Thrift Finds: Retro Charm

E here, I picked up this adorable little number for just $7.99 at Goodwill the other day. Funny story; my husband came in and asked "where did that come from?" I replied that "I just bought it at Goodwill today. Isn't it darling?" Of course my husband, (being the man that he is,) remarked that it looks like something that you would see someone in Florida wearing." I didn't know if I should take this as a compliment, or as a playful jab. That's the thing though, fashion is a means of personal expression and others might not always get it. After all, you know how guys are! Mine isn't exactly the most stylish. [Sorry honey but it's true!]

What I love about this dress is the retro charm. There's something about the whimsical tropical print that just caught my eye. It immediately stood out to me on the rack. For me, thrifting is like treasure hunting. I look for things that are unique, and that stand out. 

Take this dress for example, I absolutely love the detailed print. Its fun yet flirty, making it the perfect summer dress. That's the beauty of thrifting, you never know what great pieces you might stumble upon. 

Doesn't the purse go with the dress just perfectly? That was my first thought as soon as I saw it. In true blogger form, I was already planning outfits in my head!

I normally don't go for small bags, but its always good to have a purse in every shape and size for any occasion. This one will be perfect for travel and those days when I just don't feel like lugging a big, heavy bag around.  [I feel like this is a problem that all stylish females struggle with! style versus practicality.....size versus versatility, etc.]

That's the beauty of thrift shopping, you can walk away with several purses (designer even) for relatively cheap. I've built up quite a collection of wallets, clutches, and purses over the years from great brands such as Coach, Betsey Johnson, Dooney and Bourke, Kate Spade, just to name a few. Well that's all the time we have for today. Happy thrifting!

-E

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

Thrift Haul: Goodwill

 

E here, I thought that it would be fun to do a thrift haul since I talk a lot about the great deals that I find at Goodwill. Along with my blogger bestie Sara, we spent an entire afternoon tackling one rack at a time with one of our good friends who is also an avid thrifter. Between the three of us, we managed to fill one shopping cart. It was a good trip for all of us! Without any further adieu, here is the second half of the thrift haul, (Sara posted the first half on her blog.) I've attached the link to her blog at the end of this post.

 

My Tips:

1.) Avoid the "fashion focus" section because it tends to be overpriced. You can still find great designer/brand name labels in the rest of the store.
2.) Find out what the color tag special for the day is, (or the manager's special,) because you can get a better deal on those items than others. [i.e. pink tags for 50%, or green tags for a $1.29 on Monday's.] 3.) Grab everything that catches your eye because you can always make your final selections later. There's no guarantee that if you don't grab an item, you can find it later! Trust me, I've passed on an item and regretted it later.
4.) Finally, avoid lines at the fitting room by trying on what you can in front of a mirror. This means dressing appropriately (wear a tank/shirt so that you can slip on other clothes, jeans/pants, and shoes that are easy to take on and off.)

 

Pictured from the back left; green blouse: Mossimo $4.99, black peplum: Philip Lim $4.99, sequin dot blouse: Merona $5.99, pink sleeveless blouse: Xhiliration $3.99, tye-dye tank: Soprano $4.99, print tee: With A Tourist $3.99, Sam Edelman flats $3.99 (the only item from Value Village).

I really scored on these flats. This is the third pair of Sam Edelman's that I've thrifted! Talk about good luck!

 

 

I love all the details on this tank from the rhinestones and pearls, right down to the flower. Typically I don't go for pink, but every girl loves a little sparkle right? Its definitely one of the more feminine and flirty items that I picked up on this trip.

 

 

What's great about this blouse is the dimension. As I mentioned in the haul, this is another brand new Target brand item. All in all, I walked away with four brand new Target tops. Not bad! Well thanks for stopping by, if you'd like to hear about the haul from Sara's perspective and see what great items she got, here is the link to her blog The Blonde Squad. Remember the first half of the haul video is on her page if you want to see it from the beginning.

-E



Saturday Date: This Little Piggy Went To The Market [Pt. 2]

 

 

 

E here, for part deux of my Saturday date my husband and I spent the afternoon walking around Pike Place Market. The great thing about the waterfront is its proximity to the central downtown area. Everything is located within a leisurely walking distance, so it only took about 10 minutes to climb the stairs up the hill to the market.

