Modern Day Retro Flair

E here, I don't know about you, but I've been spending a lot of time outside lately. The weather has been so beautiful that I decided to throw on a floppy hat and a darling sundress that I picked up at Goodwill recently. I wanted to wear something fun and flirty now that dress season is finally here.

What drew me to the dress was the retro charm. Its such a fun, lively print with its bold colors and retro inspired print.

 I feel as though I'm channeling Lana del Ray! 

Lana del Ray is one of my celebrity style icons. I love how she invokes retro glamour, but is still very cutting edge. Like Lana, I have an appreciation for vintage inspired glamour, red lipstick, and floppy hats!

Thrifted items; dress: Webster Miami for Target $7.99 (Goodwill,) cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill,) purse: Etienne Aigner $6.99 (Goodwill,) flats: Sam Edelman $3.99 (Value Village.) Non-thrifted items; gold bracelet: Zara $16, sunglasses: Sperry Top Sider $30 (Nordstrom Rack,) hat: $9.99 (Fred Meyer,) necklace: Curfew: 5.99 (Fred Meyer.)

I absolutely love these Sam Edelman flats. I picked them up for the unbelievable low price of just $3.99 at Value Village! Talk about chic for cheap! They look good with just about everything from jeans to a dress like this. Style tip: pointy flats look good with everything, and instantly add a touch of chic to any ensemble. 

Nothing like a good book to read on a sunny day! If you like fashion and have an appreciation for people's eclectic collections and flea market treasures, then this is the book for you. Todd Selby is an amazing photographer and blogger who takes you inside the home of some of the world's most interesting people.

Gasworks Park is easily one of my favorite parks in the whole city because of the 360 degree panoramic views. No matter where you are in the park you will get a great view, and there is undoubtedly always something to see.

Gasworks is a beautiful place to view the Seattle skyline.

It's also a fun place to watch boats on Lake Union. In fact, every Tuesday there is a weekly regatta (boat race) which is quite the sight if you've never seen one before. 

If you like kite flying, then check out kite hill where you'll get a great view of the whole park and one of the best 360 degree views of the city. Well, adieu for now my friends, but please stop by again soon. I hope that you too find your own ray of sunshine when thrift shopping. Remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks. Happy Thursday! 

-E

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



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

 

Lions, Tigers, & Bears Oh My!

 

 

 

E here, like most Seattleites I took advantage of today's gorgeous spring weather. Since it was such a beautiful day I decided to go to the zoo with friends. For today's outfit I shed some layers and went for a casual comfortable look with playful animal accessories.

 

 

Thrifted items; sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill,) purse: $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; fedora: Wet Seal $9.99, tank: Ana $5.97 (JCPenny's,) jeans: Levis $25 (Macy's,) boots: Pink & Pepper $30 (Fred Meyer,) *sunglasses: Ray Bans [gifted.]

 

 

For today, I thought that it was only fitting that I wear animal jewelry! I don't know about you, but I have a lot of jewelry that I've collected over the years from thrift stores, estate sales, clearance racks, or that I've simply inherited from others. I will admit that sometimes I am guilty of buying into the latest trend/fad, [haven't we all at some point in our lives?] but when it comes to jewelry its different.

  Personally, I prefer more unique eclectic pieces that have character, and say something about your personality and style. I found the jaguar necklace at an estate sale and nabbed it with a couple of other great pieces for about $10 total. As for the two finger snake ring, I picked it up at Fuego[perhaps my favorite store at the mall] for pretty cheap.

 

 

 

 Speaking of stores at the mall, I picked up this stylish fedora at Wet Seal for $9.99. I don't really shop at the mall much these days, but when I do I have a knack for finding great deals. Whether I'm shopping at the mall, or thrifting, I get great pleasure out of finding a good deal!

 

 

As for the boots, I thought they would be perfect for this outfit because they have sort of a rugged, safari vibe to them. I guess you could say that this is my version of the traditional "safari outfit [everything minus the khaki's.] Well enough about me, scroll down to see some of my favorite shots from today. Lucky for me, it was such a beautiful day that I was able to snap some very picturesque shots of the animals soaking up the sun.

 

 

Even the bear was sunning himself! With this kind of weather can you blame him?

 

 

Elephants are such beautiful and majestic animals, not to mention they are incredibly smart.

 

 

A real life hungry hippo! [Sorry but I just couldn't help it!]

 

 

Isn't it just exquisite?  Peacocks are so beautiful and mesmerizing. They almost seem unreal because they're so colorful.

 

 

 

Personally, the penguin exhibit is one of my favorites. Who doesn't love cute little penguins?!

 

 

 

One of the highlights of the day was this great Kodak moment. My friend snapped this picture right as the penguin happened to look up. Talk about good timing! Well I hope you enjoyed all of today's pictures. See you next time!

-E

 

Collegiate Issue: Color Me Spring

 

 

E here, I don't know about you but I'm excited for spring. Now that the weather is warming up, there are so many fun, playful ensemble combinations that you can put together. Today's shots were taken in "the Quad" at the beautiful University of Washington campus where I attended college. The Quad is an especially popular place to take photos this time of year because of the famous Sakura blossoms that bloom every spring.

 

 

 

I was feeling extra preppy today so I pulled my tweed jacket out of the closet. I think that tweed is a classic style staple for any fashionista. What I love about tweed is that it is so timeless, and effortlessly chic. If paired with the right pieces, it can look very modern and even cutting edge.

 

 

 For instance, the pleather detailing and the cross body zipper put a twist on the classic tweed archetype. I picked up this lovely Gap jacket at Crossroads Trading Co. during a trade. That's what I love about thrifting/consigning, you never know what sort of hidden gems you might discover!

 

Thrifted items; tweed jacket: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading Co,) grey skirt: JCrew $5.99 (Goodwill,) boots: Deena & Ozzy $7.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; sunglasses: Sperry Top Sider $30 (Nordstrom Rack,) monogram necklace: $4.97 (Nordstrom Rack.) *Polka dot blouse: gifted.

 

Yes, I went for a preppy school girl inspired look! Rather ironically, I did attend private Catholic school from 5th-12th grade, but I never had to wear a uniform! Perhaps that's why I've always had an inclination to create my own version of the look. While the centerpiece of this look was the tweed jacket, I thought that mixing it with the flirty polka dot print would make the outfit seem more fun and youthful. To polish off the look, I paired black tights and heeled lace up boots with charming accessories to add a more grown up, sexy flair to the outfit. That's it for today's edition.

-E