Ten Dollars Well Spent: Favorite dollar store products.

TEN DOLLARS WELL SPENT

If you're following along and have been for a while, you know...I'M CHEAP! And if you're new to the blog, or this is the first post you've ever read, then you must know this: I'M REALLY CHEAP! There are very few things I will spent a lot of money on, and often beauty products and jewelry AREN'T among those things.

That said, I don't begrudge anyone their favorite luxurious night cream or fancy mascara. Expensive perfume, creams and eye makeup ARE among those select things I will splurge a bit for on occasion. I buy medium priced foundation and eyeliner (Mary Kay, in fact--mineral powder foundation and black eyeliner) but most of the time, I really do go CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite dollar store brands and what was in my ten dollar shopping bag today! (All items were only one dollar, of course).

1. Dove Makeup Wipes: Soft, work well, smell good, end of story.

2.Goody Bobby Pins: WHERE THE HELL DO THEY GO? Nevermind, I'll just buy more.

3. ELF Fingernail Polish Wipes: Work pretty darn well. Oddly dry out of the container, but somehow makes the wipe last longer. Stinky at first, dries to a decent citrus smell with moisturizers for your nail.

4. ELF Bronzer: Love their shimmer bronzer and illuminating powder compacts. Good stuff! Doesn't bust apart, nice glow, smells good. Yes, I'm sure it is loaded with parabens. Get off my back, OK?

5. ELF Jet Black Liquid Liner Pen: I DARE you to find a better liquid liner pen for one dollar--or two, or five! Seriously, the design is great on this thing. It doesn't last forever (make sure that cap is on tight!) but it draws the cleanest line of any pen I've bought for under ten dollars, and that's the TROOF!

6.ELF Makeup brushes: I own an entire set, and they are going on three years old, through regular washes, and still going strong. One dollar a piece. I'd say they probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty brushes to choose from--from blush to powder, many different shadow brushes, eyebrow, smudge, blending and lip. I pretty much exclusively apply eye makeup with brushes and ELF is what I use.

7. Beaded Cuff: ( All jewelry listed is "Courtney G" brand): Fun purples and oranges and about 3.5 inches high. I LOVE independent dollar stores for this reason, they always have such fun funky jewelry for one dollar. You seriously cannot beat that!

8. Gold band : Has a fun vintage vibe to it, and I'm going crazy for gold this year. Will stack nicely with so many other pieces!

9. Fun little rhinestone danglies: Look nearly identical to a vintage pair I own but a little more sparkly being that they are new....could...not....resist....

10. Simple silver circles: I had a pair identical to these almost ten years ago and wore them right out. They just went with so many things! I had to have them out of nostalgia and practicality...right?

Well, there you have it! In and out of my ten dollar shopping spree today. What products do you love to buy at dollar stores? Name your poison!

Taking My Chances With White

IT IS A RISK.

For girls with curves anyhow.
That’s right—I said it. White is risky.

But it is also so fresh, so crisp, so summery. And it was all the rage this spring, as well! A thrifted white shirt dress was (and still is!) on my thrifting wish list, but being that I haven’t found one yet, I scooped up this vintage white cotton blazer for $1.49 instead. It was low risk as far as white pieces go, and if you are a thicker gal wanting to wear white for the summer, I’d say it is a perfect fit!

I really like it over this purple print maxi…and even though I was worried about a white coat appearing a little “clinical”, I enjoyed rocking it out. I figured, why not add bright orange nails and gaudy gold accessories with teal? YES. Let’s do this!

The hubby cracked me up as I was headed out the door. “What tomb did you have to raid for that necklace?” He commented. It made me laugh out loud!

16 ways...Scarf Tutorial #8..."No Muss"

I LOVE IT! Vintage utilitarian fashion.

Don’t want to "muss" your hair? That's the awesome, chic, practical power of the vintage scarf over the 'do (we're halfway through the "16 Ways To Style A Vintage Scarf Series! Don't forget that I'm collecting them for your reference onthis Pinterest Board!). Combine with glasses and it's a recipe for instant classy bombshell. I feel like it commands respect and it also says, "My hair is worth not spoiling". HAHA! The best (and most ironic) part about this style is that it can double as a veil for the not-so-hot hair day, and I'm vowing to don this style more this year, as it feels so amazingly glam and fabulous to me. I don't really think I need to mention the ease of styling a vintage scarf this way--you just find yourself a medium or large scarf, fold it into a triangle, cover your head and tie underneath your chin. But do check out the montage of vintage stylings I pasted together for your reference below...there are a few ways to do the fantastic scarf head wrap. It was Grace Kelly's signature look, and as you can see, the style was no stranger to starlets like Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and even Jackie O.

