~Rural Style~ Albertus Swanepoel for Target....

When I spotted these hats in my November Elle...I was too excited! How cute and vintage-esque are they? My great-aunt Captolia, never went anywhere without a hat and gloves....utterly ladylike was she.:) Well, it turns out this is Albertus Swanepoel for Target Collection and the price range for each and every hat?..... only $19.99! Lets be hopefully, that they fit on my big head and even bigger hair!

"The Albertus Swanepoel for Target collection includes 14 colorful and stylish hats for women that feature a blend of vintage appeal mixed with unexpected details such as feathers and ribbon. The pieces are each priced at $19.99 and will be available Oct. 30 through Dec. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com. The collection includes fedoras, cloches and floppies in solid felt, printed felt and faux fur"




Here are some of my picks:

Kwele

Francoise

Loretta

Katherine

Ganache

~Rural Style~ Tips for New Thrifters.... Part 1....

photo: source
I get so many questions, online and off, about how to shop at Goodwill, Sal Val Thrift Stores, or other second hand stores. Most of the times its..."I can't find anything in there!" or "I won't find anything in there!" or "How do I find stuff in there?" OR...." I don't like used clothing."...."I don't have time to thrift!" and the list goes on and on...

One word...Excuses!! ( And don't get me started on the DEFINITION of EXCUSES!)

photo: source
#1 Thrift Stores, like Goodwill, Salvation Army and ones that are owned by non-profit organizations provide a need for the community or city they are in, such as food, shelter, assistance, and job training. Its not just a shopping destination but a community service. There have been many times in the last year couple of years that I have received assistance from the Salvation Army because of financial strain and life's problems. So I'm always delighted to donate as well as shop, so that others will get the help they need like I did.

photo: source
#2 When you shop at your favorite clothing store and you buy something off the rack, do you know for sure...if its NEW? Sometimes, you do... but I've worked years of retail where I've been told put returned clothes back on the rack, size 4 shirts that have been tried on a zillion times BACK ON THE RACK. That's as close to second hand as buying it at a thrift store.

photo: source
#3 Alot of items at thrift stores are NEW. Goodwill gets tons, tons of new off season Target items all the time. Just two weeks ago, my favorite Goodwill had Calypso St. Barths for Target dresses, caftans, bathing suits and tops for as low at $2. They also had a tons of home items from Target, with the tags still attached. I once had a suitemate in college who would donate new clothes to Salvation Army, simply because she had went shopping and bought newer clothes.


So, don't think you won't find anything in a thrift store...think of the great things about these stores and why everyone and their momma is shopping there now!!! I know that it will not be everyone's cup of tea. You don't need time or patience, just the will to walk in the door.

Here are some quick tips to get you started:

-Go in with an open mind and not a list.

-Try, try again. Sometimes you won't find anything that you like. Doesn't that happen when you shop at regular retail stores??

-Go in when you have an hour...Go in when you have five hours...some of my best hauls have been when I popped in a store for a few minutes. Don't restrict your time to shop.

-Watch You Tube Thrift hauls....I just found two ladies in the last two weeks that I LOVE plus they give you great inspiration to shop.

~Fresh Coat~ Julep.com Alfre....

Finally got around to wearing one of my Julep.com order polish....this one is "Alfre"...a purple/ grey gunmetal shade...

Its absolutely gorgeous! The grey looks lavender purple-ish in different light. This color came with the "American Beauty" collection pick, but you can buy it separately. This is two coats, opaque....sheer happiness. lol!

You can only get your first month of Julep for $5...just click HERE...do the survey, get your picks and enter "FAB5" or "FB" as your code and get $60 worth of products for $5!!!

Next up with be the polish shade "Cameron"...Stay tuned!