Thrifty Cakes

being thrifty with my posts

2010-02-17T16:28:00.000-08:00

thrifted plaid shirt, cowboy boots, dress, sweater and lace trousers. good times, man.

thanks to james for the photog

Progress

2010-02-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

Hi. So I thought I should update any readers (anyone out there?) on the whole point of this blog - the thrift store experiment! I guess I kinda got sidetracked with the whole Etsy thing and have been reading Sea of Shoes too frequently, but I'm getting focused and this blog is getting back to basics with it's goal.

So, as for my progress with the whole only-shopping-at-thrift stores thing - I'm actually doing quite good! I got a little caught up in the consumerism brainwashing technique that was Christmas, but mostly only because some well intentioned family members forced me to buy stuff for myself that they could then confiscate, wrap, and return back to me along with some reimbursement. And I don't think a $3 scarf would have cut it in their eyes. So anyway, the new stuff I got over the holidays basically includes: multiple pairs of knee socks and a sweater from Target, some shoes and undies from Nordstrom Rack, a pair of cords and a shirt or two from J. Crew. Not bad, eh? Some people sans such high expectations from me would consider some of that stuff pretty thrifty (I got the cords for 14$!)

Since then, I've been pretty good about sticking to D.I. or Savers for my shopping fixes. (Besides some shoes from F21, and a hat and some rain boots from T.J. Maxx.) I've gotten a TON of stuff that I'm meaning to sell on Etsy but have been a bit lazy when it comes to taking pictures, etc.

Anyway, there's a little update for you in case you were wondering if I had gone totally snob city and decided to live out my fantasies of purchasing only Elizabeth and James and Diane von Furstenberg. Luckily (?) my budget does not even almost allow for that and when that day comes in 30 years, I will change the name of this blog to BitchyCakes.

Cheers! ~ Addie

Sleek Silk

2010-01-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

Photos by Krystle

New: Thrifted shirt/robe (eventually making their way to the store?)
Old: Silence + Noise jeans, thrifted pumps, F21 scarf
RIP: The boots I mentioned in the last post. I wore them to the Sundance Film Festival where it was snowy and wet, and the poor guys just couldn't hold up to the elements not to mention the salt on the ground. By the time I got home they looked so sad and tired. White salt marks on the leather, discoloration, heel ripping apart... so I thought it was time to lay them to rest (along with my sisters Uggs that were breaking as well.) RIP lil cowboy booties reminiscent of the Jeffrey Campbell starburst boots that I want so bad......... you will be missed dearly.

New stuff and my favorite boots

2010-01-23T00:37:00.000-08:00

I thought this selling vintage thing was going to be so fun... and it is! But I have this slight problem of wanting to keep everything I find. Ugh! Maybe I'll get some of these clothes out of my system after a few wears ;)

Photos by Krystle

New: Thrifted plaid shirt, thrifted sheer blouse, and thrifted velvet belt. I love them all SO much! Esp the plaid, it's too comfy and warm. The first thing to go might be the blouse... we'll see if I feel the same in a week or two.
Old: UO jeans, F21 tank top, thrifted cowboy booties (can't stop wearing these with everything.. that's called love.)

The Leather Skirt

2010-01-19T20:21:00.001-08:00

I'm not exaggerating when I say this might be the coolest thing I've ever found at a thrift store. (Except for the lace pants I just got yesterday, but that's another story for another post...) Behold, the leather skirt:

Worn with: moms vintage baby tee, Lea Foscati platforms (bought years ago at UO for cheap ,) thrifted trippy velvet pumps, vintage faux fur jacket, thrifted sheer and velvet blouse. <--Which I think I'm putting up for sale in the Etsy Store.

I'm pretty much obsessed with this skirt and am convinced that I can and WILL wear it with everything (although it's a little snug so I might need to lose that "last 5 pounds"... you know how it is.)

Thanks to Krystle for the photos!

Ann D.

2010-01-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

ann demeulemeester boots? in my dreams.

forever 21 knock offs? CHECK! in the mail!

The Etsy Store...

2010-01-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

...is officially open!!! Click here or on my sidebar to check out the latest thrifted goods. Here is a peek at what's in/almost in the shop!

Tell your friends! :)

Back to the Future

2010-01-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hi friends!~ It's been a while, but I'm finally back in Utah with a new cat and a new camera and I'm ready to get the shop started up. But first, I thought I'd post an outfit update. Here is what I [almost] wore on NYE. (I was gonna spend new years in San Francisco but when my ride bailed out, I stayed home and hung with my lil bro.)

