Thursday, September 29, 2011

Fall footwear


Fall is almost upon us in Texas!  We're hopefully going to have our last 100 degree day and tomorrow will be a chilly 88 degrees :)  I took advantage of some mega sales earlier in the year to bulk up my fall footwear collection.  Normally when the weather turns colder, I hunker down and hibernate in my Uggs and looking stylish falls by the wayside.  This year, I'm determined to change that and decided that comfortable but stylish footwear would be my starting point.

Madewell grey suede booties: I'm excited to pair these with tights 
and skirts and also with jeans rolled up to the ankle.


Chie Mihara bow booties: perfect with black tights with dresses


No. 6 shearling clog boots: a more grown up style of Ugg boots, to be worn with jeans and pants


Now we just need the weather to cooperate!!  What shoes are you most excited about for the fall?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Jcrew vintage/thrifted look-alikes

I love J.crew, but mostly J.crew on sale.  As I've written about before, I adore thrifting and recently the ladies and I at hunt.gather.style have been thrilled to find similar J.crew look-alikes at an affordable price and sometimes even in vintage condition.  Here are a couple of items we'll have in our October shop--if you're local, please do come by and say hi.  And if you're not, what are you waiting for?  Get to your nearest thrift shop and start searching! :)



Monday, September 26, 2011

Weekend outfit


Here's an outfit from this weekend spent at a kid's birthday party, grocery shopping, and tagging items for the hunt.gather.style pop up shop, coming to Austin October 22! 

Outfit details
Dress: thrifted
Shoes: Walmart
Accessories: Dream Collective necklace

Friday, September 23, 2011

Group picture


Had a great time at the 499 dresses charity dress sale yesterday.  We helped some stylish ladies pick out dresses, chatted about fashion and spent time with good friends.  I ended up with a couple of items, including a dress with a scandalous past (see Andrea's post about it here).  Pictured in the group outfit of the day is Sydney looking fabulous as usual in bold colors and Theresa in a maternity creation that she just whipped up again.  This woman is seriously talented!


Outfit details
Dress: vintage/thrifted
Shoes: Nina Z
Accessories: vintage belt and bracelets

Thursday, September 22, 2011

499 dresses event tonight


I'll be volunteering at this charity dress event tonight so I hope to see you there!  More info here

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

DVF cropped jacket


I got this little DVF jacket from a front stoop sale in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.  These fashionable gals had a rack of their vintage and gently used clothing for sale and I picked up this winner for $10!  Also they complimented me on my shoes and I didn't detect any mocking or sarcasm in their tone so score one for comfort shoes!  I'm usually shy with mixing patterns but went with it anyway.  Can't wait to pair this jacket with a maxi dress next!


Outfit details
Top: L'Agence
Jacket: DVF
Skirt: vintage/thrifted
Shoes: No.6
Accessories: Jcrew belt
Target Temple St Clair egg necklace
vintage astrology cuff


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Anthropologie Explorations Skirt


I've been loving maxi skirts for the spring/summer and am happy that they are also versatile for fall and cooler weather.  Not that the weather was cooler but at least it's not 100 degrees right now!  B actually complimented my outfit and when I asked him what exactly he liked about it, he said, "because you're wearing a shirt that actually fits".  Thanks honey.

Outfit details
Top: Converse for Target
Skirt: Anthropologie
Shoes: No.6
Accessories: vintage astrology cuff from NYC!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Vacation outfits


I just got back from a 4 day weekend in NYC and have no outfit pictures to show for it!  I got distracted by all the great shopping especially at Uniqlo, Muji, the No. 6 store, and Beacon's Closet.  So I dug up some old vacation pictures from earlier this year to post today.  I have no idea what I was thinking about the London outfit, I tend to dress pretty poorly when it's cold out and I have to walk everywhere.  Actually, that's probably why I don't have any NY pictures...
London outfit details
Top: J.crew
Sweater: Anthropologie
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Bloch
Accessories: Jas MB bag

Barbados outfit details
Top: Anthropologie
Sweater: Martin and Osa (RIP)
Shoes: Havianas
Accessories: Ray Ban sunglasses
Catbird hat, Longchamp tote

Friday, September 16, 2011

Why I Love to Thrift


It’s like a sport (so that counts as exercise right?)
There is nothing like the thrill of the hunt.  Some people walk into a thrift store and are instantly overwhelmed.  I see possibilities and treasures lurking in every corner.  My first foray into thrifting began when I was 10.  We had recently moved to the US when my mom took me to the Salvation Army for school clothes and I remember being transfixed by the winter coats with touches of fur at the collar.  It took a while for my love for thrifting to develop because honestly if thrifting is your only option, it’s not quite as fun.  So I am fortunate that at this point in my life that thrifting is an enjoyable hobby where I can supplement my wardrobe and hone my hunting skills.

It’s eco-friendly
Thrifting is about reusing a product and giving it new life and function.  However it's still important to buy responsibly as sale goggles are a danger even at thrift stores.  Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean you should get it as it only increases waste.  I remember standing in the middle of a huge thrift store in Chicago wondering where all the merchandise came from and where it all will go.  I am guilty of being a mindless consumer so now I mentally bring my fashion wishlist with me to stay on task.

