Glamourai Inspired Sleeveless Coat

I've had a blog crush on The Glamourai since my friend Mb recommended her blog to me two months ago. She's glamorous (duh!), edgy and on-trend while still beating to her own drum beat.

When I saw her rock a neutral/light sleeveless trench over a dress, I thought, "Hey, I bet I could do that, and for relatively cheap."

The Glamourai (Kelly Frammel).

See more photos from her sleeveless trench coat post here.

So I set out to find a trench that I could have the sleeves cut off of. Like Kelly's, I wanted it to be neutral and simple. I visited Atlanta's Last Chance (Decatur location) and the Tucker, Dunwoody and Buford Highway Goodwills before I found something I thought would work.

Enter the $4 tweed 3/4 sleeve coat. While it had a simple neckline versus the trench look I was hoping, the fabric did have the versatility and neutrality I was looking for.

It was also important that I find a neutral dress. The thought of wearing pants with a sleeveless coat felt very 1990s power suit to me — or Hilary Clinton campaigning in the summertime. I got lucky and found a khaki linen-ish dress at Ross on clearance for $8.

This outfit:

• Coat (no label): $4 plus $10 alterations (to remove sleeves) — via Dunwoody, Georgia, Goodwill
• Dress: $8 (no one noteworthy) plus $4 to have the sleeves removed — via Dunwoody Ross Dress for Less
• Shoes: Steve Madden nude leather heels $4 — via Dunwoody Goodwill
• Necklace: $12 from Decatur antique vintage mega awesome store Kudzu (it's rose quartz, wood and faux gold)
• Ring: $10 (quartz and copper) — from Art Walk (walking street vendor market) in Santa Barbara, California
• Total: $52 (so freaking close to $50 or less)
• 
  

Also, take a good hard look at my straight hair — since it takes a while to straighten, I don't do it often. :)

Martha's Colors (and for $50 or less!)

Miz Martha Stewart (along with Miz Heather over at "We Met in a Bar") has been very fond of pairing grey with yellow.

I used to shy away from wearing yellow (thought it clashed with my hair), but lately I've been gravitating toward bright, cheerful hues like yellow a lot myself.

• Blouse: Banana Republic Outlet ($12 on sale)
• Wool vest: $4 at one of my local Goodwills (Tucker, I think)
• Skirt: Isaac Mizrahi for Target ($5 at Goodwill or Salvation Army)
• Shoes: Nine West via Ross ($25)
• Necklace: gifted by stepmother
  
• Ring: $2 at a thrift store in Santa Barbara
• Shoulder bag: $16 at Tucker Goodwill (and it's leather!)
  
• (Okay, it's only $50 or less when you don't count the purse...)
  
  

This necklace has really grown on me. When I opened it up circa Christmas 2008, I wasn't sure what to think. I thought it was too feminine or too busy or something. But I find myself wearing it all the time now. It's subtle with light colored tops -- and bold and interesting with colors like navy and black.




Happy Friday!

Summer Safari

Yesterday I mentioned that I picked up a sweet (and brand spankin' new!) men's GAP button-up in olive green.

I didn't put together the outfit in time for What I Wore's reader challenge post — but here's my attempt at a Safari-Chic:

Can't wait to get a nicer camera!

• Green, two-pocket Safari-style men's shirt (GAP via Goodwill - new - $5)
• Cream-colored cotton tank (Old Navy - $6)
• Off-white linen pants (Banana Republic via eBay - new - $12)
• Twigs necklace (gift from my girl Megan)
• The budget buster: Diba shoes ($58)... also seen here

The necklace:

I thought this necklace would be perfect for this outfit. It feels very African-inspired. While I call it a twig or pretzel stick necklace, it's actually some kind of very tough fiberglass-like material. 

Speaking of What I Wore's Safari challenge, I am so excited to be introduced to Seven Dollar Pants, a blog led by a dynamic Toronto duo. Christine (below) was the fave outfit of the What I Wore challenge. She called this outfit her "Zookeeper" look. I can tell these gals are going to be very inspiring! They're thrifty, creative and stylish: three of my favorite things.

-- Katy 

A Family That Thrifts Together, Stays Together

Goodwill Family Affair Part 2:

With fam in town for our little housewarming shindig, we just had to fit in a little thrifting time. Thank you to Paul for spearheading the adventure. We had quite the successful day at ole G'Willy.

Paully Wally, Mom, Anna Fo-fanna.

Mom really racked up on this particular trip. She's always been a fan of black and white (or black, white and red) — and the Lavista Road (Tucker, Georgia) Goodwill had plenty waiting for her. Isn't she adorable in this wide houndstooth belt? The mama hasn't done much with high waisted belts — but now she's ready to rock this one ($4). See far below for her whole cart.

Another fun find by la madre. 

These Rampage brand kitten heels had never been worn. Love the oversized houndstooth pattern and the little bit of grey mixed in ($6, I think).

Anna was also a big winner in Sunday's thrift excursion. I sooo wish the below shoes had been my size. Alas, they were not right for me but perfect for Anna. 

