Skipping the Thrift + $20* Credit for You! [30/31]

Maybe you've been sitting back this whole series thinking, "Ew. Thrift Stores are gross. Or smelly. Or unorganized." And to you, I would agree. Sometimes. I would also think that you don't have the good fortune of living within close proximity to a secondhand store that sorts their clothing by color and size.

Maybe you're intrigued by the thrift store prices more than you are the thought of actually having to step foot into a thrift store. For you I would say, "Welcome to the world of online consignment!"

Though there are scores of these type of sites across the web, I want to focus on one that I have some actual experience. One that I love. One called TWICE. Now, there's something in this for you, so keep reading;)

Twice is an online consignment shop stocked with the best, high-end brands. The clothing is sorted by your search criteria and is in impeccable condition (I speak from experience). As an aesthetic enthusiastic, I also appreciate the sleek, easy-to-navigate site.  

The prices aren't exactly thrift store cheap, but the savings are significant when compared to the original value. Some items go for up to 90% off the retail price, which is so fun to see how much you saved on your purchase invoice. The point is that you get what you want in the size you need, which is a little less off-the-cuff as thrifting. 

You can also sell you items to Twice for cash or shop credit, which I have yet to try but have my bag ready to submit. 

So...this shopping credit I have been dangling out for you? Simply sign up to Twice using my referral link for an automatic $10 shopping credit. Then download the Twice app to your smartphone for an additional $10 credit. It's that easy. That's *$20 right off to put toward something pretty for yourself:)

With my initial sign-up credits, I purchased this gorgeous, color-blocked J.Crew sweater (original retail price: $125). It fit like a glove and looked brand new. I was so pleased with it that I wore it for our family Christmas card photos!

I really hope you take advantage of this super, sweet deal from Twice! Let me know if you buy anything!!

*$20 total credit is for first time Twice users after signing up through my referral link AND downloading the app to your smartphone. Happy Shopping!

Disclaimer: Though I received a referral credit from Twice for sharing my link, this is not a sponsored blog post. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

My Fully-Thrifted Fall Uniform [21/31]

I don't feel ultra comfortable pretending to be a model, but I did want to share a fully-thrifted, head-to-toe outfit that has become one of my go-to's this season.

My Fall uniform this year consists of a classic button-down, skinny pants (always), denim jacket, & statement necklace. It's the perfect juxtaposition of dressy/casual, in my opinion.

This look was about as intentionally thrifted as you can get. I mentioned in an earlier post to know what you're looking for and I was determined to add some plaid prints & jean jackets to the roster. There's always that element of luck to consider, but you might end up finding exactly what you're looking for!

Pardon the wrinkles. Real life, y'all.

I sort have have a rule against buying Target clothes at thrift stores, basically because of the quality. But these Mossimo skinny jeans are THE BEST. I could live in them.

Also, these boots desperately need to be re-heeled.

J.Crew Jacket: $5
J.Crew Shirt: $4
Necklace: $6
Mossimo Jeans: $6
Boots: $4
Total: $25

Those fashion articles bragging about assembling an entire look for $75/ $100/ $125? Yeah, not impressed.

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

THRIFTFIX: Nicole S. [17/31]

This is my sweet sis-in-law, Nicole. She wrote a post on her experiences as a stay-at-home-mom for my 31 days series last year, so it only seemed fitting that she would do a Thriftfix for this year's challenge!

The post-baby year can be an awkward time to be fashionable. The old clothes don't fit like they used to and you also don't want to invest in new items not knowing if your family (and waistline) will be expanding again in the near future. Trust me, I know. That is why thrift is the way to go:)

For Nicole's "fix", I took to her Pinterest board for inspiration. Nicole's style is very feminine, so naturally, there were lots of dresses, pretty prints, and frilly things. She also gravitates towards earth tones, mustard yellows, and sea-foam greens. Basically, all the colors she likes to decorate with! 

Despite doing our shopping at a Minneapolis Goodwill I had never been to, this "fix" turned out to be a fairly easy one. I was a little put off by the prices, but that can be expected in larger cities. Nicole still walked away with some great deals!

