Thrift Trick

Anne Klein Silk Polka Dot Blouse

2013-05-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

ANNE KLEIN SILK POLKA DOT BLOUSE

I love this delicate cream and black polka dot blouse by Anne Klein. I thrifted it for $3.00 from the Love Inc. thrift store in Grand Haven Michigan on Monday and paired it with a long black skirt, thrifted red leather satchel from Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven ($2), red flats (a new item purchased several years ago) and a multi strand gold chain also purchased at Hope's Outlet in Muskegon for $1. The glasses were also thrifted for $1 at Hope's. Statement ring is a new trinket--bought a "lot" of cheap ones on Ebay for less than $1 each. :)

Thrift and Vintage Decor: Apartment Life!

2013-05-03T15:57:00.001-07:00

Everything you see in the above photo is thrifted. EVERYTHING. With one exception. The two peacock feathers. I bought them at the pet food store for 50 cents each. The dried branches came from my yard.

Thrift and Vintage Decor: Apartment Life!

This last fall, I moved into a great apartment in Grand Haven, Michigan. I enjoy living here so much! It's a wonderfully clean and safe community, and I love thrifting here as well! When I decorated my apartment, I used almost EXCLUSIVELY vintage and thrifted items. You'll notice that vintage screen print Marushkas and owls are a theme in nearly every room of the house!

It would be much easier for me to point out things that AREN'T thrifted...and I'll try to do just that as I take you on this epic picture journey that is...my apartment. :)

Thrifted, gifted, used and vintage. All of it.

Any time you see owls at my house...you know the scoop.

I love weirdo kitsch stuff. And vintage receivers. <3 Tube power kind of turns me on.

Only one new item in this picture: the tv stand. I bought it for ten dollars.

I refuse to pay any more than 5-6 dollars for a used Marushka. I never have paid more. I've passed up many overpriced specimens.

A single new thing in this picture: plug in candle melt warmer. Purchased new for $6.00. (Don't think I didn't LOOK for one thrifted, first!)

Plant containers and tins as well as table were all thrifted. Plants were grown from babies and cuttings (but not by seed).

Thrifted & Gifted (though the rest of the pineapple was, at one point, purchased and eaten.)

Shelf and all items vintage and thrifted--with perhaps the exception of maybe 3-4 records that I've purchased new? The extra shelves of records you can see in the photo below are also thrifted, along with the organ.

Vintage hat box and lamp were thrifted and estate sale purchases totaling $1.75 (yes--I remember!)

The charm in vintage and used items is the story they have to tell. I wonder about who drank that bottle of Grolsch beer. And I adore daydreaming of the jukebox that used to house the stack of Astrud Gilberto 45s. But amongst all of the snazzy jazzy, there must be a balance. Enter the Bunny Skulls record.

Nothing NEW to see here, folks...move along...

I'm always running low on closet storage space. So I like to both utilize AND display my vintage luggage; the smaller teal and green suitcase is packed with slips, and the larger one behind it is full of belts!

Do I need to tell you that all of the clothes pictured are thrifted?

These "shoe racks" are actually salvaged Media (CD and DVD) stands turned on their side and stacked vertically as well (not pictured). The shoes are thrifted, of course, and the purses (also secondhand) below are strung along a garment rack. Before being looped through the garment rack, I grouped like palettes/styles together with shower curtain rings.

Thrifted, gifted, and re-purposed. All of it.

The final stop on our thrifted journey! Only four items in this picture were new: sheets, black and white pillowcases and pillows shown behind throw pillows (which WERE thrifted), the white quilted blanket underneath the zebra throw and the small brown mirror you see to the left of the ginormous beach Marushka. I honestly don't mind all of the crazy print/color mixing going on here; variety is the spice of life, am I right? It makes me feel good to know that, before I buy an item new, I search high and low for a used version of it. I do this because I love vintage and re-purposed items with a story but also because it reduces my carbon footprint and conserves our earth's resources, time, energy and...money, of course!

What can you thrift today?

Orange Mint Julips--low calorie style!

2013-05-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

ORANGE MINT JULIPS (low cal version!)

It was, hands down, the most gorgeous day of the new year in Michigan today! (Well, at least for us here in Grand Haven, Michigan). It was the kind of weather that carries you to the beach, on bike rides, and out to the front stoop with a tasty cocktail. It was 80 degrees with not a cloud in the sky!

I grilled some tasty turkey burgers for dinner and decided to whip up this yummy drink to compliment; an alternative to higher calorie versions I've seen in the past! If you're not into stevia, you could try agave syrup in its place, or honey, cane sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer!

P.S.--easily omit the alcohol for a fresh alcohol-free version!

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS (Serves one):

1 tsp orange zest

1/2 orange, sliced (save one slice for garnish)

5-6 small mint leaves or 2-3 large ones. (My mint came from my herb garden that I shared with readers last week!) Save one leaf for garnish if you like.

1 shot or fluid oz of whatever clear liquor you prefer--I used vodka, but gin or rum would work as well!

3 stevia packets (or about 1 1/2 tsp of stevia powder according to this serving chart which also helps for sugar substitution should you prefer!), or you could use agave syrup, honey, cane sugar or any other sweetener if you wish!
4-5 ozs boiling water (the heat helps to extract flavor from the orange and mint)
Lots of ice, a bowl, and a strainer

DIRECTIONS: I first took the orange zest from my orange before slicing. I added this to a glass mixing bowl along with 3-4 slices of orange, the stevia and my mint leaves. I heated boiling water in a tea kettle and added this to the bowl, using a pestle to grind and smash the essence out of the mint and orange. (This simple syrup could also be cooked down and reduced in larger batches to save time. The reduced syrup would be more powerful and could be added to water, but I was really only in the market for a drink or two, so I was simply making on demand!!) I then strained the mixture.

