Thrift Store Finds: Moving Week Edition

During my usual rounds around the secondhand spots this past weekend I was met with quite a surprise – the places were PACKED. Duh, obviously it was the weekend after Boston’s annual (dreaded) August 31^st/September 1^st moving days. But even though there was slimmer pickin’s than usual on the housewares front, I did manage to knock a few items off my list. Yeah, I make thrifting lists now. Budgeting makes you make lists. Good times.

I needed a better way to manage my now overabundance of jewels, so I found a couple of silver cake stands, and a-one, and a-two, and a-three:

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Prest-o change-o! Makeshift jewelry stand. Take that, cheaply-made, overpriced Urban Outfitters versions!

The lady at the shop (who pinned me for a secondhand junkie as soon as I walked in) told me with a little polish and elbow-grease they would triple in value, but I kind of like the antique-y patina going on. Besides I have no intentions of covering these in cake anyways. Cookware and the like almost exclusively serves as décor in this abode.

Then there was this little guy, which I can only assume is intended as a fingerbowl. I actually have no idea what a fingerbowl is, but let’s pretend I know what I’m talking about. Anyways, its new purpose in life is to contain my rings. I’m sure that’s way more fun than whatever it is fingerbowls do.

At the end of the day, I’m always glad to add a little more gaudy-Italian-grandma-décor to my living space.  

The Dark Crystal

I've been on the hunt for a geode ring for awhile, but I've been a bit finicky about just what I want...

Enter Etsy shop Sparkle Couture.

A surprisingly unique take on the geode jewelry trend, Jenny Lee's pieces are perfect for us girls who are more interested in a...diamond-in-the-rough kind of bling. Her pieces remind me of these beautiful blue geodes my dad uses as bookends, and I love the contrast of the rough rock with the brightly colored stones.

This stalagmite ring has my name written alllllllllllllllllll over it:

Photo courtesy of Sparkle Couture

I would even possibly battle a Skeksi for it...

Okay, sorry...BAD JOKE.

Balayage is NOT Just for Blondes...

I've been whining about it for awhile, but after seeing Drew Barrymore's new haircolor in her spread for Neiman Marcus, my craving for fiery balayaged locks has been reignited.

So, bored with my monotone mane, come birthday-time I'm going for it. Red lips too.

I mean, come on, wouldn't I look supremely autumnal with hair reminiscent of a big ol' pile of leaves???

Fall 2011 Wishlist

Okay, I’m ready for fall. The shopping list starts here and now, because come September 1^st I will be (hopefully) successfully moved into a new apartment that will essentially act as an enormous walk-in closet. And…go!

Fancy Sweats

Rodarte Sweatshirt via Opening Ceremony

I will easily live in this come fall. And it will make hangover Mondays just so much more bearable.

Vintage Collar

Vintage Collar via Etsy

I get teased at work for my love of the Peter Pan collar. I’ve been a fan since kindergarten and show no signs of stopping. So it is only cost-effective to have a lovely, bejeweled little buddy to attach to any old tee I want. Or maybe even my new sweatshirt. Hangover Mondays just got reeeeal fancy.

Architectural Wedge Booties

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Mary Belle Booties

Still not over this. Wedges have now become my version of sneakers. What exactly classifies a “walking shoe” anyways? But also...

Hiking Boots That You Wouldn’t Actually Wanna Hike In

Privileged Ally Hiker Wedges via Lulu's

To wear with floral skirts, lace dresses…any time I need to butch it up just a little bit. Or also with...

Horse Print Jacket

Vintage Horse-Print Jacket via Etsy

I saw one of these in a thrift store last month in a size XXL which prompted me to text three people asking what is considered “oversized” and what is considered “crazy bag lady too big.” And so Etsy, you’re my only hope for proper-fitting equestrian themed clothing.

Okay, it can start getting nippy out now...

I Came, I Saw, I Copied.

Backstory: Once upon a time, a young red-haired lass was browsing the internet, not really looking for anything in particular, when --

WHAM!

She spied this baby:

Photo via Refinery29

Since then I've searched high and low for this spearhead necklace by Madewell. Okay, I mean I went on their website and it wasn't there, and then I briefly checked Ebay and couldn't find it, therefore concluding it does not exist in real life. It was quite the trek.

Anyways, I'd been on the hunt for something similar when I saw an emaciated sad little version in a Forever21 ad. It wasn't quite right (as F21's stuff tends to be...seriously, what's with all the rhinestones???), but then I had a brilliant idea!

I picked up TWO of the pathetic little wannabe's and, kelly clamps in hand, Frankensteined my own version.

Okay, so it might not be Madewell (or, you know...made well), but for a grand total of about $13 and the duration of a Seinfeld rerun, I'm pretty happy with my little creation. Extra points because it jingles whenever I move, something sure to annoy all passersby. 

Yes, Mom. I will go to Macy's with you.

...on August 31st, when Karl Lagerfeld's line for Macy's comes out.

And here are the pieces I will be after:

Photos via nymag.com

A crisp, super-high-collared button-down, with sleeves puffed in somewhat random places. Just thinking of the big ass ascot you could tie around this baby is making me drool. Also good for hickey-coverage.

Last year it was the military trend. This year? A preview for the military trend circa 2057. Dresses that somewhat resemble alien overcoats? Yes, please.

Okay, so this is basically what I wear to work every day in the wintertime anyway. But this is the Karl version, so it's a big step up.

Keep Karl somewhere between your heart and your wallet at all times. 

I mean, if I could dress like Wednesday Addams every day without it being considered some sort of social disorder, I probably would.

I think these are all reasonable requests. Mom, take me shopping? Yeah?

Citrus Fruits

You know my deal with popsicles. I love ‘em, but I only like the citrus flavors: orange, lime, maybe a lemon here and there. (I’m particularly partial to boxes that only sell these flavors, like Shaw’s Citrus Sticks, which have been mysteriously absent from the frozen section as of late…) Well, now this taste for sweet acidics has begun to translate to my tastes in threads. And for someone who has still not imbibed of traditional American lemonade (I promise to try it by the end of the summer, guys!), this is highly, highly bizarre…

We all remember Jil Sander’s citrus takeover this spring. The lemons, the limes, the oranges…even venturing into grapefruit…

Images via style.com

And yes, these shoes are calling to me. Fruit bowls are just generally appealing. Even if these Jeffrey Campbells sort of remind me of something my grandma might have worn while serving chicken salad on her front porch in the summer…And the cutout platforms? Not sure if I’ve quite graduated to these yet, but I can only dream…

via NastyGal and Indie Fashion Market

Okay, this next one is not citrus-themed, but I couldn’t resist!

from Etsy

Green apples always provide my tastebuds with the tang I desire. And come on, it’s only fitting.