THE WINNERS:

Left: J.Crew green cardigan. Though Nicole didn't purchase the navy, polka-dot East 5th brand shirt underneath (weird scrunching at the bottom of it), we both agreed this was a fun look!

Middle: Girls from Savoy (Anthropologie) mustard yellow dress. Nicole had actually passed this one while it was on the rack, but I encouraged her to go for it since it was in line with her Pinterest board. And she loved it! She did skip on the white Merona cardigan though, probably because she already had something similar.

Right: J.Crew blouse, Gap cardigan, Gilly Hicks skinny jeans. We weren't sold on the cardigan, but this is the first pair of skinny, skinny jeans she has purchased, and don't they look great on her?!

THE LOSERS:

Left: Old Navy sweater. We were looking for comfy, house tops, but eh. It's just Old Navy.

Middle: Ann Taylor LOFT dress. It's hard to tell from the photo, but this dress was greenish and blueish and had some interesting stitching on it. Nicole was on the fence, but ultimately felt like this would be one to just hang in her closet and not get much wear. Fair enough.

Right: Merona top. See Old Navy sweater comments (above).

PLEASANT SURPRISES:

Left: Coral, bird print dress from Pink Owl Apparel. This is a total departure from Nicole's look, but I couldn't resist.

Right: Pin-strip & frill Cotton Candy brand dress. Super cute and totally flattering on Nicole.

She didn't end up buying either one of these dresses (as cute as they were on her), but she did leave with 2 dresses, 2 cardigans, 2 tops, a pair of jeans, and a belt. Grand total: $49.64! Nice job, Nicole!!

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

Guest Post: Men's Thrifting Tips [16/31]

Today's guest post comes from my ultra stylish & thrifty husband, Wayde. I feel super lucky to have a partner who shares my love of thrifting. It's actually one of our favorite date night activities! Because of his stellar sartorial sense, I thought he would be a good one to contribute to this series!

Who are some of your style inspirations?
It's hard to name names. I have a lot of stylish friends who have unknowingly influenced me in how I dress. There are a small handful of style blogs that I visit on a daily basis, Broke and Bespoke and The Sartorialist being two of my favorites.

Is there anything you to do prepare yourself for a thrifting expedition?
Not really. I generally have a pretty good idea of what I am looking for in the back of my mind. I guess I could say one of my favorite pre-thrift rituals is grabbing tacos with my wife.

What are some of your favorite pieces to hunt for at thrift stores?
Shoes and ties for sure. I almost always hit the ties first. I think there is less competition with ties, so it's not uncommon to find a really cool piece. Now only if I had more excuses to wear a tie! I think shoes can be some of the best value, especially when you find a pair of full grain leather, Goodyear welted Allen Edmonds oxfords for $3, when they sell for $200 plus new.

Do you have any personal guidelines in regards to buying something that is an imperfect fit?
I hate it, but I am almost always making compromises to some degree in the fit. I think fit is one of the most important aspects of men's style, so the trick is to cover up a pieces shortcomings and show off it's strengths. For example, a couple weeks ago I bought a vintage plaid button down that fit perfectly in the body, but the sleeves are an inch or so too short, so I roll them up. I have a couple shirts that are a little billowy in the body, but have great collars or sleeve length, so I wear them under a sweater or sport coat.

What has been your best thrifting find ever?
My pair of J Crew x Red Wing Heritage work boots. I found them at a thrift store in Maryland, and they looked like they had never been worn. That was right about the time I decided I wanted a nice pair of boots, so the timing was perfect.

What kind of advice do you have for guys that want to start thrifting?
Go with a female with good taste in men's style (I have my wife for that). Not only is she great to bounce things off of, but you would be surprised how many men's sweaters are hiding away on the woman's racks. I have probably scored at least 3 or 4 nice sweaters in the past few months that she originally found in the woman's section. Also, when buying button down shirts, pay extra attention to the collar. The collar can make or break a shirt.

