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.

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??

Friday Finds

I got away for a couple of hours last week and hit one of my favorite thrift stores, Family Thrift Store and hit the jackpot for Hope.  I did snag a couple of items for me as well.  Family's prices are amazing!!  They never have sales, but who needs a sale, when items are this cheap!!

Chicos T-shirt

$1.98

Kenar Tunic

love the length and polka dots on this one

$2.98

NWT Dress from Ross

this will be perfect for Christmas next year

$2.98

Arizona T-shirt

.99

Old Navy T-shirt

.99

Old Navy Thermal T-shirt (matches Gymboree skirt)

.99

Old Navy fleece set

$1.98 for set

 Old Navy fleece

.99

 Old Navy sweatshirt tunic

love the heart pocket detail on this one

.99

Old Navy sweater (matches Gymboree skirt as well)

.99

Cherokee Gold Cardigan

.99

Gymboree Skirt

I love when I am able to find items that match or coordinate.  Makes it easier to dress little girl!!

.99

 Gymboree Gingham Tunic

.99

 Old Navy Peplum Tunic

.99

Old Navy Fleece

.99

Any favorites??

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!!

Sunday Style- Basic Black

I picked up this basic black dress at my local Salvation Army Family Thrift Store last winter and I love a classic LBD (little black dress).  This dress is the perfect length for my tall frame, has a simple silhouette, can be worn year around, and has pockets!!

I paired my dress with a thin black belt, black patterned tights, and black boots.  Then, I threw on a fun vintage necklace I picked up for just $4 at a local thrift store.  The necklace is unique and is a gorgeous statement necklace.

I also added my "new"vintage coat that I am kind of obsessed with!!  It just makes be feel like Audrey Hepburn or Judy Garland.  I've always loved old Hollywood and it so I am stoked when I can find a piece of vintage for next to nothing and feel like a million bucks!!

I tried to style my hair a bit different as well.  I just simply brushed my hair back and sprayed it till it stayed where I wanted it to with hairspray!!  Not sure if you can see that I did anything different!!

I usually try to take my Sunday Style pictures before church, but some days I have to wait till after church and then the sun is SOOOOOO bright.  That's what happened with these pictures, I need to work on my editing and photography skills in this area!!

From head to toe, my outfit cost right around $30!!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Sunday Style - Christmas Cheer

I love dressing up, especially for just about any special event or holiday!!  What I love even more is being able to do so for next to nothing!!

I picked up this gorgeous Ann Taylor Christmas red skirt for just $4.99 at my local Goodwill store.  I was drawn to the bright color first, but then upon further inspection, I fell in love with the gorgeous cut outs around the hem and the POCKETS!!

I paired my skirt with my basic Talbots black sweater.  I have featured this sweater multiple times and I will probably million more.  It is such a versatile piece!!  The wind was quite fierce, so don't mind the crazy voluminous hair going on!!  I did try to curl it, but it didn't quite do what I was hoping for, but you just have to go with it some days!!

I also added my black boots, herringbone tights, vintage earrings, and a snowflake necklace.

My outfit comes under $20!!  

Enjoy your Sunday and Merry Christmas!!

Sunday Style - Dots on Dots

I love polka dots, what can I say!!  This outfit makes me think of June Cleaver - very classy, but I think I've given it a modern twist.

I first started out the day with this gorgeous vintage coat, I picked up at an estate sale last summer.  I love how regal I feel in this coat.  My mom had to do some work to the hem of the coat, but it was worth the work to make this coat feel and look new again.  She also mentioned she thought my great grandmother had a coat almost identical to this one!!

The three clothing pieces I've chosen are all thrifted!! I picked up the skirt this summer at Goodwill for $4.99, my Gap blouse is a fun swiss dot polka dot button up that I picked up at Maj-r Thrift for under $5, and my hot pink cardigan is from Salvation Army that I picked up on their Black Friday 1/2 price sale for just $1.49.   You can check out my other great finds here!!

My boots are and end of the season find from Sears and my necklace is an online find!!

I'm excited to wear each of these pieces year round and mixing them up with other items in my closet.

From head to toe, my outfit came in under $35!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

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!!

