with my phone, though. Although, to be honest, most of them didn't turn out, but this one sort of did

A second later and I would have captured an Alex Morgan assist.

Ballin' on a budget: Day Five

Shirt/sweater: Old Navy ($15)

Jeans: Levis ($30)

Shoes: Dr. Scholls via Famous Footwear ($20)












So, somehow, I managed to pull something in my back yesterday. As a result, I've spent all day laid out watching TV/playing video games/looking at things on the Internet. It also means that, while the rest of my family is at the hospital with my grandpa who is having his thumb sewn back on, I'm at home alone. This is also the reason for my weird picture that I had to try to take by myself.

Yesterday, it was suggested that I try to write about how I find my clothes. Thinking about this topic revealed what seems like a simple answer: I buy what I like. It's more complicated than that, though. So, I'll probably be writing something in the near future about how I find stuff. I can't promise that it will make sense, because I'm not sure that it's something I can put in words, but I'm going to try.

Thanks for reading, y'all.

Ballin' on a budget: Day Four

Four days in, and still another pair of shoes.

Hat: J. Crew ($15)
Vest: Old Navy ($15)
Shirt: Old Navy ($10)
Tie: J. Crew ($12)
Jeans: GAP ($35)
Shoes: Florsheim via Nordstrom Rack ($65)

I have a few tattoos, and they're a part of the outfit when I wear short sleeves. This one on my arm is the newest. My mom and I got tattoos together, so, while we don't have matching tattoos, I have an anatomically correct heart that says "mom" and she's got the word "love" and a couple of hearts on her ankle.

Finally, I'm trying to improve the overall experience of reading this blog. I'm sure I won't make all of the right decisions, so I'd appreciate any feedback.

Ballin' on a budget: Day Three

• Sweater: Old Navy ($15)
• Shirt: GAP ($20)
• Pants: Old Navy (I wasn't joking about how much I wear) tailored by my mom ($15)
• Shoes: Florsheim via ebay ($35)

The shoes are by far my favorite part of this outfit. 

 I wasn't initially sure about the burgundy color, but I love them.

Being able to have my mom tailor things for me (mostly pants) is an absolute godsend. Even if I buy a pair of 32x30s, unless I roll the pant legs, they're way too long for me. The difference that having pants that fit properly makes is worth paying for, I'm just glad that I don't have to...for now.

Again, the photos are courtesy of my brother James Foss.


I came across an article from the New York Times regarding whether the clothes we wear effect our cognitive abilities. I'd like to think that it's some real evidence towards my belief of "dress well, test well."

Ballin' on a budget

"Ballin' on a budget" can mean one of two things, and since I haven't hooped since I was 14 (although I have been trying to play soccer more often), I'm using the less literal meaning. In this use, ballin' on a budget means doing the most with the least. It's a concept that I try to apply in all aspects of life, but find it especially representative of my personal style.

On a limited budget, I can't always afford to buy designer brands or to follow the latest trends. Instead, I put in a little more work to find treasures hidden in thrift stores and clearance racks. I also make an effort to buy timeless, classic pieces. However, after years of this approach, I've put together quite the collection of clothing; honestly, probably too much. At a certain point, too many choices can be overwhelming, and you find yourself wearing the same things over and over.

In an attempt to solve all of my problems, I'll be embarking on a little project for the month of April. I will be attempting to make better use of my wardrobe by using more of it. For the month of April, I will try to wear a different outfit every day. The rules will be simple: no repeats. I'll try to post what I'm wearing and how things are progressing for each day of this project.

This project seems like a fun/interesting/effective way to not only make better use of the things that I already own, but to get rid of the things that I don't use and to make room for new things. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. I'll try to keep it interesting.