Thrift shopping tips

Thrift shopping tips:

Thrift shopping is great for getting a bargain. Here are some tips to help you make the most of thrift shopping and looking great.

1-Make lists

List what you need to buy so you narrow your search and don't over spend.

2-Buy what you love

If you fall in love with a piece think how much use the item will give you. Putting it back can be risky as it can be sold to another. Remember it could be returned later.

3-Buy what looks good on you

Items look different on hanger than on you. So, try before you buy. Get a friends opinion or ask someone in the shop for a friendly opinion. (best not a shop worker as they just want a sale).

4-Shop Often

Different stock is put out regularly. One day you might find nothing and next week you find 3 pretty outfits. Consider thrift shopping as a fashion treasure hunt.

5-Hoarding?

Consider how the item will take up room in your home. Is there space for another [insert item here].

Do you already have 5 similar to what you are thinking of buying? Maybe swap with friends and family or sell items to make room for this new purchase.

6-Be prepared

Many stores only except cash. Look in hidden places in store like at the back or high up...never know what gem you'll find. Check for sales regularly. Also when trying on lots of clothes, wear something easy to put on and take off. A slip on dress for example with ballet flats and no fiddly buttons and belts or laces. 

7-Customize

You might see a blue plain dress you think gives you great figure but it's not exciting so add some bows or buttons (some personality to it). Make clothing shorter and use cut of fabric for matching bag or headband. Many other ways...some vintage clothes have cute patterns on so you can cut the fabric to turn into other items or for other projects. DIY your finds.

8-Location

Google where shops and markets that sell thrift style items are in your area. Look at car boot sales, markets and stores selling second hand or vintage items (even some antique shops). 

Not just look in highstreet or mall but, in quirky hidden away places. OR TRY A CHARITY SHOP.

9-If in doubt

If you are unsure if you wish to buy it then try it on if it's clothing or try to picture what you'd use it for and how many times you'd use it.

Try to picture the full outfit the new clothing will go with. Or imagine how the furniture will fit the room it will go in.

9-Check quality

Turn items inside out to see if they will last or are fraying for example. Furniture, you should check all draws and hinges to see if it is good condition. 

Look at items from all angles before you buy it. 

10-Haggle

If you're in a market or charity shop or buying a lot of items try to get lower price by using your charm and haggling. 

Look for Less-4

 

This outfit total £88.95 which is good value for money. The outfit can be worn casually and smart but, probably need to change the blazer for a casual number.

The beautiful chiffon top from Oasap.com can be worn many ways:

  

The top is perfect for any occasion, the beach, a party, out on a date or in an office...etc

With the bold print you can have a lot of fun creating outfits to match this top as it goes with so many colours. Although I'd recommend not to wear it with jazzy patterns. 

It's a stand alone piece that every season you'd find yourself styling outfits with it. 

The shoes and blazer are versatile too being dark colours and classic timeless styles. The prices are affordable. For me I'd say a pound/dollar a wear is right. Meaning if you bought the shoes in this outfit you have to wear them at least 20 times to get the best value out of them. Or the t-shirt 9 times. 

If you feel you can't get the wear out it to justify buying it...then you either don't have enough to go with the item in your wardrobe or it's not the right item for you. 

Finally the jeans. The hot orangey red is dramatic and bright. A perfect warm weather colour. Even though it has been popular last fall/autumn last year 2013. It's pretty much a dark terracotta colour. I find the colour makes your legs slimmer. (Who wouldn't want that unless you're size 0). 

Whatever way you look at the colours, it's a dress down/up look depending on what accessories you add.

How to Look Great in a Pencil Skirt

The Pencil Skirt was a hit a few years ago, but today you can still make the pencil skirt look great! Solid and bright, bold colours make the skirt one to wear today. It is quite a simple look yet it shows positivity and is just calling for some fun!

The Vibrant Pencil Skirt: 1) Cobalt Pencil Skirt, Glamorous; 2) Mint Sequin Pencil Skirt,Topshop; 3) Tomato Leather Zip Detail Skirt, Miss Selfridge; 5) Yellow Asymmetric Peplum Skirt,River Island. For more, visit: www.femside.com

Pencil skirts in vibrant colours are fun to wear! Brighten up any dull office day. Just look at those colours. How bright and fun! 

Unlike the Skater Skirt for 2014, the Pencil Skirt should be styled, 'solid with solid.' Pair a solid top with your solid skirt and add a cute clutch and necklace in addition.

These skirts are really jolly to wear and I can't wait to try one for the spring/summer season! As I figure out a shirt to pair with my skirt, maybe I will link a picture in the comments of myself and my look. So, be sure to stay tuned! 

