Stepping Into Spring With A Splash Of Color!

 

 

E here, I hope that you've been soaking up the sun as much as I have lately. Today my sister and I spent the afternoon at the beach. She snapped this great candid shot of me. As I've mentioned in previous posts, now that the weather is getting warmer, so are my clothes! The name of my blog is Elizabeth Reinvented and I talk a lot about reinventing your wardrobe, and more specifically your style. One easy way to reinvent your style is to start fresh, and what better time to do that than now that the weather is transitioning. Time to shed those winter layers ladies!

 

 

 

I'm not the kind of person that needs everything to match exactly by color. I don't necessarily like things to be matchy-matchy, in fact I find that to be overcompensating. Personally, I like to play around with prints and colors and create something that's a little funky and different. For this look I went all out, taking one of my favorite floral prints and pairing it with colorful mint jeans.

 

 

 

Remember a year ago when the color "pistachio" (mint) was all the rage? Well its funny because this year mint was an "it color" again, (except that this time it was revamped as "spearmint.") When wearing colorful jeans such as these it can be hard to pair it with other pieces that don't clash. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I don't like outfits to be too matchy-matchy, but at the same time you want everything to balance out. Here, I made sure that all of the colors were more or less in the same color family so that they wouldn't clash too much, but rather compliment each other. I think that all of the different hues of blue and green balance nicely together.

 

 

The final touch to the overall look? The jean jacket. For this outfit I wanted to create a fun and colorful casual look. What I love about this jean jacket is that it ties the ensemble together by serving as a contrast between the floral print and the colorful jeans and accessories.

 

 

These flats were an awesome find that I picked up at Crossroads Trading Co. Funny thing is that they are Jenifer Lopez. Who knew?! I love the color blocking and gold detailing.

 

 

Thrifted items; floral tank: Forever 21 $3.99 (Goodwill,) flats: Jenifer Lopez $9.99 (Crossroads Trading Co.) Non-thrifted items; mint jeans: JCPenny's $20, jean jacket: Nordstrom BP $25, necklace: GNW $4.99 (Fred Meyer.) *Sunglasses: Ray Bans

 

 

A beautiful view of the beach with the sound in the background.

 

I love this picture because it looks like the turtles are posing for the camera. Work it!



[Ducks doing what else......sitting!]

I think what I enjoy most about this particular beach is the wildlife that you get to see up close and personal. Unfortunately I didn't venture down onto the beach to get shots of the sea life, but I promise that I will snap some shots the next time I head to the beach.
 

 

The telephoto on the camera that I was using was amazing! I think that the seagull kind of adds to the photo don't you?

 

 

 Since it was a clear, sunny day I was able to get a great shot of the Olympic mountains off in the distance. I think that perhaps this is my favorite thing about living in the Pacific Northwest, that I am surrounded by nature. For that reason I don't think that I could live anywhere else! That's all for today, please come by again soon. Happy Friday!
-E



 

 

Viva Las Vegas - Day Three: Flower Child [Pt. 2]

 

 

 

 

 

 

E here, part deux of day three required two outfit changes; one for Beatles Love, and the other for  Chippendales. When packing for this particular vacation, I had to consider all of the different things that I would be doing both in the day time, and in the evening. I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of person that likes to plan outfits ahead of time. Its much easier to have outfits picked out in advance so that you don't end up over packing. I narrowed down what items to pack (dresses, shoes, accessories, etc.) based on what I would be doing. 

 In this case, I wanted something fun and playful to wear to the Beatles show (pictured above.) Since the title of the show is "Beatles Love" I thought it would be fitting to go with a retro, Mod inspired look, and what says that better than flower child! I think that the crème de la crème of this look is the charming floral headband. Recently, headbands such as the one that I'm wearing have come back into style. You've probably seen pictures of celebrities like Lana Del Ray and Taylor Swift donning headbands. I picked this one up at Forever 21 for $4.99.
 

 

Thrifted items; black wedges: Aldo $12.99 (Goodwill,) purse: $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; floral print dress: Love by Design $15 (Fred Meyer,) cardigan: $10 (Nordstrom Rack,) floral headband: $4.99 (Forever 21.)

 

 

Thrifted items; black wedges: Aldo $12.99 (Goodwill,) purse: $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; black dress: $30 (Topshop,) necklace: $15 (Topshop,) floral headband: $4.99 (Forever 21.)

 

 

As for the Chippendales show I went for something a little bit more understated. So how does one determine what to wear to an occasion such as this? Well, you can never go wrong with a little black dress. While others might go for a more daring look, I opted for something a bit more classic. I didn't have a lot of time to change between the Beatles show and this one, so I picked something that was versatile and comfortable. Also, the headband complimented the dress, and added a playful touch to the overall look. That's all for this segment. Next time I'll detail my final shopping trip.        

