spending dollars

I didn't actually thrift that much while I was in London, not as much as I do at home anyway. I've been to a couple shops in the city and then one in Brighton and one in Carlisle. These are some peeks of what I found my first thrift trip in London (right after my shopping ban ended). You've already seen the top dress and the coat but the middle picture holds a hint of photoshoots to come! Can you guess which item I bought?

Also, I'm hosting a giveaway over here! It closes on Christmas!

*While I travel around London and Paris with my darling parents, I have pre-set some posts to run so that I can show you all my London adventures I have yet to blog about! I'll be back in the New Year.

out of the woods

(thrifted polka dot blouse & mini skirt, urban o tights, target socks, hand me down boots.)
It's been one month since I've been in London. 30 days of rotating the same seven shirts, two dresses, three skirts, three jeans, one pair of slacks, two sweaters, and miscellaneous hosiery. Every day I wrote my outfit down in my London journal. This helped me keep track of outfits I'd worn and helped keep my brain actively engaged in churning out new outfit ideas. I enjoyed this exercise immensely. I've sprinkled a few outfit posts in through-out my postings this month but here are a few extras.

(left: thrifted sweater and mini skirt, Cabrice boots from 6pm.com; right: Boyfriend's Manson shirt, thrifted belt and flare skirt, hand-me-down boots (worn folded))
Looking through my London posts I realize I never explained to you all why I decided to ban myself from shopping my first month in London. I've certainly had to explain it to all my new friends here. My primary reason was to challenge myself. I have a huge wardrobe at home and I have been using it as a crutch. With so many options there is no real reason to experiment. Secondly, I wanted to save some money. I'm here for four months and there will be plenty of time for thrifting and flea markets. I've managed to spend enough money on plane, train, and bus tickets to pretty much negate any money I might have saved from not shopping (I'm cool with that). A third reason, I only wanted to bring one suitcase.

(thrifted black lace blouse, sparkly vest, and black high-waist trousers, hand-me-down boots)
I've learned quite a bit during this month long shopping ban. I've learned to look at my clothing in a myriad of ways. I've taken my love of layering to a new level. I realized that, while I do not miss box-store shopping, I do miss thrift stores. To me, thrifting is more than just shopping. It's a hunt and a game and a whole lot of fun. I also realized something about myself. I'm not a practical person. When it came to writing my packing list I was very practical. Everything was in the same color scheme, mix and match-able, and all around sensible. I didn't bring any of my crazy clothing and those are the things I miss. I love kooky and different items of clothing and I'm sad that I let practicality win out over flair. (These are some things I'm really missing). Oh well, you live and learn. Overall the items I brought have served me well and since all are work appropriate (minus the mini-skirt) I will be able to wear them the rest of my time here.

Speaking of wearing the rest of the time here, I was so focused on 'one months of remixes' that it never really hit me that even after one month I'd still only have these same items. Talk about a big DUH. I guess I just forgot that my whole wardrobe wouldn't be returned to me at the end of the month. Haha. Luckily, I'm not sick of the items yet and I went thrifting today and bought a few new pieces to give life to the old.

I will be doing a more reflective 'one month' post this weekend. Probably not until Sunday because tomorrow I'm going to Cardiff, Wales with my roommate. I'm questing for Doctor Who sites :). And castles.

yeah, I like that

Some days it's all about the accessories.

[Temporarily without a camera, hence the webcam.]

Floral ballet flats with matching nails.

Earrings thrifted last summer and just finally worn.

Magic crystal brought to me by Boyfriend.
I'm going to get a long chain for it so I can wear it always.

Brand new purse.
Oh, what's that?

Of course I'll zoom on the patchwork.
Th-th-thrifted!

Later lovers.

A Month too Soon

Well hello there perfect Fourth of July outfit. Too bad I wore you on the Fourth of June. A completely unimportant and insignificant date, when compared to the following Fourth. Alas, this is a case of outfitting-too-soon. I did enjoy wearing this outfit when I wore it (almost a month ago, geez. I'm very slow). I wore this (like so many of my outfits these days) to work. On this day my sort-of-boss made fun of my braids and one of the admissions counselors (the one who I most admire for her style) complimented me on always being so put together. The compliment more than canceled out the teasing.
Look, look at my shoes! I found them in Richmond when I was visiting Emily. She tried them on first because she said they would be perfect for swinging (the dance not the other thing). Unfortunately, for her, they didn't fit quite right. Emily was very insistent that I buy them though. Since they were only 2$ I was more than happy to oblige her. The brand has been worn from the inside of the shoe so if any of you know anything about them I'd be happy to know! I love these shoes and their little heel, they are perfect for work and perfect for this skirt.

casual thriftin'

So I left the house like this:

Stopped in one thrift store
and spent the rest of the day like this:

ph. Boyfriend; thanks love.

