Thrift Store Hauls That Inspire Me

Thrift Store Hauls That Inspire Me.


Image Courtesy Of Pixabay.

I know that I have been missing in action, you all, but here I am.

I took a break from thrift shopping for a while to truly wear most of the things that I have purchased over the years.  Been seeing a lot of thrift hauls and they really inspire me to see what is available all over the country.

It is amazing to see the great buys and the beautiful clothes that you all have scored. These videos feed my thrift shopping addiction.

Sporty Clothes Can Be For Both Men And Women.

I saw these outfits in my local store and I just love these outfits for men and women.  I can remember the days when women loved to wear these kinds of suits many years ago and it was a breath of fresh air.

The nineties and early 2000's are back in fashion and I am seeing a lot of outfits that I used to wear are back with a vengeance.

So glad that a lot of the cookie cutter fashions are out the door!

This Dress Is Cute!

                                                    This Dress Is Cute!

I went to the Mall about a week ago and I saw this simple, black, dress.  I love the cut of this garment and the material was good quality and heavy.  These kinds of dresses are a staple that we all should have because it can be dressed up or down.  You can wear this dress year round and just add a blazer when the weather gets cooler.

I didn't purchase it but if it is still around, I will go back and buy it.

How to save money on clothing

Time to get your kids ready for school.

In my area, kid's will be starting school next month and it is always a hard time because sometimes you have more than one child starting school at the same time.   You have to remember to buy school supplies and go through your kid's clothing to see what you can salvage from last year.


Your kid's school supplies vary each year because some subjects require specific items.  What I like to do is start getting general school supplies such as; notebooks, pencils, book bags, and paper.  You can never go wrong with these items and it is best to get these items when they are on sale.  Then you should save some money just in case you need certain things when school starts.

To save on clothing, you can go to some discount stores and buy some general  and basics such as; underwear, socks, undershirts, bras and get nice heavyweight t-shirts in nice colors.  Then you want to hit your local thrift stores and pick your kid's up some clothing pieces that don't go out of style.  The last things you want to pick up are some trendy items from the mall so they can mix and match will all the clothing items and get shoes and sneakers too.

You will save a lot of money and from now on, shop for your kid's clothing out of season to save a bundle of money.  If your child is growing fast or gaining weight; buy some bigger sizes from the clearance rack or you can even swap clothing with women in your neighborhood to get clothing that they are no longer using.

Dressing The Part? (Should You!)

Many years ago while growing up, I can remember Mom pressing me and my sister's hair and getting our clothes ready to go to church on Sunday Morning.  She took pride in the way our clothes look and all the mothers did the same to make sure that their kids look presentable to go to the Lords house.

In my teen years, there was a lot of emphasis on fashion and what you look like in those days and although I wasn't the best dress, a lot of people were.

When I was in my twenties, we would all go out and people would be dressed sharp to go to a club, restaurant, church, funeral and other events and you would really stand out like a sore thumb if you didn't.

Now, starting in the mid to late 1990's I noticed that people no longer got dressed up to go to church unless they were in their fifties or sixties and the kids would wear pants and regular items that they would wear to school.

I don't understand why things changed but in some instances, it was a good idea because people could go to church and other events and could be comfortable and without spending a lot of money, but, I also feel that young people these day's don't know what appropriate dress is.  There are a time and place for everything and I believe that it would be good for someone to teach young people how and what to wear for an interview and what to wear once you get a job because it is very important.

Many times people will receive a job or increase in pay based on their appearance.  Do I think it is fair  (No!) but this is just the way it is.  You are perceived by the way you look based on your hygiene and your appearance.

There may be times in your life where you may not have the money to buy the kind of clothes that you would like because of a loss of a job or etc. but, what you can do is start by buying some pieces in the same color such as pants and skirts and then add color with tops and plain shoes and after while you will build your wardrobe the way that you want it to be.

Create a uniform with your clothing so you will always have something nice to wear.

Dressing the part is important!


