Thrifty Lady

We’ve all been embarrassed by our mothers at one point or another.  When I was growing up, thrift shopping wasn’t nearly as chic as it has become today, and my mother  was relentless.  She used to drag me to every yard sale within a 15 mile radius, maybe farther, depending on how many homes were involved and the type of merchandise that was offered.  I remember being embarrassed for years, wondering why my mother was torturing me with my classmate’s used artwork, furniture, and books.  

Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree they say, and I have already taken my two year old son “dumpster diving” with me on more than one occasion.  No, I don’t seriously pull things from the dumpster (unless it was something really awesome).  I’m one thrifty lady, and I never know where I might find my next bargain.  Sometimes I pull over at a yard sale if something shiny catches my eye, and I frequently hit up the Salvation Army to see what little gem maybe hiding amongst the hangers.

My favorite place to be a savvy shopper, however, is at local resale boutiques and consignment shops.  There are quite a few in our area, and if you play your cards right, you can essentially shop them for free.  Since these shops specialize in gently used designer duds, you don’t have the hassle of removing stains and disinfecting anything.  They take care of that step for you, and it’s almost like treasure hunting!  You really never know what you will find.  The best piece of advice I can give you is to set up an appointment to bring in your unwanted clothes from last season.  Remember all of those skinny jeans from the past few years?  Well if you read my fall denim lineup, you know it’s goodbye skinnies, hello disco pants.  Take a few pairs in for some store credit, and you can walk out with a brand new outfit!  

I visited a few resale shops on my day off a few weeks ago, in search for the area’s standouts.  Two really hit the target on what they had to offer:

1. B Green Loft, 56 East Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA.  570.784.5153.  Clean, inviting, and beautifully designed, B Green Loft specializes in gently worn fashions for sizes 0-24 & a small selection of maternity.  They stand out from the crowd because of the selection of true designer merchandise.  While you can find everything from Hollister to H&M here, there is typically a good selection of high end merchandise to balance it out.  This shop is suitable for teens, through mature adults, as there is a very wide selection of merchandise, and a massive denim collection.  Owner Missy Crawford is also a great asset to the shop and is always willing to help!  Check em out on Facebook.
2. Repeat After Me, 518 Walnut Street, Danville, PA. 570.271.1040.  Let’s face it, as parents, we typically spend as much or more on our children’s wardrobes than on our own.  What’s worse, is that their clothes are 1/8 of the size of ours and that the kids  outgrow them in 3 weeks.  Repeat After Me specializes in name brand children’s and teen clothing.  The shop might be tiny, but it is maxed out with more Gymboree and Children’s Place you can imagine, mixed with some higher end products as well.  Repeat After Me buying days are Wednesdays and Saturdays or by appointment.  When I stopped in, I ended up walking out with a pair of $195 Diesel jeans for $15.  Sweet.  Look them up on Facebook for all of the details!

While it takes many years of practice and a crazy shopaholic mother to become as successful as I am at thrifting, you can get a good start by checking out these two great boutiques in our area.  For more fashion tips and tricks, follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

Fall Glitz

This Fall's sparkling accessories are worth drooling over.

 

Maybe it’s a way to feed our inner desire for success in a world where the economy continues to plummet, a futile attempt to escape our grim reality.  Quite possibly, it’s an inexplicable desire for refinement in a world where sophistication and demure behaviors seem to have been somehow forgotten.  Whatever the reason, this season’s accessories are chock full of polished pieces, from fabulous furs, to soft stockings, with loads of sparkle in between. 

It seems that this year in the accessory game, we will be channeling the ghosts of proper estate ladies who came before us.  My suggestion:  Call grandma immediately, and offer your services of a free attic cleaning.  You may just happen to stumble upon a few pieces that she’ll gladly pass on to you (especially after her attic is spic and span), with a fantastic story that is sure to accompany her jewels.  Be sure to skip the frills, these looks are strong and polished, giving the vintage looks a modern twist.

