treasures

Thrifted suede flats.

Thrifted white leather boots. 

{Dallas Cowboys anyone?}

Bird earrings from my grandmother.

Life's little treasures.

peace&love,

Jill

on a break

In the last 5 months, John and I successfully watched all 10 seasons of Friends. For everyone that was at my wedding, those flowers you took home were made through a heartfelt mixture of paint, patience, and some great 90s TV.

So in honor of Ross and Rachel, I am on a break from thrifting. Actually from buying clothing at all, but let's be real - that mostly consists of thrifting. But, before the great break began, I went on one last colossal thrifting run. Here are the spoils, photos courtesy of the project I posted about yesterday...

One pair of leggings and 2 yoga pants not included. Very happy with my goodies!

peace&love,

Jill

70s Show

I tried to not like the 70s style for so long. And then I caved. 

Hello high waisted pants, printed tops, and sky-high wedges. 

{Wearing this outfit makes me think about the beginning of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie when they swear to not wear their shirts tucked in with a belt at the same time. Oops.} 

I hope your enjoying your spring time. It's so beautiful here and I am so ready for May, road trips and getting married! I feel like a one woman factory lately, but I love making so many goodies to share with the people I love and celebrate the start of John and I's life together. 

Heart garland tutorial coming soon!

peace & love,

Jill

Texture Day at the Thrift Store

Sequins, beads, silk, crepe, wool oh my! Beautiful, beautiful texture.

I happened to hit Salvation Army on half price day and then my wonderful to-be mother-in-law met me down at my other favorite Tulsa thrift store so I could take advantage of her senior citizen discount. 

Here's what I found this week.

Lovely, brand-new shirt from Express $2.50

Sequined tank dress $3.00

Silk shirt from Saks Fifth Avenue $2.00

Beaded silk top $3.00

Crepe floral maxi skirt $3.00

Other pieces: 

Burgundy cardigan: $3.00 

(I HAVE BEEN WANTING THIS FOR SO LONG)

Purple cardigan: $2.00

Gap Jersey long sleeve tee: $3.50

Ann Klein Blazer: $3.00

Gap Trouser cut pants: $4.00

Grey work skirt: $2.00

This was my belated Christmas present to myself. 

The best part? Total was under $35.00.

Yeeah.

peace&love,

Jill

New Toys

Thrifted: cardigan, tee, pants; Earrings: handmade by me!; Shoes: Charlotte Russe

I've got a new toy friends. I alluded to it yesterday, but oh boy.

I'm in love. 

With Photoshop.

Fiance is dealing with this admirably. God bless him for not being the jealous type.

Prepare yourself for so many obviously edited photos until I get this out of my system.

Which will probably be never.

Just so you know.

Stick around please?

What new toys did you guys get for Christmas?

peace&love,

Jill

Guess the Season

These pictures are meant to be an optical illusion.

Because it is January 6th. 

Which is in the winter, at least where I come from.

Tee: Mossimo, gift from my Mom :), Necklace: handmade, Thrifted: belt, skirt, shoes

This Oklahoma thing, you know I could really get used to this.

I just found this skirt that the thrift store a few days ago, along with some other goodies I'll show you soon! I love how it drapes and that it makes me look taller, even if it is a grandma skirt.

Also, guess who got Photoshop for Christmas? That's right. 

This girl. 

Hallelujah! 

peace&love,

Jill

Thrifting for the Thrift-Store-Intimidated

Every time I wear something cute and thrifted it's inevitable that someone will say, "It's too bad I can never find anything good when I go thrifting." I want to argue that successful thrifting is a lot more about looking at things the right way, and not just being lucky, but then I realize that I am not writing an essay that needs a thesis.

Let's just say that I have taken the last few years to pull together a lot of pieces I feel good about, and almost everything has come from some combination of garage sale-ing and thrifting. And what ever your experience with thrifting has been before, your feel good closet can be thrifted too!

Here's a few things to keep in mind.


1. Forget everything you know and hold dear about sizes.

Different brands, eras, and target audiences are all mashed up in the thrift store and I think we can all agree that a size Large from Express in the 90s is not the same size Large you're going to find in your average tee-shirt. Quietly set your vanity down at the door. Reassure yourself that, yes, that number you hold dear is your real dress size, but the thrift store doesn't play by those rules.

