Thrifting List for Fall

I love a good To Do list, and after reading the September Issues, I made a To Thrift list. Fall is my season. I love the weather, the colors and the clothes. Unrelated, but I also love Halloween. You, too? Good! Come shop with me on October 19!

Goodwill is hosting a meet-up called Style with a Purpose. Get personalized advice from a dozen local bloggers and shop merchandise especially selected by the experts (that's me!) to reflect our unique styles (and possible Halloween costumes). We'll share our shopping strategies and help you put outfits together.

There are a few fall trends I think will be easy to thrift:

Oversized blazers
Calf-length floral skirts
Ironic tees.

Here's the thing, some of these trends won't be around next season, and I don't know about you, but if I'm only going to wear something for 3 months, I'm not spending $120 on it. But a $6 oversized blazer from Goodwill? Yes, please. I'll take four.

Thrifting List for Fall:

1) mixed patterns
2) animal print (faux fur)
3) floral / silk bomber
4) oversized blazer
5) hard plastic accessories
7) embellished box jacket
8) stacked loafers
9) robes over jeans
10) ironic tees

@r29Fahion, @mrspress, @nytimesfashion

First up, mixed patterns. I'm so into this trend, even though I have yet to successfully pull it off. I'm currently on the hunt for patterned pants. There are a bunch that fit the bill, but don't fit my body. The search continues!

@nytimesfashion, @leandramcohen, @thecut, Michael Kors, Balenciaga, Marni

#DUH. I have in my possession an animal print blazer and a velour animal print robe that looks just like the Michael Kors coat in the bottom left-hand picture. I bought them both from Goodwill and will wear them with the indefatigable swagger of an Instagram influencer.

@nytimesfashion, Gucci

Silk bomber jackets are all the rage and I'm here for it. I've seen this trend go in a couple of different directions. First, the sexy secretary vibe up top, but also the cool L.A. girl style of Tuesday Bassen. Totally different directions, same trend. I have 2 of the floral jackets, both from Goodwill. The one I'm wearing in this picture up top was just 99 cents!

@whowhatwear, @whowhatwear, @nytimesfashion, @nytimesfashion, @manrepeller

Oversized blazers! I'm so excited about this trend because I own approximately 20 thrifted blazers. Here's what I've learned. These are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores, so start there and expect to pay $3 - $8. If you want the long, oversized blazer, it needs to already be long. I keep trying to make XXL blazers work and I end up looking like shrunken-head-Beetlejuice. I've been buying blazers about 1-2 sizes too big, and that works. Also, try mens blazers. They'll probably already be long, plus they won't have shoulder pads.

Chloe, Bally

I'm back on earrings. For the past few years, I've been keeping my earring game low-key, instead focusing on bracelets and necklaces. But I'm obsessed with earrings again. These glossy black and red accessories are everywhere. I found my mouth earrings at Pre to Post Modern. The pom pom earrings are from Zara, and the black and white ones are vintage.

@nytimesfashion, @whowhatwear, @whowhatwear, Stella Luna, @nytimesfashion

I'm into all these weird shoes! I just recently started buying thrift store shoes. First of all, almost all of them have never been worn, and the ones that have I just wipe out with a Lysol wipe. It's fine! I've got silver boots, metallic mules and stacked loafers. I'm still on the lookout for a heeled v-shoe.

Dolce & Gabbana, @whowhatwear, @nytimesfashion

I love boxy embellished jackets. Such a statement piece! And such a thrill to find while thrifting. Some of my thrifted blazers are box-shaped, but they're not embellished. I don't come across these very often, and when I do, I talk myself out of it. "Are you really going to wear a jacket with epaulettes AND fringe?" This year, the answer will be yes.

Fratelli Rossetti

Okay, this is a stretch. I bought these American Eagle stacked loafers at Goodwill for maybe $2. Despite being from 1995, they have never been worn. How do I know they're from 1995? Because I worked at 3 different American Eagle stores from 1994-1999. Shout-out to Hickory Hollow Mall, Cool Springs Galleria, and Stones River Mall! Also, shout-out to malls. RIP.

@manrepeller, @r29fashion, @blaireadiebee @nytimesfashion, @nytimesfashion, @manrepeller

@whowhatwear, @jackswifefreda, @whowhatwear, @whowhatwear, @manrepeller, @manrepeller

I hope to live long enough to be known for something other than wearing robes over jeans, but can any of us really control our legacy? Not if Alexander Hamilton is to be believed. Now that I own every available thrift store robe in the tri-state area, I'm looking to transition to dresses over jeans. I've been slowly experimenting with it, but haven't gotten the look quite right yet. The good news is, the weirder the dress, the better the outfit. So at least I'm shopping in the right place.

