Tag: fashion

Plus Size Fashion On A Budget

Plus-size shopping on a budget seems to be a challenge. Most of the thrift stores I visit for my blog have a very small selection of plus sizes. If they even have plus sizes at all. It’s not good– I believe the average woman is something like a Size 14, right? I’m re-blogging this because I feel the plus-sized shopper is under-represented at the thrift stores.

Thick N' Sassy.Com Blog

fashion on a budget
By: Meieli Sawyer, former About.com Guide
Are you a plus-size bargain hunter? Just looking for a place to buy plus-size items at major retailers as well as specialty shops–but at a deep discount? Look for pieces that offer attractive mark-downs with these suggestions, which include higher end items that get their prices slashed at the season’s end.

Newcomer on the plus scene La Grande Dame offers great clearance items, regular sales promoted by newsletters (sign up for savings!), and lots of sneaky designer-specific sales. You’ll be thrilled at the savings on high-end plus selections from designers like Melissa Masse.

Save a lot on specific clearance pieces marked down 75%! Gorgeous dresses go from $100 to $30, jackets sell for $25 from $80, and more. Check back the sale section regularly for the best finds, because they switch around without warning.

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DIY: Two Button Statement Earrings

Hello everyone! I found this fabulous DIY project for “two button statement earrings.” Looks to be a fun and creative project and definitely appeals to my thrifty side. I can see myself wearing these to a holiday party for sure. I’m going to a few thrift shops this weekend so will keep you posted if I find some sparkly materials to make my earrings. Cheers and Happy Tuesday!

IT’S STATEMENT EARRING TIME!!!! No seriously… it’s time! The holiday’s are around the corner and it’s time to start updating our jewelry collections with a few gorgeous sparklers for the season. Using the same technique as my DIY button ring tutorial, here’s an easy breezy project to help you bring a little bling to those earrings!

Materials: 4 Buttons, 4 Earring Findings With Post and Hoop, Jump Rings, Earring Backings

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Pawn Shops! Economic Barometer?

Hello Everyone! Earlier this week I had the pleasure of going on a “pawn shop” trip in San Diego’s North Park area.  It just so happens I had a birthday earlier this week too– so I was in search of an opal ring– my birth stone.

How do pawn shops work?  A pawn shop gives customers a place to sell their personal items for cash. The  pawn broker looks the item over and determines how much money he can obtain for it.  He then makes a lower offer to the customer. The pawn broker makes money when he  sells the item at a higher price.  (I have a feeling the pawn broker made some money off me…)

Read more:  How Do Pawn Shops Work? | eHow.com

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Pictured above is the opal ring I found at CashCo Jewelry & Loan for $90.  Lucky for me the jewelry was 30% off the day I was there.  This was my first serious trip to a pawn shop. I was surprised at the fantastic quality goods I found.  Since I’m still in search of diamond earrings– looks like I’ll be cruising by the pawn shops when I’m ready to buy those.

Which brings me to my next question– pawn shops as economic barometers?  Why is the pawn industry generating so much buzz as a “barometer of  the economy”? Reports show the three publicly traded pawn  companies reported significantly increased earnings during the last two  fiscal quarters. An increase in gold value and the “Cash for  Gold” craze have both shown record numbers of people trading in old jewelry  and coins for cash. Perhaps the perception could be based on speculation  that in hard times, people pawn. However, there is a larger, more  compelling story about the pawn industry.

The National Pawnbrokers Association reports there are over 30 million pawn store customers per year and they appreciate this unique form of credit and tend to borrow only what they need, as evidenced by the relatively low national average loan amount of $80. NPA President and pawn shop owner Dave Crume says, “Pawn customers repay their loans and redeem their collateral at a correspondingly high average national redemption rate of 80 percent. These parameters appear to be holding constant, despite the current economy.”

  • CashCo Jewelry & Loan #1
  • 4502 University Avenue #103
  • San Diego, CA  92105
  • Web: www.cashcopawn.com

I’m not sure what to make of all this, but I’m really glad I stopped by CashCo last Monday and found my lovely opal ring. I’m pretty sure it was “pre-owned” and that is fine.  (Now if I could just find some “pre-owned” diamond earrings….)

Under-consumption is more in-style than ever, right??!  (why buy new?)

Cheers!

 

Halloween Nails. Great ideas for a scary manicure.

Hello Everyone! I’ve had a busy and fun weekend– celebrating my birthday, carving pumpkins and eating way too much food. Just wanted to share these cool ideas for Halloween nails. I like the spider web best. Cheers!