Have any questions? Need help with anything? Be sure to comment. We would like to help you. Have something you would like to say? We love to hear positive feedback! Thanks. :) 

Lace sock are the new girly thing.

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There is something unfashionable about the socks and sandal look but, the socks with heel look works really effectively. I guess it depends on what type of shoe you go for.
The lace sock however remarks to be delicate and makes a shoe more comfortable to wear.
The vintage type of style works best for this type of sock. That's just my opinion. Not dissing the goth/emo lace sock look that can create amazing combinations of clothing.

The whole "socks in sandals" look is seen as a fashion don't, right. Switch the sock to a lace one and you have a very girly look  and can work with a sandal too, just not in a flip flop or on the beach.

If you're a goth, indie kid, vintage etc you can add a lace sock to your everyday look and it will not stick out as if you've added a lace scrunchies to your leg. It will compliment the look. It all depends how many patterns and other lace elements are in the outfit.

I'm always reminded by the childhood white socks with the band of lace on top when I see lace topped socks. Like these:

Then again they are becoming very stylish to wear in a heel shoe. They're pretty for evening decoration in an outfit.         

Pointy Shoe Contortionist act

The pointy shoe trend started by King Henry II ,the king of England in the mid 1100's. He wanted to hide his deformed feet. 

Yes, "deformed" feet. Not everyone else has the pointy foot look. It isn't natural to squeeze your toes into a triangular hole when feet are more of a rounded shape.

In the 80s ladies wore the pointed heels to work. The trend took off causing foot problems such as bunions and crushed toes. To be wearing the shoes all day everyday would take a tole on your feet.

http://users.powernet.co.uk/wingett/History1.htm 

Above link is to a timeline of pointy/high heel shoes.

 It's interesting to think how influential a king or queen can be to fashion. Just because a powerful person  or celerity suites one type of fashion i.e. King Henry II and point shaped shoes, doesn't mean everyone else will also look the best in them. 

Everyone has different shaped feet so would fit different type of shoes. I'd rather protect my feet and wear rounded toe footwear. The very uncomfortable point puts pressure on toes and to me is really unappealing. 

Maybe nearly everyone wears them because magazines like Vogue feature them heavily in issues. Don't they realize how bad they are for your feet?

The left is how a foot is squeezed into a pointed shoe

The pointed stiletto is predominately feminine and boosts confidence. They make a foot appear a different shape. (More thin and longer) Duh! They do make your feet look different shape however, not natural looking and pointy. No normal average foot is triangle. You can easily get the same confidence boost with a rounder fronted heel. Or am I missing a point?   

Not only heels are pointy these days, even flat shoes to boots have a point on the front. Thankfully you can buy footwear with rounded toe part too but, they are less common for heels. That's what I've discovered anyway. You might like the pointy style, but think of your foot health. At least don't go out in them everyday, give your feet a rest from the point style every few days.

I find this trend painful, unnatural, awkward looking, pressure on the toes and ridiculous. Yeah, to me they are ridiculous as the feet get really badly distorted and squeezed when a foot is a precious part of the body that you can't take for granted. 

 Nearly everyone uses THEIR FEET everyday and to put them into gross positions almost like your toes are doing a contortionist act in your shoe, is to me ridiculous. 

Patisserie de bain~bath fancies review.

These luxury bath cupcakes (not to be eaten) are pretty cute. They make your bath oily and relaxing with a floral scent such as violet or rose and many more on offer on the huge range.

Even though they are a little pricey they make a great gift for any female, young or old. 
The bath experience is indulging when you add one of these fizzy cupcake bath bombs.

Your skin afterwards is smooth and soft. It also makes shaving easier and stops razor burn. An added plus really.

You have to remove the cupcake paper and flower first and then watch it fizz in the water making it shimmer and sparkle. The oil content reacts with the water making it have a shinny effect to the bath. Normal bath bombs make your bath water turn a different colour which is a great affect to watch develop however, the bath cupcakes sparkles the water.

I highly recommend these. 
A fabulous valentines present or birthday. I got a set for Christmas and really enjoy the effect of smooth skin. 

Here are places you can get them and try them out for yourself:

http://www.bathandunwind.com/rose-co/gifts/rose-and-co-gift-box-of-3-bath-fancies.htm

http://bath-patisserie.co.uk/shop/patisserie-de-bain-bath-fancies/

http://www.tesco.com/direct/patisserie-de-bain-box-of-9-bath-melt-fancies/213-8590.prd

Or you can try making bath cupcake fizzies yourself.
I found youtube videos showing you how:

Also this one that gives you helpful hints for bathbomb making:

Have fun making bombs and also enjoy having relaxing baths.

