Gosh, I always wanted a dresser like this.  I always dreamed of having one in a light pink bedroom with huge silk curtains...and I guess I will keep dreaming because even though I purchased this dresser for thirty dollars, I did not have a use for it.  My little sister jumped on it like  it was hot.  This makeover ensued....

I forgot to take an actual picture, but it looked roughly like this with about 20 years of dirt on it.

That's right people!!  I have fed my addiction to thrift stores once more!  I purchase this pair of Pura Lopez leather Girona pumps worth over $200 for $1.50.  Savers is such an enabler....

Now let's talk about thrifting.  When I first start to post things about my little adventures in bargain shopping, some people I know were a little embarrassed that I was making it public knowledge that I loved going to *gasp* Good Will.  I don't care. For many reasons....

1.  I thought for sure no one would read this blog.  Especially not people I knew (which I really appreciate :)...although now I know to keep things G-ish...as opposed to the scandalous blog it was before- HA!). 

2.  Everybody's doin' it.  This is why I do most things in life.  Just kidding...but seriously.  In this economy, if I wanted to buy a J Crew sweater as an unemployed undergraduate student, I just couldn't do it.  Why lie about where I get things?  Yes, you may not think it's alright to shop thrift, but I have the same shirt as you, and I paid $1.

3.  Adrenaline.  There's nothing like walking up to a big pile of trash and walking away with an item you know is worth hundreds of dollars.  I mean, my heart just starts racing.  I break into spontaneous dance.  I call everyone I know, send pictures, and ask them if they like my item.  If they say yes, I respond with BAM FIFTY CENTS SUCKA! ...yes...I am that cool person...

4.  The pink dress...This, my friends, was the tipping point.  Before the pink dress, I had only had a taste of thrifting.  Of all the thrift stores in all the land, I had to see this pink dress.  You see, I saw this pink dress at Express.  It was perfection that pepto bismol threw up all over in a wonderful way.  I saved my pennies.  I didn't even bake cupcakes that month, and then I bought the dress for more than I want to share.  About a month later, I was browsing through the racks at a Good Will, and I saw it:  my pink dress.  It was new with tags for eight dollars.  So.  Much.  Horror.

5.  The Fun Factor.  I don't usually leave with items.  It can sometimes take me more than an hour just to browse through dresses.  I only try stuff on that I absolutely love.  Since things are second-hand, I have to really love them to leave with them.  Also, when I try clothes on, I usually keep an undershirt and shorts on.

6.  Quality.  Where else am I going to get professional, lined dresses for $3.  Sure, some of these need alterations, but, for the most part, I can do it myself or outsource to my favorite seamstress, mommy.  I do not buy worn-out shirts and pants.  Cheap, nice t-shirts is what Marshalls is for.  Often, you can buy gorgeous pants and dresses at thrift stores from Anne Taylor and the lot, still with tags on.  It is like winning a small lottery for my heart.

My name is Linda and I have an addiction to thrift stores.  Typically, I look for something specific until I find exactly what I want, like this black dresser from target that I bought new in box for $50.00 at Good Will instead of over $100 at the store.  Thank you Good Will!!

Other days you arrive and find something so special that you have to purchase it.  That little brass duck is a stapler!!  How cool is that?!  I call him Quackers, and he is my precious.  He doubles as a door stopper when I need him to, and, more importantly, he never pees on the corners of things like my other little Ducky...

The painting over the dresser was a garage sale find.  I had to fight a woman over it.  There were other people there, watching.  People chimed it.  Others took sides.  Things got really ugly.  My side had more supporters, though.  In the end, I walked away triumphantly with a painting that is taller than I am, and eventually my supporters had to help me move it because a strong gust of wind threatened to take me down.  It was completely worth it.  Best five dollars I ever spent...

 Top:  Express- $9

Bottom:  Victoria's Secret- $6

Boots:  Gifted

I bought some black pants from MJRSales.com, which is closed now.  I shed some tears, but ultimately, you just have to let the things you love go, and if they come back, it's meant to be....Okay I kid, but they did close the web site which is awesome because I would get all sweaty and itchy when I saw something I wanted and the urge to yell CHARGGGEEE IITTT would creep up like a clingy ex-boyfriend...I digress...

I bought these pants in a size that was too big for me, and since it was the second time I ordered them (the first time I got them four sizes too small), I decided to take them to my favorite seamstress.  I have mentioned her here before.  I call her Mom, and she basically works for free.  All I have to do is give out some kisses and bake some goodies, which I do anyway.

She took in the inside seam of the pants and eureka!!  They are fixed!!   The first picture really does not show exactly how hideous and unflattering they looked on me, but I assure you they were extremely tight on the ankles and loose everywhere else.  Weird.

On another more serious note, as this semester draws to a close, I am really starting to hyperventilate.  I generally put silly little things on here because my original intention with the blog was to use it as a means to dress better or ummm...reduce the ratio of sweat pants to normal clothes I used in the week (reduce not eliminate..I am a student after all), but I think I may actually include some more personal information every once in a while. 

