go ahead and flatter me

On one episode of What Not To Wear, Stacy and Clinton told a woman that coral is the color the most women think they can't wear, when in fact it is universally flattering.  I don't own much coral colored clothing, so when I found this J Crew cardigan at Goodwill this past weekend, I decided to test the universal flattering theory.  Granted, you can't see my face, so just imagine it glowing next to the coral. 

 

These pants are my trusty black pants, a staple every women needs, and while I don't remember what I paid for them, they must be at a low cost per wear.  The cardigan and wrap top were thrifted, the cami was found on a clearance rack years ago, and the shoes are a hand me down from my aunt (yay for free!).

boring but easy

I tried several outfits today, but it just boiled down to me wanting simple, easy and comfortable.  Hence a newly thrifted Banana Republic silk/cashmere blend turtleneck and a pair of thrifted glenn plaid pants.

Picture was taken at night....and I was so tired I couldn't be bothered to fix the neckline or my pants leg for a second shot.

what to keep.....

I am trying to do a closet clean out as there is a large consignment event occurring near me next month.  And the ability to make a little cash on unworn items is a good motivation.  It is also making me realize I have several items in my closet that have never been worn (at least by me, since the majority are from Goodwill).  And I am not talking about casual weekend wear that seldom gets photographed, but does get worn.  So I don't know if I will call this a challenge maybe more of a goal.......I am going to try and not buy any new clothing items until I have worn all of the unworn items in my closet.  This does not mean I will only wear things I haven't worn before, I will still be wearing plenty of old favorites.  But if I feel the need for something new I should look to my own closet.  A few weeks ago I pulled on a Ralph Lauren sweater that I bought at the Salvation Army (new with tags) over a year ago but had never worn....and since then it has been in heavy rotation (just not on days I happen to photograph).  It reminded me that there was a reason I loved it enough to buy it.

This sweater was a recent Goodwill purchase ($3.99) and is 100% silk.  While I don't usually gravitate towards bright colors, the one exception has always been how I love hot pink and black together.

winter at last.....

It is winter finally in NC.....and by winter I mean overnight low near freezing and daytime high barely hitting 50.  Rough, eh?  When I lived in Canada, a winter day like this was reason to break out a skirt and enjoy the warm temps.  In NC, it is reason to break out pants and layer sweaters!  Oh how relative the weather is.

This is a thifted outfit.  I got the gap cords from a Goodwill in Fall 2010 ($3.79).  The sweaters were both thrifted this weekend.  The pink turtleneck sweater is 100% cashmere and was found at Goodwill for $3.99.  The cardigan was new with tag still on, and I discovered it at the Salvation Army for $3.99.

Good things come to those who wait....

I have been stalking this skirt on Ebay for quite some time, but I never bid as the prices seemed just a tad higher than I was willing to pay.  My patience paid off when I found this skirt of Goodwill last month.  I paid a whopping $3.99 for this Venice scene skirt from Talbots.

Another great thing about thrifting is that I get used to looking at the actual garment to judge size rather than a tag as sizes have changed over the years and some garments have the tags cut out.  This skirt was a 2P, so I probably never would have bid on it in that size on Ebay (I am usually a 4P or 6P).  But the skirt fits and is just in lovely in person as I imagined it would be.

winter white

I recently thrifted this cotton and rabbit hair blend sweater at Goodwill.  Prices at the Goodwills in my area went up in 2012....skirts, sweaters and tops went from $3.79 to $3.99.  Still worth the $3.99 price tag.  The sweater is from Gap originally, and is oh so cozy.  I bought this Ann Taylor skirt off Ebay over a year ago, and while I love it, I have struggled to figure out the right top to wear with it. 

These super cute burgundy shoes I picked up at the Naturalizer outlet when I was in Vegas in December.  Just the right punch of color, and at $20 a good steal for heels that feel like they have the cushioning of runners.

Thrift-a-holic

I realized today that this whole outfit (except for the boots and undergarments) is thrifted.  AND I recently found a new-to-me blog that features readers thrifted finds every Tuesday.  Considering 90% of my clothes are thrifted, I am super stoked about this.

The sweater is originally Old Navy ($3.79), the top is Banana Republic ($3.79 and has some cool detailing that you can't see in this picture), and the skirt is a Walmart brand ($2.99), but was found with the tags still on it.  Not bad for a casual Monday.