It's the last time

Saturday was the perfect day. Patrick and I actually had a WHOLE Saturday off together! I didn't even have to open in the morning, which usually makes me grumpy for a while until I get more relaxed.. so.. a whole day of relaxed Brittany and Patrick!

When we have days off together, we don't really know what to do with ourselves.  We are so used to work, school, and whatever else coming in the way of having a completely relaxing day. So, I actually slept in past 5 a.m. (9!), ate Krispy Kreme that my mom had brought home from the night before (doesn't she know bathing suit season is right around the corner?! And we live in a beach town?! Sabotage!), and caught up on some blog reading! We met up around noon, and I tried to show Patrick the ways of thrifting.. and it was not a success! I hate thrifting on the weekends because everything feels picked over, there are way too many people with their huge shopping carts taking up all of the aisle, screaming kids, etc.  I can't shop in that kind of environment and he can't either.  We did pick up a flannel shirt that has some pearl snap-buttons, which he's obsessed with.  He won't buy button-up shirts now that don't have snap-buttons (lazy!).. so he bought the shirt to take the buttons off & use them on another shirt.  Semi-success?  And I found NOTHING. Not a thing! Kinda frustrating, but I needed to save the money anyways because I'm exploring a new thrift store Wednesday!

After shopping, we went to Guitar Center, which was right next to the thrift store.  Patrick's obsessed with the place, and often we will go and he will just browse guitars and we will sit in a sound-proof room and I will listen to him play the sweetest melodies for me on the most beautiful guitars!  In the morning, before we met up, he began writing a new song and he debuted it for me.  It was so beautifully written and I was brought to tears at his talent.  Patrick's always been an amazing guitar player and singer/songwriter, but his transformation has astounded me and I cannot wait to see where his passion takes him in the years to come.

Afterward, we were once again stumped on what to do.  I suggested Bed, Bath, and Beyond to buy more pillows for my bed, but I didn't feel like spending money.  Then I got really hungry for fries so we went to Five Guys! Such a guilty pleasure but so, so delicious.  I ordered the little cheeseburger with mustard and grilled onions, and Pat said he was going to get the same, but at the last minuted he yelled, "Who am I kidding! I want the big one!" Hahah. Go figure!

We headed down to The Narrows, which is a local nickname for a state park.  We go paddleboarding there in the summer because the water is really calm, unlike the beach where the waves can be rough and we think of paddleboarding as more of a calming sport that doing it for the tricks and whatnot. There are also several docks for boats and tons of people go tubing and water skiing down here!

The night ended with a trip to Trader Joe's where, of course, we only planned on buying a few things but ended up spending almost $30! I love Trader Joe's, but maybe a little too much for my own good.  Then we settled down & cuddled up to watch Role Models.. an interesting movie but.. Saturday was actually our "Stupid Movie Sunday" so it's justifiable!

As for the outfit, I've been aching to wear this little peter pan collared blouse! It's so simple and I know it will be a summer staple for all of my floral & patterned skirts! And the skirt was sitting in a local thrift store for a while, and I don't know how I could have looked at it so many times without purchasing! It's vintage 1960s and I have a lot of ideas on how to style it up different ways that I will show you later on!

Finally, I am declaring this outfit post as the last time I am wearing tights for outfit photos.  I have SO many amazing dresses that tights just take away from the look and am desperate to wear them! Also, it's my way of rebelling against the weather (I actually wore a coat Saturday because it was still in the 40s, which is crazy because last weekend hit the 80s) and I think that if I don't wear tights and a coat it will automatically be wrong.  So.. I may be a little crazy, a little desperate, but this is my plan.

Outfit Details: 

Blouse: thirfted vintage

Necklace: gift from Patrick

Skirt: thrifted vintage

Tights: Hue

Shoes: thrifted vintage

Currently Playing: Great Lake Swimmers, "It's Too Late"

Shop giveaway & boyfriend summer style

First of all, (and I'm very late on announcing this, school & work have been kicking me (#*@ so I haven't updated in way too long!) I have a giveaway going on with Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky! You can win any item in my shop under $25, and you have until tomorrow night to enter! So don't miss it, I'm hopefully adding a few more things today/ tomorrow too! Click here to enter!  I've got a few more giveaways in the works so stay tuned!