I’ve compiled a list of my must have fall accessories that I’m just itching to get my hands on, some of which I’ve already put on order for my store.  This season, it’s all about looking ladylike, and there are countless ways to get there.  To keep the look original, don’t be afraid to mix it up a little and bend the rules.  I’m all about making your style your own, so by all means, have some fun and experiment a little bit.  After all, what is the fun of having access to all of these fabulous accessories if you can’t play dress up every once in a while?

   1.       Printed Tights.  Trade in your leggings, pronto.  Tights look more put together and stylish, and require that an actual dress, skirt, or long tunic be worn over them.  Luckily for us, the cast of Jerseylicious called and wants their look back, and black leggings paired with crop tops are no longer (nor were they ever, even in the 80s) a good look.  My favorite tights for fall are soft and silky smooth, with tons of texture like lace, polka dots, stripes and more.  Using your imagination with your tights can turn a boring work look into something fun, flirty, and a little sassy.

  2.       Fur (faux, that is).  I cannot tell a lie, I do own a vintage silver fox jacket.  Emphasis on the vintage part; I rescued it from a cedar closet a few years ago.  I do not condone the killing of innocent furry creatures, especially when faux fur can look just as good as the real thing, but if you can get your hands on something old (especially for free), by all means take it.  Mine was full length when I acquired it, and since I’m not a mob wife, I turned it into a cropped coat that keeps me warmer than any North Face ever could.  Fur can be tricky to wear, and if it’s not your cup of tea simply incorporate this trend by wearing something with a fur trim, such as a wool coat with a fur collar (many have removable fur trim), fur trim gloves, or a fur scarf.   

   

3.       Luxurious Leather.  Leather is going to be everywhere this season as usual, but with a bit of a twist.  Colored and textured leather will be seen in shoes, handbags, and apparel alike, creating a strong counterpart to be paired with some of the softer fur textures.  Try finding leather pieces in colors like shades of green, burnt orange, and mustard yellow.

   

4.       Jewels.  Jewelry is big and oversized this fall, including long, dangling earrings, and bold, structured choker necklaces and cuff bracelets.  Large stones like agate slice pendants make for very bold pieces.  Check out www.potomacbeads.com if you’re into designing and making your own jewelry like me.  They have an awesome selection of all the latest trends in gemstones and any other type of bead you can imagine.

   

   5.       Velvet.  Velvet is warm, soft, and rich, making it the perfect fabric to mold into opposing structured formats.  I recommend wearing this trend as a perfect little pair of black booties, or as a fitted little blazer in a shade of maroon or gold.  You can also rock this trend on necklaces, and outerwear.

   

   6.       Menswear.  It’s all in the details for fall, so look women’s shoes to steal the menswear spotlight this season.  Boots and pumps alike have familiar shapes of men’s loafers and boots molded into a feminine format and stacked up on a chunky heel.

   7.       Gloves.  Keep that pretty manicure in check with this season’s go-to accessory, long gloves.  Skip the jacket until deep into fall by pairing these gloves scrunched over your long sleeves for some added warmth.  Opt for a colored or patterned pair to add a little pick me up to a mostly monotone look.

Fore more information on me and my fashion world, follow me on twitter, @goodnpretty, or become a fan on facebook!  www.facebook.com/purplezebrashop

