Tips for a Successful “Dig” at Consignment Stores

I have a not so secret love for consignment shops. First, I adore “the hunt”---or as I like to call it, “the dig”. I really do feel like I’m unearthing fashion relics, once loved and now discarded. I get a thrill out of sliding each hanger from right to left, checking for colors, patterns and interesting details not found in every mainstream shop. Secondly, I can find something different in every shop. I travel for work and inevitably, I end up with an hour to kill between meetings. Every city has a consignment shop with its own vibe. It’s so satisfying to dash in and out in under an hour and leave with a treasure or two….or ten!

Recently, I was in Fort Myers, Florida and came across ThePink Petunia consignment shop. I popped in and the staff was so friendly and helpful. They told me about their daily sales and gave me a quick tour.

What did I find? Check it out!

This fringed pullover by Velvet is lightweight, has a boho vibe and will be perfect with white jeans or shorts this spring and summer.

This pink cardigan from Chicos originally retailed for $99. I got it for $25! It has mohair in the weave and feel so, so soft.

This White House Black Market Striped Tunic is fitted in the torso, but has caftan style sides that give it a special something...

I found this Kassidy Animal Print Top by Chicos, originally retailed for $99 and I got it for $17! It's in great shape and I can use it so many ways...with a suit at work, with jeans, layering with a leather blazer or denim jacket, and on and on....

This Cabi Hanky Hem Thermal Tunic is multi-seasonal and and the little "feathery" hem is a unique detail.

Here are my tips for quickly finding items that represent your style when shopping second hand:

1. Think about unique, hard to find items, and start there. In my case, that means funky leather jackets in my size. For you, it may be interesting accessories, leather belts, cashmere or high-end jeans. Find those pieces first and set them aside in a dressing room while you look for other items.
2. Scan the area to see how they sort the store. Is it by color? Is it by brand? Is it by size? If they have racks with high-end brands, I make a bee-line. This is critical, my friends. I have found Paige, Citizens for Humanity and AG jeans, current season, still for sale in stores in a consignment shop---usually priced under $50.00!
3. Go rack by rack. Find your size and do a quick visual scan to find colors, patterns and fabrics that you prefer. That is how I can quickly search through hundreds of hangers in a short period of time.
4.  When you find something that catches your eye, look for stains, odd shrinkage, discoloration or missing buttons, zippers, etc.
5. Do a quick scan of sizes adjacent to your own. Many items consigned were accidentally put in the dryer and then…shrunk. The tag might be above your usual size, but if it took a trip through the dryer, it might (now) be just your size.
6.  After you try on the pieces you selected, think about your current wardrobe. Will this item fit in with your style? Can you think of multiple outfits you can create using this piece and others you already own?
7. Before I check out, I usually make one final swing around the shop to look at accessories. You might find a hidden gem that you didn’t see the first time around.

You don't have to wait for a business trip or vacation to look for consignment shops--check out your local city. Your friends will ask, "Where did you find that...?" I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to reveal your secret!

What to do with filthy shoes?

Guurrrrl, my suede booties are filthy! I had the best of intentions when I bought them. I know I should spray them with protector right away, but no. I get so excited to have a new pair of shoes, I just have to wear them out in the muck. I finally decided I needed to give them a good scrubbing.

First, let's discuss the situation.


The hubs spilled an adult beverage on these Lucky Brand wedges at our "Friendsmas" party.

 I have no idea what dripped on these Lucky Brand booties, but....gross!

 Hello, snow removal salt stains on my Splendid booties!

 Basic wear and tear on an old pair of Me Too booties. 

What to do? I happened to be a Target getting a few things and decided to check out their shoe section for some suede cleaner. I'm sure I could go online and find some high-end cleaner, but today I was all about efficiency. That and I want to wear my booties stain-free....now! I found some cleaner, a little eraser/brush set and some protector.

I sprayed them down and started to give them a good scrubbing. The can comes with a brush on the lid, but I wanted to use the little brush instead. It didn't take long and I had to go over a few spots more than once to get a clean surface. 

The results? Mostly clean. As I feared, my careless walk through a parking lot after a big snow has stained my Splendid booties on the toes and I don't think that is going to come out. Lesson learned! The other three came out nicely. I wasn't too optimistic about my grey Lucky Brand wedges coming clean, but look at them--beautiful! 

A Little Sun on a Cloudy Day - Yellow Cardigan

(Robinson and White, 1964) “I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May. Well, I guess you’ll say, what can make me feel this way?”

A sunny yellow cardigan!! It’s no secret winter is in full-force in the Midwest and to be honest, it’s been a little cold and gloomy lately. I love a rainy day and overcast skies don’t bother me (fair-skinned girl problems), but I need an occasional peek of sun between the clouds to lighten my mood. When we have sunless weather for days and days, I look to my closet for some brightness.

This little number from Boden does the trick. In fact they have a few left in select sizes on sale right now! If yellow isn’t your jam, there are a few other bright options to choose from. Boden has so many colorful pieces. They are a go-to for color and pattern! This Breton I’m wearing is also a Boden specialty. I keep at least two colors in my closet at all times. (Admittedly, I have five in there right now….) I grabbed a faux pony hair skinny belt from TJ Maxx to give myself a waist and my day felt a little brighter.

I know its cold, but don’t stay inside! Get out there and bring your own sun, whatever form you choose. 

Relax! It's a new year.

I am finally catching my breath after a harried week at work, post-vacation. We had such a fabulous time in Puerto Vallarta!  We stayed at the Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort and enjoyed every single minute. 

Pictured here, waiting for our table at PiPi’s and devouring the most delicious strawberry margarita and table side guacamole. Have we talked about my love for guac yet? Well, I could live on the stuff.  Such a quaint spot, but the second you walk inside, it’s a huge party. 

 A little pool-side lunch in the shade.

Drinks at the swim up bar with the hubs. Why don't we do this more often? 

As I’ve been digging through my back-log of emails at work, I’ve also been thinking about the year to come. I really needed that vacation—not only to rest, but also to recharge. I’ve decided on three goals for the new year.

Simplify. I’m great at collecting “more”, but not so great at taking the time to get rid of the riff raff in my “stuff”. I’m talking old make up samples, hair products I haven’t used in months, massive tangles of hairpins, clothes I haven’t worn in years and those single socks still awaiting their mates. Life is too short to fill my space with things that don’t fit my life anymore. Out and done!

Prioritize. I’m an idea person. I want to do EVERYTHING. I want to volunteer for every organization. I want to take on every new project at work. I want to try a new recipe for dinner each night. I want to be the most dedicated friend, wife and daughter. I want to read every great book written—ever. You get the idea. I want to take a step back and evaluate what is most important and focus my attention in the right direction.

Strengthen. Okay, I’ll admit—this is a bit of a cheat, because technically I started on this one in 2016. A few months ago, I started working out with a trainer. I’m talking serious weights, folks. Squats, push ups, chin up (attempts), deadlifts. I’m getting stronger day by day and loving it. Got me thinking…why stop with physical strength? What can I do to strengthen my spirit and mind? I don’t have all of the answers yet, but I intend to build a lot of muscle, inside and out.

I also spent some time on the beach thinking about this blog in 2017. I have some great ideas for future posts. I hope to highlight local boutiques and consignment shops. I want to feature a couple of my friends who have amazing style. I have quite a bit of work travel this winter, so watch for a few upcoming travel-related posts as well!

Cheers to new beginnings!