Goodwill hunting and the fashion diet – Jennifer Schoenberger Design

I’ve been on a mad tear to simplify, organize and edit my life this year. No area is more in need of this than my closet.

(The painted vanity was my Grandmothers. As a little girl I sat for hours at it rummaging through all her jewelry. I’m thinking that mirror wall needs some shimmer aeh? Add it to the list!)

I’m like every other girl in that most days I’m whining, what am I going to wear today??? And yet the same five things are always popping up on rotation… then what the heck are the rest of you doing in here and why do I keep accumulating more?! I am in absolute love with my many different pairs of shoes, and I still often catch myself looking to find a large range of Pikolinos footwear in Australia and other sites from different areas that can offer me unique shoes that catch my eye.

Its time for a fashion diet. Care to join me? Let’s break it down.

1. A fashion diet forces us to be creative in coming up with new and exciting ways to wear what we already have (clearly there is enough to work with here).

2. A fashion diet saves us a lot of time and a lot of money. No buyer’s remorse, no extra errands having to return something.

3. The goal is to diet until 2013 with a few small exceptions (more on this below).

4. A fashion diet can be very good for the environment.

5. A fashion diet can include shopping in your friend’s closets too. For example I just scored five new shirts that were tired and old for Sher bear but not for me.

You get where I’m going? However what fun is life when you can’t shop? A big ole NADA. So when the moment strikes, you know when that retail homing device inside our heads starts beeping, we head to a Goodwill or some other thrift store instead! You know I’m a big fan. I find all kinds of goodies there for our home, myself and my kids (sorry hubs, I’ll start looking for you too).

To entice and convince you all the more, I photographed a bunch of finds Sheri and I scored in the past with some styling suggestions to go with, so away we go…

Kicking things off with this army green messenger bag. love. it. Long cross body strap included. That was a Sheri score (darn her).

This GO International jumper from Target, with the tags still attached. Paired with black leggings and boots, a comfortable and fashionable outfit to go anywhere in. I’m thinking BIG earrings and a few bracelets to polish it off, or a printed scarf to kick it up a notch.

This vintage inspired full skirt will look great paired with a fitted black top and shiny black kitten heels for the office for my hard-workin mama friend.

One of my favorite finds was this long pleated wool skirt for $4.97. Hello twirl.

A few days later I came across this picture on Pinterest and was on a mad hunt all Winter for a SOFT chunky sweater to wear with (notice the fur collar added for texture). Another comfortable, fashionable outfit to wear anywhere. Long statement necklace and bracelets would be nice.

Suede jacket with whip stitch detail.

Adorable peep toe tweed shoes!

This little guy got a lot of action last Winter with leggings, boots and my favorite Target paisley scarf (tried to find it for you on line but if you’re a veteran, its the one that comes in five different colors, the pink being VERY pretty). Very comfortable, however, it was purchased at the Santa Rosa Beach Goodwill and they think a lot of their stuff. I paid a whopping $14.99. That’s a lot for Goodwill! But I couldn’t pass it up, it was too quality.

$3.99 LOFT top paired with a red pencil skirt for the office and black and white spectator shoes Sheri SCORED at an estate sale. Why didn’t I get a pic of those?

Taget Mossino swiss dot sheer blouse. Super flattering. I like to rock this with all black. Black cami, black slim pants, black boots and work in a pop of color with earrings, handbag or a bright jacket to go over.

Chanel-inspired tweed suit. I may have to borrow that for Easter Sunday next year.

How fun is this pink shimmer skirt?

A closer look. Albeit not practical, I couldn’t pass it up for $4.99. Its really flattering over the junk in the trunk. I think I’ll dress it down with just a plain white racer back tank top, shiny flip flops and lots of chains or pearls.

Brown velvet blazer. Got a lot of wear last Winter and will still be going strong next season. Plus, I also have some gorgeous rain boots ready for the winter too and these will pair very well.

Remember pleats were all the rage last fall? Came across these sheer pleated pants, same trip as the gray pleated skirt from earlier, and I went for it. Again I think they were like $3.99. Not so sure how I will wear them…thinking a long sweater that covers the derriere and maybe some simple flats? Looks more like a skirt than pants when on…

There was something about the colorful embroidery on this black cotton skirt (cute slits on each side) that appealed to me. Mom would embroider stuff like this on my Sister and I’s jeans when we were little girls. I’ve been wearing it a lot this Summer with the striped Target tank top and some big colorful stella and dot earrings.

This dress did not come from Goodwill but it was FIVE DOLLARS because of a small hole in the back of the sleeve and that’s totally allowed on the diet. I found it at the beach and grabbed it thinking if it doesn’t fit me, I’ll find someone it does! It’s pretty short to wear as a dress so definitely some white shorts or skinnies underneath. I paired it with a stella and dot necklace that unfortunately is no longer available. Somewhere at Dad’s I have a pic of Mom in a similar dress with stunning green eye make up that she wore to her ten year reunion. I’m determined now to find it and compare.

And lastly my favorite find! A retro hip pant suit for $7.99…

The pants look so cool on and remind me of this shot of Rachel Zoe from Pinterest…

Mine are longer in length but shortening them is a thought. I love this find because they work great together or by themselves. The top has great lines, goes with everything and is a boxy flattering fit that hides all that good eatin.

Some fun finds for the kiddos, this rocker leather jacket for my boy for $2.92. I’m going to photograph him in it this Fall when his beautiful blonde hair grows out a bit more.

And this fun cheetah coat for Soph for the same price. Of course she refused to wear it this past Winter. I’ll try again this year but if no go, Miss Sybil or Miss Ella Claire will have a cute new hand-me-down to match their cute-as-pie personalities.

So what do you think? Wanna save a lot of money and have a lot of fun? When was the last time a diet was fun? Now granted, there will be times we’ll need to use a life line (like allowing ourselves one Fall fashion statement piece or those cute Tom’s wedges that are supposedly super comfortable and give my 5’5 frame some needed height). The Nordstrom half yearly sale will be tough but I keep thinking about all the money I’m going to save and how much fun the hunt is!

I’ve made one trip to Goodwill since starting the diet and it was crazy fun! I spent $36 and came home with five killer items that probably retailed collectively for over $500 at one time. I was jazzed all day and will share them soon. Can you say “Calvin Klein Collection” dress for $5.95? Oh yeah. The most comfortable thing I’ve put on in a lonnng time…of course until the Spanx go on underneath. 😉

Happy dieting! I hope you’ll join me and share with all of us your amazing finds on the road. We break for thrifting! Beep! Beep!

xx
Jenny from the rock

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