Powered By Blogger

Friday, April 19, 2013

Thrift love!

How do you like my $5.00 Calvin Klein dress?

I test drove it today at a legal seminar I volunteer at a few times a year.  I plan to wear it for my first day of training at my new job.  When I asked about dress code, the human resources contact suggested business professional, so I'm considering wearing this dress with a black tailored blazer.  What do you think? Does that sound 'business professional' enough?

There will be 15 people in our cohort of incumbents at the Department of Child Services; I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and starting this new career venture.

For the legal seminar today, I tossed on this white knit cardi.  The lecture rooms tend to get cold.  I like the way the wind is shipping the bottom of the cardigan.

Do you recognize this Lia Sophia necklace?  Its the 'Glaminator' necklace I wore with my dance showcase costume a couple of weeks ago.  Its edgy but it I really like it with this dress and got lots of compliments on it.

Because the necklace is so bold, I wore simple earrings that compliment but don't detract from the necklace.

Naturalizer T-strap, wingtip, pumps are businesslike but pretty and really comfortable.

Oh yeah...the Monday at school bathroom shot.  Skinnies again....I think I'm hooked on them!

A different way to mix patterns; strips and a floral necklace. Lia Sophia's full bloom necklace.  For all of the hesitation I had about buying this necklace...I'm really happy that I did.  It screams spring and perks up the darker colors that I'm still wearing during this odd weather transition.

The precious grandson helping me clean the house!


And now for the thrift haul!

I am so excited about this thrifted dress!  It cost $10.00 at Goodwill and it didn't have a loose thread or a spot.  It fit me perfectly, no alterations needed.  It drapes so beautifully and looks old Hollywood glam!


Beautiful Ralph Lauren silk skirt...

I love the hemline; this is so different from my typical style...but it was gorgeous and very flattering.  I have no idea what to wear on top!  Any ideas?

......I know this looks incredibly bland and boring, but its super flattering and will work with many of the things I already have.

And...ta da!  My favorite find; this black evening dress for $10.00!  Another Goodwill gem in pristine condition.  This is another old Hollywood glam inspired dress.  I hope to wear it at some of the evening dinner events at the June ballroom competition.  It fit me like a dream....

I purchased one more dress while thrifting....an adorable Max studio dress that I am wearing to tomorrow's dance lesson and party...can't wait to wear my little $5.00 treasure!

Enjoy your weekend!



31 comments:

  1. Hi Lisa, this would look totally appropriate with a black blazer ... super smart. Love your thrift haul items and you look fabulous in your skinnies ... I'm considering a couple more in different colours for our winter. Have a fab weekend and enjoy the help from your cute little grandbaby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy,
      Thanks for the compliment! I'm loving my skinnies so much that I'm also considering adding a couple more pairs in colors.

      Delete
  2. They all are lovely finds Lisa! But I don't like your Calvin Klein dress, I love it! It sound very business professional to me to wear it with a fitted blazer. I am on the hunt to find a more neutral statement necklace as the one you have from LS, it is such a great piece! I say it again, you look great in skinnies! A suppose you could wear the floral skirt with a shorter withe or pale colored cardigan or for a more summer rocky look with a denim jacket. Have a great weekend my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna,
      Thank you for the compliment. I love the idea of a denim jacket with the floral skirt! I'm going to be on the hunt for a nicer t-shirt in a color that compliments the skirt.
      I hope you find a necklace that works for you. I wish you could get Lia Sophia there....they have so many beautiful and versatile pieces.
      As always, Anna, its so refreshing to read your nice comments on my blog!

      Delete
  3. That dress is gorgeous - you have a real knock of finding such gems! You will look great for your new job in it - go get them!! XXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      I'm so excited to start the new job and I am very committed to protecting children. I've always been an advocate for people who may be oppressed.
      Thanks for the compliment!

      Delete
  4. What a fabulous find - as if it was made for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you......I feel very fortunate to have found that Calvin Klein dress!

      Delete
  5. You look very elegant in this dress, it's like it was made for you. Love your floral necklace, so lovely design. I always forget that you already have a grandson. So young grandma you are!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Olga! How sweet of you to say that. It made my day!

