Thrifted Finds

I have been cooped up in the house for the last several days, taking care of my sick little one. Yesterday, I needed a break so I went thrift shopping while Daddy and Simon stayed home, and I found a few new items:

~The tank top was only two dollars plus change, and is a silky fabric with a pretty print and a very flattering fit. It will be great, paired with a pencil skirt for summer days that call for something a little bit dressier, or with a cardigan over it the rest of the year.

The skirt is something I have actually been looking to find for a while now, and I found this one for five dollars. I have been trying to find a casual skirt that will be great to toss over a swimsuit at the beach, or to wear to picnics, barbecues, and other casual summer activities. This one is made of a cotton blend that stretches, and it feels as comfortable as wearing sweatpants.

Finally, I have wanted a leopard print belt for a long time, but belts are very expensive, and as you might have figured out by now, I very rarely pay full price for anything. So when I spotted this one for two dollars, I did a little mental happy dance.

I am looking forward to mixing and matching these new finds with my wardrobe.

Have you done any thrifting lately?

Double Plaid

I recently wore my thrifted plaid tunic in two different casual ensembles:

Outfit Notes: Cardigan Sweater-Gift // Plaid Tunic-Thrifted // Necklace-Gift // Jeans-Old Navy // Shoes-Monnetonka, at TJ Maxx // Bag-Mexicali Blues

Outfit Notes: Plaid tunic-Thrifted // Denim Skirt-Target, old // Leggings-Target // Shoes-Minnetonka, from TJ Maxx // Bag-Mexicali Blues

The first outfit was for a weekend day, and the second one was actually worn to work at the library. I love this tunic because it is super comfortable. I sometimes worry that it looks a bit like a maternity shirt, because it is so loose and flowy in the waist, but that same “flowy-ness” is also why I like it.

Even though the tunic is plaid, it is black and white so it acts like a neutral to my outfits. I like to add a pop of color with it, as I did with the shoes and necklace here.

See other ways I have remixed this tunic here and here.

(Linked up at The Pleated Poppy)

Lite Bright

Outfit Notes: Earrings-made by me // Sweater-TJ Maxx // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Tights-Target // Shoes-too old to remember

Turquoise and orange earrings. A turquoise, orange, and yellow sweater. A turquoise skirt and orange tights. I almost wore my turquoise shoes too…but I decided I had to stop the madness somewhere.

I actually started out the day in jeans on the bottom. However, I had to go into work in the evening, so I had to change out of them. Once I realized how perfectly my skirt matches this sweater, I started to roll with the color theme. I got a little carried away.

I got a lot of comments on my outfit. Many people told me I looked “sunny” or “bright and happy”. I definitely got looked at as I walked through downtown from the parking lot to work at the library.

I have to say, it is hard to be in a bad mood when wearing an outfit so loud and bright.

No Socks!

(Outfit Notes: Cardigan-Target // Tank-Old Navy, on sale for $2 // Skirt-Thrifted, H$M brand // Leggings-Sears, when my local store went out of business // Flats-Target, old // Scarf-too old to remember)

Today was the first time all year that it was warm enough outside to wear flats with no socks. I also did not need a coat or jacket, my cardigan and scarf were sufficient. This was very fitting, since this weekend as a family we celebrate the return of Spring.

We spent a bit of our time in the outdoors at my parent’s house, and I was soaking in as much vitamin D from the sun as I could. The warmth and sunshine really brighten up my mood and make me feel optimistic.

Turquoise and Marigold

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-made by me // Sweater-JC Penney clearance rack // T-shirt-too old to remember // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Tights- too old to remember // Belt-Target, last year // T-Strap Heels-JC Penney clearance last year)

Three things about today’s outfit:

1-My husband, Jeramy, and I are going out on a date night tonight to a late 1950’s/early 1960’s-themed drag show, after dinner. I wanted to dress somewhat suitable for the occasion, and so, this marigold and turquoise combo was born. I felt the colors of the ensemble, and the t-strap heels fit right in to the time periods being represented. (Though, with it being March in Maine there will most likely be a cardigan thrown over the top when we go out later, but I haven’t decided yet.)

2-This outfit was cheap. Very, very, cheap. The sweater was a recent 2 dollar find at my local JC Penney. (I bought two fun shirts for just 2 bucks each that day.) Score! The skirt is listed at full-price on the website, but someone ordered it online and then returned it to my local Target store. So, I got it for only 5 dollars instead of full price. Another score! The clutch bag was also marked way down, which I wrote about here. Triple score! The heels were also in the clearance section, last winter, for only 5 bucks too. Quadruple score! Add to all of that the t-shirt being only a few dollars on clearance, the fact that I made the earrings myself, and the tights being marked down…the most expensive item in the whole outfit was the belt, but I paid less than ten bucks for that. The whole ensemble for less than 40 bucks!

3-Lastly, this outfit is my offering for this week’s Style Imitating Art challenge. The lovely Jess, of the blog Animated Cardigan, chose this piece:
(Roses jaunes dans en vase), by Gustave Caillebotte
The title of the painting translates to: “Yellow Roses in a Vase”.

When I first saw this painting I thought: “How am I going to work with that when I don’t own any pale yellow?“. But Jess encouraged everyone to click on the image and look at it as large as possible to appreciate all of the flecks and strokes of color in the paint. Once I did this, I appreciated fully just how many rich colors really were in this seemingly pastel work.

