Things I buy at thrift stores that I don't use.

This post was written probably about a year ago, yet it still rings true for me! No, I haven't learned to restrict what I buy..

Typical Situation:
You're in the local thrift store that you go to every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (and sometimes Saturday) and it happens again..

You see something that you will NEVER use or wear, but its just so cheap and/or pretty!

My latest examples:

1. Vintage Valentino Brogues
Because..they are Valentino! So what if they are a size 5 and I am a size 9....9.5.

2. Laptop bag (and many other purses)
It said Vancouver on it..and that's basically my hometown, so I had to buy it!

3. Vintage plates for our wedding

Thought Process:
Yaaaayyy!! I'm engaged, let's have a sweet wedding where we buy all vintage, pretty plates, and then sell them and make ALL my money back.

Actual Outcome:
Buy 22 plates..some cute, some 70's brown kitchen plates...I give up.

Update: returned ALL 22 plates to a thrift store. And come to think of it, we didn't even use plates at our wedding! Oh well..

But even after going through it all..I'm still glad I bought it all!
(Except..maybe those plates, I really didn't need those.)

Do you ever run into the buy-and-never-use predicament?

100 Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own: Part 1

I recently went to a consignment store that had a printed list of "100 Pieces Every Stylish Women Must Own" on the counter.  It looks like it was scanned and printed from the 2001 Vancouver Sun Newspaper, but after doing a quick read through I found that quite a few of the items could be classic pieces (there are still a few randoms in there...
                    "Leather pants: buy tight - they'll stretch)"

Anyways, I'll show 10 at a time (and compare it to my wardrobe..and recent trends)  Please note, I did not write this list! Found here, but don't peek ahead!
(Quotes straight from the article are in italics)

1. A-Line Dress (be bold in a bright pattern)
Is this still relevant? I had to google this..I'm trying to find a recent picture of someone wearing one.  I guess I thought this was reserved more for wedding dress styles..I can't find any in my closet, maybe you have one? Show!

2. Animal Print (try as an accessory!)
Newspaper article trust me, I'm trying!! I have had leopard print flats on my "want" list for a while, but now that its becoming spring, I might wait until Fall again?  Ok wait, just checked, I do have some leopard prints floating around my closet..

(No, I haven't worn that coat out in public, and no I don't wear all these prints together.)

And these sandals, although they might qualify more as a "reptile" print..

3. Ankle Bootie (for pants or skirts)
Personal choice: I don't really wear heels and if my ankles were covered up my legs would look just a leeetle more stumpy, so I avoid! But I do like how they look on others.

4. Aviators (classic sunglasses)
I think owning aviators from Old Navy kind of brings the "cool factor" down a bit, but I do love my aviators.  Although in some pictures they appear ok, other pics they appear more..well, look at the picture.   See how far away from my head they go!

                  "Oh hi, I have circle rimmed sunglasses."

5. Ballet Flat (simple flat shoes)
Yep, always a classic. My current favorite are a cognac pair from Target.

6. Bangles (pile on these bracelets)
I have three. One pink one, it's pretty with a skirt, but bordering on barbie-ish.  And two skinny turquoise/green ones.  I just don't wear these on a regular day because I'm working, and if I have to type with a bangle or bracelet on it gets really annoying. Try it.


7. Belts (small or big, they create form)
Agreed! (Love those shoes too..)

                      From Hey Fancy Pants, found via Selective Potential

8. Bikini (keep it basic in solid colours)
Your choice. I wouldn't have counted bathing suits in this list, a bathing suit is a given?


9. BlackBerry (essential for girls on the go)
Although I'm sure this has been updated to an iPhone, I still have the trusty BlackBerry. I'm not really picky about a phone, as long as it texts and calls. (But I wouldn't turn down an iphone?)


10. Black Opaque Tights (as matte as possible)
Also agreed.  I wear these a LOT at the office to make skirts more work friendly, but I also think that being matte, they aren't confused with mom-butts and pantyhose.

via The Sartorialist

Well, that's it! How does your wardrobe stack up to the "Must-Own" List?  Anything you think doesn't belong here?

(Look forward to 100 Pieces: Parts 2 - 10 to follow!)

Vintage Cream Ceramic Mirror

Testing some stuff out...

But if you want a slightly damaged mirror thats cool too, just let me know  :)

Your opinion here:

My new lamp (another "thrift-shopping-on-lunch-break" find)

Yes, it is shiny gold chrome, straight from the..90's? 80's? Anyways..I love it but what do you think? Don't be deceived by this picture, maybe this is a better rendering: (Look at that base!)

Here is where your opinion comes in. What colour should I spray paint it? I want it to be shiny still, and to naturally look like the first picture, so basically pewter..but what would you do with it?

Just add: Friends & Cozy Lighting

         From House&Home magazine.

         From Domino Magazine

Right now I just want to go back in time (or forward to another time?) when I'm with my friends, cooking appetizers and drinking wine and friendly (but loudly) bickering about something. Mainly Dordt gossip if I had my way right now. Honestly..I miss it.

We would make:

-nachos x10

-fried zucchini

-probably some mushrooms (but I would just look at them. I bet they are good though..if you like mushrooms.)

Ok I've been away too long that I can't remember what else we usually make! Refresh my memory..you know who you are.

Also, pick what your favorite kitchen/dining room is (all of you) and tell me in the comments!

PS. Value Village is still overpriced.

Happy Worst-Holiday-Of-The-Year

I really dislike halloween..the decorations, the music, the themes..I don't mind the parties and the chocolate..but besides that it's all gross. 

Plus half the blogs I read have been talking about "halloween decorations" all month..

Does anyone think that even looks good/fun? 

Ok my opinion is a little harsh.

I DO like hanging out with people at parties though, which also happens on halloween.  So this is my practice costume for tomorrow:

ADD ONE:

Can you tell what i am being? here are some more funny ideas (that are not slutty, which is hard to find) Also a good blog to read.

PS: I realized that this low quality picture might not be as obvious as i thought. If you can guess what I am being..I will send you a letter in snail-mail. Oui oui!

Some other halloween outfits that fellow friends are being this year:

-A DANGEROUS person (I'll try to get pictures..)

-a-pack of tennis players

-tennis balls
Add yours in the comments, I'm curious!

Have a fun and safe weekend!

My closet in 5 years?

I'll need about 50 more pairs of shoes too then..and maybe the bench in a different color.