Styling Skater Skirts

Skater skirts are so much fun! And for 2014, they got even more funner! (Yes, 'funner' is a word!) Because they are so tight, any shirt looks good with them, and you know, they just scream 'girly!' Styling them in 2014 has become simple yet defined. Below are some looks.

Denim has become a trend in the skater skirt. They are simple yet can be styled in so many ways.

Accessories do matter when styling this look, believe it or not! Shoulder bags are great! A necklace works well. Try to play around a bit when styling your skater skirt! Adding just one piece to your look can freshen things up a bit!

You may want to consider wearing a Utilitarian shirt with your skirt; as in the gray shirt on the right.

Darker coloured skirts or denim have really shown up around the skater skirt 'trend-line' recently. Also, for Skater Dresses, lace has become trending as well!

The Skater Skirt Look List for 2014
-Style solids with prints for a bold look!
-A bun in your hair is a great look with the skater skirt. 
-Pair some simple boots with your skater skirt.
-The right pair of sunglasses can be added. 

 Remember for that fun, fresh look, a solid colour should be worn with a print, especially for 2014. Have fun styling this cute and girly look! :)

Is Velvet Making a Come Back?

A while ago, I saw a girl wearing a velvet dress. She paired it with black tights and black boots, which are trending big-time right now! Not sure if velvet was making a come back or becoming a trend again, I decided I would do some research!

For 2014, velvet can be worn modernly just as that beautiful girl had styled that dress. It was a simple outfit and looked very 'fresh' and 'new.'

Below are some ways velvet dresses can be worn today! 

These dresses are so beautiful and are so very versatile. 

Other ways to wear velvet garments:

These are great for the upcoming winter to spring transition. The velvet shorts add so much and add an extra touch to that tan, light-fitted sweater. A floral blouse peaking out under the sweater just assures us all that spring is for surely on it's way! ✿

Boots have been a huge trend in the recent months and not just because of the autumn and winter. The versatility of them lets you add them to any outfit and shows off a twist of comfort and vintage style. Maybe try to pair a velvet boot with an outfit to add creativity. Both of the pictures above show a side of vintage style as well. 

As I see it, velvet today will not hit the fashion market widespread. Searching on internet, there wasn't much to find for modern fashion. If you feel otherwise about velvet becoming a trend again, don't be shy about commenting! If you want to wear velvet, it will provide a look of vintage style. You will have to put the outfit together yourself though with pieces as there aren't many choices for velvet these days. Making it into modern style is all on you! 

Now, for some red velvet cake...

Now you have pink hair,do you know what to wear?

Pink can be seen as girly and a lot like wearing candy floss on your head. 

I know pink hair is hard to keep looking fresh as you have to keep dying it over and over. Plus the fact you have to bleach your hair first to even get any form of pink. That can damage hair over time. 

However,

There are many pretty forms of pink hair:

Light pale Pink

Purpley Pink

Bright Pink

For pink hair, don't wear too many colour combination. Don't want to look like a clown do you?

Here are outfit ideas that might inspire you:

 If you want to know where to buy anything featured here comment on the post and I'll tell you.

I hope it help you figure out a way to make your pink hair look amazing for you.

Ever made those Daisy Chains? Now the floral crown is popular.

As a child I spent many days crafting daisy chains to wear on my head. Pretty girly thing to do however, the floral garland is a hippie trend originally. Shows you are at own with nature.

Floral crowns are now a huge hit at summer festivals which forms the appearance of a dancing fairy. 

   

I think they are really romantic. Another idea is to wear the floral crown at a wedding instead of a tiara.  You can match a bouquet and colour theme elegantly.

 This is excellent for outdoor weddings. If you're into the boho style or want to simply add a girly pop of colour to an otherwise white/ivory outfit, a floral crown is perfect for you.

Here are how a few brides wore them for their big day:

Flower girls look cute with flower garlands too. 

My three favourite looks for this nature trend:

Now I bet you are thinking these are beautiful and I'm inspired to wear one but, you don't know where to go to buy a crown.

You can in fact make one yourself. 

(Would put a tutorial up but, many are on youtube or other blogs easy to search for).

www.etsy.com is a fantastic way to get a custom crown. Helpful to order a crown to match a wedding theme or even find your favourite colour. Variety of prices so be sure to look around and don't just go for the first find. You never know a better shop might be available.

Or try one of these shops shown bellow:

I hope this inspires you to wear one of these in your hair this spring. They look amazing with long or short hair however, smaller flowers fit shorter hairstyles better due to massive flowers can cover all of your head.