At that point, I added the syrup to my vodka on ice...and tossed in extra ice as well, to compensate for the heat.

Garnished with a mint leaf and a slice of orange. Voila! Sweet, cool. Enjoy!

LL Bean Shirt Dress

2013-04-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

LL BEAN STRIPED SHIRT DRESS

Do you “do” brown and blue?

I love it.

I've adored this navy and white striped dress for years. Of course, it was a thrifted find. While I can’t remember exactly where I bought it, the combinations of outfits that I've created using it as the base are countless! I know that I only paid three dollars for it, and with its stretchy nature, it fit me at a heavier weight and continues to be fairly flattering even though I’m smaller now! It’s definitely something I’ll gladly alter with my sewing machine if I drop more clothing sizes in the future.

The tan bomber jacket is a vintage London Fog that I bought at Hope’s Outlet for $3.99—it’s one of my new favorite pieces of clothing! The boots and scarves aren't thrifted items; they were online purchases. I've linked the boots here before. The scarf (pashmina) was an Overstock purchase years ago! Bag was also thrifted at Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven.

Hat was thrifted of course, and sunglasses are a cheap pair from Dollar Tree. OH—how I love my cheap sunglasses!

This was an office appropriate outfit but it also worked pretty well on a sunset bike ride I took last night. SPRING IS HERE! I rode to the beach in lovely Grand Haven listening to Frank Sinatra, and I'm sharing a song with you today.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Earlier in the day, I paired the outfit with a brown Fedora.

The boyfriend says I shouldn't be afraid of my (bodacious--as in...big) rear. So...I'm trying. :D

Upcyled Herb Garden and Home Made Dishwashing Detergent! (My late Earth Day post!)

2013-04-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

UPCYCLED HERB GARDEN and HOME MADE DISHWASHING DETERGENT!

Happy (belated) Earth Day! I had the best intentions of publishing my blog yesterday as the contents seemed most fitting for Earth Day, but after a day of outdoor activities and "lights out" inside to save energy (an act very much demanded by my inspired six year old), I promptly fell asleep at HIS bed time last night! Haha! Hmm, I guess modern day technology is contributing to my pseudo-insomniac behaviors...

But back to the planting at hand!

I love herb gardening. For one thing, I've found that, beyond simple container gardens such as cherry tomatoes, I'm somewhat incapable (or rather, my soil is) of harvesting a full fledge vegetable garden at this point. Therefore, I've found a scaled down garden--and herbs in particular--to be very satifsying! Both flowers and herbs are something I can grow indoors all year long, and I love having the freshness on hand to add to meals and drinks.

Currently, I am growing Rosemary, Sage, Basil, Mint, Cilantro, and Thyme, along with wheat grass.

However, until a week or so ago, all of my herbs were in ugly brown plastic containers on my front porch. I decided to remedy that with (surprise!) thrifted and vintage bowls and tins! I love the mix of color, pattern and diversity they added to my planting table and wanted to share how pretty they are. :) I hope you enjoy the pictures below and, in honor of Earth Day, make sure you scroll to the bottom of the page to see my recipe for home made dishwashing detergent! It is very natural and I have been washing dishes successfully (with no notable harm to my machine or dishes) with it for a while now! Not only is it inexpensive, but it contains no harmful chemicals or dyes, and it is biodegradable.

PS--stay with me this week for a little visual tour of my apartment! I wanted to share some of my (thrifted) decorating with you in this post but then I realized that I have too many photos to share--it's definitely worthy of its own blog posting!

Dye Free, Biodegradable Non-Toxic, Inexpensive, Petroleum Free, Animal Testing Free and Septic Safe Dishwashing Detergent!

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 drops (literally, drops--as in eyedropper drops the size of a lentil) of dishwashing soap. You must use an all natural dish soap or the recipe won't be all that it's claiming to be above! :) I use Meijer Naturals Ultra Concentrated in Lemon Eucalyptus. It's powerful, safe, and smells wonderful, and it's affordable too!

DIRECTIONS: Mix ingredients with about 4-5 tbs of water (or a little more) to create a liquid. This makes ONE LOAD.

I like to mix mine as I go, but I am certain that you could mix a little more ahead of time for ease of use. Salt and sodium bicarbonate, being natural though, do tend to break down...so I thought it might not be a great idea to mix up huge batches ahead of time. I shall report back on any developments that are made in this department!

ENJOY--my dishes in my machine came out sparkling clean! Each machine may vary. If you experience spots, you may want to experiment with a solution of vinegar water--a natural "streak free" agent. I tend to skip this step, because I don't often see spots--and when I do, they don't bother me much. ;)

Take Me Away...To Tennessee

2013-04-05T21:13:00.004-07:00

TAKE ME AWAY...To Tennessee

It seems like life lately has been a mile long freight train for me...traveling at a bullet train speed. In fact, I've barely blogged all month because of all the life changes, good stress and events that have been stacking up one after another for months prior!

This last year has brought much personal change into my world, and some of it has been painful. Yet, the sting of transformation has blossomed into beauty and growth--much like the spring we are {FINALLY!} enjoying.

For that reason, the yearly family vacation that my mother, sister and son take together was especially welcome. Our respite this year was to Tennessee--first Chattanooga, then Gatlinburg! More specifically, the outskirts of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. The adorable cabin we stayed in from Hearthside Cabin Rentals was called "Take Me Away". Tour it here!

I have so many wonderful pictures from our trip, I couldn't even begin to share them all here. I did document some of my thrifting adventures, and I hope to blog those very soon--along with (pathetically) an outfit post from St. Patrick's day almost a FULL month ago, and a weekend trip I took to Holland with my boyfriend for my birthday!

