Tuesday's mini thrifting adventure.... Fabric and Accessories!

Today I went to Value Village on my way home and found some pieces I've been looking for.

As you know the TV room is under construction. I found some fabric and a green glass piece to add.

 

Here's the outfit I'm cutting pillows from....

And here is a really neat piece.  This is a vintage green sangria pitcher with a red wicker-like or raffia stopper. How cool is that? 

I was looking it up and apparently you put ice in the concave bulb part and then place the "raffia stopper" in to hold the ice keeping your wine cool but not watery. What a neat little thing. 

 This necklace was so neat to me...I haaad to get it. Its obviously handmade and the beads are what drew me to it. The sort of juxtaposed "fancy" gold beads and lime green plastic ones that I often played with as a child had me wanting to buy this cool piece. What an interesting combination of beads. Its not what I would have done... but that's what made me like it!

I definitely had a box of those green beads...mixed in with the ones we used for my hair.

::Sighs:: The good ol' days. 

Oh! I also got a couple of pairs of shades yesterday. My previous two vintage pairs are gone... :( 

So yesterday I got a couple pairs to play with.... 

Yay!

Outfit of the day... All work no play! (Maybe a little!)

My mom did a little thrifting of her own a week ago and picked up this cute skirt for me! I love it... she also bought two other variations of a similar skirt with different colors. Gotta love that. lol. Anyway I wanted to wear it today with the boots she also got me a few years ago. Aw mom... I miss you!

• Missoni style skirt- Gift
• Black tights-Wally world
• Fa brik- Thrifted, Goodwill
• Fitted cowl neck blouse, BX
• Brown buckle boots- Gift

Geez! I've been super busy lately and I've been getting that vibe from everyone around me. 

It must just be that time of year.  

Spring is coming....

Coogi sweater and Corduroy ... Thrifting with the BF.

My boyfriend and I swung by a Goodwill on Saturday (in the midst of chopping down a list of errands and chores). I am officially on a mission to get this TV room in order.... it is nolonger a game. lol. Anyway we started searching for picture frames to hang some prints I created in a printmaking class last year.

Needless to say the trip veered off into apparel land and he scored a great pastel colored Coogi sweater.

He goes for comfort and ease when he's dressing for work. I sometimes forget that he has his own tastes outside of what I like for him. For instance I often forget how much he hates the texture of polyester and brush by him by accident.  Anyway here's the Coogi sweater he picked out for himself and a pair of Ralph Lauren corduroys that I found for him on a separate thrifting adventure.

• Coogi sweater- Goodwill
• Polo corduroys- Sugga's Thrift Boutique

Work wear... Outfit of the day

I think this post is about these colors, but more about texture. Unfortunately you cant tell from the photos. My shoes are that pony/hair calf texture, blazer silk, and a delicate almost see through peter pan collared blouse; trousers are striped and give the illusion of a corduroy texture, I was really feeling this color palette yesterday for some reason...

Rust, brown, beige, white, and gold. 

Hmm...what's up with that? Anyway this is what I wore to work.

Just a peek....

• Blazer, Fabrik-Goodwill
• Blouse, Loft- Goodwill
• Trousers, Forever 21
• Scarf, market in NY
• Shoes, Pazo- Goodwill
• Earrings, vintage- Gift 

These early mornings are no joke. It's bedtime.

Thrifted: Handmade Guatemalan belt and cowrie shell fabric!

I am officially on a mission to find all of those tunics and dresses with beautiful ethnic patterns that I neglected to purchase over the past month. If you are a thrifter you know that you never really find the same things day to day, let alone month to month, so I guess I mean I will be finding similar clothing to turn into pillows. I had some luck today! I found two dresses made of a lovely African cowrie shell fabric... but first, my belt.

(My mom has been doing some thrifting of her own and bought me that long sleeved, black and white tie-dye maxi dress that I LOVE!) 

