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!!

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??

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!!