-E

 

 

It's All In The Details: The Cat's Meow

 

 

 

 

 

E here, I find that when it comes to creating a great ensemble, it's all in the details. When I look at outfits that other people put together I'm always curious to see what sort of accessories they choose. For this outfit I decided to pick a theme, can you guess what it is?

 

 

Okay, I know what you're thinking....is that an animal brooch? Well for the record, who says that brooches are just for old ladies? I think that like other types of jewelry, brooches add just as much, if not more personality and a certain glitz factor to an ensemble. I realize that when most people picture a brooch they imagine someone like their grandma wearing some garish looking brooch. However, if one is willing to have an open mind on the subject, brooches can serve as a fun and playful way to make a bold statement.

 

 

Thrifted items; corduroy blazer: Banana Republic $9.99 (Goodwill,) brown sweater: Sisters $7.99 (Value Village,) leopard print tank: Rock & Republic $9.99 (Crossroads Trading Co.,) belt: $3.99 (Value Village.) *I picked up the brooch and necklace along with some other items of jewelry at an estate sale for about $10 for the whole lot. Non-thrifted items; skirt: Wallflower $10 (Fred Meyer,) riding boots: Bandolino $99 (DSW.)

 

 

I think that in this case, the brooch in combination with the leopard necklace that I'm wearing truly compliments the "jungle fever" theme of my outfit. Well that's all I have for today. Please stop by again soon. Remember, don't be afraid to mix up your wardrobe and reinvent your style. Dare to be different. Happy thrifting! See you next time!

-E



Bundled Up In Sunshine

 

 

 

 

 

E here, can you believe its almost February? I don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring. As the weather starts to warm up, so does my wardrobe! Lately the rain has been fairly minimal so I've been able to pull some of the lighter pieces out of my closet. The key to wearing skirts and dresses this time of year is to bundle up in warm layers.

 

 

Thrifted items; wool coat: Banana Republic $29.97 (Goodwill,) sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill,) print skirt: Forever 21 $5.99 (Value Village.) Non-thrifted items; geometric necklace: Forever 21 $6.99, watch: Fossil $69.97 (Nordstrom Rack,) boots: Pink & Pepper $30 (Fred Meyer,) blue tights: Legale $4.00 (Fred Meyer.)

 

 

As you may have guessed by now, I like colored tights. Since the weather in Seattle is typically too chilly for bare legs, I wear tights to provide a little extra protection from the elements. Besides, colored tights are a fun and easy way to add a little color and personality to an outfit. Right now mustard colored tights are all the rage but unfortunately that color doesn't work for me.

 

 

I have a fair complexion so I try to pick colors that will contrast nicely with my hair, but won't wash me out at the same time.  When picking colored tights/leggings you want to try and pick colors that compliment your complexion and skin tone. If you want to be bold and venture out of your comfort zone, colors such as red, blue, green, yellow, and purple are pretty easy to find at most stores or online. I recommend brands like Hue, Legale, and Chinese Laundry because they hold up really well in the wash, and they tend to come in a wide variety of colors, textures, and sizes.

Well thanks for stopping by! Until next time.

-E



Layering 101: Corduroy

 

 

 

E here, corduroy was never my thing growing up, but as I got older I started to look at it differently. For a long time I had always thought of corduroy as being really dated, but then I saw other people wearing it and I changed my tune. When paired with the right pieces corduroy can look refined and polished.

 

 

The thing about corduroy is knowing what to pair it with so it doesn't end up looking too frumpy. Since corduroy is so structured, I decided to pair it with plaid and a delicate feminine scarf to create contrast. Most people think that everything needs to be matchy-matchy but I find that to be boring. Outfits are more interesting when you mix them with different prints and textures.

 

 

Thrifted items; corduroy blazer: Banana Republic $9.99 (Goodwill,) plaid button down: Indigo $4.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: Levi's $15 (Macy's,) boots: Pink & Pepper $30 (Fred Meyer,) scarf: H&M $8, aviators: Sperry's $30 (Nordstrom Rack.)

 

 

 

Here I tried to keep it simple and go for a casual, laid back, layered look. It might have been sunnier here than the rest of the country, but it was still cold! When putting together layered looks, I try to go for pieces that will layer easily (in terms of movement.) I always make sure when I buy blazers or jackets that they are a size bigger so that I am still able to layer underneath them. Well that's all for now, hope my tips help. Until next time!

-E

Tis' the Season for Patterns!

 

 

E here, I hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend and got your fill of turkey! I spent the majority of it working of course, but don't feel bad for me because I scored some good deals along the way. For instance the scarf I'm wearing, was only $4.99! [Check back later for posts on my holiday shopping and thrifting/trading tips.]

