The Polka-Dot Sweater

-->

Green polka dot sweater- Liz & Co (via Salvation Army) ~$2.50

Black skinny corduroys- OP (via Goodwill) ~$4

Gold and pearl strand necklace- (via consignment) ~$3

White and leather belt- Vintage (from mom)

Boots- Rack Room Shoes ~$20 (on sale, they are still selling them new!)

TOTAL: $29.50

            I have been waiting to wear some of the new-to-me fall/winter clothes I’ve thrifted in the past few months and the weather is finally cooperating. This sweater has been on stand-by for a chilly day for a while. Polka dot sweaters have been EVERY WHERE this year- J Crew, Old Navy, Gap and Brooks Brothers have all manufactured similar polka dot sweaters (but not for a better price). If you’ll remember, I purchased 2 other polka dot sweaters, new, from Old Navy. Why a third polka sweater, you ask? This was not only a great deal, it is also a much thicker sweater than the other two and is roomy enough for layering during the more harsh winter months.

Tell me readers, How have you been expressing the polka dot trend? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Pretty Patriotic

Polka dot secretary blouse- James Kenrob (vintage, from Goodwill) ~$3.50

White and gold pencil skirt- Worthington (via JC Penny) ~$7

Skinny light blue belt- Vintage (via Goodwill) ~$1

Navy blue leggings- via Gabriel Brothers ~$4

Brown boots- Xappeal (via Rack Room Shoes) ~$20 (on sale)

TOTAL: $35.50

            Riding boots! It’s something I actually love about fall. My boots are sort of beat. I bought them on clearance 3+ years ago at Rack Room Shoes in what has turned out to be a snag at $20. These boots have been put out, NEW, every year for just around $50 and they’re not real leather! Not worth $50, maybe $20. Regardless, mine are starting to peel and are scuffed at the toe. It may be time to start scouting for a new, leather pair. Perhaps Christmas list…

            In other news, it is cold enough to wear my secretary blouses! We’re starting with this one and working through my entire collection. My outfit sort of ended up looking quite patriotic, especially after I added red coat.

Tell me readers, Any tips for finding a great pair of leather riding boots? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Regret Purchase

Black tank top- Old Navy ~$7 (on sale)

Black cropped cardigan- Old Navy (via Goodwill) ~$3.50

Polka dot swing shorts- Forever 21 ~$18

Gold bead necklace- Old Navy ~$5

Black gladiator sandal- Ruff Hewn ~$13

TOTAL COST: $46.50

            I really see outfits differently in photos than I do in real life, or even looking in a mirror. The pictures of this outfit made me realize that these shorts would look great with a blousy mid or long sleeved top. Also, this cardigan looks more like a cropped jacket than a sweater. It has no buttons and the cut is excellent, especially considering it was manufactured by Old Navy. While I am pleased with the look of this outfit, I must admit these shorts are a regret purchase but only because I paid nearly $20 for an item I’ll wear a few times a year only. I totally talked myself into them. If they were longer, or sat a bit lower on the hip, I think I’d be happier. I’m preppy sure they shrunk (slightly) and also faded a little after 1-2 washes. ANNOYING. Had I spent the $4 Goodwill or Salvation Army price, I can guarantee I wouldn’t be whining right now. Lessons learned!

Tell me readers, What was your last regret purchase? Comment or email me at BsGoodwilHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Weekend Watch

Hello Readers! Welcome to my new blog "segment"- Weekend Watch. I have not been posting on weekends (mostly due to scheduling and lack of profound outfits) but I still wanted to post. Rather than just blab on about my life, I decided to do something fashion related, and this idea was born.
This week, I'm pulling my most recent fashion pins from Pinterest and making a full post about it. Of course, in line with the whole thrifty theme of my blog, I am selecting items that will (usually) be under $30 an item. My general rule is under $20 for new pieces, but I'm making an exception so I can cover a slightly larger price range. Enjoy!

 

This is a Lauren Conrad for Kohl's polka dot blazer. The polka dot craze is still going strong and I LOVE this piece. It's presently on sale for $35 (Oops, already broke my rule, sorry!). What a great deal (originally $70, wowza)

 This Old Navy plaid shirt is an excellent (cheaper) alternative to this PiperLime version worn by Sarah Vickers of Classy Girls Wear Pearls. I love the green color on both shirts and I think it looks great with denim. This piece is on sale for $16.50. Haven't checked the fit or quality in person. Old Navy is hit or miss in that department, so I NEVER recommend online buying, only online looking.

 These dresses by Mossimo (at Target) are $25 (on sale right now!) and come in this bright pink and more subdued grey. Love both! I have to try it on for length, but this is one of my favorite's from this week's Watch. I wish there were more color options.

 The next two options are both from Forever21. The striped top is SUCH a J Crew rip off but hey, that's my favorite kind of rip off. Nautical stripes and shoulder button detailing? YAY!
The stripped dress is SO Megan Draper (of Mad Men) singing in a Parisian night club, no? I'd NEVER have anywhere to wear it, but I HAD to share it!

 Finally, these Target skirts come in at least 8 colors and are less than $20! Great deal. Will be trying these on soon. It's all about the fit and the length- again, no online ordering for me!

