Cheap flats and a giraffe!

Ahhhh! I've been so incredibly busy... taking 20 credits to finish out my last year is definitely taking it's toll on me! So lately it's just been a whole lot of school and homework, lames. I went around downtown last night with my friend Amanda to check out a little of ArtPrize! It is a-maaaaazing! I feel so lucky to live in Grand Rapids! While we were downtown we stopped at Goodwill to check out an ArtPrize piece.. I unfortunately didnt have my camera with me. Anyway, it was a neat piece and I also found a few finds myself, yaaay!! I got two pairs of shoes, a pencil skirt, and a belt. I am also looking forward to this weekend, a friends birthday party, AQ Homecoming, and of course.. homework. Thrift theme this week: Always take a second, third, and eighth look! As in, always take a thorough look at what you buy. There may be a permanent stain, snag, hole, etc.... and I personally know how much of a bummer it is to get home and notice something wrong with the item you bought. The good thing is that many of these things are fixable! Take a look and determine if it is something you can fix or not to determine if you want to purchase the item!

Tanktop- Platos Closet, brand: Express, $7

Cardigan- AE $14

Necklace- Goodwill $.73 cents

Belt- Goodwill $1

Skirt- Salvation Army, Brand: Gap $2

Tights: Forever 21

Flats- Urban Exchange, Brand: Candies $5.30

Goodwill & Accessories!

If you don't already know, I am a Sustainability Intern at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids! I could not picture a better opportunity to utilize my sustainable business education. I truly feel lucky for this experience! I landed this internship in two ways I think... first being, I was really the only one that made consistent contact and second being a line of a friend of a friend. My boyfriend, Brett's good friend is married to the cousin of my manager, so there's a bit of a history there, luckily! So it was nice to do the initial tour with Brett and meeting someone who he was familiar with. Thus far, I have learned a lot and also thrifted a looooot. I figured it would be nice to showcase some of my recent finds at Goodwill! I have been to every Goodwill located in the Grand Rapids area, and even in other states! Going ''thrifting'' is ideal for anyone who loves shopping and also likes to take their time. I think it is important to allocate enough time to visit secondhand shops. Going to the mall is different too me... it's like you see all the same items from one store to another. I find myself zipping in and out of stores compared to when I secondhand shop. It is different because each item is unique at secondhand shops and their usually not too organized. I'm not saying you shouldn't go thrifting if you only have 15-30mins... I do that all the time! But, ideally, it is nice to allocate a good amount of time so that you may look at EVERYTHING! I find most of my items in such odd spots of the store! If your looking for accessories to tie an outfit together or to complete a room, thrift shops are perfect! From finding a belt, purse to picture frames and end tables... thrift shops are where it's at to save the Benjamin's! The main driver of going on a accessory hunt are: moving into a new place, redecorating, and new clothing (in my opinion). The first thing I want to do when I move into a new place is to make it cute, who doesn't?! It is common to take that trip out to Target or Walmart to get those key items for cheap. Which is silly in a way... don't spend more than you have to (unless there is absolutely no other alternative)! How about this option, grab some friends, go thrifting, and eat a yummy lunch! it's not only more enjoyable, it is also better for your local economy! Patronizing your local shops improves your community, it's a known fact. It is also nice to build relationships with the stores you frequent to make that thrift experience even better! Enough with my rambling... here are some items: woot!

I love this stand, the details and it's bronze color. Eventually.. I am going to get a plastic crate and put plants on this stand.

$2

I use this stand to put spare blankets on, it will definitely be useful for the winter!

$ .50 cents

Red over the shoulder purse

$4

Black&Gold pleated OTS purse

$ .33 cents

Awesome find! This is the purse I am using now... It is a Coach leather purse!

$ .33 cents

My new favorite heels!!

$4

Black w/ gold studs

Black shelf

$ .50 cents

Black&White rug

$1.50

As you can see... you can find some super cheap bargains at secondhand shops! So get out there and go thrifting! You can also find some sweet bargains on Value chic's blog! http://valuechic.blogspot.com/ It is done by two girls named Courtney & Amber. Check it out!

=)

Hair Model for the night

My friend Amanda, who I have known since recess days way back when, came over last night to do my hair! She recently finished up a cosmetology degree from Douglas J Aveda (looove) and she is working on a hair portfolio. She's been wanting to do my hair since it is sooo long and thick. Confession time, I have a ton of hair...it's ridiculous sometimes! It is comparable to the thickness of horse hair... but very healthy! I rarely wear my hair up because it is so heavy and it gives me a headache to have it up in a bun, polytail, and the likes... So i just wanted to make a quick post to display her work of art! Apologies in advance for the order of the pictures.. for some odd reason it's not letting me rearrange them!

the beginning.. ahha

These are all taken by Amanda on my balcony!

