Nickie's Ten Dollar Outfit

Nickie’s Ten Dollar Outfit

If you’re a follower of my blog, you might be impressed with the lovely gaggle of girls I know; it certainly impresses me! My beautiful friend Nickie agreed to share her adorable summery outfit with thrifted elements that only cost $10!

The white dress (which is actually a skirt pulled up and belted) was $2 from Goodwill, as well as the white and cork wedges, which were $4. If you haven’t tried the skirt trick, you should! I’ve done this before myself and it’s a fun way to transform a longer skirt into an instantly summery strapless dress! The key is the belt—you’ll need that for shaping!

The final element of the outfit is the $4 clearance belt from Pamida. Voila! It’s called looking awesome for a ten spot.

If you look closely you might notice a surprising addition to Nickie’s outfit that makes me smile. Tiny skull earrings! Got to make your mark! J

Thanks so much to Nickie for lending me her stunning face for this outfit shoot. If you’d like to see more of her outfit shoots, please stop by my photography page at Pineapple Chantal Photography- or click the picture below!

See you this week for an outfit post on Mackinac Island in Michigan! I’m going on vacation…woohoo!

Sweetheart's Nautical

Sweetheart’s Nautical

I thought this outfit was a whimsical combo of red, navy and white stripes, and gold! Certainly nautical—but then I decided to get a little weird and throw in the “hearted” scarf! Lots of fun. And it’s so true what they say; can’t figure out what shoes to wear? When in doubt—go nude! I tried red pumps—they were too much. Navy and black both felt strange. Nude was just right! And often when I choose nude pumps, I go with a lighter bag. This one has popped into quite a few outfit posts lately!

The other great thing about nude pumps is that they very much elongate your legs! As a woman with very thick and muscular calves (who also runs between 10-15 miles per week, which hasn’t exactly reduced my muscles), I need all the slimming power I can get!

A few elements in this outfit WEREN’T thrifted: the pumps and the heart scarf. The rest was purchased for about $7 total, including the skirt and belt ($2.50 together) which were the main “nautical” inspiration for this outfit post! The gold beaded earrings are a new favorite. You’ll see more of them in an upcoming “antiquing” jewelry special! J

Stolen off the streets: Plaid and shorts!

STOLEN….OFF THE STREETS!

I was out to dinner with the fam last night and saw a girl sporting an outfit cute enough to steal! I immediately thought it would be fun recreate this outfit with thrifted items! In the future I might be brave enough to snap a picture of my “victims” before I rob their fashion sense, but between you and me, this one’s under the radar!

HER LOOK: A loose fitting plaid shirt, worn with shorts (fairly short in length) and a brown braided belt.

MY ADDITIONS: white straw fedora and accessories! My outfit cost total (shirt and belt was a gift from my birthday this year): $7.50. Shorts were actually brand new with tag from Goodwill for $5! White straw fedora was new…one dollar from Dollar Tree! Bought a blue as well, for that price, what the heck! Vintage clip ons: $1.50 from Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift in Grand Haven, Mi, and bangles/purse were a yardsale find for $1.

The actual shorts pictured here look longer than they really are, due to the impossibility of dressing a one legged dress form in shorts to begin with. Haha! That was tricky…

Have you seen a look that you’d like to see me steal and “thrift trick”? Stop by my Facebook page and post a picture to my wall…I’m always up for a challenge!

Also, keep your eyes peeled for some guest spots in the early part of next week and some thrifting adventures this weekend. I’m heading down to Lansing to visit some NEW places with my favorite thrifting partner, my mom! J

16 Ways...Scarf Tutorial #11: Do it Gypsy Style

WEAR YOUR VINTAGE SCARF LIKE A GYPSY!

It’s a good look for a hot day like today. I usually don’t rock the “falling off the shoulder” look, but this thrifted American Rag shirt was so comfy and summery…and I love the teal-y green. Plus, it was only $1.50! The back is open and exposed in a razor back style, which I feel is very flattering for anyone who might have any “back insecurities”—whether it be weight or skin related. I’m lucky to have relatively clear skin on my back, but I’m certainly self conscious about looking chubby with too much exposed skin hanging out back there! My upper back is more muscular and this year, actually a little tan! Thus, this breezy shirt is perfect summer wear for me.

I did, however, accidentally pop a few of the metal rivets off when I washed it. WHOOPS! You can see the missing ones on the picture below. Oh well?

Everything in this outfit (shirt, skirt, belt, jewelry, scarf) is thrifted with the exception of my sandals, which were an inexpensive clearance item at Meijer this year—Falls Creek.

What are you wearing to beat the heat? Don’t forget to stop by one of three Hope’s Outlet locations in Muskegon and Grand Haven to win a free scarf for your own accessorizing pleasure!

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!

Bang Bang! Truths about trimming.

BANG BANG! Seven truths of bangs.

Midnight last night: I'm standing at my bathroom sink, with scissors and a comb. Isn't that how it usually goes down? I cut myself some bangs. And I like them! But there are pros and cons that accompany such a trim. For the women agonizing over bangs (to bang or not to bang?) you know exactly what I'm talking about.