@nicolettemason, @shopbando, @whowhatwear, @manrepeller, @r29fashion

I love an ironic tee so hard. Finding a tee with the right logo in the right place in the right size is a really triumphant feeling. There are approximately 3 million t-shirts in any Goodwill store, so a bit of 'strategery' (is that joke still funny? were any of you even alive when George W. Bush was President?) is required. I prefer to look in the Men's section. I start with white tees in size L. I don't look in every color and I cap my search at 10 minutes.

Get a head start on your To Thrift list by shopping my curated rack at Goodwill on October 19! If you know you're coming, RSVP. Having a headcount helps know how many drinks and snacks to buy. I did mention there will be drinks and snacks, right? See you on October 19!

All photos sources are @ Instagram

P.S. Shopping tips for creating a street style look on a budget!

P.P.S. For more fall inspiration, read my September Issues report.

September Issues

There is a day, every August, I awake with the memory of pumpkin spice on my tongue and the imagined feel of a thick, wool scarf around my neck, like a phantom sartorial limb, and I know it's time. It is time to buy the magazines.

I moved to New York City after college and worked for Gloria Vanderbilt's home furnishings company. My boss came from the fashion world, so my job every morning was to go through Women's Wear Daily and the trade magazines and pull trends. The things I pulled went directly onto the mood boards that hung above the collections. My point? I'm good at magazines.

My take-aways from the fall '17 magazines? Animal print, duh, but luxe animal print. Think velvet, velour, and faux fur. The Formation / military jacket is back, but with more bedazzling and a boxier silhouette. Bright, bold florals on top of more bold, bright florals, but with black (!!). Think more Heathers and less Kate Spade.

Wow, Vogue looks good to be 125 years old. Weighing in at 775 pages, this behemoth will set you back $9.99. Is it worth it? Yes. Plus, you can finally be in on all the Twitter jokes about how the liberal elites co-opted the Statue of Liberty.

This is just a page advertising Vogue's 125th anniversary edition, but I love this mix of colors and patterns. If I had a mood board, I'd put this on it.

Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Etro, Marni

Animal print!

"Ha-ha," they said when I bought a velour animal print robe to wear as a jacket. Well, dear Instagram follower, who's laughing now?

Gucci, J. Crew

I'm glad to see the return of the floral bomber jacket because I bought two last year, both from Goodwill, natch. I don't do sexy secretary, but I'm intrigued by this double floral, as opposed to how I usually wear mine - with an ironic tee and ripped boyfriend jeans.

I feel ridiculous every time I tie a bandana around my neck, but I refuse to quit trying to pull this look off. Thanks for the validation, J. Crew.

I pulled the most from this magazine, so if you only want to spend $5.99, buy Elle. It has 500 pages, so still a lot of bang for your buck. I have no idea who this is on the cover though.

Ralph Lauren, Missoni

For those of you just waking up from a coma, or not on Instagram, oversized blazers are big (heh) for fall. But don't buy a designer one. Go get one for $6 from Goodwill. I pulled these pictures because I've recently bought blazers in both of these patterns. And I just got them back from the dry cleaners, so watch out!

Chloe, Bally

Okay, two things. One, I love a purse in an interesting shape, even though most of them don't hold my iPad Mini phone. Where my 6sPlus users at? Two, I'm into these glossy black and red embellishments. Hot tip: there are $12 earring and pin versions of these at Pre To Post Modern. I bought the mouth earrings because they remind me of Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Stella Luna, Loeffler Randall, Vans, Nike Air Jordan III, Dr. Martens

Those of you old enough to have had to wear stilettos until SATC went off the air will rejoice with me at the resurgence of tennis shoes as fashion. I have checkerboard Vans, but I want some hightop Airwalks and OG Doc Martens. I'm also super into these v-shaped shoes everyone is wearing.

Loewe, Michael Kors Collection

In 2005, John and I were still early enough in our relationship to do couples Halloween costumes. John was an astronaut and I was his alien bride, which was presumptuous because we had barely been dating a year. I digress. My costume was a silver lame dress (that I still have). So, two things: I am relationship psychic and fashion psychic. Take note.

Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garcons, Libertine

This picture on the left is probably my favorite outfit in all three magazines. So this is a faux-fur animal print coat over a hoodie, over leather pants. I can't even. If I die this season, bury me in this.

I had a pair of giraffe print pants in college that I TREASURED. They were from the Victoria's Secret catalogue, circa 1996. These $1,000 Libertine pants remind me of them, and of the Sigma Chi formal in Atlanta I wore them to.

Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci

I love all of this. It's hard to tell, but the shoes in the left are animal print patent leather oxfords! I swear to God, I will be haunted to the day I die by the things I don't buy in thrift stores. Years ago, I found an embellished, box, denim jacket with shoulder pads, fringe and huge gold buttons and I didn't buy it. Why aren't there time machines yet?! P.S. These mid-length tweed skirts are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores and I love them punked out like this with a hoodie, moto jacket and combat boots.

