Mad for Plaid

In an alternate universe where cupcakes didn't exist, I might have been tempted to starve myself to fit into these 1960's pants. But the high waist was this ( ) big and cupcakes are too good.

I hope they ended up on some tall fabulous skinny young thang who could wear them with a fitted mustard yellow turtleneck and boots, werqing them in the manner they deserve.

Fabulous Friday

Thank you for being a friend.

Possibly Dorothy Zbornak's top, found to still exist at a Florida Goodwill.

As much as I wanted to buy it, bring it home and wear it while consuming copious amounts of cheesecake, I left it there for another Golden Girl.

Passion for a bargain

Sometimes I want something and I am able to forego instant gratification and wait. Wait for something to show up at the Goodwill. You would be surprised how often it happens.

Like this book.


I heard of this gem in the past year (timely) and wanted to know Liz Taylor's diet tips. But since Liz is dead and wrote this in 1987, I knew I could continue to be patient. Sure, I could have bought it for one cent on Amazon and paid shipping, but what fun is that?

Within a few months of deciding I wanted this book, like a White Diamond in a haystack, it turned up at my at my favorite Goodwill. I scored it for less than what shipping would have cost. Now I can learn how to be just like Liz Taylor, circa 1987. Two husbands down, five to go.

Denimfinity

There are many awful things in the world. Natural disasters. Global warming. Rihanna's music. The economy. Teenage girls. Most awful of all? Living in a world where this many denim dresses exist in each and every Goodwill one could go to.


No one is ever going to buy all the denim jumpers and dresses that are out there. These things are indestructible. The few that make it out to the random Mennonite mom will come back. It is the circle of life, and bad fashion.

Can't we band together and do something for the greater good with these garments even if it means a few homeschooling moms will have to make other wardrobe choices?

I say we start a program much like Toms Shoes. We turn every denim dress into a tent for an African child. Otherwise these denim treasures will stay in the Goodwill cycle in perpetuity. Let's do some good people.

Travel Advisory

Goodwill tip: don't go to Goodwill looking for anything specific.

You need to be completely open-minded. If you go looking for something in particular, you could end up being disappointed.

Expect to be looking at sweaters in the summer and swimsuits in the dead of winter. If you find a great deal - grab it while the getting is good!

On the other hand, maybe you are looking for something specific. Like I was when I was packing and putting together looks for my trip to visit my husband in Thailand and a family va-ca in Cancun. Who knows? You may find exactly what you are looking for, and what could be better than getting to go on a trip and having a brand-new (bargain!) wardrobe for it!

Which leads us to another Goodwill tip: OK, you can go to Goodwill and look for something specific.

Before I went to Thailand, I remember feeling slightly bummed. I wanted a brand-new wardrobe to visit my husband who was living there for the summer, but who can justify that expense? Especially after paying for the plane ticket. : ( I envisioned cottony sundresses. Thin fabrics that would be cool in the heat and easy to wash in a sink and dry overnight if needed. Then I thought, hey! I should check out Goodwill. One trip to Goodwill, and I was outfitted for the entire trip for less than what one brand new swimsuit would have cost me retail. Here are a few postcards from that trip featuring my Goodwill finds -

Brand new, Forever 21. The necklace was swiped off a Goodwill mannequin, less than a dollar.

Gap sundress.

Gap sundress.

And the best part? If you paid just a dollar or two for it, you can wear something and donate it while on your trip - freeing up valuable space in your suitcase for souvenirs!

The pressure was on again when we went to Cancun last June to spend time with my husband's family. Here's some looks I put together for that trip which included not wanting to wear the same swimsuit every day and having to dress for dinner at the resort each night (all the clothes and shoes were purchased at Goodwill - accessories were not, but when you buy your clothes cheap cheap cheap you can spring for the earrings, necklaces and bracelets!) -

J Crew dress. Vintage pin : )

J Crew swim cover up. J Crew swim bottoms. Victoria's Secret swim top.

Brand new Target cover up. Swimsuit pieces: Victoria's Secret and J Crew.

Brand new swimsuit and cover up, both Target.

Vintage dress. Shoes were brand new and slightly tacky, but I love them. Where else but vacation can you wear fancy shoes with fruit on them?

I know I'm a dork, using my non-famous, non-patented "snap and pack" technique - taking pictures as a sort-of packing list while I was getting things together for the trip.

Here's a few more:

Department store dress, small tear that was an easy fix. Brand new Nine West shoes.

Brand new Target top. J C Penney shorts. (These shoes are the only shoes pictured that did not come from Goodwill. I bought them at Target. Such fancyness!)

Dress still had tags on it when I bought it. J C Penney. Wedges were brand new at a Goodwill, fine Italian leather!

New Target dress. Target donates close-outs to Goodwill.

Travel is expensive, and you shouldn't have to sacrifice your wardrobe to have a great va-ca. Happy thrifting to you -

-Robyn

Shoesday!

Instead of Tuesday, how 'bout we have a Shoesday? : )

I have a real problem with a lot of things - baked goods, striped shirts and makeup to name a few. My biggest obsession? Shoes.

I don't live in Carrie Bradshaw's magical world, the one where she could afford a New York lifestyle and thousand dollar shoes.

Here's a few I've picked up at Goodwill, all were brand-new, and all were less than $5.00 -

These were originally from Dillard's, their Gianni Bini brand.

My shoes are my babies. And just like a good mommy, I love all of them equally. Except that some of them I love more. Like these. These are my favorites. BCBG. The perfect girly-girl flats.

Nine West.

Have a good Shoesday -

-Robyn

Tory Tory Tory!

The Gods and Goddesses of thrift shopping have smiled down upon me at least twice, blessing me with Tory Burch finds at Goodwills. Love Tory Burch, however I could never justify Tory Burch retail prices - or for that matter, Tory Burch clearance prices - for everyday wear.

The silver flats I have found selling online for as much as $195.00. Mine were purchased at Goodwill, brand new, and are technically a half size bigger than what I normally buy. They are that new-ish style of flat with the elastic on the heel. I think this is just a feature some people must find uncomfortable which is why I've been able to score a couple of brand new pairs of shoes in this style. Even though not my normal size, they fit just fine.

The tunic I picked up in the summer months, but I knew it was a score and I'd be delighted to wear it on the first cold day I could! Again we are talking the $200 price range at full retail. The tunic is super itchy, which is probably why it's original owner donated it, but I just wore something underneath it. My only dilemma is that it's dry clean only, and who wants to pay to dry clean something when the dry cleaning will cost more than what I paid for the item?

A $200 sweater and a $200 pair of flats are not things I would normally incorporate into my wardrobe. I paid $100 for my wedding dress!

I don't remember exactly what I paid for each of these items, but I can tell you it was less than $5 per item. The sweater and the flats have both received many compliments! My husband thinks I should just keep my mouth shut and let everybody think I have Tory Burch fabulousness and not spill the beans about Goodwill, but I can't do that.

-Robyn

Cheap and Common

My husband and I went to a wedding once where the minister said that wedding bands were special because they are made with precious metals and nothing cheap and common.

My husband and I looked at each other and suppressed our giggles - our wedding bands were ordered from eBay, made by a guy in his garage and set us back $35. Cheap and common.

Cheap and common has been a thread throughout our marriage. Marrying my husband was the beginning of the conversion of this former mall shopper. He introduced me to the thrill of the Goodwill. This blog is where my love of fashion, style, bargains and my (questionable) taste intersect.

-Robyn