// #thriftstylethursday // Summer Nights

Date night doesn't happen often around here, but lately breakfast and lunch dates have been! So, when Kristi of Delightfully, Kristi challenged us to come up with a look for a date night (whether with our significant others or with the girls) I wanted to cover a more casual day look that would also translate to night as well...if such an event should happen anytime soon!

So, I decided to dive into my refashion stash since I had just the dress in mind for today's challenge. No before shots as it wasn't a major transformation, I simply took in the sides a bit to make it more fitted as it was about a size too big for me. Its a handmade dress I found at my local thrift store and I absolutely love the little gold diamond print on the basic black background.

For daytime, I decided on my denim jacket (not thrifted: Pilcro from Anthropologie) as it is a cooler day for us today. I picked out thrifted earrings and bangles, and an old pair of Payless flat sandals. Threw my hair in a topknot and if I get a little too warm, I can just take off the jacket and tie it at the waist!

For night, I added a yard sale multi-strand necklace, and switched out my flats for a pair of awesome thrifted wedges. The pattern on the wedge is pretty rad, and the black patent dresses things up just enough. Again, as the evening cools, the jacket goes back on!

Isn't the pattern on the dress just the cutest!?! So glad I decided to pull it out and tackle this easy fix. It took me under 30 minutes and now I've got a super versatile dress to add into my wardrobe (which after some drastic cuts is still abundant ;) lol).

What have the other ladies come up with, you ask? Well, click on their photos to find out! What thrifted look would you come up with for a date night?

Peace,
Andrea

Addicted to Stripes

So, by now it should be no secret that I love stripes....LOVE THEM!!! Especially when black and white or navy and white (also gray and white). I recently came across two dresses at two of my local thrift stores and quickly bought each. The first was a definite refashion candidate for a couple of reasons: nasty armpit stains and a bleach spot on one of the sleeves. It's made of a heavier knit, and the skirt was absolutely perfect as-is, so I decided to just tackle the bodice.

I started by sewing up each side taking them in by about an inch apiece, then cut off the excess including the sleeves. Next it was time to cut off the collar opening up the neckline a bit.

Next I shortened the straps by first sewing across them while right-side-out, trimming the excess, and flipping it inside out to enclose the raw edges in the seam.

Now, taking up the straps effectively brought the neckline back up, so I trimmed it down, then again until I got the look I was going for. I left the neckline edges raw and simply let the knit curl under on itself, but finished off the armholes with a simple topstitch on the folded edge.

I love the way it turned out, and its actually reversible if I ever want to wear the buttons in the front! Oh, I also sewed the button placket shut as it was gaping a bit. Super easy remake, and so easy to wear as well! Here's the before and after of it in action:

This next dress is an Asos maternity dress that I grabbed without trying it on. If I were a bit curvier then I may have left it as it was, but it was just a bit too voluminous and belting it left it bunching weirdly. No good. So, I turned it inside out, sewed up each side using a lightning stitch (good for knits on a regular machine), and trimmed off the excess.

Next I tackled the waist by creating two pleated gathers at each side of the waist and reinforcing it on the inside with the scraps I'd trimmed off.

Another super easy remake, that will be versatile and fun to wear as the weather heats up more each day! Love this one too :)

I like it with or without a belt, and will be getting tons of wear out of this one. What do you think? Do you like one more than the other? I love the bold stripe of this dress, but adore the classic fit and flare of the previous dress over the overall fit of this one. Either way, I'm excited to be sewing again and can't wait to tackle the next project.

Happy Refashioning!
Peace,
Andrea

April Thrift Scores: Part II

I've been pretty lucky in my thrift scores this month. I've been trying to limit as much as possible as I've cleared out my wardrobe, and only choose items that I know will be super useful. I'm still bound to make a few impulse purchases, but I'm working on it ;). 

These first two tops are basics. An oversized black blouse and a J. Crew light blue button-up. I love tops like these (and the black one is replacing the smaller similar type blouse I got rid of recently) because I can wear them in a variety of ways simply by tucking, tying or leaving them open.

Those two along with this next one were 3 for $10. I really like this pattern, the gold buttons up the back, but the length bothers me a bit...I'll be adding something (probably one of my numerous lace trims!).

Next up is this black maxi dress and sandals. The dress will be taken in to be more fitted and shortened. And I may change the neckline. It was $3. The sandals are Born and so comfortable! They were $5 on half-off day.

This top was definitely an impulse buy...its made of a super stretchy thin fabric, but what sold me was the lace trim with a fringy edge. I totally bought it for that trim ;-p.