Before I discuss the top things to see, I just wanted to give you a quick little blurb about the history of the market. Pike Place opened in 1907, and is the oldest farmer's market still in operation in the U.S. The market remains open year-round and attracts thousands of visitors from around the globe.

 

 

The Pike Place sign is one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks of Seattle.

 

 It gets pretty crowded this time of year as the tourist season kicks into full gear, so I recommend going on a weekday if you can.
 

Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions is the infamous Market Theater gum wall in Post Alley. Its definitely a novelty if anything. If you're wondering, the gum is several inches thick. Talk about gross! To get to the wall, simply follow the alleyway (in the photo above this one) around to the left. Don't forget to bring a pack of gum!



The gum wall also marks the start of the market ghost tour if you're interested. I've actually been on it myself and its pretty fun, especially if you enjoy hearing about some local history. I can't say that I saw any ghosts though! But I won't lie, there's something eerie about walking through the market when its dark and deserted.

I took this picture because it's a very iconic image in Pike Place. Here in the northwest we are known worldwide for our famous salmon, as well as other local seafood such as crab and shellfish.

 

Another popular tourist hotspot is the Pike Place Fish company made famous for its fish throwing spectacle.When I say that its a spectacle I'm not exaggerating. Every time someone makes an order, the "fish mongers" as they're called, toss the fish around to each other until it eventually makes its way down to the customer. If you're in the mood for a free show be sure to check it out.

Mouthwatering isn't it? Definitely a perk of living in the pacific northwest!



Moving on, down on the lower levels there are a lot of great shops and other fun things to see such as the "giant shoe museum."





I love this part of the market because it feels like you're going back in time. The shoe museum is reminiscent of the old travelling sideshow circuses.

 

The Pike Place Magic Shop has been around forever. It's a fun place to poke around if you can spare the time. Like most magic shops, they offer the typical novelty gag gifts and magic tricks for kids. If you like this sort of thing, not too far from the aquarium, down on the waterfront is the Ye Old Curiosity Shop.
 

 

Now moving along, located down on 1st and Pike is the original flagship Starbucks for all of you coffee connoisseurs. This is actually the second original location, however it is still the oldest Starbucks in the world. Another place I recommend checking out is Beecher's Handmade Cheese. The cheese curds are to die for! The macaroni isn't bad either. In fact, the macaroni and cheese is so good that Oprah dubbed it one of her "favorite things." Beecher's is just down the street from Starbucks so you can't miss it.

 

I always enjoy watching street performers in their element, especially the statue people! Its amazing to me that anyone could make a living doing such a thing! 

Our journey ends here with one of the many pigs that you will see throughout the market. Unfortunately it was so crowded that I was unable to get a picture of the original piggy Rachel. To find her, just walk towards the main sign at the gateway of the market and look for the bronze piggy in front of the Pike Place Fish Company. Well that's all for today, I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Check back soon for the details of my first ever thrift haul video with my best friend and fellow blogger Sara from the Blonde Squad. 
-E

Saturday Date: Finding Nemo [Pt. 1]

 

 

E here, I was fortunate enough to score a rare weekend day off with my husband, and what better way to spend our time together than to take a trip to the aquarium. I enjoy going down to the waterfront this time of year because the weather is nice. I don't get to go to downtown too often, so I was excited to take in all the sights. There are so many great attractions to enjoy on the waterfront: the Aquarium, the ferris wheel, and of course Pike Place Market. 

Behind me is the Seattle Great Wheel. We didn't go on it today, but we went on it last year when it first opened. It offers breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and downtown Seattle. I highly recommend it if you aren't afraid of heights! The gondolas are large and can hold several people, and are also climate controlled which makes for a more enjoyable experience.

 

A lot of the animals were out in full force today soaking up the sunshine and just generally hamming it up for the tourists! My favorite exhibit? It's so hard to choose, but I'd have to say that the new harbor seal exhibit was definitely in my top three. 

 

They are just so darn cute! Not to mention they are really entertaining to watch! I love the way that they zoom around the pool as if they're putting on a show, or how they bob up and down like a buoy. 

Another exhibit in my top three is the octopus tank. What I love about the octopus tank is that it is designed in such a way that allows you to get really close and observe it. I learned something new about octopuses today. Apparently an octopus has the ability to remember a face! I already knew that octopuses were intelligent creatures, but I didn't know that about them. Pretty remarkable right?