It's back to the grind on Monday...and looking forward to lots of fun fashion events this month! Look for more updates in my next blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!

OUTFIT DETAILS: I can't get enough triangles lately--which explains this kitschy and somewhat threadbare sweater. It was a thrifted find for $1.49 at Hope's Outlet, as was the skirt. Boots are new--Jackie Cognac by ComfortView. Diamond shaped dangly earrings were a clearanced item at--gasp--Walmart. Haha! Ring was a gift from my bestie and my nails are applique with a layer of silver chunk glitter for fun. Both nail items were $1 at Dollar Tree.

Blue Vintage Gingham and Veggie Frittatta recipe!

2013-03-09T16:54:00.001-08:00

OH! Hello. I'm a total dork! And I'm in a cooking mood today!
(P.S., the vintage blue gingham dress I'm wearing was thrifted for $1.50)

BLUE VINTAGE GINGHAM AND VEGGIE FRITTATTA RECIPE!

I was in a SERIOUS cooking mood today! It all started with poached eggs and fresh strawberries this morning. From there, I made butternut bisque with home made whole grain croutons, and fresh cilantro. The sriracha was flowing freely, my turntable was spinning records, life was good.

I got lazy.

I had fully intended to share this cute blue gingham dress and the grey and brown accents I paired with it (including a super cute vintage Dooney & Bourke handbag I had thrifted a while back)in a great outfit post...but I got lost in my kitchen and an apron.

Then I thought...why not share? As some of you may know, I've been using the Weight Watchers program to lose weight! I'm about twenty pounds from my goal weight, and though I haven't been on the program throughout my entire weight loss journey, I've lost about 25 pounds since last August. Over the last three or four years, I have also made some serious dietary and lifestyle changes, but honestly--nothing was easier for me than eating healthy. I love it! It pleases me to cook and eat this way. And I love sharing the food I make!

Try my recipe for veggie frittattas out and see what you think. They were SO YUMMY and according to my calculations, only about 2 weight watchers points per patty! I had two with creamed avocado, cottage cheese and tomato slices. This was an 8 point dinner total; very filling and about 450 calories according to my (somewhat loose) calculations! Enjoy!

VEGGIE FRITTATTAS (Makes 4 patties)

Ingredients:

--1/2 bag frozen stir fry veggies (mine included broccoli, snap peas, peppers, onions and water chestnuts)

--1/4 bag frozen shredded spinach

--1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

--1/4 cup fresh chopped green onion

--3-4 heaping tbsp of unbleached whole wheat flour (I like King Arthur brand)

--2 heaping tbsp of ground flax (I keep my flax in the refrigerator in a clean glass peanut butter jar for easy use!)

--Salt, pepper and seasoning to taste (I used, in addition to salt and pepper, garlic powder and veggie flakes)

--1 egg (vegans can easily substitute Vegg Yolk or even 1/4 cup pumpkin or squash puree)

--olive oil for frying along with frying pan over medium-high heat

I thawed out my frozen veggies but didn't heat them (I didn't want the excess liquid).

I added my flour and seasonings in and stirred things up!

Then came one egg and more blending.

I'm always sprinkling flax into things! ;)

Got my pan nice and hot with a drizzle of olive oil! The mixture was ready to go but slightly watery upon sitting for a moment, so I added a touch more flour to firm it (less than a tbs). Use your best judgement!

I formed patties with my hands and tossed into the pan! Patties will be "gooey" upon forming but no worries...they will firm up and fry nicely once they are in the pan/griddle.

I fried them to golden brown which was about 3-5 minutes on each side! The egg cooks quickly and because the frozen veggies are already cooked, these were very quick to make!

As if the patties weren't already AWESOME enough on their own...I decided to make them even sexier by adding a dollop (yes, I said dollop) of avocado on each one! All I did was cream one half of an avocado. One half of an avocado was the perfect amount to top the four patties.

I served them with cottage cheese and fresh tomato slices...and a little dash of salt! OOOOOOHHHH yeah...that's a little sriracha on top. Couldn't help it!

IS THIS A BIG BITE? I CAN'T TELL!
HAHAHA!

Mmmm...I'm so glad I had leftovers for lunch tomorrow. These were absolutely amazing!
Try it out...and let me know what you think!

PS....Click the image below to visit me on Instagram! :)

$3 Dollar Vintage Coach and Black Lace

2013-03-01T09:32:00.001-08:00

$3 VINTAGE COACH AND BLACK LACE

I was lucky enough to pick up this great vintage Coach satchel for only $3! It is in fantastic shape and I know it will be a staple bag for me. I really love the shoulder strap/satchel style lately and it goes so well with just about everything! As usual, my entire outfit is thrifted down to the shoes. The only item that isn't? The cheap statement ring I am wearing; it is a dollar trinket. ;)

Have a happy Friday--the weekend is HERE!

Thrifting in Tennessee

2013-02-27T15:41:00.002-08:00

THRIFTING IN TENNESSEE!

Just over a week ago, I flew to Tennessee for a little mini-vacation! I was excited to check out some local thrift in the Chattanooga area, and what I discovered were some neat items that were priced fairly consistently with what you might find in Michigan thrift store—or should I say, “Tharift Stower”? Hahah! I loved hearing the southern accents and interesting stories behind some of the items I ran across…from creepy dolls in bell glass to crazy fur hats! Below you’ll find some items that I bought, and some that I didn’t but wanted to share with you! My prize find was the Gant Gaither signed silk Tiger dress below. It was only three dollars!!!! How epic is that tiger? Seriously? Another highlight for me was an excellent vinyl haul and some adorable purple suede Fiona booty heels. Thanks for tuning in…see you soon for an outfit post!

I was too scared to dig through the vinyl in this row for fear that I would appreciate too much of it.