Thrift Trader. Everything $5.99 or 4/$20

Once again, I found myself rummaging thru stacks and racks of stuff at the Thrift Trader in Ocean Beach. This all happened the same afternoon sipping my Vanilla Latte.

You can’t go wrong at this place with things priced 4/$20.  They have a great selection of men’s clothing and I totally messed up and didn’t take any photos of menswear.

  • Thrift Trader
  • 4879 Newport Avenue
  • Ocean Beach, CA  92107
  • Phone: (619) 222-5011
  • Web: www.thrifttrader.org

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More hats, more long skirts.  All easy items to mix and match for Fall season.  Sometimes you need a little retail fix and getting a low cost treasure in a thrift store is awesome. Just remember, it isn’t a good deal if you don’t use it and it sits in your closet!!

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And I found these really fabulous black heels.  Halloween costume-worthy maybe?

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And, a big shout out because there’s even a section for the Curvy gals. With cute stuff too!

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Cheers everyone!

Humble Hippie. Cute Accessories.

Hello Everyone! Just wanted to pass along some great photos I took over the weekend in Ocean Beach. Of course, I stopped by the Humble Hippie on Newport Avenue.

While sipping my Vanilla Latte I couldn’t resist doing a little more than window shopping. So much for my vow to “keep wallet in handbag”.  (I failed….)

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I really loved the cute hats and cozy knit scarves.  Being the thrifty shopper, I was thrilled with the prices– $19 for scarves- heaven!

Especially now with the cooler Fall weather a scarf is great to throw on with a jean jacket or light sweater.  This is the rational I used– you guessed it– I got a new scarf.  If you want to see what it looks like, check out my blog post from earlier this week.  (I paired it with a jacket I got for $31 at Marshall’s)

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If you’re in the market for flirty dresses, there are plenty of these too.  Maybe I’m too much into accessories these days because all I can think about is which scarf and which hat I would wear with that bright dress pictured on the right, above.

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The Humble Hippie was as charming as ever! I had a nice chat with the owner (Wes) this weekend too.  He sent me a couple of really cool photos that I will have to attach to this post a little later.  I’m having a slight snafu with my email tonite.  So I guess you all will have to settle for my lovely iphone-photography for the time being.

Cheers and have a good week everyone. Happy Shopping and keep me posted if any of you out there have made any recent purchases at The Humble Hippie.

Look What $31 Gets You at Marshall’s

Hello Everyone!  I had a great weekend and now just getting ready for the new week ahead.  Right now I’m relaxing on the couch watching “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” reunion show– and mentally planning out what I’m going to wear to work next week. The weather is starting to cool off a little bit here in southern California so I’m hoping I can break out some pretty scarves and possibly a jacket or two?

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I was in serious need of a new jacket– and as much as I love the thrift stores I just couldn’t find anything that either fit properly or looked decent.  On a whim, I checked out our local Marshall’s and found this great Calvin Klein jacket for a mere $31. It was originally priced at $99!  Cha-ching! Problem solved.

Pictured below you can see my new jacket paired with a great scarf I found this afternoon at the Humble Hippie in Ocean Beach.  I love this place! This was my second visit and of course I couldn’t stop myself from getting something.  (here’s the link to my first visit… Humble Hippie)  The good news is I’ll be able to wear this scarf with not only my new $31 jacket from Marshall’s but also my leather jacket. Can you tell… I’m a little too ready to break out the Fall clothes…  However, as much as I want to break out the Fall clothes now, I’ll likely be complaining about “being too cold” in a few weeks.  As much as one can complain about “too cold” in southern California anyway.

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Cheers everyone! Here’s wishing you all a great week ahead– and happy shopping!

My Secret Thrifting Tips

Ever wonder why every time you go thrifting, you end up with a big pile of novelty items and some mom jeans? Check out my secret tips on finding your next major thrifting score.

1. Context:   It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hideousness that engulfs the racks- you know, like the muumuus, Christmas sweaters and stretched out bicycle shorts. In a hurry to sift through it all, you might accidentally skip over your new favorite piece so try to make a day for thrifting when no one is waiting for you and you can take your time.  That crazy ’80s sweater could look hip with an edgy haircut and designer ankle boots.

2. Consider Alterations:    Don’t abandon the perfect vintage cocktail dress only because it’s a size too big. Maybe you love the color and cut of that blouse, but the sleeves are overwhelmingly puffy? For the $3 you’re probably spending, it could be worth it to visit a tailor.

3. Shop Off-Season:    Think ahead and shop for summer items in winter. You’ll find the best deals and have a better selection. Winter coats are plentiful and purchased for pennies in August. The same would go for vintage sun dresses during January.