Instead of judging pieces based on the size on their label, improve your eye-balling skills. Look at clothes that fit you well hanging on hangers. What do they look like? Look for thrift store pieces that look similar on the hanger, even if the "actual" sizes are not so similar. I am 5'1" with an average build, but there are definitely freakishly small XLs hanging in my closet. (They might be little girl XLs... But that is neither here nor there.)

2. Look at the labels and brand names, but don't let them be all you consider.

 I'll admit it. J. Crew on a label probably means that I'll try real hard to make it fit. Or Anthropologie. Or Urban Outfitters. Or Northface. But AS A RULE, look at the construction and state of a piece before you judge a book by its cover--or a shirt by its brand name, in this case. Observe how laundering and wear has affected the piece itself. Look for holes, rips, stains, and frays. If you can't fix something that's wrong with it yourself, it's probably a pass.

3. Branch out.

Never wear dresses? Give the dress section a browse. Rock bottom prices make thrift stores the ultimate place to branch out and try new things. If it doesn't work out, take it back for someone else to try it.

4. Have a list, but keep your eyes open.

I have an on-going "like-to-have" list that I keep in my purse that helps give me direction in mammoth, unexplored thrift stores, but if something unexpected catches my eye, I investigate. Always. Look at what's really there, not just what you would like to be there. Recruit a fashionable and fun friend to feed off of if you need one. (Three cheers for alliteration!) Having another person can start the "Oh my gosh, try THIS on!" game that sometimes results in great finds, and always results in giggling fits. It's really a win-win.

5. Steel yourself up for some huntin'.

Thrifting takes time and patience. If you don't enjoy the hunt for it's own sake, take heed: Nothing is ever guaranteed, and sometimes there really isn't anything amazing hidden amongst the junk. But you never really know for sure, and that's what makes it so fun. The muses of thrifting are fickle, but dedication can have thrilling rewards.

Good luck! See you at the thrift store!

peace&love,
Jill

I Need Help!

Alright friends, readers, and silent lurkers: It's time to come out and help me!

I found this AMAZING dress at the thrift store today, but I have no idea how/when to wear it! 

It is a very pale yellow/cream color (the bottom two pictures are the most accurate, at least on my monitor, color-wise) which doesn't do anything good for my Irish skin, but the design and pattern were to perfect to pass up. It fits like a glove and the hem falls at the bottom of my knee. The skirt has the best shape because there is a thin crinoline built in. It is new with tags... and it was originally $94!

Any ideas about how to make it work? I know there has to be a way! 

Leave your suggestions!

peace&love,

Jill

Cranberry

Dress: thrifted, Target; Belt: thrifted; Sweater: Forever21; Tights: no idea; Shoes: Old Navy (Black Friday Sale!)

It's officially my Christmas break. One week free from feeling like I'm a slacker if I don't wake up before 8am. One week of testing out flower designs for my wedding. One week of packing, throwing out, and re-packing. Absolutely can't wait.

peace&love,

Jill

A Bluer Shade of Purple

Sweatshirt: Delia's, Belt: thrifted, Scarf: thrifted, Dress: Old Navy, Thrifted, Boots: Charlotte Russe

I should be studying right now. I have four very hard tests on Thursday and Friday, but the focus just isn't quite there (proved by the fact that I just tried to spell the word "isn't" ins't. Finals induced dyslexia, right here.) So I decided to take pictures and post instead. And then study.

I promise. 

peace&love,

Jill

100.

Jacket: thrifted; Tee: thrifted; Jeggings: thrifted, NY & Co; Boots: Payless; Necklace: my great grandmother's

This is my 100th post here on Favor the Brave.
Thanks for joining me and I hope you stick around for the next hundred.

This outfit makes me feel like a ringmaster at a circus.
It's awesome.

peace&love,

Jill

Electric

Sweater: thrifted, Gap; Pants: thrifted, Gloria Vanderbilt; Boots: Payless

I am slowly getting less allergic to color. This sweater is my Exhibit A. 

And I didn't even have to accessorize the heck out of it. That's a good sweater people.

Cozy, cute, and stand alone. And electric blue. That helps too.

peace&love,

Jill