This busy, short-order-cooking, laundry-toting, play-dough molding, preschool-volunteering, nose-wiping, diaper-changing, SUV-driving mom of two has been invited to hang out with a great friend in Chicago for a girl’s weekend!!! She’s an uber-cool, beautiful, professional woman and believe me, I jumped at the chance to talk in human sentences, dress in clothes that are not toddler proof and eat a full meal without any complaints that the broccoli is touching the chicken! But as excited as I am at the prospect of some “me” time, the thought of what to wear started me on the train to freak-out land.  I have nothing to wear! Yes, there is a closet full of great clothes in my bedroom but, I don’t think any of them are right for Chicago boutique shopping, decadent lunches and cocktail evenings out, never mind being suitable enough for the harshest of winter days in the Midwest.

For the first time in a long time I am finding myself thinking of winter cocktail attire instead of what to wear when I serve the snack of the day at preschool.  Instead of jeans, a turtleneck sweater and boots, I am shopping for little black dresses, heels and evening clutch bags and my head is spinning!

Today’s temperature was a balmy 13 -below zero with a 40-below zero wind chill and trying to plan for something more than hibernating in front of the fireplace isn’t easy.   And another thing that isn’t easy?  Shopping on a budget. I want to be better about sticking to a budget and with the economy doing the wonky dance like it has this past year, so I’m giving it a go.

My other fashion problem?  I hover between plus-size and regular women’s sizes thanks to my baby mama hips.  I am happy with my curves but it does make things a bit more challenging. But ladies, I am here to tell you that it is possible to put together super cute outfits, no matter what your size.  Just have a little patience!

After some digging and finally coming to the conclusion it IS okay to wear peep toe pumps with opaque tights, I’ve put these outfits together for my weekend away…

Going for the casual boho chic look for shopping with this Gap Shift Dress for $58.oo and adding leggings, a scarf and a wide bangle bracelet from my collection plus Nine West boots from Macy’s for $63.37.

I fell in love with the layered long worn over a fab little dress, belted at the waist like shown in this Banana Republic look.

But I have this Mossimo dress in my closet already so I’ve decided to add some tights, a long cardigan, belt, and these super fabulous Carlos Santana platform pumps from Zappos.com for dinner and cocktails.

Add in a great pair of jeans, cashmere sweater and my token boots and I think my weekend in the big city just might be what the doctor ordered!

Now it’s your turn, Blissful Style readers!  Tell me, how do you stick to a budget?  Do you have as much of a panic attack when trying to dress outside of your “normal?”  Leave some comments and tell me what you think is your biggest obstacle in this crazy world of fashion and style.  I look forward to your responses!

When not on the prowl for some late night killer on line sales, Brenda is blogging about her adventures as a stay at home mom living in a town that time forgot on her personal blog Seriously Mama.