Thrifty Thursday: A Tribute to the Discarded

“Latest and Greatest”

In our everyday lives it seems like we are constantly being marketed with those simple words. “Get it now – it’s the latest and greatest.” We yearn for that new car smell and get consumed with keeping an item in mint condition. Could it be that without even noticing we have become so obsessed with the idea of “newness” that in the process we’ve forgotten the intrigue of “distinctiveness” and “old charm”? Instead, we describe those items as used, ordinary, bland and cast them aside.

Well, here’s to the forgotten and the discarded.

A Vintage Affair

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Resurrect at Retromended Vintage. It combined all of my favorite things: local artists, hot music, delicious treats, and vintage fashion. Could it be any more perfect? This was my first time at Retromended Vintage and it was just as cute and quirky as I expected.

4 Essential Pieces for your Florida Winter Outfit

Winter is finally coming to an end. No more cold days and freezing nights. Say good-bye to branches with no leaves and the constant blanket of snow. Alright, who am I kidding? I live in Florida. A few days ago it dropped to a frigid 50 degrees and everyone freaked out over here (admittedly, I was one of them). While I can’t provide you with words of wisdom on how to survive the end of this cold winter, I can provide you with tips on how to survive winters in Florida like a true Floridian. Here are some essentials:

Thrifty Thursday DIY: 7 Steps to a Fabulous Skirt

Here’s a fun Thrifty Thursday treat—a DIY! In case you haven’t noticed, it’s actually the first DIY on IFF!

This idea emerged when I realized that lately I’ve been mending, changing, and re-styling most of the clothes I’ve purchased at the thrift store. Not necessarily because they don’t fit me (although sometimes that is the case), but because it’s so much freakin’ fun. It gives me a chance to give an old piece some new life and excitement. One of my latest finds was a long (and in all honesty, a little bit tacky) Talbots skirt. I had a vision of a fabulous piece and with some love I knew it would be fulfilled. Here’s the DIY on how I easily turned this skirt from matronly to sexy.

Happiest Little Boutique: Apricot Lane

Remember last year when I was all, “What the heck! There are good clothing stores at the airport?” (see here). I had a similar experience recently at Downtown Disney, yes, you heard right. Turns out that amid the drones of fanny-packed parents and hyper children you will find a little slice of fashion heaven that’s hidden away in a corner –Apricot Lane. I feel as if it was purposely placed there so only the most discerning fashionistas find it. Once inside you won’t find a trace of Mickey Mouse or Goofy ears. It’s decorated just like you’d expect of a neighborhood boutique and even has a slight resemblance to my college dorm (so you know I love it). The clothes are unique with both classic and trendy pieces. Most importantly, it is reasonably priced (unlike everything else at Disney). I spent a lot more time there then I planned and you’ll see why if you visit. Apricot Lane puts a new meaning to, “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Check out my latest post with a piece exclusively made for Apricot Lane (see here).

P.S. For those of you keeping track, I’d like to point out that this is one of my New Year’s Fashion Resolutions… just sayin’.

A little boho, A little hippie, All Chic

Did you ever have an outfit that you were DYING to wear but the right time just wouldn’t arrive? That’s how I felt about this look. I’ve been staring at this Willie Skirt from the WE by Whitney Eve collection for weeks. But of course the moment I want to wear something that requires warm weather it decides to be cold in Florida. So there I was, staring longingly at this skirt until the day finally arrived.

Five Fashion Resolutions of a Fashionista

Happy New Year! The New Year is all about a fresh start, an opportunity to challenge yourself and try new things. Start a new hobby, visit your dream place—whatever it is, it’s the chance to make a better version of you! While I have a long list of ambitious resolutions, the ones that are interesting enough to share are my fashion resolutions. And I've learned that one of the best tricks for reaching goals is to share them with friends. That way there is accountability and no cheating. Let’s see if it works out for me!

1. Support Local Boutiques

I can’t deny the excitement I feel when finding an ultra fab blazer for $12.00 at Forever 21. But, I’m starting to notice that my closet is looking more and more like the masses and less and less like me. That was never my intention. I need to bring back some of the uniqueness that was originally in my closet. Although I can’t afford a $100 screen tee, I am going to wean off as much as I can from chain stores and look for basic pieces from local boutiques. Plus, I’ll be supporting local business. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean I’ll only buy one item this year!