Look, I have hair!

These are the most recent pictures I have, I took them yesterday. I was stunned to see my image with all that hair!! You might even think this was an intentional hair style. It's a little bit curly but it is too short to see. I am also amazed that my eyebrows are visible with out any extra makeup. You'd be amazed at what eyebrows do for your face; you don't realize until you lose them!

You can see from the following pictures that snow has arrived and the days are shorter, it is difficult to get photos after work.

I've pulled out the boots, hat and gloves.

Jacket: J.Crew
Pants: LOFT
Purse: Coach-Clothes Mentor
Hat: J.Crew-thrifted
Scarf: thrifted
Boots: Frye via Zappos
Gloves: Aris-thrifted

Many thanks to my readers for your continued love and support through prayers and well wishes. I had my post radiation CT and bone scans and the metastatic cancer is still present but, it has NOT spread. My doctors define it as "stable metastatic lesions". I take my blessings as they come and live one day at a time. I continue to receive monthly infusions and will indefinitely to keep the bone metastasis stable.

Commentary on Thrifting

I am behind in my blog posting and I have had many good outfits come and go without pictures. I like to take pictures of me actually wearing things; it seems more authentic than just posting a picture of the clothes or adding a polyvore set. So my lack of posting is linked to my lack of photos.

I've taken some time out for thrifting, consignment shop buying and resale store visiting. This activity has got me thinking "what is thrifting?" and how I present the goods I purchase. I don't frequent a lot of different stores but the common theme is that they contain second hand clothing. So, I wonder, how do we define a shop as a thrift shop? Does a consignment store or a resale shop fit into this definition? The online dictionary defines thrifty as: "wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality". At all of these stores I pay a fraction of retail (20% or less), so I would consider all of them "thrift shops" where I practice the art of buying fashionable items at a fraction of retail. If you want to call me out on my designation of an item as thrifted when it comes from a consignment or resale shop, go ahead, I'm ready to defend my position.

These are the local shops I frequent, they are located in the town I live or work or are within 10-20 miles:
          

The Key- a church run shop that takes clothing in on consignment and also sells donated clothes.

Worn Again-a church run shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it. (They also have a voucher program where people of need in the community can come and select items for free).

Salvation Army-a full selection thrift store that sells donated items.

Plato's Closet-a franchised resale store for young adults, in general they buy and resell brands that are popular for teens.

The Clothes Mentor- a franchised resale store for women, they buy used items that are up 24 months old.

EcoChic- a consignment store for women's clothing.

Sunshine shop-a church run shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it. 

Encore-a local shop that takes in donated clothing and resells it to donate money back to local symphonic and orchestral groups.

Sandy's Thrift Shop- a women's clothing shop filled with used clothing purchased elsewhere by the owner.


The only place I haven't purchased anything from is Sandy's, the prices are higher than I would pay for the type of merchandise she has selected. I can get those same items at the Salvation Army for a fraction of the price. I totally love that she set up a shop like that in the University town where I teach but, I seriously think she could use me as a consultant or buyer!

I'm really into the Clothes Mentor lately, I find great quality items in brand new condition so I don't mind paying $14 for a J.Crew skirt that retails for $108, or the same for a Tibi dress that retails at around $300.

Love this skirt! Stay tuned for my styling.

I also picked up for $10 a gorgeous Stella and Dot necklace (on left) that retailed for about $200.

I've been to Plato's closet once and came home with unworn black suede Coach wedges, a Longchamp bag and a pair of J.Crew leopard patent leather ballet flats! Not your typical teen brands so I will definitely go back!   

Coach Wedges-$30

Shopping at The Key, trying out a pair of lace shorts, I scored these for four dollars.  Wearing a pair of $1 J. Crew espadrilles purchased at Worn Again.

                                    

So there you have it:  where I get my clothes, what I pay and why I thrift!

Sweet Shorts

Thanks to all of my readers for your continuing kind words, thoughts and prayers as I move through the next phase of my breast cancer treatment. It has been six weeks since my final chemotherapy and I've started radiation therapy. I am doing seven weeks of external beam radiation on my left axial, breast region and sternum. It is an everyday treatment and I am 11 sessions in...a third of the way done! I'm busy but, I have taken outfit photos and I need to get back into the routine of posting my outfits. So here it goes...