Sunday Style - It's Been Awhile

September and October have been insane!!  Between my husband and I, one of us has had event for seven weekends straight!!  We are ready for November and December to be a bit slower and then I'm really looking forward to January and February, where I like to hibernate!!

This outfit is simple and classy!!  I love to wear patterns and animal prints are trendy almost every fall and winter!!

When fall comes around, I can barely wait to pull out my boot collection!!  I have way too many and am always on the hunt for more!!

My Talbots sweater is from Salvation Army Family Thrift and I picked up this Ann Taylor skirt from Hillcrest Thrift this summer on one of my shopping sprees.  You can read what else I picked up here.  My boots are from Sears, I picked them up at the end of winter a few years ago.  My first pair of tall black boots finally wore out, so I was happy to replace them with these. My earrings were a Christmas gift from my husband.

I'm loving my short hair!!  I can do so much more to it short, then I could ever do long and in half the time.  I tried a little bit of a faux hawk and I don't think I did too bad!!

My outfit comes in at around $30 including my boots!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Thrifted Syle - Classic Fall

This outfit screams autumn to me!!  I could wear this outfit so many places - church, shopping, to the pumpkin patch, or on a date. I love this classic look.

Every item I am wearing is thrifted!  My boots were brand new from Salvation Army!!   My chambray tunic and mustard skinnies are also from Salvation Army.  My cardigan is from a garage sale and my best friend picked up my fun chicken bag!!  My necklace is from Rahab's Rope and my earrings are from Nickel and Suede.

I think next time I wear this outfit, I will roll my pant legs a couple of times to see if I like it any better.  Since I'm tall, the length of my pants are usually an issue for me. I've worn these pants with sandals and tucked them into tall boots, but never like this.

Tell me what you think of the length of my pants in comparison to the shaft of my boot.

.

Thrifted Style - Hello 40!!

I wanted to wear something fun at my 40th birthday party and I was beyond thrilled when I stumbled upon this gorgeous vintage dress, while helping some friends shop at my local Salvation Army Store.

This dress is SO me!!  It's black and white, it's vintage, and it has polka dots,  stripes, and butterflies!!  I was in LOVE!!  It also fit perfectly!!  I think it was made for me!!

When I got it home, I noticed some staining on the skirt and I decided to soak the dress over night to see if I could get the stains out.  When I woke up the next morning, I was mortified to see that the black from the bodice had now bled all over the skirt.  I was sick to my stomach.  I tried a few of my laundry tricks and nothing worked.  I let it air dry and then I got on Pinterest to see if anyone had an ideas.  I found a few options - color safe bleach and Carbona Color Run Remover.

The Carbona Color Run Remover (around $3) was absolutely amazing.  I followed the directions and within minutes, my water was black, but not my dress!!  I did a happy dance!!  I decided that the former owner had dyed a strapless bra and then sewed it into the bodice of the dress  and I didn't take into account all the dye that was not rinsed out properly.

My friend, Jenelle rocked out my hair, makeup, and nails.  I felt like a million bucks in my $5.99 dress.  I added a pair of  $3.99 shoes, and $1.99 purse!!  A total of 11.97!!

I will be wearing this dress for years to come and think fondly about the first night I wore it!!

Sunday Style - Transitioning a Dress from Summer to Fall

My favorite season is fall!!  I love pulling out my boots, sweaters, pumpkins, and hot coffee.  When September comes around, I have to fight the urge to pull out my fall wardrobe immediately.  I've learned to keep just a few things in my closet that I can pull out at a moment's notice to add a layer to a spring or summer look.

I picked up this fantastic Chicos dress at my local Salvation Army for just $5.99.   This dress is like butter.  It is so light and flowy.  This is an easy dress to wear all year round with the right accessories.

I simply added a thrifted denim jacket,  Crocs wedges and then a fun pair of leather earrings from Nickel and Suede.  These earrings are amazing!!  They go with everything and I'm thrilled that they still look good with my short hair!!  Once the air turns colder, I could change the shoes, by adding boots, a sweater or cardigan, and some heavier jewelry or accessories.

My total for this look is around $30 including my earrings.  

Enjoy your Sunday!!