ATX on my Mind

Austin is never a bad idea.  Especially when you have family and friends there.  

Isaac and I hip-hopped ourselves for a fun weekend in the ATX.  

Seriously, one of THE best bands that I've heard in a long time.  And they're from McAllen, TX!  Homegrown talent.  They are the Landlocked Pirates and if you're not looking for them on iTunes, Spotify or YouTube right now, then stop reading this, go look for them, then come back!

My Summer Uniform:

I'm going to sound like a broken record but it is HOT outside.  Not only is it hot, but Heat's ugly friend Humidity likes to tag along to make it an extra uncomfortable summer.  It can feel pointless to try to have a cute or stylish outfit on when you know that you are going to sweat through it-BUT I've found my way around it with oversized button downs.  I la-la-love tying them in a knot at the bottom and pairing them with something high waisted.    It gives enough breathing room so that I don't feel like my clothes are sticking to me (such a gross feeling) and still looks flattering and feminine (and a little sassy, IMO).  

Everything (aside from the jewelry) is thrifted.  My shirt and skirt are from Goodwill and the purse is from Thrift City.   If you can't tell I absolutely love button down shirts.  They're just so versatile.  And I stay true to the notion of stripes and polka dots are chic and timeless. 

The thing I love about every piece of clothing in this outfit is how easy it is to change them up.  I wear the blouse to work with a high waisted pencil skirt.  The denim skirt (a vintage GAP find) really needs no explanation on its versatility.  

Hope that you enjoyed this post and that you all are staying cool this summer!  Be sure to follow my instagram @CynthiaEdee for more updates.  

-C

Copy Cat-Lingerie

So I'm going to be doing something that a lot of other thrift bloggers do-Copy!  Copy, Inspired By, Looks Exactly Like, etc. etc.  I'm going to be taking things that I see from my fav. celebs and magazine (People Style) and copy catting them on here.  So let's get started!

As I was thumbing through my latest issue of People Style I saw this:

This is what inspired me to start doing my own copy cats.  I saw this ad and thought, "Hey, that reminds me of that Victoria's Secret lingerie that I bought at Goodwill for $3.99!"  Then it's like a light bulb went off.  BING!  I realized that I should be posting this kind of content on here.

Anyway-getting off track-I know, I know getting lingerie second hand can seem "gross" but trust me, I wash EVERYTHING! And in the case of the lingerie I did not try it on at the store.  I kind of pressed it against myself to get an indication of if it would fit or not.

If you look at the prices on the bra and undie set you'll see that it's almost $100 for each item!  Yikes!  Here's what I found at Goodwill for a teensy weensy fraction of the price:

Total ballerina vibes!  It's cute, sexy, feminine, classy, everything!

Hope you enjoyed this Copy Cat post!

-CE

Pumpkin Patch with Zooey Inspiration

It's no secret that I fancy Zooey Deschanel's style, especially her character, Jess Day, from New Girl.  Feminine, quirky, vintage, modern, everything she wears in that show is gold to me.  Case in point:

This is a simple look, no doubt, but she still looks cute.  A simple baseball tee with denim and riding boots make for an easy to imitate ensemble.

I actually found this blouse at Goodwill a few months ago and knew that I had to have it to replicate Zooey's look.

As much as I'm a self-proclaimed "fall season lover" I've actually never been to a pumpkin patch!  Can you believe that?  So today as Isaac and I were finishing our brunch we decided that had to change.  I googled "pumpkin patch San Antonio" and viola, there was one less than ten minutes from where we were.  Luckily enough we had the whole place to ourselves!

I did not end up wearing my pair of riding boots because it's still 90 degrees here so I went with my gold Fiesta Feed huaraches, again.

Aren't we cute?!  This is such a cliche type of photo but I don't care.  My sunnies are from Goodwill and if you're wondering about my jeans they're thrifted, as well.  They're Paige Denim and I got them at Savers in Austin, Tx.

Hope you enjoyed and can't wait to take more fall style pics!