I hesitantly thrifted this pair of lace shorts, I really loved them but was concerned about pulling them off at my age.

 I was pleasantly surprised with these pictures, I actually really like them.

And I think they look age appropriate on me with the simple styling and loose fit. What do you think? I know I'm not forever 21....

Shorts: Fovever 21-thrifted

Sweater: Gap-hand me down (thanks Annette!)

Sandals: Target

Blush

These blush colored jeans popped my way for $2 the last time I went thrifting (thanks for spotting them Emily) and I've worn them about three times in the past week!

Here I paired them with my go to shirt, the button up. And I really like the way they pair with this green fatigue jacket. 

Probably the best thrift of the outfit are these Sebago docksiders.  I've been patiently looking and waiting for a pair of "boat" or "deck" shoes for the past year or more and I finally found a pair that were the quality I wanted and are like new and my size!

Pants: Mossimo-thrifted
Shirt: Lands End
Jacket: thrifted
Shoes: Sebago-thrifted
Watch: Michael Kors

Much gratitude and thanks to you all for your love, comments, prayers and continued support. 

The Puff

I am loving my down puffy vests this winter, they look cool whether it is subzero or just in the 40's. I have quite a collection of them: light blue, black, red, white, and I have to restrain myself from buying anymore.


Here, I highlight my most recent, this green Lilly Pulitzer goose down vest: 

Pop the vest over anything, it works!

 A hat and some Hunter's

Good to go!

But, if you could believe it, I'm loving them even more post mastectomy!  What a great way to give your self a little extra fluff! With one of these on, no one can tell that I only have one boob! And for the two weeks plus I had drains and tubes coming out of me, it was a great way to hide even more.

Vest: Lilly Pulitzer-thrifted
Chambray: J.Crew
Jeans: American Eagle-thrifted
Boots: Hunter-Zappos
Hat: Handknit

Denim on Denim

Cropped pants are as hot as ever for spring and thrifting a pair of cropped boyfriend jeans last week gave me a reason to put some on!

 

The weather also warmed up to forty so I didn't feel so foolish wearing these outside!

The suede wedges anchored this look to still feel seasonally appropriate.

Yes, there is still plenty of snow on the ground but, I have to say, it was fun to break out of the boot habit!

Shirt: J.Crew
Jeans: American Eagle-thrifted
Shoes: Payless
Watch: Micheal Kors
Necklace: Target



(As always thanks for your continued readership and support through this difficult time. Connecting and writing here helps to keep my mind off the serious stuff!)

Preppy in a Pea Coat

In winter, where I live, most of the show in an outfit comes from your coat. Because of this I have quite a collection of different ones and I guess I justify it by the need to stay warm and getting great deals like this. I picked up this J.Crew pea coat a few months ago for five dollars. 

It has a more traditional styling and worked well on a day we had a little warm up to 35 degree weather, no need for the down filled puffy.

This coat was a nice addition to a casual outfit of jeans and leopard booties.

Coat: J.Crew-thrifted
Jeans: Paige Denim-local boutique-Isabella's 
Booties: Target

Linked up with Tara and Sharon for look what i got:

and Alisa for:

Sweater Coat

Winter is not going any where and my dressing is definitely reflecting the weather! Bundled up in layers except when I take these pictures for you.

This is my first sweater coat and a Christmas gift from my sister-in-law. Where I live, in the winter, you need a sweater and a coat, so this picture is sans coat to focus on the sweater.

 I wore these great pair of Ralph Lauren gloves I thrifted, they are a beautiful ox blood colored leather.

  And a pretty combination of old and new bracelets, the gold flower linked one is a vintage auction find from my friend Jennifer. She went to an auction a few years ago and bought a jewelry box full of vintage...and every time she visits she brings my daughter (and sometimes me) a treasure from that box! Shhhhhh, this one was for my daughter.

Sweater: Brooklyn Industries-Christmas gift

Jeans: J Brand-via TJ Maxx

Boots: J.Crew-(2008)

Bracelets: Gold wrap-New-Target, link-old-Auction, silver link-thrifted

Watch: Walmart

Gloves: Ralph Lauren-thrifted

Linked up today for Monday Mingle!