(Vintage Diane Freis dress [moms], F21 rainbow beret, thrifted cowboy boots [not pictured, sisters.])

Happy twenty ten yalllllll.

Put on your shiny shoes, we're going out

2009-12-17T11:38:00.001-08:00

Would you please check out the patchwork leather on those oxfords?.. The two tone (three if you count the red interior!) suede on those booties?.. The silky chicness of that Louis Vuitton?! I want to keep them all so bad, but alas, I need to pay rent more than I need more shoes. So these should all be up in the store very shortly. Keep an eye out!

Gem #3: Blurry Furry

2009-12-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

(Thrifted faux fur jacket + thrifted sweater + C.C. Outlaw skirt via Nordstrom [old] + thrifted oxfords)

Love this little baby! It's really comfy and warm. I have been a little too shy to wear it out but I pretty much wear it around my house all day. It reminds me of this coat from Anthropologie's current collection. ONLY 99 PERCENT LESS EXPENSIVE!

*This might be going up in the store. Haven't quite decided yet ;)

Gem #2: Margot Style

2009-12-16T18:32:00.001-08:00

(Thrifted leather jacket + J.Crew skirt and skirt + DV boots)

This leather and wool trim coat is the bees knees! Perfect vintage condition. A little snug though, so I think it's going up in the store. Watch out for it!!

Announcement & GEMRALD CITY

2009-12-16T18:05:00.001-08:00

OH hey! I had my last final yesterday and I'm not going home until tomorrow so I realized I had time for thrifting + posting... yessssss.

But before I show you my new treasures, I have an announcement: THRIFTY CAKES IS UP FOR SALE! aka I'm starting an Etsy store. There's nothing up yet because I kind of want to wait until I get my new camera for Christmas because then all the pictures will be a whole lot prettier. Anyway, I've already bought a good amount of cool stuff for listing, so stay tuned for updates on that.

Now.... on to the gems. #1: Warm Wool
I have literally worn this coat every day since I got it (last week?) It's 75% wool and 25% fur fiber (whatever that is...) and SO WARM! And yes, that's a real fur collar. But vintage fur = ethical. I'm in love.

BRB

2009-12-10T19:13:00.001-08:00

Thrifty Cakes is on Christmas break! (FINALS!) ~ Be back to normal posting after the holidays.

Have a merry Christmas everyone :)

Lovin my DV's

2009-12-07T19:53:00.001-08:00

Ever since it has started snowing in Utah I have been LIVING in these boots. (Except mine are black.) They are perfect for treading through piles of snow and since they are black I can even wear them to work!

So I just want to take a moment to personally thank Dolce Vita for making the perfect pair of equestrian boots. They are making my winter that much more warm, dry, comfortable and fashionable. And for $20, these might be one of my very best purchases! (These boots are neither new nor vintage... I got them over the summer at Urban Outfitters.)

PS- Funny story... after I bought these I told my sister she HAD to go buy some in brown cause I noticed they had her size. She was somewhat apathetic about it, since she hadn't previously been a big fan of tall boots, but I pretty much dragged her to UO -- offering to drive and to buy them for her if she wasn't sure she wanted them or not -- finally convincing her that she would never find boots this cool for this price. (They were originally $160!) Well, of course, she now loves them. You're welcome, Bridgey!!~ Can I have yours when they get stretched out and don't fit you anymore? :)

Just because you caught me, does that make it a sin?

2009-11-19T21:30:00.001-08:00

Okay guys, confession time:

I bought a sweater that wasn't used. GASP. Look, I'm really sorry, but I was in Anthropologie and this sweater had my name written all over it. It was singing to me "Look how beautiful I am... Notice that I'm 50% off... You've been wanting a cream sweater forever..." Before you judge me, take a look:

(Worn with purple cords [F21 ~ $13] and a plaid shirt [thrifted ~ $5] cause that's just how I roll.)

I know what you're thinking. WHY WERE YOU IN ANTHROPOLOGIE IN THE FIRST PLACE? ALCOHOLIC IN A BAR STYLE! And here is my answer: School has been mad stressing me out for 2 weeks and I needed to relieve some tension, so I of course figured retail therapy -- HOWEVER, I was planning on buying Christmas presents... and to be fair, I did buy 1.

Anyway, I have repented, and again, before you and God, I promise to not break the rules anymore. Unless I really want to :)

PS- I got bangs. What do you think?? I'm on the fence. But I'm leaning towards.. LOVE AFFAIR! LOVE OFHAIR!

What I'm wearing: FURR

2009-11-16T13:58:00.001-08:00

This is why I'm hot: Because FURRR is better than BURRR!