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I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

Fashionably Thrifty DIY's [15/31]

Here's a roundup of some of my favorite fashion DIY's you can try with some of your thrifted pieces! Just an FYI (any more acronyms I can use here?), not all of these links have instructions, but they seem easy enough to eyeball:) Happy Making!!

1. Sleeve slit // 2. Heart Flats // 3. Kitty Pocket // 4. Sweater Cardigan // 5. Sequined Elbow Patch

1. Boot Socks // 2. Tee Scarf // 3. Tank Dress // 4. Skinny Jeans Revamp

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

THRIFTFIX: Emily [10/31]

This is Emily. Slightly whimsical, slightly steam-punk, all-around awesome. A living, Disney princess. Her actual, legal middle name is SPARKLES. If that doesn't tell you everything, then I don't know what. 

Do yourself a favor and follow her on Twitter (@emilysparkles). You'll get a healthy dose of unicorns, snark, Fraiser anecdotes, and 80's movie live-tweets. Hilarity WILL ensue. 

For Emily's "fix", I put together a combination of clothes I knew she'd be comfortable in (blacks, stripes, etc) with a mix of pretty things (figure flattering, floral prints, etc). I'd like to think that if everything fit like a glove, she would've purchased the whole lot. So, without further ado...

THE WINNERS:

Left: Printed navy button-down from Merona. I kind of have a thing against thrifting Target clothes, but this was just too cute to pass on. Plus, I would've made Emily buy it if she wasn't going to:)

Middle: Black button-down shirt dress from Express. Emily exudes confidence in this outfit, doesn't she?

Right: Black cardigan from Anne Klein. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the detail on this shirt was what made it so unique (and a win for Emily).

THE LOSERS:

Left: Merona button-down + Cabi sweater. We were actually really on the fence with this look. While it did look adorable on Emily, the shirt was a bit snug and the buttons on the sweater were doing a weird, droopy thing. Mr. Sparkles (who had joined us for some thrifting fun) veto'd it immediately.

Middle: Navy colored DKNY top. This one just didn't have any wow to it.

Right: Striped Blair top. There was a weird neck thing going on that we just could not get over.

PLEASANT SURPRISES:

Left: Neon striped tee from Gap. This color is a bit of a departure for this crimson-haired lady, but it just looked so adorable on her. Plus, it was in stellar condition.

Right: Polka-dot dress from American Eagle. Paired with a cute cardigan & tights, Emily could rock this look well into Fall. Nice socks, girl.

In all, Emily left Goodwill with 6 shirts & 1 dress for a grand total: $24.52! I already know that she rocked that little, black shirt dress at parent-teacher conferences this week. So glad she was pleased with her 'fix'!

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

Thrifting a Capsule Wardrobe [9/31]

Top Row (left to right): J.Crew, J.Crew, J.Crew; Middle Row: Banana Republic, Lauren Conrad, 

No brand (possibly homemade?); Bottom Row: J.Crew, Banana Republic, Banana Republic.

Now that we've touched on developing our own personal style, let's move on to another hot fashionable subject—capsule wardrobes. For those of you unfamiliar, it is a highly condensed wardrobe comprised of versatile pieces. The goal is that these items will not go out of fashion and can be easily paired with each other and seasonal items. The idea itself is a proponent of the minimalist movement, but the number of actual pieces may vary from person-to-person.

Buying up a capsule wardrobe by season can cost a pretty penny, but scouring thrift stores for the basics is a great place to start. All of the above items were thrifted and, judging by their brands, have the ability to hold up to wear. In the long run, these items cost me less than something similar at TJ Maxx or Forever 21 and the quality is better than some of the clothing those stores have to offer.

I've also got into the habit of removing clothes from my wardrobe as I bring new ones into it. I like to keep the number of items in my closet to a relatively average amount.

Pinterest is overflowing with capsule wardrobe demos, but one person getting this right is the blogger behind Unfancy. She put together some of the best tips for hopping on the capsule wardrobe wagon. Check it out. It might actually change your life.

I've also just started using an app called Stylebook, which is perfect for managing your closet if you do choose to go the capsule wardrobe route. It takes some time to get started (taking photos of your clothes & editing), but I especially love the packing list feature. Let me know if you try it out!

