A little party

It all started with me trying to get tickets for my husband to see his favorite band. The Marshall Tucker Band in November 2013. 

The story at Syracuse.com MTB

Doug Gray and Marcus James Henderson of the Marshall Tucker band.

Now they are coming back to celebrate with me...how amazing!

From a while back

So, I've been very absent from posting on my blog page. I miss it! You know, just life. Prioritizing and focusing. Here is an outfit from a while back.

Nothing out of the ordinary, statement necklaces, stripes, leopard, navy and boots. Just a few of my recent obsessions!

I found this like new Coach Station bag a few months ago at my local Clothes Mentor and just love that it is a USA made Coach and one of the legacy bags they have reintroduced. At $45 I thought it was a good investment.

Shirt: J.Crew-thrifted, Clothes Mentor
Pants: J.Crew
Necklace: Target 
Boots: Frye via Zappos
Watch: Michael Kors
Bag: Coach-thrifted, Clothes Mentor

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!

This bag!

If you are wondering why I would post these outfit pictures looking pretty rumpled and crumpled...

There is a reason....even though I do like these clothes...

This outfit post was brought to you to highlight this like new bag I bought from a resale store* for $30. 

The Longchamp Le Pilage bag, navy with leather accents. In the store I did a quick over view of the bag and was pretty confident it was authentic before laying down my money. Personally and ethically I have a problem with counterfeit goods, to me it is plagiarism and fraud and I wouldn't want to support either.  Once I got home I went online and found a website that had a very comprehensive detailing of fake vs. authentic and everything was perfect. I think I have a good eye and can spot quality and workmanship whether I know the brand or not; this bag had all the hallmarks of quality.

Shirt: J.Crew-fall 2012
Pants: Joe's-thrifted
Leopard belt: Target
Bag: Longchamp-thrifted*

*I have been having an internal dialogue of whether or not something is thrifted if you buy it second hand at a used clothing resale store...more thoughts on that would warrant a full post.

Peplum and Stripes

I finally thrifted a top to join all of blog land on the peplum trend.

This is the outfit I wore to be interviewed for a story on young women, binge drinking and breast cancer.

If you want to check out the story, click here 

Shirt: Ann Taylor-thrifted

Skirt: Wolford- thrifted

Shoes:  bamboo-thrifted

Mellow yellow

Poor quality ipad shots here, sorry!

This is an outfit I wore to get my monthly infusion of bisphosphonates for improving bone strength due to the metastasis of the cancer.

 I want to mostly remark that in this outfit I felt really put together and classy, if I can use that word...

And I really have to thank my best friend Annette for passing on to me a bunch of awesome clothes, I love wearing all of them!!

Lucky and blessed to have such nice hand-me-downs!

Sweater: Loft-hand me down
T shirt: Loft-hand me down
Skirt: Gap-hand me down
Shoes: Loft-gift

Boyfriend Jeans?

These are not really my boyfriends jeans, I don't think I could have ever pulled off that look for real. I do remember in the late 80's cutting down the legs of my brother's Levi's and wearing them rolled and bunched up with a belt (FYI-my brothers hated me stealing their clothes). 

 
 I paired these with a sequined vest, silver heels and a fedora!

As well as a necklace I crafted from a few pieces of rummaged jewelry supplies.

I like this look edgy and not too literal. For me, I succeeded, I don't look like my boyfriend! Or my brother?

Jeans: Gap Boyfriend skinny-thrifted

Vest: twenty one-thrifted

T-shirt: J.Crew

Heels: BCBG

Belt: thrifted

Hat: gift from a friend

Necklace: DIY

Minty

I quickly threw this outfit on one morning last week to take my daughter to school. After I looked at it more closely I really liked the way it came together!

The mint cords kept me warm during this non-spring weather we are having but also keep everything looking fresh. I took pictures first with my Hunter's as I originally wore it and then took a shot in the house with my nude heels, more refined!

I picked up these pretty earrings from Target and they added a nice bit of sparkle.

My hair has since fallen out and I will post any old photos I have to keep up with the blog...and then you'll see me sporting hats and scarves and wraps, I just need to figure out how to make them look right and make the most of it! Thanks to everyone for all of your continued support, prayers and encouragement. 

