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.

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??  

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 - Mad for Plaid

I picked up this plaid scarf at my local Salvation Army for just $2.49.  I had been on the look out for a large plaid blanket scarf and so when I spotted this one, I knew I had to purchase it!!  You can see another way I wore my scarf here!!

I paired my scarf with a basic chambray dress that I also picked up from Salvation Army for $5.99.  I love this dress and the possibilities are endless on how to wear it year round!!  Check out another way I wore it here!!

I added a pair of BRIGHT royal blue tights I got at Target, near the end of winter a couple of years ago. My boots are one my favorite garage sale finds ever!!  They are Uggs and I got them for just $12.50 at a church garage sale!!!  They are leather, fur-lined, and have wedged heel!!

From head to toe, my outfit cost $21!!

Enjoy your Sunday!!

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!