fashion

Goodness! Gracious! Goodwill Goodies #2

Welcome to another edition of what I hope will be an on going series!

I would love to have you post some photos of your Good Will Goodies!
It is always fun to see what other people buy at the thrift store!

In fact, I often find myself surreptitiously eyeing the carts of the other shoppers in the store!

Sometimes I am envious…..like the time I saw a cart with 6 rolls of 8 inch burlap ribbon….for $2 each! Or the huge Fitz and Floyd platter for $9.99.   SIGH!

Sometimes I wonder….but who am I to judge!  I just bought these!

Really, they will make fun additions to floral arrangements….trust me!

 Goodness! Gracious! Good Will Goodies #2 is about clothes.  
Specifically it is about sleeveless shells and camisoles! 
Everyone needs these basics in their closet!
Thanks to Good Will…..there are many of these Goodies in the Sweetwater closet!
But the quality of fabric and design you can find at the thrift store is so much better at a cost less than you would spend at Walmart or Old Navy!

Yes…this tank is only $7. 00!

It is probably of pretty good quality.

But seven dollars is way more than most shells sell for at the thrift store.

 This tank at JJill is most likely made from a soft and long lasting fabric…
But really….$29 for something this simple?!
The thrifty me would have to argue that fact!
Accruing a “wardrobe” of good quality shells and camisoles let’s me play a bit with color and style!

I have shells that have been washed and washed and washed with little sign of wearing out! 
And hey….I love wearing Ralph Lauren and Ann Taylor out in the garden!

J Jill, Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Coldwater Creek are just some of the brands represented here!

These dressier tops have some serious name dropping going on!

Theory, St. John, Ralph Lauren, and Jones New York!

Some General Thrift Store Clothing Tips!

Buy Quality!

Here is a case where brands matter!  The name brand fabrics, cut, and styling will make you “big investment” worth it! While I deplore the idea of spending lots of money for clothes….that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the way more expensive items hold up over time.  
Buy “like new” items only!
This is really important!  Even though you are at the thrift store, you deserve the good stuff!  If it has a stain, is out of shape or looks worn….leave it!  You can sometimes find things that still have the store tags on them!  
 
This cute little sleeveless white blouse is from Ann Taylor….tag on at 49.00…..mine for $8.99 less my 25% coupon no less!

Try It ON!
Sizing at the thrift store is NOT an exact science!  I always think that some items have been donated precisely because they are not sized correctly!  I am so happy that the newly designed Good Will stores have vastly improved the dressing rooms…..but if you can’t bring yourself to try on in the store….you can always return the item if it doesn’t fit!  
Look at this cute halter dress from Land’s End!  Size 10….not really my size…but I figured I could take in the back pretty easily….so I went for it!  Go figure….it fit perfectly!  
Give Yourself Browsing Time!
To really get the most out of a trip to the thrift store you need time!  There is A LOT of stuff there.  I like to decide before I head to the store if my focus is going to be on household items or clothing and then spend my time there.  
Don’t Take it Seriously!
Take a risk….maybe you wouldn’t spend $50 for a sequined black cami….but hey…$5.00 and now I have something to wear under a plain black jacket! Go with a friend and giggle a bit over some “unfortunate” items and maybe share a happy dance over the perfect treasure!


Happy Shopping! And don’t forget….share your best and worst Goodwill Goodies with us!

Link Parties
Handy Man Crafty Woman
Ginger snap Crafts
Thrifty Home
Talk of the Town 
Vintage Chic

Monday Musings

It is a dark and stormy morning here at Sweetwater!
A great morning for a cup of coffee and some MUSING!

One of my blog feeds is a lovely blog by Tish Jett called  A Femme d’Un Certain Age.

Her blog is a fascinating read all from the point of view of an American in Paris.   She is all about analyzing, dissecting and incorporating the “French Style” for us.

I highly recommend that you find your own beverage of choice and sit down to browse through some of Tish’s Musings.

I read one her blog posts about Uniform Dressing a few weeks ago and it really stayed with me.  Her take on wardrobe simplicity is truly spot on.

In the post she made a list.  I LOVE her list!  I certainly wouldn’t claim to be a fashionista, but I do like fashion and an ease in being somewhat fashionable.
So, I am sharing that list with some Sweetwater Style musings on her thoughts.  Enjoy!

