Going Green!

E here, today's outfit was inspired by the bold, lively colors of spring. I love walking out of the house and seeing all of the lush greens, reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, etc. as plants and flowers start coming alive. Like mother nature, my wardrobe is gradually lightening up and beginning to bloom. After all, what better way to dive into spring then with a bold pop of color?



. You might recognize the top that I'm wearing from my latest thrift haul. It was brand new when I bought it. As I mentioned in the thrift haul, you can find a lot brand new items that are donated by stores like Target and Old Navy. This particular piece was part of an exclusive collection that Philip Lim did with Target.



I love this top because it looks very sophisticated. The detailed beading on the collar gives the top a little extra sparkle, and ultimately makes it look more expensive than it actually is. After all, who doesn't love a little extra sparkle? Plus, the great thing about black is that it goes with everything. Black is flattering on virtually every body type. In addition to having a LBD (little black dress,) it doesn't hurt to also have a LBT (little black top) in your closet!



Thrifted items; black peplum top: Philip Lim for Target $4.99 (Goodwill,) green trench coat: Calvin Klein $29.99 (Goodwill,) jeans: Else $9.99 (Goodwill,) flats: Tahari $9.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; Ella James $7.99 (Fred Meyer.)

As I've stated in the past, you can find gems like these adorable flats at the thrift store.They were practically brand new when I bought them. You just have to keep an eye out constantly, and you too will find some great pieces.Well that's all for today. Happy thrifting!See you next time!

-E

Camouflage & Lace

 

 

E here, another beautiful sunny day in Seattle. It's still quite cold so layering is key. I talk about layering and mixing prints/textures pretty often, so today's outfit is a good example of both. Most people that live in the Northwest tend to throw on a North Face or Columbia jacket, but I tire of wearing the same thing all the time. When creating a layered look its important to try and put outfits together that will keep you warm and look stylish at the same time. Here, I threw on a cardigan on top of layered tanks to keep from getting chilly. This time of year it can still be fairly cold, especially near the water, but if it's sunny you can get away with not wearing a jacket.

 

 

In a city like Seattle you tend to see graffiti and mural art plastered all over buildings, (in this case a bridge,) but this section really stood out to me. I thought the nerds thing was kind of funny. A lot of times you walk by a wall covered in graffiti and you think nothing of it, but I thought that it would make a great contrast against the picturesque views of the Ballard Locks. Below are some shots I took of the railroad bridge with the ocean behind it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend Sara was the photographer for this shoot. You may recognize her as one of the blondes from the blog The Blonde Squad. If you haven't already checked out her blog, please take some time to view it. She has a lot of great DIY projects, as well as great outfits!

 

 

Thrifted items; lace tank: Old Navy $4.99 (Goodwill,) booties: Sam Edelman $20 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; camouflage cardigan: Unionbay $15 (Fred Meyer,) jeans: Levi's $25 (Macy's,) monogram necklace: Nordstrom Rack $5.99.

 

 

 

Monogram necklaces have been all the rage lately on other fashion blogs and Instagram. I realize that I'm a little late on this trend, but better late than never right?! After all, a monogrammed necklace is a fun way to personalize any outfit. As you may have noticed, the letter E was all sold out so I had to settle for L instead. But that's ok, I look at it two ways; the L can either represent Lizi, or Logan (for my husband.) If you're interested in picking up a monogram necklace for yourself you can most likely find one at Forever 21, Nordstrom Rack, or on internet shops like BaubleBar. Thanks for stopping by. New thrift posts coming soon. Happy thrifting!

-E 

 

Cat Lady Chic

 

 

E here, its been awhile since my last post. Unfortunately, life has been somewhat hectic for me lately. My New Year's resolution was to be a better blogger, and I'm really trying! Ironically, the title of this post is Cat Lady Chic, and believe me I've felt like a bit of one lately!

 

 

[Taken at Toulouse Petit; crawfish, shrimp, and Andouille sausage over creamy grits, with scrambled eggs.]

 

In addition to blogging about my outfits and thrifting adventures, I'm going to start posting pictures of food. I don't know about you, but I'm a serious foodie. I have a very diverse palette and love trying new things. Pictured above is one of the best breakfasts in town. If you're ever in Seattle make sure to stop by this place, I guarantee you won't be disappointed! I've been to New Orleans twice and I think that this restaurant does a great job of capturing the creole flavor of Louisiana. My recommendation - order anything with crawfish in it!

 

 

Thrifted items; trench coat: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading Co.,) wedge flats: Aldo $12.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; cat sweater: Love By Design $10 (Fred Meyer,) sheer blouse: Forever 21, jeans: JCPenny's $25, vintage necklace: gifted. 