Baby Blues

 Transitional Denim Trends to take you from Summer to Fall

 Another summer has flown by, and I can hardly believe we are in the midst of another August.  This is the time of year that always excites me more than anything, because I know my favorite season is right around the corner and my September issue of Vogue will be here any day now.  Though our air conditioners continue to crank and vacations are still going on, the days will soon be getting shorter and wardrobes will soon be switched over to reflect the dropping temperatures.
This is always an awkward time for the retail industry, for stores and consumers alike.   While the temperatures are still sweltering, it’s hardly comfortable to be shopping for turtlenecks and wool pants.  On the other hand, who wants to go shopping and see a bunch of cutoff jean shorts and barely there tops, knowing that the most stylish season of the year is less than a month away?   Summer to fall is always the hardest transition for me, but there’s one fall trend that I just have to have now, no matter how hot it is outside.
One of the main reason I love fall fashion is because I really enjoy pants of all kinds.  As the story goes, I really, really, enjoy the fact that wide legs and bell bottoms are back for fall.  I never really fully recovered from Halloween circa 1998, when I dressed up as a Flower Child.  I wore my mother’s long, vintage floral frock, complete with peace signs hanging from my ears.  I know I acquired an awesome pair of woven leather sandals with a wooden platform from my aunt around this time as well, but I can’t quite remember if these topped off this particular look.  {Note to self:  Never, ever, throw away ridiculously trendy fashion items that are only in style for a minute. You might need them for a possible future fashionable daughter and/or niece.}  Needless to say, I have been secretly hoping for this major hippie fashion comeback for quite some time now.
I know most people have seemingly recently purchased stock in the “skinny jean” trend that was so major the past few seasons.  I’m not saying to get rid of these completely, because they can look cute when worn properly, and I certainly don’t recommend throwing away an entire stockpile of jeans no matter how large that fall wardrobe budget may be.  Please don’t be fooled, however, the skinny jean does not actually make anyone look skinny, unless you happen to be a supermodel.  A jean that sits low on the waist and tapers at the ankle does one thing for your shape:  draws more attention to your hips, which is what most women try to camouflage.  I’m just as guilty as everyone else who wore this trend, but my point is, we should be dancing in the streets that the time to have your cake (or ice cream, in my case) and eat it too has arrived.  Hip and waist minimizing silhouettes are back!
Bell bottoms and wide legs with a higher waist line are flattering on so many more body types (all of them, actually) that everyone should be just as overjoyed as I am.  Wide legs, unlike skinny jeans, draw a line directly from your hips to the floor, elongating your legs and creating a long, lean silhouette.  Flare jeans, do a lot of the same, evening out your hips with a belled lower leg, but with a more fitted feel though the hips and thighs.  They do not create quite the same lengthening effect, so I definitely recommend wearing a nice heel, wedge or platform to give you a little height advantage.  If you’re not ready to do a full blown flare, start with a bootleg and go from there.  Before you know it, the bootleg will seem like a walk in the park and you’ll be moving on to bigger and better belled bottoms.
A major thing to keep in mind when shopping for denim is the hem.  If you choose denim that is the right length, the jean will do all the work, and you will be one sassy hippy lady.  When shopping for the perfect pair of fall jeans, be sure to bring a pair of shoes that you plan to wear with your jeans to get the length right.  My rule of thumb for jeans and heels is that only the toe of the shoe should be exposed, and the back of the jean shouldn’t be more than an inch off of the ground.  If you need to get the jeans hemmed, you can ask for an “original hem” on the jeans, so that they don’t actually look hemmed.  A good tailor should be able to make your jean hem look just like it did at the department store.  Denim alterations are always my favorite thing to do at my store, because it’s always a challenge to recreate the sandblasted finish on the bottom of the jean leg.  Another rule of thumb is to never wear your high heeled jeans with flats (unless you plan on doing some sort of rolling).  This causes the hem to be stepped on and rip away from the jean, which is not a good look (even though it used to be cool in grade school).  If you can swing it, look for a second pair of jeans to wear with your flat shoes.  The same rule of thumb goes for the length.  Keep the hemline a tad shorter, with just a slight break on the top of your foot.  Again, the back of the jean should be about 1” off the ground to prevent stepping on the back of the hemline.

Now that I’ve given you the skivvy on saying goodbye to the skinny and hello to the hippie, check out some of the new fall denim styles that are a perfect to transition from summer to fall!  For more style guides and more, follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

1. 678 Chambray Trouser Jean, The Limited, $74.90
2. Women's Braided-Trim Trouser Jeans in Watercress, Old Navy, $39.94
3. Bongo Junior's Flare Leg Embellished Jeans, kmart, $25.00
4. Lover + Wide Leg Jeans, shopbop.com, $322.00
5. Flare Leg Stella Regular Fit Jean in black rinse, Express, $69.90
6. Women's Hi-Rise Retro Flare Jeans, Old Navy, $36.94

