This blog is SO unfun unless some of you join in! 

So I'll be shutting it down soon. 

Boo!

It was fun while it lasted. :)

Here's Your Chance To Thrift Online!

I bought this adorable pea coat last season and never had the chance to wear it (not even once!). Now it is too big for me and I am so bummed! Bought it on super sale for $50. I'm selling it for $35. I'm willing to ship it if you are willing to pay for the shipping.

Brand: Maralyn & Me

Color: Gray

Size: Large

Outer Layer

60% Wool

40% Polyester

Inner Lining

100% Polyester

Dry Clean Only

Thrifting Tip

My friend Tara posed an interesting insight to thrifting in her comment. Do any of you feel the same?

"I LOVE your thrifting and it has really inspired me to do it. My only hold up is I have a thing about how clean the stuff is and who once wore it. So do you have any suggestions on how to get over this, and have you had any problems with this?"

It doesn't bother me enough to stop me, but I do get where you're coming from. I recommend washing everything you buy right when you get home. Be sure to check whether it is Dry Clean Only before you buy it so you can decide if that is going to be worth the extra cost of getting it Dry Cleaned. If it's jewelry- take some rubbing alcohol and clean the area that will be touching your skin, or just use soap and water.

As far as who wore it- the stuff I buy mostly belonged to old ladies, I'm sure, and they are usually really good to keep their things in good condition. It's like a vintage piece of furniture; it's old and used to belong to someone else, but that's part of what makes it awesome! 

It also helps the earth because we are recycling clothes instead of throwing them away for "new" stuff. Okay, maybe that one was a stretch, but it's true! And I do look at it that way.

Do any of you thrifters out there have a solution that works for you?

Also- I'm looking for guest posts! Your whole outfit doesn't have to be thrifted, either. If you have some awesome thrifted shoes then show us how you work it into your store-bought outfit.

A Dress and Two Cute New Faces

How cute is my almost-2-year-old daughter? Her dress isn't thrifted, but it was free from her Aunt Chiemi. Aren't we all lovers of hand-me-downs. Free?? Yes, please! Her shoes, on the other hand, are thrifted. I bought them way back when she was too small for them knowing she would eventually grow into them. She finally did! And she is representing the patriotic side of our family on September 11th. Her adorable jean jacket was a gift from her Aunt Christy from Gap. Its 6-12 months but still fits! I recently got my dress for $1.50. I about died the second I saw it because I love the style, but don't have anything in my closet quite like it.

I do think I could easily be mistaken for being pregnant while wearing this dress (no... I'm NOT) but it is SO comfy! I thrifted the black, braided belt and gold bracelet. I tried to use the Sydney technique of tying my belt, but the belt is too short for that... Okay! Okay... My waist is too big for that.

My shoes (excuse the blurry pic) were hand-me-downs from my stylish Grandma. Love her.

And my fall-leaf earrings belonged to Brett's Grandma Ethel while she was still living. I love them.

Kristi's dress is thrifted too! It's actually meant to be worn the other way around, but she turned it around and just wears a shirt underneath. Clever!

This is my belt, but it's also thrifted! I love it because the cream part is elastic. So it always looks good on anyone.

Okay, seriously guys... Y'all must have some thrifted finds that you love! It will be waaaay more fun if you join in on the fun! Email me at kellielarsen {at} gmail {dot} com.

A Saturday Evening

Usually my Saturday evenings are spent wearing fat-pants, cleaning up after my babies have gone to sleep and relaxing with my husband (we lead a very exciting life). But tonight was a meeting for our church (stake conference) and I got to throw a last-minute outfit together. As I was pulling diapers out of my purse to take with me, my sister (and awesome babysitter) told me I should take a picture for my blog. 

Done!

My earrings, blouse, skirt and shoes are all thrifted and are all from different days and shops. I love it. This top has been sitting in my closet for weeks. Everytime I pulled it out I asked myself, "What was I thinking?!" And would put it back. I finally decided to give it a try. You can hardly tell in these pictures, but it is a cream color with blue and red flowers. So I worked it with my new red shoes and my red anchor earrings.

I love this simple black skirt because of the length AND it has pockets! Who doesn't love a dress/skirt with pockets?

I got these shoes for $6. They're one size too big, but I loved them so much I didn't care. I still love them. The day I brought them home my 10-month-old decided to chew on the tip of one of them. 

They're leather. 

:(

But you can hardly tell.

looooooooooove these earrings!

I still feel like a hooker/transvestite/clown with red lipstick. But Kristi talked me out of wiping it all off.

Thanks Kristi!

The Most Awesome Finds Are Thrifted Finds

I'm always TEN times more excited about an outfit if it is thrifted. In fact, I have a hard time not telling people that it is thrifted. There is just something awesome about finding a totally new-to-you outfit that you love that costs less than five bucks! Many people hate thrifting because you have to search through racks and racks of clothes only to find one thing that you think will maybe look good, only to find that it isn't your size. I can see how that would be annoying. But I love the search. I love it. There are some days that I get dressed and realize that everything from my earrings to my shoes are thrifted! So after talking to my sister I decided to start a blog (separate from my family blog [you're welcome, Brett]) where I can share my fun finds and you can do the same! Just FYI- I'm not a model (shocker!), nor do I think that I am. So these pictures are mosty just goofy. Look at the cute dress, not my awkward pose, crazy face, crooked legs, etc. :)

When I first saw this dress in the Thrift Store I thought maybe that purple was too much. But I couldn't get over how much I loved the cut of the top with the high neck and the short sleeves. I fell in love with the gold buttons.

Pretty sure the neighbors were wondering WHAT in the world we were doing.

I found this belt at a completely different thrift store on a completely different day. When I got home I realized it would be perfect with this dress. I love the velvet and gold on this belt.

(Check out the belt loop hanging out. Whoops! Too bad I went to church like this. Oh well.)

My earrings are also thrifted. And I like 'em!

And incase you're wondering, because I'm sure all of you care soooo much (ha)... I curled my hair using THIS technique. It is awesome and SO easy.

I think it would be awesome if you guest-posted on my blog! Let me know if you want to!