Tartan Fling

The temperature here in Dallas is refusing to go below 85 degrees, so I thought if I wore faux fur yesterday, I could encourage colder temperatures.  I get so excited when the seasons change because I get to pull out pieces like this vest, coats, boots and the like.  There is no doubt that I will be crying in a couple months when I am freezing to death at fifty degrees, but I am totally ready for it right now. For the record, I wore this for about 15 minutes and had to change because I overheated.  At least I looked cute standing outside my house taking photos while my neighbor peeked through her window.  They must think I'm absolutely nuts...

On another note, I've been carried a busted wallet for awhile now.  It doesn't close and is coming apart at the seams, literally.  I received it for my 21st birthday and have abused it for nearly a decade.  I received a FedEx package last week from my mother than included this beautiful Kate Spade Wellesley Zippered Travel Wallet and I am in love with it!  It's big enough to carry as a clutch, and, more importantly, big enough to house all my junk.  As if I'm not spoiled enough, when I opened up the wallet, there was also a pair of Kate Spade Take a Bow Earrings and $20.  Who's mother puts money in their wallet?  Mine does.  Boom.

Top: J.Crew Factory Classic Button Down in Plaid

Vest: Target Kids (old), similar for $30!

Skirt: Thrifted, but identical

Bag: Kate Spade Wellesley Zippered Travel Wallet, mine came from the outlet, but here is this season

Belt: Thrifted

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, J.Crew Pave Link Bracelet

Ring: F21 (old)

Necklaces: West Avenue, F21, J.Crew

Thrifting 101

I would say that the majority of comments and emails I get pertaining to specific or directed questions overwhelmingly surround thrifting.  I was at my local Goodwill a few days back and I decided to take iPhone pics of several of the items I tried on so that you could see what catches my eye, what doesn't work, and what I take home with me.  My thought process throughout the whole thing is, more than anything, to be extremely open to anything including colors, textures, material, age, basically anything goes.  So, without further adieu, let's go thrifting!

What - J.Crew Haberdashery Button Down

Price - $2

Size - M

Thoughts - these shirts are awesome, but they are expensive at J.Crew, usually running around $98.  This one was light blue with a darker blue stripe and I really don't think it's ever been worn.  The cuffs and collar were very stiff which is great for layering, all the buttons were intact, and it's a little more tailored.  The great thing about this one is that they still have it in the store.  

Verdict- Keep

What - J.Crew Perfect Shirt and vintage suede skirt

Price - $5.99 and $9.99

Size - S and ?

Thoughts - This shirt was my size (as opposed to the medium above), plus I am obsessed with the Liberty for J.Crew button downs right now, so this was a great compromise.  It will look great under a striped dress, with a cropped trench, or under a sweater.  The colors are really great.  The skirt was a great fit for me, but it was really faded on the seams. It's hard to see in these bad iPhone pics, but it was almost gray. I have a cognac colored one that I picked up last year, but it was not as worn as this one.

Verdict- Bought shirt, bailed on the skirt.

What - Theory Button Down

Price - $2

Size - S

Thoughts - I loved this shirt because it was a little longer in the back and I can wear it with leggings.  It's flannel, but it's light, so it will be great for the mild Texas winter.

Verdict- Keep

What - vintage silk dress

Price - $5.99

Size - 6

Thoughts - I'm a sucker for vintage silk dresses.  I have two in my closet that I absolutely adore and I really liked this one, too.  It fit perfect and I loved the length.  I couldn't quite get on board with the print, though.  I didn't jump on the Hawaiian print trend last spring and these just looked like hibiscus flowers.

Verdict- Pass

What - no label mint sweater and Seven For All Mankind jeans

Price - $5.99 and $9.99

Size - ? and 27

Thoughts - not all mint clothing items are created equal.  If I was going to walk around with my hand on my hip all day long, it may have worked, but it was just too boxy.  I actually loved these jeans because someone had worn the hell of them and I liked that little rip on the thigh.  I couldn't legitimize another pair of jeans.

Verdict- Pass

What - J.Crew Strapless Dress

Price - $9.99

Size - 4

Thoughts - This just wasn't a good fit for me because it was too big and I have nothing to hold it up, frankly.  I think it would look great on someone else, a bit shorter, and with some turquoise jewelry.

Verdict- Pass

What - Vintage Cucumber Blazer

Price - $5.99

Size - 6

Thoughts - A grey wool blazer is on my it list for fall and I have been trying to stay away from this one for $228.  Yikes!  This blazer is a little bit too big, so it will go to the tailor for fitting and new buttons.  Overall, I loved it and felt like Emerson Fry in this outfit.

Verdict- Keep

What - vintage shift

Price - $5.99

Size -  no label

Thoughts - I loved the fall colors, so I picked it up, but it smelled like mothballs, which you cannot get out.

Verdict- Pass

What - J.Crew Sweater

Price - $9.99

Size - S

Thoughts - I liked this but it had a little stain on the back.  I probably could have gotten it out, but it just wasn't what I wanted it to be.  When I buy a sweater, I usually fall head over heels in love with it, but I just couldn't get there with this one.  Still looking for something similar, though.

