I have been looking at the future with a little apprehension, knowing that there are a lot of changes coming my way, hard changes, ones that cause me to want to climb back into bed and stay there until they all disappear. Well it doesn’t work that way. Changes come with life, that’s just the way it is. So I’m getting out of bed and going to be a big girl and face these changes head on.

Well one change I don’t mind making is the changes that I make to clothes, I love making clothes look new and different. Last week I found this cute sweater and I knew right off that I would have to change it up a bit.

BEFORE

It was super easy – here is what I did: I just took my handy dandy seam ripper and took the sleeves and neck piece out – that simple!

AFTER

Sorry had no extra hands to take the photo. Much more sophisticated dont you think?

I found this vintage slip at a thrift store a while back. I fell in love with the lace at the bottom, its so feminine. My first thoughts were to use it under a dress, cut off the top part and put some elastic where the waist should be. That way the lace could show under a dress. But I am not sure right now. I have seen some people make some adjustments to slips and wear them as dresses. I don’t know if I am that brave but I am sure I don’t want to cut it apart until I know exactly what I should do. Any ideas?

I did a little shopping today at my favorite thrift store – the Red, White & Blue Thrift Store in Gladstone, Oregon. After a nice lunch with my mom, I decided I would stop by the Red, White & Blue to see what I could find. They have the best deals in thrift shopping with specials for everyone everyday. And apparently on Wednesdays its Senior Citizen day and they get 50% off everything. I was so bummed when I heard that because I had just dropped my mother off at her house. But it didn’t stop me from finding some great deals without the discount.

Stretchy strapless number from Express - even the umbrella was found at a thrift store.

Just thought the way the sun made those spots on the lens looked cool and it really was raining.

Yesterday I had my sewing machine out and was getting ready to fix my youngest daughters book bag when my other daughter sat down and started talking to me about making a bag from old suits with a neck tie as a handle. I suggested she use her grandpas tie for that. Her gramps(my father) just passed away on Dec 23 and all the grandkids took a tie from his large collection to wear to his memorial last week. Her reply right away was no, she didn’t want to use his tie in that way, saving it to be worn later.

While looking for ideas of what she could make I came across this Etsy shop called Mandinka Designs. They have an eclectic array of artfully made bags. They are all made from reclaimed, recycled men’s suit coats. Take a look at what they have, you wont be disappointed.

I found this vintage bright pink mid calf 60′s dress with long sheer sleeves a while back. I decided the length and the sleeves had to be changed up a bit. I love the dresses I have seen at different antique stores where the people have taken a vintage wedding gown or prom dress and added flare to them, shortened them, and turned them into a style all their own.

With this dress all I did was cut the sleeves off (as you can see below) and cut the length a bit, making it a little past my knees. I would love to add some fun vintage items to this. Do you have any ideas for me? Please comment and let me know what could be added to this vintage dress to give it some flare.

The leather Nine West shoes were thrifted also. I love them!

I’m excited to wear this dress to a Christmas party this season. Now all I need is a black wrap!

If you have never made it to a Goodwill Outlet than you really haven’t lived. Some people find it a disgusting place to set foot, but my friend and I have found that this can be a wonderful way to find some one-of-a-kind pieces for your wardrobe and the enjoyment it brings can’t be surpassed.

Here is how it works: You pay by the pound, my father always called it “Crap by the pound”. So our husbands have caught on to that, and ask us regularly “Are you wearing Crap today?”, “How much crap are you wearing today” or “How many pounds of crap did you buy?”. It never ceases to amaze us how often they can slip “crap” into their conversations.

Depending on where you live, the prices will be different, but for us it is:

• $1.39 per pound for 0-19 pounds
• 99 cents per pound for 20-49 pounds
• 59 cents per pound for 50 pounds or more

Looking around the Goodwill Outlet you will see bins full of clothes, glassware, books, and toys. Furniture is usually on the floor around one side of the room.

You have to dig for your treasures, and this is where some people get grossed out. Some people swear on wearing plastic gloves, others don’t and will even let their kids sit amongst the dirty clothes. We have seen people fold all their clothes in their cart, we have seen people with overflowing carts(usually ourselves) and we have seen people cover their carts with blankets or sheets while they walk around the store grabbing more items.

Its an interesting place to visit, even if you don’t buy anything (or touch anything for that matter), you will surely get a kick out of people watching. The one thing that cracks me up the most is when a person will turn to me and sternly say “I’m looking in this area”, like they had an invisible rope up and I was supposed to know where it was. Being the polite person I am I quickly move on to another area and let them look.

It truly is like a “Feeding Frenzy” as they bring out new bins, people fight for the best position to get clothes or items. It cracks me up. Check it out for yourself, your sure to have a good laugh.

This leather bag came to my attention when I was looking for a lost glove. I found this really pretty leather rabbit fur lined glove but the mate had gone missing. I was a bit sad when I couldn’t find it until I came upon this hand-made leather purse. People give the most amazing things away. This purse is so pretty and the color so rich, perfect for the fall. I found this at one of my favorite thrift stores. The place I frequent most. I sometimes wish clothes could talk, because I am sure this bag had a lot of adventures. There are some inconsistencies like the handles that don’t match up completely, or the half done lining inside, that make me think this was hand-made. The stitching is done so well and after all, the imperfectness of it gives it more character. Its In The Bag!

Call me crazy, but lately I have enjoyed rummaging through thrift stores looking for fun clothes and the occasional treasure. Yes, the old saying is true, “One mans trash is another mans treasure”.

Today I am wearing a bohemian (or would you call it hippie?) 70’s dress with flowers on the front, with some great lace leggings(almost like Madonna but not black), Wrangler leather boots and a jean jacket(new) all found at thrift stores.

It always amazes me how many adorably, unique clothes are out there to be recycled and reused. I love finding the occasional dress or shirt from the 50′s and 60′s. And let’s not forget that I am being good to the environment! Go Green Baby!

When I left the house this morning I was ready for the occasional funny comment or odd look but I haven’t received anything negative yet. My hubby said I looked cute, that’s always a plus and actually when I was ordering at Starbucks the beautiful brunette behind the counter said, “I love your outfit”!

I’m not sure I will be able to wear this dress for a while since its getting colder and the whole “White after Labor Day thing” but it sure was fun to wear today.