The Fabulous Thrift Tour 11/08/2014

Yesterday marked my 3rd thrift tour I’ve hosted and helped coordinate. As many people know, I love nothing more than spreading the love, knowledge, tricks, and tips to shopping second hand. I’m not just passionate about recycling and purchasing second hand, I’m actually obsessive. It’s ok, I’ve accepted and embraced this path of mine. We are all born to do something, love something… My something is the passion for the thrifted fashion. It’s my creative outlet and I know it can be for others, too! When the Utilities Exploration Center in Roseville, CA asked me to help coordinate a thrift tour promoting thrift and recycling, I was instantly on board! A lot of thought, energy, and love went it to this tour and I would like to first thank Rachel Tooker from the Utility Exploration Center for asking me to do this and for working hours and hours to make this tour, well, FABULOUS! Rachel taught me so much! Did you know that the average American throws away approximately 68 pounds of clothing a year?! Something so great about this whole experience was all the press we got. Not only were we able to promote the tour, but we had the opportunity to give the actual statistics of why people should donate or sell to second hand stores. Pretty cool, right? We had about 40 people on the bus yesterday and hit up a mixture of thrift, consignment, and buy/sell/trade stores. I wanted to show the guests that there are many different facets to the world of second hand clothing. This way there was a little something for everyone! A BIG thank you to Reinvent Clothing Consignment, Freestyle Clothing Exchange, Thrift Town, Sei Bella Boutique Consignment, and Crossroads Trading Company for participating! I’d also like to give another thank you to Deeda Salon, Magpie Bakery, the Sacramento Antique Faire, and Roxy Restaurant for donating gift cards and delicious foods! If you are interested in the FUN, please join us on our next tour scheduled for Saturday, February  21st  from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. You can call (916) 746-1550 for more info and tickets! It’s through the Utility Exploration Center. If you have any questions for me please ask away! Here are some pictures from the wonderful, fabulous, shop filled day! 

Polks Dots: Then, Now, and Forever

I’m pretty much convinced that every girl loves polka dots, ok maybe not everyone, but a lot! It’s the universal pattern for all things adorable, classic, and dainty. I mean, even guys can rock a polka dot tie – see, it’s that amazing.

Whenever I find an incredible polka dot piece I buy it. And when it’s a vintage piece I do a little ‘happy Phoebe dance’ in the store. I’m kinda of a dork if you didn’t already pick up on that ;)

A couple of months ago, while shopping at the Buffalo Exchange in San Francisco, I stumbled upon this beauty of a polka dot dress. The dress spoke to me and said, ‘girl, you have to get me. I NEED to be in your dress collection.’ I naturally listened, tried it on, and had to have it. It has pockets! They don’t call me The Dress Fiend for nothing…

If you are in San Francisco or LA, please make sure to check out Buffalo Exchange. They are a Buy/Sell/Trade store. And the beauty of this store is that they actually carry vintage!

Outfit:

Vintage dress, Buffalo Exchange, $18 / Pearl Earrings, Thrift Town, $1.99 / Ann Taylor heels, Thrift Town, $15.99

Angels

Tonight’s post is dedicated to my good friend John who is genuinely one of the best guys I know. He is kind, brilliant, honest, loyal, loving, and has the biggest heart. He is a rare breed indeed and I knew the first time I laid eyes on him that there wasn’t an ounce of bad in him.

So recently when he was hurt by someone and feeling a little blue my heart went out to him. He’s never one to feel sorry for himself and always puts others first. Today he told me the most beautiful and uplifting story that I’ve heard in a long time. The story taught me to never judge a book by its cover because you never know who might just change your life, mood, and perspective for the better in a matter of minutes.

Please enjoy this uplifting story. It put a big smile on my face and I hope it does to others as well. People can be cruel sometimes and we can focus so obsessively on the why’s and the how’s of these cruel behaviors. But, sometimes we get lucky and have a mere stranger, a homeless man in this case, set us straight. Maybe there really are angels out there, John I think you found one today.

