Thriftanista in the City

A few weeks ago, I attended a blogger preview for the Ninja Cooking System . We wined and dined at the Wooden Spoon . New York Times bestselling author and slow cooking  expert goddess Stephanie O'Dea  was our hostess with the mostest. All food served was made using the Ninja and it was delicious!  Me and Stephanie Are you familiar with the Ninja Cooking System? Not only is it a slow cooker, it can also be used as an oven and stovetop. It even steam roasts and bakes! As a super awesome bonus to the evening, we each received a Ninja of our very own. Yay!!! When I went to the preview, I knew it would make my life easier. I have a hard time in the kitchen with V underfoot. I usually start preparing my meals hours ahead of time because I know I will have to stop several time to attend to her needs for diaper changes, random food, book reading, tickles, and such. Once I finally crank out a meal, I have a crap load of dishes to wash and smutz to clean...

I went thrifting on Monday. I decided to brave the madness that is Unique's 50% Mondays. Wearing layers and leggings are a must. There are no changing rooms. My bag is huge and not thrift appropriate at all. I can no longer pack light for my excursions. I broke my own rule . I have to take a V "happy and dry" kit including water, snacks, diapers, wipes, and change of clothes. Surprisingly, I'm not wearing anything thrifted on this trip. Violet's ready to go. Maybe one more (with a lovely view of the alley) while she's all strapped in. headband // fabric store sweater // TJ Maxx tee // NY & Co leggings // NY & Co wedge boots // Corso Como bag // 1154 Lill Want to see what I snagged? I vlogged it! In other news and shameless plugs.... I have 3 more passes left for the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. Just leave a comment on the ChiTAG post to enter the giveaway. I'm a Lucky Contributor and would lo...

 Warning: Seriously grainy photos ahead. Now that the temps have dropped, I'm testing indoor locations. Time for me to move back inside. I don't know if I'll be organized enough to go outside without my coat on. Dress V in warm clothes. Take pictures. Retrieve coat and head back out for the day.  This is the first location I'm trying out. I'm in the hallway of the basement. There's good light that comes through all of the windows. You can't tell by the photos. I wore this mom casual look before the bottom fell out on Thursday. It went from 75 degrees to 45 degrees in one day *tears*.  V has 1 hour of play school in the morning and I don't like her (or myself) to miss out on that hour separation. Naturally we were running late so no opportunity there unless I'm willing to go full on fash blogger taking pictures in interesting "offsite" locations. Which I'm not. When we came back home, it was time for a nap so it ...

I'm about to go random and out the box on you. I've been pretty good about sticking with my niche. A year or so ago, I was pretty random all the time. If you're new here, you missed it! Back then I had a handful of musing on the law of attraction . Today, I'm sharing a story that feeds my belief in  Ask. Believe. Receive. City Winery is new to the Chicago area and I had been wanting to check it out after watching a segment of 190N which prompted me to check out the website. On the website, a particular concert caught my eye. It was Acoustic Africa with Manou Gallo (of Zap Mama )! I'm a huge fan of Zap Mama so naturally I wanted to go. Since I spend all of my money thrifting (kidding, a little), I knew the tickets were not in my budget. Next I went to their fan and twitter page because I wanted to keep track of upcoming news. That's where I read that they were giving away tickets to the show. I entered and won! See how that works? I devoted a lot of energy ...

Over the weekend, I held an Upcyclying Party for the Thriftanista Social Club . I invited members over for snacks and a chance to work on those unfinished thrift projects. Do you have those? The pair of jeans you want turn into skinnies. The buttons that need to be changed. The top you want to dye. My project of choice was to recycle fabric from a vintage muumuu I've had for years. I decided to use some of the fabric to make a bib necklace. A gigantic brightly colored bib necklace. It's been cut down a lot. If you follow me on social media then you've probably seen this already. I'm so proud of my accomplishment I've been wearing it all the time. It was my first time making jewelry. It was pretty simple to make. The flower took a bit longer because I needed a whole punching tool. I later discovered from other crafters that what I needed was a Crop-A-Dile . It is now on my Christmas list. I created my holes using a needle and a seam ripper to stretch...