                                                                   SashaMoniqueTalks

QVC You Are The Leader!

I have been  watching the shopping networks for many years.  Many times I imagined myself presenting Jewelry and describing the product and getting a chance to talk to the customers interested in buying Jewelry at affordable prices.  Being a plus sized girl most of my life I quietly thought that people my size could never get a job in the TV Shopping Network arena.

Many years ago, they didn't even have any plus size models.  I would watch models showcasing the many famous clothing brands and sometimes I was afraid to order because I was not sure that the style or cut of the garment would suit my body type.

Well, QVC I have to salute you.  Recent years I have seen so many changes in QVC because you have a variety of host who are plus size.  This makes me feel very proud because now, a young lady will see these beautiful plus size women and say to herself " I can do this too".

These plus size ladies who work for QVC are very proficient at their job and it makes me more eager to order clothing from them.

QVC have plus size models who vary from size 12 on up and some even look like they are a size 20.  I can tell from the way they are wearing the item whether it would look good on me and it is such an blessing because we no longer have to stand in the background wearing the big shapeless Mumu.

Accepting yourself at any size is a great thing to do.  If you don't, nobody else will!

How to be a blessing to others with your clothing and other items that you are no longer using

How to be a blessing to others with your clothing and other items that you are no longer using,

Last week someone gave me a flyer and it was for an indoor garage sale and I was amazed because you don't see to many garage sales during the colder months so I was intrigued by the flyer and  decided to go and see what they had to offer.  I walked into the Gymnasium and  was happy to see a lot of household items like; sheets, old cameras, books, paintings, and of course clothing.    

The People who were volunteering at this event was very friendly and they had their items priced right.  What I mean by right?  You could fill up a shopping bag for $5.00.  I strategically thought about all the bags of clothes that I would go through to find clothing in plus sizes and a nice lady came up to me and she told me what bags would carry my size.  

I searched and searched and hit the jackpot of clothing heaven.  I was not sure if these items would fit me but filled those bags to capacity.  Quickly I went over to the children's section to look for little boy things and they did not have much but saw an abundance of little girl clothing in size 5 and 6.  Someone forgot to put little boys clothing on the tables but I started seriously thinking that these beautiful girl clothing could go to shelters and other places where these clothing could be a blessing to some wonderful little girls.

This experience really had me thinking that whatever couldn't fit, would go to Goodwill or another thrift store, but, then it crossed my mind about people who didn't have the money even to pay for clothes at the used stores.  This population is ignored and throughout my journey in life I have seen women who were in dire straits, who were fresh out of an abusive marriage or encountered a fire that changed their lives in a second. 

From that point, I decided that when I found some good buys that wasn't my size or for small children, I would buy it and find out where these items could be donated for people who truly need it.  My plan is to give to organizations that help people who are going through a crisis and they would not have to pay for any of these items.

There are organizations like Freecycle, who's goal is to keep useful items out of the landfills.  I have donated things through Freecycle and  think that it is an organization that is making a world of difference in the way that you can give someone items that you no longer need and it is helping people with items that they maybe could not afford to buy.

Many women who are trying to return to work need clothing items that will give them the confidence and the wardrobe to find a job, to take care of their families.  

So, if you have any excess clothing, toys, old computers and etc.  Think about giving these items to someone who could really use it.  It doesn't take a whole lot to make people happy and change their lives.  These things just clog up the landfills or given to people who will try to charge a lot for these items, when they really should be given to people who need it, for free.

Be a blessing to others because you never know; one day you may need the help yourself.

Should you delay some of your holiday purchases?

                                Should you delay some of your holiday purchases?



Shopping for the holidays can be fun but it can also be a big hassle because of the big crowds.  I plan on going to the mall with my family members to get a few things but i am mostly going to just be with family during this time.  This year has been really rough.

I saw a report on the news this morning and it was discussing some of the deals that will be available for Black Friday and to be honest with you, they are not all that great.  I went last year and it was more of a big build up for nothing.

