Knee High

I'm sure you remember the scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts is fixin' to go out on the town and she uses a Sharpie to cover the scuffs on her heels.  This was the state that my usual over the knee Jessica Simpson boots had been in for some time.  So, instead of feeling like a hooker every time I put them on, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a new pair.  Imagine my glee when I found these amazing Calvin Klein Averie Platform Boots at Nordstrom! I haven't been a skirt and boots type of gal until lately, simply because I've packed on a few LB's over the last year, but I've been hard at work in the gym and felt like I could finally strut these babies with a leather mini.  Other than the striped sweater, everything else is from a thrift or vintage store!  The skirt and jacket were great finds at Goodwill, while the necklace came from a local antique shop here in town.  You seen in worn with stripes before here, and the rich gold and candy colored stores give a monocromatic look a much needed splash of color.

Jacket, Skirt, Necklace : thrifted/vintage | Sweater : Banana Republic | Boots : Calvin Klein Averie Platform Boot | Socks : Velvet Heart (and a gift from my future mother in law) | Ring : Francesca's 

Bracelets : Stella & Dot, Lipstick Rose, J.Crew 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway here for the Lipstick Rose Ram's Head Clutch Bangle, happening this coming Friday!!

xoxo,
sarah

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!!

I got a gold chain

A literal "Oh my God" flew right out of my mouth when I saw this Chanel belt in the window of a vintage store in Columbus, Ohio last Thanksgiving.  Instead of wearing it as a belt, I like to thug it out as a gold chain instead.  As if that's not enough, this fabulous leather skirt was thrifted, too.  Boom.

I get a lot of questions pertaining to where and how I find my vintage goodies, so I thought I would share my two secrets about the "Where" aspect of thrifting/vintage shopping :

1. Do your research - thrift in' ain't easy, y'all.  It's hard work and you need to take the time to scope out several places before you move on to secret number two.  I have been to every Goodwill and Salvation Army from here to the Mississippi so I know what type of goods are placed in each, what their price points are, and even when they get shipments and stock the store.  Psycho? Yes.  Do I find the good shit, though? Yes.  I have a store that I always find great clothing in, one for furniture, and another for household goods.  For consignment stores, I subscribe to the same model.  

2.  If you are looking for vintage goods, thrift or consign in older neighborhoods - this is a big one for me.  I am never looking for newer items, so if a thrift store is full of some teenagers F21 castaways from 2007, I'm out the door.  I want granny's old dresses, papaw's old belts, and the beautiful furniture they used to sit on whilst having afternoon cocktails Mad Men style.

Hope this helps in the treasure hunt!!

Sweater: F21

Skirt: thrifted, no brand

Bag: Chanel

Belt (worn as necklace): vintage Chanel

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Glasses: Rayban

Bracelets: Hermes, J.Crew

Have a great start to your week!

xoxo,

sarah

Thrift of the Week: Vintage DVF

One of my very favorite designers and women in general is Diane Von Furstenburg, so you can imagine my undeniable joy in finding this gorgeous knit dress at my local Goodwill.  It fit like an absolute dream and I couldn't be happier with it.  I was a little scared of the length, simply because I'm not a long and lean girl, but I think I pulled it ok pretty well.  The color is so beautiful.  Kind of a cross between cerulean and periwinkle.  It's comfortable and I love how it went beautiful with my other vintage accessories.  I hope I can pull it off for a more casual look because I can't imagine it between a one hitter quitter.  Love!

Dress: vintage Diane Von Furstenburg

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Belt: vintage

Earrings: H&M

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, J.Crew
Ring: YSL

Enjoy your Sunday!

xoxo,
sarah

Staple

My number one go-to staple for just about every wardrobe situation is an off-white silk blouse.  It makes any outfit look effortless and chic, and since I prefer mine to be a size too big, it's always comfortable for days when I don't feel like being buttoned up all day.  I have a couple that I rotate between, which you've seen here on the blog several times.  One is a button down with pockets and no collar from NY&Co. and the other is a very lightweight cotton button down with a collar from Old Navy.  Bottom line, they were both less than $10 and through wear and tear are completely shot to shit.  

Although I couldn't justify spending $200+ on a great silk shirt by Equipment or Joie, I did find this gorgeous option at Zara for $59.99.  It has a lightweight fabric that you can't see through and the stud detail gives it a little shine.  I am completely in love with it and am glad to have a replacement for the other two.  I'll move them into my layering rotation and probably wear them until they turn into threads.

What is your go-to wardrobe item?

Blouse: Zara in black but white avail. in stores

Denim: J Brand

Bag: Alexander Wang

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Earrings: F21

Ring: H&M (old)

Bracelets: J.Crew, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, F21

Necklace: West Avenue via Max and Chloe

Have a lovely Friday!

xoxo,

sarah

Thrift of the Week : Three Way

In searching for odds and ends for the bedroom I was, of course, stopping by every thrift store from here to Oklahoma.  Not to ignore the treasures that may be buried in the dress aisle, I sniffed out this little beauty for $3.99.  The color is great and the cowl neck allows me to wear it three ways: asymmetric, off shoulder, and with a cowl collar.  How great is that?

Dress: Express (thrifted)

Belt: J.Crew

Wedges: Steve Madden

Clutch: Target

Glasses: Ann Taylor

Necklaces: J.Crew, West Avenue

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, J.Crew, Kate Spade

Have y'all found anything in the junk lately?

xoxo,

sarah

Light Layers

The weather is finally turning here in Texas and the temperatures are in the mid to low nineties.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but that's a cold front to me.  Of course, the second I have any opportunity, I'm gonna do some layering, even if it is silk.  

I've been really wanting a black and white chevron dress in the same style as this one, but it seems like every time I find one, it's not my size, not to mention more than I want to spend.  In my F21 haul a couple weeks back, I found this dress, which comes in both black and navy (mine is navy if you can't tell) for $15.80.  It's a great lightweight silk-like fabric, not the shiny kind, and I'm thinking it's pretty versatile.  I'm picturing it with a denim jacket, a blazer for the office, with tights when it actually gets cold here.  It also looks great with any color belt and neutral shoes.  A great buy and a comfortable look for the office or for work.

Have y'all found anything that you are super excited about lately?  I'd love to know your shopping secrets and bargains!!

Dress: F21

Blouse: J.Crew Factory

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Belt: vintage but Asos makes great alternatives

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kate Spade, F21, vintage Hermes

Have a good day kids!!

xoxo,

sarah