“It takes no more time to be stylish than it does to be sloppy.”
 This is a no brainer!  When you go to your closet to pick what you are going to wear, it is just as easy to pick out things that you know go together and look nice on you.  Even your yoga pants and t-shirts can be chosen with style in mind. 
 No woman really wants to be invisible does she?
“Taking care of one’s clothes makes them last longer.”
It is rarely necessary to dry clean any clothes. Goodwill “finds” are often there because the label says “dry-clean only”!  Even cashmere and silk can be carefully laundered on the gentle cycle.  Quality clothing is made from fabrics that stand up over time.  Because of that I have good quality stuff purchased at thrift stores that still look great after 5-10 years of wear. 
“Frenchwomen make sure that everything in their closets is ready-to-wear.
If the clothes in your closet are clean, ironed with all buttons in place and hemmed to the right length, then anything you see can be put on.  Keep clothes that need tending to in another place and try to take care of those “fixes” soon.
“Taking care of one’s clothes means you’ll always have something to wear.”
All budgets can be accommodated.  
Well….this is truly the Sweetwater Style point of view!  So many of my favorite wardrobe items are from thrift stores.  Why in the world would I want to spend lots of money buying basic things for retail prices when they can be had for a fraction of the price. Style does NOT have to be expensive.  I hear people talking about how much time it takes to shop at the thrift store.  But for me…it seems more time consuming to go to the mall and shop all day for “just the right” outfit.  I always have a much harder time deciding what to buy if I am going to have to spend “big bucks”.  I also know that I am willing to take a risk and buy something a bit outrageous if I am paying thrift store prices.  These gems often become the things that I reach for over and over again because they are FUN!
It’s depressing to have an overflowing closet and nothing to wear.  
Tish is all about “Uniforms Dressing”.  She makes the case that if you take the time to analyze your own style and choose items that work together to become your “uniform” it is liberating and not boring.  Maybe it is black leggings and loose tops.  Maybe it is long loose skirts and t-shirts or jeans and crisp white shirts.  Whatever…it is just a matter of taking those basics and adding a few accessories.  And hey…shopping for accessories is lots of fun.
Your “uniform” means that you will always have something to put on! I have on my “to do list” to cull my closet of those things that I don’t wear because they no longer fit my life style.  Wish me luck with THAT!

 Making the effort to look stylish is psychologically healthy.

Right now I am sitting in my sleep pants and a plain sleeveless t-shirt.  Since they came from Good Will, they are nice enough…..but not terribly stylish!  Honestly, when I walk by the mirrors in the house, I am less than “happy” with the look.  It is time to take the 5 minutes it will take to go put on something else.  It will be an attitude changer that won’t take much effort. We all know the feeling of going out and about not looking our best.  It never fails….you will run into a friend….or worse an aquaintance….and wonder what they are thinking!  Not worth the stress! 

Looking good makes you feel better.

“Dressing down sends a message of “I don’t care about me” 
(or you either for that matter).”
When you choose to wear things that go beyond casual to sloppy you are actually telling the people you are with that you don’t value spending time with them enough to make an effort to be your best.  Of course, how you interact with people is always more important than how you look.  But if looking good makes you feel better, then you will be more comfortable with your interactions.  Nothing is more boring than a conversation that starts with an apology about how “terrible” you look.  Way better to say….”don’t we look fabulous!” and get on with having fun.

I am off now to get out of my current outfit and put on something presentable.
I hope you take some time to go read more inspriration from  
The rain has stopped and it is time to stop MUSING!
Have a Wonderful Day!
 


A Funny Thrifter Story!

It is no secret that I love shopping at thrift stores!
If you want to know more and even learn some of my tips and tricks…..
check out the tab at the top about Good Will Hunting!
A funny thing happened at the Happy Hour Baby Shower on Saturday!
One of the guests was someone I didn’t know….but when I complimented her on her outfit…
she told me she got most of the pieces at Good Will!
That led to a “competition” conversation about the best finds ever!
Pretty soon….this lovely young woman…an almost stranger…..
was up in my closet looking at my “best finds ever”!
We had formed a bond….
a marvelous bond sharing NOT about how lovely and expensive our possessions are….
BUT….how lovely and inexpensive they are!
So here is the Handbag edition of:
The Best Finds Ever!

One of the rules of thrift store shopping is “KNOW YOUR BRANDS”!

This little gem is a pretty obvious brand…

COACH!

I am almost certain it is authentic…it has the little coach tag….

I found a pink one like it on ebay for $35….so I would imagine that the original price was at least twice that!

I think I paid $4!

This little purse was the perfect bag to take sightseeing on our vacation.

It fits snugly under my arm….so my stuff is secure.

Just enough room for ID, phone and glasses!

PRICELESS!

BTW… this photo is of me getting ready to eat street food in Bangkok!

Notice what the humidity does to me hair 🙂

This is a Brahmin Bag….I have had it for 8 years…..got it for $10 at Goodwill!
I always look for distinctive tags and quality leather when I am browsing the purses at GW!

I found this bag on the Brahmin website!

Yup…you are reading it right!

$295!

My Oh My!

I used this bag as my carry-on for our trip.  It has lots of pockets inside but is big enough for the iPad and Kindle!

The last “Best Find Ever”…..is one that I really didn’t realize was SUCH a good deal!

