Renewal: In September it Begins Again

I have always had a fond affection for this time of the year. As a kid, I actually enjoyed going back to school. At the end of August, the gigantic September issues of fashion magazines begin to hit the newsstands. You might even see the first sweater of the new fall season displayed in the stores. I celebrate my New Year at the beginning of September.

I'd like to start to show you some fall items now. Richer colors like this maroon and dark green paisley dress that I bought for $5. This dress you could throw on a tight fitting light t-shirt underneath and wear with a pair of brown tall boots. I do love paisley, but you've always got to be aware of the right color combination and size. You don't want to look like you're wearing giant amoebas or something. (Ah, Biology 101)

Revealing: Non-Scandalous Peephole Dress

This great little thrift store dress can morph into a summer to fall outfit. It's light enough for the summer but in the fall you could wear it with navy blue tights and a pair of brown to light brown boots. For those slightly chilly days, you can also throw on a dark denim jacket.

The peephole at the top is a cute accent. I think it makes wearing a necklace with this dress a moot point. The colorful rope belt I also purchased at a thrift store. I can't remember how much I paid for these items, but it couldn't be more than $10.

Not too long before end of summer sales and fall clothes make their way onto the racks. With multi-seasonal clothes, you can beat others to the punch.

Resonating: Dress of Past and Present

My favorite word in the English language is "extraordinary." When used together separately, "extra" and "ordinary", they mean incredibly plain. However, when the two words are combined, it means incredibly unique.

That's why I like this thrift store dress that I purchased for $6. It's got a slightly vintage feel in the way it's cut at the top (the boatneck and the sleeves), but the color is very modern. I don't think the dress would have fit in any past era because the print is too futuristic. The tones pop out at you when you look at it.

It reminds me of one of my favorite Walt Whitman quotes, "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

Revise: Red Not to Red Hot

Once again, I bought this dress for $10 at a thrift store in Los Angeles. It was drowning in red, and I wanted to change it up sightly. Removing the old red ribbon attached was the first step. It was showing the dress' real age. That was replaced by a fresh, new black ribbon with a small red rose sewn on top. The middle section looked a bit sluggish. There I added black lace to break up the red top portion from the red bottom portion. Speaking of the bottom, I sewed a piece of black cotton material underneath the red see-through lace that way your eyes gravitate from top to bottom when you see the additional color.

Price breakdown for additions:
Black ribbon - already owned
Small Red Rose - $1.29
Lace - $3.99
Dye for Lace - $2.79
Black Cotton Material - $2.66
Total: $10.53

If I used my Joann's coupon more wisely, I could have gotten the pricing down a tad. These are additions that anyone can do. Believe me, I'm no sewing expert. However, projects like these allow me to practice. Maybe practice will make adequate.

Resize: Yes, you can!

When I tell someone that I purchased something at a thrift store, usually they say, “you can find stuff all the time, but they probably don’t have my size.” You shouldn’t psych yourself out before you’ve even tried it. Most of the things I end up buying aren’t my size. That green dress I bought for $7 is a large. So yes, you can find cute things if you go in with a positive attitude. And if it’s not my exact size, I try to find a way to make it work such as wrapping the white and green scarf around the midsection of this dress. I think there’s one basic rule about size – Oversized can be good, undersize is rarely ever good. Don’t try to stuff yourself into something that doesn’t fit. I don’t care if it cost $1.99. Even smaller girls have to remind themselves of that from time to time.

Rework: Scissors Are a Girl's Best Friend

I bought this dress for 99 cents. It was made in Hawaii. Here's my guess on why it ended up in a thrift store. Someone bought it on vacation, and that person thought they would wear it back home. However, after their vacation, they discovered people only wear these types of dresses in Hawaii and all that fabric was way too hot for the summertime.

So I picked it up and though it wasn't so bad. I tried it on and was engulfed in fabric. Out came the scissors and I chopped off the bottom layer of fabric leaving just the lace trim. Not so bad, but it looked like a kids dress instead of an old lady dress at the top. Then I cut off the sleeves leaving the lace trim at the shoulders. Just those two steps took years off this dress. I'm contemplating cutting the neckline lower, but for now I'm content.

