POLKA DOTS::: Past & Present

(photo: property of Joe Leland)

Me in my Vintage navy polka dot wrap top...

The difference a belt can make...

AFTER

BEFORE

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I'm working on my NYE outfit and pulled out this Vintage dress that I thrifted a while back...I love how good it feels on but I felt frumpy because it just draped over me...I looked like a supersized square. So I decided to add this yellow belt and BAM, I have a smokin' hot outfit to wear tonight!!! Accessories and a pop of color always does the trick!!

NEW (old) ARRIVALS!!!! Have you joined the Eco-Centric Vintage Boutique fan page yet???

Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics

To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

Maybe Amber Rose might like this one... (LOL)

This one is so fly, remember wearing crests on the pocket of your clothes in the 80's? If this was my size I'd wear this with a big chunky belt and slouch boots.

This one is the show-stopper!! It belonged to a boutique owner back in the 1970's... The orginal sale tag is still attached!! It reads, " 6-20-70" $17....How cool is that???? Too bad its only a Size 4 which means I can't SQUEEZE into it!!

CLICK LINK TO SEE THE OTHER ITEMS:::::

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eco-Centric-Vintage-Boutique/187805377900623?v=photos

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SHOP LOCAL TODAY!! Visit the mom and pop stores and show your support for the struggling business owner. Keep your money in our comminities!!

Coming Soon::::Eco-Centric Vintage Boutique!!!

This dress inspired my decision to sell Vintage pieces like this one featured above online. Initially I purchased this dress from a high-end consignment shop for my daughter. I don't know what I was thinking, since its sheer my hubz said ABSOLUTELY NOT! I guess I figured she could wear a cami and/or a slip under it but he said no among other dresses like this one. The other dresses sold on eBay super fast so I decided to start selling vintage pieces on the side. So far business is booming on eBay....It was an older Caucasian lady that encouraged me to do this. We are both regulars at this particular consignment shop and met at an Estate Sale. She said, "Honey you have an eye to be such a young thing..people will pay you to do what you love." I love finding a diamond among rubbage..I ordered my mannequins and my plan is in motion. I will start a Facebook fan page where I will announce each new listing so stay tuned for that. Everything will be listed on eBay and payed via PayPal for secure transactions. I always wanted to have my own little boutique that served wine, fancy tea, coffees, gourmet danish and biscotti to my shoppers...You never know what the future holds. I may be able to parlay this vision into a nice little side-gig situation!! LOL!!

(This dress is available for purchase)

The first lady, Michelle Obama is "THRIFTY" too!!

Turns out the first lady is again making fashion news as she will be rocking a thrift store dress on the special.

The "couture" black-lace overlay frock, featuring a high, square neckline and a full skirt was plucked from New York Vintage in Chelsea, a trendy neighborhood in NYC.

The NY Post reports, "The secondhand 1950s piece -- believed to be the first vintage dress worn by a first lady to a public event -- was made by American designer Norman Norelli, who died in 1972 and was among the most influential designers of his time."

The store's owners would not say how much the first lady paid for the dress, but one estimate for this hand-me-down was $2,500.

Vintage owners know there's a difference between vintage and "thrift". But the media of course took the "thrift" edge and ran with it.

Regardless, we now all have permission to raid our grandparents' closets as vintage clothing is now even more the "new" new. (www.ybf.com)

SOURCE

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas colors and a Vintage Coat fresh from the cleaners ...Me::: Eco-Centric :)

GARAGE SALES are a good way to REUSE!

Garage Sales are my favorite Saturday morning ritual.. So many treasures to sort from..I usually go to the "uppity" neighborhoods because in many cases the wealthy are more likely to bore quickly from an overabundance and tend to sell their items dirt cheap. Garage sales are a great way to purge while ridding oneself of excess and making a pretty penny in the process! A while back I promoted my garage sale on Craigslist, posted signs and even attached balloons to my mailbox to encourage people to stop and shop. I started at 8 am in the morning and by noon I had close to $300 dollars in my pocket. CHA-CHING! I made a huge dent in my junky garage and cashed in at the same time. Its alot of work but well worth it in the end...the stuff that you have left you can drop off at the Goodwill. To make it even more fun, invite friends to sell their things as well..its like making money for hanging out... Happy Garage Sailin'...