Good Bye 2012

Wow, this year went especially fast! Lots of great memories, hard work and time enjoyed with my girl. 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog over the year, I appreciate your support, friendship and comments. Looking forward to a great 2013!

Utility Jacket: Brooklyn Industries (gift from my sister-in-law) Jeans: Earnest Sewn-thrifted  Shoes: Target

 

Today, as well as most of the days in the last week, I have dressed very casually, mostly for the need to stay warm. This is just the outfit I wore all day and then added boots and a warm coat for a walk.

Coat: Michael Kors-thrifted

Boots: LL Bean

Hat: Hand made Gift from a friend (the dean of the university where I teach)

Why I thrift...an awesome orange skirt!

I thrifted this skirt and immediately knew how I was going to wear it. That's not always the case when thrifting, sometimes you pick up something that you otherwise would not have chosen, and then it takes a while to incorporate it into your wardrobe.

In this case the skirt does all the talking and the other things just accompany it.

Black cashmere, black tights, black boots.

Quality essentials that can elevate a $2 skirt. Not that it isn't in it's self quality, it is. Dense wool, fully lined and a flattering drape.

With this title for a post you may have expected more...I thrift because I find gems like this...a simple answer for a longer post I may someday write...

Skirt:  Banana Republic-thrifted
Sweater: J.Crew
Boots: Frye Durango's

Linked up for What I wore Wednesday on the The Pleated Poppy.

Purple Pants?

With the weather colder (see the snow on the deck) and darker, my photos have shifted indoors and my husband willingly took these shots for me.

However, I always feel slightly awkward or just silly having him take my picture to put on my "fashion blog".

So please forgive the weird poses and strange looks, they are just hiding my smirks and giggles.

What do you think of the purple pants? I haven't decided yet...

Sweater:American Apparel-thrifted
Jeans: Target
Belt: Target
Scarf: Bottega Veneta-thrifted
Booties: Sam and Libby

I can't stop wearing these boots!

For me, Hunter wellies bridge the gap between function and style perfectly.

But, I've been wearing them longer than it has been fashionable to have a pair in your closet. I just love now when I need to put on boots to go study a stream or get through some mucky field, I look so stylish.

And, I can promise, I will still be wearing them when it is no longer so hip!

Sweater: Banana Republic (old)

Shirt: Eddie Bauer-thrifted

Jeans: For all Mankind Straight leg (old)

Boots: Hunters via Zappos

Scarf: NY&Co-thrifted

Utility

This jacket caught my eye immediately, I liked the pockets, the belt and the fall appropriate weight.

I've worn it a lot lately and got these pictures of it featured in a casual look. 

My favorite part of this outfit were the layered denim and blue checked shirts,

 and the beautiful vintage blue necklace.

Cords: J.Crew

Denim Shirt: Old Navy-thrifted

Shirt: Mossimo-Target

Jacket: H&M-thrifted

Necklace: Vintage-thrifted

Dots on Dots

 I wore more polka dots, what a surprise!

 This outfit came about by accident; I was in a mad panic to pull something together out of my closet. It went something like this: one skirt, then off, another skirt on, now off again, different skirt, same shirt and bam! Now we have it a purple polka dotted shirt with a pencil skirt with purple and black dots. And, I liked the way it looks!

It was probably a bit much for those non-pattern mixing folks out there but, it worked perfectly for me!

I even added a dot themed bracelet!

Skirt: J.Crew

Shirt: Gap-thrifted

Shoes: Sofft

Bracelet: Inspiranza Designs

Watch/bracelet: gift

Crew-ish

I picked up this vintage, ochre printed skirt at the salvation army and was instantly reminded of a line I read in the J.Crew style guide (A.K.A. catalog). "Our designer found this gorgeous vintage print at a thrift store and we recreated it here for you..."

So, I could go on and wax poetically about the print and how it spoke to me but, instead I'll just say I love this skirt and I can't believe I was lucky enough to find it and that it fits like it was made for me!

I paired it with a silk shirt and sash but, added booties to give it some edge. 

Shirt: J.Crew Blythe blouse

Skirt: Vintage thrifted (handmade)

Sash: Casual Corner (old)

Shoes: Aerosoles

I love this skirt so I linked up with Loving Lately