Goodwill Surprise

Question, How many of you have shopped at Goodwill?  If you haven't, why the heck not???  I know some Goodwill stores look super sketch and may not be in the best part of town, but trust me, it's worth a trip there!

I feel like I preach Goodwill shopping a lot on this blog.

Anyways, if you aren't comfortable with shopping at Goodwill yet, try shopping at a consignment store first.  Consignment stores are very particular with the items they sell.  Usually they will only accept certain brands and the clothes have to be in great condition.  Consignment stores are great too, if you want to sell your clothes.  Perhaps you have some really nice pieces that you don't necessarily want to drop off at Goodwill, try taking them to a consignment store.  You will receive about 40% of what each items sells for.  Not bad!

I want to share a fun story with you all about the wonders of Goodwill.  My best friend Michelle and I were visiting each other last summer in Texas.  I drove down to Round Rock, TX to visit her and we were going to have a day of shopping (our favorite hobby!).  I had on a pair of Gap outlet denim cuffed shorts.  She instantly fell in love with the shorts I had on.  Unfortunately, I bought the shorts a few years ago and I doubted we'd be able to find a pair just like them for her.  Well, later on during the day we decided to check out her local Goodwill.  Let me just say, it was AMAZING!!!  Anyways, we spilt up and did some shopping.  She was on the hunt for some denim cuffed shorts.  I was on the hunt for a bargain.  After half and hour of shopping we met up.  I had a cart full of clothes and she was empty handed.  She hadn't found any shorts:(  I decided I was going to comb the racks for her.  What did I find???  Yes, I found the EXACT same pair of Gap cuffed denim shorts that I had on and that Michelle wanted so badly AND they were in her size.  We were both so astonished.  Isn't that just crazy?!?!    

Moral of the story, you never know what you may find at Goodwill!

Happy Shopping,
Christin  

It's getting Close!

My no shopping challenge will officially start on May 6th.  I have a weekend shopping trip coming up and I am preparing my shopping list as I speak, type, whatever.

I am so excited to see what happens during in my 365 days of no shopping!  So far, when I tell people I will not be shopping for a year, I get a lot of smirks.  Anyone who knows me knows I love to shop.  I love to shop a little too much.  That is why I am doing this.  I need to refocus my priorities.

With that being said there are some exceptions to the rule.  If I really truly need something, I am allowed to buy it, but it must be thrift.  If I go visit my super awesome friend Zanne, who happens to live in the garment district in downtown L.A., I am allowed to shop, but on a very, very tight budget.  I am not about to pass up a once in a lifetime shopping Mecca opportunity like that:)!!!

This weekend I will be cleaning out and organizing my closet.  One of the rules of the challenge it that I have to wear everything in my closet at least once.  I'm going to start by getting rid of anything that doesn't fit.  Instead of getting down on myself, I'm going to tell myself the following if I happen to come across something that is too small:

Happy shopping,
Christin

Exactly!!!

When I go to Wal-Mart and see people wearing pajamas, I think this exact thing!!!

Happy Shopping,

Christin

Score 1 for Thrifting

Today I went to a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon were I was nominated for the Helping Hand Award.  I won!!! I was very surprised by the honor.  The attire was casual, but I am not one to dress casually;)  I decided to wear my adorable Limited black and white animal print wrap dress.

This picture is of me wearing the dress to my friend Tina's (above) husband's WOC school graduation

After the ceremony I was approached by the manager of the Thrift Shop on Fort Rucker (she happens to be a friend of mine).  She complimented me on my dress and I was more than happy to tell her that I had bought it in her shop last year.  She said, 'You're kidding!", to which I replied, "Nope".  

I am always so happy when I can tell someone that what I am wearing came from a thrift store.  The looks of shock never get old :)  

Happy Shopping,

Christin

Funny!

I found this on Pinterest today.  Hilarious!!!

I don't consider myself poor, I just like a good bargain.  Trust me, once you start thrifting, you will become addicted.  I once found a brand new J. Crew pencil skirt that would normally retail for over $120.  I bought it for $3.50.  So check out your local Goodwill, consignment stores and thrift shops!  You never know what you may find!!!

Christin

Gearing Up for The Big Closet Clean Out!!!

I fully plan on wearing every piece of wearable clothing in my closet during my 365 no shopping challenge, but before I start I must clean my closet out.  Just the thought gives me anxiety!  What if I need something later on that I have gotten rid of???  Well, I think I have come up with a solution to my problem.  I heard something yesterday that might just change my life (probably not, but I like to be a little dramatic).  This is what I heard:

"If you would not buy something right now that you have currently hanging in your closet then get rid of it!".

Oh geez!  I have a lot of  stuff hanging up in my closet that I wouldn't buy now if I saw it at the store.  Denim overalls anyone!?!?

Does your closet need a good clean-out?  Take the purge plunge with me and let's clean out those closets!!!

Happy purging,
Christin

Wise Words!

What does your style say about you?  Does it say, "She doesn't have a lot of time to get ready!"?  Does it say, "She obviously has children since I see throw up on her shoulder!'?  Does it say, "She must spend hours getting ready because she looks perfect!"?  Does it say, "She is adorably cute!"?  Does it say, "She must not care what she looks like!"?  I could go on for hours asking the same question.

Think of the past week and what you have worn.  Did you dress for comfort, convenience, style, sex appeal (gag!)?  Remember that your clothes say a lot about what kind of person you are.   Ask yourself, "What does my style say about me?".  It is a simple question, but maybe not as simple to answer.

Christin
  

What should I add to my wardrobe before my challenge starts?

