Confessions of a Refashionista

Hooray! My first monthly thrift bag from Thrift Therapy has arrived!

Wanna find out What’s in my Thrift Therapy Thrift Bag? Check out the unboxing video below + discover how you can get your own personalized preloved style package from Thrift Therapy too!

I can’t wait to see what my next Thrift Bag brings!

Here’s a closer look at my Thrift Therapy scores:

The vintage wool pencil skirt fits like a glove and those pockets are perfection!

This fab 1970’s frock is in need of a bit of a refashion (stay tuned for the tutorial) and the colour is divine!

Once I figured out how to wrap the straps this fantastic floral frock turned out to be super comfy & a great addition to the summer wardrobe!

As I mentioned in the video, I’d been on the hunt for a dark brown belt for awhile & this one is stellar with my high-waisted trousers!

I’m not into statement necklaces but this one has a load of awesome parts that can easily be reconstructed into a bunch of other awesome accessories, yay!

Cross-body bags are my jam but my kiddo has called dibs on this one!

The Thrift Therapy button is a groovy addition to the munchkin’s denim jacket too!

Mark your calendars and be sure to tune in to the Thrifty Therapy Podcast featuring yours truly on March 3/2019!

Add some preloved style perfection to your wardrobe & grab your own personalized Thrift Therapy thrift bag right here!

Be sure to take peek at all of my fab thrifting tips, tutorials and sustainable lifestyle articles too and then continue your passion for upcycling and refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series for less then a latte – also makes a fab thrifty gifty for anyone interested in sustainability and DIY!

 LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

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Talented and gorgeously quirky are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind with this week’s celeb copycat request:

Coming from a Hollywood family definitely opened doors for this vivacious actor however it’s her flair for portraying awkwardly awesome characters that has given her a career.

Discover how to easily create your own cozy blanket coat as well as the rest of the preloved outfit info behind my #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Dakota Johnson then join my Gone Thrifting group to share your own ecofashion + let me know who you’d like me to copycat next too!

Vintage Fur Hat (had for years) $0 –  Blanket Coat (DIY’d) $0 – Vintage Turtleneck Sweater (thrifted) $1 – Jeans (thrifted) $1 – Chunky Heel Shoes (had for years) $0

Total outfit cost: $2

Are you digging my cozy blanket coat? Create your own version with my easy to follow tutorial(s)right here:

(I used my brocade blanket coat tute & added snap closures + a faux leather trim to make the one in this celeb copycat look)

Got a celeb outfit you’d like to me copy?

Let me know in a comment below + leave a link to the outfit photo too!

Snag loads of thrifty inspiration (+ join up & share your love of second hand) over on my Gone Thrifting facebook group!

LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

The post #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Dakota Johnson appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

Have you ever left something behind at the thrift shop only to have it haunt your thoughts until you’re forced to go back and see if it’s still there waiting for you?

Such was the case with this fabulous vintage faux fur jacket – did I mention it’s REVERSIBLE?

I’d originally left it behind because it was full of rips and tears, smelled very vintage and was missing all but 2 of its 8 buttons yet was priced at $17.99 – not at all a good deal. As the days passed that silly, damaged coat just wouldn’t leave my mind so I promised my brain that if it was there on my next thrifting trip I’d see if I could snag it for a better price and give it the refashionista TLC it deserved.

Spoiler alert: The jacket was there (but I had a bit of a panicky hunt for it as it had been hung on a different rack) and I got it for free as it was so damaged and musty, yay! (It absolutely pays to chat with and get to know the staff at the thrift shops you frequent)

Take a closer look at the damage and discover how I mended and deodorized it with My Thrifted Faux Fur Jacket Fix:

It seemed like everywhere I looked had some kind of rip or tear that needed mending. Fortunately most of them were along the seams and were easily hand-stitched closed.

After sewing up all of the holes I removed the 2 remaining buttons and gave it all of my vintage cleaning know-how to deodorize and launder the smells and stains out of the fluffy fabric. (a pre-wash vinegar/water soak + baking soda added to the wash cycle did the trick!)

I searched through my vintage button stash & managed to find these 8 groovy squares that seemed to fit through the button holes nicely.

I carefully positioned and stitched them on either side of that awesome reversible jacket.

And discovered that, due to the thick faux fur and doubled-up buttons, they no longer fit through the button holes and I had to remove them and start again, argh! (how fab did they look though?!) 

Back to my vintage button stash for 8 more beauties of a much better shape and size!

Hooray! These buttons slide through the holes easily + look awesome too!

Check out all of my tutorials for gals here and then continue your passion for upcycling and refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series for less then a latte – also makes a fab thrifty gifty for anyone interested in sustainability and DIY!

 LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

The post My Thrifted Faux Fur Jacket Fix appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

I’ve put together a bunch more tips for avoiding food waste at home to help you get started tackling climate change from your own kitchen!

