Building From Basic Black... 3rd Option...

My Basic Black dress is pictured here:                        This is how the outfit started...

Then we added a white sweater as well as a scarf which added a "pop" of color...

The sweater has black edging along sleeves, neckline and ribbed waistline.  (Wish I could find this same sweater with blue edging.)

Now to reveal the third option I'm presenting 

with this basic black dress: 

This black, brocade blazer is a stylish item when additional warmth is needed.

I am so pleased with the design details front and back which add casual elegance.

Attempting a photo close-up of the brocade design.

And the scarf makes its way from the sweater version to the blazer version.

So a dress, a sweater, a blazer...  and now to add another thrilling "reveal" - well, it's thrilling for me.  This blazer still had its original tags on it so I know what it would have cost if I had bought it retail.  The blazer was available at a Goodwill Store in San Antonio and cost me $19.95.  Now that's more than I usually pay for a thrift store item but when I find something as perfect, timeless and new as this blazer, I think it's worth paying a little more than usual.  

Of course there are many more options for a Basic Black dress, but those may find their way to this blog in the future.  For now, I am grateful for Goodwill stores where I can find treasures on every aisle.  This is the way I am clothed according to the words of Jesus:

Matthew 6:27-34

The Message (MSG)

^27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
^30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
³⁴ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Building From Basic Black... 2nd Option...

Yesterday I posted about this basic black dress I have found to be a great addition to my wardrobe.                  And now I will add something which provides another reason that I am so satisfied with this casual, classy dress.                                                                               Voila!!!!

The white, cotton sweater is perfect for the days when a "little something" is needed to add a bit of warmth.  Those days are rare in Texas but they do happen in our winter months.  Perhaps you are also noticing that the sleeve length of the dress and the sweater appear to be three-quarter's length.  But maybe my very long arms create that affect when on others these would be long sleeves.  Fortunately, at this point in my life, I'm not worrying about my really loooong arms.  I'm finally satisfied with the version of me that God created quite some time ago.

But perhaps this outfit needs a "Pop" of color!!!

VOILA AGAIN!!!!!

Let's use a perky black, white, blue and magenta scarf tied into a "necklace" to give this 

outfit a little jazz! 

Fold the square scarf into a triangle then roll it into a 2" wide strip.  Now tie a knot in the middle of the strip.

Take the scarf ends and tie another knot while leaving a large enough hole to fit over your head.

The knot could be tied after the scarf is put around your neck.

Experiment with the placement of the "bow-knot" and the "center-knot" - lots of options.

The outfit is complete.  You're ready for church, lunch, dinner or even Thrift Store Shopping!!!  Have fun wherever you go and remember...

Matthew 6: 28 - 34  (adapted)

"And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin...not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these...So do not worry, saying,...'What shall we wear?'...your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..."   

Beautifully abundant bluebonnet wildflowers - Spring in TX

Building From Basic Black...#1

This is nearly my favorite basic black dress.  It is sooooo comfy.  The fabric is soft and fluid - a combination of rayon, polyester and lycra.  With this combination, it travels, washes and wears well.

And in Texas where I live, it is the perfect item for 3/4 of the year.

One of my favorite aspects of this dress is the length - mid calf is a delightful length for me. 

Next favorite element is the neckline - mock turtle.  So perfect for someone who prefers a hidden neck without a grip that's too tight nor too high  - just a gentle spanning of coziness.  This dress achieves those goals.

Next detail I find quite classy is the light stitching which adds a sweet but unobtrusive detail.  That is an element that seems to provide a step up from dreary drab to classic casual.

The outline stitching is found just above the cuff and the hemline also.

So finding this comfy, classy, nearly elegant, probably never worn, basic black, casual, well fitting piece for my wardrobe at a thrift store really made me happy.

I've had this dress for several years - basic, classic - so don't remember what I paid for it but it wouldn't have been very much.  

I will share some ways in which I build from this start in the next few posts.

During my childhood with limited financial resources, a number of family friends blessed the five of us farm kids with hand-me-downs which clothed us adequately for years.  Perhaps those wardrobe items created  a "No Fear" characteristic in my psyche for my current shopping choices.  I do not recoil from the thought of wearing clothes others have worn previously.  For me, it was and is God's abundant provision with which I am very content.

I Timothy 6: 6, 8

...godliness with contentment is great gain.  

...if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

The Color Purple...

This post will let you in visually on something about me that's not really a secret.

"I don't like posing for these photos

and having my picture taken!!!"

I always feel awkward, silly, phony...

Certainly you can tell that my smile is frozen...

I don't know which way to turn...

I wish this would hurry up and be done...

