Thriftanista in the City

My DIY supplies from  Consumer Crafts  online craft store have arrived! I've been wanting to make something for weeks now but procrastinating on a supply trip. I scraped together a bunch of hodge podge materials to make a  bracelet  last week. Now I can make better ones and work on some other projects! Through February 4th, there's a sale going on so it's a good time to stock up. The more you buy, the more you save! This is a great way treenergize your space which is what I did. I bought supplies to compliment what I already had on hand and I ordered some experimental products. I combed the Craft Basics section thoroughly. I looked through every single kind of craft and put stuff in my cart and pulled stuff out of the cart until I found the perfect mix to last several craft attacks.  I'm on a jewelry making kick so I was specifically drawn to the  cord, thread & wire  category section. I also hung out with the  glitt...

I thrifted this midi skirt at Savers in Ohio on Black Friday. My plan was to shorten it to a length that works better for my body type. I put a pin in it where I wanted to cut it and dumped into the bag with the other items waited to be altered. For some reason I decided to rescue it and just wear it. Midi skirts aren't exactly a good length on short legs but whatever. On this day, I say "WHO CARES". I'm the only one that I need to please with my fashion sense. If I like it, it works. Am I right?  Besides, I've already offended E's eyeballs with the hot pink floral print. Man repellent alert! He loves me despite my lack of man sexy clothes. A lot of the time, I base my "look good" on rules that I've set after years of fashion magazine reading and listening to experts. I'm pushing 40 and it's getting way easier to say 'eff the rules! My legs may look like stumps but... I'm fabulous. My skirt i...

When I saw this 80s beauty at an estate sale , I fell in love with the sweatshirt trend. It's been around before. Jennifer Beals in Flashdance comes to mind as putting it on the fashion map. If I get bored with it, I can rip the shoulder seams open for an off the shoulder look. Yes? *looks around for approval and finds none* I like mine better though. I love this red. I've never seen such vibrant color and it is full of pow! It even has a nice pouch for warm hands and cell phone. The boat neck, white piping, and banded waist are nice details on an otherwise simple design. Of course, can't beat the price at $1.50! It sure is different from the sweatshirt from my college days. That one is FUGLY! It's pea green and stiff. It's not cool at all but its held up for nearly two decades so I keep it around. I only wear it when I'm bumming around the house. Never would I have imagined myself picking up one to wear and putting it with my real clothes a...

I'm sharing a beaded bracelet tutorial with you today. While Violet napped, I did a quick DIY using recycled and repurposed supplies. It's cold as fbomb out there! I haven't left the house in two day and my style file would consist of a muu muu or a velour robe. I have had this bracelet design rolling around in my head for a couple of weeks now. I keep saying I'll go get supplies but I haven't. I decided to go ahead and give it a try with what I have on hand. The Supplies: pliers wire cutters tree ornament hanger chain leftover from upcycling party jump rings also from the party beaded bracelets from a thrift store random bag o' junk clasp from a necklace I hadn't worn in a while I felt so MacGyver using the ornament hanger. Violet was playing with it and once she grew bored of it, I swiped it up! MacGyver moment #2..I used a Sharpie to turn my green "bead wire" gold. However it didn't last. The permanent marker...

It's a wrist soiree! January's giveaway is a set of 4 gently used but fabulous bracelets: 1 chain link bracelet 2 chain clasp bracelets 1 stretchable rhinestone bracelet Estimated value: $25+ I went to an estate sale over the weekend and found some great vintage costume jewelry. I was still on the hunt for what the giveaway would be. I was looking for something that represents Thriftanista in the City's main focus -- thrifting fabulous finds. I also wanted to find something that I would wear if no one enters the giveaway would appeal to most. The bracelets are old but they have a very current look so I hope you like them as much as I do. As you may know, I struggle in the accessories department. I usually become overwhelmed putting it all together and end up taking it all off. So, I am pretty pleased with how this group came together with all the textures, thicknesses, and shapes. I paired them with my standard mama attire - shirt and pants. I ...

Today's thrift haul is a mix of thrift store and estate sale finds. I'm back in binge thrift mode. I'm stocking up for the first Thriftanista Trunk Show Shopping Party. Now I can justify my addiction. I'm working out a date now to have it in my home. If you're local, you'll have to drop by for cocktails and shopping! There will be new and handmade goods as well. More details to come. In the meantime, check out the haul! The first 3 items are from estate sales. I spent $10 for a sweater, a blouse, and a belt. vintage 80s red sweatshirt I went to this sale looking for bedside tables and a food processor. I didn't find either but I did find this vibrant red sweatshirt. Sweatshirts are on trend right now and this one is so unique with the white piping trim and hand pouch. That's old school! Perfect with jeans, leggings, or even a pencil skirt. vintage 80's purple sequin blouse from See Lo Estate sale find #2. I yelped when I spott...

Little Miss Violet is a growing girl. Some mornings she seems noticeably taller like she grew a few inches in her sleep. She's been MC Too Tight for a while now. That's what I call her when she's wearing the 3/4 length sleeves and capri pants look. It's getting too cold for that! Time to pass on her too small clothes and add to her winter fashion closet. I began my search online with Cookie's Kids . They have 7 brick & mortar stores in Jamaica, Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn in New York as well as an online store. As you can probably guess, I went to CookiesKids.com to look around. Right away I noticed the large selection of fashion brands I've heard of like Baby Phat  clothing and North Face backpacks . They also have school uniforms and toys. I was surprised to find such a large selection for V's age. I thought it would be mostly school aged kids clothes. First and foremost, I looked for a coat. She has one coat that is too big and one that is too...