30 for 30 Day 5: Saturday Shout Out: Fee to No Fee, No Fee to Fee

First, my Day 5 outfit.

My dry cleaner's parking lot

Long-sleeve top: Gracie, Alhambra Warehouse - Top: xhilaration, Target - Skirt: Romy - Net tights: Nordstrom? - Flats: Report, Nordstrom Rack

The Augie

I forgot to wear earrings and a ring. Sure, I could have thrown some on, but I wanted to photograph what I truly wore. I'm so by-the-book.

Fee to No Fee
How awesome is this dress?

How even awesomer is Amber Lena with Fashion Bargain Shopper Extraordinaire for gifting it? Totally awesomer! I hemmed and hawed about buying this dress because I wasn't sure if it would fit. After a couple of days, I asked Lena more about the dress to gauge if it would fit me because I don't know my measurements and I don't have measuring tape. She suggested sending it to me to try it out. This sounded like a great idea so I told her to bill me via PayPal. She said it was on her and just to link to her when I wear it. Wow! In this economy, I wasn't going to turn down this offer :D I try always try to link to sites when I PURCHASE items, I would definitely link for a gifted item!

She has a Smashion shop where she puts together outfits starting at $10! Check it out! (She did not ask that I link to this)

No Fee to Fee
You may have heard that the free service provided by Linky Tools is now going to be subscription-based. The number of free users had grown to over 16,000 and along with that growth grew the owner's administrative fees.* Some may boo and hiss, moan and groan, or hem and haw about paying. I more so felt bad that I hadn't yet donated, then paid for my subscription--$24 per year. I feel that $2 per month is reasonable and well-worth sacrificing half a latté so I can continue my Fashion Blog Flash Mob.^ Sure the most I've had link up is four including me, but I'm encouraged that more will join.

For those who don't choose to pay for the subscription, I pass no judgment. I've canceled magazine subscriptions and DVD services in the past even though they cost about the same annually. I just didn't utilize them much. This service I will utilize. It's still free for you to join linky parties. The host is who pays.

If you've never hosted, check it out. It's fun to see thumbnails of participants. It's a great way to draw others to your features by letting them link their blog to yours, and conversely, participate in other bloggers' features thus helping build each other's blog community.

*Yes the owner asked if we could write a little something about this change of service, but I am not receiving monetary compensation. I truly enjoy this service and would dislike seeing it go away.

^Next week's Fashion Blog Flash Mob will be on Friday. So, wear anything and link a picture of yourself fixing something. Ex) buttoning your cardi, straightening your skirt, assembling your scarf, adjusting your wig . . . whatev! (FYI--I put the "Casting Call" above my button on the top right)

--> If you read this whole post, you are a superstar!