 

 

The interesting thing about this outfit is that these shoes are probably the most expensive pair that I've ever thrifted that aren't designer. In the same shopping trip that I got these shoes I bought; Marc Jacobs heels, Coach loafers, Tahari and Sperry Top Sider flats, all of which retail for more than Aldo. [I'll be posting the details of the thrift haul that these shoes came from soon.] But that's the funny thing about thrifting, sometimes items are under or overpriced.

 

 

Ultimately I made the right decision in purchasing these shoes because they are a great style staple for any closet. Just like having a little black dress, black shoes go with just about anything from jeans and a tee, to a flirty blouse and skirt. Also, pointy shoes such as these dress up any outfit and make you look chic. Whether its jeans or a skirt, you can make any outfit classy and sophisticated. All it takes is a few extra touches to give any outfit that extra oomph. Take my necklace for example, it was given to me by a friend who found it at a flea market. Besides adding a pop of color to the outfit, it also gives it a retro feel. Remember, it doesn't take much to look like a million bucks, so see what you have laying around that you could use to boost an outfit.

 

 

Well that's all for today. More posts coming soon. Happy thrifting!

-E

Making A Blaze Into 2014

 

 

 

 

E here, as we get closer to the final countdown to the new year this will be my last post of 2013! I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog so far, I promise to be a better blogger in the new year. As for today's outfit, I went for something simple yet chic. Blazers make any outfit look chic, whether paired with jeans and a white shirt, or belted over a dress. Here, I added a belt and necklace to top off the outfit. The great thing about accessorizing is that it polishes off any outfit. The trick is not to go too overboard. I tried to pick accessories that complimented the colors and pattern of the blouse and the fit of the blazer.

 

 

 When looking at blazers and trying to pick the right one for you keep in mind the shoulders (shoulder pads,) length of the sleeves, and overall tailoring. Once you figure out the right fit for your body type layering becomes a cinch. Women's blazers are typically very fitted, so I like to look in the men's section. In this case, I scored the blazer in the women's section for really cheap. My favorite detail of the blazer is the inner lining of the sleeves which are pinstriped and look great when rolled up. If blazers just don't work for you, you can still create polished layered looks with accessories.

 

 

 Thrifted items; blazer: Merona $5.99
 (Value Village,) blouse: Mac & Jac $4.99 (Goodwill,) boots: Steve Madden $22.50 (Crossroads Trading Co,) cardigan: Banana Republic $7.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $25, necklace: Charlotte Russe $5.

 

That's all for today. Check back soon for New Years photos. Hope you and yours have a great NYE. Cheers to my first year of reinvention, and many more to come!

-E

Baby Its Cold Outside.....

 

 

 

E here, I've got a lot of catching up to do before the new year! [Check back soon for a very overdue thrift haul post.] As the weather gets chillier its time to start thinking about accessorizing to stay warm. My favorite winter accessory? Well, its really hard to narrow it down because I enjoy experimenting with different layers of hat, scarves, and glove combinations. But I'd have to say that when it comes down to it I have quite the collection of scarves (my husband can second this!)

 

 

When it comes to layering I always try to pick pieces that will work well together and will also be functional if I decide to remove a layer. The last thing that you want to do is create a layered outfit that looks great, but is not going to be comfortable and functional. Here, I threw on a vest, a hat, and a scarf to ensure that I would be warm, but could just as easily take off the vest if I needed to.

 

 

My personal styling tip for accessorizing - if you're wearing a lot of darker colors try to balance it out with some lighter colors. What I did here, is try to contrast the darker colors with lighter hues. Also, the accessories don't necessarily need to match. I like to mix different pieces together to create a unique look.

 

 

 

Thrifted items; tan sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; vest: North Face (gifted,) jeans: Levi's $20 (JCPenny's,) riding boots: Bandolino $99 (DSW,) hat: Adidas $15 (Fred Meyer,) scarf: H&M $7.99.

 

 

That's all for now. Happy Friday! Let the final countdown to Christmas commence. Until next time.

-E

Experimenting With Prints

 

E here, its been quite a few days since my last post. I don't know about you, but I've been pretty busy getting ready for the holidays. Its been all hustle and bustle at work, so trying to pick the right outfit to wear is difficult when your in a hurry. As I mentioned in a previous post, once you have figured out what styles and textures/prints look good on your body, knowing what to wear is a cinch. Here, I experimented with mixing two different prints. The scarf matches the jacket, and the animal print is black and white so it doesn't clash too much with the plaid.

 

 

 

 

Several of the items that I'm wearing I picked up on my last thrifting trip. Check back soon for the details. As you know, the title of my blog is "Elizabeth Reinvented" (with particular emphasis on the reinvention.) The great thing about thrifting is that you can take an item whether its the jacket that I'm wearing, or the boots, and make them your own, essentially reinventing them so to speak. I like to mix my thrifted items with my other clothes and create new, unique outfits. Most of the time when I tell people that the designer boots or jacket that I'm wearing I thrifted from Goodwill or got from selling clothes at Crossroads they don't believe me. That's the great thing about thrifting, no one can tell your thrifted clothes from your new clothes!