Also.. I have a very serious question to ask you. Patrick and I have an issue... what do guys wear in the summertime?!? Seriously.. it sounds like a no-brainer.. but as warmer weather approaches, he doesn't really know what to wear! I let him know that I'm not too found of short sleeve button-ups, there are a few exceptions, but for the most part- no. It gets extremely hot & humid here, so layering too much isn't really an option.

Here's a little info on Patrick, if you're a new follower: He's an aspiring indie folk singer/songwriter/guitar player (and amazingly talented, if I might add).  He grew a beard this winter and stared caring more about his style (yay!) so this is the first summer he wants to step out and wear more than just board shorts and tshirts (although with the right combo those two can create a great look).  We live in a beach town where all the guys wear are surf brands.  Patrick surfs about 3 times a week, and everyday in the summer, so that's a big part of his life.  He is a casual guy but doesn't want to look like every other surfer dude in Virginia Beach.  Oh, and he is especially fond of hats! 

Here are a few pictures I found for inspiration:

photo courtesy of Zach Williams

photo courtesy of Style Sightings  

photo courtesy of Sam Beam, Iron and Wine

As you can see.. I don't have much of a collection here and just spend almost a hour scouring for stylish men in summer apparel.  It sure was easy to find inspiration for winter, though! When trying to recreate these looks, we will probably mix thrifted pieces (thrifting men's clothes seems so much harder.. the fit is more important.. for us women, if a top is too big, we can tuck it into a skirt or belt up a loose dress) with modern pieces from Urban Outfitters, Swell, etc..! So.. let the suggestions roll!

EDIT: After reassessing my statement about the button-up short sleeve shirts.. I'm taking it back. I am now open to the idea! As long as they don't look like the ones my dad wears.  

Etsy shop weekend deal!

Hey guys, special deal from my shop this weekend only! Buy anything & get a free vintage gift & get 15% off your next purchase! I'm going to try to add a few things today (if I don't get to it today, tomorrow for sure!), but I added 7 new items yesterday! So take a look & take advantage of this deal! Remember, today 3/19 to Sunday 3/21 only!

Finders Keepers Etsy Shop!

Spontaneity

Don't you just love spontaneity?  It was looking like a bleak next couple of days, with tons of work and no fun.  Now, I have less work & more fun!  Three concerts coming up in the next week (including tonight! and a dinner date included!)! Carbon Leaf tonight, Ben Folds Saturday night, and Amos Lee Wednesday night! So perfect!

This is one of my all-time favorite outfits.  Simple, but it's all in the details.  And the ENTIRE outfit was thrifted & vintage!  I love it! My goal is to own only thrifted vintage clothing from now on.  Well.. I need jeans for the days when I've opened in the morning and need to go STRAIGHT to school (lame) but for days when I can wear what I want.. only thrifted vintage!

I can't believe I've never taken pictures at this location before.  It's a church literally RIGHT across the street from the restaurant! I hear in the summer they have an incredible rose garden, so expect to see more here!

Be sure to check out my shop (click here)! I just did an update!

Outfit Details:

Trench: thrifted (on sale here!)

Dress: thrifted

Socks: thrifted

Shoes: thrifted
Coach bag: thrifted (just shipped off this weekend to Rebecca from The Clothes Horse so expect to see it on her soon!)

Currently playing: Carbon Leaf, "International Airport" (seeing them tonight!)

Pearls of a feather flock together

I spent my day yesterday working my little tail off at work, shipping packages, thrifting, and taking these STUNNING pictures with Shelby & her friend, Michael! Michael is an amazing photographer and I'm speechless at the quality of these pictures! 

Seeing these pictures really makes me treasure Virginia Beach.  Sometimes it's hard to realize how beautiful your hometown is when you see the same thing everyday.  Right across the bridge is the Starbucks that I work at, and I get to see the sunrise every morning when I open over the bay.  Sure, we have our touristy areas and sketchy neighborhoods, just like most other cities, but we also have some of the most incredible locations I've ever seen.

This hat is one of my favorite finds.  I cannot believe the quality! It's from the 1950s and has the softest velvet I've ever felt.  I've also been aching for a hat with netting, and this veil is just what I was looking for.  However, this hat has served it's purpose in taking beautiful outfit photos with me, so it's up for sale on my etsy, so just click here if you are interested!

Also.. Michael brought balloons for our photoshoot! Good call, Michael! I loved how they added such a playfulness to the pictures.  Unfortunately, after taking these, we tied them to a post and it was so windy that they flew away! And of course, the first thing Shelby and I scream is "OH NO! WAIT, TAKE A PICTURE! TAKE A PICTURE!" Hahaha, I love you so much Shelby!

