Thursday, October 11, 2012

Back to the Mid-Atlantic

Well, Readers, I am back form vacation- and can I say "BURRRR!" I totally did not plan to come back to cold weather (it was warm when we left!) so my return outfit was totally laughable- I can't even talk about how BAD it was.
Now that I'm back to fall weather, I can post this lovely outfit from before my trip! Enjoy.




Red and navy rugby shirt- Chaps (via Junior League) ~$3
Dark wash skinny jeans- Forever21 (via Consignment) ~$6
Sunglasses- Wet Seal ~$3
White and leather belt- Vintage (mom’s)
Pearls- gift
Lace-up boots- Target ~$20
TOTAL: $32

            I wore this to a large outdoor fair for dogs. I knew I’d need to help wrangle my big furry puppy, so I wanted something that was simple and not fussy. My recently purchased (children’s) rugby top seemed to be a great choice. Paired with skinny jeans and my adventure boots (or granny boots if you ask Mom), I was concerned it would look to masculine. I decided to add pearls and keep my hair down. Do you think I accomplished that? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com  or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Weekend Watch...Sort of?

Hello Readers from the Most Magical Place on Earth!
I am vacationing in Disney World with my lovely brother, A. I have a High/Low clothing item to share with you and a few great shoes for fall. Sorry my list isn't comprehensive, but my focus is on spending time with the favorite brother and enjoying all the Magic here.
Left: I found these pants in Ralph Lauren's latest collection. While this isn't a brand I ever buy new, I do like to get inspired by looking at their new pieces. These equestrian themed skinny pants definitely caught me attention! At $120, they're totally unpractical!
Right: These look-a-likes from Forever 21 are around $13! Yes- they are leggings, not pants. I'd like to see them in person, but they're a well priced alternative to the RL version.
I LOVE this $60 leatherette skirt by NY&Co. Yes- it's beyond the range I usually look at, but a leather or leather alternative skirt has been on my list since fall began! I'm still looking around, but I like knowing that the trend is strong enough that multiple stores should carry similar, lower priced options.

These two faux-croc pumps are from DSW and retail for around $40. I think skins like croc are very fall and winter weater appropriate. The red mary-jane shoes are a bit more sassy, whereas the black ones are more standard.

Nothing says autumn quite like a riding boot. This pair from DSW are real leather and retail for around $70. I might have to order these..
This pair of deep tan ballet flats also work as a great mock-loafer, with their beautiful metallic link detail and tassels. They retail for just around $26 and come in 4 other colors.

Thanks for tuning in! See anything I missed? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwilHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B




Friday, October 5, 2012

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

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Kindred Spirits



Teal sweater- Ann Taylor (via Junior League) ~$7
Snow leopard skinny pant- City Streets (JC Penny) ~$20
Brown leather braided belt- Vintage (from mom)
Tan moccasin- Lamb (The Shoe Department) ~$20
TOTAL: $47

            I love this sweater. I bought it over the summer when the Junior League was selling this 100% silk piece for just $7. It really doesn’t look like anything special but I have some strange special connection to it. I wonder who owned it before me? Perhaps we’re kindred spirits. Anyway, I finally got to wear it as it’s been a bit cooler. I love the pairing of textures in this outfit. Mixing prints is an art, but mixing textures is also a skill. I love these printed pants, but rarely wear them! They are so memorable that I feel the need to wait long periods of time between wears. Am I giving too much observational credit to my classmates?
            If you read this blog on the regular, you may notice that I RARELY wear my hair up. I think I look funny (read: bald) and it also hurts my head to wear it up for extended periods of time. On this day, I was headed to class after a bridal photo shoot and left my hair and make up from the shoot on all day. I’ll include a few behind the scenes pictures at the bottom.
Tell me readers, Do you think there should be a waiting period between wears for really loud or memorable pieces? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully yours,
B
PS Does this outfit sort of remind you of this J Crew ensemble? Unintentional, but I guess not subconsciously!

Photo Shoot Pictures
Photo from Tina Dolin

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Thrifty Threads: A Salvation Army Shopping Review


Mom & I ventured to a neighboring town to see what 50% off Wednesday was like at another SalVal. It was PACKED! I snagged two items on my fashion wish list and another “bonus” piece. Here they are!

1. Pineapple khaki Capri- The brand on these isn’t great, but for a few bucks, I love an embroidered piece. J Crew makes similar pieces for around the $50 range.
2. A blue Oxford has been on my list since I first drafted it! This is a ¾ sleeve top by Lands’ End, making it a great quality piece. It needs a little tailoring. I’m still keeping my eyes open for a long sleeved one at a good price.
3. Finally, the Pièce de résistance, the collarless jacket. It didn’t look like this when I found it. It was scary and extra furry looking. I snagged it for $6 and gave it a haircut. 

I put together a little visual for collarless jackets just a few days before my trip and I think the fashion goddesses saw it!
(Photo credit: Top R- White House | Black Market, Sarah Vickers from Classy Girls Wear Pearls, and Forever21)

 They smiled down on me and planted a beautiful collarless jacket in the racks for me. It’s currently being dry cleaned, and I can’t wait to wear it once it’s back (and less smelly).
Tell me readers, Are you feeling the collarless jacket trend? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Ina Inspiration



Pink and White striped Oxford- Ralph Lauren (via Salvation Army) ~$2
Black Leggings- Under Armor (gift, old)
Sunglasses- Wet Seal ~$3
Swavorski Mickey Earrings- Disney World (gift)
Pearl necklace (gift)
Black gladiator sandals- Ruff Hewn ~$13
TOTAL: $18

            Have you ever watched the “Barefoot Contessa” with Ina Garten? She is one of my favorite Food Network chefs. Her show is filmed in the Hamptons, full of New England style. In nearly every episode she cooks in an oversized Oxford with the collar popped and a pearl necklace. I’m just learning to style button-up shirts in a feminine way and I think I’m kind of loving them over leggings.
RED ALERT READERS: I wear leggings as pants. Judge away! I held off for a long while after the trend started, but then I realized that I am not ashamed of my body, so leggings as pants are okay! Of course, the styling is important when doing this, and I think the length and more full shape of the top helps balance the tight look on the leg.
Tell me readers, Do YOU wear leggings as pants? Why or why not? Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B

Monday, October 1, 2012

Thrifty Threads: A Junior League Shopping Review

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Here’s my shopping recap from my last trip to the Junior League.
(Starting top L, moving clockwise)
1. This super soft sweater is vintage and bears in insignia ODCC. There is a place, locally, called the Outdoor Country Club and I’m wondering if this wasn’t an old uniform or available for purchase in the past. I wouldn’t have been drawn to it if it weren’t on the 4 items for $1 rack. Oops?
2. Recently, I added a new item to my fashion wish list- a collarless jacket. I stumbled across this one in the cardigan section and loved it. It looks horrific on the hanger- so please trust that this piece is a good one. I’ll definitely wear it open with jeans most of the time, but am open to alternative stylings. It’s vintage AND machine washable.
3. This new rugby top has a secret- it is actually a children’s top. I never thought I would fit into children’s clothes, but apparently boys XL is the exception. I did buy a Rugby top earlier this season (Ralph Lauren, grey with maroon stripes) but still wanted one with wide stripes. I also secretly hoped I could find one in red and navy, so -how lucky am I?
There you have it, readers, my shopping trip all summed up! Keep your eyes open for how I work these new pieces into my wardrobe.
Tell me about your recent purchases! Comment or email me at BsGoodwillHunting@gmail.com or tweet me at BsGoodwillHunt
Thriftfully Yours,
B