There you have it, readers, my first ever Weekend Watch! I hope you enjoyed my selections for the week.
Spot something great that I missed? Tell me about it! Email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet to me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B

A Shopping Haul: Old Navy

A while ago, I got some Old Navy “cash” and had to wait until it was good to use. I’ve been stalking the Old Navy website to figure out how I can best spend $50 and then get the $20 off. Here are some of the options I was looking at. I tried on (or visually examined) all these pieces and more.

The first item I tried on were these blouses. I was so excited for this item. So many expensive retails are putting out similar blouses and so I’m hunting for my bargain version. Unfortunately, the fit was BAD. I tried a variety of sizes and nothing worked. While they looked fine, they totally restricted my arm movement. Also, I under anticipated how ridiculous the large breast pockets would look. This was a pass- I am still hunting.

The second item were these corduroy skirts. I didn’t even bother picking one up to try on. They were not an item I was dying for and they just looked so cheap in person. Another pass.

The third item, more skirts, were these striped pencil skirts. A little too tight for me. Pass.

Next, the dresses- I was so excited to see these striped bracelet sleeve shifts with color block top on the web site. 

Prior to the release of these dresses, ON had posted these full sleeve dresses in four color combinations. 

Now, here is where I get confused. The full sleeve dress have better construction, thicker material and slightly more conservative hem lines and retail for $19.95. The bracelet sleeved dresses are thinner material, shorter hems, shoddier construction and are $24.95. My biggest question is why were they released in that order? The dress with the thinner material, and shorter hem and sleeve should have been released in SUMMER. But WHATEVER Old Navy, I liked your cheaper dress better and saved $5. In fact, I bought two. The navy dress with red stripes and the black dress with white stripes. Can’t wait to try it belted, with boots, with leggings, a cardigan, etc. (Hurry up fall).

Finally, I bought a 2^nd light weight polka dot sweater. I already own the green one and I love it so much (and fear them selling out before hitting sale) that I got it in the white with black polka dots.

My total for 3 pieces (2 dresses and the polka dot sweater) was $64 but with my ON cash, I paid $44!

I'm fairly pleased. Still have my $5 off of $25 from their FB page, so I'm not sure what to get with that (if anything).

Tell me readers, Where do you like to shop? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt

Thriftfully Yours, 

B

Palazzo Passion

White camisole- Gap Outlet ~$10

Bright turquoise ¾ cardigan- Gap Outlet ~$20

Polka dot palazzo pants- Xhilaration (Target) ~$10 (on sale)

Silver gladiators- Bongo (via TJ Maxx) ~$5

Gold and turquoise pendant necklace- Old Navy ~$7

TOTAL COST: $52

            Okay. You caught me. There are no thrifted items in this post, but I don’t want to let that stop me from sharing my outfit. I recently started reading Kendi Everyday and she recently a had post about the challenges of posting in which she discussed the disconnect between her blog persona and her real self. In this post, she wore palazzo pants. This inspired me to add it to my wish list, and 2 days later I found a pair at Target on sale for around $10 (originally $20). (The second block shows a close up of the pants because in the full-length shot, they just look solid black)

            In a previous post, I discussed how fictitious television characters influence my fashion choices. In a show I started watching recently, Girl on HBO (currently on hiatus), there are four lead females, each with their own very distinct style. I’m generally somewhere between a Marni and a Shoshanna (if this is Greek to you, WATCH THE SHOW) but these pant are all Jessa. The Jessa character is some weird amalgamation of hipster, hippy, and bohemian, with a look full of floppy hats, peasant blouses and top-knot buns. Her carefree approach to fashion inspires me to wear what I want, regardless of what that is. Out of season? Mismatched? Absolutely ridiculous? I DON’T CARE! I’ll wear it all and feel comfortable. (Steps off of soap box)

Tell me readers, Do you always follow your fashion lovin’ heart? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B

Junior League Line Up

 

            Today, my mom and I took our first trip to our city’s Junior League. The Junior League mission statement is as follows: The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. (http://www.ajli.org/)

            It functions as a second hand store. Community members can sell their items for a few dollars and the Junior League resells them at a reasonable price. I wasn’t sure what the pricing would be like compared to other charitable organizations like Goodwill, but I thought it was quite reasonable. I managed to snag 3 items for 13 dollars.

            When I spotted this polka dot dress (David Warren: New York) on the rack, I hoped it would be a great silhouette and my size- It was both. It’s classic and fun- words that perfectly describe my style. The teal v-neck is a Banana Republic top which could be dressed up or worn casually. It’s a great addition to my “work wear” tops collection. Finally, this 100% silk sweater by Ann Taylor is so much more special than this photo would suggest. It fits perfectly and the color looks great with everything. Can’t wait to wear it as a layer piece.

            I would definitely go back. There was a really nice representation of quality brands: Talbots, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Banana Republic, J Crew, etc. Everything I looked at was under $10. Some items were cheaper than they would have been at GW and some were more expensive, so for me, I would say it just about balances out. They are having a giant end of the season sale in the middle of August (Fill a bag for $1!) so I’ll be sure to check that out.

Tell me readers, Do you think the polka dot trend is here to stay? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com

Thriftfully Yours,

B