A new summery dress for 99 cents and less than 5 minutes of work.

Refined: The Wedding Crasher Dress

I have a wedding reception to go to this weekend, so I'm pulling out this little number that I bought back in January at a thrift store for $15. I love its slightly vintage look. If this was a former bridesmaids dress, I think I would have been glad to have worn it. There's a certain grace to it - the way the top is structured and how it floats all the way to the bottom. However, the flowers attached at the waist show it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Renovate: Imagine the Possibilities

There's this thrift store that I go to that always has beautiful Indian and Asian pieces in it. I picked up two the other day. Both cost around $10. They usually come with pants, which I will re-donate later. I looked at the tunic up above and thought the colors were too vibrant to turn away. When I tried it on, the shape wasn't too flattering. Then I began scavenging around my place for things to make it better. My favorite trick, of course, is using a ribbon or belt to define the waist. The neckline looked a little odd on me, so I added a beaded necklace to cover the squareness up. I love looking at the possibilities that something has to offer because you never know what you'll come up with.

Rendezvous: Thrift Store Dress Meets Take Home Chef

What to wear when going to a book signing of an extremely cute chef who makes the most delicious cupcakes? Maybe something new… Nope. How about a long, thrift-store-bought tunic that I turned into a dress by ironing up the sides with seam tape. I love the Moroccan feel of this piece. It’s comfortably exotic, but not luxurious. For $5, how could it be? The neckline embellishments are not overly done. It’s perfect for a daytime stroll or watching your favorite TV chef make some amazing tasting pizza in person. (Notice how I wasn't letting go of that cupcake in my hand.)

Reinvention: Housecoat to Going Out Dress

Before / After

Could this blue embroidered housecoat work as a dress? I don’t know, but I’m certainly willing to try it out. It’s too pretty to be left inside all day. The Gap has a lot of long scarves in stock. I wanted to purchase about five of them, but with my 25% off coupon I bought two. This blue and beige one covers up the opening while adding a little bohemian flair. Can’t wait for warmer temperatures.

Reinvention: Granny Dress to Spring Fling Dress

One of my favorite things to do is to go rummaging in the housecoat/pajama section because you can find these wonderful polyester house dresses in an assortment of fun designs.

I like to put a belt around them and wear them as dresses. They are so lightweight and comfortable. All you have to do is put some sandals on, and you're ready to frolic around in 70 to 80 degree weather.

Grandma was always right about hand-me-downs.

You do have to be careful about runs in polyester. I have been terribly disappointed when picking up a dress with a fabulous print that had a run at the bottom or near the sleeve. So hold it up to the light and search meticulously.

This one was only $5. It has blue and purple tulips at the bottom. It sorta looks like a Monet painting.

Renaissance: Spanish Embroidery

On a great day at a thrift store, I walk out with something embroidered in my bag. I’m like a hawk when it comes to that stuff. I can spot embroidered thread on a fabric from miles away. You can find it on everything – dresses, sweaters, western shirts and skirts. I love it because it oozes of authenticity and craftsmanship. The pieces below didn’t cost a lot, but the time it took to make them makes me feel luxurious.

Reinvention: Bridesmaid Dress Role Reversal

I found this green pleated chiffon dress at the thrift store. Originally, it had a skinny belt tied around the waist and a shawl, but that wasn’t working for me. So I tied the shawl around my waist as a cummerbund, made the skinny belt into a bow instead and pinned it to the shawl. And now in the back, I have a little ruffle train. I’m so excited to wear this.

Before, After, Back

Reinvention: Nightgown to Miami Beach Dress

So I’d been looking for a cute short white dress for a long time. Eying a couple online at JCrew, but hesitant about the cost. I happened across this nightgown in a thrift shop. It’s made with embroidered cotton and has these fabulous embellishments at the top. If I put a white tank top or a low-neck cotton tee underneath plus short slip, I’m ready for a walk down the boardwalk. But the kicker…I found this aqua leather embroidered belt for $2.50. It’s a beauty. And in January, I will be heading off to Miami with my $5 cotton dress, my $2.50 belt and my strappy flowered sandals from Anthropologie.