I like Marie Claire. They have a good mix of fashion, think pieces, and book reviews. There's a lot in this magazine, I had just already flagged most of it. For only $4.99, it's worth buying.

Chanel

Obviously, none of us are buying Chanel, but, I found a thrifted version of this exact skirt at Goodwill recently. I had it on my rack at the September Sip, Style, and Shop event. Someone bought it. If it was you, tag me in a picture! I like these pleated skirts and I'm glad the trend isn't over yet.

Michael Kors Collection, Balenciaga, Jeremy Scott

Oh hello, more textured animal print. Is this the year I finally buy faux-fur? Can I pull off an eye patch? It's designer...

Pierre Hardy, Fratelli Rossetti

You guys, I'm going to go balls to the wall in silver lame this season. Just you wait. I love those silver stacked heel boot-shoes. I pulled the other page because there's another mid-length pleated skirt, and because I like those thick soled loafers with the buckle and tassel.

Gucci

Can you tell I love this jacket? I also love this zip-up, sweater jacket. I'm really into a bright floral on a black background. Thrifted version of this, I will find you!

P.S. Want more? Check out my September Issues post from 2016!

P.P.S. I'm sharing tips on creating a street style look on a budget here.

Christmas Card Roundup

Not feeling the holiday spirit? Me either. I usually buy a few boxes of Christmas cards and send them out after Thanksgiving, but I'm not feeling it this year. But then.... I found all of these hilarious cards online! So maybe I'm feeling just a little bit of cheer.

If you can't get it together in time to buy these cards and get them out before Christmas, I feel you. My friend Jess has opened a store in East Nashville called Gift Horse, and Gift Horse is having a Holla Day Market on December 15 from 5-8pm. Go buy your cards there! And while you're there, buy a Dolly Parton makeup bag, or hot pink hotdog wrapping paper, or Golden Girls patches. Buy it all! It's my new favorite store.

In the meantime, here are my favorite holiday cards to buy without leaving your house.

Holidays Be Triflin Card $4 via BettyTurbo

STUPID SANTA $5 via TAY HAM

TREAT YO ELF! $5 via TAY HAM

GIFT BOX $5 via TAY HAM

DECK YOURSELF HOLIDAY CARD $4.50 via Emily McDowell Studio

JINGLE LADIES $3.15 via Jolly Awesome

I SLEIGH $3.15 via Jolly Awesome

RuPaul Funny Christmas Card $5 via Ex-Girlfriends Rebellion

Biggie Smalls Funny Christmas Card $5 via Ex-Girlfriends Rebellion

A RUPAUL CHRISTMAS $4.25 via Seas and Peas

I discovered both TAY HAM and Jolly Awesome when I was in Boston. Their cards crack me up and I've bought, and sent, a lot of them. Definitely check them out on Instagram. They run sales all the time.

P.S. While you're online shopping, don't forget to treat yo' self! Might I recommend buying pins and patches for your favorite jacket?

P.P.S. Why you should support independent, shop local, and support Etsy -- An Interview with Artist, Agnes Barton-Sabo.

4 Ways to Upgrade Your Denim Jacket for Fall

Obsessed with all the new enamel pins and patches? Me too. It started innocently enough. I bought a thrifted denim jacket and decided I'd finally buy this big "Whatever Hand" chenille patch that I'd been lusting over. But then the September issues came out and I saw pictures of jackets COVERED in patches and pins. Clearly, one lone patch wouldn't do. So I went kind of Etsy crazy and bought all the things. Let my manic online shopping spree be your guide.

First, you're going to want a denim jacket, preferably thrifted. Don't spend $70 on a jacket you're going to put a Gremlins patch on. Some tips for finding denim jackets in thrift stores:

• Look in the women's blazers section
• Look in the men's section
• Look in the men's athletic/hoodie/sweatshirt section
• If you're a lil' person, look in the children's section.

Pro tip: shop on the first Saturday of the month when all Goodwill stores are 50% off.

You have your thrifted denim jacket, now you need some patches. First of all, if any of you buy my hand patch, I will cut you. You guys, there are so many awesome patches! And they're like $6, so go crazy.

Here are my favorite places to buy patches and pins:

Etsy, duh
World Famous Original
Friend Mart
Darling Distraction
Band of Weirdos
Explorer's Press
ban.do

Patch Pro Tips:

• If you see a patch you like, buy it. They tend to sell out, and a lot of times, once they're gone, they don't restock. 
• Note who the original artist is and do a Google search for their name. A lot of them have their own retail site.
• Search "#patch" and "#patchgame" on Instagram. And while you're there, search "#patchadams" because there are 41,936 posts, and why not?

