Out and About: Paul and Katy's Saturday Adventure

My younger brother Paul and I had the greatest time together today. We hit up a few thrift shops, an antique shop, the Indian beauty salon and Nakato. We laughed. We cried. We played dress up and modeled with dogs. What a day!

First, we started out at Natural Identity Beauty Architects. As I mentioned a few months ago, Natural Beauty offers awesome eyebrow threading for $5 (used to be $4). Paul and I were both in drastic need of some eyebrow recon... so we sat and endured the pain for a few minutes (i.e. this was where the crying took place). 

Since we were right next door to Last Chance Thrift in Decatur, we couldn't resist going in and scoping out the merch. Paul didn't find anything (sad face!) but before rushing out to meet our friend Lisa for lunch, I managed to find a cute wool skirt. I'll keep this in hibernation until the fall, when I'll ideally have a crisp, white, long-sleeved button up I can wear with it. 

Vintage high-waisted, wool skirt (tag says "Personal") 

via Last Chance

After breaking for lunch, we headed onto Kudzu Antique Market for it's 20% off sale. Kudzu has all kinds of awesome furniture, jewelry, clothes, art, knickknacks, memorabilia — most of which is vintage. Love, love, love looove this place. I can't believe I'd driven right past this gem for years, until my boss mentioned its awesomeness to me back in July. Individuals and small companies rent out booth space — with Kudzu acting as an operator and cashier and taking a small portion of each sale.

While we didn't want to buy it, we did admire 

this flashy piece of evening wear

Possibly my favorite booth today (salt and pepper 

shakers of all varieties — Raggedy Ann and Andy, 

a pair of cowboy boots, a I Love Lucy telephone and more)

Looked cute on the rack, not so much on. 

"May I offer you a slice of apple pie with your all-star breakfast, m'am?"

This couch was labeled "Cool Jetson's Couch" 

with price tag around $1,100

Groovy owl lamp

Of course I had to find and find the one thing not 20% off. 

(Amethyst and sterling cocktail ring: $58 with tax)

Next stop: Goodwill at Northlake. The store was abuzz with activity! We fought our ways through the racks to find some pretty rad stuff. Paul scored two Polo shirts — and Paul found me a vintage Lacoste shirt and I found myself an 80's cocktail dress (...to sell on eBay or to keep for a later party? That is the question). 

ooooh yeah.

Vintage Lacoste found by Paul 

(pictured with my friend Lauren's dog, Dudley)

Handsome Paul in one of his Polos... with James' Wrigley

Another Lacoste, Paul and Dudley

And we had just enough time to stop by one more Goodwill, this time the Brookhaven location on Buford Highway. I found a kick-a$s Armani Exchance casual jacket (would retail for $120 new, no doubt). Another good find: a pair of Limited "Drew Fit" slacks. Paul found another Polo (are you sensing a trend here?) for another solid $4.70.

Casual chic Armani Exchange lightweight coat 

The model-esque Paul with Roxxi and another fabulous Polo

The shopping damage for me:

• Grey/white/black Personal wool skirt: $5.34
• Amethyst cocktail ring: $58
• Grey "Drew Fit" slacks from the Limited (not pictured): $4.49
• Julie Duroche 80's cocktail dress: $10.59
• Armani Exchange black jacket: $5.59
• Vintage Lacoste shirt: $4.39
• Total: $88.40

And for Paul:

• Light blue Polo Ralph Lauren shirt: $4.70
• Dark blue Polo Ralph Lauren shirt: $4.70
• Navy, green and red striped Polo Ralph Lauren shirt: $4.70
• Total: $14.10

I either have lots of styles or no style. I'm not sure which it actually is... anyway, my style "open-mindedness" led me to find several fabulous things today. Paul fared pretty well today also.

And after a day of shopping and silliness, is there a better capper than delicious sushi? I think not. I don't want to put words in Paul's mouth, but I think he'd agree. We enjoyed miso soup, veggie tempura, octopus nigiri, amberjack nigiri, an eel roll, super crunch roll, spicy tuna and california roll. Mmmm.

Deliciousness.

Thanks for coming and hanging, Paul! We found so many great things — and I had the best time. :)

You Know I Couldn't Resist

(Wearing my one-day-old boots to work today!!)

Today:

• Isaac Mizrahi dress ($20 at Target); I wore this as my wedding getaway dress
  
• New/thrifted boots ($25 at Last Chance in Decatur)
• Pendant necklace with multistrand black beads (Gifted by Mb when she was downsizing her costume jewelry collection)
• (Not pictured) Armani Exchange blazer shown here

Your Favorite Items Under $20

Not a bad response for the first "Audience Participation Friday." And would you believe that some dudes even responded? Awesome. I'm also impressed that many of your items were even under $10. I asked what your favorite items under $20 were — and here's what you had to share:

Miz Mb sent in a casual dress she picked up from the GAP for $20. She even shows how to wear her piece more than one way. "I love it because it’s a light soft fabric that can blend well into any season. It has a comfortable neckline and cinched waist that makes it flirty, and is something I can dress up or down." — Mira (D.C.)

(Mira continued): "I can wear is bare-legged with flip flops or with tights, boots, and a matching scarf. It’s easy to dress this wardrobe staple down or up. Last night I wore this dress with green tights and a grey cardigan before going to [my boyfriend's] to watch TV. Before leaving, I ditched the cardigan for my black fall jacket since it was chilly." (Loving the fun tights, girl)

"Totally an old navy baseball-style shirt. $5 and really comfy." — Greg (Atlanta)

"It is definitely the black/white check sleeveless shirt that I bought with you at a thrift store ... I wear it about once a week - summer, winter, spring, fall ... in colder weather I wear it under a cardigan. And it cost less than $5!" — Lou a.k.a. my mom (Columbus)

"It has to be my new Levi's from Urban Outfitters. They are button-fly and boyfriend baggy style. I found them on the sale rack and they just happened to be my size! I was very pleased to pay $19 for them. I think they're reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston's causal style you'll often see in People magazine." — Anna (Dahlonega)

"my game day jersey... i got it on ebay and i wont leave the house on a notre dame saturday without it. $5!!!" — Alan (Warner Robbins)

Alan enjoys dinner in his $5 Notre Dame Jersey from eBay (a great place to find sports items for cheap!)

Budget friendly fashion diva Olivia had a tough time picking which <$20 item was her favorite so she sent three.

Oooh! I love these Nine West booties O. picked up for $19.99.

Olivia's Barclay square velvet jacket (thrifted in Nashville for $6)

This item wasn't just under $20, it was free! Olivia gets a lot of use out of this fabulous leather jacket her mom wore in high school.

For me, I would say the Armani Exchange jacket/blazer I picked up at Goodwill a few months back. It seems to be so versatile (works with jeans, slacks, dresses, etc.). I also feel like the fabric is rather season neutral. And it was $5.59!

For next week: What's your idea of a fun date night (or daytime activity) that costs less than $25? (Yes, I realize that photos may be tougher for this one — but try away!). Send your submissions to lifefulfilledatl@gmail.com by Wednesday, November 4.

Cheers!

Katy