I can’t help but mention (and it isn't meant to offend or slam anyone reading, so I hope that won't be the case) that I couldn't dislike the reversed version of the scarf head wrap more, bastardized, I feel, by nuevo-rockabilly fashion which seems to cling on to the most tawdry of vintage stylings

(here come the hot pants, cleavage shirts, platforms and blunt cut bangs!). I'm talking about this look.. In all fairness, it's how you wear it though, because I actually love a similiar look on Rihanna--she did it right, in my humble opinion. As you can probably tell, there is a difference--it is worn as more of a bow; a thinner headband vibe, and the rest of the hair and its height completely balances the look. Am I sounding like a picky freak yet? Oh goody!

Maybe it comes from hours of shaking my head at the nasty, overplucked and overexposed pinups in the hubby's hot rod mags, but I just can't get into the aforementioned look. Call me a prude, but the "Nuskool" spin on vintage style sort of degrades everything I love about true vintage: the demure, classy, and glamorous (which was the difference, I believe, in how Rihanna wore the look, versus other girls who seem to just be aiming for this.). It's really not a question of feminist power either for me, and I've went off on that diatribe before. What can I say? I'm just a vintage style purist, I guess. My after-the-fact disclaimer is that everyone has their own taste, and I certainly don't mean to scrutinize anyone. I'm sure that, in my lifetime, my own style has been the butt of several criticisms, jokes, and perhaps even gape jawed stares. So I'll put that in my own pipe and smoke it.

And now that I've climbed off my soap box, and watched it practically blow away on what has been a SERIOUSLY blustery day here in summery Michigan (perfect for the style-saving scarf!), don't be afraid to speak up below and tell me exactly why you disagree with me--or why we are psychically connected. Thanks for reading today, and hope to see you back soon!

Do I need to mention the scarf was marked .49 cents at Hope's Outlet, and that the glasses were a 99 cent find from Salvation Army on Plainfield in Grand Rapids, MI today?

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As usual, you can stop by any three Hope's Outlet thrift stores in Muskegon or Grand Haven to pick up a few FREE scarf prizes! Just mention the blog and choose from the stash!

Hope's Outlet Thrift Stores are located at:

2424 Glade St., Muskegon, MI 49444

1974 E Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49444

1100 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Find Hope's Outlet on Facebook!

Someone Else

Don’t you ever wish you were?

Someone else, that is?

I know I do from time to time--but luckily, I gravitate back to embracing (and appreciating) my God-given vessel. I thought it would be fun to be a cartoon character for a day; something a little different. I wish it were that just as easy to transform in real life...with a mere Photoshop brush or two.

I was reminded of my body's reluctance to change (i.e., reduce) this weekend when I caught a glimpse of a few shots taken of me as I ran a local 5k. I absolutely adore running--and do it often. However, despite my active lifestyle and a healthy diet for years, I've been stagnant on the weight loss front. Without pulling a Lucille Ball, I'll tell you--it's been a devastating road of frustration, resentment and the desire to smash plates. But back to the pictures...

There were a few of me running in the race that were actually cute! But 70% of them showed my thighs like I've never seen them before; frozen in a pendulum of inertia that would make any respectable girl cringe. As I gaped in my seat, wondering WHY God has done this to me--cast me into this prison of a Lithuanian brick house--I was reminded that pictures almost never reflect truth.

Anyone who has taken a mobile pic on the lake--hoping to capture the brilliant water and the pure joy of relaxing on a summer day--only to rediscover days later a flat, pixelated and sad little snapshot--well, they know what I mean.

Anyone who has ever smiled--not meaning it--to mask a tortured bruise deep inside themselves...well, they get it.

Ask the girl who was having an amazing hair day and wanted to capture it...but ended up taking 450 shots with her ipod before getting a singular snapshot that somewhat represented how she felt she ACTUALLY looked that day. (Not that I'VE ever done anything so silly).

Why do pictures do this to us? Highlight our faults, and expose a harsh and cruel sub-reality that doesn't seem to reflect who we really are?

I guess I believe the answer lies within the same rationale that reasons why sometimes words can't describe a moment, or why a feeling can't be expressed with the available vocabulary you have.

How can we possibly transcribe a three (or more?) dimensional world with two dimensions? I don't know. I don't know that it's possible. I do know, however, that the challenge makes me love photography even more; it drives me to capture what I believe is closer to the truth. It also allows me to move past the injuries I feel at being ensnared in less than flattering portraits. I have to try and remember how I really FELT at the moment the picture was taken, and if things don't line up...I know it's just a lie.

