Weekend Challenge: Get Thrifty

I have been really watching my pennies lately, practical sure, responsible yeah, but not a lot fun. Especially for a girl who loves clothes, shoes and accessories.  So what am I doing with the time that I used to spend store hopping and trying on clothes. Well I have discovered a new fascination, thrift stores.  Thrift stores, second hand shops, consignment they all deal in used (sometimes new if you're lucky) merchandise that has been cast off.  Some are independent businesses,  others support local causes/organizations and is run by volunteers, each has there own unique vibe and merchandise.  They are interesting thrilling places to shop and part of the excitement is you never know what you are going to find.  Some days I hit the jackpot and go home with a bag full others I leave empty handed, but even in those cases it was still fun just to look. This weekend I challenge you to check out a thrift store near you.  To add to the incentive, check out some of my thrift store haul from last week.

Painted Silk Japanese Fan, $3

Love the intricate detail on the wood handle.

Gilt Mirror Tray, $10

I am currently housing my nail polish collection on this, makes any assortment of stuff look insanely posh.

Metal Feather Pin, $3

This pin is such a beautiful adornment, adding to any shirt or jacket collar instantly ups the style ante.

I hope that you having an amazing weekend treasure hunting!! I would love to hear about your latest and greatest second hand finds in the comments.

P.S.  If you can't make it out this weekend you could always try thrifting online, ebay or etsy anyone?  I have an etsy shop called the Land of Misfit Goods, devoted to the unusual and unique things I have found, but alas can't keep.

Outfit Chronicles: Retro Royal Blue

With fall fast approaching and the new clothing lines hitting the shelves, my current summer clothes have left me feeling...meh.  I shrug at the light layers, scoff at the soft pastels,  roll my eyes at the light cotton crispness that hangs in my closet.  I want something with more weight and substance, but there is no way I am donning sweaters just yet.  How do I go about working in transitional fall pieces (that still work for summer), into my wardrobe?  Well the first step, for me at least, is with color. Summer's lighter hues will be replaced by vibrant brights for fall; burnt orange, fire red and royal blue.  The key to working those colors in, is to choose lighter weight pieces (short sleeves, sheer tops) that can be layered with sweaters and jackets as the cooler weather arrives.  Here is my transitional outfit take using a royal blue top by Eight Sixty, a recent purchase from Lord & Taylor (love them).  I can wear it alone or when fall begins to set in, layer it with a cardigan or a blazer.

Catalog pose!  I am available for catalog shoots J. Crew, Anthropologie..., just sayin'.

Mr. Owl is awesome and wise, I am hoping his wisdom will rub off on me.  

I am not sure what to call this pose.  Maybe, holding on to my tote with two hands, just in case some squirrels want to swipe it.

Catalog pose take two.  Just incase you weren't convinced the first time...J.C. Penney, anybody, anybody.

Crystal, leather and Claddagh oh my!

Yes, I love me some free tote bag.

Leopard print shoes with black toenails! So badass, no?

Hey look over there! Not there, there! Um... I'm not really sure what I am pointing at this point.

The Stuff:

Top: Eighty Six, Lord and Taylor

Pants: New Cafe Capri, J. Crew

Shoes: Franco Sarto, Nordstrom

Jewelry: Mostly gifts, Owl-thrift store, leather bracelet- J. Crew

Tote:  Lucky Magazine (free tote with subscription)!

30 Things I have Learned about Fashion, Style and the Art of Dressing

I turned 30 over the weekend and had a few (just a few) realizations as I contemplated my life so far. I reflected back on how far I have come and thought about where I hope to be in the next few years.  I wonder what my 10-year-old, day dreamy, starry-eyed self would think of me.  Would she be shocked to find out that I don’t have my own place, I still live at home, I am not a fashion designer or a singer or an actor and I don’t know everything, sigh. Perhaps she would, hopefully though she would see how much I have learned.  So what have I learned? Well since this is a fashion blog and I am not that philosophical, I will keep my remarks to what I have learned about fashion, style and the art of dressing oneself.

Outfit Chronicles: Casually Committed

I love casual wear as much as the next person, can't beat the relaxed feel and the comfort of laid back cotton clothing. Unfortunately casual wear can suffer from several sartorial pitfalls. One, it can look sloppy if it's wrinkled, stained or the wrong size. Two, it can look too mundane, t- shirt and khaki's are very common.  How can you set your look apart  and be seen as the unique individual that you are when you are swimming in a sea of casual khaki wearers? As you will see the the difference is in the details.