Marathon Haul

Oh is this thing still here?  I took off from work at Noon this past Friday, and thought it would be fun to visit a bunch of Goodwill stores in one day.  Although I did not get a ton of clothes, I think I got some great quality pieces that I will use for a long time.  Here we go!  The first one is a Lane Bryant jacket in a houndstooth design (black and brown) with some  beading on the collar.  I doubt it had ever been worn, as the tack on the back vent was still there.  Cost was $7.99.  The shirt underneath is black, 3/4 sleeve, with a really nice neckline.  Cost was $4.49.

Here we have a lovely woven jacket - mostly green, but black and light blue are in the weave as well.  Very much reminded me of Chanel.  Again, this was in pristine shape.  Score! Cost was $7.99.  Underneath the jacket is a Chico's black sleeveless top.  Cost was $4.49.  The super long scarf was a find from many trips ago.  It goes PERFECTLY with the colors in the jacket.  Didn't have anything that went with the piece until I got this jacket, so I am really happy.  I think the scarf was $3 ish? 

 My awful pictures don't do these pieces justice, but the below jacket is simply gorgeous.  It looks like raw silk, in a lovely celery green, with a bronzey (is that a word?) tan floral design.  I already had the silk scarf and shell (that matches perfectly) in my wardrobe.  Jacket was $7.99.

 I nearly flipped my wig when I found this next shirt. When I first saw it, I had my doubts, but when I tried it on, all doubt went away.  The embroidery is so lively and fun.  I already had the tank in my collection.  Shirt was $4.49.

 

And here's the back.  Love love love!

 

The shirt was the find in this next photo.  It is Coldwater Creek, in a very nice avocado shade.  I paired the shirt with a Cato jacket I found in a previous expedition, and although you can't tell from my lousy photo, there are greenish flecks on the jacket.  So yay!  Cost of shirt was $4.49

Although not shown, I also purchased a great black maxi skirt ($4.29), and a pair of jeans ($7.49).  I'll save the jeans for a later post that details my jean shopping strategy.  So, for under $60, I purchased 3 jackets, 4 shirts, a pair of jeans and a skirt.  I think I did great!

Goodwill goes Dancing

I got invited to a fancy schmancy benefit for charity event.  I looked on the invitation and it said "festive cocktail attire".  Huh?  Didn't "cocktail" already mean your ensemble should be party-ish?  Being on a limited budget, I was determined to find my attire at Goodwill. 

The heavens parted, the angels sang, and a beam of light (not really) landed on the dress I show you in the below picture.

 It was very flattering and very comfy, being that it was silk (fully lined).  The only thing I was not crazy about were the cheap-ass utilitarian and non-functional red buttons fastened vertically in the middle of the bodice.

So, I went to Jo-Ann on a mission to find something more snazzy.  I found the sparkly red buttons you see on my dress, and to make the look even better, I also purchased the black round findings you see on top of the button, so you didn't see the two holes with the thread running through it.  I finished the outfit with some lovely onyx graduated beads, and jet black dangly earrings.  I'd say the entire ensemble (with my snazzy new buttons) cost me a whopping $10.  Go me! 

There was a photographer at the event taking "prom pictures" of couples in front of a backdrop.  If the picture comes out relatively okay I will post it once it is received.

Goodwill Hunting

Howdy!  I'm Tina, and I love finding bargains.  Here in Middle Tennessee, there are a lot of thrift stores, and I love going on safari for a great deal.  My favorite thrift store, by far, is Goodwill.  I will be posting pictures of the outfits I have made, and the cost of each outfit.  But for this first post, I will tell you my strategy.

1.  Go alone.  I know you love time with your friends, but you are on safari, and people will slow you down.  You are on the hunt for a deal, and you must be able to concentrate. 

2.  Even if you are not sure it will work, try it on.  You may surprise yourself, and find a new look that you had never thought would work on you before.

3.  Don't freak if there is a pull or a rip.  If it is generally a beautiful piece, but there is a pull or a ripped seam, give it a second look, a little crochet hook or thread and a needle may yield you a lovely find.

4.  Don't go on the first Saturday of the month.  Okay, so this isn't a mandatory rule, but that is the day the rookies come out of the woodwork, because everything is 50% off.  If y'all have the tolerance for large crowds and infinite lines for the dressing rooms, more power to you, but I don't dig crowds or waiting.  I find any other day of the month much more peaceful and serene. 

So that's it.  I'm going to model a bunch of outfits, and have my dear husband, the professional photographer, take pictures.  Post with pictures coming soon!