Some department stores show sales of big televisions and other electronics and there are big savings, but, what these stores don't tell you; they are in limited quantities.  I am not the kind of person who will camp out overnight just to get a deal.  You can get better deals other times of the year and if you time it right, you can save a lot of money.

If you can wait until late February, you can get winter clothing at extreme discounts because the stores start to get ready for the spring, so, if you can wait until then, you can get multiple items for deep discounts.

If you can wait until the Superbowl, you can get your dream television for a much cheaper price and you can get the biggest screen that you want.

Delay getting that Computer, Camera and other electronics till February, March or keep searching online till you see the deal that you want.

Also, I think Cyber Monday gives you more discounts and it is a safer way to shop.

Happy Holidays to you all!



                                                       SashaMoniqueTalks

Such A Cute Throwback Outfit.

I was at the Mall last week and i saw this cute skirt with the black top  and i fell in love with it.  I had seen this skirt about two years ago at my local thrift store and i didn't get it because i thought that it would be too dated, but i wanted to get it and wear it with some black boots.

The skirt was no more than three dollars at the thrift store and i wish that i had gotten it.  This skirt at the department store was about twenty or thirty dollars which isn't bad.

I have learned a serious lesson and that is, when i see an item of this sort; just get it!
Sometimes you really have to think out of the box and make an outfit work for you.  I am thinking of going back to the Mall and purchasing this skirt.

Never Forget Where You Have Come From

I ran across this video and i was so amazed at these wonderful women washing clothes for their families.  One woman has a child on her back, but she will not let this deter her from getting the job done.

This video is such an eye opener because there are many countries besides her own, that still wash clothes this way.  She has a lot of pride and she wants her clothes to be so clean and fresh.  They have to actually stand in water to get this chore done.  She doesn't have time to complain because this is something that she must do and it must be done in a timely manner.

I have never lived this way, but, I can remember when our washing machine broke down and my Mom had to wash our clothes in the tub and it was a lot of work but she did it and our clothes were so clean  and i have done it many times in my life since.

This video teaches us to never take things for granted because we could be in the same situation. I read some of the comments on this video and some were outright hateful because people who have plenty cannot understand why these women are doing this.

This video teaches you to be resilient because if i was in this situation i would be doing the same thing because, if you have been through hard times in your life, you can do anything.

God has made us so strong because we can carry babies and go through childbirth which is very hard and we still run our homes and work and he put something in us to not only carry our burdens but to help others with their own.

Can you please leave a comment to share what this video or experience mean to you?

How To Create Your Own Signature Style By Watching Your Style Icons.

I created my own signature style based on the fact that i am a plus size lady who is apple shaped and a lot of designers don't really cater to my shape.  I am extremely full busted which creates some clothing issues on its own.  People with my body shape don't look good in styles that are fussy or extremes in design.

So, i came to the conclusion that i would only dress in specific styles of clothing that accentuate my positive assets.  I like tops that softly skim my body and also empire waist dresses and tops looks great on me.  I like suits, but, when i buy a suit i have to have it altered which increases the cost of the garment.

In the winter, i like to wear pretty tops with cardigan sweaters and pants with cute boots.  I enjoy clothing, where i can remove a piece if i get hot and it is very versatile because i can easily change my look by just adding another shell under my sweaters.  

Simplicity in my style leaves me with no surprises when going to special events.  I love to wear blazers with pants and jeans and a crisp white blouse.

Once in a while, i will buy a piece of clothing that i am not sure of and when i do this and the piece fits my body perfectly, i will add this style to my arsenal of styles that i will wear frequently.