 

 

 

 

Thrifted items; green trench coat: Calvin Klein $24.97 (Goodwill,) animal print blouse: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill,) boots: Sam Edelman $19.99, (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: Levi's $25 (JCPenny's,) plaid scarf: Softer Than Cashmere $4.99 (Fred Meyer.)

 

 

Out of all my recent thrift finds, I think these boots are my favorite! Talk about a steal! They go with just about anything, and they are incredibly comfy. The great thing about booties is that you can wear them with anything from jeans, to a skirt with tights, or a dress.

 

 

 

That's all for now. I hope you enjoy this festive time of year with your friends and family. Until next time.

-E

Layering 101: Polka Dots & Neutrals

 

 

 

 

 

E here, as the weather gets colder its essential to start layering up in order to stay warm. Not sure how to master the layering method? I have a few suggestions for how to stay warm and still create cute outfits. First of all, it is important to figure out what styles and fits of clothing work for your body type specifically.

 

 

Thrifted items; polka dot trench coat: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading Co,) ruffle blouse: Ann Taylor Loft $4 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: Levi's $30 (Macy's,) oxfords: Pink & Pepper $10 (Fred Meyer,) scarf: $8 H&M (not pictured.)

 

 

For example, do you prefer fitted tops like the Loft blouse that I paired with skinny jeans, or perhaps a loose fitting tunic and leggings is more your style? Whatever your style preference is, you next need to build upon it with a warm jacket such as a trench coat (my personal favorite,) and accessories such as a scarf or a hat.

 

 

The trick to layering is to pick items that compliment each other; either in color, texture, or contrast. What I did here, was I took delicate ruffles and paired it against polka dots to create a soft, feminine look that creates a balanced contrast in texture. If you're going to layer contrasting textures you want to make sure that one offsets the other in a flattering manner.

 

 

You can probably tell by now that I love scarves! During this time of year I tend to wear scarves almost everyday. Scarves are perfect for layering with outfits because they add a little something extra. Besides scarves, I like to add chunky rings and statement jewelry for that extra bit of flair.

 

 

 

My friend was kind enough to humor me and pose for the camera. We grew up together, and naturally we thrift together! I mean friends that thrift together stay together right?! Speaking of thrifting together, we recently went on a thrifting mission at Goodwill to find the perfect outfit to wear to the concert of the king of thrift shopping himself - the one and only Macklemore! Check back soon for details on the success of our shopping mission, and see what we end up wearing to the concert tonight.

 

 

Sarah is wearing a D&Y scarf from Fred Meyer that I gave her for Christmas, and a comfy, yet stylish casual wear look.

 

 

This time of year the weather is fairly nippy and windy, but fortunately we don't get dumped on with snow like the rest of the country does so you just need to dress in several layers. Sarah's layered outfit is a great because it offers warmth and protection from the extremities, yet its still very stylish.

 

 

Great shot of my friend's boots that she nabbed on Black Friday. Cute aren't they? The girl's got good  taste! Boots always serve as a great addition to any outfit.

 

 

 

That's it for now, please stop by again soon. I have several upcoming posts documenting my thrifted finds and adventures with my friend during her visit in town. Until next time!

-E 

 

 

Letting My Inner Biker Chick Out!

 

 

E here, as the weather gets colder its time to kiss those lighter clothes and flats goodbye, and trade them in for heavier clothes and boots. As much as I love my cute skirts, dresses, and flats, I think I love my fall/winter wardrobe more! As I mentioned before in a previous post, I really like experimenting with layers. Besides, I have a serious boot addiction!

 

 

I really do love a good pair of boots, but I also have an affinity for jackets; whether it's a trench, a blazer, or drumroll.....a motorcycle jacket. In addition to shoes, or great accessories, jackets add that finishing touch to an outfit. In this case, the motorcycle jacket was the focal point of the look that I was going for. When I think of a motorcycle jacket, that iconic image of James Dean wearing a black, leather motorcycle jacket comes to mind. He looked so cool and so stylish in the jacket, which was the inspiration for this look. After all, you have to let your inner badass, biker chick out sometimes right?

 

 

The thing about wearing black is you have to know just how to pair it with the right pieces and accessories so it doesn't end up looking too gothic. Personally, I wear a lot of black! I don't know why, but whenever I go shopping I'm always drawn to black. There's something about black that is just so sleek and classic. Not to mention the fact that black always make you appear thinner!

 

 

Thrifted items; motorcycle jacket: Express $27.50 (Crossroads Trading Co,) boots: Steve Madden $22.50 (Crossroads Trading Co.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $25, skull scarf $20 (Nordstrom,) Sheer blouse: Forever 21.

 

 

That's all for today. Please stop by again soon! Make sure to bundle up those thrifted duds as the weather gets chillier.

-E