I need an INTERVENTION!!!!

I spend so much time in this store, its crazy!! I just bought a vintage Chanel scarf (that smelled like moth balls LOL!) for .99 pennies....whoever is pricing this stuff doesn't have a clue of the value of these pieces. Bless their heart. Their loss is my gain!! What can I say, the stuff is donated?? LOL! *shoulder shrug* Sorry.. Happy Thrifting!!

Wordless Wednesday

"Thrifting"

Sew'd UP!

On a recent Thrift-o-thon I saw these antique sewing machines. I've always wanted to sew my own clothes for many reasons...(1) I have so many ideas swarming around in my head (2) I like being original, I loathe having on the same thing as someone else! (3) MUCH Cheaper!! (4) If I'm good (which I'm sure I would be *wink*) I could make it a source of income... I'm always thinking of ways to save money and make money. These two machines were beautiful and in mint condition! I wrote down the info so I can browse the net and find out how much they are worth. I want to make sure they are not overpriced. You have to watch out...some thrift stores are just as expensive as buying the item new. We shall see...I want these beauties so bad!! Aren't they gorgeous??

NINTENDO POWER on my back!!!!!!!!!

Don't I look spiffy in my RETRO Vintage Nintendo Power jacket??? As you can see I'm in the thrift store. It was $1.00 bag day so whatever was on these particular sale racks that you could fit into 1 bag was only $1.00 dollar. Unfortunately, this jacket was not on these selected racks but I paid $5.49 for it anyway...I can't wait to wear this bad boy. I could drop some pounds to fit in it comfortably since its only a L/XL. I wasn't leaving without it, even if it was a S'MEDIUM!!! LOL!

Pardon the rear end view...I wanted yall to see the back of my jacket!! LOL!

Another "JEM" to add to my collection!

I KNOW I am not the only one who used to LOVE to watch this show. JEM was more edgy and punk rock than those little Barbie's. Don't get me wrong, I love Barbie too but I loved how fierce these ladies were. I found this book for .99 cents and it was 30% cheaper with my membership card. I saw a JEM book go for $70 something bucks a while back on eBay...My retro book and video collection is gonna be a gold mine! WATCH. LOL!

Name brand outfit for only $2 bucks!

While out THRIFTING I stumbled on the cutest pieces for my almost 5 year old. The bedazzled top is Old Navy and the shorts are Hannah Montana, new with tags. Since it was Maniac Monday I got an additional 75% off. This cute little outfit that I paired with gold gladiator sandals only cost $2.oo!! You can't beat that price with a stick! Thrift stores are more than dusty hand-me-downs...I had on a Vera Wang top yesterday that I paid a buck fiddy for! Gotta love it!

SURFIN'::: The THRIFT STORE Edition!

Thrift Store surfin' is one of my favorite things to do. I hated it as a kid, I wanted all new stuff and not some moth ball smelling rubbish somebody threw away. The older I get I understand that whole "one man's trash is another man's treasure" thing... Its also another way to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle...MESSAGE!!!!!!!!! LOL! They don't call me the Retro Recessionista for nothing! *wink*

Usually, I leave the kids with Mr. and go by myself. I've taken my kids along and usually I'm too busy chasing them around to really sort through the goods. Plus, kids don't understand that they can't touch all over thrift store items...It's not the cleanest place for kids, considering most if not everything in there needs to be washed and sanitized...When I go with my bestie who is an avid online shopper... she doesn't have the patience. Going with the pals is fun..shout out to Wyn-dogg! She gets more out of finding things for me than herself! LOL! My sister has a short tolerance and hubby can only take it so long before he is totally over it. Saturday mornings is when I do my drive-bys. I am drooling just thinking about all of the glorious garage sales and groovy finds tucked away in thrift stores...My love affair with any and all things vintage has grown so intense lately! OMG...

Like I've said before, vintage items have history...they tell a story. Like my "GUMBY" stuffed little guy pictured above. It was love at first sight, I had to have it! I loved watching Gumby at 7:30 every morning before school. I remember missing my bus and getting in trouble trying to watch that daggone show! Just thinking about it cracks me up! While thrift store shopping I found another ZUMBA location too! HOLLA! I love getting my Zumba on..thats a whole 'notha blog post! LOL! *stay tuned* WINK! I'm gonna do a thrift store haul soon....