// #thriftstylethursday // Au Natural

This week's Thrift Style Thursday theme is Au Natural brought to us by Kristi of Delightfully Kristi. And I struggled with it! She said to choose your favorite earthy tones and I just wasn't liking what I was putting together...until I saw this dress! I'd had it packed away for the winter, but my husband needed a suitcase for a conference and had dumped (not really dumped...stacked neatly on the bed) my things out. Thank goodness, because I was ready to give up! 

I paired it with a pair of leather heeled boots, a wooden bead necklace, a wooden bangle, and my antique store engagement/wedding ring.

Then I decided that because it's definitely still coolish weather, I'd add in a bit of color with this forest green casual jacket. And now I could be a tree! ;)

The dress is H&M (thrifted), the boots are some italian leather make that I thrifted, the bangle is thrifted, the necklace is salvaged from an old dress, and the jacket was purchased a few years back at Marshall's or TJMaxx. I actually love how this look turned out and wish I had a date night coming up and warm enough evening weather to wear it! It'll do with my more casual riding boots, and warmer jacket and some shopping totes for today because I wanna go thrifting!

Now, head on over to each of the other ladies' blogs by clicking on their pictures to see what they came up with for this week's theme :) And there's still time to enter our TST Giveaway by clicking over to this post.

Peace, Andrea

// #thriftstylethursday // Luck of the Irish

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day with the theme Luck of the Irish for this week's Thrift Style Thursday post. Thank you Beth of Bethie the Boo for picking my favorite color :). Though, for being my favorite color, green probably features less than other colors in my wardrobe. I've been on a big blue kick lately. Anywho, back to the green!

I picked one of my fav (and one of yours as well based on post views) thrifted refashion projects. The Green Granny Silk blouse I made over earlier last year. It's easy and a little oversized and flowy...perfect kind of silk blouse, in my opinion. I chose a pair of skinny gray cords I bought on clearance that have fun zipper details at the hip and ankle.

Then, I figured that even though I'm just kicking around the apartment today cursing the weather that calls for more snow tomorrow, I may as well accessorize a tiny bit, and picked out a pair of earrings that were a gift from my husband purchased from a local maker, and a pair of thrifted moccasins.

I think the earrings definitely bring it up a notch ;).

For my actual St. Patty's Day outfit, I only went with a small touch of green in the form of my doily diy shoe makeover found here.

The shoes along with a comfy chambray, white tank and thrifted skinny jeans seemed like just enough of a good thing.

Now go over and check out all the green-inspired thrifted fashions the ladies came up with!

Peace, Andrea

// #thriftstylethursday // An Unexpected Match

Let's all close our eyes and imagine that it is NOT snowing (yet again), that winter is NOT fighting tooth and nail to hold on to what is clearly a losing battle...well, maybe it's not SO clear seeing as it IS snowing, New Jersey IS under a state of emergency, my son IS home from school on a snow day, and I am NOT taking outdoor photos...yet again. Meh. MEH. Ok, mini rant over. Moving on.

I'm pretty excited about this week's Thrift Style Thursday theme "Unexpected Match" brought to us by our very own Martyna of Spoolish! I planned to have something picked out ahead of time. I planned to take photos and have everything all set to post first thing...but life happens and EVERYBODY gets sick and I'm lucky that I'm posting this at all. Cause I've got a pile of dishes, several of laundry, and just as many donation piles laying around. Sheesh, what a complainer I am today! Moving on FOR REAL.

Sometimes, a little pressure is just what you need to push you in the right direction. Sometimes planning is just way overrated. Today's pieces are the perfect example:

Yes, pieces. This is a two-piece dress + top that I picked up months ago from my local thrift store. It was new with tags and priced at $12, but of course I didn't pay $12, I paid $6 on 50% days. The color isn't unexpected, nor the fabric, but the size is at 16W and how easy it is to fix! I expected to take it apart and remake it into something completely different, but not this time.

I started out by putting on the dress. Next I grabbed an extra long elastic belt and a favorite necklace (both thrifted). I wrapped the belt around my waist twice and then put on my necklace. Really, that's all! I adjusted the gathering at the waist a bit, but otherwise, it really was as simple as that! (See last Friday's Quick 'Fix' for another example of this easy fix for an oversized dress.)

I love how this looks...so my style! And seeing as we're pretending that it is NOT snowing and winter HAS given up, why not style it for summer! My sandals were bought on clearance at Target a few years back.

Next up was the top. I simply removed the shoulder pads. That's it. I know, crazy how sometimes doing the least is really all it takes.

I tied up the sides of the top (there are side slits to allow this) and put on my refashioned distressed denim, kept the same sandals, and then threw on a stack of thrifted bracelets and cuffs. The top has its own built-in jewelry, so I didn't feel anything else was needed.

And with the sides untied, it has a fun hemline to give it added interest. I love the oversized look, but my only question is, do I keep the beaded fringe on the front or remove it and use it for something else...say a necklace in a similar form? I'm tempted because then both the top and the new necklace would be much more versatile.  Opinions please! I'd also consider taking off the sleeves at some point, which would then require taking in the sides under the arm just a bit, but I'll hold off on that until I wear it this way a few times.

Here's the before and after of the MAJOR transformations ;).

Now it's time to go check out all of the other Unexpected Matches that the Thrift Style Thursday ladies put together! I've seen some lovely dresses so far, and can't wait to check them all out!!! And don't forget to show these ladies some love with your words of encouragement and praise :).

Wanna join the fun? Come check us out at Thrift Style Thursday and message us if you're up for the week to week posts! If you'd like to join in a much more casual way, just tag your Instagram photos with #thriftstylethursday and we'll all be able to check them out! Next week's theme is Thrift Haul: share and style your favorite (or most recent) thrift scores!
Peace, Andrea