If you look closely, you will find many shades of yellow in there, including the same marigold shade as my sweater. There are also ticks of orange, which I brought in with the beads on the earrings and the flowers on my tapestry print clutch. I also thought it fitting that the orange earring beads and the clutch print were roses, the subject matter of the painting. Finally, the dark background swirls with different browns, which show up in my tights and shoes.

(Be sure to check Jess’ blog on Monday when she posts all of the outfits that people submitted for the challenge!)

A Good Hair Day

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-Old Navy, years ago // Top-Kohls, several years old // Skirt-Target, years ago // Leggings-Sears, when my local store went out of business last year // Bracelet-Vintage, passed down to me // Boots-Target clearance last year)

Today I tried out a new “beauty” product for my scalp. Ever since I had my son I have experienced dandruff, and my scalp is insanely itchy all the time. (I wrote about this a while back, here.) I have tried switching to dandruff shampoos a few times, but they never seemed to help.

A couple of days ago, I went shopping out of town with a friend. She was in search of a dress to wear to a wedding, and I was going along to help and keep her company. Lush recently opened a store in the mall we were at, and we stopped in for a moment to check it out. From the moment we walked in, I was smitten by the displays of cosmetic products that looked so pretty and delicious. I wanted to touch, try, pick up, and smell everything! The sales girl asked if we were looking for anything in particular, and on a whim I asked her what they had for dandruff. She showed me several products designed for that very problem, and I chose to try the Soak and Float shampoo bar, because I liked the ease of using it over some of the other products which require time to sit on your head.

Today was a hair washing day (I wash my hair as infrequently as I can get away with, because it is better for your hair), so I finally got to put my bar to the test. I got in the shower, got my hair wet, and ran the bar from top of my head down my hair a few times to deposit the soap. Then, I ran my hands through my hair to lather. I have to say, the lather was awesome! I had fistfuls of foam worked into my hair! Then, I rinsed very well, and followed up with my favorite conditioner.

As my hair dried, I noticed right away that I had gotten a volume boost from the washing. But, more importantly, I also noticed less itching. Some days, my scalp itches right after washing and there was none of that this time. As the day went on, my scalp continued to feel good, only having a couple of itches as it became evening, instead of driving me crazy like usual.

The real test will be how it feels over the next couple of days, since I won’t be washing my hair. I also want to see how well it works as time goes on. I have read great reviews, and so far, I am pretty pleased.

Despite the wind making it frizzy, I definitely felt like I was having a good hair day! 🙂

My Happy Sweater

 

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-a gift // Sweater-JC Penney // Skirt-way too old to remember // Leggings-Sears, bought when the one in my town went out of business // Boots-Target, clearance last year)

I had a little extra money for shopping this week and this bright, turquoise sweater was one of my purchases. Turquoise is one of my very favorite colors, and this shade seemed so Springy to me. Also, it is a very versatile piece, that can be mixed, matched, and layered in a variety of ways.

Mostly though, the color of it just makes me feel happy. I felt good wearing it, and that is what I think our clothes should do for us.

What colors make you feel happy?

Style Imitating Art: in Grey and Blue

This week I am joining in with “Style Intimating Art“, which is a fun style blogger challenge run by the ladies of Animated Cardigan and 14 Shades Of Grey. This week, the piece selected is “The Wanderer Above A Sea Of Fog” by Caspar David Friedrich. A very monochromatic and moody piece. My outfit today was inspired by the color scheme of the painting, as well as the foggy atmosphere and rocky landscape.

(Outfit Notes: Sweater-thrifted // Dark blue, long-sleeved tee-Target clearance rack // Necklace-gift // Skirt-Target, years ago // Boots-Target, last year on clearance)

I wore my grey and white flecked sweater, which represented fog, along with the grey tights. My denim skirt, tee, and nail polish pull in the blue shades and mood of the painting. (I tend to own darker blues, since I am already pale, and pastel colors can sometimes wash me out.) Finally, my belt, boots, and the stone beads of my necklace pull in the rocks.

This challenge is a lot of fun and I cannot wait to do it again!

With A Long-Sleeved Tee

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-Made by me // Sleeveless Top- TJ Maxx // Denim Skirt-Target, a few years old // Sweater Tights-don’t remember // Shoes-TJ Maxx)

This Winter, I have really come to value solid-color, long-sleeved tees as layering pieces. The one I am wearing here actually has an owl design on it, that I don’t really care for, but I bought it for about two dollars off a clearance rack a while ago, with the intention of layering over it, so the small design didn’t matter. I have gotten more than my moneys worth out of this piece, with all of the things I have layered it under in the cooler months. (Which we have many of here in Maine.)

This black tee has enabled me to stretch my Spring and Summer pieces into the cold Winter. For example, here under a Summer dress.

It is another snowy day here, but I noticed the other day that the robins had returned to my Mother-in-law’s garden. Hopefully, Spring weather will come back soon, and with it, the chance to wear my warmer weather wardrobe (say that ten times fast!) on its own again. Until then, layering pieces to the rescue!

(This post linked up at What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy)

Cozy Sunday

(Outfit Notes: Hat-really, really old, from Gap // Top-Modcloth, bought on sale last year // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Leggings-Target // Boots-Target clearance last year)

I look far too serious in this picture, but all of the ones in which I was smiling were too washed out.

This is what I wore yesterday, for a day of church, a cast meeting for The Vagina Monologues (I am co-directing!), and time loafing around at home with Jeramy and Simon. This skirt is stretchy and comfortable, and when paired with leggings and a top makes a cozy but cute winter outfit. I wore the hat all day because I didn’t have time to wash my hair before I had to be out of the house. Sundays are for being as lazy as possible, right?