Thriftanista in the City

I don't normally shop 50% off sales at the thrift store because of the crowds but the way the prices are rising, a sale day is worth the long lines. Luckily, I found a store that wasn't super packed. I guess everyone was firing up the grill for the unofficial beginning of summer. My thrift haul ended up being $36 but the retail value was over $900! I wasn't familiar with Charlotte Brody New York but when I picked this dress up I knew it was a designer piece. The fabric is good quality and the stitching inside is impeccable. If you turned the dress inside out it would be just as beautiful. I wasn't able to find this exact dress but others retail $500 on the website.

I love my vintage Sears lounging dress so much that I had to duplicate it. I made a simple maxi dress that's perfect for the heat.  It comes together super fast too. In fact, I made two. One for me and wee one for Violet. Violet's has my favorite side split and ties at each shoulder. Mine has pockets, ties at the back and a super wide flow.

I feel like I should be shaking up martinis to present to my husband after a hard day in this dress. It's home sewn so I can't tell what year it's from but the style is reminiscent of 50s day dresses. It was a surprising thrift store find.

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid®. Maintaining after weight loss is very much an ongoing challenge. I still have those same desires for decadent desserts and other fat snacks. It's especially difficult when summer rolls around and there are parties with barbecues, cocktails, and lots of ice cream to consume. I made homemade dragon fruit sorbet to help curb those desires. One of my weight loss tips is to binge smart . I don't deny myself all the treats. I've learned to balance them and when I feel the need to overindulge, I make sure there's a healthy snack to binge on.

Dyeing is super easy diy way to perk up a thrift store find. I found an old Jacquard iDye packet in my craft stash and used it to dye over a floral print dress that had some fading.

I tried not to sweat all over the dress but was unsuccessful. Even under my shady tree, it's pretty hot. The light green sherbet color of this shirtdress isn't keeping me particularly cool either. I'm always a little apprehensive when I buy cheap clothes on Amazon but this one turned out to be a winner. The polyester fabric doesn't absorb the sweat at all. Otherwise, I'm pretty pleased. Off the shoulder ruffles are my jam.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #Chardonnation #SpringWine #CollectiveBias Now that we are on the cusp of summer, it's time to come out of hibernation. Winter was all about cozying up in front of the fire with a good book or binge watching several tv shows. I'm so ready to invite our friends over for a listening party where we can share some hearty belly laughs. Good food. Good music. Good wine.

Mother's Day came a little early with a gifted Mamacita tank top from VooChic & Co Handcrafted Apparel. It's the perfect addition to my summer wardrobe. The fit is loose and comfortable. It's great for working out and cute to wear running around town. VooChic is all about being creative, unique and being your own brand. That's exactly what I added in this weekend casual mom look. I love how the tank looks paired with 80s inspired jeans and Kenyan beaded jewelry in today's outfit.

Thrifters see the beauty when others see the beast. An ugly thrift store find isn't always what it seems to be. When I thrifted this vintage dress last year , I was drawn to the gold trim, beautiful jade color and the $4 price. I knew the sleeves were a problem with the worn out elastic at the wrists. It was a tad big but I thought it could still work. It did! I made three simple changes that gave this dress the makeover it desperately needed.

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a new place is check out the thrift scene. Last year, I went to Austin and a lot of people recommended SoCo, a South Congress Austin neighborhood,  as the place to go. Admittedly, there are some amazing vintage store there but those perfectly curated collections come at a price. I did some searching and discovered a few stores that were were easier on the pockets and a great way to explore this gorgeous city. Treasure City Thrift (2142 E. 7th St) This store has a very cool vibe. Donations are received from the community. I was introduced to Korean R&B music here. I did not know that was even a thing. They have a free market and a monthly .25 sale! It's a small store and they claim to have the cheapest prices in Austin. I found the  sheer Kensie Girl swiss dot dress  here.