The best things in life are free!

I was greatly looking forward to this Labor Day weekend, cooler weather and an extra day off classes! However, the weather was pretty lousy...but on the flip-side I got to get out a lot! On Friday I took my Grandma out to my Sister's house for their garage sale. We didn't get to stay too long since... the wind began to pick up and like my grandma, I'm always cold. So the next logical stop was Panera Bread on the way home for a warm cup of soup. Now, there is something I must address... I am obsessed with Panera- I absolutely love it and I always always alwaaaays get the same thing. I don't think I could ever get sick of it... I could only possibly get sick of spending money. I guess my title is a bit contradictory to my love for Panera, hah! Saturday I worked and did homework all day- no fun. Sunday was pretty legit. I went to Muskegon with Brett to go out to eat with his dad for his Birthday! We went to Hobo's Tavern, mmmm so good! Afterwards, Brett and I stopped at his mom and took a trip to Muskegon Pier! We wanted to check out the waves since the wind was gusty all day!

Some pictures from the pier:

solar panel-woot!

These are items that I have recently obtained on some thrift trips and scavenge hunts.

This is a bronze magazine rack... seeing as a already have one I am not using yet I had to figure out another use for this. I figured it would be a good towel holder, and it is, woot! I have it placed right outside my bathroom door since there is not much room in the bathroom to store my towels.

I believe this was at one point a record stand. Seeing as I have no vinyl records, I am using it to sort out my school books and folders! It's really nice! I love that it has wheels- It encourages my laziness, I can just cart it around my apartment and whatever I need, it's all there!

I adore older, vintage furniture! There is a house down the street from me that is currently being emptied. so I've been keeping a eye on it ;) I always say "If it's on the curb, it's fair game" (This is where I got the mag. rack and record stand) My roommate Vic seen the owner put this chair out on the curb and called me right away! I immediately turned down the food I was cooking and ran down the street with her and fell in love. A couple minutes later we were struggling to get this into out upstairs apartment! haha The best part is that it was freeeeee

Going off on that... Spring and the end of Summer are the best times to go scouting for free curb items! I also suggest scouting out garage sales... if you want free items, go at the end. More times then not people will either, hand off to family, donate, or save the items for a future garage sale. However, a lot of people do not like to haul items back into their house. This is when they either give the items away or sell them dirt cheap! I have found plenty of items this way... If you are garage sale hunting, make sure to check out craigslist, the newspaper, bulletin boards in local stores, word of mouth, facebook, and best of all- get friendly with your neighbors in order to be one of the first to hear about the sale!!

This is the other mag rack i spoke of previously... I got this at Goodwill Outlet for 30 cents!

My falling into Fall outfit!

Shirt, necklace, and headband from AE

Skirt- thrifted, One Girls Treasure $6

Belt- Goodwill $1

Shoes- Charlotte Russe $4

This outfit is perfect for cooler weather! I am way into detailed tights, especially since they keep your legs warm!

This skirt is so fun! It has all these odd shapes on it like yo-yo's, candy cane, tape cassette..

Thanks,

A step in the right direction

A little of me and a touch of clothes!

This is from a couple weeks ago. My friends Liza, Hilary, and I went on a final beach rendezvous before that start of our FINAL college semesters! conquer. It felt so good to hangout with these lovely gals again before our lives got too hectic! We drove to PJ Hoffmaster State Park to catch the sunset. I absolutely love Michigan. What you may not know is that Michigan was in the book of Genesis, yes... in the creation story. God specially crafted this state to have amazing beaches, mesmerizing waterfalls, and of course, the mystery spot! Who would of thought?! This is my wittiness coming out but I just think Michigan got's it going on..
Me, Hilary, and Liza

After enjoying the sunset we went on a picture frenzy!

Fellow sunset viewer was nice enough to take a photo for us!

Now to the clothes...my outfit : ]
necklace&vest- Goodwill $4
V Neck- AE $7
Shorts- Charlotte Russe $8
Belt- Goodwill $1
*purse in the back- White/Brown leather-vintage Coach over the shoulder $9!!

I get most of my clothing from thrift shops or cheap deals at the mall/online. I can't say if I am necessarily inspired by a particular person but I do definitely take cues from websites, blogs, magazines, and mainly my surrounding environment. I'm the type that likes to take cues from this and oh oh and an idea from that and toss it all together to make my own final piece. Not saying that I take out my whole closet every day and throw stuff together but I am a big fan of last minute inspirations!

My favorite picture!

Notice our feet te he!

After the beach we went on a hunt for food... There is nothing what so ever located around Getty Drive In (our next destination) So we ended up going to some shady gas station where they were selling bags of chips that expired 3 years ago! yum. It took awhile to find some 'decent' snacks but it happened all in good fun!

Thanks! Hope everyone enjoys the first post =)