Do you toy with the idea of utilizing a capsule wardrobe?

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

On Personal Style [8/31]

I want to preface this post by saying there are entire blogs devoted to the subject of style, but this topic is important in finding what you love thrifing and feeling good about your purchases. Here are a few easy tips to help you define what your style is and hopefully provide some guidance the next time you find yourself sifting through the secondhand racks. This is what has worked for me, anyway.

Assess your style. This sort of introspection can be painful to some, but really getting an idea for what you like in conjunction with what is flattering with your body type is paramount in style success.

One thing I recommend is completing the Stitchfix questionnaire upon sign-up (and you don't actually need to purchase anything to fill it out). You will be asked questions about your dressing habits and view images that will paint a picture of your style leanings.

You can also find answers to this question by looking into your own wardrobe. Take note of the pieces that are in constant rotation. What colors do you keep coming back to? What doesn't look amazing on you?

Create a Pinterest board. This seems like kind of an obvious one, but it's the thing I like to study before taking friends out on their Thriftfix. It's your chance to dream and scheme how to look the way you feel on the inside. The Pinterest style board I've curated was done in a way where I would feel comfortable having somebody else shop for me if that was their only point of reference. The "related pins" feature has really helped me expand on some of those original pins, too.

Become a subscriber. When I'm not seeking out style inspiration, it helps to have it delivered to me. I've joined several mailing lists for some of my favorite stores simply to keep up on trends and for different styling ideas. I'll even look through a catalog before hitting the thrift store (or bring one along) to see if any styles or prints I might not normally gravitate towards are in the mainstream.

Email lists are another way to keep up with the ever-changing fashion landscape. And not just signing up for the auto-blast, chain store emails either. Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society is a stylist who I have just recently discovered through the Influence Conference. Her style is impeccable and her advice is applicable to women in any stage of life. Basically, I look forward to her Style & Styleability emails because, even if it is a tip I am familiar with, she presents it in a completely fresh way.

Confession: I totally had a fan-girl moment when I met her at Influence. I probably even frightened her a bit (insert blushing emoji here). What is it about meeting admirable bloggers in real life that is so totally awkward?

I want to hear from you! What tips or habits have helped you discover your personal style?

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

THRIFTFIX: Nicole [3/31]

We've all heard of Stitchfix, right? It's a pretty fun concept, for sure. But let's be honest. Stitchfix's pricing is a little out of some of our clothing budgets. Plus, when you get used to paying $3.69 for a shirt, it's hard to justify the cost of a mail-delivery styling service.

Now, I'm not anti-Stitchfix here. But I am for helping people save money and feel good about the clothes they are wearing. So, for the month of my #write31days challenge, I'm doing a weekly THRIFTFIX post featuring some of my dear friends.

This is my friend, Nicole. She blogs at Even Me and is basically my conference partner-in-crime. Nicole agreed to be my first ever Thriftfix guinea pig in hopes to find some new outfits for the Influence Conference, which we both just attended.

I had a general idea of the kind of things Nicole likes, or at least looks good in. So, I went ahead of her to Goodwill and compiled a rack of pieces that I thought would fit her aesthetic.

Here are the results...

THE WINNERS:

Left: Chambray button-down from Banana Republic

Middle: Pink 3/4 sleeve top from Gap

Right: Striped 3/4 sleeve sweater from Gap

THE LOSERS:

Left: Lilly Pulitzer tank top (too big)

Middle: Pink flowy tank top from Express (too flowy)

Right: J.Crew grey tank top (too small)

THE PLEASANT SURPRISES:

Left: Soprano brand black & white shirt (B&W party perfection!)

Right: 100% lamb's leather jacket ($4, what?!)

We weren't able to find a pair of killer jeans for Nicole this round. Jeans can be a challenge, but not impossible to find.

In the end, Nicole purchased 11 shirts (!), the leather jacket, 1 pair of shoes, and a vase.
The grand total: $53.76

And here is Nicole looking all fly in her secondhand threads at Influence! Great job styling your pieces, Nicole. Love ya, girl!

