guest post: Angela of If Found, Make.

Last year when I wrote a guest post for Charity's blog, she was on a different mission trip and she would be my roomie again in less than two weeks. Now, we've both graduated college and live in different cities, and even though we're working to collect, photograph, & fill east magnolia vintage with spring goodness, we both currently have full-time commitments and don't get to meet up very often. So I'm happy to be posting about something we love to do: thrift shopping, while she's away!

One thing I loved to do in college was thrift shop for books + clothes. It's safe to say I've amassed quite the collection of vintage & otherwise secondhand treasures.  

 My favorite recently thrifted books are a US geography book and an English guidebook, both circa the early 1900s.

 Of course I've filled a closet with items for the shop, but many of my own clothes have their own stories to tell. One thing I've never been great at is going to a thrift store & leaving with what I actually planned to find. 

Last weekend I bought this adorable jacket for an astonishingly low price--it was an unexpected St. Patrick's Day green tag sale, and it is the perfect winter-to-spring piece to complement my wardrobe.

Do you find yourself buying used clothes or housewares? We'd love to hear about your most recent finds. 

xo Angela

thanks, Ang! I miss our thrifting adventures so. Find Angela at if found, make. 

You Are _______ .

Last year, I wrote an article about thrifting for the You Are Project. About a month ago Lauren, co-founder of You Are, asked me if I minded if the article was included in their first print publication--um, no, don't mind at all! ;) We started talking and I am now contributing to You Are twice a month as a fashion columnist, which has already been so fun. I'm honored to be in the same magazine as beautiful, wonderful girls like Kenzie, who's killin' it on the cover, and others! You Are strives to remind girls that they are beautiful, radiant, brilliant, and have a Creator who loves them. Nothing better. xo! 

Autumn Essentials

the softest, sweetest sweater from Forever 21 / new Fall shades: "miss fancy pants" & "spinning again" from Essie / darling shoes a dear friend thrifted for me / new reading material, a surprise from my sweet-toothed boyfriend

The calendar says October and though the summer's blue sky hasn't given way to the classic Seattle grey yet, the streets are lined with shockingly red leaves that will soon snuggle against the grass and I am now accepting Autumn. Summer was magical, but I'm ready for a new season in more ways than one. So, Fall, come on in, and bring with you sweaters and lovely colors and pretty shoes and pumpkin-flavored treats and  foggy mornings and cozy nights. I promise I'll love you right back. xo.

(super) casual friday

I haven't done a casual Friday post in months, which is a bit ironic considering my whole summer has been casual wear. But I had to post today because this outfit is the epitome of casual: slouchy tee + cut offs. I halfheartedly attempted to dress it up with some color pops in the belt and shoes, but let's be honest here: I did two things in this outfit today, the first being watch 3 hours of Bachelor Pad with my roommates and the second being sit in Starbucks all evening catching up on some work I should have started in June. It served it's purpose. 

I thrifted this Seattle Seahawks tee for $2 yesterday and haven't taken it off since--SO. SOFT. and comfy. And I love repping my city, though I really shouldn't be allowed to wear sports clothing considering my extreme lack of knowledge/interest/skills in most things athletic. Fake it 'til you make it, right?

ps: East Magnolia Vintage now has a Facebook page! 'Like' it for updates on new vintage, sales, giveaways, etc!

shirt, shorts, and belt: thrifted, shoes: Jennifhsieh's shop my closet, ring: forever 21, polish: Essie

guest posting at the You Are Project

good morning, lovely followers!

I am guest posting about thrifting on a new website called the You Are Project today. They are all about empowering women to be who they were meant to be as well as improving relationships between women--which I think are some of the same points of style blogging, yes? One of the founders, Lauren, asked me to post & I was more than happy to. See the post here, & have a wonderful Tuesday! xoxo. 

guest post: Angela of Garden and Sea

Angela of the blog Garden and Sea & I have lots in common: we're both Creative Writing majors, bloggers, DIYers (though she is much more dedicated than I), and lovers of style, thrifting, coffee, and short stories. We also happen to live together. You may have been me rocking some of the pieces from her etsy shop several times, because I just can't take her scarves off. Go look at her blog to see her gorgeous designs! Thanks for posting, Ang! xoxo Charity

Hi, c'est la belle vie readers! I'm Angela and my blog Garden and Sea is all about arts+crafts, my crochet shop, fashion and design trends, and anything else that inspires me to be creative. I also happen to be Charity's roommate! When we first met, we were delighted to discover that we were both getting more serious about blogging :)

 While Charity's gone having an amazing time on her mission trip, I'm here to post about my favorite hobby: thrift shopping!

