Warm and Fuzzy

One of the items on my Clothing Wish List has been a fur vest.  When I put an item on my Clothing Wish List, I always start my hunt at the thrift store and once I feel like I have exhausted that option, I start looking online.  Then I decide my budget and make a list of requirements on that particular item.

For my fur vest, I wanted no front closure, tan in color, no other material on vest, and longer in length.  I finally found this vest at Forever XXI.  I think I had done a Google search that Forever XXI popped up, so I decided to check it out further.  The price was right, I found a coupon code for an extra discount, and FREE shipping.  Yippee!!

I am not a huge Forever XXI.  One, I'm not 21, nor do I want to dress like I'm 21.  Two, their quality is usually not very good.  Three, their clothing does not fit my tall frame.  I tried on a jumpsuit at their store this spring and it about cut me in half!!

I love, love, love this vest and it goes with everything.  I have worn it several times already and get compliments on it every time I wear it!!  

I paired my vest with a printed tunic I picked up this month at Salvation Army and my favorite Gap skinnies also from Salvation Army.  I added my boots from my mom and a necklace I made with sister-in-laws and mother-in-law this spring. Oh, and look, I'm wearing the same earrings I've been wearing all month!!

From head to toe, my outfit cost around $30.  I hope to share more ways I wear this piece.

Thrifted Style - Playing with Patterns

For years, I avoided mixing patterns.  It's not that I wouldn't try, I just would usually change into something else before leaving the house!!

Finally, I have learned to be a bit more confident in clothing choices.  I feel like I have had a big metamorphosis in the way I dress.  In my teen years, all I wanted to do was fit in with my clothing, but couldn't because we just couldn't afford what everyone else was wearing.  In my twenties, it was all about comfort while chasing the babies around.  In my thirties is where I think I finally found my groove.  I started experimenting with colors, patterns, new items and thrifted items.  I learned to appreciate this body God made through the thick and thin years.  I played with my hair - color and lots of different cuts.

Now I feel like I have a formula to the way I dress.  I will pick out one item I want to wear, then I will think of three way I could wear it.  Sometimes I try all on three options, but usually I'm pretty good at visualizing what I think it will look like. I know what pieces of clothing work well with my frame and I've also figured out what brands to thrift.

For this outfit, I picked out my Old Navy t-shirt first, then I layered it my St. Johns Bay jacket, and added my thrifted Gap jeans.  Next, I decided to add my garage sale scarf because it was a bit chilly, but I would be running in and out of stores.  If it became too much I would just tie it around my purse or leave it in the van.  Finally, I added my thrifted Toms for as a comfortable shopping option.  The weather was just a tad warmer then it had been, so I opted for the Toms instead of my go to boots.

For accessories, I simply added a pair of earrings that I have been wearing a ton lately.  They were a replacement pair for a pair of Premier Jewelry earrings that broke.  They have a great lifetime guarantee and so I was able to replace them for just $5.  I absolutely love them. 

I have been on the hunt for an olive green utility jacket for at least two years.  I have hunted at every garage sale and every thrift store!!  I finally decided this fall, I would break down and by one at an actual retail store (gasp!!)  I scoured the internet and still couldn't find something I liked.  I also decide how much I want to pay for something before I go shopping for a specific item. I had a few requirements for purchasing my jacket - it had to be under $30, light weight, have a zipper and snaps, no hood and longer in length.  I was able to say yes to this option from JcPenney!!  

My outfit from head to toe cost right at $50!!  

What do you think about playing around with patterns??

Thrifted Style - Bold Layers

I picked up this gorgeous sweater at my local Salvation Army for just $2.99.  It is so soft and luxurious!!  It is from Gap and I'm sure retailed for more than $40!!  It may not look like much on the hanger, but it is AMAZING!!  I was drawn to the bright color and it has a high low hemline.

I paired my sweater with a pair of thrifted Gap skinny jeans, my Rahab's Rope necklace, an Eddie Bauer tweed peacoat, and a pair of ankle boots I picked up at Burlington Coat Factory this fall.

One of the items on my clothing wish list for the fall was a pair of comfortable brown leather ankle boots that I wear with jeans, skinnies, and slacks.  I started researching possible options online and just couldn't find anything that was in the price range I wanted.  I even checked out Ebay to see if I could snag gently used pair, but no luck!!!  This pair is from Earth Origins and they are sooooooo comfortable!!   My mom and I decided to check a new Burlington Coat Factory that just opened up close to us and happened upon these beauties for less than $30!!

My tweed coat is a $5 garage sale find that is a perfect winter classic.  When I only spend $5 on a winter coat I don't mind getting a different one every few years when I get tired of the current one.  I tend to rotate items out of my closet after just a few seasons and one of the reasons I shop second hand is that I don't feel bad getting rid of clothing that I haven't spend much money on!!