Now, To My Style Icons, That I Admire:

1. Queen Latifah:  I love her style because it is very similar to mines.  I notice that the lines are in simple cuts, but, beautiful fabric.  On the Runway, i have never seen her look bad in anything she has worn.  Her clothes are tailored to her body shape and she is definitely the first person i would look to, when creating my personal style.
2. Oprah:  She loves clean lines and clothing in nice colors.  When i buy her magazine, i anxiously look forward to seeing her cover, with her classically, stylish clothes.  She is not afraid of bright colors and she dress correctly for her hour glass shape. I love to see her in blazers and the cut of her pants are perfect for her body type.
3. Wendy Williams:  I love the clothing that Wendy wears on her show.  She loves to wear wrap dresses and it accentuates her full breast and slim hips. She loves beautiful shoes and although she follows a particular style, it is always classy on her.  Wendy uses hair as an accessory to bring out her total style.
4. My Mom:  My Mother has always had style her entire life.  She can look at an outfit in a magazine and she knows whether it would look perfect on her or would it need to be tweaked a little by taking it to a tailor to specifically form it to her body shape.  She loves to wear a nice sophisticated suit with pretty kitten heels.  She wears her skirts at a specific length and it always looks tasteful, but, really pretty. All her clothes are cut to accentuate her waistline.
5. Julie Chen:  I love her style because it is simple but she is a lady who can wear white and look so fabulous in it. She wears a lot of rich looking fabrics and she just look regal in anything that she wears. Julie can really rock a sheath dress like no other.

To find your personal, signature style, look at various magazines and see what the celebrities are wearing and if there is one with your body type, just grab that style and make it your own.

Is Sewing A lost Art?

                                                 Is Sewing A Lost Art?

I was sitting and looking in the corner of my room at my trusted old Singer sewing machine that was given to me on my 16th birthday.  I was so happy to get this machine and I swore that I was going to make all the latest fashions but what I didn't know is that it takes great skill to become a seamstress.

I made some clothes but I was never good enough to create my whole entire wardrobe.  I consider sewing a great skill to have because if you learn how to do it, you will never forget how.

You must have a lot of patience because sometimes you can put a few seams together and if the fit is not right, you have to rip the seams apart and start all over.

There are not many school's teaching sewing anymore and I think that this is just horrible.

Sewing has become a lost art because a lot of stores are selling clothing with lower prices and the very last time I went into a fabric store, they were selling the fabrics and notions for higher prices. This made me feel that it wasn't even worth the time to sit for a few hours or a couple of days to put a dress together.

With a lot of people buying their clothes at the thrift store and the prices are so low, you just don't see a reason to sew but many times I have purchased clothing that I thought fit me correctly and when I got home, it didn't.

To get these items altered, would cost a pretty penny. This is a good reason to dust off my trusted sewing machine and learn the skill of tailoring.

I am getting the desire again to try sewing and really stick with it this time.  You would not believe, the sewing machine that I got at sixteen years old, still works perfectly.

I would love to see Grandmothers, Mothers and Aunts take out the sewing machine and teach younger girls and boys the skill of sewing and the pleasure you feel when you create your first outfit.

Sewing doesn't have to be a lost art, we must ask our schools to bring back Home Economics and also Machine Shop, this way our children will be well rounded and they may learn to love sewing.


What learning how to sew can do for you:

• Teach you how to make beautiful, quality clothing.
• Make clothing that is unique.
• Chase depression away.
• Instill self pride.
• Give you skills that you can use for a career.
• Alter clothing for you or others.
• Create clothing that fit your size or shape perfectly.

Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this subject and I would also like to know the first thing you created when you first started sewing.

Fall Is Almost Here.

I am so excited about the fall coming.  I am looking forward to the cool nights and the good smells such as; cinnamon, baked cookies, and cedar.  This is a good time to run to the stores to see what will be in fashion and to also go through your clothing from last year to see what you can salvage.

September is a good time to go to some of these outside fairs without sweating in the hot sun and to get the house in order to get ready for cooler weather.  I want to incorporate some pretty teals, grays, and bright reds into my wardrobe.

Cooking and baking is something that I love and will be doing with family during this month and I will be hitting those cookbooks to see the new dishes that I will be creating.   I would love to hear what you will be looking forward to for the fall and you can leave your comments below.