I honestly believe everyone who doesn't buy second hand could use a liiiittttle lesson in thrifting. So, if you know anyone who doesn't go out and hunt down at least some of their own clothes, you may want to teach them just a few things:

1. Don't buy retail what you can get at a thrift store. 

Lace is one of the biggest spring trends right now. I'm sort of obsessed.  But since it's a delicate material, buying it at the mall can get expensive. However, if you walk into a Goodwill- you're almost sure to find some cute lace top such as the one I'm wearing here! Because just like clothing, trends are often recycled. This one was $5.

2. If you can, try it on! 

Charity was just telling me about her friend that wanted to buy all new clothes. Her advice: try things on, even if it's not your style. He came back with new cardigans and nice jeans that he loves. It can't hurt :)

Going along with that, is rule no. 3, be specific in what you want, but don't limit yourself.  Because I used to run a little Etsy shop for vintage (and because I should have been born in a different era), I always think "I want vintage!" when I thrift shop. But being practical is good too. The sweater I'm wearing is so similar to one I bought at Nordstrom, and when I found out it was $4 I had to have it too.

Those are some of the basics, for me anyway.

Are you inspired? I think it's time to grab some Starbucks like the iced caramel macchiato shown below (and my boyfriend's kitty's legs...) and get thrifty!

sweater: thrifted, $4, lace top: thrifted, $5, orange tank: forever 21, aeropostale jeans: thrifted $8, flats, old navy 

the grandpa sweater

 When in doubt (or when cold, or both), throw on a grandpa sweater and rock it with pride. 

Anyone can wear a grandma sweater, but it's the grandPA cardigans that really keep you warm. They are especially nice when they cost $2.00 and have perhaps the tackiest color palette I've ever worn. Somehow I adore this piece despite it's flaws--and that, my friends, is unconditional love. 

Do you have any pieces that you love despite your better judgement? Link it up and show it off!

sweater & boots: thrifted, dress: Forever 21, leggings & socks: Target

ps: this is the last day to enter my garden and sea giveaway! You have a really good chance of winning, so don't hesitate to enter to win some gorgeous winter/spring accessories. 

December Thrifting

Another perk of being home: my mom knows all the best thrifting spots. Yesterday we got up early (early for me that is, meaning 8:45), grabbed coffee, and hit up all the tiny thrift stores in Gig Harbor run by adorable old ladies. I've noticed that Goodwill and Value Village have been upping their prices considerably over the last few years, so I love scouting out the small, independent ones--they're cheaper and usually give all of their profits to charities, hospitals, churches, or nonprofits. It's a win-win. Not to mention I got all five of these items for $13.50 altogether!   

Classic Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater, $3.00

high-waisted skinny trousers, $3.50

white grandma cardi, $2.00

leather loafers, $2.50

grandma sidebag, $2.50

I've already worn the Ralph Lauren sweater for homemade pizza, hard cider, & Elf last night, and am scheming the perfect way to style the trousers for a birthday brunch next week. Seriously, how good does a successful thrifting day feel? What are you favorite second-hand purchases so far?

free as a bird

I just turned in my final paper for the quarter, which means that I am now feeling oh-so-free! I am currently rewarding myself with a caramel sauce latte and play time downtown. But more importantly, it means that I have the ability to dress well again. You know, on account of being well-slept for the first time in weeks and stuff. This sweater has quickly become my most prized possession during days spent in the library and coffee shops--really, just ask my boyfriend, who has seen me in it approximately 100 times in the last two weeks. I thrifted this vintage Express skirt months ago and finally got the chance to wear it today...am officially in love with how soft it is and how perfect the length is. Also, my breakfast perfectly matched my outfit this morning. All in all: best day ever. 

Congrats to everyone who is donezo with Fall Quarter! And those of you whose finals are still looming: good luck! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is covered in tinsel. xoxo

skirt & hat: thrifted, sweater: Forever 21, tights: Kohl's, shoes: Old Navy

thrifted finds and a statement nail

vintage posters, $5 each

vintage blazer (thick and warm!), $8

pretty white dress for my 21st birthday, $10

green cotton skirt, $6

Last week's thrifting finds (I am so excited about that dress) and nails. I know the heart is so simple but it made me happy every time I looked down at it, so it's good enough for me. I will keep this short because it is 9pm on a Sunday night and I have a mound of class work to do in the next 12 hours, but I have lots to share this week! Hope you all had either fun or restful weekends--or both if you're lucky. xoxo!