It along with these next two pieces were 3 for $10. And these next two pieces were an absolute steal at that price! This gray silk wrap top is so pretty and so me. I can't wait to wear it...tomorrow ;). The sandals I'm wearing are the other piece. They are Clarks Bendables wedges in nude and the most comfortable sandals/wedges I've ever worn. LOVE. 

Final pieces of wearables (minus jewelry) are this homemade black dress and the black platform sandals. The dress was only $3 and the sandals $2! I threw on the belt just because, but this dress will definitely need to be altered to fit. Love the little gold diamonds all over it!

Sparkly things are a must now and then, so this little mirror, bangle and earrings were just enough to fill the void ;). I paid $11 for all 3.

Just look at that floral engraving on the back! So pretty <3

And last, but not least, a random purchase that I just couldn't pass up! These are crocheted shade pulls that someone lovingly made, and though I will not use them as shade pulls, I felt I must buy them to use as something...any ideas, friends? Cause I got nothing. So far. Hard to pass up things that are handmade and looking for a second chance.

Hoping to avoid the thrift stores for the month of May, and focus on some refashions instead :) Me-Made-May is coming up! I'll post more about that soon. Hope you are well this lovely (but rather chilly here) weekend.

Peace,
Andrea

DIY Lace Kimono

I picked up a piece of pink lace last month at the thrift store. It was about 63 inches long by 38 inches wide. I think it cost $2.

I started by trimming off the ends to leave the pretty scalloped edge for the hem. Then I folded it in half and wrong sides together, sewed up each side about 2/3 from the bottom. I trimmed the seam allowance and turned it inside out, then sewed up each seam enclosing the raw edges. French seams are much cleaner and nice when you don't have a serger to finish raw edges.

Next, I folded the 'top' in half and cut out a shallow hole along the fold/top to create a neck hole.

Once I'd finished that, I then pulled the 'back' fabric out, and cut along the fold through just the 'front' layer.

And that's where I've left off. I haven't finished off my raw edges because I'd love to pose the question to you all. How would you finish off the edges of this lace kimono? Would you simply fold once and topstitch? Fold twice? Or use some sort of trim? I want to keep the relaxed edges, but am afraid that if I finish them off it will change the drape and annoy me ;). I was considering a baby hem, but same issue...so, what would you do? What would have the least impact on drape while leaving the garment looking finished? Can't wait to hear your ideas!!! Meanwhile, I love this light and airy kimono that will be great over a casual work outfit or over a dress for a date night! I'll do some more styling once I finish it off :)

Peace,

Andrea

April Thrift Scores: Part I

Yeah, I know, we're like four days in and I'm posting about the month's thrift scores already. I just can't help it! I loved these finds so much, I just had to share...so, we'll call this post Part 1. ;)  My first thrift purchase of the month was actually a pair of running shorts that I nabbed for $3. But, I haven't gotten a pic yet, and wouldn't you know, they fall into the same color way as these next few items!!! Sometimes I just shop by color scheme (unconsciously...subconsciously? who knows?) and it works for me. Let's take a gander at what I found.

To start, I almost didn't grab this magenta top. And now, I'm soooo glad I did! It's a comfy rayon Gap slouchy T that is my favorite shade of pink. Love it! It was $4. The floral leggings are actually not thrifted, but were on clearance (+ an additional % off) at Anthropologie, and I just wanted them! They cost under $18 and are for working out...or lounging around the apartment ;). This silk skirt is an incredible shade of red-orange and only cost $3, AND is just my size. It will definitely work a bit better as I take on some rays (in safe dosages, of course) but I paired it with the t-shirt because it is the color combo of those running shorts I mentioned earlier! They're patterned and don't come across as loud, but super cute!

Ok. Now, this dress. What can I say? It's silk, to start...lining and all. It feels sooooo good! It's purple! One of my fave colors for special occasions. It's my size! It fits like a dream, and though not pictured here, has a deep V back which is uber flattering. It's Christian Siriano! How fun to find a new designer who has had such success after his debut on Project Runway a few years back! It was $25 and more than I normally spend on one item, but oh so worth it! Can't wait to wear this :)

What's funny about these next two, is that one fits in with the overall color scheme, and one doesn't. Guess which one I'm not loving...the one that doesn't! I don't know what it is, but even though the striped top is flattering, sitting next to all of that color isn't helping. The floral top is an XL and needs to be refashioned, but I'm thinking a cute summer tank top might be perfect. Both were $3 apiece.

That's the haul so far, though I'm not sure I'll be back thrifting for at least 2-3 more weeks. Trying to spread my trips out a bit more and buy less each time. I've got loads to donate and a refashion pile to still to work through, so I'm hoping to keep to my limits.

How about you? Thrifted anything you love recently? What have been your best scores? I'd love to hear your stories :)

Happy Thrifting!
Andrea

// #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