Upcycled Outfit

Sometimes you just need a little change. 

I frequently become tired of certain pieces or find that they haven't reached their full potential in their current form, and that is when I turn to scissors.  I discovered this when I was about two, chopping off my own hair (bad idea), but quickly translated into fragmenting my clothes when I wanted a new look (mediocre to wonderful idea, depending on the circumstance).  So, with this look, I went to my closet and decided to upcycle one of my own pieces, a summer dress, into a breezy skirt for spring.  Paired with my lovely neutral flats and a chiffon blouse, my "new" skirt was a perfect piece for today (and basically free!).

skirt Jacob (upcycled), blouse Poetry, belt thrifted, flats Franco Sarto, crossbody Steve Madden

finds: Shopping Tips

My husband may have a Ph.D. in biochemistry... but I have a Ph.D. in shopping.  

If a friend of mine has found a particularly great shopping deal, I can usually top it.  Easy.  I may identify a little too much with the character Cher in Clueless, but I have performed my role with very little out of pocket cost.  Vintage fur coat for $2.49.  Dress from Dillard's for $1.99.  Thrifted wool coat for $4.00.  Not only do I enjoy the obviously wonderful find, but I love the dumbfounded look I receive when I tell someone how much it was.  But how to find "it?" 

As a Culture Thrift, I tend to employ the following tips when I am shopping, as general guidelines to aid in the process.  Not that an amazing find will always happen- be patient!- but using these tips will change the way you shop, your spending habits, and will make shopping a delightful treasure hunt, rather than a chore.  

Shopping Tips

• Shop out of season- Stores want to get rid of these items and will do so at significantly lower prices.  You will also never run the risk of showing up as someone's twin!
• Look for sales- January and June are usually hot points for many clothing stores.
• Try closeout stores- Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Nordstrom Rack... the options are endless!  Some of my best finds are with these babes!
• Start at the clearance rack- No matter where you are shopping, even if the store itself is a discount store.  
• Be openminded- Sometimes I try on clothing items as a legitimate joke, but ended up at the register with my find.  
• Ask yourself "Is ______ worth it, at ______ price"- If a silk shirt is listed at $4, of course it is worth it, but am I willing and should I pay $50 for it?
• "Do I look fabulous?- If the answer is no, then keep shopping.  (This has been a great help, thanks to one of my friends who gave me this guideline)
• Thrift, thrift, thrift- While you can't always depend on thrift stores for specific items, you will find wonderfully constructed, classic pieces that will last forever- and wear forever!
• Coupons- Whether cut out papers or as an app on your phone, coupons are so worth it.  Look for coupons in the mail, sign up online, or try retailmenot.com and add it as an app on your phone.  
• Free shop- I do this on occasion for a little challenge: I will only use coupons or gift certificates that I already have and have a goal to not spend any money.  None.  
• Shop online- I admit it's not my favorite way to shop- I so enjoy the experience of seeing, touching, trying on the item I'm planning on buying- but online shopping does carry many advantages: price comparison, no waste of gas money, customer reviews, massive quantities in very little time, etc.  
• List needs & wants- Keep an ongoing list of both of these to help prioritize where you should splurge and where you should try to save.  
• Take a month off!- Remember to appreciate what you have and to not base your existence on the material.  
• Give- After all this shopping, look through your closet and get rid of things you do not wear, but another person could.  Make friends with your local Goodwill donation center.  

Now, it's your turn!  Become a Culture Thrift and find those screaming deals.  I'd love to hear about your oh-so-amazing finds... comment below on the blog or snap a picture of it and use #theculturethrift on Instagram.  I can't wait to hear about them!

Written next to a stack of receipts,

Sarah, The Culture Thrift 

finds: Mixed Roles

I must admit that I've been a little jealous lately of my husband's array of flannel shirts.  So for this outfit post, I committed "Culture Theft" and borrowed one from his closet.  In my defense, it was economical, environmentally friendly, and I'll give it back... right?  

flannel + gloves Target, coat Peabody, pants Calvin Klein, heels Charlotte Russe, handbag Forever 21, fedora Nicole Marciano

finds: Long Island Look

Happy Saturday everyone!  Here's just a quick look of an outfit that I wore on the trip to New York, for a wedding rehearsal dinner.

dress Gianni Bini, blazer Candies, booties H&M, purse Steve Madden, gloves Target

finds: My Travel Essentials

This weekend my husband and I will be traveling to New York City for a wedding.  I've never been to NYC, so I am extremely excited!  While we will be very busy with wedding festivities, I hope to at least see a couple travel spots that I have been imagining visiting since I was little!

Here is a little peak into my carry-on travel essentials for flying.

Travel Essentials

1. oxblood handbag, Emperia 2. kid leather gloves, Target 3. The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky 4. Orbit gum 5. sanitizer, Bath & Body Works 6. Working Hands hand cream (lifesaver!) 7. leopard wallet 8. lipstick 9. iPhone 10. Burt's Bees

During winter, and occurring more often throughout the year, my hands become like a lizard's.  Like sandpaper.  Like a 90 year old woman's hands.  I had never been successful at finding a cure for it, though the Body Shop hemp hand lotion and Neutrogena Norwegian formula were helpful, until I found Working Hands.  It has been a lifesaver!  I give it my absolute recommendation.  I am also securely attached to my Burt's Bees... if I were homeless, living on the street, I would probably spend some of my panhandled money on Burt's Bees so I would never be without it!

finds: Royal Blue Wool Coat

Last year I thrifted this awesome royal blue, wool coat from a thrift store in Austin, not knowing how excellent the wool choice would turn out to be this winter.  It's a classic piece that is also fun and bold, from the bright blue to the angular cut of the shoulders.  There were hideous buttons on the coat when I bought it, looking like something out of the Flintstones, but I quickly remedied that with toned-down, circular ones.  I may look awfully like Pebbles, and I love leopard print, but I don't have to dress like she does.  ;)

I paired the coat with neutral leopard print leggings, an airy chiffon scarf, leather boots and gloves, and my new cross-body purse.  Luckily, these pictures were taken a day before the blizzard.

coat thrifted, leggings + earrings Forever 21, scarf Love Culture, purse Steve Madden, booties H&M, gloves Target

finds: Chunky Winter Sweater

One fashion justification that has worked to my advantage, in the transition to Chicago, is adding fall and winter clothing to my wardrobe.  Previously, in Phoenix and Austin, "winter clothing" consisted of wearing everything I already wore during the spring and summer months, with a jacket.  Summer dress... with a jacket.  Flowing tank top... with a jacket.  I knew this would not fly in the Windy City past September and that I would have to supplement my wardrobe in some way or another.  Along with my extremely generous mother-in-law who showered me with sweaters, coats, gloves, and the like, I have also been searching for warm apparel in the best way I know how- on clearance!  That is why I was so excited with this oversized, chunky sweater I recently snagged.

 

sweater Forever 21, jeans YMI jeans, handbag Emperia, booties H&M

Last weekend was wonderfully a little warmer, so when I wore this outfit that night, I just added a hat and gloves and was perfectly fine!