Goodwill Hunting

I've never been a slave to fashion, and since my favorite magazine is The Week, I'm pretty clueless about what's "in", which is totally cool with me, because trying to be "in" means looking "out" if I don't keep up. I figure better to do something all my own, and here in Portland it's hardly like what I wear is weird.

I've been reading a lot of bloggers who talk about their thrift store finds and their wardrobes, often combining the two. So I think I will too. (This will motivate me to take more pride in my appearance when not working. Face it. Unless you want to pay big bucks for exercise attire, the selection is pretty yawn-yawn…)

I have a Goodwill Fairy. Two years ago I made a shawl that I can only describe as a felted wool bubble wrap for a New Year's Eve party. The day of the party I headed to Goodwill with the mission to find a slinky, black, spaghetti strap dress, preferably velvet. My goodwill fairy was on high alert and I found just the thing!

I had some luck yesterday too. A few hours before a Gayle's birthday party, with no particular idea of what the hell I was looking for, I headed out for some quickie thrifting. I started in the skirts section. My advice, grab whatever grabs your fancy and might fit. I tried on sizes 4 -11. Go figure! I have a bootie and hips so whenever I wear a short or form fitting skirt it hikes up in the back. So this number works better for me. It's not actual vintage, but looks a bit like it. So I liked it! Now I didn't know if I wanted a sweater, a shirt or what. My husband is always saying I have curves and I should show them off. I like comfort so here was this flannel shirt by some brand called Vintage Havana that talked to me. Soft flannel, form fitting and embroidered on the front and back. Not likely to show up at party with another guest wearing this, eh!? It's different and it went with the skirt. Bingo!

Made it home to wash and dry said items, dust off my old lace up Ropers from my Austin days and even make up a batch of my anchovy new potatoes. The outfit and the taters were both a hit!

$3.00:  Cupcake Barrettes by Ladybug Limited

$5.00   conch shell necklace I bought from a local in Belize

$6.00:  Shirt,  Goodwill

$7.00   Skirt, Goodwill

FREE: socks were a gift. They say Reduce, Reuse, Regift on them. ;-)

Boots are so old I have no idea what I paid for them. Bought them to clean out an abandoned old Texas cemetery (keeps rattlesnakes from biting your ankles), and have loved them ever since.