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

Viva Las Vegas - Day Four: Casual Chic [Pt. 1]

 

E here, this is the final segment of my Vegas vacation fashion series. For today's look, I aimed for a casual chic feel. All it takes is a few key pieces to give an outfit that extra oomph. Here, I added a colorful statement necklace to bring out the bright colors of the floral top. I love to experiment with different types of prints in my wardrobe, but my favorite type of print to wear is floral. What I love about floral print is that it looks good with just about anything, and is flattering on virtually any body type. Depending on how adventurous you're feeling, you can pick more bold and colorful prints like the one that I'm wearing here.

 

 

To balance out the bold hues of the print, I paired it with a lighter toned pleather skirt. The texture of the pleather skirt goes well with the floral print of the tank. When mixing prints and textures you don't want to overdue it and put pieces together that might clash. I prefer to keep it simple, and stick to a more classic look. 

 

 

Thrifted items; floral tank: Forever 21 $3.99 (Goodwill,) belt: $3.99 (Value Village.)

Non-thrifted items; skirt: Joe B $10 (Fred Meyer,) loafers: Pink & Pepper $15 (Fred Meyer,) necklace: $7.99 (Fred Meyer,) cardigan:$10 (Nordstrom Rack.)

 

 

-Zara Finds-
[Blouse: $35, bracelet: $16]

 

Speaking of classic style, for my final shopping venture at the Fashion Show mall, I went to Zara with a mission in mind to snag some basic staples. What's great about these items is that they are timeless pieces, and will make great additions to my wardrobe. I wear the bracelet with just about everything now! It has quickly become one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. As for the blouse, its chic and cutting edge at the same time. The print has a timeless feel to it, but as the same time, the cut and fabric of the blouse itself is very modern and sleek.



[The runway at the Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas]

My shopping tips:
1.)  Shop with key items in mind; shopping can be overwhelming so I like to go with key items in mind. Rather than mindlessly shopping, I try to stay on mission so that I don't end up overspending and having buyer's remorse later. By sticking to a plan and shopping for specific items you will end up only adding items that you need to your wardrobe.
2.) Shop with the long-term in mind; as I've mentioned previously, when choosing clothing or shoes it's essential to pick items that you will get maximum use value out of. For me, price is not a key factor. [After all, half of my wardrobe was thrifted!] Rather, the important component is whether or not you will get a return on your investment in the long-term.
3.) Make decisions based on your own personal taste, not on trends; it can be easy to get caught up on the latest trends, but the question that should be lingering in the back of your mind is whether or not that trend truly suits you? [Let's be honest, crop tops and patterned leggings are not for everyone.] When the dust settles and a trend goes out of style, are you going to end up a fashion victim?

These are all important factors to keep in mind when going shopping, especially when on vacation. Stay tuned for the final photos of my evening outfits from my Vegas adventure.  
-E

 

Viva Las Vegas - Day Two: Shopping Spree

  

 

E here, I'm moving onto day two of the vacation fashion series from my Vegas trip. As I mentioned in my last post, it's essential to only pack items that you will get maximum use value out of. Take this outfit for instance, the loafers that I'm wearing are comfortable for long days of walking. Furthermore, they are quite stylish and can be worn with jeans and a tank, or with a dress like I'm wearing here. After all, the lighter your suitcase is, the more new clothes and shoes you can buy! [There is nothing wrong with splurging on vacation.]

 

 

Thrifted items: dress: Betsey Johnson $7.99 (Goodwill,) cardigan: Banana Republic $7.99 (Goodwill,) purse: $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; loafers: Pink & Pepper $15 (Fred Meyer.)

 

 

As I said, there is nothing wrong with splurging a little on vacation, especially when in Vegas! [Wink, wink.] I have to say, I was pretty excited to embark on a shopping spree because of all the great shopping centers located within a two mile radius on the strip. It seems like every casino that you go into has its own mini mall. I was especially excited because there are a lot of stores in Vegas that we don't have here. Which store was I most excited for? It was a close tie between Topshop and Zara. We just had a grand opening for a Zara store here in Seattle, but I haven't had a chance to make it over there yet. Topshop has become pretty popular on this side of the pond recently.

 

 

When it comes to shopping, I always try to find the best deals for my money. I'll be honest, whether I'm shopping at a thrift store or at the mall, I always opt for the salesclearance racks. I wouldn't call myself "cheap" (I prefer thriftnista,) it's just that sale prices are more appealing to me. Besides, I always find the most unique and interesting pieces on the sale rack.

 

Take this dress for example, it was originally $52 and I only paid $30 for it. The necklace was originally $30 and I got it for $15. Voila, the perfect outfit for a night out on the town. Not bad for Topshop right? 

As for the purse, it was a pretty good deal considering how much quality leather purses go for these days. Personally, Dooney and Bourke is one of my favorite brands. I love the classic, retro feel of their purses. I always feel like I get my money's worth with their products because they last forever. Stay tuned for more photos and trip details. Until next time.

-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



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

Final Thrift Haul of 2013!

 

 

 

Pictured from right; purple cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99, booties: Sam Edelman $19.99, jacket: Calvin Klein $24.97, shoes: Merona $5.99, print blouse: $7.99.

