02 May
Fashionably Modest (Thrifted): Springtime Pink
It’s spring in Chicago! I am loving the warmer temperatures (and trying to ignore the cloudy/rainy weather we are still having every few days) and enjoying my runs outside once again. Today I walked to T1′s pediatrician appointment and lifted my face up toward the sun to soak it all in. This is most certainly my favorite time of year!
My newfound excitement about life in general might also be due to the new thrift store I discovered one block from my apartment. Apparently it’s been there since January, but I missed it because we were cooped up in the apartment to escape the cold. It’s called Encore, and I think the story behind it is amazing. It’s a non-profit and they are using proceeds to help with community renewal efforts in and around Hyde Park. Volunteers can work there part time and receive coupons to give out to the needy and homeless so they can do some shopping there as well. I’m so excited to support this little shop!
I started my supporting on Saturday, when I was walking home from the grocery store with a stroller packed full of groceries and couldn’t resist the urge to peek in when I saw the sign. I was hoping to get some stuff for T1, but I think the offerings for women are much more appealing. They were having a special that day which allowed me to take a small plastic bag from them and stuff it full of as many items as I could. The little one was starting to act up, so I worked quickly and didn’t try anything on. I was able to fit 7 items in my bag, which means I walked out with two dresses, a pair of jeans, a vest, shirt, and some crocs for T1, and a pair of heels for me, for a grand total of $3 each!
I wore one of the dresses yesterday (oh the other dress is SO CUTE, I’m planning to wear it all summer long). It was a bit big, so I’m probably going to give it back to them, but I paid less for it than I would have paid for a frappucino at Starbucks so I’m not too broken up about it. It’s a size 12 silk dress from Ann Taylor (kind of similar to this one) and I guess I’m a size 10 now because the top was really droopy and had to be safety-pinned up. It’s exciting to think I’m only 10 lbs away from being able to buy new things again if I’d like!
Pink Ann Taylor dress (thrifted) – $3
Purple jacket – $25 (purchased at Downeast Outfitters in Provo from the discount designer section)
Pink heels (thrifted)-$5.50
Total Cost: $33.50
I love this purple bracelet. It was a gift from an antique salesman in Rome. I bought the rings you see in this post (10 photos down) and he threw in the bracelet for free. It’s fun wearing it because I’m reminded how much I loved Rome and spending time with my mom! I try to buy small pieces of jewelry whenever I travel for this very reason.
This week I swear to you I will post about c25K, some of our favorite baby product purchases (someone asked about it on Formspring and I really need to write that up before I forget), and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get up the video that shows parts of my SIL’s wedding. I’m also working on figuring out how to show you some fun video footage that I just loaded on to my computer from high school. Does anyone have any advice for ripping .iso files from DVDs?
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
Have you thought about taking the dress to a seamstress? Even if you pay $20 to get it altered so it fits properly, you’ll still spend significantly less than buying Ann Taylor at the Ann Taylor store.
Jenna Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Oh hey, I like your name
I think I would if my husband liked it, but he HATED the dress. Said it make me look like a grandma, haha. Oh well, next time I go thrift shopping I’m going to try things on to make sure they fit!
Sophia Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:23 pm
That’s so funny, because I think it’s young and fresh looking, and the ruffle down the front is so cute! But if he hates it and thinks you look like a grandma I can understand not wanting to wear it- I don’t want my partner thinking “GRANDMA!” when he looks at me, either!
Emmie Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I agree I think it looks youthful!
Allison K Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 10:59 am
With that jacket, you do NOT look like a Grandma! More like a hot mama with rockin curves! Although, I am sure if the dress is too big on top, with out the jacket, TH is probably right!
You look amazing here! I love how the vest seems like it is made to go with the dress.
I especially appreciate all of the posts you have that talk about living in Hyde Park, since we are moving there in August and have mostly been too concerned about the cold to think about the fun aspects of living there. I’m looking forward to checking out the thrift store you mentioned out!
2I love that dress - I think that color looks fabulous on you!
3I’m excited for the baby product post! Did you buy an activity gym? I’m not sure if it’s worth getting one…
Jenna Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:48 pm
No, we didn’t buy one and I never felt like he was missing anything.
That color looks so great on you!!
5i love this outfit! so flattering!
6I am just so impressed with what you come up with at the thrift store! What a good reminder to me to keep checking there instead of paying full price elsewhere (especially as I was thinking of taking advantage of a “sale” at a favorite company this weekend… I may need to rethink that!)
7That is darling! And I love the bracelet as well!!
8Hi Jenna,
I’m Megan, the manager of Encore in Hyde Park, and I love your post! Thanks for including us on your site; I’d love to post a link to your page on our facebook account if it’s okay with you- let me know…
and you look fabulous in that dress!
Happy Holidays!
Jenna Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Megan,
That would work great for me! I actually have another dress from you that I love as well: https://thatwifeblog.com/2011/09/fasionably-modest-utah-mom-style/
Please use links to my blog whenever you would like. I would love for you to have a way to promote your fantastic store!