John’s dialogue:

(Hope this story helps at least one other person)

To set up the story I have been in a semi bad mood for a week and a really bad mood since the weekend (I know it might be hard to believe but lol yes me…and work is phenomenal so it’s not that)
Sooo I was walking down the street today and made a right turn around the corner of a building, walked another 50 feet past a homeless gentlemen named Timothy who was walking towards me. Here is our conversation:
• Timothy: It’s not worth it
• Me: (Completely in my own world) Pardon, what was that?
• Timothy: Whatever you are thinking about, it’s not worth it
• Me: Lol, how’d you know I am thinking in a stressed way?
• Timothy: You’re face was scrunched like I have never seen anyone…did you try your best?
• Me: Yeah
• Timothy: Did you give it your all?
• Me: Yeah
• Timothy: Did you do it the right way?
• Me: Yeah
• Timothy: Stick your arms out like a helicopter and turn 360 degrees
• Me: Okay (Right when I saw Timothy again)
• Timothy: That’s all you can control. Move on. I don’t know why it didn’t work either timing, situation, etc…just move on being that stressed is never worth it.
• Me: (Complete smiles) Wow, thank you. You completely snapped it out of me.

(Some people have said Timothy was an angel, I don’t know what he was but it certainly helped turn my world upside down and I just hope it can help you or someone you know too)

 

 

 

Weekend Getaway: Thrifted Summer Look

This is the first summer in many many moons where I feel like I’m actually enjoying the season and taking the time to get some much needed R&R. This past year at work was non stop and the nice weekend getaway I experienced this weekend was the perfect antidote to calm this busy bee’s mind, body, and soul.

We are very lucky here in California with all of the vast and diverse terrain surrounding us. This past weekend I experienced the wine country, (I don’t drink, but I do appreciate its beauty) the Russian River, and the picturesque beaches. All three of these places were with in a 30 mile radius of each other.

So going into my work week tomorrow I feel an incredible sense of calm and tranquility. By the looks of the pictures below you can probably tell why :)

For my perfect weekend getaway look I opted for this easy to wear Free People dress from Freestyle Clothing Exchange thrift, ($25) Italian made floppy hat from SPCA thrift, ($6) & espadrilles from Freestyle Clothing Exchange thrift. ($14)

TIP: The dress I’m wearing is PERFECT for traveling. The cotton material naturally has a crinkled look to it so you can literally throw it into your bag, unfold it, and be off with your vacation day. The dress is by Free People. Pay attention to this brand when thrifting, it’s fab!

If you have any thrift or styling questions please ask away!

Love,

The Dress Fiend

 

 

Dressy on a Dime

I take a lot of pride in looking like a million bucks on a shoe string budget. Just because I don’t make exuberant amounts of money doesn’t mean that I have to sacrifice the glitz and the glam. My mission is to spill all of my frugal thrifting secrets and prove to people that high end designer pieces are  hiding at your local thrift, consignment, and vintage stores.   Someone’s throw away become my treasures at these wonderful second hand stores I frequent. This Ralph Lauren gown is the perfect example of looking dressy on a dime and definitely a treasure in my book. I mean, look at the details on top of the sleeves! It’s the perfect 20’s style dress. A dress like this will blend well in any fancy pants parties and no one would ever know that you got it second hand for $25 bucks! Unless you tell on yourself like I do ;)  I threw on my sparkly vintage earrings (SPCA thrift) and my second hand Jimmy Choo’s ($40 at Crossroad’s Trading Co) and I was ready for a fabulous night on the town. Now, if only I had somewhere to wear this beautiful dress to…

For something a little more vintage I found this stunning 50’s lace and velvet dress at the Alameda Antique Faire for $10! I’m normally one to bargain for everything at antique faires, but when the dealer said $10 I took it. It’s just exquisite and look at the delicate  floral lace. 

The sweet heart neck line is just darling and flattering on so many different body types. The construction of the dress is just incredible, too. The top has boning and molds to the body perfectly – they just don’t make them like they used to! Going along with the floral lace, I opted for a vintage floral necklace from Thrift Town ($5.99) and floral vintage earrings from the Alameda Antique Faire. ($5)

Next time you have a nice event to attend don’t forget that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars. Your next glamorous outfit is right around the corner at your local thrift, vintage, or antique faire for pennies on the dollar.