NOT a thrift item; my boyfriend's awesome monkey posing next to a vintage globe. People are scared of him apparently...but they just don't appreciate his splendor, I think.

Clockwise, from upper left hand corner: An overpriced vintage globe, recap of the outfit I put together with some $3 purple suede Fiona booty heels purchased in TN at a thrift store, the impromptu outfit I put together with a thrifted $1.50 sweater (another TN find), and my vinyl haul from the trip (probably my favorite--especially the instrumental Shaft soundtrack. SO BAD ASS!)

I had to throw in a few shots of the gorgeous spot we hiked to at Fall Creek Falls. So pretty!

This little gem was carved into the paint on the state park bathroom stall:

Dooney, Bourke & Stripes!

2013-02-26T14:22:00.001-08:00

DOONEY, BOURKE & STRIPES!

I posted a little while back that I had admired a vintage Dooney & Bourke at Regeneration thrift store in Detroit (check out my review, article and the handbag here!) but the price just wasn't right for me. To quote myself:

"They had a great selection of vintage and thrifted designer bags. I REALLY wanted to take this Dooney and Bourke home with me....and looking at it now, I regret leaving it behind! However, it was marked $15 and I just get a bigger thrill out of finding them on my own for cheaper."

Well, I'm pleased to say that I not only found ONE Dooney and Bourke recently that is almost the identical replica of the bag I wanted at Regeneration, but TWO! I'll show the other in a blog very soon, but I bought each of the handbags for only $2, totaling $4. I'm featuring the one that is most like the bag in the blog linked above...check it out! Remember from the article that they D&B had been marked $15...more than I was willing to pay!

Sometimes it really pays to wait when it comes to thrift. I almost never regret passing things up...but I sometimes regret buying. I know this might not be true for everyone, but it's a practice I like to exercise as often as possible...and this time it paid off!

I'm doing my D&B handbag with a thrifted Gap 3/4 striped knit, long black thrifted skirt, *brown boots, *brown woven belt and brown faux snakeskin cuff/leather band. (Starred items are not thrifted). I LOVE black and white stripes and brown together!

Snow Blooms

2013-02-23T17:37:00.001-08:00

SNOW BLOOMS: Blue floral denim and snowflakes

Flowers in the snow: it seemed like a fun idea! In reality, the harsh Michigan wind and constant snowflakes were BRUTAL for photographing outside. Being that I hate the cold weather AND indoor photography, you might be piecing together why you haven't seen much of me lately! But rest assured...I've still been thrifting, hoarding and styling...and I'll be giving you a sneak peak into some of the thrift treasures I saw while out and about on a recent trip to Tennessee in tomorrow's blog!

Today's outfit is 100% thrifted: the dark blue fitted floral jeans, vintage brown and black suede zip up blazer, vintage wicker handbag and heels were all thrift store finds totaling no more than $10 for the entire ensemble! I really love blue, black and brown together because I feel it's so unexpected. The cheap purple statement ring was a dollar treasure that seems (oddly enough) to go with everything I wear! Do you have a piece of jewelry like that? Leave a comment below and tell me about it!

What do you think of my smoky eye makeup? Let me fill you in on a few of my tips and tricks:

This is the basic technique I used, though I substituted more of a neutral/nude tone for shimmery peaches and whites, and blended with grey/black. Basically, I changed the color palette and also went for shimmer rather than a matte look. However, I used the same basic shading/liner techniques shown below. (Click the image to view the blog/tutorial at Style'n).

What I've learned over the years:

1. Do your eye makeup first. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a feel for whether or not you "love" what you've done with your eyes when the rest of your face is naked. To be honest, for many years, it was the opposite of how I did my makeup. I mean, who doesn't start with base first? However, when you are working with high pigments and amounts of liner/shadow, especially contouring with black, it WILL get everywhere and ruin the base you have. Do yourself a favor and do your eye makeup first...but leave your mascara for VERY last, so it doesn't get powder/blush/etc on it.

2. Get brushes. If you want a "pro" look, you'll need brushes for application and especially a blending brush! I honestly can't live without any of my eye/eyebrow brushes (especially my exacto brush for eyebrow shadow application) and I only spent about ten dollars on all of them together, because I use E.L.F brand. They are synthetic hair but an amazing value for the price and my brushes have held up now for THREE FULL YEARS through washings, which is truly spectacular when you consider they were only one dollar a peice!

3. Don't get hung up on expensive shadow if you can't afford it. There's honestly no doubt that some brands like MAC have THE BEST eyeshadow...it's true! And some "dollar store" brands are absolutely awful. However, if you are looking for high pigment brands that are actually cheap AND work well, I'd suggest the following: Wet n' Wild Color Icon eyeshadow kits (very high pigment and great contouring powders), N.Y.C., and L.A. Colors shimmering loose eyeshadow with brush. I also really like E.L.F. eyeshadow. I have an eyebrow shadow kit by NYX Cosmetics that is fabulous and only cost around three dollars. I don't do falsies (fake lashes are way to much work for me and I'm terrible at applying them) and I love my drugstore mascara: L'oreal Voluminous is honestly my favorite brand ever! For black liner, I prefer Mary Kay for my cream liner and I really love my InColor Fabuliner liquid eyeliner pen as well. Another product that I can highly recommend is the E.L.F. eyeshadow primer! And finally...one of my best tips is to try creating your own eyeshadow creams. In order to get extra "oomph" and staying power from some of my less expensive eyeshadows, I will sometimes create a basic cream from the powder using simply water or a bit of my favorite moisturizer that I know is safe for the eye area. Try it out!

Feeling a little "teal"!