Casual Friday

Perhaps a bit of a boring outfit to post about, but this is what I came up with for an ideal thrifting outfit: comfortable, pants that I can easily try on sweaters with, and items that come on and off easily (I know, I know). How annoying is it to put on tights, boots, and a skirt back on over and over again while shopping? Especially if you're in one of those situations in a thrift shop where the door doesn't quiiite shut all the way and there are those sweet older ladies roaming around the store who don't have the best hearing/aren't especally inclined to knock before swinging doors open. A girl needs to be able to defend herself against these types of situations. Two other things: my hair is a mess, but that's just me. And that scarf is the coziest thing I own. 

Also, I made a new twitter account for this blog exclusively. Follow me there!

pants: Forever 21, shoes: Urban Outfitters, scarf & top: thrifted

hot pink & hot sun

Arm at a right angle + hot weather + hot cast + thick, heat holding hair = the need to wear the simplest, most breathable clothes possible. But it doesn't mean I can't throw some hot pink and a print in there! A girl's gotta do something to stay fre$h. I'll give you some more intricate ensembles when I get my cast off, pinky promise.

pink top: thrifted, button-up: Forever 21, necklace: Urban Outfitters, sandals: Target

the simple life

Just a quick post, as today is my first day in Idaho with my extended family--however, my computer is finally fixed & I have a lot of blog material gathered up, so I didn't want to wait! I'm sitting in the Sandpoint Starbucks with my dad, overlooking the river and listening to the locals wander in and out. The water, sun, mountains and people are so beautiful here. It feels absolutely amazing to be away.

Anyway, I wanted to show what my summer uniform has basically been for the last month. These shorts, which used to be mom jeans and have now turned into mom shorts, are my go-to when I don't feel energetic enough to put together a real outfit! Tuck a tank in, belt 'em, and I'm set.

I wore this to take Ral out to his birthday brunch last week--more on his birthday coming. Like I said, it's a very simple outfit, but we all know it's not always possible (or necessary) to go all out, especially on lazy summer days. I really love seeing the more simple, everyday outfits that my favorite bloggers post now and then, because I feel like it shows the human, imperfect sides of everyone & gives us a real glimpse into each others lives. Let's be honest, we all have our days!

Raleigh tries to be tough sometimes. What do you think, did it work?

Shorts, Tank, & Belt: Thrifted

recent treasures

A few of the things I've thrifted lately. I wore the top in this post a few days ago, and it is really comfortable and breezy. I haven't worn the other three things yet, but Raleigh and I are doing a small hike/picnic today, which may or may not be an excuse to use the soft brown backpack. The skirt fits perfectly and I'm already dreaming of Autumn ways to style it: tights, flats, button-up shirt, scarf, et viola! I love the soft pink of the necklace as well.
Have you thrifted anything great lately?

all thrifted, all the time

Now that school is out and I have the brain capacity to care about what I look like, I've had the chance to do more outfit posts! Browsing the ever-growing list of blogs I follow always inspires me to do more personal style posts, mostly because I love looking at everyone else's so much! I also think it will be fun to watch how my style might change throughout my blog--my memory isn't fabulous, so hard evidence helps. This week, three different boys took my photos for me--my roommate, friend, and boyfriend. I always think they'll be embarassed taking pictures of me in public places, but so far they don't seem to mind! (thanks boys)

I had never noticed this precious little gazebo in Fairhaven, an historic district in Bellingham--sunny days tend to make us notice things that the clouds must have covered all winter.

One thing that is interesting about this outfit, which I didn't notice until blogging them, is that every single piece of it is thrifted besides the shoes! The layer underneath is actually a maxi skirt I found at Goodwill last spring because I needed a "modest" skirt for a mission trip. I fell in love with the print, isn't it gorgeous? I'm a bit obsessed with the colors in it. I think it was $3. I wore it as a dress with a tank from Buffalo Exchange over it, and the belt was $2 at a thrift store. I love finding a new outfit in things people have discarded!



I have the next five days off, so I'm thinking either a Seattle or Canada day trip. Let's hope this sunshine continues into Monday!