I am trying to figure out what pieces are missing from my wardrobe that I may find essential once my challenge starts.  I am going to try very, very hard to NOT shop for one whole year.  The only time I can shop is if I need a specific item for a specific reason, like a Kentucky Derby hat for a party (which I am actually going to and actually need a hat for).

Today I bought a soft grey gray (whatever) t-shirt, a black statement necklace and a pair of mint flat pointy toe shoes (very, very essential shoes!!!).  I have a list going of items I may want need during this challenge.

This is what my list looks like so far:

• black and white stripe shirt
• maybe a peplum???
• brown wedges
• camel color anything

So far, that is it.  Anything I should add?  If you think I am missing something please let me know.  Chances are I already have it in my closet, but just in case...

Happy Shopping,

Christin

P.S. - DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THE BLOG FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $25 TJ MAXX GIFT CARD!!!

My Closet Style 365: TJ Maxx Gift Card Give-A-Way and Who Do You Dress ...

My Closet Style 365: TJ Maxx Gift Card Give-A-Way and Who Do You Dress ...: If you need help finding clothes that you love and that don't break the bank, well then I have the perfect gift for you!!!  Once I reach...

TJ Maxx Gift Card Give-A-Way and Who Do You Dress For?

If you need help finding clothes that you love and that don't break the bank, well then I have the perfect gift for you!!!  Once I reach 50 followers on my blog, I will have a drawing for a $25 TJ Maxx gift card!!!!  So hurry up and follow the blog for your chance to win the gift card.  But I'm not stopping there!  Once I reach 100 followers I will have a drawing for a $50 Old Navy gift card.  Both of these stores offer cute, affordable fashion finds for everyone.

Now back to my daily post:)

Women dress for many reasons.  We dress for comfort, to impress others, to make our husband's drool or we just stay in our pajamas all day and stay dressed for bed:)  That last one is my favorite!!!  Whatever the reason is behind what clothing you wear on a daily basis, remember, the best reason for what you wear is to please yourself.  If you like what you have on, well then, good for you!  I found this little tid-bit on the internet the other day and It got me thinking, "who do I dress for"?

I realized I dress mainly for myself, but I also dress to impress (except on the days I teach yoga, on those days I look like a hot yoga mess!).  So ask yourself, "Who do I dress for?".


Christin

Just a taste of what is to come:)

I promise I will not be posting many bathroom pictures I take of myself on this blog!  I just wanted to give you all a little preview of what my blog will be about.  I put this outfit together this morning.  I think there are a lot of us that would just thrown on a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops and run out of the door.  Why stop there.  Make your outfit special.  Add a belt.  I originally thought of wearing a leopard print belt I have, but thought instead to wear this brown leather brained belt I bought  at Goodwill.  The shorts are Tommy Hilfiger and are a really cool nautical blue color with a cuff at the bottom.  I bought these too at Goodwill.  The top and flip flops are from a Gap outlet.  I added an additional pop of color and character by adding this mint green bubble necklace that I bought on etsy.com for $14.

 So you see, it doesn't take much time or effort to make your daily outfits a little bit more special.  Add that fun necklace you have, add a belt or a fun handbag.  Even it the colors don't match, it will work as long as they coordinate.   Speaking or coordinating, anyone else notice how perfectly matching my owl phone cover is with my outfit?!?!  Anyways, I'll talk about coordinating in more detail in a later post.

Happy Shopping,
Christin

Style vs. Fashion

Once you figure out your style, the sky is the limit.  It is about having clothes that reflect you as an individual and don't follow what mainstream society is doing.  The same thing goes for trends.  Trends are over in a flash.  Don't go out and spend a lot of money on something that will be out style in a month or two.  Find pieces that will stay classic for years.  It is okay to have some trendy items in your closet just please don't go trend crazy.  If you are really into chevron prints, get one chevron top.  Don't get a chevron top, skirt, dress, bag, earrings, etc.  That is trend overkill!  Fashion is trendy.  Fashion is what you see on the runways in New York, Paris and Italy.  Style is Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie O.  These are ladies that women today try to emulate because their style was classic and timeless.     Enjoy your clothes be fashion forward, but keep your closet about 90% classic/timeless pieces and 10% trendy pieces.

Happy Shopping,
Christin James

That's About Right

I know I always get very excited when someone re-pins an outfit I pinned!  I want to hear from all of you.  Are you completely addicted to Pinterest?  If so, what do you mostly like to look at while browsing Pinterest?  I love looking at the Women's Fashion board and Humor board.

My Closet Style 365 Kick-off Coming Soon!!!

I am beyond excited to kick-off this blog!  I have one last shopping trip the first weekend of May.  I am hoping to pick up a couple of essential pieces that I have needed like a crisp white button up shirt.  I can't believe I don't already have one!  Anyways, the blog will kick-off after I return from my weekend shopping adventure.

I hope I inspire all of you to re-think the clothes in your closet that you already have.  Think of them in a different way.  Try things you wouldn't normally try.  There aren't many rules in fashion and once you find your style, well then, the sky is the limit.  Who says polka dots and animal print can't work together?  Not me!

The rules for my 365 day no shopping challenge are as follows:

1. Put together a new outfit using clothes already in my closet everyday for 1 year.
2. If I have to buy something it must come from a thrift store or discount store.
3. Share styling and shopping tips weekly.
4. Share my no-shopping struggles and how I am coping with the challenge as need be. 

God has laid it on my heart that I am addicted to shopping.  That is the primary reason why I am doing this.  I want to be obedient to God and draw closer to Him.  I am excited about this challenge I have given myself.  I hope you will be supportive and have fun following me during my journey of obedience and growth.  I also hope I encourage you and help you all become a little more fashionable (and perhaps save some money from shopping too much)!

Christin James