Friday Finds

I've been able to thrift quite a few times this month, so I wanted to share with you what I've picked up!

I was able to hit two different Goodwill stores this month!!  I also snagged some great 1/2 price items!!

 NWT Children's Place Cardigan

$1.99

 Fleece

.99 (1/2 price)

Floral Top

$1.99

 Sundress

$1.99

Gap Shorts

$1.99

Snow Pants

$1.99

Gap Long Sleeve Shirt

$1.99 (1/2 price tag)

 Frozen Nightgown

$1.99

I  picked up two gorgeous Crazy 8 dresses for my niece at Heart N Hand.  They were having a 1/2 price sale and I snagged each of these dresses just for .50 each.  One even had the original tags still on it!! 

Then I also hit up my favorite thrift store Family Thrift Store!!

Athletic Capris

$1.98 (always need these!!)

 Old Navy Shorts

$1.98

Book

.99

Old Navy Jeans

$1.98

 Gap Shirt

$1.98

 Flats

$1.98

Skirt

.99

Any favorites???

Sunday Style - A Classic Blazer for less than $1

I love a good structured blazer!!  I have been trying to keep up with Dina's 12 months of Thrifting challenge.   Each month, Dina posted something to look for while thrifting.  Last month, her challenge was to find a navy or black blazer.

Since I am on the taller side, I have a hard time finding blazers that fit me well.  I want my blazers to go past my waist.  That way I can actually wear them with jeans, pants, and skirts.

I picked up this Gap blazer at a sack sale at a small thrift store, Heart and Hand.  Heart and Hand is not for the faint at heart.  This store is not organized well and there tend to be piles everywhere.  I usually try to swing by there once a month and try to get in and out as quickly as possible.  They recently had a $4 sack sale.  I LOVE sack sales!!  We don't have too many thrift stores in the area that do sack sales, but when I find one, I usually stuff my bag as full as possible!!

I spent a whooping .33 on this blazer!!  It will be in my closet for years!!

I paired it with a fun classic striped dress I picked up at Salvation Army for $5.99 and a pair of vintage inspired heels for $2.  I have been on the hunt for vintage heels for months now.  I have a larger foot, so when I find a vintage pair of shoes in my size I am stoked.  These are not vintage, but they definitely look like something from the 1940s or 50s.  They are actually quite comfortable for a heel.  My necklace is from BelJoy Haiti.

From head to toe, my outfit cost around $50, including my necklace.

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Thrifted Style - The Blanket Cape

Tribal prints are everywhere right now.  They have been popular for all for seasons - bright bold  pants and skirts, sweaters, and vibrant tops.  I have had a tribal printed sweater on my clothing wish list for awhile and I was stoked when I saw this blanket cape that was just be hung on the racks at my local Salvation Army Family Thrift Store!!

I quickly snatched it up and continued shopping.  Before I decide I check out, I always go through what I have picked up and either try the items on or examine each piece for holes and stains.  Once I got this cape home, I then had to decide how I should wear this thing.

I'm not a big belt person.  I try, but most of the time I take it off before I go out the door.  I think part of it is because I'm long waisted and so I think a belt throws of my body proportions.  Another reason is that nothing stays tucked in for me.  Shirts usually tend to be a bit short on me and pants tend to set lower on me, therefore the top half never meets the bottom half right!!

I first tried belting the entire cape - bad idea!!  The cape is much too full to be belted.  Then I tried belting the back half of the cape.  My wide black belt was exposed on the back half of the cape and then I ran the belt on the inside past the sleeves.  Still too bulky for my liking.  Then I tried belting around front half of the cape and running the belt on the inside of the cape in back past the sleeves.  Perfection!!

I also played with what to wear on the bottom half.  I first tried on black leggings and boots.  Figured out I'm so not that person.  I may try it again with leggings and ballet flats in the spring.  Then again, maybe not.  I went with my basic skinny jeans and short brown boots.  I could also where this with tall black or brown boots as well.

I attended a conference this weekend and this cape was a perfect layer for the fluctuating temperatures.  I wrapped myself up pretty tight at one point!!  

My final accessory is this gorgeous necklace that I picked up at World Market this year.  It is from BelJoyHaiti.

Sunday Style - A Little Bit of Sparkle

I've been MIA lately, but I'm getting back to it!!  My closet is filled with lots of classics.  I own many gray, black, and white items.  Most of these items can be worn year round and mixed and matched with lots of trendy and/or bold items.

I picked up up this sweater at my local Salvation Army for $4.99.  The original tags were still on it!!  I love when I find brand new items at a thrift store.  It is a simple silhouette that can be worn a multitude of different ways.  My pants are one of the oldest items in my closet.  I picked them up at Goodwill one of the first years we lived in Kansas City and they were only $1.  They are a bit on the longer side, so I love to add a pair of fun heels when I wear them.

You can't really see my shoes, but they are amazing!!  Next time, I wear them I will be sure to get a better picture of them.  I purchased them on clearance from Kohls for around $20.  I got them to wear to a ball I attended with my sister several years ago.  They have super high heels, zippers, and are quite uncomfortable, but I still love them.  Beauty is pain, right!?!

To finish my look, I added a simple vintage necklace.  It's a small sequined little purse necklace that belonged to my Great Grandmother.  This is actually the first time I've worn it!!

From head to toe, my outfit cost $25, including my shoes!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Friday Finds

I had blast teaching a Thrifting 101 class through Longview Community College's Community Education program.  I was thrilled to have five students learn about local thrift stores, their missions, and of course, how to shop!!  I hope to teach the class again in the future.  If you are interested, let me know!!  

This week I was able to shop with my students at Goodwill in Lee's Summit and snagged some awesome deals!!