2013-02-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on the Thrift Trick Instragram! Sweater is thrifted, of course! :)

FEELING A LITTLE TEAL

I felt like throwing an extra special "pop" of color onto my eyes this last Sunday and, being that I was wearing a teal-ey sweater, I decided to go with blues, teals and aquas!

By no means am I the tutorial queen. In fact, I'm throwing a super cheesy hand drawn diagram in the blog today! (No jokes about the funky eyebrows on my cartoon eyes). Yet, I think this explains what I did fairly well! No worries, though, for those who may find my minute-art less than aesthetic, I'm throwing in some REAL tutorials today from the pros who actually take the time in preparing quality instruction!

In addition to application, are you wondering what colors may compliment your eyes best? Check out the diagrams below on eye color and shape, and choosing dazzling shades/application based on your personal hue and anatomy!

Enjoy!

WHAT I DID:

1. I lined my eyes in a sideways, cat-eyed "V" with blue liner.

2. On the middle of the lid, I applied a bright shimmery aqua/teal color.

3. On the outer crease of the lid, inside the "V", I applied a dark black shadow. You could also use black liner but limit it to the very inside of the "V" to allow for blending out.

4. I applied a white "shimmery" powder to browbone area. (Like my sparkles in the drawing? HAHA)

5. I applied a different shade teal liner to the inner crease of my eye, blended the colors together, lined the inside of eyes with blue, and applied mascara!

SOURCES:

http://servicesbyleshell.blogspot.com/2011/06/eyeshadow-color-chart.html http://morgans-boutique.blogspot.com/2011/08/corrective-makeup-on-different-eye.html

(A) TEAL AND GOLD tutorial: Click here (very similiar to my look)

(B) GOLD AND TEAL tutorial: Click here

Vintage Navy Shirt Dress

2013-02-06T20:34:00.003-08:00

VINTAGE NAVY SHIRT DRESS

OUTFIT DETAILS: Shirt Dress: thrifted, Hope's Outlet Belt: thrifted, patent leather Anne Klein Shoes/earrings were new (and cheap!) purchases.

Who doesn't love a shirt dress? They're easy to find...easy to wear...functional, durable, stylish. There are also many ways you can style them!

--- Belt them
--- Add a scarf, cardigan, or tie
--- Try a statement necklace under the collar or brooch/pins on the collar
--- Try wearing bottom open with slip or entire shirt dress open with another dress underneath!

And check out this article from Refinery 29 on
more ways to style a shirt dress!

From Instagram earlier! Follow me @ThriftTrick!

The Ugly Skirt Challenge

2013-02-01T04:30:00.002-08:00

THE UGLY SKIRT CHALLENGE

Last summer while in Mackinaw City in Michigan on vacation, I was second hand shopping with my mother. As we pored over the thrifted racks meticulously (a mother daughter tradition), I looked up to see mom heading towards me with something on a hanger. She held up the skirt shown in the pictures below. "It looks like you," she said. I took offense to this comparison initially, because it was one of the ugliest skirts I had ever seen. "Whoah, mother..." I replied. "That is honestly too hideous of a print for even ME to wear." She shrugged and started to file it away again when I said, "Wait." I took a second look at the ridiculous blue and white pattern. Its squiggles and triangles seemed like they would be at home on a button up worn by Tom Selleck as Magnum PI.

"Hand it over." I squinted my eyes and held up the Bombay china dish inspired design. Was this skirt made from a nautical themed bed sheet that once fitted over Candace Cameron's twin mattress? Did Natalie from "Facts of Life" wear this skirt on a first date? Was it possible that Clair Huxtable wore this as a cape? (She WAS after all, a superhero...but I doubt she would don anything so God-forsakenly hideous).

"I'm accepting this as a challenge," I stated indignantly. "It's so ugly that I have to have it." I paid $1.50 for the cobalt and cream abomination and tossed it into my shopping bag.

Once I returned from vacation, I hung the skirt in my closet for six months...until yesterday. Because of "blizzard-y" conditions here in Michigan at the present time, I wasn't really able to shoot outside yesterday, and the daylight hours began to slip away from me. Therefore, I found myself shooting inside after dark, which is never the BEST idea. To make matters worse, my camera fell off my tri-pod and my 50 mm lens was damaged, destroying the auto-focus gears inside.

Was this skirt cursed with the cranky spirit of Judith Light on "Who's The Boss?"

I'm not sure. However, I DO know the skirt is somehow actually starting to grow on me, and when combined with some fun vintage jewelry, a vintage Samsonite tote and Micheal Kors heels...I actually began to appreciate the ridiculously loud print.

I think I JUST MIGHT wear it again. MAYBE. Do you think I'm crazy? If so...I hope it's crazy AWESOME crazy...like Rose. Yes...I'm speaking of Golden Girls.

Thank you for reading the blog today. And THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

OUTFIT DETAILS: 100% Secondhand and thrifted. Kors heels were a consignment purchase.

Party In Your Parka Recap

2013-01-28T19:39:00.003-08:00

What I wore (shown above): A vintage shift dress that I've worn before here, vintage black wool beret with vintage brooch and (not pictured) some super fun hot pink tights and high heel booties! (Very impractical footwear, yes, haha!). Naturally I layered that outfit with a warm vintage winter dress coat, scarf and gloves.

With the exception of my shoes, my entire outfit was thrifted!

PARTY IN YOUR PARKA RECAP!

Wow, am I ever impressed with the skills of local Muskegon event gurus Watermark 920 and many other amazing folks that made the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex into a snowy oasis of fun, music and winter sports last Saturday!

It was SUCH an awesome turnout! I saw many fashionable winter folk enjoying coffees, beers, Michigan-made music and so much more around fire pits and winter sports activities (like the luge!). It was a blast to see people randomly ice skating, cross country skiing and sledding around. What an amazing idea this whole event was!