Cords: Joe's Jeans-via TJ Maxx
Denim Jacket: Old Navy-thrifted
Shirt: L.L.Bean-thrifted
Scarf: Old
Earrings: Target
Boots: Hunter's via Zappos
Leather Tote: Coach-old (2003)

Rock in' the ROC

Today is my second cycle of chemotherapy at the Regional Oncology Center (ROC). My husband took these photos while I was waiting to see my oncologist.


Thanks to all of you for your prayers and continued support as I battle this disease. You all put a smile on my face with your love and words of encouragement.


I've been fighting nausea and fatigue as well as a cough and cold since my first infusion two weeks ago. I hope that explains my absence...I actually feel good today so I think it is important to highlight these moments!

The good, the plaid, the ugly

I'm sure many of you have seen a current trend and thought, "I could thrift that"! I have that thought often, even though it doesn't always turn out as I plan. The recent trend was plaid...everyone has plaid shirts, everyone gets rid of plaid shirts...so onto my list of items to thrift, plaid.

Let me tell you, it wasn't that easy because fit and quality are always key priorities with me. I tried on a lot of plaid shirts. Boxy ones, tight ones, flannel ones, tiny pocketed ones (seriously have you ever seen those American Eagle shirts with the one teeny, tiny pocket on the chest? Is it me or is that just ridiculous!) 

I had given up until I happened to walk through the boys section and there I spotted it, in all the colors I had envisioned. A size 12/14, I held it up and thought well maybe it'll fit and off to the dressing room I went. It fit, not too boxy, too short or too cute. Pretty much just right!

 So, the moral to this story is "leave no stone unturned", you may just find what you were looking for in that unexpected place.

Cords: J.Crew

Shirt: Nautica-thrifted

Necklace:local boutique

Linked up with Tara at Penniless Socialite for look what I got....

And Get your pretty on!

All black

Since I typically spend my days cloaked in white, an all black ensemble is a rarity.

I can attribute this outfit to a speedy dressing...I was in hurry, I picked out something to wear, put it on and didn't have time to analyze it or take it off.

I really liked this outfit and it wasn't until I looked at the photos did I realize how dark and stark it was.

It's a good thing I put on that scarf.

Skirt: Club Monaco-thrifted

Sweater: Banana Republic

Scarf: J.Crew-thrifted

Boots: Frye

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

Just Another Day

Just another pair of too short pants.

My full intended purpose of this outfit post is to get more of the items that I've thrifted out there on my blog.

So here you have a casual day outfit, fit for lab, paired with my $2 red wedge sandals that I thrifted unworn. The pants are from J.Crew, I purchase them in the spring, they are a navy blue Minnie. They are intended to be cropped but, I think the regular length leaves them looking too cropped. I have another pair of Minnie's and they are a long and look much better proportioned on my legs. Note to self: DON"T BUY REGULARS! you're too tall.

Shirt: Target

Pants: J.Crew

Sandals: thrifted

Once in a Blue Moon

Okay so this is my place to share, to contribute and to have my say on life, fashion and style. And it has honestly been a great way to assert myself and find some individuality that was lacking in my life. Through this I've realized how much time and energy I put into what I wear, how I wear it, how I prepare to wear it and what I pay to wear it. Fashion is fleeting and I'm sure fashion bloggers come and go everyday. I don't want to be just another fashion casualty. I want this blog to be a true reflection of my style, my life. 

I recently took inventory of what I have thrifted this year and in that recount it occurred to me that I've only shared a fraction of these pieces in my outfit posts here. So, to be honest with myself, and my "need" to thrift I am not going to purchase anything more until I have showcased what I have here on this blog. I originally thought that I would just set out to do this and you would be none the wiser if I thrifted a bit here and there and then I realized I wanted to keep myself accountable and in doing so I am sharing this with you.

So today is a blue moon, the second full moon of a month, and this is my once in a blue moon post where I am actually focusing myself and looking critically at my fashion and my style habits. I will probably come back to this over the course of this journey and hopefully I will come out of this with a more keen thrifting eye, a better sense of  my style and a relevant, organized closet! 

So, along the way you may see these Earnest Sewn jeans,

This amazing vintage, printed pencil skirt,

This vintage maxi skirt and blouse ensemble

and this vintage, black leather jacket.

And about 25 more pieces, stay tuned!