Thrift Town

Designer labels at affordable prices...

Thrift store shopping is in my opinion the best way to look your best without breaking the bank. I'm a mama and truly believe in spending wisely. I do however love labels and brands, partly because they last ten times longer than the generic counterpart. 

Whenever, I go to a thrift store I get fashion goose bumps...I just sense a good steal in store for my wardrobe. I make a mental checklist of items I have been wanting and the brands I'm searching for. I always find pieces that will last and can be integrated into my style. 

Key to keep in mind...just because it's a label doesn't mean you HAVE to purchase it!

Ask yourself these things:

1. Is this a reasonable price for this label?

2. Is this super trendy and probably be re-thrifted? (Items you like but may be out of style soon.)

3. Does this fit perfectly now or does it need alterations? (Items that need alteration usually end up not being worn...causing you to waste money.)

4. Will I really wear this? (Really think about your purchase.)

5. What is the condition of the garment? (Color faded, Sequins Missing, or general signs of it being very worn?

If you can make it past these questions than you have a "steal."

Thrift Store Mental Shopping List:

1. Labels & Brands 

2. A unique or eye catching garment or bag.

3. Keep to Key Pieces of wardrobe (Little Black Dress, Blazer, and Skirts.)

4. Thrift store half price ticket sales. (White label 50% off today!)

5. Above "Question Checklist"

6. Have an imagination while shopping and have fun!

Here are my little treasures from Thrift Town in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

3900 Menaul Blvd. NE Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gucci bag, $9.99 (Possible Replica but the quality is astounding)

ANA Fushia Eyelet Dress $3.99

J. Crew Navy and Tangerine Colorblock Dress $15.99

J. Crew Navy Blue Eyelet Blouse $9.99

Vintage Sterling Jewelry Catch-all $0.99

Featured Juicy Couture "J" Initial Charm Bracelet 

Chlo's Closet

Shopping all the delights of Chloee's Closet...

I immediately scanned all the lovely items in her on-line closet. I fell deeply in love with the Vintage Wool Letterman sweater, I loved the detail in the sweater. Such a lovely little treasure to find! Best of all at the reasonable price of $10. When, I picked it up...she had it wrapped in a cutesy gift bag with a lovely "thank you" card!!

I will be keeping this adorable sweater in rotation for years...

Shop the rest of her on-line Facebook closet: Chlo's Closet 💛

Especially Espadrilles

I love flat espadrilles they are a God-Send to tall ladies everywhere.

The espadrille trend is one I have envied for what seems like ages. I love the Summer-look and ease of the style but adding another six inches to my 5'10 frame...not so much! I found a couple affordable espadrilles and a splurge pair too.

Nordstrom: Sam Edelman Lewis Leopard Espadrilles $59.96

Target: Dianne Cap Toe Espadrilles $17.49

Urban Outfitters: Sam Edelman Lena Mesh Espadrilles  $45.00

Closet Makeover

Every Fashionista deserves a dream closet...

I really loved the idea of adding color to the inside of a closet. For myself, it's a place that is overlooked yet looked at daily. I wanted some thing to make my clothing pop and make me feel like I had a dream closet. I have a lot of key pieces in my wardrobe that I have had for years but they get lost inside my messy closet. I decided to change this...and greatest of all it only cost me $20!

I have two sliding mirror closet doors that I took off and added to a wall in my room. Viola! Instant full length mirror. My idea was to open my closet and I want to show off my boutique style renovation. With a lot of elbow grease and organization...it became my fashionista closet! 

Materials Needed: 

1. Imagination 

2. 1 Galloon Flat Interior Paint (Fresh Hyacinth) $10.94 Wal-Mart

3. 6 Piece Trayset $5.00 Wal-Mart (Kit includes everything you'll need to paint) Wal-Mart

4. Easy Release Painting Blue Tape $2.48 Wal-Mart

5. Husky 12 by 12 Drop Plastic $0.98 Wal-Mart

Here's the before...

Here's the after...

Don't be afraid to display shoes out of boxes on the floor. 

Shoes are high traffic items and should be readily available.

Add framed artwork to your closet!

Pop the Champagne

May I offer you some champagne? Yes, please!

