Fix It Day!

I hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends! Did you get everything you asked for?  Santa decided to bring me the flu for Christmas even though I'm pretty sure that wasn't on my wish list! So please forgive my blogging absence but between the craziness of the holiday and then being sick I just haven't been able to get to it!

Despite my weak, ailing body I tried to get a few things done today. I have a whole bin of sewing projects that I've been ignoring for months so I thought that would be a good place to start. These projects are all items that I purchased from the thrift store that needed fixed in some way. If I really like something and I think I can fix it I will buy it.

This dress was my first project because I want to take it on our tropical vacation in two weeks. It is a super cute and comfy cotton dress that was in mostly great condition except...

one of the straps had some stains on it (and it needs ironed- later!) So first I tried to bleach the strap but it wouldn't come out so then I just cut the ends off of both straps and retied a knot on the ends.

 it is still long enough to tie behind the neck but the ends just don't hang down as far as before which doesn't matter to me!

My next project was on a pair of black leggins (which I can never have to many of!)

The pant legs have these cute little cuffs but one of the straps had some loose. That is more than likely why these brand new pants from Target were at Goodwill in the first place. So I simply sewed a couple of stitches and they are as good as new now!

This next project is on this black silk retro looking corset top.

One of the straps was coming off so I simply sewed it back into place!

The last project I did today was on this brand new super girly Erin Fetherston dress. It was missing a button which is most likely why it was at Goodwill with the tags still on it.

I didn't have the exact button so I just used a black one of the same size. I figured I would probably wear a belt with this dress so it won't even show. I keep a box of buttons for projects just like this one. Every time I purchase anything with extra buttons instead of throwing them away or tossing them aside where I would never be able to find them if I needed them, I have this special little box that a friend made for me that I keep them all in.

Moral of the story is if you have some very basic sewing skills you can score some pretty great stuff that other people get rid of because they don't know how to fix it or don't want to fix it or that a store can't sell!

Alright, back to bed now!

Pin It

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Thank you all for reading!

Pin It

Thrifty Finds of the Week:

I went to the new Goodwill on Morse Rd. for the first time today and it did not disappoint! As you have probably noticed by the lack of posts on thrift store finds, I haven't found a whole lot lately. But being a veteran thrift shopper I know from experience that October and November tend to be the worst months for finding great stuff. At least that has always been the case for me!

The new store is so much better than the old one! It is a newer looking building, it is cleaner, and just has a much nicer feel to it! They had lots of great new stuff so get there as soon as you can! I found a ton of great stuff today that I couldn't wait to share with you! So... here it is:

 houndstooth jacket $3.49

 the only thing wrong with it was one of the snaps needs sewed back on but I can do that!

 beaded necklace originally $39.99 from Target $5.99!

 cute red shawl collar sweater- long enough to wear with leggins $3.49

White Ralph Lauren blazer with dark brown trim. I love blazers with contrasting trim! $3.49

  love the details on this sweater- so cute! $3.49

 I've been looking for a top this peachy pink color for a while now to pair with my orange pencil skirt! I love that color combo!

 and I belted it with my new skinny braided belt from Forever 21. belt $2.50

 You can never have enough black cardigans! I really like the texture of this one. $3.49

 and it still had the original tags on it from Macy's- score!

 I got this to wear next month on our tropical 10 year Anniversary vacation. I thought it would work well as a bathing suit cover up during the day and a dress to wear to dinner at night. $4.99

I love this BCBG dress and I really love that it was only $4.99!

These shoes were my most exciting find of the day! I've had my eye on a pair of clogs just like these from Forever 21. $3.99

 brand new! and they were originally $19.99

 These pillow covers will look great on our couch after the holidays! They had a bunch more if you want some! $.99 each

These napkin rings will look great with our sea grass placemats! $.99

 I have some other vases like this one but bigger. I thought they would go well together! $1.99

Pin It

Shoes, Shoes, and More Shoes!

