Snowpocalypse: Part Deux

Well she did it again! Mother Nature has brought the rain, sleet, hail, and snow for a second time in 2 weeks. Which is unheard of around these here parts. I know some of you Northerners are probably wondering what the big deal is. Having lived in South Carolina my whole life, it is a HUGE deal to us. Its rare that we get snow in the first place, but to have it twice in a year- you better shut your mouth!

I wasn't nearly as well prepared this time around- There isn't a drop of wine in the house. Whatever shall a gal do?

 

 

Anywho, here's a few snapshots of today's snow day shenanigans.

 

{Foxy Darling & Senor Jorge are not as excited about the snow this time.}

 

 

I just got word from work that we will be closed tomorrow as well. Now I am really screwed without my wine!

 



Slim Pickin'

Meh...

That's about all I've got today. There hasn't been too much going on around the homestead the past few days. I had been keeping my distance from Goodwill for almost 2 weeks because as most of you thrifters know, it still costs money to thrift even though it's all cheap! And my wallet needed a major break from shopping. So today's mini haul really doesn't deserve to be called a haul. Maybe Slim Pickin' is more appropriate?

 

A few days ago I stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up some candles. Now, I just can't justify spending ridiculous amounts of money on something you're just going to burn away anyways, so Wal-Mart candles are A-OK in my book. Sadly, they are discontinuing my favorite scent which is Lime Cilantro. It smells soooooo good and it breaks my heart that they will no longer sell them. So it goes without saying that it was a bittersweet moment to have bought two 3 wick pillar candles for $5 each.

 

I really needed a set of candle plates to go with the candles, so obviously I went to Goodwill to find them. Lucky for me I found a pair.

{$1.50 for the set.}

 

 

 

I also found a few other items as I browsed around.

 

{Handmade pottery mug: 75¢}
 

{Necklaces: $3.75 each}

 

 

Hopefully you have had something more exciting going on your way. I'd love to hear all about it! Please, share your stories, jokes, messages, thrifty ways, etc. down below in the comments.

 



Sophisticated Stripes

I have been introduced to #StyleMeFeb on Instagram thanks to my pal, @SteffWatts. She tagged this photo of me from yesterday since my dress met the day 5 challenge: A Darling Dress.

 

Basically it's both a photo challenge and a style challenge all wrapped up into one. Everyday has a set theme and from there you build your outfit. Here's the challenge for the February 2014.

 

Let me go ahead and put this out there now: I am not committing to daily participation, but I will try my best to complete as many as possible!



 

Here is my take on the challenge for Day 6: Sophisticated Stripes

 

Orange Merona cardigan: $4.75

Sheer striped shirt: $4.75

Black pants: $2.12

Heels: $5.75

Earrings: $1

Watch: gifted

Ring: already owned

 

Outfit total: $18.37

 

Have any of you ever participated in an Instagram challenge before? How did you do? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Do You Believe In Magic?

Welcome, class! Today's post is all about the Art of Illusion: How to use what you've got to look as slim and fabulous as possible.
Let's begin.

Take this outfit for instance. Not a terrible outfit. In fact, I have worn it just like this on an occasion or two.

 

But there's so much more we can do with it. Let's try adding a belt. See how this instantly draws the waist in creating a more flattering silhouette?

 

 

But we can take it a step further. Let's remove the belt and throw on a cardigan instead. This is still a very flattering look thanks to the cardigan being open.

 

Seriously, there's more opportunity to look our best! After all, we aren't amateurs. So why don't we keep the cardigan and add that belt back?

 

 

 

Voilà! Slimming and fabulous all at once!

 

 

Don't be afraid to experiment. Fashion is all about taking chances -but really it's about finding out what works best for you and your body type, in my opinion. As a plus size gal, I have struggled with body image my whole life. But there came a point where I had enough! About a year ago I decided to embrace my curves and stop hiding them under oversized, ill-fitting clothes. And to tell you the truth, I have never been happier with myself.

 

So I hope this post helps someone, anyone. Rather it be with loving your curves, or just learning that it's alright to through a pink cardigan over a brown-red-tan-cream-gold-gray colored dress.

 

 

Anne Taylor Loft cardigan: $5.25

Multi-Colored dress: $6.75

Belt: free (with pants I bought a long time ago)

Earrings: $1

Boots: already owned

 

Outfit total: $13

No Habla Ingles

I headed to Charlotte, NC this past weekend to spend some quality time with my friends, Jessica and Jess. No, that was not a typo. Yes, they are both have the same name. Jessica was in class all day on Saturday and Jess had to be at basketball practice so I did a little thrifting to kill some time until they were home.