                                                        SashaMoniqueTalks
                                         

How To Implement Changes In Your Spending Habits

                                                        SashaMoniqueTalks

In fall 2014 I promised myself that I would start early and prepare myself for summer 2015 by searching the clearance racks in department stores and discount stores such as; Rainbow Shops and some of the other discount stores in my area.

I was surprised about the nice skirts, dresses, shoes, and tops I was able to find and I was purchasing them for $5.00 or less.  When I got home I would put all these items in a big bag in my closet.  It was fun doing this because I got excited seeing that big bag of clothes grow.  I didn't want to shop for any clothing for the summer or if I would buy anything it would be very little.

I had no idea that I would be able to do this because as I have said a lot of time " I have a shopping addiction".  Even though I spend very little for my purchases, I still love to shop.

The end of the spring I took out my summer clothes and that big bag of summer things that I purchased throughout the winter and I had a lot of nice clothes.

Putting myself on a clothes spending diet really started to work out for me because I learned how to use what I had along with my winter shopping and I was creating even more great clothing combinations.

I went shopping with my sister a few times and I did buy about four things total. and these items could be used for the fall and winter so I saw it as a good opportunity to get ready for the next season.

Usually, I would hit the thrift stores all summer but I didn't this year and I found that I wasn't bogged down by clothes.  I never realized that this would turn into a social experiment for myself but it did.  I felt so happy and I had a lot of things to wear but I wasn't wasting money.  I saved money and I was also able to buy some luxury items.

In September I will start to shop again for the spring and summer and buy just a few winter things.  I have really learned a great lesson and that is; I really didn't need as much stuff as I was buying and once you have a wardrobe, you don't have to replace that wardrobe every year if you buy items that will not go out of style.

My experiment taught me to be thankful for what I already have.

YOU LOST YOUR JOB, NOW WHAT?

                                               NO IT ISN'T THE END


You probably went into work today and you were presented with the news that you have been fired or laid off.  The first thought is usually, "What Am I Going To Do".  I have been in this position and it is not a great place to be.

This is a good time to access your savings to see if you can carry yourself a little while with your savings. 

Apply for Unemployment and if you are not eligible, there are some steps you can take to hold your head above water.

Look online and look for Social Services located in your State and start making phone calls, to see what is available to you.  You must make sure that you have all your identification and Birth Certificate and Marriage or Divorce Decree.

If you are in danger of losing your apartment or home, check and see if there is anything available that will allow you to stay in your home.  If not, go to the website HUD which is called Housing Urban Development and put in information regarding your City and State, to see if there are any subsidized apartments available.
 
Housing Urban Development has very long waiting list, but, if you can get on the waiting list, then you should do so. 

Do not be ashamed to get help.  You have paid into the system and you shouldn't be embarrassed to ask for help.

If you are definitely losing your Apartment; start packing and see whether the State will help you with putting your things into storage.

If you are low on food, look into getting Food Stamps or start calling some Food Pantries to see what the requirements are, so you can get some food for you and your family.

When you are around the house, do not wear any of your job related clothing and this way you can save on wear and tear and you will be able to save this clothing for when you start back to work.

Go to the thrift stores or rummage sales to look for good clothing that you can wear to work and start looking for another job.  If you are having trouble getting another job, go to, the unemployment office and sign up for job service to get help.

There are also some churches and organizations that give clothing away to the poor for free.

Try to stay as positive as you can during this time.  I know that it is hard but things are going to get better, it will take a little time but do not give up hope.

If you do not go to a church, this may be a good time to start because you may be able to find out about jobs from other church members.




ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY HELP YOU

1. Salvation Army
2. Catholic Charities
3. Church Organizations
4. Goodwill Industries
5. American Red Cross
6. Net Wish
7. United Way
8. YMCA
9. YWCA
10. National Coalition For The Homeless
11. 1800-Charity Cars
12. Local Catholic Churches

Make sure you look online and find out where the local office is in your state and what the requirements are.