I ran out for a quick trip to the grocery store. In an effort to bring a little bit of summer into fall, I pulled out the maxi dress I bought during the 75% off sale at Salvation Army . I layered up with a sweater, ankle boots, scarf, leggings, and a slip. Topping things off with a jean jacket. Turns out I didn't need so many layers for a balmy 68 degrees. I was hot! I never know with this city. I've stepped out into an icebox many a time fooled by technicolor sunshine.  Note to self: buy a longer slip.    sunglasses // edge i wear / thrifted clutch wallet // Coach / thrifted scarf // handmade in Kenya / street vendor maxi dress // Target / thrifted sweater // Gap / consignment shop ankle boots // Born / Macys

I went to Unique on Friday. I had a $10 off of $25 coupon that I wanted to use. I went in looking for sweaters and came out with blouses and boots. The blouses are all silk poly with great color. It wasn't exactly my vision but I'm pleased with what I found. I have to say though...is it me or are prices going up at your local thrift store? Still a good deal but... What I thrifted Miz Mooz boots I love these boots. They are exactly what I need in my life. I hope to find a pair of my own some day (vlog reference). red peplum blouse The draping on this blouse is great plus there's a peplum! green khaki tunic from Chico's I don't understand Chico's sizing at all but this top has an amazing fit. It's close fitting but it doesn't hug the fluffy bits. fuchsia Anne Klein blouse I love finding thrifted clothes with the tags still on them. Especially the older fashion. I'm just so curious about where they came from and how they ended up in a thrift store. I al...

On November 17 - 18th, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) will be at Navy Pier Festival Hall A. ChiTAG is the largest public toy and game show in the nation with over 250 exhibitors. Celebrating 10 years, the fair will be bigger than ever this year featuring: All Weekend Giant-sized games such as: Bananagrams, Perplexus, Doggie Doo, and Word on the Street Settlers of Catan North American Catan Championship Meet the Moshi Monsters Autographs from renowned toy and game inventors Free contests and game tournaments  Speed Stacks sport stacking demonstrations and tournament Saturday, November 17 Stars Wars Lunch  Official Illinois State Yo-Yo Contest  Top Trumps Guinness Book of World Records Attempt  Young Inventor Challenge  Sunday, November 18 Stage Performances from Radio Disney, Blues Clues LIVE!  Boy Scouts Top Trump Tournament Pony Royale Princess Party Click here for more de...

I do not need another black dress. Of course, that didn't stop me from grabbing this tunic dress from alice + olivia. Beaded sequins and rhinestones all intact and not one flaw. There is currently one for sale on ebay for $299 . If you are interested in purchasing mine, email me . Size: Medium Material: 97% silk and 3& lycra $75 (free shipping, USA only)

It has been found. I have never ever owned a denim jacket. Blazer yes. Jacket no. I've been looking for one to add to my closet. Lately, the prices for denim jackets at the thrift store seem to have skyrocketed with the trend. I found this one at Salvation Army today. Price tag? $11. Say what? Yes. $11. Luckily it was 50% so it didn't hurt me too bad. You know I like to stick to $3 and under. That's getting harder and harder to do. I liked the slanted pockets on this one so I grabbed it. Now that I've bought one I'm sure I will see 1,000 more that I like. Does that happen to you? My collar is wonky. #reallife This picture cracks me up. She's all about eating her goldfish and I'm trying to show my back. Photobomber Extraordinaire! denim jacket // Express / thrifted vintage chain purse // Modell Rowelt / thrifted khaki green tee // NY & Co. / thrifted cargo leggings // Express wedge boots // Corso Como / online Do you have a jean jacket in your closet?