I was making a quick run into Goodwill when I passed the belt rack...and had to backtrack. Now I've seen quite a few of these belts for the past three years. It's strange but I was finding one everytime I went thrifting, and I guess that was a turn off. Not sure why. Anyway this one was somehow different to me and I immediately picked it up. Maybe the colors just needed to line up properly in my mind.

This belt is apparently handmade and ironically in Guatemala. I went to San Juan de Laguna, Guatemala spring break last year and never saw one. But of course I saw many other beautiful handcrafted items... I actually bought a purse and a couple of scarves. 

That was truly an amazing place both ethereal and just.... real. ::wistful sighs::

 

 

Anyway... I eventually I made it around to the clothes to search for what I actually came to look for.

And yay! I found a dress with this cowrie shell pattern I can butcher into a couple of throw pillows. Of course I have to try the dress on first... you know just to see, but then throw pillows will ensue. Lol!

I want to make them for the two bamboo chairs that we have in the TV room. They are kinda like director's chairs except they're made of bamboo. Then I want to find some green fabric with a unique pattern to put on the loveseat on the other side of the room. Deciding on a paint color has been crazy... I can't wait till I get this room finished so I can enjoy the finished product for a while... and then start over! Ha!

Thrifted and ready for work!

Today I was making a mad dash out the door... it was one of those mornings, so I decided to keep it simple.

Black high-waist tuxedo pants (almost a satin-y material), monochrome cotton floral cami, red vintage boucle jacket, lime green beaded tassel earrings, black pointy toe flats.

I don't typically buy t-shirts or cami's from thrift stores unless I love them. I really liked this particular cami because of how extra soft it was! Unfortunately the tag was cut out so I don't know where there may be more. The tassel earrings were making my day, all day! I just bought them and they won't stop moving long enough for me to take a pic.

• Red vintage boucle jacket- Goodwill
• Tuxedo pants- Value Village
• Black floral silhouette cami-Goodwill
• Green beaded tassel earrings-Angie's 

WI$H List... Randomocity.

This is most definitely for the "bougie kid" in me, I love this playset. Lol... My boyfriend and I saw it in HomeGoods while we were looking for presents for his niece and nephew. I wanted this...(for myself) but we decided to get something more practical.

 

I had a pair of red moccasins once...and then it rained.

I heart these though, and I would love to rock them with some cut off shorts in the summer time.

 

A good friend of mine pointed out that I could just recover my own pillows... duh! Why didn't I think of that. These are the prints that I am looking for. Now I wish I bought all of those too-large tunics that I've seen at Value Village for the past month

I've been looking at fun nail polish projects to do... These I am trying as soon as I find some nail brushes.

Check this girl out... Nailasaurus! She is badd with a mani man! 

This planter is the coolest thing ever! I mean if you're into that sorta thing...and EVEN if you're not! 

I want to make one of these in our backyard, for herbs and small veggies (that way the doggies wont eat them).

And lastly, because it is bedtime...

I want my bed room to have the whimsey and earthy feel of these two bedrooms together.  

Gorgeous...

Good night! <3

Thrifted: Stone-Clay Plates...organic-ish

I've been posting about decor, so I figured why not post about some other pieces I've been playing with lately.

I bought these unique clay-stone plates from a thrift store on Antique Row in Chamblee. There was a set of 8 and they immediately caught my eye. I think the shape and color on the bottom really sold me.  It has an organic feel, the shape and color anyway. Well... I guess the material also speaks to that feeling. The stone is pink-ish, but the bottom is like red clay.

I want to do a fun place setting with funky silverware and napkins!

Thrifted: Retro Pedestal Cups

You all may not know, but my two favorite items (that isn't clothing) to check out at thrift stores are chairs and cups. How strange, I know... but those are my favorite things to scope out. Now obviously I don't buy every chair I fall in love with, but a girl can dream right?  Yesterday I found this adorable set of retro pedestal cups from Value Village. Every time I picked one up I hoped for the next. Fortunately I found the whole set. YAY!

I know the lady at the checkout counter was probably like... "Why is this girl buying these dirty cups?" They were a little dusty, but I soaked them in a nice hot apple cider vinegar and soap bath, though I won't be drinking out of them. 

