My first outfit post in probably forever! Yesterday while putting clothes away I realized that I compleattly love everything in my closet right now- for probably the first time ever! I am being really smart and only buying transitional pieces that I can take from winter to spring without getting too ahead of myself and buying pieces I know I will hate come May and June.

The clog booties I am wearing are probably my favorite shoes right now. I traded for them on Monday at Crossroads Trading Company and I am obsessed with them. They give me a little height, are perfect to wear with Maxi Dresses and they have a wood sole so they are amazingly comfortable. The jeans are purple, the sweater is SEE by Chloe and the bag is vintage from a flea market in Rome. So excited to be fashion blogging again!

Starting off the school year with a bang! With a ton of new things in the Etsy shop. I am going to be doing weekly Etsy update (hopefully) and have been hoarding away tons of cute things for Spring. I am also working on a special line of merch that I am creating myself based on some of my favorite trends. All of that will be available online as well in my booth at the Artists an Fleas Market and of course in my studio space!

I am go grateful to have some beautiful 1940s pieces mixed in there with some more on the way!

We had our first snow of the winter this past Saturday and I am already over it.  Where is summer!? is it here yet? I long to be able to flounce out to the coffee shop with wet hair and my white Havaianas sandals. Now to venture outside I have to stack on layer after layer of clothing.

On top of everything I am completely uninspired. In order to get myself excited about Spring I took myself to Urban Outfitters to look around at what would be in style (lots of bare shoulders and fish tail hems) and have decided that one of this weeks DIY projects would be a mood board!

I must also mention that school starts next week and unlike last semester I will actually be attending class. This means putting extra effort into my outfits – which also means shopping! Or in my case hard core thrifting, trolling Etsy, and trading. Nothing is more inspiring then my fellow classmates.

I have decided to bring outfit post back full force on this blog and am treating myself to a new camera in a couple of weeks. Watch out.

P.S. Want to see more Haviana Sandals? Check out their collection of wedding flip flops

I am so bored with my hair. I have spent that last 3 years growing it to it’s current length and I couldn’t be more over it. Due to an accident involving a  pair of nail scissors and me with no glasses on I know have completely uneven bangs that I have to wait to grow out before I can even think about cutting it again – but until then I can dream. So what am I dreaming of? A short funky layered hair cut that just screams Williamsburg and smokey eyes and magenta lipstick. Since I am patiently waiting for my bangs to grow back I can spent the time in between thinking about what kind of fabulous hair products I want to buy. In particular flat irons . I am ready for a new one. The new GHD Scarlet collection styler is inspired by the hair styles of the 1920s – talk about iconic short hair!

If a straightening Iron can make my hair look like that then I am totally on board! Plus it comes in a cool Snow White inspired carrying case and is much more adult with its sleek black and red look then my current pink iron. In addition it is skinny enough to make sure my new awesome grown out heavy side bang  stays flat and in place. Stay tuned for updated hair photos!

]]> http://www.thriftyfashionista.com/blog/2012/01/19/new-year-new-hair/feed/ 0 http://www.thriftyfashionista.com/blog/2012/01/06/present-the-best-you/ http://www.thriftyfashionista.com/blog/2012/01/06/present-the-best-you/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:24:26 +0000 thriftyfashionista http://www.thriftyfashionista.com/?p=1495

Interviewing for a job can be a tedious task all in itself without having to worry about what you are going to wear. What to wear to a corporate interview versus  an interview for a more creative position can be a job within itself! But never fear  after being on many job interviews for a variety of fields I have managed to put together a few simple base rules to make getting ready for an interview as easy as getting ready to go grocery shopping.

The Corporate Interview

When interviewing for a job in the corporate world it is important to look and feel confident and powerful even if your heart is beating overtime and you are so nervous you are nauseous. Clean lines, classic colors, and a power pump are all definite musts. Strut into that office in your favorite power pumps paired with a gray pencil skirt and a fitted black blazer. What to add a bit of personality? go with a short sleeve silk polka dot blouse in a nice breathable silk so even if you are sweating bullets no one will know but you. The final touches? A large satchel bag to hold copies of your resume and other essentials and a chunky mens watch to show you mean business.

The Corporate Creative Interview

Going on an interview for a job in the fashion, music, or other creative field there is a lot more pressure to come off as a creative type of person – one of the best ways to do this is with your interview outfit. Not only does it make a good impression but a positive reaction to your outfit can give you just the confidence boost you need to nail your interview and get the job. Start with something classic yet comfortable like a black skinny pant and base your outfit around it. choose a shoe that pops, gives you some height and is also comfortable to walk in like these leopard platform wedges. A neutral top and a bad-ass motorcycle jacket will tie the outfit together without getting crazy with the prints. A nice big bangal and a bright colored hobo bag and you are ready to go!