Page boy shoes were $10 (label says "Graceland"). So super cute — and work appropriate. (Anna just accepted an 8th grade teaching position. Congratulations, Fo-fan!)

These $10 shoes remind me a lot of these precious black leather ones (below) from Shabby Apple (shout out to the Asian Cajuns for telling me about the cute offerings of Shabby Apple). Anna's are just as cute but $90 less.

They also remind me a lot of these sassy red shoes Olivia shared for Audience Participation Friday a few months ago  ("Favorite items under $20" edition).

Anna also picked up these fun and funky 80s running tights by Hind ($5)...

And a men's polo, three books (Memoirs of a Geisha, Diary of a Freedom Writer and Teaching Students with Special Needs) and a ceramic coffee mug. Her total damage: $24.

I also came home with a men's button-up. I was lucky enough to find a GAP brand olive green, two-pocket safari-style button-up much like the one below. NEW WITH TAGS (marked $44.50). Goodwill had it marked for $10 — then I got half off at the register because it had a red tag. Five bones for a brand new shirt ain't bad. I'll share my outfit post incorporating the shirt tomorrow.

I also bought a purple knit vest by Casual Corner ($4) and three books (I Know This Much is True, The DaVinci Code and Revolutionary Road). Thrift stores are such a great place to find books for cheap, even new releases. My total damage: $12.

Paul found a jackpot item as well: a mint condition, red North Face rain coat for $5. I know the frat boys at The University of Georgia are going to be mega-jealous.

Mom's goods (in addition to her belt and Rampage shoes: mini houndstooth flats, some cute red Merona flats and three ceramic coffee mugs.)

That was fun, fam!

Goodwill - www.goodwill.org

3983 Lavista Road
Tucker, GA 30084-5157
(770) 723-1112

Note: the LaVista Rd. metro Atlanta location is one of the cleaner, newer, more organized Goodwill locations. Even the bathrooms seem to be in fine shape.

A Classy Flea

"A Classy Flea" is just that — a thrift/consignment store with a slightly more upscale inventory.

Not long before I changed jobs, I took a little field trip to the Mariettta, Georgia, shop with some colleagues. A Classy Flea carries a variety of furniture, mirrors, vases and other antiques. I was most interested in the furniture, which ranges from $30 to $400. I must say its strip mall store front is quite deceiving — don't judge a book by its cover!

This chair helped make a good first impression. Love the pattern of the upholstery.

A Classy Flea is quite large inside; I would estimate about 2,500 square feet of furniture and other treasures.

This antique parlor dresser is a little too art deco for my tastes — but it's such a neat period piece and in very good condition.

Wish I had a place for this wood filing cabinet!

Super sweet twin bed headboard, footboard and mirror.

Maybe we can get a bench like this for our back deck one day. Love.

This table wouldn't fit with our home, but I love the juxtaposition of the clean/cool marble and the rusted/painted iron. It's modern and vintage all at the same time. $300 if I recall correctly.

I especially liked the offerings in this booth (kind of an updated French country vibe).

How cool is this vintage ice box? Beautiful. Wish I had a place for it in my kitchen or dining room.

I made the mistake of having an "agenda" when we stopped by A Classy Flea. Unfortunatey for me, there were no night stands or rugs that fit with our new home. They're constantly receiving new pieces — in fact, my former colleague Paul tells me he stops by the Flea almost every weekend to see what new inventory comes in. Regardless, even though there are several great furniture consignment/thrift stores near us in Decatur (Kudzu, Decatur Estate, etc.), I may actually make the trek to A Classy Flea few times a year because they have some great stuff (at very reasonable prices)!

A Classy Flea

1355 Roswell Road

Marietta, GA 30062

http://www.blogger.com/www.aclassyflea.com

(for you fellow ITPers, A Classy Flea is about 15 miles up 75 from Georgia Tech)

Gifted and thrifted

I was fortunate enough to get to come home from work and change clothes before meeting friends for dinner and "yay - we are buying a house!" celebratory drinks. (I feel it's so rare now that I wear "play clothes" on weeknights.)

I technically could label this a $50 or less outfit — but I feel that would be cheating. The shoes, clutch and dress were all Christmas 2009 gifts (my friends and family have great taste!).

And who says you can't wear black and brown together? I love that "saddle," a shade of brown, looks fine with black — especially when you mix in some color.

• Boots: Arturo Chiang from Piperlime (gift from the inlaws)
• Dress: Bailey 44 (gift from sister-in-law and her fiance)
• Clutch: UE or Urban Expressions (gift from my always stylish and fabulous friend Lauren)
• Leggings: Target ($6)
• Three-quarter sleeve sweater: Merona; thrifted at the Junior League Nearly New store for $5
• Multi-colored shiny button necklace: gift (several years ago) from my stepmother

Reader Question: Vintage Jewelry

This week, Becca e-mailed me a question. I had so much fun answering it!

Hey, I stumbled upon your blog through other people's blogs. I just wanted to say I really love reading your blogs and your findings. I was just wondering, which thrift stores do you hit to find vintage jewelry. I live in the atlanta area also. Any information would be great. Thank you so much.