Here’s to finding the truth…in front of the camera, and behind it.

P.S., the cartoon girl in this blog is wearing an entirely thrifted outfit

with a vintage scarf as a cumber bun style belt!

Thrift For The Belly

You can thrift maternity, too!

And if you're like my friend Kerra, you'll make pregnancy look good. :) I wanted to share her cute patterned knit dress and woven handbag that were both Goodwill purchases totaling $8! If you are expecting, there's no reason that you can't thrift your way through a stylish pregnancy with a little time and even less cash. ;) If you'd like to see her entire maternity session, check out the folder on Pineapple Chantal Photography!

Blinged Out Mock Cufflinks

I bought some vintage rhinestone pins—two, in fact!

You can see them here: What's New On The Thrift Tip.

Don’t they make nice mock cufflinks? I LOVE IT! I also love this navy and white striped shirt with bitchin purple triangles. Such a sucker for a loud eighties print blouse!

You, too, can have mock cufflinks!

WHAT ABOUT USING...

--Vintage Clip-on Earrings

--Large Buttons

--Small silk flowers

--Ribbons

...HMMM? Get creative and see what you can stick on those bad boys!

Rachel's Dress

It was a pleasure to photograph and visit with my friend Rachel, a fellow thrifter who resides in my hometown. The cute dress she has on was a two dollar thrift find from Goodwill! Very cute pattern and colors but honestly, I have a feeling she could pull off just about anything. A lovely girl who has a Hellenistic quality in these photos that I just adore.

If you'd like to see the entire photography session, please feel free to stop by my Facebook page atPineapple Chantal Photography and check them out! I'm open for business for local portraiture. :)

Have a happy Tuesday! What have you thrifted this week?

Sixteen Ways to Style A Vintage Scarf # 7: Scarf-ed Collar

Vintage Scarf Tutorial #7:

“Scarf a Collar” Episode one!

This was a fun and easy project. It only took me about 45 minutes to complete!

Please remember that you can check out all of the 16 ways Scarf tutorials as they happen...I've collected them on one simple Pinterest pinboard for you to follow!

I first took my t-shirt and draped the scarf around the neck, tying it in a single knot in the back.

I then created gathers with a simple tied white thread about every two-three inches, leaving me with little "puffs".

I did some pinning for placement...

...and began sewing the little puffs in place. As you can see, I left the back tied...it looked really cute that way! I sewed this into place as well (all with the same white thread).

This was the result...a fun, whimsical collar on an old tshirt. The stitching is quite loose; I could easily reclaim the scarf or the tshirt!

Cute! I'm looking forward to two more "scarf-ed" collar projects with different scarves and styles!

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Of course, there is a prize in today's blog! I'm leaving a fun "mystery" scarf at the Glade St. Hope's Outlet location to be found by any lucky reader who is out that way in Muskegon, Michigan today, after 4 p.m.!

Hope's Outlet Thrift Stores are located at:

2424 Glade St., Muskegon, MI 49444

1974 E Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49444

1100 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Find Hope's Outlet on Facebook!

What's new on the thrift tip...

HELLO!

...And welcome to another episode of "I Can't Stop Thrifting!" It's the program you love to love, where one cheap and fashionable girl can't stop herself from purchasing ridiculously inexpensive, vintage and kitschy things!

And fabulous things!

And shiny things!

More! More! More!

The vintage belt was one of two that are very similar; stretchy vintage gold belts from the 60's. Twenty-five cents at a yard sale ...fifty cents total. I wore one in this outfit, Purple Animals and Panda Winners..

I love this carved wooden box. It has a neat wooden scene on the outside and inside, there is a vintage mirror with a gold design on the lid. It was another yard-sale find for only a dollar. Presently, I'm storing family photos inside!

Little wide cuff black quartz watch. $1 thrifted.

Wooden vintage hotrod; 60's. 49 cents!

These are actually two matching vintage rhinestone PINS! Love them. Only $1; outfit post with these coming soon!

I've had so much good fortune lately. A friend brought me two Marushkas (kitschy vintage screen printed art that I collect, see it here) for my collection and I even found some more free scores on my own. I think FREE may be my most favorite of all. The white cabinet was an "on the side of the road" score! It looks cute in my living room -- especially with my favorite art deco vase from the '30s and a baby picture of my son! :)

Also…a direct solicitation…

I'm really excited to have launched a new photography page,"Pineapple Chantal Photography" ! I'm really looking forward to growing as a portrait artist and serving the West Michigan area as a photographer. I'd love it if you became a fan! Thanks for your support and continued reading. :) Hope your weekend is off to a fabulous (and thrifty!) start!