Please let me know if  you have any thrift or styling questions! Would love to help. Love, The Dress Fiend

Stay Inspired

This evening as I ran around the park reflecting upon my day I glanced up to see the words ‘Stay Inspired’ inscribed on a fellow runner’s shirt. I took this as a sign to do that extra lap and continue pursuing my dreams relating to the wonderful world where fashion and art meet. 

As my sense of style evolves, I pick up things along the way and last month at the Alameda Antique Faire I stumbled upon the most darling vintage silk scarf. ($4) A light bulb went off in my head and the birth of my new obsession with head scarves blossomed. 

For a little fashion inspiration, here are three different ways I wore my head scarf recently. It’s so versatile, classy, stylish, and can be dressed up or down. I know we are just beginning summer, but I’ll say it: Head scarves are awesome and everyone should have one if not ten in their summer wardrobe. I mean, you can be having the worst hair day and put on a beautiful vintage scarf and viola! You look fabulous… 

TIP: The Alameda Antique Faire is like adult Disneyland for me. I highly suggest it! It’s the 1st Sunday of the month, info here: 

alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/

Outfits: Everything but the overalls and scarf from Thrift Town. Overalls from Freestyle Clothing Exchange 

Please let me know if you have any styling, thrifting, or general questions about fashion – I would be more than happy to help! 

Love, 

The Dress Fiend

 

 

 

Bohemian Days

My style is ever evolving, but one thing is always constant – my love for vintage. 60’s fashion will always remain my favorite era for vintage, but as of late I have been sneaking over to the 70’s side.
Vintage and thrift shopping speaks to me in ways that no contemporary new department store can. My style is a direct result from my years of exploring all the different aisles upon aisles of second hand wonders.
The other day I dreamt of hot summer nights with a beautiful dress that flowed in the warm breezy air. I dreamt of beautiful head scarves, big sunglasses, and a smile that glistened from ear to ear.  Lucky for me, I dream of ensembles for inspiration and sometimes I’m lucky enough to find my dreamt up looks in my favorite thrift stores.
My Bohemian flowing dress dreams came to fruition this past weekend at my beloved Freestyle Clothing Exchange thrift store. They have a small vintage section, but because they are meticulous about what they buy from people it’s always good! The beautiful floral print flows with the greatest of ease in the hot summer winds.

And you can never go wrong pairing that perfect vintage dress with an even more perfect pair of vintage 70’s glasses. Big shout of to my friend Omonivie of Tula in Bloom for making the beautiful earrings I have on. She’s a true artist, check her out: http://www.tulainbloom.etsy.com
Also, if you are in Sacramento please check out one of the 4 Freestyle Clothing Exchange’s for some of the best vintage: http://www.freestyleclothing.com
Outfit details:
Vintage 70’s dress, Freestyle, $12
Vintage 70’s shades, Sac Antique Faire, $2
Espadrilles, Freestyle, $15

I own thedressfiend.com !!!

Attention Attention:

The day has finally come that I officially own The Dress Fiend! This will be my final post on this site. I adore and very much appreciate all of my fans out there and would love for you to keep following me. Would you all do me a favor and head over to thedressfiend.com and subscribe/become a follower? It’s as easy as this: Go to the site, scroll down a bit till you see ‘subscribe to blog via email’ on the right hand side and voila! You’ll now be able to get notices when I post.

A few super amazing add ons to the new site:

– there’s a color wheel where you can click on a color and it directs you to outfits I’ve worn in that color! This way if you’re wondering how to wear certain colors you can get a little inspiration from my outfits

– I share my thrifting tips

– All of my social media is connected to it

– and there’s a hire me section! If you need a stylist or someone to redo your closet I’m your girl! 

PS A big thank you to Colour Me Classic for doing such an amazing job on my site! 

I look forward to seeing you all over at thedressfiend.com 

 

Careers in Art: Project Runway ~ Crocker Art Museum style

When I get to share my passion for fashion with others I’m filled to the brim with joy. Each and every one of us possess a special gift and I believe with all my heart that my gift is fashion …