FAQ: Thrifting Tips

To answer a question that i'm asked frequently in comments and emails:

Have any tips for thrifting?

Well my lovelies, i shop any and everywhere. I do drivebys thru thriftstores and Target every other day. Just checking in for bargains. I play lots of mind tricks on myself (sad but true) to keep from spending up to $100 in a thriftstore...or F21...which usually means, i'll be drinking water for lunch for the next 2 weeks...lol.

Here are a few tips/tricks that most are already familiar with, but i keep in mind while shopping.

Mindtrick #1: Set a spending limit and stick to it. I usually leave my wallet in my car, and walk in w/ an alloted amount of money...say $10-$20. That way i'm forced to only hold onto pieces i'm in love with as i only have a limited amt of money to spend.

Mindtrick #2: Don't feel obligated to find treasure. If u go in, and look around and nothing catches your eye, just walk out. If u have to talk yourself into buying something, you're prob not going to get much wear out of it.

Mindtrick# 3: Spotting treasure. i'm attracted to bright colors...flowers.....fun patterns. If u find something you like, examine it and make sure it fits, no stains...etc. If you 're a sewing whiz, you have a few more options as you can alter lengths and widths or just make something new. If you're still a beginner like moi or don't know how to sew, if it doesn't fit, leave it. I have countless pieces of thrifted items that i "planned to fix" so i could wear them that have been sitting in the same spot for months. Learn from my mistakes and don't waste your money on pieces you won't wear..lol

Mindtrick #4: Size is just a number. Try on pieces that you like. I've found gorgeous pieces that fit like a dream, but the size written on the tag says otherwise. So donot hesitate to try it on.

These few are just the tip of the iceberg. So to my seasoned veterans of thrift shopping, what are some of your thrifting tips?

Velvet

This is how i dress to go bike riding. It takes a special skill to pedal uphill in 4inchers but its one of my many talents...lol.
I've found my lbd that every woman is supposed to have, and mine happens to be velvet. A little confession: I didn't care for velvet until i found the dress. I'm still not a velvet lover, but i LOVE this dress.








Dress and jacket- thrifted, shoes- urban originals

Red and Yellow Accents

Life is way to short for us to not enjoy it the best ways we know how. I've worn this outfit before but i kept it really simple. So this time, i added 2 colors for a fun and summery twist on black and white.




Skirt-old navy, shirt-macys, belt-thrifted, shoes-urban originals

photocredits go to Nimsa!

Corners

I have to say, i'm very blessed. I'm having one of the BEST weeks ever. On tuesday, myself and a classmate(we were talking after class when we approached a man who sold random jewelry on the street) were given free trinkets. He told us to take WHATEVER we wanted because he was feeling GENEROUS! (wow)!
I was overwhelmed and incredibly surprised, but wasted no time in picking out a pair of dangly earrings which i will showcase later this week.
Also, I'm going to Atlanta's International Fashion Week!!!! (yay!!!) So if you see me at an event, donot hesitate to come over and say hi!
Wearing my "paint-splotched" styled over-sized dress(worn on my birthday). Its a couple sizes too big, but i love the colors, so i made it work (hence the big black belt)
Hope you guys are having a fantastic week as well!!!!






Dress -thrifted, black skirt worn underneath-f21, shoes-steve madden
photocredits go to my sis Nimsta!!!!!!

Hey Atlanta!

The Atlanta International Fashion Week begins today!

Its better in blue

This is my favorite shade of blue. I found this blue blazer,and couldn't resist wearing it despite the heat outside.In my defense, its really cool in the office, so it worked out. Am I the only one that gets a little shy during photoshoots? Being that i take my pics outside(usually somewhere public ie: on the streets of Atlanta)for the good light, i'm subject to a lot of confused stares and wary looks. Does anyone else get a bit self-concious during their photoshoots? Do tell!






dior blazer and plaid skirt- thrifted, tank- f21, shoes- BCBG, clutch- couture collection

photocredits go to the Nimsta and lil bro!

How I Roll

I don't wear this shirtdress enough, even though i love how it looks on me when i finally get a chance to put it on. Easy enough to run errands comfortably and grab sunday brunch with some of my favorite girls(my mom and sister).




dress-macys, belt and purse-thrifted, shoes-pink duchess

Pretty Pictures

This right here is my inspiration to learn to sew. I love looking thru Vlisco's collections. This is the latest one called Eclat de Nature (Outbursts of Nature).
I secretely wish that i could create such gorgeous designs! But i'll settle for owning one. lol. Happy Friday!!
Enjoy!






photocredits: Fah-schyon

All Smiles

So much pink today.And i'm all smiles. I'm in a really, really great mood. Probably the relief that comes with the clarity of knowing where you're going... I'll elaborate on another day. Hope you guys have a fantastic day!











photocredits go to the Nimstas!

