a convert

i have been a thrifter for years now. i love thrifting so much that i have started to think that paying more than $10 for a dress is ridiculous. the other day, my man, chris, was shopping for halloween costume pieces (i.e., KISS boots) and stumbled into many thrift stores. before i continue, i should tell you a little bit about chris. he is metrosexual at it's best. he loves dress shirts from Nordstroms and fancy shoes from Bloomingdales.

 in all fairness to him, i should also tell you that he loves to lounge around in sweats and tees, too.

he's not high maintenance, he just likes to look good when going out. who doesn't? ok...continuing...so he went to at all of these thrift stores, and he realized that there were some pretty cute clothes there (my words, not his). and then he walked outside and saw a plethora of high-end cars in the lots. he realized that the reason these people could drive their fancy cars was – maybe – because they shopped at thrift stores.

so he got home, and said to me, "i think i am only going to shop at thrift stores from now on." i was amazed and thrilled. this is the man who thinks a $70 shirt at Nordstrom Rack is a good deal. this is the man who once spent $400 on five shirts. our pocket book was forever grateful.

what chris learned that day, that i have been trying to instill in him forever, is that if you truly want that one-of-a-kind item, if you really want to be the only person at the club wearing your outfit, thrifting is truly the way to go. sure, we will still both shop new occasionally, but there is something about the hunt, the one-of-a-kind find and the "green" aspect of thrifting, that i will always be drawn to.

what do you think? do you love thrifting? or does the thought of wearing someone else's hand-me-downs turn you off?

images via here and here

tuesday remix

it's tuesday again. time for the remix!

the item:

a vintage blouse purchased at Mighty Swell from the lovely meghan of high plains thrifter. it's buttery yellow with shimmery polka dots and a tie neck. i love a tie neck! cute!

the outfits:

a day at the office

pants-theory, thrifted

vest-vintage

earrings-h&m

heels-ebay

lunch date with the girls

jeans-the gap

necklaces-h&m, express, and a gift from bestie kate

waitress in the sky

vest-purchased at Mighty Swell from the fashionable kitty of Geisha Pearl Vintage

tights-gift from megan

boots-vintage

earrings-express

ring-h&m

have a fabulous tuesday!!!

Converse Shoes

Converse (also pronounced "Cahnvurse") is an American shoe company that has been making shoes since the early 20th century. In his late 30s, Marquis Mill Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (completely unrelated to the Boston Rubber Shoe Company founded by fourth cousin Elisha Converse) in Malden, Massachusetts in 1908.

All About Converse Shoes
Unique Converse Motif
Pink Converse for Girls
Gold Converse Shoes

The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children. By 1910, Converse was producing 4,000 shoes daily, but it was not until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1923 his signature was added to the All Star patch. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), basketball's first all black pro basketball team.

Blue Converse Shoes for Baby
Elegant White Converse Shoes
All Colors from Converse

i'm not a model

every time i post a picture of myself on this blog, or on the two birds page, i feel a little silly. i don't know how models do it. i think i look silly posing...or FEEL silly posing, i guess is a better word for it. but i love the look of the artsy pose.

so how do i do it? i guess for one, i have to not take it so seriously. i need to have fun with it, realize that not every picture is going to turn out perfectly. and i also need to be aware that not everyone is going to laugh at me for trying to be creative.

i grew up in a big family of girls. we always make fun of each other and laugh at each other...don't get me wrong, we all love each other very much, but i grew up not taking myself very seriously. so i guess i have it in the back of my head that people will think i'm silly for pretending that i'm cool or pretty or a model. 

so here goes, from now on i'm going to try to not worry so much about it. i am going to try to be more artsy and creative when taking pictures. starting with a great backdrop is key, so i will have to scout out some nearby locations. and then i guess just keep practicing...my kids might find me posing in front of the mirror...i will let them laugh at me.

do you have any ideas? any advice? i could use all the help i can get!

images via here, here, here

effortlessly cool

these ladies all have that look that i'm always kind of going for. the look that says i just woke up and grabbed whatever what on my closet floor and threw it on and somehow i look amazing and pulled together! i find it rather a hard look to achieve. i always feel that i look a bit unkempt rather than effortless and cool. perhaps because i actually am grabbing stuff off the floor and throwing it together! i am sure these stars actually spent lots of time styling their looks and did not actually choose their ensemble out of a laundry basket! but it's fun to imagine. 

images via here.

two birds re-makeover winner is...

congrats to helene barcelo. you are our winner of the two birds re-makeover! we think that we might have a perfect little holiday party dress to give to you!!!

thanks to all who participated!

inspiration monday

happy november, everyone! the days are getting shorter and colder, but today is a beautiful, crisp fall day, so i have no complaints. i bought this great faux leather jacket, meant to be used for my halloween costume. turns out i couldn't fit it over my huge football pads, so instead i decided to use it for this week's inspiration monday.

jessica alba is effortlessly beautiful. she pretty much always looks great. i like her laid back style, so today i decided to be inspired by her. 

happy monday, everyone!

jacket~Forever 21

dress~Old Navy

belt~thrifted

boots~vintage, thrifted

tights~Marshalls

earrings~Heartbreaker

image via here