Happy Hilaweeeeeeeeen

The first person to guess what/who I am will get a cyber high five from yours truly...

Here's a close up

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because I have obnoxious children waiting outside my door begging for candy.

Tip Numero Tres

Prepare to dig!

I have several friends that say they hate bargain shopping solely because of the digging.  Here's a tad bit of knowledge--you have to dig in order to find the super awesome deals.  It helps to scan through clothes quickly and stopping at anything you think MIGHT even slightly be a possibility.  Once you get the hang out quickly glancing through "mom jeans" and "grandma shoulder pad shirts," you'll realize that digging isn't horrible, it's actually quite fun.  Remember, if you see something that catches your eye, stop, give it a double take, and toss it or GRAB IT!  When you go in knowing that you'll have to use some arm muscle to find the greats, it'll make everything go that much smoother.

P.S. Hint on the costume..."Baby, baby, baby"  

P.P.S. Another note on yesterday's post--make sure to check if it needs dry cleaning.  This can be a deciding factor in whether or not you make it property of <fill in name>!

*costume will be revealed tomorrow*

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Soggy Sandy Takes to the Streets

It's not cool that hurricane Sandy had to make the east coast the one that she wanted.

Serious note: glad the storm is over so the people affected can begin again. 

Also, this happened over a period of 6 days.  

Such a bummer.

I'm sure all of you have been eagerly anticipating tip number two more than your sweet tooth is waiting for the arrival of candy tomorrow, so here it is! 


Tip Numero Dos
Always wash the clothes you purchase.  Always.

You may find a shirt or awesome pants that you want to wear that night, BUT it's always a good idea to wash them before taking them out on the town.  You'll be hygienic and be wearing awesome finds.  Plus, if you haven't ventured into the wonderfully majestic land of Goodwill (or any local thirft store), then you probably haven't noticed that all the clothes smell as if they've sat in an attic governed by grandma Daisy since 1956.  So, do you and everyone around you a favor and stick your marvelous finds in the washing machine pronto.


One last thing, TOMORROW IS HALLOWEEN.  Make sure to comment about the awesome costumes you'll be sporting tomorrow!  Can't wait to share mine!  
(take a guess as to what you think I'll be)

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Mondays don't look good on anybody....

On Mondays, my face is permanently stuck like this.

Hello all my little thrifters.  I'd love to hear about your Goodwill adventures from this past weekend {I hope at least one of you has one.}
 I'd like to take this week and share a tip a day with you on how to make your thrift store shopping experiences that much better.
Tip Numero UnoALWAYS TRY THINGS ON.  
I know, I know it can be a pain in the fanny to have to trek all the way across the store to try something on; but trust me, it'll make all the difference.  There have been so many instances where I didn't want to try something on, but when I did, I found that it actually looked pretty cute.  If you find something that you think might be a possibility, head your lazy self on over to the dressing room and try that sucker on.  Take the time to be picky with items, especially the dreaded (dun, dun, dun)  JEANS.  Make sure you are 100% happy with your purchases, and you will come out feeling like you won the lottery--the I-just-got-cute-clothes-for-cheap lottery!

Get out there and start thrifting, my lovelies :)

Stay true, stay real.

H.

THIS JUST IN....

I'm addicted to clothes.

I spent one hour in Goodwill yesterday and came out with this...

It comes out to: three pairs of jeans, two skirts, six shirts, one cardigan, one vest, a Nine West purse, a scarf, and a clutch.  

How much did all of this cost me you ask?

$50

(well, $51.27 to be exact)

It was probably one of the best days I've had shopping in a while.  

{And since I'm so pimpin', I added this shirt to my awesome wardrobe.}

It doesn't get much better than this.

If this doesn't prompt you to head on out to your local Goodwill store, I don't know what will.  There are deals to be had everyday!

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Customer Appreciation Day...

Get your speed walking legs ready, and your, "that's my half price tacky Christmas sweater" face on, because it's Customer Appreciation Day at Goodwill tomorrow, October 27th.  Any piece of clothing that will fit in a trash bag will be 50% off.  This is a great opportunity to feel claustrophobic--due to all the people packed inside gettin' their good deal on-- and get gently used clothing items!  Hope you take advantage of this exciting day!

Also, when getting your winter clothes out, I'm sure you found some that were out of style, or were hopefully too big.  The best thing you can do is donate them to your local Goodwill so that someone can get them for a cheap deal.

This is the loot I sent their way last weekend!

I hope everyone has a thrifty and fabulous weekend.  And remember, always eat your dessert first.

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Owl be back...

{Today was a bit on the stressful side.  So many places to be, and it all felt as if I needed to be there at the same time.  And even though I feel as exhausted as this owl looks, every day is still full of colorful new adventures surrounding me.}

If you didn't know already, I'm a library assistant and a local elementary school.  This is my first "real job" since graduating from college in May.  It doesn't pay a whole lot, but I find myself eager to start each new day as it presents itself.  There is always something new going on--whether it be a kid throwing up the moment they step off the bus, or a kid in need of a giant hug because someone called them a silly name--these kids truly are one of a kind!  Days like these wear me out, but I can always count on a little sleep, and caffeine, to give me a fresh start on a new day.  

I know this didn't have anything to do with being thrifty, but instead, I want you all to enjoy everything in your life--even the not-so-fun things.  Find the color surrounding you, and go out and enjoy it!

Stay true, stay real.

H.

So, yesterday....

While I was in Goodwill, as I was mindlessly flipping through the purple blouses, I looked up to find a lady staring at me.  She looked inquisitive, but thought nothing of it.  Then, clearly without her glasses on, asked me if I worked there.  I wanted to laugh out loud, but instead, quickly answered, "no."