I've said it before, but this necklace from Rahab's Rope goes with everything!!  I've worn it with so many items and it's usually my go to necklace because of all the amazing colors in it!!  You can see how I've worn it here and here!!

Happy Thrifting!!

Thrifted Style - Boyfriend Jeans

NWT (New with Tags) GAP Boyfriend Jeans - $4.50 SAFT

Marc Jacobs Blazer - $5.99 Goodwill

Basic Navy T-shirt - $1.99 JcPenney's

NWT American Eagle Boots - $8.99 SAFT

necklace - made by me!!

Total - $21.47

I wore this outfit for our anniversary date last month.  My husband and I celebrated our 18th anniversary with Thai food and a movie!!  I love the feel and look of the boyfriend jeans.  I've wanted to distress a pair of jeans, but haven't had the chance to do so.  Now, I have the perfect pair!!

Friday Finds

I had a few hours to myself this week and find a new loop of thrift stores in Lee's Summit!!  I first stopped in at Goodwill and picked up a couple of blouses.

$3.99

This polka dot chambray shirt is from Old Navy.

$1.99

1/2 price tag

Gap makes the best knit tops.  They keep their shape and wash up well!!  This is fun take on a staple striped shirt.  I love the pop of kelly green around the neckline and cuffs and the addition of buttons.  This top will be great to layer with this fall, but will be fun with capris or shorts this summer. 

The next store I stopped at was a new one for me - Hillcrest Thrift Shop.  My neighbor had recommended several times.  This store is amazing!!  It was huge, very well organized, and the prices were wonderful!!  Each day there is a sale and the sale of the day was 1/2 price clothing!!

Gymboree Dress

.50 

Shirt

$2.00

Ann Taylor Loft Skirt

$2.50

Keds Leather Shoes

$1.00

Keds are a brand that I'm always looking out for.  I've been able to find a few pairs for myself, but I usually pick them up for my kids.  These will wash up easily.  When I pick up used shoes I spray them down with Thieves spray to disinfect them or if I'm able to to, throw them in the washing machine.

Joe's Jeans

$2.50

This is my first pair of Joe's Jeans.  They cost over $150 a pair online!!  Crazy!!  These are a bit of a bootcut and had a small tear on one of the back pockets, but I thought i could put a patch under it or take a razor blade and add a few more rips and tears. 

Croc Wedges

$2.00

This is my favorite find!!  I've never owned a pair of Crocs, but these are super cool!!  They are constructed of leather and cork, and are so light weight and comfortable.  My mom was quite jealous of these shoes and she looked up how much they would cost online - $69.50!!  

My last stop was Red Racks.  As for as pricing goes, I think Red Racks is expensive, unless the item is on sale.  Their stores are fairly clean and organized.

Peacock Skirt

$3.24 1/2 price tag

This skirt is adorable.  I love anything peacock, so this was an easy pick.  Can't wait to wear this one!!

Happy Thrifting!!

Friday Finds

Yesterday, I was able to go thrifting for several hours!!  I have my usual stores I like to thrift at, which are close by, but every once in while I like to explore a new loop.  Wornall Road has four thrift stores that are within minutes of each other - The Restore by Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, City Thrift, and Red Racks.  I didn't buy anything at The Restore, but I always like to check out what inventory they have!!  Then on my way home, I swung by Maj-R Thrift.

Just about everything I picked up was J Crew!!  I love J Crew, but it is too expensive for this thrifty chick, so finding it second hand is a great option for me.  I have several J Crew items in my wardrobe - all thrifted!!  J Crew is high quality and washes beautifully!!

At Goodwill, I snagged two tops

J Crew Sweatshirt $3.98

Merona Top $3.98

At City Thrift, I picked up two items for my daughter

Gap Sweater Dress $2.98 (1/2 price Thursday!!)

Carter's Top $1.98 (1/2 price Thursday!!)

I actually picked up two of these tops yesterday, in two different sizes!!!

At Red Racks I found

J Crew top $5.98

I absolutely loved the details of this top!!  Lace, fabric covered buttons, and Swiss dots!!

Lauren Conrad Blouse $3.98

This blouse had a small stain on the front and the manager graciously discounted the price!!  

Thrilled to find this basic for a fraction of the price in the store!!

Red Tank $1.98

I am always looking for next season's clothing!!  

Winter is the perfect time to look for your summer wardrobe!!

Wooden H $.99

Then at Maj-R Thrift I found a MAJOR treasure

This is a Chico's knit blazer New with Tags for $6.25 (a 75% off tag!!)

This blazer originally cost $119!!

Harry Potter Gryffindor Scarf $3.98

Any favorites?

Happy Thrifting!!

Nikki