Facts & stats courtesy of the University of Toronto Food Waste Awareness and Reduction study.

Just in case you missed it head on over here for my first round of facts, stats and tricks for avoiding food waste at home.

Best before dates are required for manufacturing however according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, you can consume foods after the best-before date has passed however when the date has passed, the food may lose freshness and flavour, the texture may change and some of the nutritional value may be lost as well.

Food safety dates explained:

Best-before: These dates refer to food quality rather than food safety. When unopened and stored under the ideal conditions the product should be of high quality until the specified date.

Use-by: These dates refer to safety. Food can safely be consumed up to the end of this date but not after, even if it appears fine. Always follow storage instructions.

Display until/Sell by: These dates are for shop staff and can be ignored by shoppers.

Save food by freezing it in its tracks. Food can be frozen and kept fresh right up to the use-by date. Make sure to label it so you don’t end up with freezer full of UFOs (unidentified frozen objects).

Love your leftovers!

• Save time and money by packing leftovers for lunch as you tidy up dinner then have them fresh from the fridge the next day!
• Use as pre-cooked ingredients! Simply pop them in a pot or pan with sauces and fresh ingredients and your nearly done a delicious new meal!
• Use up those nearly expired ingredients and blend them up with a container of leftovers to create scrumptious soups and stews!
• Add leftovers to pitas, wraps and omelettes for a quick meal.
• Share and swap your leftovers with workmates and friends for a meal you didn’t have to cook!
• Create a leftovers/use-by dinner party and have your guests bring items that need to be eaten from their fridges and cupboards.

Leftover safety tips:

• Store and refridgerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, divide into portion containers to cool faster and then seal once cooled.
• Consume leftovers within a few days. Eat cold from the fridge or reheat. Leftovers last for at least 2 months when frozen. Be sure to label containers with contents and date.
• Raw meat that has been defrosted and cooked is safe to refreeze.
• It is not recommended to reheat leftovers more than once but if you do be sure to relabel as it’s easy to lose track of their age.

Since returning to Canada I am constantly shocked at what is tossed in trash. Average households throw textiles, furniture and food into the garbage without a second thought. Education is key to solving this which is why I continue to work so hard creating informative & entertaining content for free but I can’t tackle it alone and absolutely need to have my fellow anti-waste warriors share my content to help convince others that small lifestyle changes really can make a difference.

Grab all of my fab tutorials + budget friendly sustainable lifestyle tips and eco-living tricks here!

  

 

The post More tips for avoiding food waste at home appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

I’m not exactly a fan of the pretentious silliness of the “wellness lifestyle” site Goop nor am I at all enamoured by its creator however I did think this sweater was cute and something similar could easily be thrifted and refashioned for this preloved Valentine’s Day outfit post so that’s exactly what I did:

Check out my easy DIY elbow patches tutorial + the rest of the preloved outfit info behind my #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Gwyneth Paltrow on V-Day then join my Gone Thrifting group to share your own ecofashion + let me know who you’d like me to copycat next too!

Sweater (thrifted & refashioned) $1 – Jeans (had for years) $0

Total outfit cost: $1 (her sweater cost $515 – akk!)

Grab all of my V-Day upcycles here and check out how to add elbow patches to any sleeves you desire below:

Step 1: Grab your top, 2 elbow patches chopped from non-fraying fabric (felt works fab!) & hand sewing gear.

Step 2: Hand stitch the patches over the elbow area on the back of each sleeve.

Quick tip: For easy sewing, pop a tall glass or jar inside the sleeve to keep the front & back fabric layers separated and your stitches a snap to sew!

Step 3: Enjoy your adorable new elbow patches!

Find your perfect fit while thrifting without hitting the change room with this easy tip:

(this doesn’t work with every style of trousers or waistband so I also know my measurements & carry a tailor’s measure in my bag but it absolutely helps in a pinch when you can’t try on due to lack of change rooms, space or time)

Got a celeb outfit you’d like to me copy?

Let me know in a comment below + leave a link to the outfit photo too!

Snag loads of thrifty inspiration (+ join up & share your love of second hand) over on my Gone Thrifting facebook group!

  

 

The post #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Gwyneth Paltrow on V-Day appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

Need a perfect prezzie for your bestie or sweetheart?

Snag my Easy Last Minute DIY Valentine’s & Galentine’s Gifts and whip up some personalized present perfection from bits you may already have around the house!

Grab all of my upcycled V-Day DIYs here & click a photo below to be taken to all of the lovely links mentioned in the video:

Check out all of my Refashionista Chats over here and then continue your passion for upcycling and refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series for less then a latte – also makes a fab thrifty gifty for anyone interested in sustainability and DIY!

 LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

The post Easy Last Minute DIY Valentine’s & Galentine’s Gifts appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

Need some perfect preloved wardrobe inspiration?

