Tailor Me!

I am headed back to North Carolina for my brother and Arin's wedding next month. I knew I wanted to get a new dress for the occasion but didn't have a vision of what that dress would be. Normally I have an idea of what I think would work best, a color, something! But I couldn't decide if I wanted new or used, black or something appropriate for spring, etc.

Of course I went to my regular Forever 21 to see what they had to offer. They can always offer something cheap enough to wear once and feel it's gotten it's use and I always find something. I tried on a super cute, summery, pastel dress and fell in love with the color. I never wear sea foam green but it caught my eye and so glad it did. It also had black details and adorable daisies sewn all over. As much as I loved the dress it didn't fit right, was too short and wasn't flattering for me BUT I did come away deciding on the color I wanted to wear.

Looking rough - Forever 21 dress, sexy Active socks

I later went to an amazing thrift store down the street from my place. I found this dress in the same color, longer length and lace sleeves! It was perfect, except about 4 sizes too big!!! I got it for a steal and decided I would try to get it tailored. I fashon showed it on again at my parents' house and think it will be exactly what I wanted once it is altered. The best part is the price of the dress and the alterations comes out to less than most dresses I get for special occasions! Can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

Vintage dress, Sam Edelman heels

New Etsy Store

After my private estate sale adventure, I realized I have much more than I need in the milk glass, home goods department. My kitchen is maxed out and now buy things because I know they are collectibles, not because I need them. I know there are others like me who love Pyrex, Fire Kings, Glasbake, milk glass and all the same wacky things that I freak about.

So I decided the best thing to do was to start selling the items I don't need. There is a huge market out there for people like me on independant store websites so I opened up an Etsy shop. My inventory is low still and it is really unprofessional (because I've never done this before) but it is fun. I have included the link on the left panel of my blog but here it is as well:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoshParsimony

I will be adding more from the estate sale as well as things I find from the Goodwill's, Salvation Army's and wherever else I go. I hope you check it out even if you don't have an unnecessary obsession with cloudy bowls and plates like I do! Here are some examples of items I am listing:

Total Breakdown

I went on a shopping spree! For new clothes. I know, sad face.

Last month I was really frustrated with several things so by the time the end of the month rolled around, I was completely drained mentally and physically. The last weekend of October, I was emotional, cranky and in need of an outlet. Since I don't drink, smoke, do drugs or anything else that would give you an immediate high, it limits my instant gratification. Getting tattoos is a great outlet for me as well as exercising but on Saturday I wanted to do something else, go shopping! So I did-and it was great. I started off with good intentions and went to the Goodwill for simple Halloween costume even though I didn't have plans to get dressed up or go out. I was dying to be Stacy from Wayne's World and had found a $7.99 used neck brace on eBay. I never ever go for the sexy, barely there outfits a lot of women love-I'd rather shoot for humorous. It was perfect but once I put the outfit together after shopping at the Goodwill, I wasn't having it. It was funny and hoped a handful of people would get it but knew I would be uncomfortable and feel frumpy if I wore it out.

After taking off my trial run, I went down to my trusted Forever 21 with full intentions of making purchases-and lots of them! I went a little crazy. I picked up a sweater, leggings, belt, t-shirt, blouse, earrings, rings and a scarf. It had been so long since I even stepped foot into a F21 that I totally got excited. I didn't feel bad about it either but didn't look forward to writing a post to let you all know. When I got home, I changed my Halloween outfit to something more fun. With my newly purchased, NEW leggings, I chopped some bangs and dressed as Peg Bundy. It was perfect and I had so much fun going out with my friend Jamie.

Vintage everything

Vintage tank, Forever 21 leggings, vintage belt, Sam Edelman heels

Fake cig of course....

DIY hair

I have since gone back to buying used. It was short lived but well worth it. It is fascinating how doing something you know you shouldn't do can give you such a rush. I am bummed I broke down but would much rather enjoy the high of breaking my resolution over any other outlet. I hope you all still love me.

10 Things I've Learned in the Last Six Months

I can't believe we are already halfway through 2012 and I have been blogging for six months! I am really surprised when people say they enjoy reading my blog because I feel like I am writing for myself most of the time, and have no clue if anything I post is interesting or not. I do want to thank everyone that does read them regularly and for those who have encouraged me. Since we are nearing the end of June, I thought it would be fun to recap the last six months. I put together a list of things I have discovered about myself and this life change so far:

1. I like collecting things.

Luckily, I also like to purge as much as possible so I haven't become a hoarder. I feel like I need to write a post about my place so readers can see that I don't have piles upon piles of junk from my recent purchases.