Scents of Summer

After a long, cold winter season and virtually nonexistent spring this year, I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of us embraced the recent warm months with open arms.  One of my favorite things about summer is all of the wonderful scents that fill the air.  One of the beautiful things about our area is the plethora of fresh air and summer smells that come to mind when we think of our little area.  No, I’m not talking about the fragrance of a freshly fertilized field of cow manure, but I am talking about the aroma of confectionary cuisine from the upcoming cake and ice cream festival at the Bloomsburg Town Park, the smell of a freshly mowed lawn, the sweet scent of cotton candy from any of the area carnivals, the essence that a flash thunderstorm leaves on a hot, humid day, and the beachy aroma of sun, sand, and sunscreen.

Believe it or not, there are quite a few perfumes, lotions, sprays and mists out there that can keep you feeling like summer all year round if you so desire.  Spritz or slather them on now to embrace the remainder of summer, or keep them stowed away for a little pick me up during the cold months that will be here before we know it.

Here’s a list of my favorite summer scents this year, where to get them, and how much you’ll have to shell out:

   1. Summer, Burberry.  This limited edition scent is feminine and fresh, with hints of pomegranate and orange.  I love fruity fragrances for summer almost as much as fruity cocktails. They also make Summer for Men, in case your man is in need of a little freshening up, himself.  Try it on at Bon-Ton, $65 for 3.3 oz.
   2. Caribbean Escape, Bath and Body Works.  Coconut milk, raw sugarcane, raspberry nectar, and lemon make this scent sensual and fun throughout the summer months.  Pick it up at Bath and Body Works, prices range depending on product.
   3. Summer Romace, Ralph Lauren.  Ralph Lauren’s Romance was one of the first perfumes I ever wore, so it’s only natural that the summer version would make this list.  Super girly and feminine with hints of hibiscus and passion fruit, this scent is perfect for channeling your softer side.  Check it out at Sephora, $78 for 3.4 oz.
   4. Country Chic, Bath and Body Works.  I’m not a country girl by any means, but this scent almost makes it seem almost sexy.  Inspired by fresh air and countryside, it’s an easy to wear daytime scent through and through.  Available at Bath and Body Works, prices vary depending on product.
   5. Coconut Scrub, Softsoap. Everyone knows that an important part in smelling yummy throughout the sweltering summer months is exfoliation!  Use this rich lather for a body wash that moisturizes and exfoliates with jojoba butter and crushed coconut.  Snag this steal at Walmart for $3.48.
   6. Sugar Lemon, Fresh.  I love lemons in my water, lemon juice on my salad, and lemons on my skin.  This scent is sweet, sparkly, fresh, and uber-addictive.  Get it at Sephora, $24.50 for 1 oz.
   7. G of the Sea, Harajuku Lovers.  If you’re looking for a light, airy scent for summer, this little mermaid bottle is your gal.  Sweet berries, sundrenched woods, juicy apples, and fresh florals make this scent feel like fun in the sun!  It’s light and airy, and not overwhelming in the least.  A must-try.  Available at Sephora, $45 for 1 oz.
   8. Cocoa Butter Kiss Invisible Solid Antiperspirant/Deodorant, Secret.  If you’re looking for an antiperspirant that won’t leave serious white streaks and will match any of the scents listed above, look no further.  It will leave your underarms as fresh as a pina colada, clear, and sweat free.  Get it at Walmart, $7.94 for a twin pack.

Hopefully one or all of these fragrances will evoke your summer senses and make you feel fresh and revitalized on even the hottest August days.  If you’ve read this, you no longer have an excuse to smell like a hoagie that’s been left in the sun (not that you did before, anyway), so please at least pick up the body scrub and deodorant during your next trip to Walmart.  For more tips and tricks to survive the summer months in style, follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

