Mad(wo)Men

Blanco dress from Santander, Spain, vest from Goodwill Blue Hanger, and Zara flats

You might not have noticed, but I've been slowly adding a few ads to the sidebar of my blog. I only want to advertise businesses and products I actually do endorse instead of just random ads. As of right now, I've become involved with a couple affiliate advertising programs including Modcloth, Payless, and Amazon. I'm feeling a little guilty about the Modcloth ad because I don't actually own anything from there. But if I could afford it, I would buy everything on their site. Instead, I shop at thrift stores for similar styles.

It's hard to find advertisers because I don't buy that much retail. I do sometimes, but mostly when I'm looking for specific things like well-fitting jeans and cute shoes. I added the Payless ad after recently buying these shoes. Now, I'm working on getting a Gap ad since it's one of my favorite retail guilty pleasures. I just added the Amazon ad yesterday for Batiste Dry Shampoo because that stuff is the bomb. No joke.

After I discovered Batiste, I was hooked. I bought it from the local Sally Beauty Supply for about six months, but then I moved to a different part of town and couldn't find it anywhere! I even tried other dry shampoos, but they were all crappy compared to Batiste. So, I was forced to buy it online on Amazon. And now I'm advertising it.

Tribal Take Two

I wandered all around my apartment complex trying to find the perfect spot to take these pictures. I think it's safe to say I found my new photo spot! It's actually not in my apartment complex, but at the doctor's office next to it. This wall is the perfect backdrop because it had just the right amount of shade to produce a well-balanced photo. Unfortunately, it's a pretty high-traffic area, so it's almost impossible to avoid an audience. Cars were whizzing by and a couple of people walked passed me while I was taking these photos. 

This outfit isn't anything special, but it's very comfortable. I was in the mood to wear something casual and simple yesterday morning and this top fit the bill. Matt said it's looks very 90s and I completely agree. I hope whoever owned this bold, southwestern print shirt before I did wore it with overalls or a vest, a la Clarissa Explains It All.

$4 thrifted top from Texas Thrift Store, American Apparel skirt, Zara shoes.

Jungle 2 Jungle

Y'all remember that movie? I still watch it when it's on TV. Well, I did back when I had cable. Maybe that's one to keep in our DVD collection.

This is one of the three tribal print items I've bought in the last week. Mind you, all three items cost me less than $15 total. This particular dress was probably less than 50 cents, but it made me feel like much more than that. I might not look like 500 bucks or even 50, but I felt very comfortable and very "me" in this outfit. I think that's what matters most anyway.

thrifted dress from Goodwill Blue Hanger, belt from a "regular" Goodwill, Francesca's necklace given to me by my step-mom, Rose, and Montego Bay wedges from Payless

This Skirt Makes Me Smile

I hope you're happy. I purposely chose an outfit that didn't revolve around The Vest. I even took pictures outside for you guys! The blank white wall in the bedroom has become a little monotonous, so I moved...to a wall outside. I know it get's boring seeing the same background, so I wanted to change it up even it if was just a little different. I have to be honest, I forgot how awkward it is to take pictures in the middle of an apartment complex all alone with the self-timer. I'll do it for y'all though. Just don't make me regret it!

thrifted skirt from Goodwill Blue Hanger, Gap shirt, Forever 21 belt, and Zara flats

Rock Star Glamour

I felt like a 90s rock star in this outfit. That wasn't my intention, but I liked the end result. I never imagined myself wearing a leopard dress, but I 'm glad I never completely ruled it out. I bought the dress for $1 knowing I'd wear it for the first time with The Vest. I'm not sorry you're seeing this vest again. I. LOVE. IT.

I thought my head bang looked more legit in this outfit. Maybe not...

thrifted dress from Thrift Town, thrifted denim vest from Goodwill Blue Hanger, necklace from Sassen Boutique through Le Garage Sale, belt from Wish (CLOSED), and Montego Bay wedges from Payless

The Vest "Otra Vez"

I grew up in what I considered a non-traditional Hispanic household. I never even really used to consider myself "Hispanic" because I always just felt American. It wasn't until I moved away from the Rio Grande Valley to Austin that I realized I was a little different from my white friends. Even though I'm not a hardcore Chicana by any means, I do have Hispanic roots that influence who I am.

While I was growing up, my mom made delicious Mexican food like enchiladas and caldo de pollo, but she also made amazing lasagna. My sister had a huge, traditional quinceñera, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle of planning one. We lived about 30 minutes away from the border between Texas and Mexico, so we often crossed to go to the dentist or just to eat lunch. The weirdest thing was that I never learned Spanish while I lived in the Valley. My parents didn't teach us, except for food words and key phrases, so I didn't really learn to speak it until college.