I know I had a great time and enjoyed bringing my son, who walked around with me sipping hot chocolate. We capped off the night with a soft pretzel inside! It turned out fantastically!

Check out my Pinterest board to see some more fun iPhone shots of guests here and also see

BlinkPhoto's fantastic shots from the day. Stop by the Official Fan Page, too, so that you can stay updated for next year's dates! You won't want to miss it. :)

Happy statehood birthday to the glorious mitten--my favorite place to be!

This colorful group of friends had the highest number of likes on my Pinterest board! Lots of fun colors and I'm diggin' this dude's hair! :)

My son eats (and really enjoys!) his first warm and soft pretzel! (It was a hit!!!)

Looking forward to seeing everyone next year! Stay warm for the rest of the season. I'll be posting more thrifted winter fashion soon!

Hat Hair: It's a good thing!

2013-01-17T14:41:00.001-08:00

HAT HAIR: It's a good thing!

I really ADORE hats of all kinds. And winter hats (knit, fur, etc) are all great options, even OFF season, if you ask me. Instead of worrying how your hair will look once you REMOVE your winter hat, why not plan your hairstyle around it? I wanted to share some inspirational images of "hat hair" today in my blog and also share one of my fun little signatures: the singular pin curl! I love wearing this off to the side, particularly with hats. How's about throwing a little extra "snazz" on it?

Here are my super simple steps to the hairstyle shown above!

Supplies? Well, my very worn Helen of Troy curling iron (moderately priced pro iron that STILL heats up in 60 seconds to friggin' outrageously hot and keeps my curls ALL day long...best iron I've ever had for the price), cheap hairspray, bobby pins and of course, a knit hat! Also not pictured, an elastic hair tie.

I started with clean dry hair and tied the back section of my hair up into a wound bun secured with an elastic.

I pulled some random sections of hair up to be curled and worn out of the hat! I like to leave the sides a little different...so I don't end up looking like an Orthodox Jewish man. Unless, of course, that is your goal! Which there is nothing wrong with. Especially if you are an Orthodox Jew! Let's move on.

WHOAH, octopus curls!

I barrel wrap my curls. Check out this tutorial on how!

When doing "peicey" hairstyles like this, I try to include as much hair in the wrap as possible, so all pieces left lose are curled in 2-3 batches rather than individually. This way they fall nicely together and don't look too individual, which I don't care for . I like the look of maybe 2-3 seperated strands.

The final step was to separate a small strand of curl from the side part to be wound into a little pincurl! I pinned this curl off to the side with my part (on one side only) with bobbypins, pinning underneath so as to hide the pins themselves).

And that was it!

When I take my hair OUT of this hairstyle, because I've had the remaining uncurled portion wound into a bun all day, it will fall into nice loose waves altogether. Good stuff!

I've collected some images from google search results for "women's hairstyles in winter hats" below that I found inspiring. Give it a shot! (Working your hat hair into your outfit!)

This might come in handy particularly well if you are planning on attending the AWESOME Party in Your Parka event on January 26th in Muskegon, a mega monster of activities including outdoor sports at the North Muskegon winter sports complex, live bands, vendor tents, and three great locations for entertaining (Winter sports complex, Watermark 920 and the Lake House). PLUS you'll want to party down in honor of Michigan's 176th birthday in style and ride safely on the party shuttle! Best of all, admission is FREE! I'll be there hosting a best dressed contest live on my Pinterest (follow me here)...so you'll want to make sure you dress up with your snazziest outfit and great hat hair!

Check out my Party In Your Parka winter style board for ideas here!

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Here are some inspiring pictures for more ideas on winter hats and hairstyles...

Nude, Navy and Grey Today

2013-01-08T09:31:00.001-08:00

GREY, NAVY, STRIPES AND NUDE PUMPS TODAY

Today's outfit is all thrifted with exception of grey Carolyn Taylor cardigan and shoes...it's one of those neat removable fur sweaters. My mommy got it for me for Christmas--thanks, mom! The collar is actually a statement necklace--remember my DIY?--that I made from another shirt.

Have you tried navy, grey, white and nude together? It's a color combination I really love. I also dig the apricot tones in my nails and the light purple--found in one of the double stacked rings on my finger below--along with vintage rhinestone pin accent and vintage clip on earrings.

The Tommy Hillfiger handbag was a .25 cent find at a garage sale this summer! It happens to match my nude pumps perfectly. I love these matte CityClassified shoes; I wear them a lot! They were an Overstock.com purchase that is no longer available as far as I can tell, but if you are in the market for a leg elongating nude shoe, check out these shopping results from Amazon.com!

P.S...I use L.A. Colors nail polish and accent brushes available from many stores for $1 each. I really like their nail art products!

Regeneration New & Used Clothing in Detroit, MI

2013-01-05T18:19:00.002-08:00

REGENERATION NEW & USED CLOTHING in Detroit, Michigan

5 out of 5 Thrift Chicks

I really enjoyed visiting this thrift resale shop on last New Year's eve! Shown above is my "score" from the trip (and trust me, I used restraint in NOT returning home with more)...a vintage double strand twisted beaded necklace in bronzy gold. Shown below--one of the many ways I've worn it over the last week! (I love it so.)

Read on below for my review of this Detroit based clothing/apparel store! (P.S., the hat and dress shown below were both thrifted items for less than $2 each!)

First impressions of Regeneration was that it was clean, well organized, and very well stocked!

They had a great selection of vintage and thrifted designer bags. I REALLY wanted to take this Dooney and Bourke home with me....and looking at it now, I regret leaving it behind! However, it was marked $15 and I just get a bigger thrill out of finding them on my own for cheaper.

Great selection of used and vintage jewelry!

I REALLY wanted to take this Betsy Johnson bag home.