-CE

Midi Midi Bom Bom

Midi skirts are very in right now.  They're classy, flirty, fun, and give a very 1940s vibe.  The top picture is a mannequin moment at H&M that I fell in love with.  However, being who I am paying full price for a skirt that will only come out of my closet every now and then wasn't on my agenda.  Thus to the thrift store!

I found this black and grey skirt at Goodwill instantly knew I had found MY midi skirt.  At the store I paired it with the white blouse with the sequin Peter Pan collar but that wasn't the right match for me. In my closet I already had this red crop top from Express and that made the perfect combo.

The shoes are from Forever21 and can be found here.  Right now they're only $12 online but very limited sizing.  I bought mine full price in store (ugh) and ended up going back to find a pair for my mom!

Very content with this outfit and the fact that the dress and skirt were under $10 together!

-CE

Unconventional Tips

There are countless websites from fellow thrift bloggers that have their top tips for thrift shopping and most of them are the same.  "Take hand sanitizer." "Don't go too often."  "Go frequently."  "Search the entire store."  "Be open minded."

While I agree with most of these tips here are a few of my unconventional ones:

• When trying clothes on turn away from the mirror until you're fully dressed.  Only then turn around and your first impression of your outfit should be your deciding factor.  
• Reason why: I've wasted hundreds of dollars purchasing clothing items because they were inexpensive and they fit, not because they were going to add value to my wardrobe.  
• Be true to your style self.  
• See reason why above.  So many times I've thought "This is an expensive way for me to venture past my style comfort zone." and you know what-in the end I've never end up wearing what I bought.  
• Don't waste your time.  
• Reason why: Thrifting can be overwhelming and a lot to take in so might as well omit what I already know I don't like. I know what colors I don't like on me: green, brown, grey, orange.  I will not look at clothing in those colors.  I also don't wear sleeveless too often so I tend to skip that area, as well.  That way I don't tempt myself into buying something that is going to just sit in my closet.
• Shop out of season.
• Reason why: People are cleaning out their closets from any season besides the one that they're in.  I've found my best coats and sweaters in the smack dab middle of summer.  I mean 100 degree weather and I'm buying the cutest sweaters and most elegant coats.  Same goes for summer clothes.
• Have a system.
• Reason why: To keep yourself from getting sucked in and overwhelmed.  My personal routine goes as follows: Shoes, accessories, belts, dresses, long sleeve, short sleeve, sleep, jewelry/accessories.  I can't tell you why but this is what works for me.  
• Always been inspired.
• Be inspired from watching movies, reading books, reading magazines (my personal fave is people and style), people watching, bloggers, etc. and make a list of things you'd like to buy.  Have pics on your phone of outfits that you like and see if you can replicate them.  Fashion trends repeat themselves every two decades so you're bound to find something from a certain era that inspires you.  

So those are a few of my unconventional tips!  Hope that you enjoyed these.  Let me know in the comments section if you have any other fun thrifting tips and be sure to follow my instagram CynthiaEdee!

-CE

Fall Checklist Item #1

Does anyone else make a checklist of the items they want to add to their wardrobe for upcoming seasons?  I can't be the only one.  So far my fall checklist is pretty small.  Maybe because I have so much thrifted fashion from last year...  Either way-a couple of items on my list are a chunky oversized knit cardigan (preferable in autumn orange), mules, herringbone tights, and a denim dress.

I don't know if I consider eBay "thrifting" but either way I wasn't having any luck at the local Goodwills so I turned to eBay.com.  Within five minutes of searching I came across this vintage Tommy Hilfiger denim dress in my size!

Ordering on ebay (or online in general) is a game of Russian Roulette.  Will or won't it fit?  Sometimes people's item descriptions are incorrect or the flash (or no use of flash) distorts the color.  Luckily the dress came in quickly and true to the description.  I still want to take it in in the waist to give it more shape, but eh, in time.

I think this is such a great fall stable.  It's good with heels (I know that you can't see my heels well in these photos but my instagram husband wasn't having it.) and I think it'll look great with my thrifted suede boots!

Here's another group question: who else feels weird taking mirror selfies?!  I snapped my mirror photo at the movie theater while I was taking a bathroom break (and an anxiety break from the movie IT!) Thankfully I was alone so I was able to take a few quick pics but the embarrassment if someone were to walk in!