The Start-Up Interview

When going to an interview at a start-up company you might have the luxury to dress a little more comfortably and like yourself – whatever that may be! I always take the opportunity to make sure I look put together. Wearing jeans and t-shirt is totally an option but paired with some motorcycle boots and a sleeveless vest you are still showing your possible future employer that you are put together and professional. Add a leather backpack and some jewelry to tie the whole together.

I did this post in affiliation with with Monster.com’s  “Present the best  you” contest I am so excited to be able to participate with my little guide to dressing for an interview. Monster.com also presented me with an affiliate gift of a makeup kit and business card holder to help me present the best of myself.

About BeKnown:

Monster.com recently launched BeKnown, a professional networking app for Facebook. BeKnown allows you to set up a professional profile directly on Facebook that is completely separate from your personal Facebook page. One of the apps newest features, College Pages, even provides a way for alumni to network professionally on Facebook and view job postings from their fellow graduates!

With BeKnown College Pages:

• Any jobs posted by alumni on BeKnown are added to the College/University profile page and Alumni with job opportunities can post jobs to students and recent alums for free
• Students can follow their school and build relationships/connections with alumni working at top companies & discover alumni  jobs

In addition to College Pages, BeKnown also lets you conduct a job search of Monster’s database of jobs without ever leaving BeKnown or Facebook. By tapping into the networks of their Facebook friends, young professionals can easily connect, send messages, and see who among their existing contacts is connected to a company or job opportunity they are interested in.

“As soon-to-be college graduates start to think about their entry into the workforce, their first step should be building out their professional networks using the invaluable connections they have right in front of them,” said Tom Chevalier, Global Product Manager for Monster Worldwide. “Alumni networks are a key source for career opportunities for college graduates, so we wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to connect and engage right from BeKnown.”

Want to help me win? Click this link:  http://bit.ly/thkEKl !

While you’re at it download the Beknown Iphone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beknown/id459774317

and you can also watch a video guided tour here: http://www.beknown.com/landing/GuidedTours

(*This is an old outfit post from May that was posted on my other blog – I am currently crossing over back to this one!*)

I have been dying for a black silk polka dot shirt for a while now. I have been trolling EBay, Etsy, flea markets, and thrift stores for one like it was my job. I finally found one for $1 at a house sale in Hudson, New York during a trip up to visit my grandma in her beautiful log cabin. I also came away with a huge turquoise floppy sun hat, a 1960s maxi dress, and a huge orange and blue tote bag with a tribal print. The other aquired items are currently in my booth at the Artists & Fleas Market in Williamsburg – the shirt is hanging lovingly in my closet.

I thought the dress rehearsal of Spiderman: Turn off the Dark (version 2.0) would be the perfect time to debut it and (since I was attending a Broadway show after all) dress it up! Adam bought me this gorgeous vintage lion necklace for our 3 year anniversary earlier this month and I can’t take it off! I am planning a huge post on the animal jewelry I have been collecting over the past year but this (and the other piece he bought me – a silver and turquoise owl) are 2 of my most favorite. An H&M blazer I bought at Beacons Closet and my Marc Jacobs Mouse flats and I felt more put together then I have in weeks.

All Items second hand with the exception of the high waisted jeans which were purchased on sale from Urban Outfitters!

Match Your Cocktail to Your Cocktail Ring

–Philip J Reed, on behalf of Aston Royal

What’s sparkly, bubbly, sweet and shiny all over?

Both your cocktail and this season’s hottest cocktail rings! Mix up some delicious drinks and enjoy coordinating them with these stunning rings to make a statement for the holidays.  Here are just a few ideas, drawn from our own collection of cocktail rings.  Please comment below with any additional suggestions you may have!

A Classic Martini and the Oval Heirloom Ring

Sparkle for sparkle, shine for shine. A classic chilled martini calls for some finger icing as well. Bonus: the green and red stuffed olives are perfect for the season.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 ounces of gin
• 1/4 ounce dry vermouth
• Green olives to taste
• 6 ice cubes

Directions:

Into a mixing glass, toss a handful of ice cubes (about half a dozen), then pour in the gin and the vermouth. Stir or shake well. Strain and pour into a martini glass. Drop green olive(s) into the bottom of the martini glass.

Champagne on Champagne

This champagne cubic zirconia matches perfectly with a tall flute of bubbly. While most Americans use the term “champagne” to mean any sparkling white wine, technically the only true champagne is wine produced exclusively within the Champagne region of France.

Wherever your wine comes from, it makes an easy party treat. Just chill, pop the cork and serve!

An Appletini and Lemon Quartz Dream

An Appletini is the perfect green shade to light up a festive holiday party. Pair it with this 4 carat emerald-cut lemon quartz and radiate holiday cheer!