Check out the fantastically unique looks and sustainable outfits of Kim Sanch, the secondhand stylista behind Thrifty ATX and Lucky Parrot Vintage:

Find out how Kim followed her preloved style dreams and left the 9 to 5 grind to create her own vintage business and site + her top sustainable shopping tips and why I’m so Totally Smitten With Thrifty ATX:

I grew up thrifting, thanks to my grandmother especially, so it made an impact on me. I’ve always loved shopping clearance and thrifting for fashion.

I went to college for broadcast media but I almost declared my major as fashion! Lucky me, I graduated after a recession. The radio station I interned for was on a hiring freeze, so I worked in retail in Kansas City while trying to find an adult job but as you can imagine, it SUCKED! I bought a one-way ticket to Austin in 2010, and during the long time I took to figure out exactly what I wanted to do, I had jobs I wasn’t enjoying. I applied to grad school at UT but unfortunately one of my transcripts didn’t make it in time for the deadline. I also went to the Art Institue for fashion in 2014 for a semester. I was not happy in my career life. I was working in healthcare and I started getting back into my thrifting roots and I launched my site in April of 2015 so I could blog about my hobby.

Soon after that blog release, I started dating my boyfriend William, who was also thrifted and resold his finds on eBay. He changed my life in thrifting for the better! He took me to yard sales and estate sales on our dates so I learned a lot about reselling but also that you can find anything when you thrift. I got out of that fashion bubble. We live together and when you combine two thrifters in one household it means a mostly thrifted wardrobe + also the furniture, decor and trinkets in our home are all secondhand too. He was the one that got me into the joys of dumpster diving!

My Thrifty ATX blog has gone through a few phases. My last blog post after that first initial launch was November 2015. Then I let my blog domain expire with occasional posts on Instagram. Friends and family kept telling me they missed my blog posts. I had an epiphany near the end of 2017 about my blog, career, life, basically everything – I wondered if I had actually accomplished anything in my 31 years.

That healthcare job I mentioned earlier? Well, I put my two weeks in January 2018. With more free time, I relaunched the blog! It’s still just a fun project with working the side gig economy plus also trying to work pop-ups around town with my online store, Lucky Parrot Vintage (a store that my boyfriend and I talked about for years and finally launched). It’s been a fun & happy year and I feel like I am learning more about myself now more than ever.

“I went to Disney World Epcot a few weeks ago, so I made these jeans because I wanted something a little more unique to wear.”

At the beginning of 2019 I decided to go on another break and not scroll on social media & the web as much and try to focus on what content I want to put out. I’ve been wanting to get a new laptop and I’d like to put together a list of thrift stores in Austin, get more collaborations, make better content and even videos (to get back into my love of broadcast journalism). I also don’t want to focus on just fashion, but also want to share what else I thrift. I have so many ideas I want to put out and I’m excited to share them when I am ready to come back! I am also really wanting ThriftyATX to be a job and not just fun! I hope to get my feet wet writing for other publications, styling for shoots and possibly some local indie stores but this is something that I haven’t focused 100% on yet. I really feel like this is my year with everything I am planning and hope to achieve!

1. Don’t be shy when thrifting. What do I mean? Look everywhere in the racks for your size! If the thrift store has clothing and shoes organized by size, don’t just stick to those particular racks. I have found great stuff by not just sticking to how they have the rack organized. Lots of the time it’s because it’s mis-tagged, people change their mind & throw it anywhere, or they hide it in a quirky spot. I have even found some great shirts in the men’s racks. Same applies to shoes! I am a size 9 in womens but look to the equivalent in men’s size 7. This tip isn’t just for clothing. Take your time looking around, which leads to #2.

2. Patience! Patience! Patience! It’s okay if you come home empty-handed but you also need to take some time to find the ultimate haul too. I have found stuff in under 30 minutes but I have had my best hauls when I spend an hour to three hours in a store. I have also looked at stores twice a week when I am thrifting a lot but I have been on a break lately where I haven’t been in weeks. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything. Thrifting takes a lot of practice to learn what your stores have when they restock and which stores are the best. It’s so worth it when you find awesome things!

3. Thrifting isn’t just shopping at thrift shops!  The world is your oyster when it comes to thrifting! Thrifting isn’t just about the deal, it’s about the environmental impact and finding that unique gem. Check out consignment stores, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, swaps and vintage shops. If you don’t have many shops around your area, the internet has become a great resource for secondhand. There is eBay and Craiglist of course, even Facebook now has Marketplace, lots of secondhand sites have popped up within the last 10 years, search online and find your faves!