(Jacket courtesy of Marsha. <3)

The Wackness

2009-11-11T15:28:00.001-08:00

Found the craaaziiieest shoes at D.I. the other day*!! At first I thought they were too ridiculous, but as I walked away I realized I had a shoe crush on them that I could not get over**. So I bought them. Who knows if they will ever make it out my front door....!?

(Shoes, thrifted: $4. Dress, preowned, Urban Outfitters, $9. Cardigan, thrifted: $3. Tights, preowned, F21, $5.)

In case you can't tell, the shoes are crushed velvet, and the boot shaft is just fabric over a hard heel. The cardigan is also new, and you definitely can't tell but it's pretty awesome too... so soft, half silk half cashmere. I'll have to feature it in another post real soon.

*I promise I don't go to D.I. everyday... I gave Staci a ride there to look for a lamp!
**I am in no way trying to convince you that these shoes are cool or fashionable, I just personally think they are wack... in the best way.

Winter Coat

2009-11-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Got a new coat! Love it! I feel like Audrey Hepburn or something.

(Coat: vintage, $15. Shoes: Kohls [gift] $21.99, Skirt: vintage, $5)

That little tag says "WUNDAMERE - A luxury fabric!" Haha. It feels like a mix of fleece, cashmere, and wool. Hope it's warm cause Utah temperatures are droppin like flys.

Home Makeover - DI style

2009-11-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

The before... no words needed.

Mirror - $7

Records as art - $1 each, Side table - $5

Lamp - $6

If whatever is on TV gets boring than we can just watch nature instead!

So there you have it. A new living room and a whole lotta fun compliments of Deseret Industries for a grand total of $26!!!!!! (Not to mention the paisley throw pillows - $4 each from TJ Maxx. Guess I cheated again, but c'mon, I wasn't gonna subject my house mates to some nasty old pillows. :)

Chanel #80

2009-11-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

I have a new love. And her name is Chanel. Christmas came early this year!!!!!!!

Sick clothes for a sick girl

2009-11-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

So, turns out it wasn't school that was killing me... IT WAS THE SWINES!!! Yes, I'm pretty sure I have the flu. Yes, it sucks. But now I have an excuse to not do my homework and watch movies all day. Nice.
Anyway! I went up to my aunt Jeri's house in SLC for dinner on Sunday and she had "a couple bags for me to go through." Don't you love that?! Before I bundled up on the couch where I comfortably reside, I managed to take a few pictures.

(Plaid skirt: Gap. Burgundy Cardigan: Hillard and Hanson. Cream cardigan: Old Navy. Scarf: pre owned, thrifted.)

(Then I put on my new (a la Jeri) fleece, snowflake pj's: Old Navy, and got too tired to stand.)

Goodnight.

Week 2 - and nothing to show for it

2009-11-02T17:02:00.001-08:00

School is killing me. Therefore, I won't have time to go thrifting and therefore posting might be sparce. BUT GOOD NEWS! As of 6 PM this Wednesday I will be the proud owner of that vintage Chanel. dreamysigh. Stay tuned.

Day 5 - JACKPOT

2009-10-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

I totally hit the jackpot in SLC on Thursday. Here is what I scored:

(Dress, vintage: $6)

(Sandals: $2)

(Pink flats: $4)

(Black heels, vintage: $4)

Love them all. PS- Do those sandals remind you of anything...?

MIA "Cajun" perhaps!?! I almost bought those 4 months ago at Nordstrom rack for $50!!!!!! Oh the joys of thrifting.

Day 4 - FAIL!

2009-10-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

TODAY....

I had a moment of weakness. My anthropology class was canceled, so I had the option of going home or killing time for an hour while I waited for my next class to start. And I figured since I skipped class all day on Tuesday, I should probably go. SOO.. I went to TJ Maxx. It's just on the outskirts of campus, and I have been thinking recently about how I need more tights... HELLO! You can't buy tights at a thrift store! Can you? I doubt it.

WHO AM I KIDDING -- This was premeditated. I was gonna go whether my class got canceled or not.

Anyway, I got 4 (red, black, and 2 blacks with pattern) pairs for $15 and I feel like that's pretty reasonable. Some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Cute, right? So there you have it. Again with the alcoholic analogy (I'm beginning to convince myself I really have a problem), everyone relapses. But I am not getting discouraged! Going up to SLC in a minute to pay homage to the thrift gods.