I have to apply to graduate school.  I feel like a giant is sitting on my chest.  Please, won't someone take me...I have to make a decision that will affect the rest of my life, including the relationships I have with those that I love.  I am freaking out.  Also, I am a really shy person.  People like to describe themselves as shy very liberally, but I get anxiety attacks just walking in front of a classroom.  As a result, I doubt professors know my name, even if I do have good grades, so for the next two weeks, I will be visiting professors in their office hours attempting to establish some sort of relationship so I can get letters of recommendation.  HOW DID I LET THIS HAPPEN?!?  Thank God it's the weekend already....time to set up a plan of action.  I may have to bake a lot of cakes next week for uh, bribing and stuff.  

Anyway, have a great weekend everyone!

I guess I could have chosen a lovelier title, but, honestly, I am too excited!!!  This weekend I stopped at a local thrift store and found the most amazing thing, but I am getting ahead of myself.  First things first.

My Persian cat is the sweetest creature on this side of the Mississippi.  I love her to bits, but I can't stand her cat litter (tracking, the smell, it's ugly...the smell), and letting her go outside is simply not an option.  She would be easily stolen, and she has zero survival instinct.

Because I hate the litter issue so much, I bought this gorgeous creature:

It has worked valiantly for over four years.  Sadly, it is starting to malfunction, and a lot of stinkiness has ensued.  Gross.

Additionally, in the new home that I am living in, the bathroom is teeny tiny, and it takes up way too much room.  I have decided to retire it to the attic for a bit.  Threatening its life always seems to reset it back to working mode anyway...do you hear me robot?!

In the meantime, I have been using pine pellets ($6 for about 50 lbs.), which are amazing.  I have tried two types, the kitty pellets sold at an escalated price at places like Petsmart and the pine pellets sold for horse bedding in feed stores.  Both have the same exact results, so I have continued to buy the humongous bags from a feed store. 

I clean the litter box frequently, and there is no smell.  THANK GOD!!!  ...but it still looks ugly....so, sooo ugly.

On my trip to the thrift store today to look for a new desk chair, I found this lovely litter box cover shoved under some tables and covered in boxes.

I always though it was sleek and gorgeous, but, honestly, I was not in a hurry to spend close to $300 on a box.  I purchased mine for $15!!!  Now, I don't have to look at gross litter box every time I enter the bathroom.

Source

Sweater:  The Limited via mjrsales

Shirt:  Old Navy

Shoes:  Collin Stuart for Victoria's Secret via mjrsales

Pants:  Gifted

Belt:  J Crew- Thrifted

There is some sort of air conditioning conspiracy going on in the house...my room is like a sauna during the day, but the kitchen is SOO COLD that I have to wear sweaters...or my favorite I-look-homeless pink robe.  If you have ever come to visit me, you know exactly which robe I am talking about...Mainly this robe comes out when I am studying, which is exactly what I am doing right now.  Finals are this week and the next, so minimal thought was put into anything but phonetics.

Also, I am thinking these pants are a little too baggy on me.  The dreaded 'mom butt' came out in some of the pictures...Those were destroyed immediately, never to be seen again, but I'll tell 'ya, these jeans are so ridiculously comfortable...This is how people turn.  Please remember this moment as the moment in time that I decided to start purchasing a more 'mature' wardrobe.  Hmm...I wonder how comfortable pleated jeans are....

I think I am not alone  when I say we have all seen a dress like this:

These dresses are a dime a dozen at thrift/vintage stores and while I am a lover of all things cheap and get such a kick from finding amazing things for pennies, puff sleeves do not look well on about 90% of the population...although I have seen some drop dead gorgeous, model-looking ladies WORKING these on the street.  Because a model I am not, whenever I see these, I make an ACK sound and walk away-- that is until I saw a blue, gold studded Liz Claiborne dress.  It was lined and fit me perfectly, except for its puffy sleeves made me feel like I could flap my arms and fly.  For about five dollars, my seamstress chopped off the sleeves and instantly upgraded my dress into a modern piece.  Next time, I think I will keep a small cap sleeve, but for now, I love this dress.  I really wish I had taken pictures of what it looked like before. 

Dress:  Liz Claiborne- Thrifted via Goodwill

Shoes:  Guess via Ross

In other news, I am thinking of firing my little assistant...He runs around like he has ants in his pants.  I know this isn't Vogue but some degree of professionalism would be nice...


Link Parties:
Six Sisters' Stuff

Mine for the Making

You know those days when you wake up and you just want to put on your dancing shoes?  Well today is not one of those days for me.  In fact, I may very well stay in my pajamas all day and only venture into the kitchen for cheese...that's enough to keep me alive right?  On days like these, I like to find some sort of inspiration to gather the energy to get up and do something productive (grab a good book and crawl back under the covers).  Today, I use my little sister as my inspiration. 

Dress:  Borrowed from Me- Thrifted and altered

Shoes:  Target

A little about the dress:

When I saw this dress on Asos, I knew it would be perfect for my little sister's upcoming high school graduation party.  Unfortunately, as a college student, it was just not in the budget.  It was either the dress or Ramen and we all know the obvious answer to that problem....TO THE THRIFT STORE!!!  After searching at several different locations, I found a size ten twin of the Asos beauty for $2 and literally jumped up and down.  You know you're being odd when the lady wearing a Christmas sweater in the Texas summer looks at you funny as she continues to argue with herself.  A quick trip to the seamstress and $10 later, I had my dress!!!  It is so stunning in person that my little sister begged me to borrow it for a graduation dance.  This dress is too beautiful to just sit in a closet, so I had to say yes.  Besides, she is gorgeous in it, is she not?