Stars and Stripes

thrifted sweater (similar here and here), Xhilaration jeans from 2008 (similar), and Jeffrey Campbell boots (in black)


After about fifteen months of hunting for a secondhand flag print sweater, this gem of a thrift store discovery ended my search. Cheers to persistence. I finally found one that was in my size range and free of wear and tear.  It reignited my desire to wear the classic trio of red, white, and blue, and it makes an obvious complement to the red ankle boots that are practically stuck to my feet these days.  Despite the predictable inclination to wear the sweater on holidays such as the 4th of July, it will get much more wear on any old day of the year. 

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Blogger Thrift Store Challenge

As a frequent thrift store and flea market shopper, I've always wanted to do a challenge where I put together an outfit for $20 or less.  I thought the challenge would be even better with more bloggers involved, and I'm honored to be taking part in this project along with Toni, Lauren, and Tori.  We each put together a date night outfit consisting of thrifted items on a $20 budget.  According to our rules, the accessories don't need to be thrifted or part of the budget, but the core outfit pieces do.  Here's a peek at each of our looks.  I love how we all chose to wear dresses!

Be sure to visit the blogs of Toni, Lauren, and Tori for a closer look at their date night outfits.

All of the items in my date night look (with the exception of the hat, jewelry, and sunglasses) came from a thrift store or flea market.  My inspiration came from an old Rose Bowl Flea Market street style photo in which a trio of young girls wore strapless belted floral dresses with ankle boots.  So I took my thrifted maxi skirt, cut a few inches off the hem, and styled it as a strapless dress for a similar look, albeit with a Western twist.  





thrifted skirt worn as a dress ($1.95) (similar), vintage I. Magnin bag ($7.99), thrifted Guess jacket (similar) ($7.99), and thrifted B. Makowsky boots (another version I like)


The total cost of my core outfit items (skirt, jacket, and bag) is $17.93, which leaves me just enough money to feed the juke box at my favorite retro diner.  

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Coral Floral

sunglasses from Walmart (classic Ray-Ban version), Aldo handbag, dress c/o Sugarlips, black ring from H&M, painted bangle from the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and Mossimo wedges


Presenting my look for date night on Saturday evening. A quick browse through this blog may reveal my year-round love for floral prints, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this dress instantly appealed to my ladylike side. Considering that the dress also has an A-line silhouette and Peter Pan collar, it satisfies my demands for everything I'd want in an easy-to-wear girlie frock. 


See those sunglasses? Well I've temporarily set aside my Wayfarers for some dirt cheap aviators. Consider me currently infatuated with aviators; I liked the lightweight frames so much that I bought another pair in gold.  I also gave my much-loved ankle boots the night off in exchange for some height-boosting wedges in leopard, my favorite "neutral" print. 

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Paisley Printed

Old Navy blouse (silk version), Croft & Barrow shorts (luxury version), Jason Wu for Target handbag, and Zara heels (similar)


A desire for comfort paired with a deep admiration for Stella McCartney's paisley pajama looks inspired me to seek out a wallet-friendly version of the look. So during a recent visit to Kohl's, I ventured into unchartered territory - the Men's underwear department, where I found some unexpectedly perfect satin boxers. I hope that the slight sheen, generous fit, light fabric, and large paisley print read more like Zara's casual shorts than Men's underwear, and when worn with an oversized blouse, the high comfort factor ensures that I'll be wearing them on many a casual summer day.

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Easy & Breezy

Hat via eBay (similar), Ark & Co. dress from Nasty Gal (lace alternative), H&M fringe handbag, and heels c/o Bakers (wedge version)


When it comes to buying little black dresses, I'm wary of equating LDB with boring. To avoid sartorial lassitude, I seek out special details and embellishments. I scored this dress on sale at Nasty Gal last year and it's quickly become my go-to piece for date nights and days when I crave a relaxed silhouette. The pirate-like elastic cuffs, lace-up neckline, and tiered A-line design give it just the right amount of carefree edge to make it look effortless and breezy.

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Jean Thing

top previously worn here and here, Aldo handbag, jeans c/o Motel, Mixx Shuz pumps (in red or blue), and assorted jewelry


As much as I love and adore shoes, I have a knack for buying ones that are sometimes a challenge to style. You know, winged ankle boots, or leopard/floral/striped wedges that steal my heart but beg to take center stage in an outfit. It's those instances when my neutral pumps come in handy because they don't compete for attention. 

I've completely fallen for tropical prints this season, and I look forward to wearing them into next year. It was only after I put the jeans on that I realized the print resembles a plant that's less tropical and more forbidden.

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Wagon Wheeling

Mossimo sweater (summer style), Fire Los Angeles shorts (close match), GoJane studded boots (black version), and Xhilaration handbag (green version)


The abandoned lot of this demolished roadside motel and restaurant complex has always beckoned for a closer look. (See this really old post I did at the location for a peek at its restaurant before it was razed.) Despite plans to turn it into a modern residential complex, its signature mid-century signage serves as a reminder of its past heyday and current economic struggles.  I find myself drawn to the colorful Western-themed graphics and feeling of placid desolation.

While the gloomy days of June have arrived, I should be looking forward to long and sunny summer days, but in reality, it's all about that pesky marine layer this time of year. On a positive note, it keeps temperatures nice and cool, makes for less crowded beaches, and enables me to get more mileage out of my lightweight sweaters and ankle boots. Meet my current outfit obsession: a thin sweater paired with printed shorts (that resemble a skirt) and some practical ankle boots. It's a simple (and in this case, colorful) formula that functions well for keeping gloom at bay when the sun refuses to shine.

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