Happy Halloween!

Minnie Mouse

1950s Housewife

I didn't do anything but work during Halloween weekend. I considered going out, but after working (in costume) all day Friday and Saturday, all I wanted to do was change and be lazy in my apartment. I was pretty proud of my Halloween costumes, so it was a shame I didn't wear them anywhere besides work. Luckily, enough customers appreciated them that I didn't think I needed to show them off anymore.

Both of my costumes were based around dresses I thrifted recently. I was already considering Minnie Mouse because I knew my sister already had the ears, so when I found the red and white polka dot dress, it was decided. All I did was shorten the sleeves a bit because they came down to my elbows before. Yay for using my sewing skills!

I found the floral dress with tulle underneath at the Goodwill Blue Hanger for $1. I didn't plan to use it as a Halloween costume until I realized I needed more than one. I didn't want to wear the same thing to work two days in a row. I made an apron using a dress that didn't fit, teased my hair, added pearls and heels, and voila!

What do you think about my thrifted Halloween costumes?

Thrifted Treasure: Brown Brogues

I bought these shoes at the Texas Thrift Store for only $5. No joke! They are real leather, so they are super comfortable. I have to admit, I already owned a pair of brown shoes like these, but they weren't very comfortable. The whole point of wearing flats is to be comfortable, right? Otherwise, everyone would just be wearing heels all the time. At least, I would. I figured I could spare the $5 for a better version of this shoe. One of the laces was missing, but then I realized they'd totally work without any laces at all, which makes my life that much easier. Did I ever tell you the reason I stopped wearing tennis shoes is because I hate tying laces? And because I don't work out.

What do you think about my $5 finds? Should I get replacement laces or just wear them as is?

Lace, Denim & Patent

thrifted dress and vest from the Goodwill Blue Hanger, and Zara wedges

I'm going to start incorporating different types of posts on this blog instead of just the usual daily outfit post. It makes the most sense to start off with doing a weekly Thrifted Treasures post. Starting this Thursday, I'll be featuring one amazing item I thrifted during the week. I try to thrift once a week and usually always end up with at least a few great things. I think the hardest part about this weekly feature will be focusing on just one item.

By the way, I love my new Zara shoes. They are super comfortable and in my opinion, very professional-looking. I'm even wearing them to the career fair today. Wish me luck!

Shoe Switcharoo

dress from Thrift Town, sweater from New York & Company,
thrifted belt from Goodwill, boots from Ebay given to me by my sister

Same outfit with DV Dolce Vita Booties from Nordstrom

I changed shoes between class and work and managed to capture some pictures of both ensembles. I wore boots to class because I was walking, but then I switched to my wedge booties because I don't like being shorter than most of the customers who come into the store. More importantly, I've been looking forward to wearing these booties for the first time since July.

By the way, I'm really starting to appreciate the fact that I've documented almost everything I've worn this past year. It's useful because I have proof of whether or not I've worn something enough to keep it. I have so many clothes, I can always stand to get rid of some. By looking back at my blog, which I admittedly do (to get ideas!), I can tell what pieces I actually really do love and which ones only show up once or twice throughout the whole year. It's good to know both these brown boots and black booties will be good for another season.

Red, White & Blue

vintage Oscar de la Renta blazer from Cream Vintage,
Gap shirt, vintage skirt from Goodwill Blue Hanger, Forever 21 boots,
gold necklace found at an estate sale by my step-mom

I didn't intentionally dress in our nation's colors this day, but I decided to go with it. Who am I to deny my subconscious patriotism? Anyway, I was really looking for a reason to wear these booties, which only cost $26 and are really comfortable. I'm so excited to finally start wearing all my fall boots again. You know, now that it's a chilly 80° and all. I've been trying to wear the shoes that have only seen the inside of my closet for months, so you'll be seeing some of my favorites in the next few posts.

I'm excited to share that that I've been featured as one of the Daily Buzz Style Top 9 and in the College of Liberal Arts magazine, THE LIBERATOR. I'm on page 18!

Gone with the Wind

thrifted skirt from Goodwill Blue Hanger, blouse from Goodwill,
Montego Bay wedges from Payless

I used to be so sure that dresses were my absolute favorite thing to wear, but I've noticed that I've been buying and wearing more skirts lately. It's really easy to keep track of my favorite clothing items since I document my outfits about four times a week for this blog.

I especially like this skirt because a) it was .50 cents, b) it's such a pretty color, and c) it's light and flowy. The light and flowy part is usually a good thing, but not when there are 25 mph winds outside. Then, the skirt is just annoying! I had a heck of a time trying to keep it down. I did, however, make use of the wind for these pictures. It did cool things to my skirt. But seriously, I really need to start checking the weather before I leave in the morning. After months of wearing the least amount of layers possible, it's going to be hard to break the habit.

