What I wore and why it was the best day ever!

 Thursday started out sucking. I had to go to school for a meeting then class, but I felt horrible so I decided I'd go home early. Don't mind my odd pictures. The day quickly got better.

My Application for graduation was due and I decided to have my soon to be new last name on my diploma. Nicole Ann Collier is getting a BA degree soon. I figured since I am getting married two days before I graduate that it would be cool and fun to have my new name. After I turned my application in I ran into a friend who proceeded to tell me about a new place to eat on campus. Its called underdog and they had Vegan GF hot dogs on GF buns. I was soooooo excited. It seriously made my day!

outfit details: Vintage dress rumors on etsy, tights forever 21, & shoes from target.

Advice on shooping vintage from the compulsive shopper

If you know me in real life you know that I love to shop and have a HORRIBLE addiction to dresses. Recently I did an engagement shoot and after I posted some pictures a lot of people asked where I got them. So I thought I'd share my favorite shops and tips on how to not break the bank and still buy unique beautiful items.

First rule it takes time! Do not buy the first thing you find because not all good vintage has to cost 120 or more.
Second rule find a shop and stay loyal too it. Don't get to crazy and keep looking for new shops. Go on etsy find a shop that sells your style for your budget and check back with them when you get itches to buy things.
Third rule read fashion blogs! Many of the shops I love and or buy from are found through blogs I read or the actual blogger. There are so many fashion blogs dedicated to vintage and second hand wears. A plus is sometime they do give aways or have an agreement with the shop that there readers get a % off. So like our parents always told us READ more.
Fourth rule re purpose ,revamp and add to what you have. If you find a super cheap vintage dress not in your size you can get it re sized. To not sped to much i wouldn't recommend getting something over 10-15 altered because alterations can cost more than the item. If you cant afford the vintage dress find cute accessories; a vintage belt(belts can also help with fit) with jewels or an iron elephant,vintage scarves or moms old jewelery. You have a good base in your closet build off that. And of course adding new items with a flair (bow collar,lace sleeves,detachable collar can always update looks).Oh and shorten a long dress..never forget that!
Fifth rule save up.Because sometimes spending a little more on a quality pieces is best and a good treat to yourself. Be selective either way.Just cause it inexpensive doesn't mean its worth it and vice versa.

So from one compulsive shopper to the other you don't have to spend billions to look good!
Here are my favorite shops currently:
1. tea&tulips. She has the most amazing finds ever,great prices, and in sooo many sizes. I think I own six dresses from her shop.

2. Vintage sideshow. Unique, quirky,fun colors & prints and well priced.

3. Judy go vintage. I love her because I found one of my all time favorite dresses her for only 20 bucks. Incredible conditions!

4. Redvelvetart. I'm sure a lot of you have heard of this shop but if not...She take the time to find truly amazing vintage pieces. she also teams up with handmade shop owners to sell unique accessories and more. And if you can spend a bit more she has had two collections of her own stuff and is planning another.I recommend checking out her entire site.

What are your favorite vintage and second hand stores?

Come Fly with me

As I was picking out my outfit last night its no surprise that my dress came from my current obsession tea&tulips. I feel like half my closet is from her shop...and I'm not complaining. So,I was going to take pictures this morning but I got up at five...so it was a no go. Then I tripped over the muni tracks at school . I scrapped up my knee but didn't tear my stockings!!! woot!So I decided to goof off in my wardrobe pics today.

Detail: Dress vintage (Tea&Tulips), shoes from shoe dazzle and tights from JCpenny

What I wore: Golden bows

So I have fallen back in love with blogging. Wanna know how? By just not worrying what to put on here and put things I love. I plan on doing 1-2 gluten free recipes a week ,interviewing some of my favorite people ( see steffy's pros and cons interview here) and of course blogging about fashion!!! And its making me happy!!!

Here's what I wore today:
I soooo adore this dress. It have sweet teirs,beautiful floral design,gold piping and of course my favorite the bows on the sleeves!!!

Details: vintage dress from tea&tulips,madden girl bow shoes from marshals (in Puerto Rico),tights from JCpenny!

My favorite things about clothes are sweet details like my little bow sleeves. What is something you look for in clothes?

Interview: Steffys pros & cons

I would like to introduce Steffy of steffys pros & cons. I got to know her through buying from her wonderful online vintage shop.She is wonderful,fun,fashionable gal.Some of my favorite dresses are from her shop. Read a bit about her below!

Name: Steffy Kuncman

Blog: http://steffysprosandcons.blogspot.com

store: http://teaandtulips.bigcartel.com

I am a vintage loving gal living in miami, florida. i got to school full-time for fashion merchandising, run my vintage store full-time and try to have fun doing both :)

1. How would you describe your style?

quirky, girly and vintage inspired.

( I own this lovely dress)

2.What advice would you give others on finding their own unique style?

i think it takes a while to find what you like. just gravitate toward colors and patterns that make you feel more like yourself!

3. What made you decide to open up an online vintage shop?Do you ever plan on opening a shop where you live?

i decided to open an online shop after i started my blog. i just sort of fell into it and as it grew i feel like i grew and became better at photographing, styling and running it. i don't ever plan on opening a brick-and-mortar shop... at this day in age i think it is so much more fun running an e-commerce shop. there is less overhead and you can work from home!

4. How do you find such good vintage finds? Advice on shopping for vintage?

i just have a lot of patience and i am absolutely in love with the hunt. my advice is to go into the store knowing particular styles/trends/colors that you are on the lookout for. around valentines day i hunted for all pinks and reds, now i have been searching for pastels and skipping jewel-toned colors because they are more in during the fall. you just have to stay up on the trends, and think about what YOU yourself would buy. i always try to offer exactly what my customer is looking for.

5. Have you or do you ever plan on making clothes?

:( i wish i could make clothes, but i don't have the sewing abilities and i think i am much better at re-vamping than creating. i can see a dress and see why it fits wrong or what needs to be fixed, but i can't make one from scratch. maybe one day!

6.What are your three articles of clothing your own now that you couldn't live without?

my destroyed jean shorts because i photograph every single blouse in my store with them, my black hat... i wear it every day! and recently i would say my glasses because they have mistakingly become my signature! :)

Here's me in some tea&tulip dresses: