InStyle Plaid and Fur Remix

It's another InStyle remix!

The outfit above caught my eye in this month's InStyle magazine on pg. 108! The original is great--lots of colors, textures, and it's a little bit rock and roll. My version was slightly more conservative without the cute lace up boots and the vest, but definitely a very close runner up! Here's the $1,120 dollar question though: do you think my frugal and thrifted outfit is really $1, 085 dollars LESS of an ensemble? Because that's how much MORE the InStyle version cost. It's fabulous, but I could never justify spending that much. What else could you buy with just over a thousand dollars? That's alot of dough. What do you think? Did I hit the mark?

This outfit is easily dressed down with jeans. In fact, it was a blustery, blizzardy and cold day in Michigan, and I remixed this outfit once again with dark jeans and calf boots. It was JUST as cute. Very glam with dark sunglasses. I also posted another alternative to the grey boots that I thought would be quite sassy--bright green Chuck Taylor All Star high tops!

Everything in this outfit is thrifted with the exception of the white shirt underneath, a "Danskin" plain white tee from Walmart ($7) and the grey slouch boots, "Upper East Side" for Payless ($13).

Proof of today's arctic weather below!

P.S., my one of my favorite gals, Drew Barrymore, was on the cover this month! I personally thought she looked strange--too digitally altered, perhaps? BUT, I digress!

Well "RED" and mixing it up!

Red accents, oh, how I love thee!

(Let's start by mentioning that this entire outfit was less than $10! Been thrifting this week to see what you can find? Not sure where to go? Check out some of my Thrift Reviews--there are more to come!)

This pleated polyster black skirt and vintage print shirt lent itself well to a faux red patent leather belt and purse. It just MADE SENSE to throw a little leopard print in there! FYI: the purse is available for sale at my shop here

and I think I'll add the shirt soon, as well!

The glasses go well with this outfit! I think this ensemble would look great with a side bun or a relaxed low pony, but an updo would work well, also!

LOVE this print and black/tan combo. Are you interested in buying this shirt? Contact me at ThriftTrick@gmail.com and I'll give you first dibs before I list it!

I put two sets of shoes up with this outfit that I thought would work well. One is a pair of vintage JC Penny's leapard print ballet slippers that I got for $1 in the package, brand new, at Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven! The other are a pair of suede loafers with leopoard print accents on the top of the toe and the heel. I bought these at Family Dollar for $7. They were just too "rockabilly cute" to pass up!

Are you a scaredy cat when it comes to mixing colors and patterns? It's no secret that red, tan and black go nicely together. But there's no need to fear mixing prints, particularly when they are matching color schemes! You never know until you try.

It's probably clear how well these two blend together:

At the same time, you don't necesarily need a "safe bet" to make two prints work together. It's a bit of a risk, but when it comes together, the multi-textured and rich result is well worth it. Since I'm not in the mood to "hate" on combos that don't work and look hideous, let's take a look at some scoreboard ensembles!

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GREAT EXAMPLES:

Erdem Dries Van Noten Louis Vuitton Milly Kenzo

Love Maegan Does It Well!

Mixing florals and reds! Ooh lala...fashionable and oh-s0-romantic!

Yes! A+ to the middle outfit--circle print skirt with delicate floral blouse. Dig it!

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Tips on Mixing Prints: MyStyle.com

FashionEyeForMen: Great posts with men mixing print!

RealSimple: Simple guidelines for mixing print

In a past life...

In a past life...I just KNOW I was a glamorous babe from the '50s. My entire life I've had an affinity for the style--from the fingerwaves to the red lips, the high-waisted skirts to the hot pants...I love it all. No, I wouldn't have been a tawdry Bettie Paige--but don't file me under Audrey Hepburn just yet. I'd like to think I would have been a delicious mix of American girl, 75% lady, 10% rebel, 15% sex kitten. Think of the Grace Kellys and Rita Hayworths of the world. The Elizabeth Taylors; with smoky come hither eyes that spoke what dare not be whispered. Yet, the dress gloves would never came off. That subdued control--despite my strong feminine will--is something that impresses me to this day. I don't look at it as submission at all; rather, self-control, pure and simple. That composure literally defines the class and strikingly fierce elegance of a 50's woman, in my opinion.

I've always taken pleasure in browsing through literature and any sort of fashion from the 1950's, and so I thoroughly enjoyed a recent "borrow" from the library--"Fashion of a Decade: the 1950's" by Patricia Baker.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos from the book that reaffirm why vintage glamour is so timeless and dear to my heart. Please enjoy!

This Hardy Amies "S-line" skirt and jacket combo in plaid is so chic. Honestly, though, my favorite is this adorable hat! I do apologize that my Instagram photos don't do the originals justice--because you are missing out on the eyelets that make this hat so darn cute and feminine. It is the most interesting combination between a cloche and a little bonnet...I love it, and the gathers are inspiring me to sew one just like it! Tossing that into my "I SEW need to do this" pile.

Garters are sexy as hell. 'Nuff said.

Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" (1954)

I love this photo for several reasons. First of all, Grace Kelly is simply gorgeous in it. Secondarily, I would buy both of these dresses...and similar ones hang in my closet. From a fashion standpoint, it isn't the highbrow evening dress or glitzy broad shouldered fur coat from the '50s that catch my eye. It is the pure femininity and implicit sexuality, style and character of the everyday frock. THIS is what I love about the '50s. THIS is what I love about fashion, in general.

It reminds me of a song lyric--Erykah Badu, in fact. From a song called "Cleva", on the album "Mama's Gun":

"My dress ain't cost nothin' but seven dollars

But I made it fly.

And I'll tell ya why.

'Cause I'm clevah".

The ingenuity, implied sex appeal and application of any given outfit on a girl is what transforms a woman into a bombshell. You can't buy that in a bottle, and you can't order it from Banana Republic. It is simply a talent, and if you can balance the "come hither" with a little class, well, the duality of both the demure and dazzle will bring you much adoration from men and women alike.

I'm attaching some full color shots for you to enjoy below.

Who's your favorite 1950's icon, and why?

ANNOUNCING: The Thrift Trick Boutique!!!

"Green Goddess" Vingage Long sleeve shift (Pascal Calardo) dress with beaded string belt

Price : $20.00

Buy It Now

"Turquoise Drops" Vintage clip on beaded earrings

Price : $7.00

Buy It Now

"Candy Apples" Faux Patent Leather Red Vintage Handbag

Price : $10.00

Buy It Now

Hello everyone! Based on inquiries and also the guilt I have over hoarding all of the delicious vintage items I find every week, I've decided to open a store! You can now "shop" the blog by either clicking on the buying options underneath photos, or browsing the entire store by clicking the cart icon all the way to the top left of the home navigation menu!

I hope you enjoy checking out my store. You can pay by paypal or credit card, or cash if you are local! There is also a local pickup option for Muskegon, MI and Grand Haven, MI area. I ship priority mail and goods get out quick! :)

You can expect from now on to see an item or two in each blog with a "buy now" icon underneath but don't worry--I'll still be posting cheap finds, advising on where you can go, reviewing thrift, and posting DIYS and crafts! :)

Have a wonderful, relaxing, and thrifty Sunday! :)

Mini-Organ and other finds!

I can't tell you how stoked I was to find this Magnus Organ from 1971. It has the tone of a mellower accordion, and though it only has 26 keys and 6 chord buttons, I'm so excited about using it in Ida's Rope performances! It has a great tone and I've already written a specific song to perform with it! Purchased this for ten dollars at Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven, which wasn't hard to part with for a functioning instrument. It has tubes....oh how I love vintage tube power. :)

This darling pink and grey polyester Schroder dress is a size 8 and will be for sale at my new shop (if and when) or sold before then! In impeccable shape. I'm pricing it at $15.00 which is about half price of what you'd find at any vintage store online. If you are interested in this dress and you are a local Muskegonite or GrandHavenite, please feel free to email me at ThriftTrick@gmail.com and we can arrange for a local pickup!

More clip on earrings to become statement rings! Did you miss that blog post?

Have a great Saturday and stay thrifty, Muskegon. :D

Thrift Store Review: Goodwill North Muskegon, MI

THRIFT REVIEW: Goodwill of North Muskegon, MI

1169 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445
(231) 744-1215

Map it

Goodwill of North Muskegon might be my favorite Goodwill in the area! The funny thing is, it is one of the smallest stores in the area. (There are 5 that I know of--3 left to review!)

First impressions of the store beyond size are ones of tidiness and organization! Every time I have come to this location it has been impeccably clean, and well organized. Whoever does the outfit endcaps does a very nice job putting together stylish outfits (which usually isn't the case at thrift stores I frequent).

Even though the selection isn't the broadest, care is taken to put out items that are in good shape and categorized nicely and uniformly. Clothes are decently priced and in nice condition. What I really appreciate is that the children's items, though the area isn't very large, is very well taken care of. This is a great place to go to get a game or toy for your child that has either all or most of the parts and has been packaged with care to keep it that way while on the shelf (I like to buy board games and classroom items at this location--most board games and toys are under 5 dollars with board games being, on average, $2-$3 a piece).

Books are all nicely organized and priced and while there this holiday season, I picked up some gift items and (randomly) a brand new matching lid for my electric skillet! Score! I had accidentally melted the handle off the original lid. (Don't ask.)

Belts are priced only a dollar and many to choose from! This store usually has a nice selection of linens and suitcases, along with other household items like occasional electronics or furniture. Two years ago, I bought a tv/vcr combo for my son there with a remote in great condition for ten dollars. It is still perfect and in daily use today!

THE ONLY reason that I give this store a 4/5 score are shoe prices. I know--I probably sound like such a stickler! It's just that unless a shoe is in impeccable condition and/or a designer shoe, I feel that they should be marked accordingly. I wanted to pick up a few pairs of heels while at this location but for an average shoe, I felt that $7 a pair was just way to pricy for a worn shoe, even in clean condition.

All in all, this is a wonderful little location to peruse and the fact that it is out of the way makes for a relaxed shopping experience. I recommend stopping by!

HIGHLIGHTS:

--Very clean and well lit

--Ample parking for small location

--Usually a laid back and quiet shopping experience

--Well organized and small but nice selection of clothes, belts, toys and housewares

--Not the best place to buy shoes

Stop by and check it out!

Hitting the new year with new purpose: Solo earring ring DIY

Look at these fabulous (and upycled vintage) rings I made!

They are so easy that you don't really even need a tutorial (in my opinion).

Here's what I did: I went to Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven and I purchased vintage clip on earrings that had lost their mate for .49 cents each! Losing one of the pair is so sad for an earring but no problem for a new life as a ring! They were all clip on or screw on, and they backings easily removed by simply bending back and forth. There was no cutting or grinding necessary. You could probably sand the bottoms down a bit if you like but I left them just as is.
The next step was to glue them to the ring blanks I bought. I purchased these ring blanks from Amazon.com.

I used hot glue. I believe hot glue or another very hard setting epoxy would be your best choice. I would not use super glue as I don't believe it would work. Fixing the earrings with jewelery wire might be another acceptable choice.

And voila! Instant statement rings that are unique, vintage, one of a kind, and just beautiful! I've already recieved many compliments on mine. I'm thinking of doing some giveaways with them. Maybe in the future I'll have a shop location where you can pick one up! You never know. ;)

Have a great Tuesday!