What We Bought: Target Finds in Teal

Ah, the excitement of scouring the clearance racks on a "quick" trip to Target for toiletries. (We're loving the letter T today, apparently.)

We put back a couple of practically irresistible tops that were under $5 each, but as the man pointed out were neither on our list nor actually needed. Oooh it hurts to have someone acting as your shopping conscience whose finances are actually about to be intrinsically connected with your own.

We had no luck in the tights department (we still need more patterned ones, and a few more colors) but we did find some lovely, fairly supple leather gloves in a cranberry-pinkish color, with wee buttons like old kid gloves (Victorian detailing will sell us every time) for only $17.99, a matte satin belted trench coat in teal for $27.99 (listed online for $39.99! Our store also had purple (we amazed ourselves by resisting) and red, and perhaps one other color? And we also snagged a teal hangbag (it really was on the list!) for $10.98 on clearance. It's absolutely comically huge, but will no doubt fit the lunchbox cooler we also purchased, and even our work laptop, if need be. We would rather carry one huge bag than be that lady with way too many small bags. Here is our autumn collage for you :D

Autumn Target Buys by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

The man was highly skeptical that we actually needed any of these items, but truly, a girl has to have a fine pair of gloves that she really doesn't want to lose (but that aren't too horribly expensive), and we've not got a handbag in teal (and for goodness sake, $11! It'd be a crime not to buy it). And the trench-- a fall coat is of course necessary, yes? And teal is so goooorgeous, darlings. And under $30! Impossible to pass up. Right?

The first thing we're planning to do is to replace the buttons with something vintage so it looks more distinctive and not so mass-produced (shudder. Our conscience/wallet dilemma again...)

When we want vintage buttons, we turn to Etsy. We'll either buy a set or perhaps several different buttons altogether... check out these lovelies we found (our favorites here have the actual listings):


Should we swap out the belt for something contrasting, too? Hmmm... Maybe a little bit of trim somewhere? Ideas...

Did you buy a new coat for fall? Do you own a really nice pair of gloves, or a bag in your second favorite color? (We had at least 3 purple handbags but nary a single teal!) If not, perhaps you should consider buying cheap this time around... and then putting your own spin on it. We find that coat buttons are hard to change well oneself, so we are entrusting ours to the lovely seamstress 'round the corner who repaired our down parka zipper so beautifully last year. (John's on Mt. Auburn in Watertown, if you're local!)

Happy Shopping!

The Return of Grunge

We're sure you haven't missed the destroyed jeans, stud detailing and plaid showing up everywhere in the magazines and blogs lately... it is evident that the 90s grunge look has returned, quite bit before the "traditional" 20-year mark for trends to come back into vogue; but, as we were firmly entrenched in the plaid religion last time around, we're certainly not displeased.

The interpretations showing up on the runways over the past year (for the upcoming seasons) are more grunge-inspired than literally scrubby: as Focus on Style puts, it, "[t]hink of the essence of a downtown rocker with a northwest casual vibe with an eye for off-handed irreverent style. It’s wholesome yet urban at the same time-- grunge but not grungy."

Start your grunge style off with an updated flannel shirt. No need to borrow your dad's or brother's like we did in 1992-- there are plenty of adorable, updated versions that are actually cut for women, like these cute little options with princess seam detailing and contrasting/reversible rolled sleeves, from Dollhouse.com, $18.99:




(Try to ignore the fact that the model looks to be about fourteen years old; when you're a bargain-hunter, you often have to venture into the geared-toward-juniors market, as we're sure you have experienced and noticed here... one problem, though, which Dollhouse acknowledges in the listing, is that things run tiny, so you often have to order up, and XL is often as high as it goes. Boo to excluding a good half of the population, designers!)

Or perhaps instead of seeking out a button-down, you would prefer to have your pop of plaid appear in a girly, sexy, updated manner, like these gorgeous tops and dresses (Via Polyvore (so right click the picture and open up the tab for your prices, brands and links!)