Couldn't help but love this sweater!

Overall, I'd say Regenerations has a nicely selected and wide array of apparel; lots of vintage, designer and funky. They also boast a large collection of jewelry and hats, and a great selection of shoes and coats! Things are well organized and the environment is fun and nicely decorated.

My only gripe was that some of the prices seemed slightly inflated; but honestly, for as much "good stuff" as there was packed in to one small store, I'd say convenience and high levels of great stock PLUS nice dressing rooms make this thrift store a 5/5 for me. Even if it is more about perusing and digging through racks than laying down cash!

This would be a great place to come looking for a specific item, or a new thrifted outfit in a pinch (when you don't have time to dig for cheaper prices). On average I think you could buy a dress, shoes and jewelry for around a total of $25-30, which isn't bad when you consider they are unique and/or vintage items.

If you're ever in D-town, check it out! Contact details below!

www.regenerationclothing.org/

126 E. 14 Mile Road
Clawson, Michigan 48017
Phone: 248-589-0500
Email:shop.regeneration@att.net

Snow for a Minute: Layers and Print

2012-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

SNOW FOR A MINUTE: Layers and Print

It really was a gorgeous morning here in West Michigan. I must admit--even though I usually curse the snow each year, it's nice to see a little of it piling up! Even though it was quickly melting away as I was snapping my pictures this morning, it was nice to get a little sparkly dusting and a few snow photos.

When it comes to winter fashion, I've never been one to throw on a huge puffy Northface coat. I love layering not only for its functionality but also its style, so while downy parkas might be more practical for frigid weather, you'll usually find me in crazy getups like this vintage Pleather crop jacket (from Hope's Outlet) with multiple layered pieces underneath.

Everything with the exception of boots was thrifted in the pictures shown. The jeans I am wearing were originally wide leg and I altered them to taper with my sewing machine--a very easy project. Gloves, hat and accessories are all thrifted.

What do you think about rolling your jeans and showing a touch of ankle with your boots during winter time? I love it. Winter hat plus aviators = instant style!

Looking for more layering ideas?

Don't forget to check out my new "Party In Your Parka" winter style pinboard!

I'll be pinning fun winter fashion there for the next month while I prepare for the SUPER FUN Party In Your Parka event...Michigan's OFFICIAL 176th birthday! If you're not sure what to wear to stay warm AND be stylish, check it out.

Are you a vendor interested in bringing your products or business name to the Party In Your Parka event? Booths start at the affordable price of $50! Make sure to get your space before availability becomes limited!
Please contact Chantal Johnson madeinthemitten.donor.sponsor@gmail.com

La Vie En Rose

2012-12-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

Don't mind my camera remote...why, I use it so much, it's an accessory at this point! :)

Here in Michigan, this December (and November!) have been unseasonably warm! While many residents are terrified about this weather and positive that global warming has descended upon us (along with lower lake levels and crop growth issues), I must admit that I am selfishly GLAD that the weather isn't completely arctic at this point. I'm heading out for work in the morning in just blazers, and believe it or not, some of the hearty and beautiful roses that climb the south brick wall of the building I work at are still hanging on, bobbing around in surprisingly balmy and mellow gusts of wind.
All of this dreary rain and mild humidity puts me in a romantic mood (cue the white pashmina scarf!), and so my outfit post today is inspired by the rose and its color and a beautiful Melody Gardot song (the title of the blog today!) which I'm including below!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Vintage Toni Todd dress (Hope's Outlet, thrifted for 1.49 and featured in this past outfit post), Vintage Dooney and Burke Doctor's satchel, white thrifted pashmina scarf and 100% thrifted jewelry. The fashion glasses were purchased at Dollar Tree and match these Ralph Lauren glasses almost identically with the exception of just a UV tint (instead of medium dark)!

See the beautiful cinematography and hear the luscious voice of Melody Gardot in this video shot exclusively for Piaget jewelry in France! It's gorgeous and it makes me feel beautiful. I hope it does the same for you!

Party...in your Parka!

2012-12-14T14:19:00.001-08:00

Outft Details: Vintage handmade dress ($1.49 Hope's Outlet), Vintage Pendleton Blazer: ($1.49 Hope's Outlet), Brown tights, Brown calf boots by Rhonda, Vintage jewelry, DIY Vintage St, Christopher Medal statement ring.

PARTY IN YOUR PARKA! Announcing Michigan's OFFICIAL 176th birthday and the next styling event I'm participating in!

I'm so thrilled to have been asked to participate in the "coolest" birthday party ever: Michigan's 176th birthday and also the "Party In Your Parka" winter sports complex event hosted by Watermark 920! The party is scheduled for January 26th, 2013. It's a multi-location, multi-event celebration that is centered around the beautiful Michigan outdoors and winter sports, as well! Read all about the event here at the official Party In Your Parka event page on Facebook (don't forget to RSVP!) and also check out the Party In Your Parka Fan Page!

What will I be doing at the event? Well, over the next month I'll be pinning winter styles, blogging cute winter hats and the day of the event I'll be on the "party shuttle" with a fun contest surprise!

ADMISSION IS FREE! And all ages! See you there!

This week on Instagram...

2012-12-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

It was a busy week on Instagram! From fashion glasses to minimalistic Marsushka prints, organized vintage shirts in my closet, pre-fashion show sewing and dress rehearsal, and a quick 15 second jacket tailor...I was a busy bee! Check out my profile on Instagram (links below) to read more about each photo!

Please come and follow me @Thrift Trick on Instragram! Click the image below to check out my profile!

FASHION SHOW RECAP: What a night!

2012-12-10T20:36:00.002-08:00

FASHION SHOW RECAP: What a night!

I can't say it enough. SATURDAY. NIGHT. WAS. AWESOME.