I'm not sure if this is the greatest compliment of my life or the worst diss.  Either way, it was a story that needed to be shared.


BUT TODAY....my mother and I carved pumpkins.  {My mom and I have "mother/daughter dates" every Wednesday night, because the house is to ourselves.  It's a fabulous time where we hang out, have a few amoretto sours, and talk about how life is--it's one of my favorite things to do.}  Back to the important stuff, my mom is a terrible pumpkin carver.

Here is her halfway shot.

Both of ours ended up turning out rather beautiful, if I do say so myself.  It was a hoot listening to my mom's woes about her pumpkin misbehaving.  Before we began, she asked, "Can you wash [the seeds] or will the pumpkin taste go away from them?" :) --it's moments like these that I'll treasure forever.  

Here are snap shots of our rendezvous!  

The victims.

<< mine

>> mum's

Showin' love for Tulsa AND I got the shirt from Goodwill.

(Two birds with one stone.)

Despite the fact that my mom's cat doesn't have any actual eyeballs, the night was a success; and my mom keeps talking about how she wants to do another one.....

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Shake yo money maka like somebody 'bout to pay ya...

As I previously stated, MONEY MAKERS.  

Too bad these aren't the most comfortable things in the world.

As most of you know, I'm was an English major in college and LOVE to read.  Books these days can be pretty hard on the wallet, but I think I may have found a solution.  One day about six months ago, I was browsing the book section at Goodwill and was astonished to find that they have a rather incredible selection.  I found a bunch of classics, including this one.

I attempted to read it almost immediately after purchasing it, but then got distracted by life--you know, actually having to do school work for school and such.  I recently began to read it again (as if my life has slowed down? no), and found it be a fabulous story the further I got into it.  So, this being my point, READ!  I bought this for a pricey $2.25.  There are no excuses; plus, when you read, it leads you into worlds that can be unimaginable on your own.  With prices like that, it makes reading that much more "rich." 

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Sweats and a t-shirt should be permissible at work...

It took me five different tries to finally decide what I was going to wear this morning--HELLO MONDAY!  I'm so excited though to share with you my little Halloween decorations I got from Goodwill AND Ross Dress for Less.  I know it's not much, but every little thing helps to make these exciting holidays in life more festive, don't you think?

Everything in these pictures, excluding the cheery pumpkins in the last photo, cost me approximately $13 total.  Like I said before, it isn't a whole lot, but when you can find things for cheap, who knows what you could come home with.  

P.S. Tomorrow is "Shade Drugs" day at my school, just wait till you see the money makers I'll be cruisin' around in!  

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Let's all do the Chicken Dance...

Happy weekend everyone!  So many fabulous things to enjoy now that fall is here:  leaves, cardigans, costumes, scary movies, hot cocoa, pumpkins, and the sun setting sooner (eh, not so much)!  Here is a little view of what my weekend has consisted of.

It wouldn't be fall if Hocus Pocus wasn't viewed at least once.

My lovely friends, Layla and Roy (not pictured), and I enjoyed a fun outing to Oktoberfest.  I got a steal on that cardigan from Goodwill--only paid $5!  That's not the only steal pictured here--I now have that mustache as wall art in my room ;) 

*Stay tuned for some festive knick-knacks I picked up from Goodwill  & Ross for $cheap$*

Stay true, stay real. 

H.

Mum&Me

Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.  Literally, it was a madhouse outside today.  Despite the landlocked monotony of crazy weather in this town, mum and I found an art show on Brookside--cute little nook in the middle of Tulsa, that is modern, chic, and full of yummy food.  The show was called RawTulsa. 

As always, I was wearing my amazing $1 glasses and new shirt from Goodwill. 

Take a lookie, I may look like Snookie. 

Isn't she cute?  

(I'm talking about the one on the right)

It was a grandiose night.  I wouldn't trade my mother for anything--even a thrift store score.

Stay true, stay real.

H. 

Fall breaks are for the fortunate.

Today, I woke up. 

 Hello, bed.

Then, I attacked the outdoor fridge. 

And by attacked, I mean cleaned. 

Can you guess what that brown stuff is?

You guessed it, a pop can exploded.  

So, I decided to give it away.

But that was a "bust."

All of this was done in my thrift store score lime green jacket.  

Then, I ate sushi.

Day one of fall break, complete.

Stay true, stay real.

H.

I'm a bit excessive with my posts already...

Honestly, I'm only writing this post to see if I can create a link.  I'm kind of technologically behind.  

Basically, I want you all to know I'm obsessed with this girl and her hilaryousness.

Did it work?

Stay true, stay real.

H.

Hilary Sparkles

There are days when you're at work and all you want to do is go home, take the lid off of the ice cream container and eat until your stomach says, "enough lactose for today."  Surprisingly, or not surprisingly, that is how everyday goes for me; except, I did not go home immediately after work.  No, I did what any gallant young lady would do, and thought about my up and coming crafts (which are really not-so-up-and-coming) and headed to Wal-Mart.  That was a bust, so I ended up at the local Goodwill instead.  This is the same thrift store I found a Burberry Brit shirt for five whole buckaroos--needless to say, my hopes were high, and did I ever score!

Every single woman starts planning their New Year's Eve outfit at exactly 12:01 am January 1st.  Busty chest, short skirt, banging body (because that resolution will work out this time) and of course, a shiny top so you sparkle like Tink's fairy dust--this way it gives the illusion to guys that they can fly...or stay a kid forever?  Either way, you gotta look hot.  So, when I laid my eyes upon the most glorious piece of vest I'd ever seen, I knew that this was going to make it's grand appearance on December 31st 2012.

Here she is.  Her name is Sally.    

Furthermore, I believe this will be the best New Years of all time.  I thank Sally in advance.

Stay true, stay real.

H.