4. Find Your Local Thrift Outlet:    Most well-established thrift store “chains” like Goodwill and Salvation Army will have outlets.  This is the magical land where all clothes are $1-$3. The ladies at the Goodwill Outlet told me their clothes only get one week at full-price store racks before they get bundled up and shipped to the outlet. My favorites include Thrift Trader and $2 Thrill— you know where I’m going with this….

5. Wear Your “Thrifting Uniform”:    Be prepared for long fitting room lines (or possibly no fitting rooms) by wearing something that is comfy and easy to try things on over. I like leggings and slip-on flats. Throw a flexible sewing tape in your bag for taking measurements if you are so inclined.

6. Don’t Confine Yourself to only the Women’s Clothing Section:   For petites, check out the kids section for a shrunken blazer look or possibly a dress you can wear as a top. Maybe head over to the men’s section where you can find oversized cardigans or a colorful necktie.  Make a necktie headband.

7. Gravitate Toward Thrift Shops That Are Off the Beaten Path:   Look for thrift stores near ritzy retirement communities and small suburban towns.  This is your best chance to find a hidden gem.

8. Get a Rapport Going With Your Cashier:   Most thrift stores don’t have a set-in-stone pricing structure.  Striking up a conversation with the cashier can’t hurt, especially if you visit on a regular basis. If the employees get to know you, they may be willing to set aside that elusive Kate Spade tote you’ve been on the hunt for.


9. Go Thrifting Off-Hours:    If you don’t thrift on a regularly, you’re just asking to miss out on stuff. Thrift stores get new stock daily, so be vigilant. Better yet, find out which days the “new” merchandise gets put out. Arrive early and be ready for the hunt.

Cheers Everyone & Happy Thrifting! Let me know how you all are doing.   -jody-

Bella Moda Boutiques. More shopping in beautiful Encinitas

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Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!  A few weeks ago I visited Bella Moda Boutique is Encinitas– I know, I’m a little late getting this post out. As you can see, lots of great clothes in a cozy location.  I actually visited this particular shop with my 17-year old son in tow.  While I was gushing over the scarves, earrings and handbags– my son was looking for the exit.  (I did my best to make it a quick trip…)

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I like the flowers- pictured above– and especially this bright scarf pictured below.  (I’m trying to stop myself from wearing so much black)

I didn’t end up buying anything but will likely go back for a repeat visit– this time for some serious shopping and trying-on.

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Located in The Lumberyard Shopping Center in Encinitas,  Bella Moda offers the latest trends from dozens of designer brands, many exclusively from Los Angeles, including Hudson, Joe’s Jeans, Tag, Ed Hardy and True Religion. You can schedule an after-hours appointment and gift certificates are available.

  • Bella Moda Boutiques
  • 967 S. Coast Highway 101
  • Encinitas, CA  92024
  • Phone: (760) 479-9879
  • Web: www.Shopbellamoda.com

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Here’s a picture of all the scarves I was talking about. Lots of different styles for sure.

Flip Flops: Made for Transit Thru History

Happy Flip-Flop Friday everyone! Flip flops are a $2 Billion per year industry in the United States. You’d be hard pressed to walk down any street in America and not see at least one person sporting a pair of flip-flops.

Flip flops have been around for at least six thousand years. As a point of comparison, primitive shoes are shown in rock paintings dating from the late Paleolithic (Stone Age) period some 15,000 years ago. There are depictions of flip-flops in ancient Egyptian murals on tombs and temples from about 4,000 B.C. Styles too varied with the differing placement of the toe strap, as subsequent civilizations preferred using different toes. The Greeks for example made use of the big toe; the Romans, the second toe; and the Mesopotamians, the third toe.

Flip flops are a type of open-toed footwear typically worn in casual situations, such as outside or at the beach. They consist of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot.  Thong sandals have been worn for thousands of years, dating back to pictures of them in Egyptian murals from 4,000 B.C. These early versions of flip-flops were made from a wide variety of materials including rawhide, wood, papyrus and palm leaves to name a few.  The modern flip-flop became popular in the United States as soldiers returning from World War II brought Japanese zōri with them. They quickly became popular because of convenience and comfort, and were popular in beach-themed stores and as summer shoes. During the 1960s, flip-flops became associated with the beachy lifestyle of California. They were promoted as an accessory, typically worn with shorts or swimwear. Beginning in 1962, the Brazilian company, Alpargatas, marketed a version of flip-flops known as Havaianas. These quickly become some of the most popular in the world: By 2010, more than 150 million pairs were produced every year.

Personally, I love my Havaianas!  They are the perfect “shoe” to throw on when I run down to get the mail or pop out the door for errands on a busy weekend.

Cheers– and happy Flip Flop Friday!!