Ingredients:

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part apple schnapps
• Splash of lime juice
• Garnish: apple slice

Directions:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with apple slice.

The Deep Blue Sea and the Deep Blue Topaz

Feeling a little blue this winter? Pump up the mood with a color that reminds everyone of tropical seas. Perfect for a sophisticated party pallet of silver and blue, a blue curacao cocktail can only be outshone by this pear-shaped Swiss blue topaz.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Blue Ice American Vodka
• 3/4 ounce sweet and sour mix
• 1/2 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce pineapple juice

Directions:

Pour the vodka, sour mix, blue curacao and pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Mistletoe + Garnet= Love

Photo credit: John Loo

Red is the color of passion, and everyone knows what happens under the mistletoe, so heat things up by combining the two! This 2.38 carat garnet ring has a deep fire and pairs perfectly with a bubbly cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts champagne
• 1 part vodka
• Splash of cranberry
• Optional: add pomegranate seeds

Directions:

Pour the vodka first, then the champagne. Add cranberry last, and pomegranate seeds to taste.

Decadent Chocolate Martini and Smokey Quartz

Photo Credit: Ross Belmont

Yum! The only thing better than a chocolate cocktail is a 19-carat dessert. This unusual ring will draw attention and compliments even when it’s next to an amazing confection.

Ingredients:

• Unsweetened cocoa
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce Crème de Cacao
• Optional: chocolate sauce

Directions:

Dip the rim of the glass in the unsweetened cocoa.  Combine vodka and Crème de Cacao liquor over ice and shake well in the martini shaker. Drizzle chocolate sauce on the interior of a chilled martini glass. Strain the shaker and serve chilled.

It’s party time! Winter doesn’t have that many plus points, but one of the few good things about this time of year is the parties. From the office Christmas party to a good old Christmas Eve knees-up with your nearest and dearest, this time of year is about fun and frolics and doing so in style. So with that in mind, here are a few party dresses to get the ball rolling and get you in the mood to party. All of these dresses are available from Warehouse.

Everyone needs an LBD, in fact, everyone needs at least three, but if you can afford just one, this should be it. The Panelled Structured T-Shirt Shift is a mix between casual chic and totally ladylike. The shoulders and upper chest area is sheer with capped sleeves; the middle is panelled and reminiscent of eighties style bodycons and the length is perfect, somewhere between too short and too long. The shape is so flattering as it’s fitted without being clingy and the panelling gives it some detail and along with the sheer top completely lifts the black colour.

The lady in red is always the one to get noticed; there’s even a song about her! Although the Bandeau Pleat Side Pencil Dress also comes in black and green, it’s in red that it really wows. Sleeveless it is pure elegance; it has cross over detailing on the front with a fanned out effect on the bodice. The sweetheart neckline adds to and emphasises your curves. The shape of this dress is divine. Like the dress above, it is fitted without being clingy so it’s incredibly flattering.

A little bit punk and a little bit glam rock, the Chevron Sequin Dress is a party dress winner. It’s edgy but sexy and it’s a definite going out dress. It has a deep v-neckline on both the front and back; it has corresponding asymmetric stripes in shimmering gold and black and this shape emphasises your figure but also manages to hide a multitude of sins. It has a cute bowtie belt around the waist, which adds a little girliness to this urban style dress.

The metallic trend is big this season and what’s not to like? Wearing this Sequin One Shoulder Dress from Warehouse will have you looking and feeling like Christmas. It’s a one-shoulder dress, with a drawn in, but not cinched waist, that’s covered in sequins of shimmering gold. It’s on trend, sexy, stylish and Christmassy, what more could you want?

I love bags. I have a sick obsession with them. Even as a small child I would horde the prettiest shopping bags in my room – my mom would find bags inside of bags inside of bags. Even to this day I can’t resist the simple black matte simplicty of a Marc Jacobs store shopping bag – the list really goes on but as far as purses there are two kinds I constantly gravitate to -I cannot resist the soft worn in leather of a vintage handbag and I cannot resist the pull of a vintage tote bag.

As a bag lover there are a few brands that (Especially if you are an avid thrift-er) if you find them and they are at a good price it is like winning the lottery. Enter the vintage Louis Vuitton. Yes, I own two from the 1980s.

Almost 4 years ago to the day I posted on Thriftyfashionista.com about my LV purchase. A Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 25. for about $150.00 shipped – actual retail cost? $625.00- 2 months ago I found a repaired (but authentic) Noe bag on Etsy for under $200.00 – actually retail cost? about $1250.00.

You can imagine what my bag collection looks like. I have yet to find the perfect way to store all of them but one thing is for sure – there are a lot of them and they come and go about as quickly as my clothes come and go out of my closet. But my Louies are classic designer pieces that will never ever leave my collection. Thats why a beat up vintage Louis Vuitton is #2 on my top 10 list.