Everything was amazing! The Watermark 920 staff knocked another beautiful event out of the park and everyone involved was so fantastic! In fact, I'm going to quote myself from Facebook on Sunday to include my official "thanks" below. But before I do that, check out this montage of my favorite photos from the event!

VIEW MY WHOLE ALBUM ON FACEBOOK HERE!

Also check out all the outfits and photography coverage from "A TINY PLACE" photography here!

There were truly so many people to thank for helping the event turn out to be absolutely fabulous!

There are so many people to thank for the AMAZING success of the fashion show! Watermark 920 staff did an absolutely stunning job on decorating for the event, and the catering by Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack was delicious. We also thank Dr ip Drop Drink LLC for the great coffee bar! I could never have dreamed up this fun event without our amazing sponsorHope's Outlet Ministries and also the incredible brain power and allover talent of my partner Shredd Spread (aka Lou Jeannot). He personally selected our band, the Delta Decalactones (featuring Mux Rec band members), who gave an amazing and fluid performance NONSTOP the entire evening! I can't forget help from cosmetologist Cecelia Ceceelectra Hughes who also provided much support as well as models from her talent agency with her partner Laura Robertson of Ce'Ela Models and Talent! I also thank the wonderful Nuvo College of Cosmetology who arrived early to help style our show! Last but VERY NOT LEAST, our spectacularly beautiful models who put in many hours selecting clothes and interacting together to create a WONDERFUL show that not only presented a showcase of impressive fashion, but also raised lots of resources and funds for our sponsor and Muskegon area families in need this Christmas season. THANK YOU ALL!

What shall I wear?

2012-12-06T09:44:00.002-08:00

WHAT SHALL I WEAR?

I've been so wrapped up in preparing all the models and details for the Thrift Trick Fashion Show that I haven't even given one thought to what I'M going to wear for the event! EEK!

I have a Facebook poll going at the moment...pop over and give me your opinion!

I hope to see lots of new faces at Watermark 920 (920 Washington Ave) in Muskegon, MI on December 8th! The doors open at 7 and admission is FREE if you donate clothes to a Hope's Outlet location OR bring a donation right to the door!

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT THE EVENT? Here are some highlights:

--Event is all ages (kids 13 & under are free)

--Cash bar for cocktails and catering from Fatty Lumpkins (yum) sandwiches and hors d'ouvres

--Runway sets with models in great thrifted outfits

--Interactive Expo Displays

--$1.49 clothing racks to shop!

--All table decor is for sale!

--We are also raffling off a personal shopping trip with yours truly and a free outfit from Hope's Outlet!

All proceeds from the event go to our sponsor Hope's Outlet Ministries, a 501c3 not for profit organization that does SO much good for the Muskegon and Grand Haven area!!! Cash proceeds from the event will go directly to the Hope's Outlet Christmas Giving tree, which provides direct assistance to families in need this holiday season.

I will also be talking and presenting some fun information for you in an interactive way. I'm looking forward to meeting you and talking with you...hope to see you there!

Growing Up Thrifted: An interview with Ann Tabor

2012-12-02T19:00:00.002-08:00

GROWING UP THRIFTED:

An interview with Ann Tabor

Since her teenage years, Ann Tabor's parents (Tim and Kathy Tabor of Hope's Outlet) have owned a thrift store. As you likely may know from my blog, Hope's is one of my very favorite local thrift stores and also the sponsor for the Thrift Trick Fashion Show and Clothing Drive! Beyond having quite the eye for fashion herself and working hard as a full time senior student of the nursing program at GVSU, Ann is also a model for the fashion show. Recently, when Ann stopped over with some items for me to alter with my sewing machine, I nabbed the opportunity for a quick interview. I thought my readers might enjoy hearing Ann's thoughts on "growing up thrifted" and how that has inspired her fashion sense and life in general. Read on below to hear all about it!

Did you "rebel" against the idea of thrift store shopping because your parents owned a thrift store?

Ann: "It's kind of weird. Before we owned a thrift store, I was literally embarrassed to go into them. And there were times in my life when I had to--it was what we could afford! But once we OWNED them, I thought--"OK, I get why people do this". I guess I felt relieved because I had an excuse to be there. Then when I was 15 or 16 I went the total opposite of how I had felt before. I went kind of crazy--I was really into the vintage and weird. I had this big vintage yellow skirt with huge red ladybugs on it. I wore a red shirt and crazy big beads with it. I've toned it down now to just a few crazy pieces."

What was the craziest thing you've ever seen donated to Hope's Outlet?

Ann: "Outside of cool vintage pieces, we've had people donate BOATS. A straight up speedboat. Even broken down cars."

Do you feel that growing up around thrifted clothes has helped to develop your sense of fashion and style?

Ann: "I think it has! It's exposed me to all kinds of crazy wardrobe options--and it's allowed me to experiment with things. What amount of vintage can I handle? I also appreciate the nice Gap clothes that come in. WOW-bargain. I began to appreciate ugly hipster sweaters and the right mix of crazy." (Laughs all around).

What is your typical "go-to" outfit?

Ann: "Skinny jeans and a flowy top. It could be cotton or lace or tie-up. Generally just skinny jeans with some interesting top! And flats. I'm not usually too creative with my hair. If it's not in a ponytail, it's down. "

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For the record, despite proclaiming non-creativity with her hair, Ann's red locks are pretty stunning! Thank you, Ann, for taking the time to answer my questions for the blog. And for your participation in the fashion show!

See Ann rocking some great looks on December 8th at Watermark 920 in Muskegon at the Thrift Trick Fashion Show and Clothing Drive! Remember, you can get free tickets at any Hope's Outlet just by bringing in a clothing donation. They will also be available for sale at the event.