Fur Fun: "Faux" Play

I've never been one to wear fur nor could I afford to buy it.  However, this winter I want to try something different.  I am shopping for a faux fur vest.   I've always admired celebrities who could pull this look off.  Nowadays, with so much hype from PETA a few celebrities (Victoria Beckham) are choosing to wear high-end faux fur. Since I can't afford to put out what celebrities are paying for their faux fur vests I'm now on a hunt for one that costs less than $15. Wish me luck and check back to see what I find!

Cheap Thrills!

I went thrifting today and found myself somewhat disappointed at first.  Apparently the store  is transitioning between summer and fall clothes and still haven't quite gotten it together.  Their racks were filled with winter coats and sweaters.  Funny thing is in my neck of the woods it's not cold yet and I'd look like I've escaped from an insane asylum if I went to work wearing  fleece or wool.  But before leaving the store I browsed the accessories section and ran across a Coach belt. I was so excited but held my breath because I couldn't find the price written on the tag.  You see, if the price is not written on the green tag then they won't sell it to you no matter how hard you plead with them (I know this because I tried once when I found a really cute dress that was unmarked).  I was in luck! The way the tag was attached and positioned to the belt hid the price.  I twisted and turned the tag until I saw $12.99.  If bought at a Coach store this belt could easily cost over $80 coach.com/online/handbags/-accessories_belts. With the exception of a crease on the belt (which can be remedied with a bit of conditioning) the belt is in excellent condition.  Be on the look out for this belt and other items that will be up for grabs in our "Giveaway Madness" coming soon!

Never Judge a Storefront by its "Junk"

Yesterday I shopped for antique glass and ceramic doorknobs for my mom.  There are a few antique and consignment shops within walking distance from my apartment (but i decided to drive).  I began my search at the larger store and worked my way down to the others.  The large store had a plethora of home accents.  I didn't know where to begin; it seemed to have everything.  However, when I asked the salesperson to point me to the doorknob section I was surprised to find out that they didn't have any.

I jumped in my car and headed toward the tiny mom and pop stores.  As I parked my car I glanced over at a man and woman sitting on a bench in front of a dark store that had, what looked like to me, junk scattered around inside. The store didn't look very appealing.  It's the same store that I can see from my apartment window.  It's the same store that I pass by when I take my walks to 7-eleven to buy a Slurpee.  But instead of going in, I waved hello and headed toward the consignment shop that displayed cute little baby furniture in its window.  I immediately felt uncomfortable when i walked in.  No one greeted me.  I briefly looked around and left out within five minutes.  I went next door to another shop.  I had no luck there either. Once again I hopped in my car feeling defeated.  I started the ignition but something stopped me from driving away.   I rolled down the window and asked the scruffy looking man, who was still sitting outside, if the store sold doorknobs.  His reply was, "Yes".  I got out of my car and walked in to what would be considered heaven for a thrift store junkie like me.

Not only did I find doorknobs in this dark, gloomy looking building, but I also found vintage accessories like purses, and cute little hats!  I also discovered something else: the man who was sitting outside happened to be the owner! I introduced myself and told him that I liked his store.  He was kind but reminded me that I passed over his store to go to all the others first.  I wasted my time searching all over when great treasures were right in front of my face.    I guess the old adage "all that glitter isn't gold" stands true in this case.

Vintage Highlight: Audrey Hepburn

The next time you find yourself searching for something to wear to your job's next corporate shindig opt for a chic, simple look. Audrey Hepburn had style and grace without trying too hard. You can do the same and not spend a fortune. A basic black dress, accessorized with the right belt and shoes will turn heads when you walk into the room. Go the inexpensive route and search for items at your local vintage, consignment, or thrift shop to get this look.

White-Out

Today I teased my boyfriend about wearing a white shirt after Labor Day. He told me that he didn't know much about that rule and that it doesn't apply to men. Maybe he is right. If Labor Day is a holiday that honors labor or celebrates the achievement of workers then what does it have to do with white clothes? Who made this rule and does anyone truly abide by it anymore? After doing some research I found out that customarily people were prohibited from wearing white clothes after Labor Day because it couldn't properly protect them from the harsh winter weather. Another explanation was that the rule was supposed to represent status for the middle class in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Today I went into a thrift shop and spotted a white skirt. I found myself debating whether I should buy it or not simply because of "the rule." I snapped a photo of it and walked out of the store without it. The skirt was only $4.99. Do you think that I missed out on a good deal because of a silly rule? Now there's a rule that it's okay to wear white after Labor Day as long as it's winter white. So what's the difference between winter whites and summer whites? They all look white to me! Comment and let me know if you've been wearing white after Labor Day or if you've already packed them away until next summer.

Life in a Handbag

I didn't get the cute apartment that I've been driving by for a couple of weeks and am a little bummed about it. I needed a quick picker-upper, so i went thrift shopping. I found this cute little handbag for only $5.99 from my favorite store. It's genuine leather (except for the trim) and in great condition. It reminds me of a mini bowling bag and black penny loafers all in one. I'm not sure how this will work for me because the strap is short, and I prefer shoulder bags. However, the plus side of it is that my shoulder won't ache as if I've been in a 12 round bout with Mike Tyson. I may have missed out on getting the cute apartment, but at least I gained a nice bag. Yeah I know, I can't live in a handbag; but I will sure look cute wearing it!

Day 9, 1 Item, $3.99

Okay, so I know that I have been gone for quite a while and should have more than one measly little shirt to show for my lengthy hiatus. But, after my return from my two week stay in Haiti I felt a bit discombobulated. There was a lot going on and it took me a while to start thrifting again. I was feeling unmotivated and seemed to have a difficult time getting back into the groove of things. For one, almost immediately after I returned I began babysitting my boyfriend’s daughter (because he started a part-time job while I was away) and I also began the transition into my new position at work. A couple of times I thought about taking the little one thrifting with me but decided against it. Thrifting was my time to relax and I was worried that it just wouldn’t be the same doing it with someone else. However, when I finally visited my favorite thrift store alone things just didn’t feel the same. I wasn’t inspired and it felt like mall shopping (I hate shopping at the mall). Thrifting on that day felt so challenging, so I walked out with nothing.

Last Friday I got that old feeling back during my lunch break! After I finished off my Wendy’s spicy chicken nuggets (my new addiction) I had time to waste so I decided to take a little joy ride. To my surprise I spotted a Goodwill store staring right at me. Apparently I drove by this store to and from work everyday and never noticed it (I later found out that it’s the same store that my friend Nancy left a voice message about not long ago.) I wasn’t too enthused about going into this store because I have had many less than exciting experiences at Goodwill thrift stores. I headed toward the color coded blouse rack and picked up a fuschia colored shirt that was labeled size “small”, but it looked too big for me. I thought about putting it back on the rack, but a little voice in my head said, “Try it on, this color will look good on you.” I tried it on and was happy to discover that it looked great on me and the fit was perfect (it wasn’t designed to fit tight). This is a change for me because I buy nearly all my shirts small enough for an eight year old to fit into. As a matter of fact, the little one has been trying for quite a while to convince me in to giving her one of my t-shirts that she’s fallen in love with!

So with all that being said, I got this cute little, but not too small, blouse for only $3.99. I wore it Saturday with a pair of fitted light-blue jeans, big gold hoop earrings, gold bracelets, and gold mini-heels. I guess you can say in the words of El Rey’s other woman, Jill Scott, "I’m living my life like its golden” again!