What a fabulous, exhausting day.  Unfortunately, this was my last day with Shelby for a while because she's headed back to JMU now that spring break is over! Boy am I gonna miss that girl.  I hope these next few weeks fly by so we can be reunited! 

Outfit Details:
Hat: vintage, on sale here

Blouse: vintage

Skirt: vintage

Shoes: thrifted

Currently playing: Imogen Heap, "Let Go"

Thrifting the day away

Yesterday was the most fun day I've had in a while! I spent the entire day with one of my BEST friends, Shelby Ballou of Moment of Clarity! We went thrifting, visited a pet store where I almost got killed by a macaw, ate at Pho, and took some pictures for my shop! (Please take a second to check it out! I'm really very proud.. it's become my baby!) Thanks for being such a great model, Shelby!

We also stopped by the local antique mall and I was drooling over all of the old books.  I seriously could spend a whole day at this particular vendor's space.  There was an amazing scrapbook from the 1940s, following a family on one of their vacations! I seriously need to start buying antique books so I can fill my dream bookcase one day!

I'm obsessed with my new purse.  I thrifted it yesterday and it's BEAUTIFUL! Handmade in Italy, genuine leather! Eeeek!

Today there's nothing too excited going on.  I just got home from thrifting, and found two pairs of vintage shoes for the shop that I will be adding soon! I have to FORCE myself to start this paper I told myself would be DONE by today and I haven't even started..!!! Work later, then I get to spend the night with Patrick!

Thanks for the amazing photos, Shelby! See Shelby's take on the day here!

Outfit Details:

Blazer: Thrifted

Sweater: Gap

Shorts: Vintage thrifted

Necklace: H&M

Bag: Vintage thrifted

Sandals: ?

Currently playing: She and Him, "In the Sun"

Ridiculous or amazing? Or ridiculously amazing?

I always have last-minute impulse buys.  I will be in line to check out, spot something out of the corner of my eye, and go grab it and then it's my turn to check out so I just throw it in there with everyone.  Do you guys ever do that?  Surely I'm not the only one.

That's how this short sleeve sweatshirt became all mine last week.  Ok, it's super 80s, but I've been a sucker for anything that remotely resembles sailor-inspired chic.  

Anyways.. that's all I have to say for now besides that it is SUPER sunny outside and gorgeous and WARM and I have a paper to write by next Tuesday.. hmm.. I think procrastination is setting in.  Today was SUPPOSED to be my day set aside to get most of it written, but do you think that happened? Nope.

Also, check out my new banner & link to my Etsy shop! Thanks, Bryan! Be sure to check it out.  I've got a really big stock from collecting things over the past few weeks & I'm still adding all of those, in addition to thrifting every couple of days & will be adding those items!

Outfit Details:

Headband: American Apparel

Shirt: Vintage

Skirt: gift from mom

Shoes: Target via thrift

Currently playing: Mute Math, "You Are Mine"

Etsy is in full swing & so is my dress!

First and foremost.. my Etsy shop is up & running! I went live yesterday with a few listings and I have a LOT more to go, so even though my stock is a teensy bit low right now, I will be updating a lot all this week & continue to as I get more items! Check out my Etsy by clicking here!  I had my first purchase today, a vintage 1970s Coach bag that sold within the first 10 minutes of listing! I'm still giddy with joy over that!

Speaking of the Etsy shop, this vintage 60s-70s dress will be making its way there later in the week, maybeee tomorrow?!  I absolutely adore the way it flows.  At first I was sure I was going to hem the dress to make it above the knee, but boy am I glad I didn't!

 

As I'm sure you've noticed before, I'm not much of a heels person, but I'm making this announcement publicly: I'M TRYING! I really am! But flats are just so darn comfy.  However, at a stature of 5'2, I sometimes need that extra lift, especially with longer dresses as such. Otherwise, I just drown in them!

 Patrick and I are booking our Seattle trip in about two weeks.. just need to save up that extra bit of money! That's where all of my Etsy proceeds are going right now.  Do any of you guys live in Seattle or ever spent a bit of time there?  I could use plenty of tips & ideas!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage

Belt: H&M

Tights: Hue

Heels: Banana Republic via Plato's Closet

Currently Playing: Angus and Julia Stone, "Black Crow"