PS- Still no word on that Chanel bag :(

Day 3

2009-10-27T23:31:00.001-07:00

It has been sooooooooo cold (snow yesterday!) and winter has got me feeling a bit of the blues. You know what that means.. it's time to hit the racks!!! Making a trip up to SLC tomorrow to hit up some of the best thrift stores in the state: Name Droppers, Decades, downtown and Sugarhouse D.I.s, etc? I need to find more too. ALSO -- visiting Krystle and shopping for decorations for my kitchen and living room, they both need major makeovers. More on that to come.

AND, I found this vintage Chanel (real/fake?) purse on Craigslist today for $15! I emailed but with no response yet. Hope somebody else didn't snag it first.

Day 2

2009-10-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

Another bad idea when trying shop strictly at thrift stores/not spend money in general: online window shopping. Just as painful, if not more, than walking through the mall (because the online mall has all of my favorite stores!) Perhaps it's just a bad habit I need to break -- but it's easy after a long night of serving, and coming home with $50+ in cash, to go straight to my computer and commence the relaxation technique known as retail therapy. (Even easier to justify spending $20 dollars on a new pair of shoes from Urban Outfitters. --> "I still have 3 more nights of work this week, and one of them is Fri night, which ensures me $100, blah blah blah.")

Here are tonights lustful desires:

(Urban Outfitters, on sale @ $49.99)

(Anthropologie, on sale @ $99.95 - eek!)

(Forever 21, $24.80)

Yes, I have shoe issues. I'm aware. And, I can already tell that this little experiment is going to do phenomenal things for my self discipline.

Outfits 1 & 2

2009-10-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

The aforementioned belt and purse (both from D.I., 3$ and 2$ respectively. [Don't you love that tassle?!])

My 2 new pairs of shoes - last "new" purchase, ever. (I didn't cheat, read the last post. [The flats are a royal blue, btw, the pic does not do them justice.])

The finished products!!! More outfits to come as I continue on this nifty, thrifty journey.... :)

Day 1

2009-10-26T18:37:00.001-07:00

So this is the first day of my little experiment and I ALREADY almost slipped up!!! I decided I needed a break from writing my paper and went to Payless to go pick up these shoes (for a second I thought this might constitute breaking the rules but decided against it because I ordered and paid for them weeks ago.) So, there I am, in the mall, going all withdrawlly because I know I can't buy anything, and of course that fact makes me want to buy something even more. So I walk as fast as I can past Gap and Banana Republic trying not to even look at those beautiful winter coats in the windows. Note to self: Don't go to mall. It's like putting an alcoholic in a bar and telling him not to drink! Bad idea.

So I guess those 2 pairs of shoes will be my last "real" purchase for a while. And I think I can deal with that - they are both super cute and I'm very happy with them.

Thrifty quote of the day:
"You wanna get it Granny, while it's hot... You think it's trash canny, but it's not!"
-Jack White, Rag and Bone

PS - I thought of an exception to this venture of mine.. CHRISTMAS! I can't buy people Christmas presents from D.I. That's just cheap. Although I might try to make some crafty things for as many people as possible. We'll see.

And so it begins...

2009-10-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

As I was sitting in church today listening to discussions about provident living and self reliance, I started to feel guilty (as I always do in those lessons) for my sins; or particularly about the debt I've incurred. As I shamefully lowered my head, I noticed the cute cute bag I had bought from DI the night before. Spirits raised, my eyes moved up to meet the cute cute belt I had procured during that same outing. That's when it dawned on me.

WHAT: An experiment. Only shop at thrift stores for clothes. (Including shoes, accessories, furniture, books, luggage, you name it. Basically everything except FOOD, makeup, stuff like that.)

WHY: Because I am bone broke, thrift stores are the coolest places to shop anyway, it's good for the environment and for the soul. Also, to have something to blog about because my life is kind of boring.

WHEN: Starting immediately. Going forever (at least a couple months, or until it proves to be ... impossible..?)

HOW: Just shop at thrift stores. duh.

WHERE: Most likely D.I. and Savers. Although, if they don't have something I feel that I REALLY need... I might include ebay or etsy. and / or drive up to the American Fork / Sugar House D.I.'s.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. An expedition like this have never before been attempted. Anything could happen. I might go cold this winter due to lack of fashionable outerwear options. I might smell weird. I may start a new trend. I might look like your grandma. I might buy a Louis Vuitton wallet for only 25 cents and sell it online for 50 dollars. (OH WAIT! ALREADY DID THAT!) I might meet a really hot guy at a thrift store and marry him. I may save millions of dollars and open my own thrift store/clothe the naked with thrift clothes. I might even end up spending more money out of sheer over-zealousness about posting a new blog. Whatever happens, you have my word that I will not cheat. And if I do, amen to my soul.