2. I like to spend money.

Even when I have nothing to buy I still want to purchase something: clothes, household items, food, anything. It can't be a good thing and without getting political, it really bothers me. I am currently working to curb that desire because I know it's unnecessary.

3. Taking my younger brother's clothes is almost as good and going to a thrift store.

He has such a great style and hits up swap meets regularly. Everything is already worn in, fits fairly well and is normally exactly what I have been looking for at thrift stores. Best of all, its all free! But sometimes I give him cash for things like a leather jacket.

4. I've met some really cool people.

While shopping at garage sales, vintage stores and estate sales I've started up conversations with people. I normally keep to myself but it is so fun to get to know the people I am buying things from. Most of the time they have great stories, items have history and it makes a purchase more meaningful.

5. An eclectic useroo wardrobe is much more fun than following current trends.

Duh! Who wants to buy a dress from Nordstrom when I can wear one from the 60's? I recently sifted through my old clothes tried to pull out as many items as I could to get rid of them. I have come to the realization that my body was made for everything high-waisted. Clothes today don't work as well for me.

6. Some purchases take more research and time but it's worth it.

Such as my mixer. I was so excited to find the one I did and it was a great purchase. I knew this challenge would make things more difficult but I find what I need fairly easily without heading to Target or Walmart (barf bag).

7. Donations are welcome.

Before 2012, I never would have accepted the number of hand me downs that I have recently but it has been a humbling experience. Since people know what I am doing, they offer me something before donating it elsewhere which is very thoughtful. Of course if I can't use it, I don't take it so someone else can.

8. I love Etsy.

They have two categories: handmade or vintage. I can't purchase the handmade items but I have gotten some great ideas from sellers. It is much better than eBay or Craigslist.

9. Others get more frustrated by my limitations than I do.
On several occasions, my mother has told me just to buy something anyway even if it is new. She was irritated that I didn't make it up to our cabin during the winter because I couldn't find chains in time. I don't feel limited with my options because I normally find something that works. If I can't, I know I will learn something from it and find an alternative.

10. I think this is a long term life change!
It is a fun challenge that has really caused me to take time to think about what I want, what I need and what I can live without. I'm not in need of anything and the alternatives that I have found and purchased normally benefit a family, small company or non-profit organization. I feel really good about that.


I just bought this milk glass mug recently and thought it was appropriate for today's post!

Tips for useroos like me

I came across this article today on Yahoo about 8 Things You Should Never Buy Used. They are all helpful, if not logical but I paid most attention to the shoes. The argument wasn't that strong advising people not to get secondhand shoes but it added to my growing discomfort of wearing strangers' gear. I just bought a new used pair of heels for work today and even before reading this, I was kind of grossed out. The shoes are perfect for work, what I was looking for, tacky and only $12 from Out of the Closet. Unfortunately, the gold lining inside is flaking and turning to powder on my black, opaque tights. The dust is more an annoyance than anything else because it looks like I dipped my toes in buckets of saw dust. On the up side, they are well made, have leather soles and are extremely comfortable. Once I wear them in, I'm sure it will be fine but I really want to tear them off of my feet and throw them right now!

Buying used shoes has been a challenge for me since January. I like the idea but I can't help but feel the need to wash my feet after sliding a covered or worse bare foot into someone else's shoes. I don't know these people. I don't know where they have been or how clean they were. Plus, the shoes are normally formed to someone else's foot which can be initially uncomfortable. For the last 10+ years, I haven't walked around barefoot in my home, at the pool or anywhere else because I find it unsanitary and get creeped out. These shoes take my neuroses to extremes. I still love this challenge and feel like I have become very creative with my purchases but it also reminds me that I am really pushing my comfort levels. Its been fun finding dishes, paintings, cabinets and lamps but shoes are tough. Luckily I have enough underwear and socks to get me thru this year...because I won't do either of those secondhand!

Note-I was going to post some gross pictures of what I imagine the previous owners' feet look like but I was so disgusted with the images I saw, I didn't want to scare off my small number of readers! Instead, I thought these were fun:

Update-now I'm off work and took a picture. Ewwwwww!