I don't know that you need help finding enamel pins because like Hugh Grant tells us in the greatest Christmas movie of our time, "If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that [enamel pins] actually [are] all around." I will say this, enamel pins cost more, so I've bought a lot of buttons on Etsy to keep my flair game on point without breaking the bank.

Here are some neat pins that you may not have seen:

Lady Pin No. 2
Strange Women Society Initiation Pin
Unfriended a Racist Everyday Bravery Pin
Secret Society of Beyonce
Eat Your Feelings
Sanitary Pad with Glitter

Etsy is a treasure-trove of must-have buttons. Simply type in a search for "feminist buttons" and you will be rewarded with hours of fun. So many uterus buttons.

Also, fo sho search Etsy for patches and enamel pins. They have a lot of awesome stuff I haven't seen anywhere else.

Okay, so you bought a thrifted denim jacket, covered it in patches, pins and buttons, and now you're all set, right? Wrong. Don't even think about wearing that jacket into Mas Tacos unless you've had it embroidered. Decide on a word and/or an image and let Rangerstitch complete your jacket's transformation. The good news is, he's usually outside of Mas Tacos, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Follow him on Instagram to find out where he is, and bring cash.

P.S. I found my denim jacket in my fall thrifting extravaganza.

P.P.S. Need some fall fashion inspiration? Check out my September Issues post.

Thrifting List for Fall

After reading the September issues, I made a "To Thrift" list. There are a lot of trends for fall that I'm interested in.

Formation jackets
robes and kimonos
animal print
herringbone

And I see a lot of this stuff at the thrift stores. I'm confident I can pull off thrifted versions of most, if not all, of these trends. The real trick will be finding reasons to get dressed and leave the house as I work from home and rarely change out of my pajamas.

Thrifting List for Fall:

1) denim jacket
2) cute clutch or interesting purse
3) military blazer
4) animal print
5) silver shoes
6) silk scarves and bandanas
7) fun, ironic t-shirts
8) silk robe / kimono

[Top Pic]

First up, the coveted, thrifted denim jacket. I can't believe I found one. It was at Southern Thrift on Charlotte Ave buried amongst the ladies blazers. The jean jacket of my dreams would be boxier and faded, but this one works. Plus, thrifted denim jackets are really hard to find. There's a follow up post coming on patches and enamel pins, but rest assured, I've bought all of them.

[Left] [Top Right] [Bottom Right]

I still carry my beloved Cambridge Satchel, but a lot of times if I'm going out at night, or on the weekends, I want something funny and/or weird to carry. I'm seeing a lot of basket, or woven, style bags on Pinterest. I haven't come across any yet while thrifting, but my eyes are peeled.

Military jacket, Formation jacket - tomato, tomahto. I own the two jackets on the left, both thrifted. The two on the right are from the September issue of Vogue. In the past, I've seen these jackets styled with jeans and a button-down, but I may try pairing them with black pants this year. You know, or a black leotard.

[Left]

Oy, animal print. I hilariously own a caftan that looks exactly like the one in the picture on the left. It's enormous, but maybe I can make it work. The dress I'm trying on (top right) was Faded Glory and had a corset v-neck that I just couldn't get on board with. The caftan in the bottom was awesome, but it was a pull-over. If it had zipped all the way open, I would have bought it.

[Left] [Top Right]

As I get older, I realize there are trends I've never let go of. Metallics is one of them. I've been wearing metallic shoes for well over a decade. I thrifted the silver booties in the bottom right picture. Similar to this Who What Wear picture, I've been wearing them with frayed-hem jeans. I don't look quite as pulled together as this fancy lady does, but I'm an overachiever, so I'll figure it out.

[Left] [Top Right]

I own a million silk scarves and bandanas, but every time I wear them, I think, 'I am not cool enough to pull this off'. In related news, I'm on the lookout for a stylish grey sweatshirt.

[Left] [Bottom Right]

I don't have a lot of patience for thrifted t-shirts, but I strike gold every time I make myself sort through them. My general idea is to wear them with a bandana around my neck and under a jacket of some sort. The top right picture is mine. That horse t-shirt says, "Special Riders of Sumner County," which I'm not 100% sure I can wear, but the jacket will cover up the words, so... Maybe?

[Top Left] [Bottom Left] [Top Right] [Bottom Right]

I saved the best for last:  silk robes and kimonos! OMG, so many style inspiration pics. I'm so into all of this. That pink kimono over a green hoodie? Yes, please!

These are the two robes/kimonos I've thrifted so far. Do I need more than two? Probably not. I haven't worn them yet because it's still hot as blazes, but the minute I can pull off a multi-layer outfit and not spontaneously combust, I'm wearing these.

P.S. Shopping tips for creating a street style look on a budget!

P.P.S. I found most of these items during my summer of thrifting.