Resemble: J Crew Inspired, Thrift Store Bought

All the items combined in this outfit cost less than $15. I was obsessed with this one J Crew outfit that featured a tie and a sweater vest, so I was thrilled when I stopped into a thrift store and found a tie, vest and belt. Finally, something to work with. The white shirt and skirt I had picked up some time ago. The hardest thing about putting it together was learning how to tie a Windsor knot. I'm still not sure if that's right.

Breakdown
tie - $1.59
vest - $2.99
belt - $1.99
skirt - $2.99
shirt - $2.99

Off to Los Angeles. I have a few stores on my list to check out while I'm there. I'll update my trip blog when I get back.

Relativity: Pretty vs. Not So Pretty

There are two types of thrift store blouses in the world - the pretty and the not so pretty. I like them both. Take the first one. It's fun and a bit whimsical. I put it on and things start to look a little brighter. The second one is different. It's what I like to call on the verge of ugliness. You're not sure what to think about it when you see it from afar. Then you start to look closer and discover the beauty of it. Why it could possibly be a rose garden? I've gotten compliments on both at work. More so on the second one because I think you have to stop and consider what is exactly going on there. I've had these for well over a year. I probably didn't pay more than $4 for them.

Redefine: Tunic or Beach Cover Up? You decide.

There's so much going on with this tunic up top that you wouldn't want to pair it with a lot down below. In fact, you could wear nothing with it down below like a beach cover up. Beneath the sheer fabric, one still could see the cute bathing suit underneath. Perfect for the afternoon/evening when everything is a bit more calmer. Then if you're off to dinner, throw on a skirt, wrap a belt around your waist and slip on some sandals. I can't remember its exact cost. Probably somewhere between $2-$6. Try to look for pieces with multiple purposes that you could easily dress up or dress down so you won't have to go looking for something else and spend/consume more than you need to.

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.

Reconnaissance: Sweaters in the Summertime

It's 90 degrees outside, and I'm in a thrift store looking at sweaters. I'm not crazy. You'll never know when you're going to find a diamond in the rough. This sweater I bought for $4. It's unlike anything I've seen before, and it was made in Romania. Maybe it's not the season for it, but people clear out their wardrobes at all times during the year. So while you're out at a thrift store, take a look at all the different departments. Save yourself the hassle of buying things in season when they cost more money and start planning early for the future.

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.

Remains the Same: Cheap Tops, Mine All Mine

This weekend I picked up two new bohemianish tops. The first one $3.24 at Goodwill. If it wasn't for hot pink, I wouldn't wear pink at all. I think I'm going to add the purple flower and ribbon to it to spice it up a bit.

The second one came from Buffalo Exchange. I took some old stuff there to sell and saw this blue top for $19.50. And you know, I can't turn away from embroidery. Took the blouse out of my store credit and redeemed the rest for cash. I am definitely going to look at taking more of my old clothes there. Cash for clothes that I don't wear anymore - score.