First up was Value Village. I have never been to one but have always heard great things about them. There happened to be one near their house so I hit it up. This particular Value Village is in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. As I was standing outside taking the picture below, a soft-spoken older woman approaches me to ask for money. She immediately begins speaking in Spanish. I look at her and say, "No habla ingles." without even realizing what I was saying. Obviously she looked at me like I was a jerk and that was when I realized what I actually said. Oops!

 

I am happy to report that the rumors are true. V.V. is where it's at. The store was HUGE and very well organized- which was surprising since it was such a large location. Everything was individually priced. Much different than what I am used to with shopping at Goodwill where only a few things are individually priced. From what I could see on Saturday, V.V. also uses the 'color of the week' deal just like Goodwill.

 

Here are a few things that I found while browsing the store:

 {Fancy lamps.}

 {Seriously, why?}

 {Hooker boots graveyard. RIP.}

 

What I bought from Value Village:

 {silver plated basket- $1.21}

 

 {Cranberry throw pillow- $3.50}

 

 {Wooden frame- 60¢}

 {I was planning on painting the frame but I kind of like the way it looks as with the canvas.}

 

 

And for the Pièce(s) de résistance: Two leather jackets! The first photo is of the one I bought for myself. The second photo is one that was too perfect to pass up. It was not a good fit on me but this jacket deserved a new, loving home. I could not just put it back on the sales rack. It was BRAND NEW and in perfect condition! So I called up Jess and offered to get it for her if she were interested. And she was.

{My leather jacket- $24.50}

 

{The jacket I picked up for Jess- $25.50}

 

 

After I got over the shock of finding these two fantastic leather jackets, I met up with Jess and we headed to the Salvation Army. This particular location always catches my eye when I drive by it. The store has these big showroom style windows perfect for displaying their massive furniture collection (as seen below).

 

This is just a small section of the furniture. And I must say that I feel this thrift store had the best selection of furniture at insanely affordable prices. There was a red sectional in perfect condition for right under $400.  I was bummed that I was so far from home with no way of transporting it back to my house!

 

I did end up purchasing one thing... another copper jello mold!

{Mirro copper jello mold- $4}

 

So all in all I say it was a great weekend of thrifting. I enjoyed going to new stores and seeing the differences of what they sell compared to the stores in my area.

 

And here's a little bonus blog post within a blog post.

My Outfit of the Night!

 

 

Leather jacket: $24.50

Black sweater: 75¢

Skinny jeans: $4.25

Owl ring: $2.25

Express purse: $4.25

Booties: $5.75

 

Outfit total: $41.75

 

 

Thanks for a great weekend, ladies!

{One of these things is not like the other... Which friend is NOT named Jessica/Jess?}

The Circle of Life

As you may have noticed by now, I have a deep love obsession with bargain shopping, thrifting in particular. And as much as I enjoy plundering through everything to find the treasures I'll end up taking home, I am fully aware that they don't just magically show up. The thrifting business is one that takes lots of organization and discipline.

 

Let's use this dress for an example.

 

There are many people involved behind the scenes to help this dress make it's way to the sales floor. First up is the person donating it. After the donation is received by the thrift store, it probably goes through the hands of at least three different employees- one who inspects it/prices it, one who slaps a hanger on it, and one who brings it out- all before I sort through the dresses to find this gem. If you've been keeping score at home, that is now FIVE people that have had a hand in my purchase.

 

Have you ever really thought about it before? It's quite amazing how well this system works. I am interested in having a better understanding of the ins and outs of the thrift industry. I happen to know three of my local Goodwill store managers pretty well so I am hoping they will agree to an interview later this month.

I'll keep you posted.

 

In the meantime, remember that the giving is as important as the getting. Make sure that you are giving any gently used items a chance to find a new happy home in someone else's closet/house/life. Your donations are typically tax deductible too :)

 

 

 

{These are on their way to Goodwill!}

Music and Lyrics

For some strange reason the song 'Afternoon Delight' is stuck in my head. But instead of the cheesy, yet oh so lovely lyrics by The Starland Vocal Band, I have changed them to my own:

♪ ♪ Gonna find my bargains, gonna hold them tight

gonna grab some thrift store delight ♪ ♪

I'm not really sure why. And it really has nothing to do with this particular post.
On another note, for those of you who have pets... Do your pets ever give you the stink eye when they are laying on you but you need to move because you are uncomfortable yet your moving clearly is a bother to them and their comfort level? Yeah. That just happened to me as I am writing this post.
Anywho.

Here are the great items I found on my recent Goodwill trip Friday evening.
 I hope you enjoy!

 {Fairly new black satin peep toe pumps: $5.75}

 {Small Express purse: $4.25}

{Yellow bead necklace: $2.25}

 {Silver earrings: 75¢}

 {Watch- in need of a new battery: $6.25}

{Owl ring; $2.25}

 {Cute polka dot button up: $4.25}

{Various shirts for myself and others: $1 each}