Thrifty Thursday: It's Chic to Be Cheap {24}

Hooked On: Project Runway

"In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous." -Elsa Schiaparelli

Something "fierce" is returning to television tonight.

I am not a fashionista, but I've enjoyed clothes since I was a teenager: wearing them, buying them, reading about them, and thinking about them. I might not know always be able to fit in them, but I like fashion just the same.

While I don't enjoy reality programs that feature contestants eating spiders or jumping off of giant inflatables, I do enjoy the ones that showcase creative competition.

I love the intricate choreography on So You Think You Can Dance (and, to some degree, Dancing with the Stars). I enjoy watching interior designers battle it out to construct rooms decorated with items from a grocery store on HGTV's Design Star. And I really really get a kick out of the fashion designers on Project Runway putting together lovely (and sometimes hideous) ensembles to hit the runway.

I am so thankful that my faithful TiVo can download all of these wonderful shows and save them for me to watch after the kids are in bed. I sit in shock, amusement, and bewilderment as Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia judge the designers' work. And I fast-forward through all the commercials.

I read in the paper recently that this season Project Runway moves from New York to Los Angeles, which I am a little weirded out by. When I think of fashion, I always think New York, and Parsons The New School for Design was such a great back drop for the show. I was hoping to get a shot of it at this year's Girls' Trip to NYC, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

It's so much fun to hear style guru Tim Gunn issue a challenge to the designers, and see them rise to the occasion. Gunn's "make it work" motto can apply to so many things besides fashion. It took me hours just to create a straight table runner, so I can't imagine coming up with an outfit made from auto parts and actually making it look good. (One contestant made a dress out of woven seat belts, and it was to die for!)

So where does the thrifty part come in?

Since I no longer work outside the home, and I have two small children (who are so much cuter to dress!), I can't afford to go crazy in J. Crew anymore. I can get my fashion fix drooling over heavenly cocktail dresses (and laughing at a designer who wants to use "leathuh" on everything) on TV, and then go to Target and spend $15 on a new top.

I can make that work.

Project Runway premieres the new season tonight at 10 pm (ET) on Lifetime. Don't expect to see pieces you'd pick up at Macy's. Most of the designs are pure fantasy, and that's what makes this show so much fun!

{To see what everyone else is "Hooked On" this week, please visit Julia at Hooked on Houses. She hosts a fun fun blog party each week, and allows other bloggers to link up and share what's making them smile. Thank you, Julia!}