 

My final top three exhibit is the underwater dome. The underwater dome is one of my favorite parts of the aquarium because it's as if you're actually in the ocean observing all the fish. A lot of aquariums offer similar exhibits that you can walk through, but what's spectacular about this one is that the aquarium is built on the pier right above the ocean so you get the feeling that you're truly in it! Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of the big glass windows that make up the dome because it was so crowded, but the picture above is a shot of the top of the dome. What's cool about this picture is that the scuba diver on the other side of the glass was talking to us about how cold the water was, and all the fish that he was swimming with. Talk about a fun and interactive exhibit!

The title of this post is finding Nemo, so I thought it would be be appropriate to end with the famous clownfish. I have to say that the clownfish is just as cute in real life as the titular character in the Disney Pixar movie. It's really funny to see the reaction that kids get when they see the clownfish and go look it's Nemo! Their faces truly light up with excitement it's so adorable!

 

Thrifted items; trench: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading Co,) jeans: American Eagle $5.99 (Goodwill,) booties: Emiko Kamishima $27 (Buffalo Exchange.) Non-thrifted items; tank top: Love by Design $5 (Fred Meyer,) sunglasses: Sperry Top Sider $25 (Nordstrom Rack,) Octopus necklace: $10 Fuego.

 

The great thing about these booties is that they are very versatile and go with just about anything. Plus they make really comfortable walking shoes.

 

Going to the aquarium gave me the perfect excuse to wear my octopus necklace. It's a really unique piece and I don't often have an occasion to wear it. I love collecting unique, one of a kind pieces for my wardrobe. I picked up this particular piece at Fuego. Well that's all for this edition. Check back tomorrow for part deux of my Saturday date where I'll discuss the market, and give you some recommendations on the best places to eat.

Happy Saturday!

-E 

Railroad Crossing: The Basics Of Casual Chic

 

 

E here, in today's edition I will give you my personal tips for successfully creating a "casual chic" look. [Scroll down for the details.] I hope that you're enjoying the beautiful spring weather. With the weather beginning to transition from heavy rain to sunshine, I might be able to retire the rain boots and heavier jackets for a while! It may be sunny but it's still quite chilly outside, so I bundled up in lighter layers for a casual chic look. The great thing about the shift from winter to spring weather is that you can just throw on a cardigan or blazer when leaving the house.

 

 

[My personal take on casual chic; neutrals with a pop of color, ripped jeans to make the outfit more cutting edge, heeled booties, and simple, understated jewelry to polish off the look.]

 

The basics of casual chic:

1.) Pick a piece to use as the foundation for the outfit, (an anchor if you will - that will tie the whole look together.)

2.) Choose a base color to serve as the focal point. (I picked navy for this outfit.) 

3.) Pick items that will go well together and compliment the colors and styles of the other pieces (this is key when creating a layered look.)

4.) Utilize style staples like a great blazer, or your favorite pair of heels.

 

 

 

In order to take an outfit from casual to chic, try combining these tips and don't be afraid to experiment a little. Pick a bright pop of color to enhance the overall feel of the look, and if you're feeling extra playful you can even spice up the outfit with some heels. In sum, stick with the basics, (i.e. - keep it simple,) you can build around the rest of the outfit with key accessories such as jewelry or scarves.
 

 

What I love about blazers is the fact that you can either dress up/or down any outfit according to the look that you are trying to go for. Depending on the sort of blazer that you pick, (color, cut, fit) you can create a style statement that says casual yet chic, or fun and flirty, or perhaps even cutting edge. Blazers provide a quick and easy way to add extra flair to any outfit. Here, the blazer not only adds warmth to my layered look, but also takes this "casual" outfit up a notch to that of a more polished "casual chic" look. The rich hue of the navy draws the eye; adding a pop of color to the overall look, ands contrasts nicely with the lighter wash of the jeans. Personally I don't think ripped jeans will ever go out of style, it just depends on the wash and fit of the jeans.



[This outfit is 100% thrifted! :-)]

Thrifted items; blazer: H&M $9.99 (Crossroads Trading Co,) sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $10, (Goodwill,) *jeans: Vigoss $10 - $5 (Crossroads Trading Co,) *booties: American Eagle $12.99 - $1.29 (Goodwill.)



Well that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed this edition. Remember, don't be afraid to experiment and reinvent your wardrobe (or style for that matter!) Stop by the blog again soon for more style tips. See you next time!
-E