When we were traveling, the thing that amazed me was the shopping in the airports.

No Kidding…..every single fancy smancy designer store was there for your shopping convenience.

When I saw the BALLY store in the Hong Kong airport….I remembered the little BALLY purse I scored a few years ago at GW for $8!

I went into the store to see if there was a similar bag for sale!
There were several bags that were close…but nothing exactly like mine!
But here is the deal….if you go to the BALLY website….there isn’t a single bag that costs less than $500 …..yup…..$500 and up for any BALLY purse!

This little bag is a perfect size…..and the ensignia makes me believe it is genuine!
Even if it is the cheapest BALLY bag made….I think this might be one of my best finds!
So…..keep your eagle eyes open for bargains at the thrift store!
Since I can’t come visit your closets….I would love for you to join the competition!
I want to hear about YOUR “Best Finds EVER” !
Have A Great Day!

Goodwill Goodness!

YIKES! 
I just realized that I haven’t devoted a post to Goodwill for a while! 
 Did you think (GASP) that I started shopping RETAIL!?
Not to worry!
This post will catch you up on all my deals and steals the last few months!
Here is a peek at my Spring and Summer Wardrobe!
“Wardrobe” sounds fancy….
actually this is “the stuff in my closet” that I got at GW!
I think I have a thing for Navy Blue this Spring!
This St. John Sport Jacket…
This great little Ann Taylor shell…
a grey and navy Izod T…
and a pair of navy leggings…and a slim legged pant I bought awhile ago…
almost a whole weekend worth of clothes for less than $25
I usually look through the shoes at GW…..but hardly ever buy….
somehow shoes need to be in the “new” or “almost new” before I buy them!
Even then…I wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe….a COUPLE of times!
These sandals fit the NEW category! Absolutely no sign of wear!
This is a case of “risk taking” at GW….they are cute but kind of trendy….but for $9.99 worth a go!
I have been wearing this fun necklace a lot…
The color goes with a lot of my clothes….
Another case of taking a $4 risk…even at Target this would have been over $10!  
The silver backing is nice and heavy and it is interesting!
The perfect Summer skirt is long and flowing….
this one is my favorite shade of brown…the picture doesn’t really do it justice….
add a camisole and a jean jacket and it is a never fail look!
hmmm…I bet those sandals will look nice with this!
Now…you know I almost never pay more than $10 for anything at GW…
but this Eileen Fisher jacket was too good a bargain to pass up….even though it cost $14.99!
The picture makes it look sort of green…..
but it is really a great brown and black tweed color that will be a great neutral!

 

Most of these GW scores seem to be clothes….
now that I have my “wardrobe”….
Maybe I can score some new “decor” for the house on my next GW trips….
I guess that is a good reason to go again soon!

Have a Great Day!

Link Parties
A Vision to Remember   Life on Lakeshore Drive 

Goodwill Goodness!

YIKES! 
I just realized that I haven’t devoted a post to Goodwill for a while! 
 Did you think (GASP) that I started shopping RETAIL!?
Not to worry!
This post will catch you up on all my deals and steals the last few months!
Here is a peek at my Spring and Summer Wardrobe!
“Wardrobe” sounds fancy….
actually this is “the stuff in my closet” that I got at GW!
I think I have a thing for Navy Blue this Spring!
This St. John Sport Jacket…
This great little Ann Taylor shell…
a grey and navy Izod T…
and a pair of navy leggings…and a slim legged pant I bought awhile ago…
almost a whole weekend worth of clothes for less than $25
I usually look through the shoes at GW…..but hardly ever buy….
somehow shoes need to be in the “new” or “almost new” before I buy them!
Even then…I wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe….a COUPLE of times!
These sandals fit the NEW category! Absolutely no sign of wear!
This is a case of “risk taking” at GW….they are cute but kind of trendy….but for $9.99 worth a go!
I have been wearing this fun necklace a lot…
The color goes with a lot of my clothes….
Another case of taking a $4 risk…even at Target this would have been over $10!  
The silver backing is nice and heavy and it is interesting!
The perfect Summer skirt is long and flowing….
this one is my favorite shade of brown…the picture doesn’t really do it justice….
add a camisole and a jean jacket and it is a never fail look!
hmmm…I bet those sandals will look nice with this!
Now…you know I almost never pay more than $10 for anything at GW…
but this Eileen Fisher jacket was too good a bargain to pass up….even though it cost $14.99!
The picture makes it look sort of green…..
but it is really a great brown and black tweed color that will be a great neutral!

 

Most of these GW scores seem to be clothes….
now that I have my “wardrobe”….
Maybe I can score some new “decor” for the house on my next GW trips….
I guess that is a good reason to go again soon!

Have a Great Day!

Link Parties
A Vision to Remember   Life on Lakeshore Drive