Pop The Champagne Tee

$32.00

There is something so simply yet glamorous about this tee. I love how they paired it with a sequined skirt. I would try a black or hot pink tulle skirt. I know just the place too, Space 46 Boutique

The Wendy Fuchsia 22" Tulle Skirt

$72.00

The Lacie Black 22" Tulle Skirt

$72.00

Today's Juicy Outfit

Pairing a Juicy Couture Sweater for hot weather...

I absolutely fell for this Juicy Couture Bling Lip sweater, mainly because I'm partial to anything with sequins! I find it fun to accessorize an outfit off of one main piece. The trick to this outfit was the sweater...it screams Winter wear. I rolled up the sleeves and added dark denim frayed shorts from Forever 21. I also, suggest these Distressed High-Wasted Cutoffs from F21 for $15.90 I paired the outfit with my go-to Rhinestone Studs and my Michael Kors Parker watch. The finishing touch are my iconic Pink Glo Converse that I got for Valentine's Day from my boyfriend. Super fun shoes that can dress an outfit up or down!

Christian Louboutin

The signature red bottom high heels (Pre-Fall Collection)

I would have a shoe closet filled with CL's if I won the lottery!

Bandy Mesh Stripe Leopard Pump

$945.00

Cora Heart Sandal, Black/Pink

$845.00

Chouette Pinked Edge

$945.00

Ipsy Insider Scoop

Ipsy gives out a 30% off promo code for Luxie Beauty.

This lovely set is regularly $40.00 and with promo code it's $28.00

Use promo code Ipsy30 valid until 06/30/2015

Yosisamra Flats

One Day Only Sale...50% off 24 pairs! 

Prepare to put your fashion bib on and drool excessively! I have been googling sale priced Yosisamra ballet flats for months. Leave it to them to kill me with a ONE DAY ONLY sale. Murder. I selected a few of my favorites below. Use promo code: Luckydaily6

Samantha Two Tone Rose Cloud Black 

Retail $77.00, Sale $38.50

Two Tone Metallic Seafoam

Retail $77.00, Sale $38.50

Samara Soft Patent in Rose Cloud

Retail $75.00, Sale $37.50

Mahabis

The Classic Slipper with a New Twist.

I find these slippers to be the greatest thing since Crocs, at least fashion wise. These slippers go from inside to outside in a "snap." The detachable soles snap and click on and off. Which, means you don't have to switch between your house slippers and outside shoes. The main slipper part comes in a light grey and dark grey. The soles do range in colors from a light grey to a eclectic blue. My personal favorite is the rjukan red pictured above and below. Very fun! I can't wait to add this to my Christmas list this year...oh almost forgot. The slipper set is $59.00 and you can purchase more soles for $15.00 a pop!

Statement Necklaces under $19.99

Every wardrobe must have a statement piece to add to their wardrobe!

I have recently over the past year been collecting statement necklaces to adorn my wardrobe. I love pairing them with a button-up tops and a statement sweater. Often, I find myself finding an outfit based on the statement necklace I want to wear. It's really riveting to make the necklace pop and not disappear with the outfit. Statement necklaces are typically larger than normal necklaces and have a chunky noticeable look. It's a perfect fashion balance to achieve. Here I have picked out a few inspirational statement necklaces under $20. Hope you enjoy!

Mint Green Jewel Statement Necklace  Etsy, $9.80

Stones Statement Necklace Target, $6.98

LC Flower Statement Necklace Kohls, $18.20

Bronzer on a Budget

Does a drugstore bronzer work the same as it's expensive brand counterpart.

Bronzer has been one of my go-to beauty products year around. I have a very light almost porcelain skin tone and I like to have a glow like complexion. I mainly use the Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer by Too Faced Cosmetics, I adore the chocolate scent but not the price tag of $30. So, I picked up the Wet N Wild Coloricon Blush & Glow Trio at the low price of $4. I grabbed my favorite blush brush and swept it across the trio. I put it on my face with light foundation and it appeared to my cheeks had a hint of pink shimmer and golden hues. I was splendidly surprised at the intensity of pigmentation. The drugstore bronzer won this round! 

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

The Surprise Sale ends on May 21, 2015

The marvelously talented purse and accessory designer has done it again!