These were also in great condition, decals still intact and everything.

I've looked up a few pedestal cups, but I haven't seen any with the cool gold metallic accents like these.  $0.87 for the set!

Outfit of the day... Grey Wool Blazer

Today I wanted to wear my sunny yellow pants for the first time outside... instead of just playing dress up. Ha! I toned them down a bit with this blue and white 3/4 length button down, grey wool blazer, and leopard print belt. The fun thing about prints is that you can mix and match them. The key is getting the right two or three together. If its your first time try one large (bolder) and one smaller, that way they don't compete, but harmonize. I wish you could see in detail...ah well.

 (Oh I wore tan leather cowboy boots)

• Pink hair scarf- Thanks mom!
• Vintage gold flower earrings - gift, thanks Meek!
• Button down Tommy shirt - thrifted, Goodwill
• Textured leopard belt- thrifted, Goodwill 
• Yellow pants- thrifted, Goodwill
• Talbots grey wool blazer - thrifted, Goodwill 

Here's a shirt and tie combination I like...I love shirts and ties.

Can I also say that this is the only reason why I enjoy Sports Center and NFL hosts... Shannon Sharpe's color and print combinations are always interesting.

Speaking of which, tomorrow is my first day at my desk job. The code is business casual... I have an idea of what I'm gonna wear but I still need to mull it over a bit. Thrifted pea green JCrew skirt, but what top?  Hmm... Pictures later. 

Business casual... what does that mean at your job? 

(Though it shouldn't, it probably varies!) Lol.

Friendship bracelet watch... arm candy!

You know how you get overcome by the need to make something...anything?  Well I've been looking at "Arm Parties" lately. I wanted to join in on the fun by making a unique piece of arm candy that adds more personal flare to my arm party.

My grandma gave me a box of interchangeable watchbands and watch faces a couple years ago, so I thought it would be fun to use them in this way! 

Ta-da! 

This is the trial run. In the future I think I'll try playing up the gold in the watchband by using some gold bracelets or maybe a real watch.

Try mix and matching some of your favorite bracelets, watches or other accessories to create your own arm party! 

Color block, train of thought. Thrifting success part 2.

This week I also purchased some yellow pants and cool animal print loafers, that I've been wanting for a while. (Now if I can just find red pants. hehe...)

Since I was posting my finds I decided "hey why not post an outfit too". I guess this is my first "official color block" though me and a couple of my dear friends thought it was fun probably before it was "cool". Ha. Anyway...

• Nobo Blue button down top - thrifted, Goodwill, AR
• Green vintage cropped blazer - thrifted, Goodwill
• Red vintage pink daffodil cord belt - thrifted, yardsale 
• Earrings - Angie's
• Yellow pants- thrifted, Goodwill
• Pazo Loafers- thrifted, Goodwill

And there was also this top that I purchased with the pants and shoes....

I actually wore this top and hat with dark skinny jeans and cowboy boots today, I think I was feeling some sorta way.

• Serenade NY  multi-color print top - Goodwill
• Red vintage cloche hat - Goodwill, VA

I've been thrifting with a "goal" in mind lately. This is definitely not something I'm used to because I'm always getting ideas as I shop.  I'm not sure if that's a good strategy, because it doesn't limit what I'm buying. What do you think?  Ha! Well we will see how this goes.

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Indigo Jeans and Red Blouse... Thrifting Success!

This week has finally come to an end... well almost. I finished up with some great finds and I'm super happy!  Let's start out with my awesome mommy jeans.  In my last post "Monday Thrifting Adventure" I talked about the retro jeans that I wanted specifically vintage high-waist, bell bottom.

I found something similar and better than I imagined... AH! They have an interesting white rope detail around the waist and back pockets, they're a dark indigo and they're really durable. I'm so happy because I started thinking about buying these on Yoox.com.

 Glad I didn't.