Well Vested

Happy Monday Everyone!
Not to start off too sappy, but you lovely bloggers who stop by and whisper sweet nothings in my ears, I appreciate it. You guys are making me feel all warm inside and leave me grinning with glee .lol. Seriously though, i really appreciate the emails and the comments. So, a very big THANK YOU to you all.
Ok, today’s outfit started off with the flirty floral dress that left me doubting its appropriateness for the office. Thankfully, I have The Vest aka, the perfect piece to transform the dress to appropriate office wear(at least in my book). I found it while thrifting past this weekend. Definitely going to be playing dress up with this vest. Very soon.
*Go here to see how i wore the dress in the winter.










dress and vest- thrifted, shoes- hypnotic, purse- franchesca boutique

photo credits go to the Nimsta!!

My favorite jeans

What i wore for work, for casual friday. Its been a while since my legs were covered up,partly because of the heat and partly(mostly) because i love not having to wear pants. But i figured, my pants were feeling neglected as i only swoon over dresses and skirts with pockets. So, meet my favorite jeans. They're gray and really comfortable. And, they compliment nearly everything in my closet. Did i mention they're quite comfortable? Which is why i didn't hesitate to pair it with my bright jacket.






jeans-f21, floral jacket-thrifted, yellow tank- target, shoes- bakers

photocredits go to the Nimsta!

Little White Dress

New favorite dress. Like i said before, when i find something i like, i pretty much kill it...by wearing it to death.








the detail on the bottom portion of the dress

dress and purse- thrifted, blue oversized cardi-target, shoes-miss me
photo credits go to the Manfriend and the Nimsta!

Pattern-Mixing

It started pouring HARD as we were taking pics today. It felt like each time the flash went off, there was a thunderous boom of thunder and lightning to match it.
But not even drenching rain could deter my enthusiasm in wearing this gorgeous colorful skirt. The pics do the skirt no justice, plus due to dwindling light and the pelting raindrops, we had to cut the shoot short. I'm also wearing another dress as a top. You may recognize the top as a dress and as a top from these posts.
*pay no attention to the mischievous glimmer in my eyes, that's how i react to thunder..some get scared, i get excited*



dress(worn as a shirt)-Newport news, Skirt-anthro, shoes-steve madden
photocredit goes to my sis the Nimsta!

Recovery

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th. I had one of the best weekends ever, spent w/ the Manfriend and my family. Fireworks make me so giddy with excitement, its kind of ridiculous. Food, Family and a throng of people you don't know is always the recipe for an interesting time.
After such a fun weekend, its a bit hard to go back to the regular routine. So I'm having one of those days when NOTHING looks right or feels right and i just want to crawl under my covers and watch movies. Not even my fail safe dresses looked right today. So i fell back on two things that usually make me feel better,clothes that multitask and skirts w/ pockets. My ruffled shirt is simply this ruffled tunic dress tucked into a skirt. If only there were fireworks or something to distract me.lol.Hope you guys are off to a better start.
Happy Monday!








Dress(worn as shirt)-target, Skirt and belt- thrifted, Shoes- Hypnotic, Clutch: Couture Collection

Tie Dye

Why i love summer time reason # 1510: Scenic Drives.
Scenic drives are one of my favorite things to do in the summer because all it requires is a tank of gas, and people who enjoy being with each other. Its ideal for daydreaming(not the driver), sight-seeing and exploration(which i love to do). And awesomely, that's how i spent a majority of the day.
It was especially fun as it was just me, the Manfriend and a mostly open road(and he drove so i got to just sit back and relax).Plus, we had no worries about getting lost because he's patient(unlike me) AND is a walking navigational system.






Dress: F21, Jacket: Arizona, shoes: newport news, clutch: bonita

Photocredits go to my darling Manfriend!

Toffee

This is what i wore to school. As you can see, i'm glistening not sweating from the ridiculous heat (because ladies don't sweat). After the photoshoot, my graceful photographer(my sis) and i stopped for yogurt and toffee, which was surprisingly good. Surprising to me because i'm a complete and total chocoholic, and usually don't like any flavors except chocolate(read: i'm a complete and total chocoholic).


Shirt-Charlotte Russe, Shorts-F21, Shoes-Miss Me, Bag- Target