Kate Spade has been one of my favorite designers since I was in my early teens. I remember watching all the fashion shows on television wishing I could sport one of her iconic bags. The lovely part is her bags won't set you back and you can still get your usual cup of fancy joe at Starbucks! I tend to give up things in order to justify the splurge but this my readers wouldn't damage my shopping ego. I found a couple MUST haves in her Surprise Kate Spade Sale and had to share.

My absolute sale favorite: Montford Park Smooth Angelica in the gorgeous Faded Hydrangea
(Sale Price $99.00, Retail $248.00)

My go-to favorite pattern is polka dots...and this Le Pavillion iPad Folio is adorbs!
(Sale price $42.00, Retail $85.00)

I feel every fashion wardrobe must have a silk scarf, they are tied around your hair, neck, or even draped from your bag. Kate Spade does an amazing job at combining cutesy quotes and pops of color. Kate Spade's Love Is In The Air Silk Square is the perfect example of this done perfectly. 

(Sale price $39.00, Retail $100.00)

Lastly, one of her iconic fashion bangles and I chose the Get Carried Away Idiom Bangle. In Albuquerque we celebrate an annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and I was truly carried away by the beautiful hot air balloon design. 

(Sale Price $39.00, Retail Price $98.00)

The Lust List

My May Lust List

The following are items that are completely and utterly drool worthy in fashion lust land. 

I felt obligated to commence this drool worthy list with a fashion mandatory.
Gucci, Gucci, Gucci.

1. The lovely Gucci Soho Nubuck Shoulder Bag in a dreamy light blue. I absolutely adore this shoulder bag, it seems to be the perfect size to carry the essentials. (I.E. phone, wallet, keys, and lipstick.) The average person would agree that the big-ticket price of $980.00 is highway robbery. I however, see this as a fashion staple that quite frankly is an investment to a dream wardrobe. The quality of the bag will outlast any generic repeblica and again...it's a Gucci, Gucci, Gucci. Most ladies have succumb to the peer pressure of purchasing a Coach bag for around $300 a pop. I say ditch the thought and make a splurge purchase for this iconic worthy bag. Gucci will always keep its value over the years. Sounds like a great thing to pass on to the next generation and eventually it's a Vintage Gucci bag. Win-Win!

Footnote: The marvelous thing about iPad lust list shopping is...It's all Guilt Free, unless you type in those magical sixteen digits from your credit card. Now, if you're crazy enough to make the purchase remember the benefits of shopping with Neiman Marcus. Free Shipping & Free Returns. In case, lé boyfriend/hubby finds out and makes you send it back. What a shame that would be! 🙍🏻

2. "They" say that J.Lo swims in Crème de la Mer moisturizing cream and hot damn she's aging backwards. I'm not one to make extravagant facial product purchases but this would be an investment into my narcissistic future. I mean come on...what aging does to a lady is plain rude. I will prevent this tortuous right of passage at any cost. You can purchase a 15ml travel size, which rings in at $85.00 with free shipping and two free sample offers at checkout. Great, help me feed more into my Crème de la Mer lust list! I would recommend starting with An Exclusive Introduction gift set . It includes the Skincare Regimen: The Eye Concentrate 5ml, Crème de la Mer 30ml, full size Lip Balm, and The Hand Treatment 50ml. This will set your fountain of youth pocketbook back $225.00. Crème de la Mer, The New Fountain of Youth.

Footnote: Crème de la Mer was created by a aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber after he experienced a laboratory accident causing him skin damage. The key ingredient to his masterpiece is nutrient-rich sea kelp and other whimsical ingredients that set him back twelve years and six thousand experiments...the Miracle broth was born!



3. The gorgeous Luxie Rose Gold Synthetic 5 Piece Kabuki Brush Set would be a colorful addition to your makeup tool arsenal. I can imagine this makeup brush kit on a Pinterest board of Luxurious Vanities. I absolutely adore the soft pink and rose gold detailing on the brushes, and best of all the full price for all is $50.00! I was hooked immediately when I first tried the 205 Luxie Tapered Blending Brush that came with my Ipsy Glam Bag subscription.

Footnote: It may be difficult not to purchase more than one makeup brush kit!