Recently I mentioned something about looking at the thrift store for vintage aprons. They are usually incredibly easy to find, located near the linens, and almost always cost around $3-$5. However, if you aren’t having good luck in the apron department, here are a few of my picks from vintage stores online.
Now that you know where to look, go put that apron on, pour yourself a glass of wine, and start making cupcakes!
xoxo,
Cedar
A while back I wrote the article How to Impress a Potential Employer, but only lightly touched on interview attire. Presentation is such a huge part of impressing your potential employer and snagging that dream job. Underdressing, and sometimes even overdressing, can very easily be the deciding factor in whether or not you get the job.
If you can, find out what the dress code is like at the place you are about to interview at. Once you have that information, try and dress just a little bit nicer. Not only will you be following the company policy, but you will stand out as very professional, dedicated, and that you plan on taking this job seriously.
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Black is always a safe route to go, it is clean and classy. Too much black can be overkill though, and you don’t want to look like you are going to a funeral. Pair a black dress or skirt with some mauve colored tights to lighten up the look.
Pants should be well tailored and professional looking. Sticking with neutral colors like brown and tan, and adding a bright pop of color is classic, easy, and clean looking.
Don’t be afraid to show a little bit of your personal style. Make sure it is toned down slightly, and dressed up. Adding elements of your own style will help you stand out in a crowd.
♥ No jeans, ever. I can not stress this enough. Denim has such a casual look about it, that even when it is dressed up, it usually looks more like you are about to go clubbing, than sit down at a desk in an office. The same goes with t-shirts.
♥ No sleeveless. Even if they allow it for their employees, cover up the armpits when you go meet with the boss!
♥ Nothing too revealing. This should be pretty obvious, but you don’t want to walk into an office looking like you are about to apply at a strip club. Keep skirts at a good length, and try not to show too much cleavage.
♥ Keep accessories on the down low. While it is definitely good to accesorize, don’t overdo it. Stick with one or two simple pieces that add to your outfit. Big bulky pieces may distract the employer.
♥ If you are interviewing at a more formal place, always wear stockings with your skirt or dress. Also, do not wear open toed shoes.
♥ Wear makeup, but keep it at a minimum. This isn’t a good time to experiment with that new blue and yellow eyeshadow you bought.
♥ Let your hair down. Make sure it is cleaned, styled and professional. If you prefer to wear it up, make sure it looks neat. Avoid wearing ponytails or sloppy buns.
Photo by SqueakyMarmot
A while back I wrote the article How to Thrift Like a Pro. Since then I have had several requests to do a follow up, and share some more tips for successful thrifting.
Every time I go into a thrift store now I make myself stop and think about my actions, which sections I hit up first, what I look for, when I shop, and why I do all these things! With these tips I hope you can all go out and find your own dirt cheap treasures!
♥ Compile a mental list of things you are looking for, but don’t be too specific. If you know ahead of time that you want a cardigan and a floral dress, diving into these sections at the thrift store will be much easier. However, don’t feel disappointed if you don’t find them, just keep them on the list for your next trip.
♥ Read the tag before you buy. If you aren’t willing to make regular trips to a dry cleaner and you won’t do more than throw the item in the machine then only purchase items that don’t require special care.
♥ Don’t buy for nostalgia. Did you just happen to stumble across the My Little Pony lunch box you carried in first grade? Just because it brings back memories doesn’t mean you need to own it again.
♥ Look in all sections. In the men’s section look for shirts that fit through the shoulders. Sleeves can be altered or rolled up to make it look more feminine. Want some great fitted shirts? Scan the children’s section for some amazing tees.
♥ Get creative. See an amazing print on a long skirt that you would never wear? Turn it into a strapless dress. Throw a belt around the waist, and you are set to go!
♥ Look for lengths. If you have long arms, you can quickly scan the jacket isle for the sleeves that hang down further than the rest. Looking for things that stick out saves time, and is a very easy way to zone in on things that fit. Scan the pants, skirts, and even shirts for longer lengths.
♥ Peek beneath the racks. Clothes fall off hangers all day long, and depending on the amount of staff, may not get cleaned up until the end of the day. Who knows what treasure may have slipped off its hanger and is hiding under the rack and away from sight.
♥ Don’t be afraid to stalk an item. Did you see the most incredible vintage woven granny purse across the room, but weren’t able to scoop it up fast enough? Keep your eye on whoever picked it up and see if they put it back. I am one of those people that load my cart with tons of things then before I go to check out I put back about 75% of it.
♥ Look for items that are not only your size, but larger than your size as well. A lot of clothes can easily be taken in a size or two.
♥ Don’t shop on a Monday. Weekends by far are the busiest days and quickly get picked over by shoppers. By Monday morning the store has a very low selection. Wait a day or two while they restock the store.
♥ Go with an open mind and no expectations. If you don’t expect to find a dress like the one you saw in the pages of Vogue, and you do find it, won’t that be a happy little surprise?
Now– go, go, go! Get to your local thrift store and start finding those great deals. Then report back here and tell us all about them!
xoxo,
Cedar
Summer is right around the corner and it is time to start pulling out the warm weather clothes. I know there are a few items I desperately need–one pair of shorts just does not cut it here. Unlike years past I don’t want my entire summer to be spent in shorts and tanks, so I put together a little fashion inspiration for the quickly approaching heat.