My photographer daughter is a jewel.  She tries to put me at ease but it's a challenge.

End of: 

True Confessions.

So here I am in this purple, velveteen outfit I thought was beautiful when I bought it but have only worn once.

These photos are not the same as the above shots.  These are even more awkward and staged than the above if that's possible.  But this post is not about my inability to pose; it's about my ability to find treasures at Thrift Stores. These photos were taken many months ago but I haven't had the courage to post them.

So this blog is about "Fabulous Finds" not "Flawless Faces".

 So let's get the view from the back on this 2-piece outfit.  I added a black shell under the top as I don't like to have too much of my neck exposed.  Maybe that's what I learned from my mother or maybe it's that I share a dislike of neck views with my mother.

Maybe with cooler weather coming, this outfit will have another trip to church some Sunday morning in the near future.

This 2 piece outfit has the label "DONNA MADE IN USA".  I was attracted to its deep, rich color and the sweet, ruffly, feminine detail to both top and skirt.

There are so many shades of purple that this outfit looks vastly different than the shade of pansies on my back deck.  But isn't that fun?

And now you know something immature about me.  Maybe my future photos will more fully mask my lack of camera confidence.  I'll try to be an "overcomer" of shyness.  Keep watching.

Purple Pleats...

I'm just featuring a Coldwater Creek top today and want to let you know that even up to date fashions and upscale name brand items can be found in Thrift Stores.
This comfy, classy top is made of fine cotton and needs almost no touch up with an iron.

Notice that the sleeves may be a little short for my very long arms.  

That's why I pretend that they are supposed to be three quarters length and shove them up a bit. 

Not a salute; just a way to show the cuff detail

Below is a goofy pose but we are attempting to showcase the cute detail of the blouses' cuff.  Buttons, pleats, creative stitching...
create a casual upgrade for a top perfect for many occasions.

Your style is what helps make you a unique individual.  That was God's idea when he created you.  He wants you to be comfortable in your clothing so that you can work, play and be the person he's designed you to be.

If we get so focused on "how" we look, we'll never be really free to respond as he wants us to.  He has kingdom work for us to do and that's where we need to put our energy.

Have fun with your wardrobe and find things that allow you to be satisfied with your clothing choices.

Dressy Occasion...

Ready for dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, FL while working at the Leadership Forum

 

Closer view of detail

Such a lovely location for our conference

Even the jewelry comes from a Thrift Store

Enjoying the outdoor loveliness

 One of the things I like best about Thrift Store shopping, is that I can purchase very reasonably priced items that I will probably wear very infrequently.  


There are a few occasions when my husband and I are able to attend rather fancy dinners.  For those events, I get to wear some of things I find but which languish in my closet until the moment I need to dress up.
  
I'm not sure what I would do without Thrift Stores because it would be very difficult for me to pay retail prices for something I would wear only once or twice.  Finding a dress-up treasure is so exciting! 


So silk and skirts are ready when the occasion warrants.


You'll be ready for any occasion when you shop to be surprised.  Finding an amazing item even when you don't have a place to wear it immediately, is fun and frugal.  Those are huge benefits to shopping at Thrift Stores.

Going Off Topic...

I very seldom wear brown. 
With my "silver crown",  brown is not my color.  But silver crowns can wear the deepest, richest shade of even some colors which don't suit us especially well.  So here I am in an outfit  with which I'm quite pleased.  

In this post, I'm going off topic.  I am learning to use some tools that are part of my Creative Memories program.  Check out the background in the photo below.  The tool I experimented with is called "cloning".  It becomes possible to use a portion of a photo and apply it over another portion.

       

POOF!!!

I am now standing in front of a solid row of cedar trees.

 

So you see, I've gotten carried away with the background of my photos.  I didn't like the phone lines going through my head so I removed those as well.

Now to get back on topic.  

STYLES!!!

Cute Shoes!!!

But guess what?

When wearing these shoes, I have to walk 

REALLY SLOWLY

because I walk right out of them if I move quickly.  And that is not my style so these shoes no longer live at my house.

They have been consigned and hopefully one of you is enjoying these adorable, very comfortable, slow slippers!!!

Why cover up unattractive background in my photos?  

Isn't it for the same reason that women 

wear make-up, style their hair and wear clothing 

which enhances their natural beauty?  

We want to hide some of our blemishes because then we have greater self-confidence which leads to being our very best.  

The right color, style and fit in our clothing provides a measure of security so that we can be the person God wants us to be without having to hide in shame and disgrace.  

The clothing I wear which allows me to "shine" 

has all been found at Thrift Stores.  

Fashions to help you "shine" your brightest are there also.  

It's an exciting, valuable treasure hunt.