Even though Spanish was rarely used in our house, there were a few things my mom used to say to me all the time, including "otra vez". It just means "again", but she would say it when I would ask for more spending money or for another ride to a friends house. I'm pretty sure if she saw how often I've worn this vest, she would say it to me exactly like she used to.

vintage dress and headscarf from Cream Vintage, vest from Goodwill Blue Hanger, belt from Wish (now closed), and Montego Bay wedges from Payless

Denim & Dots

I was on the hunt for the perfect cropped denim vest for over a year. I had tried on numerous versions in both thrift stores and the mall, but never found the right one. I'd pretty much given up until I found this one the other day. The best part is that it was only 50 cents! It was literally love at first sight. I've been wearing it everyday since I bought it. I don't know how many days in a row I can wear it without it becoming inappropriate and probably unsanitary. It's just that it goes with almost every outfit. You'll see what I mean, especially because I'll probably keep wearing it until it gets cold and becomes silly to wear a jacket without sleeves. Sorry in advance if you get tired of seeing it.

thrifted skirt and denim vest from the Goodwill Blue Hanger Outlet, a Gap tank top, belt from Wish (now closed), bracelet from Buffalo Exchange, and Bakers sandals.

Read all about my digging adventure at the Goodwill outlet here.

Dig, Dig, Dig

I did a little dumpster diving yesterday. OK, not really literal dumpster diving, but about as close as I'll ever want to get. I went to the Goodwill Blue Hanger Outlet to live-tweet thrifting for my class project, Recycled & Reworn. And, who am I kidding, I really wanted to shop. It's all the way out by the airport, but totally worth it. I had to take a few deep breaths before I plunged my hands into the eerily-similar-to-dumpster bins.

After just a few minutes of pulling at things that caught my eye, I had a pair of red J.Crew corduroy pants, a vintage acid wash denim vest, and a bunch of other random clothes in my basket. After that, I couldn't stop. I spent about an hour and a half elbowing other shoppers, reaching into huge piles of god-knows-what, and keeping my basket from overflowing. It was a real-life treasure hunt and I was totally in my element.

At $1.39 per pound, I ended up spending $14 for three skirts, three blouses, one sweater, two pairs of pants, one denim vest, one romper, three nightgowns, two wineglasses, and one coffee mug.  I plan to give a few things to friends and I'll have to get two of the skirts altered, but I'm definitely going back.

vintage dress from New Bohemia, vintage belt from an estate sale in San Antonio, thrifted Pappagallo flats from Family Thrift Center.

Crunch Berry Inspiration

As I walked to class on Tuesday, I realized my outfit matched the Cap'n Crunch Berry cereal I was eating. Instead of feeling silly, I embraced it and even Tweeted about my unconscious inspiration. I did, however, keep my cereal in my purse while I was in class. It wasn't that I was embarrassed or anything. I just couldn't hear what my professors were saying over the crazy loud crunching. They should put a label on the box (in this case, the generic bag) that warns you not to eat it in quiet places.

I've been working after class everyday this week since Tuesday, so I haven't had time to do anything fun. All week, I've been leaving my apartment around 8:30 am and not coming back until 8:30 pm. I have a three-day pass to ACL this weekend, but I also work all three days. I'm not sure when my homework is going to get done and I'm probably going to be dead tired Sunday night, but it's going to be a blast. If I can stay awake, that is.

On Tuesday, I wore a thrifted skirt from Goodwill, a sweater/blouse from Forever 21, a vintage necklace from Buffalo Exchange, and sandals from Bakers.

Call Me The Thriftmeister

If you're my Facebook friend or follow me on Twitter, you probably already know about my newest blog, Recycled & Reworn. It's a project for my multimedia journalism class, but it hardly feels like schoolwork. It's all about wearing secondhand clothing and shopping at thrift stores in Austin. Obviously, I was allowed to pick my topic, so I decided to write about what I know best. And believe me, I know thrifting. I could write about it for the rest of my life if such a job existed...

On Saturday, I wore a vintage blouse from an estate sale in San Antonio, a skirt from Gap, earrings from Forever 21, and flats from Zara.

By the way, I realize this is not the best representation of my thriftmeisting skills. To my defense, I got the skirt for 50% off during last year's Black Friday, the shoes were 65% off during a sale, and the earrings were probably $5. I know a good deal when I see it.

Gotta Love Cheap Shoes

I've been wearing the crap out of these black wedges. They are really light, super comfortable and go with everything. The best part is they only cost $25 from Payless. I found them online and thought they were too good to be true until I saw them at the store last weekend. They're perfect!

I figure I have plenty of time before I have to stop wearing open-toed shoes. After last week's fake fall weather, I'm not getting my hopes up for it again anytime soon. But when it does, I can start wearing these babies again!

On Friday, I wore a thrifted skirt from Savers, an American Apparel t-shirt, a belt from Goodwill, and Montego Bay wedges from Payless.