Renew a Shoe or Two

Courtesy of Eddie Donlin of StudioD

 I love shoes.  They can completely make an outfit, and turn a bland look into something extreme.  Needless to say, I have a lot of old shoes that should no longer be in my closet, so I decided that something had to be done.  I found three old pairs in particular that were in some need of a little updating, and turn them into styles that are right on trend for the upcoming fall season.  Two shoe trends that are oh-so-fabulous right now to wear on those pretty peds are color blocking and glitter.  Brian Atwood currently has a gorgeous pair of glitter ankle booties on pre-order at Saks, and Pierre Hardy crushes the color blocking competition.  Both are extremely out of my shoe budget, and being the super savvy shoe shopper that I am, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

What You Need:

   1.       Old shoes
   2.       Cleaning supplies (shoe cleaner, dish soap, possible acetone or rubbing alcohol)
   3.       Fine steel wool or a fine grit sandpaper
   4.       Old newspapers (as long as they’re not my column) or a drop cloth
   5.       Painters tape
   6.       Glitter glue (I found mine at Dollar Tree)
   7.       A small paintbrush
   8.       Glitter (I a pack of three colors at Dollar Tree!)
   9.       Spray paint
   10.     Clear sealer (Try Krylon’s Make It Last! Clear Sealer)

Here are the three pairs of shoes that I started with:

How to Create the Three Looks I’ve Shown Here:

   1. The first step is to clean the old shoes you will be using thoroughly.   Be sure to protect your work area with a drop cloth or some old newspapers.   Wipe shoes clean with a shoe cleaner, or some soapy water.  Remove laces if necessary and wash them in some soapy water, or bleach if necessary. 

If your shoes have a finish such as a patent shine needs to be removed, some acetone (nail polish remover) or rubbing alcohol will do the trick.  If there is any part of the shoe that you do not wish to refinish, you will need to tape off those sections before using any type of acetone or rubbing alcohol.
  
2. After your shoes are cleaned up, tape off the areas of the shoe that you will not be refinishing.

I also usually stuff the shoes with some old newspaper to keep the inside of the shoe free from paint and/or glitter.  For color blocking, try to section the shoe off so you can create at least three distinct areas of color.  If you’re feeling bold, feel  free to paint all three sections a different color!  For the color blocked look I’ve shown here, I taped off the middle of the shoe, leaving the wedge heel and top of the shoe exposed for painting.  For the glitter toe shoe, I taped off the majority of the shoe, leaving only the toe exposed for decorating! 

 3. Next, rough your old shoes up a little with a fine steel wool or a little sand paper, so that the paint or glitter can adhere to the surface of the shoes.  Again, if you do not want to refinish part of the shoes, tape the sections off before using the steel wool, as it will damage the surface of the shoe.
 
4. Start decorating. 
For the color blocked shoe:  Spray the un-taped areas with a spray paint color of your choice.  If you want to use more than one color, you will have to define the first area you would like to paint by taping off the remainder of the shoe and spray that area.  After the paint dries completely, remove tape and re-tape the shoe to expose the second area, and repeat.  Repeat until you have painted the whole shoe the way you would like, then move to step 6.
For the glitter shoe: Using a small paintbrush, paint the areas of the shoe you would like glittered with the glitter glue.  Using glitter glue ensures complete glittery coverage!  Before the glue has time to dry, sprinkle loose glitter over the areas.  I used both pink and gold glitter on the glitter sneakers, creating a unique look! 

5. Allow the shoes to dry 24 hours.  For the glitter shoes, tap off all loose glitter.  If bare areas exist, spread a little glue on the areas and add some glitter.  If any touchups are needed on the color blocked shoe, spray some paint onto a small paintbrush and smooth the paint over the imperfection.   After shoes have “cured” for 24 hours, remove all painters tape.
 
6. Spray the finished shoes with a clear sealer and allow them to dry for another 24 hours.

Congratulations, you just spent a measly few bucks and got yourself a few new pairs of shoes!  I love when I can try out the wild new trends for next to nothing.  I mean, really, what do you have to lose?  If you only wear them once, you’re not out $350, and at least you [hopefully] had fun making them.  Try these ideas out and let me know what you think!  Feel free to email me your finished photos at purplezebrashop@gmail.com and I’ll put some of my favorites up on my blog.  For more style ideas and more, follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

courtesy of Eddie Donlin of StudioD