You are going to recover and find a job and please do not give up.

PLUS SIZE LADIES, SHOW YOUR COLOR

ORANGE WITH CLASS

BLUE AND WHITE WITH PIZZAZ

 

BEAUTIFUL IN WATER COLOR

 

PASTEL YELLOW AND FLIRTY

 

LEMON YELLOW WITH CURVES

 

 

PEACOCK COLORS AND FABULOUS

 

GREEN AND BLUE WITH MASS APPEAL

 

ABSTRACT WITH COLORFUL SOPHISTICATION

 

 

Ladies, I just wanted to debunk the myth that we should not wear color.  We can find clothing in the right shapes that will make us look just as pretty as any other women.  Color can bring out our beautiful playful nature.  I am a big fan of colorful clothing and some people feel that we should only wear black and that is not so. 

 

Black clothing can sometimes make us look dowdy and plain old boring.  This is how I feel about it.

When I am shopping I like to look for colors that will enhance my complexion.  Someone asked me why I wear so many colors and I turned right around and asked them why they don't and they said; colors will make you look bigger and  (fat women)  should not be seen in them.

 

I love to create my own trends in regard to dressing my plus size body.  I think that I look pretty in color and I will not dim my light for anyone and neither should you.

 

My problem areas are my arms and my stomach, but, you can learn how to camouflage these areas.

 

As you can see, all these ladies in these pictures look absolutely terrific and I would wear any one of these outfits.

 

The main thing that we should remember is dressing for our shape and body type.  If the outfit, you wear is fitting you poorly, then you should pick another one that is flattering, but you can wear any color you want.

 

 

 

WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY DEPARTMENT STORE PRICES TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK LADIES

BOHO CHIC

 

                A nice plain look that we can achieve on a budget.


I went to two very expensive stores and I saw these looks and I looked at the price tag and I was blown away at just how high the price was.

My Daughter and I both said at the same time" They must be kidding, we can get this look at the thrift store"
The first look is a style that is very popular in New York City and I have seen it in Chelsea.
The second look is a very nice sweater and a skirt but it is very easy to achieve this whole look for under 15 dollars.

This is one of the reasons why I thrift is because you can look in magazines or go to department stores and see if you can imitate this look on a budget.

My staple in my wardrobe is black skirts and black pants because you can create some really nice looks by mixing and matching blouses or sweaters.

My Daughter likes boho chic and she has many outfits that looks like the first example and she paid no more than $10.00 for the whole entire look.  Now, that is what I call a bargain.

Real style can be achievable by just having a little imagination when shopping at thrift stores.

CHURCH RUMMAGE SALES

 

CHURCH RUMMAGE SALES

 

I love this part of the year when the tree's start to change and the air is so crisp and fresh, but what I love the most is the Church Rummage Sales.  I find that the Fall brings a lot of Churches that conduct these sales and they carry a lot of clothing, dishes, electronics, and other household items.

 You can get a nice amount of items for about $10 or $20 dollars and I am my happiest when they have the bag sales because you pay one price and you stuff that bag with as much stuff as you can get in there.  The only drawback is; most of these sales do not have dressing rooms, so you must bring a measuring tape, so you can buy your right size.

  If you are not sure about sizing; then it is best to just stick with their household items.

RAINBOW SHOPS END OF SUMMER SALES

 

             
                        RAINBOW SHOPS END OF SUMMER SALES


Hello Ladies: Rainbow Shops is having their end of summer sales and what that means to us is; Bargains!  This is the best time to stock up on clothing for next summer and it is also the best time to find items that are convertible to wear in the fall and winter.

 What I usually do is; buy tank tops and tee shirts to wear under a cardigan or a jacket.  I look for sandals to wear next year.

You can buy all those cute dresses for about $7.00 and don't forget; Rainbow Shops have an online shop with nice clothing and the shipping is very reasonable.  This is the perfect time to stock up.