1.) You love them the first day. You know, that first day you show up to work and everyone says, “Oh my GAWD you look so cute! That is so flattering! It slims your face! What a nice change!”

2.) You wake up the second morning and they look like crap. Somehow they seem shorter than before and you’ve slept on them funny, causing a previously unknown cowlick to be birthed. It is untamable even with the strongest, “There’s something about Mary” hair gel. This is a particularly cold reality if you’ve trimmed yours with wet hair just a wee...bit…too…short.

3.) They hide deep forehead creases (and wrinkles). It’s so true. Nothing if not a positive effect!

4.) You look younger! Like a feisty little kitten on the prowl, Claudia Schiffer style. It’s not that the forehead wrinkle is being hidden—albeit that DOES rock—no, it’s the playful new trim that takes the ponytail to a youthful new level, and frames the twinkling eyes.

5.) You can’t stop looking younger! Seems like a good thing! Yet, when it comes to sophistication and elegance, I’ll admit…I don’t always think bangs. When you are aiming for a more grown up look, you must wear them just so…or maybe pin them…in my opinion. Sometimes bangs just look FRUMPY.

6.) You obsessively brush away that which can not, now, be brushed away. That which is tickling you. Incessantly. Oh, the maddening wisps that tickle you.

7.) You could be rocking them…or you could be immediately in a state of “growing them out”. And never the twain shall meet! Isn’t it true? Either you love them, or you hate them. Upon trimming, the next 48 hours will determine the next three months of your face framing hair’s destiny. Consider this, the ultimate pontification, before you ask yourself, “To bang? Or not to bang?”

And now, for your perusing pleasure, my favorite bangs! 
Along with a few examples of “How not to bang”.

TO BANG (oh yeah!):

   

   

NOT TO BANG (shudder):

     

     

Primary Jams

PRIMARY JAMS

OK, they are a little more bright and pastel-y than primary. Still, I can't seem to stay away from red...and blue...and vintage...and thrifting...and, the precious, my guitar. I snapped these pictures after a short band practice last night, and the entire outfit is thrifted--coral-y red dress, teal-y blue belt, blue suede slippers, blue earrings, and vintage blue Samsonite shoulder bag. This entire outfit totals only $10.

The guitar was a new purchase a few years ago, but many guitar whips and rowdy rock shows later, has the battle scars of a used piece. ;) Hey! Check out my musical projects here:

Indrid (my old heavy band on Saw Her Ghost Records)

Chantron (current electronic and live project)

Ida's Rope (solo project)

Loads of Bull: $3.50 kitsch

$3.50 Kitsch:

Things I Cannot Resist

Awkward Velour Bullfighter Painting: $2.00

What part of the bull are we seeing? Why has this matador seemingly stabbed this bull in the butt? This and more marvelously mysterious questions abound!!!

“Worry Worry!” mug: $.49

My God. Never in my life has a vintage mug spoken to me more clearly.

Red and white polka tablecloth: $1

It’s cloth, it’s polka dot, it’s my new “beach throw” for relaxing on the shores of Lake Michigan in pure retro style.

What have you found this week thrifting? Are you still ALIVE? Are you baked to a crisp?

16 ways...Scarf Tutorial #10: Chilled Neck Wrap DIY

ARE YOU MELTING?

Well, if you don’t have central air (like I don’t), then chances are, you may be lying in a puddle trying to read this blog today. If that is the case, happy Fourth of July, puddle! Try and pull yourself together for this fashionable and cooling tutorial on this, #10 of my16 Ways To Style A Vintage Scarf series, sponsored by Hope’s Outlet thrift store chain!

I made a “cooling” neck scarf from a vintage scarf!

It was quite effortless. You need a vintage scarf, a section of pantyhose, rice or lentils, and a scarf. (OH! And a freezer).

Here’s what I did!

1) I used lentils because they are small and work well, but you could use rice or beans as well. Rice is probably best, but I’ve found lentils work rather well too. I poured out a small section to use. Don’t want too much weight around your neck for this!

2). I sewed the lentils into a little pack using a strip of pantyhose (shown here). As you can see, I also threw some stitches in rows so that the lentils would stay somewhat evenly separated, but you could easily skip this step—in fact, you could just tie off the ends as well.

3.) I threw the pack into the freezer (without the scarf).

4.) I had some vanilla ice cream with honey and walnuts. YES—this was necessary step. I had to do SOMETHING while I waited for the lentils to cool off!

5.) I wrapped the cool pack in a vintage scarf, tied it around my neck, and proceeded to look (and feel) cool!

There you have it! If you’ve ever done a WARM rice sock, you know that rice or beans keep heat for quite a long time, and the same is true of cool rice or beans. They stay cool longer than ice, but never melt or get messy. This is a great idea for anyone trying to keep cool…even while sitting around watching television or cleaning the house! A cotton scarf with the frozen pack would be great on a summer run or workout session, too! I’m not sure if I’ll make it that far today. I can barely move. Thinking about going out for a run sounds tempting…but I couldn’t even bare to put on makeup today. These are likely the only “au natural” photos you’ll ever see of me! Haha!

Enjoy!

Get your own vintage scarf at one of three Hope's Outlet Thrift stores!

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!