21 Oct

Posted at 09:00h in shopping, Thrift, Thrifty Threads 365 by
0 Likes

I know this is super last minute but I'll be having an Adventures in Thrifting meetup tomorrow {10/22}. I didn't think I'd be able to make the final Buy the Bag sale from Housing Works, but it looks like I can. You guys know what Buy the Bag is, right? It's the warehouse sale by Housing Works where you can get an entire bag of clothing for just $25. Yup, $25 for all the clothes you can stuff in a bag.I'm on the hunt for cute tops and...

19 Oct

Posted at 08:11h in Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping, Thrift by
0 Likes

Esther Woo Vintage, vintage shopping tips

This summer I briefly introduced you guys to Esther Woo Vintage, the online shop with unique, affordable pieces. Well, I wanted to chat with the owner, Beverly Edmonds, and give you some vintage shopping tips from the woman who's made a career out of fashion."I've always loved "old stuff" and have been into fashion since I was very young. I've worked in retail for years and have been shopping in thrift stores for just as long," says Beverly. So a little more than five months ago, she started Esther Woo Vintage. The e-commerce site is fully stocked with funky purses, statement blazers, ladylike dresses, skirts and blouses.If you're a little unsure about vintage shopping {sizing, how to identify a vintage item, etc}, Beverly has some quick and easy tips.Q: How can you tell a garment is vintage? A: Zippers can tell you a lot about a vintage item. A metal zipper on a dress {versus a nylon zipper on a modern piece} can be an indication of an older vintage piece. Also, look for tags that specify a location. Most of these tags will mention a popular city or state. A union tag or "Made in the USA" label is also a good indication. The Vintage Fashion Guild is a great online resource for dating pieces.

vintage union tag

10 Oct

Posted at 07:06h in Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping by
0 Likes

Some people think vintage has to equal super expensive and I have to admit, I was one of those people. I stumbled upon Brooklyn Bleu while reading In Her Shoes and just knew I had to check it out. The boutique is by appointment only so I thought, oh no, there's no way I can afford this stuff. I was so wrong.Last Friday I made my way to Brooklyn for an appointment with Tenisha Light-Caba, she owns the boutique with her twin sister. The shop is on the second floor of a renovated brownstone and words can't even describe how posh it is. The lace and silk curtains, custom closets, super comfy chaise lounge made me feel like I stepped in my dream closet. {Seriously, I have pics on my vision board of what I want my closet to look like and this is pretty close to it}.

26 Sep

Posted at 07:18h in Deals & Steals, Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping by
0 Likes
Last year a reader introduced me to the 15 Dollar Store. Yup, that's the name of the store and yes, all apparel and accessories are just $15. Though I love a great deal, I value quality more than anything. So when the people at15 Dollar Store presented me with the opportunity to review one of their items, I jumped at the chance.Since I'm obsessed with chunky, men's inspired watches, I decided to review the Geneva crystal and mother of pearl link watch in rose gold. It kind of reminds me of Michael Kors watches, which cost hundreds of dollars, but this one was a fraction of the cost.

21 Sep

Posted at 12:52h in Looking FLY on a Dime, shopping, Thrift by
0 Likes
From emails to tweets to comments, I tend to get the same questions related to thrift shopping. I've done posts on most of these questions but I wanted to compile a FAQ {frequently asked questions} post for you guys. Here are my top five frequently asked questions related to thrift shopping.Q: How do I find a good thrift store in my area? A: Thrift stores aren't created equally, so it's really a matter of trial and error. It takes time to find the store that's best for you. Take a drive or walk around your area to scope out secondhand shops, ask friends for referrals and visit websites for national chains like Salvation Army and Goodwill to find a location near you. And be sure to check out The Thrift Shopper, it's a national directory of resale shops.Q: I live in a small town, will I find good stuff at my thrift store? A: Some people tend to think only major cities have awesome thrift stores, and this is so not true. Though I'm in NYC, I've come across some really crappy stores. Sometimes, it's the smaller cities that have better merchandise: vintage pieces and the stuff isn't as picked over. If you don't think so, check out what I found while thrifting in a small town in Ohio.