 

E here, before we ring in the new year I had to do one last thrift haul. I know its long overdue, so its only fitting that I do it before the new year! All of the items in this haul I acquired from two different trips to Goodwill. As I have mentioned in previous thrift posts, shopping at Goodwill is hit or miss, but I have found that it is simply a matter of diligence. If you have the patience to take the time to look through racks and bins you can find great deals. For instance, some of the items that I found on this haul I merely spotted last minute. The Sam Edelman boots pictured below were sitting in a bin full of shoes as my friend and I were leaving the dressing room when they caught my eye. So you see, it is simply a matter of keeping your eyes peeled!

 

 

 

When it comes to shopping for shoes at thrift stores it is important to inspect them for any noticeable wear, damage, or flaws before buying them. The reason that I emphasize this is because some thrift stores have a strict "all sales are final policy." This is also typical of flea markets, estate sales, and garage sales where returning items is obviously impossible. I have never had any problems with shoes that I've purchased from sales or thrift stores, I simply say it out of caution.

 

 

 

What I love about these booties is that they are so versatile and look great with just about any outfit. Much to my husband's discord my boot collection continues to grow! I have never been a tennis shoe kind of girl, I have always preferred boots, flats, sandals, heels, etc. Personally, I find boots and flats to be far more comfortable and ascetically pleasing. Not to mention the fact that boots give me a bit of a lift! When you are shorter like myself, a heeled boot can give you a little extra height.

 

 

You may recognize this jacket as I have worn it several times already. A girl can never have enough jackets! The one below was a real gem to find as its vintage!

 

 

Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99, fur coat: Frederick & Nelson jacket: $12.99.

 

Well that's all I have for now, check back soon for thrifting tips and styling advice. Happy thrifting!

-E

Merry Blogmas!

 

 

Merry Blogmas!

E here, I hope that you have been enjoying the holidays as much as I have. Its been a busy couple of weeks for me, but it has all been worth it. Working in retail, I know better than anyone how easy it is to get caught up in the pre-holiday madness. I know that I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I plan to make up for all the lost time. Now that the craziest time of the year in retail is over you can expect to see more of me!

 

 

I was feeling very spirited today so I decided to pair bold red tights and stripes for the ultimate festive look. I don't typically wear red lipstick unless its a special occasion, so today was just the right day for it. When wearing such bold lipstick you don't want to overdo it, so I went for a more natural look. Per my husband's suggestion, I wore my hair in a side braid with a sparkly headband for extra glitz. This time of year its really fun to dress up and add sparkly accessories for a fun, glam look. If sparkle is just not your thing, you can always add chunky statement jewelry or hair accessories for extra oomph.

 

 

Thrifted items; striped tank: Cyrus $4.99 (Goodwill,) black heels: Unlisted $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jacket: Self Esteem $15 (Fred Meyer,) skirt: Joe B $10 (Fred Meyer,) red tights: Legale $4.00 (Fred Meyer,) bow ring: Curfew $5 (Fred Meyer.) My lipstick, "Jet Set red."

 

 

As I've mentioned before in previous posts, color really adds extra pizazz to an outfit. I don't personally own a lot of red clothes besides my beloved trench coat, but I wanted to be festive today. Colored tights are a fun and great way to add a pop of color to any outfit. Lately I've noticed a lot of women wearing mustard colored tights, but unfortunately that color washes me out. My advice - if your planning on trying colored tights, pick a color that compliments your skin tone/complexion and  hair color. Take me for instance, I have dark hair, so bright hues tend to look the best on me because they contrast with my hair. If you have lighter colored hair, cool colors will look great against your hair.

 

 

That's all for now. I hope you had a great Christmas with your friends and family. Eat, drink, and be merry! See you next time!

-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

What I Thrifted: Loading Up On the Basics

 

Whenever I go thrifting I always try to pick pieces that are unique and will build to my existing wardrobe. The whole point of thrifting is to look for great deals on clothes, shoes, and accessories that would otherwise be expensive. When thrifting it's important to keep in mind that you pick items that compliment what you already own. You will notice that I use the term "compliment" quite often on this blog. The reason that I emphasize choosing items that are "complimentary" is because you want to buy things that you will get maximum use value out of. For instance, you will notice that all of the items pictured here are tanks. Tanks serve as a great base for layering in any outfit which is why I was tried to look for a good selection of different styles.

Price Breakdown:  Goodwill

1. *Limited ruffle tank: $7.99 - $4.00

2. Forever 21 floral tank: $3.99

3. *Calvin Klein tank: $4.99 - $2.50

4. Cyrus black and white tank: $4.99

*All of the starred items were colored tags that were on sale for 50% off that day. As I mentioned in a previous post, you should always try to find the color tag item that's on sale that day because you will save a few extra bucks.

 

On this shopping trip I determined that I was only going to look for tanks because I needed them to build up my wardrobe for layering with jeans and skirts. When shopping for tanks to layer under other items, you want to look for styles and fits that will go with a wide array of clothes. Personally, I look for patterns and textures that are interesting and would look good with a cardigan or trench coat. In my previous post you'll notice that I'm wearing the ruffle Limited tank pictured above with a polka dot trench coat. In sum, once you have some good pieces to build a foundation for layering upon, feel free to mix patterns and textures and see what looks good on you. The thing that I love most about my thrifted wardrobe is the freedom to experiment with different styles.

These two basic staples will be a great addition to my wardrobe because floral and stripes go with practically anything. The floral top will look cute with shorts and skirts in the spring and summer, and will serve as a good base for layering the rest of the year. The stripe piece is a gem because it's classy and retro looking. You can't go wrong with black and white, and the shoulder bow really tops off the retro chic look. Well that's all for now. If you want to hear more style tips and see what I thrifted this week check back soon. Happy thrifting!

-E