Easy Peasy DIY Halter | Thrifted Summer Floral

Easy Peasy DIY Halter
Thrifted Summer Floral

I thrifted this dress a few weeks ago at Hope's Outlet in Muskegon on Glade Avenue for $2. I have a thing for floral and I knew it would be great paired with browns and blacks...plus red lips! The only problem was that the shoulder straps were driving me crazy...they were slightly loose.

 

Adjusting the straps would have been fairly easy with my sewing machine, but I was feeling too lazy for that...like, "Wouldn't it just be nice to fix this problem in twenty seconds and be laying in a hammock?" kind of lazy.

 

The simple solution? Snip. Cut the straps from the back, and tie around my neck--BOOM. Instant halter. Can you find something similar at the thrift store for a few bucks and give it some new life?

Wavy post-French braid hair and fringy brown peep toe booties added some nice boho flair to this outfit. The cute little Lulu cross body was a $5 clearance item. Merona belt thrifted as part of another dress, from Goodwill. Bracelets and earrings were inexpensive secondhand finds, as well.









Special thanks to my photographer...AKA, fiancé. =)

Aztec Moto

AZTEC MOTO

I really love this Aztec scarf that I picked up at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift, and it's just enough of a bright pop that it pairs well with all black--even this brand new Mossimo moto jacket I thrifted for $6! Yahoo!

Plus, it's right on point with the Pantone spring color charts for 2014 (not that you can't wear any color at any time) with the hues of:

Comfrey, Sand, Paloma, and Cayenne!






  






MORE MARCH MAGIC FASHION IS ON THE WAY!

7 Dollar Stripes & Plaid

7 DOLLAR STRIPES & PLAID

Dress: $5 at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift, Grand Haven, MI
Cropped Jacket: $2 at Hope's Outlet, Grand Haven, MI

And look what I found outside, for FREE....

SOME SUNSHINE, YIPPEE!!!!









These little rhinestone pins pop into my outfits from time to time....Check them out here as Blinged Out Mock Cufflinks, here as a Collar Centerpiece and also as 
decorative pins on Rolled Jeans!

Trading Hearts for Triangles

TRADING HEARTS FOR TRIANGLES

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Today's monochromatic outfit post is highlighting a $2 vintage Leslie Fay dress (thrifted from Hope's Outlet) as well as a thrifted coat, vintage secondhand gloves, and classic Coach satchel that I purchased for $2.99 at Goodwill last year!

I hope your day is filled with happiness--whether you are married, dating, single or "over" Valentine's day--haha! ;)

No matter what your "status" is, take tome today to LOVE YOURSELF.

And a practical note...Mid-winter here in Michigan has never been more dry. Beyond the extra moisture that your skin, hair and nails need, your wardrobe might likely be just as dry and full of static. For those of us who regularly wear dresses, the "electric cling" issue can be maddening! Dryer sheets sometimes work and there is also an "anti-static" spray product out there, but I've heard many people say the smell, as well as moisture it creates, is not ideal.

HERE'S MY "HANDY" (pun intended) ANTI-STATIC TIP: HAND LOTION! I've been using this for years.  I simply lube my hands up well and rub the excess over my tights, underneath my dress, in the places that it tends to cling the most. It works immediately, moisturizes your skin, and provided that you only use a thin layer, shouldn't damage fabrics. You might need to re-apply throughout the day, but you won't have a wet rear or smoke your co-workers out with the scent of a spray product! ;)

Thrifted Red Floral and Cat Eyes

Thrifted Red Floral and Cat Eyes

I picked this cute little floral dress up at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift this Friday for $2.99. It's so romantic. I love it! The Kate Spade wicker bag was also thrifted for $2 (blogged about here), and the belt and cardigan are as well. Boots were a new purchase 2-3 years ago at Dots for $19. They got pretty dirty in the gravel. ;)

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! I'll be posting a white jeans outfit before this holiday weekend is over to complete my own challenge to myself. Did you have a to-do list this weekend? Or did you just relax?

The Ugly Skirt Challenge

THE UGLY SKIRT CHALLENGE

Last summer while in Mackinaw City in Michigan on vacation, I was second hand shopping with my mother. As we pored over the thrifted racks meticulously (a mother daughter tradition), I looked up to see mom heading towards me with something on a hanger. She held up the skirt shown in the pictures below.  "It looks like you," she said.  I took offense to this comparison initially, because it was one of the ugliest skirts I had ever seen. "Whoah, mother..." I replied. "That is honestly too hideous of a print for even ME to wear."  She shrugged and started to file it away again when I said, "Wait."  I took a second look at the ridiculous blue and white pattern. Its squiggles and triangles seemed like they would be at home on a button up worn by Tom Selleck as Magnum PI.

"Hand it over." I squinted my eyes and held up the Bombay china dish inspired design. Was this skirt made from a nautical themed bed sheet that once fitted over Candace Cameron's twin mattress? Did Natalie from "Facts of Life" wear this skirt on a first date? Was it possible that Clair Huxtable wore this as a cape? (She WAS after all, a superhero...but I doubt she would don anything so God-forsakenly hideous).

"I'm accepting this as a challenge," I stated indignantly. "It's so ugly that I have to have it." I paid $1.50 for the cobalt and cream abomination and tossed it into my shopping bag.

Once I returned from vacation, I hung the skirt in my closet for six months...until yesterday. Because of "blizzard-y" conditions here in Michigan at the present time, I wasn't really able to shoot outside yesterday, and the daylight hours began to slip away from me.  Therefore, I found myself shooting inside after dark, which is never the BEST idea. To make matters worse, my camera fell off my tri-pod and my 50 mm lens was damaged, destroying the auto-focus gears inside. 

Was this skirt cursed with the cranky spirit of Judith Light on "Who's The Boss?" 

I'm not sure. However, I DO know the skirt is somehow actually starting to grow on me, and when combined with some fun vintage jewelry, a vintage Samsonite tote and Micheal Kors heels...I actually began to appreciate the ridiculously loud print.

I think I JUST MIGHT wear it again. MAYBE. Do you think I'm crazy? If so...I hope it's crazy AWESOME crazy...like Rose. Yes...I'm speaking of Golden Girls. 

Thank you for reading the blog today. And THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND.

OUTFIT DETAILS: 100% Secondhand and thrifted. Kors heels were a consignment purchase.