What are a few of your favorite fall items?

-CE

Made a quick stop to Goodwill after work today and scored these two handbags.  

The straw bag will probably stay in my closet until next summer but either way it was only $3.99 and I love that it's a simple yet powerful statement bag.

The second bag is an interesting find.  It's by a brand called A Risque Handbag and it's from the 60s.  Crazy thing is that this bag literally looks like it's never been used.  

All-in-all some pretty cool finds at goodwill today.

-CE

Denim Skirt Power

Who here has multiple denim skirts in their closest? Me! Me!  A good denim skirt is a staple for yearlong style.  With its versatility and ease of pairing with a blouse denim skirts show no sign of stopping their momentum.

Shirt: Hey Guata.

Skirt: Gap via Old Navy

Belt: No brand via Old Navy

Shoes: Fiesta Feet

Today was a pretty simple day of running a few errands on my day off.  I decided to wear my La Feminist tee from Hey Guata.  Check them out for a humorous spin on the beloved Loteria game we grew up with.  I paired with a belt and my gold huaraches from Fiesta Feet.  Mine are The Gatsbys and they're true to size.

I'm a sucker for a good tee but hate wearing them with jeans so a denim skirt is a perfect way for me to wear my tees but still maintain a feminine and fun look.

How do y'all like to style your denim skirts?

Blue Gingham

Started my morning off eating a pb&j in bed with Isaac and then taking our dogs to the dog park.  Oliver and Garcia are both rescues so socializing them with other dogs and humans is a good exercise for them.  

The weather is starting to become beautiful in San Antonio.  Light, breezy and cool in the mornings and evenings but still a little warm in the day time.  Since we were going to the park in the morning I paired a blue gingham button down blouse with rinse colored high waisted shorts and boat shoes since I was going to be in grass and dirt.  

I believe in balance in an outfit.  Since I am long and lanky I do feel that I can show unintentionally show a lot of skin.  Mind you not provocative skin but just a lot of skin and limbs in general.  

 If I wear shorts exposing a lot of leg I wear longer sleeves and vice versa. 

The only item of clothing "thrifted" in this outfit is the gingham blouse.  A co-worker of mine's daughter and I are the same size and she didn't want this blouse anymore so I snagged it for FREE!  Makes it even prettier, right?!

Fall is definitely my time of year.  My sense of fashion becomes keener and more stylish.  I was made for fall.  The colors, the feelings, the textures and patterns. Swoon!

Can't wait to show y'all more of my styling throughout the season!

-CE

The 70s Called...

I know I haven't been updating!  Shame on me. I had to get a new phone and redownload all of my apps-blogger included.

So now that I've got it back I'm going to try to update more often from my cell. 

Last night's look was a total 70s vibe. It's no secret that I'm very inspired by that decade so that style comes naturally to me. 

Aren't these sunnies amazing!!  I found them at Goodwill (duh) and knew I had to have them. They're a little "out there" for me but weren't the 70s all about being "far out"? See what I did there??  Anyway-I loved the detailing on these glasses and they tied my whole look together last night. 

Floral romper: Marshalls 

Sunnies and clutch: Goodwill

Shoes: Amiclubwear.com 

Talk soon!

-C

To San Antonio, With Love

Top: No brand from Goodwill

Skirt: Francesca's from Goodwill

Shoes: Bakers from Goodwill

Purse and Belt: No brand from Goodwill

Ain't nothing I don't love about you, San Antonio.  xxoo

You're Gold, Baby, Solid Gold

Blouse: No brand-Goodwill

Gold Clutch: No brand-Goodwill

Jeans-Holliser Co.

Shoes: Bakers-Goodwill

I love this shirt!  It reminds me of one that I saw at Zara a few years ago that came in solid blue and solid gold.  I bought the blue one and my friend Jennise bought the gold one and I was always secretly jealous that I didn't snag the gold one for myself also.  Fast forward a few years and picture my excitement as I found an exact replica (actually it was probably the original before Zara replicated it) of that gold top Jennise bought.  Yup!