Summer is right around the corner, and that means it is time to start thinking about getting your self into a swimsuit. For me, as with many women, we all have parts about ourselves that we like, and possibly even more parts that we don’t! Here are my picks and a few pointers in picking out the right suit this summer.
Small Bust
♥ Bandeau tops and tops with padding (not too much of course!) create the image of a fuller bust.
♥ Tops with prints, lace, ruffles or other textures help the bust line appear larger.
Large Bust
♥ Halter Tops that have about an extra inch or so of fabric below the bust offer great support while still looking sexy.
♥ Under wire tops or built in cups are necessary for full support in one pieces.
Belly Pooch
♥ Look for a suit with detail near the top. A plunging neckline will draw eyes up and away from the tummy.
♥ Vertical stripes will elongate the torso, giving the appearance of a smaller stomach.
Large rump
♥ If you are a bit modest in your behind area, retro styles (or boy cut) are a great way to get more coverage.
♥ Depending on your shape you will want to make sure that the bottoms don’t end at the widest part of your tush. Instead opt for higher or lower cut bottoms.
No curves
♥ Adding weight or texture around the hips and bust area will create a more hourglass like appearance.
♥ Low cut bikini bottoms the rest low down on the hips widen the hips and make the waist appear more narrow.
♥ One pieces with a belt or print around the waist help narrow the waist.
♥ Don’t forget to move around in the suit a bit before buying. You don’t want a suit that won’t stay in place once you are out on the beach.
♥ When you are trying on a suit notice what catches your eye first. Is it a good thing, or a bad thing?
♥ Remember the perfect swimsuit should accentuate your good points and disguise the not so pleasant areas. Ordering swimsuit online is like buying bras online–don’t do it! You may have to try 20 suits on before you find the perfect fit. Don’t settle for anything less than fabulous.
Please deliver me some cute sandals. It is 92° and my toes are not happy at the idea of putting shoes on. These ones would be great:
xoxo,
Cedar
I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about the new Indiana Jones movie that is coming out next month. I just had to create an outfit to celebrate! I actually took inspiration from my Halloween costume from a few years back, when I dressed as Indiana Jones.
I know there are a lot of you that read the title of this post and said to yourself; “Tina who?”. Tina Louise, that’s who! You know, the saucy, red headed movie star, Ginger Grant, from the TV show Gilligan’s Island!
Since as far back as I can remember I have idolized the movie star. As a little girl I would put on a giant red slip and some gold high heels (all which we had in our dress-ups bin) and prance around the house claiming to be Ginger from Gilligan’s Island. Maybe as a fellow red head I am a bit biased, but I always much preferred Ginger over cute (but slightly dull in the wardrobe department) Mary Anne.
Tina’s look as the movie star was one of pure glitz and glamor. Though it seems highly unlikely that anyone going on a three hour tour would have the wardrobe that she did, it sure was a good thing. As character Ginger Grant, Tina showed us that true style is not what you are wearing, but how you wear it. With her killer good looks, fiery red hair, and pouty lips Tina Louise not only lit up the TV screen, but dazzled off screen as well.
So how can one work the glamorous look of the lovely Miss Tina Louise into their own wardrobe? Long flowing Grecian gowns are a staple. Wear them around the house, to the grocery store, and while pumping gas. Leopard print is a must have, in all shapes and forms, and a true glamor girl can never have too much. Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to show off your best assets. Dressing to suit your body is far more important than any of the latest trends. Walking with confidence, and using your sex appeal to your advantage is completely ok (so long as you don’t cross the line!).
What a wonderful response everyone gave me to the first ever ‘What I’m Wishing‘. Seeing everyone’s imagination, daydreams, and outfits really inspired me to keep this fun little section going.
It feels so nice to step away from reality once in a while, and create moments of pure bliss…even if they are just in our heads! I really hope that we can keep this segment alive, and continue to outdo ourselves on a weekly basis.
What is my current wish?
I wish I were sitting in an outdoor cafe in Paris, sipping a piping hot cup of coffee with soy milk and one sugar cube while watching the people walk by. Of course no one pays any attention to me while I watch them, because I am incognito, and am gazing over the top of a French fashion magazine. A mother and her five year old daughter walk by with a handful of collars attached to three untrimmed, white toy poodles. A server comes to my table and delivers me a few slices of fresh baked bread with some butter on the side. As I spread the melting butter across the hot bread, I look over and see an old couple romancing each other over éclairs and tea. A man selling flowers comes by, and the older gentleman buys a rose for the lady. She blushes, and says something to him in Portuguese. As the day wears on, I leave the cafe and wander through the city, stopping to look in the windows of several shops. I find a small produce stand with the freshest fruits and vegetables. I buy a bag full of vegetables and head back to my hotel room. I saute up the vegetables and sit on my balcony watching the city fall asleep.
Now, it is your turn! Run wild with your dreams and wishes, and create some gorgeous outfits to go along with your fantasies! Where are you? What are you doing? What are you wearing? Let us hear every little detail!
In response to my earlier post, How to Host a Tapas Party, Brittany brought to my attention that I really should have created some outfits to go along with the themed party. So here they are, some Spanish themed outfits for you lovely senoritas to pull inspiration from when dressing for your party!
xoxo,
Cedar
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