 

 

Don't be afraid to mix patterns! What's great about this scarf is that it adds a subtle touch of flair, and contrasts with the polka dots which really makes them stand out. Not to mention, who doesn't love the good ole' union jack! Out of all the other patterns available, this one stood out to me for some reason. Whenever I go shopping, (in this case Black Friday shopping,) I always try to pick the most unique item(s) that would add a little something extra to any outfit.

 

 

Thrifted items; polka dot trench: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading,) boots: Emiko Kamishima $27(Buffalo Exchange.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $20, scarf: Better Than Cashmere $4.99 (Fred Meyer,) men's t-shirt: H&M $5.95.

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the top of this scenic lookout is so beautiful. Its a great place to take someone special and watch the sunset, (or take your furry friend if you prefer!)

 

 

My friend and I got there at just the right time when the sun was setting. I haven't seen such a beautiful sunset in quite a while. As much as I love this time of year, the sun sets so early that before you know its dark at 4:30 PM! Well that's all I have for today, I have quite a bit of blogging to catch up on, so check back soon!

-E

 

 

Rainy Day Afternoon

 

 

E here. Another rainy Seattle afternoon. What did I spend it doing? Shopping of course! For once I didn't head to the thrift stores, instead I went to the mall with a friend to browse the latest trends and brainstorm for Christmas gift ideas. Tip: when going to the mall this time of year it is best to go early, and on the weekdays when it is less crowded. Not looking to spend a lot of money? Check the store ads for any coupons and promotional events. Most sales ads tend to run weekly, and during the holidays there are usually several coupons and doorbuster sales. Always make sure to check coupons and sales for exclusions and expiration dates.

 

 

 

Thrifted items; trench coat: Tommy Hilfiger $10, sweater: Mossimo $6, leopard loafers: MIA $7. Non-thrifted items; scarf: D&Y $5 (Fred Meyer,) jeans: Levi's $30 (JCPenny's,) purse: Dooney & Bourke (gifted.) 

 

 

I'm wearing my newly thrifted leopard print loafers that I picked up the other day. How much? I snagged them for just $7! I tend to have pretty good luck finding trendy name brand items at the Goodwill by my house. The trick with thrifting shoes is to check for any visible damage i.e. - ripping, snagging, holes, etc. Once you get them home, all you need to do is take some form of cleaner whether it be Lysol, foot powder (anything that would clean out the use/odor of the last owner.)

 

 

The idea of wearing shoes that belonged to someone else makes some people cringe, but for me I see it as a bargain. After all, if you take the time to clean them properly you can score shoes for as low as $5. Yes, I have thrifted shoes that cheap! I won't guarantee that every time you step into a thrift store you will find items in your size, but that's how thrifting works. Its hit or miss most of the time. Want more tips for thrifting? Check out my thrift page.

 

 

 
 

That's all for today. Please stop by again soon.
Until next time friends.
-E

 

My First Post: Cheers to Reinvention!

 

 

E here, I am happy to announce that this is my first official blog post! I've been wanting to create a blog for quite some time now since one of my best friends Sara has her own life and style blog. Like me, she is quite the savvy thrifter and we have spent many days (countless hours) at Goodwill, Value Village, Buffalo Exchange,  estate sales, etc. searching for thrifted treasures. After all, that's what friends are for right?

 

 

Speaking of our thrifting adventures, both of us are appropriately wearing our fabulous finds from the 30th annual glitter sale that the local Seattle area Goodwill hosts. Every year in November, Goodwill sets aside designer clothing, shoes, handbags, and other accessories that are sparkly and glamorous for the event. The best thing about the event is that all the proceeds from the sale go to the job training and education programs so you won't think twice about leaving with several bags of designer items!

 

 

*All of the items I'm wearing are thrifted except for my sunglasses.

 

Thrifted items; Vest: K-I-K-I-T $13.99 (Goodwill,) denim shirt: Calson $1.29 (Goodwill,) skirt: Forever 21 $7.99 (Crossroads Trading Co,) boots: Emiko Kamishima $27 (Buffalo Exchange.) Non-thrifted items; sunglasses: Sperry $30 (Nordstrom Rack.)  

 

 

Sara is wearing the Juicy Couture loafers she got at the sale.

 

Below is the link to her blog the Blonde Squad, check it out if you have time.

theblondesquad.blogspot.com 

 

 

Tip: If you decide to check out the glitter sale next year I recommend going on Sunday because Saturday tends to be crazy. The sale lasts from 9AM-6PM, but you need to get in line early to get your number as it is your pass to get inside, as well as your jewelry counter number. My husband and I got there about 10 minutes before it opened and we were number 223/224!

 

This year I was on a mission to find fur jackets/vests (faux or real,) and handbags. I ended up scoring a faux fur vest $13.99, a leather and fur jacket $34.99, a Kate Spade purse $12.99, and a pair of silver BCBG loafers $5.99.
 

 
 

Well that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you come back and visit soon.
-E