What do you think of the whole Thriftfix idea? I'd love your feedback!

I am linking up with The Nester every day in October for #write31days. 

You can find a list of all 31 posts as they are published by clicking here. 

Headband & Turban Giveaway with J. Lovan!

Hey, friends! I am so excited to be hosting a very special giveaway this week! My friend, Julia, is the lead designer of the lifestyle company, J. Lovan Designs. Her Midwest-based business offers a range of clothing, accessories, & home items made locally from sustainable materials.

The new Fall line & website will launch sometime in September, but some teaser pics will be sprinkled across the web under the hashtag #ProjectLov until then.

I am wearing:

Headband - J. Lovan Red Velvet Headband
Necklace - ViBella Santa Fe Necklace"
Top - J. Crew (thrifted)
Bracelet - Purchased in an Italian market

This girl is ALL ABOUT anything that sparkles so, naturally, she ADORED wearing this headband. If you are interested in purchasing a child-sized headband, J. Lovan will do customized orders upon request.

Ruby is wearing:

Headband - J. Lovan Gold Glitter Headband

Dress - Crewcuts (hand-me-down)

Shoes - Kenneth Cole Reaction (hand-me-down)

Like what you see? Well, YOU could be the lucky winner of this pink polka-dot turban AND red velvet headband! Simply 'Like' LoVan Designs on Facebook & let me know if you did in the comment section here. One winner will be drawn at random. Giveaway closes at Midnight, September 30th. Winner will be announced on September 1st.

Julia is also offering a special discount in her online shop for soZealous readers! Enter coupon code "soZealous25" for an additional 25% off your order. Now go buy some pretty things & enter to win! xx

soZealous for Vi Bella Giveaway!!

Happy Giveaway Day!! I know I've been hyping this up all week, but I'm pretty excited about it! As I mentioned before, the lovely folks from Vi Bella Jewelry provided some beautiful, hand-crafted baubles for me to style in a blog post. With our Black Hills vacation set and cluster of gorgeous ladies at my disposal, I knew the wooded landscapes would provide the perfect backdrop for our shoot.

Vi Bella Jewelry is an organization that seeks to transform the lives at at-risk women in Haiti & Mexico by providing sustainable jobs and share the love of Christ with them. Each piece is assembled by a special woman who otherwise might not be able to earn an income in a safe environment to provide for her & her family. Vi Bella is also making a positive impact on the environment by having their artisans use discarded plastic and glass bottles, metal bottle caps, old paper and even oil drums to craft unique handmade pieces.

I am SO inspired by the work that Vi Bella is doing and am honored to share their products & mission with my readers:) You can read the full Vi Bella story here.

Penelope necklace & earring set. 

Korie Bracelet. 

Vi Bella even has a line for little girls! Here Ruby is wearing the Emery necklace & bracelet.

Kristen, my sister, is wearing the necklace, earrings, & bracelet from the Jennifer Lee collection. 

Kira, my soon to be sister-in-law, is wearing the Olive necklace and Jovie earrings. The Olive necklace, one of Vi Bella's signature recycled pieces, is constructed from old newspaper. 

Mary, my beautiful 89 years young Grandmother, is wearing the Mayla necklace & bracelet. The Mayla necklace is also constructed from recycled newspaper.

My sister, Amy, is wearing the necklace, earrings, & bracelet from the Willow collection. 

Kaliko necklace & earring set.  

You ready for it?? I'm giving away this beautiful Kaliko necklace to one lucky reader! And each person has up to 3 chances to win. To enter, you can do one (or all) of the following:

1) Leave a me a blog comment stating what your favorite piece of jewelry from the Vi Bella website is.

2) Tweet about this giveaway using the hashtag #soZealousforViBella

3) Instagram about this giveaway using the hashtag #soZealousforViBella

Contest ends Wednesday, June 25th, at midnight. Winner will be announced here on Friday, June 27th.

Thanks again to Vi Bella and may the odds be ever in your favor:)

**This is a sponsored post brought to you by Vi Bella. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience.