A Pocket Full of Violets

Saturday, February 20, 2016

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, February 7, 2016

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!!

Thursday, February 4, 2016

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, January 31, 2016

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!!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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, January 22, 2016

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!!