It wasn't a super drastic change but it made me very happy. I've been looking for a very casual hat to throw on for weekend adventing and haven't been able to find one. My head is huge, I mean huge (Boyfriend calls me tadpole; I've also been called pumpkin head--thx mom&dad). Anyway, my search isn't over because I want a broad brim hat but my thirst is satiated for now.

dress: urban o.
cardigan: unknown
shoes: kenneth cole reaction
necklace: unknown
purse: thrifted (may be for sale soon)
hat: thrifted

happy ice cream cones

$1.50 Sparkle&Fade tank. $2 target cardigan. thriftin' finds.

best tank everrrrr.
best friend everrrrr.

a little bit country, a little bit rock&roll

(target bag and socks, ebay vest, thrifted blouse and boots,
h&m skirt, hand-me-down leg warmers, hue leggings)

This outfit is all about textures: leather vest & boots, silk shirt, cotton leggings. I love the contradiction of the leather and the silk. I love the mix of colors and styles. This outfit made me really happy all day.

Please meet my boots. I have worn these almost every day since I found them a few weeks ago. I love them more than anything. Best thrift store find in awhile.

i am not a stereotype

Whenever I take quizzes which try to place me in a "high school stereotype" I always get frustrated at the limitations. I cannot be put into a box!! I played varsity volleyball and softball, jock. I took honors courses and got decent grades, nerd. I wore a lot of black, goth. I listened to Bob Marley and Incubus, stoner. It can be easier to be in a box because you know how to dress and who to associate with. It is, however, much more fun to be able to take a little bit from each box.

For example, a letter sweater from the jock box and a pair of geek-chic glasses from the nerd box.



Oh, and for ultimate awesomeness (and to confuse all stereotypes) combine the above with the world's ugliest shoes and hot pink socks with hearts.

I love my wardrobe.

twirls on twirls

(blouse: hechts; coat: eddie bauer; belt & skirt & shoes: thrifted; tights: macys)




Please excuse the weird faces; I'm operating on very little sleep. I love these tights with the happy flowers! && These boots were 50% off and are so very comfy. This skirt is too big for me but with my new belt I was able to fold it on this sides and belt it high up on my waist. It becomes very cute and twirly when placed there. I like how this outfit look with my outer coat on. All that black with just the bottom twirl of the skirt peering out made me smile when I caught my reflection in the windows.
The belts and shoes are from my thrifting adventure this weekend. I scored like six belts for under $5. Woohoo!! Sorry for the indoor photos but it was gray and rainy out all day today. Tomorrow should be better.

a much needed respite

This weekend was amazing after such a stressful week. I paid my massive sleep debt by sleeping 12 hours a night. I spent Saturday afternoon thrifting by myself. Oh and man did I score big; the only thing better than thrift stores is when the thrift store is having a 50% off sale on everything in the store. That night I went to my parents for dinner (yummy) and then watched my friends drink hobo wine and played cards. Sunday was just as fun with a dinner date (I woke up at a time when it is justifiable to have a burger for "breakfast") and NCIS with Boyfriend. This week (tonight especially) will be just as stressful. Luckily Thanksgiving break starts Wednesday so there are only two days of classes.
Mantra: You can do this, you will do this, you have to do this.

velvet

(dress: thrifted; socks & leg warmers: sockdreams; shoes: thrifted)



Did you know that velvet is a weave not a fabric? I did not until my lovely friend Katie told me that my dress can be both polyester (fabric) and velvet (the weave).
I wore this dress and these shoes the evening I thrifted them to a lovely get together thrown by my friend Katie to celebrate her husband's birthday. Fun outfit and a fun evening with awesome new people!

cruisin'

Let me start by saying I love this jacket... but I never wear it. It makes me feel like a Vegas blackjack dealer and/or a old lady on a cruise. But, I love it so today I decided to take that risk and wear it. && today was a good day :D.

I wore this to my one Wednesday class and then thrifting. Normally I would not wear so many layers thrifting but this Goodwill has changing rooms and I woke up determined to wear this jacket!

(jacket: thrifted; blouse: thrifted; jeans: forever 21; hat: forever 21; boots: chinese laundry via DSW)

I did not end up coming home with the polka dotted dress in the first picture but I did score a kickass pair of boots for $5.

I also got a skirt, blouse, and jacket. Today's theme seemed to be green and canvas. Haha. This helps round out my wardrobe a little bit!

I'm excited it's almost Friday! There are two classes and an exam between me and leaves!

two for tuesday

I feel very childlike today. The shoulders on my shirt poof slightly, the little bow in my hair, and the knee high socks all make me feel a bit like a little girl. Which is fine by me--growing up is scary!

(shirt: ?? i've owned it for six years; skirt: thrifted; socks: target; boots: DSW-chinese laundry)


&& bonus! One of my favorite thrifted dresses. I didn't think the outfit was anything special but I love this dress. And the boots, they were my Grandmother's and they are my absolute favorite!

Speaking of thrifted--Boyfriend and I are going tomorrow! For the first time in weeks! Woohoo!