It’s affordable
Thrifting is an affordable way to supplement your wardrobe or try on trends that you may not be willing to spend a lot of money on.  Fashion is cyclical and what comes around goes around so there are many ways to choose items that will still feel current.  I look for skirts (easier to fit versus pants), boys blazers (great shrunken look at the sacrifice of the full mobility of your arms), dresses, and accessories such as belts and clutches.  Another tactic I use is to scan the racks for specific colors like cobalt blue and deep purple which are welcome additions to my wardrobe this fall.

It all goes towards a good cause
I once had an acquaintance in college question why I thrifted because wasn't I taking away clothing from those who need it?  After much thought, I realized that thrift stores exist to serve needs either by providing items at a lower cost, or by creating jobs or donating proceeds towards those that need it.  The thrift stores I frequent are ones that fund hospice care, children’s homes, and domestic violence shelters; and Goodwill frequently advertises that shopping at their store helps create jobs and provide funds for job training.

It’s addictive
What I love about thrifting is that you never know what you're going to find.   I truly believe in the old adage that one man's discards are another man's treasure.  Thrifting is also a bit of a history lesson, a photo album into certain seasons of your life.  More often, I'll find something that I have worn in the past hanging on a rack in a thrift store.  I'll spot terry cloth shorts from the 80s and fondly recall my favorite romper set I wore constantly as a kid.  I glimpse the 90s floral slip dresses and skirts that flash me back to high school when I wore them with my Doc Marten boots.  And then there was that Banana Republic phase when I was fresh out of college and diving into my career.  Most excitingly, the best part about thrifting is when I come across something vintage (defined as being at least 30 years old so the 80s really are creeping up to us now!).  But that's another story for another day!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Cobalt skirt


A cobalt blue silk skirt has been on my wishlist and I was so excited to score this gorgeous one while thrifting.  Granted this isn't a very exciting outfit right now as it's our 85th day of 100 degree weather.  But I have big plans for this skirt for the fall/winter--I envision pairing it with cropped sweaters and tights--can't wait!  Oh and my animal belt obsession continues with these darling kissing frogs.  I'm officially starting a support group.  Who's with me?


Outfit details
Top: J.crew
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: No 6
Accessories: vintage belt
 
 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Fall wishlist: Button down shirts


I'm loving the look of button downs tucked into skirts and under blazers and cardigans for the fall.  Here are my top 3 favorites from Jcrew.  By the time it gets cooler here maybe they'll be on sale!

From left to right:  Perfect popover in herringbone plaid, Blythe blouse, Selvedge chambray shirt

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Comfort Shoe Paradox


So I just think I went a bit too far in the grandma shoe department.  I love Worishofers beyond belief for their comfort and am needing a good pair of shoes to wear for my upcoming trip to NYC.  It's going to be below 70 degrees and all my walkable shoes are either sandals (cold toes), flats (need more arch support) or too high (a true Texan stereotype--we drive everywhere).  Enter these babies: they're half sandal, half clog which should keep my feet relatively warm, and have the best arch support for trekking all over the city for vintage treasures, lobster rolls, bagels and more shopping.  I'm torn between feeling practical about my shoe choice to the horror of wearing orthopedic shoes in the most fashionable city in the country.  I might be brave and sneak a picture for you guys while I'm there.  Or maybe it's best not to have any photographic evidence...

Monday, September 12, 2011

You can tell a tiger by its stripes


Another striped tee outfit from this weekend!

Outfit details
Top: H&M
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: No 6
Accessories: vintage necklace

Friday, September 9, 2011

Anthropologie Tandem Jump blouse


Happy Friday!  I'm excited about the weekend, hopefully getting caught up on some rest, reading, and celebrating B's birthday.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Outfit details
Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Jcrew
Skirt: vintage/thrifted
Shoes: Camper
Accessories: vintage bracelet
etsy initial necklace

Absolutely adore this hot air balloon print!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Tiny mice, twice as nice


Here's my casual outfit from labor day which took me from a lovely lunch to a matinee (Midnight in Paris) to making delicious onigiri (Japanese rice balls).  I'm wearing another vintage kissing mice belt, this time in a smaller version.  Somehow when things are smaller their cuteness factor goes off the charts.  Tiny little cookies?  I'll have 5 please!

Outfit details
Top: James Perse
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Walmart
Accessories: vintage mice belt
vintage bracelet, etsy initial necklace

Monday, September 5, 2011

Pictures from Austin Fashion Week


A few fun pictures have surfaced from AFW, the above taken by Peter Tung at By Jeannie's party and below taken by David Mitchell at Tess's party!


What do you think of my wonderful new header?  It was created by the multi-talented Linda from Little Tin Soldier!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Outfit Inspiration: Selita Banks


I adore everything about this outfit (ok, maybe except for the shoes).  Pleated skirts are my kryoptonite!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Anthropologie Two Wheeler Dress


This yellow belt has been in heavy rotation for the past few months.  I like the idea of having a versatile wardrobe in which you'll reach for pieces over and over again.  I tend to buy "special pieces" which warrant a "special occasion" (never) or end up being worn only with a certain item.  Lately I've been a bit frustrated with my extensive closet and consumer habits.  I'm trying to take a step back and take a good look at how I can utilize what I have.  I think it's time to call in for professional help! :)  Btw do you like Link's newest blogger pose? (the lookaway)

Outfit details
Dress: Anthropologie
Shoes: No. 6
Accessories: Jcrew belt
vintage bracelet, Bora ring