Thrifty Sexy Plaid by ThriftyStylist featuring Forever21

Next up on your list-- maybe only for the weekends, for those of us who can only get away with trouser jeans (or even only jeans on Fridays) at work-- will be a destroyed jean. You can of course DIY with your existing jeans and some sandpaper, or maybe if you're OK with your dryer getting a little dinged up, throw some rocks in there ;) -- but we found thrifty options for multiple body types.

Thrifty Destroyed Skinny Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

Thrifty Destroyed Flare Jeans by ThriftyStylist featuring Hollister Co. jeans

The next item up is a pair of big black boots. Although we did take out our Doc Martens yesterday to wear with the jeans/dress combo, you don't have to be so literal and go combat or Doc... Some intricate stud detailing and fabulous lines will update and sexify that 13-year-old-you (or was that just us?) look-- and don't stop at boots if you don't want to; go for Mary Janes or fabulous booties, t-straps, sandals, whatever works for you and your fall climate! We're willing to bypass the $30 price point for a really nice pair of shoes so here are some fairly thrifty finds:

Thrifty Studded Shoes by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

As far as accessories go... if you want to be authentic, get your handbag at your local Army Surplus store and wear a thick beige rubber band or two as bracelets ;) Otherwise, we think whatever you choose will work, since this is about updating the look, and personal style is always in fashion.

Happy grunging out!

Fall Footwear Trends We Love: Jeweled Flats

We're excited that jeweled flats are one of the hot shoes for fall, chiefly because we already own some-- purple satin, Rampage brand, with purple faceted crystals (sadly, shopping for new items is not an option for us right at the moment!)

We found some cute cheap versions on the interwebs, so here's a Polyvore set for your clicking pleasure:

Jeweled Flats by ThriftyStylist featuring Presence flats

Studs are definitely the embellishment of the moment, so if you prefer metal to glittery sequin-y sparkles, you're in luck!

To be honest, we're not really sure what we're going to pair these with. We tend to shy away from flats, being hella short, and we also concede that ballet flats and skinny jeans are the best combination, yet refuse to try to squeeze our Spanish hips into tapered pants... so... we seek suggestions from our readership! They will probably look cute with knee-length skirts and opaque or modestly patterned tights, we think (perhaps a loud print or lace pattern would compete too much with the embellishment), but we're not sure how to branch out of matching with a purple top... Of course, opposites are always perfect, so a yellow top like this gorgeous Anne Klein chiffon version (on sale for $29.70!) would be divine, except that we don't wear yellow. Maybe we should start.


Here's to your thoughts and new experiments!

Happy comfortable walking ;)

Shopping in Your Own Closet!

The change of seasons is upon us! With the passing of the equinox, it is time to start thinking about Hallowe'en, unbelievably enough! (We didn't really get a summer here in New England).

Whether you're in the Northern Hemisphere and experiencing shorter days and crisper temperatures, or just warming up to Spring Down Under, you'll probably have to do some seasonal shifting of your wardrobe (unless you're in a clime where you can wear the same breezy items year-round, or have gigantor closets. Unfortunately for us, we are in neither position).

We have a storage unit in the basement, which we pack up twice a year with garment bags and Rubbermaid containers filled with off-season clothes and bedding and then haul up and down the stairs. (We group them into Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter so as to spare ourselves doing this four times in a year!)

For those of you with small closets and no supplemental basement or attic space, some lovely storage options we've seen recently include stacks of vintage suitcases (with the top one used as a side or bedside table), vintage steamer trunks, and of course underbed boxes (buy risers if your frame is low to the ground, and hide them with a lovely bed skirt! Check out these great options from Jeri's organization blog!) Or, make use of high ceilings and construct shelving all the way up (and get yourself a proper stepladder while you're at it).

One of the most exciting things (for us anyway) about this grueling process is discovering pieces we had completely forgotten we owned. This past weekend we found, tucked away in a bin at some unknown time, a lovely vintage cropped lavender motorcycle jacket. When did we buy this? At what thrift shop did we find it? It must have been last winter, because we have definitely never worn it.