• Red striped vintage blouse- thrifted Goodwill
• High-waist vintage jeans- thrifted Value Village
  

At two different Value Villages I sifted through thousands of jeans before I found them... for $3.50! Unfortunately VV doesn't have fitting rooms and I cannot buy jeans that I haven't tried on. 
Annnnd I did not follow my own rule. WEAR LEGGINGS when I'm on the prowl for jeans!
Which brings me to....

Defined:  The Changing Tent Maneuver

I ended up having to cleverly morph into the jeans in the open. Basically if you've never done it before this move is a LIFESAVER!  For those of you who don't know this is how you do it. 

1. Find a long, bulky prarie skirt, you're gonna need some room in the tent. (And a mirror) lol
2. Put the skirt on over your jeans, waistline just above your belly button.
3. Now wiggle out of your jeans and slip on the other pair (all under the skirt of course)!
4. Remove hideous prarie skirt
5. Look in the mirror....love jeans/hate jeans
6. Put prarie skirt back on, and Repeat

After I've worn these jeans around a bit I can tell why our parents were horrified by the low and extra low rise jeans that became trendy.  However, I find these vintage jeans much more "sexy"... they give you curves where you have none! Trust me... better yet, go find some!

Monday thrifting adventure.... Retro.

Monday's thrifting adventure at Goodwill was not a miss but definitely not a hit.  Most of the things that landed in the honorable mentions pile weren't anything to write home about.  The honorable mentions pile (that I was going to have a few photos of) was re-shopped before I could even try them on.... ::exasperated freakin sigh::   That's okay, so here were the stats.... ::smile::

UPDATE: you can see how I finally wore these pants here

'

Retro corduroy, denim striped flare pants $5. Super excited about this find (my only purchase of the trip) because I've been wanting some seriously retro pants for a second, especially since I've been watching Soul Train reruns lately.  While I'm ecstatic about my new striped ones, the pants I've been really hunting for lately.... look more like these.

...so more high-waisted bell bottom, than "flare" denim.

So on to the honorable mentions.... I really liked this $4 cotton fringe tank top, but for some reason I had to deny myself the pleasure of adding it to my wardrobe. I just couldn't buy it... I think part of it is because I realized how easily I could make it. The fringe is just t-shirt stretched, and sewn on. This can be a deal breaker for me on many items... especially in "regular stores".  

::Can I make that?::

I tried it on and everything. It could be worn as a dress too as it stops mid-thigh on me....

This was a cute little purse. I would rock it if it were a gift, but it wasn't my first choice.   I thought it was definitely cute though, and worth mentioning. =) The gold bows as well as the size made me like it and the mirror inside (so handy) made me like it even more, but still not enough to purchase.

I did purchase a pair of earrings from my favorite place to buy earrings. I bought these across the street at Angie's. 

 

I'm okay with my purchases. I wonder if I'm going to be sad about the tank later? Lol. Nah, if so there is always tomorrow. Things at this GW don't move that fast surprisingly, which definitely defies the laws of thrifting right?

WI$H List, Chairs n' Stuff

Hey guys I want to start a post called "WI$H List" where I just post about things that I've been drooling over. I mean most of us troll the internet endlessly while we're at work or school so why not share the latest drool-worthy items topping our wish lists?

It's cool because you never know when you will come across something that you may be able to draw inspiration from, DIY, or find in a thrift store near you.

Anyway, as you know I've been tossing around ideas for TV room decor, here's just a few things I've been eyeballing.  

(I really need to be looking at paint... but this is the fun part.)

Anthropologie is a great place to get inspired. They always have great pieces, so if you get a chance, stop in your local store. They always smell AMAZING and the decorations will make you feel like you've fallen into Wonderland. I will say that they are pricey, but if you can stand the initial heartbreak don't let that stop you from checking it out!  :)

And since we are talking about Anthropologie... aren't these cute?

Mala wingtip heels. $148, but cute nonetheless.

I've been trying to think of a good shoe DIY lately... Haven't really seen anything that I'm dying to try yet. I think I will just have to get a shoe and get busy experimenting. Have you seen any good shoe DIYs?