I Tried It Tuesday- Shoe Stretcher

I went thrifting this weekend, and as usual, found a bunch of awesome stuff! I promise a full post on all the stuff I got will come later, but I did want to talk about this awesome shoe trick.

I found these beauties for $1.25!! I knew they had to be mine! I tried them on in the store, but when I got home, they were a little tight. I remembered a segment I saw on the Rachel Ray show once in the gym (her talk show, not the cooking show, is that still even on?) when I lived in Phoenix. I had never tried it, but I had remembered it all these years! What you do it put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, rub it on the inside of the shoes, and then wear them for half an hour. Something about the alcohol makes the leather conform to your foot, and then the shoes fit like a glove! (This only works on leather shoes, btw. If you are against wearing shoes that are all leather because they are expensive, call me. I'll tell you about the magical stretching powers of leather and how the shoe repair guy can fix them like 100 times and they still look good as new. Worth every penny! Also, if you need a shoe repair guy, I have an excellent one!) 

My review: Works like a charm! After I got over my feet being pinched a little when I walked around, they stretched out nicely. You have to get the cotton ball pretty soaked with the alcohol, and you really do have to wear them for a while. But if you have any (leather) shoes laying around that aren't being worn because they are a bit too small, try this! 

Thrifting Finds!

I had an awesome thrifting trip about a month ago, but I haven't taken the time to take pictures of everything to post! I finally go most of them together, so here it is!

I like having my makeup out where I can see it, but it starts to take over the counter! I never want to stuff it all back in the bag, and then have to search for what I need. This is a real silver tray, and it has a great design on the bottom, which you cannot see because my makeup is on it! I love this tray, it makes me feel like a lady, and my bathroom stays 50% cleaner!

Cost: $3.50

 Denim jacket. I love these jackets so much with the one button and flared fit!

Cost: $4.98

I call this a lampshade skirt, the pleats remind me of a lampshade. I have wanted one of these FOREVER, but I never found one in good condition, or for a price I liked. 

Cost: $4.98

This is part of my 30 for 30, and I mentioned there how much I love this dress.  Let me say it again: I LOVE THIS DRESS!!! It's from Talbots, and looks brand new!

Cost: $6.98

I love Ann Taylor clothes. I do not love paying for them. So finding this skirt at a thrift store: Awesome!

Cost: $4.98

Another great Ann Taylor find! And you can't beat the price!!

Cost: $2.50 (I know!!!)

 I got one more blazer, it's cream and light gold zebra stripes. I can't get a good picture of it though! So imagine what it would be like, ok? 

Cost: $6.98

Why I Thrift

Last week I was talking to a friend about my resolution to only thrift shop this year. Like most people, she thought I was crazy, and I found myself defending my choice again. It really made me think about why I thrift.

There are two reasons, really.

1)      I have expensive taste, and a cheapskate heart. I love well made clothes. Skirts that are lined, dresses that fall just right, and shoes that last forever make me so happy! These are not the clothes that you find at Ross, Old Navy, Forever 21 or Target. Even Gap and Banana Republic have been disappointing me with their quality lately. J Crew, Ann Taylor, and The Limited are more of my thing. But paying $50 for one shirt? Seriously? Not gonna happen… It has nothing to do with my bank account, it just seems wasteful to spend that much money. The more I thrift, the more ridiculous the prices in regular stores look.

2)      I’m able to find more unique items. Sometimes shopping at regular stores can be so… boring. Everyone is selling the same thing! There are millions of ruffle shirts and embellished cardis.  Which is great, if that’s what I’m looking for, but sometimes I want something totally out of fashion! I want a houndstooth blazer! I want a calf length skirt! I want peep toe kitten heels!

I totally get why some people hate to thrift. I get how people can be grossed out with the smell, or the thought of wearing something someone else wore. I understand that some people get frustrated shopping all day and only getting one shirt. I also get why people will buy something that is cheap and trendy, only expecting it to last one season. But for me, thrifting is my way of feeding my fancy taste while not making my thrifty side pass out!  

Thrifting

One of my New Years resolutions was to only thrift shop for an entire year. People stare at me funny when I say this. Or they don't believe I can do it. But it is March, and I haven't broken it yet! I went thrifting last weekend and came back with two great finds:

First, this super awesome jacket. (Yes, I am lame and took a picture of myself with my phone in my dining room mirror. And yes, I am in my pj's. And yes, that is my house behind me. If you haven't come over to visit yet, please feel free to zoom in and take a look around. It will almost be like you were here. If you stopped by and refused to leave the dining room...)

Totally vintage, I love it! Do they even make this brand anymore??

And check out the buckles on each wrist and at the waist. They just don't make clothes with this level of detail anymore!!

Cost: $1.25

And next, this jacket/shrug. It's from Gap. I know it doesn't look like much over my sweater, but imagine it over a cute Summer dress, ok?

Cost: $1.25