Sewing Machine: Take 2

thrifted dress from Goodwill Blue Hanger
thrifted belt from Savers
Montego Bay wedges from Payless

I have a new sewing machine! Woohooooo! I decided to buy another one after last week's fiasco because there's no point in taking lessons if I'm not practicing at home. This brand new machine is fresh out of the box and sews like a dream. I felt so confident using it that I even fixed a hole in one of my dresses last night. It wasn't a perfect repair, but there's no more hole! I played with it for a few hours until I realized I should have been studying. I have to take my last mid-term ever on Thursday! I have a feeling the rest of this semester is going to fly by especially because I have a new hobby on top of school and work to keep me busy.

Uncomfortable Shoes = Unhappy Feet

thrifted skirt from Goodwill Blue Hanger, vintage blouse from
Cream Vintage, belt from Goodwill, Forever 21 earrings,
Kenneth Cole watch, Steve Madden wedges

I hadn't worn these shoes in a few months, so I decided to give them one last spin before it gets too cold. What a mistake! Apparently, my feet are not as tough as they were in the summer when I wore these shoes all the time. I probably shouldn't have worn them to work, where I knew I'd be standing for five hours. About halfway through my shift, I couldn't take it anymore and changed into some boots we had in the store. I know, I know. What kind of girl can't deal with a little shoe pain? Apparently, I can't. But, at least I put the shoes back on for these pictures so you could get the full effect of my mostly recycled and reworn outfit. Everything, minus the shoes and jewelry, is secondhand!

Pink Stripes

thrifted sleeveless top from Goodwill Blue Hanger, pants from Old Navy,
 Montego Bay wedges from Payless, Kenneth Cole watch

I thrifted some awesome stuff from the Goodwill Blue Hanger outlet last week. I only spent $12 for 8 pounds of clothing! AMAZING!!! Thrifting at the Goodwill outlet has become one of my latest obsessions. I get a thrill from finding a random awesome top like this one that only cost .50 cents among the piles of clothes. This isn't even the best thing I found that day. I also bought an amazing black blazer with rhinestones, five dresses (including a vintage 1950s floral halter dress and a Betsy Johnson skirt/top set!), a gold-threaded vintage skirt, and two t-shirts, including an awesome vintage Texas pride t-shirt. I can't wait to show you everything I bought! I have a feeling everything will be on the blog sometime this week.

Polka Dots & Bows

thrifted polka dot sweatshirt, vintage Levi's cutoffs
from Cream Vintage, Zara bow flats

I managed to make the two of the girliest things ever look very casual. I was looking for something comfortable to wear Wednesday morning and this is what I ended up with. I guess anything worn with denim cut-offs automatically looks more casual, even giant polka dots and bows on my shoes. I can't wait to wear this sweatshirt again when it's actually weather-appropriate. I wasn't uncomfortable until the early afternoon when the sun started beating down. I can't wait for cooler weather so I can wear it with these pants or with a skirt and some colorful tights. It's been so long since I've worn tights...I hope I still remember how to put them on!

Are you ready to hear some fantastic news? An outfit I posted on Fashism was featured as the Look of the Week on the Lucky Magazine blog yesterday! You should have seen my face when I saw myself on the computer screen. My jaw must have dropped about six inches and stayed like that until I started droooling. I couldn't believe it! Check it out and let me know what you think!

Easy Breezy

Gap dress, vintage vest from Goodwill Blue Hanger, necklace from Buffalo Exchange, Zara flats

I've been wearing these flats almost everyday for the last week. In fact, I'm wearing them right now. They are so comfortable and go with everything. Plus, I bought them on sale!  Whenever I buy retail, I much prefer buying things on sale than at regular price. It just hurts a little less, especially because I'm so used to buying a single item for less than a few dollars at the thrift store. But I have to admit, there's just something so satisfying about a new, unused pair of shoes. Although I try to do most of my shopping at thrift stores, I'm occasionally willing to spend a little more on something new that will last for a long time.

Ups and Downs

Old Navy shirt, skirt from Texas Thrift Store, Forever 21 necklace, flats from Zara

It's been a very good week for my blog. I was featured on Broke & Chic and interviewed for an article in the College of Liberal Arts paper, the Liberator. Of course, I won't let it go to my head, but it's really flattering to be getting so much recognition. It's a nice ego boost, especially when other things in my life aren't going so well.

Remember how I mentioned I bought a sewing machine on Craigslist? Well, it's broken. I wasted a good chunk of money on a machine that doesn't work and I don't know what to do. I'm trying to get my money back because according to the mechanics I've spoken with, it isn't worth fixing. If I can't get my money back, I'm screwed. I can't afford to buy another machine and this broken machine is just going to collect dust in my apartment.

Remember kids, be wary of what you buy on Craigslist. Don't make my mistake and buy something broken. You'll kick yourself in the ass like I'm currently doing.