Jacket

$3.99

I immediately spotted this jacket as I walked in the door.  It is perfect to throw on as I'm heading out the door to the gym.  I love the fun zippers and thumb holes.

Vintage Dress

$5.99

I couldn't pass up this dress!!  Yes, it's black and I already have a couple of black dresses, but look at this beauty!!  I love the bow detail on the shoulders and the simplicity of the cut of the dress.  It has some major shoulder pads, so I am debating of getting rid of those!!

Red Sweater

$2.99

I was looking for a basic red sweater and this one is perfect!!

Basic Henley

$.99 (1/2 price)

Mulan DVD

$1.99

 Children's Place Sweater

$1.99

Gymboree Sweater Dress/Tunic

$1.99

This is adorable!!  I can see this with fun striped tights or leggings!!  It's only a year old - it was manufactured for Gymboree's 2014 Holiday line.

 Tribal Pants

$4.99

I've been on the hunt for some summer/vacation items and these pants fit the bill.  They have an elastic waist band and they are plenty long!!

Also at Goodwill, I picked up a tub of wooden beads for a friend for just $2.99.  She was thrilled!!

This week, I also swung by two other favorite thrift stores, Majr-Thrift and Family Thrift Store.

Gap Tunic

$.99

Denim Skirts (2 different sizes)

$.99 each

Gymboree Corduroy Dress

.99

Waffle Knit Top (2 of them)

$1.98 each

My sons love shirts like these to layer in the winter time and so I picked up a couple in different sizes and colors.

Old Navy Jacket

.99

Mickey Top

$1.99

Our family is planning a big vacation to Florida this year and this is my first official item for the trip!!   I will be on the hunt for more Disney items this spring!!

Mirrored Tray

$3.98

I adore this tray!!  It will be perfect to display some of my jewelry on my dresser.   I need to tighten the screws holding it together and polish the silver.  I may end up painting it white as well.  We will see!!

Any favorites??  

Sunday Style - Shopping with a Purpose

For the last couple of year, I have had the privilege of helping my best friend with an incredible event.  The women at Lifetrack Christian Church organize and host an event called World Market.  Vendors for the event are either local artisans or ministries that provide work opportunities in countries and communities where slave labor exists.

Each year, the event has grown, involving more ministries and more attendees.  It has been fun to watch it grow into something pretty amazing!!  People come from all over southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas travel to little Frontenac, Kansas to shop with purpose!!

Some of the ministries that have been featured are Ornaments4Orphans, Mata Traders, BelJoy Haiti, Rahab's Rope, Compassion International,  and 31 Bits .  The first two year, I helped with the Rahab's Rope booth.  Rahab's Rope's exits to give hope and opportunity to women and girls that are at risk or have been forced into the commercial sex trade of India.  A safe and loving environment enables the women to grow and develop physically, mentally, and spiritually.  The women are provided a basic education and vocational training that will allow them to integrate into their communities in a positive and constructive manner.

The women from Lifetrack Christian Church research possible ministries and then select options that they think will be a good fit for World Market.  Each year, different ministries are included and/or introduced.  

It has been a joy to see the different ministries that are popping up that are meeting so many needs for the oppressed.  When I went to Cambodia several years ago, I saw the immense need of providing a source of income, education, and opportunity for children and women who were being forced into sex trafficking.  Individuals around the world have found a new path for themselves and their families with a job, an education, and vocational skills.

My outfit today is made up of several pieces from World Market that I have picked up over the past three years.  

Dress - The Impact Collection 

Necklace - Rahab's Rope

Earrings - Mata Traders

Button Ring - Future Hope

Woven Bracelet - Future Hope

The work on each piece is incredible!!  One of cool things about the World Market is there is literally something for everyone - soaps, chocolates, spices, ornaments, clothing, jewelry, housewares, journals, purses, bow ties, coffee, t-shirts. . . . 

Check out some of these ministries and see if there is a way you can support them!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Thrifted Style - The Puffer

In the winter, I love wearing layers!!  I would rather wear layers then adding on a heavy coat if I know I am going to be in and out of the car several times.  This outfit combines several favorites - plaid, a puffer vest, skinnies, and boots!!

My Gap plaid button up (which I found in the men's section!!), puffer vest, and navy skinnies are all from Salvation Army.  My boots are hand me downs from my momma!!

Love seeing the snow falling in these pictures - makes me smile!!  My total for the outfit is $10!!

Sunday Style - Snakeskin

Wearing patterned pants is tricky.  I have struggled with it for years.  I started subtly - one of my first pairs was a tone on tone black pair of snakeskin skinnies.  They are now a favorite in my closet.  You can see them here.

Then I added a pair of polka dot skinnies that I purchased from Gap.  I love them!!  They fit well and I wear them year round!!

Next I decided I would go for a floral pair.  It took awhile looking in the mirror to take a chance on them.  You can see them here and here.

Now, I try them on if I find them in my size and in a style I know will be flattering.

I snagged these wild snakeskin pants at one of my recent trips to Goodwill.  These are from Isaac Mizrahi and they feel and fit amazing.  They are a tall in length, which is always a bonus in my book.

Pants have always been tricky for me.  I actually have very few pairs of pants in my wardrobe compared to my skirts and dresses.  I feel more comfortable in skirts and dresses, but I when I find a pair I like I snag them up!!

I paired my pants with my favorite thrifted black sweater and a pair of basic black pumps I picked up on clearance at Kohls a few years ago.  

Don't mind my hair - it was a little more voluminous on one side!!  Had no idea until I looked at the pictures!!

Yes, it was a bit cold this morning, so I added my gorgeous thrifted wool coat and my new favorite earrings!!

For head to toe, with my coat, the cost of my outfit is around $35!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!