Sincerely, Becca

And my response:

Hi Becca!

I'm so flattered you enjoy my blog and reached out to me! While they don't have hoards of jewelry, I have found many affordable and unique vintage jewelry pieces at Kudzu Antique Market (http://kudzuantiques.com/) in Decatur. Not to mention they have great sales (sign up for their e-mail newsletters).

Another great place to look is My Sister's Closet: http://www.mysistersclosetonline.com/.

I haven't been there, but I've heard great things about Back by Popular Demand in Lilburn: http://bbpdconsignment.com/.

And don't be scared to check out the new and vintage styles at Hurs Jewelry Mart. They have SOOO much stuff! http://www.hursmart.com/store/default.asp

But the best advice I can give is to swing by the jewerly counter whenever you're in the vicinity of a Goodwill, Salvation Army or other consignment shop. Most of the best -- and most affordable -- items are found by chance. My fave Goodwills are the ones on LaVista (by Northlake Mall in Tucker) and on Buford Highway near the intersection of Clairmont Road -- it's where all the Buckhead people donate. :)

Katy
http://www.lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com/

p.s. I wouldn't have known about Back by Popular Demand if it weren't for the lovely Danielle from Fell4Fashion. Thanks, Danielle!

Designer Jeans (with tags!) Spotted at Northlake Goodwill

Wear size 26, 27 or 28 jeans? Have a penchant for designer jeans but too broke to support your habit?

Run as fast as you can to the Northlake Goodwill (LaVista Road in Tucker - near 285). I found a whole rack of designer jeans yesterday... with. the. tags. still. on! It looks as though a high-end boutique went out of business and had to liquidate its inventory.

Many of the pairs were Adriano Goldschmied. These retail for $165-plus at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Twenty-five bucks is a killer deal!

Sorry for the bad iPhone photo.

Premium denim at the Good-Willy for $25 (front of the store).

Too bad the vintage Halston blouse I found was a size 10 and smelled like a carton of Virginia Slims. Booo!

The last bit of my 11/14 Last Chance finds

I am back on the interwebs! Pardon the interruption; the hubs and I have spent the last few days packing, moving and unpacking (our house sold — and we've relocated into an apartment). 

"A Life Fulfilled: Atlanta" will literally be "Atlanta" for a little while, as the apartment is in the Virginia-Highlands. The plan is to spend the next few months saving and house hunting — then we'll hopefully be back in Decatur in a jiffy.

Here's the last of what I found at Last Chance (Decatur) two weekends ago. Given it's nautical pattern (that's a black and white stripe), gold buckled belt and shoulder pads, I thought this Danny and Nicole dress would be a fun one to take home with me.

The details.

It's sad to see the yard that no longer belongs to us!

And an antiqued-looking shot for fun.

Dress: Danny and Nicole ($10 at Last Chance in Decatur)

Necklace: made at the Bead Shoppe in Avondale Estates (just a multi-shaped chain I made into a necklace) - $14

Shoes: Nine West platform pumps (via Ross) - $25

Luxe Shirt Dress - Goodies from the Weekend Part 4

I think this Maggy London dress (complete with shoulder pads) may be my favorite find from the weekend... but considering that I have to replace the buttons (one's missing), it may also be the most expensive.

Something about this pattern and the cut feels fancy. One of the gals shopping across the aisle from me at Last Chance said the pattern reminded her of Hermes. Now excuse me while I go sew on 9 new buttons so I can wear this thing out of the house!

New buttons: $8.50 at Hancock Fabricks

Dress: $7 (Maggy London via Last Chance Thrift in Decatur) + buttons ($8.50)

Shoes: Nine West patent and distressed leather platform pumps ($25 via Ross)

Taking Notes from Maegan (but in need of styling feedback) — Goodies from the Weekend Part 3

I took a page from the notes of Miz Love Maegan for this outfit (you must check out her blog if you want style inspiration...). 

Similar to Maegan's post here, this "dress" is actually a belted, longer dress. Except for in my case, it's a nightgown. When I saw the gown on the end of a rack at Last Chance (Decatur), I honestly thought it was a dress; then I realized it was next to a bunch of pajamas. Whoops. I didn't let that deter me from my mission of finding interesting items to add to my wardrobe.

 

Lace-trimmed night gown belted as a dress.

My attempt at cooler weather styling didn't work... I wish I had a knit that made sense for this "dress"

Posing mishap (i.e., trying to look cool made me look like I have no arms — not the look I was going for)

I realize this is a little bit more of a fashion risk but thought it would be fun to play. I can better visualize how to wear this when it's warm... I'm struggling a little with what jacket or knit to wear on my shoulders for a colder weather look. Is there a shoe that would be a better fit? Suggestions? The husband and the mom are not fans of the dress in general... what do you guys think? You can be honest since I paid less than $5...

Dress: $5 night gown from Last Chance (Decatur), belted (no tag)

Shoes: Carlos Santana via Ross ($25-ish)

Jacket: Lapis via Ross ($10-ish)

Necklace: gifted by Mb