      Delete
  6. Great dress. Great price. You're quite the thrifter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you....although I do have to admit we have some great thrift stores here.

      Delete
  7. Amazing finds! I'll have to visit a thrift store soon :-)

    Monica
    www.pear-shaped-gal.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have some good thrift stores near you so that its a good experience. The first few times I went I was turned off and really didn't enjoy it. It took awhile to figure out how to go about it more productively. I will probably be posting on it soon.

      Delete
  8. Wow, I'm amazed at all the quality items you find in Goodwill. Whenever I've been (with the exception of the one that is about 45 min away), it's all been Kohl's stuff lol. The dress you first presented is very lovely and I can see it going great with a blazer. Very business professional:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joanna. I probably wouldn't be thrifting if the only clothes available were from Kohl's or mass merchandisers like Target, Walmart ect...
      Those stores usually have major end of season clearance sales and the clothing often sells for less than or equal to what it would in a thrift store!
      I'm fortunate enough to live near two Goodwill stores that are near some neighborhoods who's residents shop in higher end stores and I've found some great name brand pieces as well as the nicer but not high end pieces. Location of the store really makes a difference.

      Delete
  9. Great thrift store finds! The Calvin Klein dress with blazer will be perfect for business. Love the idea of a floral necklace with stripes and may just have to find a necklace for that purpose! That skirt is beautiful and needs a very basic top so it can remain the star! The tan dress offers so much room for accessorizing to bring it to life and will be very versatile. Love the evening dresses and am so jealous as I would have no where to wear them!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hit Tracy..
      Thank you for the compliment. I highly recommend trying Lia Sophia for a nice quality floral necklace. You can find an advisor by going online to the Lia Sophia web site. I just love their things and I like that the quality is nice and that they will last.
      I agree that the top to go with the skirt will need to be neutral. I have a medium leather belt that I want to wear with it.....and I think a nice silky tee would look good, but I don't know where to fine one!
      I wear the evening dresses at some of the formal events I attend..non profit events of ballroom events when I am not dancing in them. Its so much fun!

      Delete
  10. Amazing finds! I love the first slinky cream dress and the floral skirt. And your $5.00 Calvin Klein dress is so elegant, especially teamed with the white jacket. You look fabulous in it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I love the slinky long dress! Its just so old hollywood glam.

      Delete
  11. Lisa - you always find amazing finds thrifting!!! Your CK dress is perfect for work and I love it paired with LS necklace.

    Your grandson is so precious!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alice, thank you. You know...my CK dress looks kind of like a dress you might wear too!

      Delete
  12. That is a very beautiful and classy dress. And some beautiful finds at the op shop too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn...thank you.
      You know...after I get settled into my new job and I finish my master's program, I really want to re-learn how to sew and make my own beautiful clothes....they would have so much more meaning!

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Thank you Kathleen. I got them in two tone tan as well and they are sweet. Very comfortable!

      Delete
  14. Oh, you look lovely, Lisa! With the floral skirt, a dressier look would be a fitted cardigan or jacket in one of the colours in the skirt, with a different coloured shoe. For casual, a bright tee with a coloured sandal.

    Love that pearl evening dress - I adore dresses cut on the bias like that.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My favorite! 5 bucks for a dress ! you go Lisa !
    Maybe we can do a week of under 10.00 USD dresses later when you are back from your training ?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Calvin Klein dresses are perfect professional wear - you look like the boss. I love seeing others' thrift hauls. I think the Lia Sophia floral necklace is brilliant. I just Pin'd a DIY to make a similar necklace out of brooches, a/l/a J. Crew's famous but no longer available floral necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh wow, that Calvin Klein dress was such a great bargain, it was an amazing price and it fit you so well, it just looks stunning on you! All of your thirfting finds are so lovely, that beige dress looks like it would be stunning on and the silk skirt is so floaty and pretty! You could dress it down with a gray tee shirt or dress it up with a sweater. (oooh, it would be pretty with a denim shirt and sandals in the summer!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie, I like the idea of a gray tee shirt.....I'm going to have to play with it a bit...I do love it.

      Delete

"When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect"--Mark Twain