Is it just me or has Forever 21's shoe section gone up a notch lately!  There are so many pairs I love that I cannot even choose! Here are a few of my favorites:

 so cute! Especially for the holidays

 These are the pair I saw in the store that I love led me to look at the website.

I love the twist on the popular clog style. These would be so cute with socks!

 a great alternative to the classic cowboy boot

 these would make your legs look a mile long!

 you already know I'm into the military boot trend

 so snazzy!

 I love anything heeled with lace ups right now

 wear these now with colored tights

 rugged yet feminine- a winning combination!

 over the knee- so hot!

I love clogs!

Pin It

Goodwill Move Update

Hello to all my fellow thrift store shoppers! Just an update on the big move of the Goodwill on Morse Rd. I just came from there and the old location is still open. They are still saying that the new location will open sometime in December but no one seems to know the official date. So I thought I'd let you know they haven't moved yet just in case you are planning to go. I will warn you though, they don't have very much left! But if you are lucky enough to find something, everything in the store is 75% off! I going to give you a little list of some things they still have:
lots of plates, cups, glassware
Christmas decor
candle holders, baskets, decorative items, nic-nacs
plenty of clothing for kids, men, and women- just not the massive amounts they usually have
not very many shoes, purses, or linens left
some books, vhs tapes
old suitcases
small appliances
one cute end table
scrub pants
a few nice black leather desk chairs
........and lots of denim jumpers! I already have enough so I didn't buy any! Good luck! I will let you know as soon as I hear of the new location opening! Pin It

Trend Alert: Combat Boots

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you in on an emerging trend in shoes. Along with the military trend that is going on in fashion, combat or military style boots are also back in a big way! Good news- they are pretty easy to find at the thrift store so you don't have to spend a lot to get in on this craze! Check out the ones I've found:

 lower top slim flats

 taller heeled almost victorian

tallest more tread on sole

As you can see I prefer the slimmer styles for my petite self but the chunkier Doc Marten styles work too. They look great on both men and women. For men, the boots look best with slim jeans tucked into the boot or cuffed just below the top of the boot. For women, try pairing the boots with a dress or skirt and tights. I love the mix of the tough boot with a feminine dress! No need to lace the boots all the way up. Try tying the laces around the ankle instead. You can even fold over the top on some of the taller styles.

And yes, I own all three pairs pictured. I had originally planned to sell some of them on EBay but I've found a use for all of them since they are slightly different. I just can't seem to pass them up and at only $3.99 a pop I don't have to! (I still might sell one of them!?)

Pin It

And the Winner Is...

After a slew of last minute votes the winner of the Christmas party outfit voting was, (drum roll, please):

Cute and Cozy!

Thanks to all who took the time to vote! It was a wonderful evening! I especially enjoyed having some of my work girls over before dinner to get ready together!

Love you Victoria, Erica, and Anita!!!

Pin It

Deck the Halls With Paper Balls

I thought it would be fun to make a few Christmas ornaments this year. In the spirit of being thrifty I want to make them out of materials I already own. I have a ton of scrapbook paper so I decided to start with that. I decided to make these beautiful 3 dimensional balls I found on the Martha Stewart website. It was a little tricky at first but it came together quite nicely!

Want to make one too? Here's how:

 Start by cutting out 21 circles all the same size. I traced around a cup to get a perfect circle. Fold the circle in half then into thirds. Unfold. Make a dot on the outside edge of the circle at every other crease.

 Connect the dots to create an equilateral triangle. Cut out the triangle.

place the triangle on each circle and fold up the edges.

Take 5 of the circles and glue together with all the triangles facing the same way so they create a dome shape.

Before you glue the last ones together place a looped ribbon sticking out of the dome with a large knot inside.

Then glue 5 more circles together in the same way to create the bottom.

Glue the remaining 10 circles together but this time alternate the way the triangles are facing so that they form a straight line.

Glue the three sections together and Voila! You have made a awesome paper ball!

You could also try using photos, magazine or newspaper clippings or old Christmas cards. They make great gifts!

Pin It