Verdict- Pass

All in all, I walked away with a few button downs and a blazer.  Although I will need to spend a few bucks at the tailor and on dry cleaning, this was a successful trip for me.  Even if I was able to get all of the items on sale in store with a coupon, I still came out on top by spending a little extra time at the thrift store.  This visit lasted about an hour and a half, and these items were about a third a what I actually tried on.  Hope this gives you guys a little insight!

What other things would you like to see on the blog?  I'd love your input!!

An Obituary

It's the end of an era.  My most beloved Miley Cyrus denim shirt from Walmart has finally kicked the bucket.  She's been accidentally bleached, shrunken, and left out in the rain.  She's been used and abused, and she finally gave up on me.  All of the buttons have fallen off and there is a huge rip straight down the back.  I feel so sad...

Do you have a denim shirt that you absolutely love?  The perfect weight, color, and texture?  Please share. And while you do, I'll be scouring eBay for a replacement. 

Denim: Miley Cyrus for Walmart

Striped Top: J.Crew Factory, similar

Pants: J Brand, invest!  these are the most flattering, amazing pants ever!

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection, identical

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile

Necklace: J.Crew

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, J.Crew Pave Link Bracelet

Have a great weekend!  Hope your team wins, unless your team in LaTech!

Wild One

I was totally stoked when J.Crew Factory came out with a dress in the wildcat print.  I missed it at retail and kicked myself for not making the purchase when I could.  I had this exact outfit in mind: print dress, tartan plaid button down underneath.  The shirt that I had in mind was nowhere to be found, but I found this men's extra small hanging out all by it's lonesome on the sale rack.  $15, don't mind if I do.  

I do this rather often... Get an outfit idea stuck in my head only to get frustrated because I can't find the exact pieces I want.  I actually woke up this morning with an outfit idea, but, thank goodness, I have all three pieces.  Guess you'll be seeing that soon!

Also, a shout out to my best friend, whose psychoses and neuroses got me this bag for my birthday.  This crazy B had overheard me saying that I had missed the boat on the Eat Cake for Breakfast bag and wished that I would have bought one.  She called each and every Kate Spade boutique in the country, even after the first twelve told her there were no bags left in the computer, and her last call found this puppy somewhere in the wild blue yonder.  That is dedication, folks.

I also wanted to mention how much you guys mean to me.  I've had an outpouring of emails, comments, questions, etc. in the past couple weeks and am definitely feeling the love.  It certainly keeps me going creatively and emotionally, because, those of us who blog know how emotional it can be.  It's like having a second relationship (if you are in one), or a high maintenance boyfriend, but it's totally worth it.

Dress: J.Crew Factory (in store only) but this one from Target is so cute for $27.99!!

Shirt: J.Crew Factory, no longer avail. but this one is cuter

Bag: Kate Spade, no longer avail. check ebay!!

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Necklace: J.Crew, no longer avail. but here's one on ebay

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, J.Crew

Ring: F21

A Zara Moment

I went to Zara yesterday in hopes of finding the gorgeous camp jacket that has been popping up all over the blogosphere.  To my dismay, I should have snapped it up last week when I saw it, because it was long gone.  I had to settle for camo cargo pants (can we say awesome!?!) and another blogger favorite, the TRF Peplum Jacket ( I know, I know).  Luckily, I made it out of there without blowing my wad, but I accidentally stumbled into Lululemon and fell completely apart.  Whoopsie...

What do y'all think about the camo trend?  Love it? Hate it? Reserved only for our Armed Forces and Duck Dynasty?

Jacket: Zara

Pants: Zara not online, but these are similar at Zara

Tee: F21, old, but this one would look precious

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Alexander Wang

Necklace: West Avenue via Max and Chloe

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, F21, J.Crew

Have a great couple more days before the weekend ;)

The Crown Jewels

My sweet friend, Paulina, messaged me a couple days ago and asked how I stored my jewelry.  I thought it would make a great blog post, especially since it's basically all over the place and gives me an excuse to photograph something other than myself.  I've collected so much jewelry over the years that it's literally everywhere.  I like to keep it all in plain sight because if I can't see it, I will totally forget about it.  

The things I wear most often are on my vanity.  I have an older home that has vanities built into all the bedrooms, including the master.  It's my pretty space and I've filled it with all my favorite things.  I've picked up cute bowls, and other odds and ends from antique malls and thrift stores which have since become places for my jewelry to rest.  The things I wear everyday and are closest to my heart, my watch, monogram necklace, pave link and vintage Hermes bracelets, and the couple rings I rotate, are all on in a crystal ashtray alongside my makeup brushes. Other pieces that are worn less seldom have been placed in bowls and a damask print tray within one of the drawers.

My necklaces hang in what I like to call my "accessory closet" which also houses all of my bags and shoes.  It seems a little messy, but it's the best solution I can come up with in order to see my necklaces. When I am getting dressed, I will take either a top of bottom and run it up against the opposite to see what looks good.  When I am feeling like I need to mix things up with my jewelry selection, I do the same thing.  I generally wear the same jewelry, but will sometimes switch up a ring or a necklace to bring a little something extra to an outfit.

How do you guys store your jewelry? I'd love to see a better way!

xoxo-

sarah