Ann Taylor Boatneck Striped Shirt

If one has a Goodwill induced heart attack over excitement at a deal found at Goodwill, WILL Goodwill pay the medical bills?

This is just something I am concerned with and may research. I came close on my last trip.

I found this without tag but seemingly unworn and in perfect condition striped boat neck 3/4 sleeve shirt from Ann Taylor. This shirt is in such good condition and so my taste, I can’t believe it was only $4.49. Ensue heart attack.

I also found an awesome floor length dark green jersey knit skirt by Arden B. for $0.99! It was a little worn, but I decided not work enough that if I had been the original owner I would have gotten rid of it, and would still be wearin it. Does that line of reasoning make sense. If not, it was basically free, so who cares:)

On the same trip I also found the outfit you will see in the ‘Plaid vintage top’ post. Ensue bigger heart attack. It was almost too much for me, and these three finds also show I may have multiple personalities. Those being that of trendy and hipster and then also completely prep. It’s fine and I like all of them very much.

I had to do separate photo posts from my phone because due to major storage issues in my life right now I wasn’t able to load these pictures from my phone and do one big one, so you get two for the price of one because I don’t know how to do a regular post from my phone yet!

I also want to add a bit of life/blogging advice onto this post, and that piece of advice would be: Do you.

Obvious and maybe cliche, but couldn’t be more true. When striking out on a new adventure or in everyday life, it is tempting to see what others who have been or are successful are doing and want to copy it. But that just leads to stress because you are not that person, you are you. So due to the obvious laws of science and physics, you cannot be someone else. Trying will be a stressful and futile effort and a waste of your precious energy. The world needs exactly what you have to offer, and realizing that every day will free you up in so many ways. And no one else can give what you have. So don’t deprive us, and ‘do you’. Plain and simple. Less stress for you (me), more happy for us (you all- I hope).

Anyway, I’m done with that little rant. But when I come up with an encouraging bit, it’s hard not to share it, and one of my passions in addition to thrifting and fashion is encouragement and life advice. Cause we’re all in this together:)

Thanks again for stopping by- go out and support your local thrift stores, and of course- Goodwill!

-Jaime

Orange Beaded Color Pop

I love a good color pop necklace. This orange beaded necklace that I got years ago from Goodwill was the perfect complement to my new navy blue and white collared sleeveless blouse from Burlington Coat Factory made by Antilla Femme (what a great brand name) for $14.99. I bought an off-white and gold statement necklace for $9.99 to wear with the blouse, and then saw this orange necklace hanging on my wall and knew that was the one.

The white and gold necklace was much better suited to adorn my black tank and trouser jean skirt (which can be seen in the vintage plaid blouse post) that I wore later that night.

I wore this to get some laptop work done at my local coffee shop.

Vintage Plaid Top

Love this vintage plaid sleeveless blouse by White Stag. This style is totally back in now, and I got it for a steal at $0.99 at Goodwill. Looks even better paired with this Forever 21 jean trouser skirt for $4.29. Ready for summer for sure in this little number. Bring on the heat.

Jackpot…decisions need to be made

This past Saturday I finally had time to make a stop into my local Goodwill in East Nashville, and spent a good hour perusing and was happily happily rewarded.

Look at that cart full of lovely patterns and color combinations galore.  Old Navy and Forever 21 and Target among them.

And I thought I had found a lot/done well at this point.

Little did I know.

Cut to a half hour later.

And this is what my cart looked like.  Just a few more items 😉

Full of stripes and flowers and colors even more galore.

I think I set a personal record for most items of clothing tried on in one visit.  Possibly.  It’s hard to tell.  There are several other very close seconds I know.

‘Yes’s’ to the left, ‘No’s’ to the right.

I said this in the dressing room to myself and the Bob Dylan song “clowns to the left of me, joker’s to the right…” popped into my head.    Now you can all sing “Stuck in the middle with you” for the rest of the day.  You’re welcome.

Luckily, most of the dressing room ‘no’s’ were easy decisions to make due to fit, etc.  I only had to turn a few down because of grownup things like cost and and just maybe not really completely needing another shirt.. dress.. shoe..what have you…. 😦

Now for some closeups…

This is one of the yes’s… turned a no…

the decision had to be made.

One too many ruffles was the deciding factor.

Although I was very excited to find a lovely blue form fitting dress for $7.99 because I am trying to stear away from always wearing loose hippy type clothing, and MAYBE show off the figure I work so hard to keep for once…

But the ruffles were a bit excessive.  And I had to leave it behind.  To the right of the dressing room it went.

Yes, yes, yes all over this outfit.

top by a.n.n.a. for $4.49.  Flowy.  Wow, what a surprise.  Who cares.  Love.

NY&Co. dark leggins jeans, with a zipper and button so they’re not completely jeggings I don’t think, my size, my style, $7.99.  To my house they go.

A girl needs to keep her skinny jeans in stock if she insists on keeping her tops as big and flowy as possible.  It’s all about balance.

Keeping it casual in a loose fitting striped tee.

I can’t remember the brand, but it was also 4.49.  I wore it to the dog park that day.

I like it better with white shorts, but I’d have to be crazy to wear white shorts to a dog park.  Crazy.

Flowery short sleeve peasant blouse by Converse for Target, $4.49.  With a tie in the back to cinch the waist.

I wore it to an outdoor movie night in East Nashville the following night.

The movie pick was Raising Arizona with Nicolas Cage and John Goodman amongh others.  I wasn’t excited about it but wanted to go anyway.

I. Loved. It.

So quirky and weird and awesome (exactly how I described it to my bf when he asked how it was).  Don’t know how I went so long without it in my life.

Me and my girlfriend’s dog, Lady.  Sorry about the blur.  It happens.

My friend Christina and I completely engrossed in the picture.  (No, my eyes are not closed- it was the flash 🙂

Such a fun night.  Perfect weather.  Food trucks, local beer (Jackalope), movie outside while lying on blankets with friends and dogs.  Bliss!

Can’t forget the homegoods section.

Glass beaded candle, $1.99.

I’m moving in with my friend this weekend, and I think this will match her (our) decor very well.

All my finds together.  $34 total.  Not horrible at all.

Not included in a close-up:

Striped gray tee v-neck by Vintage, $4.49.

Pink Pashmina scarf, $1.99.

And square baking pan, $1.99.  Gotta keep those baked goods on hand to help me fill out those skinny jeans!:)  Don’t think that just comes natural! Haha.

I made butterscotch brownies in them that very day…and then remade them the next day as I failed the first time.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, and try again!

And I did.

And I will.

That’s what life is about!

Thanks for stopping by, please come again, and leave a comment or two or three!

-Jaime