Fun & Flowy

Dress: $5.99 @ Goodwill

Shoes: $5.99 @ Goodwill

Purse: $4 @ Thrift City

-C

Sunny Days

   Blouse: Forever 21 $4.29 @ goodwill 

Shorts: Forever 21 $14.99 @ forever 21

Belt: no brand $1.50 @ goodwill

Purse: no brand $3.99 @ Thrift City 

Shoes: Steve Madden $19.99 @ DSW

DIY: Vintage Tees

I mentioned it before that I've been very into wearing vintage (or semi-vintage) tees with handkerchiefs.  Half of the battle is finding a vintage tee that isn't..well...nasty.  I mean staining, rips, holes, sweat, etc.  It's not the tee's fault, they're supposed to be worn and have adventures and keeping them in pristine condition is difficult.

Cue pinterest!  The holy grail for all things DIY!  I'm a sucker for an interesting DIY so I decided to try the brining a shirt in salt water for three days and before I go on a loooooong explanation let me save you the time:

I'd give this DIY 2 out of 5 stars. And here's why:

The shirt I started off with was semi-starchy and by the time I let it sit for three days it was a little less semi-starchy.  Was it revolutionary?  Nope  Will I try it again? Maybe.  But all in all, not impressed.  

The Coca Cola already had a vintage feel so I didn't brine it.  The Camp Humane shirt was brined and is still semi-starchy. 

Sigh.  Well, either way I'll still keep an eye out for vintage tees at Goodwill and share them with y'all.  And I'll share more of my DIY projects!

-C

Austin Getaway

Lately I've been very into vintage tees and handkerchief neck ties.  It gives such a kick to a plain t-shirt and jeans ensemble.  This past weekend Isaac and I were lucky to have the weekend off together so we made an impromptu visit to Austin.  

True story: The other day when I was thrifting I saw a guy wearing a vintage Coca Cola tee and I thought, "Man, I want one so I can wear with ripped jeans and the white handkerchief then POOF!  Literally at the next store I go to I find one!  

I usually typically don't wear t-shirts but for some reason they've been on my radar lately. Thrifting tip: look in the men's section for cool graphic tees.  Sorry ladies, as much of an equalist I am women's graphic shirts just aren't as cool.  Plus at my Goodwill women's graphic shirts are $4.29 while men's graphic shirts are $2.99.  Injustice.  

All in all, great weekend!

Challenge

Lately I've been really feeling crop tops with high waisted bottoms.  I know that this isn't a new trend but for some reason a lot of my outfits lately have been revolving around this look.  Probably because of the warmer weather.

I'm guilty of constantly online window shopping and as I was looking at outfits of my liking the prices kept discouraging me.  Plus after watching a documentary called The True Cost I've stopped a lot of my fast fashion spending.  Honestly, my bank account has thanked me for being a more savvy shopper and my style hasn't had to take a nose-dive since I've become a thrift shopper.

Here are some of my two-piece inspo pics:

Now I'm not saying that I can find these EXACT outfits whilst thrifting but I think I can find something similar.  I'm off from work this weekend so I'll try to set aside some time to find a replica of any of these outfits.  Wish me luck!

-C

Must Listens

So for once this won't be about my thrifted fashion but something else that is budget friendly...FREE PODCASTS!

As much of a happy-go-lucky person that I am I enjoy a good whodunnit, mystery, suspense, omg-i-have-to-know-what's-going-to-happen-next story.  I've discovered two podcasts (that are FREE!) that deliver just that:

My boss introduced me to S-Town (and to podcasts, all together) and I fell in love.  I listened to this one in a single day (granted I was driving to Dallas so I had a lot of time) and it started off a little slow but once I was hooked, I was hooked.  Each episode is about an hour long and each one is different from the one before.  What I enjoyed the most is that within each episode you're introduced to new characters and plots that it feels like you're listening to a completely other podcast but they all connect.  Does that make sense? Either way-loved it.

Now this one is my favorite!  It took less than ten minutes for me to be completely obsessed with it.  Researching the case, trying to find any detail I could in the photos of her house, talking about it all the time with Isaac.  What's makes this even more cool is that the investigation is still happening!  Ahh!!!

What are some of your favorite podcasts?