Norfolk and Virginia Beach Thrifting advenutre

Today I woke up and felt a huge need to go shopping. I'm trying to save money, so I decided to explore Norfolk and test out some thrift shops.

Before going to thrift stores, make sure you have these essential things:

1. Reusable bag. Some stores do not supply shopping bags, so it's important to bring one along if you purchase more then you can carry.
2. Cell Phone. Bring your cell phone along, in case you see something you think a friend would like. You can take a picture of it and send it to them. That way you can make sure they like it before you buy. (Also is good to have a phone in reach if a creeper stalks you in the store).
3. Cash. Some charity stores only except cash, plus if you're driving around and see a flee market or yard sale it's good to have cash on hand.
4. Hand Sanitizer. Self explanatory.



The first shop I went to was Hope House Thrift on Granby Street in Norfolk. This is a small shop in the heart of the city. I love their window displays, each week they choose a color for everything displayed to be. This week was pink! My only complaint about Hope House, is there is a lack of parking. Their parking lot only has room for about 5 cars, and you can't park on the other side of the lot because it's private. I had to circle the block twice before a spot opened. I didn't buy anything today. However there was a cute Sanrio bathroom set, and some interesting books I thought about purchasing. Last week when I went I bought a pair of Michael Kors Boots for only $12. I sold them on eBay for $48! I always stop at Hope House when I'm on Granby.

I hate thrift stores that put their best products, antiques, nicnacks and accessories behind lock and key. What I love about thrifting is being able to dig for treasure, get my hands dirty, and explore. Family Thrift on N. Military highway had good reviews online, however I was very disapointed. They had some amazing vintage purses, asain antiques and retro items. Except they were all behind glass, and way over priced. There was a Vintage Louis Vitonne purse I was eyeing. However is was priced at $75!! That much for a purse at a thirft shop? WTF. There were a couple other things I thought were nice, but as I said they were far to exspensive. So I left the store empty handed.
As I was driving to my next destination in VA Beach I spotted a flee market at Princess Anne Highschool. It was closing up by the time I got there, but there was still some to see. Most of the stuff was junk, however this one booth had some really cute jewlery. I bought three little braclets for only $5!I had not meant to stop at WorthTheWait, but I wasn't having any luck finding the other stores on my list. I've been to WorthTheWait only once before. It's markets itself as a consignment store, but it's more of a boutuiqe with some high ticket items like designer purses. I purchased a J.Crew button down for about $15. It's cute, and worth the price. So todays trip to the store was well Worth the Wait.



I was driving to my next shop when I found this jewel of a store in VA Beach. I didn't feel like Olde Main Street had much that was worth buying, but it did have beautiful displays and creative antique pieces and art. Below are some pictures from the store.












Overall this trip kind of failed. I had a list of 8 stores to visit. I could only find 3 of them! I don't know if my GPS or their adresses were wrong. I didn't buy very much either. Maybe next trip I'll do better.

Horseing around

The new Anthropolgoie catalog is gorgeous! I love the equine and western theme.
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Sitting at home this summer is not giving me a good chance to explore the world and find inspirations. So I'm forced to surf the internet daily for inspiring new blogs.


I found the picture above a one of the many blogs I've rummaged through. I found it spectacular, beautiful and awe inspiring.

Summer Picks

Inspired by the French Riviera with romantic details of flowers, nautical stripes and sweet bows.

Clutch from: Anthropologie
Book Bag and Striped Jumper from: J.Crew
Flowered Dress and Shorts from: Forever21
Flats, blue shirt, Striped dress and ring from: Urban Outfitters
Hair Bow from: American Apparel

This morning I was going through some old photo albums (via facebook) and I noticed how my style has changed so rapidly since starting college. When I began school I would've considered myself a hipster (a wanabe one). I thrived by shopping at thrift stores and wasting my money on cheap and poorly made UO clothes. Today, I don't know what I would catergorize my style as. Comfortable? Of course I still like to be stylish, but I can't help that I feel more confident in a teeshirt and jeans. I still like shopping at goodwill, but now a days I'm go there to look at nic-naks and furniture rather than clothing. I find my self flocking to higher-end stores like J.Crew and Banana Republic instead of H&M. Looking at those pictures makes me wounder how much I'll laugh at myself and my style 10 years from now.

So I really need to get my hair cut. Its been about 3 months and my hair has grown in to a limp and lifeless mess. Below are some inspirations for my new style. I'm keeping the length, since I've waited so long for it to grow out. Right now my hair is shoulder length, so it matches the pictures pretty closely. My bangs are the are which need the most consideration. I think bangs are the thing that make or break a hair cut, and in my opinion they are usually the first thing a person notices about the style. All the styles below are similar, except the third one which is an asymmetrical cut. The others are bobs. I know what I want, I just have to get up the nerves to go and get it done!

creations.

This past semester I have really honed my sewing skills. I still have a ton to learn. My greatest obstacle is my lack of patience. I want my creations to be done before I even start them. I'm really excited for this fashion show. It's going to be the true test of my drive, and creative spirit. I wish I had more help from members for it, but c'est la vie. It's coming together well. Only two weeks! Above and below, are some of my "Alice in Wonderland" inspired creations.

busy

I've been a busy bee. School has been stressful this semester. Fashion product development and the Fashion show are my life. I'm learning a lot though. This production class has really taught me the basic of the fashion industry. Last Friday we went to the Cotton Incorporated headquarters in North Carolina. Below are some snap shots from the trip.

fashion forward

Clement Riberio Fall 2010

I love the mixture of neutrals, but with the added twist of patterns and embellishments. All though the show is "fall" I think the concept is great for spring. In fact, it is similar to my inspiration for the mad hatter scene in our Spring fashion show.

Below is a vintage blazer that I picked up a few months ago. I think it is very similar to the styles presented in the line.

fitting

It's fitting that my 100th post should be about something that I first blogged on. Bonnie and Clyde is one of my favorite movies, but I also find it beautifully styled and inspirational. One of my first blogs was a trend prediction I had to do for one of my fashion classes. I predicted that Bonnie and Clyde inspired styles would be in for the fall. I was a season early, but check out the spread in this months issue of Harpers Bazaar!

Michael Vanderham

Some might say that his designs look like he pulled clothes out of a trash can and stitched them together....so.. okay some of them do look like that, but I think his technique is really inspirational. Especially to young designers like myself, who are not the best at the design/sewing aspect, but have an eye for fabrics and shape.