Quelle cuteness, no?? We think it's 80s... it is "authentic style" brand. Isn't the iris color just divine? OK, maybe only if you're obsessed with purple. We don't normally go in for pastels, but this we couldn't pass up (evidently). Who could have known that cropped motocross and other wee leather jackets would be so "in" this season, too? (Not that we care about being "in"... we'll wear whatever we like and trends can shove it, we're just happy when things we like are widely available!)

We heard a fancy leather-cleaning remedy the other day which we'd like to share, also. And by fancy we mean totally thrifty and natural and easy: egg white. Apparently raw egg white on a soft cloth will take leather stains out. We will be trying this immediately.

Other things we're excited about for fall in Boston: all of the colored tights we bought over the summer, and the black boots we got on clearance, together of course! Corduroy! Velvet! Cashmere... aaaaahhhh... (don't forget to check your Goodwill or Savers for cashmere sweaters we got both our baby pink and our deep purple ones at thrift shops!)

Have you found anything fabulous in your seasonal shift that you had forgotten about? What makes you happiest about the change in your part of the world?

Happy shopping-in-your-own-closet!

Purple Handbags - All the Rage for Fall

We already own a gorgeous handmade, upcycled vintage leather purple handbag, which we've discussed a few times before! But that doesn't mean we're not thrilled about the preponderance of such for fall.

Inspired by SavvyMode, who found some beautiful-- but PRICEY!-- options for one of her readers in this post, we scoured the interwebs for options that are on-trend but won't make you (as we did) fall off your chair when you see the price!

Via Polyvore, brand-new versions from stores you probably already knew of (some on sale, some just cheap by nature)- click the pic for the Polyvore set with links to purchase:

Purple Handbags for Fall Under $50 by ThriftyStylist featuring Old Navy bags

And, from Etsy, options from the Vintage and Handmade categories (click here to go to our public favorites to get to the individual listings):

Do you have a purple bag? Are you looking for one? (Or another one??)
What is your cap for purse spending? Ours is $100. And that was the one time, only, and only because it was handmade of vintage leather (so sweet!).

Fall Footwear For Less (of course)

We're really not interested in thinking about fall yet, being as we've barely made it to the beach yet this summer (to be remedied further tomorrow) ... But we suppose it's time to start at least considering it before it sneaks up on us too much.

There are a bunch of boot trends happening for fall, including victorian/granny boots, western-inspired, knee-highs, foldovers, over-the-knees, and booties. Bold color is big, as are retro and innovative shapes.

We found a few cool affordable pairs on Etsy, which you might want to snap up if they're your size, as they're all singular vintage! (Most of the fall recommendations we've seen have topped $200 new, so be green and thrifty and find something unique).

Paisley Pointy-Toe Tie-Back Foldover Booties, $14, at AshasVintage, size 9



Knee-high Leather Boots, $14, at Trends4Today, size 7



Hot mama 80s boots, $14.99 at AufDeMaur, size 8



Crochet-vamp victorian granny boots. $18 at Reruns, size 8



Western-inspired bootie, $18, at VintageOrphans, size 7 1/2



Cherry Red Foldover Flat Boots, $20, at HellCatVintage, size 6


Totally Awesome 80s white strappy boots with RHINESTONE HEEL DETAIL, $20, at SimplyMaggieMay, size 9



Purple velvet slouch boots (more rhinestones!), $23, at LillysCloset, size 6



Kitten heel knee-high boots (great to dye, perhaps?), $22, from TreasuresInAnAttic, size 8 1/2



Perfect 70s vegan leather knee-high boots with buckles, $24.00, from PaintedSoulDesign, size 6



Black suede tall boots with RIBBON-BOW OPTION! (We would so do that), $24.99 at PlumberryVintage, size 7



80s scrunchy-vamp red kitten heel ankle boots, $25.00 at DayliteandDark, size 7



European granny boots, $27.95, from bOmode, size 8 1/2




Cheetah-lined red foloder ankle boot, $28.00, from Saminator, size 5
(if you have bigger feet check out these similar ones in a 7 1/2!

Hope you enjoy these rad options and are inspired to buy vintage!