Thrifty and Lovin It!

Recently one of my adorable friends (check her out at Jen), shared with me her shopping secrets. Wait for it, wait for it...Thrift Stores. At first I doubted her honesty since the girl always looks like a million bucks wrapped in stilettos, but after much probing and questioning, I believed her. Not only did I believe her, but I wanted to know exactly which ones she frequents because the ones that I have been to are garbage and quite frankly scary. I don't know if she wanted to share her 2 secret thrifty mother loads with me, but being the sweet girl she is, she caved.

After chatting about it for awhile we finally embarked on our first thrift store tutorial field trip one Saturday morning. Armed with my coffee to go, I loaded up into her SUV with 2 other proteges for our first lesson in shopping from other peoples' closets. It really was quite funny to see the 3 of us grown women following our fearless leader into the store and then circling up to hear our game plan. First we'd quickly move through the shoes, but in all honesty, who wants to wear used shoes? Then we would head to the blouses and tops and quickly spread out. The key is in the fabrics apparently. You cannot look through every item unless you have absolutely no plans the entire weekend, so scanning for quality fabric is a must. I soon learned to not stick to just my size, my sizes could be lost in the M or L section, plus you never know what gems you might find for someone else or to turn a profit on eBay.

After about 2.5 hours we piled back in the SUV to head home, bags in hand (actually in the trunk and man it was full), and wallets still intact. I think I walked away with 30 new pieces, jewelry and 1 handbag included, and spent a grand total of $45. Let me tell you, this girl is not only a believer now but an addict. I've always loved the hunt so this is a match made in shopper's heaven. Give it a try. There are some pretty awesome things waiting to find a happy home at rock bottom prices if you aren't too proud. And if you are too proud, no worries. More for me!

My favorite finds in the last month:
- Elie Tahari jacket $3.99 (found it online retailing for $285.00)
- French Connection linen pants $2.99
- Theory khaki skirt $1.50
- Brand new Miss Sixty shirt $1.99
- Sevens $3.99
- Adorable Molly B skirt $2.99
- Seersucker, silk lined 2 piece suit for work $4.99
- Brand new, with tags 3/4 length sleeve blazer that I loved at Steinmart for $2.99 (tags still on read $64.99)
- 2 vintage necklaces $7.99 total
- Ben Silver tie for Rob $1.99 (retails at $120.00)

10 Things I Learned on My Summer Concert Tour

This past weekend I embarked on my summer concert tour, aka...I went to two concerts in two days, and felt like I learned a few things along the way. Here we go:
10. 2 awesome shows in a 24 hour span kicks my tail. I do not bounce back like I used too.
9. Last weekend was about as Rock Star as I get. Sadly, I am okay with that.
8. The restrooms at the DI Tennis Center feel like saunas in June. Port-o-potties are the way to go. I'd rather feel creeped out than have my make-up sliding down my face before the show even starts.
7. Concert vendors sell gianormous beers but teeny, tiny bottles of water. It's June, it's 90 degrees, we're in the sun. Please do not sell me Polly Pocket size Aquafinas or it's gonna get ugly.
6. Rock reaches all ages and seems to be a universal language for all demographics which makes for amazing people watching.
5. The light show at a Daughtry concert can cause you to go into a seizure. True story. Not mine but a pretty blonde lady's.
4. Zac Brown makes me happy and the lead singer of Lifehouse makes me swoon. Both men= worth every penny.
3. I heart concerts.
2. Who knew the dramatic dropping of a huge white sheet could make me jump up and down like a little kid? That 1.5 minutes as the show started was like Christmas morning on crack.
1. Don't let the bow on my dress fool you. I can rock out with the best of em!

What Love looks Like

• An exhausted new mom who's first child has health issues that would wear out even the most veteran of mothers and turn them into an emotional and physical wreck, yet she stays strong, never complains, and works day and night to care for her precious gift.
• Someone I see once every two years requesting my support letter for Nicaragua when I assumed I couldn't ask them to donate a 3rd year in a row. That email melted my heart and showed me that even my supporters have grown fond of serving the people of Managua.
• Friends listening with tears rolling down their face as another friend describes the loss of a loved one recently. When no one cries alone in a room or on the beach, you know love is there.
• A group of women taking the time to write get well cards to people they've never met just to let them know someone is praying for them. Miles away.
• A work-a-holic setting his work schedule aside to board a plane to Haiti this weekend to lend his hands and heart and hopefully help in the rebuilding process. I am guessing both parties will be "rebuilt".
• Someone paying for the tux of a special needs child they've never met before so he can go to "Prom" and have a night to remember as every teenager should.
• That same teenager purchasing a jewelry box and card letting the woman who covered his Prom expenses know that she made a lasting difference.

What does love look like to you?