I am also apart of my neighboorhood Buy Nothing Project group and Freecycle. I love these sites because you’re getting items for free, keeping items from going to the landfill and meeting neighbors. I even got connected to a neighbor who sews so she has helped me with hemming and repairs on clothing. I’ve also dumpster dived and driven around bulk trash days (our neighborhood has a schedule where people can toss the big items and put them out on their curb). I found one of my unicorn items, a vintage wicker peacock chair, but other random items during these days: vintage nightgowns, B-52’s vinyl, camping equipment…the list goes on. Last note, find yourself a clothing swap! They are so fun!

4. Make yourself aware of sales (discount days, colored tags, etc) To get the best deals, take note of sales and discounts at your local thrift shops. Ask the employees, sign up for email lists and even like them on social media. Instagram and Facebook have been a game changer for money saving. For example, I wouldn’t have known Goodwill was having a 50% off sale, but I ended up seeing it on Instagram. Some of my favorite secondhand shops have advertised $1 sales or fill a bag sales on social media! Some stores even have coupons if you donate to them!

5. Wealthy neighborhoods don’t always mean the best! I have seen tips before to go to thrift stores in “wealthy areas.” I hate this tip so much! You should always keep an open mind. I have come home empty-handed in those shops and end up finding gems in lower to middle-class neighborhoods. Keep your options open!

A huge hug to Kim for sharing her fab preloved fashionista story and clever sustainable shopping tips!

Head on over & visit Thrifty ATX and be sure to follow her ecofashion adventures on youtube, facebook, instagram & twitter too!

Are you an eco-fashion warrior, thrifty style guru, upcycling star or refashionista? Get in touch, introduce yourself and be featured in an upcoming Totally Smitten With!

  

  

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It’s no secret that I have a low income and I’ve also lived in major cities around the world which means that I’ve collected more than a few helpful frugal living hints for everything from monthly rent & bills to beauty & shopping too!

Check out my 30+ Money Saving Tips for BIG CITY Living & be sure to add your own in a comment too!

Click a photo below to be taken the tutorials and links mentioned in the video:

Be sure to take peek at all of my fab thrifting tips, tutorials and sustainable lifestyle articles too and then continue your passion for upcycling and refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series for less then a latte – also makes a fab thrifty gifty for anyone interested in sustainability and DIY!

 LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

The post 30+ Money Saving Tips for BIG City Living appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

I love Drew Barrymore so much that I just had to copy her style again!

(when I was a wee lassie I thought her name was Drewberry Moore and named one of my stuffed toys after her – unfortunately my Drewberry was lost during one of my many international moves but the hilarious memory lives on!)

I couldn’t find a clip of her telling the story behind her kiddo’s tantrum in the copycat photo below but that anecdote is just as hilarious!

Grab the floral jacket tutorial + the rest of the preloved outfit info behind my #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Drew Barrymore pt.2 and join my Gone Thrifting group to share your own ecofashion and let me know who you’d like me to copycat next!

Vintage Jacket (thrifted & refashioned) $1 – She-Ra T-shirt (thrifted) $1 – Jewellery (had for years) $0 – Pants (had for years) $0 – Sandals (had for years) $0

Total outfit cost: $2

Discover how to easily lengthen jacket sleeves with my easy DIY here:

Got a celeb outfit you’d like to me copy?

Let me know in a comment below + leave a link to the outfit photo too!

Snag loads of thrifty inspiration (+ join up & share your love of second hand) over on my Gone Thrifting facebook group!

  

 

The post #ThriftyThursday Copycat: Drew Barrymore pt. 2 appeared first on Confessions of a Refashionista.

Do you ever see a trend that is super silly but you’d still like to try?

Such was the case with myself and open elbow tops. I’d seen them everywhere and giggled loads but then started thinking they might not be so dippy after all and decided to try to create my own version:

Check out how I transformed a plain knit in minutes with The Open Elbow Sweater Refashion + discover how to easily create a no-sew version too!

You’ll need: a sweater, marker, scissors and embroidery thread + needle.

Quick tip: to make a no sew version simply use a shirt made out of non-fraying fabric like t-shirt/sweatshirt jersey, fleece, polyester, nylon or felted knits.

Pop the top on and mark the center of your elbow on one sleeve.

Fold the shirt in half with the shoulder, sleeve and underarm seams lined up then lay it on a flat surface. Starting from the outside edge, cut through both sleeves until you reach your mark.

(if you used a non-fraying fabric then you’re already done, pop it on & enjoy!)

Fold under the raw edges and finish with a blanket stitch:

I like to use a contrasting thread when I blanket stitch to add a bit of detail.

How easy was that?

I’m still not 100% sure if I’m into this look or not but I think it’s definitely a quirky refashion that anyone can do to liven up a boring top in a flash!

Check out all of my tutorials for gals here and then continue your passion for upcycling and refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series for less then